The Mysterious Ming Dynasty: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Chapter 2 Huh? How did you die?

"Those who steal the Golden Elixir from the Tushita Heaven and descend to the mortal realm without permission, wreaking havoc on the world, falsely accepting prayers from the people, bringing misfortune and fortune, and causing illness to others, shall, according to the laws of the Goddess of the Azure Heaven, be submitted to the Eastern Peak for custody. This deity, in accordance with the supreme Taiyi Law, sentences you to be eternally imprisoned in the Netherworld!"

"Jesus obeys!"

Si Chen listened intently as he walked on the water.

At this moment, all the stars in the sky are silent, except for one star that remains.

Follow the direction of the starlight.

Just then, I saw a figure of light and shadow, nailed to a cross, being filled into the void.

Si Chen blinked. Could they have really worshipped Jesus to death?

"Si Chen, you've finally arrived." A blank book, gleaming with golden light, opened and closed. "We've been waiting for you."

Si Chen paused in his tracks.

He sat cross-legged in the starry sky three feet away from the wordless book.

"Please enlighten me, senior."

Regardless, it's always good to give it some respect.

The wordless book visibly nodded, seemingly quite pleased, "Human life is rare, and being born in the Central Plains is even rarer."

What people don't know is that if you convert to another religion, it's like immigrating to another country. Your own blessings are transferred to that other place, and it's hard to reverse the cycle.

Nowadays, licentious worship is rampant, and many people have fallen into demonic ways.

When Your Majesty attained enlightenment, you made a great vow to enable all sentient beings to attain freedom.

Since you were born in the Eastern Continent, twenty-one years have passed, and your desire to seek the Dao has remained steadfast.

"I have come down to the mortal realm this time with a predestined connection to you; I wonder if you are willing?"

Si Chen's eyes widened suddenly, and he bowed deeply, saying, "I am willing to listen to your teachings, Venerable One."

This will be his only chance in his life.

Hesitating for even a second is disrespectful to oneself.

A wordless book floats above the sea of ​​stars, its pages turning in the air.

"Difficult, difficult, difficult, the Tao is most mysterious. Without encountering a sage to transmit the wondrous method, empty words will only leave one's mouth weary and tongue dry."

Countless words in the book surge forth, rippling across the sea of ​​stars.

Si Chen felt as if countless gods and immortals were questioning him.

Can one maintain the mind's ability to overcome material things?

Si Chen has witnessed the demise and disillusionment of countless civilizations, for only matter remains eternal; all those illustrious figures have vanished...

"Yes." Si Chen asked himself honestly, reflecting on his actions three times, and replied, "Yes."

Can one maintain the unity of heaven and humanity?

The Jade Balance, the celestial sphere, countless worlds withered and turned to ashes due to greed, because of their selfishness, they first destroyed the world, and then destroyed themselves...

"Yes!" Si Chen replied with an upright and honest demeanor.

Can one uphold the principles of "abandoning sagacity and discarding wisdom"?

Si Chen saw countless sages discussing the Dao with him, and some of them vaguely resembled familiar figures, which stirred his longing. Yet, no two leaves in the world are exactly alike; one must seek common ground while respecting differences. Those who learn from me will live, those who imitate me will die...

"able."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ocean of words piled up in the sky surged with excitement, transforming into countless mysterious pieces of knowledge that fell down.

The ancient method of transforming into a dragon, and the method of making the Immortal Dew-Collecting Plate.

There are also the Daoist paths of the Immortal Han era, the White Horse Cavalry, the Feathered Unicorn Guards, the Tiger Warriors...

Prime Minister Zhuge Liang's Eight Trigrams Formation, the Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse Technique...

These spiritually inspired words seem to be choosing their masters.

Some of the text vanished into the world.

After a period of upheaval, Si Chen slowly woke up.

One feels that all chronic illnesses have disappeared, the body is light and the mind is joyful, the mind is at peace within, the spirit is calm and the breath is at ease, the four elements are in harmony, the six emotions are extinguished, the heart is at peace and profound, and one embraces the One and guards the center. Joy is renewed daily, this is called hearing the Way.

Three golden sculptures stand solemnly in the interior.

The first statue is wearing a flat-topped crown and a ceremonial robe.

This was the ancient Son of Heaven, revered by both Heaven and Earth, who bestowed titles upon deities; with a single word, all gods paid homage, and with each ritual, Heaven and Earth responded—'Distorted Reality'.

The second one is an ancient tree that reaches the sky.

The branches are lush and verdant, with countless worlds cascading down from them—"Longevity and Enduring Vision"

The third is a divine steed galloping through chaos.

When the emperor loses his official post, he seeks favors from the common people—"A noble horse rejects all external forces."

"The Ming Dynasty is about to end, and you will be the new Dragonborn. From now on, take care of yourself."

The wordless book reappeared in Si Chen's hands, but it had lost its original charm.

Si Chen suddenly looked up and saw that the central constellation of the Azure Dragon in the east had been lit, with three stars shining brightly, echoing the three divine statues in the distance.

When the starry sky shatters before your eyes, the world is rebuilt.

Two dragon horns extend from the sides of Si Chen's forehead.

A new power belonging to the Dragonborn surged within him.

A new star appeared in the sky, rapidly rising, raising its throne, and directly occupying the position of monarch.

Xu Wenjue's finger trembled as he pointed at Si Chen's dragon horns, unable to speak.

The believers, on the other hand, appeared to have lost all faith.

Several Western missionaries with foreign features stared at the sculpture on the ground, their faces flushed with anger.

Xu Wenjue's expression was strange. "Heavenly Official, how did you awaken the Dragon Vein?"

"Thanks to the guidance of Master Huang, I am truly moved by your deep affection. When Jesus saw me, this true dragon, he felt ashamed of his inferiority and has already passed away." Si Chen touched the dragon's horns.

The church doors suddenly burst open.

A small flame lit up.

Si Chen sensed a strong killing intent and laughed, "Today is truly a day of double happiness."

Xu Wenjue had quietly shielded Si Chen in front of him.

The leader of the Christian sect, Long Huamin, had veins throbbing on his forehead. "Who the hell is with you? Heretic! Die!"

As an important leader of Christianity, succeeding Matteo Ricci, his primary policy was to guard against the Han Chinese.

He knew that these Han Chinese were the most treacherous.

If everyone were to worship their ancestors, wouldn't that be putting God below them?

At this moment, the remains of the Jesus statue are standing under Sichen's feet.

Such blasphemy!

Long Huamin waved his hand.

Flames exploded on both sides in an instant, crackling loudly.

The dark cannon barrel lay flat, its surface covered with shimmering runes that could break magic.

A barrage of large lead bullets and iron balls shot directly at his face.

When Si Chen concentrates his mind, the world seems to stand still before him, every detail clearly visible.

The body reacted naturally, and spiritual energy flowed in the left hand, condensing into a seven-foot sword light.

With a swift, sweeping slash and a downward chop, the weapon moves like an extension of the arm.

"You actually dared to use a cannon to attack me? This is truly going against the natural order."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw ten white-furred rat-men in the shadows, wielding sharp blades and shouting, "Armor and helmet!"

Scales made of mithril flowed from the spirit world, covering his entire body.

Si Chen said, "It's really kind of you to go to such lengths."

"Kill!" The five-foot-tall white-haired ratman's aura surged, a display of the rage of a psionic warrior.

"Harmonious Pulse Array! Thrust!"

Psionic energy of the same frequency is superimposed.

The rat-man, with a form too small to be seen with the naked eye, stabbed at vital points all over the body.

Si Chen held his breath, leaped high into the air, and flipped his hands, creating a dense, impenetrable net with two azure sword lights before landing lightly.

The ten Skaven assassins have already been killed.

"Cowardly rats are nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs."

Si Chen laughed loudly.

A pair of delicate, white hands silently pierced through Si Chen's chest, gripping his heart tightly. The curse clung to his psionic energy circuits like a malignant tumor, silencing them.

Bai Linyi roughly severed the blood vessel, held up the still-beating heart and licked it, then strolled forward and stared innocently at Si Chen.

The white scales revealed by the burning dragon's blood were particularly distinct at the corners of his eyes.

Long Huamin's lips curled up.

"But I wonder, can a person live without a heart?"

Xu Wenjue frowned. "You didn't tell me that this Bai Lin was actually an assassin you trained."

It doesn't matter whether Si Chen lives or dies.

We can't tarnish the reputation of the Xu family.

Si Chen stood frozen in place, his head bowed, his life seemingly frozen in place.

Long Huamin laughed and said, "Of course, this has nothing to do with the young master. Betrayal is a tradition that flows in the blood of the White Scales."

Long Huamin lifted his foot and walked towards Si Chen.

The smile on his face gradually froze.

Call ~

A strong hissing sound filled the room.

A strong sense of fear enveloped Long Huamin, and he was frozen in place.

"As expected, they are barbarians from beyond the borders, ignorant of etiquette."

A pair of iron palms gripped the White-Scaled Dragon Girl's neck, lifting her high off the ground with one hand.

"I also have a few words from the bottom of my heart to say to you."

Si Chen, with the fierce aura of a dragon descendant, forced Long Huamin to kneel.

Long Huamin felt his bones cracking and his internal organs churning.

Si Chen slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air. A large scar the size of a bowl appeared on his back, but the bleeding had stopped. A brand new heart was slowly taking shape, and pink, tender flesh was growing continuously at the wound site.

Emerald-colored scales flow beneath the skin, shimmering with a crystal-clear luster.

Psionic powers, dragonborn, isn't that amazing?

"Mom..." A tear of blood slid down Bai Linyi's cheek, and his body began to convulse and he lost control of his bladder.

Si Chen tightened his grip, calling for his mother was useless, and he watched her breathe her last and return to Beiman Mountain with a blank expression.

These despicable and lowly white-scaled creatures are indeed not worth trusting.

Just as the Luo River would never believe the Sima family's oath.

Xu Wenjue felt rooted to the spot, not daring to move an inch. You're not kidding, this is going to be a death sentence.

Si Chen immersed his bloodied hands in water.

The head of a beautiful woman was soaking in blood at his feet, her spine uprooted like a scorpion, yet a smile remained in her eyes, oblivious to the approaching death.

Si Chen opened his mouth and spat out a ball of golden molten fire, burning it to ashes. He slowly turned around, picked up water, and poured it over his head.

"Amitabha Buddha, I repent before the Yellow Heavenly Emperor. I have absolved myself of my original sins; may the Yellow Heavenly Emperor forgive my innocence!"

"Young Master, tell me, have I now absolved my sins?"

Xu Wenjue glanced at Long Huamin, who was frozen in place, and nodded firmly. "Of course, God will forgive you."

"Very good." A dazzling sword light burst forth from Si Chen's hand, slicing past Long Huamin's head.

Long Huamin watched as a headless body gushed blood and slowly collapsed like a fountain, and suddenly realized that it was himself.

Si Chen stood with his hands behind his back. "Nail this fellow to the cross. Doesn't he like to imitate Jesus? I've always been happy to help others."

"Amitabha Buddha, this humble Taoist is truly kind-hearted."

That's just how the world is; the winner takes all.

Wherever Si Chen went, everyone gave him a wide berth.

"What are you standing there for?"

"Nail it on!"

Xu Wenjue pointed, and his relatives hurriedly began to tidy up.

"what!"

After the initial fear, Xu Wenjue began to rethink how to salvage the situation.

At least it would be of some benefit to the Duke of Wei's mansion.

As for those missionaries?

Let them die.

Better to die for a fellow Daoist than for a poor one.

Si Chen sat cross-legged. "How many white-haired demons and red-haired barbarians are left here?"

Xu Wenjue only considered it for a moment before blurting out, "There are three hundred people in Tianjin."

Si Chen shook his head. "They're too filthy. Even the Viking wolf slaves of the North Sea can smell their stench. They're all shaved and castrated. If you're going to sincerely serve God, what good are these worldly desires?"

Xu Wenjue nodded. "Of course."

Si Chen sat cross-legged, his face pale from blood loss and the high frequency of battles.

The supernatural powers within my body are at work.

"The noble horse rejects all external forces"—a curse that devours the white dragon's offspring.

"Longevity and long life" repairs damage to the heart.

Xu Wenjue blinked, watching as Si Chen visibly regained his color, and slowly withdrew.

What the hell are these monsters?

Respiration and blood return?

"Give the order to do as the Heavenly Official requests."

"what?"

"You have a problem with that? Are you perhaps feigning conversion, planning to regret it later?"

"No, no! I'll go right away."

Screams could be heard outside the church.

"No, no, no, you'll go to hell!"

"We don't have hell here. Wait until I remove the root of your troubles, then you can consider whether you want to go to hell."

"Someone, hold him down!"

"Oh, how did you die?"