Chapter 598 - 78: Each with Their Own Calculations

"Relax. The higher-ups aren’t fools. They can’t be bothered to hear about something so trivial."

Zi Luan glanced at Gan Qi and said in a casual tone, "These days, most Cultivators in the Southern Cultivation Realm depend on Qianmu Temple to survive. As long as it’s not an issue of principle, the higher-ups would probably look the other way even if Fellow Daoist Changqing killed the Emperor, let alone a trivial matter like this."

Wu Quan chimed in, "What Gan Qi means is, he’s wondering if someone already knows our plan and wants to use this investigation to delay our preparations."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ping looked up at Wu Quan, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

After a few breaths, he had a plan. He looked at Xia Wen Yi and commanded, "This is something even our Primordial Spirits cannot clearly investigate. Dedicating more people to look into it would be a waste of resources. So, other than the source of the sandalwood, you don’t need to investigate anything else."

"Furthermore, since our opponent has entered the fray, we must make a statement of our own. Contact Qianqian tonight. Have her take the evidence to the gates of Guangshan Temple and demand that they hand over the person within five days!"

As Xia Wen Yi accepted the command, Wang Ping turned to Zi Luan and said, "In the name of the Daoist Palace, communicate with the Chu Kingdom Court. Have them issue official documents to all regions, framing this incident as a feud between Qianmu Temple and Guangshan Temple!"

Zi Luan laughed. "Delivering the message is the easy part, but the current Chu Kingdom Court won’t necessarily listen. After all, the current balance of power in Chu Country is the exact situation they want to see. This is the Chu Kingdom Court’s ’consensus,’ and the only way to break their ’consensus’ is with another palace coup."

Wang Ping met Zi Luan’s smiling eyes. "They don’t have a choice in this. If we wanted Guangshan Temple annihilated, it would only take us a few moments. Wouldn’t you agree? My sending Wen Yi to their gate beforehand is precisely to declare our stance!"

Zi Luan first let out a loud laugh, then replied, "That’s true!" He glanced around at everyone present. "As long as we’re all in agreement, Guangshan Temple can be annihilated in an instant, along with all of Lishui Prefecture’s schemes on Mozhou Road. However..." He looked back at Wang Ping. "You had best explain things clearly to Daoist Zhi Gong, just to avoid any misunderstandings."

Wang Ping said confidently, "When we decided to move against Guangshan Temple a month ago, I already informed Fellow Daoist Zhi Gong. She has clearly stated that she will give us her full support!"

"In that case, I’ll be waiting for your good news!" As he spoke, Zi Luan stood, cupped his hands, and said, "I’m going to check on my sect’s outer disciples. I won’t trouble you with the poison in their bodies."

With that, he transformed into a streak of light and departed.

Then, Wu Quan and Gan Qi also left, giving the same reason.

’Why do I get the feeling Zi Luan was the one who released this poison?’ Ruan Chunzi said in a low voice after Zi Luan, Wu Quan, and Gan Qi had left.

"How could that be? What would he gain from doing that?" Yuan Zheng asked in confusion.

"Originally, Zi Luan was the one who was supposed to clean up Mozhou Road, not us. We were just going to use the conflict with Guangshan Temple as a pretext, leaving them to handle the dirty work that followed. But now, the roles are reversed, and we’re being forced to take the initiative," Ruan Chunzi said, looking at Wang Ping.

Wang Ping’s expression was perfectly calm. He looked at Xia Wen Yi, who was still lingering in place, and waved his hand. "Go and see to your task."

"Yes, I will take my leave!"

Xia Wen Yi lowered his head, a hint of regret on his face; he was disappointed he couldn’t stay to listen.

Watching Xia Wen Yi depart, Wang Ping instructed Yuan Zheng, "Use the Communication Token from the assembly to ask Fellow Daoist Liu Chang about the state of the civil war in Lishui Prefecture. Also, inform him of our plan."

Yuan Zheng’s eyes lit up. "I understand!" he replied.

At this, Wang Ping stood and looked up at the starry sky, letting out a soft, inexplicable laugh. He then turned to meet Ruan Chunzi’s gaze and said, "No matter what they’re planning, I’ll make my own moves. Once everyone’s pieces are on the board, there’s bound to be a collision, unless someone decides to concede beforehand. When that time comes, we’ll see their true colors in an instant!"

"That’s true in principle, but... Zi Luan is a very dangerous person."

"Why not just eliminate him?" Of course, it was Dongcan who said this.

"That’s going a bit too far!" Ruan Chunzi said, shaking his head. "We still need him as an ally."

Wang Ping looked up at the starry sky again and smiled. "There’s no use in overthinking it. They make their moves, and we make ours. We’ll get rid of anyone who stands in our way. Speaking of which..." He looked at Dongcan. "The Court needs to be a little more obedient this time, but we can’t have chaos right now. Keep an eye on things. Take action if necessary, but don’t use our people!"

Dongcan immediately nodded. "Understood!"

Wang Ping nodded as well, then said softly, "It is getting late. It should be time for our daily meditation."

Hearing this, Yuan Zheng, Ruan Chunzi, and Dongcan all cupped their hands in unison, then transformed into streaks of light and departed.

「Fire Institute.」

On the high platform outside Ruan Chunzi’s cave residence, the figures of Yuan Zheng and Ruan Chunzi landed one after the other.

"Was the poison really from Zi Luan?"

"I was just guessing. I don’t think the chances of it being Zi Luan are high. It’s more likely Wu Quan and Gan Qi, or someone else who wants Qianmu Temple to be on the front lines!"

Yuan Zheng frowned.

Ruan Chunzi looked at Yuan Zheng and added, "Don’t worry. Fellow Daoist Changqing understands the situation better than we do. If Zi Luan wanted Changqing to take the lead, he could have just said so directly. There’s no need to resort to such a roundabout, disgusting trick."

Yuan Zheng nodded thoughtfully. "That’s true..." He seemed to have a moment of dawning realization. "Changqing has changed so much. I used to be able to tell what he was planning at a glance, but now I can’t read him at all."

"He’s scheming to reach the Fourth Realm. Of course he can’t let people see what he’s thinking. If even you could read him, then anyone under the heavens could!"

"The way you put it, it sounds like you’re taking a jab at me."

"Not at all. How do you have time to be wasting here with me? Have you forgotten the task Fellow Daoist Changqing gave you?"

"Oh, right! You almost made me late for important business!"

Yuan Zheng’s voice was still echoing, but he had already transformed into a streak of light and flown away.

Ruan Chunzi gazed into the night sky, seemingly lost in thought. After some time, a figure slowly emerged from the cave residence. She was a Kun Cultivator, dressed in a gray-white, long-sleeved Daoist Robe. Her hair was tied in a high, three-looped chignon known as a "flying celestial" bun. From a distance, she looked like a fairy from a myth.

It was Miaoyu, who had intercepted Yuan Hu alongside Ruan Chunzi back then!

"Have you decided to help Changqing scheme for the Fourth Realm?" Miaoyu’s voice was cool and detached.

"Is there any reason why I shouldn’t?"

"Why do you favor him?"

"I don’t necessarily favor him. I just think that by following him, I might be able to see the truth of what lies above."

"Are you still agonizing over these matters?"

"You still don’t understand. I’m not agonizing over *those* things. People like us struggle for millennia without even knowing *why* we struggle. Don’t you find that ridiculous?"

Miaoyu sighed. "How many people under the heavens truly know the truth? Do they not go on living their lives?"

Hearing this, Ruan Chunzi turned to look at Miaoyu. "Can we please not argue about this?"

Miaoyu’s brow furrowed slightly. She looked as though she wanted to say more but ultimately held her tongue. After a long pause, she said softly, "This path Changqing is walking is not an easy one. His karmic burden is heavy. When he first entered this realm, he orchestrated the destruction of Baisui Lake. Even the Star God Alliance turned a blind eye, refusing to be tainted by his karma."