Beyond the Timescape

Chapter 1165: Push a Little Here and There

Time passed. Six days. There were only four more days until the wedding!

The workings of heaven grew increasingly unstable. As the day of succession neared, the cycles of the sun and moon became more chaotic. In even just one day, it would go back and forth between darkness and light dozens of times. The entire world was affected. Sometimes, it was impossible to see the moon during the night and the sun during the day. Occasionally, everything would get mixed up, and a bright moon would be visible during the day, while a black sun came out at night!

It was pure confusion. Just like Zhou Zhengli’s thoughts at the moment. He stood in the highest tower in True Monarch Hall, his head bowed as he spoke to Sir Star Ring, who stood in front of him with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Back in the eastern planetary region,” Zhou Zhengli said, “you occupied such a high position that you could remain separated from the affairs of the world, thinking about the dao. At that time, Sir Vilespirit was like a bug to you. As a result, you were not really aware of his despicable and wicked deeds. But I was out there clashing with him constantly. So I understand him a bit more.

“Since you’ve inquired about him, exalted one, I’ll explain a bit of what I know. He has not gained enlightenment of any canon. His canon comes from the evil broken sword inside of him. That sword has a name: Betrayal!

“And that’s why everything he does revolves around the concept of betrayal. He’s betrayed sects. He’s betrayed his own beliefs. He’s betrayed everything….” Zhou Zhengli seemed to be saying some things by not saying them. Looking at Sir Star Ring, he decided to stop for a moment to let him think.

Sir Star Ring turned and looked down at the bowing Zhou Zhengli. “In other words, he’ll even betray an ally! His dao is that of betrayal, and therefore, to him, it doesn’t matter who he betrays as long as he betrays someone!”

Zhou Zhengli sighed with regret. “You fully deserve to be called the number one Shining Star, exalted one. All it took was a brief explanation from me, and you understand the complete picture. In contrast, it took me years of fighting and a lot of contemplation to wrap my mind around it.”

Sir Star Ring glanced at Zhou Zhengli. Zhou Zhengli had a very respectful look on his face and didn’t dare to make eye contact. He just kept bowing. The tower was silent for a time.

Then Sir Star Ring said, “I know you’re talented, Zhou Zhengli. And I know you’re a schemer as well. You fought with Sir Vilespirit for years, to the point where he views you as his archenemy. How could you possibly be deemed mediocre?”

Sir Star Ring looked off at the horizon and calmly said, “Maybe feigning weakness is your dao. Or maybe you just work hard at it. But… if you keep it up, then I’ll just peel your consciousness out of that body. It makes little difference to me if you’re at my side. Therefore, what you’ve said so far about Sir Vilespirit isn’t enough. I need you to give me a good reason to get rid of him right now.”

Sometimes, overwhelming power can defeat someone even ten times as skilled. This was just such a case. It didn’t matter how Zhou Zhengli planned or schemed. If he didn’t provide a good reason right then and there, Sir Star Ring would do just as he had said. He was perfectly willing to send Zhou Zhengli away. That was the simplest way to do away with his scheming.

Zhou Zhengli smiled wryly and then sighed. “Exalted one, you misunderstand me. Truth be told, sir, it’s not that I didn’t try hard. It’s just that your brilliance is so dazzling I fear I might burn myself…. Since you brought it up, I can briefly outline the problem here. If you notice any faulty logic, sir, please point it out.

“Originally, we had the initiative in this little conflict. But we lost the initiative to them. From what I can tell, the main problem is that we’re looking at things from too high of a vantage point.

“When you occupy such a high position, the plots and schemes of nobodies are hard to notice. You need to get on the same level as them. Only then will you realize how wily and ruthless they are. Only then can you guard against their machinations. After all, we’re in the right here. They’re the evil ones. This reality is something that I only recently started to realize, and it all became clear thanks to this conversation today.

“It might seem like there aren’t many people on our side, but I think… that we actually have the most people on our side. With the exception of certain outsiders, everyone in the immortal palace… is on the side of order, right?

“They’re all historical figures who have no idea what fate has in store for them. They’ll automatically follow the proper course in space-time…. And that’s order, correct? Exalted one, if I can understand such things, then obviously you do too. You wanted me to say it out loud so that… I would be bound by karma, and wouldn’t consider abandoning your service.

“But, sir, you really misunderstand me. Following you has long been a dream of mine. The reality is that I’m not very smart, and I’m worried about making bad decisions. That’s why I’ll always follow your lead, exalted one.”

With that all said, Zhou Zhengli kept his head bowed and said nothing further.

Sir Star Ring closed his eyes for a while. When he opened them, they shone brightly. He looked at Zhou Zhengli.

“After all of this is over and we’re back in the eastern planetary region, come find me at the Star Ring Pagoda.” Having said that, he turned and walked off.

“Many thanks, Milord!” Zhou Zhengli bowed deeply. Eyes narrowed, he watched as Sir Star Ring left.

Sir Star Ring’s advantage is that he’s strong and brave. His weakness is that he’s obstinate and self-opinionated. All I had to do was push a little here and there, and he’s raring to fight. Let’s just hope it turns out to be a good show.

***

Thunder rumbled above. A moment ago, the skies were clear and blue. But now the rain was pouring down.

However, that rainfall didn’t produce so much as a ripple on the lake of space-time in the immortal palace. As the workings of heaven became more chaotic, and as the day of succession drew near, space-time grew more solid than ever.

Xu Qing was able to sense that thanks to his space-time canon. He knew that it was getting more and more difficult to create any waves. It wasn’t some sudden development. It was just how things worked historically speaking.

I’m afraid this is the opportunity Fourth True Monarch has been waiting for.

He stood in Young Aurora Hall, looking up as the sky suddenly switched from darkness to light. At the same time, the pouring rain transformed into hail. The pitter-patter turned into a thunderous crashing sound. A frigid aura spread, weighing down heavily on everything, eventually becoming a powerful wind that stirred Xu Qing’s hair. As the wind blew, he could sense the unstoppable flow of history approaching.

***

The current arrived. And along with it came a minor incident that shook the immortal palace! It could be called minor because it was something that was subject to change at any moment, and was insignificant enough that it was easy to overlook or misunderstand. But that supposedly minor incident still affected the whole immortal palace.

It was an order issued by Fourth True Monarch. He personally called on the immortal palace’s Law Enforcement Bureau to launch an investigation into Gongsun Qingmu, Li the Chosen, the fox maiden, and Zhong Chi.

According to him, Gongsun Qingmu, an honor guard from the Scourgebolt Palace, was conspiring to betray the immortal palace. The evidence was the jade slip from Gongsun Qingmu’s apprentice, as well as information about his background and other details. All of it implicated his Master. That was why Fourth True Monarch suspected that Gongsun Qingmu’s apprentice had been planning to betray the palace on orders from his Master!

As for the fox maiden, Fourth True Monarch revealed the details of her life before coming to the immortal palace. That, coupled with the fact that Gongsun Qingmu had taken her in as an apprentice, cast her in suspicion. And though there was no clear indication of her motive, Fourth True Monarch claimed that he knew the truth. She was after Young Lord Aurora! She had intentionally gotten close to the young master to earn status and avoid being expelled. Given how things turned out, it was obvious that she knew Gongsun Qingmu, otherwise he would never have taken her as an apprentice without having any previous contact. All of it proved that she was conspiring against Young Lord Aurora!

As for Li the Chosen, he had intentionally tried to get Young Lord Aurora to take in the fox maiden. He had offered her as the stakes of a bet knowing full well that he would lose. It was all to get her close to the young lord. It was the act of an accomplice!

Meanwhile, Zhong Chi had been a companion of Young Lord Aurora for years. He had seemed very loyal, but for unknown reasons had a change of heart. The proof was the poison inside of him, which he himself had ingested! No one would intentionally poison themselves, and thus, Fourth True Monarch believed that the poison was part of a secret magic being used to poison and kill Young Lord Aurora.

Fourth True Monarch’s accusations shook the whole immortal palace. In the blink of an eye, countless people were paying attention to the situation. None of these accusations were made behind closed doors. By peeling back the lid on the entire thing, and letting everyone in the immortal palace see what was going on, order could be preserved.

With everyone as witnesses, the entire affair was out in the open for all to see. That way, if Fourth True Monarch was telling the truth, the matter could be handled swiftly. Everything could conform to order.

And if Fourth True Monarch was wrong, all he had to do was apologize and say it was all a misunderstanding. In that case, if there were any waves in history, they would be very weak. After all, the matter wouldn’t affect the larger course of history.

To Sir Vilespirit and the others involved, it was a ruthless blow that they had no way to avoid or block.

Immortal Fairy Spirit Phoenix paid close attention to the matter from the beginning. In order to make sure no suspicion was cast on her, she stayed in Young Aurora Hall constantly.

What was more, the situation with driving the fox maiden out of Young Aurora Hall left Li Mengtu no choice but to leave the service of the young lord. Before departing, he had come to visit Xu Qing one last time. Thinking back to everything they had done together left Li Mengtu feeling quite moved. Looking at the young lord, he suddenly felt reluctant to leave. It was an experience he would never forget. After bowing one last time, he made a sudden decision.

“Young Lord, your humble servant had a strange dream last night…. I dreamed of your wedding, only a few days from now. There was a lot of noise and excitement, and the atmosphere in the immortal palace was jubilant. Unfortunately… in the moment when you and your wife bow to heaven and earth, a great catastrophe struck. You never finished bowing…. The world became drenched in blood.”

With that, he bowed one last time and walked out.

Xu Qing watched him leave, his eyes glittering. This counterattack from Fourth True Monarch came as no surprise. There was a conflict between people who wanted to maintain order and those who wanted to change history. Everyone had their own dao. And Xu Qing knew that the only reason he had come out on top in the past was that he was so well hidden. When fighting from the shadows, it was easy to come out on top against people in the light.

Because of that circumstance, the opponent was focused on Sir Vilespirit and the fox maiden. Unfortunately, the victories he had won from the shadows were minor, and didn’t affect the big picture. History was going to unfold as normal without much changes. All he had changed were minor details. The other side had always had the advantage. It was just that they had forgotten about that thanks to his string of small successes. But they would remember eventually.

I’m just waiting for the moment that you do remember and then take the initiative.

He had just put a very important game piece onto the board. It was a piece that would cause a great tempest to rise up. Unfortunately, he wasn’t strong enough to play this game alone. He didn’t have enough allies, and what was more, the other side of the conflict needed to participate. That was how to make a big stir!

After all, when the side of order took the initiative to act, it would result in waves. They would be small, but… it was still something!

It’s getting windy.

Rumbling filled the outside world as the wind erupted into a tempest, sending debris flying through the air.

Xu Qing’s eyes turned cold.

It was time to use the wind to climb to the heights of heaven!

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