The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS-Chapter 1139 - 164: Decision-Making
'Even the old turtle that is the Supreme Taoist can't sit still anymore.'
The situation changed, powerful figures appeared frequently, especially Qing Yu, Demon Buddha, and the Human Emperor. These three exceeded the Supreme Taoist's expectations, causing this steadfast old turtle to become restless.
'If I were the Supreme Taoist, I would ride the wave and push forward, and at the very least I would destroy the Human Emperor's battle body, leaving the Human Emperor's spiritual sense without a vessel to inhabit.' Emperor Zhou thought secretly.
The greatest strength of the Human Emperor lies in the combination of spiritual sense and battle body. Without the battle body, there are very few bodies in the world that can completely accommodate the spiritual sense of the Nine Emperors, let alone one more compatible than the battle body.
The lineage of the Human Emperor had prepared to nurture the battle body for ten thousand years; if they lost this battle body, there would be no next ten thousand years granted to them.
'Transmit my edict, keep a close watch on the Demon Buddha of Xuanzhou. As soon as the Demon Buddha makes any unusual move, our dynasty will immediately take action to stop him.' Emperor Zhou commanded.
'Your Majesty means...?' Zhuge Longsu hesitated to speak, 'You wish for us to hold back the Demon Buddha, preventing him from taking action against Daqian?'
'Exactly. If I were the Supreme Taoist, there is a high likelihood of luring the Demon Buddha to strike against Daqian,' Emperor Zhou nodded and said, 'In the battle at the East Sea Coast, the Human Emperor must have been severely wounded by the Supreme Taoist, but the Human Emperor's counterattack was not easy to endure either.
Since nine days have passed since that battle ended, the fact that the Supreme Taoist hasn't acted again shows that he has concerns.'
'Perhaps it's because the battle at the East Sea Coast injured him heavily, or it could be that in that battle, the Human Emperor revealed means capable of heavily injuring him. In any case, the Supreme Taoist has enormous apprehension towards the Human Emperor, which is why he hasn't struck again.'
Qing Yu and the Supreme Taoist share significant similarities in some aspects, and their ways of thinking overlap to a considerable degree.
Judging others by oneself, Qing Yu estimated he could guess roughly the thoughts of the Supreme Taoist.
If he didn't have his concerns, considering the decisive character of Qing Yu and the Supreme Taoist, who do nothing lightly and once acting are unstoppable until their goal is achieved, how could they still drag their feet and hesitate to act again?
'In the world today, besides Lord Qingyu, only the Demon Buddha and the Sword God would dare to strike at the Human Emperor without concern. Among these two, the chance is greater with the Demon Buddha.' Ye Lingshuang gently shook her folding fan, speculating.
'An injured Human Emperor is still the Human Emperor; even if the tiger is sick, the jackal wouldn't dare strike easily.'
'Besides Qing Yu, the Demon Buddha, and the Sword God, everyone else would probably hesitate repeatedly, only striking when completely certain that the Human Emperor has little capacity for retaliation.'
'But the problem is, if the Human Emperor has little strength remaining, the Supreme Taoist would strike himself to kill him; why would he need others to do it?'
'But Your Majesty, if the Human Emperor has means capable of heavily injuring the Supreme Taoist, wouldn't it be better to let the Demon Buddha act as the vanguard?' Zhuge Longsu questioned in confusion.
Sit on a mountain and watch the tigers fight, letting others fight to gain the benefit as a bystander, these principles Zhuge Longsu didn't believe Emperor Zhou didn't understand. After all, observing this Emperor Zhou's means of taking the throne back in the day, it deeply grasped the essence of letting others fight for benefits.
'No, dragging it on is the best for now.' Emperor Zhou shook his head.
The essence comprehending Mystic Universe is also reaching the most critical moment, and the peak period is not far off. If the Human Emperor is resolved at this time, what follows is the fall of Daqian, and then the entire world will be in chaos.
At that time, Northern Zhou will quickly plunge into the quagmire of war as well.
Therefore, for now, dragging it out is more effective than anything. Whether it's the Human Emperor or anything else, after the essence divine skill reaches great success, they all will turn to ashes, that's the proper path.
'As for Japan over there, let Daqian handle it themselves. Mu Cangsheng is quite capable. If not for the repeated interventions from the cunning elders from all sides, this person would not be limited to this.' Emperor Zhou continued.
'I obey your majesty's command.'
'Then I shall return to report to the Sect Master.'
Zhuge Longsu and Ye Lingshuang also bowed and withdrew, leaving Emperor Zhou alone in the Yangxin Hall again.
'Tsk.'
Emperor Zhou suddenly clicked his tongue, 'Without the main body, just the avatar alone might not withstand the Demon Buddha.'
The comprehension of the Three Dharma Seals still hasn't made much progress. If the Demon Buddha indeed makes a move, it's not easy to hold him back. The crucial point is if the power transmitted by the Buddha's Dharma Body can't be stolen, the Demon Buddha will only grow stronger in battle, and even if it can be held, it would be a pyrrhic victory.
Though Emperor Zhou spoke earlier as if holding off the Demon Buddha was a trivial thing, once it comes to actual execution, it's indeed a tricky matter.
'Let's wait and see then.'
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Daqian Heavenly Capital, Imperial Palace, inside Qianqing Palace.
The current de facto ruler of Daqian, Mu Cangsheng, was meeting an unannounced guest in Qianqing Palace. However, the identity and strength of this guest pleased Mu Cangsheng greatly at his arrival.
Yet, beyond the delight, Mu Cangsheng also harbored deep wariness in his heart.
'Mi Shenweng,' He eyed the elderly figure with white hair and beard, 'I've heard of you from various places and understand you've had dealings with the Southern Border as well as kinship with a certain unfilial descendant of mine. Now that you've come looking for me today, I'm curious as to what makes you believe I won't act against you?'
Upon hearing this, Mi Shenweng smiled placidly and said, 'Naturally, it's because Mu Sect Leader needs me. Having another Supreme to deal with Japan, isn't it a fortunate event?'
'It seems you've come prepared.' Mu Cangsheng's voice turned slightly cold.
The underlying meaning in the other's words was that Daqian needed him. Simultaneously, it conveyed to Mu Cangsheng a message—that he was aware that the Human Emperor was heavily wounded.
The former made Mu Cangsheng's heart wary, the latter stirred killing intent within him. This indicated the possibility that the other might have met the Supreme Taoist.
On the day by the East Sea Coast, of those aware of the battle's outcome and who survived as onlookers, there were only Mu Cangsheng and Yama; the rest were either too far to know details or had their remains lost to the battle's aftermath.
Hence, the largest possibility of knowing the battle outcome was through Mi Shenweng meeting the Supreme Taoist.
'Mu Sect Leader may lay down the caution in his heart,' Mi Shenweng smiled and said, 'Even if I harbored ulterior motives, presently I'm a usable force, am I not? As long as I can hold off any supreme from Japan, the crisis for Daqian would be greatly alleviated.
Currently with Japan's invasion, even if I had some purpose, it would have to wait until after overcoming the immediate threat, wouldn't it?'
Mi Shenweng laid it out explicitly; if he wished to act directly, he could join forces with Japan to conquer Daqian, with no need to come here and feign civility with Mu Cangsheng.
If he doesn't act directly, then, even with ulterior motives, he would be a major combat force against Japan now. As for what schemes Mi Shenweng has afterwards, that's a matter for later. The immediate priority is to get through the challenge posed by Japan.
