Chapter 630: The Three Heroes

The Great Zhou World.

It was now the eighth year of peace.

Since King Ding Wu Zhi led his ten-thousand strong army into Lingzhou, the situation across the land and in Lingzhou had changed drastically day by day, shocking the feudal lords.

The people of Lingzhou had long suffered from the ravages of war. Wu Zhi’s army was disciplined and respectful, causing no harm to the populace, thus rescuing them from their dire straits and naturally gaining their support.

The bandits and rogue generals were no match for her fierce and loyal troops, and were soon routed. Within a year, most of Lingzhou came under her control. Wherever she went, the people, though not necessarily offering food and drink, certainly celebrated and enjoyed peace and prosperity.

Wu Zhi, on one hand, recruited displaced people to cultivate wastelands, and on the other, visited notable scholars, inviting many local gentry to join her cause. Through compromises with certain landlords, she quickly established a firm foothold.

Although the occupied areas had not yet fully recovered from hardship, once the rice and wheat harvests came in, the people would naturally rally to her cause, providing a steady stream of soldiers and supplies, which was only a matter of time.

In the city of Xiang Liu.

Wu Ming, through one of his manifestations, sat at the head of the banquet hall, entertaining a group of notable scholars from Lingzhou, listening to their eloquent discussions.

When Wu Zhi marched into Lingzhou, this manifestation naturally remained with the army. With the Main Temple at his disposal, such manifestations only consumed the world’s primal energy, and could be multiplied endlessly, eliminating the previous dilemma of being unable to manage multiple tasks due to an expanding foundation.

At this moment, Wu Ming trembled slightly and instinctively touched his forehead.

“My lord, what’s the matter?”

The scholars around him, all perceptive and clever, immediately stepped forward, feigning concern.

After all, regardless of anything else, this man was the husband of King Ding! It was said that the couple was harmonious, making him an extremely important figure.

In fact, many secretly envied him greatly, lamenting their own unfair fate and unfulfilled potential, while the man before them seemed to gain fortune effortlessly, not only enjoying immense wealth and status, but also ensuring his descendants a royal title, if not the destiny of a true dragon.

“Nothing! Where were we discussing?”

Wu Ming waved his hand dismissively.

Just moments ago, his true self had returned with the Main Temple, as small as a mustard seed, bringing a massive impact and shocking news that he needed a moment to process.

Within the Main Temple, there was indeed a hidden contingency left by the previous mysterious master.

Moreover, they had discovered coordinates to another dimension, possibly the universe where the former master resided!

And in the Western fantasy world, on the continent of Seer, anomalies had surfaced, revealing many secrets, and faintly hinting at the breath of eternity—an omen so alarming that it sent chills down his spine.

Compared to these matters, the Great Zhou World and the struggle for the Nine Tripods were as insignificant as ants. If it weren’t for Wu Zhi, Wu Qing, and their descendants being here, he wouldn’t have given it even a moment’s attention.

“We were just saying that the unification of Lingzhou is an inevitable trend. With General Wu Tiehu leading the campaign against Golden Roc Pass, victory is certain!”

Seeing Wu Ming’s reluctance to elaborate, a scholar in green robes interjected with a flattering expression.

“Indeed!”

“It is only natural for the strong to conquer the weak!”

The others chimed in agreement, many of them speaking grandly in an attempt to catch Wu Ming’s attention, clearly treating him like a moon among stars.

“Speaking of which… isn’t this just an assessment and recruitment event for Lingzhou’s gentry? Even E Xu has to handle such trivial matters…”

Wu Ming inwardly grumbled, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Now that he had ascended to the Golden Immortal level and perfected his ability to observe auras, he could easily discern the innate nature, talent, hidden virtues, and acquired fortune of everyone present, as clearly as if he were examining the lines of his palm.

Yet, the moment he used his powers, he immediately sensed something.

“Ultimately, attaining enlightenment in another world, in the Great Zhou World, an ordinary Golden Immortal from another realm would only be slightly stronger than a Celestial Immortal, but would stand no chance against the two native powerhouses of this world—the Heavenly Emperor and the Supreme Celestial Sovereign! Of course… I’m different!”

With the Main Temple at his disposal, he was constantly connected to the Huang Ting World, drawing upon its power as easily as breathing.

“With the fall of Golden Roc Pass, the heartland of the Nine Heavens King Ding Bao will no longer be safe… This man was originally a major bandit who took advantage of the chaos to amass a following of displaced people, causing so much bloodshed in Lingzhou? Fortunately, King Ding arrived, and Ding Bao has been repeatedly defeated, and it seems his day of defeat and death is near!”

A scholar beside him spoke loudly, his eyes bloodshot, whether from some personal vendetta with the bandit leader was unknown.

Unfortunately, although this man possessed passion, his innate nature and literary aura were not particularly strong, so reaching the position of a county official would be the height of his future.

“Everyone, please speak freely, pool your wisdom, and surely we will gain something!”

Wu Ming raised his wine cup and toasted the guests once more, his face showing sincerity as he spoke earnestly.

Although he had an advantage, individuals with both fortune and literary talent were still quite rare. However, among those present were young and middle-aged talents from Lingzhou, and although there were some who were merely posing as capable, there were still two or three who were truly valuable.

As Wu Ming spoke, his gaze of interest settled on a few people in the corner.

Unlike the others who flattered and fawned over him, these few exuded an air of aloofness and pride, occupying a table by themselves, pouring their own drinks, and enjoying themselves.

Several gentlemen from the southern seats have remained silent since the banquet began, surely having already formed a plan in their hearts!

However, Wu Ming gave them no such luxury, directly speaking out loud and drawing everyone’s attention to that corner.

Immediately, some scholars showed expressions of surprise and unease, whispering among themselves, all of which Wu Ming caught without missing a single word:

“Ah? Aren’t those Xu Fu from the Xu family, Yan Gao, and Zhou Shangwen?”

“These three were once praised by Master Xu and were hailed as the ‘Three Talents of Xing Ling,’ always maintaining a high and proud demeanor, disdaining fame and official positions. Why have they come here?”

“…and now they’ve caught the attention of Master Wu. Since they’ve been noticed, our chances are slim…”

…

“Shallow-minded people, how dare they speak so recklessly?”

The three were startled, then stood up to bow, with Yan Gao speaking on behalf of the group.

As they stood, they immediately appeared different. His voice was loud and resonant, like the sound of bells and chimes, while one of his companions exuded an aloof demeanor, and the other was unrestrained and free-spirited, all of them possessing an otherworldly air.

“Three of you are too modest…”

Wu Ming’s face bore a mysterious smile: “You are all great talents, like a sharp cone placed in a bag, destined to stand out wherever you go. Or perhaps you think my virtue is shallow, and I am unworthy of your attention?”

Although it was said in jest, what was his status now?

At the slightest change in his tone, the guards outside narrowed their eyes like tigers, their right hands resting on their sword hilts, ready to drag these men who dared to insult their young master out for whatever punishment he desired.

“We dare not! We dare not!”

Yan Gao immediately smiled apologetically, trying to smooth things over: “We made a slip of the tongue; we’ll drink three cups as punishment! Three cups!”

He immediately tugged at the sleeves of his two companions. At this moment, under someone else’s roof, they had no choice but to bow their heads. The three raised their cups and drank them dry, letting the wine flow from the corners of their mouths down their sleeves: “We spoke out of turn; we beg your lordship to forgive us.”

“I was only joking…”

Wu Ming quickly changed his expression: “I have yet to hear your esteemed opinions.”

“Lingzhou has long suffered from the chaos of rebel armies. Fortunately, with the divine assistance of King Ding’s heavenly troops, the momentum has been unstoppable, and every battle has been victorious. I am of limited understanding and cannot offer more…”

The ethereal-looking one bowed deeply.

“You are Zhou Shangwen? Recommended by the Zhou family?”

Wu Ming, undeterred, directly opened a document and drew a red circle beneath his name: “Excellent. Report to the shogunate tomorrow to receive your orders!”

This man’s fortune was not bad, his innate nature carrying a hint of golden yellow, and he was also protected by hidden virtues. With a bit of training, he could govern a region, making him a capable individual.

Therefore, Wu Ming wasted no words, making the decision immediately, causing envy and jealousy among the other scholars. Zhou Shangwen, however, could only offer a bitter smile.

The three of them shared common interests and were not particularly eager for fame and fortune. However, caught in the tides of fate, their families were now under King Ding’s rule, so they had no choice but to come.

They had originally planned to just go through the motions and get it over with, but who would have thought that this official would treat the talent selection so casually, making decisions on the spot?

While others would be overjoyed to receive such an opportunity, he found himself in a situation where he had not even sought it. Under the envious gazes of many, he could only bitterly laugh inwardly.

“Thank you, my lord!”

However, since they had come to the banquet, it was clear the government was interested in recruiting them, and he could not refuse. He could only bow in gratitude, swallowing his bitterness like a mute eating yellow wax.

“Ding Bao is merely a candle flickering in the wind. Once he falls, the only remaining resistance in Lingzhou will be Ma Meng. This man’s forces were previously the strongest in Lingzhou. Even after repeated defeats at the hands of King Ding, he managed to remain standing. Now he defends the Six Rivers Crossing, a natural stronghold, with an army of thirty thousand, making him extremely difficult to deal with…”

Yan Gao hesitated for a moment before speaking similarly.

Hmm… you’re not bad either. You’ll also report to my command tomorrow…

Wu Ming waved his hand casually, decisively making the decision.

This man’s fortune was similar to Zhou Shangwen’s, merely at a decent level. However, the last one, Xu Fu, was truly a great talent, comparable to Zeng Yu.

“It seems my lord has already heard of our three’s reputation. It seems we cannot leave today…”

Xu Fu, the eccentric scholar, slightly bowed again, then casually returned to his seat and began drinking.

He wore wide robes and loose sleeves, now with his collar open, using a large drinking vessel, drinking in one gulp, his alcohol tolerance was astonishing.

After finishing a jar, he began to sing loudly, his demeanor wildly unrestrained. Then, seeing Wu Ming sitting there, unmoved and unshaken, as if watching the storm from a distance, he finally could not maintain his composure, letting out a few cold laughs: “Although King Ding has come to Lingzhou, I suspect his intentions may lie elsewhere!”

“Master Xu, why do you say that?”

Wu Ming, on the other hand, looked genuinely interested and directly asked.

“Er…”

This caught Xu Fu off guard.

Although he was bold and unrestrained, he was not foolish. If he were to openly reveal King Ding’s intentions, would he and his entire clan still have their lives?

Yet, not seeing the young master’s expression of shock on the stage, he felt slightly disappointed.

“This man is like an immovable mountain, neither proud nor hasty, neither elated nor disgraced, his mind truly not ordinary…”

Xu Fu silently mused, thinking of the young master’s identity on the stage, he had even more guesses: “The rumors must be false, this man is unfathomably deep!”

“I once heard that you three have a title called ‘The Three Talents of Xing Ling’? Since your brotherhood is so profound, I shall employ you all together!”

Thankfully, Wu Ming was not truly a naive youth. After a slight smile, he immediately offered them a way out.