Chapter 980

Though vastly different, to the ears of the court's civil and military officials, all were startled, thinking Ying Zheng intended to name an heir.

For a moment, the ministers' thoughts stirred, unsure whether to step forward and speak now.

Fortunately, after saying this, Ying Zheng did not continue on the topic, but turned to Fusu and said,

"Since the plan was your idea, you shall carry it out—do you have confidence in its success?"

In truth, this was an opportunity to win over Jin Guang and Xuanxinzheng Sect.

It could be called difficult, or it could be called simple.

Fusu, hearing Ying Zheng see through his thoughts and assign him the task, immediately rejoiced and accepted the order,

"Your subject has confidence in representing Great Qin on an embassy to Tang."

"Good! Then it is yours."

Ying Zheng joyfully issued the imperial decree to confirm it.

Great Yuan, Imperial Court.

After reading this Heavenly Dao Combat Power Flower List, Ögedei finally learned the origin of the Lotus Life Buddha.

He could not help but exclaim aloud,

"So our Great Yuan's founding is intimately tied to the Lotus Life Buddha…"

Back then, those demons and monstrous things had injured the Buddha's physical form.

Otherwise, with the Buddha's strength, his ranking could have been even higher.

How hateful and lamentable!"

Ögedei's words carried both genuine sentiment and an intent to win favor.

Most of the ministers now were new nobles of the imperial court, yet all cooperated with this new Great Khan.

"Great Khan, it is said the Heavenly Dao's Lian Wuhen Revival Pill, if taken even once, can heal even the gravest wounds."

A civil minister spoke up at this moment,

"The Life Buddha has served our Great Yuan with utmost devotion, to the point of death."

Now that he has received this Heavenly Dao-given Lian Wuhen Revival Pill, his strength is clearly about to be restored.

At that time, our Great Yuan's imperial fortune will rise once more."

The Lian Wuhen Revival Pill was not the first time it had appeared, and its nature had been explained before.

Thus, most already understood its effects.

Upon hearing that the Lotus Life Buddha would soon regain his strength thanks to the Lian Wuhen Revival Pill,

all the Great Yuan ministers present displayed joy and excitement.

Only Chancellor Yelu Chu's expression darkened, as he suddenly said,

"But the Life Buddha is not currently within Great Yuan territory…"

"…"

The ministers, who had just been cheering, fell silent all at once.

Their expressions were as if an invisible hand had gripped their throats.

Indeed, the Lian Wuhen Revival Pill could restore any wound, and was priceless.

The Lotus Life Buddha's current ranking was due to lingering injuries from his past life, causing him to appear on the list prematurely.

With the Lian Wuhen Revival Pill, the Lotus Life Buddha's ancient combat power will be restored in short order.

But the problem now is that the Lotus Life Buddha is precisely not in Great Yuan.

He is currently abroad, and thus many uncertainties arise.

"Great Khan, Grand Master."

Mu Huali, the King of Lu and another Heavenly Dao Golden List expert, spoke up at this moment,

"Perhaps the Grand Master's concern is valid, but the Lotus Life Buddha is no ordinary expert."

Even if he is not within Great Yuan territory, seizing the Lian Wuhen Revival Pill from him will not be easy, would it?"

"The King of Lu speaks wisely."

Ögedei finally wiped his brow and said,

"Then dispatch a team immediately to meet the Life Buddha."

Let him take the Lian Wuhen Revival Pill as soon as possible."

I hope the Life Buddha fully recovers his former glory, not that further troubles arise."

"Great Khan, your benevolence."

Yelu Chu and others immediately chorused in flattery.

Immediately, Adu selected a team of honored experts to go and meet the Lotus Life Buddha.

Having concluded discussion on the Lotus Life Buddha, they were about to shift focus to the key second-place contender, Jin Guang.

Ögedei had many things he wished to say, when suddenly—

Adu rushed into the hall, frantic,

"Great Khan! Prince Ruyang and his party have arrived at the northern city gate!"

Prince Ruyang has arrived?

The last time the Heavenly Dao Flower List was revealed, Zhao Min and Han Ji were among those linked to Prince Ruyang.

Precisely because of this, Ögedei had granted Prince Ruyang's heir the title of First-Class Hou Jue, and ordered Prince Ruyang's family to come to the imperial court to thank him.

The decree had been issued long ago.

Yet Prince Ruyang's side had taken no further action since.

Who would have thought that at this critical moment, Prince Ruyang would suddenly arrive at the northern gate?

Wokuotai was first startled, then overjoyed, and said,

"Prince Ruyang arrives at such an opportune moment — excellent, excellent!

King Lu and Grand Preceptor, you two shall represent this Khan and go welcome Prince Ruyang's party into the city.

Aodu, order the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a feast at once.

This Khan wishes to hold a welcome banquet for Prince Ruyang's family in the Imperial Court."

The matter the Heavenly Dao Golden List needed to discuss was indeed heavy, but Prince Ruyang's arrival at the Imperial Court was no small matter either.

After a brief weighing of the options, Wokuotai decided to handle Prince Ruyang's matter first.

Yelu Chu and Mu Huali received Wokuotai's decree and immediately withdrew.

Since the Great Khan had named the two of them to receive the guest,

it was clear he intended to give Prince Ruyang full face.

Therefore the two of them brought along all the civil and military officials in the Imperial Court — every ranked official followed them to the north of the city.

When the city gates were opened, they saw banners fluttering to the north.

Countless sturdy sons of the Northern Kingdom sat astride their warhorses, quietly bathed in the cold wind.

At their head was precisely Prince Ruyang, whose face was somewhat aged but whose spirit remained vigorous, along with his legitimate son Kuokuo.

"Yelu Chu and Mu Huali, leading civil and military colleagues, have come to greet His Highness Prince Ruyang."

From afar, Yelu Chu rode forward and warmly greeted Prince Ruyang.

Prince Ruyang sat astride his Xiaoyao horse and saw the Imperial Court's city gates thrown wide open, with countless high officials and nobles coming out of the city to greet him, led by Yelu Chu and Mu Huali.

Hearing Yelu Chu's warm words, he no longer held back, immediately urging his horse forward, dismounting, and cupping his fists in salute,

"Old Chahan pays respects to Grand Preceptor, my lord."

In terms of noble rank, naturally Prince Ruyang's was higher.

But in terms of position at court, it was rather Yelu Chu, who held both the title of Grand Preceptor and Chancellor, who stood highest.

Yelu Chu did not presume on his status either; he dismounted, helped Prince Ruyang up as the prince was about to bow, and said with a smile,

"Why has Prince Ruyang arrived so swiftly this time, without sending word ahead? You've left us rather flustered, ha!"

"Hm?"

Prince Ruyang was taken aback by these words and said to Yelu Chu,

"Whatever does the Grand Preceptor mean by that?

Since this prince received the royal decree conferring upon my son Kuokuo the title of first-rank Hou Jue, ordering my whole household to come to the Imperial Court to Xie En,

the entire household has been overjoyed.