Chapter 775 - 367: Clash of Faiths

Chapter 775: Chapter 367: Clash of Faiths

The atmosphere in the Council was very somber.

"If the winter continues, there will definitely be a famine year around Dragon Capital, which would be another huge loss," Duke Maksim said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the problems are obvious; what we need to discuss now is how to solve them," Hong Zhen said directly.

Duke Potter very much disliked this way of speaking from the other party. He glanced at Chen Rutang and said, "The core is to beseech the Moon God’s blessings, sincerely and wholeheartedly confess, pray, and actively position the Moon God as the sole faith of the Li Long United Kingdom. Any other Church is considered a heretical cult. Only by doing so can we regain the Moon God’s mercy. We cannot continue to err, and this requires the Grand Governor to set an example, leading the entire Li Long people in repentance; only then can there be a solution."

There was another round of silence in the Cabinet. Everyone certainly knew what this meant behind the scenes, and they were even more aware of the Potter family’s calculations.

"Your Highness, what do you think?" Chen Rutang asked, looking at Ji Mingyue.

Ji Mingyue was not only a princess; she had the Peak Pool behind her and could not just follow whatever the Church Court dictated.

"The damage to fate can be repaired. This epidemic is also a form of self-repair by the celestial way. Duke Potter is not wrong: either natural restoration or human intervention is possible, but the cost is extremely high. Natural restoration predicts the epidemic will last half a year," Ji Mingyue said. "I respect the opinion of the Grand Governor."

Ji Mingyue was new to the Cabinet, and if she could reverse the situation here, it would undoubtedly elevate her prestige above the Grand Governor, laying a solid foundation for what lies ahead. Unfortunately, she lacked the capability.

The Peak Pool was also of no help. This had already surpassed the scope of ordinary Hidden Power; the Five Great Sanctuaries were remnants of the old epoch, which essentially did not represent the new era. Therefore, they could not change any of this, but the Church Court could, which was also why she was helpless.

Given Dragon Capital’s population and scale, extreme cold combined with an epidemic, and the chain reactions caused by both, could lead to tens of thousands of casualties. If it spreads, it might result in a million.

There are only two choices in front of everyone: one is to submit to the Church Court, but then Li Long might become a tool for the Church Court to earn Wish Power, something even Luthor had always been keen to avoid. The second is natural restoration, which means many people will perish in Dragon Capital, facing immense losses and the coveting eyes of surrounding countries.

Duke Potter appeared expressionless, but he felt extraordinarily excited inside. Chen Rutang thought he had won, not knowing that this position was a hot potato for him; it wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

If he chose the first option, given the Church Court’s influence, even if he didn’t provoke him, Chen Rutang could only last a few years before having to exchange positions with him. If he chose the second option, he would be directly impeached; he had to shoulder the blame even if he didn’t want to, just right to quell the public grievances.

"What about other Secret Organizations? Can we issue a bounty in the Adventurer Association?" Lu Shuai, standing nearby, said.

As Chen Rutang’s secretary-general, it was inappropriate to interject in such occasions, but it wasn’t entirely forbidden either; it still depended on personal influence.

Everyone looked at Lu Shuai. Duke Potter showed no expression, while Duke Maksim furrowed his brows slightly.

"Lu Shuai’s idea is excellent. Since it’s a secret matter, we don’t have to be limited by secular means. The Holy Land’s inability to intervene doesn’t mean other organizations can’t," Ji Mingyue said.

Duke Potter smiled slightly, "Your Highness, the president of the Adventurer Association is also an old friend of mine. I have asked him about this matter long ago. No one but the Seven Great Churches can intervene at this level of damage. Even if there is, think about the price to be paid, and what bargaining chips do we have?"

There was silence in the Cabinet; the issue was shelved. Duke Potter wasn’t at all anxious and wouldn’t urge, letting matters ferment was more favorable for him; some just won’t shed tears until they see the coffin.

Other affairs were discussed one by one in the Cabinet; they were practical issues that didn’t affect the big picture.

The meeting ended, and Chen Rutang retained Ji Mingyue.

"Your Highness, does the Peak Pool really have no solution?" Chen Rutang asked, willing to pay the price to the Peak Pool rather than anyone else, at least maintaining a certain balance.

"Grand Governor, I have thoroughly confirmed this matter. Duke Potter didn’t exaggerate. Yeshida used Life Master methods to forcibly seize living people’s fate, converting a large number of Blood Demons, forcibly seizing others’ fate, violating epoch laws, and now the situation is a backlash of laws," Ji Mingyue said. "Only sufficiently powerful Hidden Power that complies with epoch laws can solve it."

Ji Mingyue didn’t want to face it either, but the problems were laid out here; if Chen Rutang couldn’t solve it, no one could protect him.

The Princess departed; Chen Rutang fell into contemplation, facing a difficult choice. The first option was like drinking poison to quench thirst; the second would lead to countless casualties. He would also face a downfall as the Grand Governor, not only that but be a sinner.

"Teacher, perhaps there’s a third option," Lu Shuai said.

Chen Rutang looked at Lu Shuai, his eyes brightening, "Speak!"

"Besides the Moon God’s Court, there is actually something newer on the New Era path—the Celestial Principle School!"

***

The Hex Bird Report featured on all four major social editions simultaneously, announcing that the Celestial Principle School would hold its first public formal Celestial Principle lecture at the Celestial Principle Academy, blessing the people, averting disasters, and overcoming difficulties. When the time comes, the newly-appointed Grand Governor Chen Rutang and Princess Ji Mingyue will jointly proceed to the Celestial Principle School to pray for the nation.

The Freedom Daily gave it the most space, followed by the Flying Bird Daily, Citizen Daily, and Justice Daily, all of which also lent their support, showing considerable recognition for the new Grand Governor.

At the Duke of Potter’s residence, Landry and Marshall were enjoying the human-shaped warm packs, their touch soft and warm like spring.

The two were old friends; the two families had cooperated hand-in-hand for many years. Although there were minor clashes, they always maintained consistency in major decision directions, standing on the right side.

"This is Chen Rutang’s last resistance. Do you think the Celestial Principle School can lift the curse?" Marshall asked, enjoying the attentive service of the maid with a smile.

No matter what was happening outside, it didn’t affect their quality of life.

"Fakson said this curse doesn’t need solving; it will gradually disappear after three or four months, with some deaths in the meantime." Landry smiled, "It’s essentially the lack of Wish Power and luck, Heaven is heartless, the backlash is immense. Are you going to ask the Pope to compensate or have those Red-robed Archbishops make amends? Farson said the creation of those Blood Demons directly violates the secret laws, not even filling them with lives would suffice. Could one Celestial Principle School possibly have such power? They’re merely trying to take advantage, humph."

"Are you saying the Celestial Principle School wants to use their own Wish Power to save some people?"

"That should be their plan. The new sect should have that ability, but with little Wish Power, how many people can they save? It’s just their way of establishing a foothold in Dragon Capital, using this move to confuse those naive ones in the Canon Law School, spending little to achieve much, quite the clever plan."

"But the Celestial Principle School’s reputation in the Canon Law School is already good; those dubious theories are very popular among the naive ones. If they succeed, it could be troublesome to handle," Marshall said, furrowing his brow, "All that talk about justice and freedom is all heretical. If not handled properly, it might shake the foundation."

The Celestial Principle School’s theories didn’t explicitly point out methods, but fundamentally aim for reform, harming these big tycoons’ interests, making commoners rebellious. And the Canon Law School has become influential after Luthor; if many students are confused, it could easily disrupt the ruling foundation.

"That’s why I want to help these great philanthropists by adding fuel to the fire," Landry laughed, "soon the entire Dragon Capital will know that the Celestial Principle School’s lecture can completely cure the plague and drive away the severe cold. Guess what those dying paupers will do?"

Marshall’s eyes glimmered slightly, unable to help but shake his head, "Your move is too ruthless. The Celestial Principle School originally planned to set up a few patients in front of Canon Law School students to show photos and then have the Bird Report promote it hard. But you’re sending all the patients over, tens of thousands, and it’s bound to be trouble before it even starts."

"Their tricks are ones we’ve long outgrown, the Celestial Principle School is just a stray dog by now. Consider it a welcome gift to the Church Court, they won’t be short on backing later." The Duke of Potter said proudly, Chen Rutang, that old thing, really thought he could make decisions from up there.

"I guess that’s about it, hardship is the best taming method. The Church Court has always excelled at it. Once Chen Rutang causes an accident, he’ll have to step down immediately. We’ll follow up with the reckoning, two birds with one stone, brilliant."

"But the Celestial Principle School cannot be ignored. I’ll arrange for some people to infiltrate, with experts from the Song of Hell, and multiple preparations, foolproof. After this event, everything will be settled." The Duke of Potter enjoyed this feeling of skillful orchestration and controlling everything, especially when it came to destroying a sect, killing a governor. At his position, he had enjoyed mundane things enough; only such events could bring ultimate pleasure.

"You are indeed cunning. Do you plan to have Nalan Jingguo succeed next?"

"That useless person still can’t handle it after all this? I plan to push Ji Mingyue to the position, abolishing the Council system, scrapping Luthor’s inappropriate systems from back then so we can comfortably become Regent King."

"Will Ji Mingyue agree?" The Duke of Maxim’s eyes flickered with deep envy and jealousy, but were quickly buried. Who wouldn’t want to be emperor? The Regent King is probably just the first step; the main bloodline of the Ji Family is short-lived. In the end, wouldn’t it be the Potter’s family throne? Unfortunately, currently only the Potter family has the capability.

"Does she have a choice?"

Laughter echoed in the room: Ji Mingyue now dares to resist because she still has hope. But a woman without hope is no more than a puppet at the mercy of others. As for Peak Pool, the Potter Family knows very well, it’s nothing more than a matter of exchanging benefits.