Da Xuan Martial Saint

Eastern Command Path.

King Chu’s Palace.

King Chu, Ji Xuanming, attired in a light blue python robe, sat serenely in an elegant, quiet study. On the desk were numerous memorials, all concerning the various affairs of the eleven states under the Eastern Command Path.

To be granted land and title was not a mere formality or a token title. If one did not truly govern a region, the so-called land granting would be nothing but empty words, and the territory would still be overseen by either the major sects or the Imperial Court.

Having consolidated power within the eleven states, it was necessary to build corresponding Taoist Prefectures and set up various Yamens. Numerous affairs were submitted to him daily, keeping him astonishingly busy over recent times.

“Your Highness, urgent information.”

As King Chu reviewed the various memorials, a subordinate in a black robe appeared, knelt on one knee, and spoke softly.

King Chu did not raise his head, continuing to read the memorial in his hand, and simply said:

“Speak.”

The black-robed subordinate quickly detailed the return of Chen Mu.

Upon hearing that Chen Mu had returned from the Outer Sea with great fanfare and was now back in the Cold North of the Da Xuan, King Chu finally paused, placed the memorial down, sighed lightly, and said:

“It is the will of heaven, beyond human power.”

“To seek immortality through contrary means is ultimately to defy the timing of heaven, leading to such a catastrophic upheaval, and making the change of divine artifacts inevitable.”

Thus far.

Intelligence on Chen Mu had been meticulously analyzed by various factions countless times. Even though Chen Mu had risen from the remote Cold North, they had thoroughly investigated almost everything about him from birth to the present.

Unlike other kings, King Chu was born with the name ‘Xuanming.’ His mother hoped he could be destined by heaven, and he always believed in the will of heaven, thinking that everything in the world follows the cycle of cause and effect, which is now proven true.

It was Ji Yongzhao’s quest for immortality that plunged the world into chaos, leading to Chen Mu’s birth in the Cold North, his rise from obscurity, and his soaring to the nine heavens.

If Da Xuan had remained a stable and prosperous land, ruling over the Wasteland, then even if Chen Mu had extraordinary talent, he would have risen through the Imperial Court, step by step, becoming an official and eventually entering the central administration.

In such a scenario, Chen Mu would have formed numerous bonds with the Ji Royal Family. A person who pursues Martial Arts as his heart’s desire would not typically care about power and would not rebel against the Ji family if nurtured and promoted by the Imperial Court.

Yet, Ji Yongzhao, possessing the throne but not caring for the people, sought his own benefit, causing turmoil across the land. Even though Chen Mu now remains alone, with his influence only extending to the Seven Profound Sect, as long as he intends to restore order, his unparalleled martial prowess will naturally allow him to swiftly consolidate power and ultimately compete with the Ji family for control over the empire.

All this was instigated by his father, Ji Yongzhao.

By not prioritizing the nation, heaven imposes calamities. Whether the millennium-old dynasty will still belong to the Ji family no longer rests solely with them; it also depends on Chen Mu’s intentions.

With things as they are, unlike the other Eight Princes, he had a more laid-back view, having spent decades battling the King of Jin and recently managing the eleven states of Eastern Command, personally overseeing numerous affairs. He now felt rather fatigued and was no longer as dedicated to the throne, believing that heaven’s will cannot be defied and that while man proposes, heaven disposes.

At this moment.

His thoughts turned, Ji Xuanming had a sudden clarity, feeling a flash of insight pass through his mind.

He had been stuck in the Marrow Cleansing Realm for years because of a slight flaw in his intentions due to his struggle for power, preventing him from overcoming the Life and Death Pass to step into the Blood Exchange Realm.

But at this moment, with King Han Ji Xuanfei now on the throne, the world divided into nine parts, and with Chen Mu’s return causing instability, his momentary fatigue made his mind more at peace, and without the obsession, his state of mind became quietly clear.

In that brief instant.

Ji Xuanming realized he could now cross the Life and Death Pass and step into the Blood Exchange Realm of Body Tempering Martial Arts.

“Hehe.”

Ji Xuanming, after a brief daze, suddenly laughed softly.

If he had achieved a clear state of mind earlier, free from flaws, stepping into the Blood Exchange Realm, he would immediately stand out among the Eight Princes. Not even the King of Jin could compete, and the throne would undoubtedly be his.

But at that time, as he was fixated on the struggle, his mind wasn’t clear enough, and he was stuck at the Life and Death Pass. Now, as he let go of the desire for that position, the flaw in his will quietly disappeared.

Truly, fate makes fools of us all.

At this moment, as Ji Xuanming’s thoughts arose, he felt a vastness in the universe.

“Give the order, I am entering seclusion. The affairs of the states within Eastern Command will be managed by the Military Governor.”

Ji Xuanming gently tapped the desk.

A subordinate in a black robe appeared, bowed his head in response, and quickly withdrew.

Ji Xuanming then tapped the desk again, and another black-robed subordinate appeared. He took out a token, gently tossed it, and said: “Hand this token to Yongning. While I am in seclusion, the armies under the Eastern Command Path shall be temporarily controlled by her. Apart from the military and political affairs of the eleven states in Eastern Command, other paths and the Central Prefecture shall not be managed.”

Finally.

He added, “If Chen Mu comes to Eastern Command, have her treat him well on my behalf.”

The black-robed man accepted the order and quickly left.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com