Chapter 12: The Frontier Army Revolts
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In the first year of Wuyu, on the third day of the ninth month, Emperor Wuyu abdicated the throne.
His second son, Zheng Yuansen, succeeded him, changing the era name to "Wuyuan." The following year was thus the first year of Wuyuan.
That very day, a group of former Jin loyalists attempted to assassinate both the former Emperor Wuyu and the new Emperor Wuyuan, but were all swiftly apprehended.
On the fourth day of the ninth month, Emperor Wuyuan issued an edict to purge the court and palace of the remnants of the former Jin, resulting in the arrest of over three thousand individuals.
The prisons of the capital overflowed, and the common people lived in fear and suspicion.
On the twenty-second day of the ninth month, Zheng Hongyuan—third son of the former crown prince, Zheng Yuanfeng—escaped to Desolate Prefecture. There, he allied with Yang Shaoyong, Prefect of Desolate Prefecture, raising the banner: "Punish the tyrant, save the former emperor," and brazenly rebelled, marching upon the regions bordering Chen Prefecture.
In a short time, the three northern prefectures of Yu Kingdom were exposed to the iron cavalry of Desolate Prefecture.
On the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, Emperor Wuyuan ordered the execution of former Jin assassins and the traitorous followers of the former crown prince.
The next day, the heads of three thousand six hundred and seventy rolled to the ground, striking terror throughout the court.
On the twenty-eighth day of the ninth month, Emperor Wuyuan personally presided over the grand expedition ceremony, appointing Shentu Hao as commander, Li Xiao and Xue Wanshan as generals, and dispatched an army of one hundred thousand to suppress the rebellion.
On the eighth day of the tenth month, Emperor Wuyuan issued another decree, appointing Xu Shengjun as commander, Yang Zheng and Cao Ke as generals, leading another hundred thousand troops to Luocheng, to quell the rebel kings led by Chong Heihu.
For a time, nearly all the capital’s forces were deployed, leaving only a little over twenty thousand imperial guards for defense, and the city’s defenses were perilously weakened.
On the twentieth day of the tenth month, a farmer on the outskirts of the capital cried out that he had seen an immortal traversing the sky upon a flying sword, slicing through the clouds.
No one believed him, dismissing it as the delusions of a madman.
After all, where in this world could there be immortals?
That same day, Emperor Wuyuan personally held a banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to honor a distinguished guest, attended by only three or four companions.
The next day, the emperor ordered the reconstruction of Baiyun Temple on the northern slopes of the capital’s White Cloud Mountain, renaming it "Yunchen Temple."
"Your Imperial Highness, this servant has investigated thoroughly."
Within the Hall of Blossoms, Wang Zhonghai sought out Zheng Yi and reported quietly, "On the day His Majesty hosted the banquet, Master Ningyun and Senior Huangzhu did indeed attend as companions."
Zheng Yi nodded. "It seems the Changhe Sect has indeed sent their representatives."
Master Ningyun and Senior Huangzhu were two wandering cultivators Zheng Yi had previously recruited.
It appeared they had since joined the Changhe Sect, now serving as outer sect deacons.
"Yes, Your Imperial Highness," Wang Zhonghai continued, "It is rumored the visitor from Changhe Sect is named 'Yunchenzi.' His Majesty has already renamed Baiyun Temple in the northern suburbs to Yunchen Temple, granting it as a residence for Senior Yunchenzi."
"Yunchenzi..." Zheng Yi murmured, "Have you been able to uncover his true identity?"
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Wang Zhonghai gritted his teeth. "Your Imperial Highness, give this old servant a little more time, and I will certainly uncover the truth about this person for you..."
"No rush," Zheng Yi waved his hand. With the Compendium of Worldly Beauties in his possession, his lifespan was nearly limitless—how could he risk offending such a figure over trivial matters?
As long as he remained patient, this Yunchenzi from the Changhe Sect would eventually reveal himself.
His true identity was only a matter of time.
"Let this matter rest for now—do not disturb Senior Yunchenzi, is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Imperial Highness," Wang Zhonghai replied.
"However, you may look into the supplies and personnel dispatched from the Internal Affairs Office to Yunchen Temple, and see what preferences this person has."
A glimmer of understanding flashed in Wang Zhonghai’s eyes. "Yes, Your Imperial Highness. This old servant will investigate personally!"
"You may go."
"Yes!"
Watching Wang Zhonghai’s departing figure, Zheng Yi shook his head in silence.
Since his abdication, Zheng Yuansen had firmly established his rule as emperor. Coupled with the assassination attempt by the former Jin, the number of people within the palace had drastically dwindled.
With this ebb and flow, Zheng Yi’s available confidants were now woefully few.
Thus, even minor matters required Wang Zhonghai’s personal attention.
It was, in truth, rather lamentable.
"It seems I must gather a new circle of followers, or I won’t be able to accomplish anything," Zheng Yi murmured, though he knew well that building his own faction under Zheng Yuansen’s watchful eye would not be easy.
Still, he was in no hurry. He could afford to wait.
With a thought, Zheng Yi once more entered the depths of his spiritual sea.
The Compendium of Worldly Beauties hovered quietly before him.
[Life Artifact: Compendium of Worldly Beauties]
[Bearer: Zheng Yi]
[Lifespan: 60/130 (+)]
[Spiritual Root: None]
[Worldly Aura: 105]
[Martial Cultivation: Blood Refining]
[Techniques: Purple Cloud Skill (Mastered), Hundred Battles Saber Technique (Mastered), Everlasting Spring Nourishing Art (Transcendent)]
His attribute panel showed no other changes.
But under Worldly Aura, there was now a full 105 points.
Over the past month, he had indulged nightly with the beauties Xiao and Chan.
At least three times a day, sometimes five or six, leaving the two women radiant, their skin tender, their bearing ever more alluring.
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Their skin was as smooth as peeled eggs, their eyes limpid as water, and in Zheng Yi’s presence, they behaved as docile as kittens.
This was thanks to his Everlasting Spring Nourishing Art having reached the transcendent realm; otherwise, his body could never have borne it.
After more than a month of such "arduous labor," he had finally accumulated one hundred and five strands of Worldly Aura.
As always, he would not extend his lifespan just yet, but would first try advancing the Everlasting Spring Nourishing Art.
"Let’s start with ten strands as a test..."
With a thought, ten strands of Worldly Aura vanished, merging into the Everlasting Spring Nourishing Art.
[You have invested ten strands of Worldly Aura into the Everlasting Spring Nourishing Art.]
[Year one: You continue to cultivate patiently. At the transcendent level, your mind is extraordinarily keen. You clearly sense a strange aura, but it vanishes in a flash.]
[You are unwilling to give up and continue to focus your senses.]
[Year two: You continue to cultivate patiently. At the transcendent level, your mind is extraordinarily keen. You clearly sense a strange aura, but it vanishes in a flash.]
[You are unwilling to give up and continue to focus your senses.]
[Year three...]
[Year ten...]
Zheng Yi clicked his tongue. Ten strands of Worldly Aura, ten years’ worth of effort—yet he sensed nothing.
This was truly... infuriating!
Abandoning the idea of investing more Worldly Aura for now, Zheng Yi began to ponder.
Could it be that this aura was simply beyond his reach, impossible for him to sense?
No.
Deep in thought, Zheng Yi soon recalled something.
In the early days of the founding, he had once asked Master Ningyun and Senior Huangzhu about the basics of the cultivation world.
Only those born with spiritual roots could embark on the path of cultivation. Ordinary mortals, no matter how long they lived, could never succeed.
The reason cultivators were so rare was that spiritual energy was exceedingly scarce in places where mortals gathered. Cultivators were forced to seclude themselves in famous mountains and great rivers.
Moreover, the world was now in an era of "spiritual depletion," making spiritual energy even scarcer.
Thus, most cultivators would never appear in the mortal world—especially not in the imperial capital.
"As those two wandering cultivators told me, it is rare to see cultivators in the mortal realm because spiritual energy is so scarce. Most hide away in great mountains or deep forests."
"The reason I cannot sense that mysterious aura may well be related."
Zheng Yi’s eyes lit up. "If I could find another place to cultivate, perhaps then I could sense that mysterious aura."
"I wonder if, in the Worldly Beauties Compendium’s simulated experiences, I could choose another place to cultivate..."