Emperor Jing Goes Mad

Zhang Xuezhou's "Great Wilderness Creation Scripture Manual" is not of a high standard.

It wasn't that he didn't work hard; it was just that his cultivation level at that time was the only one he could reach.

This is related to his network of contacts and his aptitude. In addition, Zhang Xuezhou had not even entered the True Spirit Realm at that time, making it extremely difficult for him to cultivate techniques related to intimidation.

He had progressed to the second level of his initial cultivation, while Wu Chao had reached the fifth level.

As for his later separation from Wu Chao and inability to use his abilities, he stopped cultivating.

Zhang Xuezhou belatedly realized that poor cultivation was also a good thing.

He was involved in the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture, but this involvement was not to the point of being incurable and completely under control.

As Zhang Xuezhou recounted the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture, the Emperor's expression changed slightly, and he summoned the Empress again.

"I only know the first three levels, while my senior brother Wu Chao knows the first six," Zhang Xuezhou said, spreading his hands. "The rest we'll have to ask the Venerable One."

Who is Wu Chao? And where is he?

"We were once disciples of Hongku. Wu Chao was my senior brother there. But he was unlucky. As the fourth prince of the Xiong State, he was expelled from the sect by the Yedie River Holy Land, which almost cut off the royal family's escape route. He had no choice but to ask the royal family for some things and then flee. I followed Senior Brother Wu Chao all the way. After entering the Greater Yuezhi Kingdom, we were separated due to an accident. Senior Brother Wu Chao went west, while I followed the Buddha's disciple here!"

Zhang Xuezhou briefly and quickly recounted his affair with Wu Chao, and also revealed all the knowledge he had about the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture.

He looked at the Emperor and Empress, and saw that their expressions were unusual, so he knew that they were pondering the contents of the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture.

Zhang Xuezhou had previously noticed a connection between the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture and the Mental Strengthening Chapter, and judging from the Emperor's expression, this was undoubtedly further confirmed.

Compared to Zhang Xuezhou's vague perception, the Emperor's confirmation was extremely swift.

This is even within the limited scope of the Emperor's mastery of the Mental Strengthening Chapter.

Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement, feeling that the two were not on the same level at all.

But he showed no sign of disappointment.

It's good to have a powerful backer. Although his teacher-student relationship with the Emperor was a bit strange, teacher-student relationships in this world were much closer than in reality. If the Emperor could gain something, he would be better off with scraps than many others.

In the Venerable One's admonition, they only forbade others from practicing the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture, not from telling it.

Knowing the hidden dangers of the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture and lacking the follow-up parts, the Emperor and Empress would never attempt to master this secret technique; at most, they would use it for reference and research.

What intelligence did you go to Chang'an City to gather?

After a long pause, the Emperor finally spoke and asked Zhang Xuezhou about other related matters.

The Venerable One poses a threat to Zhang Xuezhou, but as long as the agreement with the Venerable One is fulfilled, the matter will be over.

If His Excellency were to act arbitrarily without Zhang Xuezhou violating any rules, it would be a breach of the rules. As a top-tier cultivator, His Excellency would not stoop to such a shameful act.

The Emperor was willing to sever the remaining vestiges of the Great Wilderness Creation Scripture, but this required him to master more of its contents, and it also required time.

For Zhang Xuezhou at this moment, fulfilling his superior's demands is the right choice.

"His Majesty wants me to spy on Emperor Jing Jing's true strength and find out just how powerful he is," Zhang Xuezhou said.

Which Emperor Jing?

"His Majesty Emperor Jing of the Han Kingdom in the Southern Jambudvipa Continent," Zhang Xuezhou introduced, "Your Excellency had a falling out with Emperor Jing and was killed by Emperor Jing, revealing his true form. He has a certain need to understand Emperor Jing."

"He's just afraid of dying!"

The Emperor waved his hand, stating directly the reason why His Excellency was investigating the information.

For an old demon like the Venerable One, losing a fight means death, winning a fight where the opponents are evenly matched also has a terrible outcome, and even if the opponent is slightly weaker but has the ability to retaliate, it would pose a high-risk threat to someone as old and frail as the Venerable One.

The Emperor's furious military campaign against the Han Dynasty gave Emperor Jing a reason to retaliate, and also made the Emperor wary.

"He charges in headlong before the battle and only tries to remedy the situation afterward. With such a character, he is hardly fit to be the leader of a powerful force," the Emperor said.

"The Southern Jambudvipa Continent is constantly embroiled in conflict, and unexpectedly, another emperor with extraordinary strength has emerged," the Empress said.

"Not quite there," the Emperor shook his head. "Even the Emperor Qin, aided by Yinglong, lacked the necessary skill; how much more so a ruler who only poses a threat to Zhu Jiuyin?"

"That place is surrounded by wolves and plagued by war for years. It's quite remarkable that there are still people like this who can build a dynasty in such a shattered place," the Emperor and Empress laughed.

"Well, it certainly deserves praise!"

The Emperor finally nodded, indicating that Emperor Jing was indeed remarkable.

He had demoted Daojun and disagreed with the Emperor, but he ultimately praised Emperor Jing.

This praise is somewhat forced, but as the former Heavenly Emperor, the only dynasty ruler he truly acknowledged was the Human Emperor, making this statement extremely rare.

Zhang Xuezhou was tasked with investigating the true nature of this emperor, a mission no less daunting than a life-or-death struggle.

"Actually, it's not that I'm completely without confidence!"

When the Emperor asked, Zhang Xuezhou finally picked up that memory he hadn't thought about for a long time.

He was a subject of the Han Dynasty, had entered Chang'an City, and had even met the young crown prince. In fact, if the crown prince had acknowledged the debt, he would still have a reward from the crown prince that he had not yet retrieved.

"So that's how it is." The Emperor nodded and then asked the Golden Toad Dharma King, "Why is Zhu Jiuyin in such a hurry now, and why did he send you here to handle this matter?"

"Because... because Emperor Jing has gone mad," the Golden Toad Dharma King stammered before finally replying.

"Are you crazy?"

"Yes, he recently executed Zhou Yafu in the court," said the Golden Toad Dharma King. "His Majesty suspects that Emperor Jing has either gone mad or become so powerful that he no longer needs Zhou Yafu. This worries His Majesty, who fears possible retaliation from Emperor Jing, hence the urging."

"And who is Zhou Yafu?" the Emperor asked.

"Zhou Yafu was a great general of the Han Dynasty, whose strength was the greatest among the three armies. Later, he entered the court as chancellor, and in his old age, he became the Grand Commandant!"

When the Golden Toad Dharma King found it difficult to reply, Zhang Xuezhou provided supplementary information.

With Zhang Qian as a devoted admirer, Zhang Xuezhou had heard Zhang Qian recount Zhou Yafu's story at least twice or three times.

Even Grand Commandant Zhou had used magic on him. Zhang Xuezhou never expected that in just two years, this powerful and influential figure would be killed by Emperor Jing.

"He killed people like that under his command?" the Emperor asked in astonishment.

"This is tantamount to the Emperor killing me!"

The Golden Crow Great Emperor tilted his head and listened for a while before choosing to make an analogy.

This made the Golden Crow Great Emperor very glad that he was not human, so he wouldn't have to suffer such a misfortune in a human dynasty.

"This kind of person is either crazy, or..."

The Emperor had previously been reluctant to echo the Empress's praise of Emperor Jing, but now, if Emperor Jing hadn't gone mad, he might have genuinely praised him.

Only true kings understand kings.

Despite never having met, the Emperor sensed another possibility.

The other side is probably not so powerful that they don't need Zhou Yafu anymore, but rather they are likely facing a crisis and are using this as a pretext to intimidate others while eliminating potential domestic threats.

"How old is that prince?" the Emperor asked.

"Thirteen... she should be fifteen now!"

Zhang Xuezhou replied to the Emperor, which further solidified the Emperor's approval.

The other party has the mindset of an emperor; all they care about is the overall interest.

Even if someone has a very good relationship with the emperor, if the value of their death outweighs their value of being alive, the emperor will not hesitate to take action.

Clearly, Zhou Yafu's death at this point was of greater value than his life.

If the speculation is correct, Emperor Jing was not only a competent emperor, but also a dangerous one.