Chapter 209 The Heavenly Soul Emperor's Choice
Liu Yuan glanced at Du Busi sitting in the main seat and said calmly, "Master, to maximize the effectiveness of this matter, it is not enough for our Body Sect to handle it privately."
"You mean..." Du Bu Si looked at Liu Yuan.
"I'm going to find the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire," Liu Yuan said calmly.
"We need to tear off Shrek Academy's mask of hypocrisy and see how they handle things when their students become evil spirit masters. This play needs a big enough stage and a large enough audience. The Heavenly Soul Royal Family is the best choice."
Upon hearing this, Du Busi frowned slightly and fell into thought for a moment.
"Using the royal family?" Poison Undying shook his head. "Wouldn't that be a bit too radical? Although our Body Sect is the guardian sect of the Heavenly Soul Empire, the royal family is always cautious when it comes to Shrek Academy. Letting them get involved might put them in a very difficult position."
"Difficult?" Liu Yuan sneered. "Shrek Academy has always been above the royal family on the continent. This balance should have been broken long ago. Don't they always call themselves guardians? If they are guardians, they should face the threat posed by evil soul masters, instead of hiding in the academy, shouting about justice while indulging their own geniuses in their depravity."
Liu Yuan paused, then looked out the window.
"Master, this balance will be broken sooner or later. Our Body Sect and Shrek Academy are sworn enemies, and the royal family cannot remain neutral forever. Since that's the case, let them choose between me and Shrek Academy. On one side is the Body Sect, which protects the empire, and on the other side is the external academy, which has nothing to do with them. I believe that as long as they are clear-headed, they will know who to choose."
Du Bu Si listened to Liu Yuan's analysis and remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he nodded.
"You're right. Since we're going to fall out sooner or later, let's make this fire burn even brighter now."
...
The following day, at the Heavenly Soul Empire's Imperial Palace.
The interior of the palace still maintains the strictness and magnificence unique to the royal family.
When the guards announced the arrival of Du Busi and Liu Yuan, Emperor Tianhun did not hesitate at all. He immediately put aside his official duties and received them in the inner palace. He treated Du Busi with extreme enthusiasm, even rising personally to greet him.
"Poison Sect Master! Liu Yuan! What brings you to the palace today?" The emperor smiled and stepped forward. "Quickly, offer him a seat."
Attendants immediately brought chairs and served tea and refreshments. While exchanging pleasantries with Poison Immortal, the emperor inquired about the recent affairs of the Body Sect. His words were filled with respect and concern for the Body Sect.
Judging from the scene alone, anyone would think it was just a normal courtesy visit.
After several rounds of tea, Du Bu Si put down his cup and looked at Liu Yuan beside him.
Liu Yuan understood and didn't beat around the bush, saying directly, "Your Majesty, I've come today because there's a matter concerning Shrek Academy and evil soul masters that requires the cooperation of the royal family."
The emperor's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it, asking with a smile, "Oh? Shrek Academy? What happened?"
Liu Yuan recounted the details of his trip to the Sun and Moon Forest.
His account was very objective, emphasizing the process by which Ma Xiaotao mutated into an evil spirit master, and the threat she now poses.
He laid out the pros and cons of the matter clearly, explaining every detail.
Finally, Liu Yuan looked at the emperor: "Our Body Sect has already taken the person into custody, but this matter concerns the peace of the continent. We need the royal family to set up a platform in the Imperial Square and hold a public trial so that Shrek Academy can give an explanation in public."
As Liu Yuan finished speaking, the atmosphere in the main hall underwent a subtle change.
The previously lively conversation has stopped.
The smile on Emperor Tianhun's face froze completely; he even forgot to pick up the teacup on the table. He remained in that listening posture, sitting motionless on the dragon throne.
At that moment, he fell into a long silence.
The main hall was eerily quiet, with only the faint crackling of a few ever-burning lamps.
Liu Yuan and Du Busi stood there quietly, without urging them on.
A complex mix of emotions flashed across the emperor's eyes. In his mind, the status of Shrek Academy and his loyalty to the Body Sect were clashing violently.
He knew very well that agreeing to this would mean pushing the Heavenly Soul Empire to the opposite side of Shrek Academy. It was a gamble. Shrek Academy had a foundation spanning ten thousand years, and even the imperial family had to maintain sufficient courtesy when facing Shrek.
If he were to openly judge Shrek Academy's disciples today for the sake of the Body Sect, could the royal family withstand Shrek Academy's retaliation in the future?
But he also knew that if he refused Poison Undying, the Heavenly Soul Empire would immediately lose the full support of the Body Sect. In this chaotic world, the consequences of losing the Body Sect were far more serious than offending Shrek Academy.
He constantly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
The emperor's gaze fell on Liu Yuan, and then he looked at the calm-faced Poison Undying.
This isn't a trip to seek cooperation; it's clearly an attempt to force him to take sides.
But he seemed to have no reason to refuse this move.
The emperor's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, the sound echoing throughout the hall.
"This matter truly puts me in a very difficult position," the emperor finally spoke, his voice low and unreadable.
But he did not refuse immediately.
Liu Yuan and Du Busi remained patient and waited. They knew the emperor was assessing the consequences of their actions.
In situations like this, urging will only backfire.
The emperor's eyes were slightly closed, and his brows were furrowed.
After a long period of deliberation, the emperor opened his eyes.
The resolve of an emperor resurfaced in those previously conflicted eyes.
He looked at Du Bu Si, then at Liu Yuan.
"Your requests, I grant."
The emperor stood up, walked to the center of the hall, and his tone became resolute.
"Shrek Academy may have a great reputation, but if they are unwilling to deal with their students who have fallen into evil spirit mastery, then the Heavenly Soul Empire will naturally help them. The royal family will cooperate with the Body Sect in this trial."
"I will entrust the security of the Imperial Capital Square entirely to the Imperial Guards to ensure the smooth conduct of the trial that day. Invitations will be sent to all major sects."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yuan bowed slightly to the emperor.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Poison Undying nodded.
This operation against Shrek Academy was now officially established.
The emperor looked at the two people in front of him. Although he still felt a little uneasy, he knew that from this moment on, he had no way out and could only follow the route planned by Liu Yuan to face the coming storm.
(End of chapter)