Things had become rather lively in Chaoge City lately.

Li Changshou, who had previously shifted his attention to several key strongholds in the Shang territory, had no choice but to temporarily redirect his gaze back to the city.

The minor earthquake caused by Zi Shou’s execution of his general seemed to have continuous aftershocks.

Li Changshou detected a message jade talisman arriving from the southeast, landing in Junior Preceptor Wen Zhong’s mansion. Within half an hour, Wen Zhong secretly left his residence and hurried toward the direction from which the jade talisman had come.

He must have gone to report his work at the Biyou Palace.

Just as Wen Zhong departed, several streaks of light flew across Chaoge City’s night sky—it was those “Tavern Immortals” from the Enlightenment Sect returning once again, secretly infiltrating the city.

Li Changshou raised an eyebrow.

His intuition told him that an interesting show was about to unfold, so he continued to observe stealthily and wait.

Wen Zhong returned after three days, appearing quite pleased.

If Li Changshou’s assessment wasn’t wrong, Wen Zhong had likely gone to Biyou Palace to report his achievements in the mortal realm over these years, recommending Zi Shou as the “commander” piece in the Severing Sect’s mortal chess game, and had received the sect’s support.

To be safe, Li Changshou still sent a letter to Zhao Gongming to clarify the matter.

It wasn’t far from his speculation.

After returning to Biyou Palace, Wen Zhong first paid respects to the Golden Spirit Holy Mother, who then brought him before Grand Elder Duobao.

Wen Zhong knelt and admitted his faults, then spoke of what he had seen and heard in the Shang Kingdom, analyzing the power structure both inside and outside the kingdom, and explaining in detail the relationship between the Shang people and the Eight Hundred Feudal Lords.

And there was one matter here that concerned Li Changshou.

Wen Zhong directly used the argument of “The Grand Historian debated with Emperor Yi, establishing Zi Shou as the heir” as evidence that Li Changshou supported Zi Shou as the next Shang ruler.

Thus, the Severing Sect didn’t hesitate much before setting their “strategic plan” to fully support Zi Shou in becoming the Shang ruler.

Li Changshou: …

Fortunately, Zhao Gongming’s reply also included Senior Brother Duobao’s words after Wen Zhong left.

Grand Elder Duobao had said:

“Junior Brother Wen Zhong has great affection for Crown Prince Zi Shou, showing the love of a teacher for his disciple. His words are trustworthy—but not entirely. We should still prepare two approaches: support Zi Shou in becoming the Shang ruler while continuing to observe which feudal lord might suddenly rise to prominence later. For instance, the Jiang family in the east is wealthy and militarily powerful, forcing the Shang King to use marriage alliances to placate Jiang Huanchu. Betting on both sides ensures we won’t lose.”

Li Changshou finally felt relieved, truly worried that the Severing Sect would make an impulsive decision determining their future path.

It was still better to observe and proceed before making any final decisions.

Just a few days after Wen Zhong returned to Chaoge City, the Enlightenment Sect’s “Tavern Immortals” began secretly becoming active.

They first displayed supernatural abilities to attract the attention of city officials and nobles, then became acquainted with these powerful figures, giving out pills and talismans that didn’t extend their lifespan but could cure diseases and prevent disasters. Soon they became honored guests in Chaoge City’s noble circles.

Mortals desire nothing more than longevity and freedom from illness and calamity. Though this approach wasn’t entirely honorable, it was executed perfectly.

From this, Li Changshou determined that it must be several Senior Brothers from the Enlightenment Sect giving instructions behind the scenes.

The reason was likely also because Wen Zhong and Zi Shou had grown too close.

Therefore, Li Changshou… hedged his bets once again.

He sent a letter to True Lord Taiyi’s cave dwelling and quickly received a reply.

True Lord Taiyi mentioned in his letter that their Enlightenment Sect was indeed concerned about the current position and future potential of Wen Zhong, the Severing Sect’s third-generation disciple, in Chaoge City.

According to Senior Brother Guangcheng’s wishes, their Enlightenment Sect needed to at least “match” the Severing Sect in this matter.

Thus, the Enlightenment Sect also made two preparations.

First, support Wei Ziqi, promoting his status as Emperor Yi’s eldest son.

Second, plant Enlightenment Sect disciples around Zi Shou, gradually gain his trust and counterbalance Wen Zhong.

The Enlightenment Sect was truly skilled at counterbalancing.

The succession battle in Chaoge City officially raised its curtain.

Both sides first sent in their third-generation disciples. After Li Changshou’s two hints, Wen Zhong also quickly adapted to the days of scheming and plotting.

At this stage, both sides’ moves mainly focused on winning over court officials and military leaders.

Zi Shou and Wen Zhong made a good chess move.

They chose Huang Feihu, the son of the military family’s Huang Gun, and carefully groomed him.

Zi Shou and Huang Feihu had known each other since childhood. The latter was well-versed in military strategy and exceptionally skilled in martial arts, having the strength to tear apart tigers and leopards. He was already a rising star in the military.

Zi Shou strongly supported Huang Feihu, helping him continuously advance in military ranks.

Huang Feihu himself was quite capable, achieving successive victories in several external campaigns within three years.

Huang Gun was already the General Commander of Jiepai Pass, an important regional official with close ties to many established noble families.

Zi Shou suggested the throne, and Emperor Yi gladly approved. Huang Feihu was appointed as the Tiger-Wolf General, responsible for guarding Chaoge City and commanding the outer city military affairs.

This was equivalent to handing over half of Chaoge City to Zi Shou in advance.

The Enlightenment Sect responded to this—the “Three Great Masters Group” sent Puxian and Cihang, who joined with Chijingzi to jointly plan matters in Chaoge City.

Soon after, rumors spread throughout the city, and Li Changshou saw a familiar move…

The great river north of Chaoge City dried up for three days, revealing an ancient stone tablet in the riverbed mud with four large characters:

[Shang Breaks Zi Shou]

This event caused an enormous stir in Chaoge City.

A few days later, cracks appeared in the tombs of successive Shang rulers, with two tombs even directly collapsing.

Emperor Yi couldn’t sleep because of this.

Mortals in the primitive world had no choice but to be superstitious and believe in spirits and ghosts.

At the Junior Preceptor’s mansion, Wen Zhong was so anxious his hair turned white. He hurriedly sought help from Jade Void Palace, inviting Tortoise Spirit Holy Mother and Wudang Holy Mother.

Fortunately, the Golden Spirit Holy Mother didn’t come directly to Chaoge City with her sword…

Both sides continued making moves and competing from afar, not caring whether the methods were underhanded as long as they were effective.

Li Changshou purely watched for entertainment, sitting on his small stool in the Grand Historian’s mansion each day, extending his immortal consciousness outward as various situations came to his mind.

This show, though entertaining, was rather “costly” for Emperor Yi.

Emperor Yi, who could have held onto the Shang ruler position for several more years, visibly “aged” at an observable rate. His physical condition worsened daily, and the transfer of power would happen within three or four years.

This further catalyzed the power struggles within Chaoge City.

When top-tier immortal forces begin interfering with mortal royal power, it inevitably impacts the original mortal order, resulting in a series of fantastical events.

And when an immortal from the Enlightenment Sect suggested they secretly approach the palace to directly modify Emperor Yi’s memories…

Li Changshou, who had been watching the show, had no choice but to step forward.

Playing was playing, making trouble was making trouble, but don’t joke around with the Human Emperor.

In the current order of Heaven, Earth, and Human realms, though the Human Emperor was merely mortal, he couldn’t be casually manipulated.

Li Changshou waved his wide sleeve, and the soldiers and servants of the Grand Historian’s mansion nearly ran their legs off. The dark web woven throughout Chaoge City quickly surfaced, catching both the Enlightenment and Severing Sects somewhat off guard.

First, in the Great King’s court, twenty-nine high officials jointly submitted a memorial, stating that rumors were spreading throughout Chaoge City and wandering mystics were running rampant, intending to disrupt court order. They insisted this matter should be thoroughly investigated.

Afterward, the Priestess Group requested to move up the Grand Heaven and Earth Ceremony—originally scheduled for three years later—to an auspicious date and time next month, to worship the ancestors and pay respects to the Heavenly Emperor, praying for national prosperity and favorable weather.

After long deliberation, the Shang ruler agreed, and immediately both inside and outside Chaoge City became busy with preparations.

The Enlightenment Sect set their sights on this grand ceremony, making various arrangements outside to try to humiliate Zi Shou and make him lose his position as heir.

The Severing Sect had anticipated this and secretly provided protection, intending to help Zi Shou complete the worship ceremony smoothly.

However, on that day.

Just as the Shang ruler slowly climbed the high platform in the center of Chaoge City, before Zi Shou could step forward, a golden light suddenly filled the sky, and rumbling thunder echoed from all four horizons.

Seeing this, the Shang ruler was overjoyed and completed the prayer text with a trembling voice. The golden light transformed into two teams of golden-armored divine generals, flying down from the sky.

Following them came overwhelming heavenly authority!

Looking at the leading divine general—wearing a light red long dress covered with golden chain mail armor, her graceful figure appeared even more striking, yet she carried an unmistakable dignity that mortals dared not look at directly.

It was You Qin Xuanya.

The bonus for this business trip: thirty thousand spirit stones.

You Qin Xuanya hovered in the sky, looking down at the aged Shang ruler below. Her gaze swept across various parts of the city as her voice, calm yet clear as a skylark’s, spread everywhere:

“By command of the Most True Jade Emperor of the Golden Palace of Vast Heaven!

The Shang Kingdom, being among the mortal realms, receives Heaven’s protection. Those who dare use supernatural arts to disrupt the Shang Kingdom’s court order shall be listed as demons and enemies of Heaven!”

After speaking, You Qin Xuanya turned to leave, her ponytail swaying through the air with casual grace, projecting magnificent authority.

“Ancestor!”

The Shang ruler, recognizing You Qin Xuanya’s identity, couldn’t help but cry out loudly:

“Can Ancestor take this humble one along?”

You Qin Xuanya’s fine eyebrows slightly furrowed as she looked down at the trembling Emperor Yi. Originally unsure how to answer, she heard some transmitted words and immediately replied:

“As one who holds the position of Human Emperor, how can you abandon your subjects?

Immortals and mortals are different. The mortal way has its prosperity, and the immortal way has its hardships. You should focus on being a good ruler. If you do nothing against your conscience, Heaven and Earth will not treat you unfairly.”

With these words, the golden light in the sky contracted, and You Qin Xuanya disappeared into the sky along with the two teams of divine generals.

As soon as You Qin Xuanya left, both the Enlightenment and Severing Sects immediately halted their plans for the day. The disciples they had planted temporarily withdrew from Chaoge City to discuss matters further.

Both sects naturally knew You Qin Xuanya’s identity.

Though her cultivation wasn’t high, she was a female war goddess of the Heavenly Court, a disciple from the Human Sect’s Immortal Gate, and a trusted junior sister of Star-Lord Li Changcheng of Grand White Star.

Her appearance in Chaoge City today could be interpreted in several ways, but it equated to the person in charge of the tribulation shouting in the ears of both sects’ senior brothers:

[You’ve crossed the line, stop for now.]

Upon careful consideration, it was also a reminder to both sects that the succession struggle should not involve the current Human Emperor himself.

After the grand ceremony, Chaoge City finally calmed down.

But this peace lasted only two months before chaos erupted in the military again—Huang Feihu’s vice general was assassinated under suspicious circumstances.

The succession battle had begun to show signs of bloodshed.

Li Changshou turned a blind eye to this, allowing the two sects to wear each other down while maintaining his principles as a ‘referee.’

First, no use of personal— ahem, wrong script.

His principles were simple: no touching the Human Emperor, no harming innocent mortals, and finally:

Only the Enlightenment and Severing Sects were allowed to compete in Chaoge City.

…

In the deep of night, at Chengtang Pass by the sea.

In the Li Manor’s back courtyard, Li Changshou’s paper avatar—the senior servant Wang Chang’an—had returned to his separate residence and was sleeping in bed.

He had recently been given a new task: teaching Jin Zha to read and write.

Although he didn’t want to acknowledge any adoptive father-son relationship with Li Jing, when looking at Jin Zha, he truly felt like he was looking at a great-grandson.

Bah!

Remember the Pure Yang mission, keep a youthful mindset!

The night wind carried some conversation—it was Li Jing and Lady Yin talking in bed.

Chengtang Pass was at the edge of the mortal realm, almost cut off from Chaoge City. Only once every half month would a messenger bring news from Chaoge City, along with military and government orders.

Of course, taxes from here still had to be sent to Chaoge City in full, though due to the long distance, the transport team only set out once every three years.

The external threats Chengtang Pass faced weren’t just bandits and barbarians, but also frequently appearing monster beasts.

Moreover, since Chengtang Pass was still Chengtang Town, many human Qi practitioners have left their mark here. Though their level wasn’t particularly high, they did pass down some rudimentary cultivation methods.

Lady Yin was originally from an ordinary noble family in the Great Yin City, completely ignorant of cultivation. But with Li Jing’s help, she had now entered the door of Qi cultivation. Besides increased longevity, she maintained perpetual youth while possessing a mature charm.

Li Jing and Lady Yin were as loving as ever. When free from military and government affairs, he was always in his beloved home.

It was truly…

Night after night of poetry and intimacy, drunk on life and dreams, as if the sun would never rise again.

If Li Changshou didn’t remember to withdraw his Wind Speech Spell at night, he would always end up listening until his face turned red with embarrassment.

Now look, Mu Zha was already on the way.

This night, Lady Yin spoke softly: “Ah, when will this chaos in Chaoge City end? It has already spread to the military.”

“The Crown Prince is dissatisfied, and the Third Prince’s position is somewhat forced. Same mother and father, yet due to different birth timing, one becomes a subject, one becomes ruler…”

Li Jing sighed lightly and smiled: “My lady, let’s not worry about this. Heaven is high and the emperor far away—we just need to protect Chengtang Pass well.”

“How can we not worry when many relatives from our clan are officials there?”

Lady Yin asked: “Husband since you are an immortal, do you know if there are immortals causing trouble in Chaoge City?”

“There are indeed, but they’re all hiding in the shadows. Better not say too much,” Li Jing said in a deep voice. “My lady, you know our adoptive father is a top existence among immortals.

The rules he set in his early years were about separating immortals and mortals—immortals must not interfere with mortal affairs, and mortal rulers must not seek immortality.

The Shang Kingdom’s ancestral teachings are the same. Earlier when the Great King begged the Shang ancestor to take him away, he broke a taboo and suffered nightmares for several nights because of it.”

“Husband, how much longer do you think the Great King can hold on?”

“That’s hard to say, but my lady,” Li Jing chuckled, “if we don’t undress and retire soon, your husband won’t be able to hold on much longer.”

The content that followed was what Li Changshou judged would not be allowed on television.

Just as he temporarily closed the Wind Speech Spell and was about to shift his attention away, Li Changshou suddenly noticed streams of light flying in from the distant horizon.

Upon careful sensing, this light contained an immortal from the Enlightenment Sect.

Wenshu?

Coming to take away Jin Zha?

This late at night, wasn’t he afraid of interrupting the couple’s intimate moment?

Li Changshou sat up, contemplating whether to warn the Severing Sect, when Wenshu had already switched to riding a cloud, slowly descending toward the Commander’s mansion from the sky.

This Wenshu also had a middle-aged appearance, wearing an exquisite gray Daoist robe with elegant Dao rhythms surrounding him. At this moment, he wore a smile that carried a strong sense of approachability.

Stopping his cloud several hundred feet above the ground, Wenshu’s voice spread throughout the Li Manor:

“Is Worthy Nephew Li Jing at home?”

In the back courtyard of the Li Manor, Lady Yin hurriedly fastened her half-loosened dress while Li Jing quickly put on his armor. After getting properly dressed, they finally disabled several layers of barriers around the house and came out together.

They appeared somewhat disheveled.