Mutated Tao

After leaving the noisy hall and entering the peaceful inner palace, Gao Zhijian felt more relaxed. He looked at the greenery and flowers in the garden and sighed.

He entered the garden and sat down on a stone stool to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Suddenly, he stood up and approached a boulder in the garden before he lifted it up.

He threw the boulder up high and caught it with his bare hands. He then used the boulder to practice the martial techniques he had learned from the military cultivation manual. The eunuchs observing him from the darkness were frightened.

Gao Zhijian sighed when a thin film of sweat covered his body as he placed the boulder down.

Even though the palace had everything he wanted, he still preferred the days he lived in Cowheart Village. He could see the woman he loved, and he could use his strength to protect his comrades. More importantly, he was not as smart as he is now. He didn’t have to worry about so many things.

“You are lacking as an emperor. What kind of emperor merely listens and does nothing?” Li Huowang appeared from a shrub.

Gao Zhijian sighed and sat on the boulder, seemingly unsurprised by Li Huowang’s sudden appearance.

Gao Zhijian said, “The Dharma Sect is causing a lot of trouble, and the refugees from the Qi Kingdom as well as the war have drained the palace of much of its money. What else do you think I could do? I can’t conjure money out of thin air. Senior Li, being the Emperor is not as simple as it looks. Still, it’s reassuring that there are many officials in the palace who could deal with it, albeit simply. The people would have to compromise.”

“Compromise? Deal with it simply? If those issues aren’t dealt with properly, people will die!”

“Then what do you think I should do? What would you do if you were in my position?” Gao Zhijian didn’t know what to do.

He continued, “Everyone says that the Liang Kingdom is the best kingdom in the world, but only the people working inside know that this ‘best’ is nothing but a sham. We have leaks everywhere, and all the Emperor can do is patch up some of the leaks here and there.”

Gao Zhijian took a deep breath before he said, “Senior Li, I’m so sorry. I know that I shouldn’t talk to you about this, but I have so many things to worry about.”

Li Huowang shook his head. “Don’t worry. I understand your predicament, and I don’t blame you, but the issue with Hou Shu and Qing Qiu is of utmost importance. You need to prioritize it. They are fighting the Dharma Sect directly. If we don’t help them and they get taken over, the Liang Kingdom will be in big trouble.”

“I know, I know. But the Dharma Sect in the Liang Kingdom hasn’t been dealt with yet. We haven’t even sorted out our own problems, so how could I have the strength to go help the others?”

Li Huowang suddenly pieced the news together and frowned. “Zhijian, do you think the reason why the Dharma Sect suddenly attacked the Liang Kingdom was so that they could distract and keep us here?”

Li Huowang had been perplexed as to why the Dharma Sect had suddenly attacked Shangjing with those cannon fodders. It was unrealistic for them to think that they would win.

But what if they didn’t want to win? What if they just wanted to stall the Liang Kingdom rather than kill Gao Zhijian?

Li Huowang then remembered how the cannon fodders of the Dharma Sect could, at best, catch their eye then die like flies, without achieving any significant goals. Even though it was troublesome to deal with them, Li Huowang realized that they hadn’t encountered any significant foes—even Taishan Shi was absent. All of this made Li Huowang think that this possibility was very plausible.

“And what if you know that they are using this tactic?” A voice came from the small forest to the left.

Li Huowang saw the Imperial Preceptor walking out from amongst the trees.

The Imperial Preceptor said, “Are you not afraid that they would attack us if we send out our forces? Do you really think the world would be at peace if the Dharma Sect is eradicated?”

“Then would you rather they expand without any restriction?”

“Of course not. We have our methods.” The Imperial Preceptor took a step back.

Gao Zhijian stood up and looked at Li Huowang. “Of course, we need to help. The Surveillance Bureau had sent people over there. We will see how many troops we can squeeze out to help them after the situation stabilizes here.”

“How much you can send?! Zhijian, we’re talking about the Dharma Sect that worships god Yu’er! Do you understand how terrible it is to fall to them?! We need to fight to death against them! Do you know what happened to the Qi Kingdom when they were overtaken by god Yu’er?! Do you know what happened to the Qi Kingdom?!” Li Huowang unsheathed his spine sword and swung it at a vase.

A rift shot forward and a strange liquid poured out. The liquid splattered onto the flowers and grass. A strange sound arose as the flowers and grass started crawling around as they tainted the ground itself.

The Imperial Preceptor frowned and pointed his sword at the sky. Lightning fell from the sky and burned the mutated plants to a crisp.

“I don’t know what that is, but the Qi Kingdom is gone.” Li Huowang sheathed his spine sword again.

“I know. I know that. But Senior Li, do the generals and officials know? Do the soldiers know? Do the people of the Liang Kingdom know? Will they gladly work for half a year without pay? Will they pay their taxes early? Will they join the military and fight? I might have the ability to command them since I’m the Emperor, but I cannot do so on a whim. Every decree I give out will affect a lot of people, and many might die. Senior Li, being the Emperor doesn’t mean I can do anything I want. Those are the actions of a tyrant.”

Gao Zhijian was silent before he worked himself up to console Li Huowang. “Don’t worry. The battle is not as bad as you think. We have our own expectations. Qing Qiu and Hou Shu are also strong, so they won’t get defeated so easily. Also, Xuan Pin brought Zheng Boqiao over. The Chiefs of Qing Qiu, Hou Shu, Si QI, and the Liang Kingdom will work together so the Dharma Sect won’t be able to do much. Don’t worry. Once the Liang Kingdom stabilizes I will send out the troops.”

Li Huowang doubted his strategy. The Dharma Sect wasn’t an evil entity, but rather an endless army of civilians. The Surveillance Bureau might have a lot of members, but against an entire kingdom of people, they wouldn’t be able to do much. The Surveillance Bureau alone wouldn’t be able to go a long way.

Leaving aside how strong the higher-ranking officials of the Dharma Sect were, an endless amount of enemies was not something the Surveillance Bureau could deal with. More importantly, those who were contracted by the Surveillance Bureau were only working for the lifespan pills. Once danger came, they would abandon their loyalty and run away.

The only organization that could destroy the endless amount of cannon fodder from the Dharma Sect was the military that craved blood and war.

Li Huowang looked at Gao Zhijian and nodded. “Fine, but be quick.”

Li Huowang was about to leave when Gao Zhijian stopped him. “Senior Li, where are you going?”

“Where else? I’m going to Qing Qiu to destroy the Dharma Sect!”