"Then what is your purpose?" the man scoffed. "Why must you destabilize the country and make it a laughingstock for hostile nations? What benefit does it bring to the country, the people, or the nation?"
This statement is tantamount to directly blaming Xu Zhengyang.
Xu Zhengyang was not angry. He admired those who had risen to such high positions yet remained fearless and dared to speak their minds to him. Moreover, Xu Zhengyang had just learned about the speculations and doubts in everyone's minds.
"Well, it's understandable that you suspect me." Xu Zhengyang showed no anger at all, but instead smiled calmly and said, "Why don't you ever think about whether it's necessary for me to strive for things like wealth, power, status, and fame?"
Upon hearing this, the hall immediately fell silent.
Those present frowned in thought, and a hint of embarrassment gradually appeared on their faces.
Yes, is Xu Zhengyang necessary?
Rights? Aren't his rights greater than anyone else's?
Power? What's behind him?
Wealth? Does he lack money?
Status? The people present are of high status, but can they be compared to Xu Zhengyang?
As for reputation...
Would the gods care about such empty fame among mortals?
The answer is obvious.
However, what they didn't know was that Xu Zhengyang didn't care about worldly fame, but he cared a great deal about the reputation of gods among mortals. Because that was the food that filled his stomach and fattened him up.
The atmosphere became a little awkward.
Li Ruiyu finally spoke, saying, "Let's not talk about these things anymore. Zhengyang, we still need your help to resolve the matter of the Dao Immortal Technique. We need to work together to minimize the severity of the situation and its impact, and do it as quickly as possible."
“Yes.” Li Ruiqing nodded in agreement.
Xu Zhengyang smiled and nodded, but remained silent.
The one in the middle spoke up: "This is our misunderstanding of you, we are very sorry... Those in positions of power have no choice but to act according to their duties, Zhengyang, please don't take it to heart."
"It's nothing." Xu Zhengyang smiled and nodded to the outspoken old man, proactively expressing that he didn't mind.
The old man was momentarily embarrassed, then smiled gratefully and nodded before saying, "Let's put this issue aside. The situation in various places is not optimistic. My suggestion is still to resolutely suppress them, especially those organizers who instigate and incite the deceived masses to cause trouble. They should be arrested first, and local authorities should resolutely suppress illegal gatherings and protests..."
"Yes, major media outlets should also strictly control their speech and try their best to promote positive and favorable reports."
"We can ignore foreign opinions for now and control the situation as quickly as possible. The longer it drags on, the more detrimental it will be."
...
The opinions discussed were largely the same: to implement strong measures as soon as possible and not to tolerate the situation any longer.
However, some people have suggested that we should be more cautious. If we can find out the culprit and the mastermind behind it, the publicity effect will be much stronger.
After the discussion among Xu Zhengyang and the others quieted down a bit, he said, "Let's do it."
That's a bit pretentious.
It seems like the final decision rests with you?
However, Xu Zhengyang immediately continued, "According to the intelligence you have, arrest the main leaders of the 'Dao Xian Gong' organization in the country. I will make arrangements so that they can all say things that are favorable to us. Um... I am not comfortable using unconventional methods to arrest people, and that is not what you want either."
"In addition, investigate the forces and instigators hiding overseas, especially that Master Jialan. Check his and those forces' identities. If you have specific addresses, that would be best... Or, make a list of suspects and I'll take care of it."
Upon hearing Xu Zhengyang's words, the first question on the minds of those present was: "You, as a deity, actually need our help to investigate?"
However, no one raised this question, so they all agreed.
Surely even the gods have their difficulties?
That's right, Xu Zhengyang is really short on money...
Volume 7, Emperor, Chapter 361: Out of Control
Strictly speaking, Xu Zhengyang is currently not qualified to be the Emperor of the Eastern Heavenly Court.
To put it simply, this is similar to the warlords who declared themselves kings during certain turbulent periods in history. Yes, that's right, they made a grand show of becoming emperors, but apart from their own subordinates, who among the other warlords would take them seriously? They could only roam freely within their own territories.
To put it bluntly, it's because they lack strength and have too little territory.
The problem is that Xu Zhengyang is a special case, with no other powerful figures like him, and even the Heavenly Laws and the Nine Provinces Records, which are responsible for allocating the size of territories, have no choice but to acknowledge his existence.
So it doesn't matter if he's not strong enough, since no one is competing with him for the position.
The important thing is that these territories belong to him, and that's the most important issue.
If it weren't for this reason, Xu Zhengyang would be too busy to mess with powerful artifacts like the Heavenly Laws and the Nine Provinces Records, acting arrogantly and unreasonably.
Whether it's official or temporary, Xu Zhengyang now has the right to presumptuously say things like "I am this and that..." to himself in front of the mirror. Of course, he knows that these kinds of things will eventually come out, not for showing off, but for the sake of management.
Without rules, nothing can be accomplished.
On the night of their arrival in Beijing, Xu Zhengyang met with high-ranking officials to discuss and plan their next move. They then had a simple meal in the special building complex. Afterward, Xu Zhengyang and his father-in-law returned to their villa in the Jingshi Mountain area, outside the Fifth Ring Road.
That night, Xu Zhengyang didn't sleep a wink. He lay in his bedroom and his spirit traveled to the State God's Palace, listening to the reports from all sides. After thinking it over, he issued orders to arrange for the ghost messengers and acting officials to carry out their tasks.
There is simply not enough time, and we have too few people.
According to rough statistics and estimates, the total number of core members and misled individuals within the "Dao Xian Gong" cult across the country is at least over 100,000. Leaving aside this, it's highly unlikely that more than a third of these individuals would actually cause trouble because of such an unrealistic belief.
What is worrying is that many of these minor leaders are secretly being remotely directed by people from abroad to carry out missions and incite their followers to do illegal and risky things.
In such a dire situation, relying solely on the ghost messengers of the various city god temples and a few acting deities to carry out deterrence and suppression is clearly insufficient. Because communication today is simply too advanced and convenient—the internet, telephones, text messages, and all sorts of other methods abound. It's impossible to completely block it.
Around 3 a.m., Xu Zhengyang couldn't calm down, so he got up, left his bedroom, and went to the balcony to smoke and think about the next problem.
He really didn't have much confidence in the cooperation of government departments in the investigation.
Although I know that if these tasks are left to these professional elites, they'll eventually dig deep and uncover the truth. The problem is... by the time they find out, it'll be too late.
Having just finished a cigarette and stubbed it out, the Nine Provinces Records reminded him that Li Haidong, the steward and clerk of the State God's Palace, had something to report.
Xu Zhengyang thought for a moment and then asked, "Speak."
"Sir, according to the information we have so far, members of the various illegal 'Daoist Immortal Technique' organizations are communicating through the internet or mobile communications. They are all being remotely controlled by people overseas," Li Haidong calmly instructed.
Are you still in Haixia City?
“Yes, just now, the Haixia City police dispersed a group of Daoist practitioners who had gathered and caused trouble in front of the municipal government building in the middle of the night,” Li Haidong said. “I’ve contacted other parties, including those within the jurisdiction of our City God Temple. Currently, many people who weren’t originally organizers have contacted us online or by phone. They’ve received instructions from foreign forces…”
Xu Zhengyang frowned and said, "Can you find out the hiding places of those overseas forces? And who exactly are they?"
“That’s probably very difficult,” Li Haidong said with difficulty. “Even if we manage to contact the relevant departments in the secular world, with today’s technology and communication, it’s very difficult to track down their whereabouts if they deliberately want to hide.”
"Pass the word down to arrest a few key leaders!" Xu Zhengyang said resolutely, "They can take lives and souls, and inflict torture!"
Li Haidong paused for a moment, then immediately replied, "Yes."
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Xu Zhengyang lit another cigarette and gazed at the twinkling stars in the deep night sky outside the window.
Xu Zhengyang ignored the constant reminders and protests from the Nine Provinces Records and Heavenly Laws in his mind caused by the order he had just given.
In his pursuit of promotion and to gain more faith, he recklessly persecuted ordinary people, carrying out terrifying campaigns against them. He also spread the sayings "Heaven is watching" and "Man proposes, God disposes," instilling fear and trepidation in all who experienced his actions.
But now that I think about it, if we continued doing things this way...
It will only confuse people's minds.
Does he really have to stand face-to-face with the media and publicly declare: "I am the Emperor of the Eastern Heavenly Court. The Heavenly Court has rules and regulations. Mortals should not harbor any hope of becoming immortals or gods. Only by being honest and upright, and striving upwards with a kind heart, can one possibly be reincarnated and enjoy blessings in the next life?"
This is obviously not acceptable.
But if we don't do it this way, and if we don't make this clear to people, then in today's society, once people acknowledge the existence of gods, how many people will try every means to pursue the Way of Heaven and immortality?
That would really cause chaos.
Xu Zhengyang's heart was in turmoil...
...
After spending another day in the capital, Xu Zhengyang, Li Ruiqing, and high-ranking officials from relevant security departments listened to work reports from the various prefectural governments and discussed with these officials how to cooperate and how to arrange the work ahead.
The document has been issued regarding the arrest of ringleaders in various "Taoist Immortal Cultivation" organizations.
Given the current convenience and speed of communication, it is believed that various regions have already begun to implement preliminary and forceful suppression measures.
The results were remarkable, but Xu Zhengyang was unable to mobilize enough subordinates to complete what he had promised. He used unconventional methods to force these key members of the "Dao Xian Gong" organization to confess and admit that "Dao Xian Gong" was a fraud.
Moreover, due to the remote command of foreign forces, it seems that there is no absolute leader in the "Dao Xian Gong" organizations in various places. Anyone who is addicted to it and brainwashed could become an organizer.
Should we arrest them all?
Following urgent consultations, new documents were issued to local authorities, emphasizing the need to strengthen security and prevent similar gatherings and disturbances from recurring. Working groups were also dispatched to conduct door-to-door visits, offering advice and guidance. Those who resisted stubbornly or even violently were to be arrested immediately.
In such a chaotic situation, the occasional inexplicable death of a few people would naturally go unnoticed.
Moreover, before each of them died, they would open their throats and wail in front of all the Dao Xian Gong believers, regretting that they should not have believed in "Dao Xian Gong" and should not have deceived themselves and others!
What a terrifying and horrifying scene!
This directly shocked some people, who simply gave up cultivating the Daoist Immortal Arts. The reason was simple: our leader, who had reached a certain level in cultivating the Daoist Immortal Arts, had died so cruelly? What was the point of us practicing it then?
On another level, the organizers of Dao Xian Gong, and even foreign forces, do not make any statement about this strange event, and do not allow their followers to have any doubts about it; and the authorities do not pay much attention to it either, since they would rather all of these people die so that we can be at peace and not have to be nervous and busy all the time.
The day passed just like that.
Looking at every little detail, it seems that a day is not enough for anything to happen.
However, Xu Zhengyang wasn't looking at the small details, but rather at the overall changes in the situation.
A single spark can start a prairie fire. It seems that none of those who died could withstand the tortures within the City God's Palace, which were even more cruel than those in hell, and obediently confess everything they knew.
They don't need to know too much; just revealing the exact location where the so-called Master Jialan is currently hiding is enough.
Xu Zhengyang knew very well that it was impossible to expect these nobodyes to uncover the real mastermind behind the scenes.
Xu Zhengyang still didn't sleep that night.
He wasn't sleepy at all. Firstly, the situation was tense, and secondly, his strength had now reached the level of the Four Imperial Star Lords. Let alone not sleeping for two or three days, he probably wouldn't have any problem even if he didn't sleep for two or three years.
As Xu Zhengyang and the government intensified their control measures, the "Dao Xian Gong" organization escalated its protests across various regions. In a few places, acts of vandalism, looting, and arson occurred, and there were even major incidents of attacks on local police and government departments. Of course, those who committed such foolish acts did expand their influence, but the result was that all those involved were arrested.
How stupid... He was sold out and he's still counting the money for the seller.
Xu Zhengyang arrived in Beijing around 7 a.m. on the third day.
Hu Zhixin, the captain of the ghost messengers of the City God's Mansion in Beijing, reported a special situation to Judge Li Haidong. The ghost messengers stationed in the City God's Mansion in Beijing discovered an emergency: believers of the "Dao Xian Gong" cult, who have come from all over the country, are going to meditate and protest outside the central square of Beijing and the office building of the highest government agency.
This news shocked Li Haidong, who rushed to the capital while simultaneously reporting the situation to Xu Zhengyang.