Randeng and Shen Gongbao Defected to the West!

Xiqi, the Prime Minister's Residence.

Inside the Quiet Room, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air, yet it couldn't dispel the oppressive atmosphere.

Since the start of the war between the Saint, to avoid being caught in the crossfire, Shen Gongbao and Ji Fa led their army back to Xiqi to await the final outcome.

The two remaining Great Powers of the Clarify Sect, Daoist Randeng and Yun Zhongzi, also came to this place.

He became the nominal guardian of Xiqi.

Now, everything has settled down.

The Clarify Sect and Interception Sect suffered heavy losses; the Saint was confined to his residence, and his disciples were either listed on the imperial examination or sent to the West.

A massive Tribulation has thus come to an end.

A Saint Imperial Edict from the Kunlun Mountain arrived, traversing the endless void.

The Yuanshi Tianzun Venerable Randeng, Yun Zhongzi, and all the Third-generation disciples were away to return to the Jade Void Palace.

The Imperial Edict mentioned everyone except Shen Gongbao.

Inside the Quiet Room, Shen Gongbao stood with his hands at his sides, his face always bearing a hint of gloom.

At this moment, however, all was calm, a calm that was somewhat eerie.

The Daoist Randeng slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Shen Gongbao in front of him and understood.

Shen Gongbao has been forgotten.

No, it wasn't forgotten, it was completely abandoned.

From beginning to end, Yuanshi Tianzun never truly took this Named Disciple seriously.

Now that the Tribulation has ended and the Investiture of the Investiture of the Gods is over, this chess piece has naturally lost its final purpose.

Shen Gongbao raised his head and looked at Randeng.

"Our master, along with all the other Saint, was ordered by the Dao Ancestor not to set foot in the Primordial Wilderness for Immeasurable Calamity."

"This is the best opportunity for us to break away from the Clarify Sect!"

"Once you return to Kunlun Mountain, leaving again won't be so easy."

"I hope that you, teacher, can contact the Two Saints of the West..."

"This humble Daoist has already contacted the Saint Zhunti."

The Daoist Randeng slowly spoke.

"The Saint Zhunti has promised to help the two of us break free from the Clarify Sect."

Shen Gongbao was overjoyed upon hearing this.

But then Randeng abruptly changed the subject, and the previously relaxed atmosphere instantly became tense again.

"But right now there's still one major problem."

"Yun Zhongzi."

"He is now in the same residence as us. If the two of us were to leave rashly, it would be impossible to escape his notice."

We must find a way to get him away first.

"We can't let him find out that we're leaving, otherwise, we'll be caught up in his scheme."

"Or it might give him a chance to report to the Saint, and if we want to leave again, it will be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

Randeng's concerns are not without merit; Yun Zhongzi's cultivation is profound.

Although they are not as capable as him, if they are determined to delay, they will not be able to escape at all.

Shen Gongbao's face showed no sign of worry, but rather an air of confidence.

"Don't worry, teacher, this is easy. I have a way."

The Daoist Randeng looked at him, and his face, which always carried a hint of gloom, now exuded a chilling confidence.

What are your plans?

The sound of Randeng carried a hint of scrutiny.

"This matter concerns our very lives and livelihoods; there is no room for error."

Shen Gongbao straightened up, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his always slightly narrowed eyes.

"The teacher should know that since the death of Marquis Ji Chang of the West, there has been an undercurrent of Undercurrent within Xiqi."

A thought Randeng Deng, and he instantly understood Shen Gongbao's intention.

Shen Gongbao continued.

"Ji Chang's eldest Bo Yikao, was known for his virtue and was the popular choice to succeed him."

"But his second son, Ji Fa, holds military power and enjoys high prestige in the army; he is not one to be subservient to others."

"Moreover, my years of interaction with Ji Fa, the second young master of Xiqi, have already planted a seed of coveting the throne in his heart."

"Bo Yikao and Ji Fa, brothers, are engaged in a fierce power struggle for the throne, almost to the point of open conflict."

Randeng listened quietly without interrupting.

He realized that he seemed to have never truly understood Shen Gongbao.

"With just a little provocation, I can get Ji Fa to seek help from Senior Brother Yun Zhongzi."

"If Ji Fa can hold off Senior Brother Yun Zhongzi for a moment, the two of us can take the opportunity to leave quietly."

"By then, even if he finds out later, we will have already left Xiqi. What can he do to me then?"

"Furthermore, to ensure that Senior Brother Yun Zhongzi cannot refuse, I will have him send someone to invite him."

"Who is it?" Randeng asked in confusion.

"Ji Shudan." A profound and unfathomable smile appeared on Shen Gongbao's face.

"The Direct Disciple of Senior Brother Guangchengzi, Ji Fa's fourth younger brother."

Upon hearing this, a hint of approval finally flashed in the usually calm and unwavering eyes of the Daoist Randeng.

What a brilliant Shen Gongbao!

Let Ji Shudan go, Yun Zhongzi said, out of consideration for his fellow Martial Nephew.

Out of respect for Guangchengzi, there was absolutely no reason to refuse.

"Good."

Finally, Randeng spoke, uttering a single word.

"This matter will be entrusted to you."

He looked at Shen Gongbao and gave him further instructions.

"Remember, everything must be done flawlessly; there can be no mistakes."

Shen Gongbao bowed deeply.

"Teacher, rest assured, I understand."

After saying this, he bowed and left the Quiet Room, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Shen Gongbao moved very quickly.

In less than half Shichen, a young man dressed in fine clothes and with an extraordinary demeanor hurriedly arrived outside the courtyard where Yun Zhongzi was.

He was Ji Chang's fourth son, Ji Shudan.

"Disciple Ji Shudan requests an audience with Yun Zhongzi Martial Uncle."

The courtyard gate opened, and Yun Zhongzi's calm figure appeared at the entrance.

What is it?

Ji Shudan's face showed some anxiety and difficulty. He bowed to Yun Zhongzi and said urgently.

"Martial Uncle, my second brother, Ji Fa, would like to invite you to his residence for a chat."

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhongzi simply shook his head indifferently.

"The affairs of Xiqi are mundane matters of the human world."

"I am a person outside the secular world, and it is inappropriate for me to interfere. Moreover, I will be leaving Xiqi tomorrow to return to Kunlun Mountain."

He disliked these worldly disturbances to begin with, and moreover, the Dao Ancestor had already Imperial Edict disciples of the Saint should no longer interfere in the affairs of the Human Clan.

Upon seeing this, Ji Shudan was so anxious that he almost knelt down.

"Martial Uncle! This is no ordinary matter!"

"Now that my father has just passed away, the people of Xiqi are filled with anxiety."

"My eldest and second brothers are at odds over the matter of the throne; they're practically sworn enemies!"

"Second Brother invited Martial Uncle over hoping that Martial Uncle, as an elder, could step in and mediate."

"To prevent brothers from fighting amongst themselves, making us a laughingstock to outsiders, and shaking the very foundation of our Great Zhou!"

Yun Zhongzi remained unmoved.

"The succession to the throne is a matter for your Ji family. How can I, an outsider, interfere?"

Just as Ji Shudan was sweating profusely and at a loss for what to do, a voice drifted over from not far away.

"Senior Brother Yun Zhongzi, you are mistaken."

Shen Gongbao walked slowly over and bowed to Yun Zhongzi.

"Junior Brother Shen Gongbao?" Yun Zhongzi paused slightly.

Shen Gongbao straightened up, his face displaying his usual humility.

"Senior brother, although the Dao Ancestor also stated that matters concerning the Human Clan should be decided by the Human Clan itself."

"But we are not here to interfere in the change of dynasties; we are merely mediating."

"Avoiding a bloody conflict is a Merit act; why not do it?"

"Senior brother, you are compassionate and surely would not wish to see such a scene of widespread suffering."

Yun Zhongzi fell silent.

Shen Gongbao's words struck a chord with him.

Yes, it's just mediation, not interference.

Preventing a massacre can be considered a Merit deed.

Seeing this, Ji Shudan, who was standing nearby, quickly pleaded again.

"Yes, Martial Uncle! Please, out of pity for the people of Xiqi, go!"

"If this fighting continues, Xiqi will truly descend into chaos!"

Looking at Ji Shudan's anxious appearance and then at Shen Gongbao's sincere expression, Yun Zhongzi finally sighed softly.

That's enough.

"In that case, I will accompany you on this journey."

Upon hearing this, Ji Shudan was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle! Thank you, Martial Uncle!"

Shen Gongbao also bowed in greeting.

"My senior brother is kind."

Yun Zhongzi said no more and followed Ji Shudan toward Ji Fa's residence.

Watching the two figures disappear, a strange expression slowly appeared on Shen Gongbao's Zhang Qian face.

Without pausing, he turned and strode quickly toward the Quiet Room where the Randeng was located.

Push open the door.

The Daoist Randeng was sitting cross-legged, as if he had been waiting there for a long time.

"Teacher."

Shen Gongbao bowed deeply.

Randeng slowly opened his eyes, without uttering a single unnecessary word.

"Walk."

The moment the words fell, the two figures, like ink stains thrown into water, silently faded and disappeared from the spot.

Without alerting anyone, without leaving a trace.

Inside the empty, Quiet Room, the sandalwood incense in the burner was still burning gently, as if nothing had happened.