Chapter 285: Emperor Yu's Justice
Chapter 285: Emperor Yu's Justice
Upon hearing Emperor Yu's murmur, the ministers who had been condemning Li Hao suddenly changed their expressions.
Those who had been defending Li Hao were also taken aback for a moment.
When the young man first rose to fame in Liangzhou, some had praised him, saying that this one person was worth a million troops!
At the time, everyone thought such a statement was exaggerated, overly inflated. After all, what did a million elite troops mean? They could sweep through Beyond the Pass, dominating everywhere they went!
Later, they realized it was indeed an exaggeration, an overstatement.
A mere million troops, how could they compare to that young man?!
Could a million troops save Liangzhou?
Could they save Qingzhou? Could they save Youzhou?
None of them could.
The Li Family, with their three million elite troops, had been forced to retreat step by step in Qingzhou, ultimately retreating to Qingzhou City, where they could only survive by taking refuge behind the top-tier array's protection.
But the young man had only appeared for less than a day and had slain the Demon Leader, the Wasteland Deity Avatar, and cut through countless Demon Tides with a single sword stroke.
How could mere numbers make up for such power?
It was like the True Person of Qian Dao Palace, who, seated in Dayu, was a presence that no army dared to offend.
Whether it was a million, ten million, or even a hundred million, it made no difference. In front of such a supreme expert, the strategy of overwhelming numbers was meaningless!
Even if that strategy involved elite troops, with Fourth Establishment Realm generals and Three Immortalities realm vanguards, it still wouldn't work.
Thus, Emperor Yu's words, though spoken softly, brought everyone back to their senses.
The Buddhist Sect's eight million disciples, such a formidable force, sounded impressive, spanning the Nineteen Provinces. But upon closer consideration, it depended on who they were compared to.
Compared to that young man, as Emperor Yu said, it was indeed not enough, far from enough!
Xia Linglong's thoughts returned, and she immediately felt her spine straighten, her eyes gleaming.
The Buddhist Master was dead, and eight million disciples could not replace a Li Hao. Dream on.
At this point, the ministers who had been condemning him also reacted, their faces turning grim. The Buddhist Sect had disciples in the millions, spread across every state and city, with hundreds of cities in each state, making their numbers vast.
If anyone else faced the overwhelming power of the Buddhist Sect, they would have to bow their heads and back off. But not the young man.
His status was now as transcendent as that of the True Person of Qian Dao Palace, standing above all else.
"Your Majesty, although eight million Buddhist disciples may not match this young man, his actions are not righteous!"
One of the condemning ministers, gritting his teeth, continued:
"Being just a Third-Rank Duke, he dares to kill a Buddhist Master today. Who's to say he won't kill us tomorrow? Such a person is a harbinger of trouble!"
"Indeed, the entire land belongs to the king. If we retreat and avoid conflict, what's the difference when facing the Demons?"
Xia Linglong nearly exploded with anger, her Divine Soul almost bursting out of her skull:
"A bunch of scoundrels! What nonsense are you spouting!"
"Have you truly been blinded by the small favors the Buddhist Sect has given you, to the point of ignoring everything else? Do you want to summon the True Person to kill General Haotian, to have a hero who saved three provinces be eliminated by your sycophantic words?!"
"A government dominated by traitors is truly foolish and laughable."
Some of the great scholars were also enraged.
They knew these people weren't stupid, but evil!
What sounded like extremely foolish statements were, in fact, filled with malice, each with their own ulterior motives.
If they didn't speak this way, how could they protect their own interests?
"General Xia, this is the imperial court. You are openly insulting us. I am a Third-Rank Marquis, and I am not to be disrespected so easily!"
One minister angrily retorted.
Xia Linglong's eyes blazed with fury. If not for being in the imperial court, her nature would have driven her to cut these people down with a single sword stroke.
"Calling you fools is an insult. I ask you, with the Demon threat still unresolved, if we strip the young man of his honors because of your criticism, and if he is as wicked and incapable as you claim, what would stop him from rebelling against the court?"
Xia Linglong's eyes were cold, and she spoke each word with icy precision: "If he were to join the Demons, who among you would dare to take the responsibility?"
"If it truly comes to that, then we will have to ask the True Person to step in and eliminate him!"
A minister said.
Xia Linglong was so angry she wanted to laugh, but her expression grew even colder:
"Is that so? We'll see if you can summon the True Person. The young man can kill a Buddhist Master, and his strength is unknown, but he is at least at the peak Great Peace Dao Realm, and he might even have reached the Enlightened Realm, on par with the True Person. Whether the True Person can suppress him is uncertain, yet you are so confident."
"Since you all seem to think that killing is as easy as mowing grass, then let's make it simple. If you propose to deprive him of his rank today, then let the emperor announce to the world that it was your idea. After all, it shouldn't be too difficult for a Great Peace Dao Realm expert to infiltrate the Imperial City. When we find your mansions, you can explain to him then, can't you?"
Upon hearing Xia Linglong's words, the faces of those condemning Li Hao changed instantly.
They were joking, right? Who would dare provoke a madman capable of slaying a Buddhist Master?
"Guarding the Imperial City is your responsibility at the Divine General Manor. Yet, you've managed to shirk it completely."
"We are merely speaking for justice. The Buddhist Master cannot just die without a clear cause. Otherwise, how will the Buddhist Sect disciples view it? Chaos will ensue, and who will restore order?"
Someone continued to argue.
Xia Linglong sneered, about to speak, when Emperor Yu's voice cut in:
"Enough."
Those two simple words stopped the farcical debate.
"Is there anyone among the Buddhist Sect disciples who can replace General Haotian in slaying demons?" Emperor Yu asked calmly.
The officials condemning Li Hao glanced at each other, but none of them had an answer.
The Buddhist Master was the top leader, and even he was dead.
"The demons are eyeing us closely, and it's summer. Jizhou has a drought, and Cangzhou has refugees..."
Emperor Yu's voice was calm and steady. "Gentlemen, your opinions should consider the practical needs of the realm. Without the realm, where is justice?"
Hearing Emperor Yu's words, Xia Linglong and others felt a secret joy.
The faces of those condemning Li Hao grew grim, but they also understood that what Xia Linglong and her group said made sense.
That young man's current status and strength were not something to be trifled with easily.
"But under the iron hooves of the Dayu Empire, all lawbreakers will be punished!"
Emperor Yu's tone suddenly turned cold. "Anyone who offends the law will be dealt with according to the Great Yu Law. No one will be spared, not even members of the royal family. If they deserve to be executed, they will be, without mercy!"
"Credit is credit, and dereliction of duty is dereliction of duty. Mistakes can be atoned for, but credit does not absolve wrongdoing!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Linglong and others were stunned, their faces pale as they looked at Emperor Yu in shock.
The group that had been condemning Li Hao, however, was taken aback, their eyes showing a glint of joy.
Emperor Yu's gaze swept over the faces of the officials, and he said slowly, "I am deeply saddened by the death of the Buddhist Master. From today, the palace will observe a seven-day vegetarian period to mourn the Buddhist Master's Heroic Souls!"
"Seven days from now, I will go to Shengde Temple to burn incense."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The group that had been condemning Li Hao couldn't help but shout in approval.
Xia Linglong's face was pale, and she suddenly looked up at the emperor.
Emperor Yu noticed her gaze but showed no change in his expression. He said slowly, "Gentlemen, there's no need to worry. The Buddhist Master was a virtuous soul, and I cannot let him die without a clear cause. I will entrust the Demon Suppression Bureau and the Ministry of Punishments to investigate this matter thoroughly. There are many points of suspicion, and it must be investigated clearly."
"?"
The entire court was stunned by these words.
Xia Linglong was about to express her shock and anger but was left speechless by this statement.
She quickly came to her senses, feeling a bit dumbfounded, and gave the emperor a strange look.
It's still you... Your words are so full of twists.
The group that had been shouting in approval was now dumbfounded. What did he mean? What did those words mean?!
The Buddhist Master was already dead, and so many Buddhist Sect disciples witnessed it. What more investigation was needed?
"Your Majesty, the Buddhist Master's death was witnessed by many. So many Buddhist Sect disciples saw it with their own eyes. How can this be a lie?" someone couldn't help but ask.
Emperor Yu remained silent, but a minister in the crowd stood up and said coldly, "Your words are too absolute. This case is full of doubts. Just because something is seen with one's own eyes, does it mean it's true? What is your cultivation level? Do you know what powers a Great Peace Dao Realm expert possesses?"
"Do you know what demonic arts Great Peace Dao Realm and even Enlightened Realm demons can wield?"
"Even Lesser Demons have illusions that can deceive mortals."
"I believe Your Majesty is wise!"
"Why would General Haotian kill the Buddhist Master for a mere thief? Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"
"If the demons impersonated General Haotian, wouldn't that play right into their hands, causing us to break ties with General Haotian and then strike while we're vulnerable?"
"Furthermore, could General Haotian really kill the Buddhist Master? The Buddhist Master has cultivated for two thousand years and is incredibly powerful. General Haotian has only cultivated for sixteen years. If he could kill the Buddhist Master, wouldn't that be suspicious?"
"Could it be that you all want to say that General Haotian is a peerless talent?"
Upon hearing the minister's words, those who had been loudly condemning the matter felt as if a mouthful of filth had lodged in their throats, rendering them speechless.
Xia Linglong and the others, however, were so excited that they almost applauded and jumped up.
What a brilliant move!
You pretend to be fair, and we'll pretend to be fair, let's see who can do it better!
It turns out that the Emperor is the best at pretending.
"That's right, there must be justice!"
Xia Linglong immediately said, "Since Your Majesty has promised us justice, I trust Your Majesty. We cannot let the Buddhist Master die in obscurity; we must investigate thoroughly!"
"……"
The faces of those who had been condemning the matter were trembling.
Die in obscurity?
He clearly died in plain sight!
Is the Emperor being serious, or is he showing favoritism and covering up for him?
Many people glanced at Emperor Yu, their eyes filled with shock and suspicion. They had come here to lodge complaints, but did they not also have some ulterior motives? How could Emperor Yu not be suspicious or wary of that young man's formidable abilities?
Accompanying the emperor is like treading on a tiger's tail!
Once there is suspicion, the charge will be established!
Therefore, their presence here was merely to fuel the fire.
But it seemed they had not won the emperor's favor.
Was it because of the young man's strength that they dared not show their true colors?
Or did the emperor truly have such confidence in the young man that he could forgive even such a grave error?
Could the emperor not be worried that continued indulgence might lead to a change of dynasty?
Their thoughts raced, but they could not make sense of it. However, considering Emperor Yu's earlier inquiries, the Eight Million Buddhist Disciples... perhaps Emperor Yu was wary of the young man and dared not confront him?
If that were the case, could they still increase the stakes to give the emperor more confidence?
Amidst the varied thoughts of the crowd, Emperor Yu said to the elderly man who had led the group:
"My loyal minister, you can inform the Buddhist Sect that I will certainly give them justice. Once the true culprit is identified, no matter who it is, I will bring them to justice and hand them over to the Buddhist Sect."
The old man's face was grim, his body trembling, "Your Majesty, this matter, this matter..."
"Today, it seems that all of you only intend to discuss this matter. Since that is the case, let us adjourn the court. Do not forget that there are droughts, demon plagues, and many commoners awaiting aid from the court. I expect to see your memorials tomorrow!"
Emperor Yu said.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue immediately announced the adjournment of the court.
"Your Majesty..."
These people, feeling aggrieved, wanted to say more, but Emperor Yu had already risen and left.
Many of them began to feel a sense of dread, wondering if they had backed the wrong side. Would the emperor remember this?
……
……
In the imperial garden.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue followed Emperor Yu as he strolled.
"This little rascal truly gives me a headache, acting so boldly!"
Emperor Yu sighed, plucking a petal and gently kneading it before tossing it into the pond, where a goldfish leaped up to eat it.
He smiled slightly, walking with his hands behind his back, sighing.
Not long after they entered the garden, a eunuch came to report that some ministers wished to see the emperor.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue glanced at Emperor Yu, who waved him off.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue understood and turned to follow the eunuch, arriving at the gate of the garden. There, he saw several of the ministers who had been condemning Li Hao earlier, now gathered in a group, seemingly still harboring ill intentions.
"Eunuch Chu, about the Buddhist Master, we still want to..."
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue quickly put a finger to his lips, signaling them to be quiet.
The ministers were taken aback.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue glanced at the garden, lowering his voice, "Do not mention the Buddhist Master again. In the past, when the emperor visited Wuliang Mountain, he and the Buddhist Master had deep discussions and a strong friendship. Today, the emperor forced himself to hold court, and now he is deeply saddened by the Buddhist Master's death..."
"……"
The ministers looked at each other, dumbfounded.
Is this true or not?
They say the emperor does not jest... is it really so?
Seeing their doubtful expressions, Eunuch Chu Jiuyue frowned, "What kind of look is this? Do you doubt me, or do you doubt the emperor's feelings for the Buddhist Master?"
"But the Buddhist Master died in plain sight..."
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue quickly blocked him, lowering his voice, "Do not mention the Buddhist Master again. The emperor is already grieving deeply. When he received the news yesterday, he didn't even eat dinner. Do you think the emperor doesn't want justice for the Buddhist Master? But if you don't investigate thoroughly and let the real culprit go free, is that what you want?"
The ministers looked at each other.
"Go on, go on, don't make the emperor grieve any more", Eunuch Chu Jiuyue waved them off.
The ministers, seeing the situation, could only leave. One of them asked before leaving, "Is the emperor really grieving?"
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue's face turned stern.
The minister realized his mistake and gave a reluctant smile, leaving in frustration.
Eunuch Chu Jiuyue watched them go, a faint sneer on his face. These people had no idea how much the emperor cherished that young man.
Grieving?
Indeed, he was grieving, so much that he could hardly keep his smile from breaking through.
(End of Chapter)
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