Chapter 240 The Incompetent Ruler Liaowang
Translator: 549690339
The scene changed; Liaowang turned into a middle-aged man.
Dressed in a dragon robe, lying on the dragon bed, he directed the landscape and commanded with authority.
Many years had passed, and he enjoyed the company of three thousand beauties in his harem, as well as the delight of his children’s affection. It should have been the joy of a family but he could not find happiness at all; his heart was only filled with thoughts of Su Mei’er.
He had already deployed the nation’s resources to search for Su Mei’er’s whereabouts, but there was still no trace to be found. He understood that he must continue to expand his empire.
“To war!”
“Expand the borders!”
Liaowang uttered a few words, and the bodies of all the officials trembled. Were they to go to war again?
“Your son is willing to go!”
…
Watching Liaowang’s experiences in the mirror, Song Zhong’s lips slightly curled upwards. He had won this round; Liaowang hadn’t resisted the temptations of power.
His opponent wanted to find Su Mei’er. That was an obsession. As a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, one should let go of such obsessions.
For the sake of his obsession, obtaining immense power, slaughtering hundreds of thousands of innocent soldiers and civilians, assassinating the Prime Minister, and plotting regicide and rebellion were all desires; a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, who should see through the emptiness of the four elements, should not have such desires.
To slay all living beings for the sake of desire was to become a demon. A monk who acted thus had become one.
“Heh, it seems this monk is not as steadfast in his nature as he claimed. With such actions, he has already become a Demon Monk,” Song Zhong laughed heartily.
“It pains this old monk greatly that such a disgrace has come from our Buddhist Sect,” Monk Yuanjue said with eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at the scene unfolding in the void. He felt somewhat disappointed that he had missed the part where Su Mei’er became a military prostitute.
“Let’s continue watching. I fear that just this one world will reveal the Demon Monk’s true colors,” Song Zhong said indifferently.
“Indeed, this Demon Monk seems so honest on the surface; who would have thought his inner desires were so immense.”
“Hehehe, it’s a pity that we didn’t see the scene with Su Mei’er.”
“Bro, I feel you!”
The cultivators responded one after another, their eyes glued to the projection in the void, unblinking. It was rare to witness a person’s whole life journey, and after having seen these experiences, they were sure to gain some enlightenment.
The cultivators were deeply engrossed, not noticing that the Space Rings in their hands had slipped off without a trace.
At this moment, Li Xiaobai wasn’t concerned with Liaowang’s experiences. In his view, whether Liaowang could overcome the Illusionary Realm or not, he would be hunted by these righteous folks. He decided to collect the cultivators’ rings first to avoid being too disadvantaged when the fight started.
Li Xiaobai’s movements were swift, collecting Space Rings, transferring valuable items, and then slipping the empty rings back onto the cultivators’ fingers.
Inside a Space Ring that had passed through Li Xiaobai’s hands, only a blank piece of paper lay quietly.
“I, Liu Jinshui, am eliminating harm for the people!”
Meanwhile, Liu Jinshui was also busy, moving elegantly with his graceful movement technique, weaving through the cultivators and steadily harvesting their Space Rings for treasures.
The Formation he had set up around them was already active. Besides concealing their forms, it also erased their qi, completely wiping away any trace of their having been here. Once he finished harvesting, he could leave without a trace, and no one would know he had been there.
As for Li Xiaobai, well, this junior brother could take a beating, and with Elder Tianwu backing him up, it was better to let him take the blame.
With such a big incident, it was bound to cause public outrage. Among these cultivators were experts of the Mahayana Realm, and if targeted, he would definitely be done for. Additionally, being in the Western Desert, it was uncertain if the Buddhist Sect would take action to suppress him.
To be safe, the two of them acted together, but one would take the blame. This was the most prudent approach.
Moreover, having granted the opponent so many Space Rings, we’ve already compensated them adequately. If it comes to it, we can simply share a bit more with this junior disciple later.
The two exchanged a smile, reaping wildly like a whirlwind sweeping through the remnants of the battlefield.
At the same time.
In the Thousand Buddha City of the Western Desert.
Several elder Buddhas sat in meditation, their eyes transformed into golden orbs that pierced through the illusion.
“Esteemed masters, how did Liaowang perform today?” asked a Buddha slowly.
“Not too bad. This old monk secretly turned the power of the Golden Light Mirror to its maximum, thinking Liaowang would fall into the path of killing. However, unexpectedly, he only aspired to wield power over the court and countryside, which is still beyond what this old monk anticipated for his spiritual nature,” replied another.
“The Cangtian Sect is fishing for fame and trafficking renown, considering the Western Desert as nothing more than a mound in a field—a shame to the Buddhist Sect. They wish to satisfy their distorted desires through the Buddhist Sect’s hand, yet how could they know that it is we who intend to use them to temper the hearts of Buddhist disciples?”
“However, today’s event is enough to show that there are many degenerates within the Buddhist Sect. Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to cleanse them in one fell swoop?”
“Good!”
“That is exactly what I was thinking!”
“And what about those two young ones causing trouble? What should be done with them?”
“Let them be, they are of no concern to us.”
“Good!”
…
In front of the Thousand Buddha Temple, the scene in the void changed once again.
Liaowang was now over fifty, with grown children. He had expanded his territory years ago and had truly become the king of the entire world.
But he still hadn’t found Su Mei’er.
He felt a sense of crisis, as his sons, in the prime of life, were eying the throne greedily.
Yet, he could not abdicate. He knew all too well that his word would be influential only while he remained Emperor. If he abdicated, he would lose the opportunity to find Su Mei’er.
“I decree that all soldiers and civilians under the heavens concentrate their efforts in searching for traces of Su Mei’er!”
“Effective immediately, I suspend the collection of taxes and corvee labor. All available labor must be diverted to the search for Su Mei’er!”
Liaowang declared.
“Exempting taxes and labor would lead to neglect in agriculture, and dispatching the military to find a person would weaken their training. Soon, agriculture and industry as well as military strength would all regress. This might provoke a backlash from predatory forces; please, Father Emperor, reconsider!”
The speaker was his own eldest son, ambitious but insightful when it came to state affairs.
Liaowang knew very well that his son was right, but he could not simply follow his advice. In his heart, the whereabouts of Su Mei’er had become an obsession. The mere kingdom did not weigh heavy on his mind. He wouldn’t have his throne for many more years, and as soon as his sons made their move, he would have to step down.
He must find that person within the limited time he had!
Liaowang obstinately pursued his goal. The world was in turmoil, agriculture neglected, military might weakened, and the vassal kings were restive.
The officials did not dare to remonstrate, and his sons had diverse intentions and no interest in affairs of state. They thought the Emperor had grown senile and was making ludicrous decisions.
Sacrificing a kingdom for someone they had never even met, this was undoubtedly the act of a deluded Emperor.
The eldest son acted swiftly. Within three days, he replaced the Imperial Guards within the Imperial Palace; all the guards became soldiers from his own domains, and all civil and military officials were controlled by him, including his brother Princes.
In the sleeping chamber, Liaowang stood with his hands behind his back and looked at his eldest son as if seeing his own younger self, “Well done.”
“Father Emperor, you have grown feeble-minded and should abdicate. The nation must not be ruined by your hands. It is time for your son to ascend the throne and succeed you.”
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