Chapter 1222

"Believing in it once in a while isn't bad," Xing said.

"Divination… to others, perhaps it is a power that guides the spirit. Fate always casts shadows on the road ahead, preventing people from clearly seeing their future. So people need divination, merely wanting to give themselves a little reason, to muster the courage to cross that unknown…"

"What if the divination comes out with a bad result?"

Mimi crossed her arms and said: "It's precisely because the results can be good or bad that divination has meaning."

"A bad omen is also a kind of guidance; at least it can arouse people's vigilance, right?"

"……"

Bai'e frowned and said: "Strange… that person I know also said something similar. Looking back, every time she interpreted the cards for me, my mood would inexplicably feel uneasy… even though I don't believe in the divination results."

"It's probably because of her tone? Xilian… she could describe a completely false dream vividly, immersing my childhood self in it."

Bai'e pulled out a card bearing his portrait from his pocket and handed it to Mimi: "Right. I've been carrying a card she used before; want to take a look?"

As soon as Mimi took it, her eyes lit up: "Wow… so exquisite! I really wish I had a card like this!"

"We need to design a set of cards just for Mimi."

"Oh, now that you mention it, that's true! If we could change the material, say to crystal… that would be even better!"

"Speaking of which, Xing, there's something I haven't told you all about. Do you remember when we first went to the Hall of the Three Phases of Fate? At that time, Oluonis gave us that riddle…"

"……!"

Bai'e suddenly stopped talking and jerked his head around:

"Who's there?!"

He saw many black-clothed people swarm over, cornering them in a small nook.

Seeing their attire, Bai'e also froze for a moment: "You are…"

"These people… they come with ill intent…"

"Black clothing… with a mask decorated in gold blood… are they the 'Cleansers'?"

——

Bright Moon of the Qin Dynasty.

"Kaines… that woman won't go crazy, will she?! She she she…… she actually dares to lay a hand on Bai'e too?!"

Tianming stared dumbfounded, for a moment unable to speak coherently. He had thought Kaines's target was only Dan Heng, while Xing and Bai'e, who bear the mission of retrieving the fire seeds and resisting the Heichi, the Golden Lineage and Demigods, would not be attacked—he never imagined she would dare send people to assassinate a Demigod?

"How can one be so audacious? Could it be that she doesn't plan to enter the new world?"

"Really, throwing away one's life…" Duanmu Rong was also stunned, blankly staring at the group of black-clad assassins: "Is Kaines planning a fight to the death? Leaving aside whether she can actually succeed, even if her assassination truly succeeded. Once a Demigod dies, Aohema will also be in peril—who will inherit the divine offices of these Titans?"

"Obviously, she hasn't considered that much." Gai Nie's eyes narrowed slightly, "Or perhaps she simply doesn't care anymore. Dan Heng was attacked, and Bai'e and Xing were likewise assaulted, meaning Kaines's revenge against the Golden Lineage is all‑encompassing—moreover, daring to show her face shows she has prepared herself to face the Demigods."

Tianming lowered his head and muttered softly: "Mm… it seems that Kexia's speech at the Citizen Assembly really dealt her a heavy blow."

Shaoyu leaned against the corridor pillar, arms crossed, unusually not arguing with Tianming, instead nodding solemnly: "I'd like to say the same thing—it seems Kexia's words have completely shattered all her fantasies after the Recreation of the World. That said, one can take slight comfort in the fact that if Kaines truly dares to act within Aohema, it's undoubtedly a suicide mission. Aohema is threaded with golden lines; her movements may already be under Aglaea's grasp."

"Moreover, daring to move against a Demigod, those people must have prepared themselves. But among Demigods, aside from Ti Bao, the others cannot be dealt with by human force alone—the disparity is as great as a rabbit challenging an eagle. What makes Kaines think she can succeed?"

——

"Ha… you can actually call out our names directly—looks like you've studied the lost history of Wengfalusuo quite thoroughly, Your Excellency Bai'e." The captain of the Cleansers gave a cold chuckle.

"Who are they?"

"Your friend seems quite interested in us. Let her explain, Your Excellency Bai'e? Out of courtesy… we can't let an honored guest leave in the dark."

Bai'e crossed his arms and said lightly: "…During the Golden War, to oppose the Golden Descendants, several city-states gathered an assassin force underground, named the 'Purgers.' Their duty was to wipe from the world anyone whose veins ran with golden blood. Assassination, poisoning, political persecution…to achieve this goal, they left no means untried."

"These historical accounts seem somewhat biased, in order to tarnish the seniors' endeavors, they gloss over the heinous crime of the Golden Descendants recklessly wielding divine power and stirring up war…" The captain said unhurriedly, "Could you trouble yourself to reveal the author's name of this unofficial history, Lord Bai'e? I don't want Aohema's innocent children to be poisoned by this fellow's biased penmanship."

"You ought to have stayed honestly in the dust of history. The Citizens' Assembly has once again legitimized the mission of the Golden Descendants; as for you……no citizen will cast a vote for you, this gang of executioners lurking in the shadows."

"So what? We've long stopped expecting to be understood." The captain spread his hands, "They've grown accustomed to peace…they've long forgotten what disaster it once brought to let the Golden Descendants hold power generation after generation!"

Bai'e's originally azure eyes instantly darkened, like a deep sea shrouded by black clouds; his usual gentleness vanished in an instant.

"Nonsense. You went all the way to the Tree Court just to indulge in verbal sparring?"

The captain of the Purgers laughed softly: "You're straightforward, Lord Bai'e; I like dealing with people like you. You probably can guess as well? The reason we've appeared before you all……"

Xing stepped forward: "If it's war, then war—no more talk!"

"Stay calm, partner. Their daring to step out of the shadows shows they hold enough leverage to deter us." Bai'e whispered a reminder.

"Speak up—what cards are you really holding? But whatever you do, choose your words carefully; don't misspeak." Bai'e slowly drew his longsword, pointing the blade at the leader's head.

"My shoulders are sore, my sword's a bit dull…but cutting off your tongues? That's more than enough."