They all became female demons after being reborn.

Chapter 87 Bodhidharma: He Doesn't Look Like a Ruler

So Wu Cheng asked, "In your opinion, what specific things should I do next?"

Sima Yue only mentioned the general outline of what should be done earlier; now is the perfect time to ask her for details.

"Actually, Your Highness only needs to do two things," Sima Yue said eloquently. "The court has already drafted the plan today, and the Great Yu Hidden Dragon List will be released in three days. If Your Highness is willing, you should persuade His Majesty to let Your Highness take the top spot within three days. I believe His Majesty will also go along with it."

"Secondly, after this matter is over, Your Highness should find an opportunity to contact the Wentian Sect and Xue Baichuan, the garrison commander of Hulao Pass."

"In this way, Your Highness will not have to feign compliance with court officials, and will be able to easily spread your good deeds and gain fame in the martial world. At that time, the Crown Prince will be in court, while Your Highness will be out of the public eye; the Crown Prince will be in the open, while Your Highness will be in the shadows. When the times change, Your Highness can then lead the martial world's forces and the border troops to directly attack Lin'an. At that time, with the people's hearts on Your Highness, ascending the throne will be as easy as turning your hand."

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Wu Cheng frowned. "What about those children? Are I just going to abandon this case?"

"His Majesty has always been benevolent, and this matter is also due to the Crown Prince's filial piety. Moreover, many officials in the court are involved. Even with His Majesty's boundless grace, he will suppress this matter. But if Your Highness insists on intervening, this matter will become far more serious. At that time, Your Highness will offend both the Crown Prince and the Buddhist community. The officials in the court will also oppose Your Highness in order to protect themselves, and His Majesty will also be displeased. Why would Your Highness knowingly do something that is impossible?"

"Moreover, this case is also a handle. When Your Highness arrives with the border troops to expose this matter, the people will be in uproar, and all the officials will be in danger and dare not oppose Your Highness. The Crown Prince has lost his virtue, which is the time when the right time, place, and people are all in place. There will be no obstacles for Your Highness to ascend the throne."

Wu Cheng smiled, "This plan is brilliant, but..."

""

"Does Your Highness have any further concerns?"

"But I refuse."

Wu Cheng laughed and said, "It seems that you and I are destined to be different. The Emperor has several sons. Lord Sima, you should find someone more capable."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

But at this moment, Sima Yue suddenly lifted her hem and knelt down.

Wu Cheng raised an eyebrow. "What does Lord Sima mean by this?"

Sima Yue knelt on the ground and cupped his hands, saying, "Please forgive me, Your Highness! I was merely testing you just now to see if Your Highness truly cared for the common people! Now I know Your Highness's intentions!"

"My lord! Please accept my bow!"

After saying that, she respectfully kowtowed to Wu Cheng.

Wu Cheng quickly bent down to help her up, saying, "Why must you do this, my dear minister? If you have not betrayed me, I will certainly not betray you!"

After being helped up, Sima Yue said, "My lord, in that case, I still suggest that we stay away from Lin'an and wait for the right time. That would be the best course of action."

Wu Cheng frowned. "Is there any other way?"

"Then we'll have to create a false impression," Sima Yue said. "Your Highness can go to the Eastern Palace to find the Crown Prince and explain that you have no intention of vying for the throne. It's just that His Majesty wants to maintain balance, so Your Highness has no choice but to do this, but only to maintain the balance of the court. After His Majesty passes away, Your Highness will naturally back down."

Wu Cheng laughed, "My second brother probably won't believe it."

"Your Highness need not believe me; this is merely a deliberate attempt to create confusion," Sima Yue said confidently. "As long as you, my lord, do not associate with ministers and focus solely on making a name for yourself in the martial world and doing good deeds, you will leave behind the reputation of a wise prince. In the future, to demonstrate the close ties between the imperial family and the royal family, Your Highness will not act rashly."

"Your Highness should focus on the children. As long as more children are saved, it will ruin the Crown Prince's plans, and he will not make a big fuss for the sake of his reputation."

Wu Chengran said, "Even if this offends Father and the Buddhist sect, my second brother will think I'm simple-minded and happy to see it happen."

"That's right, so the first step is to leave my name on the Hidden Dragon List of Great Yu." Sima Yue nodded.

Wu Cheng laughed and said, "To be honest, when I went to the palace to meet the Emperor the day before yesterday, I received a promise from my father that I would still be ranked first on the list of potential dragons of the Great Yu."

Sima Yue understood. "His Majesty thinks so too. He doesn't want you to have too much contact with court officials. He even hopes you will offend the Buddhist sect so that a balance can be achieved and your position as crown prince won't be affected."

"They're really using me as a whetstone." Wu Cheng knew what was going on. "Alright, then I'll go find the Crown Prince today."

After chatting for a while, Sima Yue respectfully saw Wu Cheng off from the Demon Suppression Guard.

Outside the back gate, Sima Zhong was still squatting beside the stone lion, waiting for him.

Upon seeing him emerge, Sima Zhong immediately stood up and greeted him with anticipation. "Brother Zhuge, what did my sister say? Did she give you a hard time? If you encounter any problems in Lin'an in the future, feel free to come to me. My sister may seem cold-tempered, but she has the softest heart!"

Wu Cheng patted his shoulder with a smile, "Your sister is doing well."

"Of course! Hmm?" Sima Zhong turned his head to look at the shoulder where he had been patted. He was about to scold Wu Cheng for not knowing the rules, but he was met with Wu Cheng's smiling face.

For some reason, he suddenly felt a chill down his back, as if Zhuge Cheng was different from before, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.

Wu Cheng didn't say much to him and politely declined the invitation to dinner, returning home instead.

When they got home, they found that Bodhidharma had already returned, and his expression was serious.

"Master, why are you back so early?"

"Amitabha." Bodhidharma simply uttered a Buddhist chant, then solemnly said, "Benefactor, this humble monk must depart."

"Huh?" Wu Cheng quickly asked, "But what happened in the palace?"

'

Bodhidharma shook his head slightly, "This humble monk discussed a few things with the emperor during our audience."

"What is it?"

"The emperor asked me, 'Since you ascended the throne, you have built hundreds of Buddhist temples, abandoned your body at the temple several times, and each time you donated 100 million incense money to redeem yourself. You have also personally translated thousands of scriptures and ordained countless people. Are your merits and blessings profound?'"

Wu Cheng smiled, "I suppose what you've said will displease Father."

Bodhidharma nodded slightly. "This humble monk says that the emperor's actions have neither merit nor good fortune."

Wu Cheng asked in confusion, "Why?"

"The emperor asked the same question," Bodhidharma explained. "These are merely minor worldly fruits, causes of defilement, ever-present like a shadow, but ultimately illusory and unreal."

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His meaning was quite clear: to put it bluntly, the emperor's motives were impure, and he only cared about formalities; such blessings were all illusory.

Wu Cheng then asked, "And then?"

"The emperor then asked me what constitutes true merit and blessings." Bodhidharma replied, "I say it requires purity of mind and wisdom, perfect harmony and unobstructedness, an empty and still essence, and no method to follow."

"Your Majesty is the ruler of a country, and your word can determine the life and death of the people. If he avoids the real issues and only seeks formalities, then everyone will follow suit. This is not a meritorious deed or a blessing, but rather a disciple of Mara who will bring chaos to the world."

Wu Cheng wasn't surprised. "Father's heart belongs to the powerful clans; that's his domain. But is Master really leaving like this?"

"If we don't leave now, we might not be able to leave at all," said Bodhidharma. "However, if you have any needs, I can help you before we leave."

Wu Cheng said, "That's simple. In three days, it will be the day the Hidden Dragon List of my Great Yu is announced. On that day, I will use the power and prestige of the Hidden Dragon List to announce the case of the children from Garan Temple, and then... wipe out Garan Temple! I ask for your help, Master."

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