Chapter 275: He is Not a Thief, He is a Saint of Thieves!
Hearing Li Hao's imposing voice, the Buddha Lord's expression remained unchanged. He continued to smile and said:
"Although General Hao Tian is honored as a duke, our Buddhist sect exists outside the court and is not bound by its formalities. Moreover, centuries ago, I was awarded the Demon Suppression Medal by His Majesty Emperor Yu for my merits in subduing demons. Even in the court, I am not required to kneel."
Li Hao narrowed his eyes, sneering:
"A fine Demon Suppression Medal, a fine merit in subduing demons!"
"General Hao Tian, it seems you have some misunderstanding with me?" The Buddha Lord's eyes were gentle as he spoke softly. "You have come here in a rage. Are you perhaps here to plead for that thief?"
Li Hao's eyes flashed with intense killing intent as he said coldly, "He is not a thief, he is the Saint of Thieves!"
"A thief is still a thief. Bestowing him with a saintly title is an insult to saints," the Buddha Lord smiled. "General Hao Tian, you must think carefully about your words. Defending a notorious villain, even with your immense contributions in saving Liangzhou and Qingzhou, will bring you a bad reputation. While it might not cost you your title, the people of the world will not turn a blind eye to someone who associates with thieves."
"I thought you could at least be straightforward, but it seems you are hypocritical to this extent," Li Hao stepped forward, his aura rising with each step. His eyes were cold. "When you captured him, did you not know about our relationship? If he wasn't protecting Tianmen Pass for me, how could you have caught him?"
"You publicly execute him now, as if you didn't expect me to come? Why bother with these fake pleasantries? Just tell me, is this aimed at me, or is there another purpose? If it's about titles, I can give them up. Without a title, do you think you can take my place? If you want it, go fight for it!"
At this moment, Lin Wujiang and the other three Bodhisattvas hurried over. Hearing Li Hao's confrontation with the Buddha Lord, they were taken aback.
Lin Wujiang couldn't help but say, "General Hao Tian, mind your words. The Buddha Lord's merits are boundless. Our Buddhist sect has saved countless people, far more than your contributions in two states. Don't be too arrogant—"
"Shut up!"
Without looking back, Li Hao's low roar was like a heavy punch, sending the three Bodhisattvas flying and spitting blood.
Seeing the three Bodhisattvas injured before him, the Buddha Lord's expression finally lost a bit of its gentleness. He said calmly:
"I thought you merely used this thief. How could I have known you were colluding with him? You now enjoy glory and honor bestowed by His Majesty. Do not forget his kindness. You come here accusing my Buddhist sect, barging into my hall. Do you not feel ashamed before His Majesty's kindness and the people's trust in you?"
"If I hadn't come, I would be betraying His Majesty's trust. Ignoring a friend's life and death, how can I protect the people?"
"Besides you bald monks, there's no one else here. What's the point of this act? Do your Bodhisattvas not know the situation? Acting for them?"
"General Hao Tian, you have deeply offended our Buddhist sect. Even as a duke, you will not escape punishment. I will personally report this to His Majesty!" the Buddha Lord said sternly.
"Go ahead. Today, I am here to see my friend. Where is he?" Li Hao's eyes were fixed on him. If not for the concern that Feng Lao was still in their hands, he would have already acted.
The Buddha Lord said calmly, "It seems you are determined to stand by a thief, opposing my Buddhist sect and the people?"
"Stop dragging the people into this. Your Buddhist sect is not worthy. In a state with hundreds of cities, each has a temple, but how many temples are there in the countryside? If you truly had boundless merit, that would be different. But you sit on this high pedestal, ignoring the world's suffering. Where were you when Liangzhou was attacked?"
"Where were you when Qingzhou was attacked? You say Liangzhou was far, but Qingzhou was right beside you. Where were you then?" Li Hao shouted angrily.
"If we follow your logic, where was His Majesty when Liangzhou was attacked? Where was he when Qingzhou was attacked?" the Buddha Lord said calmly. "We oversee the world, contending with hidden demons. If a state's border is in trouble, must the soldiers of all nineteen states rush there to be considered brave? Everyone has their responsibilities. Mount Wuliang ensures peace within a five-hundred-mile radius, deterring demons. Is this not because I am here?"
Li Hao sneered, "No need to argue. You make it sound reasonable, but you know whether you've done your part. Words can deceive others but not yourself. You, a renowned Fourstanding Realm expert, can't deter those two major demon forces?"
"Mount Wuliang is on the border of Qingzhou. With the God General's Mansion there, how could Longmen and Shenggong dare to launch a major attack? They swept through the border unguarded, not fearing you would act?"
"You saw that they had ancient gods behind them, so they didn't need to guard against us," the Buddha Lord said indifferently.
Li Hao sneered, "But those ancient gods reluctantly intervened. They didn't plan to expose themselves in Qingzhou. So, are you saying you foresaw the ancient gods and didn't dare act? Did you warn the Li family?"
"I did send a warning, but by the time I realized it, Qingzhou had fallen. The situation was complex. The disciples I sent were caught in the chaos, missing," the Buddha Lord said.
Li Hao wanted to laugh, "Deceiving the people is one thing, but is there any need for pretense here? Do you think I'm a child? Do you think I'm as gullible as your disciples?"
"The world is divided into emperors, nobles, and commoners. Who doesn't understand this? Like merchants, who profit from buying low and selling high. Ruthless ones can't succeed in business, but at least they are upfront about their prices. Willing buyers and sellers, that's honest."
"You make people worship you, deceiving them for spiritual comfort. Ultimately, it's about fame. If it's for fame, admit it. Stop pretending to be compassionate. Only the lowest minds care about good and evil."
The Buddha Lord said calmly, "You are too stubborn. Although talented, you are still young and lack understanding of the world. You have never heard our Buddhist truths, nor do you know the myriad sufferings. Only through our truths can people transcend suffering and reach enlightenment."
"In front of Buddha, all beings are equal. There are no distinctions between emperors, generals, and commoners. All are born human and have the right to transcend."
Li Hao said, "Stop this nonsense. Bring out Feng Bo Ping now, or I'll make your sect transcend!"
"General Hao Tian, do you insist on condemning yourself? Do you know how the world will see you after today?" the Buddha Lord stared at Li Hao.
From the Buddha Lord's calm eyes, Li Hao saw a deeply hidden indifference, almost mocking, as if his actions had played into the Buddha Lord's hands.
He knew that taking this step would stain his achievements, but he didn't care.
He couldn't understand why the Buddha Lord cared so much, using Feng Lao to tarnish his name.
"The people's judgment will become clear in time. You got what you wanted, now release him!"
Li Hao's eyes were cold. "Stop with the lies, or I'll smash your lotus throne and flip your hall!"
The Buddha Lord quietly looked at him before nodding slightly, speaking loudly:
"Bodhisattva Pujie, bring that thief here. Let the noble guests witness General Hao Tian's arrogance in defending this thief."
"Yes."
A voice came from outside the hall, and one of the Bodhisattvas quickly departed.
Hearing the Buddha Lord's words, Li Hao's eyes turned cold. It was clear now: this was aimed at him. The presence of nobles indicated that they were invited before the public announcement.
"Why tarnish my name?"
The Buddha Lord sought fame, but Li Hao wasn't in his way. What was the purpose of this elaborate plan? It puzzled him.
The Buddha Lord said calmly, "If I had known your talent earlier, I would have sent Bodhisattva Puxian to bring you here and make you my disciple. Unfortunately, you hid your talents too well."
Li Hao sneered, "If I hadn't hidden, your sect would have sent someone to kill me during a visit, right?"
"Besides, before I was two, you gave that poisoned pill to that vile woman. You had already chosen a target. That foolish woman might have only had some thoughts, but your guidance led her to act. You wanted Li Qianfeng to inherit the Li family's true dragon, didn't you?"
With his current perspective, Li Hao saw the malice of Mount Wuliang more clearly.
The poisoned pill came from Mount Wuliang. Li Qianfeng became their disciple. The Buddha Lord's intentions were obvious.
"The world's great trends. Control is not the goal. We just need Li family's power. Now, with your talent, even if you leave the Li family, no one can stop him from becoming the true dragon." The Buddha Lord spoke calmly, no longer hiding his true intentions.
Li Hao's heart chilled. They wanted Li Qianfeng to rise. He had expected this.
"I still don't understand why you chose to poison me and not others. Was it because I was easier to reach, with no parental protection? Or were you sure others had no divine blood and posed no threat?"
Li Hao asked.
"Of course, because only you have divine blood. The other children, except the fallen ones, did not surpass your father Li Tiangang. He hid this fact, but he couldn't hide it from me," the Buddha Lord looked down at Li Hao calmly.
Li Hao understood. Everything behind this was orchestrated by the Buddha Lord.
Informing Liu Yuerong of his divine blood, inciting her against him. The poison pill was the bait. She was just a pawn.
Li Hao's eyes filled with killing intent, but he restrained himself. He stared at the Buddha Lord. Feng Lao was bait, and now the Buddha Lord exposed his schemes, seemingly provoking Li Hao to act.
What were the consequences of acting?
The Buddhist sect was a Jianghu force, but also had ties to the court. With his status, attacking without cause would bring punishment.
Was it to use the court to punish him or to drive a wedge between him and the court?
If they split...
Demons, Buddhist sect... Li Hao's eyes turned cold, staring at the Buddha Lord. Their eyes met, each seeing through the other's heart.