Promise!

Chapter 253, Destruction

Time flies, and another two months have passed. The world can keep turning even without anyone. Ming Guangxie and the declining and dilapidated Ming family have faded into obscurity and are rarely mentioned anymore.

On this day, a small circle of people at the Innate Qi Realm gathered.

It was April, a time of spring warmth and bright sunshine, when all things were flourishing. Shen Tu Biao, as the host, had raised the bar considerably, providing an exceptionally lavish feast, in accordance with usual standards.

"Brother Shentu is known for his generosity and magnanimity, but he shouldn't be this generous. This isn't like Brother Shentu at all!"

"Is there some good news?"

"Could it be that you've taken another concubine? Brother Shentu, have some decency! You're such a big, burly man, yet you insist on having a preference for slender, delicate women. Aren't you afraid you'll break their backs?"

"The word 'fold' is used brilliantly."

"Brother Xi, you understood so quickly? You really can't judge a book by its cover."

……

"Hahaha!"

Shen Tu Biao was naturally generous and cheerful. He didn't mind being teased by people in his small circle and laughed along, saying, "I do have something to say, but let's talk about it after the banquet!"

Zong Dai and Shen Tu Biao, one a cook and the other a soldier, were the closest of friends. Zong Dai seemed to know something about Shen Tu Biao and had privately told him beforehand to try to bring some good things today. He himself also brought many extremely rare ingredients.

Li Tingguan brought a secret recipe for seasonings; Xi Guiling was a spirit fish at the Great Perfection of the Five Internal Organs Realm; Cui Pangui brought Phoenix King Honey; Qin Douzhan brought fine wine; and Zhuang Jin brought the new tea from his Rainbow Tea Tree, which, when brewed, would condense into a rainbow.

Today, everyone displayed their unique skills, and Zong Dai especially put his heart into cooking, preparing a variety of delicacies. They drank heartily from golden goblets, and when the mood struck, they danced freely in the room, displaying a style reminiscent of the Wei and Jin dynasties, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Amidst the mess of cups and plates, Shen Tu Biao finally spoke up: "I do have something to discuss today, but before the meal, Brother Li, Brother Zhuang, and Brother Cui, you all guessed wrong."

"I'm planning to leave in a couple of days and move my whole family to Yong'an in the capital. Although the competition there is even fiercer, there are also more opportunities. I'm going to try my luck there."

Upon hearing this, everyone except Zong Dai, who knew something beforehand, including Zhuang Jin, was shocked. They hadn't expected Shen Tu Biao to do this.

Next, Li Tingguan, Xi Guiling, and Cui Pangui frequently communicated telepathically, presumably inquiring about the roundtable meeting.

Zhuang Jin secretly guessed that it was probably because of the small roundtable meeting that Run went out to hide. He was filled with emotion. Speaking of which, the Ice Soul Divine Sword that helped him forge had been of great help. Now that the other party had left, his feelings were quite complicated.

However, Shen Tu Biao's public announcement of this matter clearly indicated that he had already made up his mind and would not change his mind because of others' persuasion. The gathering turned into a farewell banquet, and the previously happy atmosphere was now tinged with sadness.

……

After the party ended, Zhuang Jin stayed behind.

"The weapon that Brother Zhuang asked me to forge has been completed yesterday, as I have entrusted it to you."

In the cave of the Ice Lake, a mountain cave of immortal relics, the Xuanbing Stone vein there is of extremely high quality, even producing Xuanbing Stone Essence. Zhuang Jin took some back and entrusted Shen Tu Biao to forge an upgraded version of the Ice Soul Divine Sword.

Now that he is at the third level of the Innate Qi Realm and possesses the ultimate ice attribute, and with the upgraded Ice Soul Divine Sword, he can be said to pose a true life-or-death threat to those at the Innate Corpse Severing Realm.

Shen Tu Biao was about to leave, but he hadn't forgotten this matter. Perhaps he had delayed his departure for a while to complete the sword forging. Zhuang Jin understood immediately. He felt he had to accept this favor, so he clasped his hands and said, "Thank you, Brother Shen Tu!"

This time, he still offered three times the price for forging the sword. Shen Tu Biao initially refused, saying that the effort and time he had put in were far less than last time. In the end, Zhuang Jin persuaded him to accept the offer by saying that "the journey to the capital will be very expensive."

Based on his past interactions with Zhuang Jin, Shen Tu Biao believed that Zhuang Jin was a trustworthy person. Before parting, he hesitated for a moment and then transmitted his voice, saying, "I know that Brother Zhuang has not been involved in the Round Table Meeting, but I would still like to give you a heads-up."

"As far as I know, the number of participants in these roundtable meetings is frequently increasing, which is alarming. It should be noted that with so many people, it's inevitable that some unscrupulous individuals will be drawn in..."

He shook his head slightly, not continuing, and then said, "Also, a special secret medicine has recently appeared in the Round Table Meeting. It can purify the energy of multiple beast cores, thereby refining their attributes. It doesn't affect breaking through to the third level of the Innate Qi Realm much... This is a groundbreaking prescription, but it will inevitably break through the blockade of the Suspended Heaven Division and shake the rule of the three great families."

"To be honest, Brother Zhuang, I'm scared. In short, it's the right thing to do, like you, to stay away from the Round Table Conference."

Shen Tu Biao's expression was complicated. Clearly, he had seen through the subtle signs and wanted to leave for Yong'an, the capital, to avoid the storm.

"I understand, thank you for informing me, Brother Shentu."

Hearing this, and with Shangguan Yunchang's connections and more comprehensive information, Zhuang Jin made the same judgment: Cangzhou City would undergo a major change sooner or later.

……

Three days later, Shen Tu Biao and his family left Cangzhou City and headed to Yong'an, the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty.

……

Another month later.

The host for the day was Zong Dai, who somehow managed to persuade Xi Guiling to bring out the "treasure of the pond" from his own Yuanchi—a fish king at the Six Organs Realm—and cook a sumptuous meal.

The others all knew this was unusual and had their own guesses. After a lively and enjoyable time, they finally got to know what was going on.

Li Tingguan looked around and asked on behalf of the others, "Brother Zong, are you also going to leave the city for the capital Yong'an, just like Brother Shentu?"

“The capital city of Yong’an? I’m not going there. Brother Shentu still has some interest in martial arts, but I’m just a cook and I don’t have that many ideas… Years ago, I bought a low-grade Qingyuan Pot at an auction in the prefecture city. I thought that when I got old, I would go to the city below and start a powerful family. Now I’m not old, but I’m a little tired. I think it’s time to do that.”

Zong Dai initially chose cooking primarily to conceal his identity from the Heavenly Bureau and reduce scrutiny, but he gradually fell in love with it, finding it no less valuable than martial arts. Consequently, he no longer had any particular ambitions regarding martial arts.

Now, he's going to the prefectural city to establish a powerful clan. Besides what he said, there's also the reason Shen Tu Biao reminded him before he left.

"The major official was sent out of the prefecture, the minor official was sent to the county seat; this was the choice Shen Tu Biao and Zong Dai made to prepare for the turmoil in the prefecture."

Zhuang Jin thought to himself that this method was wise. If he hadn't been involved in the Round Table Meeting, and if his own strength, the Holy Spirit Pearl, and Shangguan Yunchang's situation were better in Cangzhou City, he probably would have made a similar choice.

Afterwards, Qin Douzhan and Zhuang Jin left together, with Qin Douzhan sighing and saying, "Back then, how happy we were when the seven of us gathered together. Now we are all separated, scattered like birds and beasts... Alas!"

"The moon has its phases of waxing and waning, and people have their joys and sorrows, their partings and reunions. This is the ultimate truth of the universe. I only wish that each of us may go on our journeys and find peace and happiness!"

……

With Shen Tu Biao and Zong Dai leaving one after another, the gatherings of the small circle of people at the Innate Qi Realm became much more monotonous and dull, and each time became more of a formality.

The others in Cangzhou City who were still in the Innate Qi Realm small circle.

Every time Li Tingguan gathered, Zhuang Jin, with his perception at the third level of the Innate Qi Realm, noticed a faint, peculiar medicinal scent emanating from him, which gave his Qi a strange stimulation.

Xi Guiling, as always, harbored some dissatisfaction with the Xuantian Division and the aristocratic families, and spoke somewhat recklessly.
Cui Pangui was a good person before, quite enthusiastic. But after Zhuang Jin's realm was surpassed on the surface, he seemed to hold a grudge and gradually distanced himself. He was occasionally absent from small circle gatherings, and it was unknown what he was doing.

Qin Douzhan, one of only two people in the small circle who did not have contact with the Round Table Gathering, was carefree and had a good relationship with Zhuang Jin. Outside of gatherings, he would often bring wine, and the two became increasingly close.

The Ascension Pavilion launches a "Star" program every three years. Those holding the Black Python Token can participate if interested, planning their own "scripts" and experiencing the fun of nurturing a character. Even those eliminated are extremely high-quality women...

Qin Douzhan pulled Zhuang Jin along. This guy was indulging in wine and women, living a life of debauchery and pleasure, while Zhuang Jin was much more restrained.

Shangguan Yunchang occasionally came to cultivate the "Yin Yang Fu Shen Technique." In May, she also broke through to the third level of the Innate Qi Realm. Thanks to Zhuang Jin's deliberate efforts and various small surprises, their feelings for each other were gradually nurtured and warmed up. However, even faster than their feelings were growing was Zhuang Jin's cultivation speed. With the condensation of the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow, improved aptitude, accelerated progress from the Holy Spirit Pearl, and amplification from secret medicines, his accumulation of the third level of the Innate Qi Realm increased by nearly ten percent in just one month.

This is simply terrifying!
Zhuang Jin predicts that he will be able to complete the accumulation of the third level of the Innate Qi Realm and break through to the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm within this year!
Well, it's also worth mentioning that Shangguan Yunchang comes from a prestigious family and has seen a lot, so she doesn't care much about some romantic affairs. However, Zhuang Jin is not good at being like that, so he also has his own restraint.

There were other things that happened during this period, such as Zhuang Jinming revealing the third level of the Innate Qi Realm, while Shangguan Yunchang concealed it with the Xuanbing Marrow, without any disturbance, which need not be mentioned in detail.

Time just passed.

Zhuang Jin originally thought that with Shen Tu Biao and Zong Dai gone, the incident at the roundtable meeting would come to light quickly, but nothing happened for a long time. Like a frog being slowly boiled in water, some people were unaware of the danger, or rather, their hearts were filled with a sense of luck.

He had no involvement whatsoever, observing from the sidelines, his mind focused more on cultivation than on this matter; he simply waited and watched.

As time went by, until October of that year, the Round Table Conference continued to expand in secret, becoming increasingly intense. It was at the peak of its glory and prosperity when, unexpectedly, a tremendous change occurred in Cangzhou City!

……

On the very day of this earth-shattering event, Shangguan Yunchang arranged to meet Zhuang Jin at Taiyuan Lake.

The two once fought here, and now they meet again on a painted boat, which can be considered a predestined relationship.

Today, compared to her usual androgynous outfit, Shangguan Yunchang changed into women's clothing. Her moon-white court dress, especially the diamond-shaped mark between her eyebrows, made her appear even more aloof and elegant, giving people an indescribable feeling.

Zhuang Jin looked at the mark between Shangguan Yunchang's eyebrows and felt that it was vaguely familiar. After a moment's thought, he realized that it was the shape of the Suspended Mirror. What surprised him even more was that Shangguan Yunchang's aura at this moment had a kind of ethereal and dreamlike feel.

"Now, everything is perfect, both inside and out, and I have become the designated successor to the Shangguan family head."

Shangguan Yunchang herself possesses the Yin-Yang Soul Cleansing Jade, and she also cultivates the Yin-Yang Divine Union Technique with Zhuang Jin, which nourishes her soul. Her soul strength is second only to the Shangguan family's ancestor. As for external objects, it is not due to the immortal ruins. For Zhuang Jin's sake, the mid-grade Qingyuan Pot has not yet been handed over, which is another matter today.

Zhuang Jin sensed Shangguan Yunchang's emotions but felt something was amiss. Shangguan Yunchang wasn't happy; rather, she was experiencing an extremely complex emotion—a sense of magnanimity mixed with a faint sadness.

Shangguan Yunchang spoke casually, recounting some trivial things from her childhood.

Zhuang Jin knew that this wasn't about asking for a reply, but simply about listening silently.

As powerful energy fluctuations emanated from various parts of the city, Zhuang Jin subconsciously got up to look.

"This is a purge of the core members of the roundtable meeting."

Shangguan Yunchang remained calm, clearly having known all along: "The world is like a game of chess, and heaven and earth are like a prison. From lower-level martial artists, middle-level martial artists, to upper-middle-level Hidden Dragon Ranking martial artists, to innate martial artists outside of aristocratic families, and finally even aristocratic families, no one is excluded from this game."

She looked at Zhuang Jin: "In the state city, there are more than two hundred innate true qi realm martial artists, forty-nine innate qi realm martial artists, and seventeen innate corpse-slaying realm martial artists. According to this ratio, the three great families should not have a single Yin God realm martial artist. Zhuang Jin, do you know why the three great families have produced one, and why they have produced one generation after another?"

“A Yin Spirit Realm martial artist is already on another level, much like a Xiantian martial artist is below a Xiantian martial artist. How could the five great clans, including the royal family, be at ease or tolerate this?”

"Do the five major clans, including the royal family, truly have goodwill towards the powerful families in various states, and are willing to be tolerant and share power?"

Shangguan Yunchang did not provide answers to these questions, but instead looked towards the center of the state capital.

Zhuang Jin looked over there, and there was the core of the entire Cangzhou City—the Suspended Sky Mirror.

'These aristocratic families have had generations of members breaking through to the Yin God Realm. Could it be related to the Suspended Heaven Mirror? Judging from Shangguan Yunchang's words, it seems that using the Suspended Heaven Mirror can reduce the difficulty of breaking through to the Yin God Realm, allowing one to take a shortcut? However, there seems to be some hidden danger.'

There is no such thing as a free lunch; every gift comes with a hidden price.

'Not only that, the Suspended Heaven Mirror seems to have other functions as well, perhaps even exerting some restraint on higher-ranking clans? Or rather, making them wary? I suspected before that the Suspended Heaven Mirror was more than it appeared on the surface, and it seems I was right.' He pondered to himself.

"Previously, as one of the seeds of the next head of the Shangguan family, I concentrated all kinds of resources of the Shangguan family and broke through the realm quickly. But that's nothing. Next, my cultivation speed will be even faster, faster than you can imagine. Until you reach the threshold of the Yin God Realm, when you have cultivated to the Innate Corpse Severing Realm, if I also happen to come out of seclusion, the promise I made back then will still stand."

As Shangguan Yunchang spoke, she gave Zhuang Jin another secret technique.

This is a lost secret technique of Ming Guanglie, which uses the Wind Spirit Pearl to form a one-way defense. It is unknown how he found it, but it eventually fell into her hands. It is useless to her. Zhuang Jin has the Holy Spirit Pearl, which is more suitable.

However, the energy of the Holy Spirit Pearl is far greater than that of a single Wind Spirit Pearl, and its use is much more difficult. Zhuang Jin can only try it when he truly comes into contact with the Divine Fusion of Heaven and Earth.

Looking at this secret technique, Zhuang Jin remembered that he had been quite interested in it before, but Ming Guanglie did not have it on his body after his death, only a Wind Spirit Pearl he carried with him.

……

That day, Zhuang Jin returned to his residence in the Second Ring Road. The command plaque above his head vibrated, indicating that he had received a public message.

[This is a public announcement: The Round Table Meeting is an illegal organization. Many of its members have gone missing...murder and robbery...At the request of many Venerable Ones, we are now cracking down on it...As the saying goes, 'Those who are unaware have no reason to be surprised.' Those who are not members of this organization will not be questioned...]

This public message has two key points.

First, claiming righteousness, using the disappearance of Ming Guangxie and others who participated in the Round Table Meeting, the claim that the Round Table Meeting committed murder and robbery, and designating the Round Table Meeting as an illegal organization, thus demonstrating the legality and legitimacy of banning and cracking down on it. Well, it's basically like being a prostitute while trying to erect a memorial archway.

Second, the policy of only punishing the ringleaders and omitting the rest indicates that the punishment will not extend to others.

Before long, Qin Douzhan rushed over, staggering and his beard trembling. Zhuang Jin had never seen his friend so out of sorts.

"At today's gathering, Li Tingguan was murdered in public, his heart's blood splattering directly onto Xi Guiling's face, causing Xi Guiling to faint on the spot... Cui Panggui betrayed him..."

It turns out that Cui Pangui, spurred by Zhuang Jin's surpassing realm, secretly joined the Xuantian Division to investigate the secret medicine that purified and condensed the energy of multiple beast cores. As a Beast Venerable, he had his own methods and tracked down Li Tingguan, betraying him.

'Shangguan Yunchang summoned me today not only to prevent me from being implicated in this turbulent purge, but also because she probably knows about the people in my inner circle and doesn't want me to witness Li Tingguan's violent death and be used as an example to scare others, thus affecting my mental state?'

Zhuang Jin thought to himself, and understood much more.

"The Celestial Bureau! What a Celestial Bureau!"

Qin Douzhan sipped his tea, taking a long time to calm down. However, this blow seemed to have made him realize many things at once: "After this, in some people's eyes, the city will suddenly be much 'cleaner,' and even, even..."

He transmitted the last half of the sentence: "They even absorb every means of resistance they encounter, truly squeezing every last drop of marrow from the bones!"

"What do you mean by that?" Zhuang Jin looked over and asked telepathically.

“I once read a handwritten note from a martial artist from hundreds of years ago. It was mostly a record of daily life. The Suspended Commander's Plate of that time was quite simple and did not seem to have the functions we have today. I ignored it and didn’t pay attention to it at the time, but now I suddenly understand it.”

Qin Douzhan turned around, half of his face shrouded in shadow, and suddenly laughed: "Heh, so, Brother Zhuang, where do you think all these things about the Ascension Pavilion came from?"

At that moment, Zhuang Jin suddenly thought of something and felt a chill run down her spine and her hair stand on end.

……

Ten days later, the Hanging Commander sign gained another function—roundtable meetings.

……

(End of this chapter)