Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 828 - 745: The Upright and Incorruptible Great Marshal

Lu Qingfeng stood proudly with the Linglong Treasure Tower behind him, allowing all immortals to watch, remaining motionless.

This time.

He had planned meticulously and used all his wits.

After a battle with the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha and others, each returned to their camp. Yet he made a change, sneaked into the formation, and overheard Lingji Bodhisattva and others plotting against him.

Thus, he acted.

Relying on the 'Cloud Peak Step' and 'Transformation Technique', both of which are Supreme Great Divine Powers, imperceptible even to a Golden Immortal. He transformed into the 'Budai Arhat', deceiving Lingji Bodhisattva and the Sitting Arhat, leading them to a secluded place, where he knocked them out with a bamboo cane and suppressed them in the Linglong Treasure Tower.

Afterwards.

He went along with the scheme.

Transforming into Lingji Bodhisattva, Sitting Arhat, and the Iron-Eating Beast 'Taiji Daoist', and Qingye Protector 'Bamboo Rat', using the pretext of treasure testing, easily capturing the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha and the Budai Arhat into the treasure tower for suppression.

From there it was smooth sailing.

Much like the time on Taoshan in the Little Shu Mountain Realm.

Assuming the identities of the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha and others, he replaced all of the nine million Buddha soldiers' commanders one by one.

But replacement was the easy part.

The real challenge was how to handle the nine million Buddha soldiers.

To execute them, indeed, was not hard.

Yet such slaughter, even with the Yellow Court Scripture, he did not fear Karma. But the consequences were immense. Even if he wasn't afraid, he had disciples and followers who couldn't fend off endless revenge.

Letting go was also challenging.

Putting aside how to disperse, how to clear them from Tianhe, simply returning the captured Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha and others, would surely see them come back stronger, posing more trouble.

And if the Jade Emperor found out.

The label of 'two-faced' was inevitable, and his future in the Heavenly Court would hold no favor.

Both paths were unfavorable.

After thoughtful consideration.

He came up with the current method—

To imprison all nine million Buddha soldiers instead of killing them.

As for Li Jing and others, they would be handed to the Jade Emperor, leaving the decisions to him—whether punishments, execution, or otherwise.

In this way.

If revenge came, Lu Qingfeng could only accept it.

Killing the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha and others on his own was never a consideration for Lu Qingfeng.

Who among them had a simple background?!

The Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha was a disciple of the Ancient Buddha Ran Deng.

Guang Power Bodhisattva and Eight Treasures Bodhisattva were deeply connected with Huaguo Mountain.

The Sitting Arhat and Budai Arhat were two of the Eighteen Arhats and disciples of Tathagata.

Even Lingji Bodhisattva was a disciple of Tathagata.

Daring to kill one would provoke many.

No amount of courage would lead Lu Qingfeng to act recklessly. It was best to discard this hot potato as soon as possible.

He only wanted to stay peacefully by the Tianhe.

Guarding the gateway of Tianhe for the Jade Emperor would earn his protection, ensuring he wouldn't be forcibly converted into the Buddhist Sect, marking it as all well.

Whether his tactics were uncovered in this campaign.

Was actually of little importance.

The attack by the nine million Buddha soldiers on Tianhe.

Was indeed orchestrated by him impersonating the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha.

But now the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha and others were captured within the Heavenly Court and in the hands of the Jade Emperor. Whether true or false, black or white, how crucial was the truth?!

Setting other aspects aside.

Lu Qingfeng's capture of nine million Buddha soldiers meant the full takeover of Tianhe was imminent.

With such huge achievements, if the Jade Emperor couldn't protect him, who would dare serve under the Jade Emperor's command, who would accept his recruitment in the future?

The more renowned this battle became.

The more the Jade Emperor had to protect him.

"After this battle."

"I should be able to enjoy peace for a thousand years."

Lu Qingfeng contemplated.

Above.

The Jade Emperor was deep in thought too.

In such haste, though he did not yet grasp all the tricks involved, at this moment with the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha and others captured, Tianhe could certainly be reclaimed from the Buddhist Sect.

With just this.

One major worry in his heart was solved.

All other loose ends and troubles were insignificant.

Thinking this way.

The Jade Emperor thundered: "How outrageous. Li Jing, having joined the Buddhist sect, not only fails to cultivate compassion but defies heavenly rules, causing chaos, his crime is great. Summon someone, quickly cast Li Jing and others into Purgatory, have the authorities interrogate them at once, and shortly thereafter, send them to the Immortal Slaying Stage for beheading and public display, as a warning to the Three Realms!"

Lu Qingfeng listened, feeling reassured.

This stance from the Jade Emperor matched his expectations, aiming to firmly place the blame on the Pagoda-Bearing King Buddha.

However.

"Beheading for public display?"

Lu Qingfeng chuckled inwardly.

Such harsh declarations were merely for show. Even the Jade Emperor couldn't freely decide to execute such high-ranking Buddhists and Bodhisattvas.

Consideration for the greater good was necessary.

Just as the thought crossed his mind.

An Outer Hall spirit official arrived, loudly announcing: "Your Majesty, outside the Tongming Hall, the Ancient Buddha Ran Deng from the West requests an audience."

Before the words were finished.

Another spirit official arrived, declaring: "Your Majesty, outside the Tongming Hall, the Purification Envoy Bodhisattva from Huaguo Mountain requests an audience!"

Ran Deng, the Ancient Buddha.

The Purification Envoy Bodhisattva.

The immortal ministers initially peering at the Linglong Treasure Tower, upon hearing this, dispersed back to their positions, maintaining a serious demeanor.

"They arrived quite swiftly."

Lu Qingfeng was taken aback.

He had just arrived at the Spirit Xiao Palace, and now people from Spiritual Mountain and Huaguo Mountain were here as well; their response was incredibly swift.

"Enter!"

The Jade Emperor invited them in.

Lu Qingfeng pondered for a moment, shook out a cloth bag, opened it, and covertly aimed it at the Linglong Treasure Tower.

A flash of Immortal Light, and the treasure bag replaced the treasure tower.

"Tianpeng—"

From within the treasure bag, someone roared in anger. The voice seemed familiar to everyone in the hall, and they all turned their heads to look at Lu Qingfeng.

They saw the Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy holding a green bamboo staff in one hand and a treasure bag in the other. A bald head peeked out from the treasure bag, but before the eyes could be revealed, it was slammed back down with a sudden strike.

The Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy tightened the bag's opening.

He tossed the treasure bag into the hall, letting the Buddha soldiers inside kick about chaotically. After glancing around, he quickly moved a few paces and stood next to a Daoist wearing a square cap, dressed in water-patterned robes, with a face as round as the full moon. He nodded and smiled at the Daoist, then stood still, observing with his eyes and nose.

"The Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy is quite capable."

Wang Mo looked at Lu Qingfeng beside him and made small talk.

Beside him.

Another row of three Daoists stuck their heads out, saying to Lu Qingfeng, "The Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy is quite capable."

Lu Qingfeng found it headache-inducing, quickly responding to the four, "You've embarrassed me, in front of the Four Saints, how dare Tianpeng claim any skill."

These four were the Four Saints Grand Marshals of the Spirit Xiao Palace.

Tianhe was safe.

The four then returned to the Spirit Xiao Palace.

Seeing the actual person, curiosity piqued them, and they couldn't help but say a few more words.

Lu Qingfeng, realizing he couldn't remain low-key, responded quietly. This approach, though unintended, was more confusing than standing silently in fake modesty.

Thus, the conversation became more lively.

Speaking of this.

Though he had no interactions with these four before, he had heard of their great names during his time in the Black Star Realm and the Nanhua Realm.

The Four Saints Immortal Realm in the Nanhua Realm was a lineage passed down by these four.

The Desolate Cold Stream was the result of a battle between Yang Sen among the Four Saints and the Suanni Beast.

At that time, upon hearing of them, he felt a mountain of awe, unimaginable.

Now seeing them.

Not only could he converse on equal terms, but he also seemed to have a cordial connection.

Completely unexpected.

They didn't talk for long.

Two figures approached from outside the hall.

One had a halo of light atop his head, surrounded by the manifestation of twenty-four heavens, appearing grand and dignified.

The other had a long mouth and big ears, with bristling black steel-like hair, a large belly protruding, and yet his attire was bright and clean, which made him appear even more comical.

The two arrived.

Facing the Jade Emperor at the top, they both clasped their hands together and said, "Great Venerable."

Lu Qingfeng sneaked a peek.

He realized the latter one was definitely the Purification Envoy Bodhisattva, and the former one surrounded by the twenty-four heavens must be the Ancient Buddha Ran Deng.

With caution in his heart.

He spoke quietly with the Four Saints while keeping an eye on the happenings in the hall.

The Jade Emperor, seeing the arrivals, slightly reduced his angry expression and said aloud, "So it's the Ancient Buddha coming in person."

Immediately, he allowed the Ancient Buddha Ran Deng to take a seat.

"Thank you, Great Venerable."

The Ancient Buddha manifested a lotus platform, sitting cross-legged in the hall.

The Jade Emperor then looked at the large-bellied Purification Envoy Bodhisattva, saying, "Why is the Marshal not enjoying peaceful times at Huaguo Mountain, but instead coming to my Spirit Xiao Palace?"

The Purification Envoy Bodhisattva chuckled, "I've not come to see Your Majesty in quite a while, so I specially came to have a look."

"Monks don't tell lies."

"Marshal, is this coming from your heart?"

The Jade Emperor laughed.

"It truly is heartfelt."

The Purification Envoy Bodhisattva giggled, feigning ignorance, and continued, "But besides visiting Your Majesty, I also heard that my two unruly junior disciples offended the Marshal of Tianhe. I, the old Pig, came specifically to plead on their behalf with the Tianpeng True Monarch."

Saying so.

The Purification Envoy Bodhisattva looked around and grinned, "I wonder if the Tianpeng True Monarch is in the hall?"

"This fool."

"What do you want with me!"

Lu Qingfeng saw the Purification Envoy Bodhisattva's gaze fixated on him, felt secretly that things weren't going well, and unable to hide, he had no choice but to say, "Bodhisattva makes too much of it. Guang Power Bodhisattva and Eight Treasures Bodhisattva didn't offend this humble one, it was just a disregard for celestial laws, disrupting Tianhe's order. I have already handed the two Bodhisattvas over to His Majesty. How to deal with them is entirely at His Majesty's discretion."

Lu Qingfeng's expression remained unchanged, neither servile nor overbearing.

Appearing upright and just.

The Purification Envoy Bodhisattva, seeing this, didn't make things difficult, but instead looked up at the Jade Emperor and said, "Wu Jing and Ao Lie have their own misdeeds. I wonder if Your Majesty could show leniency and allow me, the old Pig, to take them back to Huaguo Mountain for strict discipline. If they do not repent, they shall not take a single step out of Huaguo Mountain."

This was his stance.

The words of the Purification Envoy Bodhisattva, coming from outside, represented the Great Saint, represented Huaguo Mountain.

Taking them back to Huaguo Mountain.

The implication was to relinquish control over Tianhe.

Ultimately, saving face was important. If they wanted to rescue someone, it required a price and a commitment. Otherwise, simply demanding their return with no concessions, no one would agree to such a bad deal.

Sure enough.

Upon hearing the Purification Envoy Bodhisattva's words, the Jade Emperor laughed loudly, "Guang Power Bodhisattva and Eight Treasures Bodhisattva were only momentarily foolish. Since the Marshal has spoken, take them back. However, from now on, they must be strictly disciplined. Such incidents should not occur again, lest it make things difficult for the Tianpeng True Monarch."

"I will strictly follow Your Majesty's teachings."

The Purification Envoy Bodhisattva assented in one go and then said to Lu Qingfeng, "True Monarch is magnanimous."

"Bodhisattva is too kind."

Lu Qingfeng cupped his hands, maintaining his composed demeanor, ever upright and just.

Stepping forward.

He loosened the opening of the Qiankun Treasure Bag slightly, gave it a casual shake, and two figures rattled out. One of them took the form of a small white snake, rolled to the ground, and transformed into a pale-clad young general, glaring furiously at Lu Qingfeng. The other was a fierce man with nine skulls hanging from his neck, who stood firm and also glared at Lu Qingfeng.