It was unexpected that such a major event would occur in Shuntian Prefecture, far worse than Ji Xiang had initially anticipated.
From Old Zhang, Ji Xiang learned the cause and effect of why the Forbidden City had become what it was. He, in turn, recounted the events of the Southern Forbidden City, which greatly astonished Old Zhang.
"So... it was prepared long ago."
"Did Emperor Jiajing search for this Dharma Realm? No wonder he said it didn't matter who became the emperor of the Great Ming."
Zhang Tianshi finally understood why Emperor Jiajing had said those words back then. He wasn't targeting Wanli, his disliked grandson; rather, he thought everyone present was trash.
Even if a real pig sat on the throne, as long as it had the bloodline of Hongwu, it wouldn't matter whether it was a pig or a Zhu!
Ji Xiang gazed at the flying Forbidden City, thinking that in a few hundred years, when the Ming Dynasty fell and was replaced, this Forbidden City would be cordoned off for tourists to visit and charge admission. One would probably need to buy a plane ticket first.
Many Taoists from Longhu Mountain had been summoned by the Heavenly Master and had already gone to Joseon. They went with pride, after all, the first ascendant in the world today came from their mountain. The status of the leader of the Taoist sect carried weight, far surpassing Shangqing Maoshan or Lingbao Gezao.
Old Zhang stated that at the beginning of the Joseon War, his grandson was on the battlefield, serving as a随军法师 (accompanying military sorcerer). He saw this as an opportunity to build his reputation. However, the situation had now worsened. The high-end combat power from the Japanese side was constantly increasing, along with the spirits and resentful souls transformed from wishes. These were not things that could be dealt with by conventional means; a heavy blow was necessary.
Therefore, he hoped Ji Xiang would take care of his grandson when he went to Joseon.
As for Ji Xiang's proposal to attack Japan's headquarters, Old Zhang felt the success rate was too low. There weren't enough ascendant experts, and that was the key point.
The ascendant experts in the "form of mountains and rivers" totaled only eight or nine people, all with their own agendas. In addition, there were a group of "炼神" (Refining Spirit) and "纯阳" (Pure Yang) level agents. Especially these agents, their strength appeared to be within the realm of humanly permissible combat power, subordinate to immortals. However, in actual combat, their true strength might reach the level of a "假仙" (False Immortal).
Reaching the False Immortal level was terrifying. Although they were like glass cannons, they could still exchange a few blows with a True Immortal.
If agents of this level were to run amok while he was away, they would be absolutely unstoppable.
"The imperial court also has a peak Pure Yang expert, the Bi Xia Yuan Jun who guards Mount Tai. However, she cannot easily leave her post, as it is of great importance. The eighteen hells are located there, the place of the world's cycle of life and death, connecting to the Dharma Realm below. Not the slightest mishap can occur."
"It is said that in past eras, at least an Ascended Immortal guarded this mountain. It is a pity that during the chaos of the late Yuan Dynasty, less than one in ten cultivators survived. Let alone Ascended Immortals, even Immortals were cut off for two hundred years. The quasi-immortals at the Pure Yang realm are already the highest combat power."
Ji Xiang suddenly had an idea: "Can one directly reach the eighteen hells Dharma Realm from beneath Mount Tai?"
Zhang Tianshi replied, "Bi Xia Yuan Jun has the authority to descend. For us to enter, she needs to grant permission."
"I learned from Prince Lu that the Underworld seems to have already seized half of the Eastern Peak Dharma Realm. Does she still have any connection to the lower levels of these eighteen hells?"
"Wasn't it said that only beings from the Underworld come to the upper realm? How can such a thing happen!" Zhang Tianshi was immediately greatly alarmed!
The eighteen hells were part of the Eastern Peak Dharma Realm. This Dharma Realm was of great importance. If it were seized by the Underworld, the Underworld could dispatch Yin spirits to the human world on a large scale!
The Myriad Longevity Immortal Palace, while lacking Immortal-level experts, had no shortage of experts below the Immortal level. Given the current guardians of the Eastern Peak Dharma Realm, they would be no match for this group!
"You are mistaken. They already possess Immortal-level combat power. Originally, you were supposed to be advising me, but now I am advising you. I had forgotten to tell you earlier, but it's fortunate I made this trip."
Ji Xiang shattered Old Zhang's illusion, clearly telling him that the Underworld already had at least three Immortal-level combatants, and these three were not ordinary Immortals! m..oΓg
The Soul Transformation method and various strange incantations were just information about King Tianluo alone. The other two were hidden beneath the Nine Lands, their forms shrouded in mist, making them utterly unmanageable.
"Take these fifteen volumes of emergency treatments for this era. They can resolve the peril of soul transformation."
"Be extremely careful. The Song Dynasty secretly seized the Yin Mountain Dharma Realm. Now, their actions are protected by the power of the Yin Mountain Dharma Realm, making it difficult for you to find them."
Listening to Ji Xiang's account, Zhang Tianshi's expression became complex. "Folk magical teachings have always been at odds with the Three Teachings. Now that the Legalist school is in such a predicament, the imperial court should impose restrictions on them. If they are not restrained and continue to act as they please, dominating regions and acting arbitrarily, they will eventually cause disaster."
The magical teachings only followed their own rules and paid no attention to external accountability. They could even be described as reckless. The rules of their sects superseded heavenly and royal laws; this was the sole principle of their actions.
Ji Xiang pondered, "Restraining the magical teachings is also a good thing, but they will not agree easily. With Wudang as the boundary, many magical teachings in the regions to the south act with impunity, spreading their arts throughout the land, especially in the southeast where their influence is deeply entrenched. If the imperial court wishes to impose restrictions, it may be powerless."
"Unless they are uprooted, but this would incite fear and vigilance among all cultivators, and the bad reputation would be secondary. The main issue is that it would cause the imperial court to lose credibility, making it easy for people to use this as an excuse to rebel in the future."
To have a just cause, doing so would be like handing them the justification. If nothing else, the White Lotus Society would surely resurface and cause trouble again. After all, strictly speaking, they had been passed down for over a thousand years. Over a thousand years, three or four dynasties had attempted to eradicate them, but the result was the downfall of dynasties, while they continued to be passed down.
When you find a cockroach in your house, it means there is already a nest under your bed.
"Why not offer them amnesty?" Zhang Tianshi tentatively asked.
After all, even if the imperial court wanted to suppress them now, they lacked the capability. Before the new generation of cultivators grew up, there were not many good options.
The "Investiture of the Gods" decree only summoned monsters. Even if they were enfeoffed as divine generals, they might not be able to contend with the folk sorcerers in the southeast, because... the experts were among the people.
Ji Xiang also understood Zhang Tianshi's meaning. "Whether to offer amnesty or suppress them is up to His Majesty's decision. Heavenly Master, you asked me to go to Joseon and mentioned your grandson, which is actually asking me to protect all cultivators in Joseon."
"These are our nation's new forces, and they cannot be completely annihilated. Is that what you mean?"
Zhang Tianshi nodded, finally able to smile. "Precisely. You understand me, True Monarch of the North Star."
"I cannot leave the Forbidden City at the moment; I am severely injured and cannot even dispatch an avatar. The land of Joseon, where the powers of the three kingdoms interlock, greatly affects the exertion of magical power by cultivators. At the same time, False Immortal-level combat power seems to have appeared there, causing great losses to our country. Only a True Immortal can repel the enemy."
"I implore you for this mission!"
Zhang Tianshi repeatedly emphasized, and also told Ji Xiang that some forces would also enter Joseon this time, namely the Jianzhou Jurchens. Nurhaci was already dead, and Shurhaci had pledged his loyalty. This trip was a good opportunity to weaken their strength. Even if they knew this would reduce their own power, they would still participate, not only to gain some spoils, but because this was originally Nurhaci's petition, which was now simply "approved."
As for Joseon itself... it was unlikely anyone cared. Whether it was Emperor Wanli, Zhang Tianshi, Shurhaci, Toyotomi Hideyoshi... or even the King of Joseon himself, he only cared about the restoration of his country and not the lives of the common people.
After all, if his position was not secure and he could no longer even be a vassal state, what use would the common people be?