Chapter 540: The Secret of the Pope and the Saintess <<<
"Even the formidable Eastern Palace Prince, with his endless schemes, inflicted such heavy damage on our sect in just a few short months. This is unprecedented in our sect's history spanning centuries."
The saint's tone remained frigid and composed. Though her voice was pleasing to the ear, it lacked any trace of emotion. This only served to amplify the chill of the already cold spring night.
“If I want to achieve great things, I will inevitably have to pay the price. The previous pattern hasn't worked for over three hundred years, and there has never been success. Is the leader still dreaming of an uprising while the imperial court is weak and the people are resentful? The Bai Lian Jiao is deeply ingrained in people's minds as a cult, how can it possibly win the world?”
"For the master to accomplish his grand undertaking, he must rely on a powerful force within the imperial court. The facts have shown that Prince Zhao Li Yinhu is not a reliable choice, so it is necessary to choose a new target as soon as possible."
Listening to the saint's words, the Pope remained expressionless.
Not until the Saintess finished speaking did the Pope say, "Li Yinhu is not a good man, what about Li Chen then?"
"Crown Prince Li Chen is far more dangerous than King Zhao Li Yin."
His eyes burned with fury as he said, “You know my intentions. Tonight, I planned to kill the Crown Prince directly. Even Eunuch Sanbao wouldn't be able to stop us if we teamed up, but you secretly sent me a message to stop me and even agreed to the Crown Prince’s terms on your own. Do you think I, the leader, am nothing to you?”
The Saint said calmly, "I am devoted to the church and have no ulterior motives."
"Of course you have no ulterior motives! You've already given yourself to the prince, what more could you possibly want?!"
The Lord's words sparked a flicker of fire in the Saintess's usually cold eyes. "Does the Lord doubt my purity?" she asked.
Taking a step forward, he instantly moved before the Holy Maiden and said in a soft voice, "Holy Maiden of the White Lotus Sect, if one is not pure of heart, they cannot fulfill this role. I believe that to be true."

But being under the control of the crown prince is no good at all.
The saintly woman said calmly, “But I have already given my word to the prince. If I go back on my promise, things will only get worse.”
"Please, Master, grant me your permission. I have a plan."
The Master looked at the Saintess for a long time, and suddenly said: "Are you so eager to leave my side?"
"We are siblings, why do you shun me like a snake and scorpion?!"
"He would rather drink poison and go to the Eastern Palace than stay by my side as his older brother!?"
The saintess took a step back and said calmly, "From the moment I joined the White Lotus Sect, you and I have abandoned our worldly identities. Now I am the Saintess, and you are the Grand Master. Please, Grand Master, show some respect."
Taking a deep breath, the leader said, "Good, very good."
"Once you've ingested their poison and become under their control, I'll find a way to antidote you."
The Lord spoke in a low voice, “This is my bottom line.”
The saintess no longer retorted.
As for King Zhao, the high council's opinion is to kill him to eliminate future troubles. What do you think? the leader asked.
The Saintess pondered for a moment, then said, "We cannot kill."
"Supporting Li Yinhǔ is the chief minister Zhao Xuánjī, and Zhao Xuánjī is the most important force opposing the crown prince. If Li Yinhǔ were killed, it would lead to a situation spiraling out of control. Keeping him alive is an important means of balancing against the crown prince."
The Lord remained silent.
But though he did not express his opposition, he had already agreed with the saint's opinion.
"This incident has caused great outrage within the academy. If we don't give King Zhao some sort of punishment, it will be difficult to appease the others. I understand your meaning, and I will handle this appropriately."

(Editor in charge：yann martel novels)