Chapter 634 - 643: Coup in the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty

Elder Jian said hurriedly, "Good. Go on, go on now."

Wen Qingye walked up to Yue Mingzhu, who still hadn’t come to her senses, and said, "Let’s go."

Yue Mingzhu jolted, then blankly followed Wen Qingye into the distance.

Everyone stared at Wen Qingye’s departing figure until it vanished from sight. Only then, after an unknown amount of time, did the crowd finally snap out of their daze.

The Fourth Elder of Cloud Conceal Peak roared with laughter. "The Sword Fairy, the sword prodigy... so what? It is their tragedy that they live in the same era as Wen Qingye."

Jian Chunqiu watched Wen Qingye’s departing figure and remarked with a sigh, "A Swordsmanship genius like him can’t be measured by any ordinary standard. He is the kind of man who can define an entire era."

Around the Sword Forest, everyone from the Celestial Profound Sect, from the Elder Stewards to the youngest disciples, grew solemn upon hearing Jian Chunqiu’s words. It was as if they could see the image of Wen Qingye, sword in hand, moving unhindered and stirring the winds and clouds of the world. The very thought made their blood surge with excitement.

........

The Main Peak of the Celestial Profound Sect, inside the Great Hall.

Bai Henshui sat at the head of the hall, his brows tightly furrowed.

Seated below him in order were Tangg Guanzhong, Peak Master of Chaotian Peak; Yum Tianyang, Peak Master of Forget-Life Peak; Life Peak Master Zhang Zhilin; Chuu Qi, Peak Master of Danxuan Peak; and Hua Lie, Peak Master of Absolute Peak.

All of them wore deeply worried expressions, as if something terrible had happened.

Bai Henshui glanced down at the assembly. "Hasn’t Senior Brother Qii Yue arrived yet?" he asked.

"I’m here!"

The moment Bai Henshui finished speaking, Qii Yue’s figure appeared at the entrance of the great hall. He strode in, found his seat, and sat down immediately.

Bai Henshui nodded, his gaze sweeping over them all before he spoke gravely. "I have summoned you today because there is an urgent matter we must discuss."

Seeing Bai Henshui’s solemn expression, no one spoke. All eyes were fixed on him.

"The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty," Bai Henshui said, enunciating each word, "has undergone a coup!"

"What!? The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty?" Yum Tianyang shot to his feet, exclaiming, "A coup? What kind of coup?"

Bai Henshui continued, "The previous emperor of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty was Pan Wu. But a month ago, his younger brother, Pan Zhongyi, secretly conspired with two peerless masters from the dynasty’s own ranks—Song Lin, ranked seventy-third on the Immortal Ascension List, and Jin Xuanze, ranked forty-second. They assassinated Pan Wu. The experts under Pan Wu’s command had no choice but to accept their fate and submit. And historically, as long as the person on the throne is surnamed Pan, the ’old monsters’ of the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty won’t interfere. Thus, the entire Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty has completely changed hands."

Everyone was stunned by this news.

The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty was situated in the very center of the Eastern Profound Domain. Its territory was vast and its power immense. Most importantly, it was the leader of the Seven Great Ancient Countries. Aside from the Qinglan Ancient Country, which now seemed to be leaning toward the Great Daoist Mansion, the others all unofficially followed the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s lead.

It was no exaggeration to say that the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty effectively spoke for the other six Ancient Countries.

Chuu Qi’s brow furrowed. "So what is this Pan Zhongyi’s stance?"

Zhang Zhilin spoke up. "He’s nothing like Pan Wu. Pan Wu was dedicated to governing his country and his people, and he stayed out of the power struggles in the Eastern Profound Domain. This Pan Zhongyi, however, is different. On his very first day in power, he summoned the Inspection Disciples stationed by the various Sects in the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty. Furthermore, he has dispatched numerous agents to investigate any news about the Dragon Scale."

Tangg Guanzhong lowered his head and spoke slowly. "Pan Zhongyi? Rumor has it he’s an extremely powerful individual, but he’s also headstrong, arrogant, and insatiably greedy. Still, he possesses a certain boldness and intelligence. By doing this, he’s most likely sending a signal to all the major powers: the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty is no longer content to remain on the sidelines. He wants to stir the muddy waters of the Eastern Profound Domain."

Qii Yue stroked his beard. "The Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty is the spiritual leader of a hundred nations, and many hidden masters reside within those lands. These are all reasons why we cannot afford to underestimate the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty."

Bai Henshui nodded. "Precisely. And because of this, Pan Zhongyi is now making outrageous demands. He will ally with whoever offers him the greatest benefits."

Yum Tianyang snorted. "Hmph. Isn’t that Pan Zhongyi afraid of provoking the wrath of all the other major powers?"

Tangg Guanzhong smiled faintly. "He won’t be. Do you really think our Sect and the Taiyi Pavilion would join forces to deal with the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty? The Sword Sect and the Thousand Nether Valley are even less likely to do so."

Hearing Tangg Guanzhong’s words, they all nodded instinctively.

Chuu Qi looked to Bai Henshui. "Then, Sect Leader, what is the Celestial Profound Sect’s official stance toward the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty under Pan Zhongyi’s command?"

Bai Henshui took a deep breath and looked at them all grimly. "I believe the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty’s power and influence cannot be underestimated. We must take this seriously. I’ve heard that the Taiyi Pavilion has already sent two of their disciples, Hai Ning and Guu Hongxiu, to the capital. It seems they want to hold secret talks with the new Emperor. Not only that, but the Daoist School of Non-action has also dispatched several of their most capable disciples and elders. The Sword Sect and the Thousand Nether Valley have done the same. Right now, the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty is a convergence point for powers from every direction, teeming with masters. Therefore..."

Bai Henshui paused before continuing, "I intend to send a new Inspection Disciple to the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty as well. However, this disciple must be someone capable of rivaling those from the Taiyi Pavilion. In addition, we will send two elders. I have already chosen them: Martial Uncle Meng from Life Peak, and the Great Elder of Cloud Conceal Peak, Yun Yazi."

"A new Inspection Disciple?"

Hearing Bai Henshui’s words, everyone present was slightly taken aback.

Chuu Qi nodded. "Huangfu Tian is at the Sixth Heaven of Life and Death Realm. He was born with a celestial phenomenon and possesses a special bloodline; they call him the greatest genius the Eastern Profound Domain has seen in three thousand years. He’s in no way inferior to the masters of the older generation. Just look at his ranking on the Immortal Ascension List—he’s at number forty-four! As for Hai Ning and Guu Hongxiu, our Sect’s disciples can certainly hold their own against them."

He looked at the others, paused, and then continued, "Among our Sect’s current disciples, I believe only three are suitable for this mission. The first is Chu Bufan from Chaotian Peak. The second is Wang Hao from Absolute Peak. And the third is Wen Qingye from Life Peak."

As soon as he heard this, Qii Yue immediately stood up. "That’s right! The strength of those three is more than enough for this mission. Especially Wen Qingye, he..."

Chuu Qi shook his head. "But his meridian issue still hasn’t been resolved. I think it’s better to choose someone else."

Zhang Zhilin remained silent at the side. ’I have a feeling Wen Qingye’s meridians aren’t actually a problem,’ he thought, ’but with so many people here, this isn’t the right time or place to bring it up.’

Hua Lie quickly interjected, "Then let Wang Hao go! He’s my disciple, and I have full confidence in him."

Chuu Qi retorted, "Wang Hao? Isn’t he currently cultivating in the Flame Fire Quicksand Secret Land?"

Hua Lie gave a dry laugh. "I imagine he’ll be finishing up his cultivation very soon..."