Chapter 558 - 19: Plotting for the Dao Fruit, the Han Ancestor Returns, the Qin Emperor Arrives

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Liu Bei flew into a rage, his eyes turning red.

Not long ago, he had been preening about how his three sworn brothers were paragons of loyalty, the most devoted subjects of the Han Dynasty. But how long had it been before news arrived that they were establishing their own kingdoms?

He abruptly turned his gaze to Zhang Daoling, his expression grim, and asked in a low voice,

"Daoist Zhang, this matter..."

Zhang Daoling frowned, performed a quick divination with his fingers, and extended his Divine Thought across tens of thousands of miles. He then sighed softly.

"It’s true. My grandson, Zhang Lu, has led the Five-Dou Dao to support Sun Jian’s ascension to the throne... It was His will."

"Whose will?" Liu Bei asked sullenly. Yan Huang and the others also shot him astonished and utterly perplexed looks.

’This version of history has been altered a bit too much, hasn’t it?’

’Wasn’t the Five-Dou Dao based in Yizhou State? How did it end up in Jiangdong?’

’And supporting Sun Jian’s ascension...’

A wry smile appeared on Zhang Daoling’s face as he pointed to the mountain peak to the east.

"The will of the one on the mountain."

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei all gasped in unison. The Old Celestial Master couldn’t help but ask,

"The one on the mountain? Who is that?"

The others remained silent, lost in their own solemn thoughts.

After a long moment, Zhang Daoling let out a slow breath.

"Since Sun Jian has established his own rule, I must return to Jiangdong. I hope that when we meet again, we will not be enemies."

Liu Bei opened his mouth, about to say something, but then he saw a Daoist walk in from outside the hall.

Everyone turned to look. Zhang Daoling nodded slightly.

"Zhang Jiao."

At his words, Wang Zhiyao and Zhang Jifeng looked at each other in bewilderment. ’Who?’

’Zhang Jiao??’

’Is that the Zhang Jiao they know of??’

Everyone fell silent. ’Just what has history been twisted into...?’

Zhang Jiao strode forward, gave a slight bow to Liu Bei, and announced in a deep voice,

"The Taiping Dao has received a decree! The Taiping Dao is ordered to support Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, in establishing a foundation in Yizhou State, declaring himself Han Emperor, and carrying out the edict: ’The Azure Heaven is dead, the Profound Heaven shall rise!’"

Liu Bei felt dizzy, his head spinning.

After a moment, he shakily steadied himself on a table and asked softly,

"Is this a decree from... that person?"

"Indeed."

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were silent. Liu Bei seemed to be in a daze, only speaking after a long pause.

"I... obey the decree."

He sighed softly, slowly sank into his seat, and stared blankly into space.

Zhang Daoling covered his face and departed. Zhang Jiao also sighed, then turned to size up Yan Huang and the others with curiosity in his eyes.

’These people...’

As a hundred thoughts raced through his mind, Zhang Jiao spoke again.

"You must be the Elder Sages of Qin, yes? There is also a great decree ordering you all to assist the Han Emperor, Liu Bei, in unifying the lands and taking control of the state!"

The crowd, who had just been enjoying the show, were all stunned. ’How did we get dragged into this?’

Zhu Wuneng’s eyes widened, his Immortal aura flaring as he scoffed,

"A great decree? You think you can order your Grandpa Zhu around? Ha! Who issued this decree? Who gave this order? Tell him to come and say it to my face! Dammit..."

Before he could finish cursing, two fingers materialized from the void, their knuckles bent, and rapped against Zhu Wuneng’s forehead.

Yang Erlang and Nezha’s expressions changed. They struck simultaneously, intercepting the two jade-like fingers.

But whether it was Yang Jian at the level of the Celestial Realms or Nezha with one foot already in the Celestial Realms, their attacks did not leave the slightest scratch on the two fingers, which continued their descent as if weightless!

Zhu Wuneng’s pupils contracted. He wanted to dodge, but he was horrified to find that the two fingers filled his entire vision—no, they filled everything. There was nowhere to run!

DONG!!

"Ouch!"

Zhu Wuneng clutched his head, grimacing in pain. He was dizzy from the knock when a smiling voice drifted over.

"You, Old Zhu, have you started cursing even me?"

The familiar voice echoed through the hall. Yan Huang shot to his feet in astonishment, Yang Jian and Nezha looked up in terror, and Zhu Wuneng sucked in a sharp breath.

’Is that... the voice of Supreme Profound Clarity??’

Through the void from which the two fingers had emerged, the crowd saw a middle-aged Daoist sitting cross-legged. His form was shrouded in a dim, profound darkness, with countless cosmoses rising and falling around him.

The Daoist was majestic, like heaven and earth itself. Amidst his jet-black hair hung several Ancient Stars, shining with brilliant light!

It really was Supreme Profound Clarity!

Zhu Wuneng trembled violently and shouted,

"I accept the decree! This Old Zhu accepts the decree!"

The Daoist smiled, and his figure dissipated into the void. The entire hall fell silent as everyone looked at each other in shock.

Supreme... Profound Clarity!

Lu Zi!

Yang Jian, in particular, was shaken to his core, muttering to himself in a daze,

"Just now, I thought I saw the River of Time flowing slowly around him... Has Uncle-Master Xuanqing... attained Daluo??"

Nezha was also horrified, whispering,

"When I looked at Uncle-Master Xuanqing just now, I truly felt that same breathtaking terror as when I behold a Daluo..."

They were both terrified. ’A Daluo...’

’Back in the Late Qin and Early Han dynasties, he was only at the Immortal realm, wasn’t he?’

’And now, in the blink of an eye, before the Han Dynasty has even completely collapsed, he’s already attained Daluo??’

’What in the world happened all these years? What did we miss??’

Wang Zhiyao gave a wry smile, involuntarily recalling the first time she had met him. It was back in East Sea City. He was just a high-spirited youth then, not even a Celestial Human.

But now, at this very moment, he was already a Daluo, a true overlord of heaven and earth!

In the dead silence,

Liu Bei struggled to his feet and sighed softly.

"Today... I, in the Shu Region, shall obey the order of Lu Zi, establish the Han Kingdom, and I shall be... the Emperor of the New Han!"

Similar scenes were playing out in all four directions.

「Jiangdong.」

Sun Jian ascended the throne. Zhang Daoling, holding the Profound Yellow Emperor’s Order, arrived from the west and announced a great edict:

"By the Profound Yellow Order, I strike the Heaven-Reaching Fishing Drum and summon the immortals to return!"

With that, he played the Fishing Drum. Its sound reverberated through all worlds and realms, startling both the heavens and the Human World.

One after another, immortals from Biyou Palace returned from the cycle of Reincarnation—Golden Spirit, Wudang, the Three Xiaos...

Sun Jian bowed respectfully. The Wu Kingdom was established, supported by ten thousand immortals, and aided by the Five-Dou Rice Sect and the Celestial Master Dao, carving out its territory in Jiangdong!

In the north, Yuan Shao ascended the throne, a grand crown upon his head. The Innocent Ancient Buddha arrived on a cloud and pointed a finger. Immortal Gods from the White Lotus Sect descended, along with deities created by a Dao Fruit Cultivator, all Soaring Clouds and Mist.

Yuan Shao bowed his head, clad in an Emperor’s Robe, and invited the Innocent Ancient Buddha to take the seat of honor. He declared himself the Northern Emperor, and his Northern Country sectioned off the north!

On the same day, Liu Bei also declared himself emperor of the New Han. He persuaded Zhuge Kongming to come out of seclusion and appointed the Elder Sages of Great Qin as his generals and commanders.

He also had the support of the Taiping Dao. Under the banner of "The Azure Heaven is dead, the Profound Heaven shall rise," he pointed his longsword toward the Central Plains and forged the Nine Tripods!

「Third Year of Emperor Xian, Summer.」

「Yuan Shao, the King of Hebei, honored the White Lotus Sect and declared himself emperor, naming his state the Northern Country. Following the tenets of the Mother of Non-Birth and the Vacuum Homeland, he turned the entire populace into an army.」

「On the same day, Sun Jian, the King of Wu, honored the Five-Dou Dao, summoned the Ancient Ten Thousand Immortals, and declared himself emperor, naming his state the Wu Kingdom!」

「Also on the same day, Liu Bei, the King of Xinghan, honored the Taiping Dao. With the help of the Elder Sages of Great Qin who entered the world, he declared himself emperor of the New Han, also known as Shu Han!」

The world was in turmoil. The lands trembled, and the imperial court was in an uproar!

「Luoyang.」

"Temple Master!"

"National Preceptor!"

Cao Mengde and the Han Emperor, Liu Xie, bowed respectfully.

Lu Xuan, in the guise of the Hongjun Daoist, sat in the seat of honor. Xiaohuo’Er, transformed into a Daoist Child, waited by his side.

Lu Xuan nodded slightly and lifted his eyelids. His gaze passed through the fine, beaded curtain of the Azure Heaven Crown to stare at the two men.

After a long moment, he finally spoke in a leisurely tone,

"Mengde, with brothers turning against each other, are you heartbroken?"

"I am not," Cao Cao said, bowing his head. "I still remember the Temple Master’s words from all those years ago."

"Good."

A faint smile appeared on Lu Xuan’s face. ’The world is now divided into four, but these three new emperors and the King of Wei of the Han Dynasty are all in the palm of my hand...’

’I’m just playing a little game with Maitreya.’

Slightly lowering his eyelids, a profound look appeared in Lu Xuan’s eyes as he said calmly,

"Liu Xie."

"National Preceptor, I am here! I am here!" the Han Emperor quickly stammered, bowing.

Lu Xuan spoke calmly,

"The Han Dynasty’s fate is exhausted. You are to be the last emperor of the Han Dynasty. Do you harbor any resentment?"

Liu Xie was silent.

After a moment, however, he nodded emphatically and raised his head.

"To answer the National Preceptor, yes, I do!"

Liu Xie stared at the old Daoist sitting in the high seat, his heart filled with grief and a sense of dazed disbelief. The Han Family had ruled the world for forty thousand years.

’But in the end, to these Supreme Beings, what are we but chess pieces?’

’I have failed my ancestors, I have failed my ancestors!’

At this thought, he actually began to shed tears.

Lu Xuan chuckled and said calmly,

"Is it because you feel you have failed your forefathers?"

"Yes!"

Liu Xie wiped away a tear.

"When the First Emperor abdicated the throne to the Grand Ancestor, the Qin had lasted ten thousand years before its decay. But the Han has lasted forty thousand years to this day, only to be extinguished in my hands. How could I not feel ashamed?"

Every word he spoke was like weeping blood.

"If one day I pass away and travel to the Yellow Springs, what face will I have to meet the Grand Ancestor? What face will I have to meet the First Emperor, who yielded the world to him??"

"You..." Lu Xuan was speechless, shaking his head slightly.

The next moment, a chiding laugh rang out.

"Kid, I’m not dead yet, and here you are cursing me. That’s highly disrespectful!"

Liu Xie and Cao Cao were stunned. They snapped their heads up and saw two majestic figures stride into the hall with the bearing of dragons and tigers!

The two of them stared intently and found the majestic figures incredibly familiar. Upon closer inspection, their faces perfectly matched the portraits of the First Emperor and the Grand Ancestor in the ancestral temple!

’Th-th-this... ’

Lu Xuan said calmly,

"The Han Dynasty’s forty thousand years are coming to an end. As it ends, I will have Emperor Qin and Ancestor Han come to assist you, creating a celebrated tale. When the dust settles and divine altars rise in the four corners of the land,"

"you can then follow the example of the Qin Emperor and perform the act of abdication. How about it?"

Liu Xie and Cao Cao were both dazzled and entranced. ’Emperor Qin and Ancestor Han!’

Both of them bowed down.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly, then looked at the Hongjun Daoist seated above and said indifferently,

"I do not know who you are, but I have come to help in accordance with the will of my adoptive father and ancestor."

Liu Bang also nodded and said,

"The same for me... but I have a question. When the world is once again settled, can there be lasting peace and stability?"

"Why not? How could it not be so?"

Lu Xuan’s expression was solemn.

"After the Han, there will be a great Human Dao Dynasty. It will establish the Three Dukes of Heaven, Humanity, and Earth to govern the firmament, the Human World, and the Underworld. Whether the winds are fair and the rains are timely? That will be for the Human Race to decide, without asking the heavens, the earth, or the Immortal Gods!"

Ying Zheng’s brow furrowed. Liu Bang was moved. And Cao Cao and Liu Xie, prostrated on the floor, were both shocked and terrified.

’Establishing a great dynasty, with Three Dukes governing Heaven, Humanity, and Earth...’

’This... this is an act even grander, more inconceivable than the war against Heaven in the Late Qin and Early Han, even more so than the establishment of the world by the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors!’

At this, Lu Xuan rose gracefully, his gaze profound.

"But before that, we will need some assistance..."

Ying Zheng asked softly,

"What assistance?"

Lu Xuan smiled.

"The Heavenly Dao and Earthly Virtue are both supremely benevolent and supremely indifferent, treating all of creation as straw dogs. They are perfectly just and yet perfectly unjust, taking from the abundant to give to the lacking..."

The Azure Heaven Crown on his head trembled slightly. Its beaded curtains chimed, sparkling like a river of stars, as he continued,

"Therefore, to establish such a supreme dynasty, the Heavenly Dao must be made deficient and the Earthly Virtue must be damaged. This is difficult to achieve with our power alone."

"May I ask, how can it be done?"

"Using the great trend of the Human Dao to strike at heaven and earth will bring down a cataclysmic sin from above. I cannot bear it, and neither can any of you."

"I ask again, who can bear the sin of a deficient heaven and a damaged earth?"

Hearing this,

Lu Xuan slowly turned his head to look north and smiled.

"Perhaps the Supreme Venerable of the White Lotus Sect, the Dao Fruit of this current age, the Buddha Mother of Spirit Mountain, can bear half of it."

"And the other half?" Ying Zheng asked again.

"The other half?" Lu Xuan looked up, his gaze piercing through the ages, gazing into Chaos, contemplating all possible futures, and looking down upon all of the past.

"The Western Pure Land, perhaps, can bear it."

With that, Lu Xuan turned, sat back down, and murmured to himself,

"When the supreme dynasty is established, the Buddha Mother will wane, the Pure Land will collapse, and an Enlightened One will fall from their realm."

"You may all leave. Announce to the world the return of Ancestor Han and the arrival of the Qin Emperor. I shall go and find some Upper Celestial Venerables to aid you."

"Very well."

Emperor Qin and Ancestor Han departed, dragging the dazed Liu Xie and Cao Cao with them.

Lu Xuan was silent for a long time, then patted Xiaohuo’Er’s head.

"Come with me. Come with me."

"Master, where are we going?"

"To the end of the ages, to the Current World," Lu Xuan said with a smile. "We’re taking a trip outside the Current World to find a few of my senior brothers."

"This time, you could say we’re betting everything on a single throw."

"And if we’re betting everything, we must give it our all."