Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 1039 Dharma King, please take your seat

The person behind it all was ruthless, employing three underhanded tactics:

Public opinion was stirred up, pushing expectations for auspicious omens to an unparalleled peak.

The imperial court encouraged upright officials such as Yu Gong, Yin Xueshi, and Fu Tianchou to submit petitions, creating political pressure.

Furthermore, by taking advantage of the situation, the emperor's anger and expectations were directly directed at Zheng Lian.

These three blows are like three constantly tightening nooses, exerting force simultaneously from three dimensions: public opinion, officialdom, and imperial power, with immense power!

How could an ordinary person withstand such a comprehensive crushing?
It is perfectly normal for Zheng Lian to be driven to the brink of despair and to be determined to die.

Interestingly, just before he was in complete despair, he secretly swore to God in a secluded place that he was willing to pay any price to survive.

So, "heaven" or a certain wise man surnamed Xu who was fond of making friends granted his wish.

Xu had been secretly observing outside the prefectural governor's mansion for several days.

Watching the brilliance in Zheng Lian's eyes gradually fade and the life flame on his body dim little by little.

This evening, I saw that the other party did not return on horseback as usual, but was carried back to the mansion in a sedan chair, looking weak and listless. His aura had dimmed to the extreme, like a candle flickering in the wind.

Then I knew—the time had come!
Have you not heard that only from the dirtiest mud can the purest lotus bloom; only from the deepest abyss of despair can the most dazzling light of hope be born?

When all hope is lost, the "White Lotus Mother" will descend to earth to guide the lost sheep and lead them to their eternal "homeland".

As for where this despair and dead end came from... never mind.

Thus, the recently active pseudonym "Great Compassionate Dharma King" has, in accordance with "divine will," been "reborn" once again from the gap between reality and dreams, and made a bold appearance.

It became the only turning point in this deadlock!

When Zheng Lian saw the suddenly appearing white lotus figure and heard the poem resounding throughout the courtyard, he immediately shuddered.

His remaining martial instincts were triggered, and he raised his hand to splash the wine in his cup at the other party in an attempt to block his view. At the same time, his other hand swiftly reached for the sword at his waist, his throat bobbing, as he was about to shout loudly for the guards to capture the "White Lotus Bandit".

This is the prefect who is in charge of a part of the border defense. His vigilance is ingrained in his bones and his reaction is incredibly swift.

But when he reached for his waist, he found nothing.

Then he remembered that he was exhausted today and could not even ride a horse steadily, so he would certainly not be able to carry that heavy sword.

The thought that he couldn't even carry his sword naturally reminded him of the overwhelming pressure he was currently under, with nowhere to escape.

The thought of that suffocating pressure brought back the urge to die.

So, the cry for help that was already on the tip of his tongue was abruptly cut off, and he couldn't utter it.

"The White Lotus Sect...so what?"

A "what's the point" thought flashed through my mind.

"I am already a dying man, what is there to fear?"

"If I could die at the hands of this White Lotus demon, it would only solidify the 'assassination' charge, and perhaps... perhaps it could avert this enormous disaster and secure a relatively peaceful end for the family..."

In a flash, amidst despair, he conceived of this idea and attempted to use his own death as a final political measure to mitigate the damage.

It seems that under immense pressure, this prefect was ultimately forced to show some responsibility and commitment to his family.

however--

"I can save you."

The "Great Compassionate Dharma King" only uttered four words.

The voice was calm, yet it struck Zheng Lian's dying heart like a thunderbolt.

My mind was filled with a riot of colors, a dazzling display of hues!

A person who craves poison but has no choice but to accept his fate and die, suddenly hears someone say that they can give him the antidote... what can he possibly hold on to?

Their previously unwavering resolve to die and their meticulous calculations crumbled instantly.

Then the earth shook violently, and it collapsed completely!

In theory, a standard procedure should be followed at this point.

For example, one should first glare angrily and shout sternly, "White Lotus Demon! How dare you appear before me? Are you truly not afraid of death?!" to demonstrate one's stance.

Then, facing the direction of Luoyang, one must solemnly clasp one's hands, quoting classical texts and saying things like, "I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's favor, how could I associate with you evil demons and heretics!" to demonstrate one's loyalty and unwavering integrity.

Finally, he said in an extremely impatient, almost condescending tone, "Hmph, today I'll reluctantly listen to what this sorcerer is trying to bewitch!"

Only after this standard procedure of initial contact between officials and "rebels" is completed can the formal beginning of bargaining and dirty deals between the two sides start.

This is the rule.

But Zheng Lian... had been whipped too hard by those three lashes, and his soul was trembling. Or rather, his intense will to live, like a spring compressed to its limit, "whooshed" back from his cold death wish and blossomed again, growing rapidly in his heart and overwhelming everything.

A person who dares to suppress a crisis of impending doom and put 200,000 people in danger while prioritizing his own future is undoubtedly inherently selfish.

Therefore, the concept of a bottom line becomes particularly subtle and flexible in real life-or-death situations.

He was genuinely afraid that if he adopted the airs of a loyal and virtuous general, the other party would think he was "stubborn" and "hopeless," and then... turn around and leave!
That would be a tragedy more terrible than death!

So he decisively abandoned all procedures and postures and chose to deal with it "from the heart".

His lips moved a few times, his voice trembling slightly, as he asked in a low voice:
"...How will the Dharma King teach me?"

After saying this, Zheng Lian's face twitched involuntarily, and he cursed inwardly: He really is... useless!

This white lotus demon only uttered one sentence, a mere four words, yet he couldn't wait to reveal his true colors, exposing his weaknesses and needs without reservation, which is a major taboo in officialdom!

But there's no time to worry about that now.

Even if it's poison, you have to drink it bottle by bottle to solve the immediate problem first!
Xu Xuan was not surprised at all; after observing for several days, he had already seen through what kind of person this prefect was.

"You have only two worries."

"One is the Yellow Springs, which is about to break free from its seal due to the surging underground."

"The second is auspicious omens that are offered as tribute to the imperial court, but there is no sign of them being delivered."

"Both of these problems can be solved for you by the Holy Church. Not only will it solve your immediate crisis, but it can also give you a favorable wind to soar to great heights."

Zheng Lian felt a chill run down his spine.

It's not surprising that the White Lotus Sect knew about his core predicament. The commotion surrounding the Underground Yellow Springs was growing bigger and bigger, and it would be impossible to keep it a secret sooner or later. He even suspected that the person in front of him had been involved in stirring things up.

But this precisely proves the other party's "professionalism" and "capability".

There was no time for resentment; instead, a surge of elation at having escaped a desperate situation welled up within me.

Since the other party is fully aware of the situation and dares to show up and promise to resolve it, perhaps... they really do have the means to defy fate!
It's only natural that a colossal sect that has been rooted in the human world for hundreds of years, with profound foundations and numerous methods, possesses some treasures and supernatural powers that are unimaginable to ordinary people.

Life has truly returned!
The White Lotus Sect has a reputation that is both positive and negative, but it is still quite useful.

Zheng Lian sighed, letting out all the pent-up frustration of the past few days. He then forced a warm yet dignified smile and waved his hand respectfully, inviting the Dharma King to sit down: "How can we let our honored guest stand while we speak? Dharma King, please take a seat."

He personally poured the other person a full glass of wine, showing great sincerity.

If this meeting hadn't required secrecy, I would have loved to instruct my servants to prepare a feast to demonstrate my sincerity.

After both parties were seated, the prefect's expression changed several times. In the end, he did not rush to ask how to resolve the predicament, but instead asked the most crucial question first:
"But what price will Zheng have to pay?"

He knew perfectly well that there were definitely officials who cooperated with the White Lotus Sect. Not to mention those from distant past, the county magistrates of Liang and Pei were a cautionary tale.
Once exposed, it's death! The price is too high.

He thought to himself: I am, after all, a prefect, and a prefect under the emperor's nose, so I should... receive some different treatment, right?
Perhaps there are more secure and discreet ways to cooperate?
This is the "flexibility" of officials.

Since the rope around their necks seemed to have loosened slightly, their survival instincts immediately gave rise to other ideas and the courage to bargain.

Xu Xuan chuckled inwardly: You, like those from Liang and Pei, will be the "backbone" of my White Lotus lineage. Even within the White Lotus of the North, you are considered a true and legitimate successor.

What's the difference?
They're all 'our own people' who, once they're on board, have no intention of getting off.

Of course, you still need to offer the other person some empty words of comfort and practical benefits.

"Lord Zheng is overthinking it."

The Dharma King's tone remained gentle: "The Holy Teachings sincerely invite Lord Zheng to join our harmonious and loving family and work together for the common good."

"It just so happens that the Mengshan Society in Yuzhou is still lacking a highly respected leader. If you are willing, this position will remain vacant."

This answer sounds very warm and welcoming, and it might even lead to a seemingly prestigious job.

Although the original Mengshan Society does not seem to have a title such as "Incense Master", these are all minor details that can be flexibly adapted.

Zheng Lian himself was not interested in the position of "Incense Master".

Deep down, he still hoped to maintain a relatively independent and equal "cooperative" relationship, rather than completely selling himself into the religion.

So he carefully considered his words, trying to politely decline:
“I am deeply grateful for His Holiness’s kindness. I also have some understanding of your teachings and know that they represent the most beautiful vision in the world.”

"But... I first entered Confucianism and then returned to the court. My mind and body are already imprinted with the principles of the relationship between the ruler and his subjects. If I were to rashly change my allegiance, there would be some... obstacles, and I would feel uneasy."

"How about this, after we get through this crisis, I would like to become friends with your religion and work together to contribute to the development of our 'hometown'."

"The gold and silver treasures offered will not be less than a single bit! Whatever instructions your esteemed sect may give, I will certainly cooperate fully without any compromise!"

"You see, this kind of cooperation is actually no different from joining the church and serving you."

Lord Zheng's words were very sincere, and this was indeed what he was thinking at the moment.

(End of this chapter)