Chapter 82

You and your second sister just now—could you possibly be discussing the Investiture of the Gods?

Yun Xiao lightly furrowed her brows, a hint of confusion appearing on her absolutely beautiful face; she didn't understand why Gu Xiu was discussing this matter.

Gu Xiu had a handsome appearance, his eyes deep as stars.

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

Meeting Yun Xiao's gaze.

As the master thought, I was indeed just discussing the matter of the three teachings' Investiture of the Gods with Junior Martial Sister Qiongxiao, but just as we were discussing, you returned; master, you still haven't answered my earlier question.

Yun Xiao paced forward a few steps, fell silent for a moment, then spoke.

Although the matter of 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, and it is not something we can discuss. After the lord 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 Scripture, 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 follow the lord's words, recite the Yellow Scripture, cultivate in stillness, steady our Dao hearts, and wait for the Great Calamity to pass.

Gu Xiu said calmly: 'It seems the master's thought is the same as Junior Martial Sister Qiongxiao's, but I also just told Junior Martial Sister Qiongxiao that by doing this we are playing right into the Jie Sect's scheme.'

What do you mean by that?

Yun Xiao's gaze fell upon Gu Xiu.

That gaze carried a hint of scrutiny and a hint of doubt, as if trying to see into Gu Xiu's heart; she found herself increasingly unable to understand Gu Xiu.

Exactly, youngster, why do you say that? As for the Jie Sect's Twelve Golden Immortals, they are simply not enough for us to defeat. Bi Xiao also came over, her lively eyes full of curiosity.

Gu Xiu smiled: 'Junior Martial Sister, sometimes relying solely on martial strength isn't enough; we also need to use our brains. Let me tell you about the inside story of the Investiture of the Gods that you don't know.'

Knowing that Gu Xiu is not someone who jokes idly, understanding priorities, Yun Xiao slowly said: 'Regarding the matter of the Investiture of the Gods, your master has never spoken of it to the disciples; please go ahead and speak, and I, as your master, together with your two junior martial sisters, will judge for ourselves.'

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 does not have that many people; therefore they forced the master to sign the Investiture of the Gods, intending to have our Sect of the Cut fill the list.'

Although the master's intention in having the disciples close the mountain gates was good, he forgot how treacherous human hearts are; this conveniently gives the human and Jie teachings a good opportunity to pick us off one by one.

Moreover, master, you are unaware that the human and Jie teachings have already colluded with the Western Sect.

The Jie Sect has already planned to take action, and Gu Xiu no longer hides it, informing the Three Xias of the Investiture of the Gods matter so that they may be mentally prepared.

'What? The Jie Sect's people are so despicable, actually wanting our Sect of the Cut to fill the list? And they collude with outsiders to deal with us?' Bi Xiao let out a cute snort, her cheeks puffed up in anger.

Yun Xiao slightly furrowed her brows: 'Gu Xiu, what you say is not without reason, but how did you come to know that the human and Jie teachings have colluded with the Western Sect?'

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

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

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

'The Jie Sect, in order to eliminate 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 Sect of the Cut 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? Junior Martial Sister, I'll be the first to help you, but is such complexity really necessary? 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 hurriedly shook his head.

'Junior Martial Sister, relying solely on martial strength the Jie Sect is indeed not enough for us to defeat, but behind the Twelve Golden Immortals is a Jade Pure Sage; before we break face, we should still restrain ourselves, lest we provoke the sage to descend.'

'We will first contend with the Jie Sect in spirit and courage; when the time comes, we will then slay the Twelve Golden Immortals one by one. Therefore, master and junior martial sisters, if you ever get a chance to exterminate the Twelve Golden Immortals, do not hold back—send them straight to 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 junior martial sisters, for now there's nothing you need to do; leave the scheming against the Jie Sect to me. If I need your help, I will seek you out myself.'

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

Gu Xiu merely wanted the Three Xias to have a sense of assurance, so that when facing the Investiture of the Gods matter they would not be muddled and fall into the Jie Sect's scheming; the scheming against the Jie Sect would be handled by him alone.

Yun Xiao nodded: 'I will bring this up to the sect leader.'

The matter Gu Xiu disclosed was of great importance; having learned much of the inside story of the Investiture of the Gods, Yun Xiao inexplicably felt a bit concerned, and regardless of truth or falsehood, she must report it to Tong Tian.

……

The Thirty-Three Heavens.

The Heavenly Court.

Auspicious clouds and rosy hues intertwine; jade towers and palaces are scattered in disarray.

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

Upon learning that the Western Qi, supported by the Jie Sect, had rebelled against the Shang, he was overjoyed, and the gloom in his heart vanished completely.

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

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

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

The Tai Bai Golden Star beside him said: 'Your Majesty, we need only observe, watch how they contend; the Investiture of the Gods is settled, 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 pleased him: 'Tai Bai Golden Star, in the whole Heavenly Court only you somewhat understand my heart.'

'Thank you, Your Majesty, for the praise.'

'What are Yang Jian and Yang Chan, these two evil offspring, doing these days?' To Haotian, Yang Jian and Yang Chan are a thorn in his heart; if not removed for a day, he cannot rest or eat.

The Tai Bai Golden Star bowed: 'Your Majesty, Yang Jian has returned from his training, and Yang Chan has appeared on the Three Immortals Island; however, according to the information gathered, Yang Chan has already been taken under the Lady Nuwa's tutelage.'

'You say Yang Chan has been taken under Lady Nuwa's tutelage?' Haotian thought he had misheard.

'Your Majesty, it is indeed so.'

Haotian fell silent; Nuwa has always remained aloof from worldly affairs, and he could not understand why she would take Yang Chan under her tutelage.

'Yang Jian and Yang Chan, it seems we cannot act on them for now; we will temporarily not pay attention to them.'

'Yes, Your Majesty.'

'Report!' As Haotian and the Tai Bai Golden Star were discussing, a heavenly official rushed over, his face flushed with haste.

'Your Majesty, something grave has happened!'

Looking at the other party, they ran until out of breath, their forehead covered in fine sweat.

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

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

Haotian's face instantly darkened upon hearing this, and he snapped: "Such absurdity—is it worth reporting to me? Let the Queen Mother handle it herself; drag this thief out and behead him."

Tai Bai Golden Star hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger; perhaps there is another hidden circumstance."

That heavenly official hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, that person claims to be a disciple of the Chan Teaching."

Haotian frowned, knowing all too well how these heavenly officials constantly lie about military matters; he needed to get to the bottom of it.

"Chan Teaching disciple, what is this person's surname and given name?"

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