novelraw Chapter 115 : Jiang Zhaoming’s Plan
Chapter 115 : Jiang Zhaoming’s Plan
Chapter 115: Jiang Zhaoming’s Plan
Imperial Capital, deep within the Imperial Palace.
Jiang Zhaoming followed an austere-faced eunuch through the shadow of the towering palace halls.
Everywhere his eyes landed, he saw vermilion walls dozens of zhang tall, upon which lifelike golden dragons coiled majestically.
The palace roofs rose and overlapped in intricate layers, their eaves curved like wings in flight.
The air was filled with the scent of sandalwood, mingled with an invisible, oppressive majesty.
Under the eunuch’s guidance, Jiang Zhaoming arrived at an inconspicuous corner deep within the palace.
Before him stood a side hall of grey walls and black tiles, its structure simple and ancient. Compared to the surrounding gilded main halls, it appeared unusually modest—almost shabby.
Jiang Zhaoming’s puzzlement deepened. Why had Father chosen this place for the audience?
He stepped forward into the hall, doubt clouding his mind.
The moment he crossed the threshold, the scene before him changed abruptly!
Inside and outside the hall were two entirely different worlds.
Outside was the human imperial palace—inside, an endless, boundless void.
Beneath his feet stretched an ancient bluestone path, wide and solemn, extending forward as if it had no end.
He looked up—there was no dome, only unfathomable darkness, dotted with countless clusters of light, some bright, some dim, like stars scattered across the cosmos.
These “stars” were not still. They moved along mysterious trajectories, exuding distinct auras, forming a starry expanse that stirred the very soul.
Jiang Zhaoming walked along the sole bluestone path.
His gaze was drawn deeply to the orbiting “stars.”
The aura they emitted felt strangely familiar, yet he could not immediately identify it.
What kind of place was this?
Carrying his doubts, he walked on for what felt like ages until the bluestone path reached its end.
Before him appeared a massive white jade platform floating in the void.
Upon it were several simple meditation mats.
At that moment, the Emperor of Great Zhou, Jiang Xuanhao, sat cross-legged upon one of them, eyes half-closed as though his spirit roamed beyond the mortal world.
As Jiang Zhaoming stepped onto the platform, Jiang Xuanhao slowly opened his eyes. Deep within his pupils, faint crimson glimmers flickered and vanished.
「You’re here. Sit.」
A gentle smile appeared on Jiang Xuanhao’s face, as though the earlier flash of red had been nothing but an illusion.
「Ah Ming, you sought Us out on your own—what is it that you wish to discuss?」
Jiang Zhaoming skipped all pleasantries and spoke directly.
「Father, your son reports this: the Other-Dimensional Passage within the Sea of Death has recently shown signs of abnormal expansion. To uncover the cause, this son took the liberty of personally venturing into the world beyond the passage for investigation.」
「Oh? Then tell Us—what did you discover?」
A hint of curiosity flickered across Jiang Xuanhao’s face.
Jiang Zhaoming, long prepared, recited his findings with clarity.
「In reply to Father, your son found that the heavens and earth of that realm are vast beyond measure. Countless powerful beings and nations exist within it—their strength is by no means small.」
Jiang Xuanhao nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.
「Through certain means, this son has grasped the rudiments of the Corrosive Slime people’s language and gained a preliminary understanding of that realm. It is a place where peril and opportunity coexist.
After long deliberation, your son believes that if the passage cannot be completely sealed, then I am willing to take the first step—to make tentative contact with that foreign realm, probe its depths, and prepare in advance for any future upheaval.」
After speaking, Jiang Zhaoming raised his eyes, his gaze calm and resolute, awaiting his father’s response.
However, what he saw was the instant disappearance of that gentle smile from his father’s face, replaced by unprecedented sternness.
An invisible, crushing pressure spread through the air, making Jiang Zhaoming’s heart sink sharply.
It was the first time in his life he had seen his father lose composure.
「Reckless! How much do you truly know about that realm? How much power do you have? How much certainty? And yet you dare speak of probing it?
You also know that before your brother Zhaolin ventured to the Kingdom of Sunlight, he too was full of confidence—and what was the result?」
Sensing the thunderous fury and hidden grief in his father’s words, Jiang Zhaoming quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak.
The air in the hall grew so heavy it was hard to breathe.
After several breaths, that oppressive force gradually subsided.
Jiang Zhaoming drew in a deep breath and lifted his head. The cautious hesitation in his eyes was gone, replaced by unwavering determination.
He spoke slowly, his voice quiet but every word clear: 「Father, please quell your anger. Your son has indeed seen the ruins of the Kingdom of Sunlight.」
Jiang Xuanhao’s gaze, sharp as lightning, locked onto him.
「When your son stepped into the relics of that realm, what I saw was not divine splendor—but——a land strewn with bones!」
Jiang Zhaoming’s voice rose, trembling faintly with emotion, as if the scene were still vivid before his eyes.
「Everywhere I looked, the royal court had collapsed, the former prosperity reduced to scorched earth. The bones of its people were piled high, uncollected—such ruin and extinction seared itself into my very soul!」
He paused, his burning gaze meeting his father’s.
「Each time I recall it, my back chills. Though our Great Zhou is strong, if we know nothing of that other realm, then when a powerful enemy arrives at our borders one day—will our countless people repeat the tragedy of the Kingdom of Sunlight?
Your son dares not gamble!
As a Prince of Great Zhou, as the Lord of Anxi, it is my duty—no, my obligation—to uncover the truth of that realm.
Not for merit or glory, but so that the people of Great Zhou might have even one more measure of preparation for the storms to come. I beg Father to see clearly!」
Jiang Zhaoming’s words struck Jiang Xuanhao’s heart like a heavy hammer.
He silently regarded the son before him.
After a long while, a deep sigh echoed through the void.
「Enough…」
The gloom on Jiang Xuanhao’s face finally faded, replaced by a complex mix of emotions—helplessness, worry, and perhaps a trace of admiration too faint to discern.
「Since you possess such resolve and responsibility, We shall not stop you.」
He looked at Jiang Zhaoming, eyes deep and penetrating, as if trying to see through him entirely.
Then he added, 「However, before that, there are several matters We must warn you about.」
Jiang Zhaoming slightly lowered his head, listening attentively as his father began to impart knowledge of the main plane to him.
With the Emperor Father’s explanation, Jiang Zhaoming gradually gained a certain understanding of the Main Plane.
However, whether the Emperor Father truly did not know, or deliberately concealed it, he made no mention of the true nature of the plane where the Great Zhou resided.
When the Emperor Father finished speaking, Jiang Zhaoming rose to salute him, then withdrew from that wondrous hall.
Before leaving, he glanced one last time at the sky filled with morning stars, an inexplicable unease stirring within him.
After departing from the Imperial Capital, he swiftly returned to the Prince of Anxi’s Mansion. Without further delay, Jiang Zhaoming immediately began his preparations to explore the Main Plane.
To directly dispatch the main forces of Anxi into the Main Plane would be an act of recklessness—far too likely to expose their presence and invite a backlash too great to bear.
Fortunately, he possessed the Divine Artifact · Lunar Soldier Altar, an extraordinary sacred treasure.
Using the Altar’s unique properties, he continuously refined captured Corrosive Slime warriors of the Main Plane into absolutely loyal Corrosive Dao Soldiers.
He then commanded these local-born Dao Soldiers to spread and take root quietly across the eerie lands of the Main Plane.
When this “Puppet Legion” composed of converted enemies had secured their footing and formed a relatively stable “Shadow Control Zone,”
it became far easier for him to secretly mine rare spiritual veins or conduct other operations without drawing undue attention from the powerful factions that ruled the Main Plane.
Jiang Zhaoming once again set foot upon that grim world.
This time, his goal was no longer investigation—it was hunting and expansion.
Stepping onto the cold, damp black soil of the Main Plane, the familiar scent of decay assailed him.
The scene before his eyes was no longer as barren as when he had left.
At the site of his previous temporary camp, a crude fortress built by Corrosive Slime Dao Soldiers had begun to take shape.
Walls of rough black rock rose high, exuding a chilling aura of death, blending seamlessly with the twisted giant trees and dim surroundings.
Lilian’s figure silently appeared beside him, her red hair strikingly vivid beneath the faint violet twilight.
「Honored King, you have returned.」
Her amber eyes swept over Jiang Zhaoming, who looked somewhat weary but still sharp-eyed, as she quickly reported,
「During your absence, this place was far from peaceful. At least five waves of Corrosive Slime ‘treasure seekers’ approached our vicinity. Among them, three were sizable, led by mercenary groups commanded by several Myriad Phenomena Realm cultivators.」
Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze sharpened. 「Mercenary groups?」
He immediately recalled the Corrosive Slime monsters that had once assaulted the Anxi military camp.
「Yes. According to the fragmented memories of the Dao Soldiers converted from them, the ones who attacked our passage previously were merely small-time mercenary groups.
They were drawn here by the ‘tempting’ aura leaking from this area—believing they had found an entrance leading to a rich, new world filled with treasures.」
Jiang Zhaoming frowned slightly. So the forces that invaded Anxi had merely been exploratory mercenary bands of the Corrosive Slime race.
「And those who invaded—what became of them afterward?」 Jiang Zhaoming asked.
「Thanks to the Lunar Soldier Altar, the results were excellent. With my personal ambush, they have all been converted into Dao Soldiers.」
Lilian paused, an odd look flickering across her face.
「Your Majesty, the most interesting part is that the Corrosive Slime beings seem completely incapable of distinguishing between those transformed by the Altar and the living members of their own race.」
「Our Dao Soldiers have been spreading false information among them, luring subsequent mercenary bands to come ‘treasure hunting’—so far, none have grown suspicious.」
After hearing this, Jiang Zhaoming’s eyes swept over the silent Corrosive Dao Soldiers standing within and around the fortress. In his heart, his decision was made.
Passive defense would never compare to taking the initiative.
「Good!」
A gleam of resolve flashed in his eyes.
「This land is rich in resources—an excellent foundation for us to take root and grow. But our footing is not yet firm, and powerful enemies surround us. We need more ‘strength’!」
He turned to Lilian. 「Lilian, come with me. Let us pay a visit to some of those ‘enthusiastic’ mercenary groups.」
In the days that followed, Jiang Zhaoming and Lilian used the forest’s shadowy outskirts as their base, launching hunts against the powerful Corrosive Slime beings.
Their goal was clear—to ambush and capture isolated Myriad Phenomena Realm Corrosive Slime cultivators.
With overwhelming power and perfect coordination, the two succeeded in converting one after another of these formidable foes.
The number of Myriad Phenomena Realm Lunar Dao Soldiers under Jiang Zhaoming’s command rapidly grew.
During this process, a Corrosive Slime city located roughly three hundred li from the passage’s entrance drew his attention.
The city was not particularly large, with a population of about eight hundred thousand, situated on the outskirts of the black forest.
Yet, through Jiang Zhaoming’s covert investigation, the hidden strength of these eight hundred thousand Corrosive Slime beings proved formidable.
Their individual growth was astounding.
Upon reaching adulthood—male or female alike—their strength was at least equal to the Tempering Bones Realm.
The more robust among them could easily advance to the Blood Refining Realm.
Even more bizarre was their method of ascending to the Divine Power Realm.
Upon coming of age, each Corrosive Slime had to participate in a collective worship ceremony, seemingly to beseech blessings from some unknown great deity.
After the ritual, the deity would sometimes bestow what they called “Grace.”
Those touched by the Grace, regardless of previous strength, would see their intellect and power dramatically enhanced—until they advanced to the Divine Power Realm.
Those with higher comprehension could even break through to the Myriad Phenomena Realm.
This city, close to the passage, had recently held such a ceremony—nearly a hundred Corrosive Slimes had received divine Grace.
By relying on this unique path of growth, the city of eight hundred thousand boasted over six hundred thousand individuals at the Tempering Bones Realm or above.
Among them, nearly a thousand were at the Divine Power Realm, and several dozen at the Myriad Phenomena Realm.
Fortunately, only one known Golden Body Realm expert resided within the city.
Soon, an opportunity arose.
That lone Golden Body Realm Corrosive Slime expert, one day, left the city’s protection accompanied by only a few dozen subordinates.
Catching this information through the Divine Artifact · Fortune-Appraising Treasure Mirror, Jiang Zhaoming and Lilian set out at once to launch an ambush.
If they could eliminate this target, the city’s defenses would be greatly weakened. Jiang Zhaoming would then have an excellent chance to seize it. Doing so would not only prevent further Corrosive Slimes from approaching the passage but also allow him to gain a deeper understanding of this plane.
The target soon entered their sight.
It was an enormous Corrosive Slime being—pig-headed, with tusks exposed, reeking with a stench so foul it burned the nostrils.
It swaggered arrogantly down a woodland path, followed by several dozen equally grotesque guards.
Lilian struck first.
With a light tap of her staff, several invisible mental blasts shot out, precisely striking the Corrosive Slime guards.
They fell lifelessly before they could even scream, eyes vacant and bodies limp.
At the same moment, with a thought from Jiang Zhaoming, more than ten Lunar Dao Soldiers—former Corrosive Slime elites—emerged from their ambush.
They let out the Corrosive Slimes’ distinctive guttural roars, brandishing their weapons as they charged fearlessly toward the Golden Body Realm target.
The sudden ambush both shocked and enraged the Corrosive Slime expert.
It roared, dark red energy erupting from its body. With a single punch, it shattered two Dao Soldiers rushing in front.
Yet, as it glimpsed the attackers’ familiar faces, its fury turned into bewilderment.
Why were its own kind attacking it?
At that very instant of distraction, true killing intent descended.
Jiang Zhaoming appeared beside it like a phantom, the Zhu Xie Sword in his hand unleashing a golden brilliance that tore through space.
The Corrosive Slime expert barely managed to cross its massive arms before its chest, scarlet energy surging to block the strike.
Crack!
Like a hot blade slicing through butter, the golden arc of the Zhu Xie Sword shattered its protective aura.
Its thick arms and sturdy chest were cleaved open in an instant by a gaping, terrifying wound.
Violet blood mixed with fragments of viscera sprayed wildly into the air.
The Corrosive Slime expert let out a thunderous howl of agony, staggering backward.
Its eyes locked onto Jiang Zhaoming, then flicked with disbelief toward the “kin” still charging forward with savage roars.
Why were its people helping the enemy?
That fatal hesitation severed its final chance of survival.
Lilian’s Binding Spell struck immediately, followed by Jiang Zhaoming’s second sword—falling like thunder.
As the massive body of the Golden Body Realm Corrosive Slime collapsed with a deafening thud, Jiang Zhaoming’s heart steadied.
The ambush was not only a success—it also verified a crucial piece of intelligence:
Even Golden Body Realm Corrosive Slime experts could not see through the disguise of the Lunar Dao Soldiers.
Jiang Zhaoming’s “False Identity for True Control” plan was proceeding far more smoothly than he had anticipated.