The Ninth Lady is a rebellious person.

Chapter 591 The Barking of Ants? The Time Has Arrived

The news that the Canglan Hall of the Canglan Temple had been struck by lightning and caught fire quickly spread throughout Wujing. Many believers of the Canglan Temple were stunned, and some even looked doubtful and uneasy.

It didn't strike anywhere else, only the Canglan Palace. It even hit the life-size statue of the Imperial Preceptor. Is heavenly lightning really that precise, or is it discriminatory?
Regardless of the circumstances, being struck by lightning does inspire awe towards the divine, which diminishes the devotion of believers and weakens their resolve like the receding tide.

This wasn't the end of it. Following Canglan Temple, other temples that housed life-size statues of the Imperial Preceptor also suffered varying degrees of damage and natural disasters. With so many similar incidents, it's hard not to wonder if this was deliberate, specifically targeting the Imperial Preceptor.

Just as Fuqi and the others had discussed, something unusual must be a sign of trouble. As more and more people opposed the National Preceptor, some fanatical believers retaliated and went crazy in their support. However, some people brought up the issue of the corpse poison plague. As the National Preceptor who protects the country, he did not step forward to protect the people. How could he be worthy of the people's faith and offerings?

The fervent supporters and the anti-National Preceptor were divided into two groups, seemingly two factions. But no matter how much they argued, for the first time in over a century, the National Preceptor's immense faith and aspirations began to waver, gradually becoming thinner, more chaotic, and even carrying resentment and bad luck, making the National Preceptor feel uncomfortable for the first time.

It was as if he had been soaking in clean and pure spiritual water, but suddenly some filthy substance fell into the water source, making him feel dirty and uncomfortable from the inside out.

These seemingly insignificant, ripple-like strategies had an immediate effect.

When no one could see him, the Grand Preceptor's appearance became increasingly withered and aged.

“The barking of ants…” he whispered again, looking at his cold hands, but deep in his eyes, a growing sense of unease crept in, and he felt a sense of unease.

He took a deep breath, raised his eyes again, looked into the distance, and after a long while, a cunning smile appeared on his lips as he made a decision.

It's a pleasant surprise that such low-level tricks could trap him in such a precarious situation and force him to this point.

Things can't be out of control; it's time to meet the little wolf cubs.

Lang Jiuchuan stood in front of the window of Tongtian Pavilion, sneezed twice, touched his nose, and thought the time was about right.

Princess Tantai emerged from the palace, glancing up at the sky. Her fair and smooth face appeared even more aloof and cold. She was not unaware of the recent events; the new emperor had been urging her to enter the palace to discuss countermeasures, claiming it was a conspiracy to damage the reputation of the Imperial Advisor and the royal family.

She knew, even knew who did it, but what could she do? From the moment Lang Jiuchuan saw her, her faith had already crumbled.

Seeing the new emperor's rage and the dark circles under his eyes, she was moved, but she didn't make any promises; she just felt sorrow.

If what Lang Jiuchuan said is true, then she, the new emperor, and all the Tantai clan members are just a tragedy. So why bother to resolve it? It's all just a consequence of karma.

The Imperial Advisor must return whatever amount he has taken; she has no intention of defying the will of Heaven.

“Holy Maiden, these incidents, though seemingly natural disasters, are actually the result of deliberate actions by someone to belittle the Imperial Preceptor and elevate Lang Jiuchuan. You should not ignore them.” Daoist Bafang turned to stare at the Holy Maiden.

His eyes, though grayish-white, could accurately capture her expression; his eyes, whether in the light or the shadows, could still see through people's hearts.

Princess Tantai glanced over indifferently and said, "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Fighting with the people will only result in losing their hearts. That's why the Taoist priest should have done everything in his power to persuade the Imperial Preceptor to come down the mountain. Now that the people are resentful, how can you or I stop them?"

Master Bafang's face darkened.

This was a rejection, but she didn't care.

"You are the Grand Preceptor's disciple, and it is your duty to uphold your master's honor. You are also the Holy Maiden who protects the nation of Da Dan, and the royal family's reputation is something you must safeguard even more." Master Bafang strongly disagreed with her words: "If we do nothing, things will only get worse, and by the time it gets out of control, it will be too late to recover." While there is still time to salvage the situation, we must use force to stop this rumor and demonstrate the power of the royal family, instead of giving up.

She is a saint, and this is her duty!

"What kind of saintess am I? Just an empty title. With the nation in peril, I haven't even been able to develop an antidote; we still have to rely on people like me. The plague has caused countless deaths and injuries among the people of my Great City, leaving countless families broken and destroyed—this is divine punishment. The new emperor is young and needs to both study and govern, so I have already told him that I will go to the imperial mausoleum to pray for the nation and fast for a month. The elders of the eight directions no longer need to serve me; return to Cangshan and serve the Grand Preceptor, fulfilling my filial duties on my behalf!"

Master Bafang was taken aback, but remained unmoved. He said, “The Holy Maiden is going to pray for the country. How can she go without a Dharma Protector Elder? If the Grand Preceptor knew that I was disrespecting the Holy Maiden, he would certainly be displeased. I will go with the Holy Maiden to pray for the country.”

He thought Princess Tantai would be angry, but to his surprise, she showed no anger at all and said in a calm tone, "Great Daoist, it's fine as you wish."

She turned around and got into the carriage, looking completely indifferent.

Master Bafang frowned; something was wrong with the Holy Maiden.

The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone bricks of Wujing, and pedestrians hurriedly moved aside to avoid bumping into the Holy Maiden. When the carriage passed Tongtian Pavilion, Princess Tantai seemed to sense something, lifted the curtain, and looked up.

Lang Jiuchuan looked at the person in the car, his gaze meeting her glassy eyes, and his eyelids twitched.

Princess Tantai's eyes were filled with sorrow.

Lang Jiuchuan's lips moved slightly, and a voice transmission entered her ears, but Princess Tantai simply lowered the carriage curtain, her brows furrowing involuntarily.

Princess Tantai closed her eyes, hearing Lang Jiuchuan's words: "There's no need to go to the imperial mausoleum."

As intelligent as she is, she must already have some kind of solution.

Princess Tantai frowned, her fingertips lightly tapping the jade talisman at her waist. After only a few taps, she stopped. This habit originated from Lang Jiuchuan, and she had imitated it.

She chuckled, then pursed her lips, pondering her words and her strategy.
Princess Tantai thought about the recent events. Temples and shrines enshrining the National Preceptor had been destroyed, and the Canglan Temple had been struck by heavenly fire, its life-size statue burned down...

Something suddenly flashed through her mind, and she caught it precisely!

Princess Tantai's expression changed drastically in an instant, and her breathing became somewhat unsteady.

No way, she wouldn't be that bold, would she?

Princess Tantai's eyes showed fear, and she pinched her tiger's mouth hard with her fingertips. She would do it. She dared to defy the world. She was crazy!

Princess Tantai bit her lip, took a few deep breaths, and said, "I want to go back to Cangshan to see my master."

Master Bafang frowned even more deeply, the feeling that something was wrong growing stronger, but he didn't ask anything.

Lang Jiuchuan watched the departing carriage, suppressing the bitterness in his chest, and said, "The time has come, let's go."

(End of this chapter)