Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 53: Turbulent Twenty Years

Time flows like water, and in a flash, another twenty years have passed.

During these twenty years, the world has been turbulent.

Nine years ago, the army of the "King of Pingliang" broke through the capital "Shangjing," completely annihilating Da Wei.

Afterwards, the troops under King of Pingliang marched north and south, conquering every territory they came across; within six months, they had pacified the northern seven provinces, terrifying the entire realm.

After half a year of rest, the million-strong army crossed the river and headed south, vanquishing numerous rebel kings and regional powers along the way. The southern provinces surrendered upon hearing of their coming, with orders issued to submit.

Thus, the Nineteen Provinces were once more unified.

Upon the King of Pingliang’s ascendance at Shangjing, he held a ceremony to worship the heavens before formally ascending the throne, changing the country’s name to "Lu" and designating the era as "Kai Huang."

Now, it’s been ten years since Kai Huang.

"What a picturesque rural scene..."

In the southwest of Qin Province, Zhang Yao rode along a rural path on horseback, admiring the scenery beside the road.

In the distance, smoke curled from the chimneys of a small village, with the setting sun casting its glow as households lit fires to prepare meals, the faint sounds of children’s laughter and dogs barking blending into the air.

Twenty years had passed, yet he still wore his green robes, but his appearance looked much younger, like a charming young gentleman in his twenties amidst a turbulent world.

"It’s still best when the world is at peace."

Retracting his gaze, Zhang Yao couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental: "The common people can finally live stable lives."

It’s been ten years since the chaotic times ended.

After the establishment of Lu Kingdom, the Emperor eased labor taxes, encouraged intermarriage and trade, and implemented various policies beneficial to the people.

Within just ten years, the once destitute Nineteen Provinces began to show signs of prosperity, and perhaps in a few more years, a new golden age will arrive.

"After great chaos comes great order; with half the population gone, conflicts largely resolved, and land made available."

"As long as the Emperor doesn’t act recklessly, ushering in a prosperous era isn’t difficult, especially since this ’King of Pingliang’ is a wise and capable emperor..."

Thinking of that Emperor, a hint of contemplation appeared in Zhang Yao’s eyes:

"Whether there’s support from the Immortal Family behind this founding Emperor remains a mystery."

"The person I planted beside him hasn’t uncovered any useful information in all these years..."

Ten years ago:

When King of Pingliang’s army headed south, Zhang Yao happened to be secretly active in the south’s Fu Province, steadily implementing his plans.

Through secret investigation, he learned that in the southern provinces, like the northern seven provinces, many rebel kings and Jiedu Envoys had mysteriously died on the eve of battle, causing chaos and leaderlessness among their forces.

This is the truth behind the effortless pacification of the south by King of Pingliang’s million-strong army.

At the time, Zhang Yao harbored fear, uncertain whether an Immortal Family intervened or several Grandmasters joined forces, thus choosing not to personally probe King of Pingliang’s secrets.

"Drive! Drive!"

As Zhang Yao pondered, several groups of riders sped past him, kicking up clouds of dust.

"Hurry, don’t be late!"

"Relax, speeding all the way, we’ll definitely make it!"

In fine clothes and angry horses, sword-wearing, three or five in a group, clearly Jianghu People.

Since the founding of Lu, despite the strong implementation of the Weapon Ban Order, the martial culture in society grew strong during decades of chaos, not something easily dispelled in a short time.

The only change is the reduced number of Martial Artists; no one dares to employ large-scale armor, bows, and crossbows anymore.

"It’s really bustling."

Smiling, Zhang Yao leisurely continued riding forward.

"Hope this time brings good fortune."

......

Two months ago.

Rumors spread in Liang County, Qin Province’s southwest, claiming that the "Night Emperor’s Secret Collection" from centuries ago had resurfaced, swiftly causing a sensation.

Countless Jianghu People moved upon hearing the news, investigating based on vague rumors, causing quite a fuss, making it the foremost event in Qin Province’s Martial Arts.

There’s a record:

Centuries ago, during the end of Da Chen’s dynasty, Qin Province produced an unmatched overlord, known as the "Night Emperor," recognized then as the world’s strongest.

The most famous feat of this Night Emperor was infiltrating the Capital City alone and assassinating the last Emperor of Chen Dynasty in the Jinluan Hall, causing the realm to spiral into chaos beyond repair.

It’s said that in that battle, he slaughtered through ten thousand Imperial Guards alone; even the Four Grandmasters in unison couldn’t defeat him, shocking the world.

Rumors suggest that before his death, the Night Emperor ordered the construction of a massive Earth Palace, supposedly hiding wealth comparable to a nation and Martial Arts unsurpassed in power—though this news was never confirmed.

Until centuries later:

A Treasure Map detailing the route to the "Night Emperor’s Mausoleum" suddenly emerged in Liang County, Qin Province, shaking the entire Martial Arts community.

It’s said this Treasure Map was initially held by a fledgling Jianghu youth, who encountered a Noble Family’s young lady during his righteous acts, and amidst their entangled relationship, inadvertently leaked the news.

What specifically occurred in between, amidst various intertwined rumors, remains hard to discern.

Yet, the most crucial Treasure Map began to circulate, no longer a secret in Qin Province’s Martial Arts community, though not everyone had a copy.

Liang County, Qin Province, within Yunxiao Mountain.

In a mist-covered valley, torches were planted everywhere, illuminating the entire gorge.

Corpses lay throughout the valley, with blood flowing like a river, remnants of arms and limbs strewn across, the scene looking exceedingly gruesome.

"Ouch..."

"Damn it, Li Santong, that despicable cur, struck quite viciously!"

"Qing Chen Palace people also came; now we might not even get any soup..."

Numerous injured Jianghu People sat scattered in corners of the valley, moaning, cursing, and grumbling.

On the other side of the valley:

A section of the mountain wall had been opened, revealing a deep entrance, evidently the rumored gateway to the Night Emperor’s secret Earth Palace.

Judging by this scene, it’s not hard to guess that major forces in Qin Province’s Martial Arts joined together and searched Yunxiao Mountain for a long time before finally finding this Earth Palace entrance, triggering a heavy confrontation just before entering.

"Looks like I’m not late."

Dressed in a wide black robe and a bamboo hat, Zhang Yao slowly walked into the valley.

"Another one!"

"Wonder what background..."

"Hey, another one coming to die!"

Countless gazes watched him, curious, examining, probing, malicious... Zhang Yao seemed oblivious, walking towards the Earth Palace entrance on his own.

He passed over corpses, through pools of blood, without pause, yet the hem of his robe and his boots remained unstained by blood.

"This!"

Many Jianghu People with sharp eyes saw this scene, waves surged within their hearts.

"Could it be that another Grandmaster has arrived?"

Inside the Earth Palace.

Following the deep passage, bodies lay on the ground, alongside remnants of crossbow arrows and rolling stone traps.

Past the main corridor, inside side chambers and accessory rooms, more bodies were found, most dead from swords and clubs.

Some had their bones collapsed, dying tragically, evidently struck by powerful True Qi.

"Haven’t even seen the main course, yet they’re already fighting among themselves."

Looking at this chaotic scene, Zhang Yao shook his head privately.

In a dimly lit room, several torches remained, the floor scattered with numerous gold and silver jewelry and burial goods, clearly dropped hastily while being looted due to their sheer volume.

If even side chambers and accessory rooms had this, the rumors about Night Emperor’s Secret Collection being wealth rivalling a nation were likely not unfounded, not surprising these people were blind with greed.

"Hmm?"

Continuing deeper into the Earth Palace, faint firelight and voices could be heard ahead, Zhang Yao’s expression shifted slightly, revealing a hint of a smile:

"The grand finale is yet to unfold; I’m not too late."