LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 344
The Territorial Area had increased by nearly 7 million square li!
Domestic Resources had increased by nearly 1 billion taels!
The Population had increased by 60 million!
The comprehensive national power was increased by nearly 8,000, breaking through the 60,000 mark in one fell swoop!
Lin Beifan was overjoyed. Actual combat had not only deterred the world but also brought many benefits.
When the time comes to establish the Celestial Empire, there should be far fewer obstacles.
Soon after, the generals and masters who had been waging wars in all directions returned.
Lin Beifan rewarded the troops, giving more money to those who liked money, promotions and noble titles to those who wished to be officials, and divine elixirs, martial arts techniques, and so on to those who wanted to improve their cultivation, ensuring that everyone was happy and grateful for his generosity.
At this moment, represented by Heshen, the civil officials stepped forward, excitedly saying, “Your Majesty, it is time to establish the Celestial Empire!”
Lin Beifan smiled and asked, “Minister Heshen, what brings you to say this?”Heshen, filled with excitement, replied, “Now, our Great Xia’s territory is nearly 40 million square li, with a population surpassing 400 million. We have abundant harvests every year, and our people are well-fed and strong!”
“In terms of military strength, Great Xia has nine Grandmasters, over two hundred Innates, and a Defender of the State divine sword that can rival Great Grandmasters! In wars, we have even defeated the combined forces of four top-tier Empires!”
“Looking back 5000 years, there has never been a nation like our Great Xia, commanding respect in all directions! Even the Heavenly Khan from 3000 years ago is slightly inferior to Your Majesty!”
“If such a great Empire does not qualify to establish the Celestial Empire, then who does? Therefore, Your Majesty, it is time to establish the Celestial Empire, a move that everyone anticipates!”
The civil and military officials all looked up, their eyes filled with anticipation and excitement.
If they really established the Celestial Empire, these veterans would also be immortalized in history!
Lin Beifan smiled slightly and said, “My ministers, I understand your thoughts! In fact, I am even more eager than you, but now is not yet the time.”
“Your Majesty, if not now, when will it be?” Heshen asked urgently.
Lin Beifan gave a mysterious smile, “The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. I’ll keep you in suspense for now! The only thing I can tell everyone is that the day is not far off, so wait and see!”
After the court meeting, Lin Beifan returned to the Imperial Garden to ponder the establishment of the Celestial Empire.
Currently, the biggest issue was the lack of a Great Grandmaster.
As long as Great Xia gained one more Great Grandmaster, they could immediately establish the Celestial Empire and achieve a foundation for eternity.
“If there is no Great Grandmaster, then I shall create one myself!” Lin Beifan clenched his fists, his eyes emitting a purple-blue light.
……
Meanwhile, in the palace’s painting studio, the Master Painter was intently teaching a young apprentice to paint.
“Shihua, do you know what the biggest problem with your painting is?”
“What is it, Master?”
“It’s too beautiful and too lifelike!”
“Is it bad to paint lifelike images?”
“It’s not bad, but what I require of you now is to ignore the outward appearance and capture the essence. You must achieve a likeness in spirit rather than in form! It may not look like it at all, but it is present everywhere! If you can achieve this, your painting skills will advance further.”
“I understand, Master!” Li Shihua nodded, somewhat understanding.
The Master Painter, feeling a bit tired, said, “Continue painting. I’ll rest for a while.”
With that, he lay down on a nearby rocking chair and slowly fell asleep.
Li Shihua watched him fall into a deep sleep, her heart filled with worry.
This had not been the first or second time this had happened.
In the past half-year, her master had become increasingly prone to sleepiness and fatigue.
She was no ignorant girl. Through observation, she knew that her master’s health was deteriorating.
In other words, his time was drawing near.
Although her master was a Grandmaster, he had lived to 180 years old, reaching the limit for a Grandmaster, with not many years left to live.
Originally, her master took her on to pass on his legacy and prevent the end of his lineage.
Watching her master’s health decline, Li Shihua was filled with sadness, knowing there was nothing she could do.
She could only study diligently so as not to disappoint her master’s trust.
However, what she did not know was that her master, the Master Painter, was currently trapped in a vast dream.
He walked alone on a dimly lit path, surrounded by grey fog in every direction, unable to see clearly.
He knew only that there was a path ahead and that he had to keep moving forward.
“What is this place, and why has this old man suddenly arrived here?” the Master Painter was very confused.
He remembered that after guiding his young disciple, he had lain down in his rocking chair and fallen asleep.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in this mysterious place.
Just then, two figures appeared on the road ahead.
They looked very strange. Though both were humanoid, one had the head of an ox and the other the face of a horse.
“What kind of creatures are you, and why are you here?” the Master Painter asked cautiously.
The ox-headed figure spoke, “We are the Ox-Head and Horse-Face of the underworld! You have died, and so we have come to guide you to the underworld to report in and be reincarnated!”
“So… I’m already dead?” the Master Painter said with a resigned expression.
He had always known this day would come, but he hadn’t expected it to be so sudden.
He had died without leaving any instructions behind.
His young disciples must be heartbroken, right?
“Alas!” the Master Painter sighed.
Now that he was dead, there was nothing he could do but accept it.
Curious, the Master Painter asked, “By the way, where is this?”
Horse-Face replied, “This is the Yellow Springs Road that leads to the underworld!”
Master Painter nodded, “I see, no wonder it looks so eerie and frightening!”
The three of them walked along the only path of the Yellow Springs Road.
Master Painter kept asking questions as he walked, filled with curiosity about everything here.
Just then, voices appeared ahead, and three figures could be faintly seen.
“Who are they?” Master Painter asked curiously.
“Two of them should be our colleagues, the ghost messengers! The other one, like you, is a dead person! Many people die every day in this world, so we have to send someone to guide their souls here!” Ox-Head explained.
“I see!” Master Painter nodded, his curiosity growing even stronger.
He wanted to see what a ghost like him would look like.
Finally, they approached.
The two leading the way were one in a black robe with a black face and the other in a white robe with a white face. These two must be the legendary Black and White Impermanence.
As for the dead person they were escorting, it turned out to be a young girl not even 20 years old.
Master Painter was stunned when he saw the young girl in front of him.
“Shihua, why is it you?”
***
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