Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey!

At this moment, an imposing Taishi Chair had been set up on the execution platform, and seated on it was none other than the Prime Minister Tuotuo of this dynasty. Tuotuo sat there looking as steady as an old dog on the surface, but inwardly he was a bit flustered, unsure whether Dharma Ba would agree to his request.

Right now, the person he feared most was Hama. As long as Hama could die on the road, then on the court’s side he would be the sole overlord. By then, even if the Emperor grew dissatisfied with him and wanted to replace him, it wouldn’t be something that could be done in a day or two. Because of that, he was quite confident.

So the outcome of today’s battle, the deciding hand, rested on Dharma Ba.

Tuotuo brooded over this, while from time to time someone came up to report news from the execution ground.

For example, they’d discovered a few Jianghu people getting restless, seemingly wanting to storm the execution ground. Hearing this, Tuotuo immediately laughed. Well now, at a time like this there were still dumb thieves who wanted to raid the execution ground and rescue the Little Ming King.

Tuotuo thought for a moment and said, ”Don’t touch them yet. Let them raid. Let them raid openly and grandly.”

Tuotuo had felt this execution ground was missing a bit of flavor; now with these would‑be raiders, things were getting interesting. After all, the dignified Little Ming King was being executed—how could the Zoroastrian Sect possibly not come to raid the execution ground? If they let him be killed this smoothly, that would actually become a flaw.

Having thought it through, Tuotuo immediately ordered people to clear space for these dear Jianghu folks, let them raid in full view, and make sure the commotion was as big as possible. After all, there weren’t many idiots of this caliber.

This wasn’t Tuotuo talking nonsense. This bunch of Jianghu people who wanted to raid the execution ground right now really were idiots, no mistake.

Moreover, their identities definitely weren’t Red Turban Army, because within the Red Turban Army they already knew the Little Ming King had been rescued, so they had long since withdrawn.

Those who hadn’t run, and instead wanted to raid the execution ground to make a name for themselves, were obviously those fringe Jianghu people, the scraps, who hadn’t coordinated with the Zoroastrian Sect at all.

If they’d so much as known a minor small leader of the Zoroastrian Sect, they wouldn’t possibly step out at a time like this to raid the execution ground.

Tuotuo’s lips curved in a slight smile. In this string of setbacks, he’d finally managed to give himself one piece of good news. Even though it wasn’t much, it was enough to ease his mind a little.

At this time Tuotuo gave orders down the line: they must properly, and with emphasis, protect these Jianghu people who wanted to raid the execution ground, and under no circumstances let them be discovered by the government soldiers on duty.

Later, when they started making trouble, they were to be let in as much as possible—ideally, they’d even come close to touching the execution platform!

After Tuotuo finished speaking, everyone suddenly understood: Lord Tuo Tuo intended to treat these people as if they were members of the Zoroastrian Sect.

His subordinates immediately responded in the affirmative.

Just then, they saw a group of fast horses galloping from the direction of the Imperial Palace. In no time the riders reached them, and one came straight up to Tuotuo. As Tuotuo watched him approach, he never took his eyes off him, because he knew the messenger must be bringing the news he cared about most.

Soon the man reached Tuotuo. He was just about to salute when Tuotuo said, ”Forget it. Well?”

The man heard this and said, ”Master Dharma Ba has already agreed to act, and when I left I saw Master already riding out of the city.”

”Hoo!”

Hearing this, Tuotuo let out a breath, his whole body relaxing at once. It was done. With Dharma Ba taking action, Tuotuo didn’t believe anyone could stop him.

After all, the Zoroastrian Sect’s objective had already been achieved. He’d received word that Liu Futong and Fang Guozhen had already left the Great Capital’s territory and parted ways in Hebei Territory: Liu Futong headed west toward Bright Peak.

And Fang Guozhen had gone straight for the South Sea, leaving in a great hurry, as if some urgent matter awaited him.

And now, in the vicinity of the Great Capital, there was simply no one who could stand against Dharma Ba. Thus, in the hands of this Molten God Second Transition expert, no one would be able to keep Hama alive.

As long as Hama was dead, there would be no one left who could speak in the Emperor’s ear, and those around the Emperor...

Hmph!

Tuotuo’s face was full of disdain. The people of the Imperial Palace had basically all been corrupted by him. If not for the Living Buddha sitting there holding things down, he wouldn’t even need this much talking—he could simply climb up high and issue a call, launch a palace coup, and then set up another Little Emperor and rule as regent.

But with the Living Buddha present, it was very hard for him to lay hands on the Emperor’s powers. He had no choice but to use this kind of method: as long as the Emperor had no conclusive evidence, he couldn’t do anything to him.

Nor could the Living Buddha easily intervene. At present, the Living Buddha’s role was essentially to support and protect Imperial Power. As long as Tuotuo didn’t directly meddle with Imperial Power, the Living Buddha was disinclined to move against him.

So now, once Hama was dead, the Emperor would simply have no way to hear the truth. By then, with his methods, even curbing the princes’ power wouldn’t be out of reach. The Ruyang King said he would drag this out with Tuotuo to the bitter end—well then, Tuotuo really wanted to see just how he planned to drag it out to the bitter end!

Thinking this, Tuotuo’s mood was excellent, but at that moment the courier standing to the side still hadn’t left. Tuotuo glanced at him and said, ”Something else?”

The courier was silent for a moment, then spoke: ”Lord, Master Dharma Ba had another sentence he asked me to bring you as he left.”

Tuotuo heard this and looked at the courier. ”What did he say?”

The courier hesitated a moment, then said, ”Master Dharma Ba said: from this moment, all sentiment is severed...”

Hearing the courier’s words, Tuotuo let out a sigh, then waved his hand in weary dismissal. He wasn’t lamenting the bond between himself and Dharma Ba; he was lamenting that he hadn’t expected this affair would force him to play such an important card.

Understanding this, Tuotuo’s mood grew exceedingly heavy.

No one knew how long it was before Tuotuo recovered. He muttered twice under his breath, ”What a pity, what a pity~”