289: How can I let him think that I have no one in the Western Regions!

Lu Jiuyuan watched this scene, reached out and grasped the suspended nine dragon stone, feeling the surging vitality within it, then flicked it back with his finger.

"Very good. You are injured, so the nine dragon stone will be under your charge for now." He looked at Ouyang Mingri: "From today onwards, you shall serve under this King."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Lu Jiuyuan accepted Ouyang Mingri's bow, formally confirming their lord-vassal relationship.

He turned his gaze to the Elder of the Frontier, his killing intent now reined in: "Now that we are all on the same side, it would be a pity if your old ghost's abilities and insights were only used for mountain divinations."

The Elder of the Frontier immediately waved his hand, reverting to his lazy demeanor: "Alliance Leader, spare this old man. My disciple is yours, but please don't scheme against this old man anymore.

This old man is accustomed to being a free spirit, like a wild crane. I cannot endure official restraints. I just want to return to the mountains for peace and quiet, occasionally playing chess, raising cranes, and watching the excitement."

"Peace and quiet?"

Lu Jiuyuan's lips curved into a half-smile, "The world is about to unite; where will there be a place for peace and quiet?

Since you are skilled in divination, you should know that the heavenly numbers have changed. This King wishes to reshape the universe, and I precisely need talents like you."

The Elder of the Frontier said with a bitter face: "Alliance Leader, the heavenly mysteries are unfathomable. Speaking rashly might incur a heavenly curse. This old man's meager Dao cultivation can only see minor trends; how would I dare to speak nonsense about the great trends of the world?"

"Oh? Then you setting up this formation here to wait for this King, is that a minor trend or a major trend?" Lu Jiuyuan retorted.

"This..." The Elder of the Frontier was speechless, giving a sheepish smile, "It was merely a sudden whim, wanting to meet the one who stirs up the winds and clouds."

He paused, his expression slightly serious, "Alliance Leader, your Dao is fierce and unyielding, advancing without retreat. It can indeed sweep away all demons and clarify the pure universe.

However, rigidity cannot last, and extreme strength leads to humiliation. Governing the country and pacifying the world cannot be achieved solely through brute force.

The Kingly Dao is vast and also requires the assistance of benevolence and virtue to endure. This is why this old man recommended Mingri."

Lu Jiuyuan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the slightly clearer sky after the mist had dispersed, and slowly said: "Benevolence and virtue? In a chaotic world, benevolence and virtue are merely excuses for the weak to beg for pity, and shackles for the strong to bind themselves.

For five hundred years, have there been fewer benevolent and virtuous people?

But who ended this chaotic world? Only absolute power can crush all resistance and establish a new order.

Once order is established, there will naturally be laws and regulations to govern the world. At that time, 'benevolence and virtue' will have a foundation to rely upon."

He looked at the Elder of the Frontier, his gaze profound: "This King's Dao is to stop killing with killing, and to stop war with war. To establish after breaking, and without breaking, there is no establishment.

Only by completely shattering everything old can an unprecedented new heaven be established.

The Kingly Dao of benevolence and virtue you speak of is built upon 'establishment,' not applied during 'breaking.'

Elder of the Frontier, you are hesitant because you only see the 'breaking' aspect of this King, but you may not have clearly seen the 'establishment' that this King desires in his heart."

Upon hearing this, the Elder of the Frontier's face showed a thoughtful expression. After a long while, he said: "Alliance Leader's words are deafening. 'Breaking' is paramount, with 'establishment' within it... Perhaps, this old man was too confined by old rules. However, breaking is easy, establishing is difficult. I hope the Alliance Leader remembers that killing is a means, not an end."

"This King naturally knows." Lu Jiuyuan's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness, "Once the world is unified, this King will naturally give you, and everyone in the world, a different universe."

He did not continue the topic, instead turning to say: "Ouyang Mingri."

"Your subordinate is here." Ouyang Mingri maneuvered his wheelchair forward.

"You will return to Supreme City with Ren Qianxing first. Your talent needs a place to be displayed.

The Supreme Alliance is currently just a loose Alliance, a loose Alliance of various sects and factions.

Jianghu forces are not worthy of being the masters of the world.

From today onwards, what you need to consider is re-establishing the court's official positions, streamlining the six ministries, and how to govern the world.

Can you handle it?"

Ouyang Mingri's heart trembled. Lu Jiuyuan's words were not merely recruiting an advisor or a physician, but directly pushing him towards the position of future Empire Prime Minister!

Re-establishing the court, streamlining the six ministries, governing the world—this was placing the task of reconstructing the entire civil administration system on his shoulders!

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging Qi and agitation in his chest, and met Lu Jiuyuan's unfathomable gaze, saying solemnly:

"Thank you, my Lord, for your trust, entrusting me with the foundation of state affairs. Mingri... how dare I disobey!

I will exhaust my mind and body, for my Lord, and also for the common people of the world, to establish regulations and pave the foundation for the Kingly Dao!"

"Good." Lu Jiuyuan nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Ouyang Mingri's reaction and determination. He then looked at Ren Qianxing, who had rushed over with his men and was still out of breath.

"Qianxing."

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Escort Master Ouyang back to the city. If there are any mishaps along the way, bring me your head."

"Yes! Alliance Leader!" Ren Qianxing responded with awe, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

Lu Jiuyuan took one last look at the Elder of the Frontier: "And you? Do you want to go to the Supreme Alliance as well, to see the place where your disciple will realize his ambitions in the future?"

The Elder of the Frontier shook his head like a rattle-drum, his face full of resistance:

"No, no! That place has too much Evil Qi and political intrigue; it's all schemes and struggles. This old man's old bones can't take it, I'm afraid it'll shorten my life! I'll go back to the mountains now, I'll go back to the mountains now!"

Saying that, he cupped his hands to Lu Jiuyuan: "Alliance Leader, a vast country will naturally be planned by a heroic lord; a idler in the mountains will not interfere. We'll meet again!"

Before his voice faded, his figure flickered, blending into the woods behind him like gray smoke. In a few flashes, he had disappeared into the deep mountains, leaving cleanly and decisively, as if afraid that if he was a step too slow, he would be caught and made an official.

Lu Jiuyuan did not stop him, letting him leave.

He glanced at Ouyang Mingri, leaving a sentence: "Go ahead and do it. Since this King wants this world, he can accommodate you."

After speaking, his crimson figure flickered, and he had disappeared from his original spot.

Lu Jiuyuan left the Bewitching Forest and did not return directly to Supreme City. Instead, he made a good tour of the Western Regions Jianghu, where yellow sand rolled and forces were intertwined and complex.

He himself did not show any malice, but his very existence held great significance.

The news of the Supreme Alliance Leader's personal visit to the Western Regions was like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing a huge stir.

At the headquarters of the Divine Moon Sect, the overlord of the Western Regions.

Half Moon sat high on his throne, listening to his subordinate's urgent report. He wore a painted mask on his face, so it was impossible to tell his expression.

But it was definitely not good.

"Old Thief Lu... why isn't he staying in the Central Plains, handling Central Plains affairs? At a time like this, why suddenly come to my Western Regions?"

Half Moon's fingertips tapped the armrest, making a dull sound, indicating his inner turmoil.

The Supreme Alliance was currently at its zenith, and King of Kyushu Lu Jiuyuan was even more renowned throughout the world. His sudden appearance in the Western Regions made Half Moon unable to help but think of the worst.

"Sect Master, according to the scout's report, the King of Kyushu is alone, and his whereabouts are elusive, as if he is investigating something." The subordinate respectfully replied.

"Investigating?" Half Moon snorted coldly:

"Investigating what? He clearly has wolfish ambitions, wanting to annex my Western Regions, and has personally come to spy on our true situation!

Who does he think he is? Does he regard my Divine Moon Sect as nothing?"

He absolutely did not believe that Lu Jiuyuan's trip was without purpose.

During such a sensitive period, a Supreme overlord infiltrating another's territory most likely meant he was preparing for future conquest.

"We cannot let him come and go as he pleases!"

A cold light flashed in Half Moon's eyes, "We must let him know that the Western Regions are not his Central Plains, not a place where he can act wantonly!

Even if we can't kill him, we must teach him a lesson and let him know that the Martial Forest of my Western Regions is not without capable people!"