Chapter 789: Frank Confession

"Hmm?"

Tang Zhao heard this and couldn't help but turn his head to look.

He hadn't believed in divination before, but ever since the Lord had demonstrated the ability to reverse time, he had come to believe—not as a form of metaphysics, but as a Sword Technique. Since reversing space-time and traveling to the future were possible, what was so strange about seeing through to the future? Since it was Kun Sword who had invited the person to divine, there must be real substance to it. This old woman, with her white hair and serene expression, reminded him of the Lord, which naturally made him trust her three parts more.

Kun Sword also heard this and asked, "Hushanzi, what do you say?"

The name "Hushanzi" seemed somewhat familiar. Tang Zhao recalled it and finally remembered: wasn't this the expert from before the Great Jin who claimed to predict the future? Later, it was said she had gone missing, and some even said she had been killed; so she was here. It seemed she truly had real substance; jumping from that Emperor to this Emperor, she was always able to be appreciated.

Hushanzi had originally been fully focused, her mind only on the copper coins in the water basin, even more expressionless than Wei Se. Now that the divination result had emerged, she was exceptionally spirited; her brows unfurled, a smile blossomed at the corners of her mouth, and she said in a clear voice, "I divined for three consecutive days, and the future of the world was a dead end. Only when I divined this morning did the Buyuan churn, showing a variable had arisen, truly carving out a sliver of vitality."

Kun Sword was also very happy. He had seen that Hushanzi's three days of divination held no hope, and he had already been disappointed in his heart. In fact, for the past two days, Hushanzi's divinations had been held at Jianshan in front of other Emperors, but they had always been ill omens, so everyone had lost the desire to watch and had dispersed. Kun Sword was a steady person, so he had simply invited Hushanzi to his own Tianwaitian. He had only thought that while there was no hope for the big matters, he could ask her to divine for small matters; what if it was useful? For example, the escape plan could be divined by Hushanzi regarding the fortune of the young people going out to sea. Who would have thought that today Hushanzi would give him such a big surprise?

He asked hurriedly, "Is today's divination different from yesterday's? Why could it not succeed before, but succeed today?"

Hushanzi said, "Divination also has omens. This morning, my Buyuan changed, showing several strange signs under the mirror surface, so I guessed there must be a variable today, which is why I invited you to observe the divination. I thought that since this is your Tianwaitian, if there were changes, they would naturally arise around you. Whenever something happened, I would introduce it into the divination layout and divine again. Truly, it did not fail those who put in the effort; this time, it finally succeeded."

Upon hearing this, Kun Sword glanced at Tang Zhao and asked, "Where is the variable?"

Hushanzi said, "There are two variables from morning to night today: one is the foreign Heavenly Demon from earlier, and the other is this young friend. I just performed two separate divinations and finally determined that the variable bringing the change is this young friend."

Kun Sword was even more pleased. First, having a sliver of vitality was already a good thing, but if that vitality was brought by the old Heavenly Demon, it meant that building a ship was the only way out, and he would have to hold his nose and negotiate terms with the Heavenly Demon, not knowing how he would be manipulated. Moreover, just as Tang Zhao had said, letting the young people take the fire seeds and go out to escape and wander was only a last resort; it was best if everyone could live together.

Now that the variable was said to be Tang Zhao, did that mean there was hope for saving the world? Even if it was just a sliver of hope, it could make people feel refreshed and gain endless motivation.

Kun Sword asked, "What else does the divination result say?"

Hushanzi said, "The current vitality is still very weak, just better than nothing, and there is no clear instruction; it seems it is not yet time. In my opinion, just let this young friend go ahead and do it. When he starts doing it, I will divine again. If the path is correct then, the vitality will naturally grow, and the hexagram will get better and better; at that time, I will receive clearer revelations. If the hexagram is not good, that is Heaven's guidance, and he will still have room to correct it."

Kun Sword nodded. Being able to go from nothing to something was already very good; one could not be overly eager for quick success. He smiled and asked Tang Zhao, "Xiao Tang, why did you come to find me? Tell me, I will surely support you."

Tang Zhao himself felt a lift in his spirits. His confidence greatly increased, and he said, "I came to find you for two things. One is the method to resist this crisis." He signaled to Wei Zhangle, who took out his sword and placed it horizontally in front of them. "We want to use a special sword..."

He explained his draft, including discussing these matters with the Sun Court and all the events of the past. Guiyuanshi frowned at first upon hearing it, then his brows gradually relaxed, revealing joy, and then he gradually frowned again, clearly considering the difficulty of the matter. Changing back and forth like this, his mood was also fluctuating.

Although Guiyuanshi was not a person of unfathomable temperament, he had lived for many years, and the cultivation he had practiced over such a long time showed. That he could change color repeatedly and have his mood fluctuate showed how significant this matter was.

After listening, he thought for a moment and said to Wei Zhangle, "You are young friend Wei Zhangle? Not bad. When did you become a Sword Guest? What kind of Sword Art do you cultivate?"

He carefully inquired about Wei Zhangle's situation, and Wei Zhangle answered one by one. He was not exactly composed, as his foundation was actually "humble," but his answers were steady and watertight, showing that he was clear-headed and cautious. If one looked closely, he actually did not lack courage.

After the inquiry, Kun Sword was satisfied but with a hint of regret. He said, "It is a pity that the young friend is too young and has just become a Sword Guest. Although his potential is infinite, the immediate situation is difficult."

Tang Zhao heard this and immediately said, "That is exactly what I mean. I want to go in his place."

Kun Sword pondered and said, "You... can you do it?"

Tang Zhao immediately said, "It is one thing for others to say I cannot, but how can the Emperor say I cannot? Because the Emperor has seen it with his own eyes."

Kun Sword was startled, then thought of what he was talking about. He looked at him meaningfully and said, "Do you have something else to tell me?"

Tang Zhao said solemnly, "Yes, I have something to say to the Emperor alone."

Kun Sword said, "Then come with me." Having said that, he turned and went downstairs, and Tang Zhao followed immediately. Seeing them leave, Wei Zhangle felt a bit annoyed: although he was willing to go, if Tang Zhao wanted to compete, he could not win, whether in strength or relationship; Tang Zhao was too heavy. But even knowing he couldn't win, he still didn't want to give up.

"Xiao Tang, are you truly able to hold his sword and have it be the same as him holding his own sword?"

The place where Kun Sword and Tang Zhao had their private talk was not a secret room, but a field. The two sat on the ridge of the field, just like old farmers resting during a break from work. Kun Sword even brought a large pot of tea and poured a bowl for himself and Tang Zhao each. Even though it was good tea that only a Sword Saint could enjoy, drinking it like this had no elegance to speak of, leaving only a rustic charm.

Tang Zhao lowered his head and said, "Actually, the Emperor should know. Last time, I shamelessly used the Kun Sword in front of you..."

Kun Sword smiled and said, "Yes, I was puzzled for a long time."

Tang Zhao said, "You took care of me and did not ask for details, and I have always harbored a fluke mentality and did not explain it to you. But at this time, I think I must say it. I do indeed have the ability to hold others' swords."

Kun Sword said, "You actually shouldn't have told me. This kind of ability... even I am very envious." He extended two fingers, signaling that this was the second time. The first time was when Tang Zhao clearly told him about Zhu Ying's ability and asked him to help keep it secret. He had been very tempted that time, but he had still kept the agreement. However, although he could withstand the test, he couldn't be tested again and again, could he?

Tang Zhao lowered his head and said, "This junior has no choice. The world has reached this point, and if this junior wants to do something, I must step forward. I know I have put you in a difficult position, but I still hope you can support me."

Kun Sword shook his head and laughed, saying, "Since I know your ability, I don't want to support you anymore. Because your ability is too precious. The strategy you just mentioned—do you know that the person who finally carries it out will die?"

Tang Zhao said, "We all know."

Kun Sword said, "So, since you are all willing, there is no distinction between high and low. It is time for an outsider like me to weigh the pros and cons from a colder perspective. So I will choose, naturally letting you stay and letting that young friend Wei go. Because you will have greater use in the future. You must know that this foreign world collision event was originally an accident. Even if we dodge this crisis, our world will still suffer a destruction. Where will the hope be then? At that time, there will be no such 'clever' method. So in my view, it is better to let that young friend who is as heroic as you do this thing, and you keep your useful body until the time when you are truly needed."

Tang Zhao shook his head and said, "The reason I want to tell him this is not out of mere bravado, but because I have more certainty. The first certainty is the certainty of success. You also know he is a Sword Guest, and I am already close to a Sword Immortal. Compared to us two, I am more likely to succeed. The second certainty is that I feel I might be more likely to survive. Although both require a price, my price should be lower than his."

Kun Sword said, "Why do you think so? Compared to a world, a person is truly too insignificant. The price to pay for success is unimaginable; death and destruction of the soul are not considered a high price. Could it be that you have some certainty that others don't know about?"

Tang Zhao lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said, "No, I just have this feeling." In fact, this was also a kind of premonition of his; this hope of saving people while surviving came from his inexplicable confidence in his Glasses.

Seeing that Kun Sword was about to say something, Tang Zhao hurriedly said first, "Actually, I want to ask you to support me in another matter. I want to travel between the various great domains to find some crucial things."

Kun Sword looked at him and said, "Go now? Everyone is at the most tense moment now; you want to visit various places now?"

Tang Zhao said, "I will never cause trouble for everyone. I will only walk quietly and never make chaos. But I feel that these three months will not be wasted if used for this."

Kun Sword looked at him and said, "Is it related to the immediate crisis?"

Tang Zhao said, "It should be."

Kun Sword shook his head slightly when he heard the word "should," but still said, "If you want to do it, then do it. The divination said to let you go ahead and do it, so it is not good for me to stop you. Young friend Wei will stay and make preparations for both possibilities. If you cannot be trusted when the time comes, I think he will not refuse."