Chapter 884: Conversation

Outside the palace, amidst the surrounding eunuchs and maids, Dice gazed at Li Huowang, who returned his stare.

"What are you talking about? 'Believe or not'? Hong Zhong, I don't understand a word you're saying," Dice asked, feigning surprise.

"Whether you understand or not, you know perfectly well," Li Huowang retorted. "I'm not interested in discussing this further. Let's get back to the main topic. Besides what you've already revealed, how much more do you know about Tianchen? For instance, about any golden dragons?" A scene he had once witnessed flashed through Li Huowang's mind.

"Golden dragons?" Dice seemed genuinely surprised. "Does Tianchen have such things? I've never heard of them. Could they be Tianchen's dragon veins?"

"Dragon veins..." If that were true, then in both Daqi and Daliang, dragon veins were embodied by individuals. This meant not only were the people of Tianchen strange, but even their dragon veins were peculiar; they were completely different from anything found elsewhere.

Given the situations in Daqi, Daliang, and Tianchen, it was difficult to imagine what the other two worlds would be like. Fortunately, he didn't need to interact with those two worlds.

"Hong Zhong," Dice purred, "considering I've told you all this, doesn't that sufficiently prove my sincerity? So, is this matter settled?"

Li Huowang shook his head. "This information is trivial. It's common knowledge in Tianchen, and I could uncover it myself with minimal effort."

"If you truly want to gain something with me, provide something tangible. For instance, a method for us to travel to Tianchen."

Regardless of Dice's eloquent promises, Li Huowang remained skeptical. He trusted tangible proof he could see for himself far more than empty assurances.

If Dice could indeed deliver on this, Li Huowang felt there would be no harm in feigning cooperation while secretly working against him.

With a way to Tianchen, they wouldn't be so passive, always relegated to a defensive position.

If Tianchen was unprepared, they might even launch a surprise attack.

If this confrontation was truly inevitable, it would be best to shift the battlefield to Tianchen.

"Why do you assume I possess a way to Tianchen?" Dice asked, his voice tinged with surprise.

Li Huowang's words cut off Dice's escape. "If you don't, then how did you convey all this information? Did you just fabricate it?"

"Hehehehe," Dice tilted his head back, a coquettish laugh escaping him. "Hong Zhong, you truly are becoming more cunning. Very well, I'll tell you the method. Come to my bedchamber in three days."

"Why three days? Can't you tell me now? What new scheme are you plotting?"

"Hong Zhong, don't always assume the worst of me. Our ability to go to Tianchen doesn't depend on me, but on Tianchen itself."

"Their ability to 'touch heaven and reach the Way' isn't limited to the Heavenly Way; they can also manipulate the Heart-Buddha."

Li Huowang remained silent, waiting for Dice to elaborate.

"It means they can extract the essence from multiple Heart-Buddhas and infuse it into a single individual. This person then becomes the bridge connecting Daqi and Tianchen."

"I cannot control when this bridge is formed, but I am well-informed and know when it will be re-established."

Li Huowang struggled to imagine what it would be like for the essence of several Heart-Buddhas to coalesce into a single entity. However, he now understood why Zhuge Yuan had been incapable of such a feat, while the people of Tianchen could traverse between the two worlds at will.

All supernatural powers in the world could be effortlessly manipulated and controlled by the unspeakable army.

"In three days, they will arrive. You can use this opportunity to secretly travel to Tianchen and observe. How about it? This information is substantial, surely you won't doubt my sincerity now?"

"If you were truly sincere, you would have prioritized this information," Li Huowang stated. He then ignored Dice and prepared to depart, moving past the eunuchs and maids who remained frozen in place.

Just as he stepped away from the crowd, Li Huowang spotted the Daliang Imperial Advisor leaning against a stone pillar, hands tucked into his sleeves, watching him with a cold, detached gaze.

Li Huowang ignored him, walked past him, and continued on. Beneath the vermilion walls and green-tiled roofs, Li Huowang gradually made his way out of the Daliang Imperial Palace.

Upon leaving the palace, Li Huowang did not immediately return to Daqi. Instead, he headed directly to the Bureau of Heavenly Supervision, situated beneath the capital city, Shangjing.

Regardless of the veracity of that individual's claims, the fact that Dice was hidden within the imperial harem, posing a constant threat to Gao Zhijian, was a grave matter. Saisai needed to be informed immediately so they could prepare their defenses.

When dealing with Dice, no amount of vigilance was excessive.

"I know, and His Majesty knows too." Li Huowang was momentarily stunned by Xuanpin's words. "What? You all know?"

"Yes, in fact, His Majesty is collaborating with Dice. Strictly speaking, Dice can now be considered a member of the Bureau of Heavenly Supervision." Xuanpin paused briefly. "The Imperial Advisor facilitated it."

"Why was I not informed of such a significant development?"

"Father, you were in Daqi before, and I couldn't reach you. Furthermore, this is a matter between His Majesty and Zuo Wangdao, and it doesn't concern you."

"Gao Zhijian is truly insane! After almost having his dragon vein stolen, he still intends to collaborate with Zuo Wangdao!"

"Father, aren't you also conspiring with Dice yourself?"

"That was a test!" Li Huowang retorted, glaring at Li Sui.

"Father, don't be alarmed. Dice won't be able to cause significant trouble. Even Doumu despises him now. If he offends us further, he'll truly become a pariah."

"Hasn't he already offended us enough?"

"That's why he seeks to mend his relationship with us. Regardless of future outcomes, for now, we need to utilize him, just as you do, Father."

"Alright, I'm no longer concerning myself with your affairs. Just be cautious. Once this period of trouble is over, find a pretext to lure him out, and we'll eliminate him together."

"Understood, Father. But even if we eliminate him, a new Zuo Wangdao will eventually emerge, and with it, a new Dice."

"So what? At least the new Dice won't have a personal vendetta against me! Anyway, let's not dwell on him. I called you here for something else."

After a moment of thought, Li Huowang asked, "What do you know about dragon veins? Any myths or legends, no matter how outlandish, would be helpful."

"Hmm? Father, why are you suddenly asking about this?" Li Sui was somewhat surprised by Li Huowang's question.

"Because I want to gain a thorough understanding now. The previous incident with the five worlds made me realize how limited my knowledge of this world truly is."

"Furthermore, I've discovered that both the White Lotus Society's earlier records concerning the betrayal of the Unborn Mother and the later legends of the five worlds governed by the Five Wisdom Tathagatas all contain useful information."

"Perhaps not all of it is directly useful, but these legends and embellished myths undoubtedly contain elements of actual history."