Promise!

Chapter 297, Opening the Mountain

That day, Shangguan Yunchang came over to discuss this matter.

"Such a major event has occurred in Cangzhou, so it is only right that the imperial court sends an inspector. However, the inspector is at the third level of the Yin Spirit Realm, so I'm afraid his intentions are not good."

Shangguan Yunchang revealed the information about the inspector: "Xuanyuan Shiji is at the Void Realm of the Third Level of Yin God. He is greedy, despicable, and quite cunning."

He once served as the governor of Jiaozhou. Due to his exorbitant taxes and exploitation, he was known as "Xuanyuan the Skinner". During his tenure, Jiaozhou was in constant chaos, with minor disturbances occurring frequently. The prominent families of Jiaozhou deeply resented him and almost took action against him on several occasions.

However, Xuan Yuan Shiji was extremely skilled, knowing exactly how to "measure" his actions, constantly shifting between extremes, practically teetering on the edge of the Jiaozhou aristocratic families' bottom line. In the end, he managed to gracefully withdraw with the benefits he had gained.

Such a person has now come to Cangzhou…

Given the current situation in Cangzhou, Ge Daoqian of the Ge family has passed away and is currently nurturing the next generation. The trump card of the three great families—'Yesterday Once More'—has been temporarily sealed. The Chunling Qiu monster, which escaped one or two of its origins, is being eradicated. The three great families are not exactly overwhelmed, but they are also spending a lot of their energy... This is the time when they are at their weakest.

At this opportune moment, the imperial court sent an inspector of such high caliber and ruthlessness, which inevitably raises suspicions and causes concern among the three great families.

"The powerful families of the Nine Provinces are deeply intertwined, and any move they make will have far-reaching consequences. The imperial court is unlikely to take action against the families of Cangzhou. Given this background, even if Xuan Yuan Shiji is of such character, at most he will only suffer some losses to appease them. The real purpose of his visit is probably the spiritual energy that has appeared this time."

Zhuang Jin reminded him, "Our governor witnessed the entire 'Tomb Calamity' from beginning to end, and besides, his surname is Xuanyuan!"

Such commotion in Cangzhou could not be concealed. The three great families had reported it to higher authorities, but some things were omitted in the writing, such as the secret of spiritual energy and the strange changes of the Suspended Mirror.

However, even if the three great families don't talk about these things, Governor Xuanyuan Zhengji might still say them.

From a public perspective, given Xuanyuan Zhengji's status as a member of the imperial clan, standing on the side of the court and the royal family and reporting this matter would increase his own importance and allow him to gain merit in exchange for resources.
Personally, the stray spiritual energy from the drain this time was like a drop in the ocean, difficult to utilize, and quickly disappeared after the Suspended Mirror's mutation. If it were reported to the imperial court and research results were obtained, he might also be able to enjoy it.

“Grandmother and Patriarch Cen share the same view. However, for us martial artists, everything depends on strength. This Inspector Xuan Yuan Shiji is at the third level of Yin Spirit Realm. If we do not have an equal force to counterbalance him, even if his target is not a noble family but to investigate matters of spiritual energy, we will probably not have an easy time and will be easily manipulated.”

Shangguan Yunchang paused, then said, "By the way, this matter also concerns my husband. Do you still remember Li Shicong? His mother is also a member of the imperial family. The Shangguan family has learned through their channels in the capital that that lady has a good relationship with the Inspector Xuanyuan Shiji, and she sent him a rather generous gift this time. Inspector Xuanyuan Shiji may use this as an excuse to make trouble for my husband."

'Is there anything else for me? The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease!'

Zhuang Jin sighed inwardly, but then he understood. If the Inspector Xuan Yuan Shiji wanted to exploit and squeeze the three great families dry, he had a breakthrough point, or rather, a good target to make an example of them. He nodded slightly and asked, "You and I are one, Yun Chang, you might as well tell me directly, what arrangements and countermeasures does Grandmother have?"

“My husband, if we use the Yin-Yang Union Technique together, we can temporarily unleash the strength of the third level of Yin God, which can intimidate them and show that we are not pushovers.”

As Shangguan Yunchang spoke, she added, "We are one family, but the Cen and Ge families are not. This time, my husband's help will not be in vain. We can seek compensation from both families."

“The two of us can indeed temporarily unleash the strength of the third level of Yin God using the Yin-Yang Union Technique. However, even so, it will only make Xuan Yuan Shiji somewhat wary, and the three great families will still have to bleed money... In this way, I can resolve this matter and make this person behave. Take out a portion of the money saved by those two families and send it to me!”

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Jin immediately thought of the three higher-level energies he had condensed from half of the spiritual energy in the Holy Spirit Pearl a few days ago.

He had mentally simulated that with such a higher level of energy amplification, he could unleash a half-step Yang God realm strike while still at the second level of Yin God realm. However, this was ultimately just a prediction, and he needed to actually test it once and make a specific evaluation to avoid any deviation from his expectations when he actually used it.

This incident serves as a perfect opportunity to intimidate Xuanyuan Shiji, achieving three goals at once: eliminating the hidden dangers planted by Li Shizong; testing one's own trump cards; and simultaneously, this test allows one to seek reimbursement from the three major families and earn additional resources for oneself.

“Alright, I will help my husband make this happen.”

Shangguan Yunchang was of one mind with Zhuang Jin and was willing to fight for benefits for him. This was not because she was turning against her own side. Now that the Ge family was weak, she could ask Zhuang Jin to help, and the Ge family would pay the lion's share of the cost. It was a way of being generous at someone else's expense.

……

Half a month later, on the ninth day of the first month of the sixty-eighth year of the Qianyuan era.

Thirty miles outside Cangzhou City, on the edge of the Funiu Mountains, in Hulu Valley, the Great Qianlong flag fluttered as a magnificent convoy of various ceremonial guards passed by.

In the center of the convoy, a dragon-horse of the Vajra Realm pulled the carriage. Inside the luxurious carriage, which was engraved with dragon and phoenix patterns, there was not a sound. Among the people inside was a middle-aged man with a long face and long beard, dressed in a python robe. He was none other than the inspector, Xuan Yuan Shi Ji.

He closed his eyes slightly at that moment, and the words of his last words still echoed in his ears.

"During the Jiazi Exorcism in Cangzhou, an unexpected event occurred, with a suspected manifestation of spiritual energy. You are to investigate this matter thoroughly to determine the cause and whether it can be replicated!"

"My trip to Cangzhou will primarily focus on investigating spiritual energy, as instructed by His Majesty, while secondarily on ascertaining the strengths and weaknesses of the powerful families of Cangzhou. At the same time, I might as well try to gain some benefits for myself."

Xuanyuan Shiji knew that as long as he handled his business well and gained some benefits along the way, His Majesty wouldn't care.

He silently recalled the information on several people he was following in Cangzhou: "During the 'Chun Calamity,' the three great families of Cangzhou used that move. The head of the Ge family, Ge Daoqian, passed away. The heads of the three great families are no longer all alive, and they can no longer use that move for the time being."

"It's worth noting that Zhuang Jin, a second-level Yin Spirit cultivator, can briefly unleash the power of a third-level cultivator when he joins forces with the head of the Shangguan family."

'Zhuang Jin, Zhuang Jin... Ha!'

Xuanyuan Shiji had made up his mind to use Zhuang Jin as a breakthrough point to make an example of him.

There are three reasons for this.

Firstly, the aristocratic families have a history of eight hundred years, the depth of which is unknown. Who knows if they have other trump cards besides that move 'Yesterday Once More'? In comparison, Zhuang Jin, who has the highest individual cultivation level in Cangzhou and is a semi-outsider of the Cangzhou aristocratic families, is the most suitable person to establish authority.

Secondly, Li Shizong's mother, his cousin, sent him gifts before leaving, giving her a pretext and a legitimate reason to attack Zhuang Jin.

Thirdly, given the need to maintain stability and rule, it would be better not to encounter Zhuang Jin, but if he does, it's only natural to eliminate him as a matter of course.

'The powerful families of Cangzhou are truly a bunch of good-for-nothings, allowing such a genius to grow up right under their noses. Fine, fine, this time I'll step in and clean house for them.'

'This Zhuang Jin, I doubt the three great families of Cangzhou would be pleased with him. If I deal with him, make them bleed and bleed, I can reap the benefits without guilt.'

"Besides, I won't accept my cousin's gift for nothing." Thinking this, Xuan Yuan Shiji nodded slightly, feeling smug and even a sense of moral superiority: "Taking advantage of others—these days, there aren't many people like me who are so morally upright and trustworthy!"

"There's only one thing: Zhuang Jin and the Shangguan family head, working together, can defeat someone at the third level of the cultivation realm. To be on the safe side, I'll use the excuse of giving him a private lesson to severely injure and cripple him."

Xuanyuan Shiji secretly plotted, feeling a secret, dark pleasure as he thought about how he would abuse and cripple a genius.

"Once Zhuang Jin is crippled, the three major families of Cangzhou will likely become obedient, allowing me to extract benefits and investigate the spiritual energy incident. After controlling these local bullies, everything will go smoothly."

'At that time, even if I need to examine the bodies of these people who are absorbing spiritual energy, they will all have to obediently submit!'

Xuanyuan Shiji narrowed his eyes, secretly calculating, when suddenly a sound came from outside.

"My lord, the prominent family of Cangzhou is ahead, and they will meet us thirty miles outside the city."

The steward paused for a moment, then added, "The mountain roads are difficult to travel, and the Cangzhou family has prepared a travel allowance for you, sir. Please take a look."

"oh?!"

Xuanyuan Shiji took the order, glanced at it, and scoffed, "Tsk, how shabby!"

'Looks like I'll have to personally extract the benefits!'

He muttered to himself, got out of the car, and went forward. Sure enough, he saw a group led by Shangguan Jinfeng, Shangguan Yunchang, Cen Chongxuan, and Xuanyuan Zhengji. But Zhuang Jin was not there. He narrowed his eyes slightly: "I heard that you Cangzhou have a genius who broke through to the second level of Yin God Realm before the age of fifty. Why didn't you come?"

The tone of his voice turned cold. The next step would likely be, "How dare you! Do you look down on me?" He would seize this opportunity to launch an attack.

Shangguan Yunchang sensed something amiss and said, "The 'Chun Calamity' in Cangzhou—one or two of the Chun spirits have escaped. One has been discovered nearby, and my husband is on his way to clean it up. Lord Xuanyuan…"

at this time--

"You beast, where do you think you're going?!"

Beneath the white clouds, the Phoenix King circled, and Zhuang Jin, dressed in brocade robes and white gowns, was tracking a six-tailed white fox in the Blood Exchange Realm, which was possessed by the essence of the Chunling Qiu Monster, and was heading this way.

"Lord Xuanyuan, do not panic! I possess a sword that can subdue demons, suppress monsters, sever rivers, and split mountains. Please witness it!"

As Zhuang Jin finished speaking, the eight swords of the Eight Gates Sword Formation spun out from his sleeve, merging into one. Under the amplification of higher-level energy from the refined spiritual energy within the Holy Spirit Pearl, the swords underwent a complete qualitative change, truly transcending the Yin God realm.

Swish!
In an instant, the six-tailed white fox was pierced through and turned into dust. Afterward, the sword's momentum did not diminish, and it pierced into the mountain, cutting through tofu like a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Then, it was as if millions of tons of explosives had been detonated, causing a series of explosions.

Boom, boom, boom!
In an instant, the earth collapsed and the mountains crumbled, cleaving the entire Calabash Valley in two, forming a deep ravine.

Originally, when Shangguan Yunchang was halfway through her speech, after saying "Lord Xuanyuan," Zhuang Jin immediately followed up with "You beast," as if he were being insulted. Xuanyuan Shiji subconsciously frowned. Then, when he saw Zhuang Jin appear, judging from Zhuang Jin's aura, which was indeed at the second level of the Yin God Realm, and his pretentious words, a look of contempt appeared on his face.

But when the higher-level energy refined from that spiritual energy leaked its aura, his expression instantly became solemn; when Zhuang Jin unleashed his sword, the sword energy was so strong that it stung his own Yin Spirit, he truly changed color; when he saw the power of that sword that far exceeded the Yin Spirit realm, splitting a mountain in one strike, he even put himself in the shoes of the sword, realizing that he himself would probably be defeated in a single move, and he became even more horrified and terrified.

His face changed so many times in such a short time, just like a chameleon.

Shangguan Jinfeng and Cen Chongxuan were not much better off. Originally, Zhuang Jin said he would resolve this matter and give Xuanyuan Shiji a warning. They thought that Zhuang Jin had absorbed some kind of benefit from the free spiritual energy and could independently exert strength comparable to the third level of the Yin God Realm. However, they never expected such a scene.

"That sword strike just now felt even more oppressive than Chun Lingqiu's half-step Great Vajra realm demon form. It clearly exceeded the limits of the Yin God realm, reaching the half-step Yang God realm, or even more."

Cen Chongxuan stared wide-eyed, lost in thought, almost snapping off his own beard.

At this moment, he completely abandoned any thoughts, his mind filled with only one thought: 'This boy is beyond control,' which further strengthened his resolve to lie low and wait until Zhuang Jin was sent away.

Xuanyuan Zhengji had originally intended to see Zhuang Jin make a fool of himself when he learned that Xuanyuan Shiji was coming, which is why he stayed for a few more days. But now that he saw this scene, he had no more thoughts about it and decided to leave tomorrow... no, today. He would leave this mess in Cangzhou to the next person in charge!

Shangguan Yunchang was equally surprised, but even more so, she felt proud and honored.

'It's much more powerful than I anticipated. This single sword strike is quite stressful for me. Once I break through to the third level of the Yin God realm, it should be much easier. Moreover, at that time, the increased power from a higher level of spiritual energy will likely reach the level of a true Yang God realm strike!'

Zhuang Jin muttered to himself, raised his hand to sheath his sword, flicked his finger at the blade, producing a clear and melodious sound, and then put it back into his sleeve and landed on the ground. He was still dressed in white and untouched. He looked at Xuan Yuan Shiji and said, "The aftermath of the 'Chun Calamity' has frightened Lord Xuan Yuan."

"It's alright, it's alright. I was just saying before that I've long admired Fellow Daoist Zhuang's reputation. Seeing is believing, and you truly are a remarkable person!"

He speaks to people in a human way and to ghosts in a ghost way. Xuan Yuan Shi Ji has a flexible moral bottom line. When he mentioned that Zhuang Jin was not here, he was being sarcastic and evasive, like a eunuch, and was about to make trouble. But after seeing that move, he became "I have long admired you".

The contrast between their initial arrogance and subsequent obsequiousness, and their willingness to swallow insults, amused Shangguan Jinfeng and the others. If Li Shizong's mother, who had brought the gift, had seen this scene, she would probably have spat out a mouthful of blood.

'Cousin, this isn't my fault!'

Xuan Yuan Shiji secretly apologized to Li Shizong's mother, his cousin, explaining that it wasn't that he was breaking his promise, but that circumstances had changed.

After witnessing Zhuang Jin's attack, he knew that his plan had failed. Just as Shangguan Yunchang had said, everything in martial arts depends on strength. In truth, Zhuang Jin's methods were beyond his own power. Not to mention helping him avenge himself, even he himself would be inferior to him.

At the same time, even if the plan to cut off the three major families' resources had the prestige of the imperial court, the resources and benefits obtained would certainly fall far short of expectations.

"The main purpose of this trip, investigating the matter of spiritual energy, cannot be forced. If the three major families of Cangzhou don't cooperate, things will get complicated!"

However, different situations require different methods. In order to achieve his goal, Xuan Yuan Shi Ji changed his attitude and chatted and laughed with Shangguan Jin Feng and others. If you didn't know better, you would think that they were relatives and old friends!

……

(End of this chapter)