130: venomous nature

"Your Imperial Father? Heh—"

"A muddle-headed ruler who can't even be bothered to approve memorials, does he deserve to seek immortality? I've seen shameless people, but never anyone this shameless."

The System babbled on, as if its words were laced with poison.

If Lin Chuping hadn't been asleep right now, he would have been greatly astonished and grateful for the System's usual 'care' towards him.

"With his body hollowed out by wine and women, what's the difference between him taking an Immortal Pill and taking arsenic?"

Li Shun: "..."

Speechless, but not daring to retort.

This was far from the celestial aura he had imagined; it was more like a market shrew cursing in the street, completely different from what Shen Jianhong had described.

This was too sharp.

Li Shun: I'll endure it.

"Lord God..."

He was interrupted as soon as he spoke.

"What? Going to seek justice for your father?"

"This System specializes in curing all kinds of insubordination. Want to try it?"

Li Shun immediately swallowed his rebuttal: "...I wouldn't dare."

But what was the System?

The System hummed a tuneless tune contentedly, continuing its tirade: "Your Li family's ancestral grave must have been emitting black smoke to raise such a..."

"Lord God!"

Li Shun suddenly raised his voice, then instantly cowered, bending even lower: "...Please... please give the people of Great Yan a chance."

Seeing that Lord God did not speak, Li Shun gritted his teeth and pressed on.

"Lord God, although the late emperor was muddle-headed in his later years, he ultimately did not commit any great wrongs. The people of this world are innocent. If I can cleanse the imperial court, I will surely gather the court's elites, attack the demons, and revive Great Yan."

A passionate speech that made the System drowsy.

It felt like it was being CPU'd.

From ancient times to the present, moral blackmail has always followed the same routine.

Can't there be some innovation!

"Don't try to morally blackmail me either. This imperial court has been corrupt for a long time; in my opinion, there's not much point in saving it."

The System wasn't just being sarcastic; it genuinely felt that way.

The feudal System was like a tumor, recurring endlessly. The more it was patched up, the deeper the poisoning.

The Host's family in the previous life was exactly like this, eventually paying a heavy price to finally excise this tumor rooted in the nation's Soul.

Generations of effort, the pain of being flayed and deboned.

Of course, Li Shun would not understand these deeper meanings.

He gritted his teeth, his voice firm: "Lord God, the people of Great Yan are my subjects; I cannot watch them suffer. Even if the road ahead is fraught with difficulties, I will try for the sake of the people of the world."

The System was silent for a moment, seemingly scrutinizing Li Shun's resolve.

Unfortunately, the System, unlike the Host, couldn't directly see Luck.

Alas.

It sighed softly, its tone softening slightly.

"Fine, since you are so insistent, I will say no more. However—"

It changed its tone, with a hint of playfulness, "Come back to worship at this time tomorrow. My mood is not good today, and I can't be bothered to waste more words with you."

Li Shun was stunned, then respectfully bowed: "Yes, Lord God. I will surely come on time tomorrow."

The System snorted coldly: "Remember to bring some decent offerings, don't try to fob me off with those perfunctory things."

Li Shun quickly agreed: "Certainly, certainly."

After Li Shun retreated, the System muttered softly.

"This kid seems a bit stronger than his muddle-headed old father; at least he has some responsibility. But well... the road is still long."

* * *

On the other side, Li Shun walked out of the ancestral hall, looked up at the sky, his heart a mix of emotions.

Although today's trip did not achieve his desired outcome, at least the Lord God was willing to give him a chance.

In the study, candlelight flickered.

Li Shun sat at the desk, his fingertips gently tapping the tabletop, his expression grave.

"Your Majesty, you've returned from the temple?"

Shen Jianhong pushed the door open. Seeing Li Shun's displeased expression, he involuntarily softened his voice.

Li Shun looked up at him, giving a bitter smile.

"I've returned, but... the situation is more complicated than expected."

Shen Jianhong frowned slightly, saying in a low voice.

"Lord Chuping is unwilling to help?"

"It's not a complete refusal."

Li Shun rubbed his temples, "It's just... His temper is far from the 'celestial aura' you described."

Shen Jianhong was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Li Shun sighed, recounting the entire conversation in the ancestral hall.

"...So, He cursed the late emperor and told me to bring offerings again tomorrow?"

After listening, Shen Jianhong's expression was subtle.

"Not only that."

Li Shun shook his head, "He also mocked me for moral blackmail, and even..."

Although he didn't know what moral blackmail meant, it probably wasn't a good term.

He paused, finding it somewhat difficult to say.

"...He also specifically asked for braised beef, thinly sliced."

Shen Jianhong: "..."

The air solidified for a moment.

Their Emperor probably didn't encounter a fake Lord Chuping, did he? The Emperor's word was law, he wouldn't stoop to joking about such things.

After a long while, Shen Jianhong cleared his throat, barely maintaining a serious expression.

"Your Majesty, perhaps... this 'Lord God' has an eccentric personality, but since He is willing to state conditions, it means He is not entirely unapproachable."

Li Shun gave a bitter smile: "The problem is, His attitude is truly hard to fathom. If it were just about wanting some offerings, that would be fine, but He seems to have no respect for the imperial court or the Li family..."

Shen Jianhong pondered for a moment, then suddenly said: "Your Majesty, you said He called Himself 'System'?"

Shen Jianhong had never truly witnessed Lord Chuping's manifestation, but based on Shen Jianxing's description, this Lord Chuping should be completely unrelated to what His Majesty described.

And how could Lord Chuping call Himself the System?

Li Shun nodded, "He doesn't seem to be a god in the traditional sense, but rather some kind of... artifact that has gained sentience?"

A flicker of thought passed through Shen Jianhong's eyes.

Based on Granny Chen's description, he could confirm that this was indeed Lord Chuping's temple. Since this System appeared in the temple, it must be Lord Chuping's subordinate.

Or perhaps a boy attendant under His command?

"Perhaps we can start with His 'needs'."

"Needs?"

Li Shun was puzzled.

"Precisely."

Shen Jianhong lowered his voice, "Since He can bargain, it means He desires something. Perhaps we can try to ascertain what He truly wants."

Li Shun's eyes flickered: "You mean... to cater to His preferences?"

Shen Jianhong nodded: "He wants braised beef, so we give it to Him, and even more. But at the same time, we can also test His bottom line—for example, whether He truly has the ability to help us fight against the demons?"

Li Shun pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"That makes sense. However..." He paused, somewhat helpless.

"Given His temper, He probably won't yield easily."

Shen Jianhong smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, the art of negotiation is nothing more than 'carrot and stick'. Since He enjoys mocking, we will go along with His nature, but we must also make Him understand—if Great Yan falls, He may not be able to escape unscathed either."

A sharp glint flashed in Li Shun's eyes: "You mean... threaten Him?"

"No, it's cooperation." Shen Jianhong shook his head, "We can show Him that joining forces with us will also be beneficial to Him."