Chapter 191: Governing the World with Dao

Chapter 191: Governing the World with Dao

"Rumble, rumble..."

The Green Deer Horse Carriage traveled for a full two hours, traversing towering mountains and rugged ridges, now five hundred kilometers away from White Dragon City. The pursuing Martial Artists had long been left far behind.

The Green Deer Horse gradually came to a stop. Tianchenzi removed the bamboo hat from his head and bowed slightly as he entered the carriage. His eyes gleamed faintly as he glanced at the still-unconscious Yu Ningsheng, smiling. "Miss Yu truly lives up to her reputation as the Imperial City's number one beauty. Her natural grace is peerless, a sight to overthrow cities. She and the Manor Lord are indeed a perfect match—talent and beauty united."

Ning Xiaochuan sat on a sheepskin-covered seat and said, "Let’s get to the point. Why did you come to White Dragon City?"

Tianchenzi put his hat back on and replied, "Naturally, I’ve been working for the expansion of Ghost Manor. Manor Lord, you must understand that in the Imperial City, we are crushed beneath the weight of two giants—the imperial court and Dark Emperor City. For Ghost Manor to snatch opportunities from the tiger’s mouth and establish a foundation is exceptionally difficult. To achieve anything, we must start with the Demon Sect. And the Demon Sect closest to the Imperial City’s sphere of influence is Heavenly Annihilation Dao."

"Heavenly Annihilation Dao controls the underworld forces across eight domains, including Soul Domain, Cloud Bow Domain, and Large Coin Domain. They have over four thousand branch altars and millions of disciples and followers. And it’s not just these Demon Sect branches—the forty-nine sects and eighty-one families you saw in Wanyu Hall are all under Heavenly Annihilation Dao’s rule. These sects and families are regional overlords, controlling mineral veins, Martial Artists, mystic medicines, and all kinds of hard-won resources. Their influence stretches into every corner."

"This is the might of a millennia-old demonic faction. Even the imperial court can’t do anything about them. If Ghost Manor can establish connections with them, heh, breaking through in the Imperial City will become much easier. And right now, we have the greatest opportunity!"

Ning Xiaochuan said, "The Heavenly Annihilation Dao Leader died suddenly, leaving the entire faction leaderless. If Ghost Manor picks the right side, the benefits we’ll gain in the future will be immense."

"The Manor Lord is wise."

Tianchenzi continued, "Currently, three major factions within Heavenly Annihilation Dao are vying for the position of the new leader: the late leader’s widow, Ninth Lady; the Great Elder of Heavenly Annihilation Dao, Elder Qiu Wangu; and the Chief Altar Master of Heavenly Annihilation Dao, Chief Altar Master Mu Honglai. These three are the most formidable figures in Heavenly Annihilation Dao right now, each capable of summoning winds and rains."

"Among them, Ninth Lady’s faction is relatively weaker, but her martial prowess surpasses both Elder Qiu Wangu and Chief Altar Master Mu Honglai."

"So, you’ve chosen to support Ninth Lady?" Ning Xiaochuan asked.

Tianchenzi chuckled and shook his head. "I’ve made contact with all three factions, but I haven’t revealed myself to any of them."

"Crafty old fox," Ning Xiaochuan remarked.

Tianchenzi smiled. "What else would you expect from a ghost? Ghosts don’t let themselves be seen easily. We only strike at the most critical moment—and once we do, it’s a fight to the death."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. "There’s one thing I don’t understand. Shang Pojun, the Heavenly Annihilation Dao Leader, possessed such formidable cultivation. Who could have killed him without a sound?"

When the topic turned to this matter, Tianchenzi also grew solemn. "Shang Pojun's cultivation is not just high—it's downright terrifying. The number of people in the world who could reliably kill him can be counted on one hand. The Demon Sect's number one expert, Duanmu Han; the imperial court's number one expert, the Great Golden Roc King; the sects' number one expert, Yu Wenluo; and the Daoist faction's number one expert, Tai Chu Wen Hua. These are the four most formidable figures in the Yulan Empire today. Only someone of their caliber could reliably kill Shang Pojun. But to kill him silently, without alerting anyone... I'm afraid only one person could achieve that."

Ning Xiaochuan asked, "Who?"

Tianchenzi fixed Ning Xiaochuan with a deep gaze before slowly replying, "The Master of the Martial Palace."

Ning Xiaochuan was slightly taken aback but then shook his head. "Impossible. The Master of the Martial Palace cares only for martial arts, having long transcended worldly affairs. He would never interfere in such conflicts, let alone assassinate someone."

"I also believe the one who killed Shang Pojun wasn't the Master of the Martial Palace. But in the Yulan Empire, only he could have killed Shang Pojun silently, leaving him utterly powerless to resist. Others, like the Great Golden Roc King or Yu Wenluo, might not find it difficult to kill Shang Pojun, but he would at least manage a couple of counterattacks—he wouldn't die without a sound. Unless..."

Ning Xiaochuan interjected, "There is one other person who could kill Shang Pojun silently. If Demon Emperor Duanmu Han used the Blood Devouring Demon Art, Shang Pojun wouldn't even have a chance to resist."

Tianchenzi nodded. "That's true. But Shang Pojun was always a staunch supporter of Duanmu Han, advocating for the Six Dao Unification and the establishment of the Blood Devouring Demon Sect. Duanmu Han would have no reason to kill him. Moreover, this isn't Duanmu Han's style—when he kills, he never hides it. This Demon Emperor adheres to principles even more strictly than the imperial court's own sovereign."

Ning Xiaochuan frowned. "Could there be another figure in the world on par with the Master of the Martial Palace?"

Tianchenzi's expression darkened. "That would be truly terrifying. It could plunge the world into chaos."

"How did Shang Pojun die?" Ning Xiaochuan asked.

"Shang Pojun's body was secretly hidden long ago, and the Heavenly Annihilation Dao has imposed a gag order. No one knows what state he was in when he died." Tianchenzi's voice lowered, taking on a mysterious tone. "But there are rumors in White Dragon City that his heart was torn out."

Ning Xiaochuan was shocked once more.

Though rumors often abound in the world, most are not entirely baseless. It seems the Heavenly Annihilation Dao Leader's death was indeed suspicious.

"The situation in White Dragon City is quite chaotic. The Manor Lord is still too young—it's best not to get involved in these conflicts among the older generation. I must return to White Dragon City as well. If I stay away too long, suspicions will surely arise."

Tianchenzi left the Green Deer Horse Carriage to Ning Xiaochuan and stepped down, but suddenly paused and added gravely, "One more thing—the Manor Lord should be wary of the Demon Sect Saintess. I hear this demoness is ruthless and has already set her sights on you. She might very well drain your blood to perfect her Blood Devouring Demon Art."

Tianchenzi stared deeply at Ning Xiaochuan. Naturally, he was aware that Ning Xiaochuan possessed the Northern Abyss Divine Art and had even considered seizing it. However, he quickly suppressed this thought.

Ning Xiaochuan was not someone he could act against now.

He needed to utilize Ning Xiaochuan’s unique status to expand Ghost Manor—that was his primary objective.

Tianchenzi’s gaze turned cold as his body transformed into a blur, darting over the treetops before landing on a distant mountain peak. With another movement, he vanished completely.

Only after confirming Tianchenzi’s departure did Ning Xiaochuan let out a sigh of relief. "That old man actually restrained himself. Good. Now isn’t the time for us to openly clash."

Ning Xiaochuan also knew that White Dragon City was no place to linger. Not only were the Demonic Martial Artists searching for him, but experts from the Emperor’s Martial Palace were also hunting him down. There were undoubtedly people in the Imperial City keeping an eye on him as well.

The best course of action now was to leave White Dragon City immediately and conceal himself. With the vastness of the world, who would be able to find him then?

But Ning Xiaochuan was in no hurry to leave just yet.

At this moment, everyone in White Dragon City knew he had fled the city and would surely give chase. Escaping now would only make him more vulnerable.

So, Ning Xiaochuan carried Yu Ningsheng out of the Green Deer Horse Carriage and whipped the Green Deer Horse’s hindquarters. Startled, the horse bolted forward, pulling the empty carriage at full speed.

Meanwhile, Ning Xiaochuan carried Yu Ningsheng and hid in the mountains by the roadside.

As expected, within half an hour, six groups of pursuers raced past—some riding mystic beasts, others driving ancient carriages, and some employing Martial Arts Divine Abilities, their movements ghostly as they gave chase.

Ning Xiaochuan carried Yu Ningsheng into an abandoned Taoist temple. Long uninhabited and left in disrepair, its gates were broken, its walls collapsed, and the ground was littered with withered leaves. The altar was thick with cobwebs.

The Yulan Empire was founded on martial prowess and governed by the Dao.

There was no Buddhism, only Daoism.

Nearly every town had a Taoist temple, but the deity enshrined within was not the Three Pure Ones—rather, it was the "Heavenly Emperor."

The Heavenly Emperor was revered as the master of Daoism, ruling over all celestial beings.

The Yulan Empire governed through Daoist principles. Those who excelled in Daoist studies could be appointed as "State Preceptors," assisting the emperor in managing various regions, spreading Daoist culture, and educating the populace.

State Preceptors were divided into seven ranks.

The most learned were known as First-Rank State Preceptors, their status comparable to that of a prime minister.

Sixth- and Seventh-Rank State Preceptors were assigned to local areas, serving as prefects or governors, governing territories, spreading teachings, maintaining order, and managing the people.

The status of a State Preceptor was naturally high, making them true high-ranking officials of the court.

However, the Yulan Empire was, after all, a martial nation where martial customs prevailed. Aside from those without a Martial Arts Heart Palace, almost no one studied Daoism.

Thus, in the imperial court, the nobility held higher status, while State Preceptors were merely a group of advisors.

"Hah—"

Ning Xiaochuan flicked his sleeve, sweeping the dust off the altar before gently placing Yu Ningsheng upon it.

By chance, the veil covering Yu Ningsheng’s face slipped, gliding down her flawless, jade-like cheeks before falling from the altar.

Ning Xiaochuan picked up the veil and was about to place it back on her face when his gaze fell upon her features, causing his heart to skip a beat.

Her face was the most perfect oval, with dark, elegant brows, delicate lashes, a jade-like nose as smooth as white cream, and lips as red and tender as cherries. Her flawless skin seemed almost translucent, every feature exquisitely beautiful, enough to steal one’s breath away.

Ning Xiaochuan had always been immune to the allure of a woman’s body—after all, he had seen many women unclothed. But that did not mean he was immune to a woman’s face.

And this was no ordinary face. It was a peerless, celestial beauty, the likes of which he had never seen before. Even an immortal might have been conquered by such a visage.

This was the first time Ning Xiaochuan had seen Yu Ningsheng’s face. Even when he had treated her injuries before, she had never removed her veil.

Clenching his fists, he hastily covered her face again with the veil, then rushed out of the Taoist temple, taking deep breaths to steady himself. Only then did he realize his palms were drenched in sweat.

"Ning Xiaochuan, when did you become so shallow as to judge someone by their appearance?" He admitted to himself that he had been genuinely moved just now, that sinful thoughts had arisen, that he had reacted as any man would. It seemed the mysterious woman was right—when faced with wealth, power, or beauty, no one could truly restrain themselves.

If one could resist, it was only because the temptation wasn’t strong enough.

To address the readers’ questions about Yu Ningsheng’s cultivation level: The text had never specified how strong her cultivation was. It was only mentioned in Chapter 6 that she was the most powerful Martial Artist Ning Xiaochuan had encountered at the time.

I’m not sure why some assumed she was at the First Level of the Divine Body Realm. Could it have been confused with Ning Xin’er’s cultivation level?