"Is Ji Xiang using evil magic?"
This was indeed a sharp point of attack. If it were a normal court setting, and Nurhaci said this while meeting the Emperor, the censors who reported on rumors would have certainly seized upon it, launching personal attacks against Ji Xiang until he was stripped of his Grandmaster title or provoked into action.
However, Shun Tian had just experienced great turmoil, and to speak of cultivating evil magic...
Emperor Wanli's smile was not a smile.
"My Jianzhou Guard Dragon Tiger General, it's not appropriate to say such things now."
Ever since he learned that Shun Tian was filled with all sorts of evil magic, with the most evil being Emperor Jiajing, Emperor Wanli had become indifferent to righteous and evil magic.
Weren't they all spells that could instantly kill him anyway?
What was the difference!
Furthermore, if one were to discuss executing those who cultivated evil magic and sending their souls to the酆都 (Fengdu) underworld, then Emperor Jiajing should be the first to be dealt with! Emperor Wanli even mused that perhaps he himself dabbled in some evil magic.
After all, Emperor Longqing had a curse placed upon him to extend his lineage, and Emperor Wanli was born safely because of this curse. He was practically a son of evil from birth...!
Even extraterrestrial demons would call him an expert!
So, could this be said?
Of course, it couldn't be said.
Especially at this sensitive time, the censors wouldn't even bother reporting rumors; they'd turn a blind eye even if someone died on the roadside. They had to play blind when it was necessary.
With the incident at the East Yue Temple and Elder Xu's personal trial of the magic, it was truly like "walking through the gates of hell." The ministers in the court had basically all sided with Emperor Wanli. Emperor Wanli had never felt so at ease.
It was much more comfortable for the civil officials to suppress each other than for the civil officials to unite and suppress the emperor.
However, Ji Xiang spoke up, leaving Emperor Wanli no room to maneuver. Emperor Wanli waved his hand, allowing Ji Xiang to speak.
Ji Xiang sneered and explained to Nurhaci:
"There are indeed many righteous methods in the world, and there are also quite a few evil methods. Including the magic of folk religious sects, if it benefits people, it is righteous; if it does not benefit people, it is evil. According to the heavenly laws, if I used evil magic, I should indeed be punished by the heavenly laws along with you..."
Hearing Ji Xiang personally admit to using evil techniques, Nurhaci, though on the verge of death, coughed up blood and laughed, believing his purpose had at least been achieved.
However, Ji Xiang continued:
"But the art of summoning and impeaching by name has existed since ancient times, before the Qin Dynasty. While past generations did not consider it righteous, later generations have attributed such magic to evil. Ultimately, if you hadn't used evil magic, how could you have been restrained by such techniques?"
"I am a person from fourteen hundred years ago. The Way of the Yellow Heaven, including the art of peace, is still considered righteous now. But at that time, for the Han Dynasty, it was undoubtedly evil magic. Zhang Jiao, Yu Ji, Zuo Ci, Pu Jing – these people were all masters of great evil arts back then, but now they are all considered ancient immortals. What do you say?"
"Forget it! It's my fault!"
Ji Xiang apologized to Emperor Wanli:
"I have lived for a long time, and I did not expect to use inappropriate magic. I beg Your Majesty to punish this minister for not respecting righteous methods according to the laws of the heavenly statutes!"
Emperor Wanli suddenly said, "What? What crime have you committed?"
"By the way, you are a person from a thousand years ago. You don't know that this magic is actually in the 'Daoist Canon of the Orthodox Lineage'! How did it become evil magic? So, if you don't know, go back and read. Don't speak carelessly."
"The Daoist Canon of the Orthodox Lineage is the complete collection of righteous magic stipulated by our Great Ming, compiled and collated during the tenth year of Emperor Yingzong's reign. It covers countless magical arts, and there cannot be any missing righteous methods. Only those who haven't read the canon, or have forgotten the page numbers of the canon's magic."
Emperor Wanli declared that no matter what kind of magic it was, if he said it was in the canon, then it must be! If you don't know it, it's because you didn't read carefully and missed something!
Nurhaci, prostrate on the ground, struggled to lift his head but couldn't. He was both shocked and enraged.
"That old Wanli, damn it, you're talking nonsense with your eyes open!"
"It seems I cannot escape death today! After I die, Jianzhou will surely fall into chaos! Wanli! My wish will not disappear just like that. I will turn into a ghost and come here to find you..."
Before Nurhaci could finish his curse, Emperor Wanli poked the ground with the Jing Zhen sword in his hand.
"Whether Jianzhou descends into chaos or not is not for you to decide, but for me! As for you saying you will turn into a ghost to find me, I am quite looking forward to it. Let's set a date. I'll be the human, you'll be the ghost, and we'll have a one-on-one fight. Don't say I don't fight honorably."
"Guards!"
The Imperial Guards came forward and seized Nurhaci. Emperor Wanli gripped the hilt of his sword, glanced at the surrounding Grand Secretaries and ministers, and spoke softly.
Many supported Emperor Wanli's decision at this moment. Those who didn't could only force a laugh. Seeing that Emperor Wanli's intention was set, they dared not say anything further.
It was as if a thunderclap echoed through the heavens and earth.
Emperor Wanli decreed death for Nurhaci!
But before his death, he did not strip Nurhaci of his Dragon Tiger General title. After all, it was still meaningful for a dead person to hold this title. Currently, Shurhaci was going to Jianzhou to take over Nurhaci's forces and territory, and this Dragon Tiger General title was already prepared for Shurhaci.
Having a goal is what provides motivation!
"There's no need to send the Dragon Tiger General to the Western Market."
"Execute him on the spot."
..........
In regions far from Shun Tian, Shurhaci's convoy was still moving intermittently. Suddenly, it seemed as if a thunderclap sounded in the sky. At this moment, the sheep in front of the convoy suddenly bleated and fell to the ground, lifeless!
Shurhaci went to check and found that the sheep had suddenly died of a stroke!
"The sheep my brother used for his rituals... is dead..."
Shurhaci's gaze turned towards Shun Tian, his expression somewhat complex, but it eventually turned ruthless.
"Big brother, this is your own greed, you can't blame others! Your brother isn't betraying you. If you hadn't gone back yourself, how could Emperor Wanli have seized the opportunity to capture you on the spot!"
As for himself... he would return to Changbai Mountain and become the King of Jianzhou!
...........
Within the mountains and rivers, the Ten Continents and Three Islands, Juku Prefecture, Northeast Sea!
In the vast sea, there was a heavenly palace with layered eaves and upturned corners. Auspicious clouds coiled around the palace, and on either side of the palace stood two towering iron trees! Mountain springs and streams cascaded down, flowing along the terrain, passing through carved balustrades and arched bridges, before disappearing into the depths of the sea.
Between the heavenly palace and the sea of clouds, two dragon-horned beasts lay dormant, having cultivated and slept for thousands of years. Their aura was no weaker than that of a Pure Yang level expert!
Within this magnificent mountain gate, an immortal with a black beard and a dark robe opened his eyes. Sensing the changes occurring in the outer mountains and rivers, this immortal was also a peak Ascension expert, no less than the Great Sage Yuan Miao!
"Martial Uncle, Nurhaci is dead!"