"Why bother explaining?"

Dugu Shou stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and unperturbed: "Just report it back to him truthfully, saying it was my intention. If His Majesty is displeased, he may, as he did sixteen years ago, dismiss me with one decree."

A large amount of white mist spouted from the top of Zong Qianliu's head.

It was the cold sweat from Zong Qianliu's head, evaporating vigorously under the influence of his True Yuan.

"Why does Grandmaster say such things? His Majesty has always regarded you as a father, his respect and trust in you unwavering. In the past, His Majesty dismissed you merely out of concern that you might be swayed by vile people and get involved in the Princess Li case."

He knew he shouldn't continue on this topic as it would only make things worse, so he swiftly changed the subject: "Grandmaster, the Heaven and Earth Root not only enhances bloodline power, breaking the Limit of Human and God, but also extends life expectancy and helps transform one's Bloodline Talent. It is something the Formless Divine Sect covets greatly.

If the Heaven and Earth Root falls into their hands, this sect might produce another Blood Vengeance Blade Lord, becoming even more rampant and harder to restrain. Grandmaster, your actions today could bring great calamity upon the court and our Daning Royal Family."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Shou simply brushed his sleeve dismissively: "Little Qianliu, do you know the real reason for the humiliation you and His Majesty experienced months ago?"

Zong Qianliu's white eyebrows moved, then he spoke gravely: "We underestimated the Formless Divine Sect."

A bitter smile hung at the corner of his mouth.

What could the reason be?

It was Li Changsheng being too powerful, everyone underestimated the Sect Master of the world's number one sect.

Ultimately, it comes down to not being as strong as others.

"In recent years, your conduct has been deceitful and malicious, imitating pigs and dogs, behaving wickedly like spirits, and having the nature of wolves! How is this still a court, how is this still a ruler?"

Dugu Shou stood with his hands behind his back, unhurried: "Like this Infinite Blade Lord, if you want to suppress him, do it openly! If he transgresses the king's law, then arrest and bind him according to the court's law, punish him by law; if it cannot be done with the king's law, then send him to the Northern battlefield to hone his sword with Giant Spirit Blood.

You act as if you want to destroy him, yet also fearing provoking the Formless Divine Sect and fighting to the death with the court. Isn't this akin to wanting both respect and a clean reputation? Where does such behavior place the court's rules and the majesty of the king's law?"

The white steam rising from Zong Qianliu's head grew even thicker, his expression helpless: "Grandmaster, at that time, One Sword Overturning City Wen Zhiyi had already awakened, and the Extreme East Ice City was on the verge of raising troops. Soon after, there was to be a once in nine hundred years Divine Tribulation. Besides, even if we abide by the rules with the Formless Divine Sect, they may not honor the court's laws.

As the saying goes 'Chivalry uses martial force to trespass bans', these sect Martial Cultivators have never respected the court's law and order. Grandmaster, His Majesty and we are forced by circumstances, quite helpless. You must know that His Majesty, to prolong our dynasty, even went so far as to sever the Daning's Red Dragon Dragon Vein."

Zong Qianliu pondered the current world situation, where one wrong move could affect everything. How could it be as simple as Dugu Shou said?

It was fortunate that His Majesty had been diligently governing for thirty years, greatly enhancing the Daning court's might and flourishing national power.

Otherwise now, it would surely be difficult to move and precarious.

"Dragon Vein?"

Dugu Shou let out a snort, revealing a hint of disdain in his eyes: "Dragon Vein or not, it doesn't matter. The real Dragon Vein of Daning is that 'Daning Law'. I once taught His Majesty that to be a Bright Emperor, one needs to uphold the law, manage power, and use strategy. In his early years, under my watch, he could barely be considered a restoring ruler. Nowadays, His Majesty has forgotten that 'law' always precedes strategy and power, it is the foundation of governing a nation!

As the ruler, whatever he wishes to do, he can take it openly. All strategies and powers need to be based on king's law. Without the law, without righteousness, then within the Imperial City, ministers will not be ministers; outside the Imperial City, the nation will not be a nation. There are countless powerful beings and gods in the world, how can His Majesty, a mere mortal, command the world? By relying on just a few of you on the Heavenly List?"

Zong Qianliu's gaze couldn't help but flicker.

In his heart, he knew Dugu Shou's words were the true path to governing a nation.

However, what His Majesty sought was more than just being a 'restoring ruler' of Daning.

What he wanted was something that the noble families and powerful sects of the world would never allow.

Just as Zong Qianliu was about to say something, Dugu Shou brushed his sleeve, preventing him from speaking.

This Minister of seven generations looked up to the sky: "Sect Master Li, your Divine Thought has already descended here, why not show yourself, or must I resort to words of mountain respect?"

His voice at this moment was as strong as iron, as loud as a great bell, reverberating within fifty miles of the Formless Divine Mountain, almost piercing the eardrums of every person and creature.

As soon as the Minister of seven generations finished speaking, Li Changsheng's plump, cherubic figure appeared in front of the mountain gate.

His face, as round as a pancake, was full of smiles: "No wonder magpies have been chirping ceaselessly today, turns out an honored guest has arrived. Grandmaster graces us with his presence. I, Li, have been neglectful in welcoming you, I beg your pardon!"

Dugu Shou looked Li Changsheng up and down, his eyes full of interest.

"I've seen you, about sixty years ago, I think. Back then, you were just a small True Inheritor standing beside your Sect Master, not noticeable at all. Who would have thought, that the short, chubby kid of the past has become the towering pillar of the Formless Divine Sect, invincible beneath the super-grade. Unfortunately, Dugu Shou never had the chance to witness your lone sword sweeping the Imperial City."

"From Grandmaster's words, is it that you come to demand accountability?"

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