Golden Ao Island, Calamity Aversion Department.
When Shen Gongbao returned with the two still-shaken former crown princes and the Power of Attorney bearing their signatures, the entire hall erupted.
"Brilliant!"
Daoist Duobao slapped his thigh hard, his face flushed with excitement as all his previous frustration vanished.
"Cutting off the fuel beneath the cauldron! Guangchengzi and the others wanted to dig up Great Shang's roots, so we dug them up first and planted them ourselves! Brilliant! Truly brilliant!"
Zhao Gongming nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of admiration.
"Using Heavenly Dao law as a shield and procedural justice as a spear. Without spilling a drop of blood, we have left the Chan Sect speechless in defeat. Junior Brother Shen deserves the foremost credit for this."
Faced with everyone's praise, Shen Gongbao merely bowed modestly and respectfully presented the letter of authorization to Chen Changsheng.
"I did not fail my mission."
A professional smile worthy of a top legal expert hung on his face.
Yet Chen Changsheng did not look at the authorization that was enough to make the Chan Sect cough blood.
His gaze fell upon the Water Mirror, upon the two youths whom Interception Sect disciples had taken to the "counseling room."
Watching the hatred and fear in their eyes that would not fade, his brow furrowed slightly for the first time.
The celebratory atmosphere in the hall quietly cooled along with that subtle change in his expression.
Daoist Duobao and Zhao Gongming exchanged glances, each seeing the other's confusion.
"Junior Brother, is there something amiss?" Zhao Gongming asked cautiously.
Chen Changsheng did not answer at once.
He reached out and lightly tapped the Water Mirror. The image shifted, finally settling upon Star Picking Tower in Chaoge's royal palace, still brightly lit yet overflowing with demonic aura.
"We defeated Guangchengzi."