The ministers condemning Li Hao looked at each other. How could this be?
The Buddha Lord was the supreme leader, yet he had died.
“Right now, demons are eyeing us covetously, and it’s summer. Jizhou is experiencing drought, and Cangzhou has refugees…”
Emperor Yu’s voice revealed a piercing calmness, unhurried as he said, “My dear subjects, your opinions must consider the practical needs of the world. Without the world, where would justice be?”
Hearing Emperor Yu’s words, Xia Linglong and others felt secretly overjoyed.
The faces of those condemning Li Hao were unsightly, but they also understood the reasoning in what Xia Linglong and her companions had said.
That young man’s current status and power were not to be easily trifled with.
“But under the iron hooves of my great Dayu, all who break the law or cause chaos shall be punished!”
Emperor Yu’s tone then took a sudden cold turn, he said coldly, “Anyone who offends the national laws shall be dealt with according to Dayu’s legal codes. No one shall be spared, even if members of the royal family commit crimes—those who should be beheaded will be beheaded, and those who should be killed will be killed, without leniency!”
“Credit is given where credit is due, and negligence is acknowledged as such. Merit can compensate, but it does not cancel out wrongdoing!”
Hearing this, Xia Linglong and others were startled, their faces turning somewhat pale as they looked at Emperor Yu in shock.
Previously, those who had condemned Li Hao were stunned for a moment but then showed delight.
Emperor Yu scanned the faces of the crowd, slowly saying, “The Buddha Lord has been murdered, and my heart grieves. Starting today, I will personally lead the court in abstaining from meat for seven days to mourn the heroic spirit of the Buddha Lord.”
“In seven days, I will visit the Temple of Holy Virtue and offer incense.”
“His Majesty is wise!”
Previously critical people could not help but shout loudly.
Xia Linglong’s face turned pale, and she abruptly looked up at His Majesty.
Emperor Yu noted her gaze, but his expression remained unchanged, and he slowly continued,
“My esteemed subjects need not worry. The Buddha Lord has immeasurable merit; I cannot allow his death to remain unresolved. I will entrust the Monster Suppression Department and the Ministry of Punishment to jointly investigate this matter. There are many doubts that demand a thorough investigation.”
“..?”
Upon these remarks, the entire court was stunned.
The shock and indignation in Xia Linglong’s heart had not even been voiced when she heard this, and she too was startled.
Quickly, she came to a realization, her expression turning odd as she glanced at His Majesty.
Indeed, it had to be you… such skill in twisting words.
Those who had previously shouted were dumbfounded. What did this mean? What was the intention of those words?!
The Buddha Lord died conclusively, and there were so many disciples of his sect who witnessed it, did it still need an investigation?
“Your Majesty, the Buddha Lord was murdered in front of everyone. So many disciples of his sect saw it with their own eyes, how could there be any falsehood?” someone couldn’t help but say.
Emperor Yu said nothing, but a minister in the crowd stood out and coldly said,
“Are you speaking too absolutely? This case is full of doubts. Is seeing with one’s own eyes necessarily the truth? What is your level of cultivation? Do you know the capabilities of someone from the Ping Tao Realm, let alone the Demons from the Tao Comprehension Realm?”
“Do you know the demon arts that even minor demons possess, and how they can cast Blinding Spells to deceive mortals?”
“I think His Majesty is wise!”
“Why would General Haotian kill the Buddha Lord for a thief? Can you provide a reasonable explanation?”
“If the demons impersonated General Haotian, wouldn’t it just play into the demons’ hands, causing us to turn against General Haotian and then attack us in our weakened state?”
“Moreover, could General Haotian truly kill the Buddha Lord? The Buddha Lord had cultivated for two thousand years; how formidable he is! General Haotian only cultivated for sixteen years. If he could kill the Buddha Lord, wouldn’t that be strange?”
“Are you implying that General Haotian is a genius of a generation?”
Hearing this minister’s words, those who had previously condemned fell silent, as if something vile was stuck in their throats and they couldn’t speak.
Xia Linglong and her companions, however, were excited and nearly burst into applause.
That’s damn well said!
You pretend to be just, we also pretend to be just, let’s see who outdoes the other!
As it turned out, His Majesty was indeed the best at this act.
“Indeed, there must be justice!”
Xia Linglong immediately said, “Since His Majesty has promised us justice, I believe in His Majesty. We cannot allow the Buddha Lord’s death to remain unresolved; it must be thoroughly investigated!”
“…”
Previously condemning people’s faces twitched.
The Buddha Lord’s death was unresolved?
That was clearly a very clear death, wasn’t it?!
Is His Majesty serious, or is he showing partiality?
Many looked toward Emperor Yu with eyes of doubt and suspicion. They came here to lodge complaints, but did they not also harbor some motives? Could Emperor Yu truly not suspect or fear such a formidable young man?
Being close to the monarch is like being close to a tiger!
Once suspicion arises, the charges will be established!
Thus, their coming to take sides was merely adding fuel to the fire.
But it seemed they had not gained the favor of His Majesty’s heart.
Were they concerned about the young man’s strength, and thus hesitant to confront him?
Or did His Majesty really trust the young man so much that he could forgive such a grave mistake?
Could it be that His Majesty was unconcerned and continued to indulge him, fearing that the world might change its allegiance?
Their minds flickered in confusion; they could not make sense of it, but, combining what Emperor Yu had previously asked, the eight million disciples of the Buddha… perhaps Emperor Yu feared the young man too much to confront him?
If that was the case, could they continue to add weight to give His Majesty confidence?
Among the varied thoughts of everyone, Emperor Yu said to the leading elder:
“My minister, you may tell the Buddha Lord that I will definitely bring justice to their sect. Once the true culprit is revealed, no matter who it is, I will bring them to justice and hand them over to the Buddha Lord!”
The elder’s face was sullen, his body trembling weakly, “Your Majesty, this matter, this matter…”
“I see that today’s ministers seem only to plan to report this issue; if so, let’s end the court for today. Don’t forget, my ministers, there is drought and demon trouble in various places, and many commoners waiting for the court’s relief. Tomorrow I expect to see your written reports!” Find your next read on empire
Emperor Yu declared.
Chu Jiuyue immediately announced the end of the court.
“Your Majesty…”
Those who had denounced were reluctant to leave and wanted to speak further, but Emperor Yu had already risen and departed.
Many among them began to fear, feeling they might have chosen the wrong side; could this result in His Majesty bearing a grudge?
…
…
In the back garden of the Imperial Palace.
Chu Jiuyue was following Emperor Yu for a walk.
“This little fellow really is troublesome; his actions are too bold!”
Emperor Yu sighed lightly, casually picked a petal, gently crushed it, and then threw it into the pond, where a goldfish leapt up and ate it.
His lips curved slightly upward as he sighed while walking with his hands behind his back.
Shortly after they arrived in the back garden, a eunuch came to report that a minister requested an audience with His Majesty.
Chu Jiuyue looked at Emperor Yu, who waved his hand at him.
Chu Jiuyue immediately understood and followed the eunuch to the garden’s gate, where he saw several ministers who had denounced Li Hao earlier, now four or five of them gathered here, apparently still harboring ulterior motives.
“Chu, about the Buddha Lord’s matter, we still want to…”
Chu Jiuyue hurriedly gestured with a silencing finger.
The men were stunned.
Chu Jiuyue glanced at the back garden, lowered his voice, and said to them, “Don’t mention the Buddha Lord anymore. His Majesty once went to Mount Wuliang and discussed the Tao with the Buddha Lord; their friendship is profound. His Majesty is also heavily grieved today, having just opened the court while mourning…”
“…”
The men looked at each other, somewhat taken aback.
Really? Is it true?
They say a sovereign should not be frivolous… Is that really the case?
Seeing their doubtful eyes, Chu Jiuyue frowned and said, “What’s with those expressions? Do you not trust me, or do you not believe in His Majesty’s affection for the Buddha Lord?”
“But the Buddha Lord died so clearly…”
Chu Jiuyue quickly blocked him, lowering his voice, “Don’t bring up the Buddha Lord again. His Majesty is already very distressed. He didn’t even eat dinner last night upon hearing the news. You want justice for the Buddha Lord—doesn’t His Majesty want the same? But without a thorough investigation, if the real culprit remains at large, is that the result you wish for?”
The men looked at each other.
“Let’s go, let’s not sadden His Majesty any further,” Chu Jiuyue waved them off.
Seeing this, the ministers had no choice but to leave; one of them asked before departing, “Is His Majesty truly grieving?”
Chu Jiuyue’s expression hardened.
Realizing his mistake, the minister gave a wry smile and could only leave helplessly.
Chu Jiuyue watched them go, a slight cold smile playing on his lips; these people had no idea the deep affection His Majesty held for that child.
Grieving?
Indeed, he was grieving so much that he could hardly keep his smile constrained.