Chapter 554: Chapter 545: Competing for Favor
"But this is just the first batch. There will be a second batch, and a third batch in the future."
Ding Ling nodded secretly.
A command was given.
Immediately someone moved the Secret Manuals he had read to the Royal Library.
Then, an endless stream of new Secret Manuals was moved to the Imperial Study.
They wanted to pile them up again.
This should take some time.
Ding Ling is not in a hurry.
This is gathering the strength of the ’Four Kingdoms’ to transport Secret Manuals to him, which is much more convenient than finding them himself.
One can only say.
Doing something with the strength of a nation is truly delightful and satisfying.
Ding Ling was very pleased.
Although he could defeat nations alone.
But wanting to collect Secret Manuals from each household? How long would that take?
And the others might not even give them.
But now he is the Emperor!
And he stated that he only needed copies, offering rewards aplenty!
Who dares not to give face to the Emperor while mixing in the officialdom?!
As for some Secret Manuals scattered among the people?
Naturally, someone would pay a high price to purchase them, and then come to Ding Ling to exchange for benefits.
Ding Ling encourages this.
Among the people, there are many masters, and many scattered Secret Manuals, skills, and abilities.
If these people can acquire Secret Manuals from these individuals, it’s their skill, and Ding Ling naturally encourages it as long as it’s not against the law.
With the unification of the four kingdoms.
Ding Ling’s plans for rule of law naturally advanced.
The Jianghu remains the Jianghu, but blatant wanton slaughter has lessened.
The Jianghu folks now fear provoking or angering Ding Ling the Martial Arts Venerable, the legend of Jianghu!
Ding Ling rose from the Jianghu, fought his way to become the Emperor of the Four Kingdoms!
Unprecedented!
They are both amazed, worshipful, and fearful, especially after some rebellious figures received their deserved ends, naturally they are more wary, cautious, and careful.
This is another great benefit for the common people, and more people support Ding Ling.
Some individuals even proactively contribute copies of Secret Manuals.
He who wins the people, wins the world.
Such has been the case since ancient times.
As for the entrenched aristocratic families showing defiance?
Ding Ling can break through both the Royal Family and Imperial City, who truly dares to stand up and say no?
...
Time flows like water.
One day.
The Four Swordswomen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum from Lingjiu Palace at Illusory Peak of Tian Mountain brought half of the "Eight Desolates and Six Harmonies, Only I Am Supreme" to see Ding Ling.
They were worn and weary.
Heaven knows how much hardship they endured along the way.
Eating in the wind, sleeping in the dew, braving the elements, crossing mountains, no need to say.
Finally reaching the Western Xia Imperial City, they were told Ding Ling had gone to Luoyang.
So, again they had to embark on a thousand-mile trek to Luoyang!
Since it was their first time in the Central Plains, unfamiliar with the terrain, they suffered greatly.
Although Lingjiu Palace was significant in the past, subjugating Thirty-Six Caves and Seventy-two Island Masters, a rebellion cost Lingjiu Palace decades of effort almost overnight!
Years of arrangement in various parts of Central Plains almost dispersed.
Not many spies or personnel were left.
It’s precisely because of the difficulty in maintaining contact with these spies.
The Four Swordswomen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum had such a painstaking journey.
Countless times they got lost, took detours, clashed with numerous bold marauders, and so on, let’s not mention.
In short, the four beautiful girls, once with jade-like complexion and distinguished looks, now appeared quite jaded.
Ding Ling chatted with them for a while.
The four women saw that Ding Ling was unexpectedly amiable and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and since they came from among the people, knowing Ding Ling’s great reputation, their attitude towards him subtly changed.
Originally quite respectful and fearful of Ding Ling, the four women at this moment seemed to let down their guard, or rather, were here with the intention to please and cooperate, thus they affectionately called Ding Ling "Your Majesty" with charm and delight.
Li Qinglu, who was serving tea to Ding Ling beside them, couldn’t stand it.
She only felt that the four women who looked perfectly pleasing at first now looked like fox spirits!
"In a few days, I will make a trip to Illusory Peak."
Ding Ling finally said.
The Four Swordswomen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum rejoiced and hurriedly said:
"Can Your Majesty take us back with you?"
The four women frowned:
"From Luoyang to Tian Mountain is too far, relying on us walking, it’s impossible to make it in less than half a month!"
Though they are familiar with the return journey now, and won’t take pointless detours again.
But being able to return within half a month is good.
After all, on this journey, dining in the wind and sleeping in the dew, needing to eat, rest, and so forth, plus climbing mountains and crossing streams, the road is difficult, consuming significant time, energy, and effort, naturally.
"Okay."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The Four Swordswomen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum bowed in jubilation.
"Qinglu, arrange accommodation and meals for them."
Ding Ling instructed.
"Certainly, Your Majesty."
Li Qinglu replied with a smile, stood up, and said:
"You all, follow me."
After she became the Imperial Consort.
In hopes of quickly bearing a son.
She frequently visited Ding Ling.
Zhong Ling and Mu Wanqing also visited often but were never as precise. Every time Ding Ling returned to the palace, she’d promptly find him.
In this regard,
Zhong Ling and Mu Wanqing were always a step behind. Thus, puzzled, they also began assigning palace maids to keep track of Ding Ling’s return, reporting immediately.
Despite this effort,
they were still half a step or a full step behind Li Qinglu.
This left the two of them distressed and worried.
Upon hearing reports that Li Qinglu had left the Imperial Study, the two were overjoyed, quickly tidied up, and went to find Ding Ling.
When they reached the Imperial Study, they saw Ding Ling reading.
One silently placed prepared pastries beside Ding Ling, while the other held washed fruit to Ding Ling’s mouth:
"Your Majesty, take a break, have some food."
"Alright."
Seeing Zhong Ling and Mu Wanqing arrive, Ding Ling put down the book:
"Then let’s take a break."
The two were delighted.
Immediately, they accompanied Ding Ling for a chat.
They rarely gathered or parted.
Though Ding Ling had become Emperor, if not dealing with state affairs and selecting officials, he was lost in the sea of books, hard to gather truly.
However, lately, with Ding Ling often in the Imperial Study, the women frequently came to accompany him.
It gave Ding Ling a taste of the ancients’ ’corrupted’ ’fallen life’.
Fortunately, Ding Ling’s goal was clear, only for immortality and invincibility.
Thus, he was not concerned about having more women.
The three women in the palace
were sufficient for him.
Many ministers repeatedly advised him to hold a selection, to fill the harem, but Ding Ling refused.
Therefore,
Mu Wanqing, Zhong Ling, and Li Qinglu were naturally overjoyed, and their recognition and admiration for Ding Ling heightened drastically.
In their view,
Having only three women in the Emperor’s harem is rare and uncommon.
How many Emperors in history?
Are always with three palaces, six courtyards, seventy-two concubines.
In this regard, Ding Ling is exceptionally wise and virtuous as a monarch; how could they not be satisfied?
Therefore,
They sought ways to be good to Ding Ling.
And hoped to bear heirs for him sooner.
Yet they were unaware that Ding Ling had no desire for offspring, and could not have children regardless.
...
Ding Ling went to Celestial Mountain Piaomiao Peak, Lingjiu Palace.
Having obtained the complete version of "Eight Desolates and Six Harmonies, Only I Am Supreme," he bid farewell to Heavenly Mountain Granny and left.
The Four Swordswomen of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum watched Ding Ling’s departing figure, unable to recover for a long time.
They thought of Ding Ling carrying them on this journey, rushing like the wind and electricity, flying hundreds of miles at once, lightly tapping on tree tops, then borrowing force to soar another hundreds of miles.
Repeating this several times.
Thus he carried them back to Lingjiu Palace, the speed initially eliciting screams from them, and now, recalling, the four women blushed, feeling shy and embarrassed.
"What is it?"
Heavenly Mountain Granny glanced sideways.
Such expressions from the four were rare.
The four didn’t hide it from her and revealed the reason.
Heavenly Mountain Granny was moved, further confirming Ding Ling had indeed learned the art of Soaring in the Void.
"Truly impressive. Had I known, I would have asked him for guidance."
Heavenly Mountain Granny regretted and fretted, but Ding Ling had already flown away, making it impossible to call him back.
"When you have the chance, visit Luoyang."
Heavenly Mountain Granny thus remarked.
