After the Skyfall

Chapter 584 Tacit understanding
soon.

The news that the world's top masters were defeated on the shores of Taihu Lake spread like wildfire and soon reached the ears of the imperial court, and also made all the other gods in the world know about it.

Of course, the reason why the news could spread so quickly was that someone was secretly fanning the flames.

In addition to this bad news, there is another bad news, that is, Taiyi Zhenren of Taihu City has started to act again with the Jinyiwei. This time his actions are more bold. He actually divided his troops into two groups to start breaking through mountains and temples. Moreover, the incense gods and monsters along the way fled upon hearing the news and did not dare to confront them at all.

Some incense gods who had no way to escape simply chose to kneel down and beg for mercy.

Some incense gods surrendered and were accepted, but more were eliminated without any mercy. In addition, many gentry, ancestral halls and temples of aristocratic families were destroyed, and even many people who dared to resist were killed. It was simply lawless, and the most fatal thing was that no one could control the behavior of Taiyi Zhenren.

A top master, with three thousand Jinyiwei, is enough to sweep the world.

It only took three to five days.

The number of people who went to destroy mountains and temples by Taiyi Zhenren not only did not decrease, but increased, because he accepted many mountain spirits and monsters, and promised to enfeoff them as gods after the task was accomplished and let them enjoy incense and offerings. Seeing such benefits, many spirits in the mountains and monsters could not bear it and naturally came out to help.

Such a scene made all the civil and military officials in the court very anxious.

today.

Above the court meeting.

The Shenwu Emperor Li Jiye sat on the dragon throne as usual. He wore a crown and a royal robe, and looked majestic and serious.

Inside the hall, the ministers were arguing fiercely.

"When I first saw that this Taiyi Zhenren had the energy of a dragon and a tiger, I knew that he was no ordinary person and should have been eliminated early to avoid any trouble. But now, he is leading the Jinyiwei to burn, kill, rob and commit all kinds of evil, and now he has become a powerful figure. What should I do?"

"My family's ancestral hall was destroyed yesterday. The incense of our ancestors has been cut off and their souls have been scattered. It's hateful. The evil Taoist Taiyi is really hateful." At this moment, some people beat their feet and stamped their chests, wishing they could cut Li Yi into pieces to relieve their hatred.

"What's the point of saying this now? We should quickly find a way to stop the actions of Master Taiyi. Otherwise, after he travels around the world with the Embroidered Uniform Guards and a group of monsters, we might really change the dynasty." Some people were worried that once Li Yi's power became dominant, he would most likely counterattack the capital.

By that time, let alone the incense and offerings to ancestors, it would be hard to say whether one can even save one's own life.

However, the Shenwu Emperor Li Jiye was overjoyed. He did not expect that this operation would be so smooth and it was almost successful without much effort. All his previous worries were unnecessary. As long as he was strong enough, those incense gods were just paper tigers and not worth mentioning at all.

"I suggest sending a large army to encircle and suppress Master Taiyi. We must not allow him to continue to act so recklessly." A minister said angrily at this moment.

Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan said coldly, "Fool, don't speak if you can't think of a good idea. Master Taiyi cast a spell and spit out a mouthful of fire covering an area of ​​300 miles. Many armies will die if they go there. If the news of the army's disastrous defeat spreads, the foundation of the country will be shaken, and it won't be excessive to execute all nine generations of your clan."

The minister was so frightened by the scolding that he shrank his neck and retreated back.

"No monsters or gods in the world are a match for Master Taiyi. He can turn mountains and rivers upside down and reopen the sun and moon with his own strength. There is no way to deal with such a person. We can only recruit him. Your Majesty, I suggest that you re-establish the title of National Master, spread his name throughout the world, and at the same time summon Master Taiyi to the capital." Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan spoke again.

The ministers reacted immediately.

Yes.

If you can't defeat him, just invite this Taiyi Zhenren to the capital, then reward him with more money and beauties, keep him in the capital, and prevent him from going out to cause trouble.

"I had this idea when I appointed Master Taiyi as the National Master before, but you just refused. Now this disaster has happened. If Master Taiyi starts a massacre on the day he returns to the capital, what do you think I should do?" The Shenwu Emperor Li Jiye said slowly, with a hint of helplessness in his tone.

When these words were spoken, many people broke out in cold sweats.

They almost forgot that they had previously said that they would deprive Taiyi Zhenren of his title and execute him. Now that he has been recruited back to the capital, doesn't that mean they will all be liquidated?
"Appointing him as a national teacher to appease his heart is feasible, but inviting him to the capital should be discussed later." The Shenwu Emperor Li Jiye said. He only needed to give Li Yi another two or three months, and the plan of destroying mountains and temples would be almost completed. Then he would return to the capital and purge the court.

From then on, the world would be ruled by the father and son alone.

What can't be done and what can't be accomplished by then? How can we be like in the past, tied up and tied, depending on the officials and the intentions of Emperor Yin?

"Your Majesty is right. My proposal is biased." Grand Tutor Zuo Hanyuan replied.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye continued: "Does the hidden official have any good suggestions? Why not tell me and discuss it with all the ministers during this court meeting."

In a corner of the hall, those hidden officials were all speechless.

What else could they say? The Champion and General Tianwei were both dead, and they also lost the God of Shoushan, Lady Baishui. Even the current emperor, Lord Heishan, was missing. Could it be that Emperor Yin really had to take up his sword and mount his horse to conquer the Immortal Taiyi? Not to mention that this was impossible. Even if he did so, what if he still couldn't defeat him?

Right now, Master Taiyi has no other choice but to appease him. As for his plan to destroy mountains and temples, it will not affect Yin Tianzi for now, so he might as well wait and see what happens next.

Don't speak when you see the hidden official.

The ministers immediately showed bitter expressions. This meant that it was impossible to stop Master Taiyi, and he would lead the Jinyiwei to destroy the statues and kill the gods of incense.

"Since the hidden official has nothing to say, let's leave this matter at this level for now. I will issue an imperial decree later to officially enthrone Master Taiyi as the national teacher. At the same time, I will also set up a statue and build a temple for Master Taiyi so that he can enjoy the incense and offerings from all over the world." The Shenwu Emperor Li Jiye said.

This is the second step of his plan.

Accept incense from all over the world.

Part of the incense offerings in this world go to him, and part go to Li Yi.

With the help of the imperial court, within a month, every city will have a statue of Taiyi Zhenren and a statue of Li Jiye. As time goes by, the power of incense and worship possessed by this emperor will far exceed that of all previous emperors. After that, he can start the third step of the plan.

Eliminate all those hidden officials and treacherous emperors, and then govern the world well, increase the population, and bring the power of incense and faith to its peak.

"Father, the position of the Imperial Master is nothing but an empty title. How can you set up a statue for Master Taiyi and let him enjoy the incense from the world? He will be a serious threat sooner or later. You can give him more gold, silver, and beauties to corrupt his mind. Wait for the right time and then eliminate him in one fell swoop. This is the way to ensure long-term peace and stability."

At this moment, Crown Prince Zhao Jing immediately stood up to oppose.

Many ministers looked at the prince. Although they were surprised, they agreed with this move after thinking about it for a while.

The power of incense and faith that Taiyi Zhenren does not have is so terrifying. If he really enjoys the incense and offerings from all over the world, that would be disastrous. He would be the only one who has the final say in the court in the future, and it would be impossible to kill him.

"Your Highness's words make sense. We still have to be on guard against Master Taiyi."

"Indeed, Your Majesty can give Taiyue Mountain to Master Taiyi, but you must not erect many statues of the deity to help him become a deity through worship. Otherwise, it will become a difficult task to remove."

"Incense and offerings must not be given to Master Taiyi. Your Majesty should reconsider this."

The Shenwu Emperor Li Jiye's eyes moved slightly at this moment, and he looked at the Crown Prince Zhao Jing. He did not expect that the Crown Prince would publicly stand up and oppose this matter. It seems that the Crown Prince has grown wings and wants to fly.

Immediately, he said calmly: "If you are not sincere, how can you appease Master Taiyi? Since the prince is against it, then the prince will be responsible for appeasing Master Taiyi. If this is successful, the prince will be credited with great merit."

Crown Prince Zhao Jing was stunned when he heard this.

He went to appease Master Taiyi?

How to comfort yourself.

That Taoist kills people without blinking an eye, and he is leading three thousand Jinyiwei outside to kill like crazy. If he goes there, wouldn't he be walking into a tiger's mouth?
"Father." Crown Prince Zhao Jing wanted to say something else, but was interrupted by Emperor Shenwu.

"This is settled. If the Crown Prince cannot be appeased, we will proceed according to the previous plan." Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye said, "The Crown Prince will set out tonight. I will send the Golden Eye Guards to escort him all the way. You should prepare yourself and think of a good strategy."

Crown Prince Zhao Jing felt his father's cold gaze, and for some reason, he felt a chill all over his body.

He felt that his father was sending him to be killed by Master Taiyi, and it was not for the purpose of appeasement at all.

In fact, his feeling was not wrong.

Emperor Shenwu Li Jiye no longer needs this crown prince. If Zhao Jingshen stayed at home and did not interfere in state affairs, he might have been able to give him some respect. But now that he has stood up and voiced a different opinion at this critical moment, how could the crown prince keep him? It is better to deal with him as soon as possible to avoid any trouble in the future.

As the court meeting ended, a team of golden-eyed guards immediately moved into the East Palace.

at dusk.

The prince's carriage left the palace and followed the emperor towards the outside of the capital, but for some unknown reason, when passing a stone bridge, Prince Zhao Jing suddenly went mad, rushed out of the carriage, and jumped into the river. Although the Golden Eyed Guards rescued him in time, he has been unconscious and blood is flowing from all his orifices.

Since then, the prince faded out of the court, but Master Taiyi still announced to the world, appointed a national teacher, and built a temple as previously discussed.

But these actions in the capital did not affect Li Yi's plan.

What he had to do was to cleanse the gods of incense and worship in the world, and his father Li Jiye was in charge of the capital.

Although the two had no contact, they understood each other tacitly.

Only a month has passed.

As the statues were erected and mountains and temples were destroyed, all the incense in the world flowed to Li Yi and Li Jiye at an astonishing speed.

(End of this chapter)