Chapter 208: Chapter 98: Drought Demon 1, 2

Meticulous teaching, care, and nurturing are deeds of kindness.

However, bringing him into this world as a natural disgrace and eunuch is a source of resentment.

Yet, after that battle by the East Sea, the image of the elder "sitting upright in a grand chair, gazing evenly at natural disasters" was deeply imprinted in his mind, providing him with a spiritual inspiration.

At the moment he departed, he thought his father had died.

Thus, at that moment, the resentment in his heart was also dispelled.

Now, although his father returned alive, that dispelled resentment did not resurface.

At the very least, he is a father worthy of respect, a Prime Minister worthy of respect.

He soon found Li Xuan.

Because Li Xuan knew he was returning and had been waiting for him all along.

As soon as they got on the carriage, Yan Fangbai recounted the matters over in Cyan Wood Province.

After a brief exchange, they arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence.

Li Xuan entered to find the Prime Minister sitting in the pavilion.

A child brewed tea; the Prime Minister had aged significantly, with his brows tightly furrowed.

"Prince Qing is here." The Prime Minister said.

Li Xuan quickly stepped forward, lowered his head, and sighed, "It’s good that my adoptive father and adoptive brother have returned safely."

The Prime Minister laughed, "Why sigh? You shouldn’t have come.

If you came, I’d only be infuriated by you.

Because that would mean you’re just an impatient, reckless man acting on impulse.

When has my residence ever lacked men who brandish a knife in anger?

Proving oneself with a drawn sword is no more than hot-blooded bravery; carrying the burden and surviving with courage is the true prowess of a Divine Soul.

You didn’t come, and I am very comforted."

Li Xuan remained silent.

The Prime Minister said, "Now, I need your advice.

The Headless Buddha wants to preside here, what will you do?"

Li Xuan responded sternly, "Not of our kind; his heart must be punished. The Headless Buddha is a demon; even sitting in the temple, he only deceives the people."

The Prime Minister stroked his beard, "What you said, I know full well.

But the Headless Buddha claimed it might be just a test from the East Sea demons. Future invasions are imminent.

Once invaded, with their ability to summon storms and move mountains, how can we resist?"

Li Xuan was silent.

The Prime Minister said, "A Demon Buddha planning to sit in the temple and a demon intent on slaughtering the Great Yin in a catastrophe, between the two, the lesser evil is the Demon Buddha."

He glanced at the man opposite.

Li Xuan wore a python robe, his fists clenched tightly within the sleeves.

The Prime Minister gently said, "One always needs time to grow, and before growing, must endure certain things.

I know bowing to the Demon Buddha is a disgrace and self-confirmation of incompetence.

While those in the court might think I’m over-exaggerating, even using it to gain momentum, claiming I’ve lost my courage and am no longer the daring Prime Minister of Great Yin.

Therefore now, my enemy is not the Demon Buddha, but the General faction in the royal city.

I’m already planning on how to handle this."

Li Xuan asked, "What plan?"

The Prime Minister said, "I have information indicating the source of the past Yunmeng Province drought.

And that source is continuing north.

I can exert some influence, divert it towards the vicinity of the capital.

Once that demon appears near the capital, the Grand General will naturally intervene.

Let him handle it first.

Once he suffers a great defeat, I’ll personally invite the Demon Buddha into the capital to help solve the issue."

Li Xuan: ...

Ruthless.

So ruthless it doesn’t resemble the previous Prime Minister who sat at the frontline, ready to die heroically.

This demon’s detour is bound to lead to the deaths of many innocents. But if not done this way, the Prime Minister’s power is fated to be suppressed, and the Demon Buddha won’t have an opportunity to peacefully preside in Cyan Wood Province. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

At that time, the Sovereign will surely reprimand the Prime Minister for colluding with the Demon Buddha, and the Grand General will undoubtedly ride south with cavalry to annihilate the Demon Buddha, and as war ensues, countless will die, and the aftermath will be far more grievous than the "demon’s detour."

Crucially, this is entirely an internal conflict.

The Prime Minister’s means are despicable, yet the result might be beneficial.

Indeed, kind-hearted individuals cannot wield power.

Countless thoughts flashed through, and Li Xuan asked, "The source of the drought?"

"Indeed, I have researched this demon tirelessly for a long time, losing countless people in the process, however... from this, I’ve learned some of its characteristics, enabling me to slightly control its patterns."

The Prime Minister eloquently narrated and, full of emotion, continued, "Decades ago, during my initial exams, I snubbed the supernatural stories, yet after witnessing the mysterious market in Bronze Plain, I believed somewhat, and later on, as demons emerged frequently, I believed more and more.

It wasn’t until this drought-inducing demon confronted the legend-bound demon in ancient texts that I realized how laughable I was back then."

Yan Fujing solemnly said, "Drought Demon.

That drought-inducing spirit is called the Drought Demon.

I assure you, the Drought Demon is definitely not weaker than that demon crocodile was."

Li Xuan: ...

He really wanted to ask, ’Then how are you sure the Demon Buddha will win?’

Yet before he could, Yan Fangbai already asked, "What if the Demon Buddha can’t win?"

Yan Fujing said, "The Demon Buddha can repel the demon crocodile, facing the Drought Demon, even if unable to win, it won’t lose too badly.

And if... if both are evenly matched and mutually harmed, wouldn’t that be even better?

Hahahahahaha."

The Prime Minister seemingly envisioned the "fisherman reaping the benefits" scenario, unable to hold back his laughter.

Li Xuan: ...

He praised, "Adoptive father’s superb methods."

Yan Fujing ceased laughing and shook his head, "The weak use tactics, the strong... can simply use fists."

Li Xuan nodded, "The son is enlightened."

Yan Fujing pondered again and earnestly advised, "You are a prominent figure in Cyan Wood Province, the Xinci Temple prior was also under your protection.