"Now that the world is in chaos and the new emperor acts unjustly, with the Star Moon Temple acting as a fierce accomplice, wreaking havoc in the rivers and lakes, and harming the common people, if Your Highness does not intervene, what will become of the world's suffering masses?"
These individuals, having been rejected by Pei Xuanjing, were somewhat dissatisfied but still suppressed the fury in their hearts and tried persuasively to convince him.
It must be said that these people, being in high positions, indeed possessed some tactics. Even though they held contempt for Pei Xuanjing in their hearts, as long as he was useful to them, they were still willing to suppress their anger and continue.
Their current humiliation was only temporary. Great achievements are not hindered by trivial matters, and upon the eventual success of their plans, they would have the complete opportunity to return all of today's affronts.
However, Pei Xuanjing wouldn't fall for their tricks. Having seen through their true faces and being incessantly pestered by them, his expression changed and he rebuked angrily, "What His Majesty has done is in the interests of the nation and people. On the other hand, you rely on your own power to dominate regions and oppress the common folk. You are the true scourge of Dahong."
How one views and approaches any issue actually depends on their position and perspective.
...
From the viewpoint of the Martial Artists of Qingyun Path, Wuji Sect, and Tianwu Pavilion, the actions of the new emperor and the Star Moon Temple were oppressive towards them, eroding their interests, making them the villains.
But from the ruler's perspective, the existence of forces like Qingyun Path made it impossible for royal decrees to be communicated effectively. The district commoners suffered under the tyranny of the disciples of these great forces, and these were the real calamities.
From the standpoint of Pei Xuanjing's identity, if he had no aspirations for the throne, he should have sided with the royal family, which was actually in opposition to these individuals. But these people measured others by their own standards, assuming that Pei Xuanjing should desire and have ambition for the throne, which prompted their actions today.
Hearing such an unapologetic reprimand from Pei Xuanjing, the expressions of these individuals shifted dramatically, and the rage they could no longer bear surged. Among them, an impetuous Martial Artist from Tianwu Pavilion at the eleventh level of the Martial Arts Realm was ready to make his move, speaking coldly, "It appears Your Highness has been misled. It would be better for you to follow us back to calmly consider your decisions once more."
Although Pei Xuanjing's personal strength was meager, he had a significant role related to the control over the Royal Capital's formation techniques, a matter of great importance. Thus their visit here naturally came with multiple contingencies, including how to proceed if they truly could not persuade Pei Xuanjing.
Now seeing that Pei Xuanjing could not be convinced, they immediately prepared to enact another plan, to capture Pei Xuanjing by force and then have a Taoist Skill Cultivator use a method to control his mind, thereby gaining a hold over the Seventh Prince.
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In this world where Martial Arts thrived and the Immortal Path declined, various kinds of skills had appeared during the once glorious era of Immortal Path. Among these was a skill meant to manipulate the minds of others, forcing them to act according to one's will.
Originally, their plan was to have Pei Xuanjing willingly take part, which would have had the greatest effect. After all, they were not certain whether Pei Xuanjing, once controlled by the skill, could contest the control over the Royal Capital's Formation Technique Wielder.
But now with Pei Xuanjing being so decisive, they had no choice but to resort to forceful measures. They no longer sought control over the Royal Capital's formation hub, but merely to counter it, ensuring that the formation hub could not be utilized by the other party.
Having failed at persuasion, they immediately resorted to fierce action. The swift change in their demeanor astonished many, as the Martial Artist from Tianwu Pavilion at the eleventh level of the Martial Arts Realm sprang into action aiming to capture Pei Xuanjing.
However, he found that the moment he made his move, the Seventh Prince, of meager Martial Arts stature, showed not an iota of surprise or fear, but instead a look of derisive contempt.
"A mere weakling in the Martial Arts dares to mock me so. Once I've captured you, even if I cannot kill you, I'll be sure to make you suffer and understand that Powerhouses are not to be provoked!" The Martial Artist from Tianwu Pavilion's eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction as he thought to himself.
However, he failed to notice that just as he made his move, one of the palace guards behind Pei Xuanjing took action.
The guard was slower to act but arrived faster, clearly the Tianwu Pavilion's martial artist had struck first, yet before he could touch Pei Xuanjing, he was blocked by someone.
The guard who initially stood behind Pei Xuanjing disappeared in an instant and reappeared before Pei Xuanjing, intercepting the Tianwu Pavilion's martial artist with a horizontal punch.
Boom!
A terrifying power erupted within the hall. This guard, who had previously seemed ordinary and unnoticeable, now exuded a frightening aura. The violent strength emanating from his body as his fearsome punch struck towards the Tianwu Pavilion's martial artist.
Even though the latter was a martial artist of the eleventh level of Martial Arts, at this moment, faced with the guard's strike, the terrifying power brought a look of horror to his eyes.
Martial artists of the eleventh level of Martial Arts realm, even the peak of the eleventh level, were only a hair's breadth away from the twelfth floor!
This Seventh Prince was merely a prince who wasn't paid much attention, so how could he have such a terrifying guard by his side?
The Tianwu Pavilion's martial artist didn't get an answer before being struck by the intense force, immediately retreating, but still, he couldn't avoid the punch and was swept up by its power, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.
"Those daring to strike at Your Highness shall be killed without mercy!" the guard said, his gaze piercingly cold as he stared down the Tianwu Pavilion martial artist. He then swept his eyes over the others, radiating a chilling murderous intent, his voice grave and devoid of any emotion.
In an instant, those looked upon by his gaze felt as though they had fallen into an ice cave.
To these guards, Pei Xuanjing, His Highness, was akin to a god, and their admiration for him from the depths of their hearts was nearly at the level of blind faith.
Seeing someone from Tianwu Pavilion audacious enough to disrespectfully strike at His Highness, these guards were naturally filled with rage.
The guard who had just taken action stood at the forefront, her gaze cold as she surveyed the heroes, while the other guards immediately formed a circle around Pei Xuanjing to protect him. Even though they were aware that with His Highness's strength, no one could harm him, that did not deter them in the least.
"A top martial artist of the eleventh level of Martial Arts, willing to serve as the guard of an ordinary vassal king, it's truly unimaginable," said the martial artists from Qingyun Path and Wuji Sect, who were also of the eleventh level. They were shocked yet puzzled by the display of strength from this guard.
At their level of power, even top powerhouses of the twelfth level could not compel their complete servitude, let alone being a mere guard, hidden away at the side of an obscure, lowly powerful vassal king.
They couldn't fathom it, because no one in this world could imagine, nor would they accept, that these guards were high-level fighters cultivated by Pei Xuanjing. After all, no matter how they thought about it, so many experts couldn't possibly be nurtured by an ordinary vassal king.
The powerhouses from the three camps knew that if the guard was truly committed to protection, it would take considerable effort on their part to capture Pei Xuanjing. They prepared to use their words to confuse and sway the guard to switch allegiances.
However, before they could speak, they heard Pei Xuanjing coldly spit out a few words, "Kill them all, leave only one to deliver the message, no one else."
Leave only one to deliver the message, spare no one else.
Upon hearing these words from the vassal king, the martial artists of the Ji Fang Alliances, which included martial artists from the Eleventh Realm of Martial Arts, couldn't help but sneer in contempt.
Indeed, having such a martial artist of their own Realm as a bodyguard made capturing the target difficult for them. But no matter what, with a three-to-one advantage, the odds were in their favor. The brazenness of wanting to slay them all on the spot was downright delusional.
With their power, even if they couldn't win, they could easily leave unobstructed within the walls of the Royal Mansion—unless, that is, a top Martial Artist from the Twelfth Realm of Martial Arts appeared or several more from the Eleventh Realm came forth. Otherwise, they were free to come and go as they pleased.
...
But could that be possible? Although they did not know where the Seventh Prince had coaxed such a mighty person to serve him, they were certain there could not be many.
Sometimes reality is more bizarre than imagination because imagination still has to follow the laws of logic. Reality doesn't abide by logic or adhere to any fundamental principles.
"As Your Highness commands!"
What they didn't expect was that the moment Pei Xuanjing gave the order, several guards immediately responded, and among these, there were actually several Martial Artists who had reached the Eleventh Realm. Moreover, there were well over a dozen from the Tenth Realm.
Mere presence aside, the force displayed by these guards alone was comparable to many major forces in the rivers and lakes. If a top Martial Artist from the Twelfth Realm were added, they could immediately become a dominant force.
Yet, why would these people willingly serve an unremarkable vassal king?
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They would never find the answer to this question, for the moment the guards made their move, their fates were sealed, just as Pei Xuanjing had said. All but one messenger were destined to die. They had to pay the price for their contempt and disrespect towards Pei Xuanjing.
The world was shaken!
The Qingyun Path, Wuji Sect, and Tianwu Pavilion, three major powers, were making a miserable and battered escape after suffering heavy losses from the imperial court and the Star Moon Temple. They had formed an alliance to seek the help of the Seventh Prince, a descendant of the former emperor, to fight against the new emperor and the Star Moon Temple by entering the Royal Capital.
But to their surprise, not only did their emissaries fail to forge a collaboration, but they also offended the Seventh Prince, who had all of them executed by his guards, leaving only a few messengers alive, with none of the others spared.
The spread of this news shocked the world. Firstly, everyone was astounded that a heretofore unremarkable vassal king dared to attack the three powers and did so with such ruthlessness.
It was known that although the three powers had suffered setbacks from the imperial court and Star Moon Temple, they had not been crippled, and many strong members remained among them. The top Martial Artists of the Twelfth Realm might not be able to contend with the Star Moon Temple, but they were not something the vassal king could provoke.
Of course, what shocked them even more was that the vassal king, who had always kept a low profile and demonstrated exceptional talent only in Taoist skills, had no one pledging allegiance or following him. Yet, suddenly, he had quietly amassed such a group of powerful followers, causing a tremendous stir among the people.
Moreover, since he dared to act so boldly while the three powers still had strength, many speculated he had something or someone to rely on, unafraid of the top Martial Artists from the Twelfth Realm, with a plan to deal with them.
While Pei Xuanjing was not in cooperation with the Ji Fang Alliances and had even become enemies with them, the new emperor's suspicion and wariness towards his Seventh Prince brother had not diminished but had, in fact, grown stronger.
"Silent for so many years, who would have thought that you could quietly amass such a force. I truly underestimated you!" said the new emperor, his eyes flashing coldly upon hearing the news.
He had always felt his Imperial Brother was no simple figure, but he had never been able to catch him red-handed. Now that his hand had been revealed, it proved to be a long-conceived scheme.
In such a situation, the new emperor was even more convinced of his previous speculation that his Seventh Prince brother was not truly contented and unambitious, but rather one with deep and weighty thoughts.
He immediately ordered his subordinates to investigate Pei Xuanjing's fief to discover which power had colluded with him, able to afford such a substantial price.
"Send this message to the Star Moon Temple, tell them to be wary of the Seventh brother. Please make sure someone is prepared to respond," said the new emperor to his subordinate.
No matter what, he and the Star Moon Temple were now bound together. Even if the temple had other schemes, at least in uniting the powers of the world, they shared the same goal and were unlikely to conflict for the time being.
Of course, the absence of conflict now did not mean they would always coexist peacefully in the future. Thus, by alerting the Star Moon Temple to his Seventh brother's doings, the new emperor made a strategic move.
Since the Seventh brother had such strength, there must be a top Martial Artist from the Twelfth Realm backing him. Otherwise, the new emperor did not believe his brother would dare to strike so boldly and expose himself unless he was certain of his ability.
Regardless, although the Star Moon Temple was an ally, no one could be sure of the future, and the temple's expansion was proceeding too swiftly for the new emperor's liking.
He wanted to pit his Seventh Prince brother against the Star Moon Temple, confident that no matter which side prevailed in the end, as long as it wasn't an overwhelming victory for one, it would be beneficial for him.
Pei Xuanjing was unaware of the new emperor's maneuvers within the Royal Capital. Nevertheless, without having to inquire deliberately, given his wisdom and the current state of affairs, any tactics the new emperor could employ would be meaningless and pose no threat to him.
The success of most schemes and calculations depended on the parties being on the same level, compensating for the initial discrepancy to achieve victory.
However, when the disparity became chasm-like, all plans and calculations were futile and of no consequence, offering no advantage whatsoever.