In the wild mountains and forests, the damp wind swept through the forest, bringing a wave of mist.
Xu Zhenguan, dressed in plain clothes, holding a sword in one hand, slowly floated down from the sky, raising her eyes to cautiously look at the figure emerging from the mist in the forest.
It was someone appearing to be a young magician, with an ordinary appearance, unnoticeable in a crowd.
She had never met him, yet the young man’s expression was quite discordant with his outward appearance, as if he had experienced many years; his gaze seemed compassionate, yet deeply harbored indifference.
"Amitabha, Your Majesty’s destiny is ordained, and yet you have again seized upon an opportunity to ascend to the Heavenly Human realm. It seems this time, this old monk has miscalculated."
The young magician pressed his palms together, gently sighing.
Xu Zhenguan’s eyes glinted with gold as she recognized the young man before her, another avatar similar to the "Magic God." She suddenly let out a light laugh:
"It seems your ’Magic God’ body has suffered severe damage."
The youth in front of her was only at the Divine Chapter realm in cultivation.
"Abbot? Abbot save me!"
Long Shu Bodhisattva, with bleeding lips on the ground, propped himself up, looking at the young magician with delight and calling for help.
Xuan Yin ignored Long Shu, instead meeting the Empress’s gaze calmly:
"Your Majesty has killed much today; show mercy where mercy is due."
It was as if he wasn’t surprised by the Empress "guessing" that the Magic God was his avatar.
The Empress’s fairy-like countenance was slightly stunned, and she was actually enraged to laughter:
"Xuan Yin, it’s a wonder you can speak such words. You interfere in mortal affairs, colluding with the Eight Princes, and there wasn’t a trace of compassion shown when you conspired against me, igniting this calamity upon Yu Country, leaving many to die, which you overlook.
Now that I wish to kill your Divine Dragon Temple’s Bodhisattva, you come out to obstruct; is this the Divine Dragon Temple’s way? Is this the Buddhist cultivation?"
Her expression was one of utter coldness and mockery.
Xuan Yin’s expression remained indifferent as he slowly spoke:
"This old monk originally had no desire to meddle in mundane affairs, only compelled by Your Majesty’s prohibition of Buddhism, forcing this old monk’s hand."
"What a joke!" Xu Zhenguan sneered, looking down upon this bald monk from above:
"Aren’t monks supposed to speak no lies? How can the esteemed Master Xuan Yin speak nothing but nonsense? Do you truly think I am ignorant of your intentions?
Your heart desires to establish great achievements, intending to foster East-West integration, annexing the Western Regions Ancestral Court, becoming a true Buddha in the mortal world. As Emperor, how can I allow your Buddhist sect to dominate Yu Country?
No, not just I, no emperor would allow it."
"Therefore, whether or not I prohibit Buddhism, you will not want me to hold power securely. However, you will not fully support any Vassal King, because what you seek is never just a change of Emperor; you desire the Royal Family’s people, Emperor and Vassal King, to be at each other’s throats.
In this way, no matter who ultimately ascends the throne, the royal authority will suffer greatly.
And in such chaotic times, your Buddhist sect can spread its faith; thus, when the chaotic war ends, the Royal Family will be unable to suppress your Divine Dragon Temple... isn’t this your true intention?"
"Let me guess, you bald monk must have only promised the Eight Princes to overthrow me, without siding with any Vassal King.
In this way, all of the Eight Princes would try to win you over, showing goodwill to Divine Dragon Temple, while you could sit back and reap the rewards. Quite the clever plan!"
The Empress hurled these words out.
Each word was like a nail, driving into the dark depths of Xuan Yin’s heart, piercing through his schemes and calculations.
Xuan Yin fell silent.
Moments later, this monk, having stepped into the Heavenly Human realm many years ago, who had schemed and plotted silently for a long time, let out a gentle sigh:
"Your Majesty sees through clearly, this old monk has no words to say."
"Yet... Your Majesty, as Emperor, should understand the weighing of pros and cons. This old monk has no desire to debate right and wrong, good and evil with Your Majesty. Long Shu’s cultivation is not easy; Your Majesty may name a price to exchange for Long Shu’s life. As long as this old monk can accomplish it, I will not refuse." Xuan Yin’s tone remained calm.
Xu Zhenguan’s eyes flickered, and she smiled:
"Is that so, I may spare Long Shu’s life, as long as the abbot goes and brings the heads of those rebellious Vassal Kings; then I shall release him, how about that?"
Xuan Yin sighed: "Is Your Majesty unwilling to release him?"
Xu Zhenguan laughed, shaking her head, no longer wasting words, pointing her sword at Long Shu, her tone cold:
"Today, I will kill him; if you wish to save him, you may certainly try to take him from my sword! Just fear that this avatar of yours lacks the capability!"
Xuan Yin fell silent once more, a trace of bitterness appearing on his face.
Does he have the ability to save him? No.
At this moment, his true self remains far away in the Capital, immobilized under Zhang Yan Yi’s watch.
And his strongest avatar, the "Magic God," was severely damaged by the Sealing battle, nearly rendered useless.
The current avatar only held Divine Chapter strength, incapable of bearing the power of the "Heavenly Human" realm descending.
Otherwise, why waste breath negotiating?
"Abbot! Save me! Save me... I have done meritorious service for the temple..."
Long Shu, the old monk spitting blood ceaselessly, was shocked, pleading incessantly. Seeing Xuan Yin remain silent, he suddenly turned his head, transforming into a streak of Buddha Light, swiftly fleeing westward.
Xu Zhenguan sneered disdainfully, the Taia Sword Light thrumming.
In the distance, Long Shu’s figure was forcibly knocked out of the Buddha Light, standing with hands raised in a Zen Stick, his face ashen.
At this moment, the Zen Stick was nearly caved in, stomping several steps back. He suddenly thrust the Zen Stick into the soil, summoning a Divine Dharma behind him.
The Dharma entered his body, Long Shu’s brows and eyes showing compassion as he sat cross-legged, hands pressed together, a strand of gold lacquer flowing through his body, transforming into a golden Buddha.
With such protection, his ability to save his life greatly increased.
Yet, the Empress of Yu Country wielded but one sword, and another sword.
"Boom!", "Boom!", "Boom!"...
The large Buddha Beads on Long Shu’s chest shattered one by one, each bead representing one of his "lives."