If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1097 The Human Emperor and the Son of Heaven

"It's only natural to not have special privileges? You dare to say that!" King Qin Guang sneered. "Isn't it precisely because of your privileges as the Emperor that you're so arrogant in front of me?"

Once the privileges with real power, such as the "power of the emperor" and the "power of the grand tutor," are gone.

You have neither the right to stand here and speak to me today, nor the right to interfere in the affairs of the underworld.

They said they should have sent 100,000 ghost soldiers to conquer the blessed land of the human king long ago.

"Hehe, I don't need to personally lead the campaign. I can simply dispatch a ghost messenger, and the souls of mortal kings and generals will be summoned at will."

Xiaoyu said in a deep voice, "There are no 'special privileges,' it's all just a matter of course!"

King Qin Guang turned to Yang Li and mocked, "Your Grand Tutor Yu has lost his mind."

Yang Li was both annoyed by Grand Tutor Yu's reckless actions and worried that she might not be able to withstand the shock and would become mentally unstable.

"Grand Tutor Yu? You—"

Xiaoyu waved her hand and said calmly, "I said there are no 'special privileges' and it's all taken for granted."

My mind is perfectly clear; it's you who can't understand!

The privileges that the human emperor enjoys in the face of retribution in the underworld should not be taken for granted.

The underworld and the heavenly court, with their divine authority, lord over all living beings; this should not be taken for granted.

The Emperor Zheng possessed the power of an emperor, acted recklessly, and no one could control him. After his death, he simply dusted himself off and ran away, completely untouched by karma, as if no karma existed on him.

Putting aside the fact that he didn't suffer retribution, where is justice?
We will only talk about cause and effect and karma.

Cause and effect and karma never disappear out of thin air; at most, they can be transferred from one side to another.

The most typical example is during the Investiture of the Gods period, when the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect used their disciples to overcome their tribulations.

He transferred his own karmic burdens and misfortunes onto his unfortunate disciple.

The Human Emperor left behind a lifetime of sins for the "Great Qin".

So, how should we define "Great Qin"?
The Emperor declared: "I am the Great Qin, the supreme nation of China!"
The Ying clan would say: Great Qin belongs to us.

But this is during the division of power.

When the "calamity of heaven and earth" arrives, it is the ordinary people who are on the very edge of power who suffer the most.

Ironically, ordinary people did not enjoy many of the benefits that came with the Qin Dynasty's prosperity.

During the reign of the Human Emperor, the common people of China still had to perform hard labor. However, the Human Emperor always maintained a certain degree of control—a "bottom line" determined by experts (Legalists)—ensuring that the people could just survive and reproduce normally.

The "privileges" of Emperor Qin Shi Huang were not an exception.

For example, King Zhou, the last ruler to lose his kingdom during the Investiture of the Gods.

Ying Zheng only went too far; King Zhou was purely evil.

However, after King Zhou's death, he was actually given the title of "Star Lord".

Even if he hadn't been included in the Investiture of the Gods, King Wu and the descendants of the Shang Dynasty would still have built an imperial mausoleum for King Zhou.

After all, after King Wu destroyed the Shang Dynasty, he still preserved the Shang Dynasty's vassal states and continued the ancestral temples and altars of the "Zi" royal family.

Even sinful and deposed rulers like Ying Zheng and King Zhou were spared the final judgment of good and evil after death.

One can imagine what the situation was like for other monarchs.

Xiaoyu could not accept this outcome.

If she were Yama, she would surely search the entire Three Realms, drag out that scoundrel Ying Zheng, pin him before the Mirror of Retribution, and give him a just trial, restoring justice to the world.

But what if the "power of the human emperor" that Ying Zheng relied on was truly abolished?

The leader of humanity will henceforth be transformed from "Human Emperor" to "Son of Heaven".

During the Journey to the West era, it will become commonplace for even a minor judge in the underworld to be able to manipulate the "Number One Emperor of China" at will.

That was Li Shimin, the true emperor of all time!
If one day, when Grand Tutor Yu is in a good mood, he might summon the three great emperors, Ying Zheng, Liu Laosan, and Li Erfeng, to have a drink with her.

According to the order of civil and military achievements, Li Erfeng should sit at the head.

But if they were face to face, Li Erfeng couldn't even stand properly in front of Ying Zheng and had to prostrate herself on the ground.

Even when lying on the ground, one must be trembling with fear and trepidation.

The "first human emperor's authority in human history" that Ying Zheng possessed made Li Erfeng as weak as an ordinary person.

If it were just being suppressed by Ying Zheng, that would be fine.

Even a random underworld official could bully a great monarch and leader of humanity like Li Er.

They could even demand bribes from Li Er.

Other rulers could only console themselves with the thought: "Respect the spirits and gods, but keep them at a distance."

We can only respect it, but we can't do anything about it, so we can only stay far away from it.

Once a deity has its eye on a particular ruler, it can easily manipulate the ruler in matters of life and death by finding any pretext.

It's as simple as manipulating a marionette.

The divine way, which should have served humanity, turned against humanity and became its master, completely suppressing humanity.

Xiaoyu also found this outcome unacceptable.

No "privilege" should be taken for granted.

But one can only choose between the Human Emperor and the Son of Heaven.

He could either become the Human Emperor or have his imperial authority stripped and be demoted to "Son of Heaven".

There is no middle ground between the two, since power only exists in two states: "having" and "not having".

Wherever power is held, privileges will inevitably follow.

Simply restricting the emperor's power: Once the emperor's power is established, he is the supreme being. How can it be restricted?

Tangled ah!
"Grand Tutor Yu, stop arguing and take me away! I apologize to you; I was wrong before, isn't that enough?" Empress Dowager Zhao shouted.

Even this "mindless" vengeful ghost could see the struggle on Xiaoyu's face, which shows just how obvious Xiaoyu's feelings and expressions were at that moment.

Others either refused to pay attention to her, who was in a trance-like state and rambling incoherently, or they didn't know how to persuade her.

They couldn't understand Xiaoyu's complicated mindset.

"I've already brought you to the King of Hell's Palace for judgment, where else do you want to go? Nobody wants you, you can only stay in the underworld!" Xiaoyu said irritably.

Empress Dowager Zhao pleaded, "Grand Tutor Yu, I'm begging you."

Take me away from the underworld, even if we don't go to the blessed land or enter the Empress Dowager's mausoleum.

I just need to find a blessed place to live.

Ideally, it should be close to Xianyang, so I can easily go there in the middle of the night to call back the spirit.

"Whose soul are you calling?" Xiaoyu asked.

Empress Dowager Zhao's face twisted and contorted again as she shrieked, "I want Li Si, Zhao Gao, Hu Hai, Yu Yu, and all those who betrayed me, to dream of Da Li every night!"

Xiao Yu's lips twitched, and she said, "You are not qualified to become 'Da Li'. When the Prince of Jin dreamed of Da Li, Da Li could shout, 'The Heavenly Emperor has granted me revenge,' and no ghost or god dared to stop him."

What makes you worthy of being the dream of a high-ranking official in the current dynasty?
You can't even get close to the homes or bodies of important people.

Empress Dowager Zhao did not possess the "Dream Divine Skill." To enter Li Si and Hu Hai's dreams, she had to come to their side and even touch them at close range.

Given Empress Dowager Zhao's current status as a "vengeful ghost," she wouldn't even be able to get past the gatekeepers at the main entrance.

The fact that the King of Jin dreamt of Da Li meant that his fate was sealed, that "Heaven" wanted him dead, and that it had given Da Li the opportunity and power for revenge. Of course, revenge could only go so far.

Although the King of Jin died, his body was buried in the royal mausoleum. His descendants hold state sacrifices there, ensuring his soul continues to enjoy blessings in this blessed land!

"Yu Fengxian, this is the Hall of the King of Hell, the final judgment place for the souls of the dead. You and Zhao Ji haven't even settled your score yet, what are you doing here?" King Qin Guang scolded.

Xiao Yu said, "I have made it very clear that she wants to stay in the underworld! You should quickly judge Empress Zhao's merits and sins, and stop her from making baseless accusations."

"Grand Tutor Yu, how can you be so heartless? Is what I asked for too much? Just a small piece of land." Empress Dowager Zhao transformed into a vengeful ghost once more, her body emanating a large amount of yin energy and resentment.

Xiaoyu sighed, "King Qin Guang explained it so clearly, how come you can't understand?"

Just because you leave the underworld doesn't mean you're exempt from judgment or karma.

The King has 'privileges,' but you have lost them; now you're just a commoner.

"We'll just find you a random blessed place to settle you, but you won't be at peace for long. Sooner or later, the ghost messengers will drag you to the underworld for further judgment."

King Qin Guang said, "She also has 'privileges.' You are the Grand Tutor of Qin, so you can grant her 'privileges' and take her away."

Cause and effect, karma, are not something you can bear.

Your 'Grand Tutor's authority comes from the Qin Dynasty.

Xiao Yu said, "There are no 'special privileges,' it's all just common sense. King Qin Guang, do you think I'm joking?"

"Bang!" King Qin Guang slammed his hand on the table, unleashing his divine power. His aura was as heavy as a mountain and as overwhelming as waves, pressing down on Xiao Yu.

"I've tolerated you for too long! You shameless scoundrel, you speak so righteously, but every action you take is a display of 'privilege'."

Xiaoyu also wanted to unleash her power, but was stopped by the "Qin Guangwang's Strong Kill Method" which was stuck at 70% progress in her Purple Mansion.

"You, the King of Hell, should uphold justice as your sacred duty. If I were to use my 'humanitarian privileges' to protect Empress Dowager Zhao, you should not hesitate to resort to force to stop me and defend the rules of cause and effect in the underworld to the death."

But what did you do?
You repeatedly reminded the heinous Empress Dowager Zhao, trying to make an exception for her and help her avoid the 'karmic retribution'.

"You were all stern and impartial before, sternly judging Zhao He. Was it all a facade? Did you actually condone 'privilege' in your heart?"

King Qin Guang unleashed his full power, waves of divine energy surging towards Xiao Yu as he solemnly declared, "True justice means that there are no exceptions under the rules."

Cause and effect, retribution, are the rules of the underworld.

The exceptionally noble are special cases with special privileges, which is also an explicit provision of the laws of the underworld.

In the human world, high-ranking officials are exempt from punishment; in the underworld, the retribution of the underworld does not seek out the powerful and wealthy who are protected by 'privileges'.

That's the rule!
When Queen Dowager Zhao seeks the power that belongs to her, I will grant her justice.

If Empress Dowager Zhao decides to relinquish her privileges as a noblewoman of the King and remain in the underworld to be judged, I will grant her a just trial.

"You, a mere barbarian, who has gained power and a high position by chance, dare to speak to me, the King of Hell, in a tone of judgment?"

Xiaoyu waved her hand with an annoyed look and said, "I'm too lazy to talk to you now. Just close the case quickly."

King Qin Guang had examined the souls of countless wicked people. Every time he read through the books of life and death of the wicked and analyzed their karmic entanglements, he would be filled with rage and roar loudly at their souls.

Never before had he felt such anger as he did today when facing Yu Fengxian.

—Don't give me the chance, and don't fall into my hands, or I'll give you a severe retribution.

He hardened his heart, and the overwhelming aura emanating from him shifted to Empress Dowager Zhao.

"What else do you have to say?"

Empress Dowager Zhao was so overwhelmed that she could hardly breathe and no longer had the strength to wail wildly.

"King Yama, what punishment should I receive for the sins I have committed?"

"I, the King, only judge crimes. As for how to punish you, let's see what the other Kings of Hell have to say."

"However, in my opinion, given your crimes, you should at least spend 100,000 years in the eighteenth level of hell," King Qin Guang said coldly.

Empress Dowager Zhao tried to call out again, but she couldn't breathe and couldn't make a sound. She staggered and fell to the ground.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager~~" Fortunately, Zhao He was still by her side.

After getting up, Empress Dowager Zhao gave Zhao He a strange look and said, "Your Majesty, Chief Steward Zhao is still willing to pledge his loyalty to me and swear to follow me forever."

Naturally, they were also willing to transfer their hidden skills to me.

Could you use his unseen merits to help me cleanse myself of my bad karma?

The headless ghost was holding someone else's head, and although it didn't make a sound, its body was somewhat stiff.

King Qin Guang looked at the headless ghost and asked, "Zhao He, are you willing to hand over your hidden merits to Empress Dowager Zhao?"

"Servant," the headless ghost stammered, conflicted.

At this moment, a ghost messenger entered carrying a human head and said, "Your Majesty, I have successfully completed my mission and found Zhao He's head, and have sewn it onto his mutilated corpse."

King Qin Guang nodded and said, "Put the head on him!"

The ghost messenger walked up to the headless ghost, first took the head from his arms, and then placed the head in his own hands on the ghost's neck.

After aligning the positions, the ghost messenger blew a breath of "divine energy" towards the ghost's head.

Zhao He's broken neck wound healed quickly, eventually leaving only a very shallow and fine red mark.

Zhao He was overjoyed, stroking his head with both hands as if it were a precious treasure, and exclaimed, "Thank you so much, sir! Thank you so much, King Yama! This servant has a head again! Hahaha~~"

King Qin Guang shouted, "Silence, underworld officials! Zhao He, make a swift decision!"

Now that he has a face, Zhao He's struggles and hesitations are clearly visible on his face and in his eyes.

After reading it, Empress Dowager Zhao said angrily, "Zhao He, why are you still hesitating? Why don't you agree quickly?"
You just pledged your loyalty, was that just a lie? Would you dare lie to the King of Hell?

Fear and worry were added to Zhao He's thin face.

My mind, which had just started functioning again, was filled with a variety of conflicting emotions.

Xiao Yu said impatiently, "Empress Dowager, assuming your sins exceed 100,000 points, after Steward Zhao cleanses himself of his sins, he will at most have a hundred or so points of Yin merit left, barely enough for him to be reincarnated as a human."

Even if I gave you everything, what good would it do?

King Qin Guang shouted, "Yu Fengxian, I'm letting Zhao He make the decision. What are you doing interrupting?"

Even Yang Li could no longer bear it and shouted, "King Yama, how many times have you targeted us since we entered the hall?"
You must know that you are merely the king of this palace, not the king of gods.

"The Qin Dynasty is doomed, but it's not difficult for me to write a memorial, send it to the Heavenly Court, and file a complaint with the Emperor."

“You ignorant novice, what do you know?” King Qin Guang pointed at Zhao He and said, “His answer is the final test of his life!”

The wind leaves its mark.

Every word and deed a person makes leaves a karmic consequence.

He was dead, and his fate could have been sealed, but he remained servile and immediately rushed to his former master, pledging his loyalty.

He was full of sins, more than most evil people, but he had some good deeds in secret because of his 'benevolence' and 'loyalty'.

Now that he's been unfaithful, shouldn't the good deeds he did be taken back?

Yang Li was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, do not reveal the secrets of heaven. Zhao He can still make the decision."

As for the interference from Grand Tutor Yu and this humble Taoist priest, that is merely a new cause and effect.

It had no effect on the test of his 'loyalty'.

"How could it have no impact? The moment Yu Fengxian uttered those words, his 'heart' made its decision?"

King Qin Guang opened the Book of Life and Death and wrote as he spoke: "Now, Zhao He is disloyal, so 30 Yin Merit Points will be deducted. Yu Fengxian has repeatedly disrupted the public trial in the underworld, so 300 Yin Merit Points will be deducted!"
"Yang Li, you rascal! Even if you've already been removed from the blacklist, I'll still add another entry for you."

(End of this chapter)