Chapter 597: Chapter 369: Hierarchy and Order

Facing Su Jie’s profanity and disrespect, Pamom remained calm, his head bowed and hands joined as he spoke indifferently, “Mr. Su, why do you say this? Could it be that in your view, the tens of millions of Buddhists in Siam do not deserve your sincere efforts to win their allegiance?”

Su Jie was somewhat surprised; this old monk’s Qi Cultivation Technique was quite impressive.

Generally speaking, for someone of his high status, long accustomed to flattery, to maintain such composure in the face of insult was quite rare. Most people would have already shown their feelings openly.

“Buddhists, I do not like to categorize people so distinctly. They are first and foremost the Siamese people. As for any other identity, how important is that to me? What I care about is not which religion they believe in. As long as they can create value for me, what they believe is completely unimportant.”

Su Jie’s expression remained even, unaware that Pamom, the Monk King, was still hoping to leverage his tens of millions of Buddhists, ignorant that Su Jie considered it all worthless.

While speaking, Su Jie gestured for Baiya to come over and then said directly, “Our Jieke Group came to Siam not to follow any ‘damn’ Buddhist rules. When the local sects here can’t help us manage the people, it’s simple–we replace their so-called spiritual leader, or even abolish their beliefs.”

At these words, nearby monks changed color, including the hitherto composed Pamom, whose eyes showed disbelief.

What was this man saying? Behind him stood nearly all the Siamese people, and yet he dared to openly speak of abolishing Buddhism.

“Baiya, you are the King of Siam. Tell me, should I abolish Buddhism?”

Su Jie patted Baiya’s shoulder, asking with a seemingly kind smile.

However, this statement, in Baiya’s eyes, was not kind at all but rather a demonic sneer that made his skin crawl.

He knew Su Jie was bold, but he had not anticipated such audacity–to openly discuss abolishing Buddhism, the long-standing faith of Siam, and to do so in front of the Monk King, the spiritual leader revered by the people.

“I… I… I…”

Baiya swallowed nervously. One was a Buddhist Monk King, a mythologized spiritual leader of the Siamese people, and the other a tyrant who had conquered Siam by force. For Baiya, it was a difficult choice to make.

“Amitabha, Baiya, as the King of Siam, the Buddhist followers are waiting for your stance.”

Pamom’s gaze turned colder; he had seen Su Jie’s resolute attitude. Originally, Pamom thought Su Jie would kowtow to please Siam’s Buddhism to ensure the high position of Buddhism in Siam by sparing Pupeng.

But Su Jie’s words completely dispelled such thoughts in Pamom’s heart.

This man was even tougher than Pamom had imagined, not thinking twice about their religion.

Baiya’s eyes struggled; Buddhism held such a high status in Siam that 90% of the people were followers. The Monk King expressing dissatisfaction could shake the very throne.

Su Jie did not say much more, as Baiya’s opinion did not matter much to him.

“Baiya, you should remember how you came to power.”

Liu Yingying added coldly from the side, frightening Baiya with a chill.

Seeing Su Jie’s seemingly gentle smile, a deep chill engulfed him.

Suddenly realizing, the man before him could determine his life and death; if he did not agree, Su Jie could easily replace him, no doubt his royal brothers would be willing to step over him to ascend.

And now the example of Pupeng’s fate was before him; if he were unwilling to stand with Su Jie, he might not merely face an unstable throne but lose his head.

With this thought, Baiya immediately made his decision.

He turned and ordered the executioners, “What are you waiting for? The time for the execution has come. I declare to execute Pupeng, a prisoner guilty of war crimes, national endangerment, espionage, treason, and a total of 25 counts of heinous crimes, by beheading immediately.”

Upon hearing this, the high monks were all stunned.

They looked at Baiya incredulously, the King showed no respect to them.

The Monk King Pamom’s expression darkened, his voice growing louder, “Amitabha, please reconsider, Your Majesty. The offender is your brother. Buddha said, turning back is the shore. Considering you have not yet caused great disaster, it is not too late to stop now. I will personally take Pupeng to the Buddhist temple to shave his head, become a monk, and repent for the rest of his life.”

Below the high platform, the bustling Siamese people stirred as they heard the Monk King’s words, echoing their support through actions.

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“Release him! Release him! Release him!”

“The Monk King has spoken. Why do you still want to kill and behead?”

“Although I also dislike Pupeng as the king, if the Monk King is willing to forgive him, surely Buddhism can reform him. Hurry up and release him!”

The restless crowd kept pushing forward, and even the police who had escorted the monks joined in the outcry, along with government officials, showcasing the high esteem in which Monk King Pamom was held in Siam.

“Mr. Su, as you can see, this is the faithful belief of all Buddhists worldwide, hand over Pupeng to me, and I will handle him properly.”