Chapter 679: Daji Enters the Palace

Zhao Gongming arrived at the place where the Sanxiao sisters were drinking and sharing their thoughts. He began with a series of long sighs, followed by a furrowed brow of deep concern.

"For me as the elder brother, I just can't figure it out!Does Jinling Shijie really think that the Western Sage won't act directly?She keeps saying that our Jie Jiao is sure to win, that we don't need to do much, just wait for the right moment, stand firm on righteousness, and then strike when the time comes.If we don't take the initiative to scheme, if we don't think of ways to make the Western Cult's Sage hesitate at critical moments, can we succeed?You tell me, can we?"

The Sanxiao sisters: ...

Qiongxiao whispered, "Big Brother, did you have a fight with Jinling Shijie?"

"What fight? What do you mean by fight!" Zhao Gongming slammed the table a few times. "This is a reasonable dispute, an attempt to convince each other of our ideas!"

Qiongxiao covered her mouth and chuckled: "So, this isn't a fight."

"Fine, alright, we did have a fight,"Zhao Gongming said with a face full of frustration, lowering his voice: "So, are you saying we should just sit here and do nothing?"

Bixiao laughed: "It's not like we're doing nothing at all! Big Brother, look, they've even brewed several jars of wine."

Zhao Gongming said seriously: "If we don't actively plan during this great calamity, we might as well flee to the Chaos Sea and become deserters.We need to take action, to fight for what we can. At the very least, we should practice our grand formations to hold off the two Sages of the Western Cult if necessary!And another thing—you and Jinling are the same, not even considering who our Er Shi Bo would support in a conflict with him."

"Of course, he'd support us!"

Qiongxiao said seriously: "With my brother-in-law around, what do we have to fear?"

"Um, that's exactly what Jinling Shijie said," Zhao Gongming glared and scolded: "These are all short-sighted views!"

Yunxiao frowned slightly but didn't refute the statement.

"Big Brother, you're being a bit argumentative here," Qiongxiao said. "The great calamity has come, and the killing calamity has fallen, but we're the senior disciples, and we're not weak ourselves, so what is there to fear?Besides, with my brother-in-law mediating, even if we run into tricky situations, there will be ways to resolve them."

"Not necessarily."

Zhao Gongming sighed: "Our skills aren't weak, but how long can the four of us siblings hold off a Sage?The Western Cult is surely already involving their Sages directly, using the excuse of avenging the destruction of Ling Shan to cause trouble for us, or even to kill us outright.We have to guard against that."

Bixiao muttered quietly: "My brother-in-law is so clever and strategic; he should have prepared for this already."

Zhao Gongming switched to a tone of earnest advice, lowering his voice:

"Have you ever thought about this?Even with Changgeng's help, he can only protect our lives.If Da Shi Bo later calculates which side will win and, to preserve the essence of the Daoist path, decides to aid the side that's already ahead, what then?We can't just view things from our own perspective, and we can't simply assume Changgeng can influence Da Shi Bo's decisions.In fact, it's the opposite.Changgeng has to follow Da Shi Bo's orders."

Bixiao blinked: "If that's the case, aren't we in some trouble?"

"I think what Big Brother said isn't quite right," Qiongxiao restrained her smile and said seriously. "Changgeng is the one in charge of the calamity now; Da Shi Bo should listen to his opinions.Da Shi Bo might not just help the stronger side. If it's evenly matched, he'd definitely lean toward us, or at least stay neutral.Changgeng is certainly on Jie Jiao's side."

"Ah, you two just don't understand Changgeng as well as I and my second sister do."

Zhao Gongming let out a long sigh and drained the fine wine in front of him in one gulp.

Yunxiao said: "We've already entered the calamity, which has involved him a lot. There's no need to discuss this further, to avoid putting him in a difficult position."

"It's just a casual remark here.I've seen all of Changgeng's actions before, and I know what's in his heart."

Zhao Gongming smiled bitterly: "I met him at the Hai Shen Temple, and since then, we've become close confidants, brothers I'd trust with my life.All his previous care, his repeated hints, his constant urging for me to refine the Dinghai God Pearls, even giving me treasures to activate them—why? It's all for my safety.Not to mention, my path ahead is likely full of great calamities and disasters. Just thinking about the effort Changgeng has put in...After roaming the primordial world for so many years, I'm touched that someone who's only been cultivating for a short time cares for me so deeply. I don't know how to put it into words."

Bixiao muttered quietly: "Maybe my brother-in-law is just trying to protect my sister and doesn't want you, Big Brother, to get entangled in karma."

Zhao Gongming couldn't help but glare.

Is that really it?

Qiongxiao added: "Now that Big Brother mentions it, I feel the same way.Changgeng might protect our lives, but he won't necessarily favor Jie Jiao.Compared to the Chan Jiao disciples with their noble origins, Jie Jiao is more like a mix of all sorts—frankly, it's a bit of a mess, even harboring undesirables.That incident with the Red Lotus was probably Changgeng's effort for Jie Jiao, but with the Red Lotus shattered and the scandal of trading nominal disciples, he must be quite disappointed in us."

Zhao Gongming sighed: "We've built such a grand structure, but it's hard to maintain."

"The Chaos Bell won't suppress our sect's destiny, so our sect's destiny is incredibly difficult to stabilize," Bixiao said with full worry.

Yunxiao asked: "Brother, how far have you gotten in comprehending the mysteries of the Dinghai God Pearls?"

"The most crucial step," Zhao Gongming said, summoning an ancient ruler in his hand and then putting it away. "But I always feel like something's missing, like I can't take that final step...It's as if it's lacking, um, lacking heavenly mandate."

"Heavenly mandate?"

Yunxiao pondered a bit but couldn't quite grasp it, so she just sighed gently.

These four siblings sat in the pavilion, discussing the matters of the great calamity, but they were only worrying about the path ahead and the fate of Jie Jiao, without coming up with any solutions or clever strategies.

The structure of the Feng Shen calamity was too straightforward: it was about the three teachings fighting, burying masters, and establishing the Heavenly Court.But the simpler the structure, the more stable it was, making it harder to break and leaving fewer paths to take.

Zhao Gongming stayed on San Xian Island for half a day, and his originally troubled mood improved quite a bit. He bid farewell to his three sisters and left the island.

"No way around it—once the anger fades, I should go apologize. I can't keep arguing with her. I'm a man, after all; I need to know when to yield and when to stand firm."

After Zhao Gongming left, Yunxiao thought for a while, returned to her pavilion, stared at the painting on the wall for a moment, then fetched paper, brush, and ink, and wrote a line of small characters.

"Jun Jian Xin An, Yunxiao Jing Shang."

She frowned slightly, feeling a bit restless, and after careful consideration, dissolved the words on the paper.

Not long after, a paper crane flew out the window, transforming into a white crane outside, which spread its wings and flew into the clouds beyond the island, disappearing from sight.

Several hours later, in the Tai Bai Palace of the Heavenly Court.

Li Changgeng's paper avatar sat deep in the grand hall, looking at the blank cloth in front of him, with three question marks slowly forming on his forehead.

What is this...

Did Yunxiao send a blank letter by mistake due to carelessness?

It seemed unlikely for such a thing to happen.

Hiss—could it be because of the Heng E matter that she's feeling upset but doesn't know how to express it, so she's using this way to show her displeasure?

This is tricky.

Li Changgeng pondered for a moment. At this critical juncture, it wasn't convenient to go to San Xian Island, so he wrote a letter, folded it into a paper crane, and sent it to San Xian Island.

He started straight to the point:

'Yun, please hear me out; this matter isn't what the rumors say it is!'

Cross-realm communication can be the most awkward.

Gurgle—

The wooden wheels rolled steadily along the road, and the ornate carriage swayed slightly with the subtle undulations of the terrain.

Inside the carriage, the woman in a light red dress let out a soft sigh, her eyes filled with a touch of helplessness and a faint bitter smile on her lips.

The carriage was escorted by a large group of armored soldiers, with several generals on horseback or exotic beasts, chatting idly while staying alert to the surrounding areas.

This woman was no ordinary person; they dared not let their guard down.

The procession flew two banners: one with "Bei" and the other with "Su." The woman's identity was self-evident.

She was Su Daji, the daughter of Jizhou Marquis Su Hu, renowned for her beauty since her youth. Now, after Jizhou's defeat and Su Hu offering his daughter, she was on her way to Chaoge City.

The journey to Chaoge was long, and she would endure months of bumpy travel, but for the sake of her parents and siblings, she had to bear it.

Before departing, an old woman—who normally only appeared on the eve of her wedding—had advised her on matters between men and women and taught her some bedroom techniques. Su Daji understood that her purpose was to please Emperor Xin, thereby protecting her family.

"Ah..."

Su Daji sighed softly. Even if she weren't going to Chaoge, she would likely be married into some major vassal's family, and to avoid causing trouble for her parents and siblings, she would still have to deliberately please them.

What's the difference?

Su Daji thought to herself.

This was probably the fate she, as such a woman, couldn't escape.

Underground, Li Changgeng stood with his arms crossed, "swimming" through the earth as he carefully observed Su Daji's situation.

At the moment, Su Daji was just an ordinary mortal, and arranging her wouldn't create any variables in the calamity.

He would have to wait until dusk, at the relay station ahead, when the nine-tailed fox demon Xiao Lan possessed her—that's when she would become a small variable in the calamity: the demon queen Daji.

How should he arrange for Daji?

It was quite troublesome. He couldn't just give her a few erotic paintings to make her life with Emperor Xin even more blissful.

Li Changgeng thought it over and decided to play it by ear. If he could arrange something later, he would; if not, like with Lei Zhenzi, there would eventually be other opportunities.

That night, the troops set up camp near a relay station.

The station was surrounded by layers of guards, and Su Daji shared a large room with two attendants.

After bathing, changing clothes, and combing her hair, Su Daji was about to rest and recover from the day's travel. The two attendants bowed and withdrew.

Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, and an invisible mist spread through the room.

Su Daji, who had just lain down, relaxed completely and fell into a deep sleep.

A wisp of green smoke drifted in from the window, transforming into a seductive figure. Dressed in red, she slowly approached the bed.

The candlelight flickered, casting her shadow on the screen—vague, yet irresistibly alluring.

Xiao Lan gazed at the sleeping Su Daji, her mind filled with the warnings she had heard while kneeling before the Holy Mother.

Enter the world, find a way to Emperor Xin's side, use her charm to distract him, make him neglect state affairs, and push the Great Shang dynasty toward change.

This was the task assigned by the Holy Mother; she couldn't refuse or delay.

Xiao Lan didn't fully understand why the Holy Mother wanted to punish the current human emperor this way, but she knew all she had to do was borrow this human woman's body to complete the task.

"Excuse me."

Xiao Lan took a light breath, pointed a finger at Su Daji's forehead, and slowly drew out her soul.

"Do I really have to do this?"

A voice suddenly echoed in her mind, making Xiao Lan jump. She recognized it as Tai Bai Star Lord's voice and nearly crushed Su Daji's soul in fright.

"Star Lord!"

Xiao Lan trembled as she called out, seeing a man—Li Changgeng's paper avatar—standing behind the screen. She quickly knelt down.

"Aren't you afraid of accumulating karma?" Li Changgeng asked in return.

Xiao Lan was at a loss for words.

"The Holy Mother has ordered..."

"I know exactly what you're up to, since I'm here," Li Changgeng said calmly. "Remember, don't mention the Holy Mother again. What you're doing can't be exposed.Even if the Holy Mother doesn't care about gossip, you should watch your words."

"Yes," Xiao Lan replied shakily.

"Alright, carry on."

Li Changgeng's figure slowly faded, adding casually: "I'm just passing through; don't think too much about it."

Done.

Xiao Lan was covered in cold sweat, kneeling on the ground for a while before recovering. She turned back to the sleeping Su Daji, hesitated a bit with her own thoughts, but soon acted again, drawing out Su Daji's soul without erasing it, instead storing it in her nine tails. Then, Xiao Lan transformed into a streak of light and entered Su Daji's forehead.

In the next instant, "Su Daji" opened her eyes, a faint smile on her lips, with the illusion of nine white fox tails spreading out on the bed.

She sighed lightly, adjusted her position to pretend to sleep, but in her heart, she was thinking about what to do next.

Learning to be a villain from scratch was no easy task.

Meanwhile, Li Changgeng was pondering how to prevent Jiang Shang from meeting Daji.

The style of this Feng Shen calamity was truly baffling.

Was it because he had changed the heavenly script too much?

No, the changes so far still weren't stable enough to ensure the safety of those he cared about from the calamity.

Heavenly Dao or Dao Ancestor must have other plans.

In most cases, if Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor acted, it wouldn't be just one thing; there would be a base objective, with layers building on top—second, third, fourth layers of purposes.

The base had to be achieved, and the subsequent layers had varying priorities.

The base objective of the Feng Shen calamity was probably to weaken the power of living beings and establish the Heavenly Court.

Li Changgeng shifted his focus back to the Li residence in Chen Tang Guan, his immortal sense watching the soundly sleeping little Nezha, and he chuckled softly.

Carefree and thoughtless—truly two sides of the same coin.

Why is that little dragon active again so quickly?

Even for the Dragon Clan with their iron-like constitutions, being busy in the sea during the day and on land at night—that's unsustainable!

"Should I remind them and have the East Sea Dragon King keep a better eye on him?"

Li Changgeng stroked his chin and muttered.

Though this young dragon's habit of relying on his looks and sweet words to deceive women wasn't illegal, it was still quite immoral.

Oh well, forget it; this little dragon doesn't have many years left anyway.

And so, two years later.

Daji entered the palace after about a year and a half, won Emperor Xin's favor, and was enfeoffed as a noble consort.

Emperor Xin was diligent with state affairs and neglected the harem, summoning Daji every night, which gradually displeased Queen Jiang and led her to seek punishment for Daji.

Emperor Xin promoted many capable individuals from commoners and slaves to official positions across the Shang lands, which slightly dissatisfied the aristocratic families in Chaoge City, though he appeased them early on.

After Su Hu's submission, rebellions among the vassals grew more intense. Wen Zhong led expeditions east and west, constantly fighting afar, and used sorcery in secret to return to Chaoge for discussions with Emperor Xin.

The Shang lands remained as solid as a mountain, with no upheaval, while Chaoge City simmered with undercurrents but dared not surface.