Confession

Everything is under the Great Heavenly Venerate's control, Chen Shi thought silently as he watched the imperial chariot approaching through the purple light.

The Jade Emperor Great Heavenly Venerate controlled everything.

During this pacification campaign, the Great Heavenly Venerate seemingly did nothing, yet every single matter remained firmly within his grasp.

From the Great White Star Lord's arrival to proclaim the imperial edict and deliver the Imperial Authority Token, to the Great White Star Lord's death beneath that very token.

From the chaotic phenomena of the Heavenly Market Enclosure, to Great Emperor Gouchen's struggles over whether to rebel.

From Yun Zhongzi's probing, to Yun Zhongzi's strike.

From Chen Shi's pacification campaign, to Star Lord Wu Yue's ambush.

From Qingxu Daode Tianzun's intervention, to Great Emperor Gouchen's move, and finally to Yun Zhongzi's resolute decision.

And now, with Ziwei Great Emperor's arrival and Yun Zhongzi's retreat, absolutely everything was under the Great Heavenly Venerate's control, every single event unfolding precisely according to the Great Heavenly Venerate's will.

With Ziwei Great Emperor present, if Yun Zhongzi did not retreat, he would face a pincer attack from the two brothers, Ziwei and Gouchen, destroying all past camaraderie. Although Yun Zhongzi feared nothing, Ziwei and Gouchen would consequently stand firmly in the Heavenly Court's camp. Furthermore, Yun Zhongzi still had to guard against the possibility of the Great Heavenly Venerate appearing; victory was already out of the question.

Therefore, rather than clashing with Ziwei and withdrawing directly, Yun Zhongzi made the optimal choice, Chen Shi thought. *First, it preserves a shred of face with Ziwei Great Emperor; second, it denies the Great Heavenly Venerate any opportunity to launch a surprise attack and kill him. This is his best countermeasure against the Great Heavenly Venerate, yet it is merely a struggle. By comparison, he has