Chapter 1327: Repeated Weighing

**Chapter 1313: Repeated Deliberation**

“It’s a blessing, but also a curse,” He Lingchuan said after a moment of contemplation. “You know about my plans for Shanjin, don't you?”

“Of course, I know. You're interested in that tough nut to crack.” The mirror accompanied its master constantly, witnessing his every action. If anything in this world, apart from the Heavenly Dao, could observe He Lingchuan's every move, it was the Soul-Snaring Mirror.

He Lingchuan’s Yangshan plan originally involved a three-pronged approach, with covert arrangements.

First, he aimed to expand the Yangshan Association, connecting with and recruiting more insightful individuals and young talents. These people had seen the world outside and were struck by the prosperity of major powers and the poverty of Shanjin. Naturally, they were deeply dissatisfied with the current state of affairs and possessed the motivation and desire for change. Moreover, most of them were young; although not the highest local rulers, they were either wealthy or noble, possessing influence and ambition. This group represented the most progressive thinkers in Shanjin Plain and were the easiest for He Lingchuan to unite. The Yangshan Merchant Association had entered Shanjin Plain peacefully and amicably. They not only didn’t reject He Lingchuan but welcomed him warmly. Thus far, this strategy was progressing smoothly.

Second, He Lingchuan, disguised as the Black Armored Leader, led the Black Armored Army to intervene everywhere—or rather, to punish evil and promote good. He also used storytellers and various other methods to spread tales of the Black Armored Army's deeds, aiming to gain the recognition of another powerful, yet often overlooked, force in Shanjin Plain. This force was rarely valued or tapped into. It was the people—the common people of Shanjin Plain.

The mirror had been with He Lingchuan for so long that, though he never explicitly stated it, it realized its master sought more than just spiritual energy. The spiritual energy that only the Black Dragon Divine Venerable could collect was undoubtedly valuable, but He Lingchuan's ambition extended far beyond that. He had broader visions and greater expectations. Otherwise, with his calculating nature, he would know that the Black Armored Army’s efforts and risks were not yet proportionate to their gains. What he valued was the future. What he anticipated was slowly gathering people's support.

Third, He Lingchuan also needed to seize the opportunity to train his core elite forces. The so-called 'Yangshan Army' he assembled comprised diverse elements: pirates, the Bailong tribe, and various experts who had come to join him. Although they had undergone strict training, in terms of combat effectiveness, individual will, and group discipline, they were still far from elites like the Great Wind Army. One must be strong to forge iron. Perhaps the people of Shanjin Plain would place great hopes in them in the future, but if the Yangshan Army itself was not capable and could not withstand the test of storms, all their efforts would be in vain.

While these three strategies sounded complex, they were already in motion, proceeding systematically and discreetly under He Lingchuan's careful coordination. If they could be executed smoothly to completion, He Lingchuan's progress toward dominating Shanjin would be roughly 30% done.

Of course, things rarely go as planned. And didn't an unexpected event just occur?

“The appearance of the Dragon Head carving will bring us great trouble,” He Lingchuan said, scratching his head whenever he thought about it. “Our opponents are likely to change!”

“Huh, that serious?” The Soul-Snaring Mirror had initially thought it was just a few more carvings on a wall, lasting only three days. However, only Beiga usually made its master this agitated. “Are you afraid of alerting Beiga?”

“More than that,” He Lingchuan slowly replied. “Before the Dragon Head Totem appeared, the Black Armored Army was mostly investigated only by local natives, with the strongest being countries like Yao and Luodian, and a few influenced wild gods. We could handle those opponents.” He had already formulated countermeasures.

“But after the Dragon Head Totem appeared…” He sighed. “Beiga has been secretly researching this totem. The earliest information I got on it was stolen by Fu Shanyue from his father’s library. The Dragon Head Totem previously appeared in Yuangou and Panlong City, and Lingxu City wouldn't be unaware of this.” He continued, “Coincidentally—well, perhaps not coincidentally—both places left an indelible mark on Beiga, and both happened to possess the Great Fang Hu.”

The Dragon Head Totem, the Cities of Resistance, and the Great Fang Hu were once closely linked. Now that the Dragon Head Totem has reappeared, it might be a keyword that awakens Beiga’s unpleasant memories. Will it draw further connections?

“Once it learns of the Black Armored Army’s deeds, our opponents might escalate,” he said, referring to Beiga. “The risks of future operations could easily increase tenfold. Oh, and Lingshan too.”

“Lingshan is also very interested in the Dragon Head Totem.” In the Panlong world, Lingshan had dispatched specialists to investigate this totem. If it was interested then, what about now?

“Oh, right, Lingshan and Mou State as well.” The mirror always subconsciously overlooked Lingshan, assuming it was on He Lingchuan’s side.

“Since it’s so dangerous, why don’t we just stop?” the mirror grumbled. “We could always go back to Yangshan!” It imagined going back to being a magical artifact for a small island lord—no need to fight for life or death, just getting some Emperor’s Nectar to eat now and then. Wouldn’t that be quite pleasant to imagine?

“Retreating to Yangshan might not be safe either. If Beiga truly targets us, there will be nowhere to hide, no matter how far. Besides, as long as we operate in Shanjin, this day would come sooner or later.” It just arrived unexpectedly quickly. “Moreover, the Dragon Head Totem has boundless mystical uses. Its appearance is a rare and precious opportunity; who wouldn't want it?”

Lingshan said the Dragon Head Totem represented a blessing from the Heavenly Dao, bringing favorable weather and abundant resources to where it appeared. Zhong Shengguang, on the other hand, explained that the totem could prevent dream energy and spiritual energy from being drained by external forces.

Perhaps they were both right: one describing a partial outward manifestation, the other a partial underlying cause. But there was no discernible pattern yet as to where the Dragon Head Totem would appear, given the scarcity of reference cases.

The mirror also complained, “Oh, how wonderful it would be if this Dragon Head Totem had appeared later!” It knew its master was nowhere near ready!

Yuangou had rebelled within Beiga, and Lingxu, despite mobilizing the entire nation's strength for several encirclement campaigns, took two years to triumph. Panlong City likewise directly confronted Beiga, resisting for over twenty years amidst powerful enemies. Their strength and resilience stemmed from many factors, a portion of which must have come from the Dragon Head Totem's contribution. For a regional overlord or a monarch, fertile land and abundant spiritual energy meant more food, more people, more troops, and stronger combat power! The Dragon Head Totem worked silently, yet it exerted its influence every moment. Such places were typically described as 'blessed lands with outstanding people,' and He Lingchuan coveted them immensely.

But could he bear the increased risks? Could he withstand the scrutiny of Beiga and Lingshan? Even he had no answer. That's why He Lingchuan said whether it was a blessing or a curse depended on how it was handled.

The mirror composed itself, pulling the conversation back to the present. “So, have you decided what to do next?” The reality was harsh: no matter how difficult the dilemma, He Lingchuan ultimately had to make a choice, and quickly!

“If it's a disaster, there's no escaping it,” He Lingchuan said gravely. “I've made up my mind.” For the past several days, he had been adjusting his strategy. “The appearance of the Dragon Head Totem cannot escape the notice of the Heavenly Gods and Beiga. If they want to investigate, they will either use their influence in Shanjin or send more people from Beiga.”

He Lingchuan had long seen through it: Beiga only had indirect influence over Shanjin Plain; the greatest local power was still Yao State.

The mirror suddenly remembered, “Oh, isn't Qingyang in Yao State? Perhaps she'll be the one to investigate.”

The mirror thought for a moment, then asked, “Why did this totem appear, and why does it disappear? You were clearly in Jucheng; why didn't it follow you?”

“Nor was it in Yangshan.” As it currently appeared, the Dragon Head Totem only briefly manifested where the “Black Armored Leader” had appeared and fought. In other words, did his actions while wearing the Dragon’s Roar Armor align with some underlying principle? Previously, both Yuangou and Panlong City fought on the front lines against the Heavenly Gods. With their elite soldiers, fierce generals, and unified people, it was no surprise that the Dragon Head Totem appeared there. In contrast, He Lingchuan’s Yangshan Army had not undergone large-scale tempering by blood and fire; they were neither resolute nor efficient. He himself was involved with various wild gods and had unclear, lingering ties with Beiga. Given his circumstances, how could he still gain the favor of the Dragon Head Totem? Of course, it wasn't just because he wore the Dragon’s Roar Armor.

“Is it because you punish evil and promote good?” Receiving a blessing from the Heavenly Dao for punishing evil seemed plausible, but Fu Liushan was even more diligent in this regard; why hadn’t he received such a blessing? Neither the Heavenly Dao, the Great Fang Hu, nor the Dragon Head Totem were entities one could easily communicate with.

“Not entirely,” He Lingchuan sighed. “And I always ponder one question: Why did the Heavenly Dao’s blessing choose the dragon totem, and not the form of another divine beast? Conversely, is the Dragon Head Totem truly a blessing from the Heavenly Dao? Could it not be the Black Dragon Divine Venerable’s own blessing?”

The mirror was a bit confused, calling out, “The Black Dragon has already passed away.” The next unspoken thought: *You're even wearing its hide!*

“The Black Dragon’s cultivation was above that of immortals; it was the creation closest to the Heavenly Dao. It's plausible that it could continue to influence the world in its own way.”

“You mean it’s not dead, in some sense?” The mirror was not entirely convinced. “If the Dragon God's influence on this world hadn't vanished, why would the dragon descendants, when at their wit’s end, turn to the Heavenly Gods and establish Beiga, instead of seeking help from their ancestor?”

“No, I suspect the Dragon God's power might continue to exist in some form,” He Lingchuan said. “Just like the Panlong world within the Great Fang Hu.” Panlong City had long fallen, its tragic yet heroic past buried by sand. But Panlong City’s power, protected by the Great Fang Hu, had not truly vanished from the world. It even found He Lingchuan, its successor. Could the Black Dragon's power have also transformed into the Dragon Head Totem, seeking a successor aligned with its will? Or perhaps, a candidate who matched the Dragon God's dying wishes?