Chapter 118: Chapter 107: A Soul Slave Appears; Clash in the Imperial Court

Cheng Zongyang was stunned; he’d never expected to stumble upon the inside story of the refugee riot!

’So the refugee riot in the County Town was instigated by someone!’

’Two Martial Artists!’

In his mind, Cheng Zongyang immediately pictured the two Martial Artists who had asked for directions, the same ones who had stood on the main road, calmly watching the refugees storm the town walls.

’It has to be them!’

Cheng Zongyang felt more certain than ever that the County Town was a treacherous place. It had been the right decision to leave.

There was no need for Ma San to pledge his loyalty now. His memories contained not only his own experiences but also an ingrained, unwavering devotion and submission to Cheng Zongyang.

"Ma San, since you were once a farmer’s son, you must know how to cultivate land, right?"

Ma San replied, "I do. Although I haven’t farmed in a few years, I still know how."

"Good. I’m putting you in charge of the open land in this area. The rice seeds are in the cabin. Get them planted as soon as you can. There are other seeds as well..."

Cheng Zongyang led Ma San into the cabin and showed him everything one by one.

Only Cheng Zongyang could activate the cabin’s functions. Even things like restoring stamina or healing injuries could only be administered to others by him.

After showing him the contents of the cabin, Cheng Zongyang grabbed a torch and explained his plans for the land, including the need to clean out the pond.

He then left Ma San a Hunter’s Bow and Arrow set he had found on the road, along with a Refined Long Blade for his use.

He himself still used the Ironwood Bow and Arrow, and the Tang Blade. Compared to the Long Saber, he preferred the Tang Blade.

When Cheng Zongyang finished explaining his plans, he worried he’d given Ma San too much to remember. But it turned out Ma San’s memory was excellent.

He had memorized nearly everything.

"Rest assured, Sir. I will cultivate the land exactly as you’ve instructed. I will not disappoint you," Ma San immediately declared.

"Good," Cheng Zongyang said with a smile.

With Ma San around, he wouldn’t have to constantly worry about developing the wasteland himself.

Cheng Zongyang looked at the time and realized it was almost three o’clock.

In a little over an hour, the sky would begin to lighten.

Not lingering any longer, he left the Wilderness World. Feeling incredibly relaxed, Cheng Zongyang immediately hurried back to the Inner Mountain Pass.

By the time he entered the mountains, the sky was already turning a faint, fish-belly white.

Only then did Cheng Zongyang take out a large quantity of Medicinal Materials, place them in the mountains, and prepare to carry them down in two or three batches.

「The Hour of Mao.」

Da Liang, Yangzhou Prefecture.

Yangzhou Prefecture was also where the Da Liang Capital was located.

「In the Imperial Study of the Imperial Palace.」

"Sovereign, it is time for the morning roll call."

As a high, thin voice called out from beyond the door, the sovereign, Emperor Liang, looked up from the petitions he was reviewing inside the brightly lit room. He slowly raised his head, revealing a remarkably handsome face with sharp, sword-like brows and eyes as bright as stars.

Emperor Liang was not yet forty and in the prime of his life. Despite having reviewed petitions all night, he remained full of vigor.

He turned his head to look toward the window; the sky was already faintly lit.

"Have Su Ze come see me." Emperor Liang’s calm voice carried out, yet it held an unquestionable and supreme authority.

"Yes, Sovereign." Someone outside immediately hurried away.

Emperor Liang set down his brush, closed the petition before him, and placed it aside. On its cover were the words "Qianye Prefecture," with "Reincarnation Bureau" written beside it in smaller script.

In less than a quarter of an hour, a young man of about the same age, equally dashing and handsome, appeared as if from nowhere at the entrance to the Imperial Study.

"Your servant, Su Ze, greets Your Majesty."

"Come in."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

At his word, two guards pulled the large doors open.

With a flick of his black-and-white brocade sleeves, the young man strode gracefully into the room.

The guards closed the doors behind him.

"Your Majesty, for what reason have you summoned me?" Su Ze asked, bowing with his hands clasped.

Emperor Liang leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed as if in meditation. "Has there been any progress on that matter?" he asked lightly.

Su Ze immediately responded:

"After several years of searching, we can now confirm the target is in the center of Tianduan Mountain. However, almost all Fierce Beasts and Exotic Beasts have gathered there, seemingly protecting the central area. All the experts at Third Grade and above from the Six Paths Bureau and the Reincarnation Bureau are still trying to break through the beast horde.

"If we Innate Martial Artists take action, we will be besieged by all the Exotic Beasts and provoke a reaction from the central area, so we can only break through slowly.

"But rest assured, Your Majesty, we are already very close to the central area. There should be a breakthrough soon.

"In addition, some spies from neighboring kingdoms are also probing this matter. We have already dispatched a large number of personnel to completely lock down the central area."

Emperor Liang was silent, and Su Ze waited quietly as well.

At this, Emperor Liang’s eyes opened, his expression dark and gloomy.

"Ignore them. They won’t move their troops until they have a clearer picture. In the past few years, the Land of Four Mansions has truly become a mess. Alright, just hurry up over there. This drought has gone on long enough! If there’s nothing else, go see your sister. She misses her little brother."

Su Ze did not respond to the first part; this was the Sovereign’s plan, and there was nothing to say about it.

’If what some of the common folk claimed to have seen back when the meteor fell was true,’ he thought, ’then all this trouble stirred up by the Gate Valves is nothing but a triviality.’

But when he heard the word "sister," a smile touched Su Ze’s lips. His sister, Su Ruyan, was the Empress, and it had been a long time since he had seen her. He immediately clasped his hands and said:

"Thank you, Your Majesty! This servant takes his leave!"

After Su Ze left, Emperor Liang had his attendants help him change his robes in preparation for attending the Imperial Court.

Half an hour later, the sky was already bright.

In the Golden Hall, after all the officials had paid their respects and were standing on both sides, the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Ceremonial Office next to Emperor Liang stepped forward, and his high-pitched voice immediately shouted:

"If you have a report, step forth and present it! If not, court is dismissed!"

The next moment, a low cough came from the assembled officials. A moment later, an official stepped forward, walked to the center of the hall, and clasped his hands.

"Your Majesty, this servant has a memorial to present!"

Emperor Liang glanced down at the man, a middle-aged official he recognized. "Minister Lu," he said coolly, "what is it?"