Chapter 411 Childlike Mind
"I bear a heavy responsibility. If I don't personally inspect the conditions of the people under Your Majesty's rule, how can I know if there are any treacherous officials deceiving the emperor? Your Majesty is in a high position in the court and cannot know the suffering of the common people. Now that I have this opportunity, if I don't actually go and see for myself, how will I report back to Your Majesty?" Chang Hao said with great seriousness.
Yang Jian twitched his lips. The king was really too mischievous. Only then did Yang Jian realize that the Di Xin in front of him was only a fraction of his age and was still a child.
“That’s right, what you say is very true, Young Master.” Jiang Ziya felt a sense of kinship, as if they were kindred spirits. “I also think so. If you have any questions along the way, Young Master, I am willing to answer them for you.”
Chang Hao glanced at Jiang Ziya and heard Jiang Ziya's stomach growl with hunger. "Jinpeng, dry rations."
Jiang Ziya really had it tough, having to go through all this at his age. Fortunately, he had cultivated Taoism for several years, so he was clear-headed and physically robust.
"Thank you, young master." Jiang Ziya said without any hesitation. He was the only one present who had only done a superficial haircut and indeed needed to eat regularly so as not to hold back his progress.
"From what Mr. Jiang said, you have already gone through this before?" Chang Hao looked at Jiang Ziya with new respect. This was a man who truly cared about the people.
If Chang Hao was just making empty promises before, now he seems to have some real intentions. Jiang Ziya has no one behind him and no faction. If his policies are not just castles in the air but are down-to-earth and can truly cultivate talent, rather than being based on fate or destiny.
He promoted him all the way up, and he became an upright, loyal, and pillar of the state.
"I'm ashamed to admit it, I did indeed travel there, and even conducted a covert investigation." Jiang Ziya blushed; his actions could be considered secret spying, which was truly dishonorable.
However, once bitten by a snake, one is afraid for ten years. Jiang Ziya was truly afraid, fearing that he would serve another hypocritical person. He would rather retire to the mountains and forests and live out his days in seclusion.
"You're so kind, sir." Chang Hao was very pleased; it was good that you meant well.
Tongguan Pass
"General, someone from Chaoge has arrived." A personal guard entered the tent to report.
"Quickly, invite them in." Tongguan General Yu Hualong immediately stood up, straightened his clothes and composed himself. He was full of guesses in his heart. Between Xiqi and Tongguan, there were Sishui Pass and Chuanyun Pass in between, but Xiqi took both passes directly without any effort, which showed that they had already infiltrated.
He has kept Xiqi out of Tongguan for several months, during which time the king has continuously bestowed rewards and honors upon him. Could the messenger from Chaoge this time be the urgent letter he sent earlier this month?
But didn't the king already order him to preserve his strength and retreat to Chuanyun Pass? Could there be some unexpected change?
“It must be the King who sent someone to persuade us to leave the Ten Deadly Formations and save our lives to leave Tongguan.” Bai Li said without hesitation, “I will not be a deserter. If I die, I die. At worst, I will be listed on the Investiture of the Gods. My loyalty to the King is unwavering.”
"That's right, with me here, they'll have to step over my dead body to get into Tongguan..."
“Of course…” Sun Liang agreed.
"So, you disobey the king's orders?" Chang Hao approached and listened, his face as cold as ice. "Do you know that you almost ruined a great undertaking and even cost your lives?"
"big……"
"Alright, stop shouting. You ten men, escort General Yu back to Chaoge in three days," Chang Hao said without room for argument. "General Yu, thank you for your hard work these past few months. When I return to the capital, I will certainly appoint you as a Supreme General."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Yu Hualong said, kneeling on one knee and cupping his hands in greeting. "I just wonder who will take over the position of General of Tongguan after this humble general leaves?"
Yu Hualong knew that once the Ten Deadly Formations were defeated, Tongguan's fate was sealed. But what would become of Tongguan once he returned to Chaoge?
"General Yu, rest assured. I ordered Chang Hao to cover the rear. It's just an empty city. Who the general is is irrelevant. As a highly skilled cultivator, he can easily save his life when the Ten Absolute Formation is broken." Chang Hao glared at the Ten Heavenly Lords. If he hadn't come, he would have been collecting the corpses of these stubborn fools.
Chang Hao knew that if the ruler was not discreet, he would lose his ministers. Only he and the Grand Tutor knew the details of the plan. As for the rest, they just needed to follow the plan. Too many people would make things complicated.
Shi Tianjun felt a chill on his neck and involuntarily recalled the dashing figure of the Great King beating Yu Ding Zhenren that night. He had the Great King on top of Yu Ding Zhenren the whole time, and cutting off Yu Ding Zhenren's three flowers on the top of his head was as easy as picking an ordinary flower.
“Your Majesty,” Bai Li mustered his courage, “that Chang Hao (White Snake) is mediocre. I should keep him. At least I am familiar with the Ten Deadly Formations.”
"You're not listening to me?" Chang Hao said with a smile.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." Bai Li shuddered, only then remembering that when he first pledged allegiance to the King, the King had said that he did not need them to have earth-shattering abilities, he only needed them to be obedient. If they were disobedient, no matter how strong they were, the King would not tolerate them.
Yu Hualong couldn't help but glance sideways. These Ten Heavenly Kings were naturally arrogant and never listened to anyone, yet they were so obedient in front of the Great King. It was truly unbelievable.
"Your Majesty, I don't know about Tongguan..." Yu Hualong was reluctant to part with Tongguan, which he had guarded for many years.
"Try to leave Xiqi an empty city. I have brought a capable man with me. For the next three days, please let him go and persuade those stubborn people who refuse to move. Remember, Xiqi is short of food, so don't leave them anything to eat."
Chang Hao has been delaying Xiqi for several years, and Xiqi's internal resources have long been depleted. The construction of the Fengshen Platform has further exacerbated Xiqi's financial woes.
"Ten Heavenly Lords, you may keep the Ten Deadly Formations. I intend to send a few True Immortals back to the mountain." Chang Hao glanced down at the spear beside him.
Although the gun was a product of returning to the innate state after birth, it was his first attempt at crafting, made from rare and precious materials given to him by the Primordial Celestial Venerable.
Now he's using this to send Yuanshi Tianzun's disciple back to the mountain. He's really kind-hearted; at least, out of respect for Yuanshi Tianzun, he spared their lives.
The Ten Heavenly Lords shrank back, exchanged glances, and said, "It's better to die than to die. We're sorry, fellow Daoists. In the battle, we're outmatched and have no choice but to accept our fate."
Three days later, Jiang Ziya was appointed as a senior official by Chang Hao with a handwritten letter, and together with Yu Hualong, he was sent back to Chaoge. Apart from the Ten Deadly Formations that still stood outside Tongguan, Tongguan had become a completely deserted city.
Inside the Ten Deadly Formations, Chang Hao wiped his spear, and the Zhuxian pendant at his waist couldn't help but let out a voice: "Di Xin, are you going to bully the weak and completely lose all sense of shame?"
Tongtian was genuinely curious. Di Xin was definitely not Di Xin. What human emperor could possess such profound and all-encompassing cultivation? He simply didn't like to use his brain, did things his own way, didn't care about the lives of others, and only cared about his own happiness. He wasn't stupid.
Since the beginning of time, Tongtian has never thought of changing things, and he has the ability to maintain this unbridled behavior. Who would have thought that he would crash and burn so unexpectedly?
"And what about you? Have you completely lost your face?" Chang Hao retorted sarcastically. "You're so old, can't you be a little more mature? You look like a child, so naive."
"What did you say?" Tongtian jumped up again. He had already made a fool of himself in front of Di Xin, so he didn't care about his image anymore. "How am I a child? This sect leader has been in the prehistoric world since the beginning of time, and I don't know how many eras have passed since then."
Tongtian could not tolerate the fact that he was just a child in Di Xin's eyes.
"You're like a child, easily irritable and feigning anger, simple-minded and youthful-hearted. You only look ahead and never consider the consequences. Calling you a child is, in my opinion, quite appropriate," Chang Hao said casually.
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