Councilor Qiu had calculated beforehand that his chances of successfully escaping were fifty-fifty. In truth, this was the result people like him, skilled in calculation, hated most.
It might seem as though there was some chance of victory, but whatever one did, there were only two possible outcomes: success or failure. Especially when the matter itself was beyond one's control, it all came down entirely to luck.
Yet man proposed, Heaven disposed. He could not refrain from acting simply because the result could not be foreseen. Staying meant sitting and waiting for death; leaving might instead offer a path to survival.
He sensed that Luo Zhong, that disciple, was nearly unable to control himself. When Celestial Xia and Origin Xia began attacking one another, how could he possibly restrain himself? His only chance to leave lay in these few short days before him.
Although Councilor Xiang had summoned him, he had not directly seized him. The matter had not yet been exposed, and contact with this man might not necessarily be without opportunity.
After sorting through his thoughts where he stood, he complied with the summons and followed the disciple to where Councilor Xiang was. The latter was presently inspecting the deployment of the formation and ordering those guarding it to alter their positions. The formation changed almost daily, lest the circumstances here leak out.
The disciple stepped forward and reported, "Councilor Xiang, Councilor Qiu has arrived."
Councilor Xiang set aside what he was doing, beckoned Councilor Qiu closer, and asked with a smile, "I heard Councilor Qiu has lately been searching everywhere for disciples. Have you found anyone suitable?"
Councilor Qiu sighed. "Not yet."
"Oh?" Councilor Xiang seemed surprised. "I heard Councilor Qiu uses calculation to seek people. Could it be that your calculations are inaccurate?"
Councilor Qiu shook