The Emperor Reigns Them All

Chapter 408 Her Great Tao

When Great Cultivators fought, they would usually set an enchantment in advance, in case of hurting the innocent or being seen by ordinary people, which would affect the order of the human world.

The cool night breeze swept over the roof, the tiles, and Li Ye’s clothes and hair. Then, it slipped away from the courtyard door. The leaves rustled, and the sound of the gong was heard from afar. Except for the Inspector General’s Manor, this ancient city was still moving on the original track tonight.

Not many people died tonight, but it was very bloody because the dead people were very powerful and they died in a cruel way.

It was very cold in the courtyard.

The smell of blood came to Li Ye’s nose, making him frown.

He glanced at Li Keyong, who was lying on the bluestone floor, and suddenly lacked interest. He stood up, rolled his sleeves, flew up, and left this absurd place.

Maybe, Li Cunxiao was destined to die in Li Keyong’s hands.

In the world without Li Ye, Li Cunxiao was also beheaded by Li Keyong because of Li Keyong’s suspicion and other generals’ jealousy. Afterward, Li Keyong also regretted that, but it was useless. After Li Cunxiao died, the Great Wall was breached. Li Keyong couldn’t unify the north in his whole life, to say nothing of defeating Zhu Wen or taking charge of the Central Plains.

Li Keyong was very likely to achieve great things, but when he died, he was just the Emperor of the Jin Dynasty and only had the Jin areas and the surrounding areas.

Now that both Li Keyong and Li Cunxiao were dead, Li Ye’s goal to go north was achieved. Ten days later, the Imperial Army would arrive Daizhou, Shuozhou, Weizhou, and the other prefectures. He believed that there would be no battles at that time, even though Li Keyong had gathered the remnants of the defeated army.

After a few months, Hedong was suppressed, or in other words, it was under Li Ye’s jurisdiction. The war would end soon. The next priority was the political affairs to govern states and counties and to pacify ordinary people.

Compared with the five prefectures of Pinglu, the eleven prefectures of Hedong were vaster and there were more people. As long as Li Ye governed Hedong properly, he could naturally absorb more Luck from ordinary people. It was not supposed to be a problem for him to break through the Immortal Realm.

However, the Taoist Immortal Court ruled Jiuzhou, the divine land. If he wanted to become an immortal here, he had to get the approval of the Immortal Court. Otherwise, he could only stay in the Yang Spiritual Master realm all his life. In other words, the Spiritual Qi in his Ocean of Qi could only reach the peak of the Yang Spiritual Master, and the excess Spiritual Qi would overflow.

This was common sense.

Once the Luck Li Ye absorbed was saturated, he couldn’t absorb more so that he couldn’t break through the barrier and enter the Ground Immortal Realm.

If his cultivation was only in the Yang Spiritual Master realm, Li Ye could only wait for death once the Immortal Court sent Great Power down to the human world.

But Li Ye was not pessimistic. After all, this was just a common situation. Things would mend in the end. What he needed to do now was to digest Hedong as soon as possible.

The scroll of the Luck of heaven between his eyebrows moved slightly. Li Ye concentrated and sensed it for a moment, but he didn’t find anything. The scroll, or in the other words, the picture, was still closed and didn’t seem to open.

After capturing Hedong, Li Ye took the responsibility of the Hedong Army. The so-called Daibei was the border in the north of Daizhou. It bordered on the grassland and was bounded by the Great Wall.

Once the grassland troops invaded the south across the Great Wall, Shuozhou in the west, Yunzhou in the north of the middle, and Weizhou in the east would form the line of border defense. This was the first line of defense of the Tang Empire against the grassland troops.

Li Ye now had the task of border defense. The enemy of the border turned from Tartar to Qidan as Qidan took over the territory of Tartar. He met Yelv Abaoji just now. Although Yelv Abaoji fled in an embarrassing way, he didn’t feel relaxed.

He knew Yelv Abaoji’s potential.

After leaving Daizhou, Li Ye went straight north and arrived at the border of the Great Wall.

The sky was still dark. The mottled wall was weathered and still dutifully guarding the border for the Tang Empire. Li Ye looked north on the ancient Great Wall.

During the Zhenguan Period, the Tang Empire flourished in civil and martial arts. Emperor Taizong once said, “The ancients guarded the border by building the Great Wall. But My Tang Empire would rather train elite troops than build the Great Wall. The Great Wall can’t really resist the invasion of the grassland troops, but the elite troops of the Tang Empire can.”

The 300,000 Hedong soldiers were basically destroyed, but it was for Li Keyong. There were a lot of captives in the Imperial Army. Including the soldiers of Daizhou, Shuozhou, Yunzhou, Weizhou, and the other prefectures, there were a lot of soldiers in total. Li Ye only needed to recruit some strong youths. Then, he could gather another 100,000 elite Hedong soldiers in a short time.

The Hedong Army was brave and good at fighting, and the other vassal states couldn’t compare with them. It could be seen from the attitude of the Zhaoyi Army toward the Hedong Army.

They were the strong support for Li Ye to guard the border and go south to conquer the Central Plains.

Li Ye touched the cold stone wall with his hand and looked far away to the north through the twilight under the stars.

He now had two questions to consider.

First, Cui Keli took charge of most of the civil and political affairs in Pinglu. Most of the officials promoted were from the Cui family. Zhu Wen was sending troops to Pinglu now, but Li Ye didn’t know if Cui Keli was his enemy and if he could use the officials from the Cui family.

Second, after he captured Hedong, should he took the opportunity to suppress other vassal states in the north?

If he didn’t suppress them, Hedong was surrounded by other vassal states. Some of them were powerful, such as Zhenwu and Youzhou, and they couldn’t be underestimated. If the Imperial Army returned to help Pinglu, these vassal states would be their chance to stir up trouble once the Taoist sect, Confucianism, Militarism, and the religion of God had any ulterior motives. They might even join forces to attack Hedong.

Li Ye quickly sorted out the answers to these two questions.

First, let Li Zhen take charge of the civil and political affairs of Hedong. His trusted subordinates were all from Prince An’s Manor, so they were loyal. Although there were not enough people to deal with the eleven prefectures of Hedong, with Li Zhen’s talent, it wouldn’t be a problem if he used the local officials of Hedong properly.

Second, the Pinglu Army returned to help Pinglu. After all, that was Li Ye’s foundation, and the family members of the Pinglu Army lived there. If he didn’t help, the morale of the army would definitely be unstable. At the same time, Li Ye also needed to contain Zhu Wen.

...

During the time when Li Ye handled the tail-in work in Hedong and was ready to return to Pinglu, the situation in the world changed sharply, and the immortal territory was not calm either.

In the Meditation Palace of the Leiyin Temple in Land Buddhism.

The palace was towering. The high foundations sent the palace into clouds. There were a thousand stone steps in front of the palace, with no end. People could only see the golden light in the sky.

Feihong Bodhisattva in a white dress stood in front of the stone steps, with a calm look. Except for the tiredness on her face, she looked the same as usual.

A Great Cultivator in a purple-golden kasaya stood beside her. He had a broad face and square ears. He looked kind and dignified. He was Manjushri.

Manjushri glanced at the Meditation Palace with emotions in his eyes. He said to Feihong Bodhisattva, “Saint Buddha personally spent a lot of resources of Land Buddhism so that you could come back from the human world safe and sound. You gained nothing on the trip, and more than half of 18 arhats died. Although Saint Buddha doesn’t show anything, he is in a bad mood. You should be careful after you go up.”

Manjushri looked kind and the air of majesty emanated invisibly from his body. In comparison, Feihong Bodhisattva looked as pure as green leaves.

She didn’t say anything.

Manjushri added, “Everything in the world is destined. The Great Tao is profound and unpredictable. All are equal before him. Maybe, all the cause and effect have been destined. But we became immortals because we took the Luck of heaven and earth. If we didn’t try to compete and get it, we couldn’t stay here.”

Feihong Bodhisattva looked steadily forward and her expression didn’t change. Manjushri didn’t know if she heard him. He shook his head. “Go ahead. No matter what Saint Buddha will say, remember not to refute. Just admit your mistake sincerely.”

Feihong Bodhisattva finally responded. She nodded and went up the stairs.

The Meditation Palace was a sacred place in Land Buddhism, and it was also the place where Saint Buddha lectured.

Feihong Bodhisattva went on this road countless times before, but now her state of mind was obviously different from before. She recommended herself to go down to the human world and achieve great things for Land Buddhism. She was a Great Cultivator and one of the four great Bodhisattvas in Land Buddhism. She failed this time, so she should blame herself and feel uneasy.

Feihong Bodhisattva had a lot of emotions in her heart, but she didn’t have this thought.

The palace was large enough to hold ten thousand people, but it was empty now. She only saw a monk in a golden kasaya sitting on a 2.7-meter Buddhist altar. Although he was two meters tall, he gave people a feeling that he was 30 kilometers tall and an oppressive feeling.

That was Saint Buddha.

Feihong Bodhisattva saluted in the palace.

Saint Buddha didn’t speak right away but glanced at Feihong Bodhisattva. His ordinary eyes could see through all illusions.

A long time later, Saint Buddha said slowly, his voice was neither happy nor sad, “I originally thought that even if you failed this time, you should have gained something and your state of mind and your cultivation should have been improved. But it seems that not only did you fail, but you were also stained with a lot of filth. Even your Buddhist heart was damaged!”

Feihong Bodhisattva benefited a lot from the trip to the secret region. Her comprehension of the Tao went further, and her strength was improved, but Saint Buddha didn’t seem to see this. He only knew that Feihong Bodhisattva’s Buddhist heart was damaged.

Maybe, this was the most important thing for Saint Buddha.

Feihong Bodhisattva didn’t say anything or refute it. She just stood there quietly.

Saint Buddha was unhappy. He frowned and said, “Don’t you have anything to say? If you don’t want to say it, I can say it for you. What does the person who is in your heart and damaged your Buddhist heart mean to you? If you don’t answer my question, I will help you remove him from your heart so that you will never think of him again!”

Feihong Bodhisattva finally looked up at Saint Buddha.

She still looked calm, but she smiled, as if she had thought of the most beautiful thing.

She said, “If you want to know what he means to me, I can tell you. For me, he is like a lingering but untouchable dream.”

When she said this, she smiled brightly, but there was sadness in her eyes. She looked desolate, like a homeless child who wiped her tears alone in the wilderness.

There was a difference between immortals and mortals. Although this was a barrier, it was nothing for Feihong Bodhisattva. Only the heavy pressure of Land Buddhism was the barrier that she couldn’t cross. Therefore, even though he always appeared and lingered in her mind, he was destined to be an untouchable dream.

Saint Buddha was angry.

He naturally understood what Feihong Bodhisattva meant, so he was too angry to hide his mood. He rebuked her loudly, “Do you want to abandon the great cause of Buddhism because of this mortal? The world is suffering, and all the living creatures are suffering. A lot of suffering was waiting for you to heal, but your Buddhist heart is affected by a mortal. Are you still Feihong Bodhisattva who has gained the position of Bodhisattva?”

Feihong Bodhisattva just smiled at this righteous reproach.

She didn’t avoid Saint Buddha’s glare. She said calmly, “The so-called great cause of Land Buddhism is not to relieve the pain of the world, but to spread the Buddhist doctrine widely so as to carry it forward. Therefore, Buddhism will have a lot of followers and get a lot of offerings, money, and power of faith. The forces of Buddhism will be expanded. In the final analysis, this is just for the sake of interests, and it’s no different from the Taoist Immortal Court.”

“Shut up!” Saint Buddha was furious.

Feihong Bodhisattva didn’t stop.

Moreover, her eyes became brighter and brighter. “Only the emperor in the human world can really relieve the pain of the common people. Since ancient times, how many things have the Buddhist monks done, how many roads and bridges have they built, how many diseases have they cured, and how many people have they saved? Does Buddhism only persuade people to accumulate virtue and be kind, while they are not involved in it? Even though Buddhism has done something good, it can’t compare with the imperial edict to advocate agriculture and abolish taxes. A wise emperor cares about the common people, implements policies with kindheartedness, and does things that benefit all people. He and his officials do this all their lives!”

Saint Buddha said coldly, “Who told you this?”

Feihong Bodhisattva seemed to recall something. Her smile was like the spring sun melting snow and ice. “There is a person. He is the Grand Prince, but he is willing to working hard for 40 years. He doesn’t deliberately cultivate his mind in order to get improvement in his cultivation. He is simply doing it.”

“The person who can do this is the one who truly understands the suffering of the common people and is willing to exert his utmost effort for them. I once went to the five prefectures in Pinglu. The people there rarely suffered. They had enough food and knew the etiquette. They lived a warm and happy life. If the goal of Buddhism is to end the suffering of the world, why should we ask ordinary people to beg for the void afterlife? If we help such a person reign in the world, people will have well-being in this life and the next life.”

Saint Buddha calmed down.

He had to calm down because he realized that he encountered a challenge, which could only be overcome by the peace of mind.

He asked coldly, “So your Buddhist heart is not damaged but gone! Do you want to turn to that mortal and work for him with your immortal talent?”

To Saint Buddha’s surprise, Feihong Bodhisattva didn’t nod but put her palms together and said devoutly, “All Great Tao leads to the same destination. I’m a member of Buddhism. If I give up my belief of thousands of years and insist on turning to him, don’t I also deviate from the essence? I wish to propagate the Buddhist doctrine and give alms as a member of Buddhism. I wish to let our disciples follow the Great Tao and relieve the pain of the world sincerely.”

Saint Buddha sneered, and his eyes were full of disdain. “Do you want to take my place?”

Feihong Bodhisattva still said devoutly, “If your heart goes with the Great Tao, why care about your position? Your heart can go with the Great Tao in any position.”

Saint Buddha couldn’t keep calm anymore. Moreover, his features were distorted.

Feihong Bodhisattva was rebuking him. She didn’t care about her position, but his first thought was that she wanted to take his place.

It was easy to tell whose realm was higher.

Saint Buddha took a deep breath and felt that he could no longer continue to discuss with Feihong Bodhisattva. He shouted angrily, “You gained nothing from the trip to the human world but caused Land Buddhism to suffer great losses. You can’t deny that you have committed a big crime. As punishment, you will be confined to a room and not allow to go out without permission from now on. There is only a Buddha statue, a lamp, and a book of Buddhist scriptures in the room. I need you to repent for your sins!”

Feihong Bodhisattva put her palms together devoutly again.

What she said was profound and beyond Saint Buddha’s expectations. “I’m already deeply in love, so I’m not afraid of being accompanied by a Buddha statue and a lamp.”

Saint Buddha was stunned.

Then, he sneered. “Deeply in love? You’re really fearless! Then, I’m telling you, sooner or later, I’ll turn that person’s head into a Buddha bead and his soul into a wick so that he can only be an object of Land Buddhism forever!”

Feihong Bodhisattva’s expression didn’t change, but her eyes were extremely firm. Her expression was still pious. She was pious about the Great Tao she had chosen.

She said word by word, “If that’s the case, please forgive me, Saint Buddha. I’m already deeply in love in this life, so I can’t be accompanied by a Buddha statue and a lamp!”

Upon hearing this, Saint Buddha was furious.

She said an “I’m already deeply in love” twice, but they had completely opposite meanings.

The first one meant that she already had a person in her heart. No matter where she was, what situation she faced, that person seemed to be with her because she thought of him all the time.

The second one meant that if Saint Buddha really killed that person, she would get out of Land Buddhism and avenge him with her cultivation!

How could Saint Buddha not be angry when he heard this?

Saint Buddha shouted, “Get out!”

Like thunder, his shout frightened people and gods.

Feihong Bodhisattva turned to walk out of the palace calmly.

Staring at Feihong Bodhisattva’s figure, Saint Buddha was in a bad mood for a long time.

She was one of the four great Bodhisattvas of Land Buddhism. Why were her body and heart tied to the enemy for she just went down to the human world once?

Land Buddhism couldn’t afford such a loss.

Thinking of the vast amount of resources that he had paid to get Feihong Bodhisattva back, Saint Buddha fumed with anger.

“What ability does that mortal have to damage Feihong Bodhisattva’s heart? I can’t wait to meet you.” Saint Buddha thought so.

However, he had his own trouble. Land Buddhism had to deal with God Allah who came from the west, so he couldn’t pull away in a short time.

Feihong Bodhisattva left the palace and suddenly stopped at the stone steps. She looked up into the distance.

The calm look on her face was replaced by sadness.

Looking at the end of the sky, she murmured to herself softly, “I am ignorant, so I don’t know you have someone in your heart. But you’re also ignorant because you don’t know I have someone in my heart as well.”

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