Chapter 498: Fish Dies, Net Breaks

Xu Jin had assumed that after this Grand Eunuch Wei Zhong used this excuse to keep him behind, he would be taken to some side hall or the like.

But he never expected to actually be brought into the imperial palace's dungeon.

Or rather, into the dungeon of the Great Hong Nine Winds Bureau.

Merely this act alone calmed Xu Jin's heart.

It showed that even within the palace, the Great Hong Emperor still distrusted the Lord Tianyang Star Lord.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought him here to the dungeon.

The more these two distrusted each other, the higher Xu Jin's chances of snatching success from the fire.

After fifteen minutes of winding corridors, Wei Zhong brought Xu Jin to a relatively clean and tidy cell, shut the door behind him, and left.

Xu Jin was stunned.

This left him somewhat confused.

But Xu Jin immediately sensed Wei Zhong still standing guard outside the cell, and his heart settled.

The more cautious the Great Hong Emperor was, the greater Xu Jin's advantage.

A few breaths later, a door suddenly opened in the wall opposite the cell, and the Great Hong Emperor, dressed in new attire, stepped in slowly, his gaze dark and fixed on Xu Jin.

In the same instant, starlight surged upward, laced with spatial star-force, sealing off everything.

Even spatial teleportation star-art was blocked.

That meant if the Great Hong Emperor and Wei Zhong decided to eliminate Xu Jin, their chances of success were still quite high.

One was late eighth-rank; the other, peak eighth-rank.

Even if Xu Jin used all his special powers, he could not escape.

But with the Seven Kill Ironwood Sword at his side, Xu Jin still had some chance of survival.

"Xu Jin, what past with Luomei Village?

You're connected to the remnants of the Blood God Cult from Luomei Village!

If you confess honestly, I'll spare your life today!

Otherwise!

I'll flay your skin, peel your bones, scatter your ashes, and search your soul—Cheng Cheng Yuexiao won't know a thing, and can't save you." The Great Hong Emperor snapped the moment he entered.

Seeing this, Xu Jin widened his eyes—and suddenly laughed.

He pulled over a chair, leaned back, hugged the Seven Kill Ironwood Sword, and grinned, "Your Majesty, if you're going to say that, why not just kill me outright?

Why waste your breath?"

The Great Hong Emperor Yang Yun stared coldly at Xu Jin. "Xu Jin, don't think I have no way to deal with you!

This is my domain. If I capture you and seize control of your spirit, I'll know all the answers—and all problems will be solved."

Hearing this, Xu Jin merely shook his head and smiled.

"Your Majesty, I've already seen your death-soldiers.

To be honest, I've never seen an eighth-rank death-soldier before.

To protect you, they're willing to ignite their primordial spirits on command—how decisive!

Great Hong has many righteous men!

But Great Chen isn't short of determined souls either!

Honestly, before I stepped into the court today, I prepared to be carried out dead.

Or worse—reduced to ashes with no trace left!

As for spirit control?

I can ignite my primordial spirit too!" Xu Jin grinned, showing his white teeth.

That smile filled the Great Hong Emperor with an indescribable sense of helplessness.

The threats and bluffs had been his last resort.

"Your Majesty, I won't lie—I sent a letter to the State Advisor before I came!

If I haven't left the Great Hong Imperial Palace within an hour, the State Advisor will carry out the plan." Xu Jin said.

After one hour, if I have not left the Grand Hong Imperial Palace, the State Tutor will carry out the plan." Xu Jin said.

"Your Majesty knows well that the State Advisor was involved in uncovering the Blood God Cult remnants in Luomei Village—he was the first to arrive.

At that time, he will send evidence and discoveries to the Lord Tianyang Star Lord!

I imagine the Lord Tianyang Star Lord will be delighted.

He'll finally find the high-ranking Blood God Cult member he's searched for so long.

Supposedly, it's one of their senior vice-patriarchs." Xu Jin smiled.

Within the Mingji Star Pattern's perception, Xu Jin sensed the Great Hong Emperor's breath suddenly deepen.

In the sensing of Mingji Star Pattern, Xu Jin felt the Grand Hong Emperor's breath grow noticeably heavier.

The Great Hong Emperor sneered. "You think the Lord Tianyang Star Lord will believe there are Blood God Cult remnants hidden in my palace?

The Lord Tianyang Star Lord will never believe it!"

Hearing this, Xu Jin shook his head again. "Enough, Your Majesty—stop acting. The Lord Tianyang Star Lord's belief isn't something you know better than I do!

Even without hard evidence, if there's the slightest suspicion pointing at you, the Lord Tianyang Star Lord will grow deeply suspicious.

He won't stop until he digs it all out!

If you keep this up, it's pointless.

You might as well deal with me now—or let me go."

The Great Hong Emperor's breathing grew heavier.

As Great Hong Emperor, though he had the Lord Tianyang Star Lord above him, when had anyone ever threatened him like this?

His fury was understandable.

But he dared not act.

As Xu Jin said, he knew it too well!

Even a hint of suspicion would make the Lord Tianyang Star Lord launch a massive purge.

The Lord Tianyang Star Lord's need for control was too strong.

So strong that even in his own palace, the Emperor dared not relax.

As for dealing with Xu Jin?

He had already considered many methods.

The only safe one was seizing control of Xu Jin's spirit, holding his life and death—only then could he bury this matter.

But Xu Jin's resolve was absolute.

The only sure way to suppress this matter is to control the divine soul and hold Xu Jin's life and death in hand.

If Cheng Cheng Yuexiao truly contacted the Lord Tianyang Star Lord, all his decades of hard work and tolerance would be ruined.

Long silence followed.

Finally, the Great Hong Emperor pulled over a chair and sat down slowly. "Speak. What do you really want?"

At these words, Xu Jin exhaled inwardly in relief.

As soon as he spoke, Xu Jin instantly felt a weight lift from his heart.

Though the Great Hong Emperor hadn't admitted anything, his posture was honest.

This was effectively letting Xu Jin set his terms.

"Your Majesty, I wish to go to Blood Moon City. I need you to arrange a suitable identity for me—one that allows free movement, not one controlled by Blood Moon City's high-ups through spirit domination." Xu Jin said.

This time, the Great Hong Emperor said nothing, only stared at Xu Jin with an extremely complex expression.

After a long while, he spoke: "It seems you know the Blood God Cult quite well."

"Not as well as Your Majesty."

The Great Hong Emperor fell silent.

"Impossible." The Great Hong Emperor refused outright.

"Then I suppose I'll die here today." Xu Jin smiled, though his expression was utterly resolute.

The Great Hong Emperor stared at Xu Jin, making one final probe, exchanging silent signals with Wei Zhong outside the door.

Seeking any possible solution.

After much deliberation, the conclusion was—no solution.

Xu Jin was easy to handle.

He was already on their turf.

But Cheng Cheng Yuexiao? They couldn't touch him.

It was a dead end.

The State Advisor of Great Chen, Cheng Cheng Yuexiao's strength—they'd seen it before, far stronger than they'd imagined.

Not only could they not handle him in Great Chen, even if he left, they still couldn't.

The only person who might resolve this was the Lord Tianyang Star Lord.

But they had no way to deal with him either.

If they couldn't solve these problems, the Lord Tianyang Star Lord would solve them.

That was the scenario of direct confrontation.

With no chance of victory in direct confrontation, compromise was the only path.

Though the Great Hong Emperor hated compromise, he had resorted to it countless times over the years.

"The Eight Wilderness Continent has just begun to interface with the Starfield Battlefield; the star domain field is still violently unstable. Until it stabilizes, I cannot send you over." The Great Hong Emperor finally relented.

"I can wait," Xu Jin said.

"But I need to know what you intend to do over there! My dealings with that side are minimal—only minor trade caravans." The Great Hong Emperor still tried to cover his tracks, unwilling to give anyone grounds for accusation.

"There is a secret matter I must investigate."

"What matter?" The Great Hong Emperor pressed.

"Your Majesty, dare I tell you?"

Xu Jin spoke plainly: "Your Majesty, there is one thing you can be certain of: with my current cultivation base, going over there is like dancing on a blade's edge—merely investigating a secret vital to me, nothing that endangers the Blood God Sect's safety."

"Once I'm over there, I won't endanger your safety either," Xu Jin said.

"Empty words!"

"I cannot trust your assurances," said the Great Hong Emperor.

"Your Majesty, once I'm over there, you know my true identity. To be honest, my life rests in your hands."

"Otherwise, you need only send one message."

"On the Eight Wilderness Continent, I'd be enemies with everyone—and die without a grave in an instant."

"Going over there is the greatest guarantee I can offer you," Xu Jin said.

The Great Hong Emperor fell silent again, likely consulting with Wei Zhong, the Grand Supervisor.

After a long while, he reluctantly nodded.

"When do you want to go? How many with you?"

"How long will you stay?"

"What specific identity do you require?" The Great Hong Emperor asked.

"As soon as possible."

"Just me!"

"As for the identity, Your Majesty, arrange it as you see fit."

"It can't be low—must be high. Otherwise, I won't have freedom. Ideally, on equal footing with the Blood God Sect's Elders," Xu Jin said.

"On equal footing with the Blood God Sect's Elders?"

The Great Hong Emperor sneered. "Then you arrange it yourself—I have no such power."

"Even half a rank lower would do!"

"But I must be independent, free to move as I please," Xu Jin said.

"Impossible!" the Great Hong Emperor snapped.

"Then it's your problem!" Xu Jin said. "If I go with no freedom, it's practically suicide. Better to break everything now!"

"Otherwise, I might as well walk straight into death!"

"Let's just burn it all down!"

In an instant, Xu Jin's words silenced the Great Hong Emperor.

In his entire life, he had only ever been threatened by the Heavenly Yang Star Lord.

Now, there was one more.

After a long silence, the Great Hong Emperor calmed his emotions.

"Complete freedom is impossible, but a degree of freedom can be arranged," the Great Hong Emperor said.

"Agreed."

This time, Xu Jin agreed swiftly.

Even holding leverage, one must not press too hard.

"Then wait for word. When the star domain field between the Eight Wilderness Continent and the Starfield Battlefield stabilizes, I'll notify you—likely within a month." As he spoke, the Great Hong Emperor tossed Xu Jin a pair of mandarin duck seals. "Use this for future contact."

"Also, tell your state advisor."

"Rumors and hearsay may affect me slightly."

"But you, Xu Jin, will surely die."

"Your Majesty, rest assured—my life is exceedingly precious."

"Not to hide anything, Your Majesty, barring unforeseen events, I am the designated successor to the future State Advisor of Great Chen," Xu Jin revealed his identity outright, offering the Great Hong Emperor a reassuring stone.

If Xu Jin were merely a lowly pawn, easily expendable, what leverage would he have against Cheng Cheng Yuexiao?

If the mission succeeded, Cheng Cheng Yuexiao could sacrifice Xu Jin at any moment to plunge Great Hong into chaos and achieve strategic aims.

"Is this true?"

Naturally, the Great Hong Emperor was overjoyed.

His greatest fear had been that Xu Jin was too insignificant.

Compared to him, Xu Jin was an egg versus a gem.

Ten thousand shattered eggs couldn't match the value of one gem.

"Your Majesty, doesn't your Nine Wind Office have my records?"

"The youngest Vice Academic Director in Great Chen's history."

"I am Great Chen's peerless genius!"

"The youngest fifth-rank cultivator in Great Chen's history."

"The youngest sixth-rank cultivator in Great Chen's history."

"In the future, I will also be the youngest seventh-rank cultivator in Great Chen's history."

"All this, plus my combat power—doesn't it prove everything?"

"Look: how many sixth-ranks possess a top-grade Seven-Star Spirit Armor?"

"Even among seventh-ranks, how many have a full set of Seven-Star Spirit Armor?"

As Xu Jin shook his shoulder, the top-grade Seven-Star Spirit Armor materialized; instantly, the Seven-Star Spirit Sword and Seven-Star Spirit Shield also appeared in the starlight, flashing briefly.

"But I have a complete set."

This display made the Great Hong Emperor's eyes snap wide open.

A complete set of Seven-Star Spirit Treasures—no ordinary eighth-rank cultivator possessed one.

Yet Xu Jin, a mere sixth-rank, had a full set.

In an instant, the Great Hong Emperor believed him.

Only if Cheng Cheng Yuexiao placed extreme importance on Xu Jin's safety would he equip him with a complete set of Seven-Star Spirit Treasures.

Immediately, half of the Great Hong Emperor's worries vanished—at least the leverage he held now carried substantial value.

Until Xu Jin returned from the Eight Wilderness Continent, he was safe.

"Wei Zhong, escort him out."

As he spoke, the Great Hong Emperor vanished from the dungeon.

Xu Jin, meanwhile, was led out of the dungeon by Grand Supervisor Wei Zhong, under the watchful eyes of numerous eunuchs and guards, and escorted out of the imperial palace.

Not long after Xu Jin left the palace, Grand Supervisor Wei Zhong returned at once to the Quiet Heart Palace, where the Great Hong Emperor meditated.

The emperor and his minister faced each other in long silence.

"Your Majesty, it seems we must execute that plan."

"Ah!"

The Great Hong Emperor sighed deeply. "I never imagined the exposure of Luomei Manor would have such massive repercussions."

"Had I known the consequences, I never would have gone."

"Lost is lost."

"It was just one sixth-rank star domain!"

"Now, Cheng Cheng Yuexiao could detonate this at any moment to the Heavenly Yang Star Lord—especially once this boy completes his mission, that will be the most dangerous moment."

"Your Majesty, regret is useless."

"If you intend to execute that plan, the preparations and tasks are countless!"

"We have little time left."

"Only Xu Jin's journey to Blood Moon City can buy us a little more time—otherwise, we may—" Wei Zhong's face already showed panic.

In the next instant, the Great Hong Emperor's expression hardened into grim resolve. "Then begin execution! I thought I'd never need this plan in my lifetime—but it seems fate has decided otherwise."

As he spoke, the Great Hong Emperor's face twisted into ruthless malice. "This Xu Jin has ruined my plans!"

"Forced me to activate that plan!"

"If I get the chance, I'll make him die without a grave!"

"I'll trap his soul, forge him into a blood puppet, and burn him day and night—only then will my rage be sated!"

(End of Chapter)