All Things Are Contracts

Great Fortune Kingdom, Imperial Capital, Court.

The ministers were in an uproar, all discussing Wu South and matters of plague. The dragon throne above was empty.

By mid-morning, a corpulent figure finally emerged from behind and sat on the dragon throne, yawning.

“Your Majesty, the situation in Wu South needs to be dealt with promptly. Wu North and South Cai provinces have accepted many refugees, and they should be properly settled soon,” an elderly official below advised.

The person on the dragon throne glanced at him and said impatiently, “You summoned me to court just for this trifling matter?”

The elder was stunned but controlled his emotions and said, “Wu South is ravaged by famine and plague. The people are suffering terribly. At least several million have died, and tens of millions are displaced. This is a major national issue that requires Your Majesty’s decision.”

On the dragon throne, the corpulent figure found a more comfortable position and said, “The dead are dead, I can’t resurrect them. As for settling the refugees, do I need to teach you how? You’re making a fuss over nothing. Our Great Fortune Kingdom has a population of hundreds of millions. One man and one woman can produce a new child in a year. Won’t the population recover in just a few years? Whether in prosperous times or the end times, how can there be no deaths in great disasters and wars? Next time, don’t call me for such trivial matters.”

The elder was so angry his beard quivered. “Your Majesty, we’re talking about millions of lives! Remember, water can carry a boat but also capsize it. I implore Your Majesty to attend more to state affairs!”

“Elder Hu, you’re still so annoying, always preaching. Don’t you have the keys to the national treasury? Do whatever you want, just stop bothering me.” The Emperor of Great Fortune Kingdom grew irritated and walked out, leaving the court officials looking at each other in dismay.

“Alas!” Elder Hu sighed deeply. The treasury? The treasury had long been squandered empty by this foolish emperor. There was no money or grain left. This incompetent ruler either indulged in pleasure with fox spirits in the harem or sought immortality in temples and Taoist monasteries. He even built grand temples and monasteries within the palace, keeping many monks and Taoist priests to pray for his blessings and refine elixirs daily.

“Elder, what should we do? Wu North is close to the Northern Frontier, and supplying provisions for the war there is already stretching us thin. South Cai is overrun with bandits, and with the lack of official troops, they can barely manage themselves, let alone aid Wu South,” someone asked.

“What else can we do? We must seek help from the Jade King. His Tian Gan Province has abundant food and the people live in peace. Only he has surplus grain now,” Elder Hu sighed. If only the Jade King had inherited the throne, he thought, then quickly banished this treasonous idea. The current emperor was the most legitimate heir both by law and the late emperor’s edict. In this world, rules were paramount.

In Wu South, at the fox shrine, Feng Xueqing ate the roast duck but without much appetite, seemingly troubled.

“What’s wrong?” Zhanyue asked.

Feng Xueqing smiled bitterly, “I’ve studied medicine since childhood and mainly refined pills to save lives and heal injuries. But in the face of such a catastrophe, I realize the limitations of a doctor. Even the best elixirs are not as useful as your half roast duck.”

“Doctors can only treat people, not society. This is common sense. Why dwell on it? Do your best and leave the rest to fate,” Zhanyue said.

“From what we’ve seen and heard along the way, doesn’t it prove something? Fate? I fear it’s all man-made disaster. The locust plague didn’t come without warning, and the famine didn’t happen overnight. The Son of Heaven is supposed to shepherd the people on behalf of Heaven, but he’s neglectful, leading to this state,” Feng Xueqing sighed.

“Those who steal a hook are executed, while those who steal a kingdom become lords. There are no Sons of Heaven, just thieves. Throughout history, emperors have had the same mentality as thieves. Can we expect them to suddenly grow a conscience?” Zhanyue said.

“Tell me, what exactly is our trial? What will we encounter after completing these tasks? Our identities – one a divine doctor, one a divine thief. What are we supposed to heal, what are we supposed to steal?” Feng Xueqing asked in return.

Zhanyue was stunned and quickly shook his head, “What do you mean? Are you suggesting we steal the kingdom? I have no interest in being an emperor.”

“Since it’s a trial, I’m afraid we may not have a choice,” Feng Xueqing smiled at his flustered expression, then pointed at the fox statue nearby and asked, “Why do you think there are fox shrines everywhere in this Great Fortune Kingdom?”

“Who knows? Maybe the fox is the totem of the Great Fortune Kingdom. Let’s rest early and continue our journey tomorrow. The sooner we leave Wu South Province, the better. This place is truly not fit for human habitation,” Zhanyue said, finishing the last piece of roast duck and wiping his mouth contentedly.

“This fine wine and meat are still warm. How did you manage that?” Feng Xueqing’s beautiful eyes widened with curiosity, but Zhanyue was determined not to tell her.

The two took shelter in the temple and passed another hazy night.

The deeper they went into Wu South, the more horrifying the sights became. Finally, they arrived at a city in Wu South. This Giant Wood City was once a famous city in Wu South, named after a huge ancient tree within its walls. But now the city was desolate and empty. There were no living beings, not even scavengers eating carrion. Cats, rats, dogs – all had long been eaten. Those who could flee had fled, and those who couldn’t had simply died in their homes or on the streets.

“Giant Wood City. We’ve reached the core of Wu South Province,” Zhanyue said. Faced with the city’s desolation, they were at a loss for words. This was a scene one would only expect after a brutal war and massacre, yet it was right before their eyes.

“This city is overrun with plague. It’s not a place for humans. We should pass through quickly.”

The two didn’t linger. Zhanyue, well-fed, continued to carry Feng Xueqing on his back as they hurried along. They couldn’t find even a piece of horse meat, let alone a carriage. Fortunately, thanks to the divine ability space, Baizhi on the other side could continuously provide food.

“The world I’m in is completely different from yours, seemingly more ancient, with numerous Clans. My identity is that of a shaman, a high-ranking one in a rather large Clan. My status is revered, so life is quite good,” Baizhi reported her situation through letters.

While the trial proceeded normally, major events were unfolding in the Myriad Spirits Realm outside the Heavenly Book.

A blood moon hung in the sky, the night as dark as ink.

A ray of Buddhist light illuminated the night. The Ascetic Monk had finally tracked down a Lord-level Nightmare, the octopus-like one that had been wounded by the Goddess and was impervious to the Illumination Divine Tower.

“Vile creature, I’ve finally found you!” The Ascetic Monk extended a hand, which rapidly grew larger, suffused with Buddhist light, and gripped the Nightmare like a small chicken.

“Ten Thousand Buddhas Pilgrimage!” After a Buddhist chant, countless Buddha palms bombarded the Nightmare from all directions. The powerful Nightmare was as weak as a chicken before the Ascetic Monk and was instantly obliterated.

After the Nightmare’s death, a black stone fell out. The Ascetic Monk immediately noticed it. When he picked up the stone, he felt dizzy, as if it was something that shouldn’t be looked at directly.

“Is this why Nightmares aren’t afraid of the Illumination Tower?” The Ascetic Monk wondered. He pocketed the stone and disappeared. Shortly after he left, the Strategist, pale as paper, emerged with a slight smile on his lips.

“You humans, living in your cradles, it’s time you learned some truths about the world. Don’t blame me for being ruthless in wagering the entire Myriad Spirits Realm. If we win, you’ll all benefit,” the Strategist muttered to himself. He was lonely, unable to find anyone who truly understood him. Before everything was settled, he had to bear it all alone.

“The Heavenly Book trial? Do the children participating in the trial truly understand what power is, what order is, what rules are, what rebellion is, what despair is, what hope is, and what miracles are? Void, I hope you have worthy successors, my dear elder brother…”

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