The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 95: Receive the decree!
The spirit of Misty Peak quickly regained consciousness.

The Jinghe Dragon King was once a well-known figure in the world's water systems.

Since the Qin state began constructing the Zheng Guo Canal during the Warring States period, the Jing River Dragon King has been linked to human destiny and fortune.

It was located near Chang'an City and held a very important position. However, the Jing River was involved in such an incident more than a hundred years ago, which caused the Jing River system to scatter in all directions. In this vast Jing River, at most some minor demons stirred up storms and waves, and there were no more water gods or dragon lords who had become powerful.

The spirit of Wuyin Peak is ancient, but it is only a branch of Zhongnan Mountain. The place is remote and the earth veins are not pure enough. Compared with the water god of a large water system like the Jing River, it is somewhat weak.

He gathered his spirituality and went to greet them personally.

Even a hundred years later, when the weakened Jinghe Dragon King is weakened, he is qualified to be personally welcomed by him.

Prior to this, many guests had already arrived at Misty Peak.

After receiving the dagger from Li Zhiwei in her dream, the Prince of Guangping immediately took action, swift and decisive. On one hand, he controlled all aspects of the Pei family's activities, and on the other hand, he prepared to submit a memorial to the emperor. Meanwhile, a group of people came to Wuyin Peak to search for the dagger shown in the princess's dream.

This series of actions was quite swift. News and intelligence were blocked, but the Pei family still managed to obtain general information later and quickly responded.

After all, it was a behemoth second only to the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families.

Relatives by marriage, teachers and students, fellow students, and close friends.

Through these personal connections, these powerful clans, like vines, have become intricately intertwined with the Tang Dynasty and the world, making it almost impossible to sever their ties.

Among those who came this time was Teng Haochuan, who had previously received favors from the Pei family.

He planned to blend in and help the Pei family resolve some troubles.

It's not something that can be easily overthrown, like the Pei family, a powerful clan.

Even now, the Pei family still feels that what the Prince of Guangping has done is no different from their own attempts to increase their status in the army; at best, it can only be considered a power struggle within the court.

However, we can simply view those commoners as chess pieces, the world as the chessboard, and you and I as the players.

This has been how it's been for so many years, hasn't it?

A distinguished family should naturally have the demeanor and composure of one's family. How can they act like commoners, jumping up and down, overturning tables, and banging their heads on the ground at the drop of a hat?
Even after finding what Wang Chun left behind, the people arranged by the Pei family casually said, "Wang Chun is indeed a villain and deserves to be killed. That young man has rendered meritorious service in slaying the demon, so he is allowed to atone for his crime by performing meritorious service and will not have to die."

"He can be allowed to enter the front lines of the army, and after making meritorious contributions, he can be released from prison."

"To be able to become a citizen of my Great Tang Dynasty."

"To pay taxes for my Great Tang Dynasty."

Shen Haoyang, a confidant of the Prince of Guangping, said coldly, "Our Great Tang Dynasty protects all people. All descendants of the Yellow Emperor are subjects of our Great Tang Dynasty. How can you say it is or not just by opening your mouth? Emperor Taizong said that the people are like water. Do you understand the Great Tang Dynasty better than Emperor Taizong?"

"If Emperor Taizong were alive, he would be shocked to see such a young hero being humiliated by you."

"I'll chop off your dog's head first!"

Teng Haochuan snorted coldly. When the other side brought up Emperor Taizong, he had nothing to say.

He also knew that he was now siding with the Pei family for fame and fortune.

But if Emperor Taizong's army were to gallop past now, he would not hesitate to abandon everything and join Emperor Taizong's army, fighting and risking his life.

Among this group were also Xuan officials from the Xunji lineage. With the help of magical artifacts and treasures, they used the technique of "round light manifestation," and just as the princess had said, the image of Hei Feng claiming to be the Qingming Fangzhu and the Nine Provinces Patrol Envoy appeared.

Previously, the Pei family claimed that the Shuofang Army had framed the Pei family of the Tang Dynasty, and even slandered the Xuanxiang Bureau, killing good spirits as monsters to claim credit.

But now, it can be confirmed that this so-called benevolent demon is actually a subordinate of the infamous demon Qingmingfangzhu. Now, all the previous accusations against the Pei family are unfounded and may even turn into boomerangs aimed at him.

Teng Haochuan remained calm and unhurried.

Faced with this situation, he remained calm and said indifferently:

"This scoundrel actually intends to frame the Pei family and the Qingming Pavilion Master. His heart is truly despicable."

Just throw dirty water at them.

Shen Haoyang said, "What a fine frame-up! If everything is a frame-up, we don't need to investigate. Everything can be said by you, sir."

The group was at loggerheads.

However, he actually knew that the Prince of Guangping, the Pei family, and everyone else were well aware of the situation.

The team here is just one of the advantages in the struggle against the Pei family. However, its effect in the confrontation with the Pei family is far inferior to the scandals that the Pei family has had in the Shuofang Army in recent years.

However, in such a struggle, every advantage must be seized.

It is precisely these individual advantages, the exploitation of every weakness of the opponent, that accumulate together to create an advantage, to seize the opponent's power and territory, and to finally overwhelm the opponent in one fell swoop once a sufficiently powerful trump card is acquired.

This is a power struggle between the royal family and powerful clans.

as usual.

Just like it has been for a thousand years.

After a heated exchange, Teng Haochuan said:
"Hmph, who was it that appeared in the princess's dream?"

"What if these are evil spirits from the mountains, monsters that want to harm the Pei family? Wouldn't we have been completely deceived?!"

As they argued, a talisman fell from Teng Haochuan's sleeve.

As it landed on the ground, the earth's veins connected, subtly transforming into changes in the earth's energy. He intended to blow up this cave, shatter the vital energy, and ensure a complete and utter defeat, thus eliminating this advantage. Just as the earth's energy was about to shift and the method of revealing the circular light was about to be lost, he...

The sound of wind, like a cheerful laugh, came slowly.

The ripples stirred up by the thrown-down earth energy talisman quickly subsided, proving utterly useless. The sounds of all things in the mountains fell upon the rocks, transforming into layers of overlapping echoes—the old man's loud, resounding laughter.

"Have friends come from afar."

“The spirit of Wuyin Peak of our mountain has been holding a banquet here from afar, and has been waiting for you for a long time.”

The voice was loud and ethereal, carrying a vast divinity that seemed to have emerged from ancient times. Teng Haochuan and the others were all from the Tang Dynasty government; one was a retainer of the Crown Prince, and the other was from a powerful family. Having seen all sorts of things, they immediately recognized the owner of the voice and what kind of being he was.

Ancient spirits of nature!

Authority comes from all things in heaven and earth, exists and perishes, and has nothing to do with the fortune of human dynasties.

It subtly transcends the realm of living beings, representing the most ancient form of mountain worship. Shen Haoyang felt flattered and overwhelmed, never expecting that he and his companions would encounter such an ancient being, and even be addressed as friends by this ancient being, who personally came to greet them.

Then, subconsciously, I thought that I was, after all, a staff member of Marshal Guangping.

No matter what, Teng Haochuan was still someone cultivated by the Pei family of Hedong.

The Crown Prince, from one of the five noble families and seven prominent clans, is already a renowned figure in this mortal world. Faced with such an existence, it is not incomprehensible that even the ancient deity of Misty Peak would take the initiative to appear.

Even so, I cannot be impolite.

Shen Haoyang respectfully clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Shen Haoyang, a staff member under the Great Tang Emperor, His Highness the Crown Prince of the Great Tang, and Marshal Guangping, greets the Mountain God of Wuyin Peak."

Teng Haochuan said, "Teng Haochuan of the Pei family greets the Mountain God."

They were all solemn.

There was also a sense of pride in being able to communicate with the ancient divinity in the voice.

There was little response.

The mountain god seemed to have finally noticed these people, and his majestic voice asked in confusion:
"Who?"

After a moment of silence, Shen Haoyang took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said loudly, "Shen Haoyang, under the command of His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty, pays respects to the Mountain God."

The vast voice laughed and asked, "So that's how it is. Under the command of the Tang Emperor, you recognize him, you recognize him, you do recognize him."

His voice paused, then he said:
"Is Li Erlang's back pain any better?"

For some reason, Shen Haoyang felt like he couldn't respond.

This single greeting reveals the surging, river-like divide between ancient divinity and the mundane world. Faced with such a question that transcends time, even these people from Chang'an City lose the courage to look up and ask.

After a moment of silence, Shen Haoyang thought of something, his eyes brightened slightly, and he asked in a loud voice, "May I ask the Mountain God, did the Mountain God appear in my Li family princess's dream to tell her about Master Qingming?"

Teng Haochuan's expression changed drastically.

Knowing what the opposing side meant, once a being like the Mountain Spirit confirms that the dream message was delivered, then the Li Zhenyue case, which was originally just an advantage point, will instantly change.

The quantities are incorrect.

Enough to cripple the Pei family!

The mountain spirit said, "Wang Chun, that treacherous ghost, has indeed committed many evils, but they were not done by our mountain. We would not do such a thing as sending messages in dreams."

Ok, good, good!
Teng Haochuan was overjoyed, knowing that he had gained an advantage this time. The matter entrusted to him by the Pei family had been successfully completed, and he could now curry favor with the two young masters of the Pei family. This was a great success!

"Indeed, how could the Mountain God possibly appear in a dream? Hmph, I think the princess has been deceived, or perhaps someone in the court has dared to engage in witchcraft again!"

"Wait until we get back, then I'll report you to the authorities."

"Let the officials in charge of supervising the mystical phenomena investigate thoroughly to find out where this evil spirit and filthy energy came from that dared to do such a thing..."

"We must also let this revered deity bear witness."

"I wonder why Your Excellency is here?"

The spirit of Misty Peak smiled and said, "It's to see an old friend."

An old friend?

Suddenly, the mist on Misty Peak began to swirl.

The Jinghe River began to surge.

boom! ! !
A plume of water vapor rose from the water, accompanied by a low, somber murmur. Water solidifies mountains and rivers. Teng Haochuan strode to the side of the mountain and saw that the Jing River, which was originally just a small tributary, suddenly began to rise.

The water-filled bridge extends from here.

A giant python with horns on its head rose up, its low growl echoing through the mountains—a roar that was already the sound of a dragon. The mist in Misty Peak swirled and parted to create a passage, and the ancient voice laughed:

"It really is the Dragon King of the Jing River!"

“'Long time no see,' [Dragon Lord].

Teng Haochuan and the others were shocked.

Looking around, one sees the mist around Misty Peak flowing like a waterfall, the waterfall splitting into gates, and the Jing River stretching out and flying up. Ancient divinity and a hundred-foot-long dragon seem to be conversing, as if one has entered the era of immortals and gods, a vast and boundless place.

The mist and fog swirl around the mountains, and the misty peaks of Wuyin Peak transform into an inviting bridge.

The enormous serpent lowered its head, emanating a faint but immense aura of intimidation. The spirit of Misty Peak smiled and asked the guest what brought him here. The serpent replied, "I have come here on orders."

Teng Haochuan and Shen Haoyang were incredulous.

The title of Jinghe Dragon King is already quite remarkable.

And who else could possibly make this Dragon Lord say "By order"?!
Seeing the giant python looking in their direction, the python's dark golden eyes exuded majesty as it asked, "Have you all come from Chang'an City?"

Teng Haochuan and Shen Haoyang both agreed.

"Are any members of the Pei family here?!"

Teng Haochuan was overjoyed and bowed, saying, "That is me."

The python looked at him and said, "Step back!"

Boom!! Before Teng Haochuan could react, the Jinghe River suddenly exploded, sweeping him directly into the water. He struggled fiercely, not in mortal danger, but certainly suffering greatly.

Just as Shen Haoyang was puzzled, he heard the giant python roar and transform into an old man in a green robe. The old man possessed an extraordinary bearing and held an object with the character "敕" (imperial edict) in his hands. He said:
"I am Ao Xuantao, and I have come to deliver something on the orders of my husband."

He was of the Jinghe River aquatic ethnic group, well-traveled and knowledgeable, and possessed a natural air of composure. He slowly said:

“You all.”

"Come forward."

"Receive the imperial decree."

(End of this chapter)