The Mysterious Ming Dynasty: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

"Please take your seat, this feast will take a while to prepare."

"No need for any delicacies, a bowl of vegetarian noodles will do to appease my hungry stomach."

Si Chen also wanted to experience the joys of everyday life.

First, she went to the backyard to take a bath, then changed into a wide, straight-sewn apricot-yellow shirt, tied a soap silk sash around her waist, and wore a dust-proof hat.

The group settled down at the round table.

Listen to Si Chen describe Wu Zhiqi's appearance and origin.

"That Wuzhiqi was an ancient celestial demon, so I put on a fierce stance and explained my power, ordering him to open the sea eye for me. Holding the Yu King's Axe, I cleaved open the sea eye that had been suppressed for ten thousand years..."

"The noodles are here."

Do you have any garlic?

"Yes, yes, yes, do you also want some Liubiju pickles?"

"Bring it all here."

Four kinds of vegetables, and a pot of warm wine.

There were also large bowls of noodles, topped with scallions, laid out on the table, steaming hot.

Si Chen took a bite of noodles, a clove of garlic, and some side dishes, and immediately felt completely refreshed.

On the day of Jiazi, "Has the King of Shu truly submitted to the throne?"

Si Chen drank three bowls of wine in a row, "so naturally they can't deny it."

"I'm afraid of being misled by petty people, which would do no good to my reputation."

"Oh, could it be that I have no good reputation in their eyes? I'm already a vengeful ghost. If I had a strong army, these pedantic scholars would have someone to defend me."

What is public opinion in this era?

It's just a small group of people making a lot of noise.

As they tidied the table, Liu Ding and Liu Jia stepped forward. "In the past few days since the Emperor went south, we twelve brothers have not dared to slack off in the slightest. We have been training the brave soldiers and warriors in the camp with spears, hammers, bows, crossbows, cannons, whips, maces, swords, and chains, and we are waiting for your inspection."

Si Chen clapped his hands and laughed, "That's good. Over the years, you have all worked hard and made great contributions. I intend to add a side hall for the twelve of you in the Palace of Saints, so that you can also enjoy the incense offerings. What do you think?"

"Oh, that would be perfect."

The twelve guardians were overjoyed.

They are heroic spirits, enjoying this convenience but also subject to constraints.

No matter how hard you train, you won't make any progress.

Unless one can take another step on the path of a Heroic Spirit.

But past achievements have become entrenched.

However, worldly achievements need to be celebrated.

Si Chen's intention was to share some of his achievements in slaying demons and monsters over the years with them.

Cao Youyi hurriedly stepped forward, "Take the seat."

How are things at the saltworks lately?

"It's alright, it's alright. Gambling is prohibited in the city, and it's freezing cold. The kitchen staff usually prefer to drink and have fun, and they only come to learn the art of wooden oxen and flowing horses when the Taiping Jingguo Hall is open."

"The sacred storehouse was already overflowing with refined salt, so I opened another one."

"The Tiger Guards have captured several petty thieves who crossed the border, and their heads have been displayed to the public."

Si Chen nodded, indicating, "Hmm, it seems you'll have to shoulder more responsibility."

Cao Youyi was taken aback at first, then overjoyed, "This subordinate, this, this is a reward for no merit."

"You are the founders of the enterprise, so you cannot be compared to others."

As original shareholders, they should at least receive the basic treatment they deserve.

Si Chen beckoned to Liu Ji, who squeezed forward. The heavy armor, which stood nine feet tall, looked sturdy.

"How has your mastery of martial arts techniques been during this time?"

"He only has a thorough understanding of 'wearing armor and helmet' and 'mercury, blood, silver, and marrow,' but he has not yet reached the third realm of supernatural powers."

Since the paths of the world are all different and superior, how can we judge them by ordinary standards, and only compare the number of people who have mastered supernatural powers?

Si Chen tucked his sleeves in and placed his hand on Liu Ji's head.

"Calm your mind and focus, I will bestow this empowerment upon you."

Liu Ji bowed slightly, frozen in place, as if she had lost consciousness, and the azure spiritual light dissipated around her.

Si Chen slowly withdrew his hand, his fingertips still retaining warmth.

The crowd stepped forward, scrutinizing the man from all sides, their expressions filled with astonishment and uncertainty. "What kind of method is this?"

"Have you all heard of the concept of inner vision?" Si Chen said slowly. "Some people cultivate the Tao their whole lives but can't achieve it. They sit in meditation with their eyes closed, like a black lacquer bucket, completely unaware of anything, utterly lost and ignorant."

Thoughts arise in the mind, awareness arises in the heart. In a moment, a person may have hundreds or thousands of thoughts; a single thought of anger opens a million doors of obstacles.

The inner realm is a place where one's life and soul intersect, reflecting the heavens and earth, allowing for inner and outer clarity, a sincere mind, a subtle yet profound Daoist heart, and a single-minded focus. It is exactly the same as the great martial arts technique of "unity of heaven and man," where one can manipulate the power of the heavens and earth with every gesture.

Several years pass in the outside world, but only a fleeting moment within the inner world.

Jiazi was initially excited, but later regretted it.

A moment later, Liu Ji slowly awoke, then suddenly collapsed to her knees, her face filled with sorrow, as if she had suffered immense hardship.

"Ask her," Si Chen said with a smile.

Liu Ji suddenly shivered, as if just coming to her senses. "This isn't an initiation ceremony; it's clearly solitary confinement. And for three years at that!"

When she looked down at her palms, she noticed a faint layer of light covering her skin. No matter how she cut or stabbed, only a white mark remained. "This is the 'Water and Fire Immortal Robe'? I've succeeded! I've really succeeded?"

Liu Ji suddenly felt that it wasn't entirely unacceptable.

"After three years of secluded cultivation, I've barely glimpsed the third realm. I can be considered an average person." Si Chen spread his hands. "If you're willing, you might as well give it a try."

"No."

"I'm not coming."

Everyone took a step back. They finally understood. So, the plan was to find a secluded place and train like crazy, right?

As expected, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Liu Ji touched her cheek. "How much time has passed?"

Si Chen smiled and said leisurely, "It's not much, just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If you can endure this tedium, you will surely make progress."

Psychic energy is the manifestation of the mind.

The path requires practice step by step.

But who says that interior scenes don't count as practice?

After saying this, Si Chen drifted away.

Liu Ji's eyes widened. "A cup of tea? How is that possible? I've been in that place for three whole years, I'm tired of seeing the stars."

"Would we lie to you?"

"It's truly amazing."

"Tell me quickly, how does it feel?"

"It's so pure, without any distractions, focusing solely on doing one thing, and being able to maintain that for years. You can clearly feel time passing by, it's truly terrifying."

"With such perseverance, you will succeed in whatever you do."

"Even I think I'm incredibly strong."

But back in reality, this stark contrast nearly drove her to the brink of collapse.

If you see a more beautiful landscape, would you still stop and linger over the roadside weeds?

"Unfortunately, it was ultimately lent to us by those in power."

"I wonder what the fifth realm of martial arts, 'Unity of Heaven and Man,' must be like. It's truly captivating."

Cao Youyi was suddenly struck by a sense of loss.

The Six Ding and Six Jia also repeatedly experienced this emotional gap.

Liu Ji excitedly explored the mysteries of the new supernatural power.

The people of Tianjin were immersed in the festival.

Everyone was unable to sleep all night.

Si Chen sat cross-legged in his study, sorting out his findings. He explained that he had only done this out of necessity, mainly to appease them.

The people of Chengdu have received such great benefits, but after working so hard for so long, they haven't gained anything at all, which is somewhat unfair.

Si Chen sighed and focused his mind inward.

The starry sky inside was still dim, after all, he had permanently lost his heart, but looking at the countless tiny stars in the sky echoing each other, those were the 1.5 million people of Sichuan and Chongqing, so he had no regrets.

On the Heavenly Pillar, the "Six Heavenly Demon Kings," "First Generation Dragon Descendant," "Celestial Official," "Mind Over Matters," "Unity of Heaven and Man," and "Abandoning Sainthood and Wisdom" shine like six suns, illuminating the four directions of heaven and earth. The "Six Heavenly Demon Kings" absorb the sins and resentment within Si Chen, and this demonic path seems to grow by absorbing the fear and disgust of the world.

No wonder he's called the Demon King.

Even he couldn't help but feel a little tempted.

If one becomes addicted to this path, wouldn't one be tempted to transform the entire world into a more suitable place for one's cultivation?

Killing is simple; just don't treat them like your own kind.

The moment this thought crossed Si Chen's mind, he abruptly threw his hand away. "As expected of the demonic path, I wonder how much hard work they will put in and how many atrocities they will commit."

He quickly awoke from the inner vision.

Only then did he realize that his psychic powers had undergone another qualitative change.

Once Si Chen released his spiritual energy, he had complete control over the area within a ten-mile radius, seeing every detail clearly. He could see women washing clothes, his followers training their muscles and bones, and even clearly sense the emotions of the people...

My thoughts raced as soon as I looked at them.

It's as if you're in a hot spring, the world becomes an extension of your hands and feet, and you can perceive all sorts of things in the outside world.

The cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death for mortals is just a thought away.

The universe is my mind, and my mind is the universe.

From the smallest detail to the vastness of the universe.

The mind is the fundamental force that creates all things in the world.

The mind arises from things, and evolves into the foundation of the Tao.

When the mind dies to material things, the Way arises.

When the mind triumphs over material things, one transcends the mundane and enters sainthood, ascending to immortality and spiritual power.