Chapter 1005: Summons.

Although Shang Jianqing was a bit arrogant, he wasn't someone who lacked understanding.

He couldn't even defeat Meng Zhang's disciple Niu Dawei, let alone face Meng Zhang himself.

His junior disciple Ouyang Huajin's cultivation base wasn't even on par with his. While he might have some hidden tricks due to his master's favoritism, their combat abilities weren't essentially different; both were cultivators of the same level.

By sowing discord in front of Ouyang Huajin, Shang Jianqing had spoken ill of Meng Zhang with the hope that Ouyang Huajin would employ some underhanded tactics, causing trouble for Meng Zhang.

He never anticipated that Ouyang Huajin would actually challenge Meng Zhang to a direct confrontation.

Given Ouyang Huajin's strength, he was definitely no match for Meng Zhang.

Upon learning that Ouyang Huajin had issued a challenge to Meng Zhang, Shang Jianqing had even attempted to dissuade him, but his efforts were in vain.

Even his master, Ouyang Jian, was very supportive of this duel.

Not only did he not intervene in Ouyang Huajin's decision, but he also attended the event in person, showing support for Ouyang Huajin.

In this situation, Shang Jianqing didn't dare to say much.

However, he found it somewhat peculiar.

Ouyang Jian, the oldest and strongest Sword Cultivator in the Dali Dynasty, although always acting superior and arrogant, wasn't foolishly arrogant.

He should have a basic understanding of Meng Zhang's strength, knowing that Ouyang Huajin wouldn't be a match for Meng Zhang.

Perhaps, Ouyang Jian wanted to use this opportunity to train Ouyang Huajin. This was Shang Jianqing's speculative guess.

However, he never anticipated that during the public duel, Meng Zhang would actually kill Ouyang Huajin on the spot.

Although Meng Zhang spared Ouyang Huajin's Primordial Spirit and didn't touch his belongings, knowing Ouyang Jian's personality, he should have been extremely furious and erupted on the spot.

But Shang Jianqing had followed Ouyang Jian for many years, and based on his understanding of his master, Ouyang Jian's reaction to Ouyang Huajin's death was not what others might have guessed. He didn't seem to harbor any anger but rather accepted everything calmly and peacefully.

This left Shang Jianqing feeling very strange and even somewhat chilled.

Initially, he had worried that Ouyang Jian would vent his anger on him due to Ouyang Huajin's death.As time passed, Shang Jianqing realized that Ouyang Jian seemed to genuinely not care about the death of his closed-door disciple.

To the best of Shang Jianqing's knowledge, Ouyang Jian had no plans for revenge against Meng Zhang, nor did he harbor any intention of blaming Shang Jianqing.

Given Ouyang Jian's character, he couldn't have suddenly become magnanimous, nor would he have backed down because of Han Yao.

When coupled with Ouyang Huajin's unexpected death, Shang Jianqing's thoughts took a darker turn.

Of course, he cleverly kept these thoughts hidden deep inside and dared not reveal them.

Although he was Ouyang Jian's disciple, Ouyang Jian didn't really value him.

The reason he had taken him as a disciple initially was largely due to Shang Family's prestige.

Shang Family held a high position within the Great Unity Merchant Alliance and wielded considerable power.

To curry favor with influential figures like Ouyang Jian, they had frequently sent gifts to his residence.

But if Shang Jianqing really messed up Ouyang Jian's plans, not even Shang Family could protect him from Ouyang Jian's punishment.

Shang Jianqing vaguely sensed that Ouyang Jian was scheming something but could only pretend to be unaware.

On the day when Meng Zhang clashed with Ouyang Huajin, although Meng Zhang unexpectedly killed his opponent, almost all the onlookers didn't think much of it. Р𝘼ℕ𝙤𝔟Ě𝐒

They simply believed that Meng Zhang was incredibly strong and that Ouyang Huajin's reputation exceeded his actual abilities, relying on the support of his sect to become famous.

Meng Zhang, as the victor, had many doubts in his mind, but he couldn't find a way to get answers and had to keep them hidden.

Meng Zhang killing Ouyang Huajin had brought about negative consequences, but it wasn't without its benefits.

As news of this event gradually spread, it somehow reached the ears of Ba Wudi.

Initially, when Meng Zhang submitted the memorial, even if he had bad luck, he might not have received a response from Ba Wudi for a year or more, and Ba Wudi might not have had the time to meet him.

However, within the depths of the imperial palace, Ba Wudi heard about the incident and casually inquired with those around him, quickly learning all the details concerning Meng Zhang.

As a result, Ba Wudi looked over Meng Zhang's memorial in advance and developed an interest in him. He then ordered for Meng Zhang to be summoned.

When the eunuch arrived at the residence of the Five Punishments Guard with Ba Wudi's decree to summon him, Meng Zhang was somewhat surprised.

Regardless of the circumstances, one couldn't refuse or delay a summons from Ba Wudi.**Meng Zhang** traveled alone with the eunuch carrying the imperial decree to the imperial city.

Passing through the city gate, crossing the expansive outer city area, and passing through another gate, he entered the inner city.

Within the inner city, numerous grand and majestic palaces were erected, serving as residences for the royal family's primary members, including Ba Wudi.

In recent years, Ba Wudi had spent most of his time within the inner palace, rarely venturing outside for ceremonial events, including grand court meetings. Most of the political affairs were delegated to various high-ranking officials, including the prime ministers.

Except for occasionally meeting with ministers, he rarely saw outsiders.

This time, he had personally ordered to summon Meng Zhang, marking the first time in recent years that he had met an outsider other than the high-ranking officials.

Meng Zhang had no idea why Ba Wudi suddenly took an interest in him.

As per tradition, newcomers like him, who came to report their allegiance, were usually received by a high-ranking official. Being personally received by Ba Wudi was an extremely rare occurrence.

The only significant thing he had done recently was killing Ouyang Huajin. However, this deed, which might seem significant to others, was likely seen as a trivial matter in Ba Wudi's eyes.

Lost in his thoughts, Meng Zhang paid little attention to the magnificent palaces around him.

He briefly scanned them but was still quite amazed.

Being at a loss for words, he couldn't find appropriate language to describe the grandeur of the palaces before him.

For a world with limited words, he was unable to adequately convey the awe he felt when faced with such incredible architecture, made possible by cultivators' formidable abilities.

Meng Zhang had been to the Heavenly Palace before. However, due to external factors and its geographic location, the Heavenly Palace couldn't easily undertake large construction projects.

Situated above the Nine Heavens, the Heavenly Palace essentially served as a fortress guarding the Grand Dust World.

Moreover, those great powers that controlled the Heavenly Palace might not favor excessively grand and magnificent palaces.

In comparison, the palace complex of the Dali Dynasty in the Grand Dust World was likely the most magnificent in this world.

To Meng Zhang's knowledge, even in the highly developed cultivation civilization of the Middle-Earth Continent, there was no such mighty imperial dynasty.

There, the mortal empires were mere vassals of those large cultivation sects.

[Thanks for reading at Patreon.com/maxnkoga , if you supporting this novel, a heartfelt thankyou, enjoy the content!]