Chapter 801

Sui Du.

Imperial City.

In the imperial audience hall, Bai Suzhen presented the list of fallen disciples.

Feng Rong was still kowtowing on the ground like pounding garlic, while Bai Suzhen had already cooperated, bringing a bunch of White Lotus Palace bigwigs who just happened to arrive.

The court erupted in an uproar, with dozens of sovereigns' avatars shouting in unison, dozens of top ministers roaring and bellowing, and even the ministers originating from the White Lotus Palace waving flags and shouting, their momentum nearly overturning the entire hall.

Bai Wen, Bai Wu, Bai Lu, Bai He, Bai Guan and seventy-eight other disciples each had a "Sovereign's House" planted behind them; the other forty-five disciples each had a massive entity behind them.

Their deaths were as if someone dared to pluck a whisker from the face of a sleeping tiger, provoking the families behind them to roar and bellow, brandishing their claws and fangs.

Especially the White Lotus Palace.

The deaths of over a hundred elite disciples forced the White Lotus Palace bigwigs who usually schemed against Bai Suzhen to stand behind her, waving flags and shouting in unison for the White Lotus Palace's interests and prestige.

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor sat upon the throne, eyes narrowed, his deep gaze surveying the ministers in the hall.

Who was truly blazing with anger, who was putting on an act, who was fishing in troubled waters, who was stirring up trouble—none of it escaped his sight.

Besides Bai Suzhen and a few extremely senior old-timers, the Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor could gauge eight or nine out of ten of everyone's thoughts in the hall—even Feng Rong, who was prostrate on the ground, weeping bitterly and loudly lodging complaints…

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor let out a cold chuckle in his heart.

His acting was a bit lacking, his expression too exaggerated, his words too restless.

Talent and cultivation not matching Feng Shang is fine, but this character and methods also can't compare to Feng Shang—this is somewhat, not up to the task.

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor glanced at Bai Su Xin, narrowing his eyes.

He was pondering whether this might be a good show directed and staged by Bai Su Xin herself.

Maybe yes, maybe no. But it doesn't matter. The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor let out a quiet sigh in his heart. Anyway, according to Sui dynasty rules, he only has a hundred years left to sit on this throne.

After a hundred years, the storms of the Sui Dynasty will have nothing to do with him.

Out of the blue, he recalled a rather irresponsible line that fit his current mood perfectly: 'After I die, let the flood rage as it may.'

Of course, he couldn't say that. Such thoughts are fine to keep inside; speaking them out is not allowed.

He gently exhaled, and the Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor slowly nodded: 'Forget it, gentlemen, discuss how to handle this.'

He lightly patted the dragon case before him, and the Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor spoke unhurriedly, in a lukewarm tone: 'Second son, he has already led the million-strong forbidden army on campaign. Accompanying him are also ten thousand disciples of the Red Lotus Temple. That barbarian small state will likely be taken in one fell swoop.'

Feng Rong abruptly raised his head and shouted sternly: 'Father… the second son is stealing credit, this isn't fair!'

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor narrowed his eyes at Feng Rong and said slowly: 'I, of course, am fair. A bowl of water must be leveled. But, eldest son, even if I gave you a million forbidden troops, could you achieve the same results as the second son?'

Feng Rong fell silent.

Feng Shang often commanded the forbidden army to fight on the borders; Feng Rong and the other brothers naturally also led troops there and fought.

However, that monster Feng Shang, in hundreds of big and small battles on the borders, has never lost; only a dozen or so, due to overwhelming enemy superiority, he barely managed to hold a draw.

With such military strength and such command ability, Feng Rong, who once suffered dozens of defeats on the borders and twice fell into heavy sieges—if not for the Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor dispatching reinforcements, he would almost have become a captive of the enemy state—how could he compare?

Drooping his head, though unwilling, Feng Rong muttered honestly: 'Can't compare.'

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor looked over the civil and military officials, spread his hands: 'Ministers, how should this be handled?'

Bai Su Xin stood aside, silent.

Saving face still requires effort. He had already gone to the hall to display the list of fallen disciples, which counts as personally rolling up his sleeves and going into battle. The prestige of the White Lotus Palace's chief must be upheld. Even if he personally rolls up his sleeves, he can't always be the one charging ahead!

With so many disciples and connections, what are they for?

Dozens of state lords whose children had fallen exchanged glances, then knelt in unison before the Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor.

'Your Majesty, we wish to send troops to assist the Crown Prince.'

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor glanced at Bai Su Xin without changing expression.

Very good, this old white face, very good.

Feng Rong is Bai Su Xin's maternal nephew; Bai Su Xin using the White Lotus Palace's power to help Feng Rong is only natural.

But Bai Su Xin actually managed to persuade these state lords to mobilize their private armies to aid Feng Rong...

That eloquence is not bad.

Who knows how many shady deals Bai Su Xin has with these state lords behind the scenes.

However, the Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor calculated on his fingers: even adding these dozens of state lords, the White Lotus Palace's strength, and even the support of those upstart officials from the White Lotus Palace, Feng Rong still falls slightly short compared to Feng Shang.

After all, the White Lotus Palace has lost so many disciples.

In doing things, one must not chill the hearts of subordinates too much; some reassurance is needed.

Moreover, it seems Feng Shang's side has grown too close to the Red Lotus Temple; the temple's disciples wield too much power in the army. What if they also gain the large population of that barbarian small state?

The White Lotus Palace wants power, wealth, and fame—these can be given.

The Red Lotus Temple wants faith… faith can be given, but not too much; a balance must be maintained.

'Our Sui Dynasty descends from the ancient human emperor Suiren.' The Sui Dynasty emperor slowly spoke: 'Our Sui Dynasty has survived amidst surrounding demonic nations, thriving and endless, thanks to our ancestors' legacy—that is the legendary first 'Human Dao Sacred Fire' personally drawn by Suiren from heaven and earth.'

'The sacred fire unextinguished, the human race unending… this Human Dao Sacred Fire… eldest son, I grant you a spark of the Human Dao Sacred Fire, and also give you a piece of ancient flint. Do you have the confidence to pacify that barbarian small state for the Sui Dynasty and bring back those lost commoners of humanity?'

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor rose, his gaze upon Feng Rong with overwhelming dignity.

Feng Rong stared, then joyfully knelt, kowtowing repeatedly and laughing: 'Your servant will surely not disappoint your expectations; I will certainly handle this task splendidly for you, Father.'

Beside him, Bai Su Xin and the few White Lotus Palace grandees who had come with him to the council hall exchanged startled glances.

The Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor actually could produce such a national foundation for Feng Rong.

This far exceeds their expectations.

They originally thought possessing a national treasure would be enough; they never expected the Sui Dynasty Divine Emperor could allocate a spark of the Human Dao Sacred Fire to aid Feng Rong.

'Unfathomable.' Bai Su Xin nodded slowly, then inwardly sneered: 'But that's all there is to it.'