Chapter 665: High Zhijian

As Gao Zhijian left the bustling imperial court and stepped into the quiet inner palace, gazing at the verdant imperial garden in the distance, his mood finally improved.

He entered the imperial garden, sat down on a stone bench, and savored the brief tranquility.

Suddenly, he walked over to the rockery, picked up a large stone with both hands, and lifted it with effort. With a low shout, he tossed the stone high into the air and caught it steadily. Then, still holding the large stone, he practiced military combat techniques—a sight that terrified the eunuchs hiding in the shadows.

After a thin layer of sweat appeared on his body, Gao Zhijian finally put the stone down and let out a long breath.

Truthfully, although the palace had everything, he still missed his days in Niuxin Village. Back then, he could quietly watch the girl he liked and use his strength to protect his sworn brothers, whose lives were on the line. More importantly, his mind wasn’t as sharp then, and he didn’t have to worry about all these messy problems.

“You’re not doing a very good job as emperor. Why do you just listen to problems without solving them?” As the voice spoke, Li Huowang’s figure emerged from the nearby bushes.

Gao Zhijian sighed and sat down on the stone, as if Li Huowang’s appearance didn’t surprise him at all.

“With the Dharma Sect stirring things up like this, and a flood of Daqi refugees mixing in, the imperial court is already out of money and food. With so many problems all at once, what do you expect me to do? I can’t just conjure money and food out of thin air. Senior Brother Li, being emperor really isn’t that easy.”

“But, Senior Brother Li, don’t worry. There are still many clever ‘fixers’ in the court. They can figure out ways to patch things up and get by.”

“Is just patching things up enough? If those matters aren’t handled properly, many people might die!”

“Senior Brother Li, then tell me, what should I do!? If you were in my position, what would you do?” A deep sense of helplessness appeared on Gao Zhijian’s face. “Everyone says Daliang is the greatest under heaven, but only we, its own people, know that this 'greatest under heaven' is just for show; it’s leaky everywhere. Even the emperor is just a 'fixer,' patching up wherever there’s a leak.”

After saying this, Gao Zhijian paused for a moment, then spoke again, “Senior Brother Li, I apologize, I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. But I have so many worries.”

Li Huowang gently shook his head. “It’s fine, I understand your situation, I don’t blame you. But you really need to prioritize Qingqiu and Hou Shu. They are currently fighting the Dharma Sect, and nothing is more important than that. If we don’t help Qingqiu and Hou Shu, and they are swallowed up, then Daliang will be in trouble. This is a matter of life and death.”

“Senior Brother Li, I know, I understand all of that. But the Dharma Sect within Daliang hasn’t been completely cleared yet. Our own home isn’t even cleaned up; how can we have the leisure to help clean someone else’s house?”

Hearing this, Li Huowang seemed to realize something and furrowed his brows in thought. “Zhijian, the Dharma Sect followers within Daliang suddenly emerging all at once at this time—is it their intention to tie Daliang down?” Previously, when the Dharma Sect besieged Shangjing City, Li Huowang had always found it strange that so many people would besiege Shangjing City just to deal with Gao Zhijian. It seemed a bit unrealistic. Now, recalling it, it seemed their target wasn’t Gao Zhijian. Perhaps it was merely a smokescreen, meant to sacrifice all the Dharma Sect believers in Daliang and tie Daliang’s hands. And recalling the Dharma Sect’s seemingly meaningless widespread outbreaks before, aside from attracting attention, they served no other purpose. Furthermore, during this period, although many troubles were encountered, there wasn’t a single truly tough challenge. Even the previously mentioned Mount Tai stone wasn’t found. The more Li Huowang thought about it, the more he felt this possibility was high.

“Even if you know, what they’re employing is an overt strategy.” The voice came from the woods on the left. Immediately after, Li Huowang saw the Daliang Imperial Preceptor emerge from them. “If the entire military is sent out to help other countries, aren’t you afraid of other problems arising in Daliang later? Do you really think Daliang will be at peace, apart from the Dharma Sect issue?”

“So, should we just let the Dharma Sect develop over there? Without any countermeasures?”

“Of course not. His Majesty has his own plans.” The Imperial Preceptor took a step back.

Gao Zhijian stood up from the stone and, looking at Li Huowang, said, “We definitely have to help. The Directorate of Celestial Observation has already dispatched people there. As for the military, once Daliang is more stable, I’ll see how many people I can spare.”

“Spare how many people? Come on, Zhijian! That’s the Dharma Sect! It’s the Dharma Sect that believes in the Child God! You must realize this is a danger that could destroy the nation! You must make a decision to fight to the death!”

“Daqi was previously occupied by the Child God. Do you know what Daqi has become now?” Saying this, Li Huowang reached behind his back and, pulling out his spine sword, swung it forcefully at the nearby flowerbed. A rift flew open, and strange liquid seeped out from it, dripping onto the flowers and plants. Accompanied by terrifying sounds, the flowers and plants twisted their grotesque bodies, writhing and crawling, infecting the surrounding soil.

The Daliang Imperial Preceptor slightly frowned, raised his Star Constellation Sword, and pointed it at the sky. Instantly, dry thunder erupted from the ground. As the booming sound exploded, those things were struck until nothing but ash remained.

“I don’t know what that was, but I know that Daqi is truly and utterly finished now.” Saying this, Li Huowang re-sheathed his spine sword on his back.

“I know, of course I know. But Senior Brother Li, do the generals and ministers know? Do they know? Do the soldiers know? Do all the common people of Daliang know? Are they willing to volunteer for half a year of labor? Are they willing to pay taxes early? Are they willing to enlist and fight?”

“I am the emperor, that’s true, and I can command them. But it’s not like I can just issue any imperial decree. Every imperial decree I issue involves many people, and many might even die because of it.”

“Brother Li, being an emperor really isn’t about doing whatever you want, as you imagine. Only a foolish emperor would do such things.” After saying this, Gao Zhijian fell silent for a moment, then forced himself to cheer up and reassured Li Huowang, “It’s alright, Senior Brother Li. The battle situation isn’t as bad as you describe. We have a handle on things, and Qingqiu and Hou Shu also have some capabilities; they won’t be so easily overrun by the Dharma Sect.”

“Besides, Xuanpin has gone there with Zheng Boqiao. The Directorate of Celestial Observation from Qingqiu, Hou Shu, Siqi, and Daliang will all converge; the Dharma Sect won’t gain any advantage.”

“Don’t worry. Once Daliang is more stable here, I will immediately dispatch troops.”

Li Huowang remained doubtful about relying solely on the Directorate of Celestial Observation instead of mobilizing the full power of Daliang against the Dharma Sect. After all, the Dharma Sect was not some mere evil entity; they relied on an endless supply of common people who were believers. No matter how many people the Directorate of Celestial Observation had, facing an entire nation’s people, how much use could they be? Putting aside how powerful the high-ranking members of the Child God were, the endless masses of ordinary followers were not something the Directorate of Celestial Observation could deal with. Not to mention the outer circle of people in the Directorate of Celestial Observation; those gathered by the lure of the Longevity Pill were not loyal at all and would scatter like birds and beasts at the first sign of danger. Now, only the bloodthirsty military strategists, these institutionalized killing machines, could curb the expansion of the enemy’s lower ranks.

Glancing at Gao Zhijian again, Li Huowang nodded. “Alright, then do it as quickly as possible.”

As Li Huowang said this, he turned to leave, but he had barely taken two steps when Gao Zhijian called out to him. “Senior Brother Li, where are you going?”

“Where else could someone like me go? To Qingqiu, to destroy the Dharma Sect!”