National Division

Chapter 145 Shen Xian: Your Majesty, I have a plan…

鹤山
At this moment, the battle began to come to an end.

Daoist Dongyang single-handedly held off two powerful cultivators from the Corpse Yin Sect at the Void Realm, showing no fear whatsoever.

Meanwhile, Shen Xian was moving back and forth, killing several Dao Embryo Realm cultivators, and occasionally using his Ink Rain Blade to disrupt the formation of the Corpse Yin Sect disciples.

Shen Bin and the disciples of Qingyang Temple also broke out of the forbidden formation and charged towards the corpse demons of the Corpse Yin Sect.

Crane Guardian Taoist no longer guards the forbidden formation on Crane Mountain, and still wields a wooden sword.

With a single stroke, the sword flashed.

Suddenly, a large number of corpse demons, whose roars were almost like the cries of wild beasts, fell to the ground like withered grass, some cut in half at the waist, others with their heads flying into the sky.

It can be said that a single sword strike slayed a large number of corpse demons, with a "whoosh" sound.

The slaughtering ability of an immortal whose realm is gradually approaching the Divine Illumination Realm is undoubtedly very strong.

This is also why the Yuqing Great Sect sat idly by while the scourge of corpse demons spread. They were just a bunch of small fry. It looked quite lively, but as long as they forced the Empress to return power to the Li Jing clan, what did it matter if Anzhou, or even several other prefectures, became a rotten boil?
Clearly, the calamity of the corpse demon in Anzhou is the Dajing version of "converting rice paddies to mulberry fields" and "destroying dikes and flooding fields"!
What no one knows is that even though the Corpse Demon died, the Corpse Yin Qi on its body still entered the soil and underground, flowing into the restrictions set up by the Corpse Yin Sect Master Mo Qianqiu in the form of trickling streams.

Ultimately, Mo Qianqiu, the sect leader of the Corpse Yin Sect, incorporated it into a spiritual treasure to refine a Golden Immortal Corpse Puppet.

Until the moon was high in the sky, all the corpse demons below were wiped out.

Qin Guang and Protector Yu led the disciples of the Corpse Yin Sect to retreat to Linchuan County, which is 20 miles away from Heshan.

The moonlight, like water, bathed the earth.

At this moment, Shen Xian and Xue Zhihua arrived at a tent. Shen Xian looked at the travel-worn Shen Bin and asked, "Father, how are the casualties?"

Shen Bin said, "Nearly a hundred able-bodied men were killed or wounded in the county. However, thousands of corpse demons were annihilated in this battle, and the threat has been eliminated. Now I am worried about the Guhe River."

Shen Xian nodded, his eyes filled with worry: "I'm just as worried about Guhe now."

Because Guhe County is just a small county town, its combat strength is only at the Innate Realm and Grandmaster Realm.

At this moment, the eldest princess strode forward, a faint fragrance wafting around her, and said, "There is news from Guhe. The enemy has lost three Dao Embryo Realm cultivators, one of whom, a Divine Illumination Realm cultivator, was seriously injured and fled. However, the reason why the Corpse Yin Sect was defeated this time is ultimately because they did not know our strength. Once they send powerful experts again, it will not be so easy to deal with them."

Clearly, this was the message that Liang Yi and Ji Xian had just delivered to Princess Guhe through the sound transmission jade tablet.

Shen Xian nodded and asked, "Your Highness, how many days until the army from Weizhou and the imperial army arrive?"

Before the princess could speak, Xue Zhihua, with her beautifully arched eyebrows and clear, bright eyes, replied, "The imperial army of 20,000 has already set off. According to the schedule, they should be arriving in Ningyang County soon. As for Weibo, it will probably take another two days."

Ningyang County is also a nearby route from Shendu to Guhe County in Anzhou.

“Two days…” Shen Xian pondered for a moment, then said, “When we are almost there, I will go there in person to oversee things.”

As he spoke, he looked at the map hanging in the tent and said, "Now we can basically confirm that we can contain this calamity of the corpse demon within the Anzhou region."

The calamity of the corpse demon has been contained so far and has not become the fuse for the downfall of the Empress Dowager Group.

If Anzhou falls, the conflagration will sweep across Henan and Hebei, affecting millions of people. The Empress will certainly be held responsible, and there is no doubt that the central government might face changes.

Just then, Xue Zhihua looked at Shen Xian with her beautiful eyes sparkling beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows and said, "Master's communication jade tablet."

Shen Xian turned to look at the eldest princess beside him and said, "Your Highness, let's take a look together."

Xue Zhihua channeled spiritual power into the communication jade tablet, and a water curtain with ripples rose from it, revealing the figure of the Imperial Preceptor Murong Yue.

"Zhihua, Junior Brother Shen." Murong Yue's voice remained clear and cold, like shattered jade on ice, crisp and melodious.

Murong Yue called out, "Master."

Shen Xian also greeted her: "Senior Sister Murong."

Murong Yue recounted the recent developments in the court, saying, "The Corpse Yin Sect must have discovered an ancient immortal cave."

Shen Xian looked thoughtful and said, "No wonder they were sneaking around."

This is normal. With the activity of mountains and rivers, some ancient immortal relics that have been buried underground for many years have begun to reappear.

Murong Yue's voice was clear and cold as she said, "According to the speculation of our colleagues at the Imperial Observatory, it may involve the corpse of an ancient immortal. Therefore, the Corpse Yin Sect spread the corpse plague in Anzhou in order to prepare for refining the ancient immortal corpse."

This is a conjecture made by the Imperial Observatory based on relevant clues and their understanding of the secret methods of the Corpse Yin Sect.

It can be said that it was absolutely outrageous.

“That matches up.” Beneath Shen Xian’s sword-like brows, his eyes gleamed with a dark light, and he said in a deep voice, “I’m afraid it will require harming quite a few people to help him refine the Corpse Demon!”

Those who follow the demonic path will not act without self-interest. No matter how ruthless they are, they would not massacre mortals on a large scale without a reason; they must have a strong motivation for self-interest.

For example, in his previous life, he read some online novels where the Demon Lord slaughtered tens of thousands of people in order to refine the Myriad Soul Banner.

Murong Yue's voice carried a hint of worry as she said, "This matter is quite troublesome. Several peak masters from the sect have already gone there, but the Corpse Yin Sect has almost sent out its entire force."

The eldest princess thought for a moment and said, "The Jade Purity Sect will probably send another powerful figure."

"Why?" Shen Xian asked.

The eldest princess said softly, "The land of immortal relics may contain great treasures. If these fall into the hands of a sect, they can enhance the sect's foundation. The elders of the sect will surely come to investigate the situation."

Xue Zhihua's cold and aloof face showed a hint of disgust as she sneered, "When Anzhou was in trouble before, Yuqing sat idly by, but now that she has seen the benefits, she has rushed over like a vulture feeding on carrion."

Shen Xian paused for a moment, then said, "The petty people of this world are mostly like this, blinded by profit and forgetting righteousness."

Then, he asked, "Senior Sister Murong, what is the Sect Leader's opinion?"

He always felt that the sect leader, Sima Zongxian, wasn't in a hurry.

Of course, the grand scene was too vast, and Sima Zongxian had other important matters to attend to.

Murong Yue said, "Our sect leader's idea is to go with the flow. The sect is severely short-handed. In recent years, we have already taken up a lot of manpower by excavating immortal relics, suppressing demons, and patrolling the border. Since Yuqing is willing to get involved because he sees the benefits, let's just let him do it."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xian nodded and said, "That's true. It can be considered as driving it with benefits. If Yuqing joins the fray, then the Empress will have the upper hand in this game."

"That's the idea. When the verbal battle takes place at the Eight Views Palace, both sides will have something to say." Murong Yue's voice came, sounding somewhat tired: "Right and wrong will be judged by public opinion!"

Shen Xian now roughly understood the style of the three religions. Taiqing wasn't completely idle; rather, he acted as a mediator every day.

However, there must be multiple forces within the Taiqing Sect. The eldest princess spoke with absolute certainty: "But the Immortal Remnant Land must not fall into the hands of the Yuqing Sect."

"The ownership of the Immortal Remnant Land will be contested in due time. It's impossible for the entire Immortal Remnant Land to fall into the hands of the Jade Purity Sect," Murong Yue said in a clear voice.

Clearly, this female imperial advisor has become quite familiar with these tactics over the years.

Shen Xian said, "Now that Yuqing has taken action, things will be much easier."

Murong Yue pondered for a moment and said, "We do not yet know whether the Corpse Yin Sect has other destructive methods, nor do we know how far they have progressed. But we cannot allow the Corpse Yin Sect to continue spreading the corpse plague, which is spreading to an ever-expanding area."

This is self-evident.

Shen Xian said loudly, "We still need to send troops to suppress them, especially the evil spirits in Hebei Province. This time we need to send troops to sweep away the demons and evil spirits in the Yan and Zhao regions!"

Murong Yue said, "The Empress Dowager must have thought so. Now that the Empress Dowager has arrived, you should speak with her."

Accompanied by Gu Nanzhu and Gao Yanfu, the Empress arrived before the Jade Tablet of Sound Transmission and spoke softly, "Mr. Shen, it's been a long time."

Shen Xian said, "Your subject greets the Empress Dowager."

The Empress's voice carried a hint of joy as she said, "Mr. Shen, I have already gained a basic understanding of the situation at the front through the Mountain and River Mirror. You have been leading the charge and fighting bravely at the front, making great contributions."

Shen Xian said, "It is my duty, and I cannot shirk it. I dare not accept such praise from Your Majesty."

The Empress felt even more admiration for his character and asked, "I suppose Mr. Shen is also aware of the schemes of the Corpse Yin Sect's demonic cultivators."

"I have already heard about it from Senior Sister Murong." Upon hearing this, Shen Xian paused for a moment, then asked, "Your Majesty, what are your plans next?"

The Empress Dowager snorted coldly and said, "I wish I could gather all the demons of the Corpse Yin Sect and annihilate them!"

The beautiful woman's voice was full of hatred, clearly showing her deep resentment towards the Corpse Yin Sect's actions.

Because this is digging up the roots of the Empress. If they really wreak havoc on several states, then all of the Empress's subsequent plans will have to be postponed.

Shen Xian remained silent for a moment, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes, and said, "It's not impossible."

Upon hearing this, the Empress was startled and quickly asked, "Sir, what do you mean?"

At that moment, the princess waved her hand and set up a soundproofing array.

Shen Bin, however, wisely left the tent.

Shen Xian pondered for a moment and said, "I have a plan that may severely damage the Corpse Yin Sect."

He had just gathered information from various sources and had a plan in mind.

The diva's breathing became noticeably heavier, and she asked urgently, "Sir, what is the plan?"

Shen Xian's expression was strange as he uttered four words: "Borrowing a master's help to suppress the enemy."

Queen of Pop: ???

"Or rather, use someone else to do your dirty work." Shen Xian paused slightly, then pondered, "Have the Imperial Observatory and the Shangqing lineage spread the word through other secret channels that there are a large number of secret treasures in the Ancient Immortal Ruins, and that some of these treasures are already in the hands of the Corpse Yin Sect Master. Ideally, they should involve urgently needed treasures, further attracting powerful figures from the Jade Purity Sect to clash with the Corpse Yin Sect. In short, we must make the two sides fight to the death."

Because he knew little about the Dao of Immortality, he did not know what the Jade Purity Sect desperately needed.

But he provides an idea, and naturally, those who know the details will refine it.

Moreover, some insidious methods involve impersonating members of the Corpse Yin Sect to kill disciples of the Jade Purity Sect. However, this is very risky. In this world of mystical and mysterious immortals, who knows if some kind of Great Evolution Divine Calculation will be used to find out the real culprit?

A look of suspicion appeared on the Empress's elegant face as she asked, "Would the Jade Purity Sect believe this?"

Murong Yue's eyes lit up, and she said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty, this method is feasible! Truth and falsehood are interchangeable, and all's fair in war. The Jade Purity Sect has a large number of idle people, so they might take it seriously. Besides..."

"Besides what?"

“My Shangqing lineage has always been straightforward and rarely resorts to trickery. The Yuqing lineage should believe me.” A sudden flash of inspiration struck Murong Yue, who thought the plan was brilliant.

Queen of Pop: "..."

"Senior sister, have you had any inspiration?" Shen Xian asked.

In front of everyone, she was directly addressed as "Senior Sister," which made Murong Yue feel a little strange, but she quickly got used to it and said in a clear voice, "Have Senior Brother Lin spread the word that, according to the Imperial Observatory's investigation, the Corpse Yin Sect Master has discovered an ancient alchemy furnace containing three Nine-Turn Golden Pills, left behind by an ancient immortal. Taking them can help one safely pass through the Nine Tribulations and attain the Dao of True Immortal. I'm afraid even the old fogies in the Jade Purity Sect who are in seclusion for life and death will be tempted!"

Above the nine realms of immortality, there are three calamities and nine tribulations.

After achieving the initial perfection of the Tribulation Transcending Realm, one begins the process of undergoing the Nine Tribulations.

However, the karmic obstacles of Taoists vary, and it becomes increasingly difficult to overcome them as one progresses. As a result, starting from the late stage of the Tribulation Transcending Realm (the fifth tribulation), they begin to hide their cultivation using secret methods to prevent being discovered by heavenly punishment.

"Will the Corpse Yin Sect defend themselves by saying that they do not possess such a thing?" The eldest princess frowned and asked.

Shen Xian said, "That demonic sorcerer is full of lies, who would believe him? Who knows if he's telling the truth? We'll just arrest him, torture him, and then we'll see!"

At that time, it will be a scene where the Corpse Yin Sect Master is besieged and interrogated by some old guys from the Jade Purity Sect.

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess immediately understood the ingenuity of the matter, and said with her pink lips, "Wonderful, wonderful! Then the Corpse Yin Sect will be severely damaged even if they don't die!"

Xue Zhihua stood to the side, her clear eyes sparkling as she stared intently at Shen Xian.

Shen Xian said, "As for the Corpse Yin Sect, they have no way to defend themselves. As long as we lure the Jade Purity Sect over, given their nature of considering it a loss if they don't pick up silver when they go out, they will definitely clash with the Corpse Yin Sect. Moreover, the Jade Purity Sect already knows about the Immortal Relic Land, but the release of information must be done cleverly, with a mix of truth and falsehood. I don't know the details of the game between the Eighth Realm."

This also involves how to deceive the Eighth Realm and how to get them moving.

For example, he couldn't think of any of the tribulation-protecting treasures that Murong Yue had just mentioned.

However, the members of the Shangqing Sect are clearly honest and straightforward, without so many hidden agendas.

“Leave this to me,” Murong Yue said.

In fact, the Yuqing lineage did attach great importance to it. Upon hearing Cui Shang mention the Immortal Relic Land, they immediately dispatched two Transcending Tribulation Realm Loose Immortals to investigate whether there were any ancient immortal treasures.

Because no one knows what extraordinary treasures might appear in the Land of Immortal Remnants.

If there's truly no profit to be made, then slay the demons and monsters to salvage your reputation, and deal with them casually.

They continued to nurture bandits to maintain their own importance, leaving behind the Yin Sect to cause trouble for the Great Jing under the Empress's rule.

(End of this chapter)