Chapter 202 — Steaming Imperial Teacher Jingping

Upon the phantom image of Mount Sumeru, a Bodhisattva pressed his palms together and said, "My Buddha, Imperial Teacher Jingping says he too is wounded. Why not seize the opportunity.

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" "True or false? " Old Tathagata asked gently, his brows kind and his eyes benevolent. The Bodhisattva was slightly taken aback.

"This disciple. . . this disciple does not know.

" Old Tathagata smiled and said, "As for the words of Imperial Teacher Jingping—those who dared to believe him have already lost, and some have already died.

Master Qiong, it was because you believed he was wounded that you suffered this defeat, was it not? " Master Qiong and the others looked grim, and Perfected Daoquan in particular was consumed with self-reproach. He had judged from Shen Mu's medicinal dregs that Imperial Teacher Jingping was gravely wounded; the others had believed his words, and that was why they had taken the second path. Still, he could not be entirely blamed.

Master Qiong, Li the Wanderer, and Tian the Perfected Lord—three old monsters from a bygone era—had ambushed Imperial Teacher Jingping amid ten thousand troops and gravely wounded him. These three old monsters were among the most supreme beings in the world today; in both strength and prestige, the three of them stood at the very pinnacle of the martial world. No one would doubt the strength of these three elders.

Though Imperial Teacher Jingping was hailed as a heaven-gifted genius seen once in five hundred years, and though his reputation was high, he still could not compare to any one of the three. It was precisely out of trust in these three that the others believed Imperial Teacher Jingping had truly been gravely wounded.

And certain details afterward also indicated that Imperial Teacher Jingping had indeed been severely injured.

For example, when he lectured on the sword at the Imperial Academy, Imperial Teacher Jingping spoke for less than two days, and there was the scent of spices on his body masking the stench of festering wounds. Again, when the Dragon King of Yulong Gate paid a nighttime visit to Imperial Teacher Jingping's residence, he withdrew unscathed; Imperial Teacher Jingping had been unable to detain him.

And again, when Zhen the Wanderer of Little Yujing fought a decisive battle with Imperial Teacher Jingping by the waterfall, Imperial Teacher Jingping's injuries erupted, so that he needed Shen Mu, the little miracle physician, to accompany him the whole way, tending to his body day and night. Add to that the judgment of Perfected Daoquan, a miracle physician, and all the signs indicated that Imperial Teacher Jingping's injuries had relapsed; even with Shen Mu's care and treatment, he would need at least a month to recover.

And this, from the very beginning of the attack on Imperial Teacher Jingping, was destined to be exploited by him and become part of a scheme. As for the two paths Imperial Teacher Jingping had given them, that too was a scheme. From beginning to end, there had never been two paths—only one.

"A heaven-gifted genius seen once in five hundred years is not so easily dealt with. " Old Tathagata said calmly, "This once-in-five-hundred-years refers not only to his wisdom, aptitude, and insight, but also to his strategy and statecraft—also once in five hundred years. A heaven-gifted genius seen once in five hundred years, if he cannot become a sage, then he is a lawless demon lord, no blessing to the world.

Believe it? " He smiled and said, "Ghost.

" The others were puzzled, not knowing why Old Tathagata had said such a thing; they only felt the words were terse and profound, laden with deep meaning.

Qi Dayou, Sect Master of the Beggars' Sect, said, "He has joined hands with the Youmo Cult—he is already destined to be a lawless demon lord.

It is a pity we do not know who the new Cult Master of the Youmo Cult is.

" "We already know. " Old Tathagata smiled and said, "It is that young man who returned my salute. As it happens, this old monk once had a karmic connection with him; I had intended to deliver him to the Great Thunderclap Temple, but for some reason the connection was suddenly severed and transferred to another wondrous life. " "Him? " The many monks on Mount Sumeru and Master Qiong and the others were all startled.

Old Tathagata smiled and said, "It is him.

Those old friends of the Dao are truly remarkable—to have raised such a little demon lord. What a pity that Ximilo could not hold onto this karmic connection.

Just one step short, just one step short. . .

" "Imperial Teacher Jingping, you are cleverer than I.

Do you not know that Mount Sumeru's purpose in coming here is suspect? " Duke of Wei watched the headless corpse being placed in the coffin, then turned his head to Imperial Teacher Jingping beside him and said, "They have clearly come to take advantage—to rescue Master Qiong and the other old monsters, and swell the strength of their Great Thunderclap Temple! If these people are not eliminated, they will remain a future threat! " "Master Qiong and the others have only ten or twenty years of life left; they are not worth worrying about.

Let Old Tathagata rescue them.

" Imperial Teacher Jingping said, "I understand Old Tathagata's intent. He chose this moment to take advantage—a perfect timing. I am wounded and have no strength to stop him. " Duke of Wei's expression turned strange. He looked Imperial Teacher Jingping up and down and asked suspiciously, "True or false?

" Imperial Teacher Jingping said solemnly, "True? " "True or false?

" Imperial Teacher Jingping said irritably, "Of course it is true. Why not try fighting these Cult Master-level beings head-on yourself? And there were even three god-like beings among them! After a life-and-death battle with them, how could one emerge unscathed?

" "I do not believe it! " Duke of Wei said sourly, "Believe you?

Like hell I will! Not a single word you say will I believe! Those who believed you are now lying stiff in their coffins, not moving a muscle.

" Imperial Teacher Jingping was caught between laughter and tears.

"Actually, sometimes I am very honest.

" "That is precisely why your deception runs so deep.

I cannot read you. " Duke of Wei looked at the coffin, was silent for a moment, then said, "You should know who is in the coffin. " Imperial Teacher Jingping shook his head. "I cannot say.

" "If you do not say, I will still find out.

Once we reach the capital, in a few days, when we see which old prince suddenly passes away, we will know who he is. " Duke of Wei glanced left and right, then lowered his voice. "In the Ling family, there is more than one with problems.

Is the Empress Dowager any different?

I actually think you should go one step further—simply become emperor.

. .

" Imperial Teacher Jingping shot him a glance, killing intent in his eyes.

Duke of Wei was startled and said hurriedly, "We have been old friends for over two hundred years—do not frighten me! Actually, it is not I who thinks this way, but those old brothers who follow you.

Your official rank has reached its limit; even if you render heaven-shaking merit, the emperor cannot promote you further. And now you have quelled a rebellion and established great merit—how do you expect the emperor to reward you? Give you the throne? " Imperial Teacher Jingping shook his head.

"The emperor and I understand each other.

He knows I do not seek merit. What I seek is only my life's ambition. " "That is why the emperor is troubled. If he does not reward you, the meritorious people of the world will be disheartened. If he rewards you, he has nothing left to give. Give you beauties—would you want them? Give you wealth—would you want it?

" Duke of Wei lowered his voice. "The emperor knows and understands you—but what of the crown prince?