Heart Survey

Chapter 2805 Stealing the Country
Shakyamuni is also Shakyamuni!

In the Jing language, “释” means “to put down” and “迦” means “to walk”. “释迦” can be interpreted as “putting down everything and walking in the world”.

In Sanskrit, "Shakya" means "capable and compassionate."

Both interpretations can represent "Buddha". "Buddha" is a state of perfection, another name for "immortality".

When Boyong unlocks his shackles in front of the Buddha Temple of the Worldly King, it is to fulfill his initial promise to Xiong Yizhen and to achieve the most complete liberation, leading him to the fulfillment he seeks.

He had walked this road many years ago.

As the eldest son of Emperor Jingtai Ji Yusu, he was sent to the Taoist Palace as a Taoist disciple from a young age... He was the best among all the disciples in both literary and martial arts, and the head of all the Taoist masters in Taoist studies.

While Emperor Jingtai led his army on campaigns, he remained in Tianjing, managing state affairs with remarkable efficiency. When Emperor Jingtai was in command of the central government, he led his army into battle, achieving resounding victories.

He had no flaws in civil administration, military prowess, or Taoist philosophy.

He was the perfect crown carefully cultivated by the Taoist sect to take over secular power, and was a "Taoist ruler" who would truly unify royal and imperial power.

And this is the only reason why he is not favored by Heaven.

But he couldn't change the fact that his mother came from Mount Daluo. He was also sent to the Dao Palace at a young age, which wasn't his own decision.

Those adults arranged everything, and at different times they gave him different attitudes. They sent him down that path, yet blamed him for going too far.

When needed, he would refer to himself as "my precious son," "the holy child of destiny," or "the future of the Dao Kingdom."

When something is no longer needed, it's called a thief!
Killing a greedy dragon-fox was clearly a martial art that would shake the heavens, but when he turned around, it turned out to be "inauspicious"!
Boyong understood that emperors were ruthless political beings, and could even comprehend the difficulties Emperor Jingtaizu faced in maintaining control of the central government.

Reaching the top with the support of Taoism, expanding under the constraints of Taoism, achieving success through Taoism, and also being confined by Taoism... It is not easy to be a ruler.

He accepted being stripped of his title as crown prince and exiled to the sacred fox clan land of Qingqiu to die, because he was born into an imperial family.

The imperial family must break free from the constraints of Taoism in order to establish a truly eternal dynasty; otherwise, it will forever remain a vassal of Taoism. The so-called emperor of the central empire will forever be a pageboy before the three Taoist masters.

He saw through these things very clearly, and he could become the price for the Ji clan to ascend to the top of the heavens.

Because if he were a ruler, he would do the same; a ruler's choices are actually quite limited. A ruler with lofty ambitions can only move forward.

The only person he couldn't understand was his younger brother... Ji Furen.

His most beloved and closest younger brother, the sixteenth brother whose mother was from a poor family, who was kind and timid from childhood, and who was disliked by their father.

While Shang Hua and Zi Zhao were locked in a fierce battle with him, he stood firmly by his side, only to be caught in his crossfire... time and again, he was beaten bloody under the guise of friendly sparring. The palace was severely strained, even cultivation resources were being cut. Such a steadfast younger brother!

Even after he had lost power and the Crown Prince's palace had fallen out of favor, the only one who disregarded gossip and the Emperor's wrath, constantly paying his respects and bringing him porridge time and time again, was such a warm-hearted younger brother!

In his cold, empty home, he felt the only genuine warmth he could find. In the golden palace of power, he grasped the only ray of warmth he could grasp.

He decided to fight to the death, to secure his future with an indisputable victory, and thus signed a military pledge to personally attack the demon race.

Before he set off for the campaign, it was his sixteenth brother who beat the drum for him!
He risked his life to fight the dragon fox and won a great victory, earning the support of the frontline soldiers.

What followed was a forceful crackdown that even the emperor was too lazy to bother with.

On the day he was exiled to Qingqiu, his sixteenth brother crawled on his knees to see him off, recounting his achievements to the whole world, and even shedding tears of blood.

He promised his sixteenth brother that he would definitely come back.

What dangers would a human encounter in the heart of the demon realm? What kind of targeting would they face? How many hardships would they have to endure?

Many years later, the person named Jiang Wang should understand.

The bodhisattvas who were trapped in the demon realm on Mount Sumeru generation after generation also used their lives to prove it.

He returned alive from Qingqiu!

But the process was not as glorious as Jiang Wang's. No human True Lords came to welcome him, nor did Xing Nian pave the way or Bu Lian build the bridge.

He repeatedly defeated powerful demons in Qingqiu, single-handedly carving out a bloody path, but was captured by the Qingqiu Patriarch, the Holy Bodhisattva Fox Fane, just as he was about to escape.

They said it was to atone for his sin of killing the dragon and fox, and to make him a slave and servant.

In reality, it was to trample on the dignity of the Jing Kingdom and insult the human race by disgracing the former crown prince of the Central Empire.

He fought tooth and nail to survive. But people hate him for not dying, for clinging to life, and for bringing shame upon humanity.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to live. And dying for one's people seems to make sense as well.

Whether he seized a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and used his wisdom and courage to carve out a path to survival, or whether Fox Demon intentionally let him return to disrupt the world, he couldn't really say.

The day he returned to the present world was the same day Shang Hua was deposed. He launched a coup at Que Ting, the military camp he was stationed at in the capital, but he was suppressed in an instant before he could even break through the gates of the camp.

The crown prince was Zizhao.

He was a Taoist disciple of Penglai, and his mother was the Jade Book Immortal of Penglai Island. His name was recorded in the Lingbao Jade Book, which gave him significant influence in the Taoist community.

Boyong did not return to Tianjing City, nor did he return to Daluo Mountain. Instead, he hid in the Xinye Continent of Yuyuan.

By this time, he understood that Zizhao would die sooner or later.

When Zizhao became the crown prince, his rival was no longer his brothers and sisters, but his father, the monarch who established the national system.

He belatedly realized that Fu Ren was the emperor's chosen heir apparent, and that his seemingly illustrious elder brothers were nothing more than corpses paving the way for the throne.

They were branches of the Daoist lineage that had been intentionally nurtured, receiving the wind and dew, waiting for the emperor to prune them drastically.

The imperial court is ruthless!

And what role did his sixteenth brother play in all of this?

He would not do as the demons wished, returning to his country to cause trouble and split the central empire.

He was disheartened and only wanted to live the rest of his life as an ordinary person.

But at this moment, Zi Zhao found him.

The current crown prince hunts down the former crown prince, who was hiding his identity and had ulterior motives, thus personally eliminating any potential threat to his power. This is an exceptionally plausible plot in the power narrative.

This was a useless son abandoned by everyone, who suddenly rose up and killed the crown prince of the Central Empire... This is a chapter that appears in many folk tales.

The difference lies in—

Before his death, Zi Zhao said that he had been lured here by Fu Ren. The person who understood him best in the world was the first to find his whereabouts, and instead of sending greetings, he brought danger.

Years later, when he faced off against Fu Ren's army, Fu Ren said that it was Zi Zhao's revenge, using death as a pawn, with the aim of turning the brothers against each other. By then, Zi Zhao had already lost power in the power struggle and wanted to deliberately annoy them before his defeat.

Boyong can't tell the difference.

Even today, he can't tell which image truly represents Ji Furen: the kind-hearted younger brother, the benevolent but weak prince, and the near-perfect emperor.

Among the countless faces rushing by, he only knew that he had lost everything and couldn't find peace. For a loser, even living is defined as a sin.

He created the illusion of dying together with Zizhao, then disappeared into the crowd, plotting to reclaim everything... The twists and turns in this story are a mundane tale. He did not prove himself to be the protagonist of his era, and therefore cannot be fully recounted in history books.

In the end, however, he helped Xiong Yizhen successfully thwart the southward invasion of the Central Empire.

For the first time in his life, he saw Ji Furen's angry expression. He saw a face unlike any he had ever seen before. At that moment, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

However, his Dao was also personally destroyed by Emperor Wen of the Great Jing Dynasty, and his flesh and blood were stripped away. He only had a remnant soul left, which was rescued by Xiong Yizhen and rebuilt in the Peach Blossom Spring... After that, he remained in the treasure chamber of the underground palace to recuperate and wait for the future.

This wait lasted for more than three thousand years.

……

Xiao Linzheng, who was galloping across the snow-white hills, had a pale hand pressed against his forehead.

Snapped!
His entire head was pressed into his chest cavity.

The unrestrained youth in the Listening Bamboo Academy, the magnificent tiger skin of my cousin Pei Hongjiu, the courage to use a tablet as a sword in the Censorate... all of these moments of ultimate pleasure have been lost in an eternal void.

And so, crimson swept over the flushed face.

Yu Qiongzhi, with skin as cold as jade, suddenly sat up and pushed the Jing Kingdom envoy, who was investigating the traitor Pingdeng with her, off the bed. Her face trembled like frozen snow, and she was filled with uncontrollable rage: "What are you doing?!"

This was originally intended as a friendly exchange between Jingdezhen and Lijiang.

It should be noted that as the Joyful Sect has grown and the number of Joyful Attendants has increased rapidly, she rarely goes out into the streets anymore. Unlike when she first started preaching, beginning with giving alms to beggars and enjoying herself along the streets.

Although she is open to "anyone", she is very dependent on fate and does not accept being "called out".

Xiao Linzheng was willing to personally experience the joy and secrets of the Li Kingdom and gain a deeper understanding of its future. She also represented the Li Kingdom in showing tolerance and fulfilling her duties as a host.

Besides, she's also from the Jing Kingdom!
This is like meeting an old friend in a foreign land; it's like a thunderbolt from the blue meeting a fire from the earth.

Xiao Linzheng's death was against her principles.

The way to happiness is to bring people to bliss, not to take their lives.

She originally combined the secret Dao of the Three Fragrance Pavilion, the Yin-Yang Furnace, to create the Mysterious Female Corpse Pill, which indeed grants lifespan through intercourse, taking three to seven days of life from each man.

But later, after receiving the "Golden Collarbone Bodhisattva Sutra," she comprehended the great principles of Yin and Yang, the true meaning of compassion, and her view of Guanyin was no longer so petty. Instead, she pursued great harmony and sought that joy.

The true meaning here is "to give others true enjoyment, and to cultivate oneself."

Now that the Jing Kingdom's envoy has died on her body, isn't this ruining the reputation of the Joyful Sect?
Yu Qiongzhi's naked body was white with specks of red interspersed among the snow.

The uninvited guest who had killed Xiao Linzheng was pale with a bluish tinge. He looked at the woman cruelly, with a hint of amusement: "I'm sick of hearing the stories of governing the country these days. I thought it was some kind of fish basket bodhisattva... turns out it's a corpse bodhisattva!"

"Insolence!" Yu Qiongzhi, who was furious, was startled and her voice suddenly rose: "I am the 'Mirror Man' of the Great Jing Dynasty, my name is on the register, and I have a rank and honors!"

Just then, a cold voice came from outside the door—"Kill him."

Qingyan twitched his hawk-like nose and grabbed with his backhand: "I'm going to kill Jing the dog!"

Yu Qiongzhi arched her delicate body, truly resembling a silver fish emerging from the water. Behind her was a joyful, Zen-like shadow, and the bedroom was filled with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. Amidst the splashing sounds, she vanished from the realm of Yin and Yang, escaping from the bed.

As soon as he turned around, the opponent's claws were still looming in front of him.

"We're on the same side, my lord!" Yu Qiongzhi immediately abandoned any thoughts of resistance and hurriedly said, "I am acting on the orders of Lord Chen Cuo and the command of the Eastern Celestial Master—"

Qingyan pinched Yu Qiongzhi's neck with her five fingers and laughed, "What does this have to do with me?"

A constant alarm bell rang in Yu Qiongzhi's heart!
Isn't this a power struggle within Jing's country?
Doesn't Xiao Linzheng represent the Emperor's faction?
Weren't the people who committed the murder from Penglai Island?
When the envoy from Jing Kingdom arrived, she immediately sent a message to Penglai Island, preparing to flee. It was Chen Cuo who told her not to panic, that the matter would be resolved soon.

Otherwise, if she really did visit the Temple of the Holy Emperor, would the visit take that long?

She only returned to deal with the situation after confirming that the central envoy was Lou Junlan and after receiving assurances from Chen Cuo.

"wrong!"

Yu Qiongzhi left her head in Qingyan's hands, but knelt down, her body as smooth as jade, her curves graceful, her hands raised to the sky and pressed to the ground, to show that she had no intention of resisting.

The head being held by Qingyan was filled with sobs: "Jing Kingdom is all pretense, Penglai has never shown true feelings, and Li Kingdom is nothing but a muddy puddle with flowing turbid water. I am not one of them, who will pity me!"

Tears welled up in her eyes: "I am your dog, I am your descendant, carrying on your spirit, I admire you... Ancestor of Corpses!"

Qing Yan looked down, a hint of interest finally appearing in his sinister eyes: "You recognize me?"

He had long since transformed from Yin to Yang, hovering on the edge of transcendence. With Yu Qiongzhi's strength, she shouldn't have been able to detect his corpse nature. Unless this so-called Corpse Bodhisattva possesses far more than what he's shown… his depths are truly profound.

“I didn’t recognize you before, but my corpse nature tells me that you are the source of corpses, an immortal spirit.” Yu Qiongzhi wept, “You have no idea how difficult life has been for corpse cultivators since you left. They are hated and despised by everyone. Your grandson crawled out from the pile of corpses, walked this narrow path, and vowed to change all of this, to restore the glory of the corpse path, and to welcome you back—”

Qingyan placed her head on her body: "Tell me why you're here."

Yu Qiongzhi stretched her neck slightly, remaining kneeling, her eyes clear: "Back then, when I went to Huai Island, I intended to find the remains of Rakshasa Mingyuejing to improve my own cultivation. On the way, I was stopped by a disciple of the Celestial Master of Penglai Island named Chen Cuo. He represented the Eastern Celestial Master and passed on the 'Golden Collarbone Bodhisattva Sutra' to me, giving me the identity of Mirror World Platform and ordering me to govern the country... to help the country develop, and thus restrain Qi and Chu."

Qingyan scrutinized her: "Which side are you on?"

"Internal conflicts are rampant in Jing Kingdom. Penglai Island claims to be working for the central government, continuing Jing Kingdom's system of wielding power, but its actions are secretive, suggesting ulterior motives; Xiao Linzheng is showing off in Li Kingdom, wanting to teach Qi Chu a lesson, belonging to the Imperial Party, and also representing various noble families to gain credit; Lou Junlan is a loyal member of the Imperial Party with no support, and although she doesn't speak, I think she's after the Eastern Celestial Master..." Yu Qiongzhi craned her neck to look: "Which side should I stand on?"

Qing Yan chuckled and kicked her over: "You spineless thing, you're the Bodhisattva of the Kingdom of Li."

His actions this time were merely to negotiate terms with Boyong; he didn't truly care about the state of Jing. But this Yu Qiongzhi was truly a talent; despite her flirtatious and despicable appearance, she was more astute than anyone else. With just a few words, she gave him a clear understanding of the situation.

The current chaos among humans can be considered a way of repaying Siliang's kindness and settling old scores. As for why the sea race didn't live to see this day, that's their own problem, not because Qingyan is ungrateful.

Yu Qiongzhi rolled on the ground and stood up smoothly: "Jingguo has gone too far, treating Li people like pigs and dogs! Lou Junlan, as the chief envoy, insulted the ancestral temple and spat on my lord. Xiao Linzheng, as the deputy envoy, insulted my abbot and coveted my relics, and I killed him in retaliation—I will go and kill that vile servant Lou Junlan now, to eliminate any possibility of peace, and to show the unyielding determination of Liguo!"

His angry expression was a testament to his loyalty to the country.

Being completely naked demonstrates an open and honest heart.

Qing Yan grew increasingly fond of this younger woman, picked up the dress from the ground, and tossed it onto her. With someone like her around, even if he didn't return as expected, how could the path of the corpses not flourish?

Yu Qiongzhi has always been very proactive. By the time she put on her dress, her hair was already styled, and she turned back to the Fan family's gate with graceful steps.

She rushed in: "Where is the envoy from Jing Kingdom? I have important news to report!"

Even though she was confident that she could defeat Lou Junlan today, she would still try to launch a sneak attack if possible.

Inside the Fan residence, Lou Junlan was still drinking with Fan Wushu, discussing the exchanges between the two countries.

Having obtained an important clue from Fan Wushu, she naturally wouldn't rashly return to Jing Kingdom immediately, nor would she use those secret methods of communication—

Given that the upheaval in the country involved that historical figure, even the most secretive communication channels could hardly be considered safe.

Any unnecessary actions at this stage would only alert the enemy.

She continued to use the pretext of accepting the surrender of the state to secretly investigate the Eastern Celestial Master's Mansion, but she couldn't find anything out. Then, in normal state affairs exchanges, she calmly sent the warning hidden in history back to Tianjing City.

This is also the hidden worry behind Fan Wushu's practice of pointing to the book without speaking.

From Fan Wushu's perspective, everything he does is for the sake of governing the country. However, the Lord of the Mountain and Sea Dao landed his phoenix here, the Eastern Celestial Master pointed out Chen Cuo's mistakes here, the "lifeless one" from the Chu Kingdom's underground palace has also appeared near the country, and now the Jing Kingdom's envoy has arrived with imperial credentials—their intentions are far-reaching…

He had a premonition that a terrible storm was about to break out here.

The country had been weak for thousands of years, and after finally enjoying a few years of prosperity and glory, it was about to pay the price.

All he wanted was for Li Kingdom to escape this vortex and not become collateral damage. The adventure hinted at the identity of the "lifeless one," hoping that Jing Kingdom would push the battlefield out of the country.

Yining City simply cannot withstand too much wind and rain. No matter how rapidly it develops, it is still far from being able to keep up.

The host and guests shared a tacit understanding of enjoying drinks together.

"The Tianjing National Academy will allocate two places to help the Li Kingdom cultivate talents..." Lou Junlan smiled and raised her glass.

Fan Wushu responded positively: "I'll entrust Xie Guiwan and Shen Ci to the envoy's care; they will cherish this opportunity. Next year's Yellow River Conference—"

At this point, his expression suddenly changed, because Yu Qiongzhi had returned, saying that it was "important business," and her voice quickly drew closer.

Without a word, Lou Junlan's eyes sparkled like a fish leaping from a deep pool, and she moved like a gentle breeze, disappearing through the window.

When Yu Qiongzhi rushed over, there was only warm wine and leftover food on the table, and only Fan Wushu was left in the room.

"Master Yu!" Fan Wushu hurriedly stopped him, "Why are you in such a panic?"

Yu Qiongzhi didn't bother with him at all. She flashed past him and leaped into the clouds: "Those who covet my country are traitors to the world! The Jing Kingdom wants to destroy the ancestral temple of my Dali Kingdom. Now I have captured the head of the traitor and will show it to you all!"

Fan Wushu could try to mediate and pull the fight while "unaware of the truth," but he could not directly attack Yu Qiongzhi and could only watch helplessly as she chased after the departing girl.

He hurried after her, asking, "Is there some misunderstanding?"

Above the clouds, nothing unusual can be seen for thousands of miles.

Yu Qiongzhi treads on clouds and mist, hovering in mid-air with her palms clasped together, her face displaying a dignified countenance: "Looking at the people of the world, is there anyone who is not joyful?"

This is the territory of the Li Kingdom and the Joyful Sect!

The Bodhisattva Fish Basket's charity, if not benefiting all the men of the country, at least blessed every neighborhood.

At that moment, as the hand seal was formed, heaven and earth responded to the call. Countless believers looked up, calling out in rapt attention, "Your Majesty!"

Amidst the sea of ​​clouds, pinkish-red mists rose, resembling peach blossoms in a miasma. As light as a veil, they simply draped over the clouds, creating a clear human figure in the air.

It was Lou Junlan, who was trying to escape.

Her body twisted and turned in mid-air, dispersing countless blue cloud imprints, but the space for maneuvering became smaller and smaller, until she was finally entangled in red gauze, adding three points of extra color to her appearance... and then she fell headfirst.

In any other place, with her numerous secret techniques and illustrious lineage, she could easily have escaped several rounds. But today's Li Kingdom is practically the sacred ground of the Fish Basket Bodhisattva.

Yu Qiongzhi gently held the Jing Kingdom envoy in her hand, her face flushed with a joyful intoxication: "You lowly servant, do you have anything else to say?"

Lou Junlan knew that this mission had run aground and that there was little chance of survival. However, she refused to diminish the prestige of the Jing Kingdom, and defiantly glared, declaring, "I am the envoy of the Great Jing Empire, bearing the imperial credentials to inquire of the world—traitors will be exterminated, and rebellious nations will be destroyed. If you harm me even a hair today, the entire Jing Kingdom will be buried in the future!"

The voice flew out from behind the red veil, leaving only "I am the envoy of the Central Great Jing Empire, bearing the imperial seal to inquire of the world—a rebellious nation will surely perish, and a nation that governs will be buried!"

Lou Junlan's voice was real, and the threat of national subjugation was real.

"I refuse to be Consort Jing, and our emperor refuses to be a slave to Jing. Does that make us a rebellious nation? Then how many rebellious people are there in the world!" Yu Qiongzhi was furious: "Even on the verge of death, you are still so arrogant!"

He then slapped his hand and said, "Though the country is small, its dignity cannot be insulted. I will now offer your blood as a sacrifice to the flag of the Republic!"

Fan Wushu rushed over and saw this scene. He reached out to stop them, but ultimately stood still.

This was someone sent by Chen Cuo. He dared not think too much about who was behind Chen Cuo.

In reality, Li Guo never had a choice.

It's been the same all these years!
Yu Qiongzhi's icy palm easily shattered Lou Junlan's body, and the blood that splattered like rain stained the sky red... But in her eyes, she saw a glimpse of green.

Like a faint shadow on a red veil, you subconsciously try to ignore it, but it becomes clearer and clearer, until it burns so brightly that it hurts your eyes.

Yu Qiongzhi blinked, snapped out of her daze, and raised her palm like a cloud chasing the moon, grabbing at Lou Junlan, who had somehow slipped from her grasp.

But then everything blurred before my eyes!
"Let's stop here." From the shadows, a figure with long hair reaching her heels and a crown robe adorned with azure flame patterns seemed to be watching her.

The voice was soft, yet clear: "Her name is not on the Book of Life and Death."

The envoy from Jing could die in Li. This is because it is the result of various states making moves and competing with each other.

But Lou Junlan cannot truly die. Because King Qin Guang will not allow it!
At that moment, a thousand thoughts raced through Yu Qiongzhi's mind.

She wondered if the ancestral corpse Qingyan could completely kill King Qin Guang, who had become the Yama King.
Could I take this opportunity to eliminate future troubles and get rid of this respectable and lovable leader completely?
The thought vanished in an instant.

She understood that although King Qin Guang was a treacherous person, he was currently making a move, but his true body was surely guarding the underworld.

Even if Qingyan were incredibly powerful, it would be difficult to break into the Yama's Palace and kill the ruthless King Yama, let alone consider whether Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had recovered. There are too many unforeseen circumstances; what if the snake isn't killed...?

Furthermore, Qingyan is no good either, and it's not certain that he can be guided to fulfill this dream of driving away one tiger to devour another.

“Since it is King Qin Guang who has spoken, we must give him this face.” Yu Qiongzhi said calmly, releasing her five fingers.

The coded message of "Hell Has No Gates" vanished like kindling falling into the fading green flames—

"Boss, we're like brothers, you're the boss!"

King Qin Guang of the Yama Palace and the Fish Basket Bodhisattva of the Kingdom of Li are strangers in public, but brothers in private.

The image of Lou Junlan, the envoy of Jing Kingdom, dying bloomed in the sky above Li Kingdom. The real body of Lou Junlan fell into the boundless underworld.

She closed her eyes and fell into a green coffin, her breathing steady, she had fallen into a deep sleep.

"Since you saved her, why didn't you wake her up?" King Biancheng, who stood beside the jade coffin with a bird's head and a human body, was somewhat puzzled.

The handsome King of Hell on the throne spoke coldly: "If she'd rather die than not send the intelligence back to the Jing Kingdom, should I grant her permission or not?"

He didn't care about Jingguo.

He didn't care about her either.

……

……

The delegation sent by the mighty Central Empire to Liguo numbered over a thousand, with its entourage consisting mostly of elite military personnel.

However, under the sudden and brutal crackdown by the Li Kingdom, they couldn't stir up any trouble at all. In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, they were either imprisoned or killed.

Only one old soldier with gray hair, who had supported the old Xia dynasty and was familiar with the customs of the southern region, was with the team. Just before the unexpected happened, he squeezed into the outhouse under the pretext of difficulty in using the toilet.

Even as the fighting raged, he did not come out.

The generals of the State of Li broke open the toilet door and even probed the cesspool with guns, but naturally they did not find him... He simply disappeared.

Neither the search array nor the spirit dog that had long remembered the scent could find any trace.

Just as Yining City was under martial law and a massive search for enemy soldiers was underway, Ji Boyong, who had been "released from his shackles," came alone to this outhouse.

Her long, loose hair was now tied up, and she wore a simple casual outfit, which completely changed her demeanor, making her appear noble.

His nose was high and straight, with a full and prominent tip. His forehead bone was prominent in the center, shaped like the sun, smooth and full. The so-called "prominent nose" and "sun-shaped nose" were the marks of an emperor.

Without uttering a word, it exudes a solemn and divine radiance.

He slowly squatted down in front of the cesspool, watching the maggots crawling in and out of the filth, and a simple smile appeared on his face, like a child watching ants crawling in the sand. The path to perfection, childlike innocence.

Finally, the filth surged up, and Ji Yumin, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan Court of the Great Jing Dynasty, emerged from the cesspool with a gray head, drooping white eyebrows, and a complicated expression as he looked at Ji Boyong.

This is a very meaningful gaze, spanning thousands of years.

The mischievous boy, once perched atop the densely foliaged jujube tree, watched the man below who was catching him.

"Uncle Min, it's been a long time." Ji Boyong smiled broadly. "After all these years, you're still so... careful."

Ji Yumin remained soaking in the cesspool without saying a word, his expression calm and composed, as if he were taking a bath: "As noble as you are, your divine sense has actually swept away the filth."

He didn't simply dive into the cesspool; instead, he turned into dust and drifted in the sewage.

Even a top expert like Ji Boyong would have to use his divine sense to examine every inch of filth to find his trace. If he wasn't careful, he would miss him... Why bother?
Ji Boyong's smile remained undiminished: "Even someone as distinguished as you is hiding here?"

"What harm can dung do to me?" Ji Yumin was completely unconcerned about his own situation, and simply sighed, "Boyong, why bother!"

Ji Boyong looked at him, but stopped smiling: "You are my elder, you watched me grow up. You know I didn't do anything wrong... I didn't do anything wrong."

“You did not do anything wrong during your time as Crown Prince. But…” Ji Yumin’s eyes were slightly cloudy: “Would you still like to listen to Uncle Min’s stories?”

“I’m glad you’re still willing to talk,” Ji Boyong said.

He possessed a sincerity rarely seen among imperial descendants, which was why he was so popular in the past. The failures of Shang Hua and Zi Zhao were not as regrettable to the people of Jing as his.

"It's in the Eastern Kingdom, look over there—" Ji Yumin raised his hand and pointed east: "There is a hegemonic kingdom that replaced the old Yang. Its name is 'Qi,' and the emperor who created this hegemony was named 'Jiang Shu,' who had a son named 'Jiang Wuliang.' Just as Jing relied on the Taoist sect, Qi relied on the Buddhist sect's Kurong Temple. Jiang Wuliang was also raised as a Buddhist from childhood, and in the end, he attained enlightenment as Amitabha Buddha and murdered the emperor in the Donghua Pavilion to seize the throne."

"This is nothing new, whether it's ancient or modern. Since you are a Daoist disciple, if you don't sever ties with the Daoist sect, your father will have no choice but to kill you. Even if becoming a Daoist disciple was not your choice."

"Otherwise, Jiang Shu's fate today will be the same as your father's fate back then."

Several flies swarmed around, drawn by the stench and gathered because of the excrement, but neither the two people inside nor outside the cesspool paid any attention.

Ji Boyong's expression was insincere: "So what? He's more benevolent and more like a father than my father?"

Ji Yumin looked at him and said, "Perhaps your father is more cautious than him."

Ji Boyong smiled coldly: "But my father's ending wasn't much better either."

"You still think that you caused his death?" Ji Yumin's eyes turned gloomy: "He died from the backlash of the failure of the Six Harmonies, he died from the decision of the three sects of the Dao lineage, and you were just an ignorant blade among them."

The earth-shattering assassination attempt outside Tianjing City completely rewrote the history of the Central Empire. The great figure who established the national system met his end. And this ending was already destined when he forcibly seized the fruits of the various clans, sent Zong Dezhen to Yujing Mountain, but failed to fulfill his promise to unify the six kingdoms.

Even Sima Heng failed to see this part of history clearly. In "The Historical Sword Carves the Sea," he only wrote about the end of Ji Yusu's political career, without mentioning his life or death, nor did he mention what Ji Boyong did at that time.

Ji Boyong knew, of course, that his role back then was merely that of a tool; he had never cared, yet he wasn't ignorant. He squatted there, his voice somber: "When he wanted me dead, whose tool was he?"

Ji Yumin stared at him intently, unable to answer.

Ji Boyong continued, "You mean to say that the emperor did nothing wrong. I agree. I'm not saying he was wrong, I'm just saying that I—I'm saying that I wasn't wrong either."

"I was not wrong back then, and I am not wrong now."

His words were clear and consistent with his reasoning: "I don't want to die. I respect my instinct to live. I uphold my desire to live in this world. I want to take back everything I've lost."

“Boyong!” Ji Yumin’s voice rose a few decibels, then fell back down: “That has become history. Whether right or wrong, it is now a relic, for future generations to mourn or learn from. The present is the era of Ji Fengzhou. He is the most promising monarch to achieve unification of the six kingdoms, and the great cause that the Ji family has longed for for generations will be accomplished in his hands.”

Ji Boyong remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "The descendants will either repay the debts of their ancestors."

Ji Yumin pressed his hands against the edge of the latrine and looked up into the distance: "Li Guo... this is the Dao field of the Dao Lord of the Mountains and Seas, isn't it? I came with the group to interfere with His path, to stop His earthly affairs, and to prevent Him from going any further."

"What business is it of yours what the Daoist Master of the Mountains and Seas walks on? Has Ji Furen used the Central Empire as a tool for his own Dao struggle? Has your emperor tacitly approved of it?" Ji Boyong raised his eyebrows, his voice cold and laced with laughter: "Is this the so-called era of Ji Fengzhou?"

To speak of transcendence is itself proof of strength.

A powerful figure like him, standing outside the gates of transcendence, is not afraid of being perceived by Ji Furen. Or rather, now that he has appeared in the Li Kingdom, he can no longer escape Ji Furen's gaze, so whether he conceals himself or not makes no difference.

Ji Yumin's remarks about the Lord of the Mountain and Sea Dao also illustrate this point.

“You don’t understand the current emperor. Boyong, times have changed. He faces greater challenges than you did back then, and he’s done a better job than you did back then.” Ji Yumin, like an ordinary old man, struggled to get up from the edge of the latrine.

“Uncle Min.” Ji Boyong reached out and pressed his shoulder: “I don’t want to kill you, and you shouldn’t leave either. I’ll send you to the treasure chamber of the underground palace later… wait for me to come and get you. It will be soon.”

Ji Yumin stood there, finally revealing a sorrowful expression: "I hid here, actually just wanting to see you. But I never imagined that my descendant of the Ji family, the first crown prince of the Great Jing Empire, would still be trapped in Xiong Yizhen's old scheme. Your body has been freed, but your soul will never be free. Even today, you still have to cooperate with the Chu Kingdom!"

What saddened him was that the "Underground Palace Treasure Chamber" was not a prison for Ji Boyong. He spoke of it as if it were his own home.

“You don’t understand Xiong Yizhen, and you don’t understand me at all.” Ji Boyong shook his head: “You didn’t understand me back then either.”

Ji Yumin stared at him blankly, and finally said only, "Boyong, next time we meet, you must do your best to kill me."

The body of this Minister of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs slowly sank into the cesspool.

Only the edge of the latrine remained a pair of clear, fecal handprints.

From the very beginning, what he was hiding here was a fake.

He had already escaped, before anyone even realized it.

Ji Boyong paused for a moment, then finally smiled and said, "Still so... careful!"

……

……

Summer Solstice, 3946 of the Dao calendar.

A momentous event has occurred in the Southern Region that will shake the world and the heavens—

The Central Great Jing Empire sent Lou Junlan and Xiao Linzheng as envoys to the Southern Region to question the Li Kingdom, but they were overthrown by the Li Kingdom.

The chief envoy and his deputy were both executed, and the entire delegation of over a thousand people was wiped out in one fell swoop.

This is an extremely rare humiliation in the history of the Jing Kingdom!

Of all the envoys sent abroad by the Central Empire, Lou Junlan's group was neither the weakest nor the most arrogant, yet it suffered the most tragic consequences.

Everyone was waiting for the Central Empire's next move, to see how the might of Tianjing would cleanse the Southern Region.

But at this very moment, the King of Li announced his abdication.

It is said that "the illustrious will of the human emperor is as clear as if it were still present."

He also said, "Although the state is small, its ambition is never small; although the southern region is remote, its path is never biased."

He then entrusted the state to a wise and virtuous ruler, abdicated the throne, and brought salvation to all people.

The one who ascended to the throne and took over the banner of the State was... Ji Boyong, the first crown prince of the Central Great Jing Empire, the "Central Crown Prince"!

Emperor Wen of Jing, Ji Furen, is his younger brother. The current Emperor of Jing, Ji Fengzhou, should address him as "Grand Uncle"!
The entire nation supported Boyong as emperor, calling him "the eternal sun, the legitimate successor of the Great Era!"
It was called "Yuanzi Nanfu, Xinshuo Zhongyang".

However, Ji Boyong did not change the name of the country, nor did he change "Li" to "Jing", but instead continued to use the character "Li".

He proclaimed his voice to the world from the Yining City Tower—

"King" is the ruler of the land. "Neighborhood" is the crisscrossing paths and the myriad homes where smoke rises. The king follows the rules, and that is "reason"!
The word "principle" is the beginning of the kingly way, and man follows the laws of heaven and earth!

On a bright and glorious day, when the heavens and earth shone with light, Ji Boyong, adorned in imperial robes, stood atop the city tower of the capital, Yining.

His face was visible to all the people of the country.

Whether they are people working on the land of Liguo in this world, or soldiers of Liguo who have been sent to the heavens to explore the realms of gods and demons... those who look up to the country and think of it will see Boyong!

Outside of the realm of governance, those who wish to see him can do so upon visiting the court.

His voice has been heard throughout the world—

"In the past, the Emperor Lieshan sought to benefit the world, hoping that everyone would become a sage, break down the barriers of the times, and achieve a bright and boundless future."

"In the age of sages, a hundred schools of thought contended, and a constellation of brilliant minds shone brightly."

"The age of mythology, the eternal kingdom, the ultimate fantasy."

"In the era of immortals, the Nine Palaces spanned the world, and people carried mountains."

"In the age of one truth, all things under heaven are illusions; the eternal truth is one."

"The ideal of the Human Emperor has been attempted by successive dynasties, but it has become a deviation from the truth. The whole world attacked it, thus ushering in a new era and restarting the Dao calendar."

"The grand vision of the Central Government has emerged in response to the times. The national system has entered a new chapter. The great tide of humanity is now witnessing the future."

"Yet there is Ji Furen, who steals the fruits of the world's reform. My father, Ji Yusu, established the national system for the common good, but Ji Furen shamelessly governs with civility, yet he uses the entire world for his own private gain! From then on, the world went downhill, and people's hearts became corrupt. Who are they all rushing about for? They are all scheming and despicable, where is their public spirit?"

"Bo Yong is now raised in the world with the intention of rectifying the source and reshaping the center. He inherits the ideals of Lieshan and opens up peace for all generations."

"Even as the Son of Heaven, I follow the rules, and the world will be governed for ten thousand years by 'reason'!"

Only then did people realize...

In the past, when governing the country and reforming, he said, "In remembrance of the Emperor, we chase the sun and the sea."

So that's what we were waiting for today.

This trip was worthwhile!

A single word can be known throughout the land; a single imperial edict can startle the world.

The struggle between Emperor Wen of the Great Jing Dynasty, Princess Fu Ren, and Huang Weizhen, the Lord of the Mountain and Sea Dao, has spread from the shadowy clashes in the gaps of time to the concrete and minute human world.

The most intense drumbeats were heard at the moment Ji Boyong was released from his shackles and put on his crown.

We will use the changes and developments of the country over the years as the fertile ground to support the new ruler.

They used the slogan "The beginning of the kingly way, man follows the laws of heaven and earth" to oppose the Jing Kingdom's "The great sun in the center will forever hang in the capital."

Using his status as the "Crown Prince" to undermine the central legitimacy...

It can be said that the biggest crisis since Ji Fengzhou ascended the throne was born on this day.

As he, brimming with ambition, pointed his sword at the heavens and forcefully initiated the process of unifying the six realms...

The difficult problems left by his ancestors dealt him a heavy blow.

The opponents he faces are not limited to the contemporary era!
The previous chapter only revealed Boyong's identity, and in this chapter he's already usurping the country. Isn't that too fast?

My own feeling while writing this was that it was a bit fast, but not too bad.

I wonder how the readers feel.

Does it feel like it's "too rushed"?

I had originally written about Boyong's rise to power in the country, but I deleted it halfway through.

……

Thank you to Alliance Leader "狄D" for the two new alliances!

Thank you to reader "Perfect Plan V" for becoming the leader of this book's alliance, making him the 1053rd leader of the Red Heart Sky Patrol Alliance!