The world is like a prison, my body is holy

Chapter 171 The True and False Monkey King

That night, the crescent moon shone brightly, and the Milky Way was dazzling.

After having a late-night snack in the study in the west wing, Wang Wen ordered Jin Jiu to clear out all the servants in the west wing and seal the west wing door. No one was allowed to step into the west wing without his summons.

Jin Jiu followed orders, bringing Wang Wen a large pot of hot tea and a table full of food. He then quickly cleared out all the maids and servants from the west wing and swiftly dispatched a team of elite demon-suppressing guards to the mansion, personally leading them to guard the west wing gate...

Although his approach might seem like an overreaction and an unnecessary fuss, it's a good thing that his subordinates are cautious and meticulous in their work, so Wang Wen naturally wouldn't correct him.

After the west wing was emptied, Wang Wen sat in the brightly lit study with a bowl of hot tea, leisurely reading a copy of the "Nanhua Jing" annotated by the Hunkun Zhenren.

Only when the moon was high in the sky, and both the moonlight and the yin energy reached their highest point of the day, did he calmly summon the Mountain God's Decree. With a tranquil and relaxed mind, he mentally pressed the plus sign in the column 【Yin God: Day Travel (+)】.

[Merit - 5400]

In an instant, the infinite and profound truths of heaven and earth seemed to spring up from the depths of his mind, guiding his spirit to soar to the heavens and roam freely in the nine heavens.

Even if one pursues no further goals in the path of the Ghost Immortal, one is still ultimately associated with the word "immortal," and what one comprehends is also the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

However, of the three thousand great paths, most cultivators only take a sip.

The path of the ghost immortal is about taking the most unambitious sip.

Fortunately, Wang Wenxiu's path was not limited to that of ghost immortals.

He was just taking advantage of the other paths he cultivated...

His mind soared freely between heaven and earth.

But to onlookers, all they could see was the sky above the west wing, which was as bright as dawn, while the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion... to be precise, the area within a radius of several miles centered on the west wing suddenly darkened.

Even though there wasn't a single cloud obscuring the Milky Way, it suddenly became as dark as a moonless, windy night.

Jin Jiu and the others, who were guarding outside the west wing, saw it more clearly. They saw countless gray air currents rushing in from above the west wing like a howling wind, quickly forming a funnel-shaped vortex that fell vertically onto the study. Then, a large amount of clear dew, shimmering with a faint, lustrous glow, fell from the void and dripped into the center of the funnel.

"hiss!"

Inside the naval camp, Bai Zimo emerged from the water, his forked tongue flicking as he trembled and looked up at the sky above the west wing. His mind was overwhelmed by the surging, invisible power, and he was filled with fear, just as he had felt when he was still a clueless little white snake facing a sudden thunderstorm and torrential rain.

At this moment, it too had the same question as Wang Wen: 'Hasn't the spiritual energy revival only been three and a half years? How could there be such a powerful figure?'

Fortunately, that surging, invisible force came and went quickly.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the commotion above the west wing gradually subsided.

Wang Wen's spirit, which had been soaring freely in the azure sky, was also reluctantly forced to return to this heavy body.

After calming down for a long time, his spirit left his body and leaped into the sky. Then, he released his divine sense, which covered dozens of miles of heaven and earth!
At this moment, his Yin spirit, with its golden light of merit contained, was completely transparent and illusory. His face and clothes were no different from those of a living person. If an outsider could not see him, it would be extremely difficult to see through his true nature.

He enveloped the world for dozens of miles with his divine sense, calmly sensing the changes for a long time before withdrawing his divine sense. Following his own divine sense beacon, with a thought, his Yin spirit disappeared above Yangzhou City.

The next second, his spirit appeared inside the main hall of the Mountain God Temple on Bright Summit of Huangshan.

In an instant, the aura of the Earth God stirred the incense power stored in the statue, transforming it into a magnificent beam of light that pierced through the Mountain God Temple and illuminated the Huangshan Divine Palace.

The tens of thousands of wandering spirits inside the Huangshan Divine Palace, who were bustling day and night like a temple fair, instantly realized that it was the Mountain God who had arrived. They all bowed to the sky and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency!"

"You need not be so polite!"

Wang Wen's voice resounded within the temple, as grand as thunder.

But when Ji Liang and Chen Feng, who were in charge of the temple affairs, rushed out of the temple in surprise, Wang Wen was nowhere to be found.

In the blink of an eye, Wang Wen's figure appeared inside the Huangshan Temple in Kuaiji.

Nearly a year later, the once desolate city of Kuaiji has become somewhat populated, but the Huangshan Temple is still dilapidated and in ruins. Clearly, the people of Kuaiji who have returned to their hometown have no interest in repairing the temple.

Wang Wen never sent any ghosts or deities to oversee this place, simply because the wronged souls imprisoned in the local temple harbored too much resentment. In the past, after he used his merits to dispel most of their resentment, he allowed them to remain in a state of slumber, and Qi Ji slowly washed away the resentment in their hearts through time and the power of incense…

Now that he has the ability to be in two places at once, he can activate this temple and personally come to preside over it.

He gazed at the dilapidated mountain god temple before him, and the mountain god's decree floated in his vision.

[The God of Huangshan (Manifesting Holy Righteousness, Courage, Martial Might, and Spiritual Power)]

[Achievements: 64562]

[Yin De: 5250]

Merit: 4163

[Yin Spirit: Return to Emptiness]

[Shrines: Huangshan Temple, Xuzhou City God Temple]

[Hundred Schools: Taiyi Salvation and Protection Scripture (Fourth Heaven) (+), Nine Tribulations Returning to Origin Body (Sixth Heaven), Boundless Ocean Divine Skill (Nineth Heaven), Lightning Thunder Fist (Perfect), Palm Thunder (Perfect), Six Harmonies Spear (Divine Mastery)...]

The Realm of Reversal, the Realm of False Immortals!

……

Five days later, Ma Feng returned to the Yangzhou Demon-Slaying General's Mansion and presented evidence in court of the Huainan Circuit Commissioner's collusion with demons.

The matter could be serious or minor. Gu Yue, the transport commissioner of Huainan, had a second son who was raising a group of heretical sorcerers and secretly recruiting death row inmates from various prefectures to practice heretical magic...

On a grander scale, murder is punishable by death, and using people as resources to practice heretical arts and demonic arts is an even more heinous crime.

To put it mildly, it's just making use of waste. In this world, even normal people don't have much human rights, let alone death row inmates.
However, judging from the fact that the second son of an official family without any official rank was able to secretly access death row inmates from various prefectures, Gu Yue must have been aware of it, or at least tacitly approved of his son's actions.

At the beginning of the Great Zhou Dynasty, learning from the experience and lessons of the former Tang Dynasty, the Jiedushi (military governor) was no longer appointed at the Dao level. Instead, the Zhuanyunshi (transportation commissioner) was in charge of the collection and transportation of taxes in the Dao, and also had the responsibility of supervising local officials, handling criminal cases, maintaining public order, and recommending virtuous and capable people. He gradually became the de facto highest local official and a real regional governor.

Even though later, at the provincial level, the Judicial and Supervisory Commissioner's Office (Xian Si), the Commissioner of Ever-Normal Granaries (Cang Si), and the Military and Civil Administration Commissioner's Office (Shuai Si) were added to divide the power of the Transport Commissioner, the Transport Commissioner's Office, which held tight control over financial power, was still the de facto highest local official, and all three offices were headed by the Transport Commissioner's Office.

Wang Wen quickly reviewed the files Ma Feng had brought back and made up his mind.

He closed the file in his hand, tapped it, and asked softly, "There's... no credit for this, is there?"

Ma Feng secretly observed his expression, then honestly crossed his hands and replied, "I dare not deceive Your Majesty. I originally intended to add a little something extra for them, but I never expected that they didn't need my fuss..."

Wang Wen smiled and said softly, "That's good!"

Some things are better to be seen than spoken.

For example, why did he entrust this matter to Ma Feng's Yincha Camp and Hongze Lake Water Mansion? Was it really just because he valued their investigative capabilities?
"Someone is coming."

Wang Wen said in a low voice.

A demon-suppressing guard quickly stepped inside and saluted with his hands clasped.

Wang Wen: "Order the Third Battalion to assemble; there is a combat mission."

"Here!"

Upon hearing about the combat mission, the Demon-Suppressing Guard below immediately became as energetic as if he had been injected with chicken blood, and his voice suddenly rose to the level of a rooster crowing.

After the demon-suppressing guard left, Wang Wen turned his gaze to Ma Feng on the side: "Your Yin Messenger Battalion will leave one hundred Yin Messengers to guard the government office, and the rest of the Yin Messengers will accompany you."

Ma Feng crossed his hands and said, "This subordinate obeys!"

Wang Wen waved his hand, and Ma Feng bowed, transforming into a golden light and retreating. Wang Wen picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze turned cold.

Before long, Xu Wu rushed over upon hearing the news: "Brother, are you going to Chuzhou?"

Wang Wen understood his meaning and smiled, "You don't need to come with me on this trip. Just stay here and take charge of the government office for me."

Xu Wu was anxious and was about to speak again, but Wang Wen waved his hand to interrupt him: "We've been brothers, I won't force you to do something you don't want to do!"

Xu Wu said angrily, "Brother, what kind of person do you take me for, Xu Ergou?"

Wang Wen took a leisurely sip of tea and said softly, "Who do you think I don't know? Alright, stop making a fuss like some country bumpkin who's never seen the world. A mere Transport Commissioner's Office isn't worth us brothers making a scene about!"

Xu Wu was speechless.

Wang Wen waved his hand: "Go about your business!"

Xu Wu could only fold his hands and step back.

……

The following morning, five hundred fully armed demon-suppressing guards boarded three cargo boats and headed north upstream.

As soon as the Demon-Slaying General's forces moved, several secret messages were immediately sent out of Yangzhou City, quickly dispatched to Chuzhou.

Little did they know that as soon as their secret letter left the city, a copy appeared in Wang Wen's hands word for word.

"This Meng Xinghuai is really good at steering the ship!"

Wang Wen browsed through these secret letters and commented with great interest.

These secret letters were not all sent by Meng Xinghuai alone.

Besides Meng Xinhuai's handwritten letter, there were also handwritten letters from officials of several other government offices in Yangzhou, as well as from the heads of two prominent official families in Yangzhou.

However, only Meng Xinghuai's handwritten letter contains the most information, and only Meng Xinghuai's handwritten letter shows the most resolute attitude.

Moreover, from a standpoint of perspective, the others were at most merely informants, while Meng Xinghuai was the mastermind behind the entire scheme; the secret letter even contained predictions about his subsequent reactions and corresponding strategies…

"Your Excellency, this humble general requests permission to return to Yangzhou and teach the Meng family a lesson they will never forget!"

Wang Wen could still laugh, but Ma Feng's face was contorted with rage.

"lesson?"

Wang Wen gave him a playful look.

Ma Feng lowered his gaze, not daring to guess what he was thinking.

The smile on Wang Wen's face slowly disappeared, and he coldly toyed with the Dawnbreaker, which had shrunk to the length of a pen.

A moment later, he suddenly laughed and said, "How about we set up a stage and put on a full-length opera?"

Ma Feng knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and said, "Please give your instructions, Your Excellency!"

Wang Wen said with a smile, "This excerpt is called 'The True and False Monkey King'."

Ma Feng answered without hesitation, "This humble general is willing to go!"

Wang Wen asked in surprise, "You understood?"

Ma Feng shook his head confidently: "This humble general doesn't understand!"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Wang Wen burst out laughing and waved his hand, saying, "If you don't understand, why are you making trouble? Go do your own thing."

Ma Feng glanced reluctantly at the secret letters beside Wang Wen's hand, then crossed his hands and said, "This subordinate obeys!"

Seven days later, the fleet of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion will enter the waters of Hongze Lake, and Ao Qing will personally lead the Water Mansion to welcome them from all directions.

On that day, the envoy from the Transport Commissioner's Office, whom Wang Wen had been waiting for, finally arrived.

The man who arrived was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes. He introduced himself as Liu Zhengyang, a commoner, but he was accompanied by five hundred patrol officers in a large ship.

Wang Wen personally stepped forward and, in full view of everyone, welcomed Liu Zhengyang into the cabin of the ship, where he chatted with him gently for half an hour.

When no one was around, Liu Zhengyang, like a kind and wise elder, kept asking Wang Wen what difficulties his Demon-Slaying General's Mansion was facing, and whether there was anything he could do to help or assist "Lord Gu" of the Huainan Road Transport Commissioner's Office. Finally, he changed the subject and gently advised Wang Wen to be "mature and prudent, and to think thrice before acting." He said that no matter what the matter was, they could sit down and "talk it out slowly," and said things like "a sedan chair needs many people to carry it, and having more friends means having more paths to take."

He never mentioned the rations that the Transport Commissioner had withheld from the General of Demon Slayer's mansion, as if he were completely unaware of the General of Demon Slayer's intention in mobilizing such a large force to march north.

In short, it all boils down to one thing: Don't act impulsively, we can talk!

But since he didn't point it out, Wang Wen was happy to play along with him.

Liu Zhengyang talked until his throat was dry and he even urinated three times. Only then did Wang Wencai stand up and casually say, "Wait a moment, this general needs to use the restroom first." Then, under Liu Zhengyang's gaze, he slowly walked into the restroom.

But the moment he stepped into the outhouse, the Yin spirit appeared in the main hall of the Yangzhou government office, right in front of Meng Xinghuai.

Meng Xinghuai, who was sitting in the main hall writing furiously, was startled when Wang Wen suddenly appeared below. His face changed drastically and he exclaimed, "Wang Erhu? Didn't you go to Chuzhou?"

Wang Wencheng nodded honestly: "That's right, I came back specifically to kill you!"

Meng Xinghuai's expression changed drastically again. He then grabbed the gavel and slammed it heavily on the court table. He stood up and shouted angrily, "You scoundrel! I am the Prefect of Yangzhou, a fourth-rank official, personally appointed by the Emperor, with the title of Silver Seal Grand Master of the Palace. Wang Wen, are you trying to rebel?"

"The emperor has treated me quite well, so why would I rebel against him?"

Wang Wen laughed in surprise, "I just simply don't like you and want to kill you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the table between the two suddenly exploded and split in two.

Upon hearing the commotion, a large number of yamen runners rushed into the main hall, their hands on their waist knives. When they saw Wang Wen's smiling face, for a moment, they felt as if the sky had fallen!

Heavenly Bodhisattva, when you gods fight, please don't involve us insignificant beings...

Wang Wen glanced at Liu Ben, the head constable, and waved enthusiastically, saying, "Long time no see, Brother San Niu!"

Liu Ben's hand, gripping his dagger, trembled violently. His face was as pale as if he had been dead for three days. Hearing this, he forced a smile that looked more like a grimace and said in a mournful voice, "General Wang, stop joking around. How about I invite you to the Lichun Brothel for some wine and women? I'll definitely get you eight girls this time!"

"Maybe next time, I have important things to do right now..."

Wang Wen replied with a smile, then changed the subject: "Since we're all acquaintances, I won't waste any more words!"

He flashed and appeared beside Meng Xinghuai, who was trembling like a butterfly flapping its wings. In his terrified gaze, he reached out and grabbed the top of Meng Xinghuai's head, which was covered by an official hat, and gently lifted it up.

"Boom."

The dull, crisp sound was just like the sound of a cork being pulled from a wine bottle.

Crimson blood gushed out more than ten feet high like a fountain. Wang Wen, holding the blood-soaked head, nodded slightly to the group of dazed yamen runners and said, "The murderer is Wang Wen of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion!"

One of the constables rolled his eyes back and fainted on the ground.

The sky is falling...

(End of this chapter)