In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

The sword energy was sharp as silk, seemingly nonexistent yet raging across the surrounding area.

With 10,000 merits, Xue Ji's sword energy increased by at least 30%, and the feel of her was even smoother and more comfortable to handle.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan vaguely sensed Xue Ji's special abilities.

By consistently applying the Taoist Heavenly and Humanistic cultivation methods, not only will the power be multiplied, but one can also calm the mind and avoid inner demons during cultivation.

This is the Dao Sword!

After all, Xueji is the sword of the Taoist sect leader. Throughout history, its holders have been either the leaders of the Heavenly Sect or the Human Sect, and most of them have reached the state of oneness with the sword.

Over time, it naturally develops a high degree of synergy with Taoist mental techniques.

Similarly, the Heavenly Question Sword also gained an added imposing aura after being strengthened.

The Heavenly Question Sword is a sword of a feudal lord, an axe and halberd of the Nine Bestowments, and its power is in no way inferior to the Snow Clearing Sword.

This trace of imposing power amplifies the power of the Kingly Sword Technique by three-tenths.

However, at Zhang Xiaoshan's level, the Heavenly Question Sword was far inferior to the Pure Yang Sword and was not even worth his attention.

Even after the snow has cleared, this remains true.

"Shall we give Master Xiaomeng a try?"

Zhang Xiaoshan casually tossed the enhanced Xueji to Tianzong Xiaomeng.

After acquiring it, Tianzong Xiaomeng recovered from her shock and showed a look of astonishment again.

Just by looking at the texture, Xueji felt more comfortable than Qiuli, which she usually wore, and the 19 was more in line with her Qi circulation.

Moreover, the sword energy contained within it is more than 30% greater than that of Qiu Li.

It should be noted that the sword energy of Qiu Li Sword was previously above Xue Ji.

Moreover, the profound Daoist principles it contains make her even more peaceful, which is the most precious thing about it.

By becoming one with the sword, one can unleash the Heavenly Sect's ultimate techniques, increasing their power by at least three-tenths.

It is well known that in a clash between top swordsmen, the difference between victory and defeat can be as slight as the difference between millimeters, let alone Xue Ji, who has added three points of power.

Therefore, one can imagine the shock Xiaomeng felt.

Unexpectedly, just a little bit of strengthening caused such a dramatic change in Xueji.

At this moment, the snow has cleared, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is a supreme treasure of Taoism.

"The sword energy of Xueji has increased by more than 50%, and the power of merit can also alleviate the demonic nature of those who have gone astray. I believe those elders of the Heavenly Sect will be interested in it."

Xiaomeng sensed the sharp sword energy and the vast, profound, and mysterious aura emanating from the Snow Clearing Sword.

The legendary power of merit actually exists, and seeing it with her own eyes today has truly broadened her horizons.

"Does the power of merit truly exist in this world?"

"Master Xiaomeng has already sensed it."

The power of merit can suppress inner demons, and Master Xiaomeng could feel the difference when she cultivated or fought enemies.

This is also the most precious aspect of the power of merit.

"Let's observe the Muramasa Demon Sword and Master Xiaomeng for a bit!"

Muramasa's magic sword?

This is a legendary Japanese demon sword, which caused quite a stir and sparked great controversy in Kyushu back then.

The demonic nature of this blade is said to be due to the blood sacrifice of ten thousand people; it is a true killing blade.

However, the appearance of the Demon Blade did not cause much bloodshed.

This sword belongs to Liu Sheng Piaoxu, and no force in the martial arts world dares to provoke the Zhang family.

The Muramasa Demon Blade's scabbard and hilt are decorated with white jade, giving it a simple yet elegant appearance. However, once Xiaomeng got her hands on it, she could feel a terrifying killing intent rising in her heart.

That's sword energy!

Moreover, it was a terrifying blade aura that was more than twice as powerful as Xue Ji's.

Clang!

A flash of light appeared, revealing a cold, sharp blade adorned with a blood-red Eight-Part Pagoda.

"The material of this demonic sword is no less than that of Xueji or Qiuli, but when it was created, it was sacrificed with the blood of a thousand warriors, and later it was stained with the blood of tens of thousands of warriors. Its demonic nature is so strong that it took me a lot of merit to suppress its demonic nature."

However, as long as internal energy is poured into the blade, the demonic nature of the sword will be rekindled, greatly increasing its power, surpassing that of the Heavenly Question and Snowfall swords.

"True Qi poured into the blood-red pagoda?"

Out of curiosity, Xiaomeng poured her inner energy into the Crimson Pagoda.

In an instant, the blade of the Floating Pagoda turned completely blood red, and at the same time, a terrifying killing intent soared into the sky.

The entire population of the capital was suddenly enveloped in a vague sense of unease.

All the top experts looked in the direction of the East Sea King's Mansion, their killing intent rising like clouds. Could it be that a demon was running rampant in the East Sea King's Mansion?

Clang!

The murderous aura flashed by, appearing quickly and disappearing just as fast.

Xiaomeng sheathed her sword, her original composure replaced by a sweat-drenched appearance, and fear lurked deep within her bright eyes.

In the instant her murderous aura erupted, she seemed to see an endless purgatory, a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood.

That chilling killing intent was something she would never have imagined could make such a huge difference in just a moment if she hadn't experienced it firsthand.

Merit?

At this point, Xiaomeng had come to believe in the existence of the power of merit.

Even such terrifying demonic nature could be sealed away. Even when she was affected by the killing intent while wielding the knife, she always maintained her rationality and was not led astray by the killing intent.

"What a terrifying demonic blade!"

"Is it scary? The demonic nature of this Floating Pagoda Demon Blade can only be ranked third."

Secondly, there is the Human Slaughter Sword. Master Xiaomeng should have seen it before. The killing intent of the Human Slaughter Sword is more than twice that of this demonic blade, so its merit in suppressing demonic nature is also the same.

The first is the Chi You Demon Sword, whose demonic nature is several times that of the Human Slaughter Sword.

Although the Man-Slaughtering Sword is said to have slaughtered millions, it was actually just the sword of Lord Wu'an. It was transformed into the Man-Slaughtering Sword by Lord Wu'an's murderous aura, and the blood it was stained with was at most comparable to that of the Muramasa Demon Sword.

The Chi You Demon Sword is different. It is a demon sword that truly emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Its killing intent is so strong that even a top swordsman would instantly become possessed by a demon!

Such as the War God who was born alongside Chi You's Demon Sword.

Commander Wei Zhuang, while controlling the bandits, unknowingly became possessed and bloodthirsty!

Hearing that the Muramasa Demon Blade's killing intent only ranked third, even Tianzong Xiaomeng couldn't help but gasp.

She had seen the Human Butcher Sword before and knew its terrifying killing intent.

As for the Chi You Demon Sword, it was just like that; based solely on its name and origin, Xiaomeng had no doubt about Zhang Xiaoshan's explanation.

"Zhang said these things to prove the existence of the power of merit."

After all, demonic nature is hard to tame, and a weapon with extremely strong demonic nature can only be destroyed.

However, Zhang was able to suppress the demonic nature of the divine weapon with his merits, while retaining its terrifying power.

Alternatively, by cultivating demonic arts and embracing divine weapons enhanced by merit, one can suppress the demonic nature within and maintain a sliver of rationality.

With such a powerful weapon, the Zhang family has certainly shown their sincerity.

"Thank you for your advice, sir!"

Previously, Tianzong Xiaomeng would never have believed it.

But now, the difference between the two divine weapons made her realize that the rumors in the martial arts world were indeed not unfounded.

“Piaoxu, if you have nothing to do later, you can teach Master Xiaomeng the foundation-building method of the Nine Yin Divine Skill and give her some pointers.”

"Nine Yin Manual?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng Piaoxu looked at Tianzong Xiaomeng with a strange and inexplicable expression.

This is the exclusive cultivation method for the women of the Zhang family, so the significance of Zhang Xiaoshan passing it on to Tianzong Xiaomeng is self-evident.

"Yes, son!"

Despite surprise and jealousy, the spirit of Bushido dictates unconditional obedience to one's master.

Chapter 872 The Ten-Mile Red Dowry of the Prince of Donghai's Mansion

"The Zhang family has really gone all out!"

A group of martial arts practitioners stepped into the area beyond the Great Wall, all of them showing expressions of shock.

Just over a year after the fall of the Later Jin dynasty, the landscape outside the Great Wall had completely changed.

Leaving aside the reclamation and planting, and the large-scale mining of black soil, the Zhang family's 'industrialization' alone has boosted morale throughout the entire area outside the Great Wall.

Men went to steel mills, cement plants, furniture factories... while women spun yarn, made clothes, and gathered resources...

It can be said that the Zhang family's businesses flourished everywhere outside the Great Wall.

The apparent focus solely on commercial planning, without any other preparations, is merely a smokescreen by Zhang Xiaoshan.

People from the North are known for their fierce and robust nature.

If someone were to try and take their jobs one day, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Therefore, as long as the Zhang family steps forward, they can quickly gather a powerful force, which is why Zhang Xiaoshan did not secretly cultivate armed forces.

Because everything is out in the open, it's broken down into smaller parts.

The three thousand personal guards of the Prince's Palace were also known as the Three Thousand Iron Cavalry, a terrifying top-tier combat unit.

There are also security departments for workshops and factories, trained according to the special forces model, with a standard of thirty people per workshop and three hundred people per factory. Including the guards for merchant guilds, the total number exceeds one hundred thousand.

These are all routes for elite troops!

"The Zhang family is very optimistic about the area outside the Great Wall. Apart from Jiangnan, the area outside the Great Wall has the largest investment."

Moreover, the area outside the Great Wall is different from the Jiangnan region. Jiangnan is prosperous and teeming with wealthy merchants, hence the Zhang family's top-tier shops; but outside the Great Wall, the Zhang family's business mainly consists of workshops, factories, and mines!

Walking down the street, it's like the bustling and prosperous Liaodong region, a place far from the Great Wall, no less vibrant than the Central Plains.

This has tempted some prominent families.

Currently, only the Zhang family is stationed outside the pass; other forces avoid this harsh and cold land like the plague.

Therefore, even though the Zhang family became the King of Donghai, the vast area outside the Great Wall still offered a substantial reward.

Would the Zhang family have poor judgment?

With the exception of a few unexpected events, the Zhang family's investments have generally yielded substantial profits.

Therefore, many people are tempted. There is a vacancy in the power of the area outside the Great Wall. If they miss this opportunity, they may miss out on a big opportunity.

···

"Make way, the Lü family's carriage is here!"

"The Lü family? The Lü family of Longxi?"

"The Lü family of Pei County!"

Upon seeing the markings on the carriage, everyone quickly made way.

At this moment, Lord Lü sat in the carriage, looking around with a ruddy complexion.

For this grand wedding of the Zhang family, Lu Gong, as the bride's husband, was extremely honored. Not only did officials at all levels treat him with great courtesy along the way, but he also witnessed a massive influx of guests, numbering at least over ten thousand.

At the Zhang family's wedding, everyone with even a slight connection would come.

Moreover, the invitations sent out by the Zhang family could not possibly be for just one person per invitation.

Zhang Xiaoshan prepared a banquet for 50,000 people, which is 5,000 tables.

Besides the thousand who were housed inside the mansion, three thousand who were housed outside, and another thousand who were housed in the large restaurant built by the Zhang family.

Just for the land occupation and clearing of the site, the amount of compensation paid is unknown.

Not to mention the dishes; a single meal would cost at least ten gold coins.