Chapter 858: Helping Out

"Dad, could you keep your voice down? Mom and I are talking."

Li Sui's question received no response from Li Huowang. He was bent over, rummaging through something, occasionally muttering to himself, "The content of this one... seems useless?"

Seeing that Li Huowang ignored her, Li Sui decided to let it go. She turned to Bai Lingmiao and said, "Mom, I actually don't want you to be the Saintess of the White Lotus Sect, because the higher up you are, the more dangerous it gets. I'm a bit worried about you."

"Dangerous? Isn't the Law Sect gone? What danger could there be? Or are you saying..." Bai Lingmiao looked anxiously towards the imperial city.

"All positions of power are dangerous, no matter which one."

"Actually, I also don't want Gao Zhijian to be emperor, nor do I want Dad to be Xin Pan, because that's dangerous too. But they didn't have a choice; you do."

"I can find a way to have someone else take your place."

Hearing this, Bai Lingmiao silently lowered her head, looking at her clothes. "Is it about those emperors who came to me before? Are they going to make a move against me?"

Li Sui gently shook her head. "It hasn't reached that point yet, but things are likely to get very ugly soon. If you truly stay in this position, these kinds of problems will only increase, and eventually, it will be impossible to manage."

"Mom, don't forget there are five emperors. Even if Gao Zhijian respects old ties and doesn't act against you, it's hard to say about the other emperors. Some people in the Heavenly Watchers from other territories are as powerful as I am."

"Moreover, the White Lotus Sect can't handle such matters. Any retaliation would be considered rebellion."

"They're burning bridges!" Bai Lingmiao's voice carried a rare hint of anger.

Er Shen twisted her head around and blurted out everything Bai Lingmiao wanted to say. "Back then, all the followers of the Law Sect were taken in by our White Lotus Sect. Money, food, military supplies—the White Lotus followers donated everything they could!"

"Now, after all that, they think there are too many White Lotus followers? Do they really see us as tools, like brooms, to be discarded after use?"

"That's right, the White Lotus Sect is a tool." As Li Sui said this, there was no other sound in the room except for Li Huowang rummaging.

Bai Lingmiao's eyes widened, looking at Li Sui in disbelief.

"Mom, you might not know this, but the higher your position, the more common these things become. It's said that emperors are often heartless, and the imperial family is truly ruthless. This is why I want you to step down; your heart is too kind, you're not suited for this place."

"Since you've come all this way, enduring hardships from Qingfeng Temple, and finally found some peace, you should truly enjoy it. Don't worry about those troublesome matters."

Bai Lingmiao recalled the past, her once naive and somewhat ridiculous dreams. She looked at the distant figure, a faint smile touching her lips.

A few moments later, the weight of reality pulled her back. She averted her gaze. "That's true, but some things aren't simply done as one wishes."

"I can't leave, especially after hearing you say that."

"Why?" Li Sui's face showed no surprise, but she still asked.

"Because I don't trust them. I don't trust emperors who can casually speak of two million lives. They are human beings, not weeds growing on the emperors' land and empire."

Bai Lingmiao clutched her clothes tightly with both hands. "If I stay here, at least they'll have some reservations. If I truly leave, the remaining White Lotus followers will become scattered sand, at their mercy."

"You're right, emperors have often been heartless throughout history. I don't even dare to imagine how they'll deal with the White Lotus followers afterward."

With that, Bai Lingmiao released the clothes she was clutching. "Sui Sui, go back and tell Gao Zhijian that some things must be reciprocated. As a sign of sincerity, I have already instructed our sect members to stop proselytizing."

Li Sui took a small sip of tea, then said, "Mom, some matters aren't just about people; it's more about what those at the top think. If you do this, will the Unborn Old Mother agree? In the end, you won't please either side."

"I'm saying this because I'm your daughter. I don't want you to be tired, and I don't want you to be put in a difficult position."

Bai Lingmiao's expression subtly shifted, but she still didn't change her mind. "I know there will be trouble, but I don't want to give up. I want to try."

"Surely, I can't just give up lightly, just because you say it's difficult, without even trying?"

"I don't want to always escape. This time, I won't escape again. Whatever the outcome, I won't regret it."

"Beautiful!" Er Shen twisted her upper body around and blew a kiss on Bai Lingmiao's cheek.

"Exactly! I've put in so much effort for this position. Why should whatever they say be law? Who do they think they are?"

"If they're capable, they can try to play hardball. Let's see if the White Lotus Sect, with its current numbers, can knock out a few of their teeth!"

Hearing this, Li Sui finally understood Bai Lingmiao's intention. She nodded gently. "Alright, I understand. I'll relay your message."

With that, she stood up and walked towards Li Huowang. "Dad, still haven't found it? Do you want me to help you look? What exactly are you looking for?"

Er Shen glanced at the supplements nearby and mentally remarked to Bai Lingmiao, "After all, we are stepmothers. There's always a bit of distance. Look how casual she is with her own father."

"How can you think that about Sui Sui? Weren't you quite fond of her before? This isn't her fault; she's forced to be a mediator between both sides."

"You know whether she's a mediator or not. I am fond of her, but she's no longer the two-year-old she once was. She's 162 this year. In the end, there's still a layer of separation."

Bai Lingmiao's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She stood up and also walked towards Li Huowang.

Seeing that Bai Lingmiao didn't want to listen, Er Shen stopped talking; her point had been made. "Maniac, what are you looking for? You still haven't found it after all this time."

Eight pairs of eyes searching together were clearly much faster than one. Before long, various books from the cabinet were sorted and laid out.

There were picture books, biographies, and Buddhist scriptures, a very jumbled and disorganized collection. Li Huowang sat on the floor, meticulously examining the words, not missing a single detail, hoping what he was looking for might be among them.

"Dad, has something happened in Great Qi?" Li Sui keenly sensed something.

"Yes, they've arrived. Their target isn't Great Qi, but Great Liang! They were just passing through Great Qi! Their true purpose is to come to Great Liang, to kill your mother!"

At these words, Li Sui and Bai Lingmiao were instantly alarmed. They finally understood why Li Huowang had been so anxious just moments before.