Chapter 635: Unspoken Understanding

Soon.

The news of the world's top experts perishing by the shores of Taihu spread like wildfire, reaching the imperial court in short order and informing all the other land gods across the land.

Of course, the reason this news spread so swiftly was due to someone secretly fanning the flames.

Besides this bad news, there was another: the True Person Taiyi of Taihu City, accompanied by the Embroidered Uniform Guards, had resumed operations—this time with even greater boldness, splitting his forces into two to destroy mountains and demolish temples, causing every land god and spirit along the way to flee in terror, daring not to resist.

Some land gods who could not escape chose instead to kneel and beg for mercy.

A few were accepted after surrendering, but most were eradicated without the slightest mercy; moreover, many ancestral shrines and temples of local gentry and noble families were razed, and those who dared resist were slaughtered in great numbers—utter lawlessness, and worst of all, no one could stop True Person Taiyi.

A top-tier expert, leading three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards—this was enough to sweep the entire realm.

In merely three or five days.

True Person Taiyi's force of mountain-smashers and temple-destroyers did not dwindle—it grew, for he had accepted numerous wild spirits and promised them titles as rightful gods and offerings of incense upon victory; seeing such rewards, countless spirits from the wilds could no longer resist and emerged to lend aid.

This scene terrified the civil and military officials of the court.

Today.

During the court assembly.

Emperor Shenwu, Li Jiye, sat as always upon the dragon throne, wearing the ceremonial crown and robe, his presence imposing and his expression stern.

Within the great hall, the ministers were already locked in furious debate.

"When I first saw True Person Taiyi radiating the aura of dragon and tiger, I knew he was no ordinary man—he should have been eliminated early to prevent trouble. Now look: he leads the Embroidered Uniform Guards in burning, killing, looting, and committing every evil act, and now he has grown powerful—what are we to do?"

"My ancestral shrine was destroyed yesterday; my ancestors' incense offerings have been severed, their souls scattered—how hateful! That demon Daoist Taiyi is truly hateful!" Someone pounded his chest and stamped his feet, wishing to flay Li Yi alive to satisfy his rage.

"What good is complaining now? We must act quickly to stop True Person Taiyi—otherwise, if he marches with his Embroidered Uniform Guards and a horde of spirits across the land, he might just overthrow the dynasty." Others feared that if Li Yi's power solidified, he might even launch a counterattack on the capital.

At that point, not even ancestral incense would matter—whether they could even keep their own lives was uncertain.

Yet Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye was inwardly delighted—he had not expected this campaign to proceed so smoothly, achieving half its goal with little effort; all his prior worries had been needless. With sufficient strength, the land gods were nothing but paper tigers, utterly insignificant.

"I propose dispatching a large army to encircle and exterminate True Person Taiyi—his recklessness cannot be allowed to continue," a minister declared, furious.

Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan coldly replied, "Fool! If you have no good ideas, keep silent. That True Person Taiyi spits a single flame that engulfs three hundred li—how many armies have been sent only to die? If news of a great defeat spreads, the state's foundation will tremble; executing your entire clan would be too lenient."

The minister, rebuked, shrank back, cowering.

"No land god or spirit in the realm can match True Person Taiyi—he alone can reverse mountains and rivers, reopen the sun and moon. There is no way to oppose such a being—only appeasement remains. Your Majesty, I propose reinstating the title of State Preceptor, proclaiming it across the land, and summoning the True Person to the capital." Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan spoke again.

The ministers immediately understood.

Of course.

If they couldn't defeat him, bring him to the capital, shower him with gold, silver, and beauties, and keep him confined—then he wouldn't cause trouble outside.

"I originally intended to appoint True Person Taiyi as State Preceptor—that was my thought. But you all refused. Now this disaster has erupted—if he returns to the capital and begins slaughtering, what will you have me do?" Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye spoke slowly, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness.

His words sent a chill down many spines.

They had nearly forgotten: they had loudly demanded stripping Taiyi of his title and executing him—now, if they brought him back, wouldn't he settle scores with them all?

"Bestowing the title of State Preceptor and soothing his heart is feasible, but summoning him to the capital requires further deliberation," Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye said. He needed only two or three more months for Li Yi to complete his mountain-smashing and temple-destroying campaign—then he could return to the capital and purge the court.

Then the realm would be the sole domain of father and son.

What could not be done? What could not be achieved? No longer bound by the whims of ministers or the will of the Yin Emperor.

"Your Majesty speaks wisely. My proposal was flawed," Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan replied.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye continued: "Hidden Official, do you have any suggestions? Speak now—let us discuss this with the ministers during this assembly."

In a corner of the hall, the Hidden Officials remained silent.

What could they say? The Marquis of Champion and the General of Heavenly Might were dead; even the God of Shoushan and Lady Bai Shui had perished; even the Emperor's own Black Mountain Lord was missing, presumed dead. Was the Yin Emperor now to take up sword and mount and lead an expedition against True Person Taiyi? Even if such a thing were possible, what if they still lost?

At this point, appeasement was the only option. As for Li Yi's mountain-smashing campaign, it had not yet directly threatened the Yin Emperor—so better to wait and observe.

Seeing the Hidden Officials say nothing,

the ministers' faces darkened. It meant resistance was impossible—Li Yi would continue leading the Embroidered Uniform Guards to smash idols and kill land gods.

"Since the Hidden Officials have no words, let this matter stand thus. I shall issue an edict formally appointing True Person Taiyi as State Preceptor, erecting his statues and temples, and granting him incense offerings from across the land," Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye declared.

This was his second step.

To gather incense offerings from the entire realm.

Part of the realm's incense would go to him; part to Li Yi.

With the power of the court, within a month, every city would bear statues of True Person Taiyi and of Li Jiye himself. As time passed, his own incense power would surpass that of any previous emperor—then he could begin his third step.

Eradicate the Hidden Officials and the Yin Emperor entirely, then govern the realm properly, increase the population, and elevate the power of incense belief to its peak.

"Father, the title of State Preceptor is but an empty honor—why erect statues for True Person Taiyi and grant him incense offerings from the land? He is a looming threat. Better to shower him with gold, silver, and beauties to corrupt his mind, then strike him down when the time comes—only then can lasting peace be secured."

At once, Crown Prince Zhao Jing stood to oppose.

Many ministers turned to the Crown Prince—startled, yet after brief thought, they agreed.

No mistake! No error! No flaw in this reasoning!

True Person Taiyi's incense power was already terrifying—what if he truly received incense offerings from the entire realm? Then the court would be ruled by him alone, and he could never be destroyed.

"The Crown Prince speaks wisely. True Person Taiyi must not be underestimated."

"Indeed. Your Majesty may bestow Mount Taiyue upon True Person Taiyi, but must not erect widespread statues to empower his incense—otherwise, he will grow too powerful to control."

"Incense must not be granted to True Person Taiyi. Your Majesty must reconsider."

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye's gaze shifted slightly toward Crown Prince Zhao Jing—he had not expected the Crown Prince to openly oppose this. Clearly, the prince had grown wings and wished to fly.

He spoke calmly: "If we lack sincerity, how can we appease True Person Taiyi? Since the Crown Prince opposes, then let the Crown Prince be responsible for appeasing him. If successful, the Crown Prince shall be rewarded with great merit."

Crown Prince Zhao Jing froze.

He was to appease True Person Taiyi?

How could he possibly do that?

That Daoist killed without blinking, and with three thousand Embroidered Uniform Guards, he had already gone mad with bloodshed—wouldn't the prince be walking into a tiger's mouth?

"Father—" Crown Prince Zhao Jing tried to speak again, but Emperor Shenwu cut him off.

"It is decided. If the Crown Prince fails to appease him, we proceed with the original plan. You depart tonight. I will assign the Golden-Eyed Guards to escort you. Prepare thoroughly and devise your strategy."

Crown Prince Zhao Jing felt his father's icy gaze and, for no clear reason, a chill ran through his entire body.

He felt his father was sending him to be killed by True Person Taiyi—not to appease him.

In fact, his feeling was correct.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye no longer needed this Crown Prince. If Zhao Jing had remained secluded and uninvolved in state affairs, perhaps he might have granted him a dignified end. But now, at this critical moment, he dared to oppose—this Crown Prince could not be spared. Better to eliminate him early, before he caused further trouble.

With the court assembly ended, a detachment of Golden-Eyed Guards immediately took up station in the Eastern Palace.

At dusk,

the Crown Prince's carriage left the palace, heading toward the city's outskirts—but for some unknown reason, as it passed over a stone bridge, Crown Prince Zhao Jing suddenly went mad, leapt from the carriage, and plunged into the river. Though the Golden-Eyed Guards rescued him in time, he remained unconscious, blood oozing from all seven orifices.

After that, the Crown Prince vanished from court affairs, while True Person Taiyi, as previously agreed, proclaimed his appointment as State Preceptor and began building temples across the land.

But these actions in the capital did not hinder Li Yi's plan.

His goal was to cleanse the land of all land gods; the capital's affairs were his father Li Jiye's responsibility.

Though they had no contact, both understood perfectly.

Only a month had passed.

With statues erected and mountains smashed, temples destroyed, incense flowed toward Li Yi and Li Jiye at an astonishing rate.

(End of Chapter)