Martial Cultivator-Chapter 476.2: Living with Dignity - Part 2

Outside the Infatuation Daoist Temple.

The Temple Master stood on the mountain path, with a calm expression, while the two monarchs stood with hands behind their backs, calm and collected.

The Demon Emperor smiled, "How about this?"

The Great Liang Emperor said calmly, "Excellent."

The Temple Master nodded in agreement, "Not bad."

"Since it's decided, We shall take Our leave."

The Demon Emperor turned around to descend the mountain.

Suddenly, the Temple Master called out, "Your Majesty isn't planning to visit other places?"

The Demon Emperor stopped his footsteps and asked, "Where do you suggest We go? To see that old monk, or that sword user?"

The Temple Master smiled, "They are more interesting than me. The old monk knows much, and as for that sword user, if it comes to a fight, Your Majesty would surely be very satisfied."

The Demon Emperor smiled faintly, said nothing, and turned into a wisp of demonic qi, instantly dissipating between heaven and earth.

The Great Liang Emperor looked up.

The Temple Master glanced again at the Great Liang Emperor and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think? Would you like to come inside the temple for a cup of tea?"

The Great Liang Emperor said softly, "If We were to enter, would you regret not attempting to kill Us back then?"

"The past is gone, there's nothing to regret. A figure of great talent and bold vision such as Your Majesty should not meet such an end even if you're going to die."

The Temple Master smiled and said, "Honestly speaking, if not for my current position, this penniless daoist would have wanted to befriend a character like Your Majesty."

The Great Liang Emperor said calmly, "You and I could never be friends in this lifetime."

The Temple Master sighed, "That's why I feel regret." 𝒻𝑟𝑒𝓮𝔀ℯ𝓫𝓃𝑜𝓋𝑒𝘭.𝑐𝓸𝓶

"However, perhaps one day you'll die by Our hands, or perhaps We might die by yours. Such things are unpredictable."

The Great Liang Emperor was indifferent to such matters. Whatever the outcome, it would be as it should be. Would it not happen simply because one refused to accept it? That was impossible.

Temple Master said softly, "Why does Your Majesty need to be like this? With how things currently are, everyone has leeway."

The Great Liang Emperor was not in a hurry to speak. Instead, he quietly glanced at the Infatuation Daoist Temple in the distance before saying, "Back then, the late Emperor's decision not to choose Us to ascend the throne, wasn't it for the same reason as yours? If one can't accomplish anything in one's lifetime, then just live honestly and happily. But now that we're here with so many possibilities, if you do nothing, would you be content?"

The Temple Master smiled, "Different places, different people. This penniless daoist can't think of and won't think of it. Your Majesty and I talking about these things, it's like whistling in the wind; might go on for three days and nights without a conclusion. However, what Your Majesty wants to do, we can only do our part."

The Great Liang Emperor smiled indifferently, "Between you and me, between Great Liang and the foreign lands, the stories are long. Let's take our time to tell those stories and see how it pans out."

The Temple Master smiled, "Fortunately, there are some good disciples in this penniless daoist's temple. I believe they won't disappoint. Your Majesty should be careful instead."

"We have pretty good youngsters too."

The Great Liang Emperor glanced at the Temple Master and dissipated from the mountain path.

The Temple Master looked at where the Great Liang Emperor disappeared, murmuring softly, How troublesome."

——

At the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty, the founding emperor convened his key ministers to compile the Great Liang's laws, establishing stringent laws for the entire Great Liang Dynasty. Many laws from the previous dynasty were abolished, and there were significant changes in the governmental structure. However, some things remained unchanged, such as the imperial examination system, which continued without any modifications from the previous dynasty.

There were countless other matters, both major and minor, that could take more than three days to fully discuss. Among these, one particular issue sparked widespread debate.

This was the issue of the Grand Historian.

Throughout various dynasties, the position of Grand Historian, much like the throne, was hereditary. It was passed from father to son, and if there were no son, then from brother to brother. However, during the reign of the founding emperor, many officials petitioned to abolish this system. Their reason was simple: the hereditary succession of Grand Historian did not guarantee that each generation would be upright and impartial. Since historical records were of utmost importance, many ministers proposed that the position of Grand Historian be appointed by the Ministry of Personnel to ensure that future Grand Historians would be just and incorruptible. This issue caused a great uproar in the Divine Capital, culminating in the last Grand Historian of the previous dynasty committing suicide in front of the imperial city.

At that time, the founding emperor looked at the corpse of the Grand Historian and just said one thing, "If he can do this, what is there to worry about?"

Thus, things remained unchanged. Over the two hundred years since the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty, the position of Grand Historian had been passed down through several generations, ultimately maintaining its hereditary tradition.

Today was the beginning of the month, and as usual, the Grand Historian had compiled and bound all significant events recorded from the previous month. He then brought these records to the Historical Pavilion within the Imperial City for storage.

The Historical Pavilion was located within the imperial city and it was typically under strict guard. Besides a few assistant historians and the Grand Historian, no one else was permitted entry, not even the Premier.

However, upon arriving at the Historical Pavilion today, the Grand Historian noticed that the main door was wide open, which was highly unusual. With a grim expression, he looked at the two guards standing outside the door and asked, "What's going on?"

The two guards smiled bitterly and just replied softly, "Your Excellency, you'll understand once you go inside."

The Grand Historian snorted but said nothing more, quickly stepping inside.

The layout of the Historical Pavilion was simple, consisting of row after row of shelves. The shelves were entirely black and had a peculiar sheen, not made of wood but of a special kind of metal that was resistant to fire and water. On these shelves were boxes of the same material, used to store the historical records. The history of a dynasty was preserved here, and any damage to these records would be an irreparable loss.

Carrying the files, the Grand Historian walked forward and soon saw a figure standing before one of the shelves. Just as he was about to speak, the Grand Historian froze upon recognizing who it was.

"Your Majesty."

Placing the documents aside, the Grand Historian gave a bow.

The person who had arrived was none other than the Great Liang Emperor.

The Great Liang Emperor did not turn around but instead looked at the table by the window and asked, "Is that where you usually write the historical records?"

The Grand Historian did not answer this question, instead expressing some anger, "Your Majesty, according to the ancestral rules, you should not be here."

The historical records not only recorded the major and minor events of the Great Liang Dynasty on a daily basis, but also the most important details of the emperor's daily life. These records were meticulously documented to ensure that the life of every emperor was fully chronicled.

According to the rules, the emperor was not permitted to enter the Historical Pavilion, let alone view the records.

The Great Liang Emperor glanced at the Grand Historian and directly stated, "We want to see how the chronicles recorded that incident from years ago."

The current emperor, though not flawless in all his actions since ascending the throne, was undoubtedly a ruler of great talent and ambition. As a whole, he was definitely worthy of being called a monarch of great talent and ambition. However, the deeds he had carried out before and shortly after his ascension remain difficult to evaluate.

"Your Majesty, according to ancestral rules, you cannot view the chronicles of the current reign, especially those concerning yourself."

The Grand Historian shook his head with a firm tone.

The Great Liang Emperor looked at him. "What if We insist on seeing them?"

The Grand Historian raised his head and met the emperor's gaze directly. "Then you'll have to kill this subject first, for as long as this subject lives, I'll not allow it."

The Great Liang Emperor smiled. "You're truly not afraid of death."

"Since this subject is the Grand Historian, I must stand firm. Otherwise, this subject would be letting down the ancestors and the official robes that I'm wearing."

The Grand Historian was unwilling to compromise, even in the face of death.

The Great Liang Emperor smiled and said. "We just want to look, not changing anything."

The Grand Historian still shook his head. "No."

The Great Liang Emperor did not get angry and asked again, "Then can We look at the part about the Empress?"

"No."

The Grand Historian still refused.

The Great Liang Emperor said nothing, just went over to the desk and sat down, saying, "Since you won't let Us see, then you tell Us what is written there."

The Grand Historian shook his head, saying sternly, "Your Majesty, no."

The Great Liang Emperor looked at him and did not speak.

The Grand Historian said solemnly, "Your Majesty, according to ancestral rules, this subject must record today's events. Additionally, I ask that Your Majesty leave this place immediately."

The Great Liang Emperor ignored him and just turned to look out the window, smiling.