The Undying Transmigrator

Book 2: Chapter 3: Final Years' Prosperous Appearance

Vol 2 Chapter 3: Final Years' Prosperous Appearance

Imperial Capital, Imperial Palace, Diligent Governance Hall.

The emperor repeatedly reviewed memorials, utterly unable to understand why he had lost Heaven's favor. Even the Dao Marshals had hinted that he must focus on handling governmental affairs and refrain from petty maneuvers.

As emperor, he knew best where his power originated.

Not from his imperial guards, not from royal relatives, external relatives, or eunuchs, not from Daoist temple support or people's affection—but purely from his moral character and personal capability as emperor.

Through the connection between heaven and humanity, his every action influenced the fortunes of various regions. He exercised celestial authority, spoke with divine decree. Even millennium-old noble families, if they dared offend imperial dignity, could have their rise or fall determined by his single word. If imperial blood was shed, heads would surely roll.

Therefore, since ascending the throne, he had never dared show the slightest negligence.

His personal life imitated ancient sages. Beyond ensuring adequate nutrition and robust physique, he never indulged in culinary desires. Beyond necessary clothing to display imperial majesty, he never dared any extravagance or waste.

He built no pleasure palaces, sought no immortality, restrained personal desires, distributed wealth to the people, cracked down on academic cliques, suppressed noble families, promoted commoners, and broadened channels for criticism.

He vigorously supported various technological research and development, promoted handicraft and shipbuilding industries, mediated conflicts between regions and ethnic groups, personally visited communities to ensure every decree was accurately implemented.At the very least, he could be considered average.

"Who exactly is hiding problems..."

Nearby, his personal attendant Little Li hesitantly said: "Your Majesty, I've read that land annexation can make common people unable to survive."

The emperor, while reviewing documents again, decisively denied: "That's not the issue here."

"Although I haven't completely nationalized land rights, I regularly suppress land concentration. Various industries flourish, and I firmly control grain rights and prices—no one dares manipulate them. Though not every person is wealthy, absolutely no one starves."

"Even those with nothing to do receive two pounds of spirit rice monthly just for being registered. It's not enough for cultivation needs, but definitely sufficient for a month's sustenance."

Little Li said bitterly: "Perhaps there are too many lazy people."

Little Li said bitterly: "Perhaps there are too many lazy people."

"Little Li, even eunuchs like you enjoy spring palace paintings. Common people have scholarly honors to pursue, martial arts to practice, numerous marvels to purchase, reputations to compete for—naturally they won't be lazy."

Little Li said helplessly: "Your Majesty, please don't tease me. I know I'm not as clever as you. I shouldn't disturb you further."

"One person's wisdom has limits..." The emperor's eyes brightened. "Exactly! My close ministers lack sufficient wisdom. I should announce this matter throughout the land and invite wise people from all regions!"

This approach had never been tried in any dynasty throughout history.

An emperor without virtue losing Heaven's favor, provoking celestial anger and popular resentment—this was naturally a major event that could destabilize a dynasty. All manner of monsters would emerge. But if this couldn't be resolved before natural disasters erupted everywhere, there would be no hope left.

If the situation couldn't change within two years... no, within one year, he could only try abdicating the throne through suicide to see if that could reverse the situation and continue the nation's destiny.

Just then, the Shadow Guard commander's voice came from outside the door: "Your Majesty, urgent matter to report."

"Enter!" The Shadow Guard commander entered the room. The emperor's brush never stopped moving as he said sternly: "Speak!"

"The Shadow Guard discovered that Liang Province laborers aren't receiving normal spirit rice rations but 'pork trotter rice,' and it's provided to all personnel. All are fresh spirit rice and spirit meat."

Someone's rebelling?! Anger flashed in the emperor's eyes.

The most critical requirement for transitioning from laborer to soldier, from Body Forging to Murderous Aura Refining, is meat consumption. But only spirit plants consumed at every meal or spirit beasts born in mystical lands with extraordinary strength can produce spirit meat.

An entire province's laborers, all receiving spirit meat...

After the anger passed, the moment he truly realized what this meant, the emperor felt all his strength drain away, collapsing weakly into his seat.

To produce this much spirit meat required animal husbandry surpassing the entire Chenyao Dynasty's capacity—needing larger population, more advanced technology, broader territory. Not just slightly stronger, but overwhelmingly superior.

Being able to donate spirit meat to another country's laborers—he couldn't even imagine how many soldiers and fierce generals this massive force possessed.

But after several breaths, he recovered and said calmly to the Shadow Guard commander: "Has this pork trotter rice-providing force sent anyone to urge surrender?"

The Shadow Guard commander shook his head: "No surrender urging. The pork trotter rice is provided by a labor supervisor—it's his special ability. He claims that whenever laborers come before him, he can produce a portion of pork trotter rice. Testing confirmed that whether laborers from other provinces or temporarily recruited laborers, all can receive pork trotter rice."

The emperor's expression became one of both amusement and exasperation: "If you frighten me like this again, I'll definitely charge you with deceiving the sovereign."

The emperor's expression became one of both amusement and exasperation: "If you frighten me like this again, I'll definitely charge you with deceiving the sovereign."

The Shadow Guard commander didn't withdraw but continued: "Xu Province discovered a talking monkey that begs everyone for immortality methods."

Talking monkeys aren't rare—whether through simple throat bone refinement or rudimentary transformation arts, such things are possible. But for the Shadow Guard to specifically mention it...

"This monkey—could it be speaking human language without cultivation, without becoming a demon?"

The Shadow Guard commander nodded: "Yes."

Legends say that when a country approaches destruction, monsters appear everywhere. The emperor didn't know if a talking monkey counted as a monster, but... never mind, brutal killing wouldn't help.

"If the monkey hasn't committed evil, let it enter the Daoist temple for cultivation. Inform me if abnormalities appear later."

The Shadow Guard commander nodded: "Yes. Also..."

Before he finished speaking, the Diligent Governance Hall's doors were suddenly thrown open as the current Dao Marshal rushed in.

"Yang Ruixuan, terrible news! The celestial phenomena suddenly changed just now—the Purple Star wavered. This is no longer just end-of-dynasty momentum, but that you're about to die immediately."

"Me, die?" The emperor froze.

Seeing his old friend stunned, the Dao Marshal grabbed him: "No time for nonsense—come with me."

As he spoke, he flicked his fingers, scattering large flames around them.

The emperor immediately snapped back to attention, eyes wide as he demanded: "What are you doing?"

The Dao Marshal instead roared: "If you want to survive, you must prove you're already dead! Besides burning the imperial palace, everyone who would protect you must also die!"

Hearing this, the Shadow Guard commander's long sword left its sheath at his waist, blade turned inward as he calmly looked at the emperor.

Little Li panicked. Watching the rapidly spreading flames, the arguing emperor and Dao Marshal, he didn't know what to do. Seeing the unsheathed cold steel, he steeled his heart: "I'll go first."

"Scram!" The emperor angrily threw an inkstone at Little Li's face, knocking him down. "You don't get to make decisions here!"

He then glared furiously at the Dao Marshal: "Li Yuanjie, remember this—I am the Son of Heaven, bearing the nation's burden, carrying the people's weight. I can die but cannot flee!"

"As long as I live one more day, you cannot betray imperial commands."

"Extinguish the flames!"