Chapter 1467 - 526: The Elder Lord’s Advice (Part 2)
This matter is naturally orchestrated by Li Dazhi.
Under normal circumstances, even if the Qi Cultivators mock behind their backs, they rarely dare to openly condemn a Saint.
That is after all, [not to mention the Great Immortal].
Who knows, he might suddenly appear at someone’s bedside in the middle of the night, saying ’your soul is destined with this poor Daoist’, and there would be no place to cry then.
Most Qi Cultivators actually just see it as a joke, cursing the unscrupulousness of the Great Immortal in private.
However, over the past month, there have been enough living beings cursing Zhunti, and the volume is loud enough, so these hundreds of ’not much time left’ old immortals of the Human Race gather at the Southern Heavenly Gate to petition the Heavenly Dao, making it all the more justified and natural.
These old immortals continuously call out to severely punish the evil Saint and uphold the dignity of the Heavenly Emperor of the Human Race.
Within the Heavenly Court, the myriad immortals were shaken, and over a hundred old ministers and Heavenly Generals stood inside the Lingxiao Hall.
All the immortals petition to severely punish the West.
Li Ping’an, dressed in a black robe, sits on the throne, frowning slightly, looking troubled.
Although he is the mastermind behind all of this and has already advanced to the third phase of the plan, he must put on the proper act.
The momentum gathered earlier has reached a critical point of release.
...
Inside Lingxiao Hall.
The Eastern King called out loudly:
"Your Majesty! I dare to petition!
"The Second Sect Hierarch of the Western Sect plotted against Princess Yao Ji, greatly humiliating the Heavenly Court!
"If we do not severely punish them and curb their overwhelming violence, how can the order of heaven and earth be stable! The grand scheme of peace in the Three Realms, established by the Heavenly Court’s efforts, will be destroyed in an instant, Your Majesty!"
Beside him, the Four Seas Dragon Kings stood with heads bowed, silent.
Two trusted old ministers behind the Eastern King jumped out, shouting in succession:
"Your Majesty! The spirit of the Human Race lies in self-reliance and fearlessness of the powerful! The Six Saints should have been the cornerstone of the Heavenly Dao and the exemplar of all beings. The other Saints are virtuous, but the Second Sect Hierarch of the Western Sect is truly despicable!"
"I am willing to smash my head against that Ling Mountain!"
"Your Majesty! Hundreds of respected figures of the Human Race are sitting silently outside, all awaiting your command! The backbone of the Human Race rather breaks than bends!"
Li Ping’an thought to himself that these old immortals are quite good actors.
He frowned and said: "You all should know the honor of the Saints. Although I am the Heavenly Emperor, it is difficult to constrain them with heavenly regulations. Furthermore, Daoist Zhunti is on par with the Three Pure Ones as Saints, so such outspoken criticism of Saint Zhunti could also pose a dilemma for the Three Pure Ones."
Saying this, Li Ping’an looked towards the Supreme Elder standing opposite the Eastern King, standing quietly with a horsetail whisk.
The Elder seemed to be asleep while standing, eyes closed, meditating.
Peacock Fairy glanced at Roc Bird, and the latter stepped forward voluntarily, clasping his fists and shouting:
"Your Majesty! I am willing to go and crusade against Ling Mountain!"
"Roc, do not speak."
Li Ping’an frowned and said: "Ling Mountain has two Saints guarding it. How can a Daluo Golden Immortal like you crusade against it?"
Roc Bird bowed and retreated to his sister’s side.
The Eastern King sighed: "Your Majesty, such a precedent must not be set! This matter seems somewhat frivolous. The Second Sect Hierarch of the Western Sect wishes to marry off the Heavenly Court princess to a mortal, but it hides great danger and calamity."
Li Ping’an asked: "What kind of calamity does the Eastern King speak of?"
"You have already said much when berating that Daoist Zhunti."
The Eastern King sighed:
"The Great Dao of Marriage concerns the propagation of living beings, and more pertinently, the stability of the grand scheme of heaven and earth!"
"The order of the Three Realms originates from the word ’rites’.
"Marriage affairs are the cornerstone of rites.
"Though Zhunti is a Saint, he is neither an immortal of the Heavenly Court nor the Moon Elder of the Hall of Marriage. On what basis does he intervene in the marriages of living beings! The seriousness of this matter lies not in involving anyone but in his despicable conduct in meddling with marriages!"
"I still say, such a precedent must not be set!"
The Minister of Wealth, Li Dazhi, reported perfunctorily: "Your Majesty! I have something to say!"
Li Ping’an said: "Father, speak freely."
"This matter has become common knowledge among the Qi Cultivators of the Three Realms!"
Li Dazhi proclaimed loudly:
"Qi Cultivators of the East Continent are discussing it vehemently, and the Hundred Clans of the Western Continent are quite worried, and the little ghosts in the Underworld are mocking the Heavenly Court as weak.
"I know that Your Majesty holds reverence for the Three Pure Ones and the Holy Mother and is unwilling to publicly denounce the Saints, but the fury of all beings is imminent. Ignoring it will not only lead to people saying our Heavenly Court fears the Western Sect but will also lead them to think our Heavenly Court has allied itself with the West."
"Your Majesty."
Feng Jigui, Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Square Pavilion, stepped forward to salute:
"Indeed, there is a great deal of resentment towards the Second Sect Hierarch of the Western Sect everywhere! The voices of all beings are such, and the Heavenly Court should respond!"
Li Ping’an sat silently, with a somewhat hesitant expression.
Seeing the atmosphere was almost set, he sighed softly, stood up, and said loudly:
"All ministers, disband for now and attend to your duties, I, as the Heavenly Emperor, must lead by example in safeguarding the order of heaven and earth.
"Roc, you go and muster a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers to assemble outside the Western Heavenly Gate!"
"Your servant obeys!"
Roc Bird gave a loud cry, turned into a golden light, and flew away.
Peacock Fairy couldn’t help but roll her eyes, her mouth seeming to curse ’silly bird’.
Li Ping’an said slowly: "Elder, do you think I should make a journey to the Western Sect?"
The Supreme Elder smiled while saluting with the horsetail whisk, and said warmly: "This matter should originally be decided entirely by Your Majesty, but when it involves a Saint, nothing is small. The face of a Saint must also be considered. If Your Majesty leads the army to crusade against Ling Mountain, it might cause chaos in the Heavenly Dao."
Li Ping’an said sternly: "Then, in the opinion of the Elder, how should I proceed?"
The ministers of the Heavenly Court, just about to leave, instantly held their breath, attentively watching the Supreme Elder.
The Elder smiled and said: "This matter may be resolved by having a Saint step forward. Your Majesty could invite a Taoist friend from the Jade Void Palace to appear and have them go to the Western Sect to admonish Zhunti."