Chapter 1491 - 536: Striving to Save This World..._2
Outside the South Celestial Gate, tens of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers shouted in unison:
"Move back!"
The shadows on the periphery indeed retreated several dozen zhang, and the area before the South Celestial Gate suddenly became much more open.
Then, eight senior ministers filed out, riding clouds and standing on either side.
Li Ping’an, clad in a black robe, rode the cloud out of the South Celestial Gate, nodding slightly towards the crowd of Immortals ahead.
A golden-armored commander scolded, "In the presence of the Heavenly Emperor! Dare you not bow!"
These Qi Cultivators of the Human Race who had come to the Heavenly Court to seek justice didn’t feel any obvious pressure from Li Ping’an, but they recalled that strike Li Ping’an had previously dealt to Zhunti, and all the varied silhouettes of Li Ping’an within heaven and earth.
One person bowed their head in salute.
The group of Immortals simultaneously performed a dao salutation: "Greetings to Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor."
Li Ping’an maintained the dignity of a Heavenly Emperor, surveying his surroundings with his hands behind his back, speaking slowly:
"I believe that none of you have come here to cause trouble, nor to bring harm to the Heavenly Court.
"It is merely because the matter of the Heavenly Tribulation appeared suddenly; the Heavenly Dao seeks to limit the freedom of beings to cultivate, which makes you all angry—I can understand that.
"Previously, I had notices posted to explain that this matter was not the doing of the Heavenly Court. Even if you demolish the Heavenly Court today, it would be of no use."
An old daoist cried out, "Your Majesty! There’s an issue with the Heavenly Dao, we have no choice but to seek out the Heavenly Court!"
"Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor! Is the Heavenly Tribulation set in stone, and we must do this! We’ve cultivated for so many years, our only obsession is longevity. Either you let heavenly retribution strike us all dead and turn us to dust!"
Li Ping’an snapped the fingers of his right hand behind his back, causing several divine thunderbolts to simultaneously crash down, striking beside the old daoist who had spoken.
The old daoist hurriedly retreated, blocked by those behind him, his old face turning deathly pale with fear.
The scene fell silent.
Li Ping’an acted as if nothing had happened, continuing:
"I refrained from appearing earlier as I was investigating this matter, and now it’s clear that this is the doing of the Heavenly Dao itself, not driven by the Heavenly Court or a Saint.
"I have understood the solution to this matter.
"If you, fellow daoists, can trust me, the Heavenly Emperor of the Human Race, then stay calm. You may meditate here or return to your mountains to cultivate. I will exert all my efforts to resolve this matter."
This statement felt a bit off.
Li Ping’an couldn’t help but internally critique himself before proclaiming loudly:
"If you, fellow daoists, cannot trust me, then nothing I say will be of any use.
"But there’s one thing you must know.
"Anyone attempting to stir up trouble, disrupt the order of the Heavenly Court, or sabotage the current hard-won situation of the Human Race will face severe punishment without mercy!"
His voice softened considerably:
"Of course, my intention is not to intimidate any of you.
"The Heavenly Dao seeks to suppress the power of beings. As the Heavenly Emperor, I should obey the will of the Heavenly Dao, but being part of the Human Race, I also must consider the Qi Cultivators of the Human Race; the struggle and torment of this situation are beyond words.
"What is needed now is a resolution to this dilemma, not blame or anger."
An Immortal called out, "Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor! Is this truly not the Western Sect causing trouble from behind the scenes?"
"In truth, it’s not," Li Ping’an replied. "The Western Sect has committed many immoral acts, and my hatred for them is immense, but one and one makes two. Although it doesn’t matter if they bear some infamy, the truth cannot be distorted."
"Then who did it?"
"This matter is a secret of the Heavenly Dao."
Li Ping’an solemnly stated:
"You can understand it as the Heavenly Dao itself intended it, although the Heavenly Dao has no actual consciousness.
"You can also understand it as a legacy issue left behind by the Hongjun Evil Corpse."
The Immortals nodded to themselves, already grasping the situation.
"Everyone, I still need to go to the East Celestial Gate, so I will not stay here any longer.
"Today, I swear to you all that if I cannot stop the Heavenly Dao this time, then I might as well cease being the Heavenly Emperor."
Li Ping’an smiled with confidence and turned back to the Heavenly Court.
The Immortals looked at one another.
Outside the South Celestial Gate, buzzes arose, like hundreds or thousands of marketplaces stacked here.
Most of the Immortals quickly dispersed, though many remained, keenly attentive.
...
Heavenly Court’s Ministry of Wealth.
Li Dazhi, who had just hurried back, listened to the report of the Immortal officials, his eyes widening:
"What situation? His Majesty said there’s a solution to the problem?"
"Immortal Head, His Majesty personally promised the group of Immortals, and it didn’t seem like a delaying tactic."
"His Majesty’s words are trustworthy, and we all believe him. If His Majesty says there’s a solution, there must indeed be a solution. You needn’t worry."
Li Dazhi furrowed his brow tightly, sitting back in his dedicated chair, wondering: "What kind of solution could there be? The Heavenly Emperor is only the seventh in the Heavenly Dao sequence; can he really contend with the Saints?"
"His Majesty announced to the public that it’s not the doing of the Saints, but of the Heavenly Dao itself."
"Exactly, Immortal Head, His Majesty spoke those words with considerable confidence."
Considerable confidence?
Li Dazhi rubbed his chin, deeply contemplating, still a bit uneasy.
"I’ll go find His Majesty, you all go back and rest. You’ve all been exhausted from running around."
A few Immortal officials saluted and quickly left.
Li Dazhi sat quietly for a while, then slapped his thigh and got up, riding a cloud towards the Lingxiao Hall.
He originally intended to find Li Ping’an to ask what good strategy he had, but before reaching the Lingxiao Hall, he encountered the Eastern King, hurrying to the South Celestial Gate.
"Why is the Eastern King in such a hurry?"
Li Dazhi smiled and said:
"Didn’t His Majesty say he has already found a way to resolve the problem?"
The Eastern King smiled bitterly, "It seems there’s an issue. I asked His Majesty what the method was, but His Majesty wouldn’t say, leaving me quite uneasy."
"Why wouldn’t he say? Where are you heading now?"