Above the Great Dao
Chapter 641 - 291 Uncompromising (Monthly ticket request at the end of the month)

Chapter 641: Chapter 291 Uncompromising (Monthly ticket request at the end of the month)

On that night, the result of the battle between Chen Shi and Chen Tang was compiled into documents and sent immediately to the desks of major forces such as the Cabinet, Eastern Factory, Five Armies, Divine Pivot, and Divine Machine.

The clash between Chen Shi and Chen Tang had already captured everyone’s attention.

Chen Shi’s strength is hard to evaluate, but this battle can be used to gauge his capabilities.

The former Chief Minister, Yan Xianzhi, also received a copy and quickly reviewed it, his expression somewhat heavy.

"Chen Shi’s strength is improving too fast, if this continues, it will be difficult for the young master to win."

He frowned slightly, Chen Shi is in the Nascent Soul Realm, while Chen Tang used his Divinity Transformation Realm strength to battle Chen Shi, with their forces evenly matched.

However, Chen Tang, despite using Divinity Transformation Realm cultivation, possesses knowledge and insight far beyond this realm, his strength cannot be measured by the Divinity Transformation Realm.

"A Nascent Soul Realm battling against Divinity Transformation Realm Chen Tang is not to be underestimated."

Yan Xianzhi closed the dossier, recalling the scene when Chen Tang entered the capital years ago for the Imperial Examination.

At that time, Chen Yindou was not yet the West Capital Butcher, busy searching for the lost secrets of the True King Era. Chen Tang left his homeland, came to the Western Capital, took part in the civil examination, and amazed the capital.

"Every Imperial Examination must have thirteen individuals from the Thirteen Families who snatch the top thirteen spots. As for the top scorer, it is usually a Yan, Xia, Zhang, or Li, swapping places over reincarnations. Yet that time, Chen Tang drew even with all thirteen young experts from the influential families during the martial exam."

His expression was somewhat peculiar; at the Imperial Examination, everyone who faced Chen Tang ended in a draw, no victor or vanquished.

It’s easy to end in a draw with one person, but with everyone?

Back then, people said Chen Tang showed leniency to the young experts from the influential families.

And many of these young experts have since become prominent members of the Court.

The highest-ranking among them is the Fei Family’s Fei Zhong, now one of the Thirteen Ministers in the Cabinet, powerful and influential, serving as the voice of the ancient Fei Family in the Western Capital.

Fei Zhong is also a powerful contender for the position of Cabinet Chief Minister.

Years ago, Chen Tang showed leniency to him.

But Yan Xianzhi knows, among those thirteen, one will be the future Sect Master of his family. This person is the current Sect Master of the Yan Family, Yan Hanqing.

Yan Hanqing just turned fifty this year, fifteen years ago in the Imperial Examination, fought Chen Tang to a draw.

At that time, Chen Tang, a scholar from the countryside, brought several fellow scholars from Xinxiang to take the Imperial Examination. He was measured and knew his limits, ultimately placing fourteenth. His essays during the exam were widely circulated, making paper scarce in the Western Capital, their literary elegance astonishing.

"The heritage of influential families is unmatched by others. As the realm elevates, the gap widens. Chen Tang, after all, is not of noble birth; how big is the gap between him and the Fei lord? And the Sect Master?"

Yan Xianzhi whispered, "Can Chen Shi, who battled him to a draw in the Nascent Soul Realm, match the young master?"

He gazed out the window; the Thirteen Families have been constrained for a long time. Taking advantage of the Outer Heaven True God’s disturbance to support the True Kings to gather strength and confront them.

But will Chen Shi be the stumbling block in this upheaval?

"The offspring sent by the Thirteen Families to participate in the Imperial Examination in the Western Capital went missing, something Chen Shi is surely involved in. He acts too recklessly."

He looked at the full moon in the sky, whispering, "The Thirteen Families should check Chen Tang, to discipline his son."

In the early hours, Chen Tang left the Chen Mansion as usual, heading toward the Meridian Gate.

The streets of the Inner City were deserted, not a soul to be seen. Upon arriving at the Meridian Gate, many officials were already present.

The morning assembly was the same old routine, reviewing reports from various regions, handling disaster relief, dealing with Demon Transformations, followed by the mutual accusations and quarrels between high-ranking officials, ending with remarks from the Cabinet Chief Minister, reprimanding civil and military officials and announcing the end of the assembly.

This routine was already repetitive, yet civil and military officials indulged in it enthusiastically, finding new ways to play each day.

Under the Meridian Gate, many officials gathered in groups, talking and laughing, discussing state affairs.

Chen Tang did not participate; aside from explaining his responsibilities at the Court, he seldom engaged in other matters.

The Court knew his temperament, so they seldom bothered him.

They knew which officials worked earnestly, who could act, and who couldn’t, the Cabinet was clear.

Taking down an official like Chen Tang was akin to cutting an artery of Great Ming, only causing bleeding that would cool quicker.

Yet, few officials with his demeanor were willing to get close to him.

This man is too stubborn; he can talk endlessly about official matters but becomes silent on personal affairs or social interaction.

"Lord Chen! May I have a word?"

Chen Tang looked at the person approaching, bowed, and said, "What advice does Lord Xia have?"

Xia Canghai, smiling broadly, invited him to one side of the Meridian Gate, saying with a smile, "Lord Chen, have you noticed the change in the sky? Now, the night arrives four quarters early, and everywhere becomes erratic with many disaster victims and Evil Spirits becoming unusually active."

Chen Tang nodded lightly, saying, "I plan to discuss this matter at the Court and ask to reduce this year’s taxes."

"The tax reduction can be discussed further."

Xia Canghai said seriously, "I have another important matter, this time at the Imperial Examination, ask your son Chen Shi not to compete for the top scorer. This title is the young master’s; your son cannot surpass him anyway. The young master will use the title with great purpose; as the sky’s changes speed up, the Court cannot remain disorganized."