Chapter 962: Disaster Struck

Proofreader : Papatonks

The servant was glad Sword King Feiyun showed any interest, bowing at once, "Sword King, this is called a demon spirit stone, very rare. Unlike spirit stones and sacred stones, it's made of Yuan Qi that can be absorbed completely without having to transform it like spiritual energy. Great amount of Yuan Qi is at your fingertips, no longer suffering exhaustion while cultivating. It's benefit is even more apparent at the cusp of advancing, pushing you forth without any impediment.

"My Lord has advanced once more after a pause of twenty years. The high class of imperial capital has also experienced swift growth and improvement. They have only words of praise for this demon spirit stone!"

"That good?"

Shangguan Feiyun's brow shook, looking from the black rock to Baili Jingwei, "Prime Minister, since it's so great, give it a try. Maybe in a few years you might reach the Genesis Stage and become seasoned in politics and in power, ha-ha-ha..."

Baili Jingwei rolled his eyes, "Sword King Feiyun, since this rock caught your fancy, why don't you try it? Maybe it will soon take you to Patriarch's level, if not higher, beyond the entire world..."

Shangguan Feiyun chuckled wiht a shake of his head. He flicked his hand and the stone got thrown back to the servant with disdain.

The servant was stunned.

He'd been running around the imperial capital's high class district for days now and everyone was excited by such an item, even fighting for it.

Even those clueless of its use changed tunes the minute they heard his explanation.

[So why are these three so disparaging of it?]

[Have they seen too much that they already knew of the demon spirit stone? That can't be it, it's obvious from their reaction that it's their first time seeing it.]

That got the servant even more confused, sighing inside.

[This is the difference between true men and those in the secular world. They show no desire, even in the face of such a prized item. Truly, men of worth...]

"Go tell Baili Jingyu not to send any more of these to the imperial capital. Serene Shores Trading never lacked such items. I don't care where they end up, so long as it's not in the central area. Or they'll have to answer to me!"

Then Baili Jingwei's tone changed as he shouted, "Also, I didn't put him there so he could use the official, military line for his convenience and send gifts all over the place. The next time I find he's using it for something trivial like this, I'll send him packing!"

The servant was dumbstruck.

[What is this? Is it wrong of the City Lord to use the official line to supply the imperial capital with such important goods?]

[Moreover, even if the grand Prime Minister doesn't like the gift, he shouldn't just banish it from the central area. This is something that can make many experts fly through the layers. It's nothing but good for the empire.]

[My Lord can see it and so can Serene Shores Trading. It makes no sense for the Prime Minister and two Sword Kings not to understand this simple truth and shun such a great item. How peculiar.. Just what are they thinking?]

Danqing Shen came to enlighten him, "Kid, cultivation means going against natural order, a road fraught with suffering and pain. Only through willpower can you cross it and reap the rewards. That little bauble you brought in makes it too easy. Anything too good is against the world, against the essence of cultivation. That's why Prime Minister had the foresight to forbid it from becoming mainstream in the empire."

"We've been training for years and years, learning one crucial fact, haste makes waste."

Shangguan Feiyun said, "After taking many pills to advance, time's needed to stabilize the new power before one can continue cultivating, or mistakes will be made that affect your future. This thing might be taken by those rash and impatient youths, but to the Nine Sword Kings and some peak Genesis old farts, it's frowned upon. Cultivation in the end is based on you and you alone. That is the only way to reach the top, and not through boosts. Using this thing will make things way too easy, making true experts a rarity. It's only going to destroy many people's lives in the end."

"Prime Minister's farsightedness is a true rarity. It's amazing how beside we, old guys, knowing its detriment, Prime Minister as well could see it at a glance, ha-ha-ha."

Eyes flashing, Baili Jingwei sneered, "I am no Sword King, obsessed with cultivation, but I can still see this truth. Everything is built on hardwork and not by taking the easy way out. Easy come, easy go. The easier it is to make experts using this thing, the faster we're going to lose them. Everything is in balance. The more you're willing to give, the more you'll have to gain from it. Nothing can change this. Sometimes you're greedy, but most times you need to reign it in, especially against something that moves your very soul. The bigger the greed, the harder the fall."

"Prime Minister is so wise. I am in awe!" Danqing Shen nodded with a smile.

The servant was frozen in place. What should've been something that drove people crazy, these men in power saw it as nothing but a disaster.

[Men of real power see things through different eyes than the rest of us.]

So the guy looked at the rock in his hand with a new light. His early greed of wanting to skim some for himself was now gone, free of desire and no longer influenced by it.

[Yes, the world is in balance. The cultivators using the demon spirit stones might go fast, but they'll never reach the top.]

[Taking one step at a time assures me endless potential. They only see what's in front of them, while I keep my eyes towards the future.]

The guy gave three deep bows, looking grateful, "Thank you so much, Prime Minister and Sword Kings for the advice. I'll never forget it. I shall take these demon spirit stones back and give Prime Minister's word to my Lord."

Baili Jingwei nodded and dismissed him.

"Prime Minister, something happened in the Jing manor..."

A sudden shout followed by hasty footsteps was heard as an honored Genesis Stage expert ran to bow before the trio in fear.

Baili Jingwei asked, "What is it? What happened in Jing manor?"

"Prime Minister, Yu manor is in trouble! Please come see, Prime minister..."

"Prime Minister, Master Lu is in trouble..."

"Prime Minister, General Qi has collapsed from heavy wounds..."

"Report!"

"Report!"

"Report!"

...

Shouts were prevalent for a long time as more and more people hurried over to report their own house's serious problems. They were all nervous and all from important people, close to thirty houses.

Baili Jingwei had a dark look as he knew things were bad, "We'll first check on Jing manor!"

"Yes!"

The group of guards nodded and followed. Danqing Shen and Shangguan Feiyun were idle right now so they went as well.

Baili Jingwei and his entourage arrived at a lavish manor, with a dazzling plaque hanging at the front gate, Jing Manor.

Baili JIngwei's face darkened as he rushed inside to see Prince JIng's crying concubines.

In the main hall, laying down was a husk of what looked like a human, completely black. On a much careful look, it was like a rock, reflecting the sun's rays off him.

Yet all the women were around this strange rock and crying their hearts out.

"Where's Prince Jing?"

Baili JIngwei looked around and demanded.

Wiping her tears, a woman looked at him through tears and gave a shaky bow as she pointed at the black humanoid rock, "Prime Minister, you're finally here. There's Prince Jing!"

"What?!"

Baili Jingwei gasped, "He's Prince Jing? How did he end up like this?"

With quivering lips, the woman cried even harder, "We don't know. Prince Jing has been in seclusion for the last two days and today came out overjoyed having finally reached the Genesis Stage after being stuck at peak Soul Harmony Stage for so long. But then he began convulsing, letting out a black energy as he turned stiff and ultimately taking this rocky appearance as he died..."