A Rather Hollow Show of Defiance

The Golden Toad Dharma King had never seen a holy son who couldn't even pass through the secret realm normally.

While waiting by the shore of Bibo Lake, Zhang Xuezhou, finding it difficult to go out, realized that Zhang Xuezhou teacher-student relationship with the Emperor might not be as he had imagined.

The selection of a holy child in a Sacred Land requires not only a test of cultivation aptitude, but also a test of loyalty and sincerity towards the Sacred Land.

The latter is even more important than the former.

No Sacred Land place is solely for doing good deeds; without corresponding demands, there can be no corresponding cultivation.

When the Golden Toad Dharma King realized that Zhang Xuezhou's identity was awkward, he couldn't help but wonder what it was about Zhang Xuezhou that made the Emperor feel compelled to take him under his wing.

He and Zhang Xuezhou had not seen each other for some time, but he, the Golden Toad Dharma King, was well aware of Zhang Xuezhou's extensive knowledge and understanding.

Three years ago, Zhang Xuezhou was just a novice mortal, which made the Golden Toad Dharma King completely baffled as to how such a mortal could have seduced the Emperor.

"Could it be that the Emperor was also unfortunately beaten half to death, and then he was healed by the Supreme Purity True Technique?"

Zhang Xuezhou's skills were by no means diverse; the limitations of his realm and the needs of his development meant that Zhang Xuezhou had only come into contact with a few techniques.

Eliminating completely useless techniques like the Drowsiness Technique and complementary secret techniques Great Wilderness Creation Scripture, Zhang Xuezhou only has the Supreme Purity True Technique to his name.

Or perhaps add a Technique Within the Clouds.

But the Emperor had absolutely no need for the Technique Within the Clouds.

The more the Golden Toad Dharma King thought about it, the more incredible it seemed.

But he didn't ask any further questions.

For him, the more he learned about the Kunlun Sacred Land, the more trouble he would face.

He even has a major problem that's hard to shake off right now.

Having severed ties with his godfather, he learned from the Golden Crow Great Emperor that the Emperor had taken Zhang Xuezhou as his student. Under normal circumstances, this information would not be a problem, but under abnormal circumstances, it would be very problematic.

Caught between the Heavenly Court and the Xieluosi River Holy Land, and controlled by the Venerable One, Zhang Xuezhou's current identity clearly requires secrecy.

The enemy even went to Chang'an City to spy on them; any leak of information would inevitably lead to the failure of the mission.

The Golden Toad Dharma King was filled with anxiety, feeling that the wait for the final judgment was unbearable.

Several hours later, the Golden Toad Dharma King finally saw the Golden Crow Great Emperor flying crookedly through the air.

"Want some fish? I caught a red carp and a green carp!"

The Golden Crow Great Emperor flapped his wings and showed off the two white-eyed carp under his claws.

"Eat!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

He was also grateful that he still needed to eat, which meant that the Golden Crow Great Emperor came to take care of him on time.

"Your Majesty, please pass on a message for me..."

Zhang Xuezhou needed the Emperor's approval to leave the secret place. While grilling fish, he also mentioned his current situation to the Golden Crow Great Emperor.

"In other words, if you don't work for Zhu Jiuyin immediately, he might curse you to death using that Great Wilderness Creation Scripture. I've said long ago that Zhu Jiuyin is no good; that guy has a rebellious streak and a lot of ulterior motives!"

After Zhang Xuezhou explained the relevant details, the Golden Crow Great Emperor burst into a tirade of curses.

But all he can do is curse; it doesn't really solve the problem.

After a string of curses, the Golden Crow Great Emperor flapped his wings, circled around the exit formation, and then went to find the Emperor.

"Red carp Blood Qi and energy, while green carp replenishes Law Power and Divine Sense!"

Zhang Xuezhou flipped the two carp over and then explained their uses.

Clearly, the Golden Toad Dharma King did receive some due treatment; at least he had an extra red carp in his meal today.

"These are the red and green twin fish from the Jade Pool, very rare and precious," said the Golden Toad Dharma King with deep concern. "Are we eating our last meal before we die?"

"I'm not panicking, why are you!"

Zhang Xuezhou waved his hand.

Things are urgent, but we still need to eat and supplement our diet as needed.

He skillfully grilled the fish in the manner of the Golden Crow Great Emperor, and then shared the red carp with the Golden Toad Dharma King.

"You have a chance to survive by working for the Venerable One, but I can't figure out where my own chance lies," the Golden Toad Dharma King said wistfully. "I believe I can keep my mouth shut, but whether others can believe me is another question."

As the only outsider demon who currently knows Zhang Xuezhou's identity, killing the Golden Toad Dharma King is the best solution if Zhang Xuezhou's identity cannot be revealed.

This is no different from his previous 'godfather' issue; both involve factors that are inconvenient for others to know.

After much deliberation, the Golden Toad Dharma King realized he couldn't bring himself to weep and beg for mercy again.

Such wailing and weeping not only doesn't work on the emperor, but it also can't be repeated, as it's easily disgusting.

He racked his brains but couldn't come up with a solution, so he could only grab the red carp and chew it. Even if he got killed, at least he would have eaten fish from the Jade Pool.

When he was eating the last fish tail, the Golden Toad Dharma King felt a gust of wind and waves, which made him raise his head.

"Your appetite is pretty good!"

The Emperor looked at the Golden Toad Dharma King, who was devouring the red carp, and a hint of kindness appeared in his eyes.

No sooner had one problem been solved than another arose. Just as the issue of the Golden Toad Dharma King's identity was resolved, news broke that the Emperor had ordered Zhang Xuezhou to quickly go to Chang'an City to spy on Emperor Jing's situation.

If it weren't for the Golden Toad Dharma King's warning, which led to Zhang Xuezhou being locked up in Miaofa Palace and cursed to death by the Venerable One, all of his schemes would have been in vain.

The Emperor pondered the relevant issues and considered Hongjun, who was behind Zhang Xuezhou. He ultimately concluded that while someone like Zhang Xuezhou would face risks going down the mountain, there was also a high probability that he would turn misfortune into good fortune.

After all, Jiang Shang accomplished nothing in most of his life, but at least he didn't die young.

He should indeed release them.

"Your Majesty, this fish is delicious!"

The Golden Toad Dharma King responded with an awkward laugh.

Even though this was a last meal before his execution, it was of such high quality that it could be considered one of the finest delicacies among all the demon flesh that the Golden Toad Dharma King had come into contact with.

"I'm glad you're used to the food," the Emperor said with a smile. "My student has come down the mountain, and there's been no one to manage the Miaofa Palace. Since you're comfortable with the food and drink here, why don't you stay and help take care of it?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Rather than the horrific consequence of beheading, the Emperor ultimately imposed a house arrest on the Golden Toad Dharma King.

Zhang Xuezhou's life was controlled by the Venerable One, but the Golden Toad Dharma King was not subject to such control. They were bound to the Xieluosi River Holy Land more because of the Sacred Land 'Sacred Land order and protection.

Having eliminated the Xieluosi River Holy Land, the Golden Toad Dharma King and his ilk are like rootless duckweed, drifting aimlessly in various places.

Now that the Heavenly Court is willing to accept him, even if it means becoming a cleaning demon in the Wonderful Dharma Palace, it means his life is guaranteed.

For the Golden Toad Dharma King, this arrangement may have already reached the limit of what the Emperor could currently achieve.

He kowtowed repeatedly, indicating that he would definitely guard the Miaofa Palace well and would diligently stay within its walls.

"You do have some intelligence!"

The Emperor nodded, clearly pleased with the Golden Toad Dharma King's sensible nature.

His gaze swept over the Golden Toad Dharma King for a moment before turning to Zhang Xuezhou.

"When you went down the mountain and met the crane demon Feiyu, you mentioned that Jinwu, because of the loss of his son, deeply hated the guardian beside Zhushiyin and imprisoned him for a hundred years as punishment, thus preventing Zhu Jiuyin from using this as a pretext later!"

The Emperor pointed to the area outside.

"This will at least make it clear to Zhu Jiuyin that the Heavenly Court is old, but not old enough to offer itself up for a humiliation!"

The Emperor spoke with great conviction, but he could only talk the talk.

He couldn't even leave Kunlun to tour the world; he could only watch as his power crumbled and the kingdoms that worshipped the Heavenly Court were constantly attacked.

As a force coveted by the Immortal Court, his confidence was no greater than that of the aging dragon in the Xieluosi River Holy Land.

If Zhu Jiuyin were to break free and charge into Kunlun, the Emperor felt he might not be able to withstand the combined attack from both sides.

When dealing with the Venerable One, he indeed had to be careful about the appropriate boundaries.