“This is the Space-Time Sword Saint? Truly elegant and heroic.”
“One battle to slay a hundred Morning Glows. With the Sword Saint here, the Western Buddhist Kingdom is nothing but a paper tiger, easily crushed.”
“You are too optimistic. The Buddha of Selflessness from the Buddhist Kingdom reportedly emerged from seclusion a few days ago. Do you know what this means?”
“It means the Buddha of Selflessness has emerged?”
“Get lost! It means the Buddha of Selflessness is likely to have broken through to the Sky-Reaching Realm! He once said, ‘If I don’t break through to Sky-Reaching, I would rather die.’”
“Sky-Reaching…?!”
In the court of the Great Jin Dynasty, many familiar faces had disappeared, replaced by some newly appointed ministers.
Empress Qin Liuli, no longer in her usual lazy demeanor, sat upright, her aura transitioning from the purity of a young girl to the subtle charm of a mature woman.
“You must all be aware that the Buddha of Selflessness has emerged, reclaiming control over the Buddhist Kingdom. The situation is dire. Prime Minister Jiang Canghai, along with a million troops, is trapped in the vast desert, without supplies or reinforcements, teetering on the brink of life and death.”
“Of course, I am also aware that this is a conspiracy by the Buddhist Kingdom, deliberately luring the Great Jin to exhaust its forces. Rashly starting a war would likely lead to a slim chance of victory…”
“But I cannot abandon the soldiers loyal to the Great Jin, nor can I abandon the Prime Minister!”
“It was the Prime Minister who set the national policy, risking his life to divert the Buddhist Kingdom’s attention, giving the Great Jin the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Sect Alliance and achieve a complete victory. If I abandon the Prime Minister, I would also abandon each one of you in the future.”
“This is unacceptable, so… I have decided, even if there are tigers in the mountains, to still initiate the final battle in the Wilderness!”
“To fight the Western Buddhist Kingdom to the death!”
Empress Qin Liuli’s powerful voice echoed in the Golden Throne Hall, resonating in everyone’s ears.
After the battle with the Sect Alliance, many stars of generals and civil officials had undergone the baptism of blood and fire, experiencing the highs and lows of despair and hope. They had all transformed into the most iron-blooded and loyal warriors, their faces filled with determination.
“War!”
“War!!”
“War!!!”
The civil and military officials chanted softly. One person’s voice might not be loud, but when hundreds and thousands of voices converged, it could resonate throughout the entire palace.
Everyone’s face showed a resolve to die.
Except for one person, who remained indifferent.
“Minister Meng, why are you silent?” Dongfang Liuli’s phoenix eyes shifted to Meng Qingzhou, speaking calmly.
Meng Qingzhou leaned on his blind staff, standing alone in front of the civil and military officials.
The main reason was that no one dared to stand in line with Meng Qingzhou, believing they were not qualified.
“I believe Your Majesty is too blind. The officials are hot-headed, knowing there are tigers in the mountains yet still heading there. This is the bravery of a common man. Your Majesty bears the livelihood of the nation, how can you be so reckless?”
Meng Qingzhou’s cold voice rang out.
Hearing this, Dongfang Liuli frowned and said, “Then, Minister Meng, what is your brilliant plan? Do tell.”
For a moment, the Golden Throne Hall fell silent.
No one dared to speak rashly, all maintaining a neutral stance, neither supporting the Sword Saint nor the Empress. Whoever won the argument would be the one they followed, going with the flow.
Meng Qingzhou spoke calmly:
“The Buddha of Selflessness has emerged. Based on my understanding of him, the probability of him breaking through to the Sky-Reaching Realm is as high as ninety-nine percent!”
“Below the Sky-Reaching Realm, all are ants. Your Majesty has witnessed my strength, slaying a hundred Morning Glows in one battle. But that is merely invincible below the Sky-Reaching Realm, far from being comparable to the Sky-Reaching Realm.”
“Adding a few or even dozens of Morning Glows to the Great Jin Dynasty makes little difference to a Sky-Reaching cultivator.”
“Is it these twelve Morning Glows that give Your Majesty the confidence to start a war? Then I think Your Majesty is too foolish!”
“No, it can be said to be utterly foolish!”
By the end, Meng Qingzhou’s voice was stern and angry, scolding the Empress for her foolishness in front of the court officials.
The officials’ eyes twitched madly, each one terrified, yet no one stood up to rebuke him. Instead, they buried their heads deeply, wishing to pretend to be ostriches.
Damn it, the two pillars of the Great Jin are clashing!
These two seem like monarch and minister, but there’s a lot more going on. They definitely won’t fight, but where will they vent their anger? Aren’t we, the spectators, the best targets?
Thinking of this, the officials were careful not to breathe heavily, fearing to be caught in the crossfire.
“Oh?”
“You say I am foolish?!”
“Do you think I am unaware of the power of the Sky-Reaching Realm? Should the Great Jin submit to the Buddhist Kingdom, or abandon the Prime Minister and the million troops?” Dongfang Liuli retorted.
Meng Qingzhou’s face was stern.
He was very angry.
Not because Dongfang Liuli was foolish and rashly starting a war, but because she completely disregarded herself!
Clearly, her body was ailing, her lifespan nearing its end, yet she still hurriedly initiated the final battle. At this rate, even if they won against the Western Buddhist Kingdom, Dongfang Liuli would surely die from her dwindling lifespan.
“I have a plan.”
“The Empress and the court officials do not need to move. Stay in the Imperial Capital and quickly digest the foundation of the Sect Alliance. I am willing to go alone to the Buddhist Kingdom, find a way to rescue the trapped soldiers and the Prime Minister!”
“As long as the Great Jin fully digests the foundation of the Sect Alliance, supplemented by the overwhelming national fortune, the national strength will surely see a significant leap in a short time.”
“Then, it will be the best time for Your Majesty to wage war against the Buddhist Kingdom!” Meng Qingzhou said loudly.
As his words fell, the Golden Throne Hall fell silent.
The officials couldn’t help but look at the figure in the black robe, their eyes filled with disbelief!
They thought the Space-Time Sword Saint opposed the plan because he feared the Buddha of Selflessness breaking through to the Sky-Reaching Realm.
But they didn’t expect he would volunteer to go to the Buddhist Kingdom alone to rescue Jiang Canghai…
Dongfang Liuli’s phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, her teeth biting her lip, her fists clenched tightly, and she said angrily:
“No! I do not agree!”
“Space-Time Sword Saint, do you think slaying a hundred Morning Glows makes you invincible?!”
“The Western Buddhist Kingdom has a deep foundation, and the Buddha of Selflessness is suspected to have broken through to the Sky-Reaching Realm. If you dare to appear in the Buddhist Kingdom, and are discovered by the Buddha of Selflessness, it will be a disaster!”
“Are you too blindly confident?!”
Meng Qingzhou smiled calmly, neither annoyed nor angry at the ridicule.
He knew Dongfang Liuli was worried, not wanting to see him risk his life, hence her harsh words.
But, silly wife…
You can disregard your life, as your husband, how can I not risk mine for you?
“Your Majesty, I return every word you said to you.”
“The foundation of the Great Jin today, the credit belongs to whom, the people and officials know well. If even I cannot save the Prime Minister…”
“Forgive my arrogance, but no one here has the ability! Including you…”
“Empress of Great Jin, Qin! Liuli!”
Bang!!
Dongfang Liuli slammed the table in front of her, the entire table made of celestial iron instantly turned to powder. She stood up abruptly, her phoenix eyes filled with anger, and said, “Meng Qin, do you really intend to go your own way?!”
Meng Qingzhou replied coldly:
“Qin Liuli, what?”
“Do you think you can control my decisions?!”
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