"Also investigate the benefit behind the Xu Seal."
Zhao Xuan's words fell.
On the Investiture Table, the [Xu Kai] approval mark did not recede.
It remained pinned behind the [Director of Fate Side Record], faint as a layer of old, jade-colored ash.
Before Golden Turtle Island, the immortals fell silent for a moment.
Who approved it would reveal only a hand.
Who benefited would reveal whose lives that hand had taken once it reached out.
The killing intent in Holy Mother Guiling's eyes had yet to fade.
"Investigate the benefit first?"
Zhao Xuan looked at the approval mark.
"Yes."
"Approval can be hidden."
"A seal can be borrowed."
"An endorsement can be transferred."
"Even old traces of delivery can be severed."
His voice was icy.
"But the benefit cannot be hidden."
"Whose tribulation diminished? Whose lamp burned a little brighter?"
"The ledger will burn its way toward them."
Holy Mother Jinling pressed her fingers against her sword sheath, her gaze dark and cold.
"Then investigate the benefit."
Zhao Xuan raised his brush.
[What authority did the Xu Seal hold?]
The Vermilion Brush settled.
The [Xu Kai] approval mark seemed to be sliced open by fire. Its jade-colored edges peeled away layer by layer, exposing finer, gray-white lettering within.
[The side record may be submitted.] [Sources of disorder may be prepared.] [The Judgment Register may receive them.] [They may be used when the time comes.]
As the four lines appeared, the old seal of the Director of Fate Side Record lit up with them.
Beneath the Chaoge Old Trace, the four gray shadows of the Royal Capital, the Borderlands, the Feudal Lords, and the common people began pressing toward Wen Zhong's name again.
Inside the Grand Preceptor's Residence in Chaoge.
The War Map on the desk wrinkled