Chapter 552: The Rift Between Zhong Shengguang and the Red General
No, that’s not right.
After the last great battle at Xinhuang Town, the nightmare qi collected by Beijia’s attendant with the Dragon Punishment Pillar had been pitifully little. That means there must have been a powerful competitor at the time...
He Lingchuan guessed that the competitor was the Generous Pot.
If the Generous Pot could also gather nightmare qi, then does Mitian really still need to create a Dragon Punishment Pillar?
Shao Jian did not recognize the object either. “What is this?”
“This thing can gather vast quantities of nightmare qi from the mortal realm. It can also be sent through the Heavenly Net Barrier[1] by way of sacrifice. Every god would like it.” Mitian smiled faintly. “I named it the Dragon Punishment Pillar.”
He Lingchuan kept his expression unchanged, but his thoughts were surging again.
Wait, the Dragon Punishment Pillar was named by Mitian herself? Does that mean this thing originated with her?
And yet the attendants of State Preceptor Shuang Ye had claimed that the tradition of collecting nightmare qi for transcendence had already existed for four or five centuries.
“Vast quantities?” Shao Jian’s face changed instantly. “Nightmare qi can be gathered artificially? And this Dragon Punishment Pillar of yours?”
“Of course it can.” Mitian handed him the bronze tube. “Once the Dragon Punishment Pillar is activated, all the nightmare qi within five kilometers is sucked dry day and night.”
“T-this...” Shao Jian was at a loss for words.
“To the heavenly gods, nightmare qi is what spirit qi is to all living things in the mortal realm,” Mitian said at an unhurried pace. “They’ve always been researching ways to collect nightmare qi for themselves, but with little success. Without the Generous Pot, no one could create the Dragon Punishment Pillar.”
He Lingchuan’s ears twitched slightly. So the key to making the Dragon Punishment Pillar lay in the Generous Pot?
That alone gave the gods ample reason to covet it.
“And what task are you assigning me?”
“I used divine remains to produce many Dragon Punishment Pillars.” Clearly, the one in her hand was only a sample. “You and your men are to take them to states and commoners who worship minor gods and evil gods, and explain what they do. Remember, while doing this, do not let anyone trace them back to you...”
Divine remains? He Lingchuan’s heart stirred. So the last time the Red General had stormed into the royal palace of West Ji to dig up divine remains, it had been for this purpose.
In other words, historically speaking, Panlong City is the true source of the Dragon Punishment Pillar?
So, Beijia’s state preceptor lied to his own followers?
“I’ve established commercial properties in various states, all under assumed names...” Shao Jian had only just begun speaking when the doors to the Hall of War creaked open again, and Zhong Shengguang strode inside.
“Brother Shao!”
Shao Jian broke into a delighted grin and went forward to meet him. “Commander Zhong!”
The two clasped fists, clapped each other on the shoulders, and both wore sincere smiles.
From that gesture alone, He Lingchuan could tell that the two men were deeply familiar.
It could be said that most of the changes in Zhong Shengguang’s life had come about because of Shao Jian.
“The last time we parted, it was already three years ago.” Zhong Shengguang let out a long sigh. “Time passes too quickly.”
“You seem much more spirited now.” Shao Jian laughed. “Three years ago, you were still pulling me aside to sigh over all your troubles. Now you’re full of vigor!”
Five years ago, Panlong City had been viciously betrayed by its motherland. Three years ago, it still had not recovered. Back then, Zhong Shengguang had been hemmed in by crises both internal and external, exhausting himself every day. But now Panlong City had not only regained its footing, but it had also made great strides forward. Naturally, Zhong Shengguang’s whole bearing was different from before.
However, his gaze swept across the table and landed on the Dragon Punishment Pillar. His expression changed immediately. “This is...?” He looked at Mitian. “You actually made it?”
Mitian gave a quiet hum of approval and said, “I was just about to have Shao Jian take it out and distribute it to other gods.”
Zhong Shengguang quite clearly hesitated for a moment before saying, “This matter would be better considered over the long term.”
“Over the long term?” Mitian slowly turned her gaze to his face. “Do you think we still have so much time?”
“If the other gods get hold of the Dragon Punishment Pillar, they will certainly do everything in their power to collect nightmare qi.”
“Otherwise, the Heavenly Net will absorb it anyway, and not much will remain in the mortal realm.” Mitian sounded indifferent. “If you want spirit qi in the mortal realm to recover quickly, the most effective method is to provoke civil war among the heavenly gods and bring about their deaths. Is there any dispute over that?”
He Lingchuan’s eyes flickered. Countless thoughts rushed into his mind.
That one sentence contained far too much information.
Zhong Shengguang should have known all this long ago. He merely continued, “I’m only afraid that, in order to seize more nightmare qi for themselves, they’ll first do everything possible to stir up war in the mortal realm.”
What method could make humans die suddenly and in great numbers during youth and prime adulthood, when the essence of life was at its fullest?
Probably only war.
Only war could produce the largest quantity of nightmare qi in the shortest span of time.
Mitian said coldly, “Does the world look peaceful to you as it is now?”
Zhong Shengguang shook his head. “But if it’s because we created the Dragon Punishment Pillar that warfare in the world becomes even more frequent, that all living beings suffer and the land is soaked in ruin, then that would go against the Heavenly Dao and against our own hearts!”
“The Heavenly Dao and your own heart? Can they topple Beijia? Can they topple the gods?” Mitian’s eyebrows shot upward, and she advanced on him step by step. “Zhong Shengguang, have you gone soft? After West Ji, I’d say you truly do want to follow the tide and return to West Luo!”
Even standing by the door, He Lingchuan could feel an unprecedented pressure.
The divine coercion she released all at once was like a mountain collapsing in front of him, something no human strength could resist.
He could not imagine what it felt like for Zhong Shengguang, standing directly before her.
Zhong Shengguang’s body swayed twice, and a flush rose across his face, but his back remained straight.
He said sternly, “Absolutely not! We had an agreement from the beginning!”
At the same time, he made a hand gesture to He Lingchuan and Shao Jian.
The two of them immediately left the Hall of War.
He Lingchuan had only just shut the doors when a loud bang came from inside.
Shao Jian rubbed at his neck. “The long table?”
He Lingchuan lowered his voice. “Eight-hundred-year-old ironwood.” What a waste.
The four guards in the courtyard also turned toward the Hall of War at the sound.
He Lingchuan waved a hand at them, and they looked away again.
This place was called the Hall of War. What was strange about the occasional violent clash?
But very soon, no more sounds came from inside. Evidently, Mitian had erected a soundproof barrier.
Zhong Shengguang had already formed a contract with her during the rite of divine recompense. So long as that agreement had not been broken, Commander Zhong ought to be safe.
That much, He Lingchuan was not worried about.
Shao Jian smiled at him. “You know my real name, but outside, I go by Wu Shan. I travel through many states and manage several merchant caravans under me.”
He Lingchuan immediately replied, “Mr. Wu.”
Clearly, after completing the King of Yuān’s final instructions, Shao Jian had not retired in quiet success. Instead, he had changed identities and continued moving through the mortal realm, gathering intelligence.
He Lingchuan understood perfectly well that a traveling merchant was one of the best covers for concealing one’s identity and collecting information.
He felt a genuine reverence for this nephew of the King of Yuān.
Shao Jian did not know what the youth was thinking, but he could sense that respect from him.
“I’ve no fixed home. I just make a little hard-earned money here and there.” Shao Jian asked casually, “Did you take part in the West Ji war?”
If one wanted to rise quickly in the Gale Army, military merit was the most likely path.
He Lingchuan smiled. “From beginning to end.”
Shao Jian patted him on the arm and said sincerely, “Good lad!”
Outstanding young people were the hope of this city.
Not long after, the doors to the Hall of War opened again.
Shao Jian and He Lingchuan reentered. The latter shut the door behind them and saw that the atmosphere inside was no longer tense. Mitian had returned to her usual coldness.
But the ironwood long table had already been snapped cleanly in two.
The break was jagged, not smooth, so it did not look like it had been cut by a sharp weapon.
He Lingchuan felt a chill crawl over his scalp. Even with Fleeting Life, cutting eight-hundred-year-old ironwood was not easy unless the Army Breaker ability activated.
“We proceed according to the original plan. Shao Jian is to spread every single Dragon Punishment Pillar all at once. Quickly! Before the gods of Lingxu notice.” She said seriously, “The faster you spread them, the safer you’ll be.”
Once Shao Jian quickly scattered the Dragon Punishment Pillars and then concealed himself afterward, even if the gods of Lingxu City discovered their existence, it would be very difficult for them to trace the source.
Whenever a new thing appears, there is always a gap between the time it is accepted and the time it draws real attention.
“As it happens, Panlong City’s new trade route to the southern seaports has already been opened. If you sail south and circle around Beijia, it’ll be at least two or three times faster than the old route.”
The opening of the new trade route had greatly strengthened Panlong City’s connection with the outside world.
That was a huge step forward.
“This time, I came to Panlong City by that very route,” Shao Jian said. “But no matter how I distribute them, I’m afraid the Dragon Punishment Pillars will eventually flow into Beijia anyway.”
“Eventually?” Mitian burst into laughter. “That would be ideal! Do you think the gods of Lingxu are all one solid block?”
Shao Jian accepted the daunting task.
He Lingchuan noticed that while she assigned it, Zhong Shengguang said nothing at all, his eyebrows drawn tightly together.
He did not agree, but in the end, he also did not oppose her.
This small conflict made one thing clear: Zhong Shengguang and Mitian were not of one mind.
And they should not have been.
He Lingchuan sighed inwardly.
How could gods and humans ever cooperate with complete, unreserved sincerity?
Mitian asked Shao Jian, “You’ll still be staying in Panlong City the next few days to discuss business and purchase goods, correct?”
“Yes.” On the surface, he was making purchases. In secret, he was carrying out his mission. That was Shao Jian’s protective coating.
“This afternoon, Zhong Shengguang and I will both be leaving the city on business.” The Red General’s gaze shifted as she summoned He Lingchuan forward. “Broken Blade, while Shao Jian remains in Panlong City, you are his personal guard.”
“Yes.” That order suited He Lingchuan perfectly.
Then the Red General handed over a black iron ring. “There are 1,200 Dragon Punishment Pillars inside. For now, you will hold them. When Shao Jian leaves the city, hand them over to him.”
Clearly, she did not fully trust Shao Jian. She was worried he might get robbed while wandering around the city.
Shao Jian was startled. “1,200?”
He Lingchuan accepted it respectfully and tucked it away close to his body, secretly astonished.
That was an enormous number. It had not been long at all since the last expedition to the divine tomb[2], yet Mitian had already refined over a thousand Dragon Punishment Pillars?
Is this thing not actually that difficult to make?
“So long as there’s a Generous Pot, and so long as there are materials, can’t I make as many of these as I want?” Mitian gave a derisive snort. “Why did I insist on researching it? Because its demand is bound to be enormous!”
That final sentence sent a deep chill down He Lingchuan’s spine the more he thought about it.
Mitian said to Shao Jian again, “Do not use them yourself. Some of the Dragon Punishment Pillars are tainted with the aura of the Generous Pot. The first time they’re used, they’re likely to alert certain heavenly gods worshiped by Beijia and attract unnecessary attention.”
Shao Jian let out a small exclamation. “Only the first time?”
“Yes. Otherwise, if the heavenly gods of Lingxu caught them red-handed every single time, what minor gods would dare use them? And that would be no fun at all.”
1. This might be some barrier that separates the mortal realm from the divine realm. ☜
2. This should just be referring to that place with a lot of divine remains. ☜
