Chapter 242: Chapter 241: Jiang Li Wants to Retire

Translator: 549690339

“The fate of a nation can truly be both loved and loathed.”

If it weren’t for national destiny weighing him down, Ji Zhi would have long ago reached the Body Integration Realm and gone back in time to thrash Jiang Li.

Ji Zhi continued, “But the power of faith is always handy. Use it when you want, don’t when you don’t. I heard that little rascal Jiang Li put the faith power of the Nine States into the bronze cauldron, leaving it for the next Human Emperor.”

“I wonder who the next Human Emperor will be. I guess they won’t match up to

Jiang Li.” Though Jiang Li was quite the pot stirrer, Yu Yin had to admit that Jiang Li’s abilities and character were outstanding among all past Human Emperors.

“Discussing me behind my back again, huh?” Jiang Li heard them talking about him as soon as he arrived.

“We were discussing who the next Human Emperor might be. You always have a keen eye, do you have anyone in mind?”

“There are indeed a few, but without going through trials and tests, I can’t be sure who among them can become the Human Emperor. Forget about this, what’s happening with the Luban Sect?”

Yu Yin said, “I’ll explain that.”

“After puppets gained consciousness, the Luban Sect brought up the trend of marrying puppets. Some people in the Nine States are prejudiced against the Luban Sect, thinking they’re getting fake wives. Outraged, the Luban Sect plans to use the legal force to prove the validity of the marriages.”

“They think the laws of the Tianyuan Emperor Dynasty are less valid than the

Zhou Dynasty’s, so they’re planning to relocate and marry in the Zhou

Dynasty.”

The Luban Sect consists of four practitioners all at the Body Integration Realm level, and their departure from the Tianyuan Emperor Dynasty could hurt the nation’s destiny.

But the Zhou Dynasty isn’t keen on accepting the Luban Sect members either. Zhou Dynasty’s marriage laws stipulate that marriages between sentient beings of different genders, regardless of race, are all recognized.

The Zhou Dynasty set the law this way, considering that not only humans exist, but also demons and spirits.

They never expected anyone would take it as far as marrying a spiritual treasure. This idea was much too avant-garde.

This loophole in the law could hurt the Zhou Empire’s national destiny.

The more Jiang Li listened, the more his teeth ached. Today the Zhou Empire recognizes marriage between humans and puppets, tomorrow someone will propose spiritual treasures transforming, and the day after, someone will want to marry transformed elixirs.

Why was it that other Emperors were worried about resisting the Heavenly Demon while he had to deal with all these bizarre ideas!

How was such an honest person like him supposed to handle these issues?

Why can’t everyone just focus on their cultivation practice?

Ji Zhi and Yu Yin glanced at Jiang Li, guessing what he was thinking from his expression.

You now know how the previous Emperor felt when he saw you and Bai Hongtu, don’t you?

Jiang Li was thinking about maybe speeding up the competition for the next emperor, choosing a successor soon and retiring early to enjoy a peaceful life.

He’d already been at it for over three hundred years. How many three centuries could one have in a lifetime… though it seemed that someone in the Mahayana Realm could live for one hundred thousand years.

That’s not important. All he knew was that he wanted to retire.

Jiang Li started trying to solve the problem, “Is it too late to change the Zhou Empire’s laws?

“Even rushing through the process will take at least half a month, and I saw with my Insight that the Luban Sect will be arriving in Zhou in ten days.”

“Is there a faster way?”

Ji Zhi thought about it, “Actually, there is. ”

Jiang Li was elated, “What is it?”

“Activate a state of war, then the laws can be changed at will.”

“Forget I asked.”

Jiang Li knew what a state of war was. It would require the Zhou Empire to engage in large-scale war with other nations, a matter of life and death.

By then, although the problem with the Luban Sect would be solved, he’d face an even greater wartime problem. Plus, the duty of an emperor is to prevent war, not provoke it.

“What if we try to persuade the Luban Sect?”

“We can’t persuade them. You can’t stop them from getting married, and if you say puppets can’t marry, they’ll lose their patience.”

“Then do this, you go back to Zhou and try to change the marriage law. Yu Yin and I will go to the Luban Sect to assess the situation, maybe we can delay thorn

“Sounds good.” Both Ji Zhi and Yu Yin had no choice but to agree with this not-so- great plan.

Just like the other forces within the Tianyuan Emperor Dynasty, the Luban Sect used to have an iron-clad belief that a Tao partner wasn’t necessary and they were reluctant to get married.

After all, if one got married, they might face a betrayal from their Tao partner.

Just because you’re married to someone doesn’t mean you can trust them with your life. If you have a partner that you don’t trust, then it’s better not to get married.

This was the mindset of the cultivators who were above the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators didn’t have much money. Even if their Tao partner betrayed them, there wouldn’t be much to gain.

After puppets gained consciousness, the Luban Sect had an epiphany. It’s not that they didn’t want a Tao partner, but that they couldn’t find a suitable one.

Who could resist a puppet that could change its appearance according to your preference, one that was devoted to you, and could be employed day and night?

At least the Luban Sect couldn’t.

Besides, the soul is what distinguishes living beings from inanimate objects. If it has a soul, then of course it’s considered a living being.

Jiang Li shook his head, “The Tianyuan Emperor Dynasty frightened the cultivators to the point where they didn’t dare to get married just to encourage competition. How dark.”

“I’m trying to change that.”

Yu Yin also felt that the competition within the Tianyuan Emperor Dynasty was too intense.

In the past, she was just at the Body Integration Realm, some people would ignore her orders. But now that she’s reached the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, she’s the true ruler of the Empire. Everyone obeys her and it allows her to change the nation.

The two of them decided to observe the situation before making a decision and did not reveal themselves impulsively.

Before they could enter the Luban Sect, they were shocked by the two puppets at the entrance.

These two puppets were very different from the mainstream puppet style in the Nine States. They were made from special metals and stood fifty meters tall. Under the sunlight, the metals reflected light, giving a sense of great power. They had a human form but sharper edges, unlike humans.

In the Ming Zhong World, these were called mechas.

They overheard Luban Sect disciples discussing these two puppets. “These two puppets are really impressive.”

“Absolutely! I heard these were inspired by our elder’s discussions with the Daoist Sect Elder about the Ming Zhong World. The elder said he didn’t understand things like circuit boards and chips from the Ming Zhong World, but he could incorporate Nine States’ characteristics, use puppet techniques to control metal, and churn them out overnight.”

“Furthermore, the chest area of these metal puppets can be opened to allow someone to sit inside and control it.”

“Our elder’s quick thinking is truly admirable.”

A disciple of the Luban Sect admired the metal puppets longingly, “They’re so cool. I’d love to give it a spin.”

“Enough about that, have you decided whether you’re staying here or going to the Zhou Dynasty?”

“Of course I’m going to Zhou. My wife and I grew up together, we’ve been inseparable since she was just a block of wood. It’s just a shame that the world lacks understanding and can’t comprehend our love.”

“Exactly, what’s wrong with marrying a puppet? At least we love each other passionately. Can those who mock us be sure that their marriages are filled with love, and not just forced because of their age?”

Jiang Li and Yu Yin bypassed these two disciples and entered the Luban Sect.

The whole Luban Sect was filled with an amorous atmosphere. Disciples and their puppets were making romantic eyes at each other, loving and affectionate. Working together, they could defeat everyone. There was no better cooperation than between a cultivator and his spiritual treasure.

Suddenly, Jiang Li thought about his Sky Desolate Halberd which had gained consciousness, “Have I been neglecting it because I have never properly talked to it?”