I have Immortality In The Cultivation World-Chapter 576 - 321: Inescapable Fate

Chapter 576: Chapter 321: Inescapable Fate

Zhou Yi became the Grand Supervisor of the Eastern Depot, but his joy lasted only three to five hours.

He soon realized,

that he had risen to the pinnacle, with no further promotions to attain, no further ranks to be granted.

Should he achieve more in the future, His Majesty would have nothing suitable to bestow. In order not to breed resentment in Zhou Yi, he would inevitably find a way to grant him death, wiping out all favors, grievances, and merits once a person is dead.

He thought left and right but could not find a solution.

He also could not discuss it with his children or subordinates, for fear of disturbing their morale and making the troops difficult to manage.

...

The only knowledgeable old man in the palace he could barely trust was the uncompetitive and unambitious Old Deer, whom Zhou Yi had come to seek advice from today during his free time.

“The fact that you can think of this proves you are quite intelligent.”

Old Deer shifted to a more comfortable position, leaning back against the steps.

“But since this is an eternal truth, how can there be a solution? It’s destiny, as spoken of by the Buddhists—you see it coming, but there’s no way to avoid it or escape!”

Zhou Yi’s eyebrows raised, “If fools cannot see it, and the wise cannot solve it, what is the difference between the two?”

“The difference is whether one dies in confusion or with clarity.”

Old Deer said, “Everyone’s end is death, fundamentally there is no difference. Sometimes, it might be better to be a fool, at least they have less fear and anxiety in life.”

“Destiny, huh…”

Zhou Yi looked up at the sky, which seemed like an inverted dome prison trapping all beings within.

The joys and sorrows of all creatures must look to the heavens like scenes on a stage—interesting enough to applaud at times, but not really a concern for the life and death within the play.

“Is there a way to break free from destiny?”

“Destiny stems from cause and effect; plant the cause today, reap the result tomorrow.”

Old Deer said, “To break free from destiny, one must remove the cause of today. Eunuch Zhou’s destiny is tied to his greedy attachment to power. Simply let go, learn to bask in the sun in the Cold Palace like me, and you will naturally escape from it.”

“Would Eunuch Zhou be willing to do that?”

“I climbed for more than a decade to attain the status I have today, how could I let go!”

As Zhou Yi’s tone changed, he said, “Moreover, His Majesty has grand ambitions and is in need of capable people. Even if I wanted to let go, it would be difficult.”

“That’s destiny.”

Old Deer said, “Even if the prince you support ascends to the throne in the future, how could the new emperor ever feel at ease with Eunuch Zhou’s overwhelming power? You will still be unable to escape the predestined conclusion!”

Zhou Yi nodded slightly; in recent years, he had taken advantage of any spare time to read history books.

In the annals of history, countless powerful eunuchs and treacherous officials controlled the court for decades, but those who successfully usurped the throne could be counted on less than two hands; most met with death and the extinction of their families.

Family extinction mattered little, but he could not afford to die.

“Old Deer, if you were in my shoes, what would you choose?”

“Isn’t that a choice already?”

Old Deer pointed to the surroundings of the Cold Palace and sighed, “I also could have struggled back then, either assisting the Retired Emperor’s restoration or becoming the vanguard of the deceased emperor. Instead, I chose to hide in the Cold Palace and survive out of fear of death.”

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“Of those formidable eunuchs of yesteryears, only two or three are left alive today.”

“The ultimate victor among the Eastern Depot was the former Grand Supervisor, Eunuch Chu. I wonder if the house at the Imperial Mausoleum leaks rain or whether the food is to his taste!”

Zhou Yi knew Eunuch Chu and had encountered him face-to-face in the palace.

Back then, as a lowly eunuch, he knelt and waited for Eunuch Chu to leave, envying the dozen disciples he flaunted by his side.

Now, having become the Grand Supervisor himself, he understood Eunuch Chu’s predicament all too well.

The emperor who trusted Chu was old and frail; none of the numerous children by his side were loyal. To avoid being purged by the new emperor, he had no choice but to participate in the coup to depose the Crown Prince.

The Eunuch Chu of yesterday was the Zhou Yi of today.

History is but a cycle!

Zhou Yi fell into a long silence before sighing, “The previous emperor may be considered a foolish ruler in the eyes of many, but he treated his subjects generously. Even when Chu committed a major mistake, he was only tasked with guarding the Imperial Mausoleum—a far cry from today’s situation…”

“His Majesty aspires to be a sage and a wise emperor, and cannot tolerate any sand in his eyes!”

Old Deer said, “Do not speak of such horrifying affairs any longer. I don’t have many days left, and I wish to live them in peace.”

A fierce look flashed in Zhou Yi’s eyes. He had never heard of a sage and wise emperor favoring eunuchs. Thus, the dreaded Eastern Depot was destined to become a footnote in history, a stain to be thoroughly cleansed.

After a penetrating gaze at Old Deer, Zhou Yi suddenly asked.

“In the past, you would have advised me, to ‘do good deeds without asking about the future,’ or that ‘a family that accumulates good deeds will have an abundance of blessings.’ Why do you keep talking about destiny and causality today?”

Old Deer, with nothing much to do in the Cold Palace, would often borrow books to read.

Being naturally intelligent and profoundly perceptive, he read thousands of books over decades and could have easily passed the imperial examination to become a scholar.

Above all, he revered the teachings of Confucianism and Legalism. Having educated Zhou Yi in his studies within the Cold Palace, he often said that governing a country required outward Confucianism and inward Legalism, never showing any favor toward Buddhism or Taoism.

“I am about to die.”

Old Deer spoke in a faint voice, “No matter how many books one has read in life, or how open-minded one is, when faced with the ultimate limit of life and death, fear inevitably surfaces. So, I read some Buddhist scriptures to calm myself!”

“I see.”

Zhou Yi pondered deeply, finding nothing amiss.

There were a dozen highly skilled members of the Eastern Depot keeping watch near the Cold Palace; not even a mosquito could enter, let alone any commoners.

“I am acquainted with Master Fang Zheng of the Vajra Temple; since you favor the teachings of Buddhism, I will ask him to chant sutras for you for ten days or half a month after your passing, to ensure your entry into the Land of Ultimate Bliss!”

“That would be nice.”

Old Deer laughed, “I also need to find a fake son to cry a few tears at my funeral, to plant flags and smash bowls in my honor.”

Zhou Yi, quite generously, waved his hand and said.