Chapter 1518 - 547: The Most Direct Confrontation Yet
This is really true, one shouldn’t be too much like Zhunti.
With his hands behind his back, Li Ping’an stepped forward, immediately becoming the center of attention.
Even Zhunti’s eyes became more spirited, with a hint of wariness, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Ever since the Six Saints returned to the world, this Heavenly Emperor has often made things difficult for them.
They couldn’t beat this new Heavenly Emperor, as his backing was too strong, and they couldn’t outcurse him either. His momentum among the Human Race grew stronger year by year, rivaling that of Xuanyuan Huangdi in the past.
What’s more distressing is that previous incidents have proven that this new Heavenly Emperor can influence the decisions made by Yuanshi Tianzun and the old master Taiqing.
Thus, before Li Ping’an could speak, Zhunti took the lead to challenge him:
"This is a matter for the Saints to discuss, it’s better for the Heavenly Emperor to just listen."
"The Six Saints are also discussing matters of this world, and what is there in this world that I, as a mere Heavenly Emperor, shouldn’t be concerned with?"
Li Ping’an squinted and smiled:
"On the contrary, two junior brothers, you came without invitation, and yet were disrespectful to the Holy Mother of the Human Race.
"What, are you assuming the Human Race has no one?
"Shall I now raise my arm and call for tens of thousands of Human Race Immortals to jointly demand accountability from Lingshan? What do you two junior brothers think of that?"
Jie Yin said in a calm tone: "Your Majesty, my brother and I have a friendship with Daoist Nüwa since ancient times, respecting and helping each other. Now, as fellow Six Saints, where is the lack of courtesy?"
Nüwa looked calmly outside the hall, with a slight smile at the corners of her mouth, but didn’t engage in the topic at all.
At this moment, if looked at closely, one could see her demeanor carried a bit more ’spirit’.
As if saying, it is no longer the distant or ancient past, she now has someone to help defend her.
Outside the main hall of Holy Mother Palace, countless maids gathered in groups to watch this ’semi-public’ Six Saints meeting, unexpectedly witnessing the Heavenly Emperor confronting others.
Except for the Holy Mother, all the Saints were present only as projections.
Li Ping’an, fully confident, was unafraid of being jointly attacked by Jie Yin and Zhunti.
Then Zhunti said: "Your Majesty, the Southern Continent is a land of fate; it wasn’t only the Human Race that flourished there in the past, the Hundred Clans also thrived. If it weren’t for the Human Race driving out the Hundred Clans and severely injuring the Witch Clan, the Southern Continent wouldn’t have become the land of the Human Race. Now that the Southern Continent is about to return to the main world order, naturally, the Hundred Clans should share in it, ensuring the prosperity of all creatures."
"Jayadeva, what you’ve said is turning black into white, confusing right and wrong, and it’s an insult to the martyrs of the Human Race. How malicious your intent is!"
Li Ping’an scolded loudly:
"In the ancient war, if it weren’t for you instigating from behind, if you hadn’t ordered your disciple to cultivate Chiyou and incite the Hundred Clans, how could the Human Race have faced such a huge crisis!
"The Human Race was almost exterminated by you!
"The hidden hand behind the Battle of Zhuolu was you!
"The Human Race gained the Southern Continent under natural justice, it’s perfectly justified. The Human Race owes nothing to the Hundred Clans; on the contrary, it is you two who owe the Human Race countless blood debts. Do not think that becoming Saints will prevent anyone from seeking justice with you!"
Zhunti showed anger: "Utter nonsense! A dignified Heavenly Emperor, yet spewing nonsense here!"
"How thick-skinned you are! Daring to do but not dare admit, what kind of Saint is that!"
"Bastard!"
"I’m a bastard? Then you are a scoundrel!"
"Enough."
Yuanshi Tianzun frowned and spoke, not dragging his tone, reprimanding:
"One is the supreme of the Three Realms, the other is a Saint of the Heavenly Dao, what are you doing here? Trading insults like street hooligans?"
Zhunti snorted coldly.
Li Ping’an, however, squinted his eyes and chuckled slightly.
Just now, he was indeed probing.
It seems Zhunti is more easily angered than in previous occasions.
This is indeed a good thing.
Dealing with an enemy like Zhunti, who is shameless, sinister, deceitful, and very tough, making him visibly angry is also a good thing, as it increases the possibility of him losing his cool.
Li Ping’an changed his tune, returning to his usual gentle and elegant demeanor.
"Honored Master, everything should be discussed in terms of right and wrong, cause and effect."
Li Ping’an spoke smoothly:
"What does this matter of the Southern Continent have to do with the Western Sect?
"The Holy Mother has the merit of creating the Human Race, and she should be honored with the offerings of the Human Race. The Three Pure Ones of the Taoist Sect also have the merit of educating the Human Race. As for the contributions made here, Chan Teaching imparted the methods of alchemy and artifact refining to the Human Race in ancient times, while Jie Sect contributed significantly to the rise of the Human Race in recent times, repeatedly saving the Human Race from danger."
Tongtian Sect Leader immediately straightened his back proudly.
Li Ping’an said: "The Human Race is grateful to the Holy Mother, grateful to the Three Pure Ones, this is both reasonable and justified. But to have the Human Race worship this Western Sect Saint, who always seeks to destroy the Human Race, isn’t that... acknowledging a thief as a father?"
Yuanshi Tianzun nodded slightly, still pondering.
Daoist Jieying, however, said: "Our Western Sect also bears the responsibility of enlightening all living beings."
"If it were a Saint like the Three Pure Ones, naturally they could enlighten living beings, but if they were Saints like the two junior brothers, what would they teach living beings? How to be shameless, how to persecute others? Or how to refine Dao Soldiers and nurture fierce demons?"
Li Ping’an looked up towards Jie Yin:
"The cause of yesterday results in the effect of today.
"For you two to dare come here today and seek to share in the Southern Continent’s offerings was truly unexpected to me.
"Leave now!
"As long as I am in this position of the Heavenly Emperor, it will not be possible for the Western Sect to take even a bit of offerings from the Southern Continent. If you two are truly capable, then replace me, and I won’t have to trouble myself in the future."
After saying that, Li Ping’an cupped his hands towards Jie Yin and Zhunti, then flicked his robe and returned to his throne.
Several ministers cast eyes of ’watching an idol’ towards him.
Nüwa spoke again: "Two Dao friends, are you still staying here because you haven’t been scolded enough?"
Jie Yin sighed gently and turned away.
Zhunti, however, flicked his sleeve, coldly saying: "Your Majesty, it’s best to not do things too absolutely! Hmph!"