Chapter 758: It

Master Hui Gu stared at He Pingsheng for three full breaths, utterly stunned.

Then he drew a deep breath and asked, "This… you really didn't know?"

In Hui Gu's view, the current Emperor had ascended the throne nearly a decade ago.

How could He Pingsheng possibly not know?

"Forgive me, Master Hui Gu, I truly didn't know!" He Pingsheng smiled awkwardly.

Hui Gu said, "The present Emperor is the third son of the late Emperor, his reign title is Zhaowu, his personal name is 【Dun】."

"What?" He Pingsheng shot to his feet in disbelief. "You mean the lecherous Emperor right now is that brat Wang Dun?"

He Pingsheng was utterly astonished.

Hui Gu hurriedly grabbed He Pingsheng's robe. "Shh, shh, shh… Young Master, watch your tongue—do not speak the Emperor's name aloud!"

At the same time, Hui Gu wore an expression of envy.

Good heavens, to call the Emperor by his personal name and say "that brat"?

Good heavens, good heavens!

No wonder the Emperor treats He Pingsheng with such favor—turns out they're old acquaintances.

Are they really that close?

Just from how He Pingsheng refers to the Emperor, one can deduce their bond is extraordinary.

To have such a relationship with the current Emperor means a brilliant future is assured.

"Actually…" After He Pingsheng sat back down, Hui Gu chuckled. "Young Master, your evaluation of the Emperor is somewhat skewed!"

"Lust is human nature. The Buddha Dharma teaches: form is emptiness, emptiness is form!"

"The people of Great Song remember only the Emperor's lust, yet forget that in just ten years, he transformed Great Song beyond recognition!"

"Today, the nation's wealth and power are unprecedented in history!"

"Huh…" Hui Gu exhaled deeply. "Pity—I was not present during these ten years. To be honest, Young Master, I've been waiting right here for you all this time!"

As he spoke, Hui Gu's face turned plaintive. "When you meet the Emperor again, please speak well of this old monk!"

He Pingsheng half-joked, "Master Hui Gu, you still have strong worldly attachments!"

"Amitabha!" Hui Gu did not take offense; he clasped his hands. "The Buddha Dharma includes both withdrawal from and engagement with the world. To serve all sentient beings and meet such a great Emperor—is it not a joy?"

He Pingsheng nodded.

After a moment, he asked, "When I arrived just now, I met a monk with the dharma name Mingyue. He can see the worldly energy on a person's body. Master, does the Buddhist sect possess such a technique?"

"Hehe…" Hui Gu said, "That's not difficult. Mingyue learned this method from Lanruo Temple… Look!"

As he spoke, Hui Gu pulled out a thin book and placed it before He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng glanced at it—the title read: Hell's Worldly Dust.

"Hell's Worldly Dust is a dharma technique. Those with high insight can comprehend it within three days; those without such insight will never master it even in thirty years!"

"Please."

He Pingsheng picked up the book and flipped through it.

Very short.

Only six pages total.

Although He Pingsheng could not bring his spiritual sense or magic power into this dream, his cultivation base, vision, insight, and comprehension remained intact.

In less than ten breaths, he had memorized the entire Buddhist technique.

As he silently recited and contemplated it, his mind instantly cleared—he reached the Minor Attainment realm in a single thought.

He Pingsheng couldn't help but marvel: for a cultivator to study mortal-world martial arts was like a fish returning to water.

It wasn't that He Pingsheng had exceptional insight—truthfully, any prodigy could grasp this in a short time.

"Thank you, Master!" He Pingsheng returned the book to Hui Gu. "Thank you, Master!"

"What?" Hui Gu asked. "Aren't you going to read it?"

He Pingsheng smiled. "I've memorized it."

Hiss… hiss… hiss… hiss…

Hui Gu sucked in a sharp breath, then raised his thumb. "Incredible!"

"By the way!"

"Young Master, the Emperor told me to pass on one more message to you."

He Pingsheng said, "Master, please enlighten me."

"No enlightenment needed," Hui Gu said. "Just a piece of news—the Emperor told me to inform you: thirty days after you obtained the stone, the Great Dream will collapse, all things will awaken. Remember this well!"

He Pingsheng shuddered.

This…

So in thirty days, this 【Three Dreams of Worldly Dust】 will collapse?

Good heavens!

Jiaojiao said this dream was controlled—turns out the controller was Wang Dun.

Huh…

He Pingsheng drew a deep breath and hid the stone on his person.

He had to rush home within these final thirty days.

No matter what, he had to see his daughter once more before the dream shattered.

Otherwise, he would never see Yuqing again.

Thinking of his daughter, He Pingsheng was suddenly overcome with sorrow.

This child, to whom he had poured seven or eight years of emotion—was she merely a dream, an illusion?

"Farewell!" He Pingsheng bowed to Hui Gu, then stepped out of the meditation chamber.

Hui Gu naturally followed him out to see him off.

"Wu wu wu…" The big black dog, lying on the ground, suddenly leapt up as if startled, then trotted affectionately to He Pingsheng's feet, rubbing against his legs.

"Let's go!" He Pingsheng leapt up and landed on the black dog's back.

At that moment, the temple gate swung open.

A beautiful woman in crimson palace robes stormed in, accompanied by seven or eight other women dressed in identical red robes.

He Pingsheng turned and saw: Ah… isn't this Feng Wanxi of the Phoenix Clan?

The other women were all Phoenix Clan prodigies.

"He Pingsheng… is it really you?" Feng Wanxi frowned, fixed her gaze on He Pingsheng, and drew her green sword with a sharp chime. "What have you gained here?"

"Is the stone with you?"

He Pingsheng smirked coldly. "Feng Wanxi, you're here too?"

"The stone is with me—it's my fortune… so what?"

"You plan to steal it?"

He Pingsheng wasn't afraid of a woman.

After all, this was a dream.

I have the 【Tai Chu Xuan Su Jing】. Do you?

"Calm down… calm down…" Hui Gu nearly collapsed to his knees, bowing to Feng Wanxi and her entourage. "This humble monk greets Her Majesty the Empress, Imperial Consort, Virtuous Consort, Precious Consort, Virtuous Consort, Beautiful Consort, Radiant Consort, Respectful Consort…"

Sitting atop the black dog, He Pingsheng nearly turned to stone.

He turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Feng Wanxi and the others.

"Holy shit… holy shit… it's still Master Wang who knows how to play… it's still my Master Wang who knows how to play!"

"Now I finally understand why Master Wang's harem rebelled…"

"This… is way too much!"