Chapter 1787: Sequence Arrangement (I)

The hall deep within the imperial palace shone brightly. Scattered kudzu blossoms were swept down by the courtyard breeze and gathered beneath the steps. A young man in imperial robes of green and purple, with a white-golden pattern, stood quietly before the palace doors.

Behind him stood a eunuch, carefully holding a golden birdcage. A small bird could faintly be seen hopping restlessly inside amid the hazy spirit light. The bird was no larger than a palm, with two tail feathers of pale blue and white. Its claws were jet black, its eyes scarlet, and its long beak green-purple. It cocked its head as it peered curiously at the world outside.

The golden-eyed young man on the left was none other than Li Jiangliang. He raised his brows slightly and glanced at the pale blue-and-white bird, then lowered his gaze without a word.

This bird was a spirit beast of the True Essence Dao known as [Tanzhen]. It could command water and fire as well as balance yin and yang, but had been extinct for many years. When Yang Zhuo ascended the throne, the Yang Family gathered treasures from across the realm to congratulate him, and this creature ranked first among them!

Yang Zhuo was also quite fond of it and always kept it by his side, idly playing with it whenever he pleased.

Two cultivators were dueling with swords in the courtyard before the palace. The older one appeared to be in his early twenties, while the other was much younger, only in his teens. Neither used any cultivation, relying solely on their skill with weapons. Even so, their superb sword control was plain to see as their blades clashed with ringing sounds, streams of light flickering between them.

Emperor Yang Zhuo of Song watched with his arms folded, clearly entertained. Turning his head slightly, he asked, "Jiangliang... The Lingu Family presented me with a fine blade. Though it isn't a spirit artifact or a spirit treasure, it is an object from the former dynasty and belongs to the True Essence Dao. Which young master do you think it would suit?"

Li Jiangliang merely cupped his hands. "The First Young Master is refined and extraordinary, striking in appearance and gifted in discussing the profound. For him, holding a sword is like holding himself to principle. The Second Young Master is a peerless talent, bright as the moon, with an open and lofty bearing. For him, holding a sword is like wielding its edge... It depends only on what your majesty expects of them."

Yang Zhuo smiled and shook his head. Without looking at him, he said, "I saw the full extent of their talents long ago. When it comes to offspring, I cannot compare with the King of Wei."

Yang Zhuo had once wandered through Simin while cultivating and had fathered quite a number of children, an unusually large number even among Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Most, however, were scattered among the common folk. These two young masters had only been found after he became emperor. The eldest prince was named Hui, while the second prince was named Jiong, and both had achieved much at a young age.

The eldest prince, Yang Hui, was twenty-eight and had only recently reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. The second prince, Yang Jiong, possessed even greater innate ability. Though barely past twenty, he was already a cultivator at the ninth stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm.

There was also a third son in the inner palace, only three years old and born within the palace itself. Li Jiangliang had already seen him. At birth, the child had stood with water and fire beneath his feet, and bore a crimson mark at the center of his brows. He was clearly anything but ordinary. Li Jiangliang therefore understood that Yang Zhuo was right. These two older princes had simply been born too early.

Li Jiangliang considered briefly, then bowed. "Your majesty..."

Yang Zhuo raised a hand to interrupt him. "But if I truly had to compare these two before me, I prefer the younger one. At least he has some edge to him."

Li Jiangliang glanced at Yang Jiong, whose sword was moving faster and faster in his hand. Just as he was about to speak, a drawn-out announcement rang through the palace halls, abruptly cutting him off.

"Li Jiangxia, Governor of White River Prefecture and General Who Conquers the South, seeks an audience!"

Li Jiangliang froze slightly, his expression shifting. Yang Zhuo, however, turned to him with a smile and affectionately patted him on the shoulder. "Your elder brother is here."

A general in black armor soon strode briskly into the courtyard. He was tall and powerfully built, with an imposing bearing and a pair of brilliant golden eyes. It was none other than Li Jiangxia.

After the general bowed before the steps, Yang Zhuo helped him to his feet with a smile and said, "Congratulations!"

Li Jiangxia knew he was referring to the birth of his son and daughter and hurriedly bowed in thanks. Yang Zhuo waved a hand, and a eunuch at the side immediately stepped forward carrying a jade tray.

The Emperor of Song said, "Today, I may as well give you another reason to celebrate."

The eunuch raised the jade tray before him, which contained a green-gold command token inscribed with the words [Purple-Gold Profundity].

Yang Zhuo ordered, "By imperial decree, General Li shall receive [Purple-Gold Profundity] and enter the Martial Reverence Hall to command the troops. From now on, there will be no need for you to go out and serve as a temporary holder."

Li Jiangxia had always been especially favored. He had long ago been entrusted with a divine ability to campaign in the south, later attacking Shanji and contending with Merciful Ones. He had earned considerable merit along the way. Yang Zhuo now had ample justification to station him permanently in the Purple-Gold Hall!

Li Jiangxia was certainly highly capable, but this had even more to do with Yang Zhuo's favoritism. Had Li Jianglong been the one chosen back then to serve as an acting Profound Holder, his achievements today might not have been any less than Li Jiangxia's. Ultimately, merit was merely the justification for favoring the man he already valued.

However, Li Jiangxia receiving [Purple-Gold Profundity] did not make him equivalent to a true Profound Holder. He had merely gone from acting as a temporary holder to being an acting recipient. Now, he no longer needed to lead troops and remain stationed on the frontier to receive the enhancement of the divine ability. Like Li Jiangliang, he could now carry its blessing with him at all times, which was enormously beneficial to his cultivation! Compared with a true Profound Holder, he lacked only the title.

Li Jiangxia valued the cultivation of divine abilities most, so how could he not be delighted? He hurriedly bowed in thanks. "I will surely quell every trouble for your majesty and bring peace to our realm of Song!"

Yang Zhuo smiled faintly and motioned for him to rise before saying softly, "A letter arrived from Stillness Sea this morning. Daoist Master Zhaojing asked about the southern border. Jiangliang and I discussed it, and we intend to support the demonic creatures of the southern border to maintain the balance. You might as well take the [Ridge's End Profound Water Stone] there and, while you're at it, reorganize those Shamanic Kingdoms you conquered."

"As for White River..." Yang Zhuo continued softly, "Is there anyone you would recommend?"

Both men's hearts tightened at once. White River was no ordinary place. Situated between Mount Tangdao and Moongaze Lake, it was obviously impossible to station a mere Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator there. Whoever was sent would inevitably first receive a divine ability from the Purple-Gold Hall before taking up the post. This was an enormous opportunity!

Li Jiangliang fell into deep thought, silently calculating. How many Profound Holders did Great Song currently have?

The most prominent were the two regional commanders at the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion Realm, Situ Huo and Liu Bai. Both wielded divine abilities and truly possessed the power to stabilize an entire region, so they obviously could not be reassigned.

Then there were the brothers Li Jiangxia and Li Jiangliang. That was already four! Li Jiangxia might not understand the significance, but Li Jiangliang was constantly at the emperor's side and knew many secrets. There were only two or three places left in the Purple-Gold Hall!

The candidate Li Jiangliang most wanted to recommend was his own second elder brother, but the matter was far too sensitive. He lowered his gaze slightly and said, "The Sima Family has an outstanding young man named Sima Xunhui. He is already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment Realm, and is highly skilled at planning and strategy. He is a truly first-rate talent..."

"Sima Xunhui." Yang Zhuo smiled and said softly, "He has neither merits nor faults. How could I grant him such a position? The grand general strongly recommended your second elder brother, Li Jianglong, yet I don't hear you mentioning him!"

Li Jiangliang looked embarrassed and replied, "Only to avoid suspicion of favoritism!"

Yang Zhuo smiled and shook his head, clasping his hands behind his back. "Isn't Sima Xunhui also a son-in-law of Tingzhou? Ning Wan recommended someone named Li Yuanqin, who I hear is also a surviving direct descendant of Tingzhou. Tinglan was even more amusing, and recommended a junior of the Li Family to me. If we truly tried to avoid every possible suspicion, where would it end? Don't overthink it. You may withdraw."

Li Jiangliang awkwardly acknowledged the order, and withdrew together with his elder brother, leaving the emperor standing there alone with his hands behind his back. The bird in the cage chirped incessantly, its calls melodious and lilting.

Yang Zhuo took a step forward. A gust of wind swept the kudzu blossoms at his feet against the side of his boots.

The Emperor of Song looked at the blossoms piled upon the steps and remarked approvingly. "How lush!"

Meanwhile, the two men left the great hall together. A smile remained on Li Jiangxia's handsome face as he said, "The Martial Reverence Hall... does suit me rather well."

Great Song's high-ranking officials were divided into three branches. Military officials belonged to Martial Reverence, civil officials to True Reverence, while above both stood the lofty Purple-Gold Hall. However, the Emperor of Song did not rigidly separate civil and military affairs, so officials often held concurrent posts.

Li Jiangliang seemed preoccupied and only then came back to himself. He offered his congratulations and said with a smile, "I'll go back with you while I'm at it and meet your two darling children!"

"Of course!"

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