Longevity Candle

Chapter 140 Heaven
The Ming Dynasty was established in its early years.

Jiang Yunmeng had the ambition to go north, south, and west, but the country's strength could not keep up.

Too many people died in the war. Although she was able to lead the Taiping Army to conquer these places, no one governed them.

Even if we manage to conquer it, it will just be a barren wasteland.

Even some of Ningguo's former lands have not been recovered yet; they can only wait until later.

Li Qingchen, carrying the green lamp, arrived at the palace.

"According to the news brought back by our scouts, the grasslands have swept across the western kingdoms and conquered many countries. It won't be long before they are all taken over."

Li Qingchen said solemnly, "Although their population is not as large as ours, they still have the Rong Kingdom, and the national fortune and dragon energy they gather are not weak either."

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the country's fortunes were far inferior to those of the Ning Kingdom at its peak. In addition, the losses caused by war meant that many people were still not loyal to the Ming Dynasty. At present, the country's fortunes are barely at ninety meters.

If it were the Ning Kingdom at its peak, with its national fortune dragon aura approaching a hundred feet, those mountain and sea spirits and immortal masters would have no choice but to suppress their thoughts, no matter how much they wanted to.

Jiang Yunmeng said coldly, "It seems they haven't given up after all. The sacrificial ceremony was prepared for them."

“We cannot gamble with the fate of the nation; we can only hold back the fate of one region,” Li Qingchen said.

If the fate of the nation is used to fight the elves, the newly established Ming Dynasty will collapse.

“Yes,” Jiang Yunmeng sighed softly, “we still need to go to West Kunlun and use the remnants of Fusheng again.”

"When do we set off?" Li Qingchen asked.

“Let’s wait for Jiang Zhu to wake up,” Jiang Yunmeng said thoughtfully. “Not only for Jiang Zhu, but also for the future of the Ming Dynasty.”

Li Qingchen nodded: "Alright, as for the Ming Dynasty, have you thought it through? Which religion should be established as the state religion?"

Although the Way of Peace was originally brought by a country bumpkin, it still needs to be discussed with the other elves if it wants to become the state religion.

Jiang Yunmeng was also troubled by this: "Let's wait for Jiang Zhu."

Although she had become emperor, those elves would not give up their ambitions just because of her words.

In his view, Niu Youdao's Taiping Farm Road was actually the most suitable.

A life of peace and tranquility is merely a goal to strive for; it's impossible to achieve anything with it.

Ningguo has always been an agricultural country.

The Way of Wind, passed down by the White Crane, is carefree and unrestrained; it is suitable for cultivating immortality, but not for establishing as a state religion.

The Nine-Tailed Fox's path of illusion is even more inappropriate.

Blue Moon's Five Elements theory does encompass many aspects, but it's also inappropriate; it's too broad, meaning it's too complicated.

Even if they felt that the Taiping Agricultural Road was more suitable for the Ming Dynasty, they couldn't say it out loud.

As for the Jingwei bird, it is still busy on the shore of the East China Sea, and it seems that it has only recruited a few Qi cultivators.
This guy is always playful and lazy.

Li Qingchen discussed some national policies with her before leaving.

Jiang Yunmeng became busy, and officials in various places also needed to be rearranged.

Killing those families was satisfying, but the lack of personnel in various places is a big problem.

However, the world has no shortage of people who want to be officials!

As imperial edicts were issued, the Taiping army dispersed to various regions.

The early years of the new nation were marked by unclear laws and regulations, making it the most chaotic period.

Fortunately, the Taiping Dao had a lot of talented people, and although they were busy, they were still able to get things running smoothly.

In the blink of an eye, a year has passed.

Jiang Yunmeng was busy in her study when the elves arrived one after another.

The tabby cat sat to one side, legs crossed, munching on a peach.

"You... Oh, it's time for Jiang Zhu to wake up." Jiang Yunmeng then realized that a year had already passed.

"Tsk, look at how hard you're working. What's the point of being a mortal emperor?" Nine-Tailed Fox laughed.

"For an ordinary emperor, there is no such thing as enjoyment."

Jiang Yunmeng sighed, "When I was a child, I thought being an emperor was great, that I could enjoy everything. But actually sitting on that throne is a real headache, much harder than cultivation."

"You made your own choice, so you can't blame anyone else," Li Qingchen said with a smile. "Once the Ming Dynasty is back on track and everything is settled, I'm going to retire from public life."

He didn't want to keep helping out like this; he longed to go back to his wife and children and live a carefree life.

The elves laughed heartily. They didn't want to be busy; once everything was on track, they would all leave.

Some plan to return to the mountains and forests, while others will go into the mortal world to see what it's like, or simply enjoy the incense offerings within their sect.

Amidst laughter, the lamp on the desk lit up with candlelight.

Jiang Zhu's figure gradually solidified as he looked at the elves present: "Why are you all here? Is this some kind of palace matter?"

He looked at Jiang Yunmeng, who was dressed in a dragon robe, and nodded slightly. She did indeed have a certain imposing presence.

"Isn't this just about discussing the state religion? There are other things to discuss later?" Jiang Yunmeng said. "We also want to ask you whose lineage should be designated as the state religion."

"The state religion?" Jiang Zhu looked at the elves and understood.

Now that the nation has been established and a new world has begun, whoever becomes the state religion will have more followers and more incense offerings.

Although the peasant died peacefully and without worry, he did not mind having too many offerings.

The other elves, of course, all wanted incense offerings.

The tabby cat swung its legs: "My swordsmanship isn't bad either."

"Are you just passing the buck to me?" Jiang Zhu said.

"Hey, we're all gathered here because of you, so of course you have to come. Xiao Yunmeng wouldn't dare make the decision, for fear of offending us," Bai Shuang said with a smile.

The other elves laughed, but quickly stopped and looked at him expectantly.

Jiang Zhu shook his head slightly: "Actually, it would be best if there were no fixed state religion."

"Hmm? Not sure?" Jiang Yunmeng's eyes lit up. She had the same idea. It wouldn't be good to decide on anyone, so why not just not decide at all?

"Jiang Zhu, we're all friends. You can decide whatever you want. Even if it's not us, it won't hurt our friendship," Bai Ling said.

The white crane couple, besides the Jingwei bird, were the first to know him and had the best friendship.

Nine-Tailed Fox nodded and said, "That's right, you can make the decision."

“A country is complex and multifaceted; a single religion is insufficient,” Jiang Zhu said. “For example, the peasants’ carefree life may lead them to want land for the tillers, but what happens after they have it? You can’t use your carefree life to make them lose their ambition or to dominate the entire country.”

"The development of the mortal world, though it may involve periods of separation and reunion and does not learn lessons from history, is still a process of continuous progress."

"The path of the Nine-Tailed Fox as an Illusionist can be a time to remember disasters, but it can also bring joy, and in prosperous times, it can bring happiness and sorrow to the people."

"Bai Shuang and Bai Ling, riding the wind freely and unrestrained, are what mortals desire."

"Blue Moon..."

He recounted everything in detail, and the Elf Gate fell into deep thought.

“Cultivation of immortality and mortal life are intertwined, so naturally, things needed by mortals will emerge. For example, the immortal-sealing artifacts you crafted before can also teach them to craft more things.”

"For example, by accelerating land cultivation and seed production, Blue Moon can also use the power of the Five Elements to develop some elixirs and cultivation methods suitable for mortal cultivation..."

"The lineage of the religion depends entirely on the individual. As for what constitutes a state religion, when your incense is at its peak, it will naturally be adopted as the state religion by the common people."

Jiang Zhu said slowly.

The elves exchanged a glance but remained silent.

“Each of its own doctrines is not suitable as a path to governing a country; they are only suitable for the common people. The one who governs a country is always the emperor,” Jiang Zhu said.

Jiang Yunmeng nodded repeatedly in her heart; she also had her own concerns. If a state religion were truly established, and she were to step down in the future, these religious sects could develop, seize power, and potentially threaten the imperial authority.

This was something she couldn't tolerate, because she was now the emperor!

"You mean, the tradition and power should be separated?" the tabby cat asked.

“That’s right. The Emperor allows you to spread your doctrines freely in the Ming Dynasty. As long as it’s within the bounds of the law, you can do whatever you want.”

Jiang Zhu said, "The people below can compete, you spirits can enjoy the incense offerings in peace."

"There is no need to establish a state religion, but we can select a national preceptor. We can see your respective lineages and abilities to compete for the position of national preceptor and set a deadline for the replacement."

“Okay,” Lan Yue replied.

If these elves were to actually fight, it goes without saying that the country bumpkin would be the strongest.

But if we let the people of the lower sects fight amongst themselves, then it's a matter of each person relying on their own abilities.

“Okay,” Tian She Nu agreed first.

He agreed, and the other elves nodded in agreement.

The tabby cat grinned and said, "Then you're doomed to lose. My swordsmanship will absolutely crush your lineage."

“Hey, I never said that the one who wins the most magical duels would become the national advisor,” Jiang Yunmeng said.

"If not this, then what should we choose?" the tabby cat glared at him.

Jiang Yunmeng said, "Of course it's beneficial to the Ming Dynasty and the people of the world, such as creating clouds and rain, or creating magical artifacts that benefit the people."

She didn't want a simple battle of wits.

"You traitor!" The tabby cat bared its teeth in anger. "Give me back my sword."

"It's already a favor that I didn't kick you out, and you still want your sword back?" Jiang Yunmeng sneered, giving him no friendly look whatsoever.

The elves rose and left; they needed to return and relay the results of their discussion.

After they all left, Li Qingchen said, "We plan to go to East Kunlun."

“If it’s just for my sake, there’s no need for that. Anything suppressed by Fusheng will only cause trouble if it escapes,” Jiang Zhu said.

"We must shatter the hopes of the mountain and sea spirits; this mortal realm is not their domain!"

Jiang Yunmeng's gaze was icy: "I can't be emperor forever, nor will I stay for long. If we don't teach them to be afraid, the Ming Dynasty will be the next Ning Dynasty."

“Then go.” Jiang Zhu stopped trying to dissuade him: “After this, you don’t need to look for me.”

"Where do you want to go?" Jiang Yunmeng asked.

"Right here in this mortal world, witness the peaceful and prosperous era under your rule," Jiang Zhu said.

“Yes, you will definitely witness the greatest golden age in history!” Jiang Yunmeng said firmly.

"There's no time to lose, let's go now."

Li Qingchen knew he didn't have much time left, so he grasped the green lamp.

The three transformed and left the palace, disappearing into the void and heading east towards Kunlun.

The coast of the East China Sea.

The Jingwei bird, with its wings on its hips, is telling three Qi cultivators about its long journey.

"All kinds of techniques and myriad lineages are meaningless. Only my lineage is the most noble, so I have only accepted a few of you."

The Jingwei bird proudly declared, "To see the vast mountains and rivers, to observe the scenery of the world, and to compose a chapter of mortal life, is the most carefree and unrestrained thing."

The three Qi cultivators looked at her devoutly and listened attentively.

Jiang Zhu and the other two glanced at it, shook their heads and chuckled: "She makes a very good point about how lazy she is."

"Should we tease her a little?" Li Qingchen said. "She was the most mischievous when we were in the West."

"Take her with you, play with her for a bit."

Jiang Zhu smiled, materialized, and descended from the sky: "Lord Jingwei Bird, we invite you to be our guest. Do you have some free time?"

"Jiang Zhu." The Jingwei bird's eyes lit up: "Why are you here?"

“I heard from the old elves far away that the Jingwei bird is preaching here, and we have come to listen to your divine music,” Jiang Zhu said.

Li Qingchen and Jiang Yunmeng nodded with smiles: "Me too."

The Jingwei bird glanced at the three Qi cultivators, who became even more devout and respectfully worshipped them.

Satisfied, the Jingwei bird raised its head: "That old fellow even tried to steal my immortal techniques. However, since you three have good talents, I will make an exception and let you listen to the immortal music."

"Thank you very much, Lord Jingwei Bird." Jiang Zhu and the other two quickly bowed and expressed their gratitude.

"The three of you, go back and cultivate first," said the Jingwei bird.

"Yes." The three Qi Refiners quickly took their leave.

After they had gone some distance, the Jingwei bird lowered its head and asked curiously, "Jiang Zhu, what brings you to the East Sea? Did you come here specifically to see me?"

“We plan to go to East Kunlun to retrieve the remnants of Fusheng, and we’ll take you with us along the way,” Jiang Zhu said. “I think that someone like you who enjoys traveling would also like to see the ancient remnants.”

“Jiang Zhu, you are truly my best friend. Come on, let’s go now,” Jingwei bird said happily.

The three people and one bird disappeared into the void and rode the clouds to the Eastern Kunlun Mountains.

The height of the East Kunlun Mountains is no less than that of the West Kunlun Mountains, but it is hotter here compared to the West Kunlun Mountains.

Jiang Yunmeng took out the Yunmeng Sword, her magical power surged, and ripples spread through the void.

Suddenly, a green light appeared on the desolate summit of the East Kunlun Mountains, and then spread out.

Lush green grass, hot spring pools, towering ancient trees, and two peach trees hidden among them.

Like Dream Island, there is a swing here, but Yunmeng will never come here again.

In the pool, there is a golden egg with silver patterns on it.

"What is this?" the Jingwei bird asked curiously, examining it.

"This is the egg of the phoenix, a spirit nurtured by heaven and earth, the wife of the phoenix. Together they are called the phoenix, and together they are comparable to the true dragon."

Jiang Zhu recounted, "Huang is known as Youying's messenger, and Fusheng has been suppressing her here."

"Can the messenger of Youying be compared to a true dragon?" Jingwei bird's eyes darted around.

"You can take her back to incubate her. While she's still young, trick her into giving you some of her essence blood. It will also help your growth," Jiang Zhu said with a smile.

“What do you mean by cheating? I was just taking care of her and only received a small fee,” Jingwei Bird said righteously.

Li Qingchen's voice rang out: "Found it."

He and Jiang Yunmeng found a token by the peach tree, with two words engraved on it—Heavenly Court.

This token contains immense power, which causes the peach tree to grow.

However, the peach tree, being such a rare treasure, requires a long time to develop, and even with the help of immortal power, its growth is still slow.

Fortunately, the remaining power is still immense.

"What is the Heavenly Court?" Jingwei asked curiously.

“An era that has long since vanished,” Jiang Zhu said, “is also something that people chase after their whole lives.”

Fusheng built the Azure Sky Domain, which is a replica of the Heavenly Court. However, the Heavenly Court already existed; it was Fusheng's doing in his previous life.

After going through countless hardships, discovering that you've already done something before means it's yet another failure.

(End of this chapter)