Chapter 1361: The rise and fall of the world—what does it have to do with me?

"This question is one that my Cihang Jingzhai has also considered. However, my Cihang Jingzhai exists to uphold the mandate of Heaven, and naturally, we must consider the myriad people of the world. The Li Tang is the force in the world today most likely to unify the realm and end these chaotic times. Compared to the Li Tang's Crown Prince, Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin is far more suited to be this sovereign of Heaven's mandate. As for how to support Li Shimin in becoming the master of the Li Tang, we have our own methods; there is no need to trouble the Evil Emperor with such concerns."

After a brief moment of astonishment, Shi Feixuan spoke again to Su Xuan.

"A fine 'have our own methods'," Su Xuan clapped his hands and sighed. "If I didn't know better, I would have thought you intended to persuade Li Jiancheng to relinquish his position as Crown Prince, and persuade Li Yuan to abolish Li Jiancheng's status as Crown Prince to install Li Shimin in his stead."

"It is a pity, however, that you are destined to be unable to accomplish such a thing."

"Li Jiancheng's talent and ability may perhaps be inferior to Li Shimin's, but they are absolutely not lacking by any significant margin. Furthermore, he is the eldest son. If I were Li Yuan, I would naturally not replace the second son as Crown Prince because of these minor flaws."

"Likewise, power stirs the human heart. Currently, as the Crown Prince, he can become Emperor once his father passes on. If I were Li Jiancheng, I would absolutely never abandon my current position as Crown Prince."

"With neither of these two things being achievable, it is a task of extreme difficulty for your Cihang Jingzhai to support Li Shimin in becoming Emperor."

"No!" Su Xuan's tone shifted. "It is not that there is no way."

He stated his own method: "The Xuanwu Gate is the only path to the Taiji Palace. One only needs to guard the Xuanwu Gate at the critical moment. When Li Jiancheng enters the palace, launch a coup and kill Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji. Then, Li Yuan will have no other choice; in order for the Li Tang's foundation to be passed down, he will have no option but to enfeoff Li Shimin as Crown Prince and appoint him as his successor."

"Is this the Evil Emperor's idea? It is far too cruel. Clearly, one could resolve all problems without resorting to such actions." Shi Feixuan sighed softly, moved by Su Xuan's cold-bloodedness.

She had not expected that Su Xuan would actually come up with such a plan.

Watching Shi Feixuan, who wore a look of compassion, the cold sneer at the corners of Su Xuan's mouth grew more pronounced. "Indeed, it is true that one could resolve all troubles without doing such things. After all, an event like a coup would greatly damage Li Shimin's reputation. If his reputation is ruined, it would be hard to call him a wise ruler. Therefore, it is best to borrow the hands of others to complete such a task."

"Even further, there is no need to conduct a coup at all. Through the method of assassination, killing Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji would achieve the same goal."

With these few words, Su Xuan offered Shi Feixuan another suggestion.

On the surface, it appeared that Su Xuan was considering the interests of Cihang Jingzhai, helping to push the Li Shimin they had chosen onto the throne. But in Shi Feixuan's eyes, these words of Su Xuan were truly sinister in intent.

If Cihang Jingzhai were to truly do as Su Xuan suggested.

Once the act of fratricide occurred.

Cihang Jingzhai would truly no longer be able to claim itself the leader of the righteous path, nor claim itself a holy land of Buddhism.

Its reputation would collapse instantly, and within the world, it would have no credibility left to speak of.

"Unlike Xiang Yutian, this Evil Emperor is truly a being born of evil!"

Shi Feixuan could not help but think to herself.

But on the surface, she did not state this directly, instead saying: "Evil Emperor, do not corrupt my Dao heart."

"My Cihang Jingzhai has never had the slightest selfish motive. Although we ultimately chose Li Shimin, it is merely because Li Shimin is the most suitable candidate."

"It is the Evil Emperor, rather, who has had impure motives from the very beginning."

"Killing Uncle Liaokong and seizing the He Clan Jade is the first. The second is the intent to unify the Demonic Sect and use the Demonic Sect to bring chaos to the world."

"For many years, the two sects and six paths of the Demonic Sect have continuously harmed the world. Among them, all are beings of evil. The previous Evil Emperor of the Evil Extreme Sect, Xiang Yutian, although a member of the Demonic Sect, still held a decent reputation among the righteous path. I did not expect that, by the time it reached the current Evil Emperor, you would actually choose to forget the good deeds of the previous Evil Emperor and, in the name of evil, commit acts of wickedness!"

"Hmph, stop using Xiang Yutian to mock me. Why would I need to explain my actions to you?"

"Xiang Yutian is not as good as you imagine."

"Likewise, you of Cihang Jingzhai should not view yourselves as selfless."

"The righteous and demonic paths have clashed for many years; who doesn't know the other well!"

"In the end, the reason you appear before me now is simply because my existence hinders your Cihang Jingzhai. I killed Liaokong, causing you to lose a powerful helper. My unification of the Demonic Sect makes you feel threatened."

"Even a single Yin Gui Sect is something you have yet to eradicate. If the two sects and six paths were to unite, for you, it would be equivalent to the rise of demons and the decline of the Dao—a catastrophic disaster."

"A unified Demonic Sect would seriously threaten the status of you righteous ones; naturally, you do not wish for us to unify."

"Not to mention, these are chaotic times. Once my Demonic Sect is unified, it is destined to intervene in the struggle for the world, which will seriously affect the Li Tang you support in their quest to seize the world."

Su Xuan spoke calmly, laying out the purpose of Shi Feixuan's arrival one by one.

Although he did not know how Shi Feixuan knew his identity as the Evil Emperor and that the killing of Liaokong was his doing, since the other party had already brought these matters up, Su Xuan did not mind admitting to them, and subsequently pointed out the goal of Cihang Jingzhai.

Shi Feixuan's face remained in that posture of compassion for the world.

One wondered if, when Cihang Jingzhai recruits disciples, the first thing they are taught is to feign this holy appearance.

For someone like Xu Ziling, seeing Shi Feixuan reveal this countenance would clearly move him.

But for Su Xuan, who had traveled through several worlds, he had seen countless people; the level of this 'green tea' act by Shi Feixuan was truly too low.

Shi Feixuan said softly: "Does the Evil Emperor know how many innocent people will be affected by the clash between the righteous and demonic, and the struggle for the world?"

"So you want to persuade me to let go?"

Su Xuan stood toe-to-toe with Shi Feixuan.

Shi Feixuan said: "If the Evil Emperor is willing to let go, that would naturally be best. Furthermore, if the Evil Emperor is interested, I could accompany you into seclusion."

Hearing this, Su Xuan could not help but laugh: "After going in circles, we have actually returned to the topic of my seclusion. It seems your Cihang Jingzhai truly will not stop until its goal is reached."

After evaluating Cihang Jingzhai, Su Xuan's tone changed abruptly, becoming incomparably cold: "The rise and fall of the world—what does it have to do with me? As your Cihang Jingzhai says, I am the Evil Emperor, a true member of the Demonic Sect. Therefore, do not think you can use the common people of the world to persuade me!"