Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 903: Chapter 652: When the Tree Falls, the Monkeys Scatter (Part 2)

”Ah!” Xun Shanshui looked at An Yuxing in confusion, ”Senior, why is this?”

An Yuxing gently shook his head, ”There is no meaning for us to stay. We might help the court defeat some rebels, but we cannot change this decaying dynasty!”

Can they save Da Rong?

The answer is no!

Because the root of Da Rong’s illness is no longer the Emperor, nor the court, but the entire imperial system, all government offices.

To save Da Rong, it requires destruction and then rebuilding.

In such a turmoil, saving Da Rong is even harder than rebuilding a new dynasty.

An Yuxing actually knew this outcome long ago, yet he still harbored some hope for Da Rong. Unfortunately, Emperor Jianxing and the current court have let him down.

When Chen Zhaoxuan died in Dai State, he already had thoughts of leaving, and thus he sent An Chenhui to Chongshan Town.

An Yuxing left, departing as freely as Yue Gu, without any warning, without leaving any letter for Emperor Jianxing, just leaving abruptly.

He had a thought he didn’t express to Xun Shanshui. He believed that staying in Sanshan Valley would only make this chaotic world more disordered and last longer. Conversely, by leaving, the court would lose the power of many Innate Martial Artists, leading to its swifter demise.

Only if Da Rong falls sooner can a new dynasty be established sooner.

And only if the new dynasty is established sooner will the common people suffer less disaster.

As for loyalty to the Emperor, when have Innate Martial Artists ever been loyal to the Emperor?

Perhaps there once was, but once they become Innate Martial Artists, their loyalty gradually fades, leaving only emotions and ties.

An Yuxing left, going to find his descendants.

The An family is just a small family. Even though he became an Innate Martial Artist, the An family’s development is still limited. After so many years, the most promising is still An Chenhui.

And the An family had long since moved from their hometown. After An Chenhui went to Chongshan Town, the An family moved to Liaodong.

They didn’t go to Chongshan Town but moved to Dongyang Prefecture in Ping Yuan.

Because Ping Yuan Province has no powerful worldly forces nor strong Martial Arts families.

Moreover, Ping Yuan Province is within the sphere of influence of the Yang family. Although the Yang family’s control over Ping Yuan is weak, due to Lu Wenquan and Lin Zhan’s relationship, Ping Yuan has been relatively peaceful.

An Yuxing left, Yue Gu left, eventually Xun Shanshui also left.

Finally, only a gentle figure remained in Sanshan Valley. Chen Mingxi stood under the Three Yellow Plums, looking at the yellowed falling leaves, her delicate eyebrows tightly knitted.

”Royal Brother, Mingxi misses you!”

She murmured softly.

”Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence!”

A Martial Artist dressed in black attire, with a long sword at his waist, silently appeared behind Chen Mingxi.

”I understand!”

Chen Mingxi turned around, and with the company of a maidservant, sat in the carriage heading to the Capital City.

Anyone can abandon Da Rong, except the royal family cannot abandon Da Rong.

...

In Jizhou, within the Hengdao Sect.

Ji Hai stared in astonishment at the returning Ji Zhen, ”Master, why have you returned?”

Ji Zhen looked at the familiar courtyard, the familiar plants, and let out a gentle sigh.

Leaning on a crutch, he entered the house. Inside was the familiar decor, even the teapots and teacups hadn’t been changed.

Sitting by the tea table, he caressed the familiar tea set.

”The chaos has arrived, it’s time for our Hengdao Sect to find its own path!”

Ji Hai sat blankly in front of Ji Zhen, seemingly not understanding Ji Zhen’s words.

For over twenty years, Ji Zhen had always been in Cui Xia Valley. Although Ji Hai frequently visited him, the long distance meant he could go only once a year at most.

And now Ji Hai’s hair is graying, but he has become an Innate Martial Artist, not disappointing Ji Zhen’s painstaking efforts.

Hengdao Sect is still the strongest sect in Liaodong, with the Sky Blue Sword Sect only being second.

”Master, what happened?”

Ji Zhen tasted the tea, the familiar aroma making his thoughts complicated.

”Sanshan Valley and Cui Xia Valley no longer have Innate Martial Artists stationed.”

”What?” Ji Hai exclaimed in shock.

Ji Zhen said, ”Jian Chengfeng defected from Sanshan Valley, and all the Innate Martial Artists from Sanshan Valley parted ways. After Cui Xia Valley received the news, everyone returned to their own homes!”

Jian Chengfeng’s defection was a trigger; he ignited the hearts of the disillusioned Innate Martial Artists.

With even the Innate Martial Artists of Sanshan Valley leaving, not to mention Cui Xia Valley.

The Innate Martial Artists within Sanshan Valley almost all held official positions at court, while most Innate Martial Artists in Cui Xia Valley were born in worldly sects.

”Without them, won’t we lose the True Essence Pills in the future?” Ji Hai said.

Ji Zhen looked up at him, ”At this time, you’re still thinking about True Essence Pills!”

Ji Hai shook his head, ”Master, I’m a bit confused, let me sort my thoughts!”

He couldn’t quite grasp the logic of those elders, why leave Sanshan and Cui Xia Valleys?

Clearly staying there meant access to Three Yellow Plums and True Essence Pills, why leave?

And did the Emperor just let them leave so easily?

Weren’t they afraid of the Emperor’s wrath?

Ji Hai couldn’t wrap his head around it momentarily.

After all, he only recently broke through to the Innate Realm a few years ago, and his perspective hadn’t yet shifted from an ordinary Martial Artist to an Innate Martial Artist.

In his mind, Three Yellow Plums and True Essence Pills are incredibly precious cultivation resources, worth the Hengdao Sect paying a great price. Not just staying in Sanshan and Cui Xia Valleys, but even leading disciples into battle would be worth it.