Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 528: A Call for Peace? What The Hell Peace You’re Calling For!_1
"An amnesty?" Pei Jiang looked at the imperial edict rushed from the Capital, a strange expression on his face.
It meant that as long as they were willing to submit to the Court, all his subordinates could obtain official positions, noble titles, and even real power.
However, Pei Jiang, through his own power, had already grasped the power of Charms, possessed Transcendent strength equivalent to that of the Demon Gods, and had even slain all the Demon Gods in the city, thereby demonstrating his military might.
What came next was quite simple: to march into the Capital and restore the status of millions from human sacrifices back to humans.
Everyone was sharpening their weapons, yet an amnesty edict had arrived.
More importantly, it lacked what should have been the most crucial clause: that he, the rebel leader, be executed. The Current Imperial Advisor isn’t an idiot. He couldn’t possibly write it like that—that after the person accepting the edict dies, his subordinates get to enjoy riches and honor. Is that even possible?
"My Lord, this is a trap," a middle-aged man by Pei Jiang’s side said, his eyes glinting coldly.
"I have no intention of accepting amnesty," Pei Jiang immediately clarified. If I were to accept, the Court would inevitably toy with me until I’m dead. The Demon Gods’ power is immense; how could I possibly resist?
The best solution was to promote The Way of Magical Talisman as quickly as possible. However, the learning curve was too steep, and the number of people they had managed to train so far was very limited.
"If you agree, My Lord, the Court will surely lure you into a life of pleasure and indulgence. Then, when they mobilize troops to annihilate us, no one will escape." The middle-aged man was a Think Tank Pei Jiang had recruited. A disheartened scholar of great talent, he had seen through the Court’s scheme at a glance.
The large quantity of luxury goods sent over was a clear indication of the Court’s malicious intent.
"Indeed, it’s treacherous. But if I refuse the amnesty now, what then?" Pei Jiang asked.
If I don’t accept, the Court will certainly make another move.
"If you refuse the amnesty, the Demon God Faction will inevitably send their Temple Masters to oppose us. However, if a Temple Master faces ten or fifty men, they might stand a chance. Against hundreds or thousands, they are insignificant."
"My Lord, you only need to expand our territory within three days. It’s not a large demand—conquering one city will suffice." The middle-aged man was naturally aware of the Temple Masters’ capabilities. They could handle ordinary people, but against an organized army, they were no match. Otherwise, how could the various Rebel Armies and self-proclaimed kings have survived until now?
A Temple Master capable of dealing with ten men is already considered very powerful.
"Capture a city? What’s the connection? Shouldn’t we be marching on the Capital to save the many human sacrifices?" Pei Jiang didn’t quite grasp the intention.
"That is, of course, our ultimate plan. However, we must project the image of expansion to the Court, not a direct assault on the Capital. This will divert their attention."
"At the very least, it will compel the Capital to divide its forces and send aid. We can then seize this opportunity to strike the Capital when they least expect it!"
The middle-aged man laid out his plan. It was indeed simple, lacking intricate maneuvers, more akin to a feint.
However, the effectiveness of a strategy, not its subtlety, was what mattered.
Those in the Court capable of fighting are all busy dealing with Rebel Armies across the land. It’s already impressive if they can hold their ground; they certainly can’t afford to deal with us. As for dispatching troops here, by the time reinforcements from the Court arrive, we’ll have already taken the Capital, ensuring they arrive to find nothing.
"Good. We’ll proceed according to your plan," Pei Jiang agreed without hesitation. When others were willing to bear the pressure, he would readily delegate authority.
He dared to delegate because his talent for judging people had been fully awakened, making him bold in his appointments. His role was simply to place the right people in the right positions and provide them with appropriate compensation. Then, he only needed to state his objectives, and his subordinates would refine all the details. He just had to wait for the results.
"Yes, My Lord!" The middle-aged man was deeply moved by Pei Jiang’s trust. Entrusted with such a significant matter and shown such profound faith, he was naturally willing to dedicate himself completely.
"By the way, is there any news about Dai Temple and the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence?" Pei Jiang asked.
He was naturally very concerned about this. After all, The Way of Magical Talisman had been imparted by them, and its effects and power were extremely potent, effective not only against Demon Gods and Temple Masters but also against humans. Therefore, to better control this power, he naturally needed to investigate its origins.
"We’ve found some information. We initially thought it was just some obscure local temple or deity, but it turns out to be the Hengguo Orthodox of the ancient Heng Empire. If Dai Temple hadn’t declined due to Heng Shizong’s suppression, we wouldn’t have human sacrifices appearing today," the middle-aged man sighed, taking out an intelligence report.
Pei Jiang took it and read it carefully, his brow furrowing deeper the more he read.
This Heng Shizong was truly an utter fool. After understanding the full context, Pei Jiang had a realization.
No wonder the Temple Master of Dai Temple was willing to help him. During the founding of the Great Heng Empire, it had received aid from Dai Temple. He also learned that Dai Temple, unlike the greedy and violent Demon Gods, was quite benevolent and had contributed greatly to the prosperity of Great Heng and the well-being of its people.
The decline of Great Heng began when Heng Shizong, in his lust for power, supported the Demon Gods and suppressed Dai Temple, leading to the current absurd situation.
So, the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence represents righteousness. No wonder so many Rebel Armies rally under his banner, Pei Jiang mused, though he inwardly thought, It’s more likely due to support from Wang Xueshu. Otherwise, who would use the banner of a power that had been in decline for hundreds of years?
However, he also understood that the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence had a significant deterrent effect on many Demon Gods, especially the high-ranking ones. This effect was indeed potent.
Only those insignificant Demon Gods would consider the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence merely a fallen, local deity. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Do you think we should also rally under his banner?" Pei Jiang suddenly asked.
Based on the intelligence and his interactions with Wang Xueshu, it seemed the Dai Temple System harbored no ambitions for power or profit, preferring to live their own lives.
"It’s feasible, but if it were to become too powerful to control in the future..." the middle-aged man first affirmed, then mentioned the potential risk.
If Dai Temple becomes another Demon God, that would be troublesome.
"That’s not without solutions. We can simply prevent Dai Temple from extending its influence beyond Mount Tai," Pei Jiang said. He had promised Wang Xueshu to protect the Ancestor Court of Mount Tai Temple; however, that was his only commitment to them.
As long as the Ancestor Court remained and incense continued to burn, even if not prosperously, it would be acceptable.
"That method is indeed sound. However, there is one point: if Your Lordship achieves great things, you might need to go to Mount Tai to perform the Fengshan sacrifices and fulfill vows to demonstrate legitimacy."
"In the past, Heng Grand Emperor and Gaozong Emperor both went there."
The implication is, if you use their banner, you must show them due respect in matters of righteousness; otherwise, how would the world perceive you?
With so many disadvantages, what are the benefits? Thinking about it, Pei Jiang felt it was somewhat of a raw deal.
"There are benefits, of course. If we rally under the banner of the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence, we too can claim to be the legitimate authority." The middle-aged man gave a mysterious smile before continuing, "Heng Grand Emperor once proclaimed: ’If my descendants are muddle-headed and tyrannical, the Holy Emperor may raise an army to replace them, to bring clarity to the world.’"
Pei Jiang drew a sharp breath. How could Heng Grand Emperor dare say such a thing? Wasn’t he afraid...
"Heng Grand Emperor was a Class A Believer of the Holy Emperor back then and enjoyed the Holy Emperor’s Protection. At that time, everyone in the world was a follower of the Holy Emperor. That status as a Class A Believer alone ensured no one would oppose him. Once he spoke, the world would follow. How could he worry about the great cause not succeeding?" the middle-aged man couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.
He couldn’t even imagine what such a situation would be like.
A world of Great Harmony... No wonder Heng Grand Emperor could say such things. Pei Jiang was also moved. This meant that if he raised the banner of Dai Temple and the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence, he wouldn’t be a rebel but rather someone cleansing the lineage of Heng Grand Emperor of its unworthy descendants. Moreover, he could legitimately inherit the throne and establish a new dynasty.
He wouldn’t have to worry about being branded a rebel or usurper in the history books, because the ancestor of the Heng Dynasty’s Royal Family himself had said: if you are unfit, the Holy Emperor’s believers can replace you.
"Since that’s the case, let’s raise the banner of the Dongyue Tianqi Emperor of Life and Benevolence! Little do they know, the Way of Talisman I possess was taught by Wang Xueshu, the Temple Master of Dai Temple; it originates from the Dai Temple lineage itself."
A smile touched Pei Jiang’s lips. With righteousness on his side, his actions would surely proceed smoothly.
Hearing this, the middle-aged man’s eyes widened. He didn’t know if Pei Jiang was telling the truth, but it didn’t matter. Dai Temple had declined, and no one would dwell on such matters anymore.
