Chapter 468

Mu Yi

Jin (state)

Great Heavenly Venerable

This time, the Great Celestial Venerable intended to change the course of history; though many celestials lacked such resolve, they still had the nerve to fish in troubled waters.

If the Three Kingdoms can be altered, then the Five Barbarians' chaos can naturally be altered too; many celestials have secretly formed an alliance.

Their demands therefore boiled down to this: Mu Yi must extend the Jin dynasty's mandate, and the later the Five Barbarians' chaos arrives, the more incense and divine power they will receive.

Guan Sheng Dijun

It's a bit shameless, but at this critical juncture one has no choice but to grit one's teeth and accept it.

Mu Yi didn't think much further; having accepted the mission, he simply got on with it.

In the original history of Jiuzhou, the Prince of Donghai Sima Yue emerged as the ultimate victor in the War of the Eight Princes.

Picking Sima Yue would at best be a fallback; to end the War of the Eight Princes as swiftly as possible, one must choose someone else.

However, Mu Yi is not really familiar with the history of the War of the Eight Princes.

So Mu Yi found someone to help.

Sima Yi (Sima Yi)

Jin Gaozu Sima Yi stared at Mu Yi in astonishment.

Northern Expedition

Everyone knows that whoever puts the most effort into stopping Guan Yu from crossing his tribulation must be from the Jin lineage; after all, if Guan Yu succeeds in his northern expedition, the ensuing chain reaction will inevitably doom the Jin dynasty—this is tantamount to digging up the Jin's roots.

Even if it is merely a great world, not the native soil of Jiuzhou, its effect on the Jin dynasty is still plain to see.

Therefore, from the very beginning, the two sides have already been arrayed against each other.

"There are no eternal friends nor eternal enemies in the world; I have come to prolong the Jin dynasty's mandate, sir—you surely won't disappoint me, will you?"

Mu Yi gazed at Sima Yi, yet he couldn't fathom why Sima Yi's expression seemed so odd.

But by now he could only grit his teeth and muddle through.

Sima Yi (Sima Yi)

"You're exactly as Zhuge Liang said!" Sima Yi stared at Mu Yi for a long while, then sighed.

Tianjun Temple

We also have "Immortal and gods" but we skip.

Check if we missed any: "Incense" and "Divine power" we skip.

Now we need to output glossary entries for each of these.

We must use exact English forms from glossary above for terms already listed: Mu Yi, Guan Sheng Dijun, Guan Yu, Jiuzhou.

Thus for those we output exactly as given.

For others we need to provide English translation (or romanization for persons). For persons we romanize: Sima Yue, Mu Tianjun, Jin Gaozu, Sima Yi (both), Mi Fei, Zhuge Liang (but Zhuge Liang not in list? Actually we have Zhuge Liang not listed; we missed it! Wait we omitted Zhuge Liang from the list. Indeed we saw Zhuge Liang appears line24 etc. We need to add Zhuge Liang. It appears first at line24. So we need to insert Zhuge Liang into the list at its first appearance.

Let's adjust: After line24, we have Zhuge Liang first appearance. So we need to add it.

Thus order becomes:

... after Marquis Wu (line25) we have Mi Fei (line27), then Golden Crow (line28), then Zhuge Liang actually appears earlier line24 before Mi Fei. So we need to place Zhuge Liang before Mi Fei.

Let's re-evaluate order with Zhuge Liang:

Line24: Zhuge Liang first appears.

Thus after line23 (Jiuzhou) we have line24 Zhuge Liang, then line25 Marquis Wu, line27 Mi Fei, line28 Golden Crow, etc.

So insert Zhuge Liang after Jiuzhou and before Marquis Wu.

Thus updated list:

1. Mu Yi

2. Jin (state)

3. Great Heavenly Venerable

4. Three Kingdoms

5. Five Barbarians' Chaos

6. Jin Dynasty

7. Guan Sheng Dijun

8. Jiuzhou

9. Zhuge Liang

10. Prince of Donghai

11. Sima Yue

12. War of the Eight Princes

13. Mu Tianjun

14. Jin Gaozu

15. Sima Yi (Sima Yi)

16. Guan Yu

17. Northern Expedition

18. Marquis Wu

19. Mi Fei

20. Golden Crow

21. Empty Fort Strategy

22. Luo River Oath

23. Changsha King

24. Sima Yi (Sima Yi)

25. Great Jin

"You don't really think those people looking for you are organized by their own alliance, do you?" Sima Yi laughed, as if watching a monkey.

Mu Yi thought of Mi Fei, and then instantly had a sudden realization.

It turned out it wasn't that Zhuge Liang hadn't thought of it, but that Zhuge Liang left this favor to him, along with that golden crow corpse.

First he was stunned, then he understood.

He wasn't surprised; Zhuge Liang was cunning almost demonic, always ahead of him, which was understandable.

However, Mu Yi felt a bit uneasy; although it was for his own good, the feeling of being kept in the dark was indeed somewhat uncomfortable.

And he felt like a puppet on strings—though the ideas were his own, he didn't know why they were part of someone else's scheme.

"Ha ha ha, how's that, uncomfortable, right!"

Sima Yi, on the contrary, laughed; he was actually the one who could most understand Mu Yi's current feeling.

The empty city stratagem back then was just like that; he thought of everything, yet had to follow Zhuge Liang's line of thought.

"It's just a bit awkward!" Mu Yi shook his head, suppressing the stray thoughts deep in his heart.

Zhuge Liang was a true riddler, yet he told him nothing; surely he had his own considerations, and Mu Yi only needed to strive according to his ideas.

It can be affirmed that Zhuge Liang and he were definitely on the same line, and that was already enough.

Sima Yi, on the contrary, fell silent; although it was a casual probe, Mu Yi's trust in Zhuge Liang strangely reminded him of other things.

Trust, for him, was simply too luxurious.

Or rather, since the Luo River oath, his reputation had already sunk to the lowest point.

"Please, Emperor Jin Gaozu, give me some guidance! Among the Eight Princes, who is worthy of the great task?" Mu Yi once again voiced his request.

"Sima Yi, King of Changsha, is worthy of the great task!" Sima Yi sighed.

"If he hadn't been captured in the hall, perhaps we could truly have steadied our Jin empire!" This time Sima Yi said no more words, giving a straightforward conclusion.

The only thing was that the Fusheng court ruled the world by filial piety, which was the Jin dynasty's final veil.

However, the War of the Eight Princes even eradicated filial piety.

The root of the Jin turmoil lay in this: on one hand, there was no protection from immortals, and on the other, it was simply their own inadequacy.

And Sima Yi could be counted as a bright pearl of the Sima clan; even when the army lacked food, his soldiers were still willing to die for him.

This is quite rare among other descendants of the Sima family.

Even though altering fate was extremely difficult, Sima Yi was still willing to give Sima Yi such a chance.

"Thank you, Emperor Jin Gaozu, for your guidance!"

Mu Yi trusts Sima Yi, not because of his character, but because of his concern for the Jin empire.

After all, this is what he exchanged everything for, and it is also what Sima Yi truly cares about.

"Hmph!" Gaining trust in this regard was not a compliment for Sima Yi; he could only snort coldly and sweep his sleeves away.

"Sima Yi!"

Having set his target, Mu Yi no longer hesitated and directly chose to slip into that world.

A neglected, dilapidated roadside shrine.

Above the temple's roof, leaden clouds gathered, silver-white lightning accompanied by booming thunder shook the earth, which seemed to tremble faintly.

A bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the crumbling shrine.

On the temple's old plaque, three faint large characters still read "Tianjun Temple".

I never expected that there would be my temple here.

Looking at the desolate, ruined interior of the temple, Mu Yi vaguely felt it was somewhat absurd.

I don't know who erected it for him; it was probably an arrangement to let him better intervene here.

Spiderwebs visible everywhere and a finger-thick layer of dust buried everything; the few broken porcelain plates on the offering table were empty, containing nothing.

Hanging from the beams, the tattered silk still bore faint traces of incense smoke; it seemed this small temple, even if not always bustling with incense, was regularly worshipped and cleaned.

But who knows what mishap caused the temple to fall into such decay.

And the statue of Mu Yi housed within, having endured unknown years of wind and rain, had long lost its original appearance; the outer paint and garments were completely destroyed, revealing the clay body whose features could not be discerned.

And just as Mu Yi was feeling melancholy.

Suddenly, sparse horse hooves sounded on the dirt path outside the temple.

Immediately after, a procession of carriages rushed into the view of the ruined small temple.

Figures approached from afar to near, and the silhouettes gradually became clear in Mu Yi's sight.

Their retinue was as numerous as clouds, and their banners blocked out the sky and sun.

At a glance, it was clear the visitors were people of great status.

The visitor was none other than the current Grand Commander, Sima Yi.

Looking at the ruined little shrine ahead, Sima Yi also felt a hint of absurdity, yet since the High Ancestor had manifested his spirit in the nation's fate, he could not help but believe.

Thinking that the High Ancestor could be replaced by him, Sima Yi's heart surged with fervor, for the High Ancestor had personally promised it, directly solving half the legitimacy issue.

However, regarding the High Ancestor, letting him come here to seek aid from a sage left him with myriad doubts, yet the nation's fate lay before him, so he had no choice but to believe.

Surrounded by his retinue of civil and military officials, Sima Yi stepped out of the procession and walked on foot toward the ruined small temple.

"Hail to the Heavenly Sovereign who pursues demons and sweeps away filth!"

The civil and military officials beside Sima Yi did not understand the meaning of his gesture, but they each imitated him.

"Hail to the Heavenly Sovereign who pursues demons and sweeps away filth!"

Mu Yi, who had originally felt a vague sense of rejection, instantly felt as if accepted by this heaven and earth.

"Their power that can be exerted has increased another level; when it concerns themselves, these fellows still show tremendous initiative!"

Actually, these deities who do not act could themselves descend to the realm, but no one dares to be the first to eat this crab; they are all waiting for the result of Guan Sheng Dijun.

The Great Heavenly Sovereign suddenly had intentions, but if Guan Yu fails, likely others can only silently give up, after all the risk is too great.

This time, Zhuge Liang acted as a matchmaker, and with Mu Yi willing to bear the risk and lend some aid, they certainly would not be stingy.

But that's all; as of now, Mu Yi probably cannot get any further help.

Having realized this, Mu Yi stepped forward and walked out from the statue.

"Are you Sima Yi?"

His voice was soft, yet to the assembled civil and military officials it seemed like a divine sign.

Among the civil and military officials, the stronger ones also possessed power akin to that of a human immortal.

They had just felt no trace of such power fluctuations, meaning this was not someone feigning divinity but a true immortal descending to the mortal realm.

This realm is a great world, not weak.

Occasionally, immortals and gods tread the mundane world.

But under normal circumstances, these immortals and gods have their own duties, such as subduing demons and suppressing monsters, moving mountains and filling seas, and the like.

Very few involve themselves in worldly affairs.

Now, with the court in turmoil, Sima Yi actually receives an audience with an immortal—this is practically an auspicious omen, and there is truly much to be made of it.

"How should I address the exalted immortal?" Sima Yi himself had thought of it, and recalling the High Ancestor's words, his whole being boiled with fervor.

Who would not wish to ascend that supreme throne?

He already held the rank of minister, and naturally harbored such ambition; he only feared that an improper name and unjust words would invite opposition from others, but now he has been given a shot of courage.

"I have descended this time to aid you in pacifying the realm; there is no need to address me as an exalted immortal—just call me by my mundane name, Mu Yi!"

"Mr. Mu, please follow me back to Luoyang!"

Sima Yi's heart throbbed traitorously, yet his exterior remained calm and still.

Mu Yi followed Sima Yi back into Luoyang.

"Sir, now Sima Yong orders his subordinate general Zhang Fang to lead over a hundred thousand troops, together with Sima Ying's twenty-plus thousand, to rise up and attack me; I wonder if Mr. Mu has any good plan."

After returning to Luoyang, Sima Yi respectfully invited Mu Yi to his residence to ask for strategies.

Although he now obeys the emperor's edict and does not serve as a minister, even before this he had constant internal strife, with regional princes refusing to submit to him; the first trouble he now faces is an enemy army coming to attack.

Mu Yi was somewhat surprised; he did not expect that his arrival time would be here.

Not many days have passed since Sima Yi was done away with.

On the contrary, there is no time to let him train troops.

This can be rather tricky.

You must know, this world's power is capped by the heavenly regulations; he is no exception, his strength is suppressed and he cannot unleash his full might.

Moreover, this world is the orthodox Jiuzhou; the great armies possess Cloud Energy, so a lone charge is hardly different from seeking death.

Unable to exert the full power of an immortal, at most he could slay a few hundred before dying in the encirclement.

However, since Mu Yi dared to come, he naturally has his own reliance.

Abandoning the other Six Paths and retaining only a ten-thousand-strong force of the Human Path was prepared precisely for this moment.

However, compared to other places, in this world he cannot let his subordinates resurrect infinitely.

Furthermore, without the support of the other five paths, the troops' strength also plummets.

With all these restrictions piled on, and still needing to enter the native realm, it's no wonder many immortals have a thief's heart but not the guts; if they mess up, they truly could perish body and soul.

The heavenly regulations restrict immortals in virtually every aspect.

Even a random celestial deity could alter history; for Jiuzhou, that's not a good thing.

However, Mu Yi didn't care about these restrictions.

He is a genuine Military Strategist by background, and he also commands tens of thousands of troops; the whole world is open to him.

It's just that the enemy's forces are several times his own; there's nothing to fear.

「Where is Zhang Fang? Just hand him over to me! 」Mu Yi said nonchalantly.

「Mr. Mu must not be careless; Zhang Fang is surrounded by many mountain spirits and wild monsters, he himself has received evil arts from a strange person, his command of a hundred thousand troops is as adept as using his arms, absolutely do not underestimate him! 」

「Just tell me the location; if I can't even do this, how could I help you pacify the world? 」

Mu Yi remained calm; his ten thousand-strong human-path army certainly couldn't pacify the world, so he had to produce the power to convince Sima Yi.

Then he would take over all of Sima Yi's troops, train them into elite forces, and then face the threat of the Five Barbarians.

Behind the Five Barbarians stand evil gods; those deities crushed by the Jiuzhou Heavenly Court but unwilling to submit to Jiuzhou now merely survive by relying on the barbarian tribes.

But if they were allowed to survive until the Five Barbarians' chaos in China, it would indeed be a serious problem; even the celestials sent down by the Heavenly Court cannot guarantee being able to crush these risen deities each time.

Sometimes even some celestials would fall, after all, the vast majority of the Heavenly Court's power lies outside Jiuzhou.

Those handling these matters are mostly newly ascended celestials, and they also have a chance to fail.

But so far, the number of evil gods who have turned things around by relying on the Five Barbarians' chaos remains zero.

Because these risen evil gods might be able to defeat the heavenly troops and divine soldiers, but the Twenty-Eight Mansions, the Nine Luminaries, the True Lords, the Heavenly Masters, and the Bodhisattvas that come after are definitely not something they can defeat.

Their only fate is to be crushed.

However, some evil gods are also skilled at disguise, starting to layout early to gain power.

Just like the so-called stranger who teaches Zhang Fang evil arts, he could be an incarnation of a certain evil god; after all, who in Jiuzhou would dare use such evil arts, truly thinking that the many celestials of the Heavenly Court are just eating dry rice.

The lower realms are numerous; if you hold out, you can still survive a bit longer.

The higher you jump, the greater the chance of being noticed; then you'll die even faster.