Eternal Saber-Chapter 242 - 27: Eternal

Yuan Qingshan said, "I have already ordered the Qilin Bureau to take action and execute all the officials who embezzled disaster relief funds! From top to bottom, not a single one will be spared! Including the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture!"

One of the Nine Ministers has been killed!

This kind of thunderous purge must surely shock the officials in a short time.

But wanting to completely reverse the culture of the officialdom, this is far from enough.

No matter how many are killed, it can't be done.

Chen Tang looked at the mountain of memorials piled on Yuan Qingshan's desk.

He picked one up and opened it, and it spoke of bandits in Yaozhou gathering for a rebellion.

Yaozhou, a territory under the jurisdiction of the Yuwen Clan.

Without the Yuwen Family's secret support, these bandits would definitely not be able to cause such a big stir.

The Yuwen Family is also pressuring!

Chen Tang casually opened a few memorials, all of which were local officials reporting ominous events.

Some said meteorites had fallen with inscriptions on them.

Some had papers with prophecies hidden in fish stomachs.

Various ballads circulating everywhere… all pointing to the ruler's loss of virtue, leading to divine wrath, and incurring celestial punishment!

These methods, needless to say, in this world where Martial Arts Mystic Techniques flourish.

Even in the past world, they were commonplace.

With the influence of the Profound Celestial Sect in various places, stirring up such troubles would be a piece of cake!

The pressure Yuan Qingshan is under at this moment is imaginable.

"Is this truly the will of heaven?"

Yuan Qingshan's expression showed a trace of bewilderment, muttering to himself.

Chen Tang said, "Senior Brother, the flood in Qingzhou cannot possibly be celestial punishment!"

The solar eclipse appeared, and the Profound Celestial Sect Leader declared that within a month, celestial punishment would descend.

After that, the great flood in Qingzhou occurred.

Chen Tang absolutely does not believe in the notion of celestial punishment.

It seems too coincidental.

Moreover, if there were celestial punishment, the first to be struck dead should be the Ghost Mother, the Profound Celestial Sect Leader!

"I also believe it's not celestial punishment."

Yuan Qingshan nodded.

But he knew in his heart, whether it was celestial punishment or not, it no longer mattered.

Because everyone in the world believed this was celestial punishment.

This account would all be blamed on him.

"Junior Brother, I'm tired."

Yuan Qingshan sighed deeply.

These days, he was mentally and physically exhausted, already reaching his limit.

But he kept holding on, not wanting to show his weakness, nor wanting to worry people like the Du Clan.

Only in front of Chen Tang would he reveal the exhaustion deep in his heart without reservation.

Chen Tang said, "Senior Brother, come with me, let's return to Xiping Temple."

Yuan Qingshan, devoted to the people, in the end, due to a so-called celestial punishment, received the resentment of countless common people.

If so, why bother paying attention to them?

This Emperor might as well quit!

"I can't leave."

Yuan Qingshan smiled bitterly.

Even if he hid at Xiping Temple, what would it do?

As long as 'divine wrath' is unsettled and the Qingzhou flood unaddressed, countless people would die every day!

How could he find peace of mind?

If he left now, he would no longer be Yuan Qingshan.

Yuan Qingshan seemed unwilling to discuss these matters further, suddenly smiled, and said, "By the way, I haven't been completely idle these days."

"Junior Brother, look."

As he spoke, Yuan Qingshan took down a black-sheathed long saber from the wall beside him.

Its appearance looked identical to Chen Tang's previous saber.

Yuan Qingshan said, "Back then, in Hailing Hall, your saber was ruined, so I gathered hundreds of craftsmen in the palace to melt this saber with Kong Cong's two Flying Swords, and added various rare minerals, taking nearly a month to forge this unparalleled Treasure Saber!"

"I know the poem on this saber radiates righteousness and murderous intent, so I named it—Eternal."

Chen Tang took the long saber, grasped its hilt, and gently drew it.

Clang!

A section of the blade appeared, radiating a piercing cold!

The end of the hilt still bore the engraved poem, each character glowing faintly red, exuding a sense of blood and killing intent!

The saber is a good saber.

But inside Chen Tang, a sense of unease suddenly surged.

"I don't want this saber."

Chen Tang pushed the 'Eternal' back.

"Why?"

Yuan Qingshan asked.

Chen Tang was silent for a moment before saying, "This saber was left by my father, but he is already dead. Later, Cai Yin, the Guard Captain of the Cyan Dragon Bureau, reforged this saber and gifted it to me, and he also died..."

"So you fear I might die as well?"

Yuan Qingshan half-jokingly asked.

Chen Tang did not reply.

He certainly did not believe in such mystical things, but...

Yuan Qingshan said, "Therefore, you all the more should accept this saber."

Chen Tang frowned slightly.

Yuan Qingshan's words seemed only half-spoken.

Before Chen Tang could think further, Yuan Qingshan said, "Take this saber, and this Token, and help me with a task."

As he spoke, Yuan Qingshan took out a golden Token from his bosom.

"This is…"

Chen Tang received the Token and glanced at it.

One side was engraved with exquisite patterns representing the Royal Family of Qian Country, and the other side bore four large characters—As if by the Emperor Himself!

Yuan Qingshan solemnly said, "Junior Brother, prepare yourself, and in the next few days find a chance to quietly leave the Capital City and head to Qingzhou to help me investigate the flood situation."

"With this Imperial Token, no one in the Court can stop you, and you can also mobilize the Four Symbols Bureau and Qilin Bureau. Of course, you must be careful of the Profound Celestial Sect."

Chen Tang nodded, accepted the Imperial Token and 'Eternal', and said, "I'll try to go and return quickly."

"No need to come back."

Yuan Qingshan shook his head and said, "If there is any outcome, you can send a message back with the Vermilion Bird Guard."

Chen Tang stared at Yuan Qingshan, suddenly understanding his intention.

"Senior Brother, are you trying to send me away?"

Chen Tang asked.

Yuan Qingshan must have sensed the crisis in the Capital City and knew that even he couldn't protect Chen Tang, so he gave him the Imperial Token to keep him away from the Capital City, away from this place of dispute.

Yuan Qingshan did not reply, instead, his eyes reddened slightly, and he heavily patted Chen Tang on the shoulder.

"Senior Brother..."

Chen Tang had just opened his mouth when Yuan Qingshan waved his hand, interrupting him, "I originally wanted to keep you by my side to help me."

"But later, I thought carefully, your talent lies in Martial Arts, staying in this muddy Court, scheming and plotting, would only waste your talents."

Chen Tang was silent.

During this time, being entangled in numerous trivial matters in the Capital City had indeed stalled his cultivation.

Until now, he hadn't cultivated to the Sixth Grade Extreme Realm.

Yuan Qingshan smiled and said, "Do you still remember what we talked about once, you said you would rather hold the Heaven-Defying Sword and solve problems in the way of the Jianghu."

"Perhaps, you are right."

In Chen Tang's heart, the way of the Jianghu meant advancing swiftly and courageously in Martial Arts, cultivating to the peak, and looking down on everyone.

Until there was no rival in the world!

No scheming, no plots and intrigues.

Might makes right.

Regardless of your official position, whether you are a Grand Commandant General, a Profound Celestial Sect Leader, or some nonsense celestial punishment, dare to provoke me in this way, one stroke of the sword is enough!

Chen Tang was not good at manipulating power in the Court.

He was better at being straightforward, wielding the sword and striking!