https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-275-Since-You-ve-Seen-Me-Why-Not-Kneel-/13450415/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-277-Tearing-Apart-the-Buddha-Hall/13450417/
Chapter 276: He Is Not a Thief, He Is the Thief Saint!
Chapter 276: He Is Not a Thief, He Is the Thief Saint!
Hearing Li Hao's imposing voice, the Buddhist Master's expression remained unchanged, and he continued to smile.
"General Haotian, though you hold the rank of Duke, my Buddhist Sect resides outside the Imperial Court and is not bound by the court's elaborate protocols. Furthermore, hundreds of years ago, I was granted the Demon Suppression Medal by Emperor Yu for my contributions in vanquishing demons. Even when I appear before the emperor, I am not required to kneel."
Li Hao's eyes narrowed, and he sneered.
"Such a Demon Suppression Medal, such great contributions in vanquishing demons!"
"General Haotian, it seems you have some misunderstanding about me?"
The Buddhist Master's gaze was gentle as he spoke softly, "You have come here with such wrath. Could it be that you wish to exonerate that Thief?"
Li Hao's eyes suddenly flared with killing intent, and he growled, "He is not a thief, he is the Thief Saint!"
"A thief is a thief. Bestowing the title of Saint is an insult to the Sages."
The Buddhist Master smiled, "General Haotian, you should think carefully about your words. Defending a notorious criminal, even with your achievements in saving Liangzhou and rescuing Qingzhou, could still earn you some public scorn. While it may not cost you your rank or title, the people's eyes are sharp. Associating with a thief will not end well for you."
"I thought you would be more honest, but I didn't expect you to be so hypocritical."
Li Hao took a step forward, his aura rising with each step. His gaze was cold and stern.
"When you captured him, didn't you know of my connection to him? If he hadn't been defending Heavenly Gate Pass for me, how could you have caught him?"
"You knew I would come when you announced the public execution. Why bother with these lies? Just say it—were your actions targeted at me, or do you have another purpose? I can fulfill your wishes. Titles and honors mean nothing to me. Even if I am stripped of my rank and title, do you really think you can take my place? If you want them, go and fight for them!"
At this moment, Lin Wujing and the other three Bodhisattvas caught up from behind. Hearing Li Hao's confrontation with the Buddhist Master in the Buddha Hall, they all changed their expressions.
Lin Wujing couldn't help but say, "General Haotian, be more respectful. The Buddhist Master is of immeasurable virtue. Our Buddhist Sect has saved countless people, far surpassing your rescue of just two states. Don't be too arrogant..."
"Get out!"
Before Lin Wujing could finish, Li Hao's low, angry rebuke echoed. Without turning back, he took another step forward.
A wave of power erupted from behind him, striking like a heavy fist, sending the three Bodhisattvas flying backward, spitting blood.
Seeing the three Bodhisattvas injured before his eyes, the Buddhist Master's face finally lost some of its warmth, and he spoke calmly.
"I thought you were merely using this thief, but it seems you are in league with him. With your current honors, do not forget the emperor's favor. By coming here to defend this thief and intruding into the Buddha Hall, have you betrayed the emperor's trust and the people's admiration and trust in you?"
"If I didn't come, I would be betraying the emperor's trust. Ignoring a friend's life and death would not protect the people."
"Besides you and your Buddhist Sect, there is no one else here. What's the point of acting for me?"
Li Hao said coldly, "Are you trying to put on a show for your Bodhisattvas, who don't know the situation?"
"General Haotian, your offense against my Buddhist Sect is too severe. Even as a Duke, you cannot escape punishment. I will personally report you to the emperor!" the Buddhist Master said firmly.
"Go ahead. I came here today to see my friend. Where is he?"
Li Hao stared at him. If not for Old Feng still being in their hands, he would have already taken action.
The Buddhist Master spoke calmly, "It seems you are truly obstinate. Are you willing to oppose my Buddhist Sect and the world for the sake of a thief?"
"Don't keep bringing up the world. Does your Buddhist Sect even deserve it? In a state with hundreds of cities, each city has a Buddha Hall, but how many temples do you have in the countryside? If you truly had immeasurable virtue, it would be one thing, but you sit on your lofty platform, watching the suffering of the world. Where were you when Liangzhou was attacked?"
"Where were you when Qingzhou was attacked?! You say Liangzhou is too far, but Qingzhou is right in front of you, where were you then?!"
Li Hao shouted in anger.
"If as you say, where was His Majesty when Liangzhou was attacked, and where was His Majesty when Qingzhou was attacked?"
The Buddhist Master calmly replied, "We sit high on our dais, surveying the world. We are engaged in a game of wits with the Demons in the shadows. If a border of any province is threatened, should all the warriors of the Nineteen Provinces rush to its aid to be considered brave? Each has their own duty. We of Wuliang Mountain protect a radius of five hundred miles, preventing the Demons from invading. Is it not because I am here that they dare not attack?"
Li Hao sneered, "Don't try to twist the facts. Your words may sound reasonable, but you know best whether you have truly done your part. Words can deceive others, but not your own heart! You, a Great Peace Dao Realm, even one of the strongest below the Dao, can't deter those two Great Demon forces?"
"You are in Qingzhou, and the Divine General Manor is in Qingzhou. Yet the Dragon Gate and the Holy Palace dared to launch a large-scale attack, breaking through the border and sweeping through the land with no defenses in their rear. Weren't they worried about Wuliang Mountain striking?"
"You saw it yourself, they have the Wasteland Deity behind them, so they need no defenses", the Buddhist Master said calmly.
Li Hao sneered, "But that Wasteland Deity only acted very reluctantly. They never intended to expose themselves in Qingzhou. So you claim you foresaw the two Wasteland Deity Avatars and dared not act. Did you warn the Li Family?"
"I did send people to warn them, but by the time I realized it, Qingzhou had already fallen. The battle was complex, and the disciples I sent seem to have been caught up in the Demon forces and have disappeared."
The Buddhist Master said.
Li Hao wanted to laugh, "Fooling the commoners is one thing, but do you really need to keep up the act here? Do you think I'm a child, like your deluded disciples?"
"The world is divided into three classes: emperors, nobles, and commoners. Everyone knows this. Just like merchants, who buy low and sell high, making a profit. A penny's worth sold for a dollar, only the ruthless can be merchants. But at least they are upfront about their prices, willing buyers and sellers, it's honest!"
"You make the commoners believe in you, fool them, and give them something to hold onto, which is fine. But in the end, it's all for fame. If it's for fame, just admit it openly. Don't pretend to be compassionate. Only the most basic minds care about good and evil."
The Buddhist Master calmly replied, "You are too stubborn. Though your talent is exceptional, you are still young, and your understanding of the world is too shallow. You have never listened to the truths of our Buddhist Sect, nor have you seen the myriad sufferings of the world. The sea of suffering is vast and hard to cross, but only my Buddha can forge a ship of truth to ferry all beings to transcendence and reach the shore beyond."
"Before my Buddha, all beings are equal. There are no emperors, no nobles, and no commoners. All are human, and all have the right to board the ship of transcendence."
Li Hao said, "Don't give me that. Bring Feng Boping out now, or I won't hesitate to make your Buddhist Sect transcend!"
"General Haotian, are you truly willing to sink into the sea of suffering and never turn back? Do you know how the world will view you if this matter becomes known?" the Buddhist Master stared at Li Hao.
But from the Buddhist Master's calm eyes, Li Hao saw a hint of hidden indifference, an indifference that seemed almost mocking, as if his actions had already fulfilled some hidden desire.
He knew that once he took this step, all his previous achievements might be tarnished, but he didn't care.
What he didn't understand was why the Buddhist Master was so concerned, trying to use Old Feng to tarnish his name.
"People will judge in the centuries to come. What good is it to you to fulfill your wish? Release him!"
Li Hao's eyes were cold as he said, "Stop spouting nonsense. If you don't, I'll smash your lotus platform and kick over your Buddha Hall!"
The Buddhist Master calmly looked at him, then nodded slightly and said loudly:
"Bodhisattva Pujie, go bring the Thief here. Let the nobles see how General Haotian is so tyrannical, trying to free a Thief."
"Yes."
A Buddhist chant echoed from outside the Buddha Hall, and one of the Bodhisattvas quickly disappeared.
Hearing the Buddhist Master's words, Li Hao's eyes turned cold. This move was clearly aimed at him, and they had even anticipated that he would rush here as soon as he heard the news. He had come quickly, but there were already nobles present, indicating that they had been invited before the news was made public.
"What do you hope to gain by tarnishing my reputation?"
If the Buddhist Master wanted to gain fame, he wouldn't have stood in Li Hao's way. This made Li Hao feel a bit curious.
The Buddhist Master replied calmly, "If I had known earlier about your talent, I would have had Bodhisattva Puxian bring you to the mountain and take you as a disciple. Unfortunately, you were too clever from a young age and hid it well."
Li Hao sneered, "Stop with these excuses. If I hadn't pretended, you would have sent someone from the Buddhist Sect to assassinate me under the guise of a visit!"
"Moreover, when I was less than two years old, you gave that hidden Waste Divine Blood Poison Pill to the Poison Woman, already having chosen your target. That foolish woman might have only had some fleeting thoughts, but under your influence, she did something so foolish. Your goal was to have Li Qianfeng inherit the Li Family's True Dragon, thereby controlling the Li Family, wasn't it?"
With Li Hao's current perspective and insight, he increasingly sensed the treachery of Wuliang Mountain.
The Toxic Pill came from Wuliang Mountain, and Li Qianfeng had also become a disciple there. The Buddhist Sect's intentions were clear.
"It's just a matter of the world's trends. We don't seek to control, but to borrow some of the Li Family's influence. However, even now, though you are exceptionally talented, you have left the Li Family, and no one can stop Li Qianfeng from becoming the True Dragon."
The Buddhist Master spoke calmly, his previous gentle and compassionate expression now gone, as if he was no longer hiding his true intentions.
Li Hao sneered inwardly. He had already anticipated this move to elevate Li Qianfeng.
"I still have one question. Why did you choose to poison me and not someone else? Was it because I was easier to get to, while others had parents to protect them? Or did you confirm that the others lacked Divine Blood and thus posed no threat?"
Li Hao asked.
"Of course, it's because only you possess Divine Blood. The cultivation talents of the other children, except for the one who died in battle, are all inferior to your father, Li Tiangang. Though he hid this information, it didn't escape my notice."
The Buddhist Master looked down at Li Hao with a calm demeanor.
Li Hao immediately understood the meaning behind this expression. Everything that had happened was orchestrated by this Buddhist Master.
Informing Liu Yuerong that he possessed Divine Blood was a threat to her son.
Using the Toxic Pill to lure her into action, she was merely a pawn.
Li Hao's eyes were filled with killing intent, but he restrained himself. He stared at the other, knowing that Old Feng was the bait to draw him here. Now, the other was openly revealing himself, seemingly trying to provoke him into action.
What would be the downside of acting?
The Buddhist Sect was a Jianghu force, but it also had ties to the imperial court. Given his current status, if he acted without cause, he would inevitably face consequences.
Was the Buddhist Master trying to use the court's power to punish him, or to force a rift between him and the Great Yu Dynasty?
If a rift were to occur...
Demons, the Buddhist Sect... Li Hao's eyes turned cold as he stared at the Buddhist Master. The other's calm gaze met his, unflinching.
Their eyes seemed to see through each other's hearts.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
