Gao Gong, Minister of Rites and Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Cabinet, was an eighth-rank Unity Realm cultivator, just like Xu Jie.
He had once held the third seat within the Grand Secretariat, until Zhang Juzheng, by sacrificing a century of his lifespan to save Crown Prince Wanli, had surpassed him in merit.
Gao Gong was a member of the "clear stream" faction. He was a man of integrity, with a strong and unyielding personality. But he was also arrogant and petty, prone to conflict with his colleagues, making many enemies within the court.
He owed his position in the Grand Secretariat to Xu Jie's recommendation. Thus, he often addressed Xu Jie as "Grand Secretary," a term of respect.
Despite this, they frequently clashed over political matters.
Within the Grand Secretariat's chambers, Gao Gong's arguments with Xu Jie were even more frequent than Xu Jie's clashes with Yan Song.
Thus, many officials couldn't understand Gao Gong's true allegiances. He was a member of the "clear stream," but was he truly part of the Xu faction?
"Grand Secretary Gao?!"
Yang Jisheng, Shen Liangcai, and Tan Lun exclaimed in unison.
It seemed that even they were unaware of Gao Gong's involvement in the ambush.
The three young officials were displeased. Gao Gong's presence meant that Junior Grand Secretary Xu had anticipated their failure and had sent a true expert from the "clear stream" faction to take over.
Shame welled up within them. They looked at Gao Gong with resentment, as if he were their enemy, not Hu Zongxian.
"Alas…"
Their hostility brought no joy to Hu Zongxian. He only felt a wave of sadness, for the Great Ming Dynasty, for its citizens.
Was this truly the "clear stream," the officials who were held in such high regard by countless people. They couldn't even achieve unity within their own faction?
If he, Hu Zongxian, were truly a villain, a threat to the nation, shouldn't they set aside their personal grievances and work together to defeat him?
"Grand Secretary Gao!" Shen Liangcai shouted. "Surely there's a certain order to things!
We have already set our trap! Hu Zongxian is trapped within the formation! He is about to be executed!
Please, Grand Secretary, show some respect for our efforts! Do not try to steal our victory!"
He deliberately spoke loudly, ensuring everyone present could hear him.
The "clear stream" officials prided themselves on their righteousness and moral conduct. No matter what Gao Gong's intentions were, surely he wouldn't stoop to joining forces with these three young men?
"Heh."
Gao Gong smirked and tucked his hand inside his sleeves.
"Who said I wanted to join forces with you? Hu Zongxian has just been released from prison. He is weak and vulnerable. It wouldn't be a fair fight. And I have no need for your assistance. But if you three fail, to ensure Junior Grand Secretary Xu's plans are not disrupted… I will intervene."
Hearing his words, Shen Liangcai, Yang Jisheng, and Tan Lun were overjoyed.
"Excellent! Please, Grand Secretary Gao, keep your word!"
Gao Gong snorted and ignored them.
Suddenly, the three young officials attacked.
Their ninth-rank Divine Transformation cultivation normally wouldn't allow them to challenge a Unity Realm expert. But with the "Heaven Concealing Earth Obscuring Formation" already activated, and the thirty-six warriors forming the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars Sword and Shield Formation," their first strike was incredibly powerful!
A surge of Righteous Qi, coalescing into a giant sword, hurtled towards Hu Zongxian's head.
They were confident in their attack. If he tried to dodge, the warriors would intercept him. These warriors were all deathsworn, willing to sacrifice their lives to ensure their attack landed.
But the expected scene didn't unfold.
Hu Zongxian didn't dodge the giant sword. He didn't even attempt to flee. His feet remained rooted to the ground. The thirty-six warriors, whose mission was to restrict his movements, were now useless.
The sword struck.
A golden light suddenly erupted from Hu Zongxian's body, forming a phantom image of armor.
The giant sword clashed against the armor, producing a deafening clang, a sound so sharp and piercing that it made the three officials wince.
"Impossible!"
They stared in disbelief. Hu Zongxian hadn't even tried to dodge! He had endured their attack head-on!
Gao Gong said, "Hu Zongxian already warned you. Your plan was too reliant on its intricate stages. If even one stage failed, the entire scheme would collapse.
He didn't consume your poisoned food or wine. His strength is unaffected. And with your measly ninth-rank Divine Transformation cultivation, how can you possibly break through his 'Spirit Armor' technique?"
The "Spirit Armor" technique was a basic cultivation method in the Great Ming military. Its requirements were simple. Any soldier who joined the army was taught this technique. The entire text was readily available, without any omissions.
But although its requirements were low, mastering it was incredibly difficult. And its upper limit was incredibly high.
There were rumors that if one cultivated the "Spirit Armor" technique to the Great Vehicle Realm, it could even withstand a single blow from the Emperor's divine ability – Pangu's Giant Body!
Of course, those were just rumors. No one had ever proven it.
The three young officials recognized the "Spirit Armor" technique. But they were astonished by Hu Zongxian's mastery.
"Even with a first-rank Heaven-grade weapon, you wouldn't be able to break through his armor," Gao Gong helpfully explained. His tone, however, suggested he was enjoying their failure.
The three young officials had only obeyed Junior Grand Secretary Xu's orders. They hadn't even acknowledged Gao Gong. But Gao Gong, a proud man, wouldn't tolerate being disregarded by his juniors.
"Grand Secretary Gao! Please be mindful of your position! Do not speak nonsense!"
Shen Liangcai immediately retorted.
"A first-rank Heaven-grade weapon is incredibly sharp! Even Hu Zongxian, with his high cultivation, wouldn't be able to withstand its power!"
"Indeed!" Yang Jisheng added. "Grand Secretary Gao, you are exaggerating! Are you perhaps sympathizing with this Yan faction scoundrel?"
Tan Lun said loudly, "We will report everything that transpired here to Junior Grand Secretary Xu!"
"Humph!"
Despite his good intentions, his warning had been met with scorn. If not for his mission, Gao Gong would have left in anger.
He couldn't let them get away with this. He sneered, "Are you deaf? I said that even with a first-rank Heaven-grade weapon, you couldn't break through his defenses! But if I were to wield such a weapon… I could pierce his armor with a single strike!"
"I don't believe you!"
Shen Liangcai turned to Hu Zongxian. "Grand Coordinator, please tell us the truth! Is Grand Secretary Gao exaggerating?"
Hu Zongxian wanted to laugh, but he felt more like crying. The absurdity of the situation. The "clear stream" officials, the righteous Confucian scholars who were supposed to be exemplars of virtue, had become petty and vindictive!
"The Great Ming court… If there were no "muddy stream," only the "clear stream," would our nation truly be stronger? Greater?"
Hu Zongxian's question would remain unanswered. He sighed and finally answered Shen Liangcai.
"Yes, with a first-rank Heaven-grade weapon, Grand Secretary Gao could break through my 'Spirit Armor' technique."
The three young men were speechless.
What more could they say?
They had struggled and schemed, yet they hadn't even been able to injure Hu Zongxian, let alone kill him. And they had hoped to achieve a great victory, to earn promotions and recognition!
They looked at each other and was reminded of their limitations. They didn't possess Heaven-grade weapons. And even if they did, they were useless.
"Brother Zhongfang, what should we do?" Shen Liangcai asked Yang Jisheng urgently.
Yang Jisheng shook his head with a bitter smile, feeling deeply ashamed.
Had their elaborate plan been nothing more than a clown's performance?
He turned to Tan Lun, the strategist among them. "Brother Zili, do you have a solution?"
Shen Liangcai was impulsive, Yang Jisheng was righteous, but Tan Lun was the cleverest. He understood military strategy and tactics.
But a clever woman couldn't cook without rice.
Their plan had failed. They hadn't been able to bridge the gap in cultivation. There was no way for them to defeat Hu Zongxian.
Tan Lun smiled wryly, then turned to Gao Gong who was watching them from atop the tree.
"Grand Secretary Gao," he said, bowing deeply, "we are unable to proceed. Please intervene. Do not let this traitor escape. We will cooperate fully. We await your commands."
"Brother Zili, what are you saying?!"
Shen Liangcai felt deeply humiliated.
Yang Jisheng's expression was also dark. He took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself.
"Yang Jisheng… also awaits Grand Secretary Gao's commands." He bowed, then discreetly stepped on Shen Liangcai's foot.
Two had submitted, but one remained defiant. He simply sneered.
He was a righteous man, intolerant of corruption, and incredibly petty. Unless they all bowed before him, he wouldn't lift a finger.
Finally, Shen Liangcai relented. Stiffly, he bowed.
"I… I am also willing… to cooperate with Grand Secretary Gao."
Gao Gong smiled triumphantly.
He looked down at the three men and, using his local dialect, muttered, "Three idiots." He then leaped down from the tree with his palm striking toward Hu Zongxian.
A giant, white handprint, formed from pure spiritual energy, descended upon Hu Zongxian.
He was trapped within the formation. There was nowhere to dodge. He could only endure the attack.
Gao Gong had been accumulating power for a while. Hu Zongxian, on the other hand, had been caught off guard.
A palm strike!
A fist!
The two forces collided, the impact so forceful that it cleared the surrounding snow, revealing bare earth.
"Good!"
Gao Gong landed, stumbling back several steps before regaining his balance. Hu Zongxian, however, had only retreated half a step.
Despite the advantage of a surprise attack, Gao Gong was still weaker.
"I heard you achieved a breakthrough while imprisoned, reaching ninth-rank, Great Perfection of the Unity Realm. I didn't believe it.
But now, it seems the Embroidered Uniform Guard showed you great leniency.
Once I return to the capital, I will report Lu Bing's misconduct to the Emperor!"
Hu Zongxian shook his head. "Grand Secretary, you misunderstand. Commander Lu and I…"
Gao Gong waved him silent.
"Enough! I'll decide what to do!"
Hu Zongxian smiled wryly.
He remembered Gao Gong's nickname – the "Lone Tyrant of Xinzheng."
It seemed fitting. The man was domineering and acted without considering others' feelings.
Gao Gong turned to the three young officials. "Step back. And tell your men from the Nanjing Ministry of War to retreat as well."
They hesitated, remembering their promise to obey his commands. The thirty-six warriors also retreated. The "Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars Sword and Shield Formation" had been useless.
Hu Zongxian looked at Gao Gong, puzzled.
"Grand Secretary Gao, I don't mean to be arrogant… But with my ninth-rank, Great Perfection cultivation, you are no match for me. If you all worked together, each of you willing to die… You might be able to defeat me."
Gao Gong nodded, readily admitting his weakness.
"Indeed, I am weaker than you. Therefore, I will resort to… unorthodox methods."
He clapped his hands.
Two figures approached, walking on air through the falling snow.
They were imposing men, one holding a brush, the other carrying a book. They resembled renowned Confucian scholars. With each step, a surge of Righteous Qi cleared the snow before them, creating a path.
Hu Zongxian stared at them strangely.
"You… You've also come. So, this was… the Crown Prince's intention?"
His voice was heavy with bitterness, even despair. He could endure the Yan faction's accusations, the "clear stream's" disdain. But what he couldn't bear was his Emperor's distrust!
His reinstatement had rekindled his hope!. The Emperor still trusted him. No matter how many accusations he faced, how many citizens despised him, Hu Zongxian was willing to serve the Great Ming.
But the Crown Prince… he was the future Emperor.
If the future Emperor had sent his tutors to kill him, could he possibly survive?
To die at the Emperor's command… It was a subject's ultimate duty.
"Do you need an introduction?" Gao Gong asked coldly.
"No."
Hu Zongxian shook his head.
"Left Assistant Minister of Rites, Chen Yiqin. Right Assistant Minister of Rites, Yin Shidan. Although their positions are not high, they are renowned scholars and tutors to the Crown Prince.
But I don't understand… Did Grand Secretary Gao invite you, or… was it the Crown Prince's intention?"
Crown Prince Wanli was gravely injured and comatose. He had been secretly sent out of the capital by Zhang Juzheng.
But the presence of Chen Yiqin and Yin Shidan here was a clear indication of the Crown Prince's stance.
So, Wanli had been planning to eliminate him for a long time?
"Grand Coordinator Hu," Yin Shidan said. "to prevent the Yan faction from gaining too much power within the military, we had no choice but to intervene. Please forgive us."
Chen Yiqin added, "We will not hold back. Please, Grand Coordinator, fight with all your might. Whether we live or die today, our actions are for the good of the nation. Heaven and earth can bear witness to our loyalty."
Their spiritual energy surged, transforming into a blinding green light, two pillars connecting Heaven and Earth!
Chen Yiqin, a seventh-rank Unity Realm Confucian cultivator!
Yin Shidan, also a seventh-rank Unity Realm Confucian cultivator!
Chen Yiqin, holding his brush, wrote a single character in the air.
"Wound!"
Hu Zongxian felt an immense pressure descend upon him. His Spirit Armor creaked and cracked under the strain. It was as if the armor, formed from pure spiritual energy, were about to shatter!
Yin Shidan held a book. Its title was clearly visible – "The Great Ming Code."
He flipped to a page, and the words flew off the paper, hurtling towards Hu Zongxian.
The words attached themselves to his Spirit Armor. They were excerpts from the "Code of Officials" within the Great Ming Code.
"Those who disrupt the court shall be executed!"
Two deep gashes appeared on Hu Zongxian's armor. One across his waist, as if he had been cut in half. The other across his neck, as if he had been beheaded!
Thankfully, his Spirit Armor protected him. He was neither beheaded nor cut in half. But for the first time, he felt the cold touch of death.
"Humph!
His mastery of the 'Spirit Armor' technique… It's perhaps unmatched in the Great Ming!"
"Step aside, you two! It's my turn!"
Gao Gong drew his sword. As the blade left its sheath, the sound of rushing water and a dragon's roar sounded, as if a mythical beast had emerged from the depths.
"The Dragon Spring Sword?!"
Hu Zongxian's eyelids twitched.
The Great Ming Dynasty had a legendary sword, forged by imperial decree. It was called the "Dragon Spring."
The sword was crafted using the finest iron and tempered in the purest spiritual spring.
During its forging, the Emperor had personally hammered the metal a thousand times. His sweat fell upon the glowing metal and imbued it with the Dragon's essence.
Thus, the Dragon Spring Sword was a Heaven-grade weapon!
The Great Ming possessed very few such treasures. Throughout history, the Emperors had bestowed these swords upon trusted officials and nobles, but their existence was never officially recorded.
They were a hidden force.
Gao Gong's possession of the Dragon Spring Sword shocked not only Hu Zongxian, but also Chen Yiqin and Yin Shidan.
"Hu Zongxian, prepare to die!"
Gao Gong, without explaining how he had obtained the sword, lunged toward Hu Zongxian with an attack far more powerful than those of Chen Yiqin and Yin Shidan.
Hu Zongxian could no longer hold back. He stomped his foot, causing the ground to collapsed beneath him.
The "Heaven Concealing Earth Obscuring Formation" shattered.
Freed from the formation's constraints, Hu Zongxian's spiritual energy surged. But breaking the formation had taken time. He had no chance to dodge. He channeled his spiritual energy, pushing his "Spirit Armor" technique to its limits.
The damaged armor was instantly repaired, becoming even stronger.
Clang!
First, the deafening clash of metal against metal.
Then, the sound of tearing flesh, accompanied by a spray of blood.
Hu Zongxian's armor had been pierced!
He had only endured the Dragon Spring Sword for a few seconds before it penetrated his defenses, slicing open his abdomen.
Hu Zongxian reacted quickly. He narrowly avoided being cut in half. Simultaneously, his fist slammed into Gao Gong's chest.
A muffled thud.
Gao Gong was sent flying.
"He's injured! Attack!"
He crashed to the ground, spitting blood. He was a burly man. If not for his scholar's robes, he would have resembled a military general.
"Damn you, Xu Jie! If you had come yourself, we wouldn't have to suffer like this! A single Dragon Spring Sword, and you think you've done enough? I hate him! He sits in his lofty position, pretending to control everything! Yet, when it truly matters, he does nothing! A useless old fool!"
Gao Gong cursed as he charged towards Hu Zongxian once more. Within moments, all four Unity Realm experts were injured.
Although Hu Zongxian was the strongest, he was fighting unarmed, reminding everyone of his recent imprisonment.
Gao Gong, Chen Yiqin, and Yin Shidan each possessed a powerful weapon or treasure. They had the advantage in numbers as well.
Although they were injured, their wounds were minor compared to Hu Zongxian's.
"Grand Secretary Gao," Hu Zongxian suddenly said, "if I were to switch sides, to support Junior Grand Secretary Xu, would you spare my life?"
Gao Gong and the others were stunned.
"You would betray Yan Song?!" Chen Yiqin exclaimed.
In the Jiajing era, those who betrayed the Yan faction never met a good end. Moreover, even Chen Yiqin knew that although Xu Jie was the leader of the "clear stream," he wasn't a reliable leader.
Even if Hu Zongxian pledged his allegiance to Xu Jie, if Yan Song retaliated, Xu Jie would likely abandon Hu Zongxian to protect himself.
"Will you swear an oath on the Heavenly Dao?" Yin Shidan asked.
Regardless, for a powerful figure like Hu Zongxian, his defection to the "clear stream" faction would be a significant victory.
Even if he died later, at the hands of Yan Song, it wouldn't be a major loss for the "clear stream." After all, Hu Zongxian was originally a member of the Yan faction.
Both men were tempted. But Gao Gong's face darkened.
Support Xu Jie?
Why not him, Gao Gong?
If Xu Jie could lead them, surely he could as well?
Xu Jie had served under Yan Song for decades. He had never managed to become Grand Secretary. If he, Gao Gong, were in charge, perhaps Yan Song would have been defeated long ago!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He resented Xu Jie's power. And he resented Hu Zongxian for not even considering him as an option.
"A spineless coward! You might be willing to betray your master, but we have no interest in accepting your defection!
There are countless talented individuals in the Great Ming! Our military doesn't need you, Hu Zongxian! We will find someone else to lead our armies!"
Hu Zongxian closed his eyes in pain. His offer to betray Yan Song… He had already crossed a line.
He wasn't arrogant, but he did have principles. To grovel before Gao Gong, to beg for his life… It was a humiliation he couldn't bear.
But even then, he had been rejected. There was no hope. No other option.
He looked at the three tutors and thought of Crown Prince Wanli. Yes, he had no future.
"In the Great Ming… Is there truly no place for me…?"
"No!" Gao Gong said firmly.
The Dragon Spring Sword, the brush, and the book, attacked Hu Zongxian from three directions!
A deafening boom!
The heavens trembled. The snow stopped falling.
Gao Gong, Chen Yiqin, and Yin Shidan looked at Hu Zongxian. He lay on the ground, covered in blood. He had endured all three attacks.
His blood pooled upon the frozen earth. The blood froze, forming a thin layer of ice, only to be melted by the warm blood still flowing from his wounds.
He was dying. Even Gao Gong was puzzled. Surely Hu Zongxian could have dodged or blocked at least one of their attacks?
Why had he taken them all head-on?
Was he seeking death?
"Alas! One mistake… And it all came crashing down."
Gao Gong's expression softened slightly. He approached Hu Zongxian.
"Hu Ruzhen, you chose to follow Yan Song. You deserve to die. If there is an afterlife, I hope you will live a righteous life… like me."
He raised his sword, about to deliver the final blow. Suddenly, a purple mist, seemingly appearing out of thin air, engulfed the area.
Gao Gong, closest to the mist, felt a searing pain as it touched his skin.
"Poison! Be careful!"
He leaped back. Chen Yiqin and Yin Shidan had already retreated, safely out of range.
'Damn them!'
He glared at them, then turned his attention back to the purple mist. It now covered the entire area, engulfing Hu Zongxian…