Chapter 1451: 520: All Foreshadowing Revealed
Chapter 1451: Chapter 520: All Foreshadowing Revealed
Li Jing’s face flushed red, momentarily unsure how to respond.
Li Ping’an took a bite of food and said, “Everyone, just enjoy your meal as if I’m not here.”
The disciples quickly picked up their chopsticks, lowered their heads, and diligently ate.
Li Jing showed a look of embarrassment, “Your Majesty, I didn’t expect my trivial matter to alarm you.”
“No need to feel guilty, I’m just passing by,” Li Ping’an replied casually, “Ningning came to visit, so I came to see her, and also to see if the sect has changed. It’s progressed well over the years, the disciples have increased several times, many with long-lasting fortunes and outstanding talents.”
The elders at the neighboring table nodded and smiled continuously.
Elder Yansheng took a few puffs of his dry tobacco, looked at the backs of Li Ping’an and Li Jing, and had a faint smile on his old face.
Li Ping’an asked, “Li Jing, you haven’t answered my question yet. Don’t think this is a private setting where I can’t judge you.”
Li Jing forced a smile, “Your Majesty, I am not being excluded. My colleagues in the Heavenly Court treat me very well. Because of my status as a disciple of the Casting Cloud Sect, the old seniors among the Human Race also give me special attention.”
“Then what are you depressed about?”
“It’s not depression either,” Li Jing sighed, “The stars gather in the Heavenly Court, and I, Li Jing, indeed don’t stand out here. And due to my identity as a disciple of the Casting Cloud Sect, people tend to overestimate me, yet I don’t have a shred of commendable military achievements to show for it.”
Li Ping’an couldn’t help but laugh, “Do you feel like your talents are unappreciated?”
“Your Majesty, you’re too kind,” Li Jing forced a smile.
“I just feel like my abilities are lacking, not that my talents are unappreciated.”
“It’s impossible to know how many capable warriors there are in the Heavenly Court, the skills of the ancient Human Race heroes are something Li Jing might study for hundreds of thousands of years.”
“I’m just a minor cultivator who walked out of the sect gate, it’s difficult to compare. It’s better to follow my master’s example and yield the position to those who are more capable.”
Li Ping’an said, “Is that your honest opinion?”
“Yes,” Li Jing replied with a lowered head.
“Have any old ministers from the ancient Human Race pressured you?”
“No,” Li Jing thought for a moment, “To my knowledge, there has been no such situation. The generals of the Heavenly Court have always been in harmony in private, mostly chatting about which Chang’e in the Moon Palace has a better figure.”
Li Ping’an nodded to show his understanding and picked a piece of green vegetable for Li Jing.
“You lack self-confidence.”
Li Jing sighed and kept his head down, saying nothing.
Li Ping’an said, “I thought you all had been wronged. I, as the Heavenly Emperor, have been in seclusion for practice and feared neglecting my people… Alas, there’s no need to think so much. Just accompanying the Heavenly Court through its initial difficult years is an immeasurable merit, something no one else can undermine.”
“Your Majesty, you’re benevolent, we all know that,” Li Jing forced a smile.
“I want to rest and practice in seclusion at the sect for some time.”
“Seclusion for what? Is the Heavenly Court lacking one or two Golden Immortals?”
Li Ping’an looked at Li Jing and said seriously:
“What the Heavenly Court lacks now is talent like the Eastern King, someone who can lead the overall situation, coordinate troops, utilize people without envy, and during wartime, achieve victory with fewer numbers and keep casualties to a minimum when prevailing with more.”
“Can cultivation give you these? Eat, without eating how can you drink wine?”
Li Jing subconsciously picked up the chopsticks and took a green vegetable.
The disciples at the same table continued to eat diligently.
A soft tinkling sound was heard as Li Ping’an and Li Jing clinked cups and downed the Immortal Brew in one gulp.
With the wine rounds over and the dishes having various flavors sampled.
Outside this great hall were already quite a few disciples who had come after hearing the news to see the Heavenly Emperor’s presence.
Among them, many disciples who usually bragged about having done great things with the Heavenly Emperor mostly felt somewhat guilty at this moment.
Seeing Li Jing slightly intoxicated, Li Ping’an took the initiative to transmit his voice:
“Li Jing, you actually don’t need to lack self-confidence.
“Those Human Race heroes fought their way alongside the Human Emperor, and those who survived are veteran warriors, but the Heavenly Court can’t only have veterans.”
“The Heavenly Court’s divine ranks can’t remain unchanged, otherwise over time, power will inevitably lead to corruption and self-degradation.”
“The divine hierarchy and divine positions of the Heavenly Court are separated, which I had considered before, especially for military command.”
“You hail from the Casting Cloud Sect and the Heavenly Emperor Academy, and your background is already full. Among your peers from the academy, you are one of the best.”
Li Jing almost knelt down and transmitted his voice: “Your Majesty, for you to personally persuade Li Jing, Li Jing dares not refuse to serve faithfully. Wherever you need Li Jing in the Heavenly Court, Li Jing will continue to serve.”
“You’re not in a good state right now. Going back to the Heavenly Court would only continue to make you unhappy.”
Li Ping’an discreetly said:
“Now the grand catastrophe has begun, with various schemes, I intend to plant a few trusted confidants amidst the catastrophe. Are you willing to risk your life?”
“Willing!”
Li Jing’s eyes were shining as he transmitted his voice: “Li Jing is willing to brave fire and water for Your Majesty!”
“No need for you to brave fire and water.”
Li Ping’an smiled as he accepted a new wine jug from a female disciple beside him, filled Li Jing’s cup, and continued to transmit instructions:
“The situation of this grand catastrophe is basically determined now, and it will take place in the Southern Continent.
“The Southern Continent is currently a mundane land, but soon there will be changes. The Skycutter Great Array will be activated, if all goes well, the Southern Continent will suppress the power of the Immortals. Your cultivation entering there will operate at only a hundredth, and it will also prohibit flight.”
“This is confidential, don’t tell anyone. The Holy Mother is currently working on modifying the great array.”
“The center of the Southern Continent is called the Shang Nation, whose rule is already unstable. Under its governance are eight hundred Vassal States, and these Vassal States have been divided according to direction into four major camps: east, south, west, and north. Aside from the northern camp, the other three camps of the Vassal States have already shown signs of rebellion.”