Chapter 265: 224: Why Is the Pigeon So Big?
Chapter 265: 224: Why Is the Pigeon So Big?
Chapter 265: Chapter 224: Why Is the Pigeon So Big?
After the consecutive incidents involving Prince Liang Chu, Prince Qi, and Prince Liang Wu, disciples from the Linlan Sect’s Capital subrudder decisively sniffed out a hint of opportunity.
Due to the agreement that Immortal Sects do not interfere with worldly matters, from the start, the Linlan Sect’s subrudder had never even considered the thought of vying for the throne.
Because the Linlan Sect’s situation in Liang Kingdom was different from that of the Taixu Sect.
Although the Taixu Sect had established a foothold more swiftly than the Linlan Sect, after gaining its footing, it remained subdued due to the strength of the Tongtian Sect.
However, the Linlan Sect was a sect actively introduced by the Liang State Court. In order to struggle against the influence of the Tongtian Sect, the court secretly facilitated the operation of the Linlan Sect in various ways.
For instance, Capital University, initially wholly funded by the court, later opened up for Linlan Sect to occupy and rejuvenate.
Similarly, for Tianheng Sword Cultivation Academy in Wuyue, the Linlan Sect’s cultivators were even allowed to become the dean.
The Liang State Court’s actions allowed the Linlan Sect to develop smoothly, and in such a favorable situation, there seemed to be no need for the sect to touch the forbidden zone of imperial succession.
If they violated the agreement and the Tongtian Sect caught them doing so, stirring up trouble, then the territories they had laboriously developed might collapse utterly at a disadvantage.
But recently, as several princes consecutively met with troubles and fell from power, essentially losing any opportunity to ascend the throne, the Linlan Sect, which had always ignored royal affairs, couldn’t help but sense a chance to grow and strengthen.
There had never been a precedent for a female emperor in Liang Kingdom. Therefore, the only prince currently able to compete with their Capital University’s Prince Liang Qing was Prince Liang Hong.
And upon a slight inquiry about Prince Liang Hong, one would find him to be of exceptionally poor competence.
Even compared to the cunning and slippery Prince Liang Qing, Prince Liang Hong appeared knowledgeable and extremely talented.
The Linlan Sect’s Liangguo Subrudder Branch Helmsman, Cai Wenzhang’s home, was extremely lively.
Officially, today marked the 350th birthday of Cai Wenzhang, but in reality, his birthday noodle dish had not yet been served.
At this moment, Cai Wenzhang’s home was filled with many of the core members of the Linlan Sect’s Capital sub-branch.
This naturally included an old acquaintance from Jiang Cheng, the president of the Linlan Sect’s Talisman Master Association, Zeng Shi’an.
“Gentlemen, we are all aware of our branch’s current situation. Ever since we entered Liang Kingdom, our branch has developed rapidly, but this is because of the deliberate support from the Liang State Court. With the Emperor of Liang nearing the end of his lifespan and the new emperor yet undetermined, what if this support suddenly shifts when the new emperor takes the throne? How should our Liangguo Subrudder respond?”
A cultivator said, “Helmsman, supporting Linlan Sect is in the long-term interests of the Liang State Court. I believe that, in the short term, this policy should not waver.”
Cai Wenzhang nodded in approval and said, “I know that’s what everyone thinks, but what if the new Emperor of Liang is a puppet of the Tongtian Sect? Can the policy of supporting the Linlan Sect continue smoothly? Others might be hard to say, but Prince Liang Hong definitely comes from Lotus Cloud University, and he has been in repeated contact with it recently. With the old Emperor of Liang nearing the end of his lifespan, Prince Liang Hong’s communication with his alma mater can’t be just a coincidence, right?”
Upon Cai Wenzhang’s statement, the Linlan Sect’s members fell silent instantly.
What Cai Wenzhang said was quite reasonable, indicating that their vigilance had been lacking.
“Moreover, there has been an incident recently that you all must be clearer about than me,” said Cai Wenzhang as he turned to Zeng Shi’an. “Elder Zeng, you were involved in the matter; please share.”
Zeng Shi’an internally cursed his luck.
Wasn’t it just the issue with the Plant Autonomy Talisman?
Months had passed, and yet here it was being dug up again!
Zeng Shi’an had treaded on thin ice all his life, only to unexpectedly fall into Jiang Cheng’s trap without a word!
Still, when the Branch Helmsman asked him to speak, Zeng Shi’an knew well what to say.
“After the incident with the Plant Empowerment Talisman, our Linlan Sect faced significant pressure from the court. I agree with the Helmsman’s view. If Linlan Sect can gain more influence in the court, it would be hugely beneficial to our subrudder’s future development. At the very least, we would avoid being called out and criticized, sparing us the shame of such incidents,” Zeng Shi’an said.
Zeng Shi’an’s remarks led to a moment of enlightenment among many Linlan Sect cultivators present.
After all, nobody wanted to be singled out for criticism like Zeng Shi’an.
Having a tarnished history is a terrifying prospect for a cultivator.
This is because cultivators live much longer than ordinary people, with higher-level cultivators even more so.
If someone has a tarnished history, it often follows them for the latter part of their life—a life spanning hundreds or thousands of years!
Then, as new cultivators learn about their dark past through various channels, the way newcomers look at them starts to get odd.
If there’s a new batch every year, this dissemination of a tarnished history could be repeated a thousand times!
Just the thought of it is chilling.
Rather than socially dying a thousand times later, it is better to make a lasting impact now, for the benefit of oneself and the future!
Once the sect’s opinion was unified, the subsequent actions became much simpler.
Cai Wenzhang directly addressed the head of Capital University’s Traditional Cultivation Academy: “Elder Gu, Prince Liang Qing is a student of your academy. The task of helping Prince Liang Qing to ascend the throne is fully entrusted to you. You may freely utilize the resources of our subrudder; my personal assistance will also be at your disposal for your endeavors.”
Gu Dongsheng was reluctant to accept this troublesome task, but given the mood, he couldn’t refuse and had to agree begrudgingly.
Cai Wenzhang cautioned, “Be extremely careful in your actions, Elder Gu. Remember not to get directly involved in the struggle for the throne so you do not give other Immortal Sects a handle against us.”
“I understand,” Elder Gu replied.
…
In the backyard of Prince Yue Mansion.
A man in brocade robes stood opposite a man in plain clothes.