Chapter Twenty-One: After the Founding of the Nation

"Heh, Lord Protector, you truly are refined and elegant—far more capable of enjoying life than us mere warriors," Bai Qi remarked, gazing at the exquisite villa before him. Artificial hills encircled by willows shaded the grounds, and he and Zhang Xiao sat together in a cool lakeside pavilion.

Today, Zhang Xiao’s attire was markedly different from before: a purple robe embroidered with a giant python, fastened by a golden belt with a wolf’s head, radiating an unmistakable aura of authority. Ever since Zhang Xiao had completed the task of nation-building, the laws of Heaven had decreed Luoyang as the imperial capital. Countless palaces and towers had sprung from the earth, and Ying Zheng, the First Emperor of Qin, now ruled as sovereign, with the country henceforth called Huaxia. In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

The lands once divided among the nine great sects were now unified under central governance. County offices and magistrates appeared across the nation, assuming absolute local control. The nine sects, far from resenting this shift, actively cooperated, even recommending their disciples to military service. For his merits in founding the nation, Zhang Xiao held the rank of Lord Protector, and this grand estate was a reward from the Emperor himself.

The grounds were vast, rivaling the pre-cataclysm forest parks. Yet despite his lofty title, Zhang Xiao wielded little real power—nothing compared to Bai Qi, who commanded a million imperial guards with unmatched prestige. Power, however, meant little to Zhang Xiao; he valued his own strength far more. So long as his own abilities were sufficient, any authority was but fleeting clouds, never binding him. Over these three months, Zhang Xiao’s cultivation had not advanced but regressed, falling from the middle to the initial stage of the Golden Core. He had transformed all his Yin spiritual energy into the purest Yang, all in preparation to practice the Sevenfold Profound Heaven Art created by the Daoist Xuan Cang.

Yet before he could begin earnest cultivation, Bai Qi had come to see him. Hearing Bai Qi’s praise of his gardens, Zhang Xiao smiled and replied, "Heh, Lord Martial Peace, you tease. But I doubt you came here just to admire my courtyard."

Bai Qi grinned, withdrawing a golden scroll from his breast and laying it before Zhang Xiao, saying, "Enough jesting. I come bearing imperial orders. The Emperor grants you two choices: First, take this edict and travel west to serve as a regional governor. Second, live as a carefree noble, holding title without duty."

Bai Qi then sipped his tea in silence. Zhang Xiao’s expression did not change, but his gaze never left the golden scroll. He weighed his options: the first promised power but no freedom; the second meant exclusion from the court’s inner circle, yet ample time for cultivation. At length, Zhang Xiao pushed the scroll back across the table. He still clung to the old adage: power must rest upon strength, and at present, he was unsuited to serve as a regional governor. Better to devote himself to mastering the Sevenfold Profound Heaven Art.

Seeing Zhang Xiao return the edict, Bai Qi was not surprised. He collected the scroll, his manner turning serious as he stood and produced another golden scroll. "Lord Protector, hear the imperial command!"

Startled, Zhang Xiao quickly rose to accept the decree. "Zhang Xiao, Lord Protector, for your services in founding the nation, His Majesty appoints you Right General of the Imperial Guards. Thus decreed!"

Right General of the Imperial Guards! Zhang Xiao was taken aback. Bai Qi commanded a million troops, and the nine great sects had recently sent many disciples to serve. The post of Right General should have gone to a sect member—why him?

Moreover, Zhang Xiao’s intentions had been clear: he wished not to be bound by military duties. Why appoint him to the Imperial Guards? Seeing his astonishment, Bai Qi chuckled, "There’s no need for surprise. The Right General is a nominal post—His Majesty merely wishes to grant you formal status. You need not report to the barracks except on special occasions."

The explanation sent Zhang Xiao deep into thought. Though the position was in name only, it was equivalent in status to a deputy commander of a military region before the cataclysm—so high that princes and ministers would defer to him. Could it really be so simple? He doubted it, but Bai Qi would not likely say more. Zhang Xiao accepted the decree, and after a brief chat, Bai Qi excused himself for official business.

Watching Bai Qi’s departing figure, Zhang Xiao smiled. Since it was a sinecure, he might as well accept it for now.

Two more months passed. Seated in his meditation chamber, Zhang Xiao guided pure Yang energy swiftly through his body. He had to admit, Daoist Xuan Cang was truly a genius; the Sevenfold Profound Heaven Art was profound beyond compare—forty-nine layers, a transformation every seven. After two months, Zhang Xiao had only barely attained the first layer. It was excruciatingly difficult. Gazing at the jade scroll in his hand, Zhang Xiao sighed. The greatest flaw of this art was its slow progress. Each layer required rebuilding one’s foundation, making advancement painfully slow—but for this reason, its power was extraordinary. The thought of his strength after the first transformation thrilled him. Soon, he could bring Xiao Fang to live in his manor. Imagining his future, Zhang Xiao realized he was becoming rather sentimental—and laughed.

Upon noticing Zhang Xiao awaken from seclusion, Zi Yan immediately brought fragrant tea and said, "Young Master! Someone from the barracks came with a message: you must report to the drill ground before noon tomorrow for the troop review."

Zhang Xiao accepted the tea, nodded, and asked no more. Though he was only a titular officer, he knew the rules—such a review was mandatory, even for honorary generals. Refusing to appear would be insubordination. Since the review was tomorrow, he decided to pause his cultivation and relax. Cultivation required balance between diligence and rest; too much rigor was counterproductive. Realizing he’d not yet explored Luoyang since his arrival, he said, "Come, Yan’er, let’s take a stroll outside today."

Zi Yan was delighted, skipping with excitement. No wonder; having spent countless years secluded in the Profound Heaven Grotto, the outside world’s vibrant sights were a constant allure. Zhang Xiao changed into a simple scholar’s robe, appearing every inch the refined gentleman, while Zi Yan obediently followed behind. His estate was vast, far from the city’s edge, but even though Zhang Xiao was at the initial Golden Core stage, he could still command his magical treasures. He summoned the Celestial Chime Bell, and together they transformed into a streak of rainbow light, flying toward the city outskirts.

"Halt! The city is a restricted zone—no aerial travel!"

As they neared the city gates, a squad of soldiers blocked their path. A sweep of Zhang Xiao’s spiritual sense revealed they were all Golden Core experts. He couldn’t help but feel exasperated—when had Golden Core cultivators become so commonplace?

The truth was, Zhang Xiao was unaware that during his half-year on the nation-building quest, Golden Core disciples had become more numerous, though still not common. As the old monsters of the sects retired and their direct disciples took over, cultivation progress had soared—some were even approaching the Nascent Soul stage. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiao had had little time to cultivate. With the help of a Demon Essence Pill, he’d barely reached mid-Golden Core, but to practice the Sevenfold Profound Heaven Art, had converted his energy to pure Yang, dropping back to the initial stage. Yet this did not mean his strength had weakened—on the contrary, though his cultivation level had fallen, his combat ability remained unaffected. Thus, Zhang Xiao paid his drop in rank little mind.

Hearing that flight was forbidden, Zhang Xiao prepared to descend and enter the city on foot with Zi Yan. At that moment, a guard barked, "Stop! Did I say you could leave?"

Zhang Xiao frowned, turning to the speaker, finding him oddly familiar, though he couldn’t recall where they’d met.

"Hahaha, so the former Outer Sect Elder really is forgetful of old acquaintances," the guard sneered.

With that, Zhang Xiao remembered. Before the grand competition of the nine sects, the wily Kong Xuan had used the Celestial Chime Bell as a pretext to incite other disciples’ jealousy, and one man had openly declared Zhang Xiao unworthy of the treasure, provoking a duel with Jin Wulei. Wasn’t this the very same man?

The guard’s aura was even more imposing than before—now at mid-Golden Core. Who would have thought he’d been assigned to military service? In the army, no matter one’s former status, everyone started at the bottom and had to climb by merit. Whether they could rise depended on their own ability. Zhang Xiao had ignored him before, and never expected to meet him here, much less be provoked.

Seeing Zhang Xiao’s look of disdain, the guard grew angry. In the sect, he’d been no match for Zhang Xiao, but now, with his advancement and a secret treasure that revealed others’ cultivation, he saw Zhang Xiao was only at the initial Golden Core stage—no threat at all. Yet Zhang Xiao still looked down on him.

Furious, the guard thrust his spear at Zhang Xiao. Even rank-and-file soldiers now wielded top-grade spiritual weapons. While not quite magical artifacts, in the hands of a Golden Core cultivator they could unleash great power. The spear whistled through the air with a piercing shriek, drawing the attention of bystanders, who cheered at the display of such might.