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Chapter 1120: Chapter 1029: The Trade
Of course, Li Zhirui would fully research the Methods and devise countermeasures before passing them on to the Secular Clansmen.
After all, the Human Daoist magic network has significant repressive effects on Cultivators, and Li Zhirui also worries that their ambitions may grow over time, potentially leading to a reversal of roles and a disaster in the making.
Those two civil and military ministers had not expected Li Zhirui to make such a request; they had thought that this Cultivator would take advantage of the dynasty not yet being fully established to destroy it, thereby preventing future troubles.
They could feel an immense sense of oppression oozing from this person!
It should be known that both of them are at the pinnacle among the king’s subjects; apart from the sovereign, their strength is the greatest within the dynasty, and even the Divine Beasts have sensed the danger of extinction, so there is no doubt about the other party’s ability to eradicate the dynasty.
"This matter is of great importance; we two are not at liberty to decide," they said.
The civil minister seemed to be mulling it over and said, "If Your Excellency isn’t in a hurry, you might as well rest in the Capital for a few days."
"Very well, once you have discussed and decided, come and find me," Li Zhirui said.
Li Zhirui was well aware that within the Capital, unless he hid in a spatial pocket, he could not escape from the surveillance of the ubiquitous Human Daoist magic network!
"I shall take my leave first."
Having said this, Li Zhirui disappeared.
"Zhuge Qing, brother..."
The military officer wanted to say something but was interrupted by Zhuge Qing, who said, "Bai, it is not fitting to discuss matters here, let’s return to the royal palace first."
The two men navigated through the crowd, with the commoners passing by as if unable to see them, and soon they entered a simple and elegant palace.
"My subjects, what is the purpose of that Cultivator’s visit? Is the dynasty in danger?" The king, who seemed to be no more than forty years old and at the prime of his life, asked from his throne.
"Your Majesty, it appears that the Cultivator holds no malice towards our dynasty; in fact, he seems quite interested and even wishes to acquire the complete laws of the Human Dao dynasty," Zhuge Qing said, and a wave of murmurs arose in the hall upon his words.
"Your Majesty! It must not be allowed! Cultivators are not kind people. If he discerns and exploits the terrifying aspects of the Human Daoist magic network, he could attract a multitude of Cultivators to overthrow the dynasty!" An old minister with white hair and beard shouted at the top of his voice.
The other ministers also voiced their opinions, repeatedly emphasizing the dangers involved.
The king’s expression remained unchanged as he simply let them express their views.
"Do you remember the Human Daoist magic network in Cangshan County that was suddenly activated a few hours ago?"
At this moment, a young minister, looking to be in his twenties, stood up and said, "Since the dynasty is still in a dormant state, the usage of the Human Daoist magic network has not been disseminated. Furthermore, the current Cangshan County Magistrate is but a farmer’s son appointed this year. How could he have activated the network?"
"Thus, I took the liberty of investigating this Magistrate and discovered something quite interesting. He studied at the recently established Quest for Dao Academy in Yi City ten years ago. In three years, he passed the imperial examination as a scholar, and after another three years of study, he smoothly earned the title of Juren. He failed in the last higher exam, but this year he emerged successfully in the hundred names list with a special imperial grace."
"I further investigated the Quest for Dao Academy and the students who graduated from it, discovering that despite their humble origins, their paths through the imperial examinations were incredibly smooth. Among this year’s chosen scholars, two hail from this academy!"
"Just as I was intent on uncovering more information, I found no trace of the founder of the academy, no news of him, save for some descriptions of his appearance by the people of Yi City," the young minister recounted the descriptions he collected, looking at the two ministers and inquired respectfully, "May I ask Minister Zhuge, Minister Bai, does the Cultivator you met match the descriptions I have given?"
"Minister Jiang is truly remarkable!" The military officer Bai Rong widened his eyes and loudly praised, "What you described perfectly matches the appearance of that Cultivator."
"Does that mean, he had detected the existence of the Human Daoist magic network as early as ten years ago, but only acted today?"
The king chuckled lightly, saying, "Interesting, this Cultivator is truly intriguing."
This king’s prestige seemed extraordinarily high; as soon as he spoke, the originally noisy hall instantly fell silent, all obediently listening.
"Since he comes with good intentions, we need not shut him out. However, he desires the complete laws of the Human Dao dynasty, yet it’s unknown what he can offer in exchange?"
The king looked toward Zhuge Qing and the young minister Jiang Heng, saying, "Minister Zhuge, take Minister Jiang with you to handle this affair."
"Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing these words, several ministers with particularly strong objections widened their eyes, wanting to advise against it, but saw him sweep his sleeves, rising and leaving the throne.
Clearly, his mind was made up.
——
After Li Zhirui left, he strolled on the bustling streets of the Capital, watching the vibrant and lively shops on either side, and the smiles on the faces of the many mortals, his spirit gradually blending in.
’Perhaps this is the true meaning of the Human Dao Dynasty.’
Perhaps it can’t avoid the darkness entirely, but at least with the protection of the Human Daoist magic network, most mortals’ safety is guaranteed, not having to worry day and night about Devil Beast attacks, Demon Cultivator slaughters, or Divine Powers falling from the sky unexpectedly.
However, Li Zhirui soon came back to his senses; he indeed had a compassionate heart, but compared to his drive for cultivation, it was far too insignificant.
Just like this time in trading the Human Dao dynasty’s Methods, in addition to securing the safety of the Secular Clansmen, his greater desire was to draw inspiration from this unique body of law, broaden his knowledge, and thereby boost his own cultivation.
