Chapter 257: Not Your Fault (1/2)

Chapter 257: Not Your Fault

Translator: NinetalesEditor: DarkGem

As Qin Mu traveled forward, he saw desolation caused by the disaster. There were starving people everywhere, small and large tragedies sprung up everywhere, and plague ran amuck. When compared to the peaceful territory of Great Thunderclap Monastery, these places were simply hell.

Luckily, there were numerous college and primary school scholars sending medical help to suppress the plague, or else the disaster would have become even more severe.

Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor had constructed many primary schools and colleges to replace private schools, and they revealed their worth at this moment. Even though the power of each and every one of these scholars was weak, they were astonishing together. They were equivalent to numerous small sects.

Qin Mu saw officers with their men wiping out demons and monsters that were taking advantage to create even more chaos. The county magistrate was even guarding the land personally and advising the immigrants to return home since the rations the emperor sent for disaster relief would be transported soon.

There were even some disciples of Dao Sect and buddhism helping disaster victims, but they were more casual. Compared with the power of the empire, their reach was limited, and they would only help wherever they went. Some people took this chance to impart their teachings and give birth to numerous evil cults, but they were all half-baked.

'This level of natural disaster can't wipe out such an empire,' Qin Mu thought to himself. The new crops were already planted, so as long as they waited until the harvest season, the people would be appeased.

The timing of this disaster in Eternal Peace Empire was extremely strange, though. It happened precisely after the entire empire was thrown into chaos and most of the rations had been exhausted by the wars. With this snow disaster added into the fray, it was enough to shake the foundation of the empire.

'I wonder if Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor has returned to the court, if the emperor is still sending disaster relief. Also, where did this natural disaster come from? This is not something that sacred grounds like Dao Sect and Great Thunderclap Monastery can create, but that requires a god's power.'

He raised his head to look up at the sky in suspicion. Why had this happened?

Why did Heaven want a disaster to descend on Eternal Peace?

For the orthodox teachings of gods in the human world?

Before Eternal Peace, it was a world that was ruled by sects which formed countries of all sizes. Some of these sects had ancient inheritances and legends which said that they had been created by gods. In that case, was it because the orthodox teachings of gods in the human world were being wiped out by Eternal Peace Empire which angered the gods into sending such a natural disaster?

Or was there a more profound reason behind this?

Qin Mu found some disciples of Heavenly Devil Cult and made a few inquiries. Heavenly Devil Cult was currently following the authorities to send disaster relief and most of the disciples in the cult had been mobilized, covering all of the lands. The hall masters of every hall had also donated money out of their pockets and were all beyond broke.

The problem was that some merchants were still hoarding to profit and some influential families were not selling.

”The emperor was angered and killed a bunch of them, then found some officials that took bribes and bent the law, coveting the money for disaster relief, and so he killed another bunch of them. There were also some people that took this chance to sell official positions, and the emperor killed one more bunch.”

A Heavenly Devil Cult Disciple who had followed the emperor to send disaster relief had seen quite a number of things. When he spoke, his face was wide with a smile full of exultation. ”The emperor even faces assassins, most of whom were existences of the cult master level. However, there were civil and military officials in the entourage, and the emperor personally went into battle as well. He was extremely powerful! It's a pity cult master was not there”

Qin Mu asked, ”Who are the strong practitioners that had tried to assassinate the emperor?”

”I've heard it was Teacher Poor, True Lord Tian, and those guys. There were also some strong practitioners from beyond the Great Wall.”

Qin Mu's expression changed slightly. ”Alliance with the cult master level strong practitioners from beyond the Great Wall? Is Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor back?”

”I haven't seen him.”

Qin Mu mumbled for a moment, then asked, ”Where is the emperor now?”

”He's at Bazhou Prefecture that's five thousand miles away from here.” That Heavenly Devil Cult Disciple soon added, ”The emperor had gone to the south and cleared the influential families that had refused to sell their rations before going to the north and is now at Bazhou. That place is still considered stable.”

Qin Mu composed himself and asked, ”What about the capital city? Which of the first ranking high officials are left behind?”

”The crown prince was left behind to supervise the empire and the officials related to him.”

Qin Mu's expression became grim. The capital city was supposed to be supervised by the crown prince yet he had run to Great Thunderclap Monastery. Teacher Poor, True Lord Tian, and their friends who had almost died in the hands of Eternal Peace Imperial Preceptor had been saved by Old Rulai who had promised they would convert to buddhism and not meddle with the affairs of the secular world. Yet Teacher Poor and the rest had run out again.

When he added the crown prince paying a visit to Old Rulai to that knowledge, things seemed to be getting serious.

”They say that the imperial court is the largest sacred ground in the world. I wonder if it really clashed with Great Thunderclap Monastery, who would come out on top?” Qin Mu muttered to himself irresolutely before shifting his thoughts away. ”Can we contact the hall masters?”

”Now that every hall is helping disaster victims, it's quite hard to contact them. If we wanted to gather all the halls, it would probably take a month or two.”

Qin Mu shook his head and left without saying anything. Sitting on the back of the dragon qilin, he hurried towards Bazhou.

Bazhou was about five thousand miles away, and the journey was long. Even if the dragon qilin didn't rest, he would only be able to reach there the next day. But rest was necessary, so he reckoned that he would only reach Bazhou on the night of the next day.

”If only my treasure ship was still around, it would be so much easier. What a pity it's ruined.”

Qin Mu ordered the dragon qilin to rush forward at full speed and promised him a bucket of food every day. The dragon qilin's spirit was roused and he sprinted towards Bazhou while stepping on his fire clouds.