Upon hearing Yu Huang's murmur, the group of officials who had previously denounced Li Hao turned pale.
Even those who had spoken up in Li Hao's defense were taken aback.
When the young man's reputation soared in Liangzhou, some had praised him, saying that this young man alone was worth a million soldiers!
Back then, everyone felt that this statement was an exaggeration, an overstatement. After all, what concept is a million elite troops? They could sweep across the land beyond the pass and look down on everyone!
Later, they realized that it was indeed an overstatement, blown out of proportion.
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?
The answer was no.
The Li family gathered three million elite troops from the entire state, yet in Qingzhou, they were repeatedly defeated and could only retreat to Qingzhou City. They barely managed to survive by relying on the protection of a top-notch formation.
On the other hand, the young man had only appeared for less than a day before slaying the leader of the demons, cutting down the incarnation of the Wild God, and severing the endless demon tide outside Qingzhou City with a single sword strike.
How could mere numbers make up for such power?
Take the True Man of Qian Dao Palace, who sat in Great Yu, for example. He was an existence that no number of armies dared to offend.
Whether it was a million, ten million, or even a few hundred million, it was useless. In front of such a pinnacle powerhouse, human wave tactics were meaningless!
Even if this human wave tactic was carried out by top elites, with the Four Establishments as generals and the Three Immortals as vanguards, it would still be futile.
Therefore, at this moment, although Yu Huang's words were light, they awakened everyone.
The eight million disciples of the Buddhist Sect sounded impressive, covering ten provinces. But with a little thought, one would realize that it also depended on who they were compared to.
Compared to that young man, it was indeed insufficient, far from enough, just as Yu Huang had said.
Summer Linglong's train of thought returned, and she instantly felt her spine straighten, her eyes glinting.
Even the Buddha Lord was dead. What nonsense were they spouting about exchanging eight million disciples for a Li Hao?
At this moment, the denouncing officials also reacted, their faces turning ugly. The Buddhist Sect had countless disciples, spread across various states and cities, with hundreds of cities in each state, making their numbers vast.
If it were anyone else facing this mighty force, they would have no choice but to bow their heads and give way. But that young man was an exception.
His status had already transcended the mortal world, akin to the True Man of Qian Dao Palace.
"Your Majesty, although the eight million disciples of the Buddhist Sect may not be able to match that young man, his actions are unjust!"
The denouncing official clenched his teeth and continued, "He's only a third-rank duke, yet he dared to kill the Buddha Lord today. In the future, he will dare to kill us as well. Keeping such a person is akin to raising a tiger!"
"Indeed. Nothing in the world escapes the king's rule. If we retreat and yield to his strength, we could also choose to avoid and retreat when facing the demons. What's the difference?"
Summer Linglong was so angry that her soul nearly burst out of her skull. She raged, "You bunch of bastards! What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Are you really so blinded by the small benefits the Buddhist Sect gives you that you would disregard everything else? Do you intend to invite the True Man to kill General Haotian, allowing a meritorious servant who saved three states to be removed because of your flattering words?"
"With treacherous ministers in power, it is truly laughable and foolish."
Some of the great scholars were also angered to the point of laughter.
They knew that these people weren't stupid; they were malicious! Their words, though seemingly foolish, concealed treacherous intentions, and each had their own little calculations.
If they didn't speak like this, how could they protect their interests?
"General Xia, this is the imperial court. You are openly insulting us. I may only be a third-rank marquis, but I should not be so lightly insulted!"
A minister spoke out angrily.
Summer Linglong's eyes glinted with killing intent. If not for the imperial court setting, her temperament would have driven her to slash these people with her sword.
"Calling you stupid is indeed an insult to you. I'd like to ask, with the external threat of the demons unresolved, if you deprive that young man of his achievements as you suggest, and with your criticism of him, if he is so unruly and unbearable, what if he rebels against the court after his achievements are taken away?"
Summer Linglong's eyes turned icy cold as she said, "If he were to side with the demons, who among you dares to take responsibility?"
"If that's the case, then we have no choice but to ask the True Man to take action and kill him!" a minister said.
Summer Linglong was so angry that she felt like laughing, but her expression turned even colder as she said, "Oh? Then let's see if you can get the True Man to come. We don't know his full strength yet, as he was able to kill the Buddha Lord. He's at least at the pinnacle of the Great Harmony Realm, and there's a high possibility that he's already attained the Enlightenment Realm, comparable to a True Man. It's uncertain if a True Man can suppress him, yet you seem quite confident."
"Since you're so carefree, standing here and talking as if killing someone is as easy as mowing grass, then it's simple. Today, you propose to strip him of his achievements. Then let His Majesty announce to the world that it was your idea. I believe it wouldn't be difficult for someone at the pinnacle of the Great Peace Realm to infiltrate the imperial city. When he finds your mansions, you can explain it to him then.
"Guarding the imperial capital is the responsibility of your Godly General Manor. Yet, you are trying to shift the blame and shirk your duties."
"We are also speaking for justice. The Buddha Lord's death cannot go unexplained. Otherwise, how will the Buddhist disciples view this? They might create chaos everywhere, and who will be able to calm the situation then?" someone continued.
Summer Linglong let out a cold laugh and was about to retort when Yu Huang's voice rang out, "Enough."
Just these two words brought an end to the farcical argument.
"Among the Buddhist disciples, is there anyone capable of taking General Haotian's place in slaying demons?" Yu Huang asked calmly.
The officials who had been denouncing Li Hao looked at each other, unsure. The Buddha Lord was their leader, and now he was dead.
"Now, with demons looming, the summer heat, drought in Jizhou, and refugees in Cangzhou..."
Yu Huang's voice exuded a calming tranquility as he continued, "Your opinions, my esteemed ministers, should consider the practicalities for the sake of the world. If we lose the world, where will justice stand?"
Hearing Yu Huang's words, Summer Linglong and the others felt a secret joy in their hearts.
The faces of those who had been denouncing Li Hao turned ugly, but they also understood that Summer Linglong's words made sense.
That young man's status and strength were no longer something they could afford to offend lightly.
"However, under the rule of the Great Yu, anyone who breaks the law will be punished!"
Yu Huang's tone suddenly turned cold as he declared, "Anyone who dares to violate the country's laws will be punished according to the Great Yu's legal system. No one will be exempt, not even the royalty. Those who deserve to be punished will be, and those who deserve to die will be put to death. There will be no leniency!"
"Merits are merits, and faults are faults. One can make up for faults with merits, but merits cannot offset grave faults!"
Hearing these words, Summer Linglong and the others were stunned, their faces turning pale as they looked at Yu Huang in shock.
The officials who had previously denounced Li Hao were taken aback, their eyes shining with delight.
Yu Huang's gaze swept across the crowd as he slowly said, "I am deeply saddened by the Buddha Lord's death. Starting today, I will lead the court in abstaining from meat for seven days to mourn the Buddha Lord's noble soul."
"Seven days later, I will go to Saint De Temple to offer incense."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The officials who had been denouncing Li Hao couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Summer Linglong's face turned pale, and she abruptly raised her head to look at the emperor.
Yu Huang noticed her gaze but remained unmoved, calmly saying, "There is no need for my esteemed ministers to worry. The Buddha Lord has accumulated immense merit, and I will not let his death go unexplained. I will task the Demon Suppression Division and the Ministry of Justice to jointly investigate this matter. There are many doubts surrounding this incident, and we must get to the bottom of it."
"?"
Upon hearing this, the entire court fell silent in astonishment.
Summer Linglong's anger and indignation were about to erupt, but hearing these words, she was stunned.
Soon, she came to a realization and looked at the emperor with a strange expression.
It had to be you... Your words are truly skillful.
The officials who had been cheering moments ago were now left dumbfounded. What did this mean? What was the emperor trying to say?
The Buddha Lord was clearly dead. Was there still a need for an investigation? With so many Buddhist disciples as eyewitnesses, what else was there to investigate?
"Your Majesty, the Buddha Lord was killed in front of so many Buddhist disciples. How could there be any doubt about this matter?" someone asked.
Yu Huang remained silent, but a minister stepped forward from the crowd and said coldly, "Your statement is too absolute. This case is full of doubts. Does seeing it with one's own eyes make it the truth? Do you know the capabilities of a master at the Grand Peace Realm? Are you aware of the abilities of cultivators at the Taoist Enlightenment Realm or even demons at the same level?"
"Even minor demons possess illusion techniques that can deceive mortals."
"I believe Your Majesty is wise!"
"Then why would General Haotian kill the Buddha Lord for the sake of a thief? Can you give us a reasonable explanation for that?"
"If the demon impersonated General Haotian, wouldn't it play into the demon's hands, causing a rift between us and General Haotian, only for them to take advantage of our vulnerability?"
"Furthermore, could General Haotian truly kill the Buddha Lord? The Buddha Lord had cultivated for two thousand years and was extremely powerful. General Haotian has only cultivated for sixteen years. If he could kill the Buddha Lord, wouldn't that be suspicious?"
"Are you trying to say that General Haotian is a peerless genius?"
Hearing the minister's words, the officials who had been denouncing Li Hao felt as if a lump of filth was stuck in their throats, leaving them speechless.
Summer Linglong and the others were so excited that they wanted to clap and jump for joy.
Well said!
If they wanted to act righteous, she and the emperor would show them what true righteousness was!
As it turned out, the emperor was the best actor.
"..."
The officials who had been denouncing Li Hao earlier wore awkward expressions on their faces.
How could the Buddha Lord's death be unclear?
It was clear as day!
Was the Emperor being serious or was he showing bias? Many of them looked at Yu Huang, their eyes filled with suspicion. They had come to court with their own agendas, hoping to sway the Emperor's opinion. With the young man's formidable strength, could the Emperor truly be free of doubt and unease?
Being close to the Emperor was like keeping a tiger by your side!
Once there was a seed of doubt, accusations could easily be made! Therefore, they had chosen to side with the Emperor, hoping to push him further.
However, it seemed that they had failed to sway the Emperor's heart.
Was it because he feared the young man's power and dared not turn against him?
Or did the Emperor truly trust the young man so much that he would forgive him even for such a grave mistake?
Could the Emperor not worry that continuing to indulge him would lead to the downfall of their dynasty?
Their thoughts flickered with uncertainty, and they couldn't quite understand. But recalling Yu Huang's earlier question about the eight million Buddhist disciples, perhaps the Emperor was wary of the young man's strength and didn't dare to turn against him?
If that was the case, could they increase their demands and give the Emperor more confidence?
As these thoughts raced through their minds, Yu Huang turned to the elderly leader and said, "Honored minister, please convey my message to the Buddhist Sect. I assure you that I will deliver justice to the Buddhist Sect. Once the culprit is found, no matter who they are, I will hand them over to the Buddhist Sect to be punished according to their laws!"
The old man's face turned ugly, and he stammered, "Your Majesty, this matter... this matter..."
"It seems that all of you are only interested in discussing this matter today. Very well, the court is dismissed. Remember, my esteemed ministers, that there are droughts, demon infestations, and people in need of relief across the land. I expect your memorials on the morrow!" Yu Huang said as he walked.
Chu Jiuyue immediately announced the end of the court session.
"Your Majesty..."
Those who had been denouncing Li Hao were not satisfied and wanted to continue, but Yu Huang had already stood up and left.
Many of them began to regret their actions, fearing that they might have chosen the wrong side. Would the Emperor hold this against them?
...
...
In the imperial garden.
Chu Jiuyue followed Yu Huang on a leisurely stroll.
"This young man is truly a headache, his actions are too bold!"
Yu Huang sighed softly, plucking a flower petal and gently crushing it between his fingers before tossing it into the pond, where a goldfish leaped up to eat it.
A slight smile played on his lips as he strolled with his hands behind his back.
Not long after they arrived in the garden, an eunuch came to report that some ministers requested an audience with the Emperor.
Chu Jiuyue glanced at Yu Huang, who waved his hand in response.
Chu Jiuyue immediately understood and followed the eunuch. He led them to the garden gate, where he saw the ministers who had denounced Li Hao in the court earlier. There were four or five of them, and they seemed to be persistent in their pursuit.
"Chu Gonggong, we still wish to discuss the matter of the Buddha Lord..." one of them said.
Chu Jiuyue quickly raised a finger to his lips, signaling them to be quiet.
The ministers were taken aback.
Chu Jiuyue glanced back at the garden and lowered his voice, "Don't mention the Buddha Lord again. His Majesty and the Buddha Lord had a deep friendship, having debated at Wuliang Mountain in the past. His Majesty is already grieving heavily, and he forced himself to hold court today. He is truly saddened by the Buddha Lord's death..."
"..."
The ministers looked at each other, not knowing how to respond.
Could this be true?
It was said that the Emperor's words were law... Could it be that the Emperor truly felt this way?
Chu Jiuyue noticed their doubtful expressions and frowned, "What are those looks for? Do you doubt me or the Emperor's friendship with the Buddha Lord?"
"But the Buddha Lord's death was clear as day..." one of them said.
Chu Jiuyue quickly blocked him and whispered, "Don't bring up the Buddha Lord again. His Majesty is already heartbroken. He didn't even eat dinner last night when he received the news. If you truly wish to seek justice for the Buddha Lord, don't you think the Emperor wants the same? But if we don't investigate and let the real culprit go unpunished, is that what you desire?"
The ministers exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
"Alright, let's not add to the Emperor's sorrow," Chu Jiuyue waved his hand.
The ministers had no choice but to leave, and one of them asked as he departed, "Is His Majesty truly saddened?"
Chu Jiuyue's face turned cold.
The minister realized his mistake and smiled bitterly, leaving with a sense of helplessness.
After seeing them off, Chu Jiuyue couldn't help but smile coldly. These people had no idea how deeply the Emperor cared for that young man.
Saddened?
Indeed, he was saddened, so much so that he could barely contain his smile.