The most secure job in Dajin

Chapter 413, Blaming

"Minister Wei, you really like to take sides!"

Hua Changxi walked up to Wei Zhenjie with a forced smile.

Just now, if Wei Zhenjie hadn't intervened, Zhao Xi would definitely have made Princess Ling Yuan experience the consequences of provoking Dan Yuan Peak.

Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi, whose eyes were full of dissatisfaction, and smiled without fading, but in his heart he was cursing: This Hua Changxi is really biting the hand that feeds him.

If he hadn't intervened, and the people from Danyuan Peak had actually injured Princess Lingyuan in public, the royal family wouldn't have let Zhao Xi off easily for the sake of their reputation.

At that time, would Hua Changxi dare to expose his strength and confront the royal family head-on?

"Peak Master Hua, you still act impulsively as always!" You do things only to vent your emotions, without considering the consequences at all.

Wei Zhenjie casually retorted to Hua Changxi.

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi's smile faded. She glanced at Princess Ling Yuan, who was surrounded by the cultivators, and felt a ripple in her heart as she sensed the probing gazes directed at her.

Although Wei Zhenjie's words were meant as a joke, they reminded her of the advice that Tong Yao and Jing Liao had given her.

Tong Yao said she didn't know how to restrain herself.
Jingle said she had not observed the precepts.
In the past, Hua Changxi would not have taken these words to heart, and even scoffed at them. But today, she suddenly understood the meaning of self-discipline and restraint.

She is indeed too easily swayed by others' emotions!

Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi, who seemed to be deep in thought, and a smile flashed in his eyes.

It's good that they can listen to advice and reflect on their mistakes.

A major weakness of physical cultivation is that it easily overlooks the role of mental state.

However, in cultivation, whether one follows the path of physical cultivation or the path of spiritual cultivation, in the end, it is one's own heart that is being cultivated.

On the path of cultivation, the greatest enemy is never someone else, but oneself.

This is especially true for Hua Changxi.

He really didn't want to see Hua Changxi end up as a brute who was all brawn and no brains, who would start a fight at the drop of a hat, and who was only driven by his emotions.

Wei Zhenjie skipped over the matter of 'saving Princess Ling Yuan'. He knew very well that many people were secretly watching the situation here, so he went along with their wishes and asked about something that everyone was concerned about: "I heard that Peak Master Hua has been in seclusion for years to break through to a higher level?"

Seeing that he was changing the subject, Hua Changxi went along with it and replied, "Yes."

Wei Zhenjie then asked, "Have you made a breakthrough?"

Hua Changxi sighed, her expression regretful: "No."

Wei Zhenjie laughed: "It seems the problem lies in your state of mind."

Hua Changxi looked over and sincerely asked, "Minister Wei, do you know how to improve one's state of mind?"

Seeing her so informal, Wei Zhenjie chuckled twice, but didn't answer. He simply said, "Mental state is of great importance to cultivators. If one's mental state is unstable, it will damage one's foundation."

"You shouldn't ask me, an outsider, about such important matters; you should ask your teachers."

Hua Changxi shrugged: "I have no teachers or mentors. I've always been figuring things out on my own."

These words caused a brief commotion among the onlookers.

"Does Hua Changxi really have no teacher?"

On the second floor of Lingjing Pavilion, Xia Ji looked at Xia Zhen seeking confirmation.

Xia Zhen nodded: "In that respect, we really didn't find anything."

There was a pause.

"Hua Changxi could be said to have inherited some skills from the Hua family in alchemy, but when she embarked on the path of cultivation, it was as if she suddenly had an epiphany."

Because Prince Shou practiced the Ghost Clan's techniques and caused many disappearances in the outskirts of the capital, including the kidnapping and sacrifice of Hua Changxi and dozens of others, the royal family destroyed the relevant information to avoid implicating Prince Shou.

As a result, other forces never found out about this matter.

After hearing this, Xia Ji's thoughts drifted: "Suddenly, it all clicked."

"In the western part of the Great Jin Dynasty, there was also a person who suddenly had an epiphany and quickly embarked on the path of cultivation."

Xia Zhen's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this: "The Grand Elder is referring to Li Xiao, who obtained Kunlun Mountain and shone brightly in the Kunlun Secret Realm."

Xia Ji hummed in agreement and said nothing more.

Xia Zhen also fell silent. Hua Changxi's family background was already quite poor, but Li Xiao was even worse off. He was an orphan who grew up eating food from many families.

Chance
Cultivation depends on opportunity, but sometimes the randomness and chance of opportunity can make even aristocratic families feel hopeless.

Faced with such an opportunity, their years of accumulated experience seem utterly insignificant.

In Qihuang Pavilion, Shen Qianfan looked at Chu Tianxun, whose face was gloomy, and mustered up his courage to say, "Hua Changxi has no sect. It is almost impossible for her to cultivate to the level of the Palace Master of Lingguang Hall on her own."

He was putting himself in others' shoes; he knew all too well how difficult it was to accumulate cultivation resources on his own.

The Lord of Lingguang Palace kills Spirit Platform cultivators like chickens; his cultivation level is at least at the Condensation Realm or above.

To cultivate to that level, the resources required are enormous.

Such a vast amount of resources is something that even a noble family might not be able to provide, let alone an individual.

This time, Chu Tianxun surprisingly didn't give Shen Qianfan a hard time.

There's no other reason than that, as the younger brother of the retired emperor, he knew something about the process of the royal family accumulating resources. He had even participated in the competition for some relics and knew how difficult it was.

In the square, Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi and suddenly asked, "Have you ever thought about finding a master or something?"

Hua Changxi smiled at him: "I don't know much about the various sects. Minister Wei, who do you think I should take as my master?"

There was an element of probing in her words. She knew that since the Three-Forked Medicine Valley had been taken over by the Demon Suppression Army, Wei Zhenjie must know something about her situation.

However, she wasn't sure exactly how far he had gotten.

Do they already know that she is the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace, or are they still in the stage of doubt?
Wei Zhenjie raised an eyebrow, understanding that Hua Changxi was asking him—who could be her master?
That's true. This guy has already touched the threshold of the physical path. Apart from those old guys guarding the boundary gate, there really isn't anyone who can be her master.

Wei Zhenjie laughed and said, "Taking a master is a private matter, and I have no right to interfere. However, I do know something that I can tell you in advance."

Hua Changxi, being very polite, asked, "What news?"

Wei Zhenjie: "Once Xuanyuan City reappears, Xuanyuan Mansion will open the Hall of Propagation, where seniors proficient in various Taoist arts will preach and answer questions. At the same time, the Hall of Propagation will also be opened, which contains all the cultivation methods and ancient books that Xuanyuan Mansion can collect."

Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi's eyes lit up. Putting aside the one who imparted the teachings, she was truly lacking in various cultivation techniques and ancient books.

Keep in mind, she doesn't even know how to use telepathy yet!

The cultivation techniques and spells available for disciples to choose from at Dan Yuan Peak, Ling Guang Hall, and the Five Elements Sect are pitifully few. "Really?"

When can we enter the Hongdao Hall?

"Can we borrow or make copies of the cultivation techniques and ancient books inside?"

Looking at the anxious Hua Changxi, Wei Zhenjie found it somewhat amusing: "I already said, we have to wait until Xuanyuan City reappears."

Hua Changxi's face immediately fell: "Then we'll have to wait a while."

Wei Zhenjie didn't respond, which made the surrounding cultivators, who had their ears perked up, extremely anxious. They also wanted to participate in the preaching and propagation of the Dao by the Xuanyuan Mansion.

"Improving your state of mind is no small matter, so you must not take it lightly." Wei Zhenjie brought the topic back to his state of mind.

Hua Changxi nodded noncommittally while secretly guessing the meaning behind his words.

Wei Zhenjie looked at her and said, "Although I am not in a position to discuss the specifics of my state of mind with you, I can tell you about a deity's insights on improving one's state of mind that I read in an ancient book."

"The deity said that the process of elevating one's state of mind is the process of finding oneself."

"A person whose heart is not upright or whose heart is not settled cannot break through the predicament of the heart."

Hua Changxi sensed the implication in Wei Zhenjie's words and was about to ask him to elaborate when he added, "People who are unable to break through their mental barriers are those whose minds are in turmoil. Your mind must have been quite chaotic lately."

These words immediately diverted Hua Changxi's attention: "Minister Wei, tell me, why am I so flustered?"

Wei Zhenjie looked at her: "During this time, haven't the rumors circulating outside caused you a lot of trouble?"

A brief silence fell over the square as everyone pricked up their ears.

Hua Changxi narrowed her eyes slightly. Just as Princess Ling Yuan forced her way into Dan Yuan Peak, Wei Zhenjie happened to arrive at the Department of Medicine. She didn't believe it was a coincidence.

When the Demon Suppression Army took over the Three-Forked Medicine Valley, she thought Wei Zhenjie was helping her. But now, his initiative to ask about the rumors has left her wondering what he really wants.

"Only fools believe rumors."

As soon as Hua Changxi gave his answer, the surrounding cultivators began to whisper among themselves.

Wei Zhenjie pressed on, "So the rumors are false, and you're not the Lord of Lingguang Palace?"

Hua Changxi looked at him, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

She couldn't deny that she wasn't the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace, because she was. If she denied it now, she would definitely be embarrassed when her identity was exposed later.

However, Hua Changxi quickly smiled again: "Minister Wei, do you think I am?"

Wei Zhenjie laughed and said, "The Minister thinks you are."

These words caused a brief stir among the onlookers, with many nodding in agreement.

Hua Changxi laughed heartily, seemingly pleased: "Minister Wei thinks so highly of me?"

Wei Zhenjie did not deny it: "Yes, I have always thought highly of you."

Hua Changxi smiled even more brightly: "In order to live up to Minister Wei's high regard, I feel that I must become the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace, otherwise, I will let you down."

There was a pause.

"Since Minister Wei says I am the Lord of Lingguang Palace, then I have no choice but to ask Minister Wei on behalf of the Vermilion Bird Army."

Wei Zhenjie raised an eyebrow. Hua Changxi's tone was quite hostile, indicating that she was dissatisfied with him.

"What do you want to ask?"

Hua Changxi's smile vanished, as if she had truly become the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace: "After the appearance of the Wutong Forest, the Phoenix Clan's demon race invaded Nanxiang County. Why did the Demon Suppression Army sit idly by?"

"Furthermore, if a human secretly attacks the Vermilion Bird Army while the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army just stand by and watch, isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

If Hua Changxi's ambiguous answers previously made everyone think she was trying to confuse the issue, now, after hearing Hua Changxi's questioning of Wei Zhenjie, many people who originally favored Hua Changxi as the master of Lingguang Palace have wavered.

All of the actions of the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace indicate that she is a low-key person. If Hua Changxi were really the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace, she would never have questioned Wei Zhenjie so openly.

"I always thought Hua Changxi was quite straightforward, but I didn't expect him to be so cunning."

Tang Yufeng shook his head and sighed. Hua Changxi questioned Minister Wei so confidently, probably to make everyone believe that she was the Palace Master of Lingguang Palace, and then use his identity to bully others.

Gu Jinfan glanced at Tang Yufeng, who was smug and self-satisfied, thinking he had seen through the truth, and rolled his eyes speechlessly.

However, she had to admit that Hua Changxi's move of openly acknowledging himself as the Lord of Lingguang Palace was indeed quite capable of deceiving some 'clever people'.

Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi in surprise: "You actually asked such a question, it really surprises me."

"Why do you so naturally assume that the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army should support the Vermilion Bird Army?"

"The Xuanyuan Army has its responsibilities, and the Demon Suppression Army has its duties. You don't think that only Nanxiang County was invaded by the demon race, do you?"

"In the Hundred Thousand Mountains to the west, demons occasionally come out to harm the surrounding people. Who do you think is resisting those demons? Do you know that the casualties suffered by the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army are much more severe than those suffered by the Vermilion Bird Army?"

Hua Changxi was taken aback. She hadn't really thought about these things. At the same time, she could tell that Wei Zhenjie was angry about her question.

Wei Zhenjie continued, "Why did you come up with the idea that the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army should prioritize the Vermilion Bird Army?"

Hua Changxi: "I did not ask the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army to prioritize the Vermilion Bird Army. I felt that since everyone is working for the peace of the human race, we should at least help each other."

Wei Zhenjie frowned: "Do you understand what 'each doing their own job' means?"

"The Xuanyuan Army aims to balance the various forces of the entire human race, while the Demon Suppression Army defends against all the demon races that have invaded human territory."

How big is Nanxiang County?

"If they can't even handle such a small-scale disturbance, shouldn't the Vermilion Bird Army first look for the reasons within themselves?"

At this point, Wei Zhenjie stopped and shook his head in disappointment: "I take back what I just said. You are not the Lord of Lingguang Palace."

"If you were the Lord of Lingguang Palace, both the Demon Suppression Army and the Xuanyuan Army would become sinners."

Hua Changxi was somewhat angry upon hearing this, but when she thought that these words could obscure some people's probing into her identity, she calmed down and pretended to be indignant, saying, "You look down on me? How am I not the Lord of Lingguang Palace?"

Wei Zhenjie seemed to have lost interest in speaking. He shook his head and walked away. After a few steps, he turned back and looked at Hua Changxi: "Hua Changxi, you not only have a narrow mind, but you also have a petty heart. You should know that the world has no obligation to operate the way you expect!"

After saying that, he left without looking back.

Hua Changxi's anger was reignited. Watching Wei Zhenjie's departing figure, her face was full of rage, but deep in her eyes, a turbulent undercurrent surged.

She did take Wei Zhenjie's words to heart.

The Vermilion Bird Army suffered heavy casualties. Before this, she really did feel some resentment towards Wei Zhenjie and the Five Generals of Xuanyuan.

But now that I think about it, it seems she was indeed only considering things from her own perspective.
(End of this chapter)