Everlasting Immortal Firmament

The emperor’s study, Borderless Heavenly Capital:

The key officials of the Han Nation stood before Gu Hai’s desk.

“Reporting to Your Reverence, according to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Houqing has started attending Ji Dihong’s key meetings. It seems he has earned Ji Dihong’s initial trust,” Meng Tai said respectfully.

Gu Hai exchanged glances with Sima Changkong, and they both nodded.

Gu Hai had not informed everyone of Lady Houtu’s request, leaving the others in a state of depression.

Gu Hai turned to Sima Changkong. “Has information about Ji Dihong’s mind control been shared with the major factions?”

Sima Changkong’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Reporting to Your Reverence, we have sent emissaries to all the major factions to explain the situation. Most factions welcomed our delegates warmly, but some sects and an imperial dynasty have…”

“How did those go?” Gu Hai asked.

“Perhaps we were too late!” replied Sima Changkong with a complicated expression. “Two middle-tier sects and one imperial dynasty have already fallen under control!”

“Can we confirm this?” questioned Gu Hai, his brows furrowing.

“Yes, we can,” Sima Changkong responded. “Although they concealed it well, the investigative methods Your Reverence suggested worked. These two sects and the dynasty suddenly began to slander us, calling us alarmists. At the same time, they are contacting other factions and are planning an alliance.”

“Where are these three factions located?” inquired Gu Hai.

“They are all close to the Han Imperial Dynasty,” explained Sima Changkong.

“Since we have confirmation, there’s no need to wait. It’s time for the Nation Suppression Army to begin the war,” announced Gu Hai, smiling.

“Huh?” The officials were slightly startled.

“If there were no mind control, we would wait a little longer. But now, we can’t. Despite the covert operations, it’s clear that the Huang Heavenly Dynasty has mobilized its troops. There’s no need to hide anymore,” said Gu Hai.

“But, Imperial Father, although the two sects and the dynasty are under control, they have not declared war against the Han Nation. What pretext can we use to dispatch our troops?” Gu Qin asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry,” reassured Gu Hai. “Mister Mo and Mister Sima will certainly come up with something.”

------

The next day, a message from the Han Imperial Dynasty shocked the world.

“Three groups of emissaries from the Han Imperial Dynasty were brutally murdered within the territories of two sects and an imperial dynasty. This enraged our emperor, the Han Imperial Emperor, Gu Hai. The two sects and the imperial dynasty are colluding with the Huang Nation, killing our envoys, and provoking the Han Nation. They plan to invade the Han Imperial Dynasty soon, causing chaos and displacing the civilians. Hence, we form the Nation Suppression Army in response.

“Mo Yike is appointed the commander of the Nation Suppression Army, with Gao Xianzhi, Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, Sima Changkong, Chen Tianshan, and Long Shenying serving as deputy commanders. They are to set off immediately to conquer the three factions.”

The rapid mobilization of the troops sent shock waves throughout the world.

The two sects and the imperial dynasty immediately claimed the Han Nation’s emissaries had vanished during their departure and had not been murdered. Moreover, they had not conspired with the Huang Heavenly Dynasty, asserting that the Han Imperial Dynasty’s allegations were false.

Regrettably, the facts were undeniable. Although there was no evidence to outsiders, it was clear to the Han Imperial Dynasty that these three factions had aligned themselves with the Huang Heavenly Dynasty and were planning to invade the Han Imperial Dynasty.

With these facts, Gu Hai felt no need to search for additional evidence. If the truth was undeniable, even if he could not find convincing evidence, he could simply create evidence that everyone would believe.

The troops were deployed and attacked the two sects and the imperial dynasty with lightning speed.

------

The emperor’s study, Xuanyuan City:

A furious Emperor Kong thundered, “How is this reasonable? Gu Hai doesn’t play by the rules. He declares war without warning. My Huang Nation’s troops haven’t even had a chance to deploy to the three factions, and before the three factions could mobilize their troops, Gu Hai attacked. What evidence does Gu Hai have to justify his invasion?”

At the side, Cangjie said, “Emperor Kong, it appears that Gu Hai has discovered the anomalies within the three factions. He doesn’t need to present evidence to the world, does he? Sometimes, evidence is essential; sometimes, it’s laughable. The sooner he deploys his troops, the better he can deter other factions.”

Emperor Kong was exasperated. “Gu Hai has even informed all the factions about mind control. Now, controlling other factions will be incredibly difficult!”

“No. What if there really is mind control?”

“Ridiculous! Have any of you ever heard of such a thing as mind control?”

“But isn’t it strange that the Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s army is aiding these four factions?”

“Regardless, we must protect the Han Imperial Dynasty’s delegation at all costs. We cannot afford any mishaps.”

…

The officials looked anxious, all their eyes on the emperor seated behind his desk.

However, the imperial emperor turned to an official at his side. “Our beloved Official Liu, who do you believe is telling the truth, Ji Dihong or Gu Hai?”

All eyes turned to Official Liu, the imperial emperor’s best strategist. The imperial emperor would often seek his advice on knotty matters.

“This official believes we cannot trust the words of either Gu Hai or Ji Dihong, given the war between the Huang Nation and the Han Nation,” Official Liu stated gravely.

“Oh?”

“Your Reverence, I believe you underestimate the Han Imperial Dynasty. Do you think they are placating us on purpose? This official thinks that even if the Han Nation were to battle all the factions in the north simultaneously, it would not balk at the prospect,” Official Liu stated solemnly.

“What?” the other officials exclaimed in surprise.

“Do you all remember the former Qian Heavenly Dynasty and Long Zhanguo?” Official Liu inquired.

“Huh?” Everyone’s expression changed.

“How do you think the Han Imperial Dynasty compares to the Qian Heavenly Dynasty?” Official Liu continued.

“The Han Imperial Dynasty? Although it is an imperial dynasty, it seems no weaker than the Qian Heavenly Dynasty, possibly stronger, except maybe Gu Hai’s cultivation is lacking,” an official commented with a frown.

“Gu Hai’s cultivation is lacking? It has been just a few years, and Gu Hai has already defeated Sect Master Heavenly Access and killed Jiang Gautama. Do you still think he is lacking? Moreover, why hasn’t Ji Dihong dared to kill him himself after all this time? You all know about the battle of the ten consummate Upper Heavenly Palace Realm cultivators in the Western Sea, right? Why do you think Ji Dihong didn’t appear? Gu Hai must have delayed him!” Official Liu said seriously.

“Alright, we admit it. The Han Imperial Dynasty is stronger than the Qian Heavenly Dynasty! There might be weaknesses in the sovereign, but overall, it is stronger!” another official conceded.

“Do you think the Qian Heavenly Dynasty feared factions like us?” Official Liu asked calmly.

“Uh…” Everyone was slightly startled.

Would the Qian Heavenly Dynasty have been afraid? In the past, the Qian Heavenly Dynasty looked down on everything, including the three holy lands and the other two heavenly dynasties. Long Zhanguo even dared to attempt to kill Heaven.

Would the current Han Imperial Dynasty, with an even more formidable presence than the Qian Heavenly Dynasty, be afraid of us?

The officials were shocked, realizing they had made a grave mistake.

“How should we proceed then?” the imperial emperor asked solemnly.

“Your Reverence, I believe this should not affect us for the meantime. We should observe the situation,” Official Liu advised.

“Why?”

“Since its establishment, the Han Imperial Dynasty has always stood on the side of justice. Even though we can’t prove it yet, this official believes this is still the case. Gu Hai is broad-minded. Consider who the Han Nation has dispatched to the borders of the three major factions.”

“It is the six faction leaders who pledged their loyalty to Gu Hai recently!”

“Indeed, Your Reverence, this is Gu Hai’s way of telling us that the Han Imperial Dynasty is not insatiable. He holds no grudge against the six faction leaders, which proves his open-mindedness. If you examine Gu Hai’s history, you’ll find that Meng Tai, Kong Xuan, Long Shenying, Sima Changkong, Mo Yike, Gao Xianzhi, the Mosquito Daoist, and Ao Sheng are all former enemies and rivals, yet Gu Hai accepted them all. His breadth of heart is as deep and wide as the sea; he is not a vicious or evil person! He wouldn’t resort to any means necessary to achieve his goals!” Official Liu stated with conviction.

“As for Ji Dihong, he may appear open-minded, but I always feel he harbors inner reservations, unlike Gu Hai. Since we haven’t allied with the Huang Heavenly Dynasty, we’re already aiding the Han Imperial Dynasty. Thus, as long as we remain observers, the Han Nation won’t trouble us. The Huang Heavenly Dynasty, being too far to reach us, won’t be able to deal with us, either. They already have Gu Hai, their biggest headache. Even if they wanted to confront us, we could seek Gu Hai’s assistance. I believe Gu Hai would help us due to his open-mindedness,” Official Liu concluded.

The officials looked surprised, then turned their gaze to the imperial emperor.

After a moment of silence, the imperial emperor finally nodded. “We will observe and wait!”

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