Chapter 220: Great Thieves Never Stop

"This cloud is large enough, yet not large enough. This cloud and snow in Yankang are more like a warning."

On Mount Sumeru in the west, the Golden Summit Great Thunderclap Temple stood majestically, its golden peak resting above the clouds. The old Tathagata looked out over the entire territory of Yankang, seeing the sun's brilliant golden light illuminate the sea of clouds with exceptional brightness.

"In the long history of my Great Thunderclap Temple, we have witnessed this kind of celestial phenomenon attack before."

Below the old Tathagata, numerous Bodhisattvas, Venerables, and Arhats stood. The old Tathagata said, "That celestial phenomenon attack was even vaster than this one. It also brought heavy snow and dark clouds, making life unbearable for the people, leading to years of natural disasters and countless deaths. Venerable Ku, please retrieve the 'Empty Era Lamenting Emperor Scripture' from the Scripture Repository and turn to page one thousand three hundred and sixty-seven."

A monk with a furrowed brow rose and left. After a moment, Venerable Ku returned, holding a thick scripture. He opened it to the page the old Tathagata mentioned and read: "Empty Era, Lamenting Emperor, Year 6420: Celestial phenomena changed, snow fell for thirty days, clouds covered eight hundred thousand li, and the sky was unseen. Starvation ravaged the land, and bandits rose everywhere. The Lamenting Emperor commanded all gods and Dragon Kings to eliminate them. Lamenting Emperor, Year 6430: Fiery meteors descended from the sky, a shower of stars like a tide, volcanoes erupted, thousands of volcanoes, the earth trembled, cracks thousands of feet deep and countless ravines appeared, rivers dried up. The seas emptied. Then, the following year, the sun disappeared, and the sun and moon became lightless…"

Behind the old Tathagata, Poor Scholar and others were greatly shaken, exclaiming, "Tathagata, this is…"

"The Great Ruins."

The old Tathagata turned, looking at the vast, boundless wilderness behind Mount Sumeru. He said, "This scripture records the final history of the divine kingdom within the Great Ruins. The heavy snow and dark clouds were merely the initial warnings. However, this warning has come earlier than I imagined, many years earlier, and is also much milder. It seems Yankang's actions have alerted those above."

Poor Scholar, True Monarch Tian, and others' minds reeled, murmuring, "The Great Ruins…"

"If the Emperor wishes to quell this disaster, he must immediately cease the reforms, issue an imperial edict of self-reproach, confess his sins to heaven, and apologize to the common people."

The old Tathagata's gaze was profound. He said, "Otherwise, this snow disaster is merely the beginning. Afterward, there will be even more terrifying celestial phenomena. Those phenomena will no longer be just snow and clouds, but star showers, volcanoes, dried-up rivers and lakes, evaporated seas, and the disappearance of the sun and moon. This is a divine retribution, an anger from the heavens, yet it is the common people who must endure it. That is a bit much…"

"Reporting to Tathagata, the Crown Prince of Yankang has sent someone to request an audience."

The old Tathagata paused slightly, then smiled, "This Prince has come to find this old monk after all. Please invite him up."

"As you command."

The old Tathagata smiled at the surrounding monks, "The Crown Prince is quite extraordinary; he might just be the savior of the world. While the Emperor is acting stubbornly, the Crown Prince will not. His envoy is worth seeing."

The Dao Sect, Kunlun Jade Void Mountain.

This place was known as the Jade Void Grotto-Heaven, seeming like a world unto itself, with spring-like weather all year round, resembling a sacred land of immortals, no less magnificent than Mount Sumeru.

"The clouds locking Yankang are merely a light, unremarkable warning, much milder than the warning that preceded the fall of the Great Ruins."

The old Dao Master spoke unhurriedly to the many cultivators of the Dao Sect: "The Yankang Imperial Preceptor's reforms are something our Dao Sect opposes, not for personal gain, but for the sake of the Dao itself. This reform has broken many rules and principles, and it is destined to fail. It's a pity the Imperial Preceptor's foresight is too shallow; he doesn't know what kind of end awaits when the great terror descends."

His gaze was profound, yet his aura was utterly calm. He slowly said, "Back then, when the Yankang Imperial Preceptor was still young, he came to meet me at the Dao Sect. I recognized his extraordinary potential and had high hopes for him. Therefore, I allowed him to study our sect's foundational scriptures, hoping he would achieve great things in the future. As for sectarian biases, I cast them aside; such a talented individual should naturally be cultivated with care, disregarding factional differences. Later, when he became the Imperial Preceptor, my expectations turned to disappointment. Why? Because of 'Dao follows nature.'"

The many masters of the Dao Sect listened quietly.

"What is meant by 'Dao follows nature' is that the Dao originates from nature. We cultivators can summon wind and rain, but we do not alter the wind and rain; that is, we do not alter nature, nor do we alter the Great Dao. I actually have no prejudice against the Heavenly Devil Cult; on the contrary, I quite admire some of their practices. But our paths are different. Why?"

The Dao Master shook his head and said, "The Dao originates from nature, but the Heavenly Devil Cult uses the Dao to change nature. This is the biggest difference between our Dao Sect and the Heavenly Devil Cult, and it is also why the Heavenly Devil Cult is called 'demonic.'"

Many Daoists of the Dao Sect felt a slight tremor in their hearts. Daoist Danyang said, "I have observed disciples of the Heavenly Devil Cult; some use methods to summon clouds and rain, bringing rain during droughts and charging farmers for it. Others use drilling spells to dig wells and solve drinking water problems. Some also use true fire to smelt minerals, extract profound gold, and manufacture farm tools for sale. There are also Devil Cult disciples who charge farmers to hunt demonic beasts. The Heavenly Devil Cult truly violates 'Dao follows nature' by changing nature."

The Dao Master said, "Using Daoist magical powers for the daily needs of the common people is to change nature, to destroy nature. Changing and destroying nature is to change and destroy the Great Dao. The Heavenly Devil Cult's doctrine is flawed; it can only develop into a demonic path. Furthermore, a line in their central doctrine, 'act spontaneously, purely follow nature,' means indulging one's desires, doing whatever one pleases, acting wantonly. If this isn't demonic, then what is?"

He sighed, "The Imperial Preceptor has been too deeply influenced by the Heavenly Devil Cult, to the extent that he governs the world and the nation with their philosophy. Therefore, the disasters once experienced by the Great Ruins will also appear in Yankang. This is divine punishment, a celestial tribulation, a calamity sent by heaven. Despite this, the common people are innocent."

The Dao Master's tone softened. He said, "You all should descend the mountain. The divine punishment brought about by the Emperor and the Imperial Preceptor should not be borne by the populace. Go and help those common people suffering in distress; save as many as you can. While traveling and saving people, also seek out some promising youths to continue the lineage of our Dao Sect."

"As you command."

One by one, the Daoist masters descended the mountain.

The Dao Master looked at the clouds spreading over Yankang and sighed, "It's not right for these people to suffer… If the Imperial Preceptor and the Emperor remain stubbornly misguided, our Dao Sect will have no choice but to enter the secular world."

Qin Mu contacted the Left and Right Protectors, conveying the Cult Master's decree: "You are to help the Emperor with disaster relief, collecting the dark clouds from the sky. Then, have my disciples go south to help farmers clear away frostbitten crops and replant. Many people will die in this snow disaster, so do your best to save as many as you can. Also, tell the disciples of the cult to be careful; troubled times always bring unrest, and the world will not be peaceful."

"We receive your command."

The Left Protector Ning Daochi hesitated, then asked, "Holy Cult Master, in what capacity should we assist the Emperor? If the Emperor bestows official titles, should we accept or decline?"

Qin Mu pondered for a moment and said, "Act as individuals, leveraging the full power of the Holy Cult, and do your utmost. If the Emperor bestows official titles, accept them. The Emperor can tolerate the Imperial Preceptor, and he can tolerate us. Yankang is the Heavenly Saint Cult; there's no need to be overly suspicious."

He paused, then continued, "The world is not peaceful now, and those with divine abilities are accustomed to being superior. Making them serve mortals and work for ordinary people, as our Heavenly Saint Cult does, will not please them. The Imperial Preceptor once said he eliminated a group of 'purists,' but they are inexhaustible; if one group is eliminated, another emerges. I thought the Imperial Preceptor was joking, but now it seems he was serious."

Qin Mu looked up at the dark clouds in the sky, his expression a half-smile, half-sneer. "This snow disaster and these clouds are creating a nation-destroying catastrophe, yet they are still preoccupied with whether something is 'demonic' or not, instead of helping the common people. Perhaps they are accustomed to their former superior status, believing that working for ordinary people, who are beneath them, is an insult and thus 'demonic.'"

He shook his head. "There are quite a few such people, and some are extremists. I fear they might seize the opportunity to rebel or target our Heavenly Saint Cult. You must be extremely careful!"

"Cult Master, rest assured. The Holy Cult has stood firm until today and has not been defeated by the so-called righteous path; our reputation is not hollow!"

The two Protectors bowed and departed.

Qin Mu composed himself, then looked up again at the dark cloud shrouding Yankang. He shook his head and returned to the Imperial College. Fox Spirit, Dragon Qilin, and Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King were already waiting on the boat.

Qin Mu said, "This time, on our way back to the village, we'll buy some New Year's goods. Dragon-Embedded City probably won't have any, and Yankang's situation is grim this year, so Dragon-Embedded City will likely have far fewer merchants."

Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King tilted his head, observing the sky, and chuckled. "Your world is about to suffer. This heavy snow and this cloud likely cover all of Yankang, don't they?"

Qin Mu's heart stirred slightly, and he courteously inquired, "Does Your Excellency the Demon King have any profound insights?"

"Kneel and lick my toes, and I'll tell you!" Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King declared arrogantly.

Qin Mu gave Fox Spirit a wink. Fox Spirit opened the mechanism in the eight-armed divine statue's chest, climbed inside, and manipulated the Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King to kneel and extend its tongue towards Qin Mu's shoe.

Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King immediately cried out, "A demon can be killed but not humiliated! Stop, stop… I'll tell you, I'll tell you."

Qin Mu raised his hand.

Fox Spirit ceased the manipulation. Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King immediately jumped up, spat a few times, and dared not act insolently again.

In recent days, Fox Spirit's clever and mischievous antics had made him completely submissive. Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King, adhering to the principle that a good demon avoids immediate losses, had no choice but to cooperate with this foxy spirit.

Grand Sovereign of Heaven Demon King raised a hand to wipe his mouth and sneered, "This is a god's method, and not just any god's. If my true body descended, I could also use such methods, attacking with celestial phenomena to wipe out all humanity, making you infertile and extinct, and transforming this world into a new Grand Heaven. However, the god who launched this celestial phenomenon attack seems relatively gentle; they didn't go for a fatal blow. I estimate this snow and cloud are just a minor warning."

"A warning?"

Qin Mu was stunned. Was this merely a minor warning?

This minor warning, he feared, would mean millions of common people would not survive this winter!

He stared blankly, remembering the Great Ruins. Wasn't the Great Ruins also like this? Due to the will of gods and demons, the people of the Great Ruins became abandoned, everyone free to assault and kill them.

"As long as gods and demons live, great bandits will not cease!" Qin Mu suddenly said coldly.

"Wife, as long as gods and demons live, great bandits will not cease." Standing above the clouds high in the sky, the Yankang Imperial Preceptor looked at the immensely vast cloud spreading over Yankang and remarked to the woman beside him.

The woman beside him was of average appearance, neither beautiful nor ugly, with pleasant features. She was once a palace maid, but now she was the Imperial Preceptor's wife.

The woman, whose thoughts were quite clear, said, "My husband didn't return this time because you believe the Emperor can resolve this natural disaster?"

"Even if the Emperor can't resolve it, someone else will help him. There's no need for me to go back."

The Yankang Imperial Preceptor smiled, "Let's go to the Little Jade Capital in the heavens."