281-284

Chapter 281: Settling the Score

"Why didn't you exterminate them all?"

Jiang Lichun, seeing Li Hao stop, raised an eyebrow in surprise, a hint of regret in his tone.

Li Hao shook his head slightly. Apart from those with extremely strong powers who might have carried out evil deeds for the Buddha, eliminating the other ordinary disciples with low cultivation was pointless.

Buddhism had stood for two thousand years, and it couldn't be eradicated. After all, besides this Mount Wuliang, there were countless Buddhist disciples across the nineteen states.

How could one possibly exterminate them all?

If he remembered correctly, the old lady from the Divine General's Mansion was also a vegetarian Buddhist.

Li Hao's act of slaughtering the Buddha was a strike against the embodied Buddha, the Buddha who had fallen into depravity, not the Buddha in people's hearts.

After all, many suffering people found solace and peace in their faith in the "Buddha." How could he possibly eradicate that?

"You're still too soft-hearted."

Jiang Lichun, perceiving Li Hao's kindness, shook his head slightly, "But slaughtering those pig-dog-like commoners is meaningless. The weak are unworthy of drinking from my sword."

Li Hao glanced at him. This prince always spoke shocking words, no wonder he'd been imprisoned.

"You should speak less, perhaps your life would be smoother," Li Hao said.

"Some people speak less but do a lot. I'm just stating the truth. The poor and suffering commoners are merely stepping stones for the powerful. Whether they live or die makes no difference," Jiang Lichun said.

Li Hao shook his head, not arguing with him. Instead, he looked towards a certain spot, his figure flickering as he vanished in an instant.

Outside the mountain range, people surged.

Many disciples, having shed their monk's robes, were like a swarm of ants, rushing down the mountain paths below the peaks, fleeing beyond the boundaries of the Brahma Pure Land.

Those who had reached the Fifteen Li Realm were using their cultivation to fly through the air, fleeing at full speed.

Li Qianfeng, wearing rough clothes, blended into the fleeing crowd. He smeared mud on his face, making him look like he'd fallen from a rock, dirty and disheveled.

He abandoned the Divine General's Mansion's guards, leaving only the old monk by his side. The two were inconspicuous amidst the crowd.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a figure appeared as if teleporting, cutting off the fleeing crowd.

The surging aura knocked the fleeing crowd over. Everyone looked at the young man, their faces contorting in fear.

Some hastily knelt down, begging for mercy.

As a large portion of the crowd knelt, Li Qianfeng's face changed, becoming unsightly, but he obediently followed the crowd and knelt down.

Thinking that he, the son of the Divine General's Mansion, a direct disciple of the Buddha, and the future true dragon of the Divine General's Mansion, had to endure such humiliation, a surge of anger filled his heart. But he dared not show it. He remembered the words of many elders in his family: A true man can bend and stretch…

Enduring a moment of humiliation wasn't a big deal.

One of his ancestors had endured the shame of being under a horse, only to rise up and kill his way out, bringing news and intelligence back to the army. How much worse was this simple act of kneeling?

Li Hao's gaze, like a sharp sword, pierced through the crowd and landed on the young man. The young man's aura was concealed, extremely hidden, but Li Hao was now at the Eternal Peace Dao Realm. How could he hide his cultivation from Li Hao's eyes?

"Li Qianfeng, aren't you a direct disciple of the Buddha? Don't you plan to avenge your master?"

Li Hao said coldly.

Hearing Li Hao's words, Li Qianfeng, whose heart had been in his throat, immediately changed his expression, staring in fear at the other.

Clearly, his disguise had been exposed.

"Young Master, run!"

The old monk beside him reacted quickly, roaring and stepping in front of Li Qianfeng.

He had once been a general under Li Qianfeng's father, entrusting his life to the orphaned mother and son, vowing to protect them to the death.

Bang!

His body, which had just stepped forward, hadn't even had time to unleash his Grandmaster power before it exploded.

Blood splattered, splashing onto Li Qianfeng, who was about to get up, staining his clothes crimson.

The hot blood stunned Li Qianfeng.

The knee that had just risen slowly softened again.

"Spare me…"

Li Qianfeng hastily kowtowed, kneeling on the ground.

When the others heard Li Qianfeng's name, they quickly crawled away, afraid to get close to him.

A direct disciple of the Buddha?

That was a noble Buddha's son. Was he trying to get them killed? Many cursed Li Qianfeng's ancestors, muttering under their breath. They hadn't received much benefit from him, and now he was holding them back during their escape. Wasn't he a nuisance?

"Everyone else, scram!"

Li Hao frowned at the mournful pleas.

Hearing Li Hao's words, the crowd felt as if they'd heard heavenly music. They were grateful, shedding tears of joy. They quickly kowtowed a few times and fled.

In an instant, only Li Qianfeng remained.

"Spare me. Though I became a disciple of the Buddha, I'm a member of the Li family of the Divine General's Mansion. We only had a mutually beneficial relationship with Mount Wuliang, it wasn't genuine…"

Li Qianfeng's face was pale. Realizing he was in grave danger, he could only mention the Divine General's Mansion, hoping to intimidate Li Hao.

"What, don't you recognize me?" Li Hao said indifferently.

Li Qianfeng was stunned and looked up at Li Hao. At that moment, he realized that Li Hao's appearance was somewhat familiar yet strange.

So young… Li Qianfeng's pupils constricted in horror as he looked at Li Hao, "You, you, you are…?!"

"It seems you've remembered."

Li Hao nodded, then raised his hand. Waves of power pressed down, seizing Li Qianfeng's body and crushing his bones.

Li Qianfeng was twenty years old and still at the Heavenly Man Realm, not yet reaching the Three Immortalities. Injuries to his flesh could only be healed with divine pills and elixirs.

The intense pain throughout his body couldn't mask the shock in Li Qianfeng's heart. His eyes widened in disbelief, "It's you? How is it possible? My master, you killed him?!"

He roared in a hoarse voice, whether from fear or pain.

The person he'd longed to eliminate, the master who'd repeatedly reassured him that he'd eventually catch up to Li Hao, had actually killed his master?!

He knew Li Hao was strong, his reputation skyrocketing after the battle in Liangzhou. He could be considered a Four Echelons Realm expert.

But the higher the realm, the slower the cultivation. How long had it been since then? Li Hao had actually killed the master he'd looked up to!

It was the Buddha!

In his heart, the Buddha's status was comparable to the Li family's ancestor. Such a figure had actually died at Li Hao's hands?!

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!!"

Li Qianfeng roared, tears of blood streaming down his cheeks, both from the ruptured internal organs and from pain and madness.

His pride and arrogance were shattered in that moment.

Coughing up blood and fragments of internal organs, Li Qianfeng felt a sense of despair, as if he'd been abandoned by Heaven. If he was a genius, what was the young man in front of him? A monster?!

"My master couldn't have lost. He's the second-strongest martial artist in the land. Apart from that True Person, he was invincible…"

Li Qianfeng gritted his teeth, seemingly losing his mind, becoming delirious.

Li Hao didn't bother with him, crushing his limbs and storing him in the Heavenly Space.

The once-determined young boy who practiced swordsmanship in the courtyard at the age of five, who had shown the promise of a genius, had now fallen to such a state. Perhaps from the moment the noblewoman gave him the poison pill, their destinies had changed.

And now, Li Qianfeng was ruined, and Li Hao had left the Divine General's Mansion.

The cause and effect, which had begun with a pill, had also ended with a pill.

Li Hao turned back to the Candlelight God. After taking a pill, Elder Feng's body was healed, except for the missing soul, which couldn't be recovered.

"Then, let's return…"

Li Hao said softly.

He looked at the devastated sacred mountain, the traces of the battle everywhere, Mount Wuliang was essentially destroyed.

Without the Buddha, even if millions of believers gathered in the future, they would struggle to regain their strength.

As Li Hao prepared to return, a figure roared from outside Mount Wuliang.

Soon, the figure rushed towards Li Hao.

"Hao'er!"

The figure was Li Muqiu. He had rushed from the Li family, arriving at the edge of the Brahma Pure Land and seeing the fleeing figures. He immediately understood what had happened inside.

Hearing the voice, Li Hao immediately recognized his second uncle.

"Where's the Buddha? Old Feng…"

Li Muqiu swept his gaze around. When he saw Mount Wuliang split in two, his pupils constricted in shock.

He had abandoned his status and rushed here at full speed, not only to try and rescue Feng Bopíng but also because he'd anticipated that Li Hao would likely come to help.

Though he knew Li Hao was strong, he also knew that the Buddha was unfathomable. And Li Hao was now in a position of great power and authority, all of which had been hard-won. Li Muqiu felt that Li Hao had suffered enough and didn't want to see his achievements damaged.

If he could use his Half-Step Invincible Dao Realm to rescue Elder Feng, everything would be resolved. At the very least, he could fulfill the promise he'd made to Feng Bopíng:

If they couldn't share prosperity, they would share death!

"The Buddha is dead."

Li Hao, seeing Li Muqiu wearing a mask, his aura completely different, immediately understood his second uncle's intentions, but felt a pang of sadness.

"Dead?"

Li Muqiu was shocked. He turned to look at Feng Bopíng, but saw his strange, vacant expression and quickly asked, "What happened to Old Feng?"

"His soul is missing," Li Hao said softly.

Li Muqiu was stunned. He quickly checked Feng Bopíng's body and found that it was indeed as Li Hao had said.

His face turned grim, and he clenched his fists.

Li Hao knew he was upset and said softly, "I'll find Elder Feng's missing soul. Second Uncle, this isn't a suitable place for you to be. You should go back."

Li Muqiu looked at Li Hao, feeling heartache, "Child, you shouldn't have to bear all this. I should have been the one to come."

He felt pain and a sense of defeat. When his elder brother had fallen in Dragon City, he hadn't been able to make it in time. Now, once again, he hadn't been able to arrive in time.

He seemed to live a carefree life, but he felt like he'd failed.

"Elder Feng was found by the Buddhist sect because of me. It's only right that I deal with it."

Li Hao comforted him.

Li Muqiu's mood calmed slightly, and he immediately asked Li Hao about what had happened. Li Hao gave him a brief account.

After listening, Li Muqiu's expression was complex. "Child, the Buddha has countless followers, who infiltrate various families and officials. Your actions might…"

"It's fine." Li Hao smiled.

Li Muqiu, seeing the calmness on his face, felt even more heartache. He said, "Why don't you return to the Divine General's Mansion? With the Divine General's Mansion's thousand years of prestige, plus your own achievements, they can protect you…"

Li Hao shook his head slightly, "If His Majesty wants to strip me of my achievements, it's fine. It's just like returning to the beginning. I'll still have delicious food to eat, and chess to play. It won't affect me."

"But…"

Li Hao smiled slightly and bid farewell to his second uncle. Then, he climbed onto the Candlelight God's back and set off for home.

This trip, though he'd won, he'd also lost, at least in the way the Buddha had hoped.

News of this would soon reach the imperial capital, reach the ears of His Majesty. The old man might not understand, but whether he understood or not, it would likely cause trouble…

I've caused him trouble… Li Hao sighed inwardly.

After Li Hao left, Jiang Lichun also followed, but before leaving, he glanced at Li Muqiu and chuckled, "It seems the Li family's courage is growing. The young ones are like this, and the old ones are the same. Haha…"

Li Muqiu had recognized the crazed Prince Jiang long ago. He'd heard many stories about him and didn't pay much attention to such a madman.

Gazing at the young man's departing back, his eyes were filled with sorrow. There was a question he hadn't asked out loud.

Would there be a chance for them to be together again, the three of them, like shadows?

Time was merciless, it only moved forward, never stopping for anyone, never going back…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 282: Incense Offerings

With the Buddha's demise, the Thief Saint's abduction, and the destruction of Mount Wuliang, a series of news spread throughout the Brahma Heaven Realm. Mount Wuliang had numerous disciples, and these disciples were entangled with various complex forces, so the news quickly spread throughout the states and cities.

Not long after Li Hao and Li Mu Xiu left, two dark figures appeared on Mount Wuliang. Upon seeing the ruined Sacred Mountain and sensing the lingering Dao power in the air, their expressions changed drastically.

Soon, they dissipated like wisps of smoke.

Outside of Great Yu State, within a sprawling mountain range's hidden realm.

The surroundings were shrouded in mist, sparsely populated.

Two figures appeared silently, like ghosts, landing in a hall within a hidden realm on a mountain peak.

"Demonic Goat Venerable, we just received news and went to investigate. The Buddha who sought our cooperation earlier, he's dead!"

One of the black-robed youths whispered.

Beside him was a graceful woman with purple markings on her cheeks. If Li Hao were present, he would recognize them as the two Wild Gods from outside Qingzhou City.

Before them, a large, stout old man crouched on the ground, his back hunched high, as if carrying a heavy stone. He held a dark, gnarled staff resembling an ancient tree, with a human face at the top. Its eyes were constantly moving, occasionally squinting, revealing a sinister smile.

"The Buddha?"

Hearing the youth's words, the old man turned around, his eyelids full of wrinkles drooping. He glanced at the black-robed youth and said,

"Really? What about Mo Luo?"

The black-robed youth said in a low voice, "Unless a Saint intervened and concealed it from our perception, there can be no mistake. Mo Luo is also dead. There was residual demonic aura there, and Dao power that hadn't dissipated. He must have merged with Mo Luo."

"Buddha and Demon unite, two extreme Dao Hearts. He was truly greedy. No wonder he remained at the Taiping Daoist Realm for two thousand years. It turns out he was attempting to achieve Sainthood in one step, and even become a top-tier Saint."

The old man's eyes narrowed, and the countless wrinkles on his eyelids seemed to tighten slightly.

The two black-robed youths exchanged glances, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.

Extreme Dao Heart fusion, transcending a major realm to directly achieve Sainthood?

Even in the Land of Saints, such a figure would be considered incredibly talented.

"He must have been forced to merge prematurely. There was only residual Dao aura there, no Saintly aura." The black-robed youth said.

Demonic Goat Venerable snorted coldly, "Naturally. He sought our cooperation to plunder the incense offerings of the Great Yu Dynasty, indicating that his own accumulated incense offerings were insufficient. This is normal. The Emperor Yu wouldn't allow anyone to usurp his throne and seize the incense offerings that his Jiang family had been planning for. His premature fusion is like a premature baby, unable to achieve Sainthood. It's a pity that he died so unjustly!"

"Incense offerings?"

The purple-marked graceful woman was puzzled.

"You haven't reached the Dao Law Realm yet, so you can't sense it."

Demonic Goat Venerable said, "On the path of cultivation, one seizes the Heavenly Transformation. Below the Saint Realm, all are ants, only able to defy the heavens with their abilities. But the Saint Realm faces the Three Heavenly Calamities, and they need incense offerings to overcome them. Otherwise, why do you think the Jiang family left the Great Wilderness Heaven and came here?"

"Do you really think they were defeated in the struggle for power among the Ancient Saint Clans and forced out of the Great Wilderness Heaven? Heh, the Jiang family merely took advantage of the situation, attempting to use this dynasty to accumulate incense offerings and resurrect the Saint of their Jiang family!"

Hearing this, the two were stunned, looking at him in disbelief.

The Jiang family was secretly plotting to resurrect their ancestral Saint?

Their ambition was truly terrifying.

"Demonic Goat Venerable, is incense offerings the only way to achieve Sainthood? Then, what about us..."

The black-robed youth's eyes flickered.

"You should first comprehend the Dao Law Realm before thinking about this. If you want to plan ahead, you can. But we, the Demon Clan, cannot obtain human incense offerings. Who would worship demons? Even intimidation wouldn't work. If the heart isn't sincere, it's useless. What we call incense offerings is actually a vow, the aspirations of the living beings entrusted to them!"

"We can only obtain this power from demons. The Holy Son promised us that once we conquer Great Yu, he will build Demon Temples for us in various places. At that time, you can drive the demons to worship there."

Demonic Goat Venerable said.

Hearing the words "Holy Son," the two tightened their expressions, revealing a hint of reverence.

The purple-marked graceful woman asked, "Besides incense offerings, are there no other ways to achieve Sainthood?"

"There are, but they're practically impossible. That path has long been severed. It requires unimaginable insight..."

Demonic Goat Venerable shook his head. "In short, these things are too far away for you. Even at the Dao Law Realm, you may not be able to comprehend the Dao of Saints, create your own Dao, let alone collect incense offerings. Without that kind of extraordinary talent, planning ahead is just paving the way for others, just like that Buddha."

The two exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of unease.

Who wouldn't want to become a Saint?

But while they thought about it, they didn't have much confidence. It was truly too far away.

They still needed to comprehend the Dao Law, and after comprehending the Dao Law, they had to create their own Dao. It was too difficult.

"Speaking of which, although the Buddha failed to achieve Sainthood in one step, the Buddha-demon fusion forced him into the Hearing Dao Realm, possibly even the Dao Law Realm!"

Demonic Goat Venerable brought the topic back, his eyes flashing with a cold light:

"That boy was able to kill a Dao Law Realm existence. Are you sure he was only at the Four Pillars Realm when you fought him in Qingzhou?"

The two were stunned, their eyes revealing a hint of horror.

The Buddha directly became a Dao Law Realm cultivator?

When they investigated later, they only sensed a strong Dao aura and couldn't determine whether he had mastered Dao Law.

But after hearing so much from Demonic Goat Venerable, they understood that the Buddha was also an incredibly talented powerhouse. With such an ambition, even if it was premature, he couldn't be an ordinary True Person Realm cultivator.

To put it another way, even if he were only at the True Person Realm, he would undoubtedly be at the very top level.

"We absolutely wouldn't be mistaken about this. During the Qingzhou battle, he exposed his aura and only used Dao Domains to fight. It's impossible for him to hide it. Otherwise, his cultivation would be too exaggerated..."

The black-robed youth's face changed slightly, and he said in a low voice.

The purple-marked graceful woman's face darkened. "Could it be that our battle with him caused him to comprehend something and break through? But we've cultivated for ten thousand years and are only at the True Person Realm... Compared to him, haven't we lived in vain?"

Demonic Goat Venerable's face darkened. "Isn't a sixteen-year-old Four Pillars Realm cultivator exaggerated enough? Forget Four Pillars Realm, have you ever seen a second sixteen-year-old Three Immortals Realm cultivator?"

Hearing his words, the two exchanged glances, speechless.

Indeed, a sixteen-year-old Three Immortals Realm cultivator was already incredibly monstrous, and now he was even more monstrous.

"Is that boy really human, or could he be a reincarnated Saint?"

The black-robed youth couldn't help but ask, thinking of the "Holy Son" they had just mentioned.

Demonic Goat Venerable's eyes flickered. It was indeed possible, but there were no records of reincarnated Saints being this monstrous, unless it was a Saint directly disguised.

But if that were the case, he would have already come to exterminate them. How could they still be here talking?

"I've heard rumors of some peerless geniuses who are incredibly exaggerated, cultivating for a day equivalent to a year for ordinary people. That boy must be like that."

Demonic Goat Venerable sighed. Their plans had all been disrupted by one person, which was hard to imagine.

"It's a pity that the Buddha was too greedy. If he had chosen to join forces with us to kill that boy, no matter how many heads and arms he had, he wouldn't have been able to escape Mount Wuliang. Unfortunately, he was afraid that we would become a blemish on his reputation, affecting his incense offerings. Now, he deserves his death!"

The purple-marked graceful woman said coldly.

"It may not be that he was afraid of affecting his incense offerings. He might have been guarding against us. After all, we all entered Mount Wuliang... He must have been worried too." The black-robed youth said.

"Now that there's no Buddhist support, won't our plan have to change? We already failed in Liangzhou, and that boy made us so angry!"

The purple-marked graceful woman gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with hatred.

"Now, we can only make use of the situation."

Demonic Goat Venerable's face darkened. "During the battle outside Qingzhou City, I told you to send your true bodies to deal with that boy. The Buddha insisted on doing it himself. As a result, he made a foolish move and got himself killed. He wanted to use the Thief Saint to lure that boy over and ruin his reputation, causing him to break with the court."

"But it turned out that he forced himself to merge with the Buddha and demon and was killed. It was incredibly stupid."

The black-robed youth remained silent. Even the wisest of people can make mistakes. It's just that no one expected that boy to be so terrifying, capable of killing even a Dao Law Realm cultivator.

When information is unequal, all calculations become laughable, like a clown's act.

In their long-term plans, everything had been proceeding smoothly, and gradually consuming Great Yu was within reach. But that boy emerged from nowhere, like a sharp knife from outside the battlefield, disrupting everything.

Who could have predicted this?

If they had known that Great Yu would produce such a monster, they would have adjusted their plans earlier, even if it meant sacrificing more.

"Although the Buddha is dead, we can still use his foolish move. Moreover, using his death, we can better cause that boy to break with Great Yu, and let the millions of Buddhist disciples spit and drown him with their words!"

Demonic Goat Venerable sneered, "When that boy can't take it anymore, he'll start killing again, exterminating those Buddhist disciples. I don't believe others won't be afraid. That boy is the sharp sword of Great Yu, but swords are double-edged. Now, let them realize that this sword can also hurt them!"

The two black-robed youths nodded slightly.

That boy's ability to kill the Buddha had shocked them. He was already an existence they couldn't match.

They felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, the Buddha made that foolish move to stop them. Otherwise, if they had sent their true bodies to deal with the boy, they might have been in trouble now.

"But that boy can now kill Dao Law Realm cultivators. Will Great Yu really break with him?" The black-robed youth asked.

Demonic Goat Venerable sneered, "As an emperor, if a ferocious figure like that appears in your territory, will you be happy or afraid?"

The two exchanged glances, and they both knew the answer.

Humans, although incredibly intelligent in cultivation, are often foolish in other matters. Even emperors cannot escape the shackles of human nature.

"Even with us lurking in the shadows, some foolish humans would rather build high walls than allow anyone who threatens them to exist. That's human nature."

Demonic Goat Venerable's eyes seemed to see through everything. "Moreover, that boy's current strength and age are when his mentality is at its peak. He can't bear even the slightest grievance. The world is vast, and he can roam freely. He doesn't have to stay here. Do you think he'll swallow his pride?"

"So, a break is inevitable?"

Hearing his words, the two's eyes lit up.

If they break, then they won't have to worry about that boy when they attack Great Yu.

To defeat an enemy, you don't necessarily have to kill them. If necessary, driving them away is also an option.

"What you need to do now is to have the Heavenly Pivot Palace contact the Buddhist sect and pressure His Majesty to make him suspicious!" Demonic Goat Venerable said.

"Understood."

The two nodded.

Demonic Goat Venerable sneered slightly. "In this world, the strong are supreme, but humans like to pretend to be fair and just. There are clearly distinctions between officials, nobles, and families, and people are divided into three, six, and nine categories. But they always want the lower classes to think that there is still justice and fairness. So, they have to pretend to be reasonable on the surface. The Buddha was like that too. He was constrained by this, but he was fighting for incense offerings, so he had to pretend to be benevolent. We don't lack human incense offerings."

Hearing this, the two also laughed.

"Go. The Holy Son is getting impatient."

Demonic Goat Venerable's eyes were deep. "If we delay any longer, the geniuses who entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago might return. Then, things will be bad. Only the Holy Son can solve it."

Hearing this, the two felt a shiver down their spines. They agreed and disappeared.

At the same time, the news had already reached Qingzhou City.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 283: A Thousand Years of Glory

Qingzhou, within the Divine General's Mansion.

Everyone who received the news was shocked and stunned.

Just when the news of Mount Wuliang's intention to execute the Sage of Thieves spread, the Buddha was killed?!

And it happened on the Divine Spirit Mountain. Who was so bold, so ruthless?

Soon, Li Mu Xiu returned to the Divine General's Mansion, bringing back second-hand information.

Initially, he had planned to abandon everything to rescue Old Windstorm. Now that Li Hao had resolved the situation, he no longer needed to follow his original plan. The Divine General's Mansion still needed his protection.

Upon Li Mu Xiu's return, everyone eagerly inquired about the details, worried that it might be related to him.

After the Qingzhou City battle, they had learned that Li Mu Xiu was a Half-Step Dao Realm cultivator, but he had kept it hidden for many years. They didn't know if he had any other hidden trump cards.

The Buddha was a Peaceful Dao Realm cultivator. While there was a gap between him and a Half-Step Dao Realm cultivator, only their second uncle knew how significant that gap was.

Li Mu Xiu saw the thoughts in everyone's eyes and sighed inwardly. He didn't hide anything, explaining the situation to everyone.

Although he arrived late, he could sense that the destructive power at the scene was far beyond what a Peaceful Dao Realm cultivator could achieve.

Moreover, with Li Hao's strength, if he were to kill a Peaceful Dao Realm cultivator, there wouldn't be such a large-scale battle. He would likely kill them instantly, just like he had suppressed the two demon leaders in Qingzhou City, who didn't even have the chance to stand up to him!

Thus, the answer was obvious.

The Buddha had been hiding his strength, and he was actually already in the Dao Realm!

Li Mu Xiu was surprised, but also felt a sense of inevitability.

After all, it had been a long time since they had seen the Buddha make a move. Who could have known he had secretly broken through?

"What? Hao did it?!"

"He killed the Buddha?!"

"And the Buddha was in the Dao Realm?"

As Li Mu Xiu revealed a series of shocking news, Li Xuanli, He Jianlan, and others were astonished, staring at him in disbelief.

A Dao Realm Buddha, killed by Li Hao!

Li Hao's ability to suppress the two demon leaders outside Qingzhou City had already blown their minds, but how long had it been since then? Now, he could kill the Buddha?!

This was the Dao Realm, the same realm as the True Person of Qian Dao Palace!

Didn't this mean that Li Hao had the power to rival that True Person?!

"Why did Hao do it? Although the Buddhist sect has been making some small moves, the Buddha hasn't really done anything out of line. At least, no one has been able to find a reason to hold him accountable. Why did Hao kill him?"

After the initial shock, He Jianlan asked in confusion.

Mount Wuliang was a righteous force with extensive connections and a wide network of relationships. They rarely made enemies.

Li Tian Gang, among the crowd, was lost in thought, his face quickly turning grim.

Li Mu Xiu also knew that at this point, some things had to be said plainly. He sighed, "It was to save that Sage of Thieves. He has a debt of gratitude to Hao."

Everyone was stunned, momentarily speechless.

Killing a Buddha to save a thief?

"Will the Buddhist sect swallow this? Although the number of Buddhist disciples in the Brahma Pure Land isn't that large, they could be killed, but there are Buddhist temples and believers in every city across the nineteen states. They will cause trouble, and the people of each state will suffer."

Xiao Yu Jing couldn't help but ask. After her husband's death, she had also practiced vegetarianism and Buddhism for a while, and she knew how vast and numerous the Buddhist sect's forces were.

"I knew it, I knew it, he would eventually cause a huge disaster!"

Li Tian Gang suddenly gritted his teeth.

Everyone was stunned by his words. He Jianlan frowned, "What are you talking about? Although Hao's actions were a bit impulsive, he was also repaying a debt of gratitude."

"Repaying a debt? Are you still defending him?"

Li Tian Gang's face was grim. "Does repaying a debt justify killing innocent people? Does repaying a debt justify such extreme actions? Now that he has killed the Buddha, unless his strength is sufficient to rival the True Person, he's going to face dire consequences. He might even bring disaster upon the Great Yu Dynasty!"

"Tian Gang, is it really that serious?" Ji Qing Qing couldn't help but ask.

Li Xuanli wanted to say something, but suddenly thought of something and his face changed slightly.

Li Tian Gang looked at He Jianlan and the others who were frowning, and gave a self-deprecating smile. "You guys are too simple! His current strength may indeed be comparable to that True Person, but the Buddha was hiding his strength. Could it be that the True Person isn't? There are upper and lower levels within the Dao Realm. The lower level is the True Person Realm, and the upper level is the Dao Realm!"

"The Buddha has never clashed with the Daoist temples these years, only competing secretly. Why? It's because he wasn't confident in defeating the True Person!"

"This also suggests that the True Person is very likely already in the Dao Realm. After all, a long, long time ago, during the reign of the previous Emperor, he was already a True Person…"

Hearing Li Tian Gang's words, everyone was stunned. They had only recently learned about the specifics of the Dao Realm, as they were too far removed from that level of cultivation.

Even the Peaceful Dao Realm was a goal they could only dream of achieving in their lifetimes.

"But even if the True Person is in the Dao Realm and even more powerful, so what?"

He Jianlan frowned, "Hao is a hero, and he has such strength. Could it be that they will kill Hao to avenge the dead Buddha?"

Li Tian Gang sneered, "Sister-in-law, you women are too naive. The Emperor's heart is hard to fathom. Hao dared to kill the Buddha so brazenly. Doesn't the Emperor worry that he will usurp the throne one day? Doesn't he worry that Hao will one day raise his sword against the Imperial Palace?"

Everyone's faces changed, they looked at each other, feeling a chill.

The Emperor's heart is hard to fathom, serving the Emperor is like walking on eggshells. It's true.

Although the current Emperor is extremely fond of Li Hao, what if he becomes a threat?

Let alone outsiders, even if it's your own son who holds military power and can threaten the throne at any time, wouldn't he be eliminated beforehand?

No wonder Li Tian Gang said that unless Li Hao could rival the True Person, if the Emperor truly harbored murderous intentions and sent the True Person to deal with Li Hao, the outcome would be uncertain. They couldn't tell who was stronger.

"If the Emperor orders the True Person to take action, there are only two outcomes. Either the True Person loses and he wins, but what's his nature? He dared to draw his sword on me after being offended. If the Emperor treats him like that, will he spare the Emperor?"

Li Tian Gang stared at everyone.

Everyone's faces darkened.

"Hao is clear about right and wrong, not like what you said…" He Jianlan gritted her teeth.

Li Tian Gang's face twitched, he glared at her, then continued, "If he loses, either his escape skills are strong enough to allow him to escape by chance, or he dies! Whether he wins or loses, it's not what we want to see, but right now, he only has these two options!"

As he spoke, anger and self-blame flashed in his eyes.

The others, hearing Li Tian Gang's words, also fell into contemplation.

"But Hao is so powerful, and he's so intelligent. His future potential is surely greater than that True Person. Such a strong person is the pride and hope of our human race. We should be trying to win him over, the Emperor wouldn't be as foolish as you say, would he?"

He Jianlan said this, glancing at her ninth sister-in-law, Jiang Xian'er.

Jiang Xian'er shook her head slightly, indicating that she didn't mind, and followed up, "I also think Father wouldn't do that. Hao is inherently kind. He protected a city at the age of fourteen, and now he has made great contributions and is a Third-Rank Duke. Father wouldn't treat him like that, he would only treat him as a distinguished guest!"

Li Tian Gang glanced at her, knowing that his ninth sister-in-law had deep feelings for his ninth brother and truly considered him a member of the Li family. That's why he hadn't avoided her when talking about these things.

"I hope so too. After all, demons are surrounding us now, and we can't afford any internal strife, especially strife at this level."

Li Tian Gang's eyes showed hatred, and he clenched his fists, "If I had known this would happen, I should have killed that thief in the borderlands!"

"If it weren't for his contributions to protecting us, I would have been too soft-hearted at the time… Now, there are so many problems. I'd rather bear the blame for being unrighteous!"

"You knew all along?"

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

Li Tian Gang didn't answer, instead, he looked at Li Mu Xiu, anger in his eyes.

Li Mu Xiu saw the look in his eyes, his face changed slightly, but his brows furrowed, and he didn't respond.

He was still pondering what Li Tian Gang had just said. Would the Emperor become suspicious of Li Hao?

After all, Li Hao and the Emperor had no blood relation.

They, as officials and generals, all worried about becoming too powerful and threatening the Emperor. The stronger Li Hao became, the happier Li Mu Xiu would be, he wouldn't be jealous, but outsiders might be.

He couldn't fully understand the Emperor's heart, and he began to worry.

If Li Hao won, there would be no problem. He felt that he could persuade Li Hao, but if he lost, Li Hao would be in danger.

"The Buddhist sect has a lot of followers, and there are also Buddhist forces in the court. If they pressure the Emperor or incite him to become suspicious, it will be a big problem!"

Li Tian Gang said in a low voice.

Ji Qing Qing, hearing his words, turned pale. She suddenly thought of something and said to Li Xuanli, "Fifth Brother, why don't you go to court and plead with the Emperor? Say some good words for Hao, let the Emperor know that Hao is kind at heart, and even if he holds a sharp sword, he will never rebel."

Li Xuanli quickly said, "Sister-in-law, don't say that. I will definitely help. Hao has saved my life and has also done favors for the Li family. We should do everything we can!"

Li Tian Gang also quickly pulled his wife, "Qing Qing, don't put Fifth Brother in a difficult position. It's not easy being the Emperor, let Fifth Brother choose for himself."

Li Xuanli angrily retorted, "What are you talking about? I will definitely go to court and plead with the Emperor. Do I need to choose? Even if Hao doesn't share our surname, he's still my nephew!"

Seeing that he said this, Li Tian Gang felt relieved. He then scanned them and said, "If I had disciplined him properly back then, you wouldn't have interfered. I thought I was too harsh, and all of you spoke up for him, supported him. Now it seems I was right. If power is not constrained by law, it will become unrestrained and only lead to disaster!"

"Are you still blaming us? If it weren't for Hao, Qingzhou would have been in big trouble by now!"

He Jianlan angrily retorted.

"If I had disciplined him properly, he would still be able to save Qingzhou. Would my discipline have diminished his talent? Doesn't he have such talent because of the combination of my bloodline and Qing Qing's?"

Li Tian Gang said with a cold face.

He Jianlan's face darkened. She really didn't know how to refute that.

"I'll go to the Imperial Capital and ask my brothers to plead with Father, to say some good words, hoping that Hao can have his merits offset his crimes."

Jiang Xian'er immediately said, and she stood up and left the meeting hall.

"At this point, it all depends on the Emperor's intentions. Don't think too negatively. The True Person might not take action."

Li Mu Xiu's eyes flickered, and he said with a stern face.

Everyone was stunned, looking at him in confusion.

Li Mu Xiu said in a low voice, "Haven't you noticed that the True Person hasn't appeared for a long time? There have been constant demonic calamities in various states, but the True Person hasn't made a move. Such a big event in Liangzhou, the True Person didn't come. Qingzhou was the same, and so was Youzhou…"

Hearing his words, everyone's pupils constricted, their hearts filled with horror.

"Could it be…" Li Xuanli's voice trembled.

Li Mu Xiu shook his head, "It's not that something happened. Since the Qingzhou City battle and the appearance of the two Wild God avatars, I have a general idea why the True Person hasn't appeared. The Wild God is probably targeting the Imperial Palace. If he leaves, the entire Imperial City will be destroyed!"

Hearing his words, everyone was stunned, then took a deep breath.

So that's it.

"So, the Emperor won't easily let the True Person take action?" Ji Qing Qing said joyfully.

Li Mu Xiu nodded slightly, "Basically not. But people's hearts are hard to fathom, I don't dare to gamble with Hao's life. The safest way is to find someone to plead for him. For the sake of our Li family, the Emperor will have to consider it. After all, if Hao is truly killed, the True Person will also be injured. If the demons take advantage of the opportunity to invade, and if our Li family bears a grudge and refuses to help, all these factors will lead to worse outcomes…"

"The Emperor should consider this."

Hearing his words, everyone felt a little more relaxed.

"If Hao can win, that's naturally the best outcome, but then the demons will also take advantage of the situation. Regardless, this war must be avoided as much as possible, otherwise, the common people will suffer." Li Mu Xiu said.

Everyone nodded. Yes, in times of war, the soldiers suffer the most, followed by the common people.

"But if we plead for him now, what if the Emperor pretends not to react, but bears a grudge in his heart and targets him secretly later?"

Wang Xiangru, beside them, said with a cold face, "Then the Li family's thousand years of glory will be destroyed."

Everyone's faces changed slightly. Li Mu Xiu said in a low voice, "Don't forget, you also owe Hao a life."

"Let them owe him, I don't owe him anything. My father also came to Qingzhou, he was just a little late."

Wang Xiangru angrily retorted, "Besides, he has severed his bloodline, he's not a member of the Li family anymore. This is his own doing."

Hearing her words, everyone frowned slightly and ignored her.

"You don't need to be so pessimistic. Maybe we're overthinking things. The Emperor might not think that way. Our Emperor is not a fool, he is wise and just. In terms of both emotion and reason, it's not a good thing to clash with Hao at this time."

Gao Qing Qing comforted everyone.

Li Mu Xiu's eyes flickered, "That's right. The Buddhist sect's influence is deeply rooted, maybe the Emperor has been unhappy with them for a long time, and he might even be grateful to Hao."

No one spoke any further. It all depended on whether the Emperor would become suspicious of Li Hao and whether he would fear that his power would threaten the royal family.

How much sincerity was there in the Emperor's favor towards Li Hao?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 284: Not Enough

Great Yu Province, Sacred Capital.

Divine radiance filled the air, and within the towering Imperial Palace, officials of all ranks within the capital were meticulously preparing for the day's court session.

News of the incident at Wu Liang Mountain, located on the border of Qingzhou, had already arrived. Within the capital, where official power was most concentrated and complex, undercurrents of unrest had already begun to surge, with countless individuals losing sleep the previous night.

Upon hearing the news, many doubted the accuracy of their intelligence. Only after confirming with acquaintances did they realize the gravity of the situation!

On one side was the Buddha, the leader who carried the Buddhist faith.

On the other was a recently ascendant, exceptionally brilliant prodigy.

At such a young age, he possessed formidable strength and illustrious achievements, with an unlimited future ahead of him.

That these two shining stars of humanity would clash was truly shocking.

And the impact of this clash would ripple through countless large and small factions. Although the leader was dead, the Buddhist order would not simply disperse. Even ordinary martial arts sects, if not completely eradicated, would have disciples who had endured for years to avenge their sect, let alone a religion like the Buddhist order with its strong cohesion and faith.

The Buddhist order had deep roots. Hundreds of years ago, the Yu Emperor, citing the dwindling royal bloodline and the need for procreation, had forbidden royal members from converting to Buddhism.

However, excluding the royal bloodline, among the officials, ministers, and retired generals, many former prominent figures had either willingly or under subtle guidance, entered the monastic life, seeking a tranquil and comfortable existence.

Now, with the Buddha slain, the spiritual leader of Buddhism eliminated, this would be a tremendous shock to those who believed in Buddhism.

Outside the Xuanhuang Gate, a luxurious Dragon Sparrow Cloud Carriage sped towards the palace, gently descending.

The carriage door opened, and a graceful and elegant figure emerged.

"The head of the Xia family has arrived."

"He hasn't attended court in years. Why is he here today?"

"Rumor has it that the Heavenly Duke Haotian escaped from the River of Death, subsequently saving Youzhou and Qingzhou, and slaying the leaders of the three major demon factions. The Xia family is likely here to intercede on his behalf."

Seeing the stunningly beautiful female general, though now a noble matron, her prestige was immense. Many officials glanced at her twice before feeling a sense of awe, unable to maintain prolonged eye contact.

"That former Imperial Court minister has also arrived. I heard he practices vegetarianism and recites Buddhist scriptures. He once discussed the Dao with the Buddha."

Someone pointed towards another direction, where an elderly man was being supported by several high-ranking officials.

There was no doubt that today's court session would be exceptionally intense.

As representatives of various factions arrived, within the Imperial Palace's grand hall, upon the Dragon Throne, the Yu Emperor sat calmly, his imposing figure like a mountain, his eyes shining like the sun and moon, exuding an aura of awe that was difficult to bear.

His eyes were deep and introspective, like a deep, blue sea, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

Before the hundred officials, Xia Linglong stood alone, her eyes cold and her expression calm. Behind her were other Xia family officials who held positions in the court.

When she first received the news yesterday, although she was shocked, she immediately rushed to Great Yu Province.

She knew that this matter was of great consequence. Although the young man possessed extraordinary combat prowess, this was the Great Yu Dynasty, with unimaginable foundations. Not to mention the True Person of the Qian Dao Palace, who guarded the dynasty, even the group of Jiang family experts who had entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago, if they returned from the Immortal Gate, would be enough to crush any demonic fiend.

Even the Buddha wouldn't dare to kill openly. Major factions had unspoken rules, and killing a leader was a clear sign of breaking all ties.

Now that the Buddha was killed, and the Buddhist order's influence was intertwined with countless interests, although it wouldn't pose a threat to Li Hao, it could be used to stir up trouble before the Emperor.

Moreover, the Emperor needed to give the people a reason to accept this. As a result, Li Hao's merits might be stripped to appease public anger.

However, if Great Yu and Li Hao were to sever ties, it would give the demons a chance to exploit. Xia Linglong knew that the Emperor would likely consider these factors, but she didn't know how he would decide. After all, if he couldn't appease the people, the Buddhist disciples in various provinces and cities might rebel. Suppressing them by force would lead to unrest in various provinces!

This would also give the demons an opportunity to invade.

If Xia Linglong were to think from the Emperor's perspective, she would also find herself in a difficult position. In the long run, it was best to protect Li Hao, after all, he was young and had immense potential. He was very likely to replace the True Person of the Dao Palace in the future.

However, she didn't know if the Emperor harbored any suspicion towards the young general.

After all, great achievements often lead to suspicion of the ruler, especially in Li Hao's case. At such a young age, if he were allowed to grow, he might even change the dynasty's ruling family in the future!

The Emperor's heart was unfathomable. No one knew how he would choose.

But no matter what, she came here hoping that the Emperor, for the sake of the Xia family's meager connections, would consider things a little more carefully.

This was the utmost loyalty she could offer as a subject.

"Your Majesty, your Heavenly Heart is clear! The Heavenly Duke Haotian killed the Buddha for a thief, defying the greatest taboos of the world. He is utterly lawless and does not deserve the title of Duke. He should be demoted to a commoner, forced to serve his sentence, guarding the border, forever barred from receiving any official position!"

As soon as the court session began, an old official spoke with passionate indignation.

"That's right, Your Majesty. The Heavenly Duke Haotian has a long list of misdeeds. He fought against his father, betrayed the Li family, and now he has killed the Buddha for a thief, causing the people to weep. He must be severely punished!"

"He cannot rely on his merits to act without restraint. Otherwise, what is the meaning of Imperial authority? What is the meaning of the moral principles of the world? If we don't curb him now, he will only become more rampant and act even more recklessly!"

"Your Majesty, the Heavenly Duke Haotian is still young and has not been properly guided. He is prone to making mistakes. He killed the Buddha and acted recklessly with his martial power. Although he has the merit of saving Liangzhou, he is using his merits to commit evil, and this cannot be tolerated. Otherwise, the world will eventually perish."

One official after another presented their petitions, four or five in quick succession, as if they had pre-arranged it.

The others remained silent, wanting to see the Emperor's and others' reactions.

After all, this court was not entirely dominated by the Buddhist order. Although some were indignant, others had no connection to the Buddhist order. At this moment, they were worried that if the Heavenly Duke was severely punished, it would be extremely detrimental to the current demonic threat facing Great Yu.

Before the Emperor could respond, Xia Linglong had already turned around.

"It's easy for you all to say. If demons attack the city, I wonder if you would dare to stand on the city walls to face them?"

Xia Linglong sneered, "The merit of saving three provinces is casually dismissed with a few words from your mouths. You all say that a scholar's pen can break a warrior's blade. Your tongues are indeed sharp!"

"I am a warrior. If demons attack the city, within the territory under my command, I will surely lead the troops as the vanguard!"

One person stepped forward, looking directly at Xia Linglong. "But merit is merit. Who here doesn't have merit? Let alone killing the Buddha, even killing commoners is a crime. If everyone relies on their merits to disregard life, how can the people survive, and how can the dynasty continue? Does it rely on you and me? Is that still a dynasty, or is it no different from a bandit's lair?"

Xia Linglong's face changed, and her eyes turned icy as she looked at him. He wasn't a general from the Five Divine General Mansions, but a general who had risen to prominence and achieved merit later.

However, she could sense that his words were not aimed at Li Hao, but at the Five Divine General Mansions' monopoly on military merit.

This brings up the issue of the Five Divine General Mansions' achievements in battle. Exceptional or First-Class Merits were often given to close relatives or family members. As the head of the family, even if she didn't advocate for it, she couldn't completely stop it. After all, it was similar to corruption, and it was impossible to eliminate it completely.

Other factions, if they wanted to achieve merit, could only survive in the cracks between the Five Divine General Mansions. This conflict had existed for a long time.

These people had also secretly formed alliances, forming a faction. Although they couldn't compete with the Divine General Mansions, they had been hostile in secret. Openly, the Emperor was watching, and no one would break the rules.

"That's right. If having merit allows one to kill people in the streets, what kind of social order will that create? The people will be in constant fear. The dynasty will prosper for a short time, but it will inevitably decline in the long run!"

"Martial arts can slay demons, and civil officials govern the state. This is an unchanging principle throughout history. If martial power is used to suppress everything, the people may not dare to speak, but what will happen in the long run?"

One minister after another spoke up.

Xia Linglong's face darkened. She knew that based on common sense, as long as they emphasized that killing was a crime, which was in line with the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, she wouldn't be able to argue.

"The world is currently in turmoil with demons. You've lived in the Imperial City for too long, and you've probably forgotten what demons look like. When the demons attack, I wonder if you'll still be able to reason with them using your sharp tongues?" Xia Linglong said.

"We are reasoning with General Xia. Does General Xia intend to compare herself to a demon?"

"We pursue the Great Dao of the ancient sages and consider ourselves the most intelligent beings. Shouldn't we be mindful of life and morality?"

"That's right. The state has laws. Even if the Heavenly Duke Haotian is exceptionally talented and has great merits, he killed the Buddha, a grave mistake. How can we blindly protect him?"

"Today, he dares to kill the Buddha. Tomorrow, will he not dare to kill True Persons and us?"

"What is the difference between him and the demons?!"

Others chimed in with angry rebukes.

Xia Linglong was almost amused by their anger, but she knew it would be difficult to reason with them.

Unless she used force to suppress them, but that would also mean defeat.

"I think you are the demons. Perhaps your homes have been invaded by demons, and you've lost your minds due to demonic influence?"

Beside her, other Hanlin Academy scholars, seeing that Xia Linglong couldn't argue with seven or eight mouths at once, also spoke up.

"Before the matter is fully investigated, how dare you say that the Heavenly Duke Haotian, who subdued the demons in three provinces, is no different from a demon?!"

"I believe you have ulterior motives and are attempting to harm a loyal subject of Great Yu. Your Majesty, I suggest that we investigate their homes first to see if any demons have infiltrated and caused trouble!"

"That's right. The merit of saving three provinces is a monumental achievement. In my opinion, he deserves to be appointed as a Divine General. Do you dare to belittle a Divine General?"

"This matter is full of doubts and has not yet been clarified. You are so rash in your judgment. What are your true intentions? Are you trying to make Great Yu lose a great general for the ages?!"

With the addition of others, the argument became even more heated.

Xia Linglong opened her mouth slightly, watching the two factions of civil officials engage in a verbal battle. In the end, she chose to observe from the sidelines. Although she was eloquent, compared to these people, she was still somewhat lacking.

She turned to look at the Emperor, but his expression remained unchanged, neither happy nor sad. She couldn't help but feel worried, wondering how the Emperor was truly considering this matter.

After a long debate, the arguments began to repeat themselves. Chu Jiu Yue, who was standing beside the Emperor, gently coughed.

Although his voice was soft, it silenced the debate.

Everyone stopped and looked at the Emperor.

The Yu Emperor's face was calm as he said, "My dear officials, what you all say is reasonable. But reason is meant for the people, for us, because we are human. But how can demons understand reason? Now that we face a demonic threat, you say you want to strip the Heavenly Duke Haotian of his merits. I ask, after stripping him of his merits, if the demons attack, who will replace him in battle?"

Hearing the Emperor's words, many looked at each other. Those who supported Xia Linglong quietly looked at those who had previously denounced Li Hao.

As expected of the Emperor... Xia Linglong sighed inwardly. He didn't engage in a verbal battle but directly addressed the most practical issue.

However, she didn't know whether the Emperor was taking Li Hao's side or simply concerned about the demonic threat.

After a brief silence, an elderly official who had spoken earlier trembled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I have received a petition from the Buddhist Bodhisattvas. The Buddhist order promises that if Your Majesty grants them justice, the Buddhist order is willing to provide eight million Buddhist disciples to serve and fight."

Hearing his words, many people's faces changed. They didn't expect the Buddhist order to be so resolute.

They were offering eight million Buddhist disciples in exchange for Li Hao.

"Eight million disciples..."

The Yu Emperor murmured softly, then said calmly, "I'm afraid that's not enough."

(End of Chapter)