Chapter 283: Still Not Enough
Dayu State, Holy City Imperial Capital.
Divine light shimmered in the majestic imperial palace, where officials of all ranks, residing within the capital, prepared themselves solemnly to attend today's court session.
News of the incident at Boundless Mountain in the remote Qingzhou frontier had already reached the capital. In this city, where the political landscape was the most intricate and concentrated, the undercurrents had already begun to stir, causing countless sleepless nights.
When the news first broke, many doubted their intelligence sources. It wasn't until they contacted familiar faces that they realized the gravity of the situation.
One was the Buddha Lord, the leader bearing the incense of the Buddhist sect.
The other was a recently rising star, dazzlingly brilliant—a peerless prodigy.
At such a young age, he had terrifying strength and significant military achievements, with boundless potential for the future.
That these two shining stars of the human race would clash was simply shocking.
The impact of this clash would ripple through countless small and large forces. Despite the death of its leader, the Buddhist sect would not simply disband. Even a common martial sect, if not eradicated, would see disciples harboring grudges for years, seeking revenge. How much more so for a religion as cohesive and faith-driven as Buddhism?
The Buddhist sect had deep roots. Though Emperor Yu had prohibited royal family members from converting to Buddhism centuries ago, citing the thin royal bloodline and the need to propagate heirs, many officials, ministers, retired generals, and once-prominent nobles either voluntarily or through subtle influence, had retreated into the sect for peace of mind.
Now, with the Buddha Lord slain, the spiritual leader of Buddhism dead, it would deal a significant blow to these believers.
Outside the Xuanhuang Gate, a luxurious Dragon Sparrow Cloud Carriage flew in and slowly landed.
The carriage door opened, and out stepped a graceful, noble figure.
"The head of the Xia family is here."
"She hasn't attended court in years, yet she's here today."
"I hear General Haotian, after escaping from the River of Death, saved Youzhou and Qingzhou, and killed the leaders of three major demon factions. The Xia family is likely here to plead for him."
Seeing the stunningly beautiful female general, now a dignified noblewoman, many officials glanced at her, feeling her imposing presence and not daring to look too long.
"An old minister from the late emperor's court is here too. I heard he practices vegetarianism and once debated with the Buddha Lord."
Another old man, supported by several high-ranking officials, was spotted approaching.
Undoubtedly, today's court session would be extremely intense.
As representatives from various factions arrived, in the grand hall of the imperial palace, Emperor Yu sat quietly on the dragon throne. His imposing figure resembled a mountain, his eyes like the sun and moon, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
His deep, serene eyes were like an abyss, impossible to fathom.
In front of the officials, Xia Linglong stood alone, her eyes cold and expression calm. Behind her stood several officials from the Xia family who held positions in the court.
When she first heard the news, she was shocked but immediately rushed to Dayu State.
She knew the matter was of great significance. Despite the young man's formidable strength, this was the Dayu Dynasty, with unimaginable depths. Not to mention the True Master of Qiandao Palace, even the Jiang family powerhouses who entered the Immortal Gate a thousand years ago could return and eradicate all demons.
Even the Buddha Lord dared not kill openly. Major forces had tacit rules, and killing a leader meant tearing those rules apart.
Now that the Buddha Lord was dead, the intricately connected Buddhist sect could manipulate the situation before the emperor.
Moreover, the emperor needed a reason to appease the masses. This could lead to stripping Li Hao of his titles to quell the anger.
However, breaking with Li Hao would give demons a chance. Xia Linglong knew the emperor would consider this, but she was unsure of his decision. If the Buddhist disciples across various states and cities rebelled, and the suppression led to endless internal turmoil, it would also provide demons an opportunity.
Standing in Emperor Yu's position, she understood the dilemma. Protecting Li Hao seemed best for the future, given his potential to replace the True Master of Dao Palace.
But she was unsure if the emperor would become suspicious of the young general.
After all, power begets jealousy, and a young Li Hao, if left unchecked, could potentially change the dynasty's name!
The imperial heart is hard to fathom; no one knew how the emperor would decide.
Regardless, she hoped her presence might make the emperor consider more carefully.
"Your Majesty, you are wise and discerning! General Haotian, in killing the Buddha for a thief, has defied the heavens and is utterly lawless. He does not deserve the title of duke. He should be demoted to a commoner, made to serve penance, and guard the frontier, never to receive a stipend!"
As soon as the court session began, an old official fervently petitioned.
"Indeed, Your Majesty, General Haotian's track record is tainted. He fought his father and broke from the Li family, and now he kills the Buddha for a thief, causing the people to weep. He must be severely punished!"
"He cannot rely on his merits to act without restraint. Otherwise, what is the value of imperial authority? What is the value of morality? If not checked, he will grow even more rampant!"
"Your Majesty, General Haotian is young and has been poorly guided. He killed the Buddha, acting with brute force. While he has saved Liangzhou, he cannot be allowed to abuse his merits. Otherwise, our dynasty will surely decline."
Several officials quickly followed suit, as if pre-arranged.
Others remained silent, waiting to see the emperor's and various factions' reactions.
This court was not solely influenced by the Buddhist sect. While some were outraged, others had no connection to Buddhism and were worried that punishing General Haotian would be detrimental in the face of current demon threats.
Before Emperor Yu could respond, Xia Linglong had already turned around.
"You speak so lightly. Would any of you dare stand on the city walls against the demons?"
Xia Linglong sneered, "The merits of saving three states are dismissed with a few words. Scholars' pens can cut warriors' swords. Your words are indeed sharp!"
"As a general, I will lead the vanguard against demons in my jurisdiction!"
A man stood up, staring at Xia Linglong, "But merits are merits. Who here lacks merits? Killing the Buddha or even civilians is a crime. If everyone relies on their merits to disregard life, how can the people survive? How can the dynasty endure? Can it rely on you and me alone? What difference would there be from a bandit's den?"
Xia Linglong's face changed, her eyes cold. The speaker wasn't a general from the five great Divine Generals' Mansions but a rising star who had made his name recently.
She sensed his words were not just against Li Hao but against the dominance of the five great Divine Generals' Mansions.
This touched on the issue of battlefield merits often being allocated to close kin or family members within the five great mansions. Although she didn't advocate it, she couldn't completely stop it, as it was akin to corruption.
Other forces had to survive in the gaps left by the five great mansions, leading to long-standing tensions.
These people had united subtly, forming a faction, though not powerful enough to challenge the five great mansions openly, they opposed them covertly.
"True, if merits justify murder, what kind of society will that breed? The people will live in fear, and the dynasty may flourish briefly but will ultimately decline!"
"Martial prowess slays demons, civil officials govern the state. This is an ancient truth. Using brute force to suppress everything might silence the people, but what then?"
Several more officials voiced their agreement.
Xia Linglong's face darkened, realizing that logically, if they clung to the principle that killing is a crime, they had the law of the Dayu Dynasty on their side, leaving her no room to argue.
"Given the current demon chaos, you've lived too long in the capital. Do you even remember what demons look like? When they attack, will your sharp tongues be able to reason with them?" Xia Linglong retorted.
"We reason with you, General Xia. Do you compare yourself to demons?"
"We follow the teachings of the sages, considering ourselves superior to beasts. Are we now disregarding life and losing our morals?"
"Indeed, there is the law of the land. Even if General Haotian is a prodigy with great merits, he killed the Buddha Lord, a grave mistake. How can we shield him?"
"Today he kills the Buddha Lord, tomorrow, does he kill the True Master or us?"
"What difference is he from demons?"
The crowd's angry accusations continued.
Xia Linglong almost laughed out of anger but knew reasoning with them was futile. Resorting to force would mean admitting defeat.
"Perhaps you are the demons, or have demons infested your homes, corrupting your minds?"
Nearby, another group of scholars from the Hanlin Academy, seeing Xia Linglong outnumbered, joined in.
"The situation isn't clear, yet you equate the hero who saved three states to demons?"
"I see your malicious intent, trying to harm a loyal minister. Your Majesty, I suggest investigating their families for possible demon infiltration!"
"Indeed, such monumental deeds merit making him a Divine General. Do you scorn a Divine General?"
"This matter is unclear. Your hasty judgment suggests ulterior motives. Do you wish to deprive Dayu of an eternal hero?"
As more voices joined in, the debate grew fiercer.
Xia Linglong, watching the scholarly battle, chose to stay silent. Though eloquent, she knew she couldn't outmatch these debaters.
She turned to the emperor, whose expression remained unchanged, neither happy nor worried, deepening her concern about his thoughts.
After a long debate, with arguments becoming repetitive, Chu Jiuyue lightly coughed.
Though soft, it silenced the room.
Everyone looked at the emperor.
Emperor Yu's face remained calm, saying, "You all make valid points, but reason is for the people and us, for we are human. Do demons listen to reason? With demon threats looming, if we strip General Haotian of his titles, who will replace him in battle?"
Hearing the emperor's words, many exchanged glances, while those supporting Xia Linglong quietly observed those who had accused Li Hao.
As expected from the emperor… Xia Linglong sighed inwardly, recognizing the shift from debate to practical concerns.
She wasn't sure if the emperor was siding with Li Hao or considering the demon threat.
After a brief silence, an old official, trembling, said, "Your Majesty, I received a plea from the Buddhist Bodhisattvas. They promise, if given justice, to provide eight million Buddhist disciples for military service."
His words caused many faces to change, shocked by Buddhism's resolve.
Offering eight million disciples in exchange for Li Hao.
"Eight million disciples…"
Emperor Yu murmured softly, then said calmly, "Still not enough."