138: Remove the firewood from under the cauldron

“Host, our goal isn't to fight bravely, but the earth vein core.”

The main duty of an Incense God is to protect, not to battle.

“Once Yan Province truly becomes a governed territory, those ugly things, won’t the Host be able to easily handle them?”

Deities of the Incense Dao are relatively weak in the early stages and have many restrictions.

Although the System didn’t want to admit it, it was the truth.

Even though its Host wasn't following the traditional Incense Godhood path, the time was too short, so being a bit weak was understandable.

The strong have their methods, and the weak have their means.

As long as Yan Province became a governed territory, these few mummified corpses could be easily dealt with.

“System, do you mean we bypass the mummified corpse mini-boss and go directly to place the earth vein core?”

As the System said that, a sudden flash of insight struck Lin Chuping.

“That’s right! How could I not have thought of that!”

“A brilliant move, pulling the rug out from under them.”

The more Lin Chuping thought about it, the more excited he became: “No matter how strong those mummified corpses are, they aren’t invincible in the end. The earth vein core is their bane! If we just bury the earth vein core…”

“When Qing Province becomes my governed territory, I’ll go meet that mummified corpse mini-boss from today again.”

The more Lin Chuping thought about it, the more excited he got, pacing back and forth in the temple, then suddenly stopping.

“To place the earth vein core, there are only three steps needed right now.”

“First, I need to find the exact location of the Yan Province’s earth vein core.”

“Next, Tong Ge, you give me a map and mark these mummified corpses directly as red names.”

“Finally, I just need to bypass these red names and head straight for the destination.”

No problem, plan complete!

“System, what if there are demons lurking near the target location?”

If he rushed over excitedly, only to find the earth vein core surrounded by demons, that would truly be delivering himself as takeout.

“Host, there’s nothing that can be done then. You’ll have to pray for your own good fortune.”

Lin Chuping: “…”

He thought the System could come up with some practical solution, but this was it?

It seemed the System was also at its wit’s end.

Recovery from injuries takes time, and Lin Chuping had no other options at the moment.

Lin Chuping sighed deeply, sat cross-legged on the prayer mat in front of the divine statue: “Tong Ge, I’ll first meditate to recover from my injuries.”

“If there’s a need, wake me up.”

“Host, feel free to do so.”

* * *

Seven days later, Li Shun returned to the capital.

Inside the Golden Luan Hall.

Li Shun sat on the Dragon Throne, his gaze sharp, watching the assembled officials below.

“My beloved ministers, during My recent trip to Qing Province, I personally witnessed the peaceful and prosperous lives of the people there, and I also saw the Divine Might of Lord Chuping. Now, with disasters rampant and the people suffering immensely, My decision is made: to relocate the capital to Qing Province, to resolve the difficulties of Great Yan and ensure the safety of My Great Yan citizens!”

Li Shun’s voice was loud, every word firm and resonant.

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.

“This…”

“No, absolutely not.”

“Relocating the capital, this is no small matter.”

“The capital is the Foundation of our Great Yan! How can it be relocated?”

“Your Majesty is young after all.”

“Chancellor Liu, you are a veteran of three dynasties, you cannot stand by and watch Your Majesty act so recklessly!”

Chancellor Liu, seeing that the atmosphere was ripe, stepped forward gracefully and bowed.

“Your Majesty! This action is absolutely impermissible! Our Great Yan has been established here for hundreds of years, its Foundation is deep, and the ancestral legacy is all in this place. Relocating the capital to Qing Province would exhaust the people and resources, shaking the very Foundation of the nation. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!”

As Chancellor Liu finished speaking, more than half of the officials kowtowed and knelt.

“We implore Your Majesty to reconsider!”

Seeing this situation, Li Shun felt a chill in his heart. Although two years had passed, seeing this scene, he still couldn't help but want to curse his father.

If it weren't for his early-deceased, muddled father, how could he be so passive?

“Chancellor Liu, you only know of the ancestral legacy, but have you ever considered that the people of Great Yan are suffering immensely?”

Li Shun stared intently at Chancellor Liu, “As the monarch of a nation, I must prioritize the well-being of the common people. Qing Province has the protection of a Divine Being. If we relocate the capital there, it will not only save the people of Great Yan but also allow our Great Yan to prosper!”

Chancellor Liu’s heart sank.

The people he sent out had not sent back any news, and he hadn’t taken it too seriously.

It was probably just some trickery by something pretending to be a god.

He hadn't expected His Majesty to return so quickly and be so certain about the matter of Lord Chuping in Qing Province.

Could the matter of Lord Chuping be true?

That’s highly unlikely!

Chancellor Liu shook his head repeatedly in denial in his heart.

“Your Majesty, these are just baseless rumors! The so-called Divine protection is merely a folk tale; how can it be used as a basis for relocating the capital? Furthermore, the matter of relocating the capital involves a wide range of issues. The industries of court officials and aristocratic families are all located here. Rashly relocating the capital will inevitably cause much dissatisfaction, and the court may face instability!”

In the end, he was still using a bunch of circular arguments to fob him off.

Li Shun snorted coldly, “Court instability? Does watching the people suffer and the nation fall apart not cause instability? My mind is made up; this matter needs no further discussion!”

At this moment, another old official tremblingly stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, Chancellor Liu’s words are absolutely correct. Relocating the capital is by no means a small matter and requires careful consideration. Currently, our Great Yan’s Foundation is here. Rashly relocating will make it difficult to resolve numerous issues such as grain transportation and the resettlement of the populace. I implore Your Majesty to withdraw your decree!”

This elder was precisely Li Shun’s teacher, the Grand Tutor of the current court.

Seeing him also agree with Chancellor Liu, Li Shun suddenly felt a sense of betrayal.

“I truly didn’t expect this! Grand Tutor Wang, you’ve hidden yourself very well!”

Li Shun slammed his hand on the armrest of the Dragon Throne.

“Enough! You always use these excuses to fob Me off! Are you just going to watch the people of Yan Province be harmed by demons? I personally witnessed Lord Chuping manifest His divinity during My trip to Qing Province. Although He can only protect Qing Province for now, as long as we relocate the capital and utilize His Divine Power, we will surely wipe out the demons and revitalize Great Yan!”

“Your Majesty has been deceived by evildoers!”

Chancellor Liu’s veins bulged on his forehead, “Since ancient times, governing a nation has relied on civil and military achievements; there is no logic in placing hope in ghosts and deities!”

“Civil and military achievements? What has the court done for the people these past years? The officials sent out are either corrupt or incompetent, and the army has repeatedly suffered defeats!”

Li Shun’s eyes widened in fury, “Only by relocating the capital to Qing Province and utilizing Lord Chuping’s power is the only way out! Chancellor Liu, if you continue to obstruct, you are disregarding the common people of the world and are a sinner of Our Great Yan!”

The atmosphere in the hall was tense, with officials exchanging glances, unsure of what to do.

Chancellor Liu’s face was flushed red, and he wanted to speak again, but Li Shun raised a hand to stop him: “This matter is decided. Preparations for the capital’s relocation will begin tomorrow. Any dissenters will be treated as defying an imperial decree! Court dismissed!”

With that, Li Shun rose and flicked his sleeves, leaving the officials in the hall standing dumbfounded, discussing among themselves.