Cultivation: Fortune by Lots-Chapter 500 - 254. Slapped Broken (Two-in-One Chapter)_3

This was the true disciple of Xuantian Temple, with the Dharma name Yongxiang.

The other party had once hunted down disciples of the White Lotus Sect alongside the officers of the Great Tang Divine Strategy Army, and had often meddled outside his business, trying to rescue Jiangzhou Lin Clan juniors from the hands of Celestial Master Mansion disciples being pursued.

But at that time Lei Jun’s skills and methods were superior, and in front of Yongxiang Monk he’d killed those Lin Clan juniors.

After that incident, it had already been years since they’d seen each other.

*Who could’ve guessed they’d run into each other here now?*

Only, at that moment, Yongxiang fell heavily to the ground.

Another monk, also appearing to be a true disciple of Xuantian Temple, stepped forward from behind, pressing his palms together, "Buddha is merciful, brother, you also have sacrificed yourself to quell this disaster, there should be no regrets."

After speaking, he waved his hand, and a lotus flower of colored glaze surrounded Yongxiang Monk, then turned to return to the Gao Family Ancestral Grounds.

Lei Jun saw this and arched his brow.

*Xuantian Temple disciples, had an internal conflict here at Zezhou Gao Family?*

Lei Jun withdrew his gaze, sweeping his eyes across the surroundings again.

A glimmer in both eyes subtly formed Talisman Scriptures, his brow emitted a faint light, observing the flow of Spiritual Energy in the region around the Gao Family Ancestral Grounds.

A thick aura of clang and war converged here, immense in scale, so vast Lei Jun could almost see a forest of spears and halberds, armor stacked tight.

This martial aura was continually disciplined and regimented by a higher, more mysterious force, ordered and ready.

It was as if an invisible but colossal barracks, with a grand army drilled relentlessly, followed orders strictly, perpetually poised to march out.

Military ritual.

Enlightenment rose in Lei Jun’s mind.

The very core of Confucian tradition, called ritual.

Now, in the Great Tang, Confucian cultivation called this the Five Rites.

Namely, Auspicious Rite, Mourning Rite, Military Rite, Guest Rite, and Festive Rite.

The Military Rite pertained to the affairs of armies and war.

A perfect fit for Ye Moquan facing off against Xu Yuanzhen now.

Though these are the Gao Clan’s ancestral lands, the depth and breadth of Military Rite present was beyond their family capability, it had to stem from Jinzhou Ye Clan.

Lei Jun thought back to that previous lot, mentioning Xuantian Temple, Zezhou Gao Family, Bodhi Temple ruins, plus Jinzhou Ye Clan itself, four locations in all, connecting that with his years of study of Confucian tradition, and he basically got the picture.

Ye Moquan had prepared quite the show of force, to battle Xu Yuanzhen.

The Four Seasons’ military rites were called Spring’s Troops Movement, Summer’s Camp Shift, Autumn’s Troop Drill, and Winter’s Grand Review.

These rituals were laid out in four relatively far-flung places.

Yet they intersected the vast mountains and rivers of the Northern Lands.

Once the Military Rite fully activated, it would harness the power of the sweeping mountain and river ley lines, shaking the land, turning into endless martial force and killing intent.

If the "Barbarian Spearhead" couldn’t break the terrain advantage of the opponent—

then that edge would be genuine, maybe even greater than anticipated.

"Still, this makes it a bit troublesome for me to operate..."

Over Lei Jun’s head, the Dual Polarity Heavenly Primordial Talisman flickered for a moment.

He’d originally considered, per his usual approach, using the Dual Polarity Heavenly Primordial Talisman to generate vast Primordial Magnet Force, to cut off communication between here and the outside.

But now that the Military Rite was substantial, it would interfere with, and oppose the Dual Polarity Heavenly Primordial Talisman, diminishing its effectiveness.

At the same time, it would also signal to those within the Gao Family Ancestral Grounds that an outside enemy had come.

Though after dealing with Yongxiang Monk, the pervasive martial aura started to draw back, appearing to settle with no oddity—all mere surface illusion.

Lei Jun was unsure of Jinzhou Ye Clan’s exact plans here in Zezhou.

*The lot said it was moderately good, no risk, but the wording also hinted there could be a disturbance.*

So Lei Jun thought for a moment, then quietly stepped forward.

The Shadow Movement Variation of his life-bound Heavenly Travel Talisman was used to the utmost, accompanied by a fleeting dark gleam from the Mysterious Void Mirror.

Even Lei Jun’s own figure became almost undetectable.

Even with martial aura gathered tight like an army formation, Lei Jun still slipped in like a shadow, infiltrating unnoticed.

When he encountered especially intense martial aura, Lei Jun would pause, using the Breathing Soil Banner for further pinpoint concealment.

*Hell, it really did feel like there was a patrol in this camp...* Lei Jun griped inwardly, but didn’t slow his movements at all.

He moved in stages, approaching the core area of the Gao Family Ancestral Home’s rear quarters.

Just then, Jingxiang Monk, who’d dealt with his own fellow disciple, returned here as well.

On an upper pavilion, Gao Family Head Gao Xian stood side by side with another tall middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man said, "Do not let it affect us, we focus on preparations."

He was not actually one of the Gao Family.

But a true elder of the Jinzhou Ye Clan, Ye Zhenxing.

"Everything is ready, just awaiting the family head’s command," Gao Xian said.

Ye Zhenxing, "Mm, very good."

"Any news from the capital?" Gao Xian asked quietly.

Zezhou was just north of Zhongzhou, still far from the Capital City, but enough to raise concern.

Ye Zhenxing said, "The court is stable at present, nothing major has changed."

Gao Xian let out a breath, "Good, as long as His Majesty doesn’t act arbitrarily."

He paused, then asked quietly, "There are rumors in the capital recently, saying His Majesty is considering establishing a new Council Hall under the Ministry beneath the Door?"

So it was, the Emperor ruled the realm with the great families.

The Emperor commanded his ministers, the ministers governed the world.

The Five Clans and Seven Families sent a continual stream of talents to enter government service.

Former Chu Clan Chief Chu Xiuyuan had earned the title State Elder for having served as Prime Minister in past years.

The officials of the Great Tang were headed by the heads of three ministries.

Namely, Imperial Secretary of the Left and Imperial Secretary of the Right of the Chancery.

Prefect of the Central Secretariat in the Department of Central Secretariat.

Deputy Minister of Ministry of Supervision.

Of those, Imperial Secretary of the Left was also called Grand Councillor, seen as the head of civil officials.

After Chu Xiuyuan retired, the current Imperial Secretary of the Left hailed from the Jingxiang Fang Clan.