Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 481: Royal Family Intrigues, and the Hollowed Empower Jing Again_1
"If I hadn’t detected a small issue within the fate of all beings, I would have remained none the wiser."
Wang Linchi watched the departing Yuan Lin. He noticed the aura of the Calamity of the Last Law on him, an aura signifying that Yuan Lin was destined to overthrow the Dajing Dynasty.
Of course, Wang Linchi could actively intercept him, but there was no benefit in doing so.
It would be better to choose to support him; that way, I could gain even more. As for my conflict with the Calamity of the Last Law? It was just a minor contradiction. Faced with substantial benefits, I can back down. It’s not a matter of life or death, after all.
"But speaking of which, I never expected there to be a connection between the fate of all beings and the Calamity of the Last Law." Wang Linchi was also quite surprised.
He had thought that if the Calamity of the Last Law had anything to do with fate, it would be the fate of the universe, but the reality was the complete opposite.
The corruption should be setting in now, I just don’t know how it will manifest.
Wang Linchi had already noticed the changes in the world. During the time Yuan Lin traveled from the Northern Prairie south to the Dai Temple at Mount Tai, the Dajing Dynasty confiscated all steam machinery.
Then... it was all destroyed. Furthermore, everyone who knew the smelting and forging processes for steam machinery was killed. This remained a mystery to Wang Linchi.
Why waste such massive human and material resources? Surely it wasn’t just to erase any trace of my existence? However, that didn’t seem likely. The Court had acknowledged me as the Heaven Equivalent Benevolent Holy Emperor, though the reason for that was unknown.
Emperor Jing hasn’t gone mad, has he? Wang Linchi inevitably thought of that weak, obese man, who had acted quite erratically since ascending the throne.
It was probably because the shocks he had suffered were too great.
As for the extent of his madness, Wang Linchi didn’t know. Rumor had it that he became violent and bloodthirsty, even having officials flogged to death in open court during morning sessions.
However, precisely because of this behavior, the power he had painstakingly acquired was once again dispersed.
Emperor Jing is less likely the culprit; the Royal Family is more suspicious. Perhaps it’s related to the truth about the dynastic discontinuity? Such a coincidence... If I said there wasn’t a problem, wouldn’t that make me a complete fool? If someone were orchestrating this intentionally, it would make sense. But the Royal Family probably doesn’t possess that much capability.
It wouldn’t be easy for the Royal Family to cause such a historical rupture.
They could destroy the steam machinery Wang Linchi had developed, but how could they destroy all the historical records? If they dared to do so, it would be an act of unprecedented defiance against the world.
Xiang Yu could burn down the Epang Palace, but could someone like Fusu bring himself to do such a thing?
Therefore, Wang Linchi guessed that more clandestine matters were involved. He wasn’t sure what they were precisely, but they were undoubtedly connected to the Calamity of the Last Law.
For example, could the imperial families of all the various dynasties actually be the same lineage, merely changing their surnames? This might seem absurd, but the possibility isn’t insignificant. Otherwise, in Dajing, how could the Royal Family possibly suppress powerful factions like the South Zhang North Kong and the Five Surnames and Seven Hopes? It must be because they possess such profound, long-standing foundations that they have such capabilities.
That’s what I suspect, but the memory bodies I planted previously didn’t uncover any such information. It wasn’t as if Wang Linchi hadn’t tried planting memory bodies within the Royal Family.
Compared to other Big Aristocratic Families, the Royal Family appeared surprisingly normal.
He hadn’t thought much of it before. But now, on reflection, could it be that the Royal Family intentionally projected this normalcy? Or perhaps they genuinely always abided by certain rules? Or had they already discovered the memory bodies?
Wang Linchi was more inclined to believe the former: they excelled at concealment and forbearance. Otherwise, they would have revealed flaws long ago, rather than remaining seemingly impeccable.
Although he couldn’t rule out the possibility that his memory bodies had been exposed, he considered the probability low.
Who would have thought the most mysterious organization was lurking right under my nose all along? It’s time to see what they’re truly about. Wang Linchi naturally didn’t plan to investigate directly, but to observe slowly.
He had plenty of time now, so he was naturally in no hurry.
If I startle the snake in the grass, what if they pack up and flee? Where would I find them then?
...
Emperor Jing’s heart was bleeding. Watching the records of mass destruction, he was on the verge of tears.
Naturally, the orders to destroy the steam machinery had not come from him but from the Elders within the Royal Family.
Yes, he had once again been reduced to a puppet emperor. This time, however, the ones pulling the strings were not outsiders but his own kinsmen from the Royal Family.
Frankly, he had never imagined such a situation would arise.
"Your Majesty, such clever contraptions are ultimately inferior pursuits. We are a superior nation; we should focus on rites and moral edification." The Great Elder standing beside Emperor Jing had an expression so rigid one might mistake him for a corpse. Only upon closer inspection could one discern a faint aura of life about him.
"The Great Elder speaks wisely." Emperor Jing agreed with a bitter smile, and then asked, "However, Great Elder, with grain prices skyrocketing and harvests failing, do you have a solution?"
The implication was clear: Since you claim these machines are mere chicanery, then you should provide a solution.
"Your Majesty jests. How could an old man like myself possibly participate in such crucial matters of state? The Royal Family must not interfere in governance; this was the decree of Taizu." The Great Elder now adopted a stance of utter non-involvement.
This meant: ’You solve it yourself. I only want to deal with the steam machinery; everything else is none of my concern.’ What? These problems arose precisely because he eliminated the steam machinery? That had nothing to do with him? He wanted the power, but wouldn’t bear the responsibility!
These words made Emperor Jing’s blood pressure spike. He hadn’t realized before just how shameless this Great Elder of the Royal Family could be.
At this moment, a malicious thought arose in his mind: Perhaps I should just get rid of these old relics in the Royal Family who live too long and do nothing but flaunt their seniority. Once these old fossils are dead, I can reclaim my authority.
However, the Great Elder, as if sensing Emperor Jing’s thoughts, stated directly, "The position of Elder is not held by a single person; it is a collective, representing the Royal Family as a whole."
"Therefore, my words are the words of the Royal Family. Does Your Majesty understand?"
To Emperor Jing, this sounded like, ’Your Majesty, why are you contemplating rebellion?’ However, these words, instead of making Emperor Jing relinquish his malice, only fueled it further.
"Of course, I understand." Emperor Jing suppressed his fury and murderous intent. Now is not the right time to act.
"It is good that you understand. It was not Your Majesty who made the Royal Family; it was the Royal Family that made Your Majesty." The Great Elder said this with an air of acting in Emperor Jing’s best interest.
Emperor Jing felt utterly disgusted. At this moment, he missed Wang Linchi more than ever. Although Wang Linchi had also rendered him a figurehead, the respect and treatment he had received were never lacking.
Even if one is to be a puppet, it certainly matters who is pulling the strings.
After the Great Elder finished speaking, he produced a pile of memorials, clearly indicating they required Emperor Jing’s imperial seal.
Emperor Jing did not refuse. He took them and quickly skimmed through them, his eyes widening in shock.
"This... This absolutely cannot be approved!" Emperor Jing was terrified by what he read.
The memorials demanded that he officially confirm Wang Linchi’s alleged—and baseless—crime of rebellion ’committed during his lifetime’ and proclaim it to the entire realm.
If I were to issue such a decree, my own fate would be sealed. Wang Linchi is currently the spiritual banner of Dajing. If not for his deification and enshrinement, the news of his death alone would have ignited uprisings across the land.
And that was just the first memorial. The subsequent ones were even more horrifying, proposing things like demolishing the Dai Temple, severing the faith, and so on. Are these things I can actually do? If I were to actually issue these edicts, the Great Families would be the first to come for my head. All of them are waiting for the divine grace of the Heaven Equivalent Benevolent Holy Emperor to extend their lifespans. If I cut off everyone’s path to longevity, who else would they kill if not me?
"Very well. Your Majesty has your considerations." The Great Elder did not press further.
This was rather peculiar to Emperor Jing. The Great Elder had been extremely resolute when it came to destroying the steam machinery. His current willingness to concede made Emperor Jing even more uneasy.
Why would the Royal Family target the Heaven Equivalent Benevolent Holy Emperor for no reason? There’s no conflict of interest between us. Why would they suddenly do this?
"It’s good that the Great Elder understands." Emperor Jing forced a smile, thinking, I must find a way to save myself quickly, otherwise I’ll truly die without a burial place. The Royal Family looks as if they want to drag the entire Dajing Dynasty down with them to their deaths. Are the Heaven Equivalent Benevolent Holy Emperor and the Dai Temple things they can actually touch? 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Could there be some hidden, secret entity within the Royal Family? This thought surfaced in Emperor Jing’s mind, as nothing else could explain this bizarre behavior.
Unfortunately, he had been a reluctant emperor from the start, so he knew little. Coupled with his short time in power, he truly couldn’t fathom why this was happening.
