Chapter 666
Chapter 666
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 666
>Chapter Title: Gao Zhijian
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When Gao Zhijian left the crowded and noisy court and entered the quiet inner palace, gazing at the lush green imperial garden in the distance, his mood finally improved a bit.
He walked into the imperial garden and sat down on a stone bench, enjoying this brief moment of tranquility.
Suddenly, he walked over to the rockery, cupped a large stone with both hands, and lifted it up with effort.
With a low grunt, he tossed the stone high into the air and caught it steadily. Then, holding the large stone, he began practicing the military school's techniques. The eunuchs hiding in the shadows watched this scene in heart-pounding terror.
After breaking a light sweat, Gao Zhijian finally set the stone down and let out a long breath.
Truth be told, although the palace had everything, he still missed his days in Niuxin Village.
Back then, he could quietly stare at the girl he liked and use his strength to protect his fellow disciples, who were like brothers bound by life and death.
More importantly, back then, his mind wasn't as sharp as it was now, so he didn't have to deal with all these messy problems.
"You're really not cut out to be emperor. How come you're just listening to problems without solving any of them?"
A voice rang out, and Li Huowang's figure emerged from the nearby bushes.
Gao Zhijian sighed and sat down on the stone, showing no surprise at Li Huowang's appearance.
"With the Dharma Cult stirring things up and a bunch of Great Qi refugees getting involved, the court is out of money and food. All these problems piling up at once—what am I supposed to do? I can't just conjure up money and grain out of thin air, Senior Brother Li. Being emperor really isn't as easy as it seems."
"But don't worry, Senior Brother Li. There are still plenty of skilled mud-plasterers in the court. They'll figure out ways to patch these issues over."
"Patching them over is it? If those problems aren't handled properly, a lot of people could die!"
"Senior Brother Li, then tell me what I should do!? If you were in my position, what would you do?"
Gao Zhijian's face showed deep helplessness.
"Everyone says Great Liang is the number one in the world, but only those in the know realize this 'number one' is just for show—it's leaking everywhere. Even the emperor is just a mud-plasterer, patching wherever it leaks."
After saying that, Gao Zhijian paused for a moment before speaking again.
"Senior Brother Li, sorry. I shouldn't talk to you like that, but I've got so many worries on my mind."
Li Huowang shook his head gently.
"It's fine. I understand your situation. I don't blame you. But you really need to prioritize Qingqiu and Hou Shu."
"They're fighting the Dharma Cult right now. Nothing is more important than the Dharma Cult. If you don't help Qingqiu and Hou Shu, and they get swallowed up, Great Liang will be in real trouble. This is a matter of life and death."
"Senior Brother Li, I know. I get the logic. But the Dharma Cult inside Great Liang hasn't been cleaned up yet. If our own house isn't swept clean, how can we have the spare time to help sweep someone else's?"
Hearing this, Li Huowang seemed to realize something. He furrowed his brows in thought.
"Zhijian, the Dharma Cult inside Great Liang suddenly popping up all at once right now—isn't this just to tie down Great Liang?"
Before, when the Dharma Cult besieged the capital, Li Huowang had always found it strange. So many people attacking the capital to deal with Gao Zhijian felt impractical.
Thinking back now, it seemed their goal wasn't really Gao Zhijian at all. Maybe it was just a smokescreen to expose all of Great Liang's Dharma Cult followers and force Great Liang to be too tied up to act.
Combined with the Dharma Cult's previous pointless expansion everywhere, which did nothing but draw attention.
And during this time, though there had been plenty of troubles, none were truly tough nuts to crack. They hadn't even found that Mount Tai stone from before. The more Li Huowang thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
"And even if you know, what then? They're using an open stratagem against you."
A voice came from the woods to the left, and soon Li Huowang saw Great Liang's National Advisor walk out.
"If you send all the military school forces to help other countries, aren't you afraid something else might happen in Great Liang later? Do you really think Great Liang is at peace aside from the Dharma Cult?"
"Then just let the Dharma Cult grow over there? No countermeasures at all?"
"Of course not. Your Majesty has his own plans."
The National Advisor took a step back.
Gao Zhijian stood up from the stone and looked at Li Huowang.
"We definitely have to help. The Supervisor of Heaven Division has already sent people over. As for the military school, once Great Liang stabilizes a bit, I'll see how many more I can squeeze out."
"Squeeze out more? Zhijian, this is the Dharma Cult! The Dharma Cult that worships the Child God! You have to realize this is an existential threat to the nation! You need to make the decision to go all in!"
"You saw what happened when Great Qi was taken over by the Child God. Do you know what Great Qi is like now?"
As Li Huowang spoke, he reached behind his back, pulled out the spinebone sword, and swung it hard at the nearby flower bed.
A rift flew over, and eerie liquid seeped out, splashing onto the flowers and plants. Accompanied by horrifying sounds, they twisted their bizarre bodies, wriggled, and crawled, infecting the surrounding soil.
Great Liang's National Advisor frowned slightly, raised his Star-Mansion Sword, and pointed it at the sky. In an instant, dry thunder cracked from nowhere. As the booming sound exploded, those things were blasted to smithereens.
"I don't know what that was, but I know Great Qi is truly done for now."
Li Huowang said as he slid the spinebone sword back onto his back.
"I know. Of course I know. But do those ministers and generals know? Do the soldiers know? Do all the common folk of Great Liang know? Are they willing to labor for half a year, pay taxes early? Are they willing to enlist and fight?"
"I'm the emperor, sure, and I can command them, but it's not like every decree I issue will work. Every decree affects a lot of people and might lead to many deaths."
"Senior Brother Li, being emperor isn't like you think—doing whatever you want whenever. Only a tyrant does that."
After saying this, Gao Zhijian fell silent for a moment before forcing some energy into his voice to reassure Li Huowang.
"It's okay, Senior Brother Li. The war situation isn't as bad as you say. We have a plan. Qingqiu and Hou Shu have some capabilities too; they won't be taken over by the Dharma Cult so easily."
"Besides, Xuan Pin and Zheng Boqiao have gone over as well. With the Supervisor of Heaven Divisions from Qingqiu, Hou Shu, Si Qi, and Great Liang all gathered, the Dharma Cult won't get the upper hand."
"Don't worry. Once Great Liang stabilizes here, I'll send troops right away."
Li Huowang still had doubts about whether relying solely on the Supervisor of Heaven Division, without mobilizing all of Great Liang's power, could handle the Dharma Cult. After all, the Dharma Cult wasn't some mere evil spirit; they relied on endless common believers.
No matter how many people the Supervisor of Heaven Division had, how much could they do against a whole nation's worth?
Never mind the high-level powerhouses of the Child God; that endless base of low-level followers alone was beyond what the Supervisor of Heaven Division could handle.
Not to mention, the outer ranks of the Supervisor of Heaven Division—those drawn together by the benefits of Longevity Pills—had zero loyalty. The moment danger appeared, they'd scatter like birds and beasts.
Only the bloodthirsty military school folks, these institutionalized killing machines, could curb the enemy's grassroots expansion.
Li Huowang glanced at Gao Zhijian again and nodded.
"Alright, then hurry it up."
As Li Huowang turned to leave, he was called back by Gao Zhijian after just two steps.
"Senior Brother Li, where are you going?"
"Where else can someone like me go? To Qingqiu, to wipe out the Dharma Cult!"
(End of chapter)