Chapter 27

Tianjing was the best location in the kingdom.

It functioned as the capital for six dynasties. It remained standing even after enduring millennia of weather and warfare.

Regardless of the dynasty that rose in the region, they would finally choose this place as the capital.

From the Jin Dynasty, Yun Dynasty, Xiao Dynasty, to the Zhou Kingdom, without exception.

As for the reason, there were many theories.

Some said that Tianjing was the biggest Feng Shui array in the world.

They claimed that several thousand years ago, an almighty being used some magic to move mountains and rivers, resulting in the legendary layout of “Dragon and Tiger’s abode of spiritual abundance”.

Some also claimed that Tianjing City had a great accumulation of Emperor’s Qi due to it being the intersection point of two major dragon veins.

Some Feng Shui practitioners studied the directions of the mountain ranges. They noticed the Kunlun Mountain Range to the West and the Yanran Mountain Range to the North.

With the two grand earth Qi gathering in that spot and the grand river surrounding it, it created a never-ending water vein of Yin and Yang, forming a top grade feature of the true dragon.

There was a myriad of such theories and none of them could be verified.

“I think those practitioners make quite some sense.”

Shadow Guardian Commander Zhou Wen fanned himself while he leaned on the parapet and looked into the distance.

“Commander Ji Liang, you see, Mount Zhongding has the aura like a dragon, Mount Qingliang is shaped like White Tiger, along with this Vermilion Bird Street, and the Black Tortoise Lake within the imperial city, it’s really like a gathering of the four spiritual beasts. It’s the feature of a strong Dragon Qi!”

The feminine-looking Eagle Guardian Commander Ji Liang narrowed his eyes, then scoffed, “Making presumptuous claims of the imperial city layout and making connections with mysticism… Commander Zhou, mind your words less someone overhears and makes a complaint!”

The well-mannered Zhou Wen was unfazed. He calmly replied, “Complaint about me? The Black Dragon Altar supervises the ministers and patrols the kingdom. Will those civil ministers dare to say anything? I don’t think so!”

Ji Liang did not continue the conversation. Instead, he took the Jiannan Liquor and took a small sip.

Outside the building was the lively Vermilion Bird Street.

The residents of Tianjing City liked to refer to it as Heaven Street because it was a long, straight, and wide street that could accommodate eight carriages side by side.

It extended outward from the southern gate of the imperial city, all the way to the Mingde Gate of the outer city.

Each day, with the sound of the drum signaling its opening, the people outside the city and the foreign merchants of the Western Region would crowd inward to form a sea of crowds.

Ji Liang and Zhou Wen were in the most famous restaurant on Vermilion Bird Street, Wanlong Restaurant.

Famous dishes, exquisite desserts, treasured wine, and other delicacies, they had everything.

Many nobles and rich merchants frequented the place.

However, the usually lively and packed Wanlong Restaurant was exceptionally quiet that day with few people in its doors.

“We’re here to wait for the Yuanmeng Empire’s ambassador envoy to enter the city. Why do we need to be so obvious about it?” Ji Liang asked coldly with a frown.

Both Commanders Zhou Wen and Ji Liang were seated in the private chamber on the third floor.

The other two floors below were soldiers with black koi uniforms and embroidered sabers from the Black Dragon Altar.

Before the guests even walk through the door, they could already feel the killing intent rushing at them.

Who would dare walk in for a meal?!

“Since when has the Black Dragon Altar ever done something surreptitiously? The Yuanmeng Empire’s ambassador envoy will be arriving Tianjing City today. I’ve already discussed this with Commander Zhu and plan to test them the moment they enter the gates.”

Zhou Wen kept his fan and put on a confident smile.

“The eldest disciple of Cloud Abode, Thunder Sword Song Qingshan, is at the peak of the sixth Mortal Stage. His sword is quick and has excellent swordsmanship.

“Moreover, Song Hezi, the Master of Lianyun Mountain, is also at the sixth Mortal Stage. His Nine Cauldron Spirit Refining Technique provides him with extremely pure true Qi, which is rare.”

Ji Liang frowned slightly as though coming to realization.

“You want to act against the ambassador envoy in front of everyone when they enter the gates?”

Zhou Wen looked down at the pedestrians on Vermilion Bird Street and nodded.

“Exactly. If those barbarians from the plans are planning to provoke us, they will definitely be disrespectful when meeting His Majesty.

“By then, even if the Black Dragon Altar sends in an expert to handle the situation, it would cause the emperor to be unhappy.

“Instead of waiting for the other party to make a move, why not act first and put the Great Boundless Palace in their place!?”

Ji Liang harrumphed, then mocked, “You sure planned ahead, but what if we lost? Moro, the King of Yakshas is at the seventh Mortal Stage, Titan Stage. With just two peak Qi Refinement Stage with us, we might not be able to take him down.”

Zhou Wen waved nonchalantly and said, “If we can have a glimpse of how powerful the other party is, it’s not a bad thing either. Furthermore, Master Yuanhui, the head of Heavenly Dragon Temple is our true trump card.

“Yin Summit Academy’s ranking has thirty names on it. Only those of the Spiritual Transformation Stage and Innate Grandmaster Stage are qualified to be on the list.

“Under it, are the three martial ranking lists of Sun, Moon, and Star based on the martial arts experts’ combat ranking.

“Master Yuanhui is placed third on the Sun Martial Ranking List. He’s at the peak of the seventh Mortal Stage, easily capable of suppressing those two evil cultivators from the Great Boundless Palace!”

Hearing that, Ji Liang had nothing to say.

He had heard of ‘Dharma’ Yuanhui of the Prajna Hall.

However, he asked after some time, “Shadow Guardian and Zhen Guardian are working so hard to put the Yuanmeng Empire’s ambassador envoy in their place. I’m afraid it’s all because of the…Grand Commander?”

Zhou Wen did not deny, but instead asked with a smile, “Commander Ji, do you think the Black Dragon Altar needs a Grand Commander who ignores his worldly duties but hogs all the authority to himself?”

Ji Liang fell silent immediately, at a loss on how to respond.

“Whether it’s you, or the other commanders, and even…His Majesty himself! Are you willing to accept the Grand Commander’s appearance? I don’t think so!”

Zhou Wen smacked his palm with the fan and said calmly, “Commander Ji, you’ve been dealing with the people of the world of martial arts for so many years. You should understand one thing. As long as they know some martial arts, which of them would care about the law, imperial authority, the emperor, and the likes?

“The Grand Commander even ignored His Majesty’s imperial decree. He’s already got out of closed door cultivation, yet refuses to meet the emperor, nor come to the Black Dragon Altar. One could see his arrogance.”

The Shadow Guardian Commander stopped the fanning motion of his bone fan, then huffed, “They say he’s to guard the emperor and back the operations of the Zhou Kingdom. However, judging from his behavior, how is he any different from those experts from the Ten Great Sects? He’s just a lordless person who disrespects the law and imperial authority!”

Ji Liang gasped deeply and exclaimed in shock, “You dare to say that!?”

A lordless person was akin to wild beasts.

Zhou Wen accused the Grand Commander of disrespecting the emperor and was no different from wild dogs.

If the other party heard of the accusation, he would most likely lose his life.

“Why wouldn’t I? Our Zhou Kingdom has Marquis Zhao Kai and millions of soldiers! Why would we need a Grand Commander in name only?!”

Zhou Wen’s brows twitched, then exclaimed, “Legends tell us that it was the Grand Commander who protected the Zhou Kingdom by fending off Master Zhizhu from the Great Boundless Palace, but who would remember the four Guardian Commanders of Black Dragon Altar being almost completely wiped out. Three of the four commanders died, and the sole survivor was crippled for life. He had been coughing up blood for half a year before passing away!”

“How can such a thief who steals others’ merits and glory be compared to Marquis Zhao Kai who serves the country with utmost loyalty?

“It’s just because Marquis Zhao Kai has yet to achieve the Innate Grandmaster Stage. Otherwise, why would His Majesty tolerate an old man who holds great power but disrespects the imperial authority?”

Ji Liang suddenly recalled that the previous Shadow Guardian Commander had also died from coughing up blood.

That person was Zhou Wen’s master.

He shook his head, then downed the throat-burning Jiannan Liquor before saying softly, “Why didn’t you say that to his face that day?”

Zhou Wen chuckled without displaying any awkwardness.

“I’m not that stupid to debate with an Innate Grandmaster just like that.

“To be honest, I refuse to believe the Grand Commander could reverse mortality at the end of his lifespan and achieve a breakthrough by seeking life within death.”

“He’s unwilling to return the Taiji Pure Yang Coffin, nor willing to meet the emperor in the imperial court. Something must’ve happened to his body and it’s unable to move!

“The Black Dragon Altar belongs to His Majesty and us after all. It has nothing to do with the Grand Commander.”

Ji Liang kept quiet.

For Zhou Wen to behave so insolently, he had most likely gotten some news.

Could it be that Marquis Zhao Kai was nearing his breakthrough?

If the Zhou Kingdom could have a new Innate Grandmaster, then the almost dead Grand Commander would naturally be worthless.

“They’re here! The leaders from the Eight Divisions of the Great Boundless Palace!”

Ji Liang kept his thoughts in check and slowly stood up, shifting his gaze over.

At the Mingde Gate, a grand envoy finally appeared within his sights.