On a floating island in Divine Farmer City:
The Qian Nation envoys’ interrogation of Jiang Lianshan, the Yan Heavenly Emperor, shocked the entire city. Everyone glared at the distant Gu Hai.
However, no one could find anything wrong with Gu Hai’s words. After all, it was the Azure Emperor who acted inappropriately first.
All the citizens showed conflicted expressions.
A group of people currently stood on the floating island.
A white-clad woman wearing a white hat led this group. Her appearance matched that of Gu Hai’s wife, Chen Xianer. The only difference was the sharp light in her eyes.
One of Gu Hai’s adopted sons, Gu Tang, accompanied her. However, he had already betrayed Gu Hai and changed his name to Tang Gu.
Tang Gu stood before the white-clad woman and looked into the distance. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “The old man is still so sharp. Imperial Lord, Gu Hai is here.”
The white-clad woman was the Yan Heavenly Dynasty’s White Emperor.
The White Emperor fixed her gaze at the central plaza. “Indeed. He is here.”
As Tang Gu stared at the White Emperor, he noticed there were no fluctuations on her face.
“Tang Gu, do you think the Azure Emperor has done something stupid this time?” the White Emperor asked indifferently.
Tang Gu took a deep breath and replied, “This subordinate guesses that His Holy Eminence was aware of the Azure Emperor’s actions but just let him be. Therefore, the Azure Emperor did not do anything wrong.”
“Oh?”
“Long Zhanguo is walking a path of death. However, he wants to pull in His Holy Eminence to rebel against Heaven. His Holy Eminence is unwilling to do so, but his stance is vague. It seems like His Holy Eminence is waiting for the situation to become clearer. Since the Azure Emperor made a move today, His Holy Eminence used it to reject Long Zhanguo. That’s why His Holy Eminence just let the Azure Emperor be without any question. After the matter is over, even if an investigation were carried out, it would be the Azure Emperor’s actions. His Holy Eminence would not get involved, so he would not have to worry. As for the Azure Emperor, if my guess is right, he decided to kill Gu Hai because of you,” Tang Gu said.
“For us?” the White Emperor said.
“Yes. The five emperors submitted to the Yan Heavenly Dynasty in the past. However, you covertly fight each other while ostensibly working together. Gu Hai has a grudge against the Azure Emperor, so the Azure Emperor no longer sees any hope of recruiting Gu Hai. The only person who can recruit Gu Hai would be you. That’s why he wants to kill Gu Hai. If he cannot obtain Gu Hai, he cannot let you have him,” Tang Gu said.
“I see.” The White Emperor nodded as she frowned.
“There is a precedent of success in the Yellow Emperor’s establishment of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty. That’s why the Azure Emperor feels confident. The Black Emperor’s failure did not extinguish the Azure Emperor’s ambition. The success of separating from the Yan Nation and founding his own heavenly dynasty will depend on his competition with the White Emperor and the Scarlet Emperor. That’s why he is so determined. Furthermore, he guessed that His Holy Eminence would not bother. That’s why he dared to make a move. While His Holy Eminence was using the Azure Emperor, the Azure Emperor was also using His Holy Eminence’s name. Unfortunately for him, he did not expect Gu Hai to find flaws in the Lianshan Classic of all things,” Tang Gu said.
“The Azure Emperor? He thinks too much of himself,” the White Emperor said coldly.
“Indeed.” Tang Gu nodded.
“Gu Hai? He is still this incredible? What a pity we did not recruit him back then. Tang Gu, don’t you revere Gu Hai the most? What’s wrong? Now that Gu Hai is here, do you have anything that you want to say?” The White Emperor looked at Tang Gu.
“Imperial Lord, this subordinate only acknowledges Imperial Lord. Gu Hai has long since become a matter of the past.” Tang Gu shook his head.
The White Emperor looked at the distant Gu Hai and said, “If he does not die, we want him.”
“Yes!” Tang Gu frowned and nodded.
Far away, Gu Hai interrogated Jiang Lianshan.
No matter the stance of anyone in the surroundings, since Gu Hai already put it this way, Jiang Lianshan had to answer.
Was it the Azure Emperor or Jiang Lianshan?
Truthfully, it was the Azure Emperor who wanted to kill Gu Hai. However, Jiang Lianshan would not say that. Otherwise, what would the Yan Nation citizens think?
Furthermore, it felt like Gu Hai had control of this conversation. Naturally, Jiang Lianshan would not fall for Gu Hai’s trap.
“Qian Nation envoy? You are indeed eloquent. How can we not know Long Zhanguo’s intentions in sending envoys to the Yan Nation?” Jiang Lianshan said indifferently from the distant palace.
Gu Hai narrowed his eyes slightly as he stared at the Jiang Lianshan. Although they were a great distance apart, the entire city could hear the two.
“Yan Heavenly Emperor, you have not answered my question,” Gu Hai said seriously.
“Have not answered your question? No. Earlier, you said that our Lianshan Classic is not worth mentioning, full of flaws and completely incoherent. What you wrote is the true orthodox Classic of Changes?” Jiang Lianshan said indifferently.
“Huh?” Gu Hai narrowed his eyes further.
“Why did we not meet the Qian Nation envoys for three years? As the Qian Nation envoy, don’t you know? Don’t you intend to drag the Yan Heavenly Dynasty into a situation of eternal damnation?” Jiang Lianshan shouted coldly.
“Drag us into a situation of eternal damnation?” The countless citizens showed shocked expressions.
“The Qian Nation intends to cause trouble in the Yan Nation. We have endured it for so long. However, instead of giving up, you even tried to push further? Lacking in decorum towards the Qian Nation? Humph! The Azure Emperor is in the wrong. Naturally, we will punish him. Since when it is the place of another nation to tell me what to do?” Jiang Lianshan said coldly.
Nearby, the Azure Emperor let out his bated breath.
The surrounding citizens looked at Gu Hai coldly.
“Yan Heavenly Emperor, you say that the Qian Nation envoys are causing trouble in the Yan Nation. Do you have any evidence for that? Is that another groundless accusation? Now, we are placed in a situation of life and death for that. Is there any evidence for that?” Gu Hai said coldly.
“If the Yan Nation wants you dead, you would not have any opportunity to escape!” Jiang Lianshan said indifferently.
“Huh?” Gu Hai’s face sank.
Nearby, the Azure Emperor’s expression changed, sensing something off with Jiang Lianshan’s tone.
“We know why Long Zhanguo sent you to the Yan Nation. However, have you thought about the lives of the many Yan Nation citizens? You want me to gamble with the lives of my Yan Nation for your unreasonable requests? What a joke! How preposterous! How ignorant! How arrogant!” Jiang Lianshan’s expression turned cold.
Gu Hai’s expression turned cold. “Yan Heavenly Emperor, you are exaggerating. Don’t you know? My Qian Nation is bringing peace to the Yan Nation, peace to the world, and freedom to the world!”
“Oh? Freedom to the world?” Jiang Lianshan narrowed his eyes.
“A sparrow in a cage or a brave eagle in the sky, Yan Heavenly Emperor, which would you rather be? Of course, there is no point in my saying anything. We will return to the Qian Nation today. So, here is my final question. Whose intention was it to set up this trap to kill us? Yours or the Azure Emperor?!” Gu Hai asked sternly.
Jiang Lianshan could not be unaware of the Azure Emperor’s attempt to kill him. However, he had just ignored it. Gu Hai had understood Jiang Lianshan’s thoughts earlier.
The will of a sovereign could not be changed with just a few words, especially one of a heavenly dynasty.
Going by the earlier situation, Gu Hai knew that no persuasion would help. Jiang Lianshan was simply unwilling; it would be pointless no matter how much Gu Hai argued. On the contrary, it would only push him closer to death. Hence, he might as well leave it be and leave the Yan Heavenly Dynasty earlier. By interrogating Jiang Lianshan like that, he was creating protection for himself when he left. Gu Hai used the citizens’ hearts as a hostage so the Qian Nation envoys could leave safely.
Jiang Lianshan stared at Gu Hai for a while. Then, he looked with narrowed eyes at the words Gu Hai wrote.
After some silence, Jiang Lianshan suddenly showed a faint smile. “Classic of Changes? The Qian Hexagram is the first hexagram? The orthodox Classic of Changes? Trying to overthrow our Lianshan Classic? What bold words! Gu Hai, we will give you a chance. If you can use your Classic of Changes to overthrow our Lianshan Classic and perfect it, proving that the Qian Hexagram is the first, we will agree to Long Zhanguo’s request. What do you think?”
“Huh?” Gu Hai felt slightly startled.
The Azure Emperor narrowed his eyes, revealing some shock.
On the distant floating island:
“What is His Holy Eminence doing? Is His Holy Eminence going to agree to Long Zhanguo’s request? That’s not right. Why would His Holy Eminence agree?” The White Emperor appeared shocked as well.
Tang Gu betrayed a trace of amazement.
Long Aotian looked at Gu Hai. “Hall Master, the Yan Nation killed Gongyang Sheng. That is tantamount to declaring war on my Qian Nation. Why bother with him?”
However, Gu Hai ignored Long Aotian as he understood Long Zhanguo’s intentions. Jiang Lianshan’s stance was much more important than Gongyang Sheng.
“Yan Heavenly Emperor, are you agreeing to the Qian Heavenly Emperor?” Gu Hai looked at Jiang Lianshan with some confusion.
Earlier, Jiang Lianshan’s stance appeared like he wanted to distance himself from Long Zhanguo. Why did his stance suddenly change?
“Oh? You are not a humble person. Are you confident you will overthrow the Lianshan Classic?” Jiang Lianshan asked with narrowed eyes.
This response slightly startled Gu Hai. He immediately realized the reason for Jiang Lianshan’s change in stance. The Classic of Changes? He changed his stance because of the Classic of Changes?
“If I can do it, what will Yan Heavenly Emperor’s stance be?” Gu Hai asked again.
“A sovereign always keeps his word!” Jiang Lianshan said.
“Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! If Yan Heavenly Emperor is willing to declare that, then this humble one will take charge and put aside the matter of the Azure Emperor’s murder of the Qian Nation envoys. We will leave this matter to the Qian Heavenly Emperor to get justice for Gongyang Sheng in the future,” Gu Hai said.
“We give you ten days to straighten out your Classic of Changes. We permit you to enter the palace ten days later and submit your Classic of Changes!” Jiang Lianshan said.
“Alright!” Gu Hai agreed.
Far away, Jiang Lianshan narrowed his eyes, skepticism flashing in them. Can he straighten out the entire Classic of Changes within ten days?
“What if you cannot bring out an orthodox Classic of Changes ten days later?” Jiang Lianshan looked at Gu Hai coldly.
“The Qian Heavenly Dynasty will never bother the Yan Nation again. Also, we will leave Gongyang Sheng’s death and today’s assassination attempt be. Both the Qian Heavenly Dynasty and I will not pursue the matter!” Gu Hai said.
“Excellent!” Jiang Lianshan said in response.
As long as Gu Hai failed to write it, there would be no more reason for the Qian Nation to drag the Yan Heavenly Dynasty into this rebellion.
At the side, Long Sanqian appeared anxious. However, Gu Hai’s determination made it difficult to interject.
On the other side, the Azure Emperor narrowed his eyes.
What does this mean? If he fails to write it, he will no longer pursue the matter of me trying to kill him? If he manages to write it, he will pursue it to the end, coming to seek trouble for us?
The Azure Emperor looked at Gu Hai sullenly.
The other officials looked at Gu Hai in disdain. They did not think he could write a more incredible Classic of Changes. However, it was different for the Azure Emperor. He had personally seen Gu Hai write the Classic of the Dao and Virtue.
The Future Scripture, the Supreme Ascendant Scripture, and the Supreme Genesis Scripture previously dominated the holy Dao scriptures. Back then, Gu Hai’s Classic of the Dao and Virtue had crushed the Supreme Ascendant Scripture.
This Gu Hai seemed to have an extraordinary talent for writing scriptures. The earlier Qian Hexagram was an incredible start.
What if he can write it out within ten days?
The murderous intent in the Azure Emperor’s eyes sharpened.
Chapters for July: 23 / 30
