Schemes Succeed, Walking into the Net

Back in Chaoge, Di Xin returned to Qingxian Hall alone. Empress Jiang, her face full of grief, went back to her palace. Not long after, a piece of brocade left the royal palace and arrived at the East Earl's mansion in Chaoge.

Since the eight hundred lords were to pay homage to Shang the following year, the East Earl, as one of the Four Garrisons and a maternal relative of Yin Shang, naturally had to prepare in advance. Therefore, the East Earl's son, Jiang Wenhuan, was sent over.

It was already past midnight. Jiang Wenhuan had long since retired, but a maid gently woke him:

"Young Master, there's a letter from the palace."

"From the palace?"

Jiang Wenhuan's eyes snapped open. He glanced out the window at the bright moon hanging high, the night still deep. He felt puzzled:

Did something major happen for my sister to send news at this hour?

"Change clothes!"

"Yes!"

Before long, Jiang Wenhuan was properly dressed and seated before his desk. He frowned as he looked at the brocade in his hand:

Di Xin wants to establish Jiao'er as the Crown Prince. Why so suddenly?

"My sister means for me to help Jiao'er further, to help him firmly secure the position of Crown Prince. It's true, Di Xin's mind is unpredictable these days. You Hun is being pushed to the point of erratic behavior, and Fei Zhong has even fled to Golden Rooster Ridge. It seems even my sister can't fathom his temperament. Di Xin, Di Xin, what exactly are you trying to do? Ten thousand strong slaves, with just a little training, could become an elite army. To whom do you intend to unleash this force?"

"Yuan Futong?"

As if struck by an idea, Jiang Wenhuan suddenly spoke:

"Master, are there really any 'outsiders' who can slaughter all the soldiers of the seventy-two lords of the Northern Sea by themselves?"

"Tch!"

As Jiang Wenhuan asked, the shadow under the candlelight flickered, and a scoffing sound emerged from it, leaving no trace.

The armies of the seventy-two lords of the Northern Sea? Let alone a Saint, even a Da Luo, or even a Taiyi Golden Immortal could slaughter them all with a single spiritual treasure! But I can't crush this fellow's confidence right now.

The dark shadow pretended to ponder, then spoke hesitantly:

"There are indeed 'outsiders' who can swallow mountains and rivers. Slaughtering a regional lord is certainly not impossible. However, my Lord, rest assured, while it is possible, no 'outsider' would do such a thing."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wenhuan's guess was already eighty percent confirmed, but he still wanted to know more about these 'outsiders' for future preparedness.

"Please, Master, elaborate a little."

"We 'outsiders' are mostly Qi Practitioners. We inhale clouds and mist, dew, the essence of the sun and moon. We dare not even get too involved with the mortal world, lest we become entangled in karma and lose our path. As for harming living beings, that is even more serious! Those who harm living beings will incur karma and obstacles from the Heavenly Dao. At best, their destiny will be scattered, they will die and their path will vanish, forever falling into Avici Hell to suffer eighteen kinds of torment before they can be freed."

The dark shadow paused after speaking and immediately fell silent, piquing Jiang Wenhuan's curiosity.

Jiang Wenhuan's curiosity was piqued. Seeing him stop, he naturally wouldn't give up:

"Master, what about the worst outcome?"

"Alas!"

The dark shadow sighed, his voice filled with regret.

"At worst, the Heavenly Dao will descend punishment. They will vanish like smoke, their souls scattered, their true spirits eternally extinguished. They will be forever unable to reincarnate!"

"So that's how it is!"

A hint of joy appeared on Jiang Wenhuan's face. If that was the case, then everything made sense.

Di Xin is doing all this to suppress Yuan Futong, so that Wen Zhong can return victorious! Since 'outsiders' dare not cause too much slaughter, that blasted Kong Xuan must rely on other methods to help Di Xin. These ten thousand slaves are the death soldiers he prepared for Kong Xuan!

The more Jiang Wenhuan thought, the clearer it became, and the more certain he was of his guess.

What a Di Xin! What a benevolent Human King! He's truly a master of deception! In the imperial court, they put on a show, just to deceive the officials and the common people! And to make the act convincing, he wouldn't even spare his own son, demoting him to a slave for a month, to show his benevolence towards these slaves and to mask the truth of him sending ten thousand slaves to their deaths! Ten thousand slaves will not die, pah! I say not one will live!

"Since Your Lordship has already made up your mind, I shall take my leave. You can summon me anytime if you need anything."

"Thank you, Master. The treasure will be sent shortly..."

In the imperial court, Di Xin skillfully handled various miscellaneous affairs. His gaze, however, kept sweeping over Jiang Wenhuan.

Little brother, you really know how to play it cool. Such a huge bait, can you really resist it?

After finishing his business, Di Xin glanced at the official in charge. The latter understood and stepped forward, raising his neck and shouting:

"Court dismissed!"

"Great King! This subject, Jiang Wenhuan, has something to report!"

Just as the civil and military officials were about to bow and leave the court, Jiang Wenhuan successfully captured everyone's attention.

"Oh? What matter does my dear brother wish to report?"

Di Xin's eyes held a hint of mischief. Little brother, you finally fell for the trap.

"Great King! This minister heard that Your Majesty wishes to build the Star-Gathering Pavilion to gather talented individuals from across the land. This is a great undertaking for the nation and its people, so I informed my father, the Marquis! My father was overjoyed upon hearing this and said that as one of the Four Great Earls, he also wishes to share some of the burden with Your Majesty."

As Jiang Wenhuan spoke, he straightened his back, his gaze looking down on the assembled officials with pride.

"Therefore, this minister wishes to offer ten thousand strong slaves for Your Majesty's disposal. Even if they must march through fire and water until every last slave is dead, I will not utter a single complaint!"

You want me to offer some slaves too, don't you? Fine, I'll grant your wish and personally deliver this broken blade, forged from the flesh and blood of the Human Race, into your hands!

The Three Sovereigns acknowledge it? And rebelling against you makes one a traitor to the Human Race? Then I'll see if the ancient Three Sovereigns will be shamed when you use these hundred thousand slaves as bait!

The Sorcerer is right, Cheng Tang's destiny is at its end! You intend to defy heaven and alter fate, to swallow the eight hundred lords to mend your own broken body, but you'll have to see if we agree to that!

If you, Di Xin, can be the Human King, why can't my Jiang clan?

"Great King! Western Qi also wishes to offer five thousand strong slaves for Your Majesty's disposal to build the Star-Gathering Pavilion! Even if they must march through fire and water until all the slaves are dead, Western Qi will not utter a single complaint!"

"Great King, the Southern Capital also wishes to offer eight thousand strong slaves for Your Majesty's disposal! Even if they must march through fire and water until every last slave is dead, the Southern Capital will not utter a single complaint!"

Hearing the Earl of the East, the Earl of the South, and the Earl of the West state their intentions, the Earl of the North, Chong Houhu, immediately grew anxious. Among the Four Great Earls, he was the only one who truly surrendered to Di Xin, yet these three brats had beaten him to it.

"Great King! My slaves are at Your Majesty's disposal, and my provisions are also yours to command!"

You want to compete with me for the Great King's favor? Even if all three of your fathers came here, it wouldn't matter!

"Congratulations, Great King! Congratulations! With the generous contributions of the Four Great Earls, the one hundred thousand slaves will soon be assembled!"

You Hun was stunned by the sudden surprise. Taking advantage of the Four Great Earls' inexplicable alliance, he stepped forward to flaunt his power.

Those stingy ones, who even refused me entry, the tide has turned. Just you wait!

If I don't strip you all down to the bone, I'm not You Hun.

"How could this be?"

Di Xin secretly wiggled his fingers. These foolish fish, they've all jumped out.

The Kongtong Seal is indeed effective. With just a little hint, they all start thinking in the wrong direction!

Trying to trick me?

Just wait, you'll be crying!

"Then let's get to work with full force!"