"With all sorts of scheming, we could even cause these sects to fall apart. It's just a pity that we don't have enough time; we only have less than a year left," Lin Yang said, shaking his head.
"It's alright, a year is enough time for us to get a lot done," Shi A said confidently.
“Yes, there are so many things that can be done in a year. Plant a seed in spring and you will reap the harvest in autumn. So, what will we reap when we return to this world a hundred years from now, for what we are doing now?” Lin Yang suddenly turned cold, his killing intent surging.
"Oh, Feipeng, do you suspect that these people have left behind some contingency plan in this world?" Cai Yan's eyes lit up, and she suddenly said.
"Yes, we have to be careful."
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Chapter Twenty-Four: The Evil Taoist Priest Leads the Country astray
Lin Yang is a sensation! The entire capital city is buzzing with excitement.
Just yesterday, the playful Emperor Zhengde, Zhu Houzhao, disregarded the objections of the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and appointed Lin Yang as the National Preceptor, with the title of Supreme Taoist.
At the same time, Zhu Houzhao ordered the establishment of the Imperial Preceptor's Office. What was even more surprising was that this Imperial Preceptor's Office actually controlled the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Six Doors, two major intelligence organizations. It was unclear why the young emperor trusted this sorcerer so much.
That's right, "Demon Daoist" is what martial arts practitioners call Lin Yang. It's said that the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion was established specifically to target martial arts practitioners. Therefore, Lin Yang earned the title of "Demon Daoist."
Some say that the sorcerer was awarded the title of Imperial Preceptor because he presented an elixir of immortality.
Some say that the sorcerer is actually a demon in human form who entered the capital to bewitch the emperor.
Some say that this sorcerer was skilled in alchemy, because as soon as he took office, he immediately mobilized all the senior doctors in the capital and also amassed a large number of medicinal herbs.
Some say that this sorcerer intended to rebel...
However, the most common opinion remains that this sorcerer is utterly incompetent, nothing more than a charlatan who can only fool the officials in the court. If he dares to interfere in the martial world, he will definitely be taught a lesson.
However, Li Yanbei, one of the two controllers of the underground forces in the capital, felt a chill run through his body and didn't even have the courage to raise his head.
Because the last guy who was dissatisfied with the sorcerer, or rather, the last guy who was dissatisfied with the Imperial Preceptor, has already lost his head.
His name is Du Tongxuan.
It's important to understand that Du Tongxuan and Li Yanbei, one in the south and the other in the north, each controlled half of the underground forces in the capital. But now, this so-called underground emperor is dead!
No matter how powerful or glorious he once was, how many concubines he had, or how much wealth he possessed, he was now dead!
Seeing Du Tongxuan's unseeing eyes in death, and recalling Lin Yang's unfathomable martial arts skills, Li Yanbei lowered his head even further. At this moment, he had lost all the arrogance of a martial artist, his head pressed firmly to the ground, not daring to move an inch.
With a single move, just one move, Du Tongxuan, who was his equal, died instantly. Such martial arts were truly divine and demonic, unfathomable.
Seeing this, Lin Yang nodded happily; this was exactly the kind of small effect he wanted.
In fact, when it comes to real martial arts skills, Lin Yang, who possesses the Longevity Qi, is slightly stronger than Du Tongxuan. However, under normal circumstances, it would take at least a hundred moves to determine a winner.
However, at this moment, the outcome was decided in a single move. The reason was even simpler. Cai Yan and Shi A, based on various intelligence reports, had already analyzed this person's specific strength, habits, and fighting style. They even had a clear understanding of how to deal with him.
In this situation, it was equivalent to Cai Yan's wisdom, Shi A's experience, and Lin Yang's personal intervention. With the three of them working together, it can only be said that Du Tongxuan's death was not unjust.
"Li Yanbei, do you want to live or die?" Lin Yang said calmly, sitting in his chair.
"Your Excellency, I wish to live." Li Yanbei understood the principle that a true man can bend and stretch.
"So what do you think of these martial arts figures nowadays?" Lin Yang continued.
Upon hearing this, Li Yanbei's eyes widened. He recalled the rumors that had already spread throughout the martial arts world: the establishment of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion was for the purpose of pacifying the martial arts world.
"These江湖人士 (jianghu figures) are mostly incorrigible, disobedient to the law, and disregard the imperial court, displaying audacity beyond measure..."
As he spoke, Li Yanbei secretly raised his head to observe Lin Yang, noticing that Lin Yang was very pleased. He then became even more excited and said, "Therefore, in my humble opinion, all these martial arts figures deserve to die!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yang couldn't help but nod. Putting aside the previous points, this statement that all martial arts practitioners deserve to die was at least on point.
It can be said that, from the perspective of the imperial court's laws, both righteous and demonic paths deserve to die! The vast majority of martial arts practitioners also have their own reasons for their deaths.
At least from a personal moral standpoint, they are far inferior to the harmonious group of wandering knights in the main world.
"Since that's the case, would you be willing to join the imperial court and contribute to my grand plan?" Lin Yang said with a smile. With that, he waved his hand, and dozens of martial artists appeared around the living room, surrounding Li Yanbei. Anyone who dared to utter a single word of dissent would immediately be torn to pieces.
These martial artists are the result of Shi A's training over the past two weeks. Using various medicinal herbs from the imperial palace, he has concocted various pills to stimulate potential and burn vital essence. Otherwise, there's no smoke without fire; how could such unreliable rumors of an elixir of immortality circulate outside?
Just half a month ago, these men were merely loyal imperial guards. In that short time, they had already acquired the strength of a nascent second-rate soldier. Of course, the price they paid was also extremely high.
It can be said that unless one can break through the innate limitations, the vast majority of people will not live past forty. Of the rest, even if they are lucky enough to live past forty, they will definitely not live past fifty.
But they were willing, after all, the imperial court had no shortage of people who were loyal to the country and the court.
Looking at these martial artists, Li Yanbei's heart sank. These people exuded an aura that suggested they had only recently broken through to the next level. In a one-on-one fight, he could take their lives within three moves.
Even if one were to fight three, it would only take thirty moves.
To defeat ten opponents alone, one must be fully focused and extremely cautious in order to have a 60% chance of winning.
Now, facing dozens of opponents alone, there's probably no chance of victory.
"Yes, Yanbei is willing. I will obey the Grand Preceptor's orders," Li Yanbei said. He then began to kowtow forcefully, making a series of loud thuds. To save his life, Li Yanbei was truly going all out.
Shi A scoffed at this. The vast majority of chivalrous heroes in the main world were known for their unwavering loyalty and commitment, valuing their promises above life itself. They were nothing like this man, capable of anything to survive.
"Alright, since that's the case, then I'll appoint you as a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. From now on, you're an official of the court, and a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the fourth rank. In a way, you and I are colleagues now," Lin Yang said with a smile.
"Tonight is the time to make our move. Now that Du Tongxuan is dead, it's time to unify the entire underground forces of the capital. At that time, no matter who is behind it, I want you to control all the casinos and brothels in the capital," Lin Yang ordered.
This serves multiple purposes: accumulating wealth, establishing authority, and severing the influence of many people in the capital.
"Of course, it's difficult for you to accomplish this on your own, but it's alright, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will help you."