In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Page 391

Zhang Xiaoshan also taught Liu Sheng Piaoxu a copy of the Divine Blade Slash technique.

Moreover, compared to Ding Peng, Liu Sheng Piaoxu's talent and martial arts skills are in no way inferior. While Ding Peng's foundation was largely built up through forced growth, Liu Sheng Piaoxu has achieved his success step by step.

At the same time, Zhang Xiaoshan also got up and left the study.

Zhang Xiaoshan could not possibly refuse Princess Taiping's invitation.

Moreover, he also wanted to see how far Princess Taiping's martial arts skills and integration had progressed.

···

Empire State Building!

Since the last time Zhang Xiaoshan took Princess Taiping on a tour of the first floor.

Soon after, it opened to the public. And since its opening, it has been exceptionally well received by children and their parents.

Even with a ticket price of one silver dollar, the amusement park still attracts a steady stream of children every day.

For true aristocratic families and wealthy merchants, spending an ounce of silver to eat here is nothing at all.

The novel and diverse game facilities, numerous cheerful clowns that attract children, and the beautiful fairytale-like environment are all very popular with the kids. Once they come, they will definitely want to come back a second time.

Similarly, for the wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials who didn't lack a penny for a ticket, the many children also had a father-son lunch.

As a result, business is much better than before.

Zhang Yuan was extremely pleased with Zhang Xiaoshan's arrangement.

It wasn't because business had improved significantly, but rather because seeing the children's laughter and joy at such an amusement park undoubtedly made him extremely happy.

"Greetings, Your Highness! Congratulations on becoming a peerless grandmaster!"

Zhang Xiaoshan looked at Princess Taiping as she emerged from the pass. Beneath her phoenix-blood-red silk dress, her slender and graceful figure, her unparalleled beauty, and her enchanting, jade-like skin made her not only noble and elegant but also alluring to the extreme.

Especially after breaking through the Demonic Seed in the Dao Heart, his temperament became indescribable. His breathtaking charm was like a poppy flower, every frown and smile full of infinite charm, captivating the heart.

"All of this is thanks to Young Master Zhang. If it weren't for your appearance, I don't know when I would have been able to recover my Dao Heart, break through to the peerless realm, let alone reach perfection!"

Princess Taiping attributed all the credit to her 'love' with Zhang Xiaoshan.

The cultivation method of planting demons in the Dao Heart is inherently somewhat abnormal. The reason why Princess Taiping failed was that the death of her first husband caused her Dao Heart to become abnormal, making it difficult for her to advance further.

Even so, Princess Taiping still broke through to the highest level, and her level was not low.

Now that Zhang Xiaoshan has appeared, after two months of whispering and intimate moments, Princess Taiping has just returned and has begun to make rapid progress. Naturally, Princess Taiping feels that her progress is related to Zhang Xiaoshan.

Adding to the previous test, as expected, after she completely opened her mind, she entered an unparalleled realm during this seclusion.

This rapid progress in his cultivation made him feel even more excited.

"It must be because the princess is exceptionally talented; otherwise, how could she have progressed so quickly?"

The two exchanged a smile, and Princess Taiping was naturally extremely satisfied with Zhang Xiaoshan.

With formidable strength and astonishing talent, the Zhang family is now a colossal clan. Although they are not involved in military or political affairs, they are undoubtedly among the top clans in this world of high martial arts.

It's important to understand that even their Wu Tang Empire orders over 100,000 gold worth of axles, diamond wire, rubber, etc., from Ghost Street every year...

During this period, the ten mechanical beasts even became treasures of the military, who were thinking about how to order more from the Zhang family.

"As soon as Taiping came out of seclusion, he heard about the young master's great deeds. He used the inheritance of the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Wedding Dress Divine Skill to make up for a small mistake in the past, and also strengthened the relationship with Wudang."

"At Zhang's level, he naturally wouldn't care about a little girl."

But there's no need to create a rift between him and a young girl connected to Wudang. Besides, what happened back then ultimately left Zhang with moral guilt. If it can make up for that inner regret, what do these material possessions matter?

"Young master is quite generous!"

The things Zhang Xiaoshan gave away were definitely resources belonging to a peerless master.

However, compared to the Zhang family's strength and resources, they are not lacking in these areas. They have at least four masters who have mastered the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, and four masters who have received the skill from them. In addition, the Zhang family already has many masters around them, so they are not lacking in a peerless master.

"I wonder if Young Master Zhang would be willing to become my consort?"

"Consort?"

Looking at Princess Taiping's expectant face, Zhang Xiaoshan shook his head without hesitation.

"To be honest, the Zhang family joined the Wu Tang Empire and should have served the empire. But the Zhang family did not want to get involved in court disputes or the infighting between empires."

Although the Wu Tang Empire appears prosperous and peaceful at this time, Emperor Wu is, after all, a woman who inherited the throne from the Li Tang dynasty. Coupled with the rise of the Wu clan, a bloody purge is inevitable regardless of which side wins in the future.

Zhang Xiaoshan spoke in a low voice, but Princess Taiping could already imagine the horror of what was to come.

Therefore, Zhang Xiaoshan's choice is easy to understand: the Zhang family did not want to join any side, not even Princess Taiping's.

"Do all men like to take advantage of others and then leave without taking responsibility?"

"Princess, you are mistaken. People usually want more than they have."

"Pooh!"

Princess Taiping was annoyed, but looking at Zhang Xiaoshan, she understood that his will was not easily changed.

"The Zhang family can be your last safe haven, but they must never become a weapon in your hands."

Just as a woman follows her husband after marriage, although the Zhang family has no ambition to conquer the Central Plains, they would never become a bargaining chip for others in their pursuit. Moreover, according to your plan, you intend to drain your husband's family to compensate your own family, which violates the virtues of womanhood.

"Go to hell with your womanly ways!"

Princess Taiping was even more furious upon hearing this.

She kindly invited Zhang Xiaoshan to be her husband so they could live happily ever after. But Zhang Xiaoshan actually discussed the ways of a wife with her.

Zhang Xiaoshan returned to the villa at midnight.

Despite his affair with Princess Taiping, Zhang Xiaoshan had his own principles and insisted on returning home at night.

Moreover, his relationship with Princess Taiping was ultimately driven more by self-interest. Even Princess Taiping, who seemed to be 'moved', was no exception. After the initial impulse, no one is an eighteen-year-old boy or girl who blindly believes in love.

"Going off to fool around with Princess Taiping again?"

As soon as Zhang Xiaoshan returned, he saw Huang Rong waiting in the hall. Zhang Xiaoshan couldn't help but smile wryly, forgetting about this jealous woman.

"Alright, I'm just going to check on Princess Taiping's condition."

Judging from Princess Taiping's complexion at this moment, it would probably take her at most a year to fully master the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique and reach the realm of a Grandmaster.

At that same time, the Queen Mother of the West and Princess Taiping will be completely united!

Left with no other choice, Zhang Xiaoshan had to divert Huang Rong's attention.

He shifted her attention from his late return home to Princess Taiping.

"Could soul possession really exist?"

Even Huang Rong was shocked upon hearing this, let alone Xuan Nu, who had been paying close attention to the Queen Mother of the West's situation.

"There is no such thing as soul possession; rather, it is a kind of initiation and fusion."

Just like the Wedding Dress Divine Skill, which can pass on one's true qi to the successor, the Dao Heart Demon Seed also has a similar inheritance, which includes not only true qi but also an incomparably mysterious spiritual power.

This is similar to the Living Buddhas in Tibet, who seem to awaken to their past and present lives, but in reality, it is also a Buddhist empowerment, using relics for consecration.

At that time, the Queen Mother of the West was entrusting herself to the giant coffin, and there was only one person present whose Dao heart was incomplete, or rather, flawed.

With the addition of the special technique of "cultivating demonic powers in one's heart," Princess Taiping became the best candidate for the Queen Mother of the West.

Therefore, this can be seen as Princess Taiping receiving empowerment from the Queen Mother of the West, and also as the Queen Mother of the West being reborn. When the two merge, she is both Princess Taiping and the Queen Mother of the West!

Chapter 462 The Tibetan Empire's Scheme Points at the Zhang Family

"Your Majesty, the Tibetan delegation has arrived!"

The magnificent and imposing Daming Palace, with its continuous rows of palaces, was a symbol of the Tang Dynasty's golden age. This was not the first time the Tibetan delegation had visited here, but they were still amazed by its grandeur.

Even the Potala Palace, which reigns supreme over Tibet like the sun, is magnificent and grand, but ultimately falls short in terms of sheer power.

It's not that the Potala Palace lacks grandeur, but rather it embodies the confidence and dominance of a nation.

There is also a dazzling culture.

"Tibetan envoy Mocang greets Her Majesty the Empress!"

The Tibetan delegation was led by Vice Minister Mocang, accompanied by Tibetan National Preceptor Kumārajīva and sixteen Tibetan Grand Lamas. These Grand Lamas were all top-notch fighters in the martial arts world, and they were no ordinary people.

Similarly, their entry into the capital naturally alerted the Zhang family.

However, Zhang Xiaoshan paid no attention to these high lamas who had slipped through the net.

The lamas of several ancient temples were almost all wiped out, and the identities of these suddenly appearing lamas were self-evident; they were the chief lamas who had been the constant bodyguards of the Living Buddha.

Now that these lamas have come to the Central Plains, it's likely that the Living Buddha has already passed away.

Otherwise, these lamas and protectors would not have been able to leave the Potala Palace.

As for the purpose of the Tibetan delegation's visit to the capital, it is self-evident: to find the murderers who massacred the monasteries of Tibet and the lost treasures of Tibet.

It seems the murderer has now identified him as the suspect.

After all, he was the only grandmaster-level expert from the Central Plains who had emerged from seclusion recently.

"Long live Your Majesty the Empress! Long live Your Majesty the Empress! Tibet, deeply grateful for the boundless grace of the Tang Dynasty over the past centuries, and having heard of Your Majesty's devotion to Buddhism, Your Majesty the King hereby presents three Buddhist treasures, passed down through generations in Tibet for hundreds of years—"

Relics of a Living Buddha, a nine-eyed dzi bead, and an image of Padmasambhava were presented as tribute to Her Majesty the Queen.

Upon hearing about the treasures offered as tribute by Tibet, even the Empress couldn't help but show a hint of surprise in her phoenix eyes.

When did Tibet become so generous? Is it because they intend to weaken the Buddhist forces within Tibet that they are offering up these most treasured possessions?

"Your Majesty, the treasure is outside the main hall. Please allow me to display this Buddha's light and divine radiance inside the hall!"

With the Empress's permission, Kumārajīva led three senior lamas into the main hall, his expression respectful, and said:

"Amitabha! This is Kumoji, a Tibetan monk from Tibet. Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"

This was a Grandmaster, one of the most powerful figures in the Central Plains. Even Kumārajīva lowered his head and dared not look directly at the emperor's face.

"Master Kumārajīva, is this box the priceless treasure presented as tribute by Tibet?"

"Your Majesty, the relics of the Living Buddha are the initiations of the Living Buddhas of past generations, blessed with Buddhist teachings and consecrated by enlightened wisdom; the nine-eyed dzi bead is blessed by the Dharma of the masters of past generations and is a treasure of the Tantric temple; Padmasambhava is an unparalleled virtuous master in Buddhism, and his image is a supreme treasure of Tantric Buddhism, revered by all in Tibetan Buddhism!"

Upon hearing Kumārajīva's introduction, even the Empress couldn't help but show curiosity.

However, as several Buddhist boxes containing treasures were slowly opened, they revealed a stone, an ordinary string of Buddhist beads, and an ordinary Guanyin statue!

"This is... an audacious Tibetan envoy, daring to mock His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive us. We set out from Tibet with the utmost sincerity, bringing with us Buddhist treasures as tribute. We would never dare to deceive Your Majesty. They must have been stolen on the way."

"National Master Kumārajīva, you are supposed to be the protectors of the Buddha's treasures. Have you not stolen them yourselves?"

Seeing the infighting within Tibet, the previously angry ministers suddenly became curious: could it be that these high lamas were really embezzling from their posts?

But Kumārajīva looked at the three senior lamas and said solemnly:

“Amitabha, we are escorting the Buddha treasure on the King’s orders. Although I am not a peerless master of the Central Plains Dynasty, I am confident that no one can steal the Buddha treasure under my nose.”

"My three junior brothers, what do you have to say?"

“Your Majesty, Your Excellency, we were forced into this situation.”

The man said that if we didn't give him the treasure, he would assassinate the Living Buddha. We...we have wronged the King; we are sinners of Buddhism, and we are willing to atone with our deaths! *Thud!*

Before Kumārajīva could stop them, the three high lamas had already severed their own meridians.

In an instant, the entire hall fell into an eerie silence.

Emperor Wu, in particular, never expected that someone would dare to covet the tribute.

The three lamas' willingness to die to prove their innocence convinced Emperor Wu and most of the ministers in the palace.

"Someone, investigate this!"

We must find the murderer and recover the treasure.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

···

"Young Master, the Buddhist treasures that the Tibetan delegation presented to Emperor Wu have been lost, and this has alarmed the entire empire. This time, Tibet clearly intends to use the power of the empire to deal with the Zhang family."

"This is an extremely ingenious trap. It seems that Tibet has already suspected me of the killings in Tibet, and that's why they came up with such a brilliant plan to use the Empress to deal with the Zhang family."

Zhang Xiaoshan was fishing at the dock and didn't find this turn of events strange at all.