Chapter 283: A Thousand Years of Glory
Chapter 283: A Thousand Years of Glory
In Qingzhou, within the Divine General Manor.
Upon hearing the news, everyone was utterly shocked.
Just as the news broke that Wuliang Mountain was going to execute the Thief Saint, the Buddhist Master was suddenly killed? And this happened on Spiritual Mountain, who could be so daring and ruthless?
Not long after, Li Muxiu returned to the Divine General Manor with the second-hand information.
Initially, he had planned to abandon everything and go to rescue the Thief Saint, but since Li Hao had already taken care of it, he no longer needed to follow his original plan. The Divine General Manor still needed his protection.
When Li Muxiu returned, everyone eagerly asked for details, worried about whether he was involved.
After the battle in Qingzhou City, they already knew that Li Muxiu was a Half-Step Dao Realm cultivator, but they were unaware of any other hidden strengths he might have.
The Buddhist Master was a Great Peace Dao Realm cultivator, and while there was a gap between the Great Peace Dao Realm and the Half-Step Dao Realm, the exact extent of this gap was known only to Li Muxiu himself.
Seeing through everyone's thoughts, Li Muxiu sighed inwardly but did not hide anything, explaining the situation to them.
Although he arrived late, he could sense that the destruction at the scene was far beyond what a Great Peace Dao Realm cultivator could cause.
Moreover, with Li Hao's strength, if he were to kill a Great Peace Dao Realm cultivator, it wouldn't have been such a grand spectacle. He would have likely killed the Buddhist Master instantly, just as he suppressed the two Great Demon leaders in Qingzhou City, who didn't even have the chance to stand before him!
Thus, the answer was clear.
The Buddhist Master had hidden his true strength, and he had already reached the Enlightenment Realm!
While Li Muxiu was surprised, he also felt it was somewhat expected.
After all, the Buddhist Master hadn't shown his true strength in a long time, and who could have known he had broken through in secret?
"What? Li Hao did it?!"
"He killed the Buddhist Master?!"
"And the Buddhist Master was already at the Enlightenment Realm?!"
As Li Muxiu relayed the series of events, Li Xuanli, He Jianlan, and the others were stunned, staring at him in disbelief.
An Enlightenment Realm Buddhist Master had actually been killed by Li Hao!
Previously, Li Hao's ability to suppress the two Great Demon leaders outside Qingzhou City had already left them in awe, but now, how long had it been since then? He could already kill a Buddhist Master?
This was the Enlightenment Realm, the same realm as the True Person of Qian Dao Palace!
Did this mean that Li Hao could now rival the True Person's power?!
"Why did Li Hao do it? The Buddhist Sect, while having some minor actions, didn't do anything overly outrageous. At least no one has caught him in the act. Why did Li Hao kill him?"
He Jianlan, after her shock subsided, asked with some confusion.
Wuliang Mountain was a righteous force with extensive connections and a reputation for good deeds, rarely making enemies.
Li Tiangang, standing in the crowd, was lost in thought, his expression soon turning grim.
Li Muxiu knew that some things needed to be said outright now, so he sighed and explained, "It was to save the Thief Saint. The Thief Saint had done Li Hao a favor."
Everyone was taken aback, momentarily stunned.
Killing a Buddhist Master for the sake of the Thief Saint?
"Can the Buddhist Sect swallow this? Although the number of Buddhist Sect disciples in the Brahma Earth Realm is not large, they can be wiped out, but the Nineteen Provinces have Buddha Halls in every city with numerous Buddhist Sect believers. They will likely cause chaos, and the commoners in each state will suffer."
Xiao Yujing couldn't help but ask. After her husband's death, she had spent some time practicing Buddhism and knew the vast influence and numerous followers of the Buddhist Sect.
"I knew it, I knew it! He will eventually bring disaster!"
Li Tiangang suddenly clenched his teeth and said.
Hearing his words, everyone was stunned. He Jianlan frowned and said, "What do you mean? Although Li Hao's actions were a bit impulsive, he did it to repay a favor."
"Repay a favor? You're still defending him?"
Li Tiangang's face turned grim. "Repaying a favor doesn't justify killing innocents, and it doesn't justify such extreme actions. Now that he has killed the Buddhist Master, unless he is strong enough to stand against a True Person, he will face dire consequences, and it might even bring a catastrophe to Dayu!"
"Tian Gang, is it really that serious?" Ji Qingqing couldn't help but ask.
Li Xuanli was about to say something when he suddenly thought of something and his expression changed slightly.
Li Tiangang looked at the frowning He Jianlan and others, and gave a self-deprecating smile.
"You all think too simply! His current strength can indeed match that of the True Person, but if the Buddhist Master was hiding his true power, could it be that the True Person wasn't doing the same? The Enlightenment Realm has two levels: the lower is the True Person Realm, and the upper is the Dao Law Realm!"
"The Buddhist Master has never clashed with the Taoist Temple, only engaging in covert competition. Why? Because he had no confidence in defeating the True Person!"
"This also suggests that the True Person is very likely already at the Dao Law Realm. After all, he has been a True Person for a very long time, even during the Former Emperor's era..."
Hearing Li Tiangang's words, everyone was taken aback. They had just learned about the specifics of the Enlightenment Realm, as it was far beyond their current level.
Even the Great Peace Dao Realm was a lifelong goal for them.
"But even if the True Person is at the Dao Law Realm and is more powerful, so what?"
He Jianlan frowned and asked, "Li Hao is a meritorious official with such strength. Could it be that the emperor would kill Li Hao to avenge the dead Buddhist Master?"
Li Tiangang sneered, "Sister-in-Law, you women think too simply. The emperor's heart is unpredictable. Li Hao dared to kill the Buddhist Master so brazenly—does the emperor not worry that he might usurp the throne in the future? Does he not fear the day Li Hao might raise his sword against the Imperial Palace?"
Everyone's faces changed, and they looked at each other, feeling a chill.
The emperor's heart is indeed hard to fathom, and serving him is like taming a tiger.
Even though the current emperor dotes on Li Hao, what if he becomes a threat?
Even one's own son, if he holds military power and can threaten the throne, would be eliminated beforehand.
No wonder Li Tiangang said that unless Li Hao can match the True Person, if the emperor really decides to eliminate him and sends the True Person to deal with Li Hao, the outcome is uncertain, and they cannot tell who is stronger.
"If the emperor orders the True Person to act, there are only two possible outcomes: either the True Person loses and Li Hao wins, or the True Person wins and Li Hao loses. But what kind of person is Li Hao? He dared to draw his sword against me even after being slighted by me. If the emperor treats him like this, do you think he will let the emperor off easily?"
Li Tiangang stared at everyone.
Everyone's expressions turned grim.
"Li Hao is clear about his debts and favors, not like what you say..." He Jianlan gritted her teeth.
Li Tiangang's face twitched, and he glared at her before continuing:
"If he loses, either he has the skills to escape and survive by chance, or he dies! Whether he wins or loses, neither outcome is what we want, but unfortunately, these are the only two possibilities now!"
As he said this, his eyes showed anger and self-reproach.
The others, hearing Li Tiangang's words, fell into deep thought.
"But Li Hao is so powerful, with such great talent. His future potential is surely greater than that of the True Person. Such a strong person is the pride and hope of our human race. The emperor wouldn't be so foolish as to alienate him, right?"
He Jianlan said this, glancing at her sister-in-law Jiang Xian'er.
Jiang Xian'er, however, shook her head slightly, indicating she was not bothered, and added:
"I also think Father wouldn't do that. Li Hao is inherently kind. He protected a city at the age of fourteen and has achieved great military honors. Now he is a Third-Rank Duke. Father would treat him as a distinguished guest, not like this."
Li Tiangang looked at her, knowing that this sister-in-law truly cared for his ninth brother and considered herself a part of the Li family, so he didn't avoid speaking about these matters in front of her.
"I hope so. After all, with demons surrounding us, we cannot afford internal strife, especially at this level."
Li Tiangang's eyes showed a look of hatred, and he clenched his fists.
"If I had known this would happen, I should have killed that thief at Beyond the Pass!"
"If not for his protection, I would have acted then, even if it meant bearing the blame for being unrighteous!"
"You knew all along?"
Everyone looked at him in surprise.
Li Tiangang was too embarrassed to answer and instead looked at Li Muxiu, his eyes filled with anger.
Li Muxiu, seeing his gaze, his face changed slightly, and his brows furrowed, but he did not respond.
He was still pondering Li Tiangang's words, wondering if the emperor would start to doubt Li Hao.
After all, Li Hao has no blood relation to the emperor.
As officials and generals, they all feared becoming too powerful and threatening the emperor. Li Muxiu was genuinely happy for Li Hao's strength and did not feel jealous, but others might not be so understanding.
He couldn't fully grasp the emperor's mind and began to feel worried.
If Li Hao wins, there would be no problem, and he believed he could persuade Li Hao. But if he loses, Li Hao would be in danger.
"The Buddhist Sect has many disciples and influence in the court. If they pressure the emperor or sow doubt, it will be a major problem!"
Li Tiangang said in a low voice.
Ji Qingqing, hearing his words, turned pale. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and said to Li Xuanli:
"Fifth Brother, why don't you go to the imperial court and plead with His Majesty? Speak on Li Hao's behalf and let the emperor know that Li Hao is inherently good. Even if he wields the Sharp Sword, he will never rebel."
Li Xuanli quickly replied, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. I will definitely help. Li Hao has saved my life and has done much for the Li Family. We must do everything in our power!"
Li Tiangang also hurriedly held his wife, saying, "Qingqing, don't put Fifth Brother in a difficult position. Being a True Dragon is no easy task. Let him make his own choice."
Li Xuanli angrily retorted, "What kind of talk is that? I will definitely go to the imperial court and plead with the emperor. Do I need to choose? Even if Li Hao isn't a Li by name, he is still my nephew!"
Seeing him say this, Li Tiangang let out a sigh of relief. He then glanced at them and said:
"If only you hadn't interfered when I was disciplining him. I thought I was being too strict, and everyone kept defending him, supporting him. Now it seems I was right. Without the constraints of law, power can become rampant and lead to disaster!"
"Are you still blaming us? If it weren't for Li Hao, Qingzhou would already be in grave danger!"
He Jianlan said angrily.
"Once I discipline him properly, he will also be able to save Qingzhou. My discipline won't diminish his talent, will it? Isn't his talent a result of my bloodline combined with Qingqing's?"
Li Tiangang said with a cold face.
He Jianlan's expression turned sour. She didn't know how to counter his argument.
"I'll make a trip to the Imperial Capital and ask my brothers to plead with Father Emperor. I hope they can help Li Hao turn his deeds into merit."
Jiang Xian'er immediately said, lifting her skirt and turning to leave the council hall.
"At this point, we can only see what the emperor decides. Don't be too pessimistic. That True Person might not interfere."
Li Muxiu said, his eyes flashing and his face solemn.
Everyone was taken aback, looking at him in confusion.
Li Muxiu continued in a low voice, "Haven't you noticed that the True Person hasn't been seen for a long time? The Demon Plague has been rampant in various states, yet the True Person hasn't intervened. Not even for something as significant as the Liangzhou incident, and the same goes for Qingzhou and Youzhou."
Hearing his words, everyone's pupils contracted in shock.
"Could it be that..." Li Xuanli's voice trembled.
Li Muxiu shook his head, "It's not that something has gone wrong. Since the battle in Qingzhou City, when the two Wasteland Deity Avatars revealed themselves, I have a good idea why the True Person hasn't shown up. The Wasteland Deity is likely watching the Imperial Palace. If he leaves, the entire Imperial City will be destroyed!"
Everyone was stunned, then drew a breath.
So that's why.
"Does this mean the emperor won't easily ask the True Person to intervene?" Ji Qingqing asked hopefully.
Li Muxiu nodded slightly, "Most likely not. But human hearts are fickle, and I can't risk Li Hao's life. The safest course is to find someone to plead on his behalf. Given the Li Family's status, the emperor will have to consider the consequences. If Li Hao is truly killed, the True Person will also be injured. If the demons take advantage of the situation and invade, and the Li Family harbors a grudge and refuses to help, the results could be disastrous."
"The emperor will weigh these factors."
Everyone felt a bit more relieved after hearing his words.
"If Li Hao can win, that would be best, but the demons will also take advantage of the situation. Regardless, we must avoid this major battle. Otherwise, the common people will suffer the most", Li Muxiu said.
Everyone nodded. Indeed, in times of war, the first to suffer are the soldiers, and the second are the common people.
"But what if the emperor pretends to have no reaction but harbors resentment and targets Li Hao secretly in the future?"
Wang Xiangru said coldly, "The Li Family's thousand years of glory could be ruined."
Everyone's expressions changed slightly. Li Muxiu said in a low voice, "Don't forget, you owe Li Hao a life debt."
"Owe you, owe you, but I don't owe him anything. My father also came to Qingzhou, just a bit late."
Wang Xiangru said angrily, "Besides, he has severed his blood ties and is no longer part of the Li Family. This is his own doing."
Hearing her words, everyone frowned but didn't respond.
"Don't be too pessimistic. Perhaps we are overthinking it. The emperor isn't a tyrant. He understands the greater good. Emotionally and logically, it's not a good time to confront Li Hao."
Gao Qingqing comforted everyone.
Li Muxiu's eyes flashed, "That's right. The Buddhist Sect has deep roots. Perhaps the emperor has been unhappy with them for a long time and might even be grateful to Li Hao."
Everyone remained silent. Now it all depended on whether the emperor would be suspicious of Li Hao and whether he would fear Li Hao's power as a threat to the imperial family. It was a question of how much the emperor truly valued Li Hao.
(End of Chapter)
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