“There are historical records stating that after King Wu Ji Yi gained control of two provinces, people flocked to him continuously. The core group of the Twenty-Four Meritorious Ministers was established at that time. However, the most crucial factor was the ‘Shang Long Theory’ by Master Yuqing back then, which supposedly determined the heavenly mandate for Zhou’s future conquest of Shang!”
Meanwhile, Huang Ying was silently thinking to herself: “I wonder what kind of remarkable demeanor Master Yuqing must have possessed, and whether he has ascended to the rank of Celestial Master?”
Looking at Wu Ming’s back as he calmly stood in the garden seemingly admiring flowers, she inexplicably felt a surge of frustration: “This Zhaixingzi truly doesn’t know how to appreciate kindness. If we had directly defected to King Wu’s side, perhaps we would have been the ones presenting this strategy… Alas, now it’s too late. After this event, Ji Yi’s dominance will be firmly established, nearly irreversible… Sigh…”
“He truly has received the heavenly mandate!”
Huang Ying didn’t know that Wu Ming, possessing the Celestial Eye, could see things far more clearly than her.
“Just now, thunder and rain suddenly arrived, and there was a dragon’s roar from the ninth heaven. Toward the direction of King Wu’s palace, red clouds gathered like rosy clouds, and his fortune significantly increased…” Wu Ming murmured inwardly.
Moreover, just now, he had sensed something indescribable accompanying the surge in Ji Yi’s fortune.
If he hadn’t already reached the level of Celestial Master, at the peak of human immortality, he might not have perceived this.
“Heavenly will? Or heavenly mandate?”
Don’t think that historical records portray Ji Yi as calmly watching forty rebellions at the Ten-Unique Pass fade away before launching his campaign against Shang, advancing effortlessly. Wu Ming had recently meticulously investigated Ji Yi’s foundation, and what he witnessed in Qian Province was shocking.
“This is because his foundation is already solid, making him eligible to receive heavenly mandate!”
Speaking of which, whether one possesses a stable rear area is the biggest difference between feudal lords like King Wu and rebel kings.
For Ji Yi, this foundation means countless opportunities for revival! And this foundation wasn’t dropped from the sky, but painstakingly cultivated through more than ten years of tireless effort.
“The accumulated reputation over generations and the painstaking management of Qian Province are the righteous path… Since he has already become a dragon, heavenly mandate naturally descended. This incident merely allowed him to escape another calamity, further increasing his fortune and heavenly mandate…”
Wu Ming was not at all surprised by Ji Yi’s rise.
People from later generations who read historical records already have the advantage of hindsight, observing history as if from a god’s perspective. Naturally, they find the decisions made by so-called “mediocre generals” and “corrupt rulers” in history laughably foolish at certain moments. However, they forget that they already have a comprehensive view of the entire situation, while historical figures had to navigate through thick fog, often making judgments based only on limited information.
“The times create heroes, and heroes also create the times… It seems even with us time-loopers interfering, Ji Yi’s destiny as the true dragon cannot be changed…”
Wu Ming stroked his chin: “But… where exactly is that shadowy force hiding?”
He hadn’t forgotten the true purpose of this descent!
Rescuing the two women and gaining merit were secondary; the most important task was to identify the force behind this mission’s anomalies!
“If it were a time-looper, no—a privileged one—with high autonomy… How could they have missed this true dragon?”
Wu Ming pondered slightly: “Then they must be taking a risk to pursue maximum benefit. Could it be either Shang Jie or Xu Zongwu?”
In Wu Ming’s view, only these three factions existed in the entire realm.
Moreover, regardless of external changes, Ji Yi focused solely on cultivating Qian and Yun provinces, calmly watching the Shang Emperor, rebel kings, rebels, and starry-eyed rebels exhaust each other before advancing at ease to unify the realm.
Such a lord is difficult to rise high unless one meets him during his humble beginnings and immediately follows him, gaining minimal benefits.
Especially after this ‘Shang Long Theory,’ Ji Yi’s dominance is firmly established, leaving few opportunities.
However, Xu Zongwu and Shang Jie were different!
These two were originally historical losers. If they could be saved, what a tremendous transformation and opportunity it would create?
As for history itself? Would a group of time-loopers really care much about it?
“Recently while traveling, I heard that several one-legged bandits have emerged in outer provinces, becoming rampant and arrogant for a time, only to be hunted down by aristocratic families, sects, and various schools of thought, disappearing without a trace… They must be some time-loopers causing trouble…”
From the aftermath, Wu Ming immediately detected the scent of time-loopers.
“Unfortunately, even if time-loopers are familiar with historical treasures, unless they are truly unclaimed, who could easily obtain them?”
“Not to mention, the waters run deep in the Zhou Dynasty world. Now at the end of the Shang Dynasty, all sorts of demons and monsters are emerging. Those who can divine heavenly omens and observe fortune aren’t limited to just me. If those time-loopers act too recklessly, they will eventually hit a wall! This recent crackdown is a good example!”
Wu Ming’s eyes flickered, making a firm decision: “I’ll find an opportunity to observe Ji Yi’s aura, then head to the Ten-Unique Pass! The golden pool gathering of the forty rebellions is currently the grandest stage in the world! If there’s a hidden hand, it won’t dare to miss this!”
…
“Taoist Master! Taoist Master!”
A few days later, the noble young man Wu Ming had seen earlier came running eagerly: “Thank you again, Master, for helping me resolve that crisis. This time I’m bringing business to you! Haven’t you completed your three divinations for today?”
“Hmph!”
Huang Ying, upon seeing this, disdainfully rolled her eyes and turned into the house. The noble young man was slightly taken aback: “What a fiery temperament this Taoist apprentice has, and her voice sounds like a woman’s…”
He merely sighed slightly, not paying much attention, and directly approached Wu Ming, who was admiring flowers: “Master Taoist, this is my good friend, Xie Yifan! Hearing of your great skills, he specially came to visit!”
“I pay my respects to Master Taoist!”
Behind the noble young man, another person stepped forward. Dressed in scholar’s robes, appearing to be in his twenties, well-groomed, exuding an air of nobility.
However, upon seeing Xie Yifan, Wu Ming was slightly startled.
For on Xie Yifan, Wu Ming detected the internal fortune unique to cultivators, and this person carried noble aura connected to the local laws, indicating he was under King Wu’s command.
However, these weren’t the most important. What surprised Wu Ming even more was the faint phoenix aura clinging to him!
Speaking of this phoenix aura, it was quite different from dragon energy. Due to his long association with Wu Qing and close relationship with Wu Zhi, Wu Ming was absolutely certain he wouldn’t mistake it.
“How strange… Could this Xie Yifan be associated with one of Ji Yi’s concubines? No… This phoenix aura is restrained rather than unleashed, unlike a married woman, instead resembling an unmarried maiden with a touch of killing intent. Strange! Strange…”
Thinking thus, Wu Ming’s face displayed a joyful expression: “It’s a pleasure to meet a fellow cultivator. Please come inside for tea!”
“A fellow cultivator?”
The noble young man was puzzled, then watched as Xie Yifan waved his hand: “Please return first, Feng Xiong!”
“Then I’ll take my leave first!”
It was clear that Xie Yifan’s status and position far exceeded that of this Young Master Feng. With just a single command, the latter dared not resist and obediently left.
“Yun’er, prepare tea!”
Under the ancient tree in the Taoist temple, Wu Ming and Xie Yifan sat facing each other, while he ordered Li Xiuyun to serve tea.
At this moment, upon seeing this woman, Xie Yifan was slightly taken aback, obviously having discerned her identity, but he didn’t directly point it out. After drinking tea, he said: “I beg your pardon, but may I ask for Master Taoist’s Taoist name?”
“I am Zhaixingzi!”
Wu Ming looked at Xie Yifan, his mind drifting to his cultivation techniques and the Xie family’s twin pearls, making him even more alert.
“Practicing Taoist arts, surnamed Xie, and serving under King Wu Ji Yi… Could it be such a coincidence?”
“Actually, I do cultivate a little minor arts. Meeting Master Taoist today, I feel like a frog at the bottom of a well!”
At this point, Xie Yifan smiled again: “Observing Master Taoist’s demeanor, probably only Master Yuqing in King Wu’s court can match you!”
“Yuqing?”
Wu Ming smiled inwardly: “Another famous figure. It seems the Yuqing Taoist sect’s entanglement with the Zhou dynasty was already sown during King Wu Ji Yi’s time, not something that happened later so simply…”
“…This time I have some doubts, and having heard of Master Taoist’s expertise in divine calculations and prophetic readings, I specially came to consult you!”
At this point, Xie Yifan continued.
“You needn’t hurry to explain. Let me guess first. Please write a single character!”
“Alright!”
Xie Yifan smiled, picked up the brush directly, and wrote the character “Wei” on the white paper.
“Hmm!”
Wu Ming smiled faintly: “What splendid calligraphy! The character ‘Wei’ contains ‘Nu (female)’, so your inquiry concerns a woman. ‘Wei’ and ‘Wu (martial)’ are closely connected, thus you’re asking about matters related to King Wu, am I right?”
In reality, Wu Ming usually divined only by fortune, guessing with a mix of intuition, yet generally accurate.
However, correctly guessing the other’s identity this time, supported by historical records, made his accuracy rate a hundred percent!
At this point, Xie Yifan’s face revealed astonishment, almost jumping up, but forcibly restraining himself. After a long while, he bitterly smiled: “Master Taoist is truly insightful. I indeed want to ask whether our family’s matter will succeed or not?”
“Succeed or not?”
Under normal circumstances, Wu Ming would have been at a loss, but now he remained composed, offering another mysterious smile: “Concerning the dragon lord, I must beg your pardon for not speaking openly!”
“Master Taoist?!”
Xie Yifan eagerly bowed: “Please, Master Taoist, do me the favor!”
“Sigh…”
Wu Ming sighed: “‘Wei’ contains ‘Ge (dagger-axe)’, implying forcing a woman with a weapon. Secretly hiding within a grand mansion—such an act violates the harmony of heaven!”
Xie Yifan’s cold sweat immediately broke out.
His family had joined King Wu’s ranks, always eager to climb higher. Thus, they specially selected two outstanding young women from their descendants, almost forcibly altering their fates by finding two phoenix-fated women, transferring their fortune to be presented into Ji Yi’s harem.
Yet this matter was kept secret, known only to a few core members. How could this Taoist master see through it at a glance?
If not for thorough investigation beforehand, Xie Yifan would almost suspect that Wu Ming was a spy sent by rivals.
“It can indeed succeed, but ultimately it’s external fortune, unable to claim the primary position, and will also shorten their lifespan!”
Thinking of the unfortunate fates of the two Xie concubines recorded in history, and how the Xie family was never greatly favored, merely gaining a minor from-dragon merit, Wu Ming sighed: “Moreover, the fortune you borrow this time will inevitably create karmic entanglements in the future, requiring two outstanding young women to bear the calamity!”
A strange feeling welled up in Wu Ming’s chest, thinking of the future fate of the twin pearls. How capricious is heavenly will!
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