It turned out that Liuyuan's jade chariot was stuck in the mud and could not move.
The white horse that drove the chariot was selected from thousands of horses. It was snow-white without a single strand of hair. In the wind and rain, it was also covered in mud and it was difficult to move forward. The burly palace servants did not dare to whip the horse that was more precious than their lives. They could only pull up the lower hem that was soaked in mud and push the jade chariot together, hoping to get out of the mud as soon as possible.
Si Tiantai Junior Supervisor Cui Guangjing held an umbrella and carefully avoided the jade chariot, lest the emperor's canopy on the chariot could not withstand the wind and rain and suddenly fall on his head.
Of course, he must have hidden this rebellious idea in his heart. After all, it was the day of the court meeting.
He had been an official for thirty years and became a fourth-rank junior supervisor. Although it was a cold yamen like Si Tiantai, it was normal for him to attend the court meeting. However, the location of the court meeting this time was different. It was not the Zichen Palace in Chang 'an or the Qianyuan Palace in Luoyang, but the Hot Spring Palace in Mount Li.
When Empress Wu was in power, she made Luoyang the capital. Although the country now belonged to the Li family, it should be returned to the old capital, Chang 'an. However, Luoyang was too important and could not be neglected. Therefore, the emperor placed great importance on both Chang' an and Luoyang. After 20 years in power, he led the civil and military officials to move frequently between the two capitals. This was the tenth time.
Cui Guangjing, who was short of money and did not have much money, had no choice but to buy a house in Chang 'an and Luoyang. He also had to endure the pain of traveling between the two places. Halfway through the journey, there was an earthquake and a sudden rainstorm. The emperor and the officials were blocked halfway and could not advance or retreat. In the end, they had to turn to the emperor's palace, the Hot Spring Palace in Mount Li to temporarily avoid the storm.
In order to show that the emperor was diligent, he did not stop the court meeting during the migration. Today was no exception.
Cui Guangjing knew that the storm in the court today might be more violent than outside.
Along the way, he lowered his head and carried his umbrella as he walked briskly to the Longevity Hall of the Hot Spring Palace. He saw that the officials of the Three Provinces, Six Ministries, and Nine Ministers were already gathered there. However, regardless of whether they were civil servants or martial beasts, they were all drenched and looked like drowned chickens.
Cui Guangjing also stood at his position, secretly wiping away the water droplets on his beard and hair. Suddenly, he felt a gaze on him. He looked up and saw an old official looking at him expectantly. Seeing that he was looking at him, the old official turned his gaze again. His muddy old eyes seemed to have locked onto prey as they moved towards another person. The person who was locked onto was in the middle. He wore a jade belt and purple robes, looking luxurious. It was the current Minister of the Board of Rites, Minister Li Linfu of the lower third rank of the Hall of Governmental Affairs.
Cui Guangjing's heart tightened and he nodded at the old official with a resolute gaze. Only then did the old official withdraw his gaze in satisfaction and continue to chat cheerfully with the officials around him.
In the hall, Li Linfu, who stood in the middle, seemed to be leading the officials, but also seemed to be surrounded by the officials …
After all the officials had arrived, a sharp voice could be heard. Inner Attendant Gao Lishi led an old man forward. The old man had a white belt on his head. His expression was haggard and sorrowful, but he still had the pressure of being in a high position for a long time. It was the Tang Emperor, Li Longji.
Li Longji's beloved Consort Wu Hui had died not long ago. Li Longji was deeply grieved for this. Even though it was seven or seven days ago, he still wore a white belt on his head to show his grief.
The Tang Emperor had just sat down when the storm arrived. The one who bore the brunt of the storm was Li Linfu, who was the Minister.
Disaster reports from various places came in like raindrops, along with memorials to impeach Li Linfu.
These few days, natural disasters occurred frequently in various places, and that was the reason to attack Li Linfu. There was a saying in the Book of Han, "The Prime Minister assists the Son of Heaven in managing Yin and Yang, following the four seasons, and following the suitability of all things." Since the Han, there was a saying, "Assisting in managing Yin and Yang is the Prime Minister's duty." There were many records of the Han Dynasty removing the Prime Minister due to disasters.
This continued to the current dynasty. Every time there was a natural disaster, the Prime Minister, who was in the position of assisting the Prime Minister, would often request to abdicate his position to show his gratitude and responsibility. From Zhangsun Wuji, who founded the country, to the previous Prime Minister, Zhang Jiuling, there were countless examples.
Now that Li Linfu had just become the Prime Minister, he appointed people through favoritism and cut off the path of loyal remonstrance. This had already caused the officials to be very dissatisfied. At this time, they used this as an opportunity to accuse Li Linfu of being immoral, causing the frequent disasters, and force Li Linfu to resign.
How could Li Linfu's disciples show weakness? They took out the memorials they had prepared earlier and accused the leaders of the opposition. For a moment, they were engaged in a battle of words and swords. Li Linfu, on the other hand, was calm and unmoved. He sat calmly in the hall, as if all this had nothing to do with him.
After arguing for a long time, Emperor Li Longji rested his forehead on his hand. Finally, he had a headache and opened his mouth to interrupt the argument. He pointed at Li Linfu and said, "Prime Minister Li, they say you are immoral. What do you say?"
Li Linfu then stood up unhurriedly and said, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites has an auspicious sign to report!"
Li Linfu was the Minister of Rites, and it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites to report auspicious signs to various places. When this was brought up, Li Longji's spirit was roused and he ordered, "Report!"
Li Linfu bowed and opened the memorials and said, "Relying on the grace of Heaven and bearing the Emperor's holy virtue, there is a report from thousands of miles away. It is said that in the land of Kunlun's Jade Mirage, the place of immortals and morality, a bright light shone and a giant cauldron appeared in the light. It stood above the clouds and everyone who saw it praised it as a miracle. After the mountains cheered, the image of the giant cauldron disappeared. This is the Emperor's effort and wisdom to reestablish a prosperous era. The Heavens felt this and sent this vision to protect the foundation of our Tang Empire and make it stand forever. "
"Reestablish a prosperous era? How can I claim credit? It is all due to the hard work of my ancestors. I am only following the footsteps of Gaozu and Taizong! " Li Longji heard the words and said humbly. However, his slightly raised eyebrows revealed his emotions. He had already compared himself to Gaozu and Taizong. It seemed that the praise of reestablishing a prosperous era had reached the Emperor's heart. If it was not for the white silk wrapped around his head and the 'mournful' posture, he would probably be laughing heartily and beaming with joy.
Li Linfu imperceptibly let out a sigh of relief. He knew that he had already won today's court meeting.
However, not everyone was as sympathetic to the Emperor as he was. Or rather, they pandered to the Emperor's wishes.
He boasted that he was the number one treacherous official in the court. With treacherous officials like him, there would naturally be loyal and admonishing officials.
A few old officials exchanged glances. One of them took a step forward and said, "If it is as Prime Minister Li said, why is the earth shaking and the mountains shaking all over the place? I am afraid that someone is using the theory of astronomical phenomena to seduce the Emperor!" As he spoke, he was already glaring at Li Linfu.
Li Linfu only responded with a faint smile. Perhaps the opponent was really giving honest advice. However, the one sitting at the highest position was no longer the enlightened Emperor of the early years of the Kaiyuan era whose foundation was unstable and thus could humbly accept advice. Now that the Emperor's power had long been stabilized, his arrogance had gradually taken shape. To the current Emperor, compared to the truth, what was more important was what he wanted to hear.
The officials used the earthquake and the rainstorm as an excuse to accuse Li Linfu of being immoral. However, they did not think that since ancient times, when the Prime Minister abdicated due to natural disasters, it was actually because he had taken the blame for the Emperor.
What if Li Linfu retreated, but the disaster did not stop? Would it be the turn of these upright and loyal officials to force the Emperor to issue an edict?
If Li Linfu could think of this, Li Longji naturally could as well. Seeing that Emperor Li Sheng did not show any joy or anger, he said, "Where is Si Tiantai? Tell me, what is going on?"
Cui Guangjing, who was on the edge of the storm, was alert. It was time for him to appear.
Si Tiantai was responsible for monitoring the changes in the world. He also had the right to explain the causes of natural disasters. Compared to the other officials of the Six Ministries and the Nine Ministers, this right could be said to be insignificant. But if used properly, it could become a sharp knife to stab Li Linfu.
Under the expectant eyes of the 'loyal' officials, Cui Guangjing stepped forward and said loudly, "The unearthing of an artifact is naturally earth-shattering. I think that this earthquake is the auspicious omen reported by Prime Minister Li. It is the rise of our country's national fortune. The earth dragon has turned over and turned into a flying dragon in the sky, soaring to the Ninth Heaven!"
As soon as this remark came out, the officials were shocked. There was a saying that earthquakes were like the earth dragon turning over. Cui Guangjing actually interpreted the earthquake as the unearthing of a giant cauldron and the earth dragon flying to the sky. The accusation against Li Linfu became evidence to explain the auspicious omen reported by Li Linfu.
In order to attack Li Linfu on the grounds of the changes in the sky, there were naturally courtiers who tried to rope in Cui Guangjing, who was responsible for monitoring the weather. At that time, Cui Guangjing promised to accompany them, but looking at the current situation, he had already fallen to Li Linfu's side.
How could the officials allow Cui Guangjing to be hesitant? Someone immediately asked, "Then how do you explain the continuous rainstorm!"
Cui Guangjing lifted his hem and kowtowed in front of everyone's eyes. He said, "I dare to be bold. I think that the continuous rainstorm is all Your Majesty's fault!"
As soon as these words came out, the officials were in an uproar and could not figure out what was going on. This Cui Guangjing had just cooperated with Li Linfu to cater to the Emperor's intentions. How could he dare to point the spear at the Emperor now? The continuous rainstorm was the fault of the current Emperor. Could it be that he wanted the Emperor to issue an imperial edict?
The Emperor's face darkened and he said coldly, "Ah! Tell me, how did it become my fault? "
Cui Guangjing lowered his head and said, "I have heard that there is a saying that heaven and man can communicate. The Emperor represents heaven and herdsmen. His happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy all reach the heart of heaven. Heaven will respond and turn into wind, rain, and thunder. Your Majesty is the most affectionate Emperor since ancient times. Consort Wu Hui has just passed away. Your Majesty is deeply grieved and the heavens should feel it, so the rainstorm does not stop. Therefore I dare to advise Your Majesty to think of the people as the most important thing. Temporarily put away your sorrowful thoughts and choose beautiful women to fill the Inner Palace to follow Consort Wu Hui and comfort the Emperor's heart! "
As soon as these words came out, the uproar just now turned into silence. One could hear a pin drop. No one made a sound for a long time.
Look at what he said!
He first said that the continuous rainstorm was the Emperor's fault. It could be said that he would not stop until his words shocked people to death.
But where did the Emperor go wrong? His fault was that he valued relationships too much and cherished relationships too much. He was simply the most affectionate Emperor since ancient times!
Then he used the theory of heaven and man to explain the cause of the rainstorm. He also once again deified the heavenly nature and authority of the Emperor.
Finally, he changed the topic and gave a solution to the problem, which was to persuade the Emperor to fill the Inner Palace.
After many twists and turns, it was reasonable and well-founded. Many of the officials in the hall could not help but wring their hands. How could Cui Guangjing say such flattering words?
What caused even more officials to wring their hands was that these flattering words were not said by them?
Even Li Linfu was slightly surprised. Although he was in cahoots with Cui Guangjing, he was not the one who taught these words. Cui Guangjing's bringing the topic to fill the Inner Palace was also somewhat out of line, unless …
Li Linfu's thoughts changed and he immediately added, "The Ministry of Rites also believes that Your Majesty is the Emperor of the people and should make our dynasty prosperous. It is not appropriate to favor one person, and it is even more inappropriate to hurt one's body for the deceased. Therefore, filling the Inner Palace is what the Emperor should do!"
Seeing that Li Linfu also spoke, Cui Guangjing's lowered head secretly raised a little. Li Linfu had the intention to win him over. The "loyal" and "frank" officials who impeached Li Linfu also tried to ally with him. But in the end, he decided to choose Li Linfu's side because someone in the Palace had also brought a message and taught him to say what he had just said.
The palace servant who brought the message was Gao Lishi's trusted aide, and Gao Lishi was …
Cui Guangjing didn't dare to think further. He tried his best to look up from the corner of his eye and saw that the current emperor, Li Longji, had a remorseful expression as he said bitterly, "If that's the case, then it really is my fault, my fault! Consort Hui, my love as husband and wife can only be continued in the next life. I really do not dare to harm the people because of you! "
Finishing, Li Longji reluctantly pulled off the white cloth on his head. Gao Lishi came forward to take it and announced the end of the mourning for Consort Wu.
The natural disasters in various places were explained as the auspicious sign of the unearthing of artifacts and the Emperor's excessive injuries. The Emperor had already admitted his fault. How could the other officials attack Li Linfu?
Therefore, the officials who were still stubbornly resisting were quickly defeated by Li Linfu's students. The second half of the court meeting naturally became a discussion on how to hold the selection ceremony for the Emperor.
However, Li Longji firmly refused. He claimed that the most important thing was to help the victims and could not waste more. Only then did the court meeting end amid the officials' praises of the Emperor's benevolence and love for the people.
- =
After the court meeting, the Emperor left Li Linfu and Cui Guangjing alone. Gao Lishi led the two into the inner chamber.
For some matters that were not suitable to be discussed in court, Li Longji always left the relevant officials behind to discuss in private. This was a treatment that Cui Guangjing had never enjoyed before. He knew that he had won the gamble today and from now on, he had stepped onto the stairs to the clouds.
But as soon as he entered the inner chamber, Li Longji gave him a show of strength.
"You're Si Tiantai's memorial. Take a good look at it!" Li Longji angrily threw over a memorial and said sternly.
Cui Guangjing immediately crouched on the ground to pick up the memorial. Trembling with fear, he read it. He wondered in his heart, how could a desolate yamen like Si Tiantai make the Emperor so angry?
But when he really read it, he only felt a stomach full of grievances. Li Longji did not care whether he finished reading or not. He continued to shout, "Look at what Si Tiantai's Mu Zixuan has done. He promised me that he would incite the rebels of Kunlun Mountain and the self-proclaimed righteous cultivators to fight. After they were exhausted, the Tongtian Dao sects would be loyal and belong to the Emperor. I believed him and took out half of the palace treasury's wealth to support him. As for him, he was caught red-handed and exposed in front of everyone. Ha, he really is a boy with great ambition but no talent! I trusted him wrongly! "
Cui Guangjing had just finished reading the memorial. His first reaction was full of grievances. The memorial was written by Mu Zixuan's subordinate, the cultivator who changed his name to "Greedy Wolf". It briefly stated that Mu Zixuan wanted to manipulate the righteous and the Six Dao Evil Destroyer to benefit from the fight. However, he was plotted against by the righteous and the Six Dao Evil Destroyer at the same time. Even Si Tiantai's reputation was ruined. No wonder the Emperor was furious.
But … what did it have to do with Cui Guangjing?
Si Tiantai had two functions: in the light and in the dark. In the light, it was a cold yamen that monitored the astronomical phenomena and made the calendar.
In the dark, it was a powerful organization that commanded the cultivators who served the Emperor and monitored the three religions and the hundred schools.
Unfortunately, Cui Guangjing was in the light while Mu Zixuan was in the dark.
Although Mu Zixuan was a seventh-grade Lingtai Lang of the Directorate of Heaven and was technically Cui Guangjing's subordinate, that was only an identity to deceive others. When would Cui Guangjing dare to order him around as a subordinate?
Not to mention that Mu Zixuan's two fingers could pinch his old bones to death.
Not to mention that Mu Zixuan had many cultivators who obeyed his orders.
Not to mention that Mu Zixuan could enter and leave the palace without bowing to the Emperor. Could he, Cui Guangjing, have the same treatment?
Could he?
If something went wrong with Mu Zixuan, why should he be the scapegoat?
But after enduring the grievances in his heart, Cui Guangjing suddenly realized. His second reaction was that the Emperor was using him to beat Li Linfu!
Even among the Ministers, few people knew that in addition to the Tang Empire's Fifteen Paths, there was a Sixteenth Path that was not under the jurisdiction of the Tang Emperor.
Even fewer people knew that Kunlun Mountain, the Holy Land of Taoism, had long been occupied by a group of evil people called the Six Paths of Evil for nearly three years.
Unfortunately, as the Master of Mu Zixuan, although it was only in name, Cui Guangjing was one of the few people who knew this information.
And Li Longji also knew.
He said that Kunlun Mountain was a traitor because he wanted to beat Li Linfu. Kunlun Mountain had long been occupied by the traitors. How could there be a Taoist Land of Morality?
He did not expose Li Linfu in the court because, as the Emperor, he hoped that there would be an auspicious sign in this time of disaster.
But he had to make Li Linfu understand that he could be coaxed by Li Linfu and let Li Linfu help him deal with some troubles, but he could not be coaxed like a fool!
Thinking of this, Cui Guangjing secretly looked up at Li Linfu. Li Linfu's head was lowered and his face could not be seen clearly. It was hard to tell whether the head of the officials, who was most able to understand the Emperor's intention, was in fear and trepidation because of the Emperor's beating or was he pretending to be in fear and trepidation?
But no matter what, the first thing Cui Guangjing had to do was to express his position. "I did not do my job well. I have wronged the country and Your Majesty. I am ashamed. I am willing to accept the punishment on behalf of Mu Zixuan!"
Sure enough, Li Longji did not really pursue his' fault '. He only said, "Instead of accepting punishment, let's talk about how to solve this mess first."
Cui Guangjing said sincerely, "I think that the cultivators of Tongtian Dao have not been enlightened for a long time, so we cannot be too hasty. We can only rope in the various sects and plan slowly. The most important thing now is to draw a clear line and not let Mu Zixuan act alone and tarnish Your Majesty's clean name!"
The meaning now was to abandon Mu Zixuan and push everything to Mu Zixuan's own decision. Li Longji nodded and sighed. "That is the only way. Li Linfu, come up with a plan. Go to the Hall of Governmental Affairs and discuss it. Si Tiantai will be reformed and renamed as the Chief Imperial Censor, subordinate to the Secretariat. Cui Guangjing is talented and knowledgeable. He will be promoted to the third-rank supervisor."
Cui Guangjing was overjoyed. He immediately kowtowed and thanked, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
After being beaten, he finally tasted the sweetness.
Si Tiantai was renamed as the Chief Imperial Censor. His function did not change, but it was an important move to distance himself.
It was Si Tiantai who framed the various sects of Tongtian Dao. What did it have to do with him, the Chief Imperial Censor?
It seemed to be deceiving himself and others, but the various sects of the Orthodox Dao could not rebel because of Mu Zixuan. The Emperor also could not openly shed all pretense of cordiality with the various sects. Both sides needed a way out. When one side was willing to deceive themselves and the other side was willing to deceive others, changing the name would leave room for compromise.
Of course, the follow-up would definitely be better. There would be rewards and compensation for the various sects. It was unknown how much the Emperor's palace treasury would cost, but this was not a problem that Cui Guangjing should be concerned about.
The most important thing was that he had been promoted to the highest ranking official of the Imperial Censorate, a third-rank official position. Although in terms of power, he was a hundred and eight thousand li away from Li Linfu, but in terms of rank, he was already on equal footing with Li Linfu.
He suppressed the joy in his heart and asked, "How should we deal with the matter of Tongtian Dao? Should Si Tiantai's original deployment be withdrawn?"
"Withdraw, withdraw, all of them! In addition, Gao Lishi, pass on my decree again. Summon the monks of the White Horse Temple to Kunlun and see what the evil people called Evil Destroyer in the Six Realms are up to! " Mu Zixuan's failure had caused his previous plans for Tongtian Dao to fail. Not only was his outstretched hand cut off, but he had also lost his eyes and ears. He had no idea what the Evil Destroyer in the Six Realms was up to. Li Longji was still angry. He slammed the table and said hatefully, "These descendants of the Hongnong Yang Family of the previous dynasty are really haunting us!"
Why did it involve the Hongnong Yang Family again? Cui Guangjing was a little confused, but he managed to keep up with the Emperor's train of thought.
The previous Lord of Heavenly Dao of the Six Realms was the last emperor of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Guang. The descendants of the Sui Dynasty always boasted that they were from the Hongnong Yang Family. After Yang Guang's death, Di Lingtian led the Evil Destroyer in the Six Realms to rise again. Li Longji had been the Emperor for a long time and was used to thinking about the good and evil sects from the perspective of imperial power. In his eyes, since Di Lingtian was using the same banner as Yang Guang, he was naturally a remnant of the Hongnong Yang Family who was plotting to restore the previous dynasty.
It was a pity that the Hongnong Yang Family was a prestigious family with a thousand years of inheritance, but now they were being wronged.
Cui Guangjing was feeling sorry for them when he heard Gao Lishi say, "This old servant thinks that there are many people in the Hongnong Yang Family who are loyal, filial, and kind. They can't be lumped together. For example, Princess Consort Shou. Although she is in a high position, she is devoted to Taoism and is respectful and pious. It is said that she prays for the late Empress Dowager every day and night. Her sincerity is really admirable."
Princess Consort Shou? A beautiful face suddenly appeared in Cui Guangjing's mind. On the day of Princess Xianyi's wedding, he had seen Princess Consort Shou's daughter before she became Princess Consort Shou. That delicate and pitiful demeanor, that charm that could turn all living things upside down, made him, a person who was close to his ears, have wild thoughts. He wished that he could immediately go home to write the letter of appointment and do everything he could to welcome this beauty into his family. Unfortunately, Consort Wu Hui had also appointed her to be the Princess Consort of her son, Prince Shou, Li Mao. Cui Guangjing could only sigh. Only a descendant of the Emperor like Prince Shou could enjoy the blessings of having two lovers.
But this young couple should be stuck together like glue. Why did Princess Consort Shou want to clear her heart and focus on Taoism? As Cui Guangjing was thinking, the Emperor had already spoken.
"If that is the case, then I have indeed misspoken. Since this Princess Consort Yang has such a heart and is suitable to be a female Daoist, then I will write another decree to arrange for her to become a nun in Tai Zhen Palace. It will also be good for the Empress Dowager and fulfill her filial piety." Li Longji put away his angry expression and smiled happily.
But when he smiled, his mouth appeared ferocious. He was like an old wolf with white fur opening its bloody mouth and waiting for a white and tender lamb to deliver itself into its mouth.
Cui Guangjing suddenly felt his stomach churn with disgust. Even though he had seen all the filthy things in the officialdom, he had never felt so disgusted.
He understood everything.
Consort Wu Hui, who had taken all the favours of the Emperor, had passed away less than a month ago. The Emperor still had a white ribbon on his head and already had the idea of choosing someone else.
But he did not want others to say that he liked the new and hated the old, and lose the good name of "Li San Lang who valued relationships and loyalty". So it was with his instructions that the loyal Gao Lishi had sent an internal servant to communicate with Si Tiantai's foreign officials and put on that show in court.
After putting on an act, for the people of the world, he was "forced" to end his mourning for Consort Wu Hui.
The officials suggested that he choose someone else as soon as possible, but Li Longji resolutely refused. For a moment, Cui Guangjing really believed that the Emperor did not want to waste people's money during a time of disaster.
Now, Cui Guangjing understood that the Emperor had refused because he already had a target.
That was why he had suddenly gotten angry at Hongnong Yang, and that was why Gao Lishi had praised Consort Shou's piety and filial piety.
Because the Emperor's target was the daughter-in-law that he and Consort Wu had chosen for his son, Consort Shou!
Empress Dowager Dou had died decades ago. What good fortune did Consort Shou want to become a nun?
How could the place to become a nun be Taizhen Palace in the Imperial Palace?
Just like when Si Tiantai changed his name to Taijian, then what did Si Tiantai's actions in Tongtian Dao had nothing to do with the Taijian.
Many years later, if Li Longji took the nun Yang Taizhen into the inner palace, what would it have to do with Consort Shou?
Remembering Consort Wu Hui's excessive injuries, he took himself and Consort Wu Hui's daughter-in-law as consolation.
There was such a consolation in the world?
What a Saint Son of Heaven!
- =
What happened next belonged to another ruler of another Weave.
The vast North Region was vast. People often said that Tongtian Dao was not the largest grotto-heaven in the world, but the Demon World of the North.
It was a pity that the Demon World of the North was truly a dragon's pool and tiger's den to the world's cultivators. No one had the ability to see the full picture of the Demon World.
And because they had never seen it, it was hard for them to imagine that the Demon Clan of the North were not monsters who ate raw meat and drank blood. They could also live in comfortable settlements like humans, enjoying a peaceful life.
But now, this peace was clearly broken.
Boundless dark clouds spread out in the sky, as if a heavenly punishment had descended, pressing down on a Demon Race settlement.
There was no rain in the dark clouds, only streaks of lightning that were as dense as raindrops. The unprecedented natural disaster was like dancing silver pythons, violently pouring down on the settlement below.
Wherever the lightning flowed, rocks were destroyed, houses collapsed, trees were burned, and demons were killed. The demons who suffered from the disaster fled blindly. Their cries and wails were endless, but they were drowned in the endless sounds of thunder and lightning …
"Father of my child!" But there was a heart-wrenching cry that pierced through the thunder. Under the rain of lightning, a female demon with deer's head stretched out her hand with all her might. But half of her calf was crushed under a collapsed beam, making it difficult for her to move. She stretched out her hand and saw a burning and collapsed house, as well as a half-charred corpse that was exposed outside.
But soon, a pair of fleeing feet stepped on the charred corpse. Then, two pairs, three pairs, ten pairs … Under the natural disaster, ordinary demons could not resist it. They could only run for their lives. There were many who trampled on each other, let alone a corpse under their feet.
In the blink of an eye, the charred corpse turned into a pile of meat paste, indistinguishable.
"Wuwuwu, the heavens forgive me, the heavens forgive me!" The female demon was like an ant under the heavens, powerless. But under the collapsed house were her two children whose fate was unknown. She could only keep kowtowing, begging for the heavens to be merciful.
But the heavens were merciless. The only response she got was a bolt of lightning that struck her head. Her vision was instantly filled with dazzling white light. In the white light, time seemed to be stretched out, and pictures appeared in front of her. They were the bits and pieces of her life …
But at this moment, an even colder light slashed across, splitting the white light and the picture of the lantern. The deer demon's vision regained its clarity, and she saw a military saber in front of her. The fierce lightning had already disappeared, leaving only the remnant electric current still lingering on the blade. As the blade twisted, it whimpered and disappeared.
Looking up the military saber, she saw a female general dressed in black armor standing in the wind. She had slender legs, a straight waist, pitch-black hair, and a pale face. This beauty that was as sharp as a blade could only belong to one of the Three Venerables of the Demon World, Helan Bing Rong!
"There is no need to beg the heavens that have never cared for us …"
Helan Bing Rong tilted her saber to the ground and raised her eyes to the sky.
Behind her, many demon soldiers with heavy armors and thick shields had entered and separated the fleeing demons in an orderly manner. Their shields were painted with black flames and were raised to the sky to form a shield wall, creating a path for the ordinary demons to lower their heads and escape. This was one of the six demon armies, the Disaster Fire Army of the "Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain, Yin and Thunder". They were known for their invasiveness.
The heavens were provoked, and it unleashed its supreme power. Bolts of lightning struck the shield wall. The cultivation of the Calamity Fire Army was uneven, and it was difficult for them to withstand the heavens' might. But even when they were struck by lightning, they did not bend their knees.
All the demon soldiers raised their shields and raised their heads. Their gazes met with Jialan Bingrong's. Jialan Bingrong's eyes were filled with longing as she said, "In the Northern Region, there is only a sky above our heads!"
The female demon with the deer head seemed to be affected, and she could not help but look up. Where their gazes met, thousands of lightning bolts roared, intersecting with an imposing figure!
A dragon's roar drowned out the rumbling thunder. The figure soared into the sky, rushing into the endless black clouds. Although the figure was imposing, compared to the thunderclouds that covered the sky, it was like a small stone thrown into a pond, swallowed by the black clouds.
But in the next instant, a circle of "ripples" spread out from the figure, turning into a powerful wave that spread outwards. The black clouds split open, and the hole continued to expand, revealing the sunlight.
And the imposing figure, with his hands behind his back, descended with the sunlight.
He was dressed in a black demon dragon robe, with a human bone white jade belt around his waist. His gray and white hair was still burning with lightning, but under the illumination of the sunlight, it did not diminish the majesty of a king in the slightest.
When the tip of his foot touched the ground, the spreading thunderclouds had already been swept away, and the sky was clear for thousands of miles.
"Witness the heavenly might of my emperor!!"
"Witness the heavenly might of my emperor!!"
"Witness the heavenly might of my emperor!!"
Seeing this vast might, all the demon soldiers knelt together, and the sound waves were even louder than the thunder just now. The other demons were also affected, and they knelt together, praising Bei Longtian's arrival.
"If they knew that I was also an accomplice to this disaster, I wonder how they would feel." Bei Longtian sighed softly, but his voice was drowned in the waves of praise, and only Jialan Bing Rong could hear it.
Jialan Bing Rong stood behind Bei Longtian and said, "The Heaven Cleansing Altar is absorbing spiritual energy, and actually disrupting the circulation of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Even the demon world in the far north is affected, and natural disasters are occurring frequently. No one could have predicted this, so Your Majesty, please do not blame yourself."
Bei Longtian looked at the desolation everywhere and said, "But I still have to sit and watch this disaster expand."
Jialan Bing Rong asked, "Your Majesty, do you not intend to recall the demon soldiers who have joined the Hungry Ghost Realm?"
"If they leave, they might be able to put an end to the disaster, but if they stay in Kunlun to repair the Six Paths Reincarnation Formation, it will exhaust the strength of the human race by ten times, or even a hundred times." Bei Longtian's voice was cold, but when he looked at the figures of the demons who were suffering, his eyes revealed an imperceptible sorrow.
"No matter what, I will always support Your Majesty's decision." Jialan Bing Rong placed her hand on her shoulder and saluted, "The demon race has always existed in defiance of the heavens. Those who cannot survive the natural disasters do not have the qualifications to see the demon race descend upon the world."
"But I hope … Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore. In this situation, the more I say, the more hypocritical I will be. Quickly get them up and save as many people as possible. "Bei Longtian sighed and waved his hand.
"I still believe that all sacrifices will be rewarded, just like the reports from the Mysterious Yin Lieutenant in Luoyang and Chang 'an …" Jialan Bing Rong lowered her voice and said word by word, "The seeds of disaster are about to sprout."
Hearing this, Bei Longtian's eyes flashed. "Finally … finally …" He muttered a few times, clasped his hands behind his back, and after a while, he turned and left.
"Your Majesty, where are you going?" Jialan Bing Rong followed closely.
"To the next disaster area. The seeds of disaster have finally sprouted, but there is still a long time before they bloom and bear fruit. Before that, I will save as many people as I can and let them witness the future of the demon race descend upon the world with me!"
After saying this, Bei Longtian turned and left, not looking back.
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