Seeking Guidance from the Imperial Uncle

Zhuge Xiang stared at the Imperial Uncle with gleaming eyes. Given the Imperial Uncle's strength, since he had already noticed the current emperor being replaced and had even been secretly investigating, he should have gotten some substantial clues and obtained some substantial Evidence. In any case, it must be much better than them searching blindly.

"Indeed, I have indeed found some clues," the Imperial Uncle replied, nodding to Zhuge Xiang, who was well aware of his meaning from his expression.

However, when this clue was mentioned, the Imperial Uncle did not show any joy on his face; instead, his expression was rather unpleasant.

"What's wrong? Is it a big problem?" Seeing that the Imperial Uncle's expression was off, how could Zhuge Xiang, with his intelligence, not see the clues? His joy disappeared, and he asked with a serious expression.

At this moment, Zhuge Xiang realized that he had been too happy. If it were really that easy, why would the Imperial Uncle have been so patient? He would have taken action long ago to expose the fake emperor.

"Indeed, the matter is quite troublesome," the Imperial Uncle nodded and said upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's words.

"What exactly is it? Even with your prestige and strength, Imperial Uncle, you can't solve it?" Zhuge Xiang frowned slightly. He had come to the Demon Sealing Tower seeking help from his Imperial Uncle precisely because of his strength and prestige. But if even he couldn't solve it, how would King Fenghe survive this calamity?

"Reputation? What reputation have I had since I entered this Demon Sealing Tower? Don't you know how people outside are talking about me?" Hearing Zhuge Xiang's words, the Imperial Uncle shook his head with a bitter smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback, then fell silent. Indeed, although the truth was that the Imperial Uncle had forcibly suppressed his Heart Demon and even willingly entered the Demon Sealing Tower to suppress himself, the outside world, in order to maintain the prestige of the Previous Emperor, said that the Imperial Uncle had rebelled and was suppressed by the Previous Emperor.

Therefore, in the eyes of the Great Tang, the Imperial Uncle was a traitor, even a failed traitor. Was his reputation really that useful? A hundred years have passed, and who knows how many of his loyal soldiers are still alive?

"As for strength?" At this point, the Imperial Uncle's expression grew even more bitter. He shook his head and said, "Back then, I entered the demonic path and obtained a top-grade Demon Heart. In pursuit of even greater power, I resolutely fused with it, but ultimately found it difficult to control the power of the Demon Heart. I almost became controlled by the demonic nature and turned into a walking corpse. Although I have suppressed myself over the years, the demonic nature is deeply rooted and difficult to eradicate. Just a few days ago, I separated my Demon Heart. Now, I am a heartless demon..."

As he spoke, Uncle Huang ripped open the shirt covering his chest, revealing a fist-sized hole where his heart should have been. The sight was truly horrifying...

"Without the Demon Heart, my strength has decreased by at least 70%..." Looking at the shocked expressions on Zhuge Xiang and Zhu Wan'er's faces, the Imperial Uncle slowly closed his clothes again, shook his head and sighed.

Merging with Demon Heart won't double one's strength. The value of Demon Heart lies in its influence on the demonic body. However, if the Demon Heart is removed, the resulting damage is enough to kill a person. It's already remarkable that Imperial Uncle was able to retain two or three tenths of his cultivation and life.

"You, you actually stripped away your Demon Heart..." Zhu Wan'er's beautiful and charming face was filled with disbelief as she pointed at the Imperial Uncle, unable to speak.

Within this Demon Sealing Tower, his strength was undoubtedly at the very top of the pyramid, yet who could have imagined that this Imperial Uncle would actually detach himself from the Demon Heart and fall from the top of the pyramid in one fell swoop?

"You've stripped away the Demon Heart? Could it be...?" At this moment, Zhuge Xiang seemed to realize something, his expression changed drastically, and he pointed to his chest, saying, "My Nine-Orifice Demon Heart, could it be you...?"

"Indeed, Demon Heart is a rare thing in the world. Only those who accidentally enter the Cultivation World of the Demon Realm and are captured and skinned alive can possess Demon Heart, let alone a top-grade Demon Heart, which is not so easy to come by. Your Nine-Orifice Demon Heart is actually the one I peeled off..." Knowing what Zhuge Xiang wanted to say, Imperial Uncle Li Batian nodded and admitted it directly.

"This Demon Heart truly lives up to its reputation as a rare and exceptional Demon Heart. Its power is enough to place you among the world's top experts. However, the demonic nature contained within this Demon Heart is also incredibly intense. If it weren't for the fact that when you saw it, a thought stirred within you, and you accidentally glimpsed a sliver of the Heavenly Dao, realizing that this Demon Heart was destined for you, I truly wouldn't have dared to let you merge with it..." Since he had already brought it up, the Imperial Uncle simply explained the whole story to Zhuge Xiang in detail, letting him know the ins and outs.

Over the years, although the Imperial Uncle had suppressed himself within the Demon Sealing Tower, the demonic nature of the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart was far stronger than he had anticipated. Therefore, over the years, the Imperial Uncle himself had the idea of separating his Demon Heart. Although he knew that the consequences would be serious, compared to being controlled by the demonic nature, losing his true nature, and becoming a walking corpse, the Imperial Uncle would rather separate his Demon Heart in order to seek a glimmer of hope.

However, what should happen to the Demon Heart after it is separated from the demon? If it falls into the hands of a wicked person, wouldn't it only amplify their evil nature? Even if a virtuous person obtains it, even if one cannot resist the demonic nature, how could the other person possibly resist it? Therefore, due to these concerns, the Imperial Uncle has never succeeded in separating the Demon Heart from the demon.

However, the Imperial Uncle was a powerful figure whose strength was infinitely close to that of the Immortal-Demon Realm. Although he was not good at Divination, with his level of cultivation, he could occasionally glimpse a corner of the Heavenly Dao over many decades.

Coincidentally, the Imperial Uncle had a sudden inspiration and glimpsed the Heavenly Dao, learning that Zhuge Xiang was destined to have the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart and could resolve his unresolved desires. Therefore, the Imperial Uncle separated his own Demon Heart and placed it in the treasure vault, waiting for Zhuge Xiang's appearance, which led to that scene on that day...

"So that's how it is. Regardless of Heaven's will, I'm quite satisfied with this Nine-Orifice Demon Heart. As for its demonic nature? I won't be controlled by a mere Demon Heart..." Hearing the backstory of the Nine-Orifice Demon Heart, Zhuge Xiang was astonished by Heaven's will, but he waved his hand and didn't care.

So what if Heaven's will? This Nine-Orifice Demon Heart was his own choice. For Zhuge Xiang, dwelling too much on so-called Heaven's will is just a waste of his time.

"Alright, Imperial Uncle, now you can tell me about the clues you've uncovered? What exactly happened?" Although it was impressive that the Imperial Uncle had stripped away the Demon Heart, Zhuge Xiang quickly returned to the main topic: what substantial clues the Imperial Uncle had uncovered. This was what Zhuge Xiang was concerned about.

"Although the emperor is fake, his physical body is real." Hearing Zhuge Xiang return to the main topic, the Imperial Uncle had no intention of keeping him in suspense and directly told Zhuge Xiang the clues he had investigated.

"The emperor of a nation should be blessed by the National Fortune and no one should be able to harm him. But for some reason, someone was able to separate the National Fortune of the Great Tang Dynasty and even extract the emperor's soul, using someone else's soul to control the emperor's body, thus deceiving everyone. So, the current emperor is only an emperor in body, but the soul controlling that body has already become someone else."

"To extract the emperor's soul while under the protection of the National Fortune's fortune?" Even Zhuge Xiang, who had already had a vague suspicion, could not hide his horror upon hearing this. Even Zhu Wan'er covered her cherry lips with her hand and gasped softly.

"Then who exactly is the mastermind behind this?" Despite having some guesses in his mind, Zhuge Xiang still asked the Imperial Uncle.

"The Great Qin Empire," the Imperial Uncle said in a cold voice, his face ashen.

Between nations, there is always competition. Yet the Great Qin Empire used such a deceptive tactic to almost take over the Great Tang Dynasty. As a member of the Imperial Clan family, the Imperial Uncle was naturally furious. If he hadn't been limited in his abilities, he would have already stormed into the Great Qin Empire.

"As expected..." An ordinary person would be shocked to hear this, but Zhuge Xiang simply looked as if he had known it all along.

Before Zhuge Xiang came to the Great Tang, he already knew that the Great Qin Empire had divided the National Fortune of the Great Tang Dynasty. Now that things have come to this, how could he not guess the general trend? Therefore, hearing this today only confirmed Zhuge Xiang's suspicions.

"Hmm?" Seeing Zhuge Xiang's expression, there was not much surprise or strangeness, but rather an expression of "I knew it." The Imperial Uncle was slightly taken aback, then a thought occurred to him, and he said nothing more. He just sighed inwardly, "Indeed, the Heavenly Dao is unpredictable. It seems that the corner of the Heavenly Dao that I have glimpsed is indeed correct. It seems that the matter of the Great Tang Emperor is really going to happen to Zhuge Xiang."

"How did the Great Qin Empire manage to divide the National Fortune of the Great Tang? Does Imperial Uncle know? And how can this predicament of the Great Tang be resolved? Please enlighten me, Imperial Uncle..."

Zhuge Xiang was unaware of the Imperial Uncle's thoughts, but he knew that the Imperial Uncle was a man who had lived to a ripe old age and experienced all sorts of major events, so asking him about it at this time wouldn't be a bad thing.

"How the Great Qin Empire accomplished this, I do not know either, but how to break the current situation depends on you..." Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's question, the Imperial Uncle replied.

"You want to rely on me?" Zhuge Xiang was slightly taken aback, but then stood up solemnly and replied earnestly, "Whatever the Imperial Uncle commands, as long as it is within my power, I will certainly do it without hesitation."

"Very well, though you come from the Great Qin, you have sincerely helped my Great Tang. Giving you the Demon Heart is a matter of fate," said the Imperial Uncle, his face showing gratitude as he saw Zhuge Xiang speak with righteous indignation. He then began to analyze for Zhuge Xiang how to break the current predicament, explaining why only he could do so. (To be continued...)