Chapter 111: Chapter 111: The Third Ban on the Use of Talismans

Translator: 549690339

Liang Kingdom was not a traditional feudal dynasty.

Adapting to the widespread trend of modernization among the populace, the structural composition of the Liang State Court had transformed, either proactively or passively.

The current Liang Kingdom more closely resembled a constitutional monarchy.

The Emperor of Liang still existed, but he no longer possessed the ability to decide the fate of the nation with a single word.

The Liang royal family retained Yu Jing and its surrounding counties as their fiefdom, kept the Imperial Guard Army, and maintained leading authority over certain industries in Liang…

As a trade-off, the emperor relinquished a series of powers including administration, legislation, judiciary, diplomacy, and national defense, transferring them to the “Cabinet,” and only retained the “veto” power in personnel and legislation to maintain the royal family’s authority.

To be precise, the current Liang Kingdom had two “emperors.”

One was the Emperor of Liang, and the other was the Prime Minister.

The Emperor of Liang was the symbolic monarch and central authority of the Liang Kingdom in name, while the Prime Minister truly held most of the power.

Regarding matters of great importance, the memorandum from Xin Youzhu, the Governor of Xiang State, was delivered to Yu Jing at the fastest speed and placed before Prime Minister Qin Wentao.

However, before the memorandum reached Yu Jing, the affairs between Xiang State and the Sea Tribe had been transmitted to the Prime Minister’s ears even more swiftly through a communication talisman.

“Take a look, the memorandum from Governor Xin.”

During a meeting of the Cabinet, Qin Wentao tossed Xin Youzhu’s memorandum onto the table.

The other six individuals around the table looked at one another, still unaware of the specifics of the situation.

As the attendants handed the memorandum to the six for circulation, each face revealed deep confusion and shock.

“As far as I know, the offspring of the Dragon Clan are at the Foundation Establishment stage upon birth. To lure Foundation Establishment Dragons with a first-level talisman… this… this reason seems a bit… far-fetched.”

“It might not necessarily be about the talisman—probability is that the Sea Tribe is just looking for an excuse to make trouble for Great Liang.”

“But the Chuanqi Sea Tribe and our people have coexisted peacefully for so many years, why would they suddenly stir up trouble?”

“If the Sea Tribe had issues, they should have contacted the Immortal Sect first. We, the court officials, are merely secular forces. Isn’t the Sea Tribe committing a taboo by taking arms against us?”

“Could it be that the Sea Tribe doesn’t want to fight either and is just putting on a show of force?”

After listening quietly, Qin Wentao spoke in an even tone, “My colleagues, you have finished talking about the Sea Tribe. Can we talk about Great Liang? Can we afford to fight this war?”

The group had intentionally avoided the topic, but now, upon hearing what Qin Wentao said, someone finally understood the Prime Minister’s meaning and voiced the answer that was in everyone’s hearts.

“Prime Minister Qin, our national treasury has been in deficit for a long time, I’m afraid we cannot afford to wage this war.”

“Dealing with the Sea Tribe should inherently be the responsibility of the Immortal Sect. Prime Minister, we shouldn’t be the ones to start this. Even if we were to fight, we should follow the Immortal Sect’s lead.”

“Exactly, if the Tongtian Sect doesn’t react, we can use this as a pretext to ask the Linlan Sect to act. Linlan has been coveting our nation for a long time; this would be a legitimate reason to allow Linlan Sect to come in and counterbalance Tongtian Sect.”

After hearing this, Qin Wentao said, “As for the affairs of the Sea Tribe, there’s always a solution, but my colleagues, how do we resolve the issue with Great Liang’s national treasury?”

While there had been those who dared to “understand” the Prime Minister’s intention just moments ago, now there was not a single person who dared to “comprehend” the underlying meaning of the Prime Minister’s words.

To resolve the deficit in the national treasury, either the knife must fall on oneself, or it must fall on others; there was no other solution.

But the problem was, once the knife was wielded, blood must be spilled.

The consequences of bloodshed, however, were not something the average person could endure.

Seeing no one daring to speak, Qin Wentao decided to drop the matter, “I have arranged to meet with the Helmsman of Tongtian Sect’s Capital headquarters; I must take my leave first, please excuse me, gentlemen.”

Qin Wentao strode out the door.

Liang Kingdom was no small nation and had the protection of the Immortal Sect. The Sea Tribe might be formidable, but they could not harm the foundation of Liang. However, if the continuous deficit in the national treasury was not addressed, the collapse of the house could happen in an instant.

Wuyue City.

Jiang Cheng was leading Ao Lian, while Ao Lian was holding Liu Qing, and the three of them slowly made their way to the creek.

“Is this where you came from?”

Jiang Cheng asked, pointing at the small river.

“Right. But Jiang Cheng, I don’t want to leave yet.”

Ao Lian clung to Jiang Cheng’s leg, pleading pitifully.

Jiang Cheng had been tormented by Ao Lian for almost two days and had finally caught the chance to send her back, which he absolutely couldn’t miss.

“You’ve been out on your own for so long, won’t your family be worried? You can’t stay away forever, can you? Go back first, let your Third Uncle know you’re safe, and come back to play when you have the chance, okay?”

Ao Lian was reluctant but after some thought, she realized that while her Third Uncle Ao Qi wouldn’t hit her, her mother would. And it would be a severe punishment!

If she stayed out playing for too long and her Third Uncle couldn’t find her, he might tell her mother, and if her mother came looking for her herself, then she would really be in trouble.

With Jiang Cheng’s pushiness, Ao Lian finally agreed, albeit reluctantly, “Okay, I’ll go back for now, and I’ll come to find you again to play in a little while.”

Jiang Cheng quickly nodded in agreement.

Liu Qing also nodded firmly.

Ao Lian waved goodbye to Jiang Cheng while heading towards the stream.

Just then, Jiang Cheng’s talisman rang, and Ao Lian immediately stopped, waiting for Jiang Cheng to answer the talisman. It seemed that if Jiang Cheng didn’t answer, she wouldn’t leave.

Seeing an important matter being interrupted, Jiang Cheng could only smile wryly and pull out the talisman.

“Hello?”

Peng Jun’s voice was very urgent, “Jiang Cheng, where are you?”

“I’m by a small creek inside Wu Mountain, specifically…”

“Stand right there! I’m coming to find you now!”

Peng Jun said he was coming and he was quick about it, as he actually lived on Wu Mountain.

A minute later, Peng Jun arrived beside Jiang Cheng.

He looked very anxious and said, “Jiang Cheng, you can’t draw the Fishing Talisman anymore! Do you know that a princess from the Dragon Clan went missing because of your Fishing Talisman!? The Helmsman is dispatching people to negotiate with the Sea Tribe, and no matter how the talks go, you can’t continue to draw the Fishing Talisman!”

“I…” Jiang Cheng didn’t know what to say.

Because the “missing” person was right in front of Peng Jun.

“Who’s missing?” inquired Ao Lian curiously.

Peng Jun said offhandedly, “A Dragon Clan princess, I think her name is Ao Lian.”

“But I’m not missing,” said Ao Lian in confusion.

Peng Jun: ???

He hadn’t noticed earlier that the little girl seemed to have a quite high cultivation level.

From that alone, he could deduce that she was most likely not from the Human Race.

Gazing at Ao Lian, Peng Jun asked in disbelief, “Are you, Ao Lian?”

“Yes! That’s me!”

Now that’s something, the Sea Tribe is going mad looking for her, to the point of issuing a challenge to the Liang Kingdom, and the Helmsman along with the sects around are on the verge of mobilizing for war.

It turns out their numerous high-level cultivators have been in trouble for so long, and the person they are searching for was strolling in Wuyue, looking not at all panicked and even quite happy.

“You should go back now. Your family must be worried,” Jiang Cheng urged.

“Alright,” agreed Ao Lian.

With that, Ao Lian nodded and under the witness of the three, Jiang Cheng, Liu Qing, and Peng Jun, dove into the water and disappeared without a trace.

After Ao Lian left, Jiang Cheng then asked Peng Jun, “Helmsman, what’s the deal with my Animal Encouragement Talisman?”

Peng Jun looked embarrassed and glanced away, recalling the excuse he had previously agreed on with Lu Wang.

“Ahem, on one hand, the Sea Tribe has strongly demanded it, and we are somewhat at fault in this matter. On the other hand, there is indeed an issue with that talisman of yours. I heard it clashes with another talisman recorded by the association, with some very similar structures. Mainly it’s because Lu Wang wasn’t thorough at first. For the specific reason, you’ll have to ask Lu Wang. Until the investigation is out, you can’t draw your Encouragement Talisman anymore.”