Chapter 1206: Chapter 733_2

The so-called human heart cannot be tested.

No matter how incorruptible a person may seem, faced with an unattended treasury full of gold and silver, perhaps a trace of errant thought would arise occasionally.

If even gold and silver, seen as mere dirt, can tempt, what about the immortality coveted by deities and Immortal Venerables?

Imposing Emperor’s Aura is like that treasury of gold and silver, faced daily by the Human Emperor, who only has to reach out to seize that transcendence beyond the Dao.

Yet he merely remains intoxicated day after day, never stepping away, and has never reached out his hand.

This is a form of torture with no end in sight.

“Reports from Great Nan Continent, General of Southern Defense Shen Yi has consecutively slain Third Grade experts of the Bodhi Sect and the Three Immortals Sect. Now, Southern Sumeru has roused true anger and, by unknown means, has gathered a full eight Demon Venerables, planning to use their hands to swiftly conquer the Southern Continent.”

Lin Shuya, being the head of the Immortal Department, remains composed and unflustered in any situation, a fundamental skill.

Yet in his calm tone, there seems to be some underlying nuance.

“What do you think?” The Human Emperor listened quietly, was silent for a moment, then closed his eyes again.

“In principle, slaying experts of the Three Religions is not something that can be accomplished overnight; it requires prior preparation. Yet the Imperial Court has received no information. Although the letter deliberately omits this, Shuya suspects… perhaps even Yang Mingli is unaware, with this being a private action of General Nanyang.”

Lin Shuya glanced at the letter in his hand. Even though he used speculative language, his words carried complete confidence.

“I wasn’t asking you about that.”

The Human Emperor exhaled a long breath, as if extremely relaxed: “Who is Nanyang?”

“That’s the General of Southern Defense you recently appointed.”

“Oh—-”

The Human Emperor drew out his voice, as if his mind was muddled from wine, his thoughts somewhat unclear. It was a long time before he said, “It’s him huh…”

“Are there still forces in the court that can be sent to Great Nan Continent?” This rejuvenating ruler has reached the point where he no longer even knows the specific experts of the Divine Dynasty.

“Most of the other three continents have fallen, almost all the court experts have been transferred there. Only joyous news has been received from Great Nan Continent recently, so no forces have been specifically reserved for them.”

“I see.”

The Human Emperor replied blandly, then said nothing further.

Lin Shuya raised his gaze. Shen Zhou was already in chaos, all stemming from this person’s momentary lapse, yet upon hearing these reports, he can still adopt an indifferent attitude.

There is no greater sorrow than a heart that is dead.

“After all, he privately undertook these actions…” Lin Shuya pressed his lips together, bringing up Nanyang again.

“Privately?”

The Human Emperor opened his eyes again, looked over with curiosity, then a meaningful glint appeared in his eyes.

“Shuya knows there’s no longer any room to maneuver between the Three Religions and our court, but we need time, even if just a nominal delay.”

Lin Shuya finally expressed his thoughts.

What restrains the Three Religions are not those experts of the Divine Dynasty, but the righteousness of the world.

As long as the rationale is not there, they dare not act recklessly.

In short, if Great Nan Continent were to openly admit to the mistake, using that Nanyang as a price, and then announced it to the world, seeking aid from the Three Religions.

Even if those eight Demon Venerables were summoned by them, as long as they don’t want to leave a bad impression among the populace, those Bodhisattvas and Immortal Venerables would have to pinch their noses and slaughter those Demon Venerables again.

Naturally, doing so would not only lose a valuable officer but also give the populace the impression of divine incompetence, perfectly serving the interests of the Three Religions, yet at least… Great Nan Continent would not fall into a state of widespread suffering.

“Tsk.”

The Human Emperor retracted his gaze, quietly staring at the Sky Curtain, lost in thought.

“What does Your Majesty think?” Lin Shuya gritted his teeth, persistently asking.

“I think they should be rewarded.”

The Human Emperor suddenly burst out laughing, the laughter harsh and carrying a trace of mockery and disdain.

In the eyes of this aged ruler of the Human World, Lin Shuya seemed as if stripped bare, every thought laid before him, unable to hide.

“Don’t just say he killed a Bodhisattva Immortal Venerable. If one day he kills a True Buddha, I’ll make him the National Guardian General!”

As the man’s words fell, Lin Shuya’s face reddened.

In the eyes of these exalted beings, the lives of the common folk are worth so little!

Even if they all die, it seems less important than venting a bit of anger?!

“Shuya.”

At this moment, the Human Emperor ceased his laughter, his gaze momentarily clearing: “Do you think that penned-in livestock, awaiting slaughter, count as living?”

Faced with this abruptly shifted conversation topic,

Lin Shuya was briefly taken aback, then furrowed his brow: “Living is living, dead is dead. As long as one can move, eat, drink, and excrete, naturally one is living; this is the cosmic principle, how can it be changed by a mere thought.”

“…”

The Human Emperor quietly listened, once again falling silent, then after a long while gently waved his hand: “Go.”

…

In Jianyang Prefecture, at the Shen Mansion.

Shen Yi unusually lingered in the courtyard for many days, spending his time to comprehend the broken Fruit Position left by the Five Directions Bodhisattva, or idly sitting under the locust tree.

Monk Zhi Kong had already rushed back.

Yet surprisingly, even though the message had been delivered to the Southern Continent Demon Hunting Bureau, still no one had visited Jianyang Prefecture so far.

This can only prove one thing.

That is, all those people, no matter how small a hope, would strive to grasp it. To them, Shen Yi was that ray of hope.

But facing the current situation, even General Nanyang seems unable to change anything.

It’s better for everyone to do their own part, so as not to create an awkward scene of shirking responsibilities amidst mutual displeasure in such circumstances.

“They don’t think this is your responsibility; it’s just the result of overwhelming pressure.”

Monk Zhi Kong, afraid of Officer Shen misunderstanding, softly explained behind him, as he rarely witnessed Officer Shen in such leisurely form.

“No worries.”

Shen Yi picked up the teacup, moistening his lips slightly.

He did not care about such things.

Moreover, the current situation leaves no room for errant thoughts.

Considering this, Shen Yi closed his eyes again.

The seemingly idle days were really due to the need to stay in constant contact with the Thousand-legged Black Dragon brothers.

The hurried reports from the brothers gradually formed a vivid picture in Shen Yi’s mind.

Within the Seven Saint Marsh,

After the people of Bodhi Sect left, the Southern Emperor did not rush to plan how to break through Great Nan Continent.

Instead, he arranged accommodations for the newly arrived Demon Venerables.

Following this was relentless day-and-night conversations.

As if they were old friends of many years, rather than a hastily gathered demon army ready to attack the Divine Dynasty.

From origins and roots, they chatted about life stories.

They even asked the Thousand-legged Black Dragon brothers why they concealed their forms with cunning methods, which was dismissed by the brothers as long-standing habits.

Fortunately, the Southern Emperor seemed not intent on probing to the end.

When the talk reached a certain point, he finally revealed his True Intent.

“I shall not keep it from all of you.”

“Since I returned from the barbaric lands, I noticed something peculiar. No matter how I arrange things, it always seems that the Divine Dynasty gets advance notice.”

“I am not suggesting any of you here, nor am I implying there are spies within our ranks.”

The Southern Emperor’s expression was calm, but the bodies of the Thousand-legged Black Dragon brothers hidden by their Shenxu techniques froze slightly.

“After all, the messages could have come from me or leaked from the Great Sect itself. Time is pressing, and I simply do not have the strength to distinguish one by one.”

“But please bear with me.”

After he finished speaking, several streaks of light emerged from the Southern Emperor, landing in the hands of each Demon Venerable: “These are my arrangements for each of you; you may only review your own and must not disclose a word to one another.”

“If any issues arise at that time…” The Southern Emperor’s gaze grew cold: “I’ll have some inkling from where to start.”

“…”

In the Jianyang Prefecture, Shen Yi slowly opened his eyes.

Even he did not expect that in such a seemingly certain victory, the Southern Emperor could still act so cautiously.

Truly worthy of being the old demon that has survived till now.