My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 1329 - 1243: Awaiting Your Return

The historical records of Da Feng mention that on the first day of the twelfth lunar month of the first year of Emperor Kangning’s reign, there was news of demons causing chaos, turning the heavens and earth into a realm of terror. Mountains crumbled, the earth quaked, and tsunamis surged, leading all living things to suffer endless calamities. The Buddhist and Taoist sects emerged in full force to save the world and all beings, sacrificing countless cultivators to suppress evil and restore order to the world.

The historical record merely provides a general overview of this great event, but the Buddhist and Taoist sects meticulously documented the valor of the battle and those who contributed power and even their lives and Divine Souls for the mortal world, for future generations to read and comprehend.

The Taoist records are even more detailed, covering the origins and participants of the events, the moves and talismans used in the great battle, and who wielded them and their functions, all described in precise detail.

The most comprehensive record of this battle belongs to Li City Qingping Temple, providing the only complete account of the events before and after the battle, serving as a historical chronicle passed down through Qingping Temple.

This record was personally documented by the current temple master, Daoist Xuan Yi.

According to the temple’s records, Buqiu True Monarch, the fourth-generation temple master of Qingping Temple, faced the emergence of the demon Si Luo, launching a strong attack by personally refining a Divine-level Array Plate, using herself as the Array Eye, sacrificing for all living things, standing as a testament to the Dao, fearless in her quest to uphold the Heaven and Earth Laws and protect all living things.

On that day, she planted her Lifebound Fire, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, into the demon’s body, ignited the fire, burned the demon, and vanquished the evil Taoist.

On that day, when faced with the demon’s counterattack, her physical body was completely destroyed, her Divine Soul entirely extinguished, yet she remained fearless, dragging the demon into eternal oblivion.

On that day, to bring forth new vitality to the world, she used the last wisp of her Divine Soul to activate the Vitality Array of the Array Plate, vanishing from the mortal world.

On that day, heaven and earth seemed to mourn and be moved by her sacrifice, bestowing spirit rain to replenish the mortal world affected by calamity, causing the spiritual energy of nature to regenerate with greater strength than before.

To commemorate Buqiu True Monarch, the enlightened high Taoist, Emperor Kangning personally ennobled her with honorific titles and erected a golden statue of her in Qingping Temple, considering himself a layman of the temple.

In this battle, besides Buqiu True Monarch’s heroic sacrifice at Qingping Temple, many worthy and enlightened high Taoists and high monks also lost their lives.

Among them, Master Jing Ci from the thousand-year-old temple Yufu Temple sacrificed himself to protect the Dragon Vein and safeguard the nation’s luck, allowing the Dragon Vein to survive. Despite the temple’s buildings being nearly completely destroyed, he held no regrets.

The Destructive battle was too fierce. To mourn the monks and Taoists who lost their lives and Divine Souls in the great battle, Qingping Temple erected a Heroic Monument at the entrance of the mountain gate, inscribing names both from the past and the battle itself, acknowledging those who contributed to the cause.

Three years have passed since that Destructive battle, yet every recollection of that day fills everyone with lingering fear and chills.

Thinking back to that day, various disasters occurred simultaneously. If not a mountain collapse or avalanche, then the earth ruptured and trembled, typhoons and tsunamis struck Linhai, and floods broke out during the harshest winter. The most terrifying aspect was how suddenly daylight turned to total darkness, as if trapped in a dark purgatory, hands unseen, screams and roars filled the air, accompanied by the harrowing cries of demons and evil ghosts—how could one not be terrified?

Following that day, all of Da Feng was in a state of waiting for prosperity to return. Fortunately, the court had ample funds and materials ready. From the Saint down to officials, there was nationwide solidarity and unity, swiftly focusing efforts on relief and rescue, greatly calming the upheaved people’s hearts.

Despite this, it still took three full years for things to truly stabilize, unlike the tumultuous Kanining Year 2, where internal and external problems prevailed throughout Da Feng, exacerbated by unexpected natural disasters leading to chaos greater than the last years of the previous Emperor, making governance even more challenging.

Fortunately, Emperor Kangning is decisive in his actions; although he lacks experience in governance, he did not shy away from the mess but instead embraced the responsibilities of a Monarch. He disregarded the criticisms of being a tyrant or harsh ruler, prioritizing rapid decisions to stabilize the situation, and valued practical actions from his courtiers, focusing on results rather than processes. Regarding those conservative and ineffective old courtiers, he feared not offending them, leaving them sidelined without hesitation.

Thus, the courtiers close to Emperor Kangning are all capable in politics, and he trusts and employs them freely, swiftly bringing significant reforms to Da Feng’s official system.

Although Emperor Kangning is bold in governance, the intertwined relationships of aristocratic families and relatives pose challenges, requiring considerable effort by officials to maintain their networks. Despite facing numerous difficulties, Da Feng gradually stabilized by Dongmo of Kangning Year 4.