Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 376

Volume 3 - Chapter 91: Not Enough

In Great Yu Prefecture, the Holy Capital Imperial City.

Within the imperial palace, shrouded in divine mist and towering majestically, officials of all ranks who resided within the imperial capital were dressed in formal attire, making their way to the court.

The news of trouble at Mount Wuliang on the edge of Qingzhou had already arrived. In this imperial capital, where the concentration of officials and power was the greatest and most complex, the undercurrents had long been disturbed, and countless people had spent the night in sleepless agitation.

When the news first reached them, many had doubted the reliability of their sources. Only after contacting familiar acquaintances did they confirm that something truly catastrophic had occurred.

One was the Buddha Lord, the leader who carried the incense and legacy of the Buddhist faith.

The other was the rising star, an exceptional young genius whose fame had recently reached its peak.

He was incredibly young, yet already possessed terrifying strength and remarkable achievements, with limitless potential for the future.

It was shocking beyond belief that these two shining stars of the human race would clash.

The consequences of this collision would ripple through countless factions, large and small. Although the leader had been killed, the Buddhist faith would not simply disband. Even ordinary martial arts sects, if they did not cut off the root cause, would have disciples who had endured for years, seeking vengeance for their masters. How much more so for Buddhism, a religion with deep roots and strong faith?

Buddhism had taken deep root, and although the Emperor of Great Yu had banned the imperial family from joining Buddhism centuries ago, citing their weak bloodline and the need to focus on producing heirs, many officials, retired generals, and former influential figures had, willingly or covertly, embraced the Buddhist path for peace and tranquility.

Now, with the Buddha Lord slain and the spiritual leader of Buddhism killed, it would strike a tremendous blow to the Buddhist followers.

Outside Xuanhuang Gate, a luxurious dragon-carriage flew toward the palace, slowly descending.

The carriage door opened, and a majestic figure stepped out, exuding an otherworldly, dignified presence.

"The head of the Xia family has come too."

"It’s the first time in years she’s attended court."

"I heard that General Haotian recently escaped from the river, saved Youzhou and Qingzhou, and killed the leaders of three major demon factions. The Xia family must be here to plead for him."

Seeing the peerlessly beautiful woman, who had already assumed the appearance of a noblewoman, many officials couldn’t help but glance more than once. She exuded an air of authority that made them too intimidated to look for too long.

"That former minister of the late Emperor is here as well. I heard he’s a devout Buddhist and once had a philosophical discussion with the Buddha Lord."

An elderly official was being supported by several high-ranking officers as he approached.

There was no doubt that today's court session would be highly intense.

As the representatives from various factions arrived, the Emperor of Great Yu sat quietly on the dragon throne in the palace hall. His towering figure was like a mountain, and his eyes seemed to reflect the brilliance of the sun and the moon, radiating an aura of immense authority.

His gaze was deep and inscrutable, like a bottomless, tranquil ocean, impossible to fathom.

Before him stood Xia Linglong alone, her gaze cold and piercing, her expression calm. Behind her were other officials from the Xia family’s court faction.

Upon receiving the news yesterday, she had been shocked but immediately rushed to the capital.

She knew this matter involved far-reaching consequences. Although that young man was incredibly strong, this was the Great Yu Empire, and its foundations were unimaginable. Even without considering the current Supreme Master of Qiandao Palace, the powerful forces of the Jiang family who had entered the Immortal Sect a thousand years ago, if they returned from the Immortal Realm, would be enough to crush any demon threat.

Even the Buddha Lord had not dared to openly kill anyone. Every major faction had unspoken rules, and killing a leader was an act that tore those rules apart.

Now that the Buddha Lord had been killed, the Buddhist faction’s intricate web of interests would cause turmoil. Although it posed no direct threat to Li Hao, it could still stir up trouble before the Emperor.

Furthermore, the Emperor needed to justify his actions to the people, which could mean stripping Li Hao of his titles to quell public anger.

However, a break between Great Yu and Li Hao would give demons an opening. Xia Linglong knew the Emperor would likely consider this, but she was unsure how he would decide. After all, without a clear direction, Buddhist disciples across the states could rise up in rebellion, and forcibly suppressing them would lead to unrest within the states.

This would also give demons the chance to invade.

Standing in the Emperor’s shoes, Xia Linglong knew it was a tough decision. In the long run, the Emperor should protect Li Hao, as the young man had immense potential and might one day replace the current Supreme Master of Qiandao Palace.

But she did not know if the Emperor would view Li Hao with suspicion. After all, a hero with great merit could be a threat to the ruler, especially someone as young as Li Hao. If he were allowed to grow, it was not unimaginable that he could one day seize the throne for himself.

The mind of the Emperor was inscrutable. No one knew how he would choose.

But no matter what, Xia Linglong had come here hoping that the Emperor would give more thought to the situation, perhaps taking the Xia family’s goodwill into account when making his decision.

This was her duty as a loyal subject.

"Your Majesty, may your wisdom shine through! That Haotian General, a thief who killed the Buddha, has violated the most heinous of taboos! He does not deserve to hold a noble title! He should be demoted to a commoner and serve in the borderlands, never to receive a salary again!"

As soon as the court convened, an old official, full of righteous indignation, stepped forward and declared.

"That's right, Your Majesty! That Haotian General is a criminal! He fought against his father, betrayed the Li family, and now he kills the Buddha, making the people weep! He must be severely punished!"

"He cannot use his past merits as an excuse to do as he pleases. What does he think of the Emperor’s authority? What does he think of the morals of the world? If we don’t curb his behavior, he will only grow more audacious!"

"Your Majesty, Haotian General is still young and hasn't been properly taught. He relies on his strength and acts recklessly. Although he saved Liangzhou, he used his power inappropriately. Such behavior must not be condoned, or the Empire will surely fall into ruin."

One after another, officials voiced their objections, quickly rising to speak against Li Hao.

Other officials remained silent, observing the Emperor's reaction.

After all, this court was not entirely dominated by Buddhists. Though some were furious, there were others who had no ties to Buddhism. At this moment, they worried that if the Emperor punished General Haotian too severely, it would put the Empire at a great disadvantage against the demon threat.

Before the Emperor could respond, Xia Linglong had already turned and spoke first.

"Everyone speaks so easily! If demons invade the city, would any of you dare to stand on the city walls and face them?"

Xia Linglong sneered, "Saving the three states is so easily dismissed by your words. They say that a scholar’s pen can sever a warrior’s blade, but your tongues are sharper than any sword!"

"I am a military general. If demons attack my jurisdiction, I will lead my troops to the front!"

A man stood up and locked eyes with Xia Linglong. "But merit is merit. Who here doesn’t have merit? It’s one thing to kill the Buddha, but even killing commoners is a crime. If everyone relies on their past achievements and dismisses lives, how can the people survive, and how can the empire continue? Are we not a kingdom but a den of bandits?"

Xia Linglong’s face darkened as she stared coldly at him. He was not a general from the Five Great Divine General Houses, but someone who had risen to power through his own efforts.

She could tell that his words were not aimed at Li Hao, but at the Five Great Divine General Houses’ monopoly over military achievements.

This brought to light the long-standing issue of the Five Great Divine General Houses. Special or first-class merits were often given to those with close ties to the noble families or their own relatives, and although she, as the head of the Xia family, did not condone it, she could not entirely prevent it. It was a form of corruption that could not be eradicated.

Other factions had no choice but to work within the cracks of the Five Great General Houses, and this conflict had existed for a long time.

These people had secretly allied, forming their own faction. Although they could not directly challenge the Divine General Houses, they were already openly hostile. However, on the surface, they still followed the Emperor’s rules, knowing they couldn’t openly defy them.

"Right! If merits mean the right to kill in the streets, what kind of moral environment would that create? The people would live in constant fear. The Empire might briefly prosper, but its long-term decline would be inevitable!"

"Warriors can kill demons, but scholars govern the country. This is an unchanging truth. If everything is settled by force, the people might not dare to speak up, but what will happen in the long run?"

One by one, officials continued to speak out.

Xia Linglong’s face darkened, realizing that on the surface, the crime of murder was something she could not easily argue against.

"Enough! You have spoken enough, all of you!" The Emperor suddenly spoke out. His voice was cold, and the entire court fell silent.

The atmosphere in the hall turned heavy as everyone focused on the Emperor, whose face remained serene but unreadable. He was the ruler of the empire, his power unparalleled, but the tension in the air was palpable.

After a moment, the Emperor slowly rose from his throne, his gaze sweeping across the assembled officials, lingering on the leaders of the factions that had spoken against Li Hao.

“Do you think that I, as Emperor, have no knowledge of what the common people think?” His voice, though quiet, carried an undeniable weight. "You speak of merits, you speak of crimes, but you fail to understand the larger picture. The human race faces an enemy that could obliterate all of us. And you, who stand here speaking of morality and the rule of law—do you think these things can save us?"

He paused, his eyes narrowing.

"The demons do not follow your laws, your codes of conduct. The Buddha Lord, in all his wisdom, knew that we must fight back. Yet you would seek to place blame on a young man who stands as our last line of defense?"

The officials were stunned into silence. No one dared to challenge the Emperor's words.

Xia Linglong, standing near the back of the hall, felt a deep sense of unease. She knew the Emperor was weighing not only Li Hao’s actions but also the potential consequences for the empire itself. She had hoped for a more decisive stance, but it seemed the Emperor was still struggling with how to balance the interests of the various factions.

After another long moment, the Emperor’s voice echoed again, this time even more resolute, though tinged with an almost imperceptible sadness.

"I have heard enough from all of you. You claim righteousness, but who here has faced the battlefield? Who has fought side by side with the General Haotian? Can you understand the sacrifices made for this empire?" His words grew sharper, more biting with every syllable.

Xia Linglong clenched her fists. She knew the Emperor was referring to the very people who had spoken out against Li Hao—those who had never seen the horrors of war firsthand. They spoke from their lofty positions in the capital, far removed from the struggles of the borderlands.

At this moment, the Emperor’s eyes met hers. There was a flicker of something in his gaze, something unreadable, but it made Xia Linglong’s heart race.

“Linglong,” the Emperor called. “Step forward.”

The court fell into a deeper silence as Xia Linglong hesitated for a moment, before stepping forward, her face calm but her heart pounding.

"Your Majesty," she said, bowing respectfully, but with a glimmer of determination in her eyes.

"Your words today have proven that you understand the situation better than most," the Emperor said quietly. "But the weight of this decision is not something I take lightly. We cannot afford to act rashly."

Xia Linglong raised her head slightly. "I do not seek to question your judgment, Your Majesty. But I urge you to consider the consequences carefully. The people will not stand for a ruler who abandons the defenders of the empire."

The Emperor's gaze softened for a moment, and then he turned to the officials once more.

"I will not make a decision today. This matter requires more thought," he said firmly. "But know this—the path ahead will not be easy. I will not allow the empire to fracture over this issue. The people must unite, or we will all fall."

Xia Linglong remained silent, but she could see the Emperor’s resolve. His mind was made up.

The Emperor then lowered his head slightly, almost as if speaking to himself. His voice was so quiet that only a few could hear.

"Perhaps it is not enough," he murmured softly, his tone almost wistful.

"Only time will tell."

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