Chapter 247: Life Story Revealed
Wu Zetian took a deep breath and said, "At that time, Yuan Tiangang made a bold statement, saying that in ten years, something strange would happen beside the Luo River. By then, the gods would flood back and the temple would be overturned, which would endanger my life!"

"I am afraid of this, and I also want to learn the whereabouts of my grandson from him, so I let Yuan Tiangang go for the time being."

Di Renjie frowned and pondered, "The prosperity is due to the Luo River, and the decline is also due to the Luo River? The strange things about the Luo River are probably absurd stories made up by Yuan Tiangang to save his life, right?"

Wu Zetian shook her head gently and said, "No. Huaiying, I know you don't believe in ghosts and gods, but what Yuan Tiangang said is definitely not just nonsense. Do you still remember the Luohe Bagua map?"

Di Renjie's eyes flickered when he heard this, and he looked at Wu Zetian with some surprise: "I have heard about this matter. A sacred stone floated out of the Luo River, with your majesty's taboo written on it, saying that your majesty is the reincarnation of Maitreya and will inherit the throne."

"After that, officials from all over the country followed suit and presented their so-called 'miracles' one after another. Could it be that all of this was manipulated by Yuan Tiangang behind the scenes?"

Wu Zetian sighed. It was easy to talk to smart people. "Yes, Yuan Tiangang used astronomical calendar to calculate the time when the Luo River would flood and the location of the whirlpool. He then made a careful plan and ordered people to carve the boulder into a specific shape and sink it to the bottom of the river according to the location of the whirlpool."

"Sure enough, a few days later, at noon, the water level of the Luo River rose suddenly, and a piece of Bagua Stone miraculously emerged from the whirlpool, standing above the waves and slowly rotating. The scene was spectacular. When the people on the shore saw this, they all knelt down and worshiped it, considering it a miracle."

"The Bagua Stone actually stood on the water for two hours. The nobles and common people who witnessed this were all shocked and believed that this was a sign from heaven."

"Alas, this incident shocked the whole court and won the hearts of the people. This is why I was able to ascend the throne smoothly and move the capital to Luoyang..."

Upon hearing this, Di Renjie's expression was complicated, as if he was surprised, but also with a hint of something else, and he was speechless for a moment.

He was stunned for a long time before he muttered to himself: "It turns out that this secret that shocked the world was actually a lie. Your Majesty took advantage of this opportunity to cover up the light of Li Tang's divine weapon and start the foundation of the Great Zhou..."

Di Renjie understood very well that Yuan Tiangang was a pure conspiracy speculator. On the one hand, he was dependent on Wu Zetian, and on the other hand, he had intricate entanglements with the Li Tang royal family, and his actions were full of duplicity.

He was playing both sides, betting on both sides, all for his own power, but for some reason, he made one wrong move and ended up in jail for ten years.

Wu Zetian stared at Di Renjie, who had a complicated expression, and continued, "Think about it. With this precedent, how can I dare to bet whether Yuan Tiangang's threats are false? I can only believe it is true rather than false!"

"Since then, I ordered people to build this Hanguang Temple at the foot of Mang Mountain. I meet with Yuan Tiangang once a year, hoping that he will speak."

"After the temple was built, I ordered the inner guards to take turns disguising themselves and guard the temple. Therefore, half of the monks in this temple are inner guards. However, the only people who really knew about it were Jingkong, Fa Neng and five others. But who would have thought that such a thing would happen? God is really against me!"

Di Renjie chewed over every word of Wu Zetian carefully, and then said in a deep voice: "In my opinion, Xiao Qingfang must have also seen through the secret of Luohe's magic, which is why she wanted to rescue Yuan Tiangang at all costs. Behind the Snake Spirit Organization, there must be a conspiracy closely related to Luohe..."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zetian nodded heavily and held Di Renjie's hand tightly, her eyes full of determination and trust: "Huaiying, this matter concerns the safety of the country, I have to ask you for help again!"

Di Renjie, with a solemn expression, responded in a resounding voice: "I, your humble servant, will do whatever it takes!"
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On the other hand, Zhao Ji, Li Yuanfang and Ruyan went to find Jingkong.

Jingkong was being guarded by the Qianniu Guards in an empty room. Zhao Ji had given these orders specifically because they were afraid that Jingkong would run away.

He paced back and forth in the room, muttering to himself: "Resemblance, it's so similar!"

The door opened and Zhao Ji and others walked in.

Jingkong had no idea that Li Yuanfang had sneaked into his room, and he had no idea about the abbot's affairs. When he saw Zhao Ji and his group, he showed no fear at all.

"Why are you here? What do you want from me?" After all, Jingkong had been a monk for ten years, and it would be difficult for him to change his way of speaking in a short time.

Zhao Ji didn't bother to exchange pleasantries. He threw an inner guard token in front of Jing Kong and asked coldly, "Your real name is Wu Jinzhong?"

Jingkong caught a glimpse of the token that belonged to him, and a storm suddenly rose in his heart. His face changed slightly: "You, you have been in my room?"

Zhao Ji was unmoved and asked directly: "That's right! Enough of the nonsense, you are also from Snake Spirit?" Upon hearing this, Jingkong's eyes shrank instantly, as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.

But he calmed down in an instant and pretended to be confused, "General Zhao, I don't understand what you are talking about! I am an internal guard, how can I be a snake spirit?"

Zhao Ji's eyes were like torches, and his tone became even more severe: "Don't talk nonsense, you and I know it very well! You killed the real Fa Neng, and asked the snake spirit to send a fake Fa Neng to replace him."

"Zhen Fa Neng has collected a lot of evidence of your crimes, such as the blueprints you burned before! Before he died, Fa Neng handed all the evidence to the abbot and revealed your identity!"

Jingkong sneered: "Can these evidences prove that I am a Snake Spirit spy? This is too arbitrary!"

Zhao Ji also sneered in response: "I don't know if it can be proved that you are a spy, but it is definitely enough for His Majesty to torture you to death! If you confess, maybe you can have a chance to live!"

Upon hearing this, Jingkong's expression changed slightly and he was speechless for a moment.

"If you are afraid, just tell me quickly, otherwise no one can help you!" Zhao Ji said with a smile.

However, Jingkong quickly adjusted his mindset, smiled again, and said slowly: "General Zhao, I am willing to confess, but I have an unwelcome request."

Zhao Ji frowned upon hearing this: "Don't try any tricks!"

Jingkong raised his lips slightly, and looked at Zhao Ji with deep eyes: "I want to talk to General Zhao alone, and have a good talk!"

Zhao Ji became more and more confused and had no idea what Jingkong was up to.

Li Yuanfang, however, seemed quite open-minded. He patted Zhao Ji on the shoulder and said with a relaxed smile, "It's okay, Chengyuan. What's wrong with agreeing with him?"

Having said that, he took Ruyan out, considerately closed the door, and left a smiling face behind him before leaving.

Zhao Ji was also helpless, and looked at Jingkong coldly: "If you dare to tease me and can't say anything valuable, I will make you die ugly!"

Facing Zhao Ji's threat, Jing Kong remained calm: "Don't worry, General Zhao. Oh no, I should say, General Li..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the situation reversed instantly and the atmosphere became subtle and tense.

But Zhao Ji was by no means an ordinary person. He made a quick judgment and moved with incredible swiftness. His thunderous strike was so fast that it even surpassed any strength he had displayed before!

He suddenly stretched out a hand and accurately grasped Jingkong's throat. The force was so strong that it seemed that he could cut Jingkong's throat at any time.

Zhao Ji had a blank expression on his face and stared at Jingkong as if he were a dead person.

If Jingkong was killed here, it could be said that Jingkong was fleeing for fear of punishment and we had no choice but to kill him.

But it would also arouse suspicion, after all, Li Yuanfang was outside, and he was no rookie, so he could capture him alive.

Should we take action? Zhao Ji's breathing became heavier, and he was still hesitating...

"General Zhao, don't you want to know how I recognized you?" Jingkong's strong desire to survive erupted, and he spoke with difficulty.

"Speak!" Zhao Ji almost squeezed out a word.

(End of this chapter)