Chapter 286: But I Refuse!
Emperor Yu sipped the tea, finding it acceptable. Though not as refined as the exclusive mist tea of the imperial palace, it had a natural sweetness from the mountains and fields.
"You seem to take things lightly," Emperor Yu remarked with a light smile.
"One is accustomed to the world's roads, and the heart remains serene everywhere," Li Hao replied casually, smiling.
Poetry and literary experience +66.
Emperor Yu paused, looking at Li Hao, thinking about the boy's experiences. His eyes flickered slightly.
"No wonder those stubborn old scholars in the Hanlin Academy are so fond of you."
He seemed to sigh, mixed with admiration.
Li Hao was a bit surprised. The Hanlin Academy was a place for literati and scholars. He had hardly any interaction with them.
"Come, let me see if your chess skills have improved. Don't just put on a show," Emperor Yu half-jokingly said as he sat on the prayer mat and prepared the chessboard.
Seeing this, Li Hao also sat upright. He knew the emperor's visit wasn't just for chess, but this visit had already given Li Hao the answer he was waiting for. An answer that was deeper and more significant than he had anticipated.
This realization made Li Hao feel somewhat guilty.
As they collected the scattered pieces on the chessboard, they slowly began to play.
Li Hao played with the white pieces.
"Don't go easy on me; I don't need anyone to let me win," Emperor Yu said as he picked up a piece.
Li Hao nodded. "I wouldn't dare."
Soon, the board was set. The white pieces, with aggressive moves, quickly took the upper hand, solidifying their position, forcing the black pieces to retreat and become trapped.
"You brat..."
Emperor Yu smirked. This kid said he wouldn't go easy, and he meant it.
Li Hao cleared his throat, perhaps being too serious. Now at the sixth rank in chess, he could easily defeat the emperor even when he was at the fifth rank.
"Let's go again."
Emperor Yu was clearly not one to accept defeat easily, especially since he had never experienced losing since ascending the throne—except when playing against Li Hao.
After three consecutive games, Li Hao decided to let the emperor win a bit, allowing him to enjoy the game rather than feeling overpowered.
Soon, Emperor Yu's chess craving was satisfied.
In the fourth game, Emperor Yu's expression became less serious and focused. As he placed a piece, he casually asked:
"Did you consider the consequences when you killed the Buddha Lord?"
Li Hao, playing with ease, saw the emperor's shift to serious matters. His expression became more solemn as he replied:
"I did."
"Oh? What were your thoughts?"
Emperor Yu placed a piece, looking at Li Hao with interest.
"I thought you might be very troubled, that I would be causing you a lot of problems," Li Hao sighed.
Emperor Yu paused, then asked, "So, how do you think I will handle this?"
Li Hao shook his head slightly. "I didn't think too deeply about it."
"Didn't think deeply?"
"Well, no matter how you handle it, I will accept it calmly."
Li Hao added, "As long as it doesn't cost me my life."
"..."
Emperor Yu stared at the earnest look on the boy's face for a couple of seconds, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
"You certainly trust me a lot. Aren't you afraid that the Buddhist sect might pressure me to strip you of your titles and rank, taking away your hard-earned marquisate?"
"If it's just that, then killing the Buddha Lord was worth it."
Li Hao said.
Emperor Yu was speechless and exasperated. "You really are willing to sacrifice."
"Giving up a fleeting moment for eternal space."
Li Hao smiled, "I came into this world alone, with nothing to lose. With wine, meat, and friends, that's enough."
Poetry and literary experience +166.
"That's a Zen saying. If the Buddha Lord had understood that, maybe he wouldn't have been killed by you," Emperor Yu sighed.
"Maybe he hadn't cultivated enough," Li Hao replied.
Emperor Yu glanced at him, and they both burst into laughter.
After laughing, Emperor Yu said to Li Hao, "If I were to strip you of your titles and rank, would you resent me?"
Li Hao shook his head, placing another piece on the board. "How could I? It was a gift from you, after all."
"But you earned it through your hard work."
"I would work just as hard without the titles," Li Hao said.
Emperor Yu looked at him and smiled, placing another piece on the board. As he finished, he saw Li Hao had already placed a piece, blocking his path.
This brat... Emperor Yu felt exasperated. They were discussing serious matters, and this kid still had the mind to make moves on the chessboard.
Not playing anymore!
Emperor Yu threw the black piece back into the box and flicked his sleeve, saying:
"Let's talk seriously. I should thank you instead. The Buddha Lord had already fallen to the dark side. Your actions have eliminated a hidden danger for Dayu."
Li Hao was taken aback. "You knew the Buddha Lord's avatar was the Demon King?"
Emperor Yu nodded slightly, looking at Li Hao. "It seems you knew too. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I forgot," Li Hao coughed lightly.
Emperor Yu smirked but his eyes deepened, seemingly seeing through the boy's intentions.
You didn't forget. You were worried that saying it would make my handling of the matter even more difficult...
"You..."
Emperor Yu shook his head slightly. "The remnants of the Buddhist sect are pressuring me to strip you of your titles. There are probably demons behind this, trying to divide us and take advantage."
"There's a way to turn this around by temporarily wronging you. I would announce to the world that your titles are stripped and imprison you, pretending to sever ties."
"By doing so, we can lure the demons into attacking, using this opportunity to eliminate them and take the initiative."
Li Hao listened quietly, nodding slightly. It was indeed a good strategy.
"But to do this, the act must be convincing, and you will suffer a lot." Emperor Yu looked at Li Hao.
Li Hao nodded. "I understand."
Emperor Yu gazed at him and asked, "What compensation would you need afterward?"
"Compensation?"
Li Hao thought for a moment. "If possible, could I have some calligraphy, music scores, or chess manuals from famous masters to study, and maybe some recipes..."
He listed them one by one.
"..."
Emperor Yu was speechless.
Calligraphy? Music scores? Chess manuals... These are useless to him! To a rich merchant, they might be valuable, but to someone of Li Hao's caliber, wealth and power were easily obtainable.
These things... were mere trinkets.
"Nothing else you want?" Emperor Yu asked, looking intently at him.
Li Hao thought and shook his head. "Nothing else for now."
Seeing this, Emperor Yu gave him a long look and said no more. He stood up. "It's getting late. I should be going."
"I'll see you off," Li Hao said quickly.
"No need."
Emperor Yu glanced at Feng Boping, his eyes flickering. "He is the Thief Saint, right? It seems he knows many secrets of the Buddha Lord and has been tampered with. Is this soul fragmentation?"
Li Hao nodded. "Yes."
Emperor Yu patted Li Hao's shoulder. "I'll inform the Wang family. They oversee the Nether Rivers of Dayu. If we can find his missing soul within our borders, they might be able to retrieve it."
Li Hao was stunned and quickly said, "I'll go now."
Emperor Yu looked at his excited expression and chuckled helplessly.
"Going now won't help. You'll just be waiting. There are many Buddhist disciples at the Wang family. If they know you're coming, it might cause unnecessary conflict. It's better to wait for their message before going."
Li Hao thought for a moment and said, "That makes sense."
"Don't worry. I'll have them search thoroughly."
Emperor Yu said and then walked out of the yard.
Li Hao watched him leave. After stepping out of the yard, the emperor seemed to disappear instantly.
That aura... It wasn't just Daoist principles or a domain, but the aura of the Great Dao.
The emperor was at the Daoist realm?
Li Hao was momentarily stunned but then realized it made sense.
The Buddha Lord had hidden so deeply. Who else wouldn't have some hidden strength?
As the gate closed, Ren Qianqian curiously approached and asked, "Young master, who was that?"
"An old man who plays chess," Li Hao replied, looking in the direction Emperor Yu had left.
"Is he very good at chess?"
Ren Qianqian was surprised. Even the young chess master hadn't been praised by Li Hao like this.
"His chess skills are average, but his chess character is high."
"Does that mean young master was winning all the time?"
"No, I was always losing."
...
In the imperial palace of Dayu.
While Chu Jiuyue waited anxiously, Emperor Yu returned.
He first went to Qiandao Palace to confirm the answer, then sent people to notify the Wang family to search for Feng Boping's lost soul in the Nether Rivers. He also summoned various hidden figures to the palace.
These people arrived silently, unseen by the high-ranking officials.
One figure, like a bird, landed in the palace, transformed into a girl after retracting her wings.
As the secret orders spread, the forces behind the imperial court began to operate quietly.
"Your Majesty, the secret agents from the Buddhist sect report that they plan to cause trouble in various cities, trying to force your hand."
Chu Jiuyue reported.
Although Emperor Yu had temporarily suppressed the Buddhist rebellion, the sect was still agitated, demanding justice.
Hearing this, Emperor Yu's expression remained unchanged, seemingly expecting it. He smiled coldly:
"Let them. They'll get the answer they want soon."
Chu Jiuyue glanced at him and whispered:
"Your Majesty, did you play chess with General Haotian?"
"Yes."
Hearing this, Chu Jiuyue, despite expecting it, couldn't help but smile wryly.
If the Buddhist disciples knew, they'd probably have a stroke.
"What about General Haotian?"
Emperor Yu looked at him and smiled. "I gave him a solution, one the Buddhist sect desires."
Chu Jiuyue's face changed. "Did General Haotian agree?"
Emperor Yu nodded. "He agreed without hesitation."
Chu Jiuyue was stunned, then relaxed, smiling. "If General Haotian can understand your difficulties and intentions, that's the best outcome."
Emperor Yu smiled faintly, staring at the "Buddha" character on his desk, his gaze growing cold:
"But I refuse."
Chu Jiuyue was startled.
"He is willing to endure this grievance, but I... I won't let him."
Emperor Yu turned to Chu Jiuyue. "You asked why I trust him so much."
Chu Jiuyue was confused.
"Because I understand him."
Emperor Yu said softly. "You don't understand. It's like a mayfly trying to comprehend the sky. Your world is too small. His world is too vast."
Chu Jiuyue was shaken. He hadn't realized how much the emperor valued this boy, beyond his imagination.
...
When the Buddhist disciples in various cities were about to riot, an imperial decree from Dayu's palace declared that the real culprit behind the Buddha Lord's death had been found! The Ministry of Justice and the Demon Suppression Department jointly confirmed the culprit.
The culprit was the demon emperor behind the seven top demon forces! From the wild lands, the demon emperor! The wars in Qingzhou, Liangzhou, and Youzhou were all orchestrated by the demon emperor! The demon emperor infiltrated Wuliang Mountain, disguised as General Haotian, fought the Buddha Lord, and killed him!
As the decree spread, the news reached all the states, shaking the world.
Previously, the wars between Dayu and the demons were fought in secret. Now, Emperor Yu had brought it into the open, directly pointing out the existence of the demon emperor.
"Demon emperor? Demon god?!"
"I knew it! Why would General Haotian kill the Buddha Lord for a thief?"
"It was all the demons' doing! So cunning, using such a tactic to frame General Haotian!"
"General Haotian is a genius who saved three states! He's the hope of Dayu. How could he do such a thing?"
"Buddhist disciples claim to have witnessed it. Ridiculous! Seeing is believing? What about illusions? Even a godly wandering realm can use tricks to fool a weekly realm warrior!"
"Nonsense! The emperor is covering up. There's no demon!"
"I think the Buddhist sect is the real demon! Why would General Haotian kill the Buddha Lord? What's the reason?"
The royal family's prestige was deep. Though some still doubted, mostly Buddhist disciples, the majority of the people, nobles, and gentry in the nineteen states believed it was the demons' doing.
The people believed in the emperor's authority and Li Hao's previous deeds.
The nobles and gentry, some trusted the royal power, others were driven by pure interest.
They saw no benefit in General Haotian killing the Buddha Lord, making them believe it.
The Buddhist sect's high-level leaders were almost furious.
The emperor didn't help them seek justice. Instead, he used their Buddha Lord's death to rally them against the demons.
Too ruthless. This emperor was too ruthless!
The news naturally reached the demons, the secret temple outside Dayu.
Demon Lord Yang and the three demon gods were stunned, their faces turning ugly.
The humans saw the emperor cleverly diverting the anger over the Buddha Lord's death. But they knew this decree wasn't just to exonerate that terrifying boy. It was a direct declaration of war against them!
Their hoped-for opportunity was gone.
They had anticipated a possible fake split and planned to counter it.
But the emperor didn't even pretend. He didn't use this event to show weakness. Instead, he redirected the Buddhist sect's anger towards the demons, using them to defend Dayu.
"Damn it!"
Demon Lord Yang's face was grim.