Chapter 860: Analysis

Li Huowang searched through all the White Lotus teachings but still couldn't determine if the owner of the jade hand belonged to the Unspeakable Army or the Celestial Nobility. He then asked Bai Lingmiao to seek out White Lotus elders for information, but this yielded no results either. Over such a long period, generations of White Lotus followers, driven by their fear of death, had scattered and hidden, making it impossible to find anyone with direct knowledge. All recollections concerning the True Empty Homeland and the Lifeless Old Mother had, through the lens of their faith, been transformed into myths, devoid of any factual substance.

Nevertheless, the general direction was correct. Based on the previous information, Li Huowang finally grasped the full context of his ambush. The so-called "Tianchen" was, in fact, the True Empty Homeland of the past, a historical layer that was once entirely under the control of the Lifeless Old Mother. However, due to the subsequent betrayal by both the Unspeakable Army and the Celestial Nobility, they seized all the Heavenly Daos from the Lifeless Old Mother and appropriated them for their own use.

Stripped bare, the Lifeless Old Mother, whether by force or by choice, sought a means of survival. Through some method, she arrived in the historical realm of Daliang. Here, she began to influence mortals, subtly spreading the White Lotus teachings and seeking an opportunity. However, without the Heavenly Daos, the White Lotus cult could not truly flourish.

Finally, on this occasion, she found her chance. Through a series of events, she developed her Heart Core and simultaneously acquired the Heavenly Daos of Compassion and Death, signifying the complete return of the Lifeless Old Mother to her full power.

Meanwhile, the True Empty Homeland, now known as the Tianchen Kingdom, being the Lifeless Old Mother's sworn enemy, was immediately alerted by either the Unspeakable Army or the Celestial Nobility. Having stolen her Heavenly Daos and betrayed her, they surely wouldn't want the Lifeless Old Mother to regain power, as she would undoubtedly return for vengeance. This explains their haste in attempting to cross from the historical realm of Daqi into Daliang, intending to slay her Heart Core and utterly destroy the newly expanding White Lotus cult before the Lifeless Old Mother could firmly establish herself. Or perhaps they aimed to go even further, seeking to once again seize these two Heavenly Daos from the Lifeless Old Mother, just as they did before.

And he, unknowingly, had been rescuing people in Daqi, inadvertently entangling himself in their affairs. This was why they sought to steal his Spinal Sword, which allowed travel between Daliang and Daqi. Realizing he was not an easy opponent, they sent the "Broken Big Ear" wild Zen Buddhist to recruit him. What they couldn't have known, however, was that the White Lotus Saintess was Li Huowang's wife.

It was certainly not an option to let the Unspeakable Army or the Celestial Nobility passively wait for the Lifeless Old Mother to rise and seek revenge. Allowing Bai Lingmiao, his woman, to face formidable enemies from an entire historical realm alone was something Li Huowang simply couldn't do. From the very beginning, this matter was non-negotiable, a true deadlock.

Upon hearing Li Huowang's explanation, both Li Sui and Bai Lingmiao wore solemn expressions, a heavy burden settling in their hearts. Daliang, having just emerged from the crisis of the Dharma Cult, now found itself overshadowed once more.

"Is the True Empty Homeland another historical realm?" Bai Lingmiao's expression grew even more troubled. "Senior Brother Li, perhaps you've misunderstood. Maybe it's not a *different* historical realm; perhaps that *is* the True Empty Homeland."

"Yes! Exactly, that *is* the True Empty Homeland; it's just been occupied by others. All we have to do is help the Lifeless Old Mother reclaim it. Yes, it must be so." Bai Lingmiao's hands began to tremble.

Just as Li Huowang was about to interject, Li Sui's voice, calling "Father," interrupted him. Hearing her, Li Huowang looked up at Li Sui.

"Father, if matters are as you've explained, then couldn't we simply ask the Lifeless Old Mother directly for more clues and details?"

"You're right!" Li Huowang instantly brightened. The Lifeless Old Mother would surely never forget who betrayed her and caused her so much suffering.

"Miao Miao, have your people contact the Lifeless Old Mother and observe her reaction."

A somewhat flustered Bai Lingmiao took several deep breaths to compose herself before replying, "It won't work, Senior Brother Li. I've tried ever since Death returned."

"Even though Death has returned, the Lifeless Old Mother remains listless, showing no response to my voice."

"Sigh," Li Huowang found he couldn't even summon the anger. With enemies seemingly on the verge of attack, the Lifeless Old Mother was still feigning death. Not only Ji Zai, but the Lifeless Old Mother was equally unreliable. Why was it that none of the Fates supposedly aiding him proved to be dependable?

"Forget it," he sighed, "I won't count on them. Relying on a mountain, the mountain might collapse; relying on water, the water might flow away. In matters like these, it's best to rely on oneself." Li Huowang scratched the back of his head, contemplating the implications of the situation and how he should proceed.

Suddenly, he paused. "Sui Sui, you go back first. Find Gao Zhijian and tell him everything that has happened here. Have him and the other emperors prepare themselves."

As Li Sui was about to speak, Li Huowang waved his hand again. "No, I'll go myself. You should inform the other Heavenly Censors. I'm not familiar with them. If people from the Tianchen Kingdom truly arrive, it will be far more dangerous than any natural disaster."

Having spoken, Li Huowang turned to Bai Lingmiao. "Miao Miao, regardless of whether the Lifeless Old Mother is feigning death or not, please relay this information to her first."

After a pause, Li Huowang continued very seriously, "Furthermore, whether I can assist in this matter depends entirely on her choice regarding the White Lotus Saintess! Tell her that Ji Zai said this!" If Tianchen's objective was the White Lotus Saintess, then Bai Lingmiao's situation was extremely perilous, and he had to take preventive measures. He hoped that even if they ultimately failed, the worst outcome would be the demise of the Lifeless Old Mother, not Bai Lingmiao.

With that, Li Huowang nodded to Bai Lingmiao, turned, and headed out the door.

Li Huowang, in his haste, hadn't gone far towards the imperial palace in Shangjing when he noticed Li Sui following him. "Father," she said, "Did you overhear my conversation with Mother just now? Are you trying to kill two birds with one stone?"

"I'm not deaf."

"But Mother might not appreciate your actions."

"Perhaps she doesn't even realize it herself. I just understood that the White Lotus cult has become a form of reliance for her, serving to soothe her inner turmoil and distract her from dwelling too much. If she loses the drive provided by the White Lotus cult, she will truly have nothing left."

"How can she have nothing? She still has me!"

"Father, you really can't."

"Mother hasn't let go of the past. She's merely using the pretense of the True Empty Homeland to temporarily evade her feelings. I've considered this for both of you, but there doesn't seem to be a good solution, especially since you killed her entire family. Considering both your well-being and Mother's, I believe that if staying together only causes mutual discomfort, it might genuinely be better to simply part ways."