Chapter 1309: Chapter 1307: Erasing Karma
The words of the Empress, to a certain extent, could be considered as conceding.
After all, the battles from the Jade Emperor’s side have never led to a victory over Jiang Liu, and talking about negotiating a solution on this basis, wouldn’t it be considered conceding?
“Since it’s the words of the Empress, then let us hear what you have to say, Your Majesty!” Jiang Liu wore a thoughtful expression as he considered briefly and then nodded slightly to indicate agreement.
Jiang Liu came today to make trouble, firstly to overturn the case for the Dragon King of Jing River, and secondly to embarrass the Great Jade Emperor.
From the current situation, the matter of the case reversal is almost settled.
And even though the Jade Emperor was the first to strike, he could not defeat me, so he has already been embarrassed.
Therefore, one could say my goals are about halfway achieved. Given the Empress’s causal concerns, she proposed negotiating to resolve this matter, which Jiang Liu naturally agreed to.
After Jiang Liu agreed, the Empress instructed the present Immortal Clans to disperse, then took the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team back to her palace to discuss how to handle the following matters.
Since the Empress had instructed everyone to disperse, these observing Immortal Gods naturally would not persist shamelessly. After bidding farewell, they turned and left.
The reaction of Spirit Official Li was also very quick; with his eyes rolling twice, he had no intention of remaining in the Heavenly Court. Fearing the Jade Emperor might hold him accountable later, Spirit Official Li swiftly left the Heavenly Court, heading towards Chang’an City.
After Jiang Liu and his group entered the palace of the Jade Emperor and the Empress and sat down, a few Immortal Maidens served tea. The Empress waved them away, even ordering them to guard the entrance and to not let anyone disturb them.
Finally, once the palace doors were closed, only Jiang Liu and the others, along with the Jade Emperor and the Empress, remained on site.
“Xuanzang…”
At this moment, the Jade Emperor was angry and had no intention of speaking, leaving the matter to the Empress: “Regarding the two requests you made, I have considered it – the resurrection of the Dragon King of Jing River is not something that cannot be agreed upon!”
“But you must understand, although it was excusable for the Dragon King of Jing River to alter the Jade Emperor’s decree, the crime committed was still a capital offense. The Jade Emperor killing him was still reasonable! Agreeing to his resurrection is already giving you face!”
The Empress’s words were quite reasonable, similar to someone in the mortal world robbing to gather medical fees for their daughter. Although sympathetic, robbery remains a crime, and it cannot simply be pardoned due to circumstances.
The Empress stated that pardoning the Dragon King of Jing River was a concession due to personal regard, and that position was tenable.
“Thank you, Empress!”
Jiang Liu also felt that the Empress’s words were reasonable, nodded in gratitude, and thanked her.
With a slight nod, and hearing Jiang Liu’s words of thanks, the Empress seemed quite pleased, and then continued: “Regarding the resurrection of the Dragon King of Jing River, I have given Xuanzang face, so on the matter of the Edict of Self-Accusation, I hope Xuanzang you could compromise!”
“At such a critical time, if the Jade Emperor’s prestige falls again, the consequences would be unimaginable, and it may lead to chaos across the Three Realms, a situation you wouldn’t wish to see either, would you, Xuanzang?”
“What if I said that’s exactly the situation I wish to see?” Jiang Liu internally retorted against the Empress’s words.
Of course, Jiang Liu only muttered these words to himself internally, with no intention of actually saying them aloud.
Outwardly, Jiang Liu opened his mouth and displayed a puzzled expression, asking, “At such a critical time? I’m unclear about what you mean by critical time. Could you explain, Empress?”
Seeing Jiang Liu inquiring persistently about what constituted a critical time, the Jade Emperor’s eyebrows furrowed, showing displeasure.
However, the Empress subtly signaled to the Jade Emperor, slightly shaking her head.
The Jade Emperor, who had opened his mouth slightly, then closed his mouth again and did not speak further!
Alright then, let Yaoji handle the negotiation matters now!
“Xuanzang, do you truly not know? The God-Beating Whip in the Jade Emperor’s possession is missing, numerous Immortal Clans in the Immortal Realm have been getting restless, and with the matters in Fengxian County, the Jade Emperor’s reputation has greatly diminished!”
“If an Edict of Self-Accusation is issued at this juncture, the reputation will plummet significantly. If chaos erupts across the Heavenly Court at that time, it would inevitably lead to widespread suffering, surely not a situation you’d like to see, Xuanzang?” the Empress openly explained to Jiang Liu without insisting on keeping face by avoiding the subject.
“Alas…” Jiang Liu silently sighed in his heart at the Empress’s words.
Although never considering himself akin to a Holy Lady, if widespread suffering were to result because of him, Jiang Liu would indeed feel a guilty conscience.
Despite how displeasing the celestial Immortals and Buddhas may be, if Great Demon appearances occurred in the mortal realm, the usual cultivators’ prayers would still compel the Heavenly Court to send mighty Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to subdue them, as a fact.
“My humble group came to the Heavenly Court to seek justice from the Jade Emperor and agreed to Xiaobai! If the Dragon King of Jing River was at fault and got killed, becoming a lone ghost over the years, yet the Jade Emperor makes mistakes without self-punishment, how could I explain this to Xiaobai, or to the Dragon King of Jing River!” After a brief silence, Jiang Liu spoke, expressing a slight retreat.
This time, going up against the Jade Emperor for execution? Jiang Liu never had such lofty ambitions.
For the matter of the Dragon King of Jing River, asking the Jade Emperor to issue an edict of self-accusation? Frankly, Jiang Liu never dared to hope for that.
The reason for such a request was merely to ask for an exorbitant price, waiting for the Jade Emperor to negotiate down.
Since the Empress had spoken, finding a situation acceptable to both parties would mean this matter was satisfactorily concluded.
“How about this, after the Dragon King of Jing River is resurrected, I and the Jade Emperor will apologize to him in Lingxiao Hall, and then promote him to the Dragon King of the Three Realms of Rivers?” Seeing Jiang Liu’s reluctance to let it go, the Empress knew that after the Jade Emperor admitted his mistake, he had to offer something substantial to settle the matter. She then asked.
“This is merely compensation for the Dragon King of Jing River, not self-punishment!” Hearing the Empress’s words, Jiang Liu seriously replied.
“Xuanzang, do not push your luck!” Hearing Jiang Liu’s response, the Jade Emperor could no longer hold back and angrily rebuked.
To the Jade Emperor, he had already admitted his mistake publicly, and now the Empress had agreed to apologize in person to that little mud eel, the Dragon King of Jing River, and to promote his immortal rank, which was the maximum concession he could make.
Self-punishment? Should he whip himself dozens of times as well?
If it really came to that, would he still want to hold the position of Jade Emperor?
“Haotian…”
Seeing the Jade Emperor’s anger, the Empress at his side could understand his feelings. She called out softly, shaking her head slightly.
Soon after, the Empress’s gaze returned to Jiang Liu as she said solemnly, “Xuanzang, do you mean the Jade Emperor must punish himself? Otherwise, you will not relent?”
“It’s not impossible…,” seeing the Empress’s voice also becoming more serious, Jiang Liu paused briefly before speaking again.
“Master!?”
At this moment, the fact that the master stepped back surprised Sun Wukong and the others as they looked at Jiang Liu.
If they gave ground again, wouldn’t this quest for justice from the heavens become a joke?
Would just the Jade Emperor’s verbal admission of fault suffice?
As for resurrecting the Dragon King of Jing River, with the Soul-Returning Pill in hand, bringing him back to life wasn’t difficult at all and didn’t require the Jade Emperor’s approval!
“Oh? Xuanzang, speak on…,” hearing Jiang Liu relent, the Empress’s interest was piqued as she looked at Jiang Liu with some anticipation.
Seeing his previous imposing presence in Lingxiao Hall, who would’ve thought he would become so agreeable here in the sleeping quarters?
“Empress, the Map of Mountains and Rivers you possess has a universe within. In recent days, I’ve used it to admire the scenery, with much benefit. It seems, then, that my entourage is tied to your fate, isn’t it?”
“If you are willing, we can let the matter of the Jade Emperor’s self-punishment pass. No need for his majesty to apologize to the Dragon King of Jing River publicly. As long as you consider this fate extinguished, how would that be?” Jiang Liu inquired to the Empress.
Yes, that was Jiang Liu’s goal.
Because of the burden of fate, Jiang Liu dared not make a move against the Empress. If he could use this opportunity to annul this fate, Jiang Liu could find another chance to kill the Empress!
After all, compared to making the Jade Emperor lose face through self-punishment, being able to directly eliminate the Empress was certainly of greater value!
“Using the fate of the Map of Mountains and Rivers to exchange for the Jade Emperor’s self-punishment?” Jiang Liu’s words left the Empress surprised, and she pondered silently.
In fact, lending them the Map of Mountains and Rivers was mainly because her adopted daughter, Fairy Zixia, chose it, and they loaned it to them afterward.
Even if it was a matter of fate, it was just a tiny bit, and they intended to use such an insignificant fate to exchange for the Jade Emperor’s self-punishment?
If something seems too strange, there must be a demon behind it!
Could it be? That in their hands, the Map of Mountains and Rivers might have a massive effect unbeknownst to herself?
“What do you think, Empress? Are you willing?” Seeing the Empress’s prolonged silence, Jiang Liu couldn’t help but urge.
After contemplating for a while and not coming to any conclusion, the Empress finally nodded, saying, “If that’s the case, then I shall accept your proposal!”
“Very well! In that case, we, master and disciples, shall take our leave!” Hearing the Empress’s agreement, Jiang Liu promptly stood up to bid farewell without the slightest hesitation.
Indeed, he seemed fearful that the Empress might have second thoughts.