“Greetings, Great God of Hell!”
The Tang Emperor didn't treat himself like an emperor at all, immediately bowing to Chu Hao upon arrival.
Chu Hao chuckled,
“You are an emperor of the mortal realm, equal in honor to the Supreme of the Three Realms, no need for such courtesy.”
However, the Tang Emperor said solemnly:
“An emperor of the mortal realm is but a fish on a chopping board. Moreover, Great God of Hell, you have shown great kindness to the Tang Dynasty and even greater kindness to me. If it weren't for you this time, I would surely have been subjected to all sorts of intimidation from the Western Heavens. You deserve this bow!”
After the Tang Emperor finished speaking, he bowed again.
Chu Hao waved his hand, “Alright, alright, come and sit down, don't stand on ceremony.”
The Tang Emperor went straight to the point:
“Are you here to discuss the Water and Land Assembly? Rest assured, I will definitely hold it on a grand scale, and I am not just saying that.”
Chu Hao raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, “It seems you have your own plans, tell me what you are thinking.”
Chu Hao used the Heaven Concealing Talisman, so naturally, there was no need to worry about being spied on.
The Tang Emperor immediately said:
“To be honest, Great God of Hell, I have long planned to attack the Buddhist kingdom of Tianzhu, and I am already making preparations.”
“This time, the Western Sect dared to forcibly hook my soul, attempting to intimidate me. Although it was exposed, I know clearly what they are after.”
“Since ancient times, in war, winning hearts is paramount. Whether it is the Buddhist kingdom of Tianzhu or the entire Western Niu He Continent, they all respect the Western teachings.”
“My intention in introducing Buddhism is to reform it. Once I can conquer the Buddhist kingdom of Tianzhu, I can use the new teachings to confuse and subtly change those believers, using a gentle approach to eradicate their faith!”
Using a gentle approach to eradicate their faith!
Chu Hao raised his eyebrows high, unable to help but exclaim in surprise:
“Good lad, so that's what you're planning!”
“Not bad, not bad, young man, you have some good ideas.”
Chu Hao was genuinely taken aback, not expecting the Tang Emperor to think so far ahead, yet it was also very practical.
Assuming he could conquer the Western Niu He Continent, if he only used forceful means, the natives who had believed in the Western teachings for countless years would naturally find it extremely difficult to integrate into the Tang Dynasty and would be even more difficult to manage.
But the Tang Emperor's move was to directly reform Buddhism, using the stone from another mountain to polish his own jade!
To put it simply.
Only Buddhism can defeat Buddhism.
And the Tang Emperor's move was even more ruthless, especially from Chu Hao's perspective, this was simply cutting off the lifeblood of the Western Heavens!
As everyone knows, the Western Heavens are supported by the power of faith and incense from believers. The endless merit in that pool of merit is all condensed because of the believers' faith.
But once the Tang Emperor's plan succeeds, after conquering the Buddhist kingdom of Tianzhu, he could pull a switcheroo, and those believers would unknowingly transfer their faith.
In the eyes of those believers, they are all worshiping Buddha anyway, they don't care about the real or fake Buddha, and if there is official promotion, they will quickly shift their faith.
But, this is absolutely fatal for the Western Heavens!
If the believers believe in a fake Buddha, then the Western Heavens will no longer receive any incense, and that would truly cut off the source of the Western Heavens!
Chu Hao looked at the Tang Emperor with a strange expression, “Do you know what this means?”
The Tang Emperor was stunned, and asked in confusion: “I just think that this way of teaching the people will not take too much effort. Great God of Hell, am I doing something wrong?”
Chu Hao was stunned. It seemed that the Tang Emperor didn't know that this was cutting off the lifeblood of the Western Heavens!
Chu Hao was beginning to doubt the arrangements of fate, which were always so bizarre.
Originally, the existence of the Water and Land Assembly was intended by the Western Heavens to introduce superior Buddhism to the Southern Jambudvipa, harvesting the faith of the Southern Jambudvipa.
But now, the Tang Emperor actually wants to use this Buddhism to reform faith and cut off the foundation of the Western Heavens!
