Chapter 370: Chapter 33: Enfeoffing an Emperor, A Supreme Title

Silence reigned on Spirit Mountain.

After a long while, Great Bodhisattva Guanyin sighed softly.

"Maitreya Buddha entered Nirvana ten thousand years ago, and today, Luminous Glaze Buddha has fallen..."

The Buddhas exchanged glances, the Bodhisattvas fell silent, the Arhats were still, and the Vajras trembled.

After another long moment, Sakyamuni Buddha, seated at the very top, opened his eyes and said gravely:

"The Pharmacist’s death is highly suspicious. I have seen signs of a Dao Fruit’s intervention."

The assembled Buddhas were aghast. ’A Dao Fruit?’

Great Bodhisattva Samantabhadra’s voice was heavy.

"World Honored One, are you suggesting that the one called Profound Yellow, the First Emperor’s Uncle, is connected to a Dao Fruit?"

Sakyamuni Buddha smiled, his gaze profound. He did not answer, instead asking:

"The Celestial Emperor of the Central Celestial Court has dispatched Venus and the Three Altar Sea Assembly to the Human World to offer amnesty. Which of you is willing to make a trip to Xianyang and negotiate peace with this Profound Yellow?"

He paused before continuing.

"After all, if the First Emperor truly goes through with extinguishing Buddhism, our followers in the Human World will suffer a devastating blow, and the fortunes of our Buddhist Sect will plummet..."

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were stunned, but no one spoke. They all remained silent.

The First Emperor had just issued an edict to exterminate Buddhism, and that Profound Yellow was terrifyingly powerful. With a single touch, he had sent a [Celestial Realms] level Ancient Buddha into complete Nirvana...

After a moment’s hesitation, Great Bodhisattva Guanyin said softly:

"World Honored One, if a Great Bodhisattva or an Ancient Buddha goes, I fear they might meet with disaster. Spirit Mountain has already lost one [Daluo] and one [Celestial Realms] expert in succession; we cannot afford another major loss."

"That makes sense." Sakyamuni Buddha nodded. Beside him, the bruised and swollen Ancient Lamp Buddha suddenly had a bad feeling and glanced over warily.

At that moment on Spirit Mountain, he and Shakyamuni were the only Buddhas at the [Daluo] level left...

As expected.

Sakyamuni Buddha said with a smile:

"Then I must trouble Lamp Buddha to make another trip. Would that be acceptable?"

Lamp’s mouth twitched. After a long moment, he replied helplessly:

"Since the World Honored One has asked, how could I refuse?"

He rose gracefully and sighed.

"I shall go. I shall go."

As he spoke, Lamp Buddha felt a deep sense of sorrow. He strode forward, heading out of the Great Leiyin Temple, every step filled with anguish.

The other Ancient Buddhas and Bodhisattvas might not know, but as a [Daluo], he could travel through the before and after of the Years. How could he be unaware?

And based on the account of that Goddess, this Profound Yellow... was most likely Profound Clarity.

’Taishang Lineage, direct lineage of the Primordial, beloved disciple of Shangqing, connected to Taiyi’s schemes, and treated like a son by the Goddess...’

’This Profound Yellow is truly terrifying!’

’Becoming entangled in the Cause and Effect of such a figure... one wrong move, and having one’s body and Dao destroyed would be a common outcome!’

’How tragic!’

Ancient Lamp Buddha steeled himself and walked out of the Great Leiyin Temple. With another step, he crossed hundreds of millions of miles, his Buddha Robe whipping in the wind, evoking the solemn air of a hero on a final, lonely journey.

"Amitabha Buddha." In the center of the Great Leiyin Temple, Sakyamuni Buddha placed his palms together and smiled faintly.

.........

Xianyang, Qin Palace.

The morning court session had not yet begun, and the ministers were waiting outside the hall, discussing matters among themselves.

Li Si mused.

"I wonder what exactly happened on Taishan. The hundred thousand Black Armor soldiers who returned won’t say a word..."

Beside him, Lü Buwei said thoughtfully:

"His Majesty hasn’t spoken of the matter either. Taishan was struck by lightning and torrential rain, and the fortune of our Great Qin also experienced great turmoil... Wu’an Monarch, it seems you were at Taishan at the time?"

The Wu’an Monarch raised his eyelids and said flatly:

"Since His Majesty has not publicized the matter, he must have his reasons. It would be best for the Imperial Father-in-law not to inquire."

Lü Buwei’s expression froze. He couldn’t press the matter, so he forced a smile and asked again after a moment:

"Well... I also heard that His Majesty met his Uncle Zhong on Taishan. That much shouldn’t be a secret, right?"

The Wu’an Monarch gave Lü Buwei a strange look and said:

"That is indeed true."

Lü Buwei and Li Si exchanged a glance, their expressions darkening.

The Wu’an Monarch coughed lightly.

"I would advise you two not to get any funny ideas. His Majesty holds that person in high esteem, and we are not on the same level as him."

He gave a veiled warning, afraid these two would try to drag Profound Yellow into their power struggles...

’An Ancient Buddha met his end on Taishan, and a single shout from that man sent the gathered immortals and gods scattering like birds and beasts!’

Lü Buwei and Li Si glanced at each other again. The former’s expression was slightly gloomy, but he smiled and said:

"Why would you say such a thing, Wu’an Monarch? I was merely curious as to when His Majesty gained an Uncle Zhong..."

Before he could finish, the ministers waiting outside the hall heard footsteps approaching. Lü Buwei and the others all turned to look.

They saw a young man wearing a mask and a silent, very staid-looking Daoist. It was unclear when they had arrived, but they were now ascending the White Jade Stairs.

"Who are you..." Li Si was about to frown and question them when the Wu’an Monarch’s figure blurred as he moved forward to greet them.

"Greetings, milord."

Under the stunned gazes of the ministers, the Wu’an Monarch bowed respectfully to the masked young man.

The ministers stared at each other in confusion. Just as they were wondering who this person was, they saw the First Emperor stride swiftly out of the Imperial Hall. He wasn’t even wearing his Twelve Pearl Jade Crown as he bowed before all the assembled officials.

"Uncle Zhong!!"

The court erupted in an uproar. Lü Buwei and Li Si’s faces changed drastically.

’Isn’t His Majesty... going a bit too far??’

Immediately after, the masked young man nodded. He walked forward with the staid Daoist and said with a smile:

"This is my senior brother, Luo Hou. He has been cultivating in seclusion in the deep mountains for many years. This is his first time entering the world."

He paused, then smiled again.

"Alright, Zheng’Er, there’s no need for such ceremony. Let’s head into the hall."

’Zheng... Zheng’Er??’

The ministers’ faces changed again. Ever since His Majesty the First Emperor unified the lands, who besides Duke Mu of Qin would dare address His Majesty directly as Zheng’Er??

Even Lü Buwei, the Imperial Father-in-law, wouldn’t dare!

However, the First Emperor straightened up and bowed once more.

"Yes, Uncle Zhong."

The court was in an uproar.

Afterward, the First Emperor escorted Lu Xuan and Xuandu into the hall. The ministers, after a long silence, also filed into the grand hall in succession.

At the very end of the procession, Yan Huang, Liu Bang, Zhang Jifeng, and Wang Zhiyao looked at each other. Liu Bang sighed.

"His Majesty the First Emperor personally came out of the grand hall to greet him..."

Yan Huang gave a bitter smile.

"But it’s only natural. It should be this way, shouldn’t it?"

"True."

They said no more, each hiding their own thoughts. Then, a sense of excitement washed over them. To enter the court of the First Emperor...

Liu Bang had never imagined it, to say nothing of Yan Huang and the other two. They were all from a future era, and a mix of thrilling excitement and nervous apprehension filled their hearts.

Upon entering the grand hall, the First Emperor had two great seats placed to the side. Lu Xuan and Xuandu sat upon them, a sight that made Lü Buwei’s eyes turn red with envy.

Even he didn’t receive such treatment!

Then, amidst the resounding cheers of the ministers, the First Emperor’s expression turned solemn as he announced:

"There are three matters for today’s court session."

The great hall fell silent as everyone listened intently.

"First, the Fengshan ceremony on Taishan is complete. During the ceremony, an Evil Buddha caused a disturbance—a most heinous crime. Pass on my decree: confiscate all Buddhist Scriptures in the realm and put them to the torch. Any monk who refuses to return to secular life shall be buried alive. This is..."

"The extermination of Buddhism."

As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar.

Li Si stepped forward, his voice full of worry.

"Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider! Burning books and burying monks may provoke Spirit Mountain, and if that happens..."

"So what?" Ying Zheng said coldly. "When I performed the Fengshan ceremony, that Medicine King Buddha interfered and severed eighteen thousand years of my Great Qin’s national fortune. This is now a mortal feud."

The ministers erupted in another uproar. They were clearly just learning of this. Those who had personally experienced the events on Taishan had remained tight-lipped, and word had not yet spread.

The First Emperor paused, then continued:

"Now for the second matter."

He looked toward his ’Uncle Zhong’ on the great seat to the side, a smile appearing on his face.

"I wish to confer the title of [Emperor] upon my Uncle Zhong. What do my beloved ministers think?"

The moment he said this, every minister’s face changed color. The entire court was thrown into chaos!

"Impossible!"

Lü Buwei stepped forward, his expression ugly.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely out of the question! Since ancient times, there has never been a case of conferring the title of Emperor on another! There can only be one Emperor under Heaven, and that is Your Majesty!"

"Indeed, Your Majesty!" Li Si was also frantic. "He can be made a marquis, or even a king, but Emperor... that is going too far, much too far!"

With the exception of the Wu’an Monarch, every minister was visibly distressed and tried to dissuade him.

"Silence."

The First Emperor spoke flatly, his immense authority sweeping out and silencing the ministers.

"My mind is made up. I am the Emperor, yet my Uncle Zhong is merely a king? Where is the sense in that?"

He paused, then looked at Lu Xuan, his voice softening.

"What does Uncle Zhong think?"

Lu Xuan chuckled lightly.

"Either is fine."

"Excellent." The First Emperor nodded. "Relay my decree. My Uncle Zhong, Profound Yellow, pacified the rebellious Immortals and Buddhas on Taishan. His merits are unparalleled, and he shall be granted the title of ’Emperor,’ prefixed with ’Supreme.’"

"This is for..."

Ying Zheng rose with a smile.

"Supreme Emperor Profound Yellow."

The court erupted again. Some old ministers were grief-stricken, some civil officials stepped forward to remonstrate to the death, and some Military Generals trembled with anger. None of them understood what had gotten into His Majesty.

Only Yan Huang and his two companions, standing at the very back next to Liu Bang, were utterly stunned and speechless.

’Supreme Emperor Profound Yellow...’

’The Supreme Emperor Profound Yellow worshipped on Dragon Tiger Mountain!’

They looked at each other, dazed and bewildered. A chill ran up their spines, spreading through their entire bodies!

"Silence."

The First Emperor spoke again, his voice cold.

"My mind is made up. Anyone who tries to persuade me further will be executed immediately. Anyone who wishes to remonstrate to the death may kill themselves by running into this pillar."

The civil officials who had intended to die remonstrating quietly retreated. Lü Buwei and Li Si also fell silent, but their eyes were still filled with shock and bewilderment, their faces clearly asking one question.

’Why??’

After a long time, seeing that the ministers were all quiet, Ying Zheng nodded.

"This matter is settled. Now, before we discuss the third matter..."

He looked at Lu Xuan and asked softly:

"Does Uncle Zhong have any guidance regarding national policy?"

The ministers all turned to look in unison.

Seated on the great throne, Lu Xuan glanced at his senior brother, who was meditating with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to everything, and then chuckled softly.

"As a matter of fact, I do."

"Please speak, Uncle Zhong," the First Emperor said quickly.

Lu Xuan pondered for a moment, his gaze growing profound. ’National policy...’

’Just as he had told Senior Brother Xuandu before, the Human Dao’s war against the heavens would not be won in a day. It must be a gradual plan, one that might take ten thousand years, and even that would be considered normal.’

Then, Lu Xuan raised his head and said calmly:

"There are also three matters. First, in the Land of the Far North, Demons run rampant and Evil Gods and baleful stars lie dormant. They are all stirring restlessly, and the signs of chaos are already apparent. We must build a Celestial Great Wall Pass to protect the Human Race."

The ministers exchanged glances. Ying Zheng nodded seriously.

"I have noted it."

"Second, I have observed that the celestial order is growing chaotic and Tribulation Qi is overflowing. We must build three hundred sixty-five Heaven-Reaching Platforms in the eight directions to suppress the world’s Tribulation Qi and anchor the fortune of our Human Race."

"I have noted it."

"Third, Great Qin has only just been unified and is not yet stable. We must send envoys to travel the mountains and rivers, record the names of the deities within, and order all local earth gods to protect their respective regions. There must be no natural disasters such as droughts, floods, or blizzards. They must ensure the lands are fertile and the people are safe and content. Any earth god who does not comply shall be executed as a public example."

"I have noted it."

Ying Zheng answered solemnly, but Lü Buwei could no longer hold back. He took a step forward, panting slightly.

"Your Majesty, building the Great Wall is one thing, but to also construct three hundred sixty-five Heaven-Reaching Platforms at the same time? Such projects drain the people and the treasury! I fear it will shake the foundations of the nation..."

He argued logically.

"Setting other things aside for now, Great Qin has just been unified and the national treasury is empty. Even if we conscript labor, it would be difficult to accomplish this. Instead, it will only cause the people in all eight directions to complain bitterly..."

"Imperial Father-in-law, do not worry," Lu Xuan said flatly. "Neither building the Great Wall nor constructing the Heaven-Reaching Platforms can be done in a day. It is acceptable to complete them within ten thousand years. We will proceed gradually."

"Ten thousand years??" Lü Buwei cried out in astonishment. "You... Emperor, why would you say such a thing? To spend ten thousand Years building a single pass and three hundred sixty-five Heaven-Reaching Platforms? How absurd! How utterly absurd!!"

The other ministers also chimed in in agreement.

At the back, Liu Bang listened to the ministers’ arguments, shrank his neck, and asked in a low voice:

"What do you all think of his so-called policies?"

Yan Huang snapped out of his stupor and remarked softly:

"I don’t know about the three hundred sixty-five Heaven-Reaching Platforms, but that Great Wall... is definitely a project that will benefit countless generations."

"Why do you say that?" Liu Bang asked, confused. But Yan Huang just shook his head without explaining, silently watching the arguing ministers.

A civil official said angrily:

"And another thing! Recording the names of deities and forcing them to ensure favorable weather? How is that possible? This will infuriate all the local earth gods! Disasters will arise everywhere, just like in the Spring and Autumn Years!"

"Indeed!!"

Lü Buwei cried out in anguish.

"During the Spring and Autumn Period, the deities were enraged and disasters rose up everywhere. We were fortunate to have Saint Lu travel the land to quell the calamities. But if we anger the numerous earth gods now, we don’t have a Saint Lu..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a guard hurried in.

"Report!"

"Venus and the Three Altar Sea Assembly from the Celestial Court have personally arrived, requesting an audience with the Profound Yellow Emperor!"

The arguments and pleas for reconsideration came to an abrupt halt.