novelraw Chapter 359 - 334 Departure (Xi Zui the Fallen, Alliance Leader)
Chapter 359 - 334 Departure (Xi Zui the Fallen, Alliance Leader)
Agarwood Palace.
Vast tables filled with delicacies from mountains and seas, well over a hundred dishes, arranged densely, colorful and fragrant.
Evening.
Zhang Rongfang officially welcomed General Zhou Yan, the chief investigator dispatched by the Snow Rainbow Pavilion to look into several cases here.
Inside the banquet hall.
Zhou Yan stood at a height of 2.3 meters, slightly shorter than Zhang Rongfang, but his body was extremely wide, standing like a wall. Adding the black metal headpiece he wore, he exuded a cold, solemn, and powerful sense of pressure.
Accompanying him in the welcome, aside from Chen Han, were a few beautiful maidservants from Agarwood Palace.
The spacious banquet hall had just about ten people, appearing somewhat sparse.
Among both groups, only Zhang Rongfang could compare in height and build to Zhou Yan and the other two.
"Hahaha, I have been diligently working in Citong every day, not daring to slack off even a little. Finally, I have awaited the presence of your lordship. What a relief." Zhang Rongfang beamed as he raised his wine cup.
"Come, Lord Zhou, I offer you a toast."
General Zhou’s rank is truly that of a third-degree official.
In local settings, ranks are automatically calculated one level lower than those in the capital and the Snow Rainbow Pavilion.
Thus, in Citong, General Zhou’s position equates to a second-degree official.
"Governor Zhang, actually, even before this, I was prepared to come to Citong because of the Princess Yongxiang case.
Subsequently, due to King Zhending’s rebellion, I was temporarily reassigned to deal with other matters.
Now, with problems arising at Wanghai Temple and other issues, I have been sent over again for another visit."
Zhou Yan looked at Zhang Ying, a Daoist of around thirty, and felt a surge of emotion.
Though unsure of the other’s martial cultivation, merely standing before him, he could sense the exuberant life force within him.
Such vitality, he had only seen in a rare few great figures of Cultivation of Literature.
No wonder the Celestial Treasure Palace held this person in such regard.
This thought flashed through his mind.
"General Zhou, do you mean there are new arrangements for me from above?" Zhang Rongfang understood the previous words.
"The Wanghai Temple case is of great importance, and as the Governor of Citong, Lord Zhang has an unshirkable responsibility. The disappearance of several Western Sect experts has already significantly impacted the religious balance strategy in Citong.
Lord Zhang, His Majesty has instructed me to bring a secret decree."
Zhang Rongfang adjusted his expression and immediately knelt, bowing.
"Zhang Ying, Governor of Citong, receives the decree."
Zhou Yan’s face was calm, lowering his voice.
"By the mandate of Heaven, to bless all humanity, the Spirit Emperor decrees:
During your tenure as the Governor of Citong, despite major cases occurring, you have diligently laid a solid foundation for the dissemination of Daoism in Citong within your capacity, making an indelible contribution to the stable development of various industries in Citong...."
Following this was a series of records on Zhang Rongfang’s numerous developmental contributions during his tenure in Citong.
The key concern was not the Wanghai Temple case, but the boosting of trade due to a stable environment, after ensuring peace and reducing internal conflicts in Citong.
Many of these even included specific data and details.
The rise in commerce represented more trade tax revenues.
More funds and resources.
Listening to the decree, Zhang Rongfang felt slightly enlightened.
He had always been worried about the Western Sect Wanghai Temple case, but little did he know, from above, it was not considered significant.
The Spirit Court was truly concerned about his efforts in stabilizing the situation, leading to a substantial increase in trade tax revenues in Citong.
Now it seems, from above, they couldn’t care less if some Western Sect experts died; probably, those grandmasters and Daoists under the divine statues are already impatient.
Over here, with those who fell, there might even be many who clap their hands in joy.
After all, with the positions vacated, others can rise up.
Quickly, the imperial decree was read, then it was time to accept the decree, complete the ceremony, and stand up.
Zhou Yan looked at Zhang Rongfang with a complex expression.
"Lord Zhang, when will you travel to the Great Capital? My trip here is specifically to escort you back. Speaking of which, with this return, it’s possible you might also get promoted...."
Even he didn’t expect that Zhang Ying, though merely serving as the Governor of Citong, could see the city’s tax revenue soar by more than 30% in his short term.
Being the Great Spirit’s foremost port and bearing the title of the world’s top port,
an increase in trade volume by 30%—what does that imply?
No wonder the Spirit Court rewarded him, even the Emperor issued a decree praising him.
"No, no, this was not my achievement alone; a collaboration with many colleagues and subordinates was crucial to achieving such results.
Yet, after I step down, who will take over the position of Governor of Citong? Does General Zhou know?" Zhang Rongfang asked seriously.
Zhou Yan’s expression remained unchanged, though his mind flashed back to the scenario when he met Sect Leader Yue Dewen on the icy path years ago.
He immediately decided to do a favor.
"There are reports suggesting that a high monk from the Western Sect will take over."
Indeed.
Zhang Rongfang felt a shiver in his heart.
Upon deep reflection, it appears the Spirit Court’s Spirit Emperor sent him back to the Great Capital, partly suspecting his involvement in the Western Sect experts’ disappearance cases.
On the other hand, it also hints at maintaining a secret balance.
Of course, discussing this now is premature.
Only after returning to the Great Capital can everything be clear.
"Can you be ready to depart within three days?" Zhou Yan asked.
"Three days? Certainly!" Zhang Rongfang nodded firmly, without hesitation.
Fortunately, he had prepared everything in advance.
During these days, the people from the Rebel Sect and the Thousand Stone Sect had mostly withdrawn.
Only a few peripheral locals who were reluctant to leave remained, knowing little of the evil secrets and hidden deep enough not to need to depart.
But the main forces had all been redeployed.
At this moment, he could leave whenever he wanted.
"That’s good then." Zhou Yan nodded. "In three days, I will escort you on your journey. This time, we won’t use a carriage, but a sedan chair."
"A sedan chair??" Zhang Rongfang blinked, puzzled.
For long journeys, ox carts were generally used because they were stable and had great endurance.
They were much better than horses.
But he had never heard of using a sedan chair for long distances.
"Be prepared, Lord Zhang. It might be a bit bumpy at first, but you’ll get used to it." Zhou Yan smiled slightly.
"Uh..." Zhang Rongfang felt inexplicably uneasy.
*
*
*
Three days later.....
Outside Citong.
A dome-shaped sedan chair made entirely of metal was placed quietly on the muddy ground.
The sedan chair was black all over, with simple Tai Chi diagrams carved on all sides.
The two sedan poles were made of a hard alloy as thick as a man’s arm.
Zhang Rongfang and the high-ranking members of Agarwood Palace were all dumbfounded as they looked at the sedan chair before them.
"This sedan chair... it’s so heavy, I’m afraid it weighs a thousand pounds even without anyone in it, right?? Who could possibly carry such a sedan?"
The old Daoist serving as the deputy palace master was dumbfounded, pointing at the sedan chair in disbelief.
"More than that, with such thickness and size, it’s at least over three thousand pounds." Zhang Yunqi beside him looked serious, not at the sedan chair but at the four sedan bearers waiting silently.
The four of them were expressionless, with identical appearances. Even their body shapes seemed to be carved from the same mold.
Just by standing there, they exuded a heavy presence like stone statues.
Although he was disguised as a Daoist while recovering, he still had the keen sight of a Three Emptiness practitioner.
With one glance, he could tell that these four bearers were extremely formidable masters.
"Lord Zhang need not worry. With bearers carrying the sedan, a journey that would take ordinary people two months will only take us five days."
Zhou Yan responded earnestly.
"But this sedan can only carry one person... what about the rest of my entourage..." Zhang Rongfang frowned, examining the size of the sedan.
"A bearer’s sedan is meant for royal members only, and this time it’s a special royal permission, granted by His Majesty for Lord Zhang to ride. Truth be told, even I don’t have the privilege to sit in this sedan." Zhou Yan explained seriously.
"So, it’s just me going?" Zhang Rongfang confirmed.
"That’s correct." Zhou Yan nodded.
Zhang Rongfang squinted at the four bearers.
He realized that under their skin, there wasn’t any blood, but densely packed spiritual lines!
They weren’t purely silver spiritual lines, but silver mixed with black, appearing extremely drab and devoid of spirit.
Their eyes were also void, without any emotional fluctuations, like the dead.
"May I ask, is our destination the Great Capital? I wish to return to the Celestial Treasure Palace first, could I..." he asked in a deep voice.
"The destination is determined by the bearers, not by my decision, but it will definitely be within the Great Capital. Please rest assured, Lord Zhang."
He immediately stepped aside, making a inviting gesture.
Zhang Rongfang picked up his luggage, looking at him, then at the crowd behind him.
Zhang Yunqi, Zhang Zhenhai, Sun Chaoyue, Chen Han, and the rest of the Agarwood Palace people.
"I’ll go ahead, you all catch up as soon as possible." He instructed.
"Rest assured, Daoist, we will ensure they arrive safely." Zhang Yunqi cupped his hands respectfully.
"I leave it to you." Immediately, Zhang Rongfang went to the front of the metal sedan chair, opened the door, and turned to sit inside.
The door of the sedan closed.
The four bearers immediately stepped forward, lifting the sedan poles onto their shoulders.
"General Zhou, until we meet again."
Zhang Rongfang opened the window and cupped his hands in respect towards Zhou Yan.
"No need for that, I will also be following behind." Zhou Yan said solemnly.
"By the way." He seemed to remember something and added, "The bearers will not stop until they reach the destination, so Lord Zhang will likely not stop until reaching the Great Capital’s imperial palace.
Meet His Majesty first, then you can return to the Celestial Treasure Palace, no need to worry."
Zhang Rongfang’s heart tightened.
But before he could respond, suddenly, the sedan gave a slight jolt, and everything outside the window started to retreat swiftly.
The speed accelerated rapidly from a standstill.
In the blink of an eye, the entire sedan was sprinting forward at a speed comparable to the full-speed body skill of a Three Emptiness master.
Along the way, there was only slight rocking and shaking, and with the window closed, he couldn’t even feel he was moving at such high speed.
The landscape outside quickly blurred, and without focusing closely, he couldn’t make out the passing scenery.
Zhang Rongfang took a deep breath, as this was his first encounter with the true foundation of the Spirit Court.
Novelty, shock, vigilance. A mix of emotions surged within him.
"General Zhou, can’t we stop temporarily when passing by the Celestial Treasure Palace?" he asked.
"Lord Zhang, please don’t ask again. We are to take you directly to the imperial city to meet His Majesty immediately, according to His Majesty’s decree." Zhou Yan was following behind but spoke as if strolling on level ground, easily and effortlessly.
"Is that so?" Zhang Rongfang felt a chill in his heart.
Originally he wanted to exchange some information with his master first, but now....