Chapter 251: Reporting the Investiture of the Gods, the Heavenly Court's Scheme

"You were just talking with your second sister about the Investiture of the Gods, weren't you?"

Yun Xiao furrowed her elegant brows, a hint of confusion appearing on her stunning face; she didn't understand why Gu Xiu was bringing this up.

Gu Xiu was handsome, his deep eyes like stars.

Regarding Yun Xiao's doubt, the corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile.

Facing Yun Xiao's gaze.

"As the Master thought, I was indeed just discussing the three teachings' Investiture of the Gods with Junior Martial Aunt Qiong Xiao, but just as we were discussing, you returned; Master, you still haven't answered my earlier question."

Yun Xiao paced forward a few steps, then after a moment of silence spoke.

"Although the Investiture of the Gods was initiated by the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Void, it was actually jointly discussed by the three teachings; the reasons are hard to put into words, not something we can discuss. After the Sect Leader signed the Investiture of the Gods and returned with a grim expression, he ordered the disciples to close the mountain gates, silently recite the Yellow Court Classic, and wait for the Great Calamity to pass; explaining the matters involved in the Investiture of the Gods is beyond even a sage's control."

We can only obey the Sect Leader's words, recite the Yellow Court Classic, cultivate calmly, steady our hearts on the Dao, and wait for the Great Calamity to pass.

Gu Xiu said calmly: "It seems the Master's view is the same as Junior Martial Aunt Qiong Xiao's, but I also just told Junior Martial Aunt Qiong Xiao that we are playing right into the Jie Sect's trap."

What do you mean by that?

Yun Xiao's gaze fell upon Gu Xiu.

Her gaze held a hint of scrutiny and doubt, as if trying to see into Gu Xiu's heart; she realized she was understanding him less and less.

"Exactly, youngster, why do you say that? The Jie Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals alone are no match for us." Bi Xiao also stepped forward, her lively eyes full of curiosity.

Gu Xiu chuckled: "Martial Uncle, sometimes relying solely on force isn't enough; we also need to use our brains. Let me tell you the inside story of the Investiture of the Gods that you don't know."

Knowing Gu Xiu is not someone who jokes lightly, understanding priorities, Yun Xiao said slowly: "Regarding the Investiture of the Gods, your master has never spoken of it to the disciples; go ahead and speak, and I, as your master, together with your two martial uncles, will judge."

Gu Xiu said calmly: "The Investiture of the Gods requires enshrining 365 proper gods, ordering the enshrinement of eight divisions of 365 proper gods, but the Jie Sect simply doesn't have that many people, so they forced the master to sign the Investiture of the Gods, intending for our Jie Sect to fill the list."

"The master's intention in having the disciples close the mountain gates was good, but he forgot how treacherous people's hearts are; this perfectly gives the human and Jie Sects a chance to pick us off one by one."

"Moreover, Master, you are unaware that the human and Jie Sects have already colluded with the Western Sect."

The Jie Sect has already decided to take action, and Gu Xiu no longer hides it, informing the Three Xiao about the Investiture of the Gods so they can be mentally prepared.

"What? The Jie Sect's people are so despicable, actually wanting us Jie Sect to fill the list? And colluding with outsiders to deal with us?" Bi Xiao let out a cute snort, her cheeks puffed with anger.

Yun Xiao frowned slightly: "Gu Xiu, what you say is not without reason, but how did you learn that the human and Jie Sects have colluded with the Western Sect?"

Gu Xiu smiled mysteriously: "Master, this is a secret; if you don't believe me, you can ask Lady Nuwa when she comes next time."

Thinking of how familiar Nuwa seemed with Gu Xiu, Yun Xiao believed him seventy to eighty percent.

Her expression became solemn, her face as cold as frost.

"The Jie Sect, in order to dispel the killing calamity of the Twelve Golden Immortals, promotes the Investiture of the Gods; we have no objection to that, but if they want our Jie Sect to fill the list, then this is unforgivable."

Then, looking at Gu Xiu: "This matter is of great consequence; Gu Xiu, do you have any good countermeasures?"

Gu Xiu gave a light smile: "Naturally, it is to secretly sabotage the Jie Sect's schemes and turn the tables on them."

"How do you plan to do it, Martial Uncle? I'll be the first to help you, but is such complexity really needed? We could just beat the Twelve Golden Immortals flat." Bi Xiao was the first to speak up in support of Gu Xiu.

Bi Xiao's lively demeanor still enlivened the atmosphere.

Gu Xiu quickly shook his head.

"Martial Uncle, relying solely on force, the Jie Sect indeed isn't enough for us to beat, but behind the Twelve Golden Immortals is the Jade Pure Sage; before we break face, we should still restrain ourselves to avoid provoking the sage to descend."

"We will first compete with the Jie Sect in spirit and courage; when the time comes, we will then kill the Twelve Golden Immortals one by one, so Master and Martial Uncle, if you ever get a chance to slay the Twelve Golden Immortals, show no mercy—send them onto the list."

Yun Xiao fell silent for a moment: "Gu Xiu, I suppose you already have a plan in mind? I don't know what we need to do."

"Master and Martial Uncle, for now you don't need to do anything; leave the scheming against the Jie Sect to me, and if I need your help, I will seek you out."

The Three Xiao have long resided on Three Immortals Island, unaware of the world's treachery.

Gu Xiu merely wanted the Three Xiao to have a sense of assurance, so they wouldn't be confused when facing the Investiture of the Gods, falling into the Jie Sect's schemes; handling the scheming against the Jie Sect would be his responsibility alone.

Yun Xiao nodded: "I will bring this up to the Sect Leader."

The matters Gu Xiu disclosed were too important; having learned much inside information about the Investiture of the Gods, Yun Xiao inexplicably felt concerned, and regardless of truth or falsehood, she must report it to Tong Tian.

……

Thirty-Three Heavens

the Heavenly Court

Auspicious clouds and rosy hues intertwine, jeweled towers and jade palaces stand in staggered array.

Haotian, having finished a day's official duties, slightly fatigued, rubbed his brow.

Upon learning that the Jie Sect-supported Xiqi had rebelled against the Shang, he was overjoyed, the gloom in his heart swept away.

"The Jie Sect finally has some movement—good, good."

Haotian clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes revealing contemplation.

"I don't know how the Jie Sect will respond; it would be best if the two teachings fought until heaven and earth shattered, all ending up on the list, so that I can dispatch them all."

Beside him, Tai Bai Jin Xing said: "Your Majesty, we need only observe, watch how they contend; the Investiture of the Gods is set, the three teachings are all in the game, and our Heavenly Court need only seize the opportunity to reap the greatest benefit."

Haotian nodded, these words greatly pleasing him: "Tai Bai Jin Xing, in the whole Heavenly Court, you are the only one who slightly understands my heart."

"Thank you, Your Majesty's praise."

"What are Yang Jian and Yang Chan, those two evil offspring, up to now?" To Haotian, Yang Jian and Yang Chan are thorns in his side; if not removed for a day, he cannot rest or eat.

Tai Bai Jin Xing bowed: "Your Majesty, Yang Jian has returned from his training, and Yang Chan has appeared on Three Immortals Island, but according to the gathered intelligence, Yang Chan has already been taken under Lady Nuwa's tutelage."

"You say Yang Chan was taken under Lady Nuwa's tutelage as a martial uncle?" Haotian thought he had misheard.

"Your Majesty, that is indeed the case."

Haotian fell silent; Nuwa never concerns herself with worldly affairs, and he cannot fathom why she would take Yang Chan under her tutelage.

"Yang Jian and Yang Chan seem temporarily immovable; we'll just not pay attention to them for now."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Report!" While Haotian and Tai Bai Jin Xing were discussing, a heavenly official rushed over, looking flustered.

"Your Majesty, something grave has happened!"

Looking at the other party, he ran, panting, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

Haotian frowned slightly: "What exactly is the matter? So urgent?"

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, in the lower realm's Queen Mother of the West Palace, has caught someone peeking at a female immortal bathing, and reports this to you."

Upon hearing this, Haotian's face instantly darkened, and he rebuked: "Such a ridiculous affair— is it worth reporting to me? Let the Queen Mother handle it herself; drag this scoundrel out and behead him."

The Venus Star at the side hurriedly smoothed things over: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger; perhaps there is another hidden circumstance."

The heavenly official hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, that person claims to be a disciple of the Orthodox Sect."

Haotian furrowed his brows; he knew these heavenly officials too well—they always falsified military reports, so he needed to get to the bottom of it.

"Orthodox Sect disciple, what is this person's surname and name?"

"Your Majesty, this person is called Jiang Ziya."