CHAPTER 283: CHAPTER 255: 12 DEATH SENTENCES, TAIZHEN SECT DISPATCHED

Zhengsi seemed to understand Song Lin’s intentions.

When his subordinates requested to arrest Song Lin, Zhengsi refused.

"Why? This is a perfect opportunity! Just the right excuse to take him down!"

The Capital Management Master urged anxiously.

Song Lin had already made his opposition clear. Why not seize this chance and apprehend him now?

If Song Lin slipped away smoothly, it would be hard to control him in the future.

Zhengsi shot him a cold glance. "Why don’t you be the Taoist Master instead?"

"I wouldn’t dare."

The Capital Management Master bowed his head to apologize.

"If we act against him now, we’d fall right into his ploy of self-sacrifice."

"This man even dared to kill Fire Cloud. If we let it appear he forced our hand, wouldn’t that prove to the Taoist School that Mei Mountain Jungle is in the wrong?"

"If I’m not mistaken, this person wants to break away from the Jungle."

"What? Then what should we do?"

"Does he even have the qualifications? At least two conditions need to be fulfilled, no?"

Within the four conditions, Taoist Merit and martial contest were the hardest, followed by the Magic Vein condition.

The requirement is that the new Jungle Law Lineage must be innovative, distinct from the previous one; otherwise, it would just constitute intra-sect conflict.

"Don’t forget, Song Lin is the Rampant Soldier Ancestor. On top of that, he has somehow acquired Swordman disciples and advanced cultivation skills. This guy has every reason to make demands."

The crowd murmured among themselves, realizing how much Song Lin had grown unknowingly to this point.

Moreover, with four Core Formation cultivators—where once even one was considered a rarity for any Taoist Temple—it was undeniable.

The key thing was, he didn’t even use the Mei Mountain Jungle Law Lineage for cultivation.

Now, with numbers of Core Formations exceeding fourfold, even if they were reluctant to admit it, the forces led by Song Lin had already taken the shape of a new Jungle faction.

Zhengsi held onto the invitation, contemplating whether he should go and see for himself.

Zhengsi wasn’t the type to blindly oppose Song Lin.

The two of them had no prior interactions or personal grievances.

But their conflict was inevitable.

It began when Song Lin intercepted Zhi Xin’s disciple qualifications, then escalated when Zhengsi assumed the position of Taoist Master.

The clashes between the two would only intensify from here on out.

Zhengsi was an ambitious man; controlling merely half of the Jungle would never satisfy him.

Some would consider Zhengsi foolish for relentlessly opposing Song Lin.

In reality, Zhengsi was exceptionally shrewd. Song Lin demonstrated talents equal to his own.

Not acting against him now—should he wait until Song Lin’s forces fully developed and became unstoppable?

Song Lin’s cultivation and power were currently still lesser than his own; now was the prime time to strike.

His ambition was the role of Heavenly Master. As the son of the Heavenly Master, Zhengsi had been taught from a young age to destroy enemies while they were weak.

If not for Zhi Xin backing Song Lin, the man would’ve been a corpse in the streets by now.

Of course, if Song Lin one day truly posed a threat to him, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.

But the current benefit of killing Song Lin did not outweigh the costs of doing so.

On the other side, Song Lin and his party were en route to Xuanke Temple.

"Huh? Master, why isn’t Zhengsi pursuing us?"

Guu Yuchan asked curiously.

Humiliating Zhengsi in front of so many senior figures—shouldn’t he have immediately struck back?

"That man is smart."

Song Lin mused to himself, recognizing another deeply scheming opponent who wouldn’t fall for traps easily.

If Zhengsi made a move, Song Lin would have the perfect excuse to declare his independence.

Now, announcing his departure would make his position on moral grounds less defensible.

But what of moral high ground?

He would act as needed.

"Prepare more invitations when we return. Invite everyone we’ve even met briefly—whether they come or not doesn’t matter."

Zhi Xin sent word.

Roughly five days. In five days, Zhi Xin would personally deliver the Refiner’s official certificate and confer the title.

Song Lin would also prepare a ceremony for that time.

Zhengsi’s presence or absence wouldn’t affect the outcome.

When Song Lin returned, he informed others of what transpired during the meeting, and the group began meticulously planning the upcoming event.

Song Lin returned to the Master’s Hall to resume secluded cultivation.

Five days in the outside world equaled about five months in the story’s setting.

Regrettably, the lifespan of the Little Golden Altar Cave Heaven had been exhausted; otherwise, it could’ve sped up time further.

Once he became a Refiner, he’d explore whether the Taoist School offered similar grotto heavens for sale.

...

Jian’nan Pass.

Surrounded by perilous high mountains.

The only route into Shu was a single plank road.

The surrounding watchtowers were manned by countless sentry soldiers.

It was truly a place where one man could hold the pass against ten thousand.

An army of 20,000 held off 100,000 Han Army forces and 10,000 flag soldiers, dealing significant casualties to the northern troops.

Central Army Camp.

A robust man clad in white helmet and armor sat at the main seat, beside him a burly Han Army general donning Light Armor.

The man in the white helmet was Helun, the eldest son of Emperor Jingguo Tianzhi, titled Prince of Harmony.

Beside him was General of Fuyuan, Wu Ming.

"I had someone investigate. The one defending Jian’nan Pass is the so-called General of Jing Country’s Li Dynasty, Song Lin. This person’s background is mysterious; he emerged out of nowhere a few months ago, spent lavishly to bribe eunuchs, obtained a general’s title, and then recruited 20,000 troops."

General Wu Ming spoke in a low voice.

"Emerging out of nowhere? Could it be an Abnormal Soldier?"

Upon hearing the term "Abnormal Soldier," a shadowy figure in the hall’s corners breathed heavily with excitement.

"Lord, if it’s an Abnormal Soldier, my Taizhen Sect can eliminate the threat for you!"

Clatter!

The curtain of the Central Army Camp was pushed aside.

A short old man in a green robe, with a mustache and a braided ponytail on his head, entered.

Several dignified disciples followed behind him.

"Oh? So it’s Qiying Taoist. Could a mere Abnormal Soldier warrant troubling you?"

"I can’t wait any longer. Once we conquer Shu, and then shatter Fuzhou, when the Upper Country unites the Divine Land, don’t forget to grant the National Religion’s position to us!"

Qiying Taoist declared.

"Agreed! It’s a deal!" Fulun shifted his gaze to the shadowy figure. "Aquan, accompany the Taoist."

Seeing his achievements about to be claimed by others, Wu Ming devised a sinister plan on the spot.

"Taoists, hold your hands for now. Avoid alarming the enemy. Let our forces press hard against Jian’nan Pass first, then we’ll strike from within to break the pass."

"How will you strike from within? Assassins? Or have the Taoist execute a beheading move?"

Fulun asked.

Wu Ming grinned poisonously and said:

"There are those who covet Song Lin’s life more than we do. All we need to do is dispatch spies to spread rumors claiming Song Lin is amassing private forces and overstepping his bounds..."

"Will the Southern Emperor believe such a crude lie?"

Fulun doubted.

"The Southern Emperor is muddleheaded, and the court filled with mediocrity. In that place, embezzlers live while the capable die..." Wu Ming quipped knowingly. "Just give me three days. Within three days, the city will fall."

"Hahaha, well said! It appears a Han knows Han motives best."

Wu Ming’s predictions were accurate. However, it wasn’t Jing Country that showed impatience—it was the court of the Lii Dynasty.

Song Lin’s repeated victories against the seemingly invincible barbarians, defending people’s livelihoods, had earned immense renown.

The Emperor Longqing, hearing the rumors from outside, woke in terror multiple times at night, fearing Song Lin would take up arms against him.

"Your Majesty, Song Lin has heedlessly provoked border conflict, killing scores of Jing Country soldiers. If we don’t execute him, the Jing Army will never withdraw, and peace talks will be impossible."

Inside the dim, sinister imperial hall, ministers, pale-faced and gaunt, stood motionless like specters.

"Fine, summon Song Lin back for execution!" Emperor Longqing ordered the eunuch to send an urgent decree.

Jian’nan Pass.

The valley was littered with over ten thousand corpses, blood flowing in torrents.

The stench of blood hung thickly in the air, impossible to dispel.

Inside the main camp, Ma Jiefu and Gongsun Jiuniang were both present.

Joining them were two youths and an elderly man.

"This is Ye Sheng, this is Households Commander Zhang, and this is former Cabinet Elder Mr. Zhuge."

The first two were ambitious individuals whose talents had long been suppressed by misfortune.

Mr. Zhuge, on the other hand, had been framed by eunuchs.

"Thank you, General. Without you, the Divine Land would have been lost." Mr. Zhuge saluted. "Based on the current situation, if we maintain resistance for a while longer, exhausting the enemy’s strength, we can mobilize nationwide effort to push out of Shu."

The Lii Dynasty wasn’t as fragile as it seemed. Moreover, Jing Country had its own underlying instability—its head-shaving edict had led to countless civilian uprisings.

If the Lii Dynasty displayed greater strength, heroes from across the land would rise up, reclaiming the mountains and rivers, and restoring Da Lii’s rightful rule would no longer be a distant dream.

Song Lin smiled faintly, choosing not to speak.

"Report! An imperial decree has arrived from the court!"

A eunuch carrying the imperial decree strode in, arrogant and domineering.

"Song Lin, receive the decree!"

Mr. Zhuge and the two youths knelt immediately.

"Cut the theatrics; spit it out already!"

Song Lin said impatiently.

His blunt words left the kneeling trio pale-faced.

"How dare you... Urgh...!"

Song Lin skimmed the imperial decree and discovered it was an order summoning him back to Jinguan City without explanation. He crumpled the decree and shoved it into the eunuch’s mouth.

"Scram!"

The eunuch was carried out by guards.

"General Song, what are you doing?"

Mr. Zhuge questioned, alarmed.

Could this be rebellion?

"Do you know what the decree said? It summoned me back without any reason whatsoever. Have they forgotten the fate of Yue Wumu?"

Song Lin retorted.

"The Emperor is wise; such things are impossible."

Song Lin, unwilling to argue further, cast him a scornful glance. "Do you even believe that nonsense yourself?"

Mr. Zhuge and his two companions, though capable, still clung to illusions about the Emperor.

Mr. Zhuge slumped down in dejection, rendered speechless.

The battle intensified over the next three days.

The Emperor issued six consecutive decrees.

These weren’t decrees—they were death warrants!

Such urgent proclamations made it glaringly obvious to everyone that the Emperor intended to harm Song Lin.

In the Jian’nan Pass vicinity, thanks to Ma Jiefu’s influence, both the troops and civilians were aware of the decrees.

No one, whether soldier or commoner, wanted the tragedy of Grandpa Yue to repeat itself. Even Mr. Zhuge had changed his stance and repeatedly urged Song Lin not to return.

He had come to understand.

The Taoist legacy of the Han people mattered above all. The Emperor was irrelevant. If preserving the legacy meant Song Lin taking the throne, so be it.

The court, however, refused to abandon its plans, escalating from commands to warnings and then threats.

They issued a total of twelve decrees.

When faced with a trembling eunuch carrying the latest decree, Song Lin smiled faintly and said, "Your servant obeys and will depart immediately!"

Not long after, Song Lin boarded a carriage accompanied by Gongsun Jiuniang and Ma Jiefu.

"General, why are you returning?"

Beside the carriage, Mr. Zhuge was perplexed.

"I was planning to go all along!"

"Then why resist returning earlier?"

Mr. Zhuge was thoroughly baffled.

"At the very least, let me enjoy the treatment Yue Wumu received, no?"

Song Lin dropped the curtain and addressed Ma Jiefu, "Let’s move out!"

With a snap of the reins, the carriage began rolling forward.

Mr. Zhuge panicked.

"You’ll be killed if you return!!"

"Hahaha, who dies is yet to be decided!"

Leaving behind only a cryptic remark, Song Lin’s carriage gradually disappeared into the distance.

This turn of events had left him truly furious.

Jing Country wasn’t in a rush. Cultivators and demons weren’t either. Yet his own comrades seemed desperate.

Almost fearful that he might achieve merit, accomplish great deeds!

He could not compare to Yue Wumu, nor did he possess Yue Wumu’s unparalleled loyalty and righteousness.

This time his goal was to claim the foolish Emperor’s head!

To usurp the throne!

To create chaos so great that the heavens themselves tremble, the sun and moon lose their light!

Let the foolish Emperor and cowardly courtiers witness the meaning of true resolve!

...

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