Chapter 465: Dao Court Emperor: Truly That Loyal? |
Inside the Tianwu Hall, behind layers upon layers of curtains.
The Dao Court Emperor withdrew his gaze. In his ears still faintly echoed the mountain-shaking, tsunami-like cry of “Loyalty.” He touched his chin with a somewhat inscrutable expression.
‘He noticed my gaze.’
‘Impossible. He’s only at mid Foundation Establishment. Perhaps if he had completed Foundation Establishment and refined a Blessed Land, it might be possible. But with his current cultivation, even if I gave him a True Treasure, he wouldn’t sense me.’
‘So this was intentional posturing?’
At that thought, the Dao Court Emperor immediately revealed a playful smile. “This little dragon sent by the Old Dragon Monarch is still quite capable. A fine seedling.”
Back in the early days when he first became Emperor, he had greatly disdained such flashy flattery. In private, he had often voiced his desire to forbid all sycophancy. However, as the years passed, these flattering words grew more pleasing to his ears—he even found them lacking in novelty.
This Lüyang, however, was certainly novel.
Of course, he could also see that Lüyang was clearly putting on a show—but so what? Across Jiangdong, nearly every official performed such acts.
No one ever knew when the Emperor might suddenly peek in. So even in private, with no one else around, officials would intentionally voice loyal, patriotic sentiments.
Thanks to this, the Emperor had seen such shows countless times.
He couldn’t even remember who had done it anymore.
But those who hadn't done it? That, he remembered very clearly.
So he didn’t mind Lüyang’s theatrics at all. In fact, he rather appreciated it. If someone didn’t even make an effort on the surface, how could their loyalty be trusted?
“Convey my decree.”
At this thought, the Dao Court Emperor parted his lips. At once, grand immortal tones echoed out from the Tianwu Hall, instantly resonating with the 【Immortal Nation Dao Law】.
“Summon the Dongting Dragon King, Du Huan, to the capital immediately.”
At the same time, in a secluded cave-dwelling—
Lüyang sat down one by one with a group of demon cultivators. Though he had already hypnotized them all with the【String-Pulled Puppet】, he did not enforce control with brute force.
As long as he didn’t activate the【String-Pulled Puppet】, the demon cultivators would remain entirely unaffected. Only when he needed it would the spell forcefully control their actions. This, too, was a method he had learned from the World-Honored One. After all, the way the World-Honored One manipulated Pure Land Buddhist cultivators into one united mind followed a similar logic.
Yet just then—
The【Dongting Dragon King】position above Lüyang’s head suddenly trembled violently, followed by a wisp of immortal voice floating out from it, immediately causing all nearby demon cultivators to look aghast.
“Summon the Dongting Dragon King, Du Huan, to the capital.”
“Thud!”
In an instant, nearly all the demon cultivators dropped to their knees involuntarily, offering grand ceremonial bows.
It was because their official positions resonated at this moment.
An oral decree from the Emperor.
Even without the【String-Pulled Puppet】controlling them, the black-robed demon cultivators began looking at Lüyang with fiery excitement in their eyes.
‘The Emperor personally summoned him, and even used the【Immortal Nation Dao Law】to deliver the order directly—rather than sending an edict! This is an extraordinary favor!’
On the other side, Lüyang solemnly cupped his hands and bowed.
“I accept the decree.”
With his reply, the ethereal immortal voice gradually faded. At the same time, a divine glow from the【Immortal Nation Dao Law】descended upon him.
【You must appear in Tianwu City within one day to have an audience with His Majesty.】
【Failure to arrive within the time limit will result in immediate removal from your official post by the Immortal Nation Dao Law. You will never be employed again. Please depart at once.】
“Everyone, it seems I can no longer stay.”
Lüyang smiled faintly, then looked at the black-robed demon cultivator. “Might I ask this fellow Daoist’s name?”
“This humble demon is named Xiaoshan,” the black-robed demon cultivator hurried to respond. “It’s a name I gave myself after awakening intelligence. Should Dragon King travel to the capital, if you ever require anything, we shall follow your lead!”
At these words, Lüyang chuckled lightly. “Since that’s the case—better to strike while the iron’s hot. Let’s exchange contact methods, so we can watch each other’s backs in the future. Other demon cultivators can join in too—after all, we’re all demon cultivators, naturally one faction.”
“Understood!”
Xiaoshan was instantly overjoyed. He understood the Dragon King had accepted their allegiance. Could it be that he truly had hope of changing the current status of demon cultivators?
At that thought, Xiaoshan grew even more excited.
Seeing this, Lüyang nodded slightly in secret. These demon cultivators might be of no use to him now—but later on, who could say?
This was the advantage of the Dao Court.
As long as you had someone backing you above, had connections—being granted official positions would make your cultivation soar faster than riding a rocket! Whether one’s strength was great was another matter—at the very least, your rank would be guaranteed!
“As for this faction, it ought to have a name.”
“Please enlighten us, my lord,” Xiaoshan wisely asked.
Hearing this, Lüyang nodded. “We are all loyal subjects, dedicating ourselves single-mindedly to the Dao Court, repaying His Majesty’s grace for raising us.”
“In that case, let’s call it the One-Heart Society!”
Tianwu City
Riding a stream of escape light, Lüyang sped through the sky. Along the way, he used one of the profound aspects of his innate divine ability,【Merit Self-Cultivates】, for support. In less than half a day, he arrived at his destination.
“Boom!”
Just as he neared Tianwu City, Lüyang instantly felt a majestic force crash down, scattering his escape light and forcing him to land.
‘This is the center of the【Immortal Nation Dao Law】!’
Lüyang’s eyes gleamed as he looked toward Tianwu City through the vision granted by the【Xuandu Blessed Land】—and what he saw was a vast sea of golden clouds!
The sea of clouds floated above the imperial palace at the heart of Tianwu City. Countless threads extended from it, spreading in all directions across Jiangdong, outlining the entire【Immortal Nation Dao Law】.
Within that sea of clouds, Lüyang could faintly see four radiant lights revolving deep within.
‘Heaven-and-Earth Fruitions…’
Lüyang understood at once—those lights sealed deep in the cloud sea, bound layer upon layer by the【Immortal Nation Dao Law】, were the four Heaven-and-Earth Fruitions under the Dao Court’s control!
While he was pondering, someone approached.
“Dragon King.”
Lüyang looked up and saw a man with a solemn expression and powerful qi. Above his head gleamed the talismanic script for【Supervising Eunuch of the Ceremonial Directorate】.
‘No official rank.’
Lüyang raised his eyebrows. From Wu Taian’s memories, he knew that the【Ceremonial Directorate】belonged to the inner court and was even lower in status than the【Heaven Supervisory Division】.
At least the【Heaven Supervisory Division】had official rank.
But the eunuchs of the entire inner court system had no rank at all—they borrowed imperial authority. Strictly speaking, they weren’t even considered cultivators.
That said, Lüyang showed no trace of contempt. Instead, he offered a respectful bow. “True Dragon Du Huan greets this fellow Daoist.”
Seeing this, the eunuch visibly relaxed and said,
“No need for such formality, Dragon King. This humble one’s surname is An. I dare not call myself your fellow Daoist. Please, follow me into the palace—His Majesty has summoned you to appear at once.”
“Many thanks, Daoist An.” Lüyang cupped his hands.
Soon, under the inner court eunuch’s guidance, Lüyang passed through the grand【Xuanwu Gate】and laid eyes upon the majestic, mountain-like【Tianwu Hall】.
Crossing the threshold, he entered the hall.
Before him stood a grand Dao platform, hung with layer after layer of curtains, behind which a vague figure sat—face unclear, gender indistinct.
Yet in that moment, Lüyang felt a strange illusion—as if the person seated behind those heavy curtains was not atop a mere Dao platform, but upon the very mountains and rivers of Jiangdong, the vast expanse of the Nine Provinces. As the palace doors closed behind him, even the heavens and earth seemed to fall into silence.
“Your subject Du Huan greets Your Majesty!”
Without hesitation, Lüyang dropped to one knee and took out a jade slip. “This is the coordinate of the Realm Heaven corresponding to the『Incense-Fueled Deification Method』.”
“I ask that Your Majesty review it.”
“…”
Such a sudden gesture left the Dao Court Emperor momentarily dumbfounded—he had still been deliberating how to begin speaking.
You’re giving me the goods before I’ve even paid?
Truly that loyal?