Chapter 208 The Tenth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel

Chapter 208: The Tenth Day of Transmigrating into a Rebirth Novel

Standing in attendance, An Yi caught every subtle change in the Old Emperor's expression.

Today, he still wore a dark Taoist robe, its wide sleeves adorned with intricate silver cloud patterns.

At this moment, reading the Old Emperor's undisguised reluctance to part with money, An Yi's eyes, always warm with a gentle smile, turned almost imperceptibly cold.

A faint trace of disgust, like a glint of ice on water, flickered and vanished.

He truly wanted to slap this senile old fool across the face.

"Your Majesty," An Yi spoke, his voice still clear and calm, yet carrying an almost imperceptible chill: "The disaster is urgent, the people are suffering grievously. This is precisely the time for the court to display benevolence and for Your Majesty to accumulate immeasurable merit."

He lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the heavy memorial in the Emperor's hand: "Wealth is just an external thing—you can't bring it when you're born or take it when you die. But the merit of saving countless lives and stabilizing the realm is a ladder to heaven, a supreme resource for refining the Dao heart and resonating with the heavens above. Your Majesty, who has devoted himself to the Dao for years, knows well which is weightier."

The Old Emperor, immersed in the pain of losing silver and grain, was first stunned, then, as if awakened, snapped back to reality.

Yes! Merit! Immeasurable merit!

What was his greatest support in his pursuit of immortality? Wasn't it the favor of heaven and the fulfillment of merit?

If he were to lose this great merit of saving countless lives and stabilizing the realm for the sake of some mere gold and silver, that would be truly a classic case of being penny-wise and pound-foolish—a loss outweighing the gain!

It might even anger heaven and hinder his path to immortality!

Realizing this, the Old Emperor suddenly felt enlightened, the pain in his heart immediately replaced by a craving for "merit."

His face instantly shifted to a solemn and dignified expression. He nodded repeatedly, his tone becoming urgent and resolute: "The National Teacher speaks truly! I was momentarily misguided! Merit is paramount, merit is paramount!"

He immediately turned to the cabinet ministers and officials of the Revenue Ministry standing by, who were themselves shaken by both the disaster and the prophecy coming true. Raising his voice, he declared:

"Transmit my decree! The drought disaster in Yongzhou and the surrounding circuits—relief efforts are the top priority! The Revenue Ministry shall coordinate grain and funds, the Works Ministry shall assist local authorities in water conservancy projects to mitigate the drought. All local governments shall open granaries and set up porridge stations to ensure that no refugees become displaced and cause chaos! If any officials are negligent in their duties or embezzle relief funds, they shall be punished without mercy!"

"We, your ministers, obey the decree!" The several officials hurriedly bowed and accepted the order, their hearts filled with awe.

After this incident, the weight of the National Teacher's words in His Majesty's heart had likely increased a thousand times.

Moreover, those court officials who had originally intended to embezzle funds probably wouldn't dare to lay a hand on them either...

A disaster predicted five months in advance, and the National Teacher had forewarned it—this showed that the National Teacher was keeping an eye on the matter, and heaven had also given a sign. If embezzlement were to come to light...

They would surely face divine retribution!!

Meanwhile, the several sorcerers standing by in the corner like background scenery lowered their heads, wishing they could disappear into the cracks in the floor.

Their minds were in chaos, their faces burning with shock, fear, and an indescribable jealousy.

They had originally thought that they were all wallowing in the same mud pit, making a living by faking and bluffing, and none of them had any right to look down on each other.

But who could have imagined... this young National Teacher was actually the real deal!

He truly possessed the ability to see into the secrets of heaven!

Only *they* were the frauds!!

When the drought first began to show signs, they had darkly speculated whether An Yi had just gotten lucky and guessed right.

But as time passed, the ironclad facts shattered all their speculations and doubts—who the hell could have predicted a once-in-decades drought, five months in advance, from a thousand miles away?!

This wasn't luck—it was skill! A power they could neither comprehend nor rival!

Then... would he expose them?

Thinking of their own everyday tricks, full of hollow mysticism and gaping flaws, they must look utterly ridiculous in the eyes of this genuine prophet.

The few men broke into a cold sweat, hardly daring to breathe, only hoping that the National Teacher would be magnanimous and not bother with them.

Seeing that the Emperor had made up his mind and issued orders, An Yi slightly bowed: "Your Majesty, you are wise. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

The Old Emperor now looked at An Yi like he was a living lucky omen, his tone exceedingly cordial: "The National Teacher has worked hard. Go get some rest. If you have any needs, just speak."

An Yi nodded, turned, and walked out of Yangxin Study with a composed stride.

His wide, dark sleeves traced an elegant arc as he turned, with an ethereal, otherworldly grace.

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Comments section:

"Hahahahahaha, so now the National Teacher is a real miracle worker in their eyes!"

"LOL, the female lead goes the rebirth revenge route, the male lead goes the rebirth route of pretending to be a divine being!"

"When will they ever cross paths?! Stop just grinding your own plotlines, you two!"

"Am I the only one feeling uncomfortable?"

"I feel a bit off too. This badass moment should've been the female lead's. She's the real protagonist. How come all the cool moments are hogged by the male lead?"

"Exactly. The female lead didn't get a single advantage out of this..."

"...Is this another 'men are stronger' cliché?!"

"..."

An Yi felt like sighing.

He really wasn't Ran Zhuyu's male lead.

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Through layer after layer of palace halls, followed by his Taoist apprentice, he walked along the long palace road leading to the city gate. On both sides, the vermilion walls cast deep shadows, slicing sunlight into alternating bright and dark patches.

Just as they turned a corner, they saw a group approaching in haste. Leading them was Crown Prince Qi Haocang, followed by several other princes, who had evidently also heard the exact news of the drought in Yongzhou and were rushing to Yangxin Study for a royal audience.

The two sides met on the palace road, both stopping in their tracks.

Today, Crown Prince Qi Haocang's demeanor lacked the usual air of confidence that everything was under control. His gaze at An Yi held an unmistakable astonishment, quickly replaced with a carefully crafted but somewhat forced warmth.

The expressions of the princes behind him were even more complex.

Surprise, curiosity, wariness, and even a faint trace of fawning.

"National Teacher," the Crown Prince spoke first, his tone carrying significantly more weight than the casual exchange after the palace banquet two months ago.

The other princes chimed in.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince. Your Highnesses, the Princes." An Yi stopped, slightly bowed, his posture elegant and composed. The familiar gentle smile that put others at ease lingered on his lips, as if he hadn't noticed the subtle shift in their attitudes.

"Has the National Teacher just come from His Majesty's presence?" the Crown Prince asked, his tone amicable, but his eyes were locked on An Yi's face, not missing a single expression.

"Yes, I discussed some details of the Yongzhou relief efforts with His Majesty," An Yi replied calmly.

"The National Teacher is truly a divine being!" Prince Five couldn't help but exclaim, his tone filled with genuine admiration: "To predict a severe drought five months in advance, saving countless lives—this merit rivals that of the gods!"

"Your Highness flatters me," An Yi shook his head slightly, his smile faint: "I merely did my duty as a minister, exerting what little effort I could. Heaven's will is hard to fathom. One can only yield to it."