Chapter 283: Rebel's Top Choice, One Month Later, Mysterious Treasure

"Is this information true?" King Luo's face clearly showed shock.

"Yes, your subordinate has killed him."

King Luo's expression turned serious. "Do not claim credit lightly. If a review later reveals you falsely claimed credit, it will be a very serious matter."

"Your subordinate has complete law enforcement records, in triplicate, including Illusion Orbs, Echo Shells, corroborating officials, and confirmation from the Judicial Underworld Deity," Zhao Xing said.

King Luo remained silent for a long time.

This information was truly shocking.

This was because King Luo's understanding of Zhao Xing was already outdated.

He knew Zhao Xing had mastered the first layer of the Soul Evolution Art.

However, he didn't know that Zhao Xing was a record-breaker: not only did the Soul Evolution Art condense seven main souls, but in its first layer, the main souls could merge into one, and the Life Soul could split into 49,999 strands!

Second, while he knew Zhao Xing had clones that went to the Xuantian Academy branch and the Kunyuan Academy headquarters, and had mastered top-tier techniques, he didn't know how far Zhao Xing had progressed. Nor did he know that his clones could also use top-tier techniques, or that Li Boqian had taught him the Kunpeng Transformation and the Cry of the Heavenly Ruler.

In King Luo's view, Zhao Xing was still very green. There was a significant gap when facing a third-rank expert; perhaps he could protect his life in front of one.

But to say he could kill a third-rank? King Luo didn't entertain that fantasy.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have given Zhao Xing only the temporary position of 'Third-Rank Inspector for Pinghai Prefecture's Five Prefectures'.

His authority to control officials below the third-rank signified King Luo's belief that Zhao Xing couldn't handle high-rank affairs yet.

Yet now, he was suddenly told: Zhao Xing had killed King Tianxia.

How could King Luo not be shocked?

"Alright, I understand."

"Store the original records properly and archive them. I will send someone to collect them later. Additionally, write a detailed account of the incident in a written report and submit it to me," King Luo instructed.

"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded. This was also standard procedure for an inspector.

Such great power couldn't be used for indiscriminate killing; proper procedures had to be followed.

"Your subordinate has one more matter to report, seeking your royal decision," Zhao Xing said.

"Speak."

"Now that King Tianxia is dead, may I confiscate his property? If so, what should be done with the seized goods after confiscation? Should they be sent to the Goods Seizure Department in Tianhe Prefecture for safekeeping, or is there another arrangement?"

"Many official positions in the six counties will become vacant. May your subordinate make temporary appointments?"

In fact, Zhao Xing was very familiar with these procedures; after all, Old Liu had 'chopped' him so many times in his previous life.

However, he had just taken office and couldn't appear too proficient yet.

He always had to give King Luo, the 'big boss,' a chance to guide him.

As expected, King Luo immediately said: "You are not qualified to confiscate the property of a third-rank rebel king. According to procedure, only a second-rank inspector has that authority."

"However, given the special circumstances, waiting for me to send someone would inevitably slow down your progress."

"How about this: I will send my royal decree through the Lihuo Daoist Academy's channels, granting you special permission to confiscate property and make temporary appointments."

"You can transport all the seized goods back to Tianhe Prefecture first, and I will send someone to inventory them afterward."

"Yes," Zhao Xing obediently listened.

This way, he would be confiscating property under King Luo's name, ensuring the procedure was legitimate.

If anyone questioned it, they could go argue with King Luo!

King Luo's action was essentially providing a safety net for Zhao Xing.

King Luo's words successfully captured the attention of King Xin and King Anning.

"Who killed King Tianxia? Was it the Moonlit Prefect?" King Xin, Liu Yong, couldn't help but ask curiously. "I don't recall the Moonlit Prefect also serving as a military inspector."

King Xin was referring to Moonlit Prefecture, next to Tianhe Prefecture.

The Moonlit Prefect, Ye Yukong, was not the Prefectural Lord, but the Dean of the Moonlit Military Academy.

It was just that the older generation, like King Xin Liu Yong and King Anning Ji Anning, were accustomed to calling Ye Yukong the Moonlit Prefect.

As King Tianxia's six eastern counties bordered Moonlit Prefecture, both of them assumed that the Moonlit Prefect, Ye Yukong, had killed King Tianxia.

This assumption was logical, as Ye Yukong was a third-rank pinnacle sword master, who had achieved fame many years before King Tianxia.

The Moonlit Sword Art and Moon Shadow Movement Technique he created were both top-tier methods.

"Not him," King Luo shook his head. "It was Zhao Xing."

"Who?!" King Xin Liu Yong was startled. He thought he misheard and confirmed again. "Is it... is it *that* Zhao Xing?"

"Don't tell me it's that disciple of Liu Tianning, Zhao Xing," King Anning also widened his eyes.

"Yes, it's him," King Luo nodded. "Honestly, I can barely believe it myself, but I assume he wouldn't dare lie to me about this."

"H-how is this possible?!" King Xin was stunned.

His main impression of Zhao Xing was still from the Dragon Court Ancient Land quota competition.

At that time, Zhao Xing was only fifth-rank.

King Xin was unaware of his cultivation of the Soul Evolution Art and his learning of top-tier techniques.

But that was only five years ago, in the 30th year of Jingxin.

Only five years had passed, and Zhao Xing had actually killed a third-rank expert?

King Tianxia was no mere ornamental third-rank!

"It was him, it seems..."

King Anning quickly accepted the information.

As a titled king of the Shangyu Department, he knew more than King Xin, as he was in charge of intelligence.

"What is it? Tell me," King Xin Liu Yong urged.

"It's classified," King Anning smiled. "I can't tell you."

King Xin Liu Yong was so angry his beard bristled and his eyes glared, but he was helpless.

"To think, only five years," King Anning sighed with emotion. "His growth speed is simply too fast. He likely achieved great things there."

"Indeed," King Luo nodded. "He wouldn't say, but I imagine it's quite astonishing."

King Xin was so frustrated by these two riddle-makers that he was scratching his ears and cheeks, wishing he could grab King Luo and King Anning by the necks and demand an explanation!

However, when he first took office as the Regent King, he was essentially the same as King Lingde, a mere figurehead to take the blame.

Only now did he have a bit more actual power, but it still paled in comparison to King Luo and King Anning.

"You two scoundrels, if you can't say it, don't play guessing games in front of me! Just use telepathy!" King Xin flicked his sleeve and grumbled as he exited.

"Hahahaha, he got impatient," King Anning grinned.

King Luo also smiled, but there was nothing to be done; King Xin's strength and status were indeed inferior.

For instance, King Tianyan taking Zhao Xing to the Star Palace to cultivate the Soul Evolution Art was something both he and King Anning were privy to, but King Xin was not.

They also couldn't tell King Xin because King Tianyan hadn't even told them the detailed circumstances. Clearly, the confidentiality level was so high that it couldn't be casually revealed even among the titled regent kings.

"We need to send someone to Tianhe Prefecture."

"Together, I also need to send a royal decree."

King Anning and King Luo quickly made arrangements.

Above Tianxia County, Zhao Xing closed the Earth Mirror on the Primordial Warship.

The sky was still dark.

But on the ground, flames soared into the sky.

Li Gan, Yao Yuanchun, Zou Yong, and Ouyang Zhen led their people in rapidly clearing out the rebellious generals.

These were primarily officials of the fifth and fourth ranks.

Since Zhao Xing had already killed a wave of them earlier, the flames and chaos subsided completely in less than two hours.

At this point, dawn had not even broken.

King Tianxia's Mansion, including the county seat and three garrisoned counties (military towns), was completely pacified.

"Lord Zhao, General Li requests your presence at the royal mansion," Li Gan sent someone to fly up and report.

"Understood." Zhao Xing quickly flew down with five warships.

As for the other warships, they remained on high alert in the sky.

Zhao Xing's main body appeared at the entrance of King Tianxia's Mansion.

At this moment, Li Gan was waiting outside the mansion gates with his personal guards.

"My Lord, all 895 rebel soldiers in the royal mansion have been executed."

"King Tianxia's family members and servants, totaling 5,432 people, have been apprehended."

"Were there any casualties among the City Guard?"

"Thirteen killed, sixty-six wounded," Li Gan reported. "Your subordinate is incompetent."

"The royal mansion's mechanisms and formations are formidable; this is not your fault," Zhao Xing said. "Upon returning, report to the lords in the prefectural city. Your City Guard will undoubtedly be credited with a great achievement."

"Thank you, My Lord." Li Gan, kneeling on one knee, looked at Zhao Xing with immense adoration.

As a mere City Guard general, he had never imagined he would one day easily storm the residence of a titled king.

This feat was enough for him and his City Guard comrades to boast about for a lifetime.

"Over five thousand family members? Why so many?" Zhao Xing said, looking at the list.

"The rebel gathered all three of his clans in Tianxia County," Li Gan said. "Your subordinate speculates he might have planned this rebellion long ago."

"No resistance?"

"Some, but not many," Li Gan said. "Lord Yao gave the order to apprehend them."

At this moment, Yao Yuanchun also emerged from inside the mansion.

He cupped his hands to Zhao Xing and explained why he apprehended rather than killed: "All of King Tianxia's sons were executed, as they willingly participated in the rebellion."

"About half of his grandsons were killed; the remaining half knelt on the ground, holding their iron certificates of amnesty, pleading for their lives."

"The reason there are so many people is primarily due to the great-grandsons, fourth and fifth-generation descendants, and female family members."

"Their clan members cried out that they were innocent, claiming they were coerced by King Tianxia, their ancestor."

"As for how to adjudicate, please make your decision, My Lord."

Yao Yuanchun and Li Gan dared not kill indiscriminately, because these people did not resist and presented their iron certificates of amnesty while kneeling in surrender.

It was up to Zhao Xing to decide what to do.

Zhao Xing handed the list to Li Gan and smiled: "Iron certificates of amnesty do not exempt one from the grave crime of treason. King Tianxia's rebellion warrants the extermination of his clan."

"He actually saved us trouble by gathering all three clans together."

"So, My Lord's intention is to kill them now?" Li Gan asked.

"By procedure, they should be escorted back to the prefectural city, then a memorial submitted to the imperial court for an edict to execute them on a chosen date. However, we don't have that much time to spare now," Zhao Xing said.

"Brother Yao, please ask the three Judicial Deities to bear witness. Li Gan, activate the Illusion Orb and Echo Shell to record and archive this."

"In short, these three clans will be executed now. As for whether the court later decides to execute five or nine clans, that will be up to the Inspectorate Guard to apprehend those involved."

Why would Zhao Xing have so much spare time for such cumbersome procedures? In any case, rebellion warranted the extermination of three clans as a minimum, so executing them now would certainly not be wrong.

A simplified procedure was sufficient for now. With King Luo's decree on its way, Lord Zhao wasn't worried about any issues arising from this.

"Yes." Li Gan and Yao Yuanchun quickly ran back inside.

No sooner had the two left than Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen ran out.

"My Lord, the royal mansion has been searched, and the rebel king's property has been roughly inventoried."

Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen both had experience in financial management, so they tallied these seized goods quite quickly.

"Everything has been moved to a separate courtyard within the royal mansion. Please come and inspect it, My Lord."

"Alright." Zhao Xing nodded and followed the two to a large separate courtyard in King Tianxia's Mansion.

The supplies here were piled up like mountains, covering an area the size of ten football fields, and they were all full.

Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen were also interesting characters.

When Zhao Xing arrived, there was no one else there.

And as Zhao Xing walked in, they stood a hundred meters behind him, with their backs turned.

If he didn't call them, they didn't intend to approach.

How could Zhao Xing not know what these two were thinking?

He immediately smiled, waved his hand, and said, "Come here."

Why would Lord Zhao need to take things so secretly?

"Above me is King Luo, the Grand Inspector of the Military Realm."

"He has granted me special permission to handle all matters of confiscation."

"Brothers, when you follow me, you're putting your lives on the line."

"Of these seized goods, excluding strategic military supplies and classified documents, each person may take three items."

"No whispering, no checking prices with the Earth Mirror. Whether it's valuable or not is entirely up to luck."

"After the brothers have taken their items, load them onto the ships and compile an inventory of the seized goods." Zhao Xing looked at Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen. "Have you understood my instructions clearly?"

The two exchanged glances, then cupped their hands and said, "Yes, we've understood clearly."

Zhao Xing, meanwhile, flew into the air, activating his Heavenly Eye to scan the seized goods. He wasn't just arbitrarily setting rules.

There were precedents for such actions in both the Inspectorate and the military.

"There are indeed many good things," Zhao Xing quickly checked. Most were pearls, jade, treasures, famous calligraphy and paintings, intended for rewarding lower-ranking soldiers.

Another portion consisted of spirit pills and miraculous medicines, and valuable herbs.

As well as exquisite weapons, armor, miniature mechanical weapons, and so on.

"Many are valuable, but nothing I urgently need," Zhao Xing said after observing for a while, losing interest.

As for eighth-rank treasures, King Tianxia only possessed one: the war chariot.

There were dozens of sets of seventh-rank weapons and armor, but these were all items that could be purchased in the military realm.

Such items were defined as strategic military supplies, and Zhao Xing wouldn't take them. Of course, he could temporarily requisition them, but there was nothing here that caught his eye at the moment.

"Rise!"

A gust of wind swept through, and Zhao Xing separated all the strategic military supplies to one side.

On the field, mostly items below seventh-rank remained.

Many items below seventh-rank were also strategic supplies and could not be distributed.

For example, military-grade six-rank supreme flying boats or six-rank supreme mechanical array devices—Zhao Xing would not touch any items that involved the Great Zhou's forging and manufacturing secrets.

"My Lord."

Shortly after, Zou Yong and Ouyang Zhen, along with Yao Yuanchun and Li Gan, arrived.

"Come in batches. Have the rules been made clear?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Yes, thank you for your generosity, My Lord." Li Gan, Zou Yong, Ouyang Zhen, and others cupped their hands.

"Then go in," Zhao Xing waved his hand.

A group of people cheered as they entered the large detached courtyard.

Yao Yuanchun, however, remained standing where he was.

"Brother Yao, aren't you going to try your luck?" Zhao Xing asked with a smile.

"No," Yao Yuanchun shook his head. "I don't need anything."

It wasn't that Yao Yuanchun was aloof, but that he truly didn't need anything.

What he was currently using was already top-tier.

Even if seventh-rank treasures were placed before him, Yao Yuanchun would still have to pick and choose.

Seventh-rank treasures were generally strategic military-grade items, which could only be obtained through designated channels.

Zhao Xing also couldn't use these for rewards; otherwise, he would be harming others.

"Everyone, follow the rules! Grab three items with your eyes closed! No picking and choosing, or don't blame me for being ruthless!" Li Gan didn't immediately start picking but instead supervised those below him.

"No documents, no military supplies. For everything else, once you've chosen, get out immediately!"

"Remember, this is Lord Zhao's reward for us. Do not betray His Lordship's good intentions!"

"Yes!" The group responded with happy smiles.

Where had the City Guard ever received such treatment?

Even a fifth-rank officer's salary wasn't high, as they had no meritorious rank and thus few sources of income.

Of course, a fifth-rank officer in the regular army was different; to reach fifth-rank in the military, one would have at least a fourth or fifth-grade meritorious rank.

The City Guard didn't usually risk life and death, while those in the army worked at risk of their lives, so their treatment was naturally different.

Now, just taking three random items made them very happy.

The treasures here were definitely "Rebel King's Premium Selections."

What Zhao Xing and Yao Yuanchun disdained to take were, for them, all good items!

They waited in place for a moment.

The City Guard and agricultural officials finished choosing and came out.

"Thank you, Lord Zhao!"

Every person who walked out cupped their hands and bowed to Zhao Xing.

"You've all chosen, right?" Zhao Xing asked with a smile.

"Yes, we have!" the people below happily responded.

"Has anyone chosen something they're not happy with?" Zhao Xing asked. "Step forward and let me see who has such bad luck."

There was indeed someone bold enough. Seeing Zhao Xing was approachable, he stepped forward.

"My Lord, my colleagues said I only took three bottles of fourth-rank pills," a simple-looking middle-aged man stepped forward, holding three bottles.

"I saw 'Divine Blessing Elixir' written on it, with the character for 'divine', and thought it was something good. Damn, these alchemists are truly swindlers."

"Hah!" The people around immediately burst into laughter.

"Hahaha." Zhao Xing also found it amusing.

King Tianxia had plenty of fourth- to sixth-rank treasures. Choosing such a low-tier item was indeed bad luck. "So, is there anyone with good luck?" Zhao Xing asked again.

This time, more people responded.

Some said they got a sixth-rank high-grade treasure, others said they got a sixth-rank supreme-grade treasure.

"Very good." Zhao Xing then looked at the man who had stepped forward earlier.

"What's your name?"

"Replying to My Lord, your humble subordinate is Wang Pingan," the simple-looking middle-aged man replied.

"Alright, Wang Pingan," Zhao Xing said. "Did you hear that? Many people got good things. It's okay if you didn't choose well this time; there will be plenty more opportunities like this!"

"Tianhe Prefecture currently has many rebel kings. Our task now is to eliminate these rebels and confiscate their properties!"

"Tell me, do you want to do this?"

"Yes!" Everyone roared.

"Kill the bandits, confiscate their homes!"

"Kill the bandits, confiscate their homes!"

Seeing their emotions stirred, Zhao Xing extended his fist.

Immediately, they fell silent, all quietly watching Zhao Xing.

"I will give you time to rest. In half a month, we will march to suppress the Xinyang Army! We will confiscate the Marquis of Xinyang's property!"

"Understood!"

Li Gan led the City Guard to rest, but Zhao Xing couldn't stop. He began appointing and dismissing officials in Tianxia County. Yao Yuanchun watched Zhao Xing's main body and clones constantly busy, nodding in silent approval.

"As expected of a military marquis, he mobilized the City Guard with minimal effort."

The composition of the army Li Gan led was too complex: there were people from the Inspectorate Bureau, the City Guard, and the Inspectorate Guard. Because Zhao Xing had demanded that all of them be fifth-rank, how could the City Guard alone supply so many people?

They earned three hundred taels a month; ordering them out to suppress a rebellion, wasn't that playing with their lives?

They weren't usually engaged in such work. Following Zhao Xing out was due to orders, unavoidable.

In the recent battle, dozens more were killed or wounded. Who knew how much resentment they harbored in their hearts?

But now, their enthusiasm was fully mobilized.

However, Yao Yuanchun still couldn't quite understand something. He found Zhao Xing and asked his doubts: "Lord Zhao, may I ask a question?"

"Brother Yao, there's no need to be so polite. Just call me by my name when no one else is around." Zhao Xing still had a special regard for Yao Yuanchun.

This was because the man possessed high talent; at the peak of the fourth-rank, he had the strength to contend with an early third-rank expert.

Furthermore, Yao Yuanchun's luck was very stable, fluctuating consistently within the fourth and fifth 'Derivation' realms. Even when King Tianxia was killed, his luck didn't drop below 'Derivation' three.

"What do you want to ask?"

"Our casualties were not significant, and Brother Zhao, you just notified the county seat to send selected officials to fill vacancies. So why take half a month to rest? And why specifically name the Xinyang Army as our target? Wouldn't that just give them time to prepare?"

Zhao Xing smiled faintly: "I won't be resting for half a month. At the latest, I will depart with my men the day after tomorrow."

"The target I intend to strike first is not the Xinyang Army to the north, but rather the Puyang Army to the south."

Yao Yuanchun suddenly understood: "Brother Zhao, you said that on purpose."

Zhao Xing nodded: "Speed is paramount in warfare; we aim for a surprise attack."

"What we're doing in Tianxia County cannot be kept secret. Deserters and fleeing generals will surely learn of it and spread the news."

"Since that's the case, I might as well say we're going to attack the Xinyang Army."

"The Xinyang Army will surely be nervous and prepare fully, while the Puyang Army will relax their guard."

Yao Yuanchun now felt that every word Zhao Xing spoke held deep meaning, and his admiration for Zhao Xing grew even stronger.

Little did he know that Zhao Xing's actions were also out of necessity.

After all, while the individuals he gathered were not weak, their overall cohesion was genuinely low.

Li Gan could barely even deploy a fourth-level battle formation effectively.

If he had been leading the Divine Might Army, even if their overall strength was one major rank lower, the combat power they could unleash would be stronger than this current force.

Their training, coordination, and discipline were not on the same level.

"For now, this is all we can do," Zhao Xing thought to himself. "If I could command the Yuanyu, Yuankui, and Yuanhe Armies among the eleven garrisons, *that* would be a true army."

These three armies were originally parts of the "Tianhe Army."

The Tianhe Army was originally ranked 460th in the military realm, on par with the Divine Might Army.

However, during the Battle of Yinyou Mountain in the 33rd year of Jingxin, the Tianhe Army's main general died, along with over a dozen fourth-rank adjutants and captains. As a result, the Tianhe Army had to be split into three.

However, many of the Tianhe Army's mid-rank generals were retained; it was just that without a leader, they had to be downgraded and separated.

"Grandmaster." Zhao Xing returned to the warship and entered the grand hall where True Monarch Tianyang's golden effigy was stored. "Is it done?"

"Yes, Grandmaster, please send orders back to the prefectural city, notifying Zhang Ping, Wu Xuanying, and others to send some officials to supplement Tianxia County," Zhao Xing said.

"No problem." True Monarch Tianyang glanced around, then suddenly asked, "Disciple-grandson, why didn't you bring up my golden effigy from Tianxia County?"

"Huh?" Zhao Xing was startled. "Grandmaster, you have a golden effigy here too?"

"Yes," Fu Tianyang said. "Across the nineteen prefectures, within and beyond the seas, inside and outside the grotto-heavens, and in over 540,000 county seats, I have approximately 170,000 golden effigies."

"However, places like county seats only have third-rank golden effigy statues. Only prefectural cities have second-rank golden effigies."

So many?

Zhao Xing was not aware of this information.

But upon closer thought, he realized that during this period, his Grandmaster's power in the Underworld was at its peak.

Because he was the previous Grand Minister of Agriculture, after his death and arrival in the Underworld, he became the rightful Grand Minister of Agriculture Deity!

Only after the current Grand Minister of Agriculture died would his power be transferred to his disciple, Li Boqian.

At that time, the power of golden effigies in various places would weaken by several tiers.

"Understood, your disciple-grandson will go down now." Zhao Xing immediately rushed down.

Why bring it up?

Because when True Monarch Tianyang possessed an effigy, he didn't have to pay a price himself; instead, it consumed the divine power of the golden effigy.

True Monarch Tianyang had already acted twice. His second-rank golden effigy couldn't continue to be consumed without cost; it needed replenishment.

"The temple in Tianxia County City." With a single step, Zhao Xing instantly appeared at the temple in the county city below.

"No rebellion occurred here at all, not even the Underworld passage opened."

King Tianxia had raised the banner of rebellion himself.

As an unrelated king, without even the Ji surname bloodline, and not enfeoffed by King Liang, no underworld deities followed him in rebellion.

Of course, although no defection occurred, there was a period of unrest.

"King Tianxia knew he couldn't borrow the power of the underworld deities and couldn't destroy the temple, so he sealed it with a formation," Zhao Xing said, circling the temple.

Underworld deities, without a command, could not leave the temple's vicinity too far or act wantonly in the mortal realm.

For large-scale actions, the priests had to move the golden effigy along with them.

King Tianxia dared not destroy the temple because the underworld deities would retaliate.

So he could only seal it.

"The level isn't high; force can break the formation."

Zhao Xing immediately cast the Heavenly Thunder Finger, blasting a large hole in the formation.

He then flew into one of the divine halls.

Here too was a golden effigy of True Monarch Tianyang.

However, the statue's height was actually greater than the one in the prefectural city.

Its appearance was younger, its expression fiercer, possessing the domineering aura of a leader of the Heaven-Timing School.

"Disciple-grandson Zhao Xing requests Grandmaster's golden effigy to leave the temple," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands and bowing.

"That scoundrel Li Boqian." The effigy of True Monarch Tianyang suddenly came to life. Its demeanor and expression were very young, and its eyebrows bristled, radiating an imposing presence without anger, completely different from the face on the ship.

"He wants to protect his student, yet he treats this old man's golden effigy as a consumable! What a scoundrel!"

True Monarch Tianyang cursed angrily.

Zhao Xing dared not say a word, only listening.

Underworld Deities had a thousand faces; the personalities, emotions, and temperaments attached to different golden effigies were not the same.

This golden effigy displayed True Monarch Tianyang's majestic side.

"Ungrateful disciple!" True Monarch Tianyang cursed a few times in frustration, then said, "Boy, when you see Li Boqian in the future, be sure to relay this old man's words to him!"

"Yes." Zhao Xing could only nod.

"Hmph!" True Monarch Tianyang reverted to his statue form, allowing Zhao Xing to carry him away.

Carrying True Monarch Tianyang's divine effigy on his back, Zhao Xing felt as if he was carrying a furnace, and it was extraordinarily heavy.

Fortunately, his cultivation Dao body was not weak, otherwise, it would have been truly difficult to carry.

Arriving on the warship, Zhao Xing carried the third-rank golden effigy into the temple.

"Grandmaster."

Zhao Xing gently placed the second golden effigy onto the divine platform.

"Hahaha, were you scolded?" True Monarch Tianyang's laughter entered Zhao Xing's ears.

"Grandmaster truly bestowed upon your disciple-grandson words of wisdom."

"Hahaha, you certainly know how to talk."

After a burst of laughter, the third-rank golden effigy shattered, transforming into a golden light that merged into the second-rank golden effigy.

Zhao Xing felt a change in the second-rank golden effigy, but he couldn't quite describe what it was.

Seeing that True Monarch Tianyang had no other instructions, he cupped his hands and withdrew.

Tianhe Prefectural City.

"What? King Tianxia has been killed?" Zhang Ping was startled. "Brother Wu, are you sure?"

"True Monarch Tianyang said so himself; how could it be false?" Wu Xuanying said. "Zhao Xing has now cleared out all the rebels in Tianxia County. He says there are many vacancies that require officials from the prefectural city to manage."

"Good, we will immediately—hmm?" Just as Zhang Ping was about to gather officials for discussion, he saw a golden light flash from the direction of the main mansion.

Zhang Ping and Wu Xuanying exchanged glances and quickly flew over.

"Rumble~"

The doors of the prefectural yamen opened, and a refined figure slowly emerged, clutching a blood-stained scripture under his arm. Behind him, a group of Ritual Cultivators followed.

"Greetings, Prefectural Lord!"

"Greetings, Prefectural Lord!"

Zhang Ping and Wu Xuanying immediately bowed respectfully.

Clearly, He Zhengchen had emerged victorious in the Grand Ritual Deliberation.

This Prefectural Lord He, finally did not disappoint True Monarch Tianyang.

As long as He Zhengchen was the one who emerged in the end, even if Zhang Ping and Wu Xuanying had died, there would still be a chance to salvage the situation.

"Prefectural Lord, how are you?" Wu Xuanying approached.

"I'm fine," He Zhengchen shook his head. "Yu and Wang are dead, and the other rebels have also been executed."

"Prefectural Lord, the current situation in the city..."

Wu Xuanying was about to say something, but saw He Zhengchen raise a hand.

"You don't need to say anything; I already know everything."

He Zhengchen flew into the prefectural city sky, softly chanting: "Forget the myriad worldly pains, let all worries scatter into the void." As he chanted, a mighty force emanated from him, enveloping the entire prefectural city.

This was the Oblivion Art.

At this moment, the Oblivion Art was different from the usual Grand Oblivion Array.

The fear and chaotic morale caused by the rebellion, among officials at all levels, instantly quieted down.

Their hearts calmed down. Although they still knew a rebellion was ongoing, they were no longer terrified or agitated.

"Heads of all departments, quickly restore government functions. Process all piled-up official duties without delay."

He Zhengchen activated 'Golden Voice and Jade Resonance,' which entered everyone's minds.

The governmental functions of Tianhe Prefectural City were reactivated at this moment.

The common people in the populace also dared to step out onto the streets and resume their daily activities, though they were still not permitted to leave the city.

After landing, He Zhengchen looked at Zhang and Wu.

"Why are there so many vacancies for mid-rank officials? Have so many fifth-rank cultivators died?"

"Prefectural Lord, Zhao Xing, the Third-Rank Inspector for Pinghai Prefecture's Five Prefectures, dispatched a group of people out of the city to suppress the rebellion," Zhang Ping said.

"Inspector Zhao Xing?" He Zhengchen, unaware of this detail, asked, "He dispatched a thousand people to suppress the rebellion there?"

"King Tianxia."

"What?!" He Zhengchen's expression changed. "Nonsense! How long has he been gone? Quickly call him back!"

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

"Has he already died?" He Zhengchen's face greatly changed. "Don't you know he has another identity? Why didn't you stop him?!"

He Zhengchen only needed to check his official seal briefly to find more detailed information in Zhao Xing's archived records.

He knew Zhao Xing was Liu Tianning's disciple, was aware of his relationship with Princess Youruo, and even knew he was favored by Xuantian Academy