Chapter One: Murder

In the first year of the Ziyuan era, with the efforts of Suyan, the state of Su, known as "Dongbo," was the first to announce its conversion to the Yuan Wuzong sect, expelling the followers of the original sect who were unwilling to change their faith. This action by "Dongbo" not only affected the eastern countries but also increasingly extended its influence to the north and south. Three years later, a prince from the south, four marquises, and eleven sons, a total of sixteen states, jointly submitted a memorial to the Son of Heaven, requesting the national religion to be changed to Yuan Wuzong.

Anyone with discernment knows that this is merely a delusion. The sovereign himself has already lost both power and honor; what could he possibly bestow upon those he values or their families

The severe political and economic turmoil has finally triggered a religious revolution, and our "Xibo" Peng State cannot escape the same fate. The Feng family was, in fact, the last among the six noble families to convert to the new religion. In open defiance of the monarch, they held a grand conversion ceremony in the capital. On that same day, all nineteen branches of the Feng family, including over four thousand retainers and attendants, discarded their original sect's emblem and donned the emblem of the formless chaos of the new religion.

After my injury healed, my father sent me to Tong Town under his jurisdiction to supervise the construction of the defensive works. This was due to rumors that the Emperor intended to summon the feudal lords to attack Peng. Tong Town is a crucial border defense location and must strengthen its vigilance

However, perhaps this is merely an excuse to evade the study of the Daoist principles...

The appearance of the slaves is not significantly different from that of humans, which is likely the result of many years of interbreeding. It is said that the ancestors of the slaves had pale skin and long silver hair, but due to being conquered and enslaved, they intermarried with human slaves over generations, leading to an increasingly human-like appearance. It cannot be denied that many of the slave women are quite charming, and the gentry often prefer to take them as concubines. Regardless, the children born will still carry the status of slaves, which does not affect the purity of the family lineage. It cannot be denied that many of the slave women are quite charming, and the gentry often prefer to take them as concubines. Regardless, the children born will still carry the status of slaves, which does not affect the purity of the family lineage

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This stone palace was constructed during the lifetime of the late monarch, covering an area of five hundred zhang. The main structure does not utilize timber, but is built with a type of solid white stone that is abundantly produced in the mountains near Zicheng. This white stone has a dense texture, and its surface becomes extremely smooth after polishing, resembling beautiful jade—of course, if our country could produce such large quantities of jade, it would have long since become the wealthiest among the feudal lords.

As the Qi Refinement Master saw me rushing forward, he hurriedly raised his right hand. In an instant, I saw a shimmering light in his hand, a magnificent yet gentle azure glow. Although I had never seen the actual object, from the various descriptions I had heard, I knew it must undoubtedly be the national treasure "Rain Jade." I immediately regretted my recklessness; under the immense power of the "Rain Jade," my rudimentary sword techniques and Taoist methods were utterly insignificant, like dust in the wind. I hesitated, my steps faltered, and it was this very stumble that saved my life. I immediately regretted my recklessness; under the immense power of the "Rain Jade," my rudimentary sword techniques and Taoist methods were utterly insignificant, like dust in the wind. I hesitated, my steps faltered, and it was this very stumble that saved my life

Thereafter, the Son of Heaven issued edicts to all corners, seeking to apprehend the "rebels" of the Yuan Wuzong sect, but unfortunately, the results were minimal. For nearly three hundred years, the authority of the Son of Heaven has waned, and the feudal lords have engaged in mutual conflict, with no one willing to adhere to the decrees from the royal capital. In the past century, the noble families have usurped the power of the feudal lords, and in many states, even if the lords are willing to act upon the edicts, without the approval of the noble families, the decrees are rendered meaningless. Of course, the most crucial point is that at that time, the Yuan Wuzong sect had already cultivated considerable influence within the noble families of many states.

Ten days after the ruler's "collapse," Prince Nanwang ascended the throne as the new monarch. Although it is said that his father and several like-minded individuals strongly advised against it, the other three princes who might inherit the throne were all utterly incompetent, making it seemingly impossible not to establish Nanwang. It is reported that when the new monarch was enthroned, the second master of the Yuanwu Sect, Shen Wuzhong, personally came to preside over the ceremony and offered blessings for the nation. All of this was conveyed to me by my eleven-year-old younger brother, Yuan.

According to historical records: In the spring of the fourteenth year of King Tan, in the second month, Peng Liuqing conspired to assassinate his sovereign in the Stone Palace

He assigned me one hundred dogmen, five hundred slaves, and the corresponding supplies and equipment. After bidding farewell to the head of the family, I set off immediately. Speaking of dogmen, they are truly a race that becomes increasingly unpleasant to behold; they are tall but stoop-shouldered, with pointed mouths and gray-black skin. Although they bear no resemblance to dogs, no one has ever disputed the term 'dogmen'—they are simply too ugly and too detestable.

Zhi Yu is the only son of his uncle Gao He, who is a staunch advocate for the deposed monarch and the enthronement of Prince Nan Wang. It is to be expected that he would be so excited about this massacre. I am not as pleased as he is, because my father advocated for sparing the monarch's life, although this was unanimously rejected by the family. My father believed that the hidden ambitions of Prince Nan Wang would never lead to a positive outcome. Later events proved that his concerns were indeed correct.

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After this, I lay in bed for a full half month. The monarch was indeed killed by Zhi Yu's own hand, which caused his reputation within the family to rise sharply. As for the Qi Refining practitioner who injured me, it is said that he was soon shot dead on the spot by a long prince of Teng Qing, who had been pursuing him out of the Stone Palace.

However, the greatly victorious Su Yan faced unanimous jealousy from the court, and the Emperor issued an edict to have him executed in the palace. Fortunately, he had anticipated this move and had arranged an escape route in advance, which ultimately allowed him to preserve his life

Because all of this originally stems from the struggle between the two sects of "One" and "Nothing"

The foolish differ in their understanding, the wise share a slight commonality, the immortals share a greater commonality, while the truly enlightened are without comparison. Therefore, to pursue the footsteps of the truly enlightened and seek the supreme path, one must comprehend the true essence of 'nothingness.' From nothingness arises existence, from nothingness all things are born, and all things are fundamentally nothing; this is the true great principle of the universe. It is well known that the realm of the wise collapses every 15,000 years, the realm of the immortals every 125,000 years, while the truly enlightened remain unscathed. The next collapse of the realms of the wise and the immortals is expected within the next century. This is the root cause of the abnormalities and upheavals in the human world. For this reason, it is essential to diligently cultivate oneself, to return to the original nothingness, to endure hardships together, and to navigate through great tribulations.

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Unfortunately, the development of events was completely contrary to my "beautiful" wishes. Suddenly, a commotion erupted from within the door, and then the barefoot monarch, swaying his famous large belly, rushed out. Zhi Yu was so excited that his whole body trembled; before I could give the order, he dashed out of the ranks, brandishing his iron sword, and aimed it directly at that large belly.

In mid-March, I arrived in Tong Town, where I recruited over one hundred slaves and over one hundred civilians from the local area to begin the construction of defensive works. ... The fortifications were not yet completed when the royal army arrived ...

These are all old clichés, lacking any fresh ideas. Perhaps there are some new concepts, but they are fundamentally incomprehensible, making it difficult to convey them to me. In my childhood, I enjoyed various esoteric knowledge from books and illustrations. I once calculated with counting rods that if, as the Qi Refiners say, the next collapse of the Human Realm and the Immortal Realm will overlap within a hundred years, then this great calamity occurs once every 375,000 years. However, when were the Human Realm and the Immortal Realm established? Were they founded successively within a hundred years many cycles of 375,000 years ago? Yet, there is no record of this in any texts—whether from sects or those without sects. Regardless of whether all things arise from existence or from non-existence, the Human Realm and the Immortal Realm should have their origins. Yet, there is no record of this in any texts—whether from sects or those without sects. Regardless of whether all things arise from existence or from non-existence, the Human Realm and the Immortal Realm should have their origins. Where are these origins? No one knows.

Thus, the only explanation is that someone nearby is casting a spell, or that a protective charm has been placed on the monarch, or that the sword of Zhi Yu has been deflected by a force. It is not surprising; it is quite normal for the monarch to have Qi Refiners for protection.

However, it is difficult to say. There are legends of certain noble families that, in secret, have taken children born from unions with slave women—children who resemble humans—and presented them to their legitimate wives for upbringing, claiming them to be true human offspring, in hopes of maintaining the family lineage. Such actions, if uncovered, would constitute a grave crime, resulting in the entire family being reduced to slavery. Yet, legends are just that; in reality, only a handful of noble families have been caught in this manner over the course of several hundred years. Such actions, if uncovered, would constitute a grave crime, resulting in the entire family being reduced to slavery. Yet, legends are just that; in reality, only a handful of noble families have been caught in this manner over the course of several hundred years.

Among the few who protected the monarch's escape from the stone palace, there was indeed one who was originally a Qi Refinement practitioner. After looking around, I finally spotted him behind a doorpost. I recognized him; he was an elder from the Pengjiao family. The Pengjiao family originally descended from the nobility, but today they have fallen to the status of an ordinary gentry, unable to even secure a position as a minister. This elder, due to his successful cultivation, was highly regarded by the king, and it was once rumored that through his rise, the Pengjiao family could be revitalized. The Pengjiao family originally descended from the nobility, but today they have fallen to the status of an ordinary gentry, unable to even secure a position as a minister. This elder, due to his successful cultivation, was highly regarded by the king, and it was once rumored that through his rise, the Pengjiao family could be revitalized.

In our Peng nation, we have always adhered to the teachings of the Original Sect. No, it should be said that all scholars across the world, including the emperor and various feudal lords, once followed the Original Sect. The rise of the Yuanwu Sect is merely a matter of a little over a hundred years. Forty-two years ago, the adept Su Yan of the Yuanwu Sect petitioned the emperor, requesting a debate on the Great Way with the adepts of the Original Sect in the imperial court. Because he was the illegitimate son of Su Gong, the emperor, after some hesitation, made an exception and agreed. The result of the debate was astonishing; he single-handedly defeated three opponents, leaving the adepts of the Original Sect speechless. Since he was the illegitimate son of Su Gong, the emperor, after some hesitation, made an exception and agreed. The result of the debate was astonishing; he single-handedly defeated three opponents, leaving the adepts of the Original Sect speechless. When the literary debate failed, they resorted to martial skills, but the adepts of the Original Sect were also defeated one by one by Su Yan.

Still by my sickbed, he conveyed a speech of profound depth, the essence of which should be—

As the legitimate eldest son of the Feng family, I was personally involved in this tragedy. At that time, I was ordered to lead forty retainers, lying in ambush outside the side gate on the west side of the Stone Palace

What is referred to as an ambush is more accurately described as a garrison. We have been waiting here since before dawn, having breakfast with water from a nearby well, and eating a few bites of the rice balls we brought with us. We are all clad in armor, wielding sharp blades, openly sitting outside the stone palace, laughing and talking loudly, showing no intention of concealing ourselves. The situation is quite clear; the stone palace, including the servants, has fewer than one hundred people, while the encircling forces deployed by the six ministers exceed six hundred.

As soon as the hour of Chen had passed, Gongqing led his men into the stone palace to conduct the final negotiations with the monarch. It had been agreed beforehand that if the negotiations did not reach a conclusion, they would act immediately. "The ancients have said: 'A ruler who goes against the will of the people is not a true ruler, but a traitor to the state.'" Last night, during the deployment, the head of the family waved his right arm and said to everyone, "A traitor to the state can be killed!"

I charged towards that person with my sword. I was unwilling to personally kill the monarch; this "glory" should be left to the long-awaited Zhi Yu. If I must take a life in this tragedy, I would rather choose this Qi Refiner. Moreover, I know that if I do not quickly eliminate him, my side will inevitably suffer casualties.

I felt a tremendous force strike my left shoulder—had I not stumbled, this force would have surely hit my face. If that had happened, it would have been the end of everything. I involuntarily rolled to the right and crashed down beside the monarch. ... Perhaps at the moment of contact with the ground, I had already lost consciousness. The last thing I saw was blood gushing from the monarch's abdomen, seemingly about to splatter onto my face.

At the beginning of March, I finally managed to get out of bed. It is said that I was the only injured descendant of the noble family during that operation, and as a result, while Zhi Yu's reputation continues to rise, my own is steadily declining. However, I do not care at all; after all, I belong to a minor sect, and there are countless brothers in the major sect. The position of the family head will never fall to me. As the eldest son of the secondary sect, the position of the head of this sect will eventually be mine, and I can at least aspire to become a minor official in the future. Since my future is already determined, no amount of effort can change it for the better, and as long as I do not excessively indulge in self-degradation, my status will not be easily lost. However, I do not care at all; after all, I belong to a minor sect, and there are countless brothers in the major sect. The position of the family head will never fall to me. As the eldest son of the secondary sect, the position of the head of this sect will eventually be mine, and I can at least aspire to become a minor official in the future. Since my future is already determined, no amount of effort can change it for the better, and as long as I do not excessively indulge in self-degradation, my status will not be easily lost.

According to Yuan, Shen Wuzhong continued to demonstrate the Daoist arts after the lecture. I am not interested in this. My enlightening teacher, who is also my great-uncle, once told me: "Morality is the true Dao, while the Daoist arts are merely tools." This statement has always resonated with me and remains deeply ingrained in my heart

This is the command of the head of the family; whether one complies or not, it must be strictly adhered to. However, what is more important is that given the current situation, anyone who wishes to go against the tide knows full well that it leads only to a dead end. "One generates all things" and "All things arise from nothingness"—how many people can truly understand the difference between these two concepts? Even the heads of the six noble families, I believe, may not fully grasp it; they are merely using the new sect to raise the banner of open rebellion against the monarch.

It had not been long since Gongqing entered, perhaps just a little over a quarter of an hour, when suddenly a great uproar erupted within the palace. "In the end, it still won't do," my cousin Zhi Yu drew his sword from its sheath, his eyes wide with excitement, "If we kill him, the country can achieve peace!"

However, since the family has already reached a decision and the head of the household has issued an order, as a descendant of the Feng family, I must strictly adhere to it. I also drew my sword, and upon seeing my action, the retainers raised their weapons, nervously staring at the gate of the stone palace. I hoped the issue could be resolved within the palace, wishing it would not take long, and that Minister Gong or another minister would emerge, feigning sorrow as they wiped their eyes, announcing: "The monarch has passed away." Then everyone would symbolically express a few words of grief and could happily return home. I hoped the issue could be resolved within the palace, wishing it would not take long, and that Minister Gong or another minister would emerge, feigning sorrow as they wiped their eyes, announcing: "The monarch has passed away." Then everyone would symbolically express a few words of grief and could happily return home

There was no other way; I had no choice but to raise my weapon and follow behind him. Just as Zhi Yu's sword tip was nearing the bulging belly, suddenly, the blade abruptly veered, carving out a semicircle, and with a "clang," it struck the stone pillar at the palace gate

I know that Zhi Yu will not show any mercy. Killing the monarch with his own hands is something he has long desired. He must believe that by doing so, he can achieve great merit in "eradicating evil," and will receive praise and protection from the Yuan Wulian Qi practitioners, bringing him closer to the Dao.