Chapter 212: Chapter 212: Immediately Head South

The vast hall was silent.

An icy wind from some unknown source cut to the bone, and a thin layer of frost even formed on the hall’s floor.

“Your Highness overstates the matter.”

Facing Prince Qing’s question, Zhong Xin’s expression remained composed. He spoke with gravity, “It is not yet known who will emerge victorious. How can Your Highness speak so lightly of our survival?”

“…Hahaha.”

The next moment, Prince Qing burst out laughing. “Zhong Aiqing, you worry too much. I was merely jesting. Let’s talk about the front line. Which of the Foundation Establishment cultivators died?”

Zhong Xin continued, “One was a Loose Cultivator from the North. In addition, the Panyun Sect’s Sect Leader, Fairy Yun He, the Zhaoxia Clan’s old ancestor, and the Yuan Chen Clan’s old ancestor were all captured alive. Those who escaped were all wounded, and they look as if the Demon Sect has scared them witless. Given time, I fear Dragon-Crushing Pass will not hold…”

Zhong Xin explained the full sequence of events in detail.

After hearing the whole story, Prince Qing’s face twisted in anger. “Incompetent fools! This is a national disgrace… It seems I must take action personally!”

“Issue the order! I will lead the army myself!”

“With my power, I can gather the strength of the nation on the battlefield and assume the Fake Great Trueman Position. No matter what Demon comes, they will be nothing more than fodder to be beheaded with a single strike!”

“Your Highness, you mustn’t be rash.”

Seeing this, Zhong Xin quickly stepped forward. “Your Highness is of noble birth, the very foundation of our country, and no mere mortal. How could you personally venture into such peril? This is absolutely out of the question!”

“Then forget it.”

Prince Qing seized the opportunity to sit back down. ’A joke,’ he thought. ’I am of imperial blood, unlike those commoners. How could I possibly risk engaging a powerful enemy in Combat?’

’But if I don’t go, who else can?’

At this thought, he grasped Zhong Xin’s hand again and sighed dramatically. “Ah, Zhong Aiqing, if I do not lead the expedition myself, who can share my burdens?”

“This humble servant is willing!”

Without a hint of hesitation, Zhong Xin declared with solemnity, “Your Highness may grant me the Celestial Emperor Sword and the Fake Jade Seal. I can then go on this expedition in your stead, assuming the proxy position of a Great Trueman. That way, even if the tides of war turn and an accident occurs, it will be this humble servant who dies. Your Highness will remain safe and can simply choose another worthy minister to take my place.”

“Won’t this be too damaging for you?”

Prince Qing said with feigned concern, “With your Merit and Fortune, acting as a proxy Great Trueman will likely be immensely draining. The backlash afterward could ruin the rest of your life.”

“To alleviate Your Highness’s burdens, this humble servant would gladly endure any hardship.”

At these words, Prince Qing nodded in satisfaction. “Good! Excellent! Of all the Civil and Military Officials in this court, you alone are a loyal, worthy, and good minister!”

“Your Highness praises me too much.”

Zhong Xin shook his head. “This humble servant is merely a forthright one.”

Prince Qing smiled, then changed the subject. “You are a forthright minister, so speak frankly with me. How exactly should we deal with that Chong Guang from the Demon Sect?”

“The Dao Court in the East cannot be relied upon.”

“That old coot from the Observatory actually said my mandate from heaven is at its end, that I face powerful enemies from without and villains from within, and that it would be better to surrender early than to mount a desperate resistance…”

As he said this, Prince Qing glanced at Zhong Xin again.

Though he spoke of it with disdain, he actually believed a good thirty or forty percent of it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have just tested Zhong Xin by pretending he would lead the army himself.

“In response to Your Highness,”

Zhong Xin continued, “In this humble servant’s opinion, the most urgent task is to conduct a thorough investigation throughout the country. All infants under one year of age must be strictly screened.”

“After all, according to the message from the Observatory, that Chong Guang is a reincarnation.”

“It is still early. He is merely an infant. Even if he possesses some Abilities, he will be easy to deal with. The longer we delay, the more dangerous he becomes!”

Prince Qing nodded. “I am aware of this, of course. I have long since gathered many capable individuals and strange adepts to search among the common folk. We must find his reincarnated self…”

“Forgive my frankness, but such a method is unlikely to be effective.”

Zhong Xin shook his head. “That Perfected Chong Guang is said to be a Great Trueman of the Demon Sect, with a Perfected Lord backing him. Finding him will be far too difficult.”

At this point, a chilling killing intent suddenly crept into Zhong Xin’s tone. “So, rather than waste time searching, why not simply issue an edict? Drown every single newborn infant! That way, no matter how powerful that Perfected Person is, he’ll be like a clever housewife who can’t cook without rice!”

“Drown all newborns…”

As the words fell, Prince Qing’s eyes narrowed. He was no fool; he had, of course, thought of this venomous plan himself. However, he could not be the one to do it.

It would invite too much hatred.

Moreover, drowning newborns would be digging up the very roots of the Dao Court’s system. After all, with no new children, the population would decrease year by year. What sort of rule would be left to talk about?

But if a minister proposed it, that was another matter entirely.

At this thought, Prince Qing couldn’t help but smile. “Aiqing, your suggestion is excellent. But it must be carried out by someone loyal, reliable, and meticulous.”

“Why not have Aiqing do it? What do you say?”

Without a word, Zhong Xin immediately bowed his head. “This humble servant accepts the order!”

“Very good.” Prince Qing nodded.

“…During this time, I will feign illness and remain in the palace, ignoring all external affairs. I will leave this matter to you, Zhong Aiqing. I trust you will not disappoint me.”

As his voice faded, Prince Qing sighed internally. ’What a pity for such a useful tool. Afterward, I certainly can’t let him live. The reason for feigning illness is to avoid any connection to the matter of drowning infants. Once Chong Guang is eliminated, I will naturally ’recover’ and emerge to restore order.’

’At that time, I will still be that wise and brilliant ruler.’

’As for Zhong Xin, he will become the great traitor who abused my trust, implemented tyrannical policies, and brought ruin to the people. His value as a tool will have come to an end.’

However, just then.

“Report…!”

A cry came from outside the palace. An Armored Warrior rushed in, holding a report, his expression panicked. “Your Highness… he’s been found!”

“Found what?”

Prince Qing’s eyebrows shot up. He snatched the report from the Armored Warrior’s hand and stared at it, freezing on the spot. Then, he looked at Zhong Xin, completely bewildered.

Seeing his reaction, Zhong Xin looked on with curiosity. “Your Highness?”

“…Hahaha! He’s been found!”

The next moment, Prince Qing burst into laughter, his face ecstatic. “The men I sent out have reported back! They’ve found the reincarnated Perfected Chong Guang!”

……..

「Sea of Clouds, Holy Fire Cliff.」

On a Luo Bed, shrouded on all four sides by curtains, World Purger Fei Xue reclined languidly, twirling a strand of black hair around her fingertip as she casually gazed down below.

Below her lay a map.

A great river divided it into east, west, south, and north. Dazzling stars were scattered across the map, one of which was situated precisely over the location of the Qing Country.

Until now, however, this star had been extremely dim.

Just then, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly sounded, “If Chong Guang breaks through and joins forces with the three of us, we might have a chance in the Late Stage.”

“Actually, the Fruit of Rampart Earth would also work.”

World Purger Fei Xue smiled, her gaze falling upon the map. “I quite like that young man named Yuan Tu. His conduct and bearing are reminiscent of the old masters.”

“Let’s forget it.”

“The Fruit of Rampart Earth is in the Pure Land. The three of us alone can’t possibly retrieve it. The Pure Land faction treasures it, waiting to establish their Earthly Buddha Country.”

At this, World Purger Fei Xue snorted coldly. “Just them? A bunch of bald donkeys?”

“An Earthly Buddha Country, a Fake Daoist Master Position… They have some nerve!”

At that very moment, the dim star on the map began to reveal a faint glimmer of light. Though it was far from being as bright as the other stars, it was, at last, shining.

“…It’s finally beginning!”

Seeing this, World Purger Fei Xue immediately stopped speaking, a look of anticipation on her face. Her crimson lips parted, and her voice traveled directly toward the North.

It fell upon the ears of Lü Yang, who was in seclusion on Gai Bamboo Mountain.

The message contained only three words:

“Head south now.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep