Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 279 Your father has been waiting for you for a long time.

Zi Shou's voice wasn't loud, and his expression was calm, but every word he uttered was resounding and carried a powerful confidence. A captivating aura emanated from him in every gesture.

It is precisely this confidence and aura that inspires admiration in people...

"This is... the aura of a king?"

Huang Feihu looked at Zishou and was both surprised and delighted. He keenly sensed that Zishou had undergone a tremendous change since his return.

He was the son of Huang Gun, a famous general of the Shang Dynasty, and came from the Huang family, a family of loyal officials for seven generations. Due to his outstanding martial arts talent and similar age, he was chosen to be the companion of this third prince and studied under Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, learning military strategy and martial arts.

It can be said that the two of them have been inseparable since childhood, growing up together and being as close as brothers.

He also knew that this prince was concerned about the country and its people, and he had already secretly vowed to help this 'brother' stabilize the Shang Dynasty.

Unfortunately, he had never seen the prince show any interest in the throne before... even though the prince was also eligible to inherit.

As is well known, King Di Yi of Shang had three sons: his eldest son Zi Qi, his second son Zhong Yan, and his third son Zi Shou, all born of the same mother.

Logically speaking, the heir to the throne of the Great Shang should have been Ziqi, the eldest son, and there should have been no controversy.

The problem lies in the fact that when this queen gave birth to Qi and Zhongyan, she was still a concubine. It was only after she became the principal wife that she gave birth to the third prince, Zishou.

Therefore, the ministers in the court are now arguing fiercely over who will be the successor.

On one hand, the civil officials overwhelmingly supported Ziqi, believing that as the eldest son, he should be the heir.

However, this point was opposed by the Grand Historian, who argued that according to ancestral rules and rites, if the son of the principal wife was alive, the son of the concubine could not become king.

Thus the throne remained vacant and undecided.

Huang Feihu's words, whether for public or private reasons, naturally meant unconditional support for the Third Prince.

Privately, he and Zishou grew up together and shared a bond of kinship and brotherhood. Publicly, however, the Shang Dynasty was currently facing severe internal and external troubles, and he felt that the eldest prince, who valued literature over military prowess, was truly unsuitable for the throne.

It should be understood that today's major merchants are not what they used to be; their situation can be described as quite precarious.

Previously, the Shang Dynasty had suffered severe internal strife due to the chaos of nine generations, resulting in a significant loss of strength. Its rule and deterrence over the feudal lords and states were no longer what they used to be.

In recent years, after hearing that the Shang king was seriously ill, the feudal lords and states from all directions stopped paying tribute to the Shang dynasty.

Secondly, there were also the Guifang, Tufang, and other barbarian tribes from all directions who rose up and grew stronger, threatening the rule of the Shang Dynasty.

If it were only these external troubles, it wouldn't be so bad. The key issue is that the internal affairs of the Shang Dynasty are also in turmoil. The chaos has exacerbated the internal conflicts among the nobles in the court. The royal family and nobles are arrogant, unrestrained, licentious, extravagant, and disloyal...

The Shang dynasty is now truly in a precarious state. He feels that entrusting the country to the eldest prince, who values ​​civil affairs over military matters, and a group of civil officials will inevitably lead to its downfall.

On the contrary, this Prince Zishou has been brave and resourceful since childhood. However, whenever he mentioned the throne, Zishou would calmly smile and change the subject, which made him very depressed.

And now... he has finally waited for it.

Just then, a woman in yellow carrying a sword came to the door, peeked inside, and when she saw Zi Shou, she ran in happily and said, "Third Brother, you're finally back! If you hadn't come back, my brother would have beaten me to death."

Huang Feihu's face darkened, and he snorted, "If anything happens to the Third Prince..."

"It's alright, Flying Tiger!"

Zi Shou waved his hand and smiled, looking at the pretty girl in front of him, and said softly, "Thank you for your hard work, Fei Luan, I'm back."

The girl blushed slightly and said, "Hehe, it wasn't that hard. My brother would never hit me. Besides, even if he did, wouldn't I just run away?"

Huang Feihu glared angrily: "That's because His Highness is back. Try it if he doesn't come back."

"Try it then, come on, my sword, Huang Feiluan's, isn't something to be trifled with, hehehe..."

Huang Feiluan ran behind Zishou and made a face at Huang Feihu: "My third brother has always been the one who loves me the most since I was little. With my third brother here today, you won't be able to lay a finger on me."

"You...you little brat deserve a beating!"

Huang Feihu was so angry that he raised his hand to strike, but Huang Feiluan dodged around Zishou.

"Alright, alright, you siblings have been fighting like this since you were little. You're all grown up now. Flying Tiger, here's your Five-Colored Divine Ox back."

Zi Shou was already used to this scene. After watching the siblings play around for a while, he became serious and said, "Next, you need to find someone for me, and be quick."

Seeing this, Huang Feihu and Huang Feiluan stopped their playful fight: "Who is Your Highness looking for?"

"That person's name is Li Jing!"

As Zi Shou was speaking, suddenly a deafening roar erupted.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

The three men's expressions changed drastically, and they rushed out of the room, only to find the sky covered with dark clouds and a strong wind blowing.

At this moment, there was a tall building in the west of Chaoge City, and a figure stood on the top of the building.

His black robes, adorned with gold-embroidered bird motifs, fluttered in the strong wind, and he was currently stroking a gold seal in his hand, a self-deprecating expression on his face.

call out!call out!call out!
Figures rushed in from all directions, surrounding him in the center; among them were martial artists and Qi cultivators.

"Li Jing, my Yin family is also a royal family. How can you commit violence and harm people, coming and going as you please?"

A dignified middle-aged man said in a deep voice, "As a member of the Xuan Niao Division, are you familiar with the laws of the Great Shang Dynasty?"

Beside the middle-aged man, a young man dressed in splendid clothes scoffed, "That's right. Even if you become the Golden Seal of the Black Bird Division, so what? It still can't change your lowly origins. With your lowly bloodline, you think you can marry Guangling? Do you deserve it?"

"Chengxiu!" the middle-aged man hissed.

The young man pursed his lips and turned his head away in dissatisfaction.

"Heh, noble, lowly..."

Li Jing clenched his fist, gripping the golden seal tightly, his gaze turning icy: "Where is Guangling? I want to see her!"

"Li Jing, to be honest, I admire your perseverance and persistence. For Guangling, you have risen from a newcomer in the Xuan Niao Division to the position of Golden Seal. This is rare and difficult, especially since you are so young. Your future is limitless."

The middle-aged man calmly said, "This could have been a great thing. Look, why make it so unpleasant? I heard your aptitude and innate talent aren't very good, so..."

His eyes flickered as he said, "If you want us to teach you the method to transform yourself from an ordinary person into someone with your strength within ten years, I, Yin Pobai, as Guangling's second uncle, guarantee in my name that I will definitely betroth Guangling to you. Then we'll become family, won't we?"

"She's a human being!"

Li Jing looked at him and suddenly said.

"Huh?" Yin Pobai was taken aback.

"It's not an item or tool that anyone can exchange, understand? And..."

Li Jing roared, "Your faces really disgust me."

As he spoke, golden light rose from his body, his aura surged, and he leaped from the rooftop, spanning dozens of feet. He clenched his fist, and his fist emitted flames as he slammed it towards Yin Pobai.

"Hmph, stubborn as a mule! Attack!"

Upon hearing this, Yin Pobai's eyes turned cold. A member of the Yin family next to him, upon hearing the command, channeled his true energy and leaped up to meet Li Jing in battle.

However, they fell to the ground like dumplings in no time, groaning softly. They were all broken and crippled, and almost all of them were defeated in one or two moves. It was rare for anyone to be defeated in more than three moves.

Transcendent Realm… When Yin Pobai saw Li Jing make his move, his eyes flashed: “But something seems wrong. His power is enough to rival the Divine Realm, but… it’s strange, really strange.”

"Dad, this kid doesn't seem that capable."

Yin Chengxiu said eagerly, "He's just a Transcendent Realm cultivator. Within the same realm, I shouldn't have much trouble taking him down."

No, there's a big problem... Yin Pobai glanced at his son and said softly, "A commander is not one who goes into battle, but one who sits firmly in the central command tent and directs the overall situation."

Although both are at the Transcendent Realm, Li Jing has spent many years in the Xuan Niao Division, which is responsible for slaying demons and monsters. He fights against demons and monsters every day between life and death, which has earned him the ability to strike quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly, without any superfluous movements.

Moreover... Li Jing is very strange.

Yin Chengxiu said anxiously, "But Father, our people are almost all beaten up. What if things get out of hand?"

"What I want is to make a big fuss. The bigger and more aggressive he gets, the more unreasonable he becomes."

Yin Pobai's eyes flashed: "At that time, even the Xuan Niao Division will not be able to protect him. They will have to hand him over to us for disposal. What we need to do now is to stall him until the Xuan Niao Division comes to deal with him."

Yin Chengxiu was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "Father, that's brilliant!"

"You've learned a lot, kid..." Yin Pobai smiled faintly.

At this moment, in a separate courtyard of the Yin family.

Yin Guangling was surrounded by a group of warriors and was unable to escape for a long time.

A young man stood to the side, holding a halberd, his face showing reluctance: "Sister, this matter concerns the rise of our Yin family, so please listen to Uncle's arrangements!"

"That kid is head over heels for you. If you don't like him, kill him once you get what we want..."

"Bullshit!" Yin Guangling retorted angrily after hearing this. "What do you take me for? Yin Chengbai, the Yin family has to rely on us after our parents are gone, but not in this way. Don't you have any backbone?"

The young man blushed and lowered his head in shame after being scolded.

"And do you think he would be coerced by you?" Yin Guangling said coldly.

Yin Chengbo was taken aback: "You don't know how?"

“If he accepts coercion, then he’s not someone I should consider.” Yin Guangling smiled.

At that moment, a man rushed in and whispered a few words to Yin Chengbai.

Yin Chengbo was startled: "What?"

"What's wrong?" Yin Guangling asked hurriedly.

Yin Chengbai's expression shifted between light and shadow for a moment before he sighed dejectedly, "He's been kicked out of the Yin family..."

Upon hearing this, Yin Guangling couldn't help but laugh happily: "And then?"

“Sister, you’re still laughing at a time like this. Don’t you think he’ll just leave you behind?” Yin Chengbo said.

Yin Guangling smiled faintly and said, "He wouldn't!"

Yin Chengbo sighed, "No, he's looking for you all over Chaoge. My second uncle and the others are leading people to intercept him. It's all over. If this gets out of hand, it'll be impossible to handle."

"No matter what happens in the end, I will face it with him!" Yin Guangling said.

……

At this moment, within Li Jing's inner world.

"Hey, kid!"

Bi Fang sat leisurely on the fire tree with his legs crossed, a wicked smile on his lips: "Want to cause a big scene?"

"You stinky bird...shut up!"

Li Jing punched a martial artist away and gritted his teeth, muttering, "A stubborn man is never liked!"

Bi Fang smiled faintly at his legs and said, "How about I help you out and go on a killing spree to wipe out these annoying bugs? That way I'll have helped you three times, and you can help me find a part of my body in return. How about that?"

"I told you to... shut up!"

Li Jing roared, "If Bi Fang is exposed to the public, he will become a demon in the eyes of humans and will have no place to stand among them."

"Oh dear, you don't appreciate my good intentions. You have no idea what risks I will face if I make a move in Chaoge."

Bi Fang's eyes flashed with a crimson demonic light: "Alright, then forget it. Just let me know if you need anything in the future."

Over the years, he and Li Jing have gotten along quite well.

Although they still don't like each other, at least they've become familiar with each other.

Furthermore, when this kid was desperately doing the Xuan Niao Si's missions for the sake of women, he inevitably encountered danger. So they made an agreement that he would take action three times in exchange for a part of the body during a crisis.

"It's time for this old man to make a move."

Yin Pobai seized the opportunity and unleashed a devastating palm strike at Li Jing.

"Hmm?" Li Jing turned around and met the palm strike with a loud 'boom' as their energies collided and struck each other.

hum!
When Yin Pobai's energy struck Li Jing, it made a 'whoosh' sound as if it had hit metal. Yin Pobai was knocked back two steps by the energy, and when he looked at Li Jing again, his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

His palm strike, delivered at the early stage of the Divine Realm, could shatter even a ten-thousand-pound boulder. Why is he so powerless now?

"Old man!"

Li Jing sneered, glanced up at Yin Pobai, and casually brushed the wrinkled corner of his clothes at his chest, his expression full of provocation.

Is this the power of the Divine Journey to the Heavenly Realm? Fortunately, I have mastered the Vajra Indestructible Child Skill that my master taught me... Li Jing's heart was far from as calm as his face.

Once this skill is mastered, one will have a body of steel, impervious to swords and spears, and immune to water and fire. One will also possess immense strength, and over the years, it has saved his life countless times.

Because practicing this took some time and his physical constitution was relatively poor, he still appeared to be at the Extraordinary Realm.

“You…” Yin Pobai’s pupils shrank, his eyes filled with anger.

That action wasn't very harmful, but it was extremely insulting!

At that moment, streaks of light appeared, and people dressed in black bird robes flew in and spread out all around.

"Xuanniao Si?!"

Yin Pobai snorted when he saw the newcomer: "You've come at the right time. He's one of your Xuan Niao Division men, but he suddenly attacked and killed people in the Yin residence. Take him down quickly."

Li Jing watched all of this with a cold eye, without saying a word.

To be honest, he has been utterly disgusted with the princes and nobles of the Shang Dynasty all these years.

These guys rely on the glory of their ancestors, consider themselves superior, and regard the common people as lowly. They don't even treat the common people as human beings, let alone slaves... He has seen too many of these disgusting things.

If it weren't for Yin Guangling, he would have left long ago.

His feelings for Yin Guangling are clear to heaven and earth, and this time he is determined to see Yin Guangling.

If Yin Guangling is willing to go with him, then even if Chaoge is a den of dragons and tigers today, he will do everything he can to take her away.

"This is!"

The men from the Black Bird Division hesitated for a moment when they looked at Li Jing, and then said, "Lord Li, please don't blame your brothers."

After speaking, they all formed hand seals, their spiritual energy surging, ready to make their move.

Li Jing grunted in agreement and prepared to break through the encirclement to search for people in another direction...

"Wait a moment!"

Just then, a voice rang out.

Everyone turned around and saw four people walking down the street below, the one in the lead being Zi Shou.

Behind him were Huang Feihu, Huang Feiluan, and Yin Guangling.

"Brother Li, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Zi Shou looked up and a smile appeared on his face.

"Xiaoyu?"

Li Jing was taken aback, recalling the young man who had asked so many questions during that mission.

Suddenly he saw someone and exclaimed happily, "Guangling?"

Zi Shou looked at Yin Pobai and smiled, "General Yin, what a grand display today!"

"The Third...Third Prince?"

Yin Pobai was greatly surprised to see Zi Shou and hurriedly landed to pay his respects.

"What happened today..."

Zi Shou said, "I think we should just let it go like this!"

"But Your Highness, Li Jing suddenly killed people in my Yin residence..." Yin Pobai was somewhat unwilling.

"General Yin, whether it's the Yin family or the Xuan Niao Division, if there's a conflict, just find someone to resolve it."

Zi Shou looked at Yin Pobai with a piercing gaze: "Was it appropriate for you to openly fight in the street today, disturbing the public?"

“No…it’s not appropriate!” Yin Pobai said dejectedly.

"This Li Jing is a friend of mine."

Zi Shou stared at Yin Pobai: "I hope you won't make things difficult for him in the future."

"Yes Yes Yes……"

Yin Pobai lowered his head, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

"Your Highness?"

After a long time, in the Huang residence, Li Jing and Yin Guangling stood side by side, staring in shock at Zi Shou before them, still somewhat incredulous.

"I never expected it to be my cousin!"

Yin Guangling smiled smugly.

Li Jing looked at the two men, remaining silent.

Zi Shou smiled and said in a deep voice, "These noble elders are becoming more and more unscrupulous and unruly. They have long become parasites on the Great Merchants. If these guys are not dealt with, the country will be difficult to secure!"

“Indeed!” Huang Feihu nodded.

Zi Shou suddenly turned around and said, "Brother Li, I want to be king. Will you help me?"

"I'll help, I'll help!" Yin Guangling said with a smile, raising her hand.

Li Jing glanced at Yin Guangling, his old face flushed, and he stammered, "Alright!"

Of course, he agreed not entirely because of Yin Guangling; to be honest, he had no good feelings towards these nobles.

but,
This young man made him feel that he was a bit different from those princes and nobles.

"Good!" Zi Shou looked at the four people; this was his team.

The palace!

Wen Zhong came out from outside the Shang king's palace: "Your Majesty has gone to sleep. You're back?"

Zi Shou grunted in response.

"Did they go to Guigu?" Wen Zhong asked again.

Zi Shou looked at Wen Zhong with some surprise.

Wen Zhong smiled and said, "Master Guigu is indeed a rare genius in this world. It seems that he not only helped you make rapid progress in your cultivation, but also helped you find the answer."

“Not bad!” Zi Shou said.

Wen Zhong smiled and asked, "What methods of governing a country did he teach you?"

"Governing a country is not difficult; when the country is prosperous, the people will be at peace!"

Zi Shou shook his head and said, "The key is how to bring prosperity to the country and how to solve the current predicament of the Great Merchants. If the predicament cannot be solved, everything else is in vain. My master taught me a concept."

"Ideas?" Wen Zhong suddenly smiled after a moment of surprise.

"Teacher, I want to be king and carry on the Shang Dynasty's empire."

Zi Shou firmly stated, "This crisis is beyond my elder brother's ability to resolve, and he cannot bear this burden either."

"Can you handle the responsibility?" Wen Zhong asked.

Zi Shou paused for a moment, then looked up and said, "I don't know, but I'm prepared, and no one can stop me from doing what I'm going to do in the future."

In an instant, a captivating aura emanated from him.

"go in!"

The kingly aura has been established... Wen Zhong smiled slightly: "Your father has been waiting for you for a long time!"

Uh… Zi Shou was stunned. Why did he have a feeling that he had been tricked?

……

Guigu, under a reed awning.

"The apprentice has left the mountain, the master is off work..."

With a smile, Yu Ding flipped through the jade books, putting them away one by one.

Finally, he solemnly placed a box containing a sword manual and a token under the thatched hut.

The future victors will inherit these.

"Should we go home next, or go somewhere else?"

Yu Ding pondered for a moment, when suddenly the sound of golden bells and jade chimes came from the sky. Yu Ding looked up, his expression slightly changing: "The Heavenly Court?"

P.S.: Ahem, I lost track of time while writing, sorry to keep you all waiting. Also, even if I only update once a day, I still have over 4,000 words, I really haven't been slacking off. Um, I'm going to grab a bite to eat first!
(End of this chapter)