Eternal Saber-Chapter 240 - 25: Divine Retribution

In the days following the solar eclipse, above the Capital City of Qian Country, a mass of turbulent black clouds hovered, stretching for miles, coalesced but not dispersing.

From the high halls of the Court to the streets of commoners, a shadow enveloped everyone's hearts, leaving them anxious and uneasy.

On the day of the grand ceremony to worship the heavens, Yuan Qingshan confessed his guilt with blood.

He then announced that the entire Imperial Palace would eat vegetarian meals for a month, praying for blessings for the world to quell the wrath of heaven.

Later, rumors spread that the ominous sign originated from the Cold Domain, while others said it was the calamity of Nanxia, with numerous speculations…

However, these rumors ultimately failed to dispel the doubts and worries in people's hearts.

The solar eclipse, a great ominous sign, was already a warning from heaven to the emperor!

This understanding was deeply rooted and difficult to change.

Moreover, with the Profound Celestial Sect fanning the flames behind the scenes, it only made matters worse.

On this day, Chen Tang made his usual visit to the Harem.

Upon arriving at the Crown Prince's residence, he saw a beautiful Taoist priestess in a red robe chatting with Yuan Taiping.

Yuan Taiping behaved very obediently, nodding from time to time.

The Left Protector of the Profound Celestial Sect was also the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, Lu Li.

Lu Li looked like she was in her thirties, with fair and delicate skin, her hair bound into a Taoist bun atop her head with a wooden hairpin.

Chen Tang knew that this Protector Lu Li was much older than she appeared.

After all, she was from the previous dynasty, and now must be around sixty or seventy years old.

Perhaps due to her successful cultivation of mystic skills, she appeared so youthful.

"Lord Grand Tutor."

Chen Tang stepped forward to greet.

The position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince was even higher than that of the Grand Protector.

According to Qingmu, this Protector Lu Li was the master of the Vermilion Bird Lord.

She had a good impression of Protector Lu Li.

When she was younger, Lu Li had played with her in the palace several times and had always treated her well.

Zhiwei was taken away by Lu Li and sent to Nanxia.

Qingmu entrusted Zhiwei to Lu Li out of trust in her.

It was the first time Chen Tang saw this Grand Tutor at such close range in the Harem.

With Zhiwei on his mind, Chen Tang took the initiative to greet her, intending to subtly inquire a few things.

"Lord Chen."

Lu Li nodded slightly, her attitude neither warm nor cold.

Chen Tang didn't mind.

Given the incidents he had with the Profound Celestial Sect, the fact that she greeted him was already considered 'not holding grudges.'

Lu Li turned to Yuan Taiping and said, "Remember, the way of a sovereign requires careful consideration and an all-encompassing perspective before making any decision, rather than reckless action."

"In the case of the Ghost Mother incident, it appeared to uphold justice but neglected the bigger picture, causing public outrage and even leading to the phenomenon of a solar eclipse."

"Hmm?"

Chen Tang furrowed his brow.

The first part sounded fine, but how did the latter part abruptly link to the solar eclipse phenomenon? Where did that connection come from?

If it were a private chat, Chen Tang would have ignored it.

But with Yuan Taiping present, the matter needed to be clarified.

Chen Tang asked, "May I ask Lord Grand Tutor, how did His Holiness lose the bigger picture in the Ghost Mother case?"

Lu Li said indifferently, "In the Ghost Mother case, His Holiness attempted to assert authority, but both the reputation of the Profound Celestial Sect and the Court suffered irreparable damage, which is losing the greater for the lesser."

"In the Grand Tutor's view, how should this matter have been handled?"

Chen Tang asked, "Shouldn't the Ghost Mother have been executed?"

Lu Li replied, "The Ghost Mother's crimes were heinous and should indeed be punished by death."

Hearing this, Chen Tang felt momentarily relieved.

At least Lu Li still spoke with reason.

Lu Li continued, "However, there was no need to make such a public spectacle. It could have been resolved internally within the Profound Celestial Sect. Now it has been blown up, and the world knows."

Chen Tang asked, "All these years, with so many harmed by the Ghost Mother, where were the people of the Profound Celestial Sect?"

"Given her grave offenses, shouldn't the world know and be provided an explanation?"

Chen Tang continued his inquiry and then said, "For the sake of the 'bigger picture,' you even killed hundreds of innocent women who escaped from Wushan Village, compounding mistake upon mistake! After committing so many atrocities, do you actually think you can hide it from the world?"

Lu Li was silent for a while, then said, "Even if they returned home, given their experiences, it would be difficult for them to survive."

"Whether they can survive is one thing. Your killing to silence witnesses is another!"

Chen Tang sneered, "Today, in the name of preserving the 'bigger picture,' you can erase hundreds of lives, and tomorrow, it could be tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands!"

"One day, you might even sacrifice yourself!"

"Impossible!"

Lu Li shook her head.

Chen Tang said sternly, "If there truly is a bigger picture, it is justice, it is truth, it is every living, breathing being! Not the so-called reputation and prestige of the Profound Celestial Sect in your words!"

Originally calm, Lu Li now felt somewhat disturbed in her heart.

Her previously unwavering beliefs wavered slightly.

Chen Tang looked at Yuan Taiping and said slowly, "The truth of the Ghost Mother case is there; no matter how it is covered up, one day it will be revealed to the world."

"Over time, continually losing the trust of the world will one day result in a situation where, no matter what His Holiness or the officials say, the people will no longer believe it. That is truly losing the bigger picture."

Yuan Taiping feigned a nod.

In his heart, he thought, what consequence is there in losing trust?

What does it matter if the people do not believe?

Lu Li frowned and asked, "How do you explain the solar eclipse, then?"

Chen Tang asked back, "Do you truly believe the solar eclipse is an omen?"

"Of course I believe; it is divine will!"

Lu Li's tone was confident.

At this moment, an attendant hurriedly ran in from outside, looking flustered and out of breath, saying, "Lord Chen, His Holiness wants you to go to Ningyun Pavilion immediately."

"What has happened?"

Yuan Taiping quickly asked.

The attendant's eyes showed a hint of fear, and he said, "Qingzhou has been hit by a massive flood, countless casualties! It's divine retribution, divine retribution has come…"

Chen Tang's heart sank.

Without time to think further, Chen Tang followed the attendant, quickly heading toward Ningyun Pavilion. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Yuan Taiping looked at Lu Li and smiled, "Lord Grand Tutor, it seems you were right; it truly is divine will."

"How can the child still smile?"

Lu Li shook her head secretly.

She was about to speak a few words to Yuan Taiping when a sudden thought flashed through her mind, and her expression changed!

"Qingzhou, flood…"

Lu Li's expression shifted unpredictably, and after pondering for a moment, she suddenly stood up, ignoring Yuan Taiping, and headed straight for the Profound Celestial Temple.

Soon, Lu Li entered the Profound Celestial Temple, searched around, but found no trace of the Right Protector.

This increasingly confirmed the suspicion in her heart!

Lu Li made her way to the top of the Profound Celestial Tower.

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader was sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, seemingly meditating.

"Where has Yue Wuxin gone?"

Lu Li asked directly, "Has she gone to Qingzhou?"

If seen by others, they would surely find it strange that Lu Li, as the Left Protector of the Profound Celestial Sect, did not speak respectfully to the Sect Leader.

"Yes."

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader nodded.

A glint of coldness flashed in Lu Li's eyes, and she asked sharply, "The Qingzhou flood, was it caused by the flood dragon she nurtured?"

"That flood dragon has long transcended its tribulation and transformed into a True Dragon."

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader smiled faintly, saying, "Lu Li, why are you so agitated? Everything is Yuan Qingshan's own doing; he wanted to confront his guilt with blood, so let him see what divine retribution looks like."

"But this is not divine retribution at all!"

Lu Li immediately said.

"It doesn't matter."

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader smiled and said, "As long as the world believes it is divine retribution, it is enough."

"So, in order to ruin Yuan Qingshan, you didn't hesitate to flood Qingzhou?"

Lu Li said sternly, "Do you know how many lives will be lost under the flood?"

Those directly lost to the torrent were just one part.

With the passage of the flood, farms would be inundated, and houses destroyed.

At that time, countless people would be displaced, homeless, with no food.

The indirect deaths would be immeasurable!

The Profound Celestial Sect Leader said, "Lu Li, calm down; it's all for the bigger picture, for the Profound Celestial Sect."

Lu Li felt a shock to her heart, remembering the words Chen Tang just said.

Regarding the term 'bigger picture,' she suddenly felt a wave of disgust.