Black Myth: Starting from the Destined One
Chapter 342 - 241: Household Department Minister Di Lishi Arrives!_2

Chapter 342: Chapter 241: Household Department Minister Di Lishi Arrives!_2

The red-faced Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect:

"Li Ping’an, do you have the ability to spar with me?"

The shameless Li Ping’an:

"I don’t have such skills, what can you do about it? Got the guts to kill me in front of everyone, huh?"

The infuriated and eye-bulging Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect:

"You think I don’t dare? Do you believe I will kill you right here and now?"

The unafraid and nonchalant Li Ping’an, shaking his head:

"I don’t believe it! You’d better kill me right now! Hahaha!"

The Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect, who was being held back by everyone:

"Don’t move, I am going to liberate you right now!"

The cheeky Li Ping’an, with a smug look on his face:

"Come on! Come on! Kill me! Hurry up and kill me! Lalalala!"

"Ah! I can’t take this anymore!"

In the end, Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect couldn’t hold back any longer. He instantly shook off those restraining him, such as the Head of Mist Sect, Mo Liqi, Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect, Head of Yanyue Sect, Xianyu Zixuan, Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang of Hehuan Sect, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu, and other leading figures of the Taoist sects, then immediately rushed towards Li Ping’an.

"Sect Master Zhuge, are you really going to kill someone in public?"

Head of Immeasurable Sect, Taishu Yiqing, immediately stood up to stop him.

"Young Zhuge, you try touching Li Ping’an today!"

The Ghost Taoist directly stood in front of Li Ping’an.

"Everyone calm down! Calm down!"

Immortal Fei He, the Observatory Master of Moyun Temple, hurriedly came out to mediate.

"Who wants to commit murder in the Imperial Taoist Temple?"

A shrill voice suddenly came from outside Moyun Temple.

"Hmm?"

Li Ping’an, Ghost Taoist, Zixia, Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect, Head of Mist Sect, Mo Liqi, Senior Brother Taishi Bao of Qingyun Sect, Head of Yanyue Sect, Xianyu Zixuan, Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang of Hehuan Sect, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu, and other leading figures of the Taoist sects all looked towards the entrance of Moyun Temple in confusion and exclaimed:

"Is there another expert?"

"Is it him?"

Immortal Fei He, Observatory Master of Moyun Temple, and Night Traveler Muqiang Baoshan, along with others, recognized the voice and were just surprised as to why that person had suddenly come here.

"He’s here?"

The resting Genius King Tianran immediately understood:

"It seems father has managed that affair!"

"We’re all on the same side here, coming to Moyun Temple to participate in the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master was to give full respect to the Imperial Court. With such matters, why must we argue so noisily?"

The person speaking was originally outside the grand entrance of Moyun Temple, but now they have appeared in front of everyone at a speed comparable to the Ghost Taoist.

"Household Department Minister Lord Di, what kind of wind has blown you here?"

The Observatory Master of Moyun Temple, seeing that it was Di Lishi, the Eunuch in Charge and the close confidant of Emperor Li Gai of the Great Tang, immediately went up to greet him:

"Lord Di, have you come to enquire about the results of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master?"

The Eunuch in Charge, Di Lishi, smiled and shook his head as he looked at everyone, finally fixing his gaze on Li Ping’an:

"Not at all, not at all."

With the Emperor’s close confidant and Eunuch in Charge Di Lishi present, naturally Sect Master Zhuge Junchen of the Flame Cloud Sect would not dare to be rash, so he suppressed his anger and respectfully said:

"Lord Di, you’re unaware, this Li Ping’an..."

"Alright, alright."

The Eunuch in Charge Di Lishi waved his hand and smiled:

"The Emperor already knows about everything that has transpired here."

"I did not come here to listen to you squabble!"

"To be frank, His Majesty sent this old servant to inform you of a matter!"

"Oh?"

Flame Cloud Sect’s Master Zhuge Junchen, Immeasurable Sect Leader Taishu Yiqing, Mist Sect Head Mo Liqi, Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect Taishi Bao, and Head of Yanyue Sect Xianyu Zixuan, Hehuan Sect’s Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu and other prominent Daoist figures all expressed their surprise:

"An Imperial announcement? What matter?"

Household Department Minister Di Lishi said indifferently:

"Regarding the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master and the Imperial Court Offering."

"Lord Di, that’s not right, is it?"

Flame Cloud Sect’s Master Zhuge Junchen, Immeasurable Sect Leader Taishu Yiqing, Mist Sect Head Mo Liqi, Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect Taishi Bao, and Head of Yanyue Sect Xianyu Zixuan, Hehuan Sect’s Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu and other prominent Daoist figures crowded around, puzzled:

"Why would the Imperial Court Offering be announced before the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master is finished? Why notify us in advance?"

"Yes! Yes, Lord Di, have you made a mistake?"

"Lord Di, the final contest of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master hasn’t even started yet."

"Indeed, Lord Di, why not watch the contest of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master yourself?"

"Lord Di, why don’t you sit down first and have some tea? Rest for a while and then tell us what’s going on?"

The other Sect Leaders and cultivators also gathered around, but the World’s Foremost Talented King Tianran remained stoically seated as if perched upon a fishing platform, because he had already known what message Household Department Minister Di Lishi was about to announce.

"Everyone, please be patient!"

Household Department Minister Di Lishi raised his hand towards Flame Cloud Sect’s Master Zhuge Junchen, Immeasurable Sect Leader Taishu Yiqing, Mist Sect Head Mo Liqi, Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect Taishi Bao, and Head of Yanyue Sect Xianyu Zixuan, Hehuan Sect’s Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu and other prominent Daoist figures as well as the other cultivators to declare:

"As a matter of course, on receiving an Imperial edict one ought to kneel to listen to the announcement, but since you are all Taoist cultivators, there’s no need for you to kneel."

"This old servant will now read the Emperor’s verbal edict!"

"Yes!"

Flame Cloud Sect’s Master Zhuge Junchen, Immeasurable Sect Leader Taishu Yiqing, Mist Sect Head Mo Liqi, Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect Taishi Bao, and Head of Yanyue Sect Xianyu Zixuan, Hehuan Sect’s Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu and other prominent Daoist figures, as well as the other cultivators, all bowed their heads in wait for the decree.

Night Traveler Muqiang Baoshan and others simply knelt down right away.

Only Li Ping’an, the Ghost Taoist, and the World’s Foremost Talented King Tianran were immovable as mountains, firmly seated on their fishing platforms.

Household Department Minister Di Lishi then read the announcement:

"The Emperor’s verbal edict decrees that due to the momentous changes across the world and the decline of the Taoist sects, His Majesty, considering the future of all Taoist sects under Heaven, has decided to expand the Four Great Noble Paths to Six Great Imperial Paths from this year onwards. These six paths will receive Imperial Court offerings; the size of the offerings will remain as before, not decreased, merely the slots are increased!"

"What? The Four Great Noble Paths have increased to Six Great Imperial Paths?"

"What does the Emperor mean by this?"

"This adds two more slots compared to previous years!"

"But according to the current rules of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master, only four can be selected!"

"Could it be that we have to start the competition over again?"

"Though it means wasting more time, for us smaller sects or even those that are on the verge of losing their lineage, this is undoubtedly good news."

"Does this mean the rules of the Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master are going to be changed?"

"Good news! It truly is good news!"

Although no change showed on the faces of Flame Cloud Sect’s Master Zhuge Junchen, Immeasurable Sect Leader Taishu Yiqing, Mist Sect Head Mo Liqi, and Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect Taishi Bao, the expressions of Head of Yanyue Sect Xianyu Zixuan, Hehuan Sect’s Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu and other prominent Daoist figures, as well as the other cultivators, revealed their excitement.

"What trick is this Dog Emperor playing now?"

Li Ping’an, who had been quietly listening, couldn’t help but curse softly.

With a disgusted look, Household Department Minister Di Lishi scolded:

"Everyone, please be quiet; this old servant hasn’t finished speaking. Please do not interrupt!"

"Yes, yes, yes."

Flame Cloud Sect’s Master Zhuge Junchen, Immeasurable Sect Leader Taishu Yiqing, Mist Sect Head Mo Liqi, Senior Brother of Qingyun Sect Taishi Bao, and Head of Yanyue Sect Xianyu Zixuan, Hehuan Sect’s Sect Leader Shangguan Hongzhang, Kunlun’s Three Sages He Zudao, Sixth Senior Brother Dan Chenzi of Mount Shu and other prominent Daoist figures, as well as the other cultivators immediately fell silent, waiting for the final decree.

"The Emperor is well aware of the proceedings of the current Grand Ritual of the Heavenly Master. Therefore, to save everyone’s time and to let you all return sooner, His Majesty has already decided on the names for the Six Great Imperial Paths! They are..."

"..."

Including Li Ping’an, King Tianran, and the Ghost Taoist.