Chapter 2490 - 2488: The Star of Slaughter Descends
Luoyang Royal Court, Huizong held court.
An eunuch announced, "Today Your Majesty is feeling unwell. Those who have issues may present them; those who don’t, court is dismissed."
Civil and military officials stood to the left and right, exchanging glances.
Grand Marshal Su Yuanjing stepped forward to report, "Your Majesty, during the last Buddhist Festival, Your Majesty composed a poem in the Bodhisattva Buddha Hall, causing great discontent among the Buddhist Sect. I request Your Holiness to issue a decree to erase the poem as a sincere apology to the Bodhisattva, to quell the anger of the Buddhist followers!"
Huizong, seated on the golden throne, glanced to his sides.
The ministers debated, echoing each other’s sentiments.
Prime Minister Cai Jing stood out and addressed Su Yuanjing, "Minister Su is making a mountain out of a molehill. His Majesty merely wrote a poem. It should be their Buddhist Sect’s honor, not anger. How did it turn into public outrage?"
Su Yuanjing replied, "It’s true His Majesty wrote a poem, but the poem contained disrespectful words against the Bodhisattva. In a previous dynasty, King Zhou of Shang also wrote a poem in Nuwa Palace. We all know the outcome; the thousand-year foundation of Shang was eventually destroyed in an instant."
Cai Jing snapped, "How dare you suggest that His Majesty is a foolish ruler like King Zhou of Shang?"
Su Yuanjing immediately knelt and repeatedly petitioned, "I, Su Yuanjing, have no such intention. I ask Your Majesty to see clearly!"
Huizong waved his hand, slightly impatiently, "Enough, I understand your intentions. Prime Minister is correct, I was merely expressing my feelings at the moment with a poem. It was only about trivial matters of romance, the Bodhisattva will not blame me. Additionally, my Great Songg venerates the Daoist Sect, why fear disturbances from the Buddhist Sect? I am aware of your loyalty, Minister Su, no need for further explanation. I’m not feeling well today, if there are no other matters, let us dismiss court!"
Without further ado, he got up and left.
The eunuch immediately announced in the hall, "Court is adjourned!"
Su Yuanjing stared resentfully at Cai Jing, got up, and left in anger.
Cai Jing and his allies exchanged knowing glances and left triumphantly.
The rule of Huizong was under the stewardship of Cai Jing.
Wang Fu and Li Bangyan served as assistant ministers.
Liang Shicheng, Tong Guan, and Gao Qiu held the title of Grand Commandant.
These six conspired together, forming cliques, corrupting, and deceiving the Emperor, causing public grievances to boil over.
The people scornfully called them the Six Thieves, each one hated deeply.
After they exited the royal hall, Chief Eunuch Li Yan secretly pulled Wang Fu and Li Bangyan aside, whispering, "Your Majesty requests the presence of the two prime ministers."
Wang Fu and Li Bangyan exchanged a glance, saluted Cai Jing, and followed Li Yan to the rear hall.
Huizong had already, under the care of the maids, changed from his court attire to casual wear and was drinking tea while seated on a couch.
Once the two entered, Huizong dismissed the servants, leaving only the two to speak within the chamber.
The two cautiously asked, "What is the reason Your Majesty has summoned us humble ministers?"
Huizong sighed, "People often say that I possess three thousand beauties in my harem, yet as I look around, those beauties appear colorless, leaving me utterly bored."
The two discerned the Emperor’s intention and quickly bowed, "We humble ministers are guilty of failing to alleviate Your Majesty’s burdens! Rest assured, we will handle this matter. We will not disappoint Your Majesty’s trust."
Huizong laughed, "You find favor with me, and I am very comforted. However, my dynasty values frugality. Do not act too flamboyantly in your actions, do not tarnish the image of the Royal Family."
"We understand, Your Majesty!"
The two immediately knelt and bowed, excited as they left.
Such a fortuitous event naturally promises benefits for the two.
After they departed, an eunuch briskly came in and reported to Huizong, "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Consort Lin has given birth to a daughter for Your Majesty. This girl was born with a Spirit Stone attached to her body. It sparkles brilliantly, illuminating everywhere. The servants say she is the reincarnation of a treasure from the Celestial Realm!"
"Consort Lin?"
Huizong pondered, realizing he hadn’t visited Consort Lin’s quarters for a while.
He instructed the eunuch, "I know, go and announce the decree, promoting Consort Lin to Noble Consort, and tonight I will visit Moonlight Palace."
"As Your Majesty commands!"
The eunuch left gleefully.
Consort Lin, whose original name was Lin Yuerong, was the descendant of a famous general.
Due to her exceptional beauty and talent, she gained Huizong’s favor upon entering the palace, gradually rising from junior to Consort.
Her younger brother, Lin Chong, although young, was appointed as the drill instructor of the Capital City’s Imperial Army with a strength of eight hundred thousand.
He possesses a leopard-like face, extraordinary courage, and is a fierce general of the court.
Huizong had been melancholic recently, but upon hearing such joyful news, naturally felt much happier.
When night fell, he went to the Moonlight Palace and met the Little Princess born with the Spirit Stone.
She appeared graceful and poised, with a small green mole on her forehead, enveloped in moonlight, almost as if a Fairy from the heavens had descended.
Happy, Huizong bestowed many gifts and took up a brush, naming the Little Princess, "Zhao Yuji."
The meaning of this name praised the child as akin to jade.
Within Nuwa Palace, a Saint calculated with fingers and sighed softly, "Although Zhao Song venerates the Daoist Sect, if I assist the Buddhist Sect in overthrowing Zhao Song, the three Daoist brothers will certainly blame me. I send this girl to the Human Realm to at least preserve half of Zhao Song’s land. Thus, fulfilling the Buddhist Sect without offending the Daoist Sect is best."
Unbeknownst to her, this descent of Daji had already been switched halfway.
Both were veiled by Chaos Green Lotus seeds to conceal their presence.
Even for a Saint, determining these circumstances presently is impossible.
In the domain of the Old Ancestor Nether River in the Netherworld, Emperor Shi Tian descended once again, kneeling before the Old Ancestor Nether River, saying, "Greetings, Old Ancestor. The matter I proposed last time, has the Old Ancestor made a decision?"
The Old Ancestor Nether River nodded, ordering someone to summon Asu.
Asu kneeled, her presence becoming increasingly profound.
She bowed to the Old Ancestor Nether River, asking, "Why has the Old Ancestor summoned me, disciple?"
The Old Ancestor Nether River said, "Currently, there is an opportunity that can help you pass through the calamity and help our Asura Clan survive the calamity as well. Are you willing to go?"
Asu bowed, "Being for the Asura Clan, Asu naturally is willing. I will fulfill the duty without hesitation, even at the cost of my life."
The Old Ancestor Nether River nodded, "It’s unnecessary to sacrifice life. You only need to reincarnate as a human and walk a round in the Immortal Realm and Human Realm."
"Reincarnate?"
Asu was wide-eyed, "In whose family to reincarnate? Why?"
The Old Ancestor Nether River replied, "The secrets of heaven must not be revealed, just say whether you are willing or not."
Asu pondered, knowing Long Fei should already have ascended to the Immortal Realm.
If reincarnated to the Immortal Realm, it would be best.
She bowed and accepted, "Disciple is willing."
The Old Ancestor Nether River nodded and pointed at her body.
Asu felt her soul shrink deeply, instantly transforming into a droplet of crimson blood, enveloped in the Chaos Green Lotus seed.
The Old Ancestor Nether River handed this bead to Emperor Shi Tian, "This bead can conceal heavenly secrets, you take it along to facilitate her reincarnation."
"Disciple accepts the decree!"
Emperor Shi Tian happily accepted, previously worried the Old Ancestor Nether River might be unwilling to cooperate with their Buddhist Sect.
He immediately left the Netherworld, entering the Immortal Realm, paused above South Yangtze Province in Southern Observation Continent.
In the South Yangtze Province, was a wealthy family.
Clan Leader Fang La, with a face like red dates, tiger whiskers, leopard forehead, bravely imposing, was a notable figure in that generation.
He treated people heroically, cared for public welfare, earning deep respect from the lower class.
This person was a disciple of the Ming Cult, spread from Western Cow Hee Continent, revering Maitreya Buddha.
Also known as, Maitreya Sect.
On this day, Fang La’s wife was giving birth.
Emperor Shi Tian cast the blood-red lotus seed into the air, then within the house a cry of birth sounded, and subsequently a baby girl was born.
This baby girl bore a red mole on her forehead, emanating a golden Buddha aura, with a faint lotus Dharma Laksana appearing all around.
Everyone was greatly surprised, thinking it was the revelation of Maitreya Buddha, providing the family with a bestowed Bodhisattva.
Servants hastily found Fang La, who was handling government officers by the riverside, and informed him of this marvel.
Fang La was jubilant, along with fellow disciples, knelt and bowed towards the Western Heaven, "Western Light Buddha Ancestor revealed his presence; disciple Fang La will surely nurture this daughter well, will not disappoint the Buddha’s trust."