Chapter 287: Divination: Great Misfortune

Hua Changxi publicly made a scene in the square, first slapping the faces of the Brocade Guard, then suppressing the Guardian Guard, causing the Medical Department to once again be rife with undercurrents.

All parties were both shocked by her strength and wary of her disregard for consequences and her willingness to go all out.

Especially what Hua Changxi said at the end, which was like water poured into a hot oil pan, exploding and stirring up monstrous waves in many people’s hearts.

Xue Xian didn’t dare to respond further and led the Brocade Guard back to the imperial palace to report, looking dejected.

With the departure of the Brocade Guard, the people in the square gradually dispersed.

At the gate of the Old Courtyard, Gu Xing watched Hua Changxi fly back to Danyuan Peak, his face serious, his eyes flickering with deep worry.

Granny Sun saw this and was quite puzzled: “Changxi intimidated all sides today, didn’t she? I suppose from now on, no one will dare openly make trouble for her.”

Gu Xing shook his head and sighed: “For someone to go far, they need few enemies and many friends. Do you think Hua Changxi has more friends or enemies?”

Granny Sun grew worried too: “Did Changxi do something wrong today?”

Gu Xing shook his head again: “Showing strength appropriately is necessary, but to directly confront the imperial family like this… I hope she has enough cards in her hand.”

To the aristocratic families, the imperial family is a behemoth. Hua Changxi is just one person, with slender arms and legs, charging in like this—one can’t help but break out in a cold sweat for her.

Moreover, this time the imperial family’s provocation could be called an open scheme.

Hua Changxi’s final defiant words did manage to put some pressure on the imperial family, but that only holds if she really has the means to follow through. If not, if she messes up, she would have offended the entire capital.

The various trials Hua Changxi has gone through are essentially the struggles of the insignificant.

For the insignificant to rise up, they face too many obstacles. Either they are willing to compromise, make concessions, give up benefits, and turn enemies into friends; or they possess strength far surpassing all parties and crush them completely.

Hua Changxi… obviously is unwilling to compromise. Does she have the strength to crush everyone?

In the Heavenly Department’s meeting hall, Wei Zhenjie listened with great interest to Huo Yunxiao’s report on what happened in the Medical Department square, and deeply admired Hua Changxi’s approach of directly standing up to the Brocade Guard and the Guardian Guard.

“The three sacred lands of Talisman, Artifact, and Array still show no signs of revival because they lack people like Hua Changxi.”

“Although the Central Sacred Land and the Dan Sacred Hall have been thrown into chaos due to the strong intervention of the imperial family and aristocratic clans, this factional strife has also created various disorders.”

“The current chaos may cause all kinds of problems, but it’s better than stagnation. At least amid the turmoil, some people can rise to the surface, and there’s a chance to break the old rules.”

“The other three sacred lands are fine in every other way, but they move too slowly. I hope this large-scale recruitment of apprentices can inject new vitality into the three sacred lands.”

Huo Yunxiao looked at Wei Zhenjie and smiled: “Hua Changxi has learned to be clever this time. She actually knew how to put pressure on the imperial family, saying to Xue Xian that she would be willing to take on the task of maintaining public order in the capital. The imperial family wants to control even the regions, so of course they won’t allow anyone else to meddle in the capital.”

Wei Zhenjie’s eyes flickered as he listened: “Hua Changxi doesn’t seem like someone who speaks without basis. Where does she get her confidence?”

Huo Yunxiao: “Yes, when Hua Changxi said those final words, it startled quite a few people.”

All parties were mainly frightened by Hua Changxi’s multiple unexpected breakthroughs. In any case, Hua Changxi cannot be judged by common sense because she has made too many surprising moves.

Wei Zhenjie was silent for a moment: “I really hope the imperial family will be more tough this time.” He was very eager to see what cards Hua Changxi actually has.

In the Lingjing Pavilion, Xia Zhen held the same thought, also hoping the imperial family would use thunderous measures to suppress Hua Changxi. He wanted to see how she could counterattack.

In the Forbidden Zone of the Imperial Palace, the Grand Emperor, the Emperor, the Prince of Fu, and the Prince of Shou were all looking grimly at an elderly imperial clan elder with graying hair.

At that moment, the clan elder sat cross-legged, eyes tightly shut, muttering incantations. Floating directly in front of him was a turtle shell radiating an ancient aura.

Suddenly, the turtle shell began to vibrate, and the clan elder’s previously calm face twisted in pain.

“Crack—” The turtle shell fell to the ground.

At the same time, the clan elder spat out a mouthful of blood with a “pfft.”

“Sixth Elder.”

The Grand Emperor and the others were greatly alarmed. The Prince of Shou and the Prince of Fu quickly stood up and stepped forward to support the imperial Sixth Elder.

The Sixth Elder ignored the severe damage to his body, trembling as he picked up the turtle shell. When he saw a conspicuous crack in the center of the shell, his expression changed drastically.

The Grand Emperor and the others also saw it.

“Sixth Elder, the divination result is...”

The Sixth Elder looked at the Grand Emperor and the Emperor, and forced out two words: “Great calamity!”

Hearing this, the one who couldn’t bear it first was the Prince of Shou: “How is that possible?!”

The reason this divination was conducted was that the Prince of Shou had requested it.

There was nothing he could do — the security of the capital was of vital importance to the imperial family, and Hua Changxi was the kind of person who never played by the rules. Although he desperately wanted to make sure Hua Changxi could never recover, he dared not gamble with the future of the imperial house.

He never expected that the divination result would be extremely inauspicious.

After the resurgence of spiritual energy, the imperial family had faced several crises, but none of the divinations had ever shown an extremely inauspicious result. What virtue or ability did Hua Changxi have to possess the power to shake the very foundation of the royal family?

The Sixth Elder looked at Prince Shou: "The five sacred lands are the foundation of the Central Continent, the convergence point of the continent's fortune. Someone favored by the sacred lands is definitely a person with great fortune."

"If you go against someone who carries great fortune, even if you ultimately win, you will suffer a severe backlash. Thirteenth, whatever you're planning to do, stop immediately."

Prince Shou was extremely unwilling: "Are you saying we just let this lowly person Hua Changxi openly slap the imperial family in the face? Where is the authority of the imperial house?"

It was actually Prince Shou who had ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to target Hua Changxi. The Emperor couldn't be bothered to investigate what had already happened; he just looked at Prince Shou and said, "I heard from Junhao that Hua Changxi isn't deliberately opposing the imperial family — she simply opposes anyone who stands in her way, is that right?"

Prince Shou pulled a long face and grunted in acknowledgment.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor turned to the Retired Emperor: "Hua Changxi is the twin sister of Hua Changxin. Junmo and Hua Changxin are fellow disciples and share a close bond. Since we can no longer suppress Hua Changxi, we should stop being hostile toward her."

The Retired Emperor said nothing.

Prince Shou retorted: "Are we just going to let Hua Changxi continue to grow stronger in the Medical Department?"

The Emperor looked at him with a headache and said bluntly, "What Hua Changxi does in the Medical Department doesn't actually have much impact on the imperial family — it's more of a threat to the Xia family. Why are you so eager to rush to the front and be used as a blade? Are you trying to show off your ability?"

"If you could actually suppress Hua Changxi, that would be one thing. But look at everything you've done — all it has achieved is embarrassing the imperial family and making us a laughingstock."

"And now you still refuse to let it go. Are you fighting Hua Changxi, or are you fighting the imperial family? Can't you see the bigger picture? Must you keep clinging to trivial matters?"

Upon hearing this, Prince Shou's face reddened with anger.

Prince Fu sighed and spoke up to defuse the situation: "That Hua Changxi has no reverence for imperial authority. If we really let her take control of the Alchemy Saint Hall, the imperial family won't gain any benefit."

The Emperor said, "If the imperial family can't benefit, neither can anyone else." Then he looked again at the Retired Emperor.

"Based on the intelligence gathered from various sources, Hua Changxi isn't the type to enjoy fighting for power. Most of the time she only cares about her own little plot of land. Someone like that poses no real threat to the imperial family."

"With the resurgence of spiritual energy, the imperial family can no longer control everything. The four outlying continents have already appeared one after another, and it won't be long before they cross the seas to the Central Continent. When that happens, the conflicts will become fiercer and the situation more complex."

"The imperial family has long been unable to keep everything in its grasp, nor can it hold on."

The Retired Emperor finally spoke, looking at the Emperor: "So you mean the imperial family should give up on the Alchemy Saint Hall?"

The Emperor shook his head: "Your son means that the imperial family should start focusing on the big picture and letting go of the small. Since some things cannot be stopped, we should instead strive for more of what we can actually hold in our hands."

With that, he let out a long sigh.

"In ancient times, dynasties could hardly survive. Since the decline of the imperial family is already fated, we should plan for long-term development in the days ahead."

"To walk a broader and longer path, we must abandon our former glory and build more good connections. Making enemies everywhere, especially powerful ones, is ultimately not a wise move."

Upon hearing this, Prince Shou strongly objected: "But we are the imperial family—"

The Retired Emperor raised his hand to cut him off: "Do as the Emperor says." Glancing at the pale-faced Sixth Elder, he dismissed the three imperial brothers.

The Emperor rose and took his leave. Prince Shou was unwilling, but Prince Fu pulled him away.

After leaving the forbidden ground, the Emperor said to Prince Shou, "From now on, matters concerning Hua Changxi will be handled by Junhao. Thirteenth Brother, you just focus on managing the Qihuang Pavilion and balancing the various factions."

Prince Shou wanted to argue, but Prince Fu held him back.

Once the Emperor was far away, Prince Shou said, "He's such a cowardly emperor. He only got the throne because he's a few years older than us..."

"Thirteenth!"

Prince Fu shouted sharply to stop him: "I think you've become more and more arrogant. The imperial family is in a difficult position — this is exactly when we need unity. If you keep spouting nonsense, I will definitely report it to Father Emperor and have you sent to the Dark Prison to reflect."