On the Avenue.

Chapter 695 The True Man of Literature
Chen Shi arrived at the Black Dragon Banner, looking at the piles of white bones beneath it, and wondered, "I wonder if the Great Shun Dynasty still exists today?"

When Emperor Da Shun heard that Xiniu Xinzhou was in trouble, he sent Zhang Zhenren. Although the Yuan insect disaster had been quelled when Zhang Zhenren arrived in Xiniu Xinzhou, Chen Shi still remembered this kindness.

Fairy Xiao Duan followed, sensing the demonic and heretical auras in the world, and said: "The Dao of China is declining while the power of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth is gradually weakening, while the heretical and demonic paths are growing stronger day by day. These heretical and demonic paths are not the Great Dao of our own land, but come from the outside world."

Chen Shi squatted down to examine the remains on the ground and said, "What kind of heretical invasion could have killed so many people? Could it be that a great demon landed from the sea?"

Fairy Xiao Duan summoned her primordial spirit, which flew into the sky, looked around, and shook her head, saying, "This place is still very far from the coastline."

Chen Shi put down the skeletons, grabbed a handful of soil containing tiny metallic particles, and said, "Some of these skeletons belong to celestial generals who guarded Hangu Pass. Their magical treasures are all broken, and their clothes have turned to dust. Such heretics are extremely domineering."

Little Duan Fairy withdrew her primordial spirit, and during the time she had summoned it, her primordial spirit actually felt a slight stinging sensation. This unorthodox method was truly formidable.

She examined the sand beneath her feet and found it was all formed from human bodies, clothing, and magical artifacts. The guards here must have been corrupted by heretics and turned into dust.

"The fact that they died outside Hangu Pass indicates that they attempted to fight back, but the heretics were so powerful that they had almost no power to resist," Xiao Duan speculated.

"But there are no remains inside the pass."

Chen Shi was somewhat puzzled and said, "If we are to fight the enemy, shouldn't most of the soldiers stay inside the pass and fight off the enemy that is coming from outside?"

Little Duan Fairy also turned around to look.

Hangu Pass was right behind them. This formidable pass was a barrier against foreign enemies, and holding the pass was the best strategy.

However, the garrison at Hangu Pass charged out from inside the pass to meet the enemy outside, resulting in no corpses remaining inside the pass.

"It's possible that the enemy came from the Immortal Realm."

Xiao Duan murmured, "The enemies from the Earthly Immortal Realm were too strong, forcing these guards to flee Hangu Pass. However, they were corrupted by the heretics and died here before they could get very far..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, and she became increasingly less confident as she spoke.

After all, there is also a Hangu Pass on the other side of the Earthly Immortal Realm, guarded by countless immortal masters, including a Great Luo Golden Immortal like Wen Shi Zhenren. Who could possibly invade the ancestral home of China from the Earthly Immortal Realm?
Chen Shi's heart stirred slightly, and he said, "What you say is very true, Madam. It is very likely that the heretics came from the Earthly Immortal Realm and caught the Ancestral Court's guards off guard, resulting in countless deaths and injuries."

Xiao Duan whispered, "Could it be that Wu Daoren?"

Chen Shi said, "This is, after all, the ancestral court, the homeland of countless immortals and gods. If this place is destroyed, even the True Man Wenshi cannot bear the responsibility. It is also possible that someone who returned to the ancestral court from the Earthly Immortal Realm brought a great demon with him. The great demon entered the pass and went on a killing spree, causing the ancestral court to decline in virtue and increase in evil."

Xiao Duan exclaimed in surprise, "Erlang Zhenjun!"

Chen Shi hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "During this period, it is possible for people to return to the ancestral court from the Earthly Immortal Realm."

He carefully discerned the heretical paths in the world, and a thought stirred in his mind: "There are such heretical paths in the Azure Palace!"

Chen Shi was greatly encouraged and returned to Hangu Pass with Xiao Duan. He summoned the soldiers and strictly forbade them from going out.

The soldiers were puzzled, but they still obeyed the general's orders and held Hangu Pass.

"The star gate is also under guard."

Chen Shi instructed, "If anyone from the Earthly Immortal Realm comes, capture them all; do not let a single one escape."

The soldiers were even more puzzled.

Li Tianwang was skilled at training his troops, and the 20,000 heavenly soldiers and generals quickly assigned themselves to different roles, set up camp, and patrolled and rotated their duties.

Some soldiers, on high alert, summoned their divine spirits and spread them throughout the sky and the void to guard against foreign invasion. Others dug tunnels, buried divine drums, and lay on them to listen to the sounds from the earth. Still others practiced transformation techniques, turning into fish to dive into the river and monitor the movements within.

The soldiers who were cooking set up multiple barriers around the stoves to prevent anyone from using the fire to escape from under the stoves.

"Li Tianwang is a capable commander."

Upon seeing this, Chen Shi felt immense admiration for Li Tianwang, thinking, "He's just petty and disloyal to the Great Heavenly Venerable."

He stayed at the commander's mansion, calmed his mind, and wrote down the Dark Sea Heaven Dao recorded in the Azure Palace, studying it carefully. He had studied all the Dark Sea Heaven Dao on the walls of the Azure Palace; he dared not say he understood them thoroughly, but he could at least memorize them.

Chen Shi pondered carefully. This unorthodox path seemed to be a power that could turn everything into dust, but upon closer examination, it carried a hint of the erosion of time.

"The inscription on the green stele contains a method to break this heretical doctrine!"

He quickly found the solution by comparing it with the contents of the stone tablet.

Chen Shi pondered these intricate Dao patterns for a long time before finally comprehending a Dao technique. This technique involved manipulating the reincarnation Dao power of the Yin and Yang realms, keeping himself in a constant state of reincarnation.

The heretical paths are eroded by time and turned into dust, but if one is in the cycle of reincarnation, being born and dying, dying and being born again, one can be unaffected by the heretical paths of others.

He had basically studied the contents of the green stele, but understanding was one thing, but to use it, he still needed to comprehend the Daoist principles or supernatural powers within it.

Chen Shi summoned the commanders and grand commanders of all the armies, wrote down the Taoist technique he had comprehended, and said, "Spread this technique to the army and let everyone learn it."

After examining it, Governor Wu Guanyun exclaimed in surprise, "Your Majesty, this technique is too profound; I'm afraid there aren't many people who can learn it!"

The other governors carefully studied this Taoist technique and were also greatly astonished, finding it to be even more exquisite than their own methods.

Most of them were Golden Immortals, and the cultivation techniques they practiced were passed down to them by Li Tianwang after they had rendered meritorious service. When Li Tianwang rewarded meritorious service, the cultivation techniques he imparted were often those of the Golden Immortal realm.

They were able to cultivate to their current level, which can be said to have been achieved at the cost of their lives.

Although they received the inheritance of Jin'ao Island after becoming disciples of Jin'ao Island, there are not many techniques that can be compared with Chen Shi's.

Chen Shi said, "If I tell you to spread the word, then spread it. There's no need for further explanation."

Several governors agreed.

Wu Guanyun asked, "Your Majesty, what is the name and origin of this technique?"

Chen Shi thought for a moment and said, "This technique encompasses the art of reincarnation to avoid life and death and calamity, so let's call it the Reincarnation Life and Death Technique. Observe those who have mastered this technique, and promote them to captains or squad leaders, and cultivate them carefully."

Everyone agreed and hurriedly left.

Chen Shi himself also practiced the Reincarnation and Life Technique, mastering the technique to perfection, and then passed it on to Xiao Duan.

More than ten days later, Chen Shi summoned the commanders of each office to inquire about the progress, and said, "Your Majesty, only one hundred and thirty-two people have completed the refining so far."

Chen Shi nodded and said, "Have these 132 people inscribe Dao patterns on all the magical treasures of the army, such as warships, chariots, armor, and sword cases. If anyone else succeeds, let them refine magical treasures as well."

The group then made further arrangements.

The 20,000-strong army remained stationed in Guanzhong, never making a move.

The star gate within Hangu Pass sometimes opens, allowing starlight to shine from the Earthly Immortal Realm, bridging the two realms. Whenever this happens, immortals arrive from the Earthly Immortal Realm, only to be captured by the heavenly soldiers and generals. Chen Shi interrogates them and discovers that these immortals are merely spies sent to gather information. The Heavenly Court, uneasy about the upcoming demon-suppressing expedition, has dispatched many spies to gather intelligence and ascertain the fate of Chen Shi and the 20,000 heavenly soldiers and generals.

—Two of the spies were sent by Li Tianwang.

"King Li is eager for me to die so he can inherit my throne!"

Chen Shi was quite indignant. Standing in the mansion, he cursed Li Tianwang, then turned to the scout and said in a gentle tone, "Go back and tell Li Tianwang... No, you can't go back. Men, lock his collarbone, seal his primordial spirit, control his transformations, and throw him in jail!"

Immediately, heavenly soldiers and generals stepped forward, locked up the spy sent by Li Tianwang, and threw him into the dungeon.

Chen Shi looked at the spy sent by the Great Celestial Venerable and hesitated.

The spies trembled with fear.

Chen Shi waved his hand and said, "Send them to the army, find a suicide squad, treat them as enemies, and let them lead the charge."

The spies, their faces ashen, cried out in unison, "We beg the Heavenly King to lock our collarbones and throw us into prison!"

Chen Shi reluctantly agreed: "Then let's throw him in jail first."

His gaze swept over the last scout, and he chuckled, "The Great Celestial Venerable ordered me to come to the Ancestral Court to suppress the demons, and worried that I wouldn't handle it well, so he sent scouts to gather information. Heavenly King Li would love for me to die in the Ancestral Court, so he also sent scouts to gather information. If you weren't sent by them, then who sent you?"

The scout was a shrewd and capable immortal. Upon hearing this, he tightly shut his mouth and remained silent.

Chen Shi didn't take it to heart and said, "Even if you don't tell me, I can still find out. To enter the ancestral court from Hangu Pass, you need to register and state your purpose. I just need to ask the Taoist Wu who guards Hangu Pass in the Earthly Immortal Realm, and I'll know who sent you."

The spy's lips twitched, but he remained silent.

Chen Shi waved his hand and said, "Men, kill him and hang his head on the city wall."

The scout's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty, and several heavenly soldiers immediately stepped forward and took him away.

After a moment, the heavenly soldiers returned and reported, "We have hung that man's head on the city wall."

Chen Shi asked in surprise, "He didn't confess?"

"No, so we killed him."

Chen Shi waved them away. Seeing his furrowed brow, Xiao Duan asked, "What troubles you, my husband?"

Chen Shi said, “When I led my troops into the Ancestral Court to suppress the demon, I made a great show of force, which must have attracted a lot of attention. If this heretical demon was released from the Earthly Immortal Realm, that person will be worried that I will kill this demon and ruin his great plans. He will definitely send someone to investigate. I only need to guard this star gate to capture the person and find out his origin.”

He sighed, "Just as I expected, a spy has indeed come. It's a pity that this man is so stubborn; he'd rather die than confess."

Fairy Xiao Duan said, "Husband, could it be the work of the Immortal Wenshi, who guards Hangu Pass?"

Chen Shi shook his head and said, "It can't be him. He's guarding Hangu Pass. If something happens to the ancestral court, he'll be the first one to be punished."

Hangu Pass in the Realm of Immortals.

Wu Daoren was quite surprised when he examined the immortals coming and going. He thought to himself, "This Chen Shi is not old and his cultivation is not high, but he has caused quite a stir. He has been away from the ancestral court for a few months, and so many ancient beings have sent people to the ancestral court."

At this moment, a boy came riding on starlight and said, "Senior Brother Wu, the master has woken up and wants to see you."

"Master has woken up?"

Wu Daoren was overjoyed and quickly followed the boy into the air, arriving at the place above Hangu Pass where the starlight was most abundant.

He entered Louguan Heavenly Palace and paid his respects to the True Man of the Beginning of Literature. The True Man sat amidst starlight, his white eyebrows floating like two silver rivers. His eyes were slightly open, and boundless starlight shot out from them, illuminating the dark sea with a snowy white light, causing the darkness to retreat for countless miles.

The Master Wenshi offered him a seat and asked, "Has anything happened recently?"

Wu Daoren recounted how Chen Shi led his troops into the ancestral court to suppress the demons, saying, "Chen Shi has been in the ancestral court for almost four months. During this time, many people have sent spies from Hangu Pass into the ancestral court to gather information."

The Master Wenshi said, "Whose orders are these spies on? Bring me their travel documents."

Wu Daoren presented the document.

The True Man of Wenshi flipped through the document and said, "The Great Heavenly Venerable and Heavenly King Li sent people here, one out of concern for the ancestral temple, and the other out of concern for his own position. So, what is the purpose of the Wenchang Emperor's sending people here?"

He closed the document, handed it to Wu Daoren, and said, "Emperor Wenchang is a deity of the Heavenly Court. He probably knows nothing about this matter. Someone is using his name to gather information. Cross out Emperor Wenchang's name and don't implicate this old emperor."

Wu Daoren agreed, crossed out Wenchang Dijun, and cautiously said, "Master, I suspect that this demonic chaos in the ancestral court was caused by immortals from the Earthly Immortal Realm."

Wen Shi Zhenren glanced at him.

Wu Daoren dared not speak.

"go on."

"Yes."

Wu Daoren mustered his courage and said, "In the past, the demonic disturbances that plagued the ancestral court, accompanied by dynastic changes, were mostly caused by certain immortals in the Earthly Immortal Realm seeking to seize benefits. For example, some dynasties revered Taoism, while others honored Buddhism. Therefore, they needed to create chaos in the ancestral court. I'm afraid this time will be no different..."

Master Wenshi shook his head and said, "This time it's not. This time it's the immortals who want to sever their roots."

“Sever the root.” Wu Daoren asked, puzzled.

The True Man of the Beginning said, "What is the foundation of the Heavenly Court's rule? It lies in the support of the people and the continuous offering of incense. This is the foundation of the Heavenly Court's rule. Where do the gods of the Heavenly Court come from? They come from the ancestral court. The Five Elders of the Five Directions are the Five Emperors of China, Houtu is a Chinese deity, and the gods of the Dipper, Thunder, Plague, and Fire departments all originate from China."

"The people revere them as gods and worship them because of their deeds. All the people in the heavens and the myriad worlds know about China and the stories of the gods in the Heavenly Court. As long as the ancestral court exists, the roots of the Heavenly Court still exist, and there are still people who remember their great achievements."

"Therefore, to destroy the Heavenly Court, we must first eradicate its roots. Destroy the ancestral court, severing the Heavenly Court's foundation. In just a few generations, no one will know that the ancestral court still exists, nor will anyone remember the stories of the gods of the Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court's incense offerings will be shaken."

He said meaningfully, "To cut off their incense offerings, first destroy their ancestral temple."

Wu Daoren shuddered and exclaimed, "Destroy the Ancestral Court? If this gets out, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal will be beaten to death!"

Master Wenshi said, "Doing such a thing will indeed get you beaten to death."

Wu Daoren hesitated for a moment, then said, "Master, should we...should we get involved?"

The Immortal Wenshi asked, "This is a conflict between immortals and gods. Whom should we side with?"

Wu Daoren was stunned, unsure how to respond.

The Immortal Wenshi did not make things difficult for him, and said, "Bring me all the travel documents from these eight hundred years ago. The one who started this must have visited the ancestral court and destroyed the Ming Dynasty during these eight hundred years!"

(End of this chapter)