Chapter 323

If Yingzhao's speculation is true, then it is indeed a great storm.

Beside him, Báizé the Yao Marshal's face was grim enough to wring water from it: "So many powerful beings have banded together in secret, lurking in the dark without a sound, never jumping out, never causing a fuss… it truly makes it hard to rest or eat."

"Yes… 'theirs is darkness, ours is light'—that's misfortune, not blessing." Di Jun gave a cold laugh: "Whenever I think that, at the crucial moment of life-and-death struggle between the Heavenly Court and the Wu Clan, there are still a few pairs of gloomy eyes watching in the dark, I feel a chill."

Perhaps we should strike first and be decisive.

This demon emperor's killing intent is incredibly fierce; it seems he intends to turn the upcoming celebratory banquet of the Heavenly Court into a bloody disaster.

"Majesty, this could also be my oversensitivity." Seeing the atmosphere too oppressive, the Yao Marshal Yingzhao hurriedly spoke: "I haven't found any solid evidence; I merely linked some vague clues together, having a vague uneasy feeling and speculation… it may not be absolutely true."

Yingzhao added, "The Donghuang Emperor's immortal Dao professional system is deeply intertwined with Hongyun Divine's cultivation platform during its development and refinement, including various capital investments, training, and loans; moreover, Zhenyuanzi's earth immortal platform complements it nicely… considering the pursuit of maximal efficiency, they are quite willing to form a strategic partnership."

Although the Yao Marshal Yingzhao found no evidence, he is not merely guessing wildly.

There is sufficient circumstantial evidence that faintly suggests something.

The world bustles, all for profit; the world toils, all for gain… As long as these powerful beings do not clash over luck and merit, it is entirely normal for them to seek greater benefits and reach consensus in certain areas.

It's like one advocating blessings, the other advocating effort, singing in harmony, happily standing together, hearts in sync, with perfect understanding.

"Just this alone isn't really a big problem." Yingzhao the Yao Marshal took a deep breath: "But thinking about why you had me investigate the Donghuang Emperor's original intent, his ambiguity and tacit understanding with the Three Pure Ones Saints… that raises the issue."

"Having grasped ample capital and begun to meddle in the right to speak, it is still sensitive, completely different from—and even contrary to—the core that the Heavenly Court has always proclaimed… this intensifies my suspicion."

Until the end.

"I also uncovered some clues—Donghuang Emperor has served as Grand Minister of Destiny to this day; on the surface he appears opposed to the Minghe Demon Ancestor, with a faint water-and-fire incompatibility, but after removing all obstacles, clearing away the various misty false accounts, and auditing their income during this period, I found…"

Yingzhao said, shaking his head, "Their profits have perfectly achieved mutual benefit!"

"The accounts before us show a loss for the Minghe Demon Ancestor… of course, that is actually true."

"But behind the demon ancestor's loss, another aspect receives ample compensation—his business not only hasn't shrunk, but has greatly increased, enabling him to interfere and influence even more."

"These 'other aspects' are, to varying degrees, related to what the Grand Minister of Destiny has issued over the years; after passing through several hands of the demon-path great Luo cultivators, abundant luck has flowed into the Minghe Demon Ancestor's coffers."

"This is completely contrary to the Heavenly Court's original arrangement of appointing the Donghuang Emperor as Grand Minister of Destiny… we intended to subtly suppress the Minghe Demon Ancestor, gradually bringing his authority over punishment and killing under our control, to achieve a balance."

Rather than the present situation of nominal demotion but actual promotion, which is merely a show of brilliance.

Moreover, this showy brilliance has become the Donghuang Emperor's achievements and prestige, allowing him to widely gather allies in the Heavenly Court, his influence growing ever greater.

The Yao Marshal Yingzhao sighed.

Regarding these several points, any one taken alone is not a big matter… I originally had no intention of suspecting the Donghuang Emperor.

It's a pity that he has gathered them all together, making it hard not to think more.

I wanted to argue forcefully, saying it was an accident, that the Donghuang Emperor was blinded by luck and merit, making a momentary misstep… but upon reflection, I found no sufficient grounds to prove he harbors no ill will toward the Heavenly Court.

After all, his ability is acknowledged by many great Luo saints.

One mistake can be laughed off by everyone… but many mistakes cannot be ignored.

Knowing full well in his heart, he still acts that way, without any corrective action, racing down the wrong path… therefore I must seriously conclude that the road he walks is his true intention, and he is at odds with the Heavenly Court in appearance only, not on the same side.

The Yao Marshal Yingzhao shook his head.

Afterward, he submitted the fruits of his labors over these years—the gathered clues, information, and account documents—to the assembled powerful demon gods for them to review.

With these materials, the experts present can directly enter the corresponding time and place of the clue-gathering, retrace Yingzhao's experiences during this period, and verify that his words and deeds are utterly genuine, standing up to scrutiny.

The Donghuang Emperor truly has ability.

Di Jun finished perusing the materials, his tone faint: "Such great skill—soon it will unite the powerful beings on the neutral side."

And now, it's practically a collective joining of my Heavenly Court… could it be that they intend to pull a 'steal heaven, replace sun'?

Seizing supreme power from within the Heavenly Court, then using a shell to go public?

We're not dead yet.

"That really cannot be said for certain." Báizé narrowed his eyes: "A marshal may easily fall in battle… but we still have the Wu Clan as opponents."

If in a prolonged great calamity we are seriously wounded or fall, it's truly possible they will find an opportunity.

"What you say has some merit." Di Jun nodded in agreement: "But the success rate of doing so is actually not high…"

After all, we still have a Dao Ancestor behind us.

Moreover, some things cannot be stolen and replaced.

Di Jun's eyes were calm: "True power is the acknowledgment of humanity from below, not a grant from above."

Not realizing this is to be a slave to power.

As long as we defeat the Wu Clan and return to tidy the rivers and mountains, even if they manage to attain ever higher positions during this period, it will be useless.

If the Heavenly Court fails… then all their hard work would be for naught, merely to pick up scraps?

And the Wu Clan's next target for killing is precisely them!

Di Jun gave a cold snort: "The Wu Clan won't play at sponsoring or proxying… they even want to knock the Dao Ancestor to the ground and lock him in the Ziwei Palace as a tool."

They have strong support from the Dragon Clan, holding high the banner of grand unification.

They are far more radical than the Heavenly Court, never talking about mountain factions or separate jurisdictions, but seeking to rule the world, bearing all of humanity forward.

The Wu Clan are certainly no pushovers—this is a consensus among all great Luo beings.

Would the Donghuang Emperor and his ilk not understand?

They would not.

Di Jun's eyes shifted: "You should know, the Donghuang Emperor once served under the Dragon Ancestor; the establishment of the Dragon Way is closely related to him… indeed, for a period he even took over the operation of authority in place of the Dragon Ancestor slain by the Luohou Demon Ancestor."

But in the end, this emperor returned the Dragon Way, settling a grudge.

So, if the Donghuang Emperor harbors ulterior motives, joining my Heavenly Court is certainly not merely a 'steal heaven, replace sun'.

Di Jun said this with great certainty.

"Could it be that he has actually thrown in his lot with the Wu Clan?" Báizé suddenly spoke: "Do you all still remember the past negotiations between the Heavenly Court and the Donghuang Emperor, and the schemes involved?"

He wants to be a tasty bait to hook the great fish of the ancestral witches!

Feigning to 'infiltrate' my Heavenly Court, step by step becoming the most trusted spokesman of the vast demon populace, able at any moment to drain the middle and lower layers of the demon race, colluding internally and externally with the Wu Clan, ultimately destroying the Heavenly Court.

Of course, since it's a feint, it's actually bait—luring the ancestral witches to stir, then one day they'll rush out, stepping into the trap we've long prepared, to slay key figures and thus shatter the entire witch clan's battle line.

Translate: "Of course, since it's a feint, it's actually bait, letting the Ancestral Wu be tempted, to suddenly erupt and charge out on some day, stepping into the trap we've long prepared, using Absolute Kill to take out important figures, thereby collapsing the entire Wu Clan's battle line."

We need to keep the meaning exactly. Let's produce a concise translation: "Of course, since it's a feint, it's actually bait, letting the Ancestral Wu be tempted, to suddenly erupt and charge out on some day, stepping into the trap we've long prepared, using Absolute Kill to take out important figures, thereby collapsing the entire Wu Clan's battle line."

Of course, since it's a feint, it's actually bait—luring the ancestral witches to stir, then one day they'll rush out, stepping into the trap we've long prepared, to slay key figures and thus shatter the entire witch clan's battle line.

Now let's think about it.

"Now think about it."

Putting together the leads from Yingzhao Yao Marshal's investigation…… Could it be that this emperor has actually gone through with the act?!!

Putting together the leads from Yingzhao Yao Marshal's investigation…… Could it be that this emperor has actually gone through with the act?!!

We keep the double question marks and exclamation.

Báizé said this, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

At the same time, the demon gods present exchanged glances, actually thinking——This is damn possible!

At the same time, the demon gods present exchanged glances, actually thinking——This is damn possible!

"Colluding with the Witch Clan inside and out…… When the time comes, it looks like we've snagged the Ancestral Witch's big fish, but actually the Witch Clan is also casting a net to ensnare us all."

We need to keep the quotes. The line starts with a quote. We'll output: "\"Colluding with the Wu Clan inside and out…… When the time comes, it seems we've hooked the Ancestral Wu's big fish, but in fact the Wu Clan is also casting a net, to net us all? \""

Jimeng Yao Marshal's eyelids twitched wildly, "This this this…… Will Donghua really be that crazy?"

"If you say so, he's dancing on the blade's edge!"

Jimeng indicated he wasn't keen to accept Báizé's speculation.

"He's always been jumpy……" Báizé murmured, "Moreover, the key is, after careful analysis, Donghua's current situation is inherently delicate."

"He made the spy work into something…… quite an interesting point."

"We know he spies for the Witch Clan, and the Witch Clan also 'knows' he spies for our Heavenly Court……"

"Everyone 'knows'…… but that instead creates a blind spot right under the lamp."

"Now looking back, we suddenly realize we actually don't know much about him."

"For example, the price Donghua discussed with the Witch Clan…… Is it really what he told us?"

"Moreover."

"Before we in the Heavenly Court negotiated with him, had he already made contact with the Witch Clan?"

"The most marvelous."

"Because we Demon Race and the opposing Witch Clan both know Donghua's 'nature' is a top-notch trump card killing move."

"So often, we inadvertently give him support, acting in line with his demands."

Báizé said, his expression very strange.

"That support, if it's one-sided, would be fine…… Our internals are transparent; a check would reveal what's going on."

"But if the other side also gets involved…… we'd be clueless!"

"Now with this situation, Donghua's stance is doubtful, making things very difficult."

"If he really colluded with the Witch Clan, deliberately putting on a show for us…… then we'd need to take emergency measures."

"However, I think even if he stands with the Witch Clan, there's likely another hidden motive."

Báizé paused word by word, then spoke carefully, "He and the Witch Clan aren't necessarily on the same side."

"Oh? How so?" Di Jun's eyes lit up instantly.

"Starting from Yingzhao Yao Marshal's speculation…… Donghua Di Jun's methods are extraordinary; he forcibly opened three channels, winning over the Three Pure Ones, winning over the likes of Hongyun and Zhenyuan, and winning over Minghe of the Demonic Path."

"Uniting so many neutral great powers beside him, even personally undertaking undercover work at great risk…… but I just want to ask: does his final reward match his efforts?"

"In terms of rewards and punishments, can the Witch Clan afford this price?"

"No matter what, he did go undercover…… Afterwards, when evaluating merits, it's inevitable that some will be secretly cut."

"Moreover, those in this trade rarely meet a good end; they mostly attract hatred."

"As for the effort, the return is truly worrisome."

Báizé rubbed his chin, a deep and playful look on his face, "I know the Witch Clan's side, Houtu is very wealthy."

"But relying solely on merit, you could never bribe someone like Donghua with top-tier intellect and ability…… Behind this, there must be a factor in our Wu-Demon blind spot, something we've overlooked."

Báizé's voice paused, "I request that we not take forcible action against Donghua for now, switching to a more covert, in-depth investigation."

"I need to find out exactly what this blind spot is, which would cause Donghua to act so irrationally."

"You want to conduct an in-depth investigation?" Di Jun frowned, then decisively nodded, "Yes, I permit it."

"In this matter, all manpower and material resources are at your disposal."

"I only need a final, detailed result."

Di Jun said.

Suddenly he froze, brows tightening then relaxing, "No wonder."

"What's no wonder?" Báizé felt somewhat bewildered.

"No wonder, during the second the Zixiao Palace conference, Hongjun regarded Donghua with special favor." Di Jun let out a long sigh, "Making us all feel that the Dao Ancestor was overly biased, lowering his status to target a great divine talent."

"Even if this great divine talent is a top figure among the mighty, he has only touched a corner of the Great Ultimate realm."

"So you're saying the Dao Ancestor back then was hinting at us?" Báizé pondered, "If we start from this angle, perhaps many problems will surface."

He suddenly rose, "I need intelligence cooperation; investigate the situation of the Daoist system under Donghua's command these years!"

"Those professionals gradually won over, in the Witch Clan and Demon Race, which targets have they had close contact with?"

"Also, the Daoist specialist system, please give me a list of the groups it has fully absorbed and mastered!"

Báizé issued orders, mobilizing many departments.

Soon, what Báizé needed arrived in his hands.

His eyes widened, pupils slightly constricting, then he strode out of the palace, leaving his back view, "This time I won't attend the Heavenly Court banquet."

"I want to go verify some things!"

Without waiting for the other demon kings and Yao Marshals to detain him, he left on his own, leaving the remaining demon gods exchanging glances, forced to shake their heads helplessly.

…… -> "……"

"Mm…… Looks like their moves aren't slow, huh?"

In a remote hall, someone was smiling.

"(End of chapter)"