Chapter 53

Huang Shang followed Chen Ang to the entrance of the Jixian Pavilion. This was a place where Emperor Zhao Xu enjoyed receiving foreign officials, and occasionally he would come here to read books. Huang Shang did not dare to be negligent and respectfully followed Chen Ang inside.

Although the Song Dynasty was ruled by the emperor and the scholar-officials, the status of the literati and civil officials was highly esteemed. Some old ministers could even sit on equal terms with the emperor. Notable ministers like Wang Anshi and Sima Guang were even more respected. However, Huang Shang had neither the status of a high-ranking official nor the reputation of a great Confucian scholar, so he did not dare to put on airs before the emperor.

Chen Ang, on the other hand, was not so restrained and walked straight in.

Inside the vast Jixian Pavilion, the candles were brightly lit, but only one person was sitting alone at a table. None of Emperor Zhao Xu's attendants were around, and there were only two chairs in front of him, clearly indicating a very private conversation.

Huang Shang hesitated for a moment and then sat down with Chen Ang.

Emperor Zhao Xu's face was dark. He was holding a scroll of the "Song History," seemingly trying to suppress something. Huang Shang, with his keen eyes, saw the large characters "Song History" on the cover and was greatly alarmed. Who would dare to write a history of the current dynasty? It was truly a bold move.

"Boyan Tuotuo, Kublai, truly audacious!" Emperor Zhao Xu was extremely angry. He clutched the silk scroll of the "Song History" tightly and looked at Chen Ang with an agitated expression. "Is this the mandate of heaven for our dynasty? Tong Guan, Cai Jing, and that useless Zhao Ji, the humiliation of the Jingkang Incident, how can I bear it?"

"The mandate of heaven is not fixed, Your Majesty, you are losing your composure!" Chen Ang reminded him calmly.

Only then did Emperor Zhao Xu come to his senses, his face returning to a calm but still dark expression. He remained silent for a long time before speaking. "I will grant all that the True Man requests, but I have one request for you."

"Please speak, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Zhao Xu said solemnly, "Is the mandate of heaven uncertain? Can it be changed?" After asking this, he did not wait for Chen Ang's response and added, "If it can be, True Man, do whatever you need to do! I will support you fully. However, the ministers still have doubts about the martial prohibition order, and I need to mediate. Can the True Man personally persuade those stubborn ones?"

Chen Ang smiled slightly. "Does Your Majesty have anyone you particularly want to eliminate?"

Emperor Zhao Xu was slightly taken aback but quickly understood. He looked at Huang Shang, who was visibly uncomfortable, and said coldly, "I think Secretary Cai is quite suitable. Indeed, he is a loyal and incorruptible official!" The last two words were said with a hint of gritted teeth.

"The thirty-six articles of the martial prohibition order still need to be discussed in the court. True Man Chen, the task of clearing the martial world will be entrusted to you. The palace guards are under your full command, with the authority to reward, punish, and even execute. I have already removed the palace guards' duty to protect the inner palace. Who do you think should be the deputy commander?"

Chen Ang pulled Huang Shang over and said with a smile, "Wen Shu is capable of this great responsibility." Huang Shang was shocked to hear this. He had already been sweating profusely and feeling uneasy from their conversation, and now Chen Ang wanted to drag him into it, making him wish he had never been there.

Before Huang Shang could refuse, Emperor Zhao Xu agreed immediately. "As the True Man suggests, let Huang Shang be the commander of the palace guards, with the rank of commander!" He glanced at the "Song History" on the table and suddenly said, "Now the Fire Worshipers have grown powerful in Zhexi. They call themselves the Ming Sect, with their leader Fang La, and their law kings Wang Yin, Deng Yuanjue, Shi Bao, and Si Xingfang, all rebels controlling their own territories."

"The Ming Sect claims to be a martial arts sect, developing followers and spreading the teachings of Manichaeism. They gather illegally, and their envoys like Li Tianrun, Pang Wanchun, Lu Shinang, and Fang Jie, train in the secluded valleys of Muzhou, plotting rebellion."

Chen Ang smiled. "The palace guards are here for this very purpose, to clear the greenwood and martial arts world, restoring the clear skies of the Song Dynasty. These demons and monsters will be swept away by the palace guards."

"Good! I entrust this to you, True Man." Emperor Zhao Xu's face showed pleasure. "The northwest border army is being reorganized, and the Western Xia army is already restless. With the True Man's help, we will ensure that the Western Xia army will not return! With the momentum of a great victory, I will push for the passage of the martial prohibition order in the court, ensuring that the True Man can act without any hindrance."

Historically, Emperor Zhao Xu had launched multiple campaigns against the Western Xia, forcing them to seek peace with the Song Dynasty. Now, having read the "Song History" and seen this glorious military achievement, he was clearly very pleased and determined to campaign against the Western Xia. At this time, the Western Xia was weak, and the Song Dynasty was strong, so it was incomprehensible if the Song army did not gain an advantage.

Huang Shang, with a conflicted expression, walked out of the Jixian Pavilion with Chen Ang. He hesitated several times before finally asking, "Scholar Chen, what do you mean? I am a scholar in the Hanlin Academy, how can I lead troops into battle?"

"Your fate is such!" Chen Ang said calmly, without further explanation. He instructed him, "When you return, go to the martial prohibition hall to collect your salary, two sets of flying fish robes, a hundred-refined weapon, and the 'Xuanwu Zhen Gong' and a Blood Orchid Pill. In your current state, you are not a match for the Ming Sect's law kings. Time is short, so the pill will have to make up for it, though it's just a makeshift solution."

Chen Ang was not lying. When Fang La rebelled, Emperor Huizong ordered Huang Shang to suppress the Ming Sect. Later, Huang Shang's entire family was killed, which led to his great revenge. At the age of seventy, he led troops to suppress the Ming Sect, and after his family was killed, he secluded himself for forty years to practice martial arts, eventually becoming invincible at the age of one hundred and ten, a legend comparable to Zhang Sanfeng.

Chen Ang even suspected that Huang Shang, being so long-lived, might have been present during the Five Greats' debate in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," watching the younger generation fight over the martial arts he had created. After all, the time between the creation of the "Nine Yin Manual" and the first Huashan debate was only sixteen years.

Ten days later, Chancellor Cai Jing was found dead in his study at home, causing a great shock in the court. According to the investigation by the imperial guards, Cai Jing's chest bones were shattered, and he died from the Dragon Subduing Palm of the Beggar Sect. Emperor Zhezong was furious and ordered the palace guards to investigate, and he proposed the thirty-six articles of the martial prohibition order again.

The court was in an uproar, with supporters and opponents arguing fiercely, but the debate was limited to the court and unknown to the martial arts world. At this time, the martial arts world was in turmoil due to the deaths of many famous experts at the hands of the Murong family's "Turning the Stars" technique. The relatives and friends of these experts were seeking justice.

Chen Ang, leading dozens of riders, galloped down the official road. The trees flashed by quickly, and in just a few hours, they reached a high hill. Chen Ang's men were all experts, but the horses needed rest.

There was no village nearby, and the nearest station was far away. Chen Ang decided to let the horses rest and sat under a tree to replenish his water.

Huang Shang, with his deep internal skills, was more energetic than the others. He had already adapted to his new role, though the transition from a civil to a military official seemed somewhat demeaning. However, his status as a top scholar meant that he was still respected, and the court still viewed him as a civil official.

"Commander, there seems to be someone ahead!"

A red-robed rider reported from the side. Without needing to say more, Huang Shang had already noticed a small black dot rapidly approaching from the horizon. The speed was as fast as a galloping horse, and the shiny bald head of the approaching figure was clearly visible.

A tall monk, about eight feet tall, was running towards them, carrying a fine iron staff and a old man on his back. In just a few leaps, he was quickly approaching, his strides covering more ground than a galloping horse. His face was dark, and his breathing was heavy, though he had not broken a sweat, indicating significant physical exertion.

Seeing Chen Ang's horses tied to the trees, the monk's eyes lit up, and his speed increased. With each step, he covered three yards, yet the old man on his back remained stable as if on flat ground. "Move aside, move aside, I need to borrow your horses!"

The monk swung his staff, creating a strong wind, and with a shake of his shoulder, he lifted the old man onto the horse. He threw a few pieces of silver and said in a deep voice, "I am Deng Yuanjue of the Ming Sect. I need to buy your horses. I don't have the money now, but you can find me later, and I will pay you back!"

"Bold move!" Two imperial guards could not contain their anger and pounced. "Leave the horses!" One of the guards swung his palm, creating a powerful wind that could split mountains and rocks.

But Deng Yuanjue roared, "Saving a life is like putting out a fire, get out of my way!" He swung his staff with incredible force, and the two imperial guards were shocked and quickly retreated. Although Deng Yuanjue had no intention to kill, the force of the staff alone made it hard for the two guards to breathe, and they fell to the ground, disoriented.

The other red-robed riders, seemingly unaffected by their comrades' defeat, remained calm and composed, like meditating monks, not even lifting an eyelid. The two imperial guards, newly transferred to Chen Ang's command, were still holding onto their former status and had not fully integrated into the Longxiang Guard, let alone the martial prohibition hall.

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