An Opportunity

Zhang Xuezhou always believed that his cultivation of magic in the real world was somewhat distorted, but he didn't know where it was distorted.

It wasn't until Jin Chang faced a situation worse than death that Zhang Xuezhou belatedly realized something was wrong.

If Jin Chang seizes the fortune of the King of Huainan Kingdom but is unable to defeat the King of Huainan, the other party's fate may be the same as Zhang Xuezhou's tomorrow.

He took a portion of the fortune that Huang Daoxian had sealed in Dongshan. If Huang Daoxian used this as a Curse, Zhang Xuezhou's fortune-telling skills would be difficult to withstand.

His current skill level is enough to barely fight Zuo Quan, but he has no chance against Huang Daoxian.

Zhang Xuezhou had benefited from Zuo Quan's lucky jewelry, and Zuo Teng had suffered dozens of times more torment from the curse than Jin Chang. Zhang Xuezhou did not doubt whether Huang Daoxian possessed the ability to Curse the curse.

Dong Zhongshu pondered the ashen face of the King of Huainan, who was well-versed in divination, Zhang Xuezhou pondered the same situation as Huang Daoxian.

"Master, you're in a bit of a risk," Zhang Xuezhou said in a low voice.

"And you?" Dong Zhongshu whispered, "Have you cultivated any techniques?"

"I already have the official title of 'Censor-in-Chief,' so naturally I've cultivated myself a little bit," Zhang Xuezhou replied.

"To suddenly find yourself in the position of Grand Master of the Palace, your luck and skill are truly extraordinary!"

The previous person to hold the position of Grand Master of the Palace was Shen Peigong, the head of a Confucian School school, and before that, it was Tian Fen, the younger brother of the Empress Dowager.

If we follow the normal promotion system of the imperial court, no matter how you look at it, you wouldn't be able to get a minor official like Zhang Xuezhou.

If the power structure of the court were determined by the various Aristocratic Clan and schools of thought, Zhang Xuezhou would not be eligible to serve as Grand Master of the Palace.

As for Zhang Xuezhou's cultivation level, while he is undoubtedly outstanding among the younger generation, he would be considered ordinary in the imperial court and would not be placed in a front-line official position, especially given his poor health, making it difficult for him to be placed in a key official position.

But Zhang Xuezhou unexpectedly rose to power.

Dong Zhongshu belatedly realized that Zhang Xuezhou's skill in divination was likely not weak, and that such situations were probably just a coincidence that occurred at a suitable time, thus obtaining this extraordinary gift.

"The King of Huainan is not as easy to talk to as you and I are," Dong Zhongshu said.

If the King of Huainan's political skills were weak, nothing serious would happen.

If Zhang Xuezhou's skill in divination was also weak, it would have been impossible for Dong Zhongshu to join forces with Zhang Xuezhou.

The bad thing is that the King of Huainan's skill in strategy is unfathomable, and Dong Zhongshu can only look up to him at the moment. The good thing is that Dong Zhongshu is not fighting alone; he at least has an ally at the moment.

Even though Zhang Xuezhou occasionally had to give up, Zhang Xuezhou was still a genuine practitioner of magic, and had even managed to get close to the new emperor.

In a belated realization, Dong Zhongshu even felt that Zhang Xuezhou had started practicing the cultivation technique earlier than him, which also reminded him of some unusual things about practicing cultivation techniques in Jiangdu.

Zhang Xuezhou did not interfere with Dong Zhongshu's practice of magic in Jiangdu, nor would Dong Zhongshu interfere with Zhang Xuezhou's promotion of magic practice in Chang'an City.

The two even have someone they both need to guard against or target.

"In a battle of wits and tactics, it's either life or death," Zhang Xuezhou murmured.

"We can get along with the King of Huainan, but do you think King of Huainan's willing to get along with us?" Dong Zhongshu said solemnly, "His magical abilities are so powerful that he most likely harbors ambitions to rival the Great Han Dynasty. If the emperor you've chosen is overthrown by him, the magical abilities you've cultivated based on that emperor will vanish, leaving you trapped in a cycle of misfortune and backlash!"

"Can we target the King of Huainan?"

Zhang Xuezhou inquired with great interest.

From yesterday to today, Dong Zhongshu has finally reached a consensus with him, instead of falling into contradictions and conflicts as he did yesterday.

Perhaps at this point, Dong Zhongshu also had a high probability of understanding why his trip to Chang'an City was blocked by Zhang Xuezhou.

"We practice magic only to change our predicament, but a feudal lord like the King of King of Huainan who practices magic must have treacherous and rebellious intentions!"

Even without any personal grudges or enmities, Dong Zhongshu had no choice but to raise the banner of the King of Huainan as a major enemy.

Their practice of magic techniques can only be considered theft, while someone like the King of Huainan is an unstable traitor. With such a large and powerful family, it would be difficult for them to go into seclusion like Zhang Xuezhou and others. They also have nowhere to escape to, and once the new emperor discovers their existence, they may face a struggle they cannot avoid.

"If His Majesty hadn't practiced magic, it wouldn't be a problem. But once His Majesty has practiced magic and reached a certain level, given the malevolent curse he cast on Jin Chang, he possesses the ability to strike at His Majesty in Chang'an City from Huainan," Dong Zhongshu said in a deep voice. "Such a person will ruin us, and we will have no choice but to face this inevitable conflict!"

"Then how can we defeat him?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

Zhang Xuezhou raised a very practical question.

Thinking and doing are two different things. Right now, they are hiding behind the scenes and have the advantage of making a move first. However, it is difficult for a small horse to pull a big cart. It is extremely difficult for them to fight against someone like the King of Huainan, who has been practicing magic for decades, by making a move later.

Judging from their respective skill levels, Zhang Xuezhou didn't think it was possible to defeat the Prince of King of Huainan head-on.

However, the fate of Huainan is uncertain. Once they clash with the enemy in the Great Han, even if their luck level is high, they will inevitably suffer a protracted and crushing defeat.

It is extremely rare and difficult to pull the King of Huainan beyond the Great Han Kingdom and cut off his ability to continue his national destiny.

As for the direct confrontation between the two, let's not even talk about it. The King of Huainan has tens of thousands of retainers under his command, and if it were the King of Huainan's turn to take action, it would mean that the Huainan Kingdom would be almost completely destroyed.

"Eliminating all factors related to the King of Huainan's entry into Chang'an City, if he cannot enter Chang'an City with a righteous cause, even if he kills His Majesty, he will still be a usurper and will be unpopular and condemned by the people!" Dong Zhongshu said.

Zhang Xuezhou's thoughts were all focused on how to defeat the King of Huainan.

When Dong Zhongshu finally spoke, his perspective took an unexpected turn, realizing that Dong Zhongshu's line of thinking was completely different.

This is to uproot the King of King of Huainan, leaving him with strength but no way to utilize it, thus confining him to the Huainan region.

"But this is only a preventative strategy; the risks still exist," Zhang Xuezhou cautioned.

"This needs a catalyst!"

Dong Zhongshu pondered for a long time before speaking.

From the perspective of strategy and tactics, people like them, who lack the qualities of emperors and kings, have no foundation for the nation's destiny and have almost no chance of confronting the King of King of Huainan.

But the struggle for life and death is not limited to luck; there are many other ways to influence it.

"What was the trigger?" Zhang Xuezhou asked.

"An opportunity arose when His Majesty knew that the King of Huainan posed a deadly threat and wanted to eliminate King of Huainan, while the King of Huainan was completely unprepared!"

Dong Zhongshu whispered.

He looked at Zhang Xuezhou, thinking that Zhang Xuezhou could offer some slanderous advice to the new emperor about the Prince of King of Huainan, thereby making the new emperor wary of the King of Huainan.

As for subsequent measures, they will need to be implemented based on the circumstances.

Only when everything is just right, and the timing and location are both favorable, can the King of Huainan be successfully targeted.

These conditions are undoubtedly demanding, but they are still a better chance of winning than defeating the King of King of Huainan in a contest of strategy.

"If we don't want everything to depend on fate, the most important thing is that Your Majesty needs to promote the art of destiny, and you need to have a high level of skill in it, in order to target someone like the King of Huainan who possesses great destiny," Dong Zhongshu added.

"The King of Huainan will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Your Majesty's cultivation progress, and once he discovers that Your Majesty has made significant progress in your cultivation..."

"The struggle between those who rely on their skills is a matter of life and death; two tigers cannot share one mountain. Once Your Majesty has made your choice, there is no turning back; you will inevitably have to fight to the death!"

A slight glint appeared in Dong Zhongshu's eyes.

Zhang Xuezhou, on the other hand, looked up and gazed in the direction of the royal palace.

As Emperor Jing's son, the new emperor may have known about the King of Huainan's situation before Emperor Jing died.

The new emperor, needing no remonstrances or slander, must have harbored intentions towards the Prince of King of Huainan.

Meanwhile, the new emperor who was propelled into the Divine Ability Realm had already begun practicing the art of manipulation.

Many of the things that Dong Zhongshu sought to achieve had already been put into action.

The reason why the King of Huainan hesitated to take action was because of the eight words: "A contest of tactics is either life or death."

The King of Liang was killed by the Crimson Sky Sword with a single strike. The King of Huainan was afraid of the new emperor who wielded the fake Crimson Sky Sword and dared not take action, thus finding himself in an extremely awkward situation.

"Princess Liu Ling... so that's why she came to Chang'an City!"

After much discussion, Zhang Xuezhou had not yet visited the King of Huainan's Household, but he already understood the purpose of the princess's visit to Chang'an City.

Whether Liu Ling can distinguish the authenticity of the Crimson Cloud Sword or obtains it and returns to Huainan, this could very well become the catalyst for the conflict mentioned by Dong Zhongshu.