Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

With the conclusion of the Prince of Louyang and Mo Yu's marriage, the people of the capital began to cast their gazes towards another marriage.

At present the Imperial Court could be considered as being divided into two factions. The old ministers represented by Eunuch Lin naturally could be considered part of the young emperor's group, and now, Mo Yu and the Prince of Louyang added to their number. Meanwhile, the Prince of Xiang, the Prince of Zhongshan, the other Chen princes, and the generals personally taught by Chen Guansong represented the other faction. The Tianhai clan, on the other hand, continued to waver between the factions. With the death of the Divine Empress, the Tianhai clan had naturally come under extreme pressure, but as a clan that had influenced the Imperial Court for two centuries, it still had resources and strength to pull. No one could disregard its existence.

The marriage between Prince Chen Liu and the Princess of Ping was, from a certain perspective, an alliance between the Prince of Xiang's estate and the Tianhai clan. As the emperor's relations on his mother's side, it was only right that the Tianhai clan stand on his side. But they had no intention of delaying this wedding. On the contrary, after Xu Yourong entered the palace, they moved the marriage up.

Tianhai Chenwu appeared much older than he was three years ago. It seemed that a cultivation level that was only half a step from the Divine was not enough to resist the power of time.

He looked at his son and ruefully sighed, "Perhaps you were right back then, but at this point, we can no longer turn back."

Tianhai Shengxue slightly frowned and said, "His Majesty will still require our strength."

"But once this matter is concluded?"

A derisive smile appeared on Tianhai Chenwu's face.

"If His Majesty really does want to ally with Chen Changsheng, it means that he will come into conflict with the venerable Daoist. What reason do you think he will use?"

Tianhai Shengxue fell silent, making no attempts to persuade his father otherwise.

Every matter required a suitable reason, which gave rise to the saying, 'a sufficient reason is needed to send the troops'.

If the young emperor really did do this, and if he won, then those who betrayed the Tianhai Divine Empress at the critical moment back then would assuredly be punished.

As for the Tianhai clan, they would undoubtedly be the first to be purged.

……

……

This year's winter was particularly cold and seemed like it would never end.

But one day, the snow suddenly stopped and sun tore through the clouds, bathing the capital, the mountains, and the rivers in its light. The world instantly warmed as spring suddenly descended.

Spring had come and everything began to renew. Just like how the Luo River outside the capital began to flow once more, many matters that had been paused began to restart.

With the Pope returned to the capital, neither the Li Palace nor the Imperial Court had any reason to not hold the Grand Examination.

This grand occasion which had been halted for three years now instantly attracted the attention of the entire continent.

Just like the arrival of spring, the news of the Grand Examination's revival was also rather sudden. There was naturally no time for any pre-examination, nor was there any Ivy Festival.

The teachers and students of the Six Ivies and the students from the various provincial academies quickly plunged themselves into study and cultivation. The disciples of the distant sects in the south, on the other hand, had already begun to prepare their luggage. The Longevity Sect was already waning, but there were still forty-some sects sending disciples to participate in this year's Grand Examination, including South Stream Temple, Scholartree Manor, and the Mount Li Sword Sect. Fortunately, there were no geniuses like the Divine Kingdom's Seven Laws this time, nor was there anyone like Scholartree Manor's Zhong Hui, so the Ivy Academies felt less pressure than in the past.

But this was the first Grand Examination since the ascension of the young Emperor and the Pope, so no one dared to take it lightly.

The Orthodoxy cavalry continuously patrolled around the walls of the Orthodox Academy and the peddlers were driven out of Hundred Flowers Lane. Those restaurants with rather significant backing had also been requested to limit their opening hours.

In the quiet Orthodox Academy, the only sounds to be heard were those of reading and clashing swords. Su Moyu was guiding the students taking part in the Grand Examination through the final preparations, and even Tang Thirty-Six stopped going to the Li Palace. He spent all day in the Orthodox Academy, keeping an eye on those students and occasionally delivering a harsh reprimand.

Chen Changsheng still held the post of Principal of the Orthodox Academy, but his status prevented him from doing anything, or even saying anything.

……

……

Seven days out from the Grand Examination, Tang Thirty-Six entered the Li Palace.

The Li Palace did not forbid priests from entering or exiting, but it was still just as cold and deserted as it had been for the past three years.

Perhaps it was because of the Grass Moon Hall, the Moss Institute, and the rest of the six halls, half of them were empty.

Candidates for the archbishop seats left empty by Mao Qiuyu, Daoist Baishi, and Mu Jiushi had still not been decided.

Hu Thirty-Two, who had replaced Mu Jiushi, simply had no energy to use on matters of the Hall of Announcements, all of it focused on handling the affairs of the Li Palace as a whole. Linghai Zhiwang was leading his black-clothed enforcers from the Hall of Heavenly Judgment in keeping an eye on the Imperial Court's activities. After Chen Changsheng returned to the capital, Daoist Siyuan quickly took his leave of the Hall of Subjugation, embarking on a most vital mission to preach to the various provinces and counties. Moreover, just ten days ago, An Hua had brought several hundred of the most fervent priests in joining this mission.

Tang Thirty-Six asked, "Who will take on the position of Archbishop of the Divine Edict?"

Chen Changsheng said, "Once three years have passed, she will return to preside over the Hall of Literary Glory."

By 'she', he meant Archbishop An Lin.

Tang Thirty-Six was somewhat shocked, but after thinking about it, he felt that it was the best choice.

In the end, Archbishop An Lin had not severely violated the laws of the church. She had just shown a lack of trust in Chen Changsheng.

Three years of bitter cultivation away from the capital was probably enough to repent for her errors. As someone who had come from the Thirteen Divisions of Radiant Green, she was truly more suitable for managing the Hall of Literary Glory.

Of course, he knew that Chen Changsheng had made such arrangements in part for An Hua's sake.

"Then what of the Archbishop of the Divine Edict?"

"Mm, I plan to give it to Luoluo… I'll think about how to deal with it after she ascends to the throne."

Tang Thirty-Six praised, "Wonderful!"

At the time, Mu Jiushi had used her status as Princess of the Great Western Continent to become Archbishop of the Hall of Announcements, as the Human race required the Great Western Continent's friendship. The Human race needed the Demi-human race as their ally even more, so who could say anything if Luoluo, the Princess of the Demi-human race and eighty thousand li away, also took the seat of Archbishop of the Divine Edict?

Tang Thirty-Six asked, "What about Principal Mao's side?"

Chen Changsheng said, "He recommended Zhuang Zhihuan, but I did not consent."

Tang Thirty-Six was struck dumb.

Mao Qiuyu had left not because of any mistake, but because he had broken into the Divine. If one were to use the Imperial Court as a model, he had been promoted.

Before he left, it was only natural that he give a recommendation as to who his successor in the Hall of Illustrious Persons should be, and it would normally not be rejected.

That Chen Changsheng had done this was an extreme disrespect to Mao Qiuyu and the Heavenly Dao Academy. As for Zhuang Zhihuan's feelings on the matter, those were easily imagined.

Tang Thirty-Six understood why Chen Changsheng did not consent to Zhuang Zhihuan. There was nothing emotional about it. It was just that the matter was very difficult to deal with. The status of the Hall of Illustrious Persons was very special. Compared to Zhuang Zhihuan, it would be very difficult to convince the masses if Chen Changsheng chose the archbishops of the Temple Seminary, the Li Palace Academy, or the Thirteen Divisions of Radiant Green. As for Tang Thirty-Six or Su Moyu of the Orthodox Academy, they were simply out of the question. Chen Changsheng could not leave an impression of nepotism on the faithful and besides, Tang Thirty-Six and Su Moyu were both truly lacking in experience.

Then just who would take the seat of Archbishop of the Hall of Illustrious Persons?

Chen Changsheng gave an unexpected name.

Guan Bai.