Chapter 878: Black Stone Daoist

Look at the foundation of a dynasty.

Not only must one see how many subjects it has, how much wealth, how many elite troops and fierce generals.

Sometimes, after experiencing natural disasters, human calamities, and major catastrophes, the efficiency of post-disaster reconstruction better demonstrates a dynasty's centripetal force, cohesion, executive power, and so on.

The foundation of the Sui Dynasty is extremely terrifying.

The entire Sui Du was blown up to the heavens, not a single intact brick or tile remained.

After such a great calamity, only three days were needed, and a majestic city larger than the former Sui Du in area, more magnificent in momentum, and with more splendid architectural design had already been repaired.

The original inhabitants of Sui Du were all completely slaughtered by that bottle of Dark Soul Essence from Qing Wu; in just three days, thanks to the efforts of the Sui Dynasty officials, enough people were moved in from nearby prefectures, and the newly built Sui Du almost overnight regained its vitality and order.

A unidirectional super-gigantic teleportation array shimmered with dazzling light outside Sui Du; the spatial undulations emitted by the hundred-li-diameter array washed over the nearby city walls like tsunami waves one after another.

The newly built Sui Du city walls, with their internal grand defensive array and various prohibitions, are far stronger and far more sensitive than those of the old Sui Du.

When the spatial undulations from the array struck, the walls instantly blazed with great light, bursting forth countless streams of colored smoke and light, emitting a 'booming' thunderous roar that made countless Sui Du citizens tremble with fear, occasionally glancing toward the array's direction.

One after another, warships that had been improved and greatly enhanced in every way lined up in neat rows, slowly emerging from the teleportation array; then, under Lao Tie's command, they swiftly left the array and formed ranks outside Sui Du.

On these warships were packed subterranean natives wearing standard armor, their spirit and vigor extremely stalwart, bearing quite a bit of an elite air.

Dwarves, gnomes, and even ratfolk.

These subterranean peoples, whose numbers are vast and reproductive power astonishing on the Three Kingdoms Continent, have now become an extremely important component of Wu Tie's Wuguo.

Their cultivation is not strong; they are generally only at the Chonglou Realm.

But when equipped with fine armor, wielding the rune weapons designed by Wu Tie and Lao Tie and manufactured by Da Tie, and combined with the massive warships and powerful main guns, their battlefield lethality is not inferior to that of Tai Zang Realm elites.

Following them came a terrifyingly huge number of colossal god soldiers.

Each time the colossal god soldiers were teleported over, they used an extreme method, pressing chest to back, shoulder to shoulder, even stacking over ten layers vertically……

The hundred-li-diameter teleportation array was each time filled to the brim with black‑pressed colossal god soldiers.

The Sui Dynasty officials and soldiers watching this scene up close all had dazed expressions, their bodies involuntarily trembling.

They had personally witnessed the fearsome combat power of these colossal god soldiers……

Those colossal god soldiers with Tai Zang Realm strength, relying on their tough physiques, terrifying power, and fearless fighting style, a squad of a hundred could match head‑on an ordinary Divine Manifestation Realm cultivator.

And those colossal god soldiers of Divine Manifestation Realm possess even greater cross‑level strength; a first‑heaven Divine Manifestation Realm colossal god soldier can resist the 'Earth Gods' of the third, fourth, or even fifth heaven of Divine Manifestation Realm without yielding.

The colossal god soldiers transmitted from an unknown foreign continent—how could their numbers be less than hundreds of millions?

Not to mention those subterranean natives crammed together on the extraordinarily huge warships that dwarf the Sui Dynasty's hundred‑zhang standard vessels; though their average strength is low, their numbers are simply astonishing, astonishing……

Just imagine ratfolk soldiers surging like a tide over mountains and fields—even the thought makes one's scalp go numb.

They differ from the demon creatures of the Western Demon Kingdom.

The demon creatures are likewise countless, but they are merely beasts of burden, just livestock.

But these dwarves, gnomes, and ratfolk are all helmeted and armored, their armor quality decent…… they are trained soldiers, not the Western Demon Kingdom's instinct‑driven 'livestock'!

Outside the city, Wuguo's great army poured in endlessly.

Each time the teleportation array lit up, it imposed tremendous psychological pressure on the Sui Dynasty's civil and military officials, officers, and soldiers from top to bottom.

Countless Sui Dynasty high‑level officials inwardly roared—'This damned Wuguo, just how many soldiers does it have? How many?'

In the newly built Sui Dynasty imperial city, within the 'Firewood Palace' specially convened for court deliberations, the imperial throne above stood empty, while long tables were set out on the east and west sides of the main hall; here the Sui and Wuguo civil and military officials were slamming the tables, shouting and cursing.

On the Sui Dynasty side, led by Feng Xiao and the host of top senior ministers of the Sui Dynasty.

On the Wuguo side, led by Pei Feng, Huang Lang, Li Ergouzi, and the most veteran cunning ministers formerly of the Great Jin, Great Wei, and Great Wu.

What they are arguing about is the compensation of land and people promised to Wu Tie by Feng Shang.

Naturally, the Sui Dynasty side seeks every way to shrink the territory and reduce the populace.

And naturally, the Wuguo side wants to maximize its interests…… One must never forget that Feng Shang and the Smiling Buddha are still held in Wuguo's hands.

One can always hear Zhu Ganglie frantically slamming the table, his hoarse roars echoing.

"You Sui Dynasty refuse to acknowledge the debt? Is that it? You're being shameless, aren't you?"

"Younger sibling, don't be afraid, Second Senior Brother will decide for you, don't be afraid."

"Hey, you won't reason, right? Ah, we just want this tiny piece of land, this few people, and you're nitpicking—what's that supposed to mean?"

"Ah, Feng Xiao, are you trying to deliberately provoke Wuguo so they'll chop up your father, then you replace him and inherit the Sui Dynasty's Divine Emperor throne?"

"Ah… I'm so angry, old pig me… I'm so angry… Third Junior Brother is broad‑minded, willing to reason with you, but old ancestor I don't deal in reason… Believe it or not, old ancestor I'll swallow you!"

"Namo Amitabha, good, good, old pig I am vegetarian, vegetarian, I don't eat people… Hey, aren't you afraid those two old birds will eat people? Youming, come, eat a few big living people to give them a taste!"

Being able to force the Sui Dynasty to the negotiating table……

What a glorious victory this is……

Actually, according to the original intent of Youming Pengzun, the Firewood Transmission Grand Array has already been broken; the Sui Dynasty has in fact lost its greatest barrier, leaving it completely open to the ravages of the four‑direction demons and monsters.

If it weren't for the Six Great Demon Venerables and Four Great Ghost Venerables being placed under Wu Tie's ban, vowing to serve him for ten thousand years,

If it weren't for Wu Tie's terrifying battle power deterring Youming Pengzun, Wandu Zhenzun, and Longmai Ezun, while Zhu Ganglie and Jingjing Yaozun have an ambiguous relationship with Wu Tie, the demons and monsters on all sides of the Sui Dynasty would have long since launched a massive assault.

Precisely because Wu Tie exists, and at the same time Wu Tie is willing to negotiate with the Sui Dynasty,

thus we have this fervent negotiation scene.

Wu Tie does not want to unleash an all‑out war with the Sui Dynasty…… he truly does not want to do that.

Who would benefit from doing that?

Outside the Sui Dynasty imperial city, in a mansion covering nearly ten thousand mu of great splendor, Wu Tie sits contentedly on a soft couch in the rear garden, playing with a tiny golden‑yellow bee‑monkey no larger than a fist.

Qing Wu kneels ten zhang before Wu Tie, wearing a fawning smile.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, those old fogeys of the Sui Dynasty are just a bunch who don't know good from bad." Qing Wu chuckled: "Where would they understand Your Majesty's benevolent heart? Your Majesty's loving intent? They only know to stare at their own little gains……"

Wu Tie coldly glanced at Qing Wu, then, cradling the fist‑sized bee‑monkey in his arms, he stuffed a thumb‑sized horse ** grape into its mouth, forcing the poor creature—said to be a many‑times‑removed descendant of the Golden‑Eyed Demon Venerable—to bulge its eyes and roll them white.

"Little eunuch, what do you want to say?" Wu Tie asked Qing Wu, neither cold nor hot.

"Your Majesty, with the power you now wield, you could completely occupy the entire Sui Dynasty." Qing Wu trembled slightly, speaking softly: "If only Your Majesty……"

Wu Tie sneered: "The rule of the Blaze Dynasty's Feng clan has already taken root in people's hearts; if I want to unify the Blaze Dynasty, how many people must I kill? Not to mention the losses the Blaze Dynasty would suffer, how many casualties will my troops incur?"

Qing Wu hurriedly said: "But Your Majesty, for the great cause, what are a few casualties? As the saying goes, 'One general's success is built on countless bones,' and even more so for such a glorious imperial hegemony."

Wu Tie narrowed his eyes, sizing up Qing Wu from head to toe.

After a while, Wu Tie gave a "heh" laugh, waved his hand: "Forget it, you scoundrel, you're not one to stay put. Well, I never keep eunuchs around me, so get lost!"

With a wave of his hand, Wu Tie said coldly: "Come here, take this deceitful sovereign, this fool who brings chaos to the world, and lock him in the heavenly prison. Hmm, interrogate him thoroughly, interrogate him seriously, see who stands behind him, letting him deceive that fool Feng Rong, who runs wild slaughtering in the Blaze Dynasty."

Dozens of heavily armored warriors flashed into existence from the void, grabbing the frantically struggling and shouting Qing Wu with many hands, and carried him out of the rear garden.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this servant is utterly loyal."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this servant sincerely offers allegiance."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please hear this servant's words."

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty... the imperial grand plan is right before your eyes... you only need to reach out, and you can seize the entire Blaze Dynasty!"

Wu Tie gave a cold smile, picked up the little monkey's tail in his bosom, gently shook it, and helped him extract that large grape from his mouth.

"I see you scoundrel, you're of the same ilk as You Ruo and Wu Tou... heh, deceiving Feng Rong to run wild slaughter, and Feng Rong actually believed your wickedness, truly slaughtering officials and clans at will... you little eunuch, so sly, so sly."

"His manner of conduct is utterly different from You Ruo's lot. Tsk tsk, look closely—what other crooked tricks might he have up his sleeve?"

Wu Tie issued a soft command, and from the distant air came a faint sound of assent.

Low footsteps sounded, and a dozen or so warriors escorted a blood-soaked, battered old Daoist into the rear garden.

Seeing Wu Tie, the old Daoist's eyes flashed cold, his face twitched, he forcefully broke free from the warrior's grip, and bowed to Wu Tie: "A reclusive idler..."

Wu Tie sneered inwardly, brutally cutting off the old Daoist's words: "A reclusive idler? If you were truly idle, would you meddle in the succession of the Blaze Dynasty's throne? Don't flatter yourselves—ultimately it's just self-interest driving you."

"Having said that, why do you aid Feng Rong? I want to hear the truth, not empty words to fool me."

With a cold snort, Wu Tie rose to his feet, pointing at the old Daoist: "How are the punishment techniques of my secret martial guard?"

The old Daoist looked at Wu Tie, furious and flustered.

He never imagined in his life that he would endure such an ordeal—being a revered Guardian of the Law of the Azure Lotus Temple's Secret Pavilion, after his magical power was sealed, a bunch of low‑strength juniors subjected him to three full days of punishments meant for mortals.

During those three days of punishment, the old Daoist suffered no broken bones or torn muscles, but his skin was completely flayed.

If word of this three‑day ordeal got out, he would have no face to show among the Blaze Dynasty's three guardian divine sects.

He drew a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and said: "I am Hei Shi, Guardian of the Law of the Azure Lotus Temple's Secret Pavilion. Yes, the Azure Lotus Temple indeed intervened in this divine imperial succession... Your Majesty the Martial King, you already know the reason, don't you? We do not want Feng Shang to ascend, we do not want the Scarlet Lotus Temple to grow stronger because of Feng Shang, and we certainly do not want Feng Shang to become the divine empress, turning into an almighty divine sovereign we cannot restrain."

Wu Tie said coldly: "Anything else?"

Hei Shi fell silent for a moment, looked at Wu Tie, his gaze flickering, then suddenly said: "Your Majesty, I suggest we simply let Feng Rong continue as the divine sovereign."

Hei Shi's tone became extremely urgent, his speech accelerating: "All you need is a parcel of Blaze Dynasty territory and enough subjects; since you have no ambition for the Blaze Dynasty's lands and legacy, why not let things remain as they are?"

Wu Tie said in a low voice: "Feng Rong kills too many people."

Hei Shi sneered: "What does his killing of the Blaze Dynasty's populace have to do with Your Majesty?"

Wu Tie stared at Hei Shi in astonishment, then laughed: "What a reclusive idler, already so detached he has no human feeling left... well then, Feng Rong bears a grudge against the Blood Prison."

Hei Shi burst into a bright laugh, his tone light: "The old Daoist knows that the so‑called vendetta for killing one's mother is merely an old dove... Your Majesty, can't you even handle a trifling Blood Prison? If Feng Rong agrees to give you ample... benefits?"

Wu Tie furrowed his brows, looked at Hei Shi, and said softly: "Then, if that's the case, I simply take a dislike to Feng Rong; I also have personal grudges against Feng Rong and Bai Su Xin..."

Hei Shi said solemnly: "But Pei Feng is unharmed—what sort of personal grudge is that? If Your Majesty is truly angry, why not have Feng Rong give you adequate compensation? For instance, the Primordial Divine Bell?"

Wu Tie's eyes twitched violently, he rose to his feet, placed the little monkey on his shoulder, pointed at Hei Shi and demanded coldly: "Come on, speak up—what exactly is the Azure Lotus Temple scheming?"

"The Primordial Divine Bell—I would only consider ringing it if I wanted to utterly overturn the Blaze Dynasty and exterminate the Feng clan; otherwise I have no design on it."

"Even the Blaze‑fire seeds I have gathered, I intend to return some to the Blaze Dynasty."

"How dare you propose exchanging the Primordial Divine Bell for letting Feng Rong continue as the divine sovereign—what exactly does the Azure Lotus Temple intend to do?"

Hei Shi fell silent for a while, then said slowly: "Your Majesty truly doesn't know? Or do you truly want to know?"

Wu Tie looked at the solemn Hei Shi, after a moment he nodded: "Come, speak."