NOVPUB
Chapter 151: Chapter 148: Xin Tianqi
Gu Jinlai expressed his gratitude for the Qiantian Purple Qi Technique that Jiang Chongshan had sent over, and then directly summoned Nian Buwang, who assisted him in handling all sorts of affairs in Lingxiao City.
"Did the Purgatory Sect respond after I sent Zhengyi Dao Elder Bai Shu to them not long ago, as evidence of Deputy Sect Master Lin Xiao harming fellow sect members?"
Gu Jinlai asked.
"Not at all."
Nian Buwang replied: "After all, Lin Xiao is the Vice Sect Master of Purgatory Sect, which is equivalent to a facade of the sect. The upper echelons of Purgatory Sect are aware that both sides have almost come to blows, and are just waiting for the Primordial Spirit True Monarchs to take action, surely they will deal with us. Under such circumstances, Purgatory Sect would not do something that would please their foes and pain their kin."
As he spoke, he added: "If I haven’t guessed wrong, Purgatory Sect will likely adopt a delaying tactic, drag this period out, and at most, they will give him a punishment that is neither severe nor light, just to stabilize our side first."
"Deputy Sect Master Lin Xiao of Purgatory Sect has already made attempts on my life, how could I not seek blood for blood?"
Gu Jinlai said calmly: "Send another message to Purgatory Sect. They must hand over Lin Xiao to me for disposal. Only then can it be ensured that the sect rules are fair and just. If they refuse... I will personally lead troops into Red State and capture Lin Xiao."
Nian Buwang couldn’t help but widen his eyes upon hearing this.
"Lead troops into Red State!?"
His own patriarch had killed an Elder of Purgatory Sect in Baihe City, and it was already good enough that Purgatory Sect hadn’t sought him out to settle accounts straight away, yet he was actually taking the initiative to lead troops into Red State—such an act was simply...
"I have my own plans."
Gu Jinlai said: "Send the message. Additionally, gather personnel and station them in Yuanhua City to prepare for intimidating Red State by amassing troops at the border."
"Yes."
Although Nian Buwang did not know what the patriarch was planning, he spared no effort in executing his orders.
Once Nian Buwang had left, Gu Jinlai closed his eyes to ponder.
At present, although he had three Heavenly Sword Missiles in his possession, with this force, it was uncertain if he could withstand the fury of Purgatory Sect once they focused their attention on him after the Divine Sword assembly.
The best solution was to fully understand the mysteries of the Tendency Realm.
If he could step into the Tendency Realm...
Purgatory Sect would not dare set foot in Lingxiao City.
And following that, Lingxiao City would face no obstacles expanding in other directions of Star State.
A firm punch to deter future troubles.
If he could really achieve that step, resolving the chaos in Star State was not an extravagant hope.
Therefore, pressuring Purgatory Sect, obtaining a Devas Inheritance from them, comprehending the Heaven and Earth’s momentum of the Devas, as well as the Power of Fate mentioned in the Qiantian Purple Qi Technique, aligning and integrating both, and realizing the Tendency Realm were absolutely necessary.
Of course, there was another reason—knowing that Purgatory Sect would inevitably seek revenge after the Divine Sword assembly, why not strike first?
As long as the intensity was maintained in the battles with Purgatory Sect without forcing them to act in full extent, he could become stronger with every battle, continuously strengthening himself with Qingguang’s help.
Perhaps by then, he might not need to comprehend the Tendency Realm and could wrestle with a Primordial Spirit True Monarch solely with the traits derived from the Eternal Furnace.
In any case, doing anything was better than sitting idly by and waiting for doom.
Meanwhile, as Gu Jinlai had Nian Buwang send the message to Purgatory Sect...
In Lingxiao City, a middle-aged man who seemed indistinguishable from an ordinary city resident and appeared to be in his forties, stepped out of his house.
As usual, he first went to a breakfast stall, ordered a basket of steamed buns and a bowl of soy milk, and while eating and drinking, he listened to the conversations of residents around him, soaking in the atmosphere.
It seemed to be the appointed time.
A group of five or six children entered the breakfast stall’s diagonally opposite courtyard, laughing and shouting as they roughhoused.
That was a Literary Academy unique to Lingxiao City.
Simply named Lingxiao City’s Sixth Literary Academy.
The use of "sixth" did not signify that there were only six such academies in Lingxiao City, but at least six.
In reality, throughout Lingxiao City, there were more than thirty such academies dedicated to education and enlightenment, with varying numbers of students in each.
Some had over a thousand students, some several thousands.
Shortly after the children entered the academy, a chorus of readings could be heard.
"Heaven is dark, the universe primitive, the sun wanes as the moon waxes, the stars and constellations spread..."
Hearing these voices reciting, the clamor on the streets seemed to quieten somewhat as people looked towards the courtyard with smiles on their faces.
The middle-aged man finished his breakfast and stood up.
In the meantime, a young man in security guard attire hurried over: "Boss, three large meat buns, the money is here."
"Ah Ze, here, I’ll treat you, you folks work hard patrolling every day."
The running was infused with a thriving vitality.
The middle-aged man glanced, then redirected his attention and walked towards the main street.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians, men and women, young and old.
Although most were in a hurry, their eyes were filled with an indefinable sparkle.
They were filled with hope for the future.
The middle-aged man wandered for a while and passed by a large courtyard, within which was a Martial Arts Arena.
At the moment, hundreds of youths were practicing martial arts diligently, honing themselves.
The person responsible for instructing them turned out to be an expert who had cultivated True Qi.
But that wasn’t the focal point, the key was...
It was free.
These expenses were all covered by the financial treasury of Lingxiao City.
The middle-aged man looked around and before he knew it, he had arrived at a mansion that was quite luxurious.
He approached to knock on the door and soon, an elder appeared from inside.
Upon seeing the man, the elder was first taken aback, then his eyes widened with disbelief.
"Is the Star King here? I would like to pay a visit to His Highness."
"Here... here..."
The elder quickly stepped aside, "Star Lord Xin... please... please come in."
Star Lord!
Surnamed Xin.
In the entire Star State, there was only one man with this surname who was also revered as the Star Lord...
"Xin Tianqi?"
Jiang Chongshan also looked somewhat stunned as he observed the visitor.
The strongest in Star State, the Meteor Star Lord, Primordial Spirit Monarch Xin Tianqi, came to Lingxiao City!?
"I hope Your Highness has been faring well these days."
Xin Tianqi gave a formal bow.
He maintained enough etiquette for this prince.
"Star Lord Xin."
Jiang Chongshan watched him, not blinking, trying to figure out his purpose for coming.
Back in Starlight City, he had some connection with Xin Tianqi.
But now he was in Lingxiao City and the arrival of Xin Tianqi, who was the Meteor Star Lord, seemed perplexing and hard not to make him entertain unwelcome guesses.
"May I know what brings Star Lord Xin to Lingxiao City? Which route did you take, and under what identity?"
Jiang Chongshan said.
"Identity? Just an ordinary citizen of Star State. I heard that places like Lingxiao City, Yuanhua City, Changjun City, and Sunset City are peaceful and prosperous, especially Lingxiao City, with its streets so safe that one may drop valuables without loss and houses do not need to be locked at night. Curious about this, I wanted to see it for myself."
Xin Tianqi said.
With that answer, Jiang Chongshan had a good idea of his intent.
"Please have a seat, Star Lord Xin."
He gestured for Xin Tianqi to sit down, and after asking the steward to serve tea, he asked, "So, what does Star Lord Xin think of it so far?"
"What do I think..."
Xin Tianqi was silent for a moment.
Jiang Chongshan did not press further.
After a while, Xin Tianqi slowly said, "In the eyes of the citizens of Lingxiao City, I saw light; they have hope in their hearts and light in their eyes."
"Indeed."
Jiang Chongshan took a deep breath and said, "Even though Gu Jinlai seems to have not done much, merely enforcing some existing practices more strictly, maintaining equality and respecting everyone, these simple changes have given the people hope and everyone a vision for the future."
"Is that why the Star King took the initiative to come to Lingxiao City?"
"Not exactly, it was an unexpected discovery. At first, I just wanted to slay more devils."
Jiang Chongshan spoke, then looked toward Xin Tianqi.
With his status, he was naturally able to converse with the number one expert of Star State on an equal footing.
"I’ve heard the disputes between the two young masters are intense."
"Yes."
Xin Tianqi said, "According to Xue Yue, the current situation in Star State is turbulent and desperately needs a capable and ambitious State Governor to lead Star State out of this quandary and protect a region amidst this chaotic world. Therefore, he has chosen the second young master, who has high cultivation and strong methods. However... he fails to understand that there is an order of seniority. Star State is already in such chaos; if we start to break the tradition, it will only make things messier."
"The capabilities of the eldest young master are somewhat inferior to those of the second, but he is mild-mannered and tolerant..." 𝘯𝑜𝑣𝑝𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
As Jiang Chongshan spoke, he shook his head, seeming to feel that there was little point in further discussion given the situation.
"What are your thoughts?"
"My thoughts?"
Xin Tianqi glanced in the direction of Starlight City, "The State Governor has shown me great favor. Without his unwavering trust, how could I be in my current position and how could the Meteor Star Guard be so glorious, not to mention my prestige as the foremost person in Star State. It’s just a pity that one wrong move by a child leads to a lost game..."
"So, your determination is to protect the State Lord Mansion and Star State, to not disappoint Governor Qi’s trust?"
Jiang Chongshan looked at Xin Tianqi, "Governor Qi helped you achieve greatness, but you, in turn, made Governor Qi what he is. You have both accomplished each other. Without your combined efforts, how could Star State stand tall and unscathed amidst the chaos plaguing every other state for so long? You haven’t let anyone down."
"I know what you’re trying to say."
Xin Tianqi too looked at Jiang Chongshan, "If I really intended to do something, I would have done it long ago. Why wait until now and even reveal my identity to visit the Star King? After all, I have been in Lingxiao City for over a month. Opportunities, there have been more than one or two."
Even with his suspicions, hearing Xin Tianqi’s personal assurance still made Jiang Chongshan breathe a sigh of relief, "What you mean is, Star Lord Xin..."
Xin Tianqi looked towards the courtyard entrance.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the courtyard walls, observing the bustling crowd outside, the unceasing flow of people and the atmosphere of human life.
He had only experienced this lively prosperity when he was a child, before the world was thrown into chaos.
After a moment, he said, "I was born and raised in Star State, and I would hate to see Star State plunge into chaos and war more than anyone else... Gu Jinlai is doing a great job."
Xin Tianqi stood up, "Having been out for over a month, I should return. Please convey a message to Gu Jinlai for me... If he truly has the ability to end the chaos in Star State... Starlight City, I’ll wait for him to take it."
