Chapter 347: Chapter 69: Time to Demonstrate the Dao Fruit Again
"Why would His Majesty start a rebellion?"
"It’s not entirely impossible."
Compared to the people of this world, Jiang Li did not consider himself intellectually superior, especially when it came to his own family’s Old Demon. Even now, Jiang Li could only secretly ponder this in his heart, daring not reveal the slightest hint, lest she discover his thoughts.
At first, when he regained his memories, Jiang Li even dared to say his knowledge level could perfectly merge into the current world.
However, there was one aspect where Jiang Li asked himself if he had an advantage, and that was in daring to think.
His broad thinking freed Jiang Li from the constraints of preconceived notions. While others wouldn’t assume the Emperor would rebel, Jiang Li dared to entertain the thought and used it as a basis for hypothesis and deduction.
"The Emperor is both made and undone by the Emperor Dao Fruit. Because of the Emperor Dao Fruit, he has become one of the six strongest people of this age, but it’s also due to the Emperor Dao Fruit that his life is now short. If he hopes to break free from the constraints of the Emperor Dao Fruit by rebelling, that might be a plausible argument, but if his foundations are all linked to the Dao Fruit, what would he do if he’s backfired by the Dao Fruit?"
This was what Jiang Li couldn’t understand.
His knowledge about the Emperor Dao Fruit came entirely from others, fragmented and difficult to make any intuitive judgments.
Even Tianxuan and others probably didn’t fully understand the Emperor Dao Fruit.
"Skipping that issue, if we assume the Emperor is trying to achieve his goals through the Taiping Sect... then it suddenly becomes clear," Jiang Li pondered in his mind.
He didn’t know how the Emperor intended to break free from the confines of the Dao Fruit, but if he assumed that the Emperor wanted to use the Taiping Sect to rebel, many things made sense.
Zhang Zhixuan entered the Divine Capital alone, not to fall into a trap, but to offer the Emperor a lifeline.
But the Emperor already had plans; seizing the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron and collaborating with the Immortal Queen of the Kunxu Immortal Palace, he tried to extend his life by helping the Immortal Queen concoct the Immortality Elixir.
If the Immortality Elixir is successfully concocted and the Emperor extends his life, then the lifeline that Zhang Zhixuan offered would naturally be unnecessary. At that time, it would be when the Emperor takes action against Zhang Zhixuan and the Taiping Sect.
Therefore, the Taiping Sect was secretly stirring trouble, trying to obstruct the concoction of the Immortality Elixir.
For the Emperor, the efficacy of the Immortality Elixir was still unknown; he needed a backup plan. Moreover, if he took action against Zhang Zhixuan at this time, a third-grade battle would hugely impact the concoction of the Immortality Elixir, possibly leading to failure just within reach.
The worst outcome would be the failure of the Immortality Elixir’s concoction and Zhang Zhixuan’s escape, resulting in losing both options.
Hence, even if he knew Zhang Zhixuan’s actions, he would temporarily ignore them. And even if the Immortality Elixir plan fails, he would still need to collaborate with Zhang Zhixuan.
"It’s also possible that the Emperor is confident he can suppress Zhang Zhixuan. Even if Zhang Zhixuan secretly adds to the chaos, the Emperor believes he can ensure the success of the Immortality Elixir’s concoction. He is concerned with whether the elixir is effective, not whether it can be successfully concocted..."
"As for the resentment Zhang Zhixuan’s actions incur, that doesn’t matter. The Emperor of today prioritizes immortality above all else."
Reaching this point in his thoughts, Jiang Li found himself somewhat hesitant to act.
Simply because if the Emperor could not extend his life with the Immortality Elixir, he would then collaborate with Zhang Zhixuan, staging a bout of "Why would His Majesty start a rebellion?" If Jiang Li tried to sabotage the concoction of the Immortality Elixir, he would essentially be aiding Zhang Zhixuan and rebelling against Great Zhou.
If the Taiping Sect rebelled, who knows how many would die...
But if the Emperor succeeds in extending his life with the Immortality Elixir, once he is free, Jiang Li might be facing a reckoning.
Jiang Li remained part of the Jiang family, and the Emperor was undoubtedly the enemy of the Jiang family. Although Jiang Li felt little sense of belonging to the Jiang family, the Emperor wouldn’t think so.
Would the Emperor truly believe Jiang Li is indifferent to his grudge against the Jiang family or would he eradicate the roots?
Jiang Li asked himself that, if he were in their place, he would definitely choose the latter.
Although all these premises were hypothetical, after careful deduction by Jiang Li, the hypothesis was very likely true.
Meaning he would be facing a choice.
On one side was the Taiping Sect’s rebellion, leading to the suffering of living creatures, on the other was the Emperor’s successful life extension, eradicating all threats.
"Sigh—"
He exhaled a breath of Dirt Qi, the runes shifted, Jiang Li retrieved his four senses and opened his eyes, "It’s not as if there are no other ways, if the Emperor dies, neither possibility would occur."
Being loyal to Great Zhou, it would be best for the Jiangshan Sheji if the Emperor just died.
If it didn’t work out...
A sinister light flickered in Jiang Li’s eyes. At this moment, his heart was filled with mixed thoughts, refining his Heart Demon Sword Intent.
A long time ago, Jiang Li had learned one thing: don’t think too highly of yourself, and don’t take on others’ responsibilities.
"It isn’t me who’s rebelling. If Zhang Zhixuan and the Emperor feel justified, why should I trouble myself?"
With a firm thought in mind, Jiang Li waved his hand, and the lake water surged, pushing the small boat towards the shore.
Having made his decision, it was time to act.
Time to give Zhang Zhixuan a little warning.
"The time to Demonstrate Dao Fruit is drawing near."
...
...
In the Imperial City, within Ziwei Hall.
"Wan Fuzuo, His Majesty summons you to the Hall."
The red-robed eunuch, holding a horsetail whisk, said to the middle-aged man waiting outside the hall.
The man draped in a pale cyan robe appeared to be in his forties, with fine eyebrows and a square face that radiated both scholarly elegance and an authoritative air that demanded respect without anger. He was none other than the Deputy Leader of the Southern Heavenly Department—Wan Dingtian.
The Southern Heavenly Department had one Chief and two Deputy Leaders. The Chief was Princess Ji Lingguang, one of the Deputies was the Dragon King’s Affiliated Son-in-law who had gained the position through connections, and the other was Wan Dingtian.
Since the Dragon King’s Affiliated Son-in-law was only a figurehead who generally didn’t handle affairs and Wan Dingtian demonstrated exceptional abilities, managing the department’s numerous tasks efficiently, people inside and outside the department distinguished between the two by respectfully referring to Wan Dingtian as Assistant, to show their respect.
After Princess Ji Lingguang went to Yong Province, it was this Assistant, Wan Dingtian, who was in charge of the department’s affairs.
As Wan Dingtian followed the red-robed eunuch into the Ziwei Hall, he bowed respectfully to the Emperor seated high upon the Dragon Throne and said, "I humbly report to Your Majesty that the Southern Heavenly Department has determined the originators of the rumors in the marketplaces, all of which are connected to the Taiping Sect. Here is the relevant confession."
Wan Dingtian presented a thick memorial which was taken by the eunuch at his side to be handed to the Emperor.
"No need," the Emperor leaned back, lightly supporting his forehead, showing a hint of fatigue. "I have complete trust in Wan Qing’s abilities."
This was not only a manifestation of trust in Wan Dingtian but also showed that the Emperor was indeed weary now.
Rumors continued to spread among the populace, the ignorant citizens unaware of certain taboos, and their conversations were filled with mentions of the Emperor, bombarding him with a barrage of information.
In the Divine Capital, every time the Emperor was mentioned, he would have an inkling. Now, with over half of the millions of people in the city discussing these rumors, the Emperor felt exceedingly annoyed. After the incessant bombardment, he had no choice but to block out these senses.
Even so, the Emperor started to show signs of weariness.
He was, after all, getting old.
As for trusting the contents of the memorial... in truth, before blocking out his senses, the Emperor had already remotely "seen" the Southern Heavenly Department’s investigation.
For relevant individuals, the Southern Heavenly Department conducted interrogations without questioning, directly implementing Soul Search, using the simplest yet most brutal method to trace the roots. The Taiping Sect could not place restrictions on every believer, which made the department’s investigation run quite smoothly.
Of course, part of this was also due to the Taiping Sect not considering concealing its tracks.
"Wan Qing," the Emperor gazed down at the official below and said, "I recall that the Southern Heavenly Department once captured a core disciple of the Taiping Sect."
"Yes," Wan Dingtian responded obediently, "The man’s name is ’Cao Yuanlong,’ who intercepted travellers on their way to Yong Province and was defeated by a disciple of the Dinghu Sect. He was brought back by the Southern Heavenly Department’s Xiang Huaiyi and is now detained in the Heavenly Prison. Additionally, the Taiping Sect’s Young Sect Leader Yang Ji and one the Thunder God from the Four Gods are also imprisoned there."
"Execute that Cao Yuanlong," the Emperor said indifferently, "and bring Yang Ji out to be sent to Yunming Pavilion."
Yunming Pavilion was the current residence of the Taiping Sect Leader, Zhang Zhixuan.
The Emperor’s action was undoubtedly a warning to Zhang Zhixuan, signaling him not to overstep his bounds too much.
Although Wan Dingtian was unaware of the relationship between the Emperor and Zhang Zhixuan, he did understand the implication of this warning.
He didn’t dare to think further, merely responding with a "Yes."
At this moment, a maid appeared outside the hall, followed by a woman clad in a golden luxurious dress, looking like a Heavenly Immortal, with a fiery red object cradled in her arms.
The woman glided into the hall, and the Emperor continued, discarding his tired demeanor and asserting his authority, "In addition, the Southern Heavenly Department is responsible for investigating the assassination attempt on Jiang Li. Pursue it to the end. Kunxu Immortal Palace will assist you in your investigation and help you find the assassin," the Emperor instructed, "As for the matter of Lawless Freedom, hand it over to the Yin Law Department."
Hearing this, Wan Dingtian couldn’t help but look to the side, and at once he recognized the woman as Bu Yusheng, the current heir of Kunxu Immortal Palace. And in her arms...
The fiery red object squirmed as it faced Wan Dingtian—a little dog. However, this puppy was quite peculiar; not only was its fur strikingly red, but its eyes were also suffused with a reddish tinge, like two blood-colored stars.
As Wan Dingtian looked into its eyes, he felt an invisible malevolence sweeping over him. The red puppy’s eyes were like black holes, devouring souls.
This dog was no ordinary creature.
Wan Dingtian judged in his heart and responded, "I shall follow Your Majesty’s decree."
"Wan Qing, you have reached the Perfection of Fifth Rank, haven’t you? Once this matter is resolved, you will be promoted," the Emperor stated flatly. "You may leave."
Fourth-rank, how many in the court held the rank of fourth-rank?
Upon his promotion to fourth-rank, his status would soar, perhaps even allowing him to move up in position.
Although aware that such promises were often the art of offering empty rewards by those above, Wan Dingtian couldn’t suppress the excitement in his heart.
He bowed respectfully once more, slowly backed out several steps, and then turned to leave the hall.
Bu Yusheng, however, remained inside the hall.
The Emperor’s gaze fell on the Red Dog, his voice low and filled with inscrutable meaning, "Jiang Li is dead... what a ’death.’ Tianxuan, oh Tianxuan, you truly intend to oppose me to the very end."
If Jiang Li were truly dead, something amiss would have appeared on the Emperor’s side.
Because he had ordered a hit on Jiang Li, if one were to scrutinize cause and effect, the trace would inevitably lead back to the Emperor, and he might even face Heaven’s Punishment.
Now, with the Emperor feeling no anomaly, it could only mean one thing: Jiang Li was not dead.
He was feigning death.
This act was obviously a maneuver by the opposing side, intended to reverse the offensive, slowly leak the secret of the Immortality Elixir, and attract the attention of all the court officials.
"Since he is dead, let him stay dead," the Emperor’s eyes returned to Bu Yusheng. "Find Jiang Li and kill him."
"My master has requested that Your Majesty help Su Nu defeat Tianxuan," Bu Yusheng set forth her condition.
Su Nu was a subordinate of the Immortal Queen; if she were to defeat Tianxuan, then Tianxuan would no longer be a means to control the Immortal Queen.
The Emperor, seemingly indifferent, waved his sleeve and granted, "It is allowed."