The Four Sacred Peoples of the North.
The Thirty-Six Generals of the Thunder Department.
The Thirty-Six Ten Thousand Celestial Troops.
Such a grand array, yet only for capturing the master?
This left Chen Yun feeling extremely unbelievable.
The master's celestial emperor cultivation was probably the top existence in this realm, second only to the Grand Dao Realm.
It seems reasonable to deploy so many celestial soldiers and deities.
The problem is, Chen Yun had previously heard from his master that covering up faults of disciples should only result in ten years of imprisonment.
Ten years of imprisonment can be considered a serious crime?
For ordinary people, nine years of "imprisonment" can be quite severe, as life is only a few decades long.
However, for a celestial like his master, nine years are just a blink of the eye and can be considered a minor offense.
Given that, there is no reason for the master to resist the arrest by the Celestial Court.
Then why is the Celestial Court taking such great measures, deploying the North Pole Four Saints, the Thirty-Six Generals of the Thunder Department, and three hundred thousand celestial troops?
According to Chen Yun's knowledge, both the North Pole Four Saints and the Thirty-Six Generals of the Thunder Department all belong to the Protective Deity Division.
What does the term 'Protective Deity' mean?
As the name implies, the main responsibility of protective deities is to guard the laws of the Dao, protect deities of various paths, and safeguard believers.
Such a task is not something that just anyone can handle; it requires exceptional combat skills to qualify for it.
Among the protective deities, the North Pole Four Saints are the four strongest, next to Nine Heaven's Appropriate Yuan Thunderous Generalization Daoist. Following them are the Protectors of Four Grand Marshals, the Thirty-Six Generals of the Thunder Department, and others like Six Din and Six Jia.
It can be said that the lineup sent by the Celestial Court to capture the master is unprecedentedly grand.
It's just for a 'principal accused' who committed a crime punishable by nine years of imprisonment?
This just doesn't seem fair.
Just as Chen Yun was puzzled and could not understand, the voice of the Great Emperor of Fengdu echoed from behind.
He quickly turned around, bowed respectfully, and said, "Your Majesty, what command do you have?"
The Great Emperor of Fengdu is as imposing as ancient mountains that have lain dormant on the land for eternity.
He said without any expression, "Chen Yun, do you know what kind of judgment your master's crime will receive?"
Chen Yun was taken aback, "My master said earlier that covering up the disciples' crime would result in a sentence of ten years in prison. Is that not so?"
The Great Emperor of Fengdu maintained a calm demeanor and spoke slowly, "The Women Qing Heaven Law states that all righteous deities shall not tolerate their disciples from harming good people and causing havoc in the world. Those who violate this rule shall be sentenced to nine years of imprisonment. Based on this celestial law, nine years seems to be the correct punishment."
Chen Yun, being as clever as he is, naturally sensed something amiss in the Great Emperor of Fengdu's latter half of the sentence.
He faintly felt that something was unusual and his face became somewhat serious, "Your Majesty, do you mean that my master's mistake is far more serious than this?"
The Great Emperor of Fengdu nodded slightly and said, "What I just recited was only the first half of that celestial law."
Chen Yun had studied the "Women Qing Tian Law," but he had not memorized all its contents.
As he has not yet obtained enlightenment and only needs to remember the part related to "disciples," that will be sufficient.
Of course, he was unaware of the latter part of this celestial law as recited by the Great Emperor of Fengdu.
He humbly asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, what is the latter part?"
The Great Emperor of Fengdu's expression became increasingly serious, as if he felt extremely difficult, "The latter part is: Those who know but fail to warn or admonish, shall be put to death. Therefore, those who violate the order will also be punished with transformations!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun's heart trembled greatly.
If it's as the Great Emperor of Fengdu said...
Master, it's not just that he "knows but fails to warn or admonish."
At that time, he knew that Wang Zixi had committed a monumental crime, and he personally let him go. This is a clear case of "deliberately violating the order."
That means, according to the celestial law, both Master and Wang Zixi should suffer the most severe punishment of being split into multiple forms.
Spiritual dismemberment is like soul torture!
Although the ultimate result is the same as being extinguished, which is to have one's soul and spirit scattered.
However, before one's soul and spirit are scattered, they will be cruelly dismembered by thousands of knives and weapons. This is terrifying.
Chen Yun was suddenly in a panic, pondering whether to seek help from his ancestor Dong Wanggong to save his master's life.
Unexpectedly, the Great Emperor of Fengdu spoke again, "If your master had only privately let Wang Zixi go, it would have been at most considered as 'knowing but failing to warn or admonish.' However, he not only let Wang Zixi go but also deliberately disabled his cultivation and expelled him from the school. As a result, Wang Zixi is no longer a person of the Xuanmen orthodoxy and has turned from a cultivator into an ordinary person. The celestial law no longer applies to him; that is, he will not receive any punishment. But your master is different. His actions are not just 'knowing but failing to warn or admonish,' but rather deliberately violating the celestial law of the Women Qing Tian Law. By covering up such a great calamity for his disciple, all the sins will be attributed to him. Tell me, what punishment will he face?"
Chen Yun looked lost and said, "He will certainly suffer the punishment of being dismembered."
"People have laws, and the heavens have celestial laws." The Great Emperor of Fengdu seemed to have understood what Chen Yun was thinking in his heart and intentionally pointed out a glimmer of hope, "Even though Dōng Wanggong, the revered male immortal leader who imparted teachings to my master, holds a high status and is immensely respected, he cannot defy celestial laws and decrees."
In that case, even if I go to the Penglai Immortal Island to seek help from Dong Wanggong, it will not be able to save my master's life?
If even Dong Wanggong cannot save Master, then there may be no one in heaven and earth who can save him except the Three Pure Ones, the Three Deities of the Celestial Realm, and the Treasured Buddhist Schools.
For a moment, Chen Yun's heart was filled with heavy sorrow.
He even secretly cursed his own shallow cultivation.
If my cultivation could be extraordinary and unparalleled.
Even if I caused chaos in the heavens like Sun Wukong from 'Journey to the West', it would be irrelevant.
As long as I could save my master's life.
Even if the path ahead is a mountain of knives and a sea of fire.
Chen Yun would not even slightly furrow his brow!
Just as Chen Yun's heart was in turmoil.
Just as Chen Yun was in a mess, the Great Emperor of Fengdu suddenly said a very strange thing, "Do you... want to save your master?"
Chen Yun suddenly lifted his head, "Your Majesty, what can you do?"
"Good! Good! Good!" The Great Emperor of Fengdu called out three times, showing a look of satisfaction, "I have had hundreds of years of friendship with Zhengyangzi, and it is gratifying to see such a filial person as you become his disciple."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun felt that the Great Emperor of Fengdu might indeed have a solution, and he knelt down quickly, imploring with all his might, "Please, Your Majesty, show me how to save my master."
"The ordinary deities would have committed a mistake, and as the supreme ruler of the Underworld, I certainly should not interfere in such matters. However, since Zhengyangzi and I have a close relationship that transcends formality, I cannot stand by and watch him die." The Great Emperor of Fengdu spoke slowly, "It's difficult to save Zhengyangzi, but it's also easy. It depends on whether you are willing to put in effort."
Chen Yun spoke sincerely, "As long as it can save my master's life, even if it means I have to die a thousand deaths, I would not hesitate!"
The Great Emperor of Fengdu nodded in satisfaction and said, "As the saying goes, 'good deeds can counterbalance bad deeds.' If Zhengyangzi committed a monumental crime, if there are equal merits or demerits to offset it, he will naturally be able to rest in peace. However, it is difficult to earn such merits in ordinary times. Today is different from the past. It is not too difficult to earn such a great merit."
What is the method?
How could such a monumental merit be earned to offset such a colossal disaster?
Chen Yun slightly raised his head, looked straight ahead without turning his eyes, and stood up straight, carefully listening.
"Exaltation of the Deities!"
The Great Emperor of Fengdu spat out a word, "When the world is in chaos, the people are homeless, and the faith of the gods is damaged. If you could help one of the outstanding figures unify the world and stabilize the faith, that would be boundless merit that can naturally help your master."
The Exaltation of the Deities?
Help one outstanding figure to unite the world?
Chen Yun's eyes began to twinkle.
Perhaps others do not know which outstanding figure will unify the world in the future.
However, since he has come from the future, how could he not know who it is?
That's right, Song Emperor Zhao Kuangyuan!
But the Song Emperor Zhao Kuangyuan has not yet been born at this time.
According to historical records, Zhao Kuangyin should have been born in the second year of the Tian Cheng era of the Later Tang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms.
Then, after the Later Han Dynasty, he left home in search of opportunities to achieve glory and fame.
After several twists and turns, he finally took refuge under Guo Wei.
After that, Guo Wei overthrew the rule of the Emperor of Later Han and seized the throne, establishing Later Zhou.
In the year Xiande 1, Guo Wei died.
His adoptive son Chai Rong succeeded the throne, becoming the Emperor of Later Zhou.
Zhao Kuangyin achieved great merit under Chai Rong, rising rapidly through the ranks, eventually being appointed as the Inspector-General and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Palace.
Next, Chai Rong died at the young age of seven, and his adoptive son, Chai Zongquan, succeeded as the young Emperor of Later Zhou.
Zhao Kuangyin led the Chenqiao Rebellion, forcing Emperor Chai to abdicate, and established the Grand Song.
After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, under the wise and valiant command of Zhao Kuangyin, it quickly defeated the separatist regimes such as Later Shu, South Han, and South Tang.
However, during the campaign against the Northern Han, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly passed away.
Then, his younger brother Zhao Guangyi ascended the throne and pacified the Northern Han.
He basically unified the country.
This marked the end of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Chen Yun knew all about this information.
However, according to the current timeline, Zhao Kuangyin is still more than twenty years away from being born.
If Master is going to be punished by the heavens, we cannot wait for Zhao Kuangyin's birth.
Secondly, even if Zhao Kuangyin is born after twenty-odd years, it will not suddenly unify the world. There will be a span of several decades in between.
It seems that no matter how you look at it, using this method to save my master is not very likely.
Chen Yun raised his head and frowned, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to participate in the Battle of Divine Creation and achieve merits. However, who knows how long it will take to accumulate enough merits to save my master in this calamity? My master is currently being held captive, and I do not have time to earn merits."
"The time has little significance for the sacred beings above the Spiritual Realm, but..."
The Great Emperor of Fengdu spoke a series of seemingly unrelated words, "Sages have their own rules, and they may not recklessly cross through time or foresee past and future events. That is to say, many sages do not actually know what will happen in the future. You and I are different from them because you have traveled from the future. I, myself, am the ruler of the underworld, and even with the myriad hells existing, the control over space and time is still in my hands alone. Therefore, you and I are aware of changes in future events, knowing which figure should unify the world. However, as the ruler of the underworld, I may not participate in any matters in the secular world. Therefore, besides the Three Pure Ones, the Three Deities of the Celestial Realm, and us four individuals, only you know future history, and only you will participate in the war."
The Great Emperor of Fengdu paused for a moment before continuing, "I believe you can definitely find the right person to unify the world. However, as you mentioned earlier, Zhengyangzi has been captured, and it seems that there is not enough time to earn merits. But have you ever thought about who Zhengyangzi's teacher is?"
Chen Yun suddenly woke up, "Your Majesty, do you mean that the ancestor can delay the time of judgment, even though he cannot save Master's life?"
"Heaven has one day, while the earth has a year," the Great Emperor of Fengdu smiled. "If you go to Penglai and beg Dong Wanggong to make an appearance in the heavens, dragging on for several tens of days in the heavenly court, several decades would have passed on earth. You would also have time to earn merits."
Dong Wanggong's prestigious status may not be able to counteract the laws of heaven, but to delay the time for a few tens of days in the heavens should not be a problem.
Chen Yun was overjoyed and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for enlightening me. Such kindness will never be forgotten by Chen Yun in this life and the next!"
"No problem," the Great Emperor of Fengdu waved his hand. "Just remember, when you participate in the Battle of Divine Creation, do not really harm the soldiers and civilians of the mortal world. Your main targets should be the cultivators, demons, ghosts, and deities in the enemy army of the outstanding figure you wish to support in uniting the world. Only then can you accumulate greater merits. Otherwise, if you harm mortals, your merits might be deducted. Chen Yun, have you remembered my words?"
Chen Yun bowed again, "I will definitely remember Your Majesty's kind instructions."
The Great Emperor of Fengdu grunted and said, "In that case, I will send your soul back to the mortal world immediately. Then, you should hurry to Penglai and beg Dong Wanggong to make an appearance."
Chen Yun silently prayed in his heart, hoping that the ancestor's intervention will be effective!
(Chapter complete)
