Chapter 1723: Luring

"Amitabha Buddha. As the saying goes, 'If I don't go to hell, who will?'" Ruhua clasped his hands together, his face solemn. "If eliminating you, an enemy of Buddhism, requires some sacrifice, then those sacrifices are necessary."

During previous dynasties, Buddhism flourished, but over the past century, it has been severely suppressed by Zhao Hao and is now barely surviving. Therefore, it's not surprising for him to be called an "enemy of Buddhism."

Zhao Hao sneered, "What noble words about necessary sacrifices. Yet, the ones being sacrificed are always others."

Ruhua shook his head slightly. "If sacrificing this humble monk could defeat you, I would naturally not hesitate."

He spoke with unwavering determination, showing no trace of guilt, clearly believing these words wholeheartedly.

Sensing his conviction, Zhao Hao had no desire to argue further. Instead, he asked curiously, "How exactly did you become a young monk? Is it through your Buddhist sect's legendary Samsara Reincarnation method?"

If such a method of rebirth truly existed, why would he have painstakingly pursued immortality?

Ruhua nodded slightly. "In addition to a secret Buddhist technique, I also drew inspiration from the Taoist concept of 'Three Pure Ones in One Qi.' When I realized that the general trend was irreversible and I couldn't resist it, I separated my Yang Spirit and, using a secret art, transformed it into an infant to cultivate anew. This undertaking was extremely risky, but fortunately, it succeeded in the end."

Zhao Hao nodded secretly. This method was similar to when his Yang Spirit possessed Crown Prince Zhao Ruizhi. However, such possession is a last resort and comes with various side effects. The most severe is that one cannot surpass the original body's cultivation level, nor can it be done more than three times. This is an unbreakable rule of the Heavenly Dao; otherwise, all cultivators who reached the Earth Immortal realm could achieve immortality and pass on their legacies for generations.

However, Monk Ruhua's method seemed even more sophisticated. He wondered if it could bypass the rules of the Heavenly Dao.

Just as he was about to ask more, Ruhua showed no willingness to waste further words with him. "Your Majesty's cultivation is profound, and your recovery ability is naturally astonishing. You are deliberately stalling for time, presumably to recover more strength."

Zhao Hao sneered, "Physical injuries are one thing, but with such severe damage to your primordial spirit, show me how you recover from that."

Hearing his words, Ruhua was somewhat puzzled. "But why can this humble monk not sense the slightest fear from Your Majesty? It's as if everything is still under your control."

"Because I have people," Zhao Hao said with a slight smile. As everyone else watched with uncertainty, he looked in a certain direction and called out, "Marquis Shen, come out."

As soon as his voice faded, a group of figures slowly appeared. The leader was tall and handsome, though his expression was somewhat conflicted. "It seems we've come at the wrong time."

Zu An felt quite awkward. With the help of Yan Xuehen and Xie Daoyun, they had just managed to open a passage through the Protective Mountain Array of the True Yang Sect.

They had originally thought the battle above was almost over and they could come up to pick up the spoils, but who would have imagined such a scene?

Almost everyone on the Golden Summit was annihilated. Zhu Xie Chixin, Eunuch Wen, Guo Zhi, along with the Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Bodyguards, were all dead. Many of them had once crossed paths and formed acquaintances in the imperial palace, making their fate particularly saddening.

Moreover, Zhao Hao was now in a precarious situation, and that chubby little monk turned out to be a hidden Earth Immortal?

He couldn't help but glance at Ruhua again, thinking, *This guy was really well-hidden. He was constantly getting his head tapped by Master Jianhuang, but it turns out he's the master?*

As he observed Ruhua, the remaining people on the Golden Summit were also scrutinizing their group.

Zu An himself was largely ignored, as he was familiar enough to both sides.

Instead, their attention was drawn to the people beside him: the ethereal Yan Xuehen, the stunning and dominant Yun Jianyue, the charming and passionate Qiu Honglei, and the elegant and serene Xie Daoyun...

*Why does he have so many beautiful women with him? Is he parading his confidantes around?*

The recent battle had left the Golden Summit in a state of utter devastation. The arrival of these beautiful women introduced an incongruous splash of beauty to the battlefield.

Especially since Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue were famously mortal enemies, how could the two women be standing together like sisters?

The other women also surveyed the scene, equally startled by the state of the Golden Summit. All the structures on the summit had been completely destroyed, and the ground appeared as if it had been repeatedly plowed. There was even a subtle sense that the entire summit was a few feet lower than when they had arrived a few days prior, clearly a result of the recent fierce battle.

Yan Xuehen's heart immediately sank when she saw Li Changsheng. Given the situation, it was impossible not to see that he had been involved in the confrontation against Zhao Hao. Recalling his evasiveness towards her recently, she realized it must have been for this very reason.

Her heart sank to rock bottom. If this situation wasn't handled carefully, it could bring about the destruction of the White Jade Capital.

Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei, however, were ecstatic. After all, for them, both the Taoist sect and the Emperor were enemies. Wasn't it absolutely thrilling to see them both severely wounded?

Their only regret was that the monk seemed to hold the absolute advantage. For the Demonic Sect, the Buddhist sect was also a sworn enemy.

Xie Daoyun, on the other hand, was in turmoil. Having come from a family of officials, she had been educated from a young age to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic. Seeing the emperor in trouble, her heart instantly tightened with worry.

*Oh no, oh no! Such a huge commotion happened here, and despite my previous checks everywhere, I found nothing. If something happens to the Emperor, will I be held accountable? It might even implicate the Xie family. My teacher will definitely be disappointed in me, and then I might not be able to stay in the academy out of shame...*

Upon seeing Yun Jianyue, Zhao Hao's eyes narrowed slightly. *This brat is actually colluding with the Demonic Sect Leader. He truly has been harboring ill intentions all along.*

Especially when he recalled Yun Jianyue's assassination attempt in the palace back then, and Zu An also being in the palace at the time, it was possible that Zu An had helped Yun Jianyue escape successfully.

However, he quickly suppressed these thoughts and said softly, "No, you've come at precisely the right time."

Zu An inwardly grumbled, *This fellow usually orders me around, but today he's calling me Marquis Shen. It seems he needs something from me.*

Sure enough, Zhao Hao said, "Marquis Shen, these people are rebelling. Quickly execute them on the spot."

Zu An said with a hint of shyness, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that might not be appropriate. I am still considered a convicted criminal."

Zhao Hao knew he was referring to the matter of the demon clan's regent. He replied, "Don't worry, I absolve you of all guilt. Furthermore, you will have performed a great service this time, and I will consider granting you a royal title. That way, those pedantic scholars in court won't worry about your collusion with the demon clan."

The human race was currently powerful, and the Great Zhou dynasty was vast and rich in resources. Being a king here was clearly more comfortable than being one among the demon clan. He believed any sensible person would know how to choose.

However, it was truly detestable that this brat would seize such an opportunity to blackmail him.

Rage points from Zhao Hao +100 +100 +100...

At this moment, Prince Qi immediately shouted, "Don't believe him! Our ancestors left behind an instruction: no one not of the Zhao surname can be enfeoffed as a king. He's just trying to trick you!"

At this point, he had no other option. If Zhao Hao truly managed to turn the tables, he would surely meet a miserable end.

Zhao Hao snorted coldly. "Rules are made by people. When he achieves such unparalleled merit, why would I begrudge him a princely title?"

Prince Qi gritted his teeth. "Zu An, do you remember what I told you before? You should know how much of Zhao Hao's promise is insincere and how much is false. Once he recovers, he will definitely settle scores later. As the saying goes, 'a timely help in adversity is better than superfluous embellishment.' If you help me ascend to the throne, I can give you absolutely more than Zhao Hao. Besides the royal title, there's also what I mentioned last time: I can marry Xiaodie to you. That way, we'll be family, and you won't have to worry about me abandoning you once my purpose is served."

Hearing his words, the gazes of the four women — Yan, Yun, Qiu, and Xie — instantly fell upon Zu An. So, this young man had secretly been discussing marriage with the Princess of Prince Qi's manor all along!

Rage points from Yan Xuehen +110 +110 +110...

Rage points from Yun Jianyue +110 +110 +110...

Rage points from Qiu Honglei +110 +110 +110...

Rage points from Xie Daoyun +110 +110 +110...

Feeling several murderous glares, Zu An's back grew cold. He thought, *Has Prince Qi lost his mind from desperation? How could he openly reveal such a thing in front of so many people?*