Chapter 771: Method

Chapter 771: A Solution

Upon hearing Li Huowang’s words, many in the gathering furrowed their brows.

Beside him, the Khan of Qingqiu opened his mouth to speak, but was stopped by Gao Zhijian.

“Senior Brother Li, it is tradition to consult the hexagrams before battle. Moreover, this half-immortal Fusu here comes from a distinguished lineage—no one can rival his skill in divination.”

“Even if he cannot aid us in confronting the Sect of the Law, knowing the auspicious or ominous signs beforehand will still benefit us all.”

“Heh,” Li Huowang turned and approached the old blind man.

“You claim you can read fate? You can even predict fortune and misfortune? Then tell me, which of the Deities of Fate do you serve? Whose power do you borrow?”

In response to Li Huowang's inquiry, the respectful demeanor of the Yellow Emperor Fusu suddenly shifted completely. His weathered face lifted with pride.

“We who practice divination do not believe in the Deities of Fate, nor do we rely on external forces. Everything has cause and effect; even the Deities are subject to this law. My eight-line divination reveals Heaven’s destiny, seeking the causal threads among the Deities themselves.”

“In other words, you think you can see the ever-changing fate of the future through your own efforts alone, merely as an old man about to be buried in his coffin? Are you more powerful than the Deities themselves?”

Li Huowang had seen too much already, and now his heart was filled with distrust.

“You are also of the Xuan sect. Why do you disbelieve fate? What are the Deities of Fate? As the name suggests, they govern destiny. Even the Deities have their own fates—every sip and bite is predetermined. Is that not correct, Li Huowang?”

Hearing his name called directly, Li Huowang’s pupils contracted, yet he quickly composed himself.

“Want to read my fate, huh? Come on, keep going deeper! Let’s see what else you can divine! Try figuring out where I came from!”

To his surprise, Huangxuan Fusu shook his head gently. “Can’t divine that.”

“Heh! Now you say you can’t divine it? If you’re so good at deceiving people, why don’t you go become a die in the Forgetful Dao?”

“I cannot divine it because someone else has already done so for you. Whether you believe it or not, this great auspicious sign is absolutely true. What? Do you wish for an ominous prophecy instead?”

“I...” Li Huowang opened his mouth but closed it again. This man was just provoking him. He couldn’t possibly say he wanted to lose rather than win.

At that moment, Gao Zhijian descended from the dragon throne and walked toward Li Huowang, his expression grim. “Senior Brother Li, now is not the time to quarrel. We are discussing important matters. Please, do it for my sake.”

Looking at the faces of the others, Li Huowang said nothing more and returned to his seat.

Fine, let them be superstitious. After all, this old man’s divinations won’t bring harm—it’s just a lucky omen.

He didn’t disbelieve the prophecies per se—he simply didn’t trust that this frail old man could determine the outcome of this great calamity with nothing more than his flimsy words.

Once he saw Huangxuan Fusu leave, Li Huowang remained silent. Gao Zhijian slowly spoke again: “The great auspicious sign shows that Heaven’s mandate and our fortune lie with us.”

With another glance at Li Huowang, who was drinking tea with his head tilted back, Gao Zhijian continued, “We’ve reached this point. The matter at hand is paramount. A country cannot exist without a ruler. The same holds true for the Heavenly Observing Bureau of Great Liang.”

“Now that Xuanpin has passed away, we must replace him with a new Heavenly Observing Master. In times of crisis, we cannot afford to lack capable hands.”

Upon hearing this, the others murmured or pondered. They were about to fight the Sect of the Law again, and this position was of utmost importance.

“Didn’t you say I’d pretend to be Xuanpin to calm the people? If we replace him with a new Heavenly Observing Master, wouldn’t that expose everything?”

“Senior Brother Li, you continue pretending. On the surface, you remain the Heavenly Observing Master of Great Liang, but secretly, that person will use Xuanpin’s identity to manage all affairs of the bureau.”

Just as Gao Zhijian answered Li Huowang’s question, someone below spoke up. “Your Majesty! You are the sovereign of the ninefold heavens. Whoever you say should sit there, shall sit there!”

Gao Zhijian glanced at Li Huowang, then quickly looked away. “It’s not about who sits or doesn’t sit—it’s about who is fit to sit.”

“In wartime, this person must not only handle all matters of the Heavenly Observing Bureau properly but also coordinate with the bureaus of other nations to assist our soldiers in defeating the false Great Liang of the Sect of the Law. If the helmsman at the front gets off course, he may drag everyone behind him into eternal ruin.”

After speaking, Gao Zhijian scanned the faces of the other junior heads of the bureau. According to protocol, the imperial family should not interfere in the affairs of the Heavenly Observing Bureau.

But now, with the bureau leaderless, he had no choice but to force the issue. Still, even though he was pushing others to take charge, he knew little of the bureau’s internal workings.

“I’ll give it a try—at least... get through this part first,” came the voice of the Qingqiu Heavenly Observing Master from beneath his massive Nuo mask.

As for the following debates and negotiations, Li Huowang did not speak a word. He wasn’t omnipotent. Some things he excelled at, but what Xuanpin had done before, he could not replicate.

Everyone should do what they do best, for only then would they have a chance to defeat the remaining Sect of the Law.

In truth, Li Huowang was thinking of something far more pressing. When he came to his senses, everyone else was bowing to the four emperors and retreating.

Gao Zhijian stepped beside Li Huowang, slightly bowing. “Senior Brother Li, you mustn’t go off alone to Nanping to fight by yourself. Nanping and the nearby Anxi have long been occupied by the Sect of the Law. Anyone still alive inside is a spy for them.”

“Before her death, Xuanpin said you’ve been marked by the Sect. If you go, they will surely spare no effort to keep you.”

“Once the army departs, follow the military into Nanping. That will be safest.”

Frowning and deep in thought, Li Huowang shook his head slowly. “No. The key to this great war isn’t the Sect of the Law—they’re just the surface. The real key is the Deity of Fate behind them!”

“Senior Brother Li, what are you talking about?”

Li Huowang looked up at his former big man. “Do you remember what Xuanpin did before? He helped the Deity kill Yu’er Shen. That means we can also influence the heavens beyond.”

“If the Deity behind the Sect disappears, then this so-called Great Liang will collapse naturally.”

“But Senior Brother Li, haven’t you forgotten? Xuanpin died because of that very thing. It’s extremely dangerous!” Gao Zhijian tried to dissuade Li Huowang from this perilous plan.

Li Huowang impatiently waved his hand. “He died because of poor preparation and being ambushed by the Sect. It had nothing to do with that act itself.”

Li Huowang stood up and walked toward the exit. “If we’ve found the heart of the Sect, how could we not even attempt it?”

This was an opportunity—an opportunity to end this great calamity outright. The success of Xuanpin and the others had already shown him the way. After all, Yu’er Shen was truly dead now.

(End of Chapter)