After Lin Tingzhi finished speaking, he took out a document from his sleeves and said, "Regarding this battle, I have made a list of the merits of the various Daoists. The merits of the various Daoists are all listed on it. May the Court Enforcers take a look."
He gently handed the document over and it instantly turned into a dozen streaks of flowing light, landing on the table in front of each of the Court Enforcers.
The Court Enforcers took a look and saw that in terms of merits, the first was naturally Zhang Yu, followed by Old Daoist You, Daoist Zhan Kong, followed by Daoist Zhengqing, Daoist Yan Ruohan and the rest. Counting down, it was the various Xuan Zun.
The records were very detailed. Every Mystique Venerable One's actions during the external battles were recorded in the records without leaving anything out.
However, the three Court Enforcers, Chen, Wu and Lin, were not listed here. This was because the Court Enforcers had their own way of judging. It was not based on the usual merits.
The various disciples who were selected to participate in this battle were also not listed here. After the Court Enforcers confirmed their merits and demerits, the Xuanfu of the various continents would judge and reward them.
After Enforcer Wu finished reading, he closed the document and asked, "Lin Tingzhi, are there any omissions?"
Lin Tingzhi continued, "The theory on the surface is based on the past reflections of the formation, and with Ming Zhou's verification on the side, we also invited Zhu Tingzhi and Wei Tingzhi, the two of them to supervise and correct, so there won't be the slightest deviation."
The Daoist Leader said, "The battle has ended for many days. Let's return to the Court Enforcers and settle this matter."
The Court Enforcers all acknowledged.
This time, the merits and demerits would be evaluated from the lowest to the highest. The Court Enforcers would first discuss the merits of the various Xuan Zun, then move up the ranks.
Most of the Xuan Zun fell into the formation during this battle, advancing and retreating together with the others. Hence, these were all very easy to judge and a conclusion was quickly reached.
Among them, there were a few Voidship cultivators who were killed by Guyang and the rest. After evaluating these few, the Daoist Leader said, "These few Xuan Zun have contributed greatly to Tianxia. We should find a way to bring them back as soon as possible."
Fu Yujie, Yuan Kan and the rest had lost their reincarnation in Shangchen. However, Shangchen had already collapsed. When they returned, they would fall into the void turbulence. This required Xuanting to bring them back.
Lin Tingzhi and Zhu Tingzhi both replied, "We will take care of this matter."
After discussing the various Xuan Zun, it was Yan Ruohan, Daoist Zhengqing and the rest's turn. When it came to Yan Ruohan, it was still alright. This was because this female Daoist was wholeheartedly focused on cultivation and did not have much interest in participating in worldly affairs. Hence, this merit bestowed with mystical rations was sufficient.
However, when it came to Daoist Zhengqing, Zhong Tingzhi stood up and bowed, "Leader, Court Enforcers, Zhengqing Daoist has asked me to say that he is willing to go down and guard a continent."
When the Court Enforcers heard this, they knew that Zhengqing was here for the position of Court Enforcer.
However, because Daoist Zhengqing was previously expelled from Xuanting, he did not take back his past merits. Although he had returned to Xuanting and made great contributions, if he wanted to reclaim his past authority, he would have to start all over again.
Chen Tingzhi asked, "Are there any suitable places for the various continents to guard?"
Lin Tingzhi said, "There are currently no vacancies in the inner regions. The seven Western Mansions and the seven Eastern Mansions of the outer regions each have a guardian. It is nearing the time for them to move. However, if the Zhengqing Daoist is willing to wait for thirty to forty years, there should be more vacancies. We still have to ask the Zhengqing Daoist for his own opinion."
The Leader said, "If that is the case, this matter can be discussed later. Let's discuss the merits of the remaining Daoists first."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The ones who came down to discuss were Old Daoist You and Daoist Zhan Kong. The former did not want to come out and do anything. He only wanted to cultivate in seclusion. He took the initiative to say that if the Xuanting wanted to reward him, he only needed to give out mystical grains. He did not want anything else. Therefore, it was easy for him to handle things.
As for Daoist Zhan Kong, although he did not fight at the frontlines during the entire expedition, he was behind the scenes transferring the Yuandu Xuantu. This allowed the combat power that Tianxia had set up in Shangchen and the Thousand Luminaries Formation to combine into one. He played an extremely crucial role in this battle.
It was not an exaggeration to say that if this person was not in charge of this Daoist treasure, Tianxia's chances of victory would have been reduced by at least half. Furthermore, this person had used this treasure to save many of his fellow Daoists. Therefore, when his merits were listed above Daoist You's, no one felt unconvinced. On the contrary, they felt a little wronged.
Daoist Zhan Kong had a reputation and position. However, this person also expressed the intention that too many worldly affairs would hinder his cultivation. Therefore, it was decided that in addition to the mystical grains, he would also bestow a Daoist Palace above the sea of clouds.
After the merits of these two were discussed, the last one to be discussed was Zhang Yu's merits.
At this moment, Wei Tingzhi said, "What Lin Tingzhi presented just now was only Zhang Shouzheng's merits in this battle. However..."
He continued, "I have something to say. Zhang Shouzheng not only has this merit, but also has the merit of quelling the internal strife of the Yuandu Sect. Tracing back, there are still many merits that have not been sorted out. Now, they have all been sorted out here. May all the court deacons take a look."
After he finished speaking, he passed this list to all the court deacons.
After Daoist Feng looked through it and confirmed that there was nothing missing, he thought for a while and said from his seat, "Court deacons, when we were discussing Zhang Shouzheng's merits in the past, we said that the battle had not been settled yet. We said that we would discuss it after the battle. Therefore, it has been delayed until now. Now that the battle has been settled, we should have a conclusion!"
Zhu Tingzhi looked at the manual. Zhang Yu's past achievements were recorded in great detail. He nodded his head and said, "Looking at Zhang Shouzheng's past achievements, they can be considered illustrious. If I don't show off my Tianxia's prestige, it won't be enough."
Dai Tingzhi also said, "Zhang Shouzheng's merits are not only known to Xuanting. Everyone, Xuan Zun, fellow Daoists of various continents, and even the people of the world know about it. Indeed, there should be a fair conclusion now."
The court deacons had no objection to this. They had all seen Zhang Yu's actions this time. It was indeed not excessive to praise him.
The chief Daoist said, "Court deacons, what kind of praise should be given to Zhang Shouzheng to match his merits?"
Daoist Yu Su said from her seat, "Zhang Shouzheng guarded the great formation by himself and bought ample time for me to destroy Shangchen. He even killed four Daoist cultivators from two sects who plucked top-notch merits. He can be considered as a miraculous merit. Therefore, I suggest," she looked at the court deacons, "that Zhang Shouzheng should be promoted to Xuanting Court Deacon!"
The chief Daoist looked at his seat and said, "Court deacons, what do you think?"
Most of the court deacons had no objection to this. Zhang Yu's merits were indeed miraculous. Moreover, Zhang Yu was already a Daoist cultivator who had plucked the merits of the coexistence of reality and void. Tianxia did not have many people like him. It would not be right if they did not give him the position of court deacon.
Chong Tingzhi stood up at this moment and said, "Speaking of Zhang Shouzheng's merits, they are indeed great. However, there is one thing that I must say."
When everyone looked at him, he continued, "Previously, under Chen Tingzhi's suggestion, he bestowed Zhang Shouzheng with the Seal of the Great Way, which helped him to pluck top-notch merits. This has already made up for his previous merits. It should not be included in this. Instead, it should be discussed separately."
Daoist Feng frowned and immediately retorted, "Chong Tingzhi, you are wrong. You are confusing the cause and effect of what happened before and after."
He said seriously, "When Chen Tingzhi requested the court to bestow the Seal of the Great Way, it was because the situation was urgent. He needed someone to block the passage between the two worlds. However, if he transferred people at the last minute, it would inevitably cause Shangchen to be lacking in strength. This would cause the war to drag on and increase the variables.
Zhang Shouzheng obtained this Daoist technique under Xuanting's edict. It was an important task that Xuanting entrusted to him. It was an order given in the face of danger. It was not his own request, nor was it a reward from the court. How can this be confused?
Zhang Shouzheng did not disappoint and succeeded in plucking the merits and guarding the passage between the two worlds. However, this is not something to be taken for granted. If Zhang Shouzheng did not succeed, would Chong Tingzhi punish him because of this? "
Chong Tingzhi looked at him and said, "Feng Tingzhi, you are eloquent. However, the Seal of the Great Way was indeed bestowed to Zhang Shouzheng. This is an irrefutable fact. If Zhang Shouzheng did not succeed, Xuanting would not pursue this matter and would not punish him severely. However, if he succeeded, it would benefit him personally. Now, it is inappropriate to talk about his merits.
Let me ask you, Feng Tingzhi. Could it be that Xuanting did not have any credit for strategizing in this? What I am saying is that Xuanting's merits should not be counted as Zhang Shouzheng's personal merits. They should be judged separately! "
Taoist Feng had never argued with others in the past. However, this time, he did not back down and replied, "In this campaign, it was Xuanting who planned and arranged the troops that led to this victory. According to Chong Tingzhi, Xuanting was the main merit and the Xuan Zun was secondary. Could it be that Chong Tingzhi wants to take away the merits of the Xuan Zun?"
Chong Tingzhi said, "I have never said that."
Taoist Feng said, "If that is the case, why is Chong Tingzhi singling out Zhang Shouzheng?" He turned to the Xuanting. "Moreover, that day in the court, it was not said that the Seal of the Great Way would be used to compensate Zhang Shouzheng for his past merits. There is also the Xuanting court as evidence." He glanced at Chong Tingzhi. "Chong Tingzhi, are you trying to overthrow the court that day?"
Chen Tingzhi said in a deep voice, "That day in the court, this matter has already been decided. Chong Tingzhi, you should not use this to speak again."
The Taoist at the head of the table nodded and said, "Xuanting's strategy can be used well because of the desire of our Tianxia. We are in front of the Great Way and should be able to distinguish between the Great Way. We dare to be the first but have no reason to fight for merits. That day in the court, it was true that the court did not mention the reward of merit and the exchange of seals. Chong Tingzhi, these words should not be mentioned again in the future."
Chong Tingzhi bowed and said, "Yes."
Zhong Tingzhi saw Chong Tingzhi return to his seat and stood up. He bowed and said, "Head Deacon, Chong Tingzhi, Zhang Shouzheng has indeed contributed greatly. I have something to say."
Taoist Yu Su sneered and said, "Does Zhong Tingzhi have a different view on this?"
Zhong Tingzhi shook his head and said, "I am not against promoting Zhang Shouzheng as the court deacon. However, there is something related to this that needs to be mentioned." He said, "Since Zhang Shouzheng is recommended as the court deacon, then shouldn't Zhang Shouzheng's position as the Permanent Shouzheng and the position of the East Court be removed?"
The court deacons did not speak, as if they were waiting for something. As expected, a voice rang out from the seat, "Zhong Tingzhi's words are incorrect!"
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