Chapter 1173: Emperor's Art, Checks and Balances Method, the Only Contact Person of XU Month Gray Palace

“Do you want to join Tian Shang First Floor?”

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly extended the invitation. He had lost interest in the others and had no desire to learn more about them.

Right now, he just wanted to recruit the person in front of him!

Li Fugui had an ordinary appearance, but he was full of cunning schemes. Xu Xiaoshou had been observing him and could see that clearly.

If he were an enemy, this kind of person would be terrifying and best eliminated immediately.

But if he were one of their own...

Well, being scheming was great! If you’re not scheming enough, I won’t like you enough!

Crucially, this person’s abilities were exceptionally outstanding. He had infiltrated Ban Yue Ju, the top intelligence agency used by Ba Zun An for Sheng Nu operations, and even joined Hua Cao Ge.

From the “Hua Cao Eighteen Orders,” it was clear that Li Fugui was at least ranked among the top eighteen in Ban Yue Ju.

Eighteen might seem few, but considering the Five Domains of the continent...

Li Fugui would be a fit for leading any realm’s intelligence organization—not just any realm, perhaps even commanding an agency overseeing half a domain.

His capabilities were truly impressive!

Moreover, given how much internal secrets about Sheng Nu he knew—more than Xu Xiaoshou himself—it was clear Li Fugui was unlikely to betray them.

How to put it?

High cultivation, unique attributes, sharp mind, strong abilities... and he came from an intelligence background, understanding the survival rules of the dark world!

Xu Xiaoshou couldn’t find anyone more suitable to handle intelligence work for Tian Shang First Floor.

The way he looked at Li Fugui was filled with greed.

Hei Ye Zi and Bai Ye Zi? I don’t know them!

People from Ba Zun An? I’ll recruit them anyway!

And if it’s Ba Zun An, he should understand how much I need Li Fugui. He should let him go... right?

“Huff.”

Li Fugui let out a long sigh, a faint smile appearing on his face.

To Xu Xiaoshou, his smile and gaze seemed complex—grateful, struggling, regretful... all mixed together.

“I’m sorry, Master Xu, but Hua Cao Ge has shown me great kindness in nurturing me, so I can’t leave easily.”

“Even though we’re both part of Sheng Nu, we manage different sections.”

“If I just up and leave abruptly, whether on my own initiative or not, parts of Ban Yue Ju’s operations would grind to a halt.”

“So...”

All the emotions on Li Fugui’s face eventually settled into apology and regret.

He didn’t continue, but Xu Xiaoshou understood his meaning.

“I’ve been rejected!”

It was expected and made sense.

Xu Xiaoshou’s expression turned indifferent again. Someone else might have given up, but he was thinking about those scenes he had seen in his “perception.”

Even without Feng Xiao Se knowing, Xu Xiaoshou had already witnessed Li Fugui gladly accepting the olive branch he offered.

Back then, Xu Xiaoshou had judged Li Fugui as a smiling tiger—smiling on the surface but hiding a knife behind his back.

It was just intuition.

He had thought that if he extended the olive branch, Li Fugui would give an insincere acceptance.

But unexpectedly, this guy had seriously refused!

What did that mean?

“So, he wants to join Tian Shang First Floor. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown such strong abilities in front of me, just like with Zhu Yi Ke.”

“But because of his ties to Ban Yue Ju and Hua Cao Ge, he doesn’t even dare to say it outright.”

“Well, if my understanding is correct...”

Xu Xiaoshou gave Li Fugui a deep look, set aside his wandering thoughts, and nodded.

“I understand.”

Li Fugui waited a long time for just that brief response from Master Xu, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, but only for a moment.

Quickly, he suppressed all his thoughts and fulfilled his duty as a Sheng Nu intelligence officer, serving the higher-ups. He changed the subject:

“Master Xu, there’s something I need to remind you about.”

“Speak.”

“That cat you brought out earlier—is its name... Tan Shen?” Li Fugui asked hesitantly.

Xu Xiaoshou was slightly surprised. “Yes.”

Before Li Fugui could say more, Xu Xiaoshou realized it himself.

Tan Shen originally came from the South Domain, sent by Jiao Tang Tang of Wu Yue Hui Gong.

Along with it came gifts like Xin Gu Gu and an untouched Gui Shou contract.

Li Fugui’s base was in the South Domain, and as an intelligence operative, he couldn’t be unaware of the dominant force, Wu Yue Hui Gong.

He must have studied Gui Shou matters thoroughly.

And Tan Shen’s status in Wu Yue Hui Gong...

Wasn’t low?

“Speak.” Xu Xiaoshou said while thinking.

Li Fugui noticed another trait in Master Xu: no matter how much he knew, he liked to hide it and wait for others to lay out everything they knew.

From that, he could pick out what he didn’t know, fill in the gaps, and avoid revealing his ignorance. It was a form of disguise.

Combined with Master Xu’s usual protective layer—multiple nested identities—it pointed to an obvious conclusion.

Perhaps he was deeply scheming, or lacked a sense of security... or both!

Li Fugui showed no sign of his thoughts on the surface and immediately shared everything he knew upon the command:

“Tan Shen is the sacred beast of Wu Yue Hui Gong, inheriting an extremely special talent from the original Gui Shou: devouring.”

“This attribute is very rare. When Wu Yue Hui Gong was first established, there were only a few members, far from its current scale.”

“The six leaders were incredibly powerful, and one of them had this devouring ability.”

“After developing it, he transformed into the Devouring Body!”

“Is that one of the Five Great Absolute Bodies?” Xu Xiaoshou asked in surprise.

He hadn’t encountered the so-called Devouring Body yet. Tan Shen only had the devouring attribute, and so far, it just seemed like it could eat a lot—well, being able to eat was a blessing.

But he had experienced the Decaying Body, and it was disgusting. The Tian Ren Wu Shui ability was one he least wanted to face.

They said all Five Great Absolute Bodies were revolting, and the true Devouring Body was probably no exception.

Tan Shen, however, showed no signs of it yet.

But...

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly recalled Jiao Tang Tang’s instructions—Tan Shen couldn’t kill or drink blood. Was that related?

“Yes!” Li Fugui nodded. “It’s the foremost of the Five Great Absolute Bodies, the undisputed Devouring Body.”

“What does the Devouring Body do?” Xu Xiaoshou asked curiously.

“It’s similar to the devouring attribute: this physique can absorb everything from heaven and earth, turning it into energy for oneself.”

“But while the devouring attribute can only digest energy to replenish itself... the key difference with the Devouring Body is that it can plunder!”

“Plunder?” Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brow, mulling over the word.

“Yes, strictly speaking, it’s still devouring, but it extends to avenues, rules, abilities, and more.”

“Furthermore, abilities gained through the Devouring Body don’t go through the process of being digested into energy—they can be used directly by the owner.”

That was shocking!

Xu Xiaoshou’s eyes widened in disbelief. “It can devour anything? Even attribute powers?”

“Yes.”

“For example?”

“For example, if the Devouring Body devours Xu Ling Di, it would gain the water attribute, inherit most of his abilities, and have a small chance of mastering water system mysteries... Of course, that’s an extreme case.”

Li Fugui gave an extreme example, and Xu Xiaoshou understood.

This really meant devouring everything, and he hadn’t misunderstood.

“So, is that why Wu Yue Hui Gong became a dominant force—because of this person?”

“Is that person Sha Sheng Luo?”

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt the weight of Tan Shen in his Yuan Fu increase.

With such a significant background, what had he used it for?

Refining pills!

A creature with Devouring Body potential had been turned into a pill-refining cat by him!

Well, it’s not bad—at least I’ve achieved pill freedom... Xu Xiaoshou tried to console himself.

“Sha Sheng Luo?” Li Fugui paused in confusion. “The palace master of Wu Yue Hui Gong... Hmm? You don’t know him? So, their palace master isn’t called that?”

Xu Xiaoshou’s face stiffened.

Li Fugui glanced at him, unaware of the misunderstanding, but he had already noted Master Xu’s ignorance on this point. He explained straightforwardly:

“The current palace master of Wu Yue Hui Gong, the seventh generation, is called Bai Wei. He’s from the conservative faction and of the same generation as Ba Zun An.”

“The Sha Sheng Luo you mentioned—I recall now—he was one of the original Six Xu.”

“The Six Xu are the six leaders when Wu Yue Hui Gong is founded.”

“Sha Sheng Luo was from the same generation as the one with the Devouring Body and is the only one of the original Six Xu whose name is recorded in Hua Cao Ge. As for whether he’s still alive, we have no way of knowing.”

“Oh, right!”

Pausing, Li Fugui added a bit of trivia: “Gui Shou originally called themselves Xu Shou, and Zhi Xu Wu comes from that.”

Original Six Xu, seventh-generation palace master, Bai Wei, Xu Shou... Xu Xiaoshou fell silent for a long time, his face alternating between pale and flushed.

Li Fugui just watched Master Xu’s changing expressions without daring to ask why.

This was clearly the look of someone who had been deceived, but he had no idea who could pull that off on Master Xu.

Out of curiosity...

In Ban Yue Ju, Li Fugui had once handled a task involving a semi-saint, rumored to have been tricked by Master Xu.

From then on, all intelligence on Master Xu in Ban Yue Ju was elevated to the highest level.

Personnel from Hua Cao Ge headquarters had to receive any information about Master Xu immediately to coordinate actions.

But that was passive coordination.

Even if Ban Yue Ju mobilized resources to investigate Master Xu, they couldn’t trace any clues about his “action purposes.”

Sheng Nu headquarters hadn’t issued clear directives on Master Xu’s movements.

But they had released one task related to him:

“Increase Xu Xiaoshou’s influence.”

This was a direct order from Ba Zun An.

Hua Cao Ge responded immediately, and the title “Master Xu” began spreading in the South Domain, eventually reaching the Five Domains.

These events had only recently started fermenting.

Li Fugui boldly guessed that Master Xu might not even know about them.

After all, he didn’t recognize Hei Ye Zi or Bai Ye Zi.

Damn Tian Ren Wu Shui... On the other side, Xu Xiaoshou could only curse that Yama-masked figure afterward.

He quickly composed himself and asked: “Of the original Six Xu, how many are still alive?”

“We don’t know. They’ve all been classified as taboo by Wu Yue Hui Gong now.” Li Fugui replied.

“What about the one with the Devouring Body?” Xu Xiaoshou wanted more information on Tan Shen.

“I know a little about that, but the intelligence source isn’t very reliable. You’ll have to judge its accuracy yourself, Master Xu.”

Li Fugui said, a hint of regret in his eyes:

“The one with the Devouring Body rose quickly, naturally attracting Sheng Shen Dian Tang’s attention.”

“Rumor has it that the Five Great Saint Emperor Families took action. We don’t know the details, but he rose fast and disappeared just as fast.”

“Few legends remain about him; it’s as if he vanished from the world, along with his traces and deeds.”

“The only thing people remember is his physique—the Devouring Body, the foremost of the Five Great Absolute Bodies, unique in all the world and rightfully so.”

Li Fugui stopped, as if recalling something, and turned to ask: “Master Xu, do you know that Sheng Shen Dian Tang is also researching Gui Shou matters?”

Xu Xiaoshou narrowed his eyes, thinking of the red-clothed youth he met in Bai Ku. “I know a little.”

Li Fugui nodded thoughtfully. “It’s normal for them to research, since they’ve captured a lot of Gui Shou. It’s just that no news has leaked out yet.”

“If Wu Yue Hui Gong has results, I don’t believe Sheng Shen Dian Tang doesn’t.”

“So, it’s not the noise we should fear; it’s the silence before they make a big move—that would be terrifying.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Xu Xiaoshou picked up on the subtle reminder in Li Fugui’s words and shifted the topic: “You said Wu Yue Hui Gong has results?”

“Yes.” Li Fugui looked at him seriously. “Feng Xiao Se is a clear example. He comes from Wu Yue Hui Gong and must have contracted a Gui Shou, but he doesn’t need Zhi Xu Wu anymore.”

“In that case, as long as he doesn’t actively show Gui Shou powers or get seen by Sheng Shen Dian Tang’s people, the red clothes can’t touch him.”

“With his strong background, combat prowess, perfect fusion with Gui Shou, and possible special abilities...”

Li Fugui sighed. “Besides assassination, I don’t know what method the red clothes could use against someone like Feng Xiao Se. At least, they couldn’t do it openly.”

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood.

So that’s why Feng Xiao Se could walk around Void Island so openly without hiding his identity?

Indeed, backed by the Feng family of the South Domain, which produced the Seven Sword Immortals, Sheng Shen Dian Tang would have to think twice before touching this so-called traitor, especially with the two major powers in the South Domain not on their turf.

They’d have to proceed with caution.

“Master Xu.”

Li Fugui’s tone grew a bit more serious as he offered his suggestion: “When we go out later, don’t kill Feng Xiao Se. He can be useful; alive, he’s more valuable than dead.”

“How so?” Xu Xiaoshou was eager to hear his insights.

Li Fugui cleared his throat and took a deep breath. Seeing the value Master Xu placed in him, he spoke earnestly:

“The main war faction in Wu Yue Hui Gong only targets the red clothes in Sheng Shen Dian Tang; they’re not our enemies in Sheng Nu.”

“Ba Zun An has been seeking ways to cooperate, but the current palace master is Bai Wei from the conservative faction.”

“Sheng Nu’s principles completely oppose Bai Wei’s ideas, so he refused.”

Li Fugui’s face showed regret as he continued: “The conservative faction’s main goal is to find a peaceful solution under the red clothes’ oppression.”

“They follow the original principles of Wu Yue Hui Gong’s founding—to protect the vast majority of Gui Shou.”

“Waging war against the red clothes and Sheng Shen Dian Tang would lead to countless casualties, which they want to avoid.”

Xu Xiaoshou frowned and interjected: “But the red clothes’ actions have never stopped.”

Li Fugui’s mouth twitched slightly as he glanced at the oblivious Master Xu and replied smoothly: “Yes, the red clothes’ actions against Gui Shou have never stopped.”

“But because of the conservative faction in Wu Yue Hui Gong, the red clothes have rarely targeted them directly or on a large scale.”

“This is how both sides maintain their forces and coexist.”

Xu Xiaoshou got it.

Because the palace master was Bai Wei from the conservative faction, things could still be negotiated.

If Wu Yue Hui Gong only had the main war faction, they’d drop all pretenses and go to war.

It would be either their destruction or ours.

No matter which side fell, the survivor would be severely weakened.

At that point, the lurking wolves—like Sheng Nu—could make their move.

“That palace master must not get along with Old Ba, right?” Xu Xiaoshou laughed casually.

Li Fugui glanced at Master Xu in surprise.

What a quick reaction! He clearly knew nothing about Wu Yue Hui Gong, just like he didn’t know about Ban Yue Ju or Hua Cao Ge.

Yet, from just a few words, he had figured out Bai Wei’s stance?

“Yes, they don’t get along at all!”

“Whether actively or passively, at least that’s how Bai Wei shows it.”

Li Fugui added another evaluation in his mind: “Master Xu is not just clever; he’s almost demonic.”

He continued: “But Bai Wei is ambitious, with ideas and capabilities.”

“He’s also searching for the right solution and has taken action.”

“That would be the inner island of Void Island!”

“The inner island?” Xu Xiaoshou thought it might refer to himself, since Tan Shen had been delivered right to him.

Li Fugui nodded.

“Yes, the inner island!”

“Some powerful Gui Shou are nearly indestructible and can only be suppressed.”

“After learning that many Gui Shou suppressed on Void Island’s inner island had escaped, Bai Wei began his moves.”

“His actions were secretive. We only found out because of you.”

“Me?” Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

“Yes, Bai Wei first sought out Gui Shou that escaped from the inner island, but with limited success.”

“Because when it comes to the inner island, you can’t ignore Ba Zun An; he’s the lord of the black and white pulses.”

“Most Gui Shou that escaped the inner island received help and took on tasks from Ba Zun An; few escaped on their own.”

“The conservative faction’s best attempt was nearly contacting Feng Tian Sheng Di.”

“That was their closest to success, because the black pulse isn’t very obedient.”

Xu Xiaoshou recalled the lawless gray fog figure, Feng Yu Jin.

That guy showed no signs of having taken a task; he had been parasitizing Mo Mo from the start.

Later, in Tian Sang Ling Gong, a Sheng Nu base, he hid under the big banner and developed quietly for years.

Xu Xiaoshou discovered him, forced him out, and he fled, who knows where.

If not for Ba Zun An stepping in after the Ba Gong battle and making him follow, Feng Yu Jin would still be wandering freely!

And even though he was supposed to follow... mysteriously, he had vanished again.

With his sealing attribute, former Sheng Di cultivation, and escape from the forbidden realm back to the continent...

Tsk tsk!

If I were him, I’d be lawless and carefree too!

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly understood Feng Yu Jin’s mindset. When Ba Zun An caught him, he must have felt as awful as swallowing something vile.

“Good thing Ba Zun An cut off any potential contact with Wu Yue Hui Gong.”

“Otherwise, that person might have really been taken.”

Li Fugui was still speaking.

His words aligned with Xu Xiaoshou’s thoughts but from a different angle, standing outside the big picture and reinterpreting everything Xu Xiaoshou had encountered.

From Tian Sang Ling Gong, from the outer court storm...

This game had been in play since then and never stopped!

Xu Xiaoshou had been in the midst of it before and couldn’t see this layer.

Now that he had reached a higher level, he naturally touched on this new side and gained different insights from reviewing the past.

“Bai Wei’s plan failed, but he’s not one to settle for mediocrity, so he turned to you.”

Li Fugui realized that Master Xu was hearing all this for the first time.

Had Ba Zun An never told him? So, had he been used as a pawn all along?

But...

After seeing Master Xu’s multiple mystic array diagrams, the Ba Zi Order, and his absurdly powerful combat strength, plus Ba Zun An’s direct order to promote the “Master Xu” name...

Li Fugui could easily read the higher-ups’ intentions: they were grooming Master Xu as a player.

If he underestimated him, he might end up dead on the spot.

Li Fugui’s attitude remained humble from start to finish, except for that “sleeping side by side” comment.

Even before they recognized each other, he had knelt—since identifying Master Xu, Li Fugui had positioned himself correctly: just a subordinate, not overstepping.

“You must know Jiao Tang Tang; she’s from the conservative faction and largely represents Bai Wei’s views.”

“They couldn’t get Feng Tian Sheng Di, so they thought of using you—that’s how we found the breakthrough in Bai Wei’s traces.”

“Jiao Tang Tang gave you Tan Shen because she saw in you ideals similar to the conservative faction’s and huge potential.”

“This is what Bai Wei wants to see, but it’s also different from Sheng Nu’s principles.”

Li Fugui carefully chose his words, as what he was saying was already quite bold.

“Ba Zun An’s approach is very aggressive; he’s even at war with Sheng Shen Dian Tang. But you’re different.”

“In the conflict between Gui Shou and the red clothes, if used well, you could be Wu Yue Hui Gong’s sword, paving the way for them!”

“And you’re not Ba Zun An; you’re still rising and not as sharp. Your style is also different from his.”

“This is exactly what Bai Wei likes. Your stance was set the moment you accepted Tan Shen.”

“Once you’re involved with Gui Shou and the bond is formed, you can’t shake it off!”

Xu Xiaoshou listened silently to Li Fugui’s series of insights, sighing deeply after digesting it all.

“Ah...”

This was too convoluted! The web of schemes was enormous!

Was it not just because of the red clothes that people in the Five Domains avoided Gui Shou, but also due to connections with Wu Yue Hui Gong or Bai Wei?

This was messy!

All these tacticians were as dirty as old foxes!

Without someone from the South Domain, a fellow insider, and a smart one at that, he might never have untangled this!

He might have even been smug about Tan Shen’s pill-refining abilities...

The more Xu Xiaoshou looked at Li Fugui, the more his fondness showed in his eyes.

He needed this person badly.

With awareness, perspective, and profound insights... he could serve as a mirror to reveal one’s own flaws.

“If you were me, how would you break this stalemate?” Xu Xiaoshou asked.

Li Fugui chuckled bitterly and glanced toward the outside of the ice world, replying helplessly:

“Master Xu, you must already have an answer. Why test me?”

“The conservative faction fears being used by Ba Zun An, so they chose you for your ideals toward Gui Shou and your shown potential.”

“Now that they’ve seen your potential realized in Feng Xiao Se’s powerful combat strength, as a representative of the main war faction, if he learns of Tan Shen’s existence, he’d either be your enemy or your ally.”

“So, ultimately, you’re the only one in Wu Yue Hui Gong who can safely make contact.”

Pausing, Li Fugui sighed sincerely: “The main war faction needs to unify their front, so they must eliminate the conservative faction; the conservative faction sees you as their sword to break the red clothes’ siege; you can use Feng Xiao Se as the key to activate the main war faction’s power and counter Bai Wei.”

“This is just like the imperial tactics and balance of power you’ve always used, Master Xu.”