Chapter 766: Shockwaves

As a descendant of Shao Jian, Fang Canran naturally harbored a desire for retribution against the Ke family, who had betrayed their ancestors for personal gain. This convergence of national and personal vendettas was Fang Canran's driving force.

He Lingchuan had visited the Ke family estate and remembered its magnificent splendor and opulent wealth. The Ke family's gardens, in particular, were exquisitely luxurious and meticulously crafted, having been continuously refined for over a hundred years. They were considered unparalleled across all the floating islands, only to be destroyed overnight by the hooves of the Thunder-Aura Behemoth.

Abbot Xue interjected, "While the Lingxu incident was monumental, the true losses were not primarily monetary. They lay in prestige and the hearts of the people."

Elder Dao continued, "The Heavenly Palace claimed to be closed for over two months, ostensibly for palace repairs, given the severe damage. We're unsure if it has reopened yet. However, in our view, it likely closed its doors for prolonged negotiations with Zuju."

He Lingchuan chuckled, "Zuju is cunning and greedy; the Heavenly Palace has truly picked a formidable adversary."

"Indeed," Elder Dao and Abbot Xue responded. Hearing He Lingchuan so readily describe the nature of Xushan Mountain and the marsh, they knew the young man had likely dealt with Zuju before. So, he was involved in the Lingxu City incident and also had dealings with Zuju.

Naturally, they kept their suspicions to themselves. "Once Zuju broke free from the Spirit-Gathering Array, even if it couldn't defeat the celestials and demons of Lingxu, it could simply burrow into the subterranean sea of fire, leaving no one able to pursue it. This advantage is truly unparalleled." Had Zuju not been so unique, the Heavenly Palace would never have considered recruiting it and appointing it as the Xushan Mountain God in the first place. Everything has its advantages and disadvantages. Once this creature became uncontrollable, it instantly became a major impediment to the Heavenly Palace's post-disaster reconstruction!

If the celestials didn't agree to Zuju's demands and it began to act out, would it be merely striking the palaces on the mountain or shaking the city below? What would truly be damaged was the reputation of the celestials and the Demon Emperor! The eyes of all Lingxu City and Beijia were fixed on this situation, placing immense pressure on the Heavenly Palace.

"So, was an agreement finally reached?"

"It seems so, because Lingxu City experienced two more minor earthquakes, so slight that they supposedly couldn't even knock over a teacup." Elder Dao beamed as he said this. "I estimate Zuju secured a very favorable deal."

"I agree," He Lingchuan said, shaking his head. "But the celestials are used to being high and mighty, always trampling on others; they wouldn't tolerate being manipulated themselves. I suspect the Heavenly Palace won't swallow this humiliation and will seek an opportunity for revenge sooner or later."

"That's excellent," Elder Dao said, clapping his hands and laughing heartily. "They are unmovable neighbors; settling scores is never too late."

"What about the Xushan Grand Array?" He Lingchuan then asked. "Xushan is the source of Lingxu City's spiritual energy. The original array was destroyed and can no longer gather spiritual energy from all directions for Lingxu City's use. How will the great demons cultivate in the future?" Having grown accustomed to such privileges, how could they possibly give them up?

"It's not clear yet," Elder Dao said, shaking his head. "Zuju was tricked and suffered losses before; now it's more vigilant and should resist with all its might." Even if Lingxu City could obtain the next stellar map, if Zuju were to shift the positions of Xushan's nine peaks, it's unlikely a new grand array could be constructed.

"Regarding the impact of the Lingxu City incident, I heard that the royal court was nearly in an uproar over whether to build walls around the imperial capital."

"Walls?" He Lingchuan recalled his first glimpse of Lingxu City: a colossal city without walls beneath a clear blue sky, a truly astonishing sight for ordinary people! At the time, Bai Ziqi had told him that Lingxu City had no need for walls. Their pride and confidence were palpable. But now, how many Lingxu City residents could still maintain that confidence?

"Indeed. Officials advocating for walls argued that if Lingxu City had high gates and deep walls, the Thunder-Aura Behemoth might not have devastated the lower city, and the righteous individuals—or 'rioters,' as they were called—who incited the chaos that night would not have escaped so easily." After speaking at length, Elder Dao took a sip of water to clear his throat. "To prevent a recurrence and to offer greater security to the citizens, Lingxu City should construct walls and gates. There's no need to sacrifice safety for the sake of appearances."

"The opposition, however, argued that Lingxu City's lack of gates and walls not only showcased immense confidence but also promoted openness and freedom, drawing talented individuals from across the world. Erecting high gates and deep walls, they contended, would instead imply weakness and panic the populace. I even heard that the Grand Minister of Agriculture of Lingxu City made a notable statement in court—"

"Oh?" He Lingchuan was intrigued. It appeared the Grand Minister of Agriculture's family had successfully evaded severe punishment in the Elixir of Immortality case, and Yao Mao still had the leisure to engage in court debates.

"He stated, 'At this moment, Beijia's prestige is more important than its substance.'"

"Such matters can't be resolved through mere argument," He Lingchuan mused. "How did the Demon Emperor ultimately decide?"

"It's unclear; we haven't received the latest information."

He Lingchuan recalled his experiences at Lingxu Grand Academy, where students widely lauded Lingxu City's liberal and inclusive atmosphere. Lingxu City has existed for nearly six centuries, possessing its own unique governance methods. Some of its core tenets are so deeply entrenched that any attempt to challenge them would undoubtedly create significant rifts. The debate over constructing city walls was just one such example.

"There are also endless arguments concerning capturing culprits, assigning accountability, and reconstruction efforts," Elder Dao sighed. "I even feel sympathy for the Demon Emperor."

"Then why are you beaming?" He Lingchuan asked him. "Is there any follow-up on the Elixir of Immortality case?"

"Oh, yes, there is," Elder Dao replied, after a moment's thought. "It was overshadowed by the Lingxu incident and hastily concluded, without much public comment. Grand Preceptor Qingyang was deemed the principal culprit, stripped of his title, and reduced to a commoner. Cen Boqing, as an accomplice, had his noble rank and position revoked, his assets confiscated, received one hundred lashes, and was exiled to the northern lands. Oh, and before his exile, he divorced Yao Xingning."

A prestigious noble family like that of the Grand Minister of Agriculture could never be associated with a disgraced official. He Lingchuan understood that no matter how much Cen Boqing and Yao Xingning loved each other, when such a disaster struck, they would inevitably part ways. The fact that Cen Boqing was spared the death penalty was likely a result of the Grand Minister of Agriculture and Yao Xingning's diligent efforts, on the condition that Cen Boqing agreed to the divorce.

"As for the Grand Minister of Agriculture Yao Mao himself, he was held accountable for lax supervision, demoted by half a rank, and fined one hundred thousand taels."

He Lingchuan didn't hear the name he was expecting, so he pressed, "What about Nian Zanli? The surrendered general from Yuan Kingdom."

"Nian Zanli? Who might that be?" Elder Dao repeated the name several times to himself before shaking his head. "I haven't heard of him."

He Lingchuan sighed inwardly. Perhaps Nian Zanli's rank was too low to be known to Elder Dao, or perhaps his alleged crimes were never made public, having been handled internally by the Heavenly Palace. Regardless of the possibility, Nian Zanli's fate remained sealed. The most peculiar aspect of the entire Elixir of Immortality case was that Grand Preceptor Qingyang, the most severe offender, received a light reprimand and punishment, not even a beating, merely returning to civilian life. Meanwhile, Nian Zanli, the least culpable—no, Nian Zanli, who was entirely unrelated to the case—was now likely left to rot away in some forgotten corner.