Chapter 30: The Invisible Deadlock

Divine Continent.

As Heavenly Destiny Luck appeared, it drew the attention of the great age.

All kinds of forces looked toward the heavens.

Only Da Xia managed to obtain nine strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, making others envious.

However, there are a total of fifty strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck.

The remaining forty-one strands still attracted attention.

Boom.

Three strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck surged toward the Fuyu Dynasty; one entered the imperial palace, strengthening the nation's fortune.

One entered the Fuyu Academy; another entered a person's silhouette, and that person was Su Wenjing's elder brother, Su Chang Yun, inside his body.

Faced with this scene, the entire Fuyu Dynasty, from top to bottom, was not overly delighted.

Because the Da Xia Dynasty monopolized nine strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, while the mighty Fuyu Dynasty obtained only three, how could this convince the upper and lower ranks? However, Heavenly Destiny Luck does not care about the Fuyu Dynasty's feelings; the remaining thirty-eight strands condensed once more into six strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, which surged into the Great Jin Dynasty.

This scene was astonishing.

The Great Jin Dynasty is the strongest dynasty in the Eastern Wilderness territories; even if the Da Xia Dynasty and the Fuyu Dynasty joined forces, they could not defeat it.

Of course, if the Great Jin Dynasty wanted to annex the Da Xia Dynasty and the Fuyu Dynasty, it would be impossible, the cost too great, making it meaningless.

The main reason that astonishes people is that the Great Jin Dynasty obtained only six strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, while Da Xia also obtained nine; does this mean that the Da Xia Dynasty could possibly suppress the Great Jin Dynasty in the future?

After all, the Da Xia Dynasty has just been founded, while the Great Jin Dynasty is about to reach a thousand years of founding; there is a great difference between them.

How could people not speculate wildly? The remaining thirty-two strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck then scattered, flowing in all directions.

Immortals, Buddhas, martial artists, demons, techniques, and swords—each obtained one strand of Heaven's Mandate.

This sparked a heated discussion.

"Why can the immortal sect also obtain Heavenly Destiny Luck?"

"Isn't this Heaven's Mandate supposed to be for the Confucian path?"

"Did the Buddhist sect also obtain Heavenly Destiny Luck?"

"What is going on?"

Voices of doubt rose instantly; no one could have imagined that Heavenly Destiny Luck would also have a share for immortals and buddhas.

Logically, this Heaven's Mandate should have chosen the Confucian path, so it ought to have been obtained by the Confucian path.

People were puzzled.

Full of curiosity.

Before the crowd could even finish doubting, the remaining twenty-six strands of Heaven's Mandate split into three.

Seven, eighteen, and a single one.

Seven strands of Heaven's Mandate flew toward the south‑west regions and entered eight people.

As for the largest amount, eighteen strands of Heaven's Mandate, they surged into the Central Province territories.

This caused a great commotion.

After all, the Central Province Dynasty obtained eighteen strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck in one go—twice that of the Da Xia Dynasty, and even the total of the three great dynasties of the Eastern Wilderness.

How could this not be shocking?

Heavenly Destiny Luck cannot measure whether an opponent is strong, but the quantity can decide everything; those who obtain Heaven's Mandate will surely have a bright future.

The Central Province Dynasty monopolized twelve strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, while the remaining six strands were scattered among six individuals within the dynasty.

At this moment.

Countless gazes were fixed intently on the final strand of Heaven's Mandate.

No one knew what the function of Heavenly Destiny Luck is.

At least, such a situation has never been seen before.

But ask anyone—who wouldn't want to possess this strand of Heavenly Destiny Luck, even just one? They would be willing.

However.

What no one expected was:

Above the heavens, the final strand of Heavenly Destiny Luck did not enter anywhere; instead, it transformed into a star, hovering above the heavens.

"What is happening now? Why did the final strand of Heavenly Destiny Luck turn into a star?"

"This has never been heard of; such a thing has never occurred in ancient or modern times."

People were doubtful, yet they did not know what to say.

For most people, Heaven's Mandate is too mysterious to measure.

However, at the same time.

Within the Gu Family.

In the side courtyard.

Gu Jin Nian slowly set down a book.

He had just finished reading another book.

Gu Jin Nian carefully contemplated the principles in the book.

He did not bother with outside noises, nor was it necessary to worry about external affairs.

As strand after strand of talent was absorbed by the ancient tree.

A fruit also grew accordingly, condensing on the ancient tree.

This is a Confucian‑Dao fruit.

It has matured; although not the most perfect maturity, it can be picked.

Gu Jin Nian has not yet picked it.

It is about ten days until the Da Xia Academy opens for the term; use these ten days to study well, and you can still gain some progress.

Put the book down.

Gu Jin Nian looks out the window, his expression slightly complex.

He does not wish to involve himself in external affairs, yet everything happening now forces him to entertain various thoughts.

"The Great Dao has fifty paths, one of which is retreat and extension."

Staring out the window, Gu Jin Nian murmurs to himself.

Then an involuntary worry arises.

Heaven's Mandate transforms into fifty strands of Heavenly Destiny Luck, scattered throughout heaven and earth, bestowing blessings on the dynasty and on individuals.

Gu Jin Nian can even think of it with his toes: after today's events, the entire Shenzhou Continent will boil over because of this.

When that time comes, two major factions will inevitably emerge.

A follower faction and a plunder faction.

Weighing pros and cons, some wish to follow those of the Heaven's Mandate, waving flags and shouting from behind.

But there are also those who want to seize the Heavenly Destiny Luck; whether it can be seized is unknown, yet the world certainly does not lack people with dark hearts.

To put it bluntly, even if they cannot seize it, they will not make it easy for you.

There are many narrow‑minded people.

That means, without sufficient strength, obtaining Heavenly Destiny Luck is not a good thing.

An innocent commoner is guilty for possessing a treasure.

My grandfather stepped in for me at the first moment; I think it was because of this reason.

The danger within is hard for me to gauge, but my grandfather certainly knows.

Yet now that my grandfather has taken over, it is not a good thing either.

The Gu Family is already too large.

The Duke of Zhen Guo, the Marquis of Lin Yang, several uncles hold important posts, and the cousins—each stronger than the last.

All are dragons and phoenixes among people.

Since ancient times, emperors have been suspicious; in their eyes, only power is forever paramount.

Anyone who tries to lay a hand on imperial authority, or threatens it, becomes his sole enemy.

Let alone the imperial in‑laws or meritorious officials.

Even if it is his own son, daring to touch his imperial authority must die. Except for a very few benevolent emperors, most are like this.

If one reads history thoroughly, one can reach a conclusion.

If you do not deify the emperor, they are ordinary people, merely more ruthless than the common folk.

They have fear, and they are scared.

And the Gu Family is now in this state.

Whether in reputation or status, the Gu Family reached its peak in the Da Xia Dynasty; now, blessed by Heaven's Mandate, does this mean, in the emperor's eyes, that the Gu Family is recognized by Heaven?

Heaven and Earth, ruler, parent, teacher.

Heaven and Earth are above the emperor; this is the common consensus of all under heaven.

In other words, if the Gu Family truly rebels in the future, with a claim of Heaven's Mandate, indeed no one would dare speak out.

The Gu Family is already vast and powerful; now obtaining this Heaven's Mandate will likely invite all sorts of trouble.

This is the real worry of Gu Jin Nian.

Yet this worry leaves Gu Jin Nian unable to think of any solution.

There is no other reason.

Status decides everything.

I am Da Xia's top aristocrat.

But I do not hold office, nor occupy an important post, nor have any power.

People of the world give me three points of deference because of the Gu Family.

Not because of myself.

It is no longer a simple matter of having thoughts; it is a matter of identity and information.

I do not know what happens in the court.

I also do not know the emperor's attitude.

Having seen him only once, how could I possibly know what kind of person the Yongsheng Emperor is?

Although my thoughts are all worst‑case plans, this is the capital, and the person I face is the emperor; any action must be measured by the worst‑case scenario.

Because you cannot afford to gamble.

You may win ten thousand times, but the emperor needs to win only once.

One win is enough to cause the Gu Family to collapse instantly.

Then the family will fall, the whole clan be executed, or be exiled to the frontier.

Just a few sparse words.

It seems simple, yet Gu Jin Nian knows the suffering within very well.

Whether it is total clan execution or exile to the frontier, both are hopeless.

Silence.

Quiet.

Gu Jin Nian is agitated and confused; as the Gu Family's eldest grandson, he naturally wants to contribute.

But the sense of defeat from his status makes Gu Jin Nian feel deeply powerless.

Many things he can guess, yet he is powerless; that feeling is the most desperate.

Think about it: many people always feel they have traveled back to ancient times, capable in literature to become a prime minister, and in martial arts to become a king.

But in reality? Without an identity, one could easily starve on the streets or live in poverty all life.

Thus.

Half an hour later.

Finally, Gu Jin Nian let out a long sigh, and his complicated gaze gradually calmed.

The event has already occurred; it is irreversible.

My grandfather took over this matter, so I must keep a low profile and steadfastly guard this secret.

At the very least, until my strength fully matures, I cannot expose it.

Otherwise I would betray Grandfather Gu's painstaking effort.

Moreover, Grandfather Gu dared to act so, surely with some confidence; after all, he is already old, the emperor is still alive, and the critical moment hasn't arrived.

Now, in the Eastern Wilderness's three great dynasties, Da Xia has just been founded and still needs Grandfather Gu.

There is still time to wait for my growth.

Besides, all this is just my wild imagination, the worst‑case scenario.

What if I'm overthinking?

But what truly steadied Gu Jin Nian's mood was that he thought of a way to break the deadlock.

Confucian Dao.

Yes.

Only Confucian Dao.

Can save oneself.

Heavenly Destiny Luck has chosen Confucian Dao; in the future Confucian Dao will flourish beyond compare.

The status of scholars will not only rise in Da Xia, but across the entire Shen Zhou Continent, scholars' standing will receive a massive boost.

Generals are executed; their great merits shake the ruler.

But Confucian Dao is different, scholars are different; this is Heaven's Mandate's choice, even a tyrannical emperor must weigh it.

Unless he is a tyrant.

If indeed he is a tyrant, a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall; at most he will tear off his mask.

Gu Jin Nian is not that pedantic scholar who says, "If the ruler wants the minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die."

If I give you work and you keep guessing this and that, don't blame me for being unkind.

And all of this rests on me becoming a Great Scholar.

Even a Half Saint.

If I can become a Great Scholar, I can safeguard myself.

If I become a Half Saint, the Gu Family will face no danger for a hundred years.

At this moment.

Gu Jin Nian's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

Previously he studied because he aspired to a political career, to enter officialdom through study, leveraging family connections to ascend the court.

But now it's different.

Added a layer of self‑protection.

Thinking this far.

Gu Jin Nian didn't waste words; he took out a book again and began reading earnestly.

Some matters I cannot control, nor can I take part in.

Thus.

In the blink of an eye, it became deep night.

Today, the Gu Family is in full celebration; civil and military officials all come to congratulate.

Even the stiff civil ministers sent household servants bearing gifts.

It could be called a bustling household.

Until deep night.

The Gu Family also quieted down a bit.

At this moment.

Inside the main hall of the Duke's Residence.

Gu Qianzhou's figure slowly appeared.

(End of Chapter)