txolops Chapter 209 The Second Campaign Against Xiqi, Rebellious Disciples of the Jie Sect
Chapter 209 The Second Campaign Against Xiqi, Rebellious Disciples of the Jie Sect
The next morning at court, Emperor Xin looked down at the court where many of his ministers were absent and couldn't help but sigh.
"Xiqi has openly rebelled, and Grand Tutor Wen Zhong is still fighting a bitter battle in the southeast and is unable to spare any attention."
"Of all the civil and military officials in the court, who is willing to share my burdens and lead troops to conquer this strait?"
Di Xin's voice echoed in the empty Nine-Room Hall. As the echo faded, the ministers in the hall began to whisper among themselves, their faces showing either solemnity or indignation.
However, most of those were merely superficial gestures. Unless their own fundamental interests were at stake, these ministers, who were well-versed in the art of self-preservation, would never easily offer advice.
The silence did not last long before veteran Lu Xiong strode forward.
"Your Majesty! Although I am old, I am willing to lead troops to quell the rebellion for the country! However, I still need two capable assistants."
"Your Majesty, please grant permission for the two officials, Fei Zhong and You Hun, to accompany the army!"
Behind the horrific tortures such as branding with hot irons and the pit of scorpions, there was always the influence of these two men's flattery and advice.
While those rebellious nobles were certainly hateful, in the eyes of upright old ministers like Lu Xiong, treacherous ministers like Fei Zhong and You Hun, who bewitched the emperor and harmed loyal officials, were even more hateful.
Upon hearing this, Fei Zhong and You Hun, who had been named, turned pale with fright and hurriedly stepped forward, saying:
"Your Majesty! We are weak and ignorant of military affairs, and we fear we may jeopardize the affairs of the state..."
"Granted!"
Before the two could finish their explanations, Di Xin interrupted them.
"Lu Xiong, you shall be the commander-in-chief. Deng Jiugong shall be the deputy commander-in-chief, assisting in military affairs."
The four generals of the Demon Clan are brave and skilled in battle, and can serve as the vanguard. Taibai and Shen Gongbao will serve as military supervisors, and as for Fei Zhong and You Hun…”
Di Xin glanced at the two men, their faces ashen, and said, "They shall be responsible for supervising and escorting the army's provisions. Any mishaps will be dealt with according to military law!"
Once the decree was issued, it carried weight and authority.
Emperor Xin seemed unwilling to observe the various situations in the court any further. As usual, after announcing the end of the court session, he got up and left the Nine-Room Hall.
After the court session ended, Shen Gongbao did not delay for a moment. He immediately rode his escape light and went straight to the Grand Tutor's mansion to find Taibai.
At this moment, Taibai is meditating cross-legged in a quiet courtyard.
When Taibai slowly opened his eyes, Shen Gongbao stepped forward, bowed, and spoke with a tone that was both respectful and probing:
"Reporting to my senior brother. The King has already issued a decree, appointing you and me as military supervisors for the western expedition, with Lu Xiong as commander, Deng Jiugong as deputy, and the four generals of the Mo family as vanguard, to attack Xiqi."
"I wonder what arrangements Senior Brother has for this? If Senior Brother were to personally take action, with your abilities, our Yin Shang royal army would surely be invincible, and the pacification of Xiqi would be just around the corner!"
Taibai turned his head and looked at Shen Gongbao with a calm and indifferent gaze, but it sent a chill down Shen Gongbao's spine.
If Shen Gongbao's words were sincere, then he intended to push Taibai directly to the front lines and drag him into the carnage.
"My spiritual practice is currently at a critical juncture, and the bottleneck is loosening. It is not advisable to recklessly use my magical powers and become entangled in karma."
As the military supervisor, you have a duty to seek out capable individuals to assist the royal army.
You can seek help from Qiu Shou Xian, Ma Yuan, and the Ten Heavenly Lords.
Seeing that Taibai was not angry, but instead pointed out a clear path, Shen Gongbao felt reassured and quickly bowed again:
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother! I will go and do it immediately."
"When you go to invite me, remember not to mention my name."
Furthermore, all those individuals mentioned earlier must be invited; none should be absent.
Shen Gongbao paused slightly, then replied, "Disciple obeys, and will remember Senior Brother's instructions!"
After Shen Gongbao's escape light had gone far away, Taibai stood quietly in the courtyard. After a moment, he took out a bright white jade slip and left a few words on it.
Then, with a flick of his sleeve, the jade slip transformed into a streak of light and sped toward Jin'ao Island in the East China Sea.
Meanwhile, at Biyou Palace on Jin'ao Island, Chang'er Dingguang Xian has been highly respected within the sect since being appointed to take charge of its secular affairs.
Long-eared immortals have been allowed to roam freely, now living a carefree and happy life.
But at this moment, Chang Er Ding Guangxian showed no sign of ease; instead, his brows were furrowed and his face was full of worry.
He sat at the head of the table and had already summoned all the immortals, including Qiu Shou Xian, to the hall.
Seeing the solemn expression on the face of their senior brother who was acting as the head of the sect, all the immortals felt a chill in their hearts, and the relaxed atmosphere from before vanished.
For Long-Ears himself, these days of being unrestrained and highly respected had only lasted a few days.
He truly did not want to go back to those days when he had to be so cautious.
"Senior Brother Long-Eared, what has happened that summoned us so urgently?"
The closest person sitting below, Qiu Shou Xian, couldn't contain himself and leaned forward, asking in a gruff voice.
"Alas, fellow disciples, take a look for yourselves."
As he spoke, he activated his magic power, and the contents of the jade slip transformed into characters of light, which floated in mid-air.
When everyone saw what was written on it, they were silent for a moment, then suddenly erupted into a roar of excitement.
"Outrageous! This is outrageous! This scoundrel dares to ask me to help the rebels of Xiqi?"
"Hmph! I will absolutely not help Xiqi. Not only will I not go, but I will also go to help the Yin Shang and oppose them to the very end!"
"Brother Qiu Shou Xian is absolutely right! Since he shows no regard for our fellow disciples and orders us around, why should we listen to him?"
"Senior Brother Long Ears, now that the sect leader and senior sisters are not here, you will be in charge of the sect's affairs."
We will all obey your orders. Please give them, and we will proceed accordingly.
The crowd inside the hall was filled with indignation, and waves of voices rose in protest.
However, Chang Er Ding Guang Xian, who gained Tong Tian's trust to temporarily handle affairs, was not a foolish person without any cunning.
He was equally unwilling to obey Taibai's orders, but he was even more unwilling to be the first to openly oppose him.
"Brother Pilu, you are always calm and composed. What insights do you have?"
When Pilu Xian was called upon, he raised his head to meet the gaze of Chang'er Dingguang Xian, then swept his eyes over the indignant crowd before slowly speaking:
"I would like to address my senior brother Chang'er and fellow senior brothers. In my humble opinion, our Jie Sect is connected with the fate of the Yin Shang Dynasty, and our assistance to the Yin Shang Dynasty is a long-standing tradition."
In any case, there is no reason for them to turn around and help Xiqi or oppose the Yin Shang. This is fundamental and cannot be shaken.
"As for the current situation, whether to remain neutral or, as Senior Brother Qiushou Xian suggested, send people to help Yin Shang and turn the tables on them, we would like to ask Senior Brother Chang'er to make the decision."
Seeing that Pilu Xian had pushed the problem back to him again, Chang Er felt even more helpless.
"Brother Chang'er, there's no need for further words. This humble Taoist will absolutely not aid Xiqi. I'm off to Yin Shang now!"
"I'm going too!"
"Let's go together!"
Just as Chang Er Ding Guang Xian was in a dilemma, a group of Jie Jiao disciples responded angrily.
Someone volunteered to take responsibility, and Chang Er, taking advantage of the situation, feigned concern and said to Qiu Shou Xian and the others:
"If our senior brother gets angry, how can we bear the consequences?"
"Hmph, the leader of the Jie Sect isn't Taibai! Besides, the law doesn't punish the masses!"
After saying this, Qiu Shou Xian shook his clothes and stood up, about to fly off the island. The other disciples also got up one after another.
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Chang Er Ding Guangxian suddenly drew his Qingping Sword.
This sword is a treasure for attaining enlightenment and reaching the heavens; its holy might is awe-inspiring, and its radiance shines in all directions.
With a flash of sword light, Qiu Shouxian and the others, who had already taken to the air, were suddenly stunned as they were enveloped by the holy might.
"Come back, all of you! Leaving so ostentatiously will only give them ammunition against us!"
"What does Senior Brother suggest we do? Are we just going to let ourselves be manipulated?"
The wisp-headed immortal suddenly turned around in mid-air, his face full of displeasure.
"If we all leave the island together, we will surely be punished by our master. Have you all forgotten what he said?"
"Brother Chang'er, there's no need to worry. I can go alone."
After saying this, Qiu Shou Xian flew off the island again.
"Junior brother, please be careful and remember to call Ma Yuan and the others."
Chang Er Ding Guangxian maintained a concerned demeanor, but inwardly he was secretly delighted.
In any case, he had already stopped everyone; it was their own unwillingness to help Xiqi and their defection to Yin Shang that caused this trouble, and he, Chang Er, should not be held responsible.
In this way, he both thwarted Li Bai's intentions and avoided bearing a heavy responsibility, achieving the best of both worlds.
Little did he know that all of this was exactly what Taibai had foreseen.
Taibai knew all along that none of his junior brothers were obedient and would never act according to the jade slip's instructions.
At the same time, Shen Gongbao had already approached Jin'ao Island on a cloud. Upon seeing Qiu Shou Xian's figure in the distance, he immediately urged his speed to give chase.