Chapter 1007: Intent.

Ba Wudi's purpose for summoning Meng Zhang this time revolved around two main points.

Firstly, he had heard that Meng Zhang, a member of the Five Punishments Guard, had instantly slain Ouyang Jian's closed-door disciple and blood relative, Ouyang Huajin.

This matter wasn't merely confined to Meng Zhang and Ouyang Huajin; it also implicated two important court officials.

Ouyang Jian, with his long-standing reputation in the court and numerous followers, could be considered a leader of a significant faction.

Han Yao held the position of Grand Judicial Minister, ranking lower than some of the prime ministers in terms of official rank. However, his position was crucial and often held significant influence in many critical moments.

As a rising star, Han Yao had also gathered a group of followers, some of whom were fellow cultivators sharing the same aspirations.

If the two officials clashed fiercely due to this incident, it could destabilize the court and lead to internal and external turmoil.

Hence, Ba Wudi's summons to Meng Zhang carried an underlying message: the matter should come to an end, and both sides should refrain from further entanglement.

Secondly, Ba Wudi and Imperial Preceptor Chunyu Zhongda admired Taiyi Sect during its prime.

In the Grand Dust World, there weren't many cultivation forces daring to oppose the Holy Land Sects.

These cultivation forces, including Dali Dynasty, were interconnected to some extent, although they couldn't truly join hands due to various reasons. However, they still showed a degree of consideration for each other in the shadows.

Taiyi Sect was one of the pioneers that dared to resist the Holy Land Sects. Although it had been destroyed long ago, its legacy continued to be celebrated in many places, serving as inspiration for cultivators opposing the Holy Land Sects.

Taiyi Sect, annihilated by Viewing Heaven Pavilion of the Holy Land Sect, had shown signs of revival after its downfall, which intrigued both Ba Wudi and Imperial Preceptor Chunyu Zhongda. Hence, they took the opportunity to meet Meng Zhang.

After the meeting, Ba Wudi found that Meng Zhang was indeed extraordinary and worthy of the position of Sect Master.

Despite the legacy of Taiyi Sect's predecessors, Meng Zhang's ability to lead the sect's revival indicated he wasn't an ordinary individual.

With Taiyi Sect now under the jurisdiction of Dali Dynasty and Meng Zhang having joined the Five Punishments Guard, their increasing strength was advantageous for Dali Dynasty.

As long as Meng Zhang and Taiyi Sect remained loyal to Dali Dynasty and contributed to its cause, Ba Wudi didn't mind offering them some benefits.

Through their brief conversation, Ba Wudi realized Meng Zhang's understanding of Taiyi Sect during its prime was limited.

In certain matters, Meng Zhang was even less informed than this outsider.

Ba Wudi felt somewhat disappointed but accepted it with a sigh.It had been so many years since Taiyi Sect's destruction, and the senior figures from that era were likely long gone.

The legacy left behind by the predecessors of Taiyi Sect ensured the continuity of the sect, which was probably the extent of their capability.

After all, it was Viewing Heaven Pavilion of the Holy Land Sect that had annihilated Taiyi Sect.

Considering Viewing Heaven Pavilion's style of operation, they wouldn't bother hunting down the remnants of Taiyi Sect. However, the descendants of Taiyi Sect wouldn't have an easy life either. 𝘳А₦ȎＢƐʂ

Those predecessors of Taiyi Sect probably aimed to preserve the sect's lineage and didn't expect their descendants to confront the Holy Land Sect.

As Ba Wudi couldn't extract any more fresh information from Meng Zhang, his interest waned quickly.

At this point, he began to fulfill his responsibilities.

He earnestly admonished and encouraged Meng Zhang, conveying the message that he and Taiyi Sect should serve Dali Dynasty loyally in the future.

Furthermore, Ba Wudi advised Meng Zhang not to stir up any more trouble during his time in the capital city.

After finishing, Ba Wudi sent Meng Zhang away.

"What do you think of this individual?" Ba Wudi casually asked Chunyu Zhongda after Meng Zhang left the palace.

"At a glance, he's an outstanding junior cultivator. Upon closer inspection, he's somewhat inscrutable."

"This person is far from being as simple as he appears on the surface. He likely harbors several secrets."

Chunyu Zhongda shook his head, wearing a slightly puzzled expression.

"In the Cultivation World, how many cultivators don't harbor hidden secrets?" Ba Wudi shook his head, dismissively stating.

"As long as this individual is willing to serve the court loyally, a few secrets are of no concern."

Ba Wudi truly possessed the demeanor of a ruler and didn't pry into the private matters of his subjects.

With his status and position, if he were to unravel all the secrets of his subjects, Dali Dynasty would have fallen into chaos long ago.

As a leader, he naturally understood when to turn a blind eye.

His first impression of Meng Zhang was positive, but there was still a touch of regret.

It seemed that the tradition and spirit of Taiyi Sect, resisting the Holy Land Sect, hadn't been passed down.

Meng Zhang hadn't exhibited a stance of opposition to the Holy Land Sect, as one might have expected from the legacy of Taiyi Sect.However, regardless of the situation, Meng Zhang's mission to come to the local area of Dali Dynasty had been accomplished.

As a newly established sect that sought refuge in Dali Dynasty, Taiyi Sect had completed the final formalities.

Meng Zhang left the imperial palace like this, still contemplating his conversation with Ba Wudi.

The most significant hidden benefit of being received by Ba Wudi was ensuring his safety in the capital city during this period.

If a subject who had just been received by Ba Wudi were to fall victim to an assassination attempt or an accident, it would be akin to slapping Ba Wudi's face.

Ba Wudi's authority was immense within Dali Dynasty, and no one dared to offend him either within or outside the court.

After leaving the imperial palace, Meng Zhang returned directly to the headquarters of the Five Punishments Guard.

Hearing that he had been received by Ba Wudi, Han Yao had finished handling matters at the Grand Court and specifically came over to inquire about Meng Zhang.

Since there was nothing that needed to be kept secret, Meng Zhang straightforwardly recounted the entire process of being received by Ba Wudi to Han Yao.

After listening, Han Yao had nothing much to say.

He fully understood the underlying implications that Ba Wudi intended to convey.

In this incident, Ouyang Jian was the one who suffered a loss.

If Ouyang Jian hadn't sought covert revenge, he wouldn't have gotten involved.

Meng Zhang secretly decided to avoid provoking Ouyang Jian in the recent period.

The grudges and disputes between the two sides could be set aside for a while.

However, it was uncertain whether Ouyang Jian would respect Ba Wudi's authority and easily let this matter go.

In theory, with the incident of Ba Wudi receiving Meng Zhang, any retaliatory plans Ouyang Jian might have had should have been temporarily suspended.

He should wait for some time to pass, for Meng Zhang to leave the capital city and return to the Jiuqu Province, before taking any action.

Han Yao couldn't shelter Meng Zhang forever, nor could he accompany him constantly.

At most, he could ensure that Ouyang Jian wouldn't be able to employ the official power of Dali Dynasty against Meng Zhang.

If Ouyang Jian personally directed his subordinates to attack Taiyi Sect, Han Yao would definitely not sit idly by once he got wind of it.

However, if Ouyang Jian targeted Meng Zhang or Taiyi Sect in the future, using tactics like hidden arrows, Han Yao wouldn't be able to fend off everything.

He was Meng Zhang's immediate superior, not his nanny or bodyguard.

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