Chapter 2297: Knocking on the Door

Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!

“Open the door! Open the door for me!”

Zhong Li Yan, whose nose was bruised and face swollen, and whose body was adorned with several pieces of broken armor plating, roared loudly outside the imperial city, pounding on the gate with all his might.

Xiang Zhao Huai, the commander of the imperial city guards, was on duty today. Clad in armor with a saber hanging at his side, he stood atop the city gate tower, feeling a headache. “Old Brother Zhong Li, it’s late at night. How can one enter the imperial city without authorization?”

Zhong Li Yan heavily smashed the gate several more times, then retreated from the city gate archway. He raised his head and looked at the figure high above, like a certain something. “Surname Xiang! Report to the Emperor for me, say that Great Chu’s foremost prodigy, Zhong Li Yan, seeks an audience!”

Xiang Zhao Huai did not refute his self-proclaimed title, lest he harbor resentment. He only said, “The sky is already late, and Your Majesty’s mind is also weary. It’s not convenient to disturb him. Young Master Zhong Li, if you have any matter, why not come again tomorrow morning?”

“I can’t wait until tomorrow!” Zhong Li Yan waved a big hand. “This is a matter of heavenly importance! I want to see the Emperor! I want to ask him to uphold justice!”

Xiang Zhao Huai gave a bitter smile. “Old brother, you’re joking—who can not give you justice?”

“You just don’t want to give it now!” Zhong Li Yan raised a finger and pointed at him. “I’ll count to three. If you don’t relay the message for me, I’ll go beat the Deng Wen Drum—I want to strike the drum and cry out my grievances!”

This fellow, what he said, he truly did.

Xiang Zhao Huai directly jumped down from the city tower, kindly held Zhong Li Yan’s arm, and said, “Old brother, old brother! What’s the rush?”

He sized up Zhong Li Yan’s appearance again and softly said, “What happened with these wounds on your body? How about I first invite an imperial physician to take a look? Seeing the Emperor like this isn’t very presentable either.”

“Don’t even think about it!” Zhong Li Yan shook him off. “These are all evidence of sin! I just want the Emperor to see how Dou Zhao disregards the laws of the state, publicly beat this official, and robbed this official of his position!”

Xiang Zhao Huai, whose heart was full of thoughts of resolving the matter peacefully, suddenly felt something was amiss. “That’s not right. You and Dou Zhao have been fighting since childhood. I’ve never seen you complain. Old Brother Zhong Li, when have you ever been one to complain?”

“Don’t confuse this serious matter with an ordinary fight!” Zhong Li Yan was greatly angered. “The Emperor appointed me as a member of the Tai Xu Cabinet, yet now Dou Zhao is monopolizing it and won’t yield. There’s no room for discussion on this matter. It’s impossible for me to give up!”

Before, complaining was useless. Although the Xian Gu Zhong Li were a renowned family, the Wei Guo Gong Fu were even more so a family that enjoyed hereditary privileges. Any clever complaint would not prevail.

Now, complaining could be useful.

Leaving with the imperial edict in hand, and returning home with a bruised nose and swollen face—whose face was harmed by this? How could one not complain greatly and complain especially?!

Xiang Zhao Huai still wanted to say something.

Zhong Li Yan angrily pointed and cursed again. “If you block me again, I’ll complain about you too. You dare shield the young ones of the Dou family!”

Xiang Zhao Huai felt quite helpless.

But at this moment, he already heard instructions in his ear, so he gave a bitter smile and had people open the gate. “Okay, okay, okay, let you in, let me relay the message—Old Brother Zhong Li, tonight I might have to take responsibility.”

“Relax, no one will blame you.” Zhong Li Yan immediately changed to a smiling face, patted him on the shoulder, and expressed comfort. “Everyone knows that I, Zhong Li Yan, am a reasonable person. General Xiang, you also listen to reason and are unwilling to associate with the Dou family’s people. That’s why you let me into the imperial city. If it were those few from the Dou family… hmph hmph!”

Xiang Zhao Huai already regretted speaking with him, casually pointed a direction, and quickly returned to stand guard.

Let’s talk about Zhong Li Yan entering the imperial city. He did not restrain himself, and led by a young eunuch, he quickly arrived at the Shoot Tiger Palace where the Chu Emperor was cultivating in quiet.

“Your Majesty!” He tore his throat and shouted, walking inside while shouting. “Can you not handle this matter? In broad daylight, in a clear sky, that fellow surnamed Dou tore up the imperial edict. Where is the court in his heart? Where is the state of Great Chu—eh?”

Inside the Shoot Tiger Palace, it was empty. Gu Chi, thin as a clothes rack, floated alone in a corner, slightly awkwardly touching his nose. “Your Majesty hasn’t arrived yet. How about you rest a while and then shout?”

Zhong Li Yan grunted and folded his arms, not speaking. Demons, goblins, and monsters—Lord Zhong Li disdained to associate with them.

Not long after, a sudden warmth was born within the palace, as if spring had just arrived. The Chu Emperor’s majestic figure appeared before the jade furnace, wearing only a set of ordinary clothes. He casually used fine tongs to poke the incense piece, not turning his head. “Young Zhong Li has been making noise for half the night. What exactly is the matter?”

“Your Majesty!” Zhong Li Yan immediately entered the state, dragging out his words, and dryly wailed. “This minister followed orders to enter the cabinet and represent Chu country in participating in Tai Xu affairs. That Dou Zhao, however, is stubborn and unyielding, unwilling to go, and even launched a sneak attack on me. This minister was momentarily careless, and also thought of him as a fellow Chu person, and was soft with him—and was actually severely injured!”

He spoke with a series of ups and downs. “This is not a sneak attack on this minister; this is a sneak attack on Your Majesty’s face! This minister requests that Dou Zhao be exiled! Send him to the demon world! Let him guard the gate!”

The Chu Emperor supported his forehead, speechless for a moment.

Zhong Li Yan was unreasonable to the extreme, and now feeling that he had great justice on his side, how could he be willing to give up? “Your Majesty! This minister only listened to your decree and dedicated himself to the country. I specifically resigned from the position of Thousand Bull Guard general, publicly announced my withdrawal from the Chu register, and wholeheartedly prepared to participate in Tai Xu affairs—now Dou Zhao is monopolizing the position and won’t leave. This minister has no place to go, like an orphan without father or mother. How can you bear to do this?”

Gu Chi, standing at the side, gritted his teeth at what he heard.

The political reform in Chu country was proceeding like wildfire. With the Huai Guo Gong being the first to hand over military power, other families enjoying hereditary privileges also successively expressed their support… The overall process was considered smooth. Zuo, Dou, Wu, Qu, all from the Xiong surname royal family, could be said to have everything in order within Chu land.

But there were also situations that were not smooth.

Cutting down the interests of hereditary families was, after all, like cutting skin and hurting flesh, gouging out meat and wounding. Even with the most majestic Huai Guo Gong, within the Zuo family, one could only say that he suppressed disobedience; it was impossible to make everyone willing. Haven’t you seen how during this recent period, Zuo Gong Ye repeatedly spoke publicly, Zuo Xiao Gong Ye entered the ancestral temple seven times, and repeatedly worshiped ancestors… On that Luo Mountain, how many new heads were hung!

The Yu Guo Gong was naturally gentle and treated his relatives kindly. The Qu family also had the most people who relied on favor and were arrogant. These days, it was all Qu Shun Hua holding a saber, going door to door to reason with each family.

The Dou family had an unruly and untamable Dou Zhao, who barbarically suppressed things both inside and outside, which was still somewhat better.

The Wu family heir died, and no second convincing heir stood out. With this major change in the situation, the internal affairs became even more chaotic.

If families with hereditary privileges were like this, there was even less need to mention those below them. Undercurrents surged, but people had not yet seen them.

Chu country was a large hereditary family, and each large hereditary family was a small Chu country.

Now, the top layer of Chu country had achieved overall consistency, the middle and high layers differed under the table, and the bottom layer only knew to cheer for Huang Wei Zhen’s return.

For example, now, maybe Zhong Li Yan didn’t just want to talk about the law?

The Xian Gu Zhong Li family was a renowned family second only to those with hereditary privileges. In this political reform, they were also one of the several families that lost the most blood.

Who says this boy is reckless and brainless?

It was true that he wanted to snatch Dou Zhao’s cabinet member position, and it was also true that he couldn’t snatch it. Within the system after the new policy spread, he wanted a definite position, which was even more true!

Perhaps… it was the idea of Zhong Li Zhao Jia?

“You scoundrel.” The Chu Emperor turned back, laughing and scolding. “Your dad is doing well over there, can eat, can drink, can cause trouble. You keep saying you’re an orphan at every turn. What kind of talk is that?”

Gu Chi’s eyelids slightly drooped. The word “toss,” when spoken to someone in Zhong Li Zhao Jia’s position, might not be considered a good evaluation.

“From ancient times, loyalty and filial piety are hard to achieve together!” Zhong Li Yan loudly said, “For state affairs, I have already detached myself from Xian Gu and broken the father-son relationship with Zhong Li Zhao Jia! You let me be a member of the Tai Xu Cabinet. Although I am unwilling, I also want to do it well!”

“Alright, alright.” The Chu Emperor waved his hand. “Dou Zhao also has a stubborn temper. When two wild oxen butt horns, I can’t strongly suppress either head. It’s a good thing he’s back. As for the position of Tai Xu Cabinet member, just consider it yours. —Don’t be in a hurry, don’t shout. Go back to the Thousand Bull Guard, still be a general, I’ll raise your salary by three grades, expand the number of soldiers by one thousand, and also give you three volumes of imperial family secret techniques to help you win in the future. What do you think?”

“Your Majesty, what kind of person do you take Zhong Li Yan for?” Zhong Li Yan had an indignant look on his face, not trusting. “How am I seeking office and wealth from you!”

The Chu Emperor then laughed. “You’re just going through a process. I’ll just give you these. Isn’t that enough? Even the currently publicly recognized foremost prodigy, Jiang Wang, probably doesn’t get this kind of appearance fee.”

Zhong Li Yan raised his head and said, “Perhaps it’s a pity that the world’s people have short and shallow vision and cannot distinguish between stone and jade. Your Majesty also underestimates this minister!”

The Chu Emperor looked at him. “Then tell me, what are you seeking?”

“This minister seeks the imperial examination!” Zhong Li Yan loudly said. “The great policy of the state benefits for a thousand years. How can we, the sons of hereditary families, men of Xian Gu, support it? I want to take the lead and participate in the imperial examination, relying on my own ability, diligently earning my position, and seizing fame at the edge of a knife. I only seek fair treatment from the court, neither preferential treatment nor suppression.”

The Chu Emperor looked at this bruised, swollen, and awkward fellow, and couldn’t help but rub his eyes in surprise. “Your ideas are quite different from your father’s.”

“He’s old! When people are old, it’s hard to avoid indulging in old feelings. He has to consider the interests of those old elders and old friends, and he can’t cut them off.” Zhong Li Yan waved a big hand, looking very proud. “I’m different. I’ve been estranged from my relatives since childhood and possess all the five poisons. Your Majesty can simply dismiss him and tell him to unload his armor. I’ll take over as the head of the Zhong Li family, exile all those old things, and greatly promote young talent, and I will surely make Xian Gu greatly prosperous!”

Gu Chi had not said a word the entire time, but his heart had already silently adjusted his attitude towards Zhong Li Yan… Indeed, he could not be simply regarded as a reckless man. This boy from the Zhong Li family wanted to occupy an important position within the new policy!

“Nonsense!” The Chu Emperor lifted a finger and scolded. “You show great disrespect towards your father, the great general of our Chu country!”

“From ancient times, loyalty and filial piety are hard to achieve together!” Zhong Li Yan said freely and boldly. “Your Majesty, you and I are perhaps of the same group. You cannot not favor me.”

The Chu Emperor looked at him with an unreadable expression for two seconds, then said, “The imperial examination is originally a matter of equal treatment, without distinction of noble or lowly. The big gate is wide open, welcoming all Chu people from around the world. If you want to go take the exam, then go yourself—if anyone dares to be unfair to you, come and beat the Deng Wen Drum again.”

Zhong Li Yan solemnly said, “In that case, this minister only has one small request.”

The Chu Emperor chuckled. “Tell me and let me hear.”

“This minister will not choose the imperial family secret techniques,” Zhong Li Yan said. “You help this minister choose.”

“This matter is also simple enough,” the Chu Emperor laughed. “What are your requirements?”

“Look at you, saying what requirements…” Zhong Li Yan grinned. “As long as it can suppress Dou Zhao, it’s fine!”

“There are methods to suppress both Dou Zhan Jin Shen and Bi An Jin Qiao.” Jiang someone, who was usually idle and not talkative, used Yan Dao Tai to deduce Dao Fa and conveniently communicated with other real people through Tai Xu Hook Jade to discuss some cultivation problems.

He sent this letter back to Qin Zhi Zhen.

Qin Zhi Zhen was indeed very interested and replied faster than usual— “What methods?”

Jiang Wang replied, “Go to the Wei Guo Gong Fu in Chu country and find someone named ‘Dou Mian’.”

After writing this letter, Real Person Jiang exited his thoughts and remotely pointed a finger. The lava about to erupt nine hundred zhang underground was pressed back by his finger. The demon fog spreading seventy li away was swept clean by a point of firelight.

He leaped and followed at the tail of the team, continuously crossing two mountain ridges under the leadership of Captain An An.

Qin Zhi Zhen’s letter flew back again—

“Then what?”

“Then what?” Jiang Wang countered.

This time, Qin Zhi Zhen did not reply for a long time.

Perhaps he was still organizing his words to scold someone.

Jiang Wang also had no plans to read the letter again, his heart fully invested in this adventure.

Because he had caught a trace of something that could not be endured on the mountain top not far ahead. It was a small tree seedling that had drilled out from a crevice in the mountain rock. Its tenacious vitality had already been clearly manifested by the cracks in the mountain rock.

The trace of spirituality on the tree seedling came from Dao Cang Shen, the old Dao who died in battle in Tian Jing City.

His person had already died, but his truth was still there.

This little tree seedling had no meaning here.

Its only meaning was to tell that person who could never come back that his master had once been here, had once searched, and was waiting forever.

That ancient demon cave that Zhao Xuan Yang had captured and hidden was right here.

The place Jiang An An chose for their adventure, unexpectedly, was here?

Jiang Wang’s mind moved, he leaped forward, intercepted the rapidly flying Stupid Gray, raised his hand towards the captain to request, indicating that he had a question.

“Speak.” Jiang An An, having entered the captain state, had a rather cold and sharp demeanor.

She did not know that this was once the place where her brother had almost been buried. Jiang Wang had never recounted his dangerous experiences to her. All that could not be covered up, that was spread by people, and eventually reached her ears as dangerous deeds, were all described by Jiang Wang as an adventure game.

So Jiang An An was so enthusiastic about adventure now.

She was imitating and learning, just like when she was little.

She used this way to approach the person she most admired and loved.

Of course, her expression was serious, her eyes were vigilant. The grown-up little hero Jiang was very serious about this great adventure.

Jiang Wang said, “I want to ask the captain below, how far is our final destination for this adventure from here?”

Jiang An An lowered her head and looked at a map for a while. “We still need to cross three more mountain peaks.”

Jiang Wang breathed a sigh of relief.

Having experienced various situations more, he no longer dared to believe in coincidence. Those beings with dirty hearts and dirty hands were very skilled at using tiny coincidences to pry open and disrupt the situation.

He himself dared to face any situation, but he did not dare to bring Jiang An An and Ye Qing Yu on an adventure.

“Do you still have questions, team member?” Jiang An An asked.

Jiang Wang smiled slightly, consciously returning to the tail of the team.

Of course, the Wu Meng Du mountain range was rumored to be very gloomy and terrifying. Various terrifying legends made the name of this mountain range a thing that could stop children from crying at night.

But compared to absolute places like the Disaster Water and the Fallen Immortal Forest, any place in the current world could only be described as sunny and bright.

This was especially true for Jiang Wang.

As long as he didn’t go into the ancient demon cave where he and Zhao Xuan Yang had once stayed, didn’t touch the traces of that Seven Hate Demon King, and didn’t come face to face with that Seven Hate Demon King… this Wu Meng Du mountain range was simply without danger to speak of.

A huge evil dog stepped on fire and surrounded by smoke majestically flew over the high sky.

Three figures of Dao people, one more elegant than the other in their movement techniques, successively flew behind the evil dog.

And under the unaware situation of Captain Jiang An An, a male Kui figure with a fierce appearance and protruding fangs, big and swinging, split off from the team, swept over that tree seedling growing in the rock crevice, and flew towards that ancient stone cave where he had once experienced life and death.

Real Person Jiang, at the end of the year 3928 of the Dao Li calendar, with the law form of a demon ape, went to knock on the door of the past.

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