https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-727-One-Person-s-Actions-One-Person-s-Responsibility/13466004/
Chapter 728: The Desperate Situation in the South Continent
Chapter 728: The Desperate Situation in the South Continent
“...”
Yan Lanting suddenly stood up, the overwhelming aura of a Great Luo Immortal Venerable sweeping through the hall.
Sure enough, not a single monk from the Bodhi Sect is a good person!
They betrayed Nanyang so easily.
If his perception is correct, the aura emanating from this young monk is identical to that of the Black Dog from back then, meaning this person's life was saved by Nanyang's adventure.
It was a mistake to have once thought that the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva's transformation method was too demonic and unjust, and to have felt sympathy for this person. Now, it seems he truly deserves his suffering!
If this statement were to spread, in the future, the first reaction of the officials of the Great Southern Continent and the Demon-Slaying Bureau would be to blame Nanyang for any disaster.
He is a true hero who has saved the South Continent more than once. Why should he suffer such injustice?
“Don’t get agitated!”
Feng Xi sensed something was wrong and quickly stepped in front of Yan Lanting.
Though she tried to stop him, her gaze was filled with shock and complexity when she looked at the monk in the hall.
Even though she had limited contact with Nanyang, everyone had come to understand his spontaneous and decisive nature. For example, when he first appeared, he took it upon himself to slay the ape demon from the Jade Pool Immortal Sect.
But even so.
Feng Xi never imagined that, under the shocking actions of defending Pine Breeze Prefecture and intercepting the Bodhisattva Grand Sutra, General Nanyang had silently accomplished something even more terrifying.
Bodhisattvas... Immortal Venerables...
These titans who could shake the very fabric of the world had fallen without the Divine Dynasty even knowing.
So, the calm they thought had come after the Three Teachings turmoil was actually just the calm before an even greater storm!
For a moment, Feng Xi tried to ease the tension but found herself at a loss for words.
In contrast to Yan Lanting, Yue Lan initially instinctively gripped her sword hilt, but after a moment of hesitation, her fingers trembled and she let go of the sword at her waist.
Compared to others, she understood Shen Yi better and knew that he never misjudged people.
Master Zhikong's words were likely what Shen Yi had instructed him to say.
She just couldn't understand why, as both a demon slayer and now the Southern Guard General, Shen Yi, who had done more than his duty for the Divine Dynasty, would take on all the pressure alone.
“...”
Yang Mingli was in a daze for a long time, his face still tinged with anger, but his mind was reeling. His arms weakly rested on the table, and he seemed somewhat disoriented.
Initially, the Three Teachings planned to use the method of raising a venomous insect to hone the younger generation and gradually erode the Emperor of Humanity's standing in the hearts of the people.
To quietly bring about a dynastic change.
But after the true Third-Grade figures fell, this calamity turned into a battle that could shake the heavens and the earth, far more brutal than anything before.
When those Bodhisattvas and Immortal Venerables no longer valued their lives, the power they could unleash was unimaginable.
If Yang Mingli had previously hoped to nominate General Nanyang to intimidate the younger generation of the Three Teachings, delay the chaos in the Great Southern Continent, and wait for the court to provide a new solution, there might still have been a glimmer of hope.
But now, with the two sects not even respecting the True Deities and truly engaging, the fall of the Great Southern Continent would be like a withered tree being swept away.
The eight Demon Venerables led by the Southern Emperor were the two sects' target.
With the sword at his brow, Yang Mingli realized that all he could do was watch as it pierced his forehead.
“Alas!”
He closed his eyes, not blaming Shen Yi.
After all, Shen Yi had good intentions.
A powerhouse capable of slaying Bodhisattvas and Immortal Venerables, regardless of the means used, could at least ensure their own safety, if not dominate the world.
But General Nanyang chose to stand with the Divine Dynasty.
It only accelerated the inevitable demise that was already happening, like a frog being slowly boiled.
“I... I will report to the court and see if we can get assistance.”
Yang Mingli shakily returned to his seat, took out paper and pen, but his once powerful hands now trembled so much that he could barely hold the brush.
Everyone in the room watched the elderly man, their faces pale.
While they didn't know what had happened in the court—perhaps other continents were in more urgent need, or they were gathering strength for a final stand—everyone understood that if there were any spare forces to help, they would have come already, without the need for a letter.
Though they had these thoughts, no one dared to interrupt.
The thoughts of everyone in the hall were surprisingly consistent.
They were determined to do everything they should, fighting to the last drop of blood like a mantis, and then waiting for the unstoppable wheel to crush them...
...
A hastily written confidential letter floated into the majestic imperial city.
The Emperor of Humanity had long since ceased to concern himself with the affairs of the court, living a life of drunken debauchery in his garden and wine pools.
It was said that emperors should not seek immortality; once the desire for eternal life took root, the welfare of the people would no longer matter.
Who would have thought that the once-vibrant ruler was now completely consumed by the word "immortal"?
But not the kind of immortal who achieves enlightenment; rather, the immortal of the Immortal Department.
Only matters concerning the Immortal Department could enter this secluded and tranquil garden.
"Your Majesty."
Lin Shuya quickly approached the edge of the wine pool, unfolded the letter in his hand, and bowed to the back of the man soaking in the pool.
"Speak."
The old man, missing a front tooth, had a flushed face and a drunken expression. He turned his head slightly, using a barely perceptible frown to mask the pain in his eyes.
The heart cannot be tested.
Even the most incorruptible person might, when faced with unguarded treasures, occasionally entertain a fleeting thought of greed.
If even gold and silver can elicit such thoughts, how much more so the eternal life coveted by gods, buddhas, and immortals.
The mighty Imperial Qi was like a vault full of gold and silver. The Emperor faced these things every day, and with just a stretch of his hand, he could seize the path to transcendence.
But he remained drunk, never leaving this place, and never extended his hand.
This was a torment with no end in sight.
"The Great Southern Continent reports that General Shen Yi has consecutively slain Third-Rank figures from the Bodhi Sect and the Three Immortal Teachings. Now, Mount Sumeru is enraged and, through some unknown means, has gathered eight Demon Venerables, planning to use them to swiftly and decisively attack the Southern Continent."
As the head of the Immortal Department, Lin Shuya remained calm and composed, a basic skill in the face of crisis.
But there was a hint of something else in his otherwise calm tone.
"What do you think?" The Emperor listened quietly, fell silent for a moment, and then closed his eyes again.
"Logically, slaying Third-Rank figures from the Three Teachings is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It requires careful planning, yet the court received no prior information. Although the letter deliberately omits this, I suspect... even Yang Mingli may not know about it. It was likely a private action by General Nanyang."
Lin Shuya scanned the letter in his hand. Even though he used the word "suspect", his tone was filled with absolute confidence.
"I didn't ask you that."
The Emperor took a long breath, as if he were thoroughly comfortable: "Who is Nanyang?"
"He is the new Southern Guard General you appointed last time."
"Oh—"
The Emperor drew out the word, his mind seemingly muddled by the alcohol. After a long pause, he said: "It's him..."
"Are there still capable hands in the court who can be dispatched to the Great Southern Continent?" The once-vibrant ruler had now reached a state where he was oblivious to even the specific powerful figures of Shen Zhao.
"The other three continents have largely fallen, and most of the court's strong figures have been dispatched there. The Great Southern Continent has been sending good news recently, so no reserves were kept for them."
"I see."
The Emperor responded indifferently and then fell silent.
Lin Shuya raised his eyes. The realm was in chaos, all because of a single decision made by the man before him. Yet, upon hearing these reports, the man could still maintain an air of detachment.
Nothing is more tragic than a dead heart.
"He did act on his own..." Lin Shuya pressed his lips together and brought up Nanyang again.
"On his own?"
The Emperor opened his eyes, looked over curiously, and then a profound expression appeared in his eyes.
"Book Valley, you know that there is no room for compromise between the Three Teachings and our court. But we need time, even if it's just a facade, to delay them."
Lin Shuya finally spoke his mind.
What held back the Three Teachings was not the powerful figures of Shen Zhao, but the moral high ground.
As long as the reasoning was unsound, they would not dare to act rashly.
In short, if the Great Southern Continent were willing to publicly acknowledge the mistake, take responsibility, and then announce to the world that they were seeking help from the Three Teachings, even if the eight Demon Venerables were summoned by them, the Bodhisattvas and Immortal Venerables would have to reluctantly eliminate them to avoid a bad reputation among the people.
Naturally, this would not only cost them a capable general but also give the people the impression that the Divine Dynasty was incompetent, which would suit the Three Teachings' plans. But at least... the Great Southern Continent would avoid the horrific suffering of a bloodbath.
"Tsk."
The Emperor of Humanity retracted his gaze, staring quietly at the sky, lost in thought.
"What does Your Majesty think?" Lin Shuya gritted his teeth and persisted with his question.
"I think, he should be rewarded."
The Emperor of Humanity suddenly burst into a loud laughter, sharp and mocking, tinged with derision and contempt.
In the eyes of this aged ruler, Lin Shuya seemed stripped bare, unable to hide any of his thoughts.
"Let alone killing a Bodhisattva Immortal Venerable, if he can slay a True Buddha one day, I will appoint him as the Grand General of the Nation!"
As the man's words faded, Lin Shuya's face turned red with anger.
The lives of the common people, in the eyes of these lofty figures, were so insignificant!
Even if they all perished, it was not as important as venting their anger?!
"Shuya."
At that moment, the Emperor of Humanity stopped laughing and his eyes briefly cleared: "Do you think those pigs in the pen, being slaughtered at will, are truly alive?"
Faced with this sudden change of topic, Lin Shuya was momentarily stunned, then frowned and said, "Living is living, dying is dying. As long as one can move, eat, drink, and excrete, they are alive. This is the law of the universe, how can it be changed by a mere thought?"
"..."
The Emperor of Humanity listened quietly, then fell silent again. After a long while, he gently waved his hand: "Go."
...
Jianyang Manor, Shen Residence.
Shen Yi had been staying in the courtyard for many days, spending most of his time either meditating on the fragmented enlightenment left by the Five Directions Bodhisattvas or sitting idly under the locust tree.
Master Zhikong had returned.
Surprisingly, even after delivering the message to the Demon-Slaying Bureau of the Great Southern Continent, no one had yet come to Jianyang Manor.
This only proved one thing.
Those people, even if they had a sliver of hope, would strive to grasp it. Shen Yi was that sliver of hope in their eyes.
But in the face of the current situation, even the Southern Guard General seemed powerless to change anything.
It was better for everyone to focus on their own tasks rather than create awkward scenes of mutual blame and dissatisfaction.
"They do not think this is your responsibility; they are simply under immense pressure."
Master Zhikong, concerned that Shen Yi might misunderstand, explained softly from behind. After all, he rarely saw Shen Yi so relaxed.
"No matter."
Shen Yi lifted his teacup and took a sip to moisten his lips.
He did not care about such things.
Moreover, given the current situation, there was no time for idle thoughts.
With this in mind, Shen Yi closed his eyes again.
These seemingly idle days were actually spent maintaining constant contact with his Thousand-Foot Black Dragon brother.
The brothers' urgent reports gradually formed a picture in Shen Yi's mind.
Inside the Seven Saints Marsh.
After the Bodhi Sect members left, the Southern Emperor did not rush to plan an attack on the Great Southern Continent.
Instead, he settled the newly arrived Demon Venerables.
They engaged in continuous conversations day and night.
It seemed they were old friends rather than a hastily assembled force to attack the Divine Dynasty.
They talked about their origins and past experiences.
They even inquired why the Thousand-Foot Black Dragon brothers used cunning means to conceal their forms, which the brothers brushed off as a long-standing habit.
Fortunately, the Southern Emperor did not probe further.
When the conversations were nearly over, he finally revealed his true intentions.
"I will not hide anything from you all."
"Since my return from the Barbaric Wilderness, I have noticed something amiss. No matter how I arrange things, the Divine Dynasty always seems to receive the news in advance."
"I am not accusing any of you, nor suggesting there is a spy for the Divine Dynasty among us."
The Southern Emperor's expression was calm, but the Thousand-Foot Black Dragon brothers, hidden by their divine techniques, were slightly taken aback.
"After all, these messages could have been leaked from me or from the great sects. Time is pressing, and I cannot investigate each one."
"But please understand."
As he spoke, several beams of light shot out from the Southern Emperor, each landing in the hands of the Demon Venerables: "These are my arrangements for each of you. Each one receives a copy, to be read only by you. Do not reveal a single word to anyone else."
"If anything goes wrong..." The Southern Emperor's eyes grew cold: "I will have a better idea of where to start."
"..."
In Jianyang Manor, Shen Yi slowly opened his eyes.
Even he had not anticipated that, in such a seemingly certain victory, the Southern Emperor could still be so cautious.
Truly, a cunning old demon.
(End of Chapter)
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