blogombal Page 542
Page 542
"Hmph, even Lord Zhao can't scare us."
"People die for wealth, birds die for food; let's not laugh at each other. As for what the Empire means, Lord Zhao, please speak frankly."
"Shangguan Jin Hong, Ding Peng, the Demon Blade of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and Xiaoyao Hou of the Heavenly Sect, you are all supreme figures of your respective sects."
In terms of strength, even the Luo Wang (Net of Heaven) couldn't possibly wipe them all out in one fell swoop, let alone the three families. Therefore, Zhao Gao isn't an unreasonable person; his decision to cancel everyone's dividends this year is to serve as atonement for this transgression against the Empire.
Cancel this year's dividend?
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed slightly, for this was nearly 500,000 taels of gold.
In an instant, everyone looked at Zhao Gao with cold glints in their eyes and a murderous aura permeated the air.
"It's settled then!"
The sale of Five-Stone Powder is indeed against the natural order, and this time, the young master's intention is to give you all a small punishment as a warning.
Furthermore, the young master and the Buddha had a conversation:
From now on, Ghost Street will no longer be allowed to sell Five-Stone Powder or drugs adulterated with poppy seeds, unless purchased from a legitimate pharmacy.
Otherwise, once discovered, not only the Empire, but even the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion will intervene.
Zhao Gao alone could not control the crowd, but when Ghost Yama spoke, everyone's expression changed immediately.
When Zhang Xiaoshan spoke, it was practically an imperial edict!
Unexpectedly, even Zhang Xiaoshan forbids the sale of Wushi Powder, and in addition to Wushi Powder, even poppies are prohibited.
"Ghost Street doesn't restrict weapons, hidden weapons, poisons, assassins... because Ghost Street is the dark side!"
However, the foundation of Ghost Street also lies in the land of Kyushu. If substances like Five-Stone Powder spread, the harm they cause will be so great that the very foundation of Kyushu will be destroyed!
"Isn't your statement a bit alarmist, young master?"
Five-Stone Powder was expensive; a single dose cost at least one tael of silver. How could an ordinary person afford it?
Even if Shangguan Jin Hong knew that such things were extremely harmful, he thought they were just extravagant things of wealthy families, a style reminiscent of the Wei and Jin dynasties, and had nothing to do with the foundation of the empire.
Does the empire have to rely on those spoiled brats to keep it afloat?
"Hmph, do you all think that what the young master said was just empty talk?"
You are simply ignorant and foolish. Do you even know where the Five-Stone Powder originated from?
White Lotus Sect!
Similar to the Five-Stone Powder, the White Lotus Sect has the White Lotus Holy Water, which costs only three or four coins to produce, yet has a similar effect.
As you all know, the purpose of the White Lotus Holy Water is to win over believers.
White Lotus Sect!
Even though they claim to be heretics, they are far smaller than the White Lotus Sect.
It's not that they're weak; it's just that they're at most a Jiangmen gang, while the White Lotus Sect is a faith-based organization.
According to incomplete statistics, there are more than one million believers in the White Lotus Sect!
What's more, they thought they were making a fortune with Five Stone Powder, but they didn't expect that the similar White Lotus Holy Water only cost three or four coins.
In comparison, wouldn't it be more profitable to sell the White Lotus Holy Water?
However, the White Lotus Holy Water is too obvious, and once it appears, the empire will definitely do everything in its power to eradicate it.
If it weren't for everyone's vigorous acquisition of cinnabar, which touched upon the Dragon Emperor's taboo, nothing serious would have happened.
It can only be said that everyone was manipulated by Zhang Xiaoshan using his own interests.
"How does the young master know the cost of the White Lotus Holy Water?"
"Back then, the Sixth Prince of the Great Song Dynasty secretly coveted the Zhang family's million shi of grain. Do you all remember how the Sixth Prince of the Great Song Dynasty thwarted this plot?"
Hiss...
It turned out that the Zhang family was behind it.
No one doubted what Ghost Yama had said.
Back then, the Sixth Prince belonged to the Zhang family, and the Zhang family directly retaliated, directly dismantling the Sixth Prince's hidden power.
Later, because of the sensitive nature of the Sixth Prince's identity, everyone thought Zhang Xiaoshan had given up.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaoshan had secretly plotted so much; in the end, the Sixth Prince probably died under mysterious circumstances.
However, considering Zhang Xiaoshan's domineering methods, this is perfectly normal.
Therefore, the so-called White Lotus Holy Water was no secret to the Zhang family, not to mention its cost.
After all, there are still female members of the Zhang family who inherit the legacy of the Ghost Doctor.
The conflict between the Zhang family and the White Lotus Sect back then may have helped them uncover the secret of the White Lotus Holy Water.
The Zhang family has simply kept it a secret.
"The harm caused by this kind of thing, once it spreads and becomes a disaster, will be a devastating blow to the foundation of the Nine Provinces."
At that time, the foreign cavalry will be able to easily trample the Central Plains!
Therefore, the young master's intention is that, apart from legitimate medicinal use, anyone found buying or selling Five-Stone Powder or poppies in Ghost Street should be executed without mercy.
Those who belong to the Nine Gates will be expelled from the Nine Gates; if the circumstances are serious, their entire family will be executed.
"understood."
Even if everyone joined forces, they could shake the Nine Provinces and even provoke the Empire.
But Zhang Xiaoshan's words were like an imperial edict, and even Zhao Gao couldn't help but marvel at the Zhang family's high prestige. Within Ghost Street, it was practically a unified opinion.
You should know that just now, merely by canceling this year's dividends, everyone had developed murderous intent towards him.
Moreover, the sale of Wushi powder and poppies is prohibited.
This change in attitude is entirely due to the Zhang family's strength and prestige.
His strength shook the entire land, and his reputation was unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness.
In contrast, the empire was only viewed with some apprehension by most people.
Even though the empire might be worried about its power during this siege, if there's really no other way, they can relocate their headquarters and hide in the deep mountains.
As for the assassins from the Luo Wang organization, they would likely have a very high chance of winning in a one-on-one situation.
However, if everyone joins forces, even the Luo Wang (a powerful online organization) will have to retreat.
Chapter 629 The Scheme to Blame: The Mysterious Black Stone Spear
"Young Master, the White Lotus Sect's ships have already set sail!"
On Peach Blossom Island, Liu Sheng Piaoxu received a message from a Jiangnan spy: thanks to the Zhang family's schemes, the White Lotus Sect's various actions were under Zhang Xiaoshan's watchful eye.
This ship of Five Stone Powder was Zhang Xiaoshan's target.
Using the White Lotus Sect's ambitions, Zhang Xiaoshan opened the door to the Western world through the Five-Stone Powder. At the same time, he also prepared a large amount of White Lotus Holy Water and Five-Stone Powder, bringing him within striking distance of the White Lotus Sect.
Then everything can be blamed on the White Lotus Sect.
After all, Zhang Xiaoshan's goal was to weaken the West's strength.
Once these things spread in the West, whether they succeed or not, it will have nothing to do with the Zhang family.
If successful, the West's strength will plummet. After the ten-year plan is completed, the Yuan Dynasty at its peak will be able to reach the Western Roman Empire, and the domineering power of Emperor Qin Shi Huang will certainly not be weaker than that of any other great genius.
They failed, and anyway, all the blame falls on the White Lotus Sect.
As for the investigation?
It's questionable whether the White Lotus Sect can withstand this siege by the Imperial Army, let alone emerge afterwards.
Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan could do things without any pressure, since there was no way to verify the facts after the death.
Even the goods being transported were actually carried by members of the White Lotus Sect.
According to the response, they shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket; the ship they were openly displaying was just bait, and the real escort vessel was the one that carried the goods.
Therefore, the White Lotus Sect members on the ship had no suspicions whatsoever, and because of the secret mission, they did not reveal it to anyone.
Therefore, the people on all the ships were loyal followers of the White Lotus Sect.
Once they arrive in the West, Zhang Xiaoshan will have the merchants from the Central Plains discuss the news of the White Lotus Sect's demise, and then these White Lotus followers will have taken root in the West.
As for what happened afterward?
Zhang Xiaoshan could only say that he was in charge of killing but not of burying.
"Proceed according to plan. Oh, and bring all our people back."
"Yes, son!"
Liu Sheng Piaoxu had no objections; Zhang Xiaoshan's plan this time was somewhat insidious.
But Zhang Xiaoshan has never shown mercy when dealing with alien races, and this time is no exception.
After Liu Sheng Piaoxu left, Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the women on the side. It could be said that as time went by, their willpower was indeed being worn down.
Whether it's the turbulent world of martial arts or the treacherous imperial court, Zhang Xiaoshan is genuinely worried that he might stumble one day while nestled in this gentle haven.
However, if the Zhang family falls, they may be devoured by countless forces across the Nine Provinces, just like a whale falling.
Therefore, a glint of light flashed in Zhang Xiaoshan's eyes.
"We still can't get too comfortable!"
As he stood up, Zhang Xiaoshan looked at the women in the distance, called out to them, and then turned and went back to his study!
Last time, I obtained a stone egg from Zhao Gao, which was engraved with an ancient celestial book, extremely mysterious.
Zhang Xiaoshan hadn't paid much attention to it at first, since he wasn't a scholar of ancient writing and therefore couldn't possibly understand the contents.
But the more Zhang Xiaoshan studied it, the more unfathomable it seemed.
This is not merely a transmission between the lines; it also carries a mysterious and profound will, infused through the text, much like the unrestrained and exuberant style of calligraphy.
However, there was no calligraphy in ancient times, so this could only be the infusion of one's will by a strong person.
Unfortunately, with the passage of time, the original intention to express has almost completely disappeared.
Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan vaguely sensed that this might really be a dinosaur egg, but the weight was wrong!
While fossils may not be denser than stones, they certainly don't reach the density of fine steel, and are even heavier, resembling a meteorite from outer space.
However, Zhang Xiaoshan's evil deeds were not without basis.
Rather, the surface of the inscribed scripture and the worn-out part reveal distinctly different materials.
One is protein petrification, and the other is calcium petrification!
Does it require accumulating merit?
Zhang Xiaoshan used most of the countless merits accumulated by the Zhang family over the years to enhance items.
Like the weapons in the hands of the women: Xuan Nu's Heavenly Mountain Ice Blade, Huang Rong's Nine-Piece Chef's Set, Ji Yaohua's Invisibility Cloak, and the Purple Rose Soft Sword at Feng Zhanggui's waist...
Even Zhang Yuan's Magnetic Mother Fitness Ball, Ding Peng's Crescent Moon Demon Blade, and Juexin's Vajra Staff...
As for deducing martial arts skills?
The twelfth level of the Pure Yang Divine Skill is the realm of shattering the void. Add to that Zhang Xiaoshan's Pure Yang Finger, the Tathagata Palm, the Heavenly Crippled Divine Skill...
Upon reaching a higher level of understanding, he might truly be able to shatter the void.
Therefore, apart from stabilizing his realm, Zhang Xiaoshan did not deliberately cultivate; instead, he suppressed his realm.
However, in terms of physical strength, he had already reached the peak of the Nine Cauldrons.
At this moment, Xiaoshan may appear to have delicate skin, but in reality, even a grandmaster wielding a peerless divine weapon might not be able to leave any marks on his body.
As for his internal organs, through consuming large amounts of food, Zhang Xiaoshan's internal organs had long since reached the level where his roar was like thunder and his breath was like a sword.
[Host: Zhang Xiaoshan]
True Qi: Shattering the Void, Peak of the Nine Cauldrons
Talents: Indestructible Body, Supreme Yang Physique
Martial arts: Nine Cauldrons Divine Skill, Pure Yang (Yin) Limitless Skill, Heavenly Crippled Divine Skill, Dragon Saliva Divine Power...