Chapter 4

In this March, Guchen Sha spent his days either pretending to be insane or practicing martial arts and studying the sacrificial edicts at night. He also read a large number of ancient texts.

"Hmm? The historical records are quite interesting. In ancient times, the great emperors built altars with colored earth, placed over a dozen herbs, and sacrificed tigers and wolves to the heavens, obtaining the Tiger-Wolf Pill. Soldiers who took it became incredibly strong, hence the term 'tiger-wolf army.' Also, by placing a coin in a bronze basin and using the blood of a qingfu insect for sacrifice, the basin would fill with identical gold coins. Or setting up a small metal array, placing a sword inside, and sacrificing a white tiger, the sword would become as sharp as a razor. I wonder if these methods are feasible?"

After practicing martial arts, he lay in bed, reading many historical books, both official and unofficial.

In these historical records, there were chapters on rituals, and with rituals came sacrifices.

In addition, there was a section on rituals in the "Tianfu Dian" (The Great Canon of Heavenly Talismans).

The Great Canon of Heavenly Talismans encompassed everything, from ancient to modern texts, making it the foremost book of all time. Currently, only a fraction of it has been compiled.

He wanted to find records about the sacrificial edicts and how to use them.

Indeed, ancient historical records contained much information about the sacrificial edicts.

However, it was difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, and he needed to conduct continuous experiments.

Moreover, the way of sacrifice was not simple; it required knowledge of yin and yang, the five elements, array reversals, and the understanding of time, place, and people.

"These three months have almost fully digested the strength. It seems I can perform the heavenly sacrifice again to enhance my power. This time, I will hunt tigers and experiment with obtaining other items through sacrifice."

In just three months, he advanced from "initial understanding" to "mastery," a true miracle.

Even a favored prince, supported by various elixirs and the best cultivation secrets, would need ten years of hard practice to achieve such a level. A martial arts master is not something to be taken lightly.

Packing his bags, he set out to hunt again.

These days, he had digested the strength of bears and wolves and was ready to advance further, aiming for the realm of a grandmaster.

In the "Qinzheng Hall" of the imperial palace.

Several ministers stood respectfully, while eunuchs in soft-soled shoes served outside, moving silently.

Inside the hall, the copper crane burned incense, emitting a faint blue fragrance. It was not strong but subtle, invigorating the spirit. The smoke rose to the ceiling, forming dragon and tiger shapes.

This was the most precious "Dragon-Tiger Divine Incense," said to be made from the fossilized gall of an ancient dragon mixed with the gall of a mutated golden tiger and true musk. When burned, it could cure diseases, prolong life, and enhance intelligence for anyone who inhaled it.

Only one person in the world could use this incense: Emperor Tianfu, Guta Xian.

Even if others had this incense, they would not dare to use it, as it was a banned item. If discovered, it would be considered a grave offense, leading to the confiscation of property and execution.

Guta Xian did not wear his imperial robes but dressed casually in a green silk robe, his hair tied with a jade crown. He was tall and imposing, giving the impression of supporting the sky, but his face was not stern; instead, he was kind and gentle, more like a teacher than an emperor.

"Your Majesty, the illegal worship has been cleared up, and the deities officially recognized by the ancient emperors have been established. However, there are still some ambitious individuals who secretly worship evil gods and demons. If not careful, these practices will resurface," a minister reported. "We are foolish and cannot completely eradicate them."

The minister was middle-aged, with a fierce appearance and a sharp gaze, indicating his decisiveness and ruthlessness. He was clearly not a scholar but the leader of the military and criminal investigation.

"Lord Piyeh, do not blame yourself. The issue of illegal worship is something that no dynasty has been able to completely ban. Although I have the ambition to cleanse the world of evil, it is not something that can be achieved overnight," Guta Xian said while reviewing the memorials, comforting the minister.

He had a habit of referring to himself as "I" rather than "I, the Emperor," and he used plain language in his reviews, making them clear and concise.

The ministers were accustomed to this style of governance.

This emperor was also a legend. In the past, he was an illegitimate son living among the common people, with no chance of inheriting the throne. Yet, he rose to power, seizing the throne in a miraculous feat, no less difficult than founding a new dynasty. After his ascension, he carried out a major purge, executing thousands and exiling tens of thousands, finally silencing the opposition.

"Clearing up illegal worship is a crucial part of governance. Throughout history, evil spirits have taken advantage of natural disasters to deceive the people and harm the world. If it were just a rebellion by starving peasants, it would be easier to suppress and pacify. But when these peasants are led by the representatives of evil spirits, spreading heretical doctrines to overthrow the government, the state is in grave danger."

Guta Xian wrote "Understood" on an unimportant memorial and moved on to the next.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Lord Piyeh, a military minister overseeing the criminal department and the commander of the Iron Blood Guard, was the sharpest blade of the court, responsible for clearing out bandits and cults and monitoring the behavior of officials. "Additionally, I have another matter to report. Recently, there have been signs of remnants of the Xian Dynasty active in the martial world. I have been conducting a thorough investigation, but have not yet captured any remnants, which is my failure."

"Remnants of the Xian Dynasty?" Guta Xian put down his pen but remained calm. "This is expected. When we destroyed the Xian Dynasty, the royal bloodline was almost completely eradicated, but a few loyal and powerful individuals, like Grand Tutor Wen Hong, escaped. However, with the world now stable and the people desiring peace, these few remnants cannot cause much trouble."

"Yes!" Lord Piyeh finished his report and stepped aside, allowing other ministers to speak.

"Prince Yuan, you may speak first," Guta Xian said.

Prince Yuan Lou Chongxiao, dressed in court attire, exuded a dignified and graceful presence, with eyes like stars and a bright forehead. Unlike Lord Piyeh, he had the aura of a prime minister, capable of leading the officials.

"Actually, I have a personal matter to report... but it is also a matter of state..." Lou Chongxiao hesitated. "Last time, the Empress mentioned that my daughter has come of age and hopes that the Seventh Prince and my daughter could..."

"This matter," Guta Xian pondered. "It is a personal matter, but since it involves my son, it is also a matter of state. Lou Ba Yue has great spiritual potential and carries the bloodline of the Su Nu, with a promising future. The state will need her in the future. I have already issued an edict allowing women to practice martial arts and study, and she can set an example. Gao Ling, come in."

A eunuch entered silently, kneeling on the ground. He moved like a ghost, almost invisible, not seeming like a living being but a spirit.

This was Gao Ling, the chief eunuch of the six palaces and the personal attendant of Emperor Tianfu.

"Transmit the edict: reward Lou Ba Yue with three Essence Yuan Pills, a Cold Chi Ice Armor, and a Li Fire Sword," Guta Xian decreed.

Thud!

Lou Chongxiao quickly knelt down. "Please, Your Majesty, revoke the edict. Such a generous reward is too much for my daughter to bear."

The Essence Yuan Pills were rare elixirs, made from precious herbs and pure essence, taking ten years to refine a batch. Even ordinary princes could not obtain them.

The Cold Chi Ice Armor was said to be made from the scales of a cold ice dragon from the Northern Sea, providing full-body protection and making the wearer feel like a divine dragon. The Li Fire Sword was made of special fire metal, capable of cutting through any ordinary weapon and emitting a burning heat that could ignite anything it touched, often reducing enemies to ashes in a few moves.

The Li Fire Sword was difficult for even a grandmaster to wield, but with the Cold Chi Ice Armor, its power could be fully unleashed.

When the rewards were announced, even the other ministers were shocked, thinking they were too generous, even for a prince who had achieved great military feats.

"Can I revoke my rewards?" Guta Xian smiled.

"Then I will thank Your Majesty on behalf of my daughter," Lou Chongxiao bowed again.

"That's good. You mentioned the marriage. What does Lou Ba Yue think?" Guta Xian stood up.

"Marriage is a matter decided by parents and matchmakers. How can a daughter make her own decision?" Lou Chongxiao prostrated himself.

"I have reformed the world, sweeping away the decadent winds of ten thousand years. One of the reforms is allowing men and women to choose their own marriages," Guta Xian walked around. "I have said that this matter should be decided by Lou Ba Yue. If she likes one of my sons, they can get to know each other. If they are mutually attracted, I will bless their union."

"Your Majesty."

All the ministers immediately knelt when they heard the word "I, the Emperor," knowing that the emperor was about to make an important decision. Guta Xian usually referred to himself as "I," and when he used "I, the Emperor," it meant his decision was final.

"Your Majesty, the greatest emperor of all time, if Lou Ba Yue knows of this, she will be deeply grateful and serve the court faithfully," Lou Chongxiao said loudly.

"By the way, my Nineteenth Prince is named Guchen Sha," Guta Xian spoke slowly. "He is fourteen and about to come of age. Your family obtained the 'Juling Divine Power' when you defeated the Xian Dynasty. Now, retrieve it from the secret library and let Lou Ba Yue teach it to the Nineteenth Prince. They can also get to know each other."

"What?" Lou Chongxiao almost thought he had heard wrong. He never expected the emperor to make such a decision.

Although it was framed as "getting to know each other," it was almost equivalent to an arranged marriage.

Guchen Sha's joke about distributing meat to the starving people had spread throughout the court and the country.

But he dared not object. The emperor's decisions were never changed, and although the Lou family was powerful, defying the emperor's will could result in the destruction of his entire clan with a single word.

"I accept the edict and thank Your Majesty."

Lou Chongxiao was trembling.

He was formidable and mysterious, holding great power, and his word could cause hundreds to lose their heads. But in front of the emperor, he was still a servant.

"What does the emperor mean?" he thought rapidly. "Why would he let Lou Ba Yue get to know the Nineteenth Prince?"

He tried to understand the emperor's intentions.

Guta Xian walked around, ignoring Lou Chongxiao, and asked another minister, "Prime Minister Wen, how is the implementation of the ban on gold and silver and the issuance of paper money going?"

Prime Minister Wen was also a high-ranking official, a first-rank minister, but an elderly man.

His face was like a walnut shell, aged, but his eyes were sharp. While other ministers were intimidated by the emperor, he remained calm. "The implementation is going smoothly. Major merchants across the country have agreed to exchange their gold and silver for the paper money issued by the court."

He and Lou Chongxiao were both prime ministers, one for civil affairs and the other for military affairs.

"It may not be as optimistic as it seems," Guta Xian said expressionlessly. "The old families, with their centuries of wealth, are accustomed to hoarding gold and silver. They do not trust the court's paper money, considering it worthless. It seems we need to take more drastic measures to make them see the reality. The world is not what it used to be."

Boom!

Suddenly, lightning and thunder rumbled outside, and heavy rain poured down.

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