Blond Boy Sam: "My titanium dog eyes were blinded by you! Good heavens... I just checked Cao Mengde's information. You're so ruthless! So many goddesses—fortunate there are so many beautiful women in your era."
Sam's world had naturally evolved. Checking the database, the history of the Three Kingdoms emerged.
There were mixed reviews for Cao Mengde, but he was truly a ruthless man. One would think sacrificing one or two goddesses would be enough, yet he'd directly started with ten.
Was this something ordinary people could do?
Orochimaru: "Our Old Cao is fond of beauties. Now he's changed careers and started offering goddesses as sacrifices."
King of Chaos: "Brother, there's nothing I can do. The magical artifacts are in those old immortals' hands. Though I have no problem with faith, as the Lord of Wei, how could I not try my utmost!"
Purdue Sentient Beings: "It's good you have this kind of thought. I admire you, young man! I'll put in a few kind words for you..."
Iron Courage: "I seem to see a big shot. Are you Cao Cao?"
King of Chaos: "You don't change your name when standing, don't change your surname when sitting. I am Cao Cao, also known as Cao Mengde!"
Second Li: "I almost forgot. This guy is also an emperor now—the one who directly usurped the throne. Good heavens... I almost forgot him."
Now in the Myriad Realms Chat Group, there were several emperors. After all, strength was gained—not creating a country would be unjustifiable.
For example, Murong Fu had also lost interest in the throne after occupying Dali. It was about the same for himself. The stronger the strength, the more insensitive to mundane matters.
World Gang Leader: "You forget me too. This old man is also a hero. Now destroying the empire on earth and promoting the Eternal Religion. Though not an emperor, I have more power than one. Even the land of Japan has been wiped out by my men."
King of Chaos: "I can see everyone is talented. In fact, those people are idiots—a group of stubbornly loyal fools. Since the Han family is useless, they still maintain it, making me afraid to become emperor!"
Tohsaka University: "There's no way—it was like this in ancient times. By the way, Zhu Tiedan, haven't you made a sacrifice yet?"
Iron Courage: "My disciple just wrote me that he'll arrive at the capital in three days. I'll make my first sacrifice soon. Just wait."
Spirit of the Demon Sword: "Congratulations! Another steadfast priest. As for Cao Cao, this matter is actually easy to handle. When the faith you propagate spreads throughout the world, everything is actually solved."
Fallen White-Robed Wizard: "I'll teach you a way. After the first sacrifice, go destroy the two countries, then promote the faith. Simple."
Tanjiro: "Their world's immortals are just above his head. You think people can't escape from the world like in your world!"
Fallen White-Robed Wizard: "Ah, this..."
Junior Brother of Great Bamboo Peak: "Actually, it's not difficult. The ancients have always maintained awe of the gods. Brother Cao only needs to expand his influence bit by bit. Believers walking the earth naturally affect the world."
King of Chaos: "Well, this old man isn't in a hurry. We can take it slowly."
In fact, being anxious was useless. Besides the Immortal Realm above his head, there was also a group from the Water Mirror calculating the world's fate. That was the real bane.
A group of self-conscious, otherworldly guys had divided their disciples into three cliques, simply wanting them to kill each other.
When he was strong enough, he'd kill that old immortal Shui Jing first.
In a secret area, an old man with a youthful face suddenly began sneezing repeatedly.
"Strange... who's talking about me? Is it that kid Zhuge Kongming? No... it should be someone else. Kongming is most scheming and wouldn't gossip about me."
The old man pinched his fingers to divine, but it was completely dark before him. He couldn't calculate anything at all.
Cleaned Translation
He immediately smiled bitterly. "I almost forgot—the heavens are in chaos, and I can't calculate anything at all. Never mind... I've done everything that needs to be done. Time to sleep."
In Zhu Tiedan's World, three days passed in the blink of an eye.
When Tian Ya and the others returned with Yagyu's daughter, they were taken aback by the scenery of the capital.
Pawnbrokers and merchants—each one possessed strong internal strength. Some had even broken directly into the Innate Realm.
Even so, they were still doing their jobs.
The three didn't think much of it and drove their carriage toward the city. After entering, they heard about Zhu Tiedan's usurpation of the throne.
[The emperor lost his virtue and accidentally fell to his death while walking.]
Such a ridiculous story—they naturally didn't believe it. Zhu Tiedan must have used martial arts.
Haitang's expression was bitter. Her foster father, who'd always been righteous and awe-inspiring in her heart, had done such a rebellious thing. This made it very hard for her to accept.
Returning to the villa gates, the guard said to the four of them, "The master has been waiting for you in the palace for a long time. Please proceed..."
"Is foster father really..."
"As the High Priest, he should oversee the world. A mere mortal emperor—there's nothing wrong with his death."
The guard spoke in a flat tone. A few months of development had already made them detached from worldly concerns.
Believe in the god. Believe in the priest. One could obtain happiness—what could be better than this?
What was a mere emperor? Young and ignorant, always running afoul of the High Priest. He deserved death.
Tian Ya sighed inwardly and said to the others, "Let's go. At worst, after completing this mission, we'll just choose to quit."
"Mm."
When they arrived at the palace, they realized it was already completely different from before.
There were no eunuchs. No palace maids either. Only a temple converted from the palace.
Within it, Zhu Tiedan was in the hall, eyes closed in deep meditation.
Hearing sounds, he finally awoke.
"You've returned. Things went smoothly, I trust?"
"Yes, thank you for your care. But I want to ask—why did you kill the emperor?"
Haitang asked, puzzled.
Hearing this, Zhu Tiedan sneered. "If I hadn't removed him, do you think the Divine Religion could have developed so smoothly? That would be simply impossible. Moreover, he would have continued opposing me. The death of one person can revive the world. I think it's worth it."
The people from Tian Ya's group fell silent. Though the words were good, they'd always received education in loyalty and patriotism. It was impossible to accept his usurpation.
"I know you don't understand me and even think I'm a bit too extreme. But since I took office, there have been no natural or man-made disasters in the areas affected by the religion. People live and work in peace and contentment. The bad elements have disappeared, and those fields have been distributed to farmers. Isn't this good?"
Actually, coming all this way, they'd seen this too, and their confusion gradually faded.
Zhu Tiedan continued, "Since the sacrifices have been brought, prepare to begin. You two will help the goddesses change clothes and bathe. We start offering sacrifices tomorrow!"
"Yes..."
The three looked at each other and stepped back one by one.
That same day, Zhu Tiedan announced he was ready to open the ceremony. People from nearby towns and cities rushed toward the capital, wanting to witness the god's greatness.
After all, since Zhu Tiedan had taken office, it had been the happiest period in people's lives. A hundred voices responded as one—this was the people's heart.
They treated well whoever treated them well. The hearts of the people were the simplest.
On this day, the scenery was beautiful. After queuing into the city, people could receive a futon made of linen without paying any fees. This was used for bowing down, paid for by the imperial palace.
"Say, will the god really appear?"
"Old Zhang, aren't you talking nonsense? Wasn't your lame leg cured by cultivating the divine method? If the inspection team finds out about this, your qualifications will probably be lowered. Your family should be more careful."
"This... didn't I just say it casually?"
"Hmph, just say it casually?! Without the god, what would your family be? A ruined household with no land, working for others every day. You people with impure minds—hurry up and stay away. I feel sick just being near you together."
"That's right!"
"Get out of here!! I hate most those who receive kindness but never repay it, yet dare to doubt the god!"
This guy named Old Man Zhang was eventually driven by others to the edge of a toilet before they finally stopped.
Only then did he wake up—his damn mouth just wouldn't listen. When young, his leg had been broken because of some lord's arrangement.
Alas... it was all his fault. He'd go to the temple to repent tonight.
Thinking of the great Divine Religion, Old Man Zhang wanted to cry. Because of the Divine Teaching, he had fields. Because of the Divine Teaching, his son had a wife.
He really shouldn't have had such thoughts.
About the beginning of the hour, a ray of light descended from the sky.
BOOM.
The melodious bell rang. Inside the large altar, Zhu Tiedan placed his own wife aside, ready to begin the sacrifice.
Sisters Xue Ji and Piao Xu knelt before the altar. Then came Yunluo and Haitang.
The four goddesses in white dresses had been preparing for a long time.
When the twelfth bell fell, Zhu Tiedan took a deep breath and announced, "The sacrifice ceremony has officially begun!!!"
Over several months, most of Daming's territory had been transformed into religious sites.
Impressed by Murong Fu's achievements, Zhu Tiedan was naturally more scheming than him. Using ten generals to promote the Divine Religion had been very effective.
Currently, two-thirds of the cities were all preparing for sacrifices.
A light suddenly illuminated the temple. Priests everywhere began beating gongs and drums one after another, announcing the beginning of the sacrifice.
Thousands of cities and towns gathered before their temples in just half an hour.
Just then, a brilliant and mysterious radiance fell from the sky. Dragons and phoenixes flew within that divine light.
Two qilins—one blue, one red—appeared in this world from the torn sky.
The goddesses who came this time were Yang Chan and Xue Jian.
For her first time descending to the lower realm as a goddess, Xue Jian was very nervous. In contrast, Yang Chan was very calm. After all, she was the Third Holy Mother—she'd grown tired of manifestations.