Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 554

Chen Kingdom, City of Zhong State

For fifteen years, the capital of Chen Kingdom has been left in ruins. Several emperors have ascended the throne during this period, yet none have confronted the Demon Human menace. Instead, internal strife has consumed them.

A pervasive sense of hopelessness has settled upon the common folk, largely attributed to the nobility’s six-century grip on power. Escalating tensions, particularly among the aristocratic factions, are palpable.

The Yunzhong Mountain Range bisects Chen Kingdom, creating distinct northern and southern regions. Deep-seated conflicts fester between the nobles residing in these two areas. Currently, numerous northern nobles have either met their demise or sought refuge in the south, forfeiting their former standing. Conversely, the southern nobles remain largely unaffected, preserving their economic interests in the southern territories.

Lin Jiang resolved to take decisive action. Donning his mask once more, he adopted the moniker Mr. Wolong.

The title of Wolong Phoenix, once associated with the emergence of two prodigious talents, consistently carried positive connotations. With Chen Kingdom unable to produce such luminaries currently, Lin Jiang resolved to reinstate the prestige of Mr. Wolong.

Concealed by his mask, Lin Jiang began to infiltrate the circles of the nobility in the northern sector of Zhong State. A significant portion of the nobles who had evacuated the north were hawkish, ardently advocating for the rulers of Chen Kingdom to wage war and reclaim their ancestral lands.

Lin Jiang actively engaged in their assemblies, consistently voicing his opinions with conviction, thereby earning the fervent support of the northern nobles. Naturally, his exceptional martial arts prowess was the foremost reason for this admiration.

Lin Jiang observed a stark decline in the number of Martial Arts Masters. He recalled that during the zenith of the Great Wei dynasty, the kingdom had boasted over a hundred Martial Saints.

Now, prior to the Demon Human incursion into the south, fewer than thirty Martial Saints remained across the entirety of Chen Kingdom. During the calamitous battle when the Demon Human forces breached the capital of Chen Kingdom, half of these Martial Saints perished. At present, only slightly more than ten endure, rendering Martial Saints exceptionally rare and valuable.

Following the endorsement and promotion by the northern nobles, Lin Jiang’s name, known as Wolong, rapidly gained renown throughout the city of Zhong State. Whispers even circulated, proclaiming: "He who possesses Wolong, possesses the world."

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"Are you Mr. Wolong?"

Wang Lun addressed Lin Jiang, who stood before him. Despite the concealment of a mask, Lin Jiang's imposing aura remained undeniable, a testament to the hundred-year reign of Emperor Xia and the spiritual vitality of the cultivation era.

"Indeed, I am."

"It is said that possession of Wolong signifies dominion over the world. Given Mr. Wolong's formidable talents, why not reveal your true visage to all?"

"You are not worthy."

"You…"

Upon Lin Jiang’s curt declaration, a wave of indignation swept over Wang Lun’s entourage, their faces paling. Several were on the verge of retort, but Wang Lun silenced them with a mere glance.

"When it comes to Mr. Wolong, can one truly forge a genuine bond?"

"Though he may possess talent, regrettably, the Prime Minister lacks true ambition. The Prime Minister wields immense authority, and the Wang family, despite its numerous gifted members, exhibits a deficiency in boldness. They tend to remain secluded within Zhong State. When confronted with the caliber of true heroes, the Prime Minister falls short."

"I had presumed you harbored profound insights, only to discover they are mere reflections of a warrior’s simplistic views."

Wang Lun spoke with composed detachment. His influence was indeed substantial. Within Zhong State, his pronouncements carried significant weight. The Emperor, on the surface, was but a figurehead.

In truth, the entrenched noble families of Zhong State, not solely his Wang family, held sway over the Emperor. While he was amenable to marching north, other families might harbor reservations. Furthermore, his control extended over only a fraction of Zhong State. Should the Zhong State armies advance northward, leaving their homes vulnerable to plundering, the consequences would be dire. The intricate web of circumstances rendered a concise explanation impossible.

"Warrior? It appears the Prime Minister has overlooked a crucial aspect: the world is claimed through decisive action. Without warriors, who can achieve ultimate victory?"

"While that sentiment holds merit, do you comprehend…"

"I comprehend all: the schism between North and South, the inter-provincial conflicts, your apprehension of defeat in war, and your fear of leaving Zhong State exposed to attack, correct?"

"Since you grasp the situation, there is no need for such puerile discourse."

"Because what you perceive as insurmountable challenges, I view with a different lens. The labyrinthine alliances within Zhong State will not be untangled with delicate diplomacy. Instead, I shall sever these entanglements with direct force. All opposition will be eradicated. Those who resist in other states will also face retribution…"

Lin Jiang's voice turned icy. "Intrigue and deception are the tools of the weak. The strong invariably crush with sheer might. While physical elimination may not represent an everlasting solution, it is undeniably the most effective approach."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lun became even more disheartened with Lin Jiang. He had recently heard many words from Lin Jiang and thought he was quite impressive. It turned out, however, that he was merely speaking like a common warrior. If only the world’s affairs were that simple; how pleasant that would be, but alas, they are not.

Wang Lun quickly lost interest in the conversation and managed to dismiss Lin Jiang after a brief exchange. Lin Jiang, not having much else to say, soon returned to his residence.

Inside Lin Jiang’s dwelling, a contingent of individuals awaited. Their hope was that Wang Lun would recognize Lin Jiang’s worth, sway Wang Lun’s decisions, lead an expedition northward, drive out the Demon Humans, and reclaim their ancestral lands.

"Sir, how did your meeting conclude?"

"Wang Lun possesses only moderate talent, unworthy of our allegiance."

Lin Jiang’s statement was merely a preliminary probe, designed to gauge Wang Lun’s inner thoughts. Had Wang Lun harbored ambitions, he would have displayed some reaction, even if he disagreed with Lin Jiang. However, Wang Lun showed none. His mindset was exceedingly conservative.

In times of peace and prosperity, a conservative outlook might suffice, but this is a period of chaos. Can such conservatism truly safeguard one’s own interests?

"Mr. Wolong, this…"

"No further words are needed. Some have their own convictions. Continue to spread my reputation; with my influence, others will seek me out. Then, we can identify a proactive leader to support."

Lin Jiang’s intention was clear; these nobles held less importance than himself. If they claimed they could rule the world, no one would believe them, but Lin Jiang was different. The power of a Martial Saint was paramount at this juncture.

Indeed, not long after Lin Jiang’s encounter with Wang Lun, other factions within the "Chen Kingdom" initiated contact. They had not approached Lin Jiang previously, as they were unaware of his sentiments. Now, observing that Wang Lun could not secure Lin Jiang’s allegiance, they perceived an opportunity.

Within the current Chen Kingdom, five emperors held nominal power, each established by princes from various regions, functioning largely as puppets or semi-puppets. Lin Jiang engaged patiently with the envoys sent by these powers, primarily to articulate his perspective. Should they concur, further discussions would ensue; otherwise, the matter would end there.

In truth, Lin Jiang had contemplated establishing his own dominion and conquering the Yun State. However, after careful deliberation, he abandoned the notion. The creation of a power base necessitates a substantial workforce, a significant number of talented individuals, which he lacked. Furthermore, it would be an excessively arduous undertaking.

The present societal structure was unlike the era when he founded the Xia Dynasty. The division of labor was far more specialized, exponentially increasing the complexity of governance. To be an emperor in this age was simply too taxing.

Moreover, even if he succeeded, what would the future hold? Did he aspire to reign for millennia, or endure another abdication? So many complications dissuaded Lin Jiang, who concluded that aligning with a dependable individual for assistance was the most prudent course. Naturally, if he failed to find such a person, Lin Jiang would not hesitate to forge his path anew.

As time advanced, Lin Jiang remained active. A considerable number of individuals from the northern Chen Kingdom were migrating south, not solely nobles but also many commoners, carrying with them a sense of displacement. Those from the South referred to them as "Northerners."

The migration of Northerners to the South presented a stark contrast. The nobles fared well, possessing ample wealth. Even with the transfer of some gold and silver, their resources were sufficient for their immediate needs. However, common folk found themselves in a far more precarious situation. Upon escaping to the South, they became destitute. Needing to subsist, they inevitably clashed with the local populace over employment, igniting significant friction between the North and the South.

Lin Jiang made a concerted effort to foster connections with these displaced northerners. He identified individuals possessing exceptional talent and potential, personally mentoring and instructing them. This could be seen as an act of cultivating future leaders.

Half a year elapsed. The various Chen Kingdom emperors in the South remained apathetic, their interactions limited to verbal sparring and disputes over the legitimacy of their claims to the throne. This inaction incensed Lin Jiang. He issued a stern decree to all factions: any party engaging in prolonged bickering and time-wasting within the next six months would face execution. This ultimatum applied equally to the nominal emperors and the influential noble families manipulating them; all would be put to death.

Mr. Wolong’s decisive dominance sent shockwaves throughout the land.