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Chapter 201: Aftermath and Re-entry into the Grand Dream Academy!
🕑 Added 2024-11-03 10:25:25 +0000 UTCBefore taking action, Zhao Xing had already considered various possible outcomes:
A severe punishment: forfeiture of all military merits, removal from office, and imprisonment. This scenario was highly unlikely. Even if everything had been recorded and Zhao Xing was proven to have killed intentionally, it was Qian Shougang who had first committed a mistake by abusing his authority as a general. In the current state of the Fortune Dynasty, where law and order were still intact, such a harsh punishment was improbable.
A lighter punishment: maintaining his position, but with a deduction in military merits as a form of reprimand. The expected range for this penalty was a deduction of 30,000 to 100,000 military merits. This was what Zhao Xing anticipated. After all, in his previous life, many players sought to increase their "reputation" by challenging lords like Qian Shougang.
These players would intentionally target generals under lords' command to kill them and increase their reputation. Usually, this strategy resulted in gaining "reputation" while losing "military merits," "official rank," or "noble title." But as long as it was done properly, the rank and title wouldn’t be lost, only a portion of military merits would be forfeited in exchange for reputation points. Targeting lords for reputation was a favored tactic among players because weakening the power of influential figures aligned with the strategies set during the Jingxin Era under Emperor Jing.
Everyone aspired to follow in the footsteps of Cao Cao, assassinating powerful figures like Dong Zhuo to gain fame. Large guilds particularly enjoyed engaging in such activities since it helped balance the scales between acquiring military merits and gaining reputation.
King Liang, was a popular target for players because of his influential position. Challenging him provided a greater boost in "reputation," but it also came at a higher price.
Zhao Xing estimated that if 100,000 military merits were deducted, it would suffice as punishment. Between him and Long Xiao, they had accumulated 2 million merits. Each losing 100,000 wouldn’t be a major issue. As he had considered before, they still had to join forces with various armies to conquer the Green Gang battlefield. If they didn’t counter this “strong army oppression” event decisively today, there would surely be more like "Li Shougang" or "Wang Shougang" in the future who would attempt to seize their victories.
Sometimes, it's better to strike first to avoid being overwhelmed later.
After this incident, Zhao Xing believed that other armies would think twice before creating friction with them. However, not facing any punishment at all, not even a reduction in merits, was an unexpected outcome for him.
"This doesn't make sense. Even though I claimed it was an uninformed counterattack, anyone can see there was a bit of personal enmity involved," Zhao Xing pondered.
"At the very least, I should have been fined some military merits."
Zhao Xing brooded over the situation. The fact that he wasn't penalized for his military merits actually left him feeling uneasy.
It seemed as if some unknown factor had intervened, causing his past experiences to become less relevant.
"Someone must have intervened. But even without using the three letters from Lord Tian, who has the power to suppress the influence of King Liang?" Zhao Xing mused. "Could it be Yang An? Does he wield that much power?"
"Or maybe Fan Zhaoli? No, that doesn’t seem right; he's only a Fifth Rank official, and our relationship is just average."
"Could it be Liu Tianning? He's more supportive of me, but isn’t Liu only a Fourth Rank at most?"
Although this was a favorable outcome, Zhao Xing still felt unsettled.
After leaving Xiyuan Territory, Zhao Xing immediately wrote a letter to his teacher, Lord Tian, asking for clarification. Before long, Tian responded with a brief note:
"The final decision was made by Lord Lingde, Lord Luohou, and Lord Tianyan."
"Whoosh." The letter burned away, casting flickering shadows on Zhao Xing's face.
With this answer, Zhao Xing finally felt at ease. Although Tian’s letter contained just one sentence, it revealed a great deal.
"I only knew about the preliminary investigation results, but my teacher mentioned the ‘final decision.’ That means there must have been some variables in between. According to protocol, the initial judgment comes from the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, and then it is submitted to the Divine Court's Inspectorate."
"In the pacification campaigns, the investigations were overseen by 33 sealed kings. In the most serious cases, decisions were made through collective deliberation by all 33 kings overseeing the five great cave-heavens."
"However, this case didn’t rise to the level requiring collective deliberation by all 33 sealed kings."
"Since I fall under Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, and the Inspectorate for this cave-heaven is overseen by Lord Luohou, Lord Tianyan, and Lord Lingde, it’s no wonder…"
With these thoughts clarified, Zhao Xing felt much more relaxed.
In the Hundred Weapon Tower, on the uppermost floor, Lords Lingde, Luohou, and Tianyan gathered.
"Luohou, I didn’t expect you to sign off on this," Lord Tianyan said, looking at Luohou. "I thought you wouldn’t involve yourself."
Originally, after the second review, King Liang's faction had pushed for a penalty of 200,000 military merits and a demotion of two ranks for Zhao Xing and Long Xiao. However, Lord Tianyan intervened, reducing the punishment to a symbolic deduction of 30,000 military merits without any demotion.
Upon learning this, Luohou further revised the decision, leaving a note in the official records: "If they are not guilty, why deduct merits?"
He then invited both Lord Lingde and Lord Tianyan to sign off on the final decision.
Lord Lingde chuckled, "I thought you would support penalizing Zhao Xing. After all, if Zhao Xing were fined, you’d have a better chance of success."
Tianyan waved his hand dismissively. "You underestimate Luohou. He doesn’t care about such things."
Luohou responded, "Public matters are public, private matters are private. We cannot allow strong armies to oppress weaker ones. This precedent must not be set."
Although a reduction in military merits would have been reasonable, considering the severity of the case, Luohou believed that using Qian Shougang’s transgressions as an example could serve as a warning to arrogant soldiers.
The original review, led by King Liang's faction, had leaned heavily in favor of punishing Zhao Xing, but Luohou overturned it, resulting in no punishment at all.
With both Lord Tianyan and Lord Lingde swayed by Luohou’s reasoning, the final outcome was determined accordingly.
The news of Qian Shougang’s death and the subsequent verdict quickly spread across the various battlefronts.
In the wake of this decision, commanders of strong armies across the five great cave-heavens, especially in Ten Sun Cave-Heaven, were shaken. Many powerful commanders had grown increasingly arrogant, often oppressing weaker armies. However, after this incident, many began to rein in their behavior.
As for Zhao Xing and Long Xiao, their fame spread rapidly.
Especially Zhao Xing.
Previously, he had not been well known outside certain regions, even after cultivating the Earth Fire Lotus to its fifth rank. That accomplishment had only made him famous within a few military divisions.
There were over a hundred soldiers across the five great cave-heavens capable of growing the Earth Fire Lotus to its fifth rank, so it wasn’t enough to make him famous throughout the battlefield.
But now, Zhao Xing’s fame far surpassed that of Long Xiao.
Firstly, Zhao Xing’s military merits far exceeded Long Xiao’s, having already surpassed 1 million. For a Seventh Rank Military Shennong of the new generation to reach 1 million military merits was incredibly rare.
Secondly, Zhao Xing had personally killed Qian Shougang. To be a Seventh Rank and kill a Sixth Rank commander was a feat that astonished many.
Following this incident, the reputation of the Shenwei Army grew alongside Zhao Xing's own renown.
Back at Ninety-Second Grain City, upon Zhao Xing’s return, he was met by Han Bing, Che Shi Hai, Wang Ji, Yuan Yang, and other officers.
As he disembarked from the flying boat, the burning admiration in their eyes was palpable.
The news of Zhao Xing and Long Xiao's slaying of Qian Shougang had already spread.
Having a commander who cared for his subordinates so deeply made them feel incredibly fortunate.
"Commander, you're back!" Che Shi Hai ran over excitedly.
"I've told you many times, address me by my title in formal situations," Zhao Xing scolded.
"Yes, Commander!" Che Shi Hai quickly corrected himself.
"Wang Ji, how are your injuries?" Zhao Xing inquired.
"Commander, if you’d returned any later, I might never have recovered," Wang Ji replied wistfully.
"What do you mean?" Zhao Xing asked, confused.
"It’s what you instructed, Commander," Yuan Yang chimed in, equally puzzled.
Upon further questioning, Zhao Xing realized that Yuan Yang had followed his orders to the letter. Every time Wang Ji regained consciousness, Yuan Yang immediately knocked him out again.
As a result, Wang Ji had been unconscious for seven full days, despite his injuries being light enough to have healed on the first day.
Wang Ji felt aggrieved. His injuries should have healed immediately, but his own comrades had suppressed his recovery, leaving him bedridden for days.
Zhao Xing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Yuan Yang's strict adherence to orders. Wang Ji could have been healed much sooner after playing his part.
As they entered the hall, Zhao Xing turned to Wang Ji and Han Bing, saying, "You both need to learn from this incident."
"Wang Ji, you’re too impulsive, and Han Bing, you're too cautious."
"Wang Ji, you shouldn’t have thrown yourself into harm’s way. No matter how precious a fifth-rank Earth Fire Lotus is, it’s not more valuable than your life."
"Han Bing, you overthink things. Even if it were the Heilong Army, you shouldn’t have been so deferential. If you had organized a defense outside the city, our subsequent pursuit would have been more justifiable and cohesive."
"You don’t always have to wait for me to fix things."
Both Wang Ji and Han Bing nodded, acknowledging their mistakes.
"Alright, I’ve had a long few days. You’re dismissed. Let me rest for a while," Zhao Xing said, knowing they didn’t need much more instruction—just experience.
"Understood," they replied, bowing before leaving.
Once they were gone, Zhao Xing activated the Divine Travel Guard technique and sank deep into the earth.
Ninety-Second Grain City still didn’t have a temple, and with the investigation team having departed, Zhao Xing decided to take a risk and re-enter the Grand Dream Academy.
The intervention of the three kings had made Zhao Xing wary. He realized that relying solely on his past life's experience wouldn’t be enough. He needed to grow stronger.
Greater strength would allow him to face future uncertainties with greater confidence.
Previously, he had been cautious, fearing surveillance. But now, after mingling with the forces on the battlefield and gaining a deeper understanding of the Fortune Dynasty’s Yin God Inspectorate, Zhao Xing believed it was safe to reattempt entering the Grand Dream Academy.
He descended 2,000 meters into the Eight-Angle Earth Palace, creating a small cave. After placing numerous talismans around him, Zhao Xing sat cross-legged, appearing to be in deep meditation.
In truth, he was quietly reciting incantations, preparing to enter the Grand Dream Academy once again.
With a deep breath, Zhao Xing stepped into the swirling mists of the academy’s portal.
With one stride, the scene before him changed.
Before him appeared magnificent palaces, all covered by half-spherical light shields.
The palaces flickered into view before vanishing, leaving behind only three:
One was the Heavenly Craft Hall, where Zhao Xing had previously obtained a Sixth-Rank Soul Armor, guarded by a mechanical beast known as the Xiezhi.
The second was the Heart-Testing Platform, where he had obtained the Dao Embryo Pill.
The third was a new palace: the Heavenly Secret Pavillion.
"Let’s try the Heavenly Craft Hall first," Zhao Xing decided as he entered.
Previously, he had cleared three challenges in the Heavenly Craft Hall.
The first was the Gate of Mysteries.
The second was the Mystery Box.
The third was the Mechanical Maze.
The first two challenges had yielded elixirs, and the third had rewarded him with a Sixth-Rank Soul Armor.
Upon meeting the mechanical beast Xiezhi again, it asked in its familiar tone, "Student Zhao Xing, you have now reached the threshold to challenge the fourth trial, the Six-Harmony Yin-Yang Formation."
"The minimum reward for clearing this fourth trial is a Fourth-Rank treasure, and the highest reward is a Sixth-Rank top-grade treasure."
"Do you wish to take the challenge?"
Zhao Xing nodded, "Yes, I accept."
"Please enter the gate," the Xiezhi instructed.
The mechanical beast blew away the surrounding mist, revealing a doorway ten meters ahead.
Zhao Xing stepped through, and the scene changed once more.
He found himself standing at the base of a towering mountain.
"The Six-Harmony Yin-Yang Formation draws on the powers of Earth Fiend Energy and Heavenly Gang Energy, forming a vast array. The entire mountain is part of the formation," the Xiezhi's voice echoed.
"To ascend the mountain, the minimum requirement is to have reached the Earth Fiend Stage, beginning to temper the body with Earth Fiend energy. To reach the summit, you must be at the Heavenly Gang Stage, having fully tempered your body with Heavenly Gang energy."
"To pass with perfect marks and claim the highest reward, you must endure the trials of Earth, Wind, Fire, and Thunder."
Not every challenge could be outsmarted. Unlike the third trial, which was a test of wit in the Mechanical Maze, the fourth trial required raw strength.
"However, I possess nine high-level techniques. If I attempt this trial, the spells I know in the real world will be available to me here as well."
"My strength can’t be measured by the typical standards of the Earth Fiend Stage. I wonder if I can reach the summit?"
After some brief preparations, Zhao Xing began his ascent.
Within the first quarter of an hour, the ground beneath him shook violently, fissures opened in the mountain, and massive boulders came crashing down towards Zhao Xing.
Each boulder was imbued with concentrated Earth Fiend Energy, and the force of the larger ones was far beyond what Zhao Xing could withstand.
This was why the Xiezhi had said that Zhao Xing merely met the threshold for attempting the trial.
"The evolution of heaven and earth into Yin and Yang... This Six-Harmony Formation's Earth Trial is akin to a high-level Mountain Sealing Formation."
"But this Mountain Sealing Formation has an offensive aspect. Anyone attempting to climb the mountain will be attacked by it."
Zhao Xing entered the trial fully aware that the body he was using mirrored his real-life condition, meaning all of his spells were available to him.
"Divine Travel Guard!"
Zhao Xing quickly sank into the mountain, avoiding direct confrontation with the falling boulders. Divine Travel Guard had now reached its Fourth Transformation.
As he traveled through the mountain, he soon bypassed the Earth Trial, reaching a quarter of the way up the mountain.
However, his progress slowed as the Six-Harmony Formation unleashed its second trial: the Wind Trial.
Not only did the ground continue to shake, but violent winds erupted from deep within the mountain, rushing towards the Eight-Angle Earth Palace.
"Whoosh!"
The fierce winds howled around the palace, though they did not penetrate. Still, Zhao Xing felt a chilling coldness that seemed to pierce his very soul.
"Yin Wind Fiend!" Zhao Xing immediately unleashed his second high-level spell, using Yin Wind Fiend to counter the gale. Enveloped in the protective wind, he continued his ascent.
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