Chapter 850: White Lotus Sect

Chapter 850: The White Lotus Sect

“What business does the White Lotus Sect have with us?” Spring Xiaoman asked, her face full of confusion—wasn’t everything going well?

Gao Zhijian glanced at her but hadn’t spoken when the Khagan of Qingqiu suddenly cut in.

“Stop stalling. Just come out and say it plainly. Holy Maiden of the White Lotus, when you fought against the Dharma Sect, your followers indeed did much to aid in taking over their territories.”

“Our imperial house is deeply grateful for that. But one thing is one thing. Holy Maiden, don’t you think the number of White Lotus believers has grown a bit excessive?”

A low voice came from somewhere. “It’s not just Qingqiu! Four Qi, Later Shu, Nanping, Great Liang—all the way to the east, even Anxi has a significant number of White Lotus followers, and they’re not few in number either! If this continues, whose kingdom will it be—the one we’ve built or yours?”

Hearing these words, Bai Lingmiao seemed to understand why they had summoned her. She gently pinched her own wrist, and a sudden movement stirred within her. From behind her emerged another upper body, still veiled in red.

“Hehehe,” the two spirits covered their mouths and chuckled softly. “Now you’re complaining about too many people in the White Lotus Sect? You said before that more was better. What? Now you want to kill the horse after using it? Have you thought about the cost before acting?”

“Don’t press too close. If the Dharma Sect could rise up in rebellion, then the White Lotus Sect can do the same. Honestly speaking, we are more skilled in this kind of thing.”

“Rude!”

Seeing the solemn atmosphere inside the hall, Bai Lingmiao quickly stepped forward to intervene, trying to calm the two spirits. “Don’t speak like that. Since they invited us here for a banquet, they must intend to talk things through peacefully.”

“We’re all allies, after all. There’s no need to make things so tense. We once stood together against the Dharma Sect.”

Upon hearing Bai Lingmiao’s words, the five emperors with dragon veins slightly relaxed their expressions.

Seeing the tension ease, Gao Zhijian quickly offered an exit strategy. “Little Sister Bai, we called you here today because we want to find a solution to this issue.”

“It’s not only that there are too many current White Lotus believers—it’s more important that they’re spreading their teachings to others around them. We can’t delay any longer. If we keep doing nothing, soon the whole world will belong to the White Lotus Sect.”

“That’s not bad at all. If the entire world becomes one big family, there won’t be any wars anymore, and the world will achieve great harmony,” Xiaoman said.

Seeing the anger begin to flare on the other emperors’ faces, Gao Zhijian frowned. “The Emperor invites the Holy Maiden of the White Lotus to a banquet. Why is this black-haired demon here? Guards, throw her out!”

Spring Xiaoman stared at Gao Zhijian in shock, as if seeing him for the first time.

After Xiaoman was dragged away by eunuchs, the two spirits turned to the five men before them. “Alright, I know what this is about. So what is your decision?”

Gao Zhijian sighed softly. “Right now, every region is rebuilding from ruins, and the people can’t bear any more turmoil. Little Sister Bai, please understand our difficulties.”

“My suggestion is that the court issues certificates like monks and Taoists do. Only those who receive such certificates may join the White Lotus Sect. In this way, both sides benefit: the sect gains legitimacy, and its growth won’t accelerate too rapidly.”

“Benefit for both sides? Not necessarily. If that’s the case, then the court decides who is a White Lotus believer. So, are you the Holy Maiden of the White Lotus, or am I?”

“There’s no negotiation on this matter!” The tone of the Emperor of Four Qi was firm and decisive. “If you won’t agree, then we’ll have to resort to old methods.”

At these words, everyone’s expression darkened. Everyone knew what the “old method” meant.

“Threaten me? Hehehe, what power do you have? Even if you count all the people in Four Qi, including their skins and fur, they still wouldn’t match the number of White Lotus believers. Do you really think I fear you?”

“You’re so arrogant now? When were you bound in mud by others, why weren’t you arrogant then?”

The Emperor of Four Qi stood abruptly, his sleeves flaring. “Hmph! Emperors are masters of life, the source of prosperity! I am the true dragon son of heaven! I carry the great karmic destiny of heaven and earth!”

“Did I beg you to save me back then? If you have the ability, don’t go save anyone. Let the heavens lose one more hour!”

Gao Zhijian frowned at him. “Is this how a monarch should behave? Such immaturity! Arguing with a mere woman.”

“Oh, stop fighting, stop fighting. Let’s talk calmly,” Gao Zhijian and Bai Lingmiao said together, easing the tension slightly.

After some trial-and-error exchanges between Bai Lingmiao and Gao Zhijian, she finally spoke. “This matter is of great importance. I will discuss it thoroughly with the elders of the sect and get back to you with a response.”

Having tried both soft and hard approaches, Bai Lingmiao now understood each side’s limits. It was time to consider what to do next.

“Very well, then I’ll leave it to you, Little Sister Bai.”

Watching Bai Lingmiao walk away, Gao Zhijian raised his wine cup and drank deeply.

“Emperor of Great Liang, do you think she’ll agree?” asked the Khagan of Qingqiu.

“She doesn’t matter whether she agrees or not. What matters is that Mother Wu Sheng won’t agree.” Gao Zhijian clenched his fist.

He didn’t want to send away the Dharma Sect only to have the White Lotus Sect arrive. The more dangerous times become, the faster these heretical sects expand.

“The influence of the White Lotus Sect has spread too fast and too widely. We must act. The lamas of the Zhongyin Temple have already made contact with them.”

Gao Zhijian frowned and pondered for a moment before slowly uttering a word. “Divide and conquer. The White Lotus Sect is a giant beast. But if it’s broken into dozens of smaller heretical sects, it won’t be a threat anymore.”

“You have a plan? This isn’t something ordinary people can pull off.”

The other four emperors followed Gao Zhijian’s gaze toward someone emerging from the shadows—the Grand Minister. “Yes. The Way of Forgetfulness.”

Gao Zhijian remembered well the teachings of the art of kingship: everything has two sides, good and bad, depending on whether it can be used by oneself.

“Alright, let’s call it a day. Disperse,” Gao Zhijian said. As soon as he finished speaking, the bodies of the other four emperors dissolved instantly.

They had never actually come to Great Liang—they had been illusions all along.

Gao Zhijian looked at the figure floating up from underground. “I really don’t know whether you’re more like Li Sui or more like the Astronomical Bureau now. Honestly, when it comes to old acquaintances, I’m afraid to use you.”

Xuan Pin shook her head. “Your Majesty need not worry. I believe you handled this well. I won’t stand in your way. Besides, this is good for my mother. It wasn’t her responsibility to begin with, and she shouldn’t carry it alone. Someone else stepping in to take her place is actually a blessing.”

“Really? Do you think she won’t hold a grudge if you remove her from the position of Holy Maiden?”

“This was your doing. If she holds a grudge, it’s directed at you, not me.”

Gao Zhijian looked at her calmly. “You can’t stay out of things forever. Since you are part of the Astronomical Bureau, sooner or later, you’ll clash with your parents.”

“We’ll deal with that when it happens. Until then, I’ll try to avoid that day.”

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