According to the Daxuanzu system, on the first day of the new year, members of the clan have to worship at Canglong Hall for a night.
The sacrificial ceremony was divided into two rounds. After the first round of sacrificial ceremony, the clan members gathered in the main hall to have a meal. Emperor Zhaoxing raised his wine glass, and when the wine reached his lips, he could not help but shed tears.
"A young talent came out of the Great Xuan Dynasty, but he was injured by a group of heinous people. His whereabouts are now unknown. This is really a disaster for the country.
During the ceremony, I want to pray for Xu Aiqing, but I don’t know what your thoughts are."
Praying for blessings was one of Emperor Zhaoxing's favorite things to do.
When there was a war in the north, he prayed for blessings. When Huazhou broke its embankments, he prayed for blessings. When Yanzhou was experiencing a food shortage, he also prayed for blessings.
Praying for blessings is not difficult, since there is no need to bleed or pay money.
The key process of praying is difficult to control. Emperor Zhaoxing made full preparations for his prayers. Every time he prayed, he asked his chamberlain to write a manuscript in advance. Every sentence he said was touching, and every sentence he said brought tears to his eyes.
But others were not prepared in advance, and it was difficult to keep up with Emperor Zhaoxing's pace.
Just like this time, the clan members thought that there would be no new tricks during the annual sacrifice. Who would have thought that they would have to pray for Xu Zhiqiong during the sacrifice this year.
The young master members must not understand. Didn’t the emperor hate Xu Zhiqiong deeply? Why should he pray for him?
Those who are a little older and are used to this routine will naturally understand Emperor Zhaoxing's intentions.
The more you hate someone, the more you care for them. This is Emperor Zhaoxing's consistent strategy, so as to show the king's generosity and magnanimity.
Moreover, Liang Jixiong is here today to pray for Xu Zhiqiong, which has another profound meaning.
From the day Xu Zhiqiong disappeared, Liang Jixiong has been in a state of anxiety, unable to think about food and drink, and unable to sleep at night, as if he had lost half his life.
He knew that Emperor Zhaoxing asked Xu Zhiqiong to arrest Ren Yazi, and Xu Zhiqiong's disappearance must have something to do with Emperor Zhaoxing.
But even if he knew the truth, Liang Jixiong had no temper.
Catching people's teeth is the duty of the Deng Yamen. Emperor Zhaoxing's arrangement was reasonable and without any flaws.
On the first day of the new year, I prayed for Xu Zhiqiong in front of Liang Jixiong and also conveyed a message to Liang Jixiong.
Xu Zhiqiong was killed by me!
I am right in front of you, still praying for him, what can you do to me?
Liang Jixiong really couldn't do anything to Emperor Zhaoxing. Seeing Liang Jixiong's haggard appearance, many members of the clan were really worried that Liang Jixiong would be angered to death on the spot.
But Liang Jixiong didn't look angry. He got up and walked to the altar to pray for the emperor himself.
The so-called presiding is not a complicated process. It means holding a bell and hammer and ringing the bell next to the golden bell. Every time the emperor reads a prayer, the presiding officer will ring the golden bell. After the emperor has finished reciting all the prayers, the presiding officer will ring the bell continuously.
When the golden bell strikes nine times, the prayers are over.
The clan members had only finished half of their meal, but they didn't expect Elder Shengwei to be so anxious.
No, the guy was taken away. The members of the clan knelt down in order and prayed to the True God Canglong under the leadership of Emperor Zhaoxing.
As soon as the bell rang, Emperor Zhaoxing's tears had already reached his eyes.
"Oh, Zhi Qiong, died young!"
Everyone was startled, this first sentence was wrong!
Xu Zhiqiong just disappeared, not said to be dead.
Emperor Zhaoxing simply said that he died at a young age. This is not a prayer. Isn't this a condolence?
This really makes Liang Jixiong angry!
But Liang Jixiong didn't get angry and just rang the bell quietly.
Emperor Zhaoxing continued:
"Shou Yuan is destined, I am only heartbroken!
Heartache, knife twisting, a glass of wine,
You have a spirit, enjoy my feast!"
At this point, Emperor Zhaoxing burst into tears, and everyone had to cry with Emperor Zhaoxing. Those with strong skills can really cry tears, but those with weak skills can force their tears. After all, it was late at night, and everyone was sleepy. They yawned a few times.
It's not that difficult to shed some tears.
For those who really couldn't cry, they pinched their thighs and pinched their noses, but they could always squeeze out a drop or two. Emperor Zhaoxing recited the prayer while crying. He recited more than a hundred prayers in total. By the time he read the last sentence, he was already crying like a man.
"Young hero, get rid of violence and stay safe, never say goodbye to life or death, and live happily ever after!"
Emperor Zhaoxing cried so hard that everyone cried heartbrokenly. After finishing the crying, Liang Jixiong took his time and struck the golden bell again.
What's happening?
The emperor even said "Fu Wei Shang Xiang", which was the concluding sentence of the prayer. Could it be that Liang Jixiong couldn't hear it?
Why do you still ring the bell after you have finished speaking?
Shouldn't it be knocked nine times?
After just one knock, there was nothing that could be done, and Emperor Zhaoxing had to continue praying.
I'm out of words, what can I say?
"Zhi Qiong! The pillar of the country!"
clang!
Just one sound.
"Zhi Qiong, it hurts me so much!" the emperor added, and while crying, he glanced at Liang Jixiong.
Liang Jixiong remained expressionless and continued to ring the bell.
clang!
One more time.
"This, Zhi Qiong!" Emperor Zhaoxing pursed his lips and said, "Zhi Qiong, Zhi Qiong, what a young hero!"
clang!
One more time.
Emperor Zhaoxing couldn't think of any other words, so he screamed in pain a few times and continued to call Zhiqiong.
Liang Jixiong was not in a hurry, knocking one after another.
After knocking for more than a hundred times, the emperor's tears were almost dry and the ministers' throats were also hoarse from crying. Then Liang Jixiong knocked nine times with the hammer to signify the end of the prayer.
Emperor Zhaoxing wiped his tears and said with hatred in his heart: What does this old man want to do?
Are you smart about this?
What benefits does he gain?
You just want me to shed a few more tears. So what if I shed tears? Can you get Xu Zhiqiong back?
Emperor Zhaoxing was not impressed by Liang Jixiong's childish behavior.
After the prayers are over, Canglongwei performs a dance (only for sacrifices), and the sacrifices on the first day of the new year are completed.
Everyone in the clan wiped away their tears. They were exhausted from the night and just waited for the ceremony to end soon.
When the Canglong Guards finished their dance, it was almost dawn, and everyone was about to leave when they suddenly saw the Canglong Guards coming to report: "Elder Shengwei, in charge of thousands of households in the Yamen, Xu Zhiqiong wants to see you!"
Emperor Zhaoxing was shocked when he heard this, his eyes full of confusion.
The clan members were also shocked. No one could have imagined that Xu Zhiqiong, who had been missing for so long, was actually still alive.
Liang Jixiong, who should be most surprised, was expressionless.
Before Xu Zhiqiong went to Zhukulong Teahouse, he had someone send news to Liang Jixiong.
He knew that Xu Zhiqiong was alive, and after the ceremony, he wanted to announce that Xu Zhiqiong was still alive in front of the entire clan.
Xu Zhiqiong strode into Canglong Hall.
Seeing Xu Zhiqiong alive, everyone didn't know what to say for a moment, and all their eyes turned to Emperor Zhaoxing.
Liang Jixiong looked at Emperor Zhaoxing silently, with an imperceptible smile on his face.
Want to piss me off?
Let's see who among us is angry to death!
Emperor Zhaoxing was very angry, but with his profound skills, he hid all his anger in his heart. Tears welled up in his eyes again. He stepped forward and grabbed Xu Zhiqiong's hand and said:
"Xu Aiqing, my Xu Aiqing, God bless Daxuan, you have returned safely!"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "Your Majesty, I have lived up to my great trust. Now we have found out that the villain who collected and cut the raw materials is from the Bloody Sect."
Of course Emperor Zhaoxing knew where this group of people came from, but he didn't want to have a head-on conflict with the Blood Evil Sect.
This sect is too evil, and there is a star official behind it.
A star official who is crazier than Yuan Exing and doesn't follow any rules at all. When pressed, he can do anything.
People need to be caught, so just catch them and kill them.
Emperor Zhaoxing only wanted to use the Blood Evil Sect to get rid of Xu Zhiqiong, but he never thought of expanding the matter.
Once the news of Xu Zhiqiong's death is confirmed, and then those people are executed, and there is a happy ending, things can end perfectly.
Unexpectedly, Xu Zhiqiong did not die.
He appeared in the Canglong Palace in front of the entire clan, and directly told the story about the Blood Evil Sect.
What should I do?
It certainly cannot be ignored. The existence of the Blood Evil Sect will cause panic and arouse public anger.
Let’s deal with the situation at hand first.
"Xu Aiqing, the Bloody Evil Sect disappeared thirty years ago. Is the news Aiqing got reliable?"
Xu Zhiqiong said: "Your Majesty, among the prisoners captured by me, there are eighth-level cultivators from the Blood Evil Sect."
Emperor Zhaoxing felt a throbbing pain in his chest.
The reason why those few people were spared was to wait for the public execution after the New Year to establish the emperor's prestige.
Emperor Zhaoxing needs dignity now, because all his dignity is about to be taken away by the prince who is fighting abroad.
If I had known that Xu Zhiqiong was not dead, I should have killed those people as soon as possible.
Don't be impatient, first find a way to deal with the situation at hand, and then slowly deal with Xu Zhiqiong.
Liang Jixiong sighed, as if he had something to say.
Emperor Zhaoxing didn't take it seriously.
Let him say it, it was just nonsense like the Bloody Sect had committed many atrocities and it was not allowed by heaven. Emperor Zhaoxing had long been tired of hearing it, and he had a hundred ways to tease him back.
Liang Jixiong lamented: "The Bloody Sect has been missing for thirty years, and now it is back again, with an ominous sign coming from the sky, but why?"
Emperor Zhaoxing glanced at Liang Jixiong, and his heart throbbed again.
What is the reason for the ominous omen?
It’s just what others say, but when it comes from Elder Canglong’s mouth, the matter becomes serious. There is only one reason for this, and that is that the emperor has lost his morality!
Emperor Zhaoxing did not dare to give Liang Jixiong another chance to continue to perform, and said quickly: "I will issue an edict tomorrow to completely eradicate the evil evil of blood!"
…
Returning to the secret pavilion, Emperor Zhaoxing called Sui Zhi.
Hearing that Emperor Zhaoxing wanted to eradicate the Blood Evil Sect, Sui Zhi hurriedly stopped him: "Your Majesty, the Blood Evil Sect does not act according to common sense. If you push it too hastily, you may cause disaster!"
Emperor Zhaoxing looked at Sui Zhi and suddenly laughed: "Am I forcing the Blood Evil Sect? It's obviously you who forced me!
The Crown Prince has brought my majesty to the ground, and you have made me bear the name of immorality, but you don't expect me to give way to the Crown Prince!"
Sui Zhi hurriedly saluted and said: "Your Majesty, my humble ministers are loyal and loyal, and heaven and earth can learn from them!"
Emperor Zhaoxing twitched the corners of his eyes: "Sui Aiqing, you said that Xu Zhiqiong will definitely die this time, why did he appear in front of me again?"
"As far as I know, the Bloodborn Evil Star did appear in the south of the capital and fought with Xu Zhiqiong. I really don't know why Xu Zhiqiong escaped."
Emperor Zhaoxing said again: "The matter of Xu Zhiqiong has not been solved, so what about the matter of the blood tree? Has the poison been removed?"
Sui Zhi lowered his head and said: "On top of the poisonous poison, there is a yin and yang formation. The formation is complicated and difficult for humans to understand. It must be the work of the yin and yang Sitai Bu."
Emperor Zhaoxing looked gloomy: "I can't kill Xu Zhiqiong, and I can't save the blood tree. Sui Aiqing, you say you are loyal, but I really can't see your loyalty."
Sui Zhi was speechless. He smelled a fishy smell coming from Emperor Zhaoxing's body.
Emperor Zhaoxing walked up to Sui Zhi and said, "In the past, you once said that there was a way for me to be promoted to the second level and escape from the mortal world. Have you thought of this way?"
Sui Zhi said with a trembling voice: "There is indeed a way, but it requires more blood trees."
"How much do you need?"
"A thousand trees!"
"One thousand!" Emperor Zhaoxing gritted his teeth, "One blood tree can kill three to five hundred people. How many lives can a thousand blood trees cost?"
Sui Zhidao said: "Please give me some time, Sir, and think of another good strategy."
Emperor Zhaoxing sneered: "By the time you think of a good strategy, the throne will have changed hands long ago."