Chapter 1225 - 407: A Single Pull Moves the Whole Body (Double-Length - )_4

Chapter 1225: Chapter 407: A Single Pull Moves the Whole Body (Double-Length Chapter)_4

Xi Zhichang: "Brother Shouzhen, do not misunderstand, I have no intent to blame. I hope your son can recognize his mistakes and return to the right path soon.

Today, I invite Brother Shouzhen here to discuss some matters regarding the Heavenly Principle.

The current court prioritizes military action to the north, while the southwest, which is connected to the Heavenly Principle, is kept stable for now, avoiding major movements.

However, long-term planning is needed, considering a decade or even a century, preparations should start now."

"What Brother Fanguang said is extremely true." Nie Zhongjie said: "Though I am not talented, I am willing to do my best."

Listening to Xi Zhichang, it seems the Ming Court will not have any major actions on the official front.

Related matters will rely more on civilian efforts.

Nie Zhongjie was granted awards due to his achievements, but to truly enter the Ming Dynasty officialdom, he must pass examinations.

He himself excels in Neo-Confucian cultivation, but currently focuses on training the younger generation in his family.

The Nie family has already connected with the Chu Party, but future developments are yet to be seen.

Nie Fang...

Thinking of this name, Nie Zhongjie remained calm outwardly, but many thoughts flashed through his mind.

.........

Great Tang Mortal World.

Celestial Master Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Lei Jun was conversing with Ji Chuan who had come from the Mount Shu Sect in the Great Tang:

"Yuan Qingci and Li Miaozhen among the Ming Shushan Sect, have they not been summoned to join the northern expedition?"

Ji Chuan: "So far, that is the case."

Lei Jun: "Do they intend to take this opportunity to reclaim the Qiankun Sun and Moon Pot and other magical treasures?"

"They do not have such thoughts, though the Ming Dynasty is concentrating its forces for the northern expedition, its remaining forces are still strong." Ji Chuan replied.

As for inviting Tang cultivators for assistance, Yuan Qingci and Li Miaozhen among others have not spoken.

The contact between both sides is still minimal, and they are silently observing.

Though Lei Jun has a poor impression of the Neo-Confucian elders in the Ming Dynasty, he similarly has no intention of intervening in this battle.

This amounts to reducing the pressure on the monks of the Mount Sumeru.

"Indeed, a single hair affects the whole body." Lei Jun casually passed a Talisman Decree to Ji Chuan.

Ji Chuan glanced at it, then looked up: "On the side of the world of the Han people, has the Sumeru Treasure Department shrunk?"

Not only has the Sumeru’s Jiamu Department operating in the Ming Realm felt pressure.

The Sumeru Treasure Department in the world of the Han people similarly felt it.

Among the Five Sections of the Mount Sumeru Vajra World, the Vajra Division collapsed earlier, the Lotus Division leader Zongjia along with the Solitary Cobalt Vajra Pestle and Amitabha Peacock Throne fell into Guixu, and previously Master Baima was also lost, dealing heavy damage.

Under such circumstances, the other three divisions have all begun to act cautiously.

The Ming Dynasty has explicitly stated its intention to concentrate forces in the Northwest for a decisive battle.

The Sumeru’s Jiamu Department has no choice but to consider longer-term strategies.

Traditionally, the five divisions operate independently, but under these exceptional conditions, they have had to communicate frequently and prepare in advance.

"The Sumeru Treasure Department has shrunk, and the previously expansive situation in the Han Dynasty has nearly reverted to several years before."

Ji Chuan said: "Previously, the Han territory was lively with the forces of noble families and Great Sky Temple in the Southern Wilderness. What is the current situation?"

Lei Jun: "The noble families have also withdrawn somewhat, not as active as before. This contrasting change allowed Great Sky Temple’s arrogance to grow increasingly rampant."

Ji Chuan could not help but be speechless at this.

Originally a tripartite struggle between the Sumeru Treasure Department, Twelve Noble Families, and Great Sky Temple has changed with the Sumeru Treasure Department willingly retreating, leaving a gap in the balance.

The Twelve Renowned Clans show no intention of replacing Dragon Tiger Mountain in direct conflict with Great Sky Temple, engaging in bloody battles.

On the surface, they certainly wouldn’t walk away, giving the Imperial Family of the Han Court an excuse.

But the result is they seem unable to resist, retreating step by step.

Of course, the heads of various families have their explanations.

Western Region monks were unreliable and fled directly, betraying these allies, causing great "casualties" among each house, leading to today’s woes. The court should punish them severely...

This truly is a case of a single hair affecting the whole body... Ji Chuan held his forehead.

It is just unclear what impact this will have on the Han Emperor and Han Crown Prince.

Dragon Tiger Mountain in the Han Dynasty, Sumeru Treasure Department, and noble family clans all collapsed.

The Imperial Family of the Han Court needs to face the rebels from Great Sky Temple directly.

Lei Jun has no interest in interfering with the Ming Dynasty’s northern expedition, focusing on his own cultivation in the Tang Realm, only intermittently receiving information on the Ming Realm’s situation and war progress through his fellow disciple Chu Kun, Mount Shu Sect’s Ji Dongquan, and Xiao Chunhui, Zhang Hui and others.

It’s rare for the Ming Dynasty not to indulge in internal strife, with a large number of superior experts mobilizing.

Their progress is slow yet extremely steady.

Neo-Confucian scholars grow stronger as they fight, with the step-by-step approach executed beautifully by Chen Yu and others.

Both northern barbarians and the Sumeru’s Jiamu Department are brimming with experts.

Their alliance draws attention.

Yet this time, the Ming Dynasty has exploded with even more impressive war potential.

The Grand Secretary Chen Yu.

The third-ranked Grand Scholar in the cabinet, Sang Yan.

The fourth-ranked Grand Scholar in the cabinet, Liu Chong.

Besides the three current Grand Scholars, several veteran patriots who had retired to the countryside have also returned to the court.

Additionally, the True Martial Temple Master Mu Chunyang and the abbot of Bodhi Temple, Master Guangshu.

Just these top-tier experts alone have reached an astonishing number.

The number of other experts is unknown.

The array of the Ming Dynasty resembles a moving towering mountain pressing first upon the northern plains and then aiming at the Mount Sumeru Buddhist Sect in the Western Regions.

"The strength is unstoppable indeed, but at this pace, it seems they can only chase people back to Sumeru and then seal the Sumeru Portal." Lei Jun said after hearing the latest intel from Chu Kun.

If the Ming Dynasty is not overly greedy, this could be regarded as initially achieving the strategic goal of stabilizing the Northwest.

Given the prior importance Western Region Buddhist Sect attaches to Mount Sumeru, they would not take the risk of shaking Mount Sumeru. They would lay traps, inviting the Ming quietly.

The other side is united for once, thus Sumeru simply closes its doors to them and lets them have their moment.

It is hard to believe the Ming Dynasty can stay united for long...

"I initially thought the same."

Chu Kun’s tone was somewhat odd: "But the latest information received, shows the Ming Dynasty there has successfully seized the Void Gateway leading to Sumeru, thereby continuing the fierce campaign against Sumeru."

Lei Jun: "?"

Chu Kun: "I heard that the Ming Court Palace’s inner attendants also formed a regiment to participate in the war, with Grand Secretary Chen Yu personally leading them, leaving no one daring to cause trouble internally. However, externally, possibly in pursuit of credit, that regiment of inner attendants charged extremely quickly and fiercely, surprisingly succeeding in seizing the portal."

Lei Jun: "..."