Chapter 2475: Chapter 95: Though the World Is Like a Game of Chess, Do Not Assume Others Are Merely Pawns (Part 2)
"But this time..." Jiang Wang thought quickly: "This Blood River, could it be akin to a treasure of Cave Heaven?"
Ruan Qin said, "Otherwise, what do you think Huo Shiji relied on to suppress the Bodhi Evil Ancestor? However, they should have other hidden resources as even Cave Heaven treasures, unless they are the very top ones, are difficult for a True Man to rely on to contend with a True Monarch."
Jiang Wang fell silent.
He realized that during the previous complex verbal exchanges at the Blood River Sect, there were even more intricate undercurrents present.
Ruan Qin continued, "Speaking of Blood River. With this Blood River as a boundary, the Evil Sea practically became the backyard of the Blood River Sect. Emperor Xia Xiang wished to use Saint Water to unleash an apocalypse-level disaster, which could not be hidden from the Blood River Sect. Not only did Huo Shiji acquiesce, but he also actively cooperated."
"But such matters... why would True Monarch Xuehe cooperate?" Jiang Wang frowned deeply, "This completely betrays the duty of the Blood River Sect. Once it gets out, the very foundation of the Blood River Sect’s existence will be destroyed."
"Such immense risk naturally comes with equally significant rewards. We do not know the terms under which Emperor Xia Xiang negotiated with Huo Shiji back then, because Huo Shiji’s words are not trustworthy, and Emperor Xia Xiang is already dead." Ruan Qin said, "However, what we do know is that regardless of how Si Yuan and Huo Shiji deceive and use one another, their ultimate goals are not aligned. Si Yuan triggered Saint Water and set the Longluo Formation to force Daqi into a truce on the battlefield. What entices Huo Shiji is nothing more than the view beyond the Absolute Summit. We suspect that Huo Shiji hopes for Saint Water to genuinely be triggered so that he can appear in the role of a savior, achieving an unparalleled feat and gaining immense merit. This inherent contradiction is enough for us to exploit."
A very noticeable sense of admiration appeared on Ruan Qin’s face, which Jiang Wang wasn’t sure was intentionally shown for him to see.
The Supervisor continued, "In the face of Emperor Xia Xiang’s threat, our Son of Heaven swore on the sun, declaring that the people of Qi would not retreat even a single step, and one million Qi soldiers could die in Summer Country, yet the spirit of Qi Country would remain, its national character would remain. Once the Saint Water descends, even if Summer Country manages to survive today, it would not be able to recover for eons. If the Saint Water does not fall, even if Summer Country perished then, some fire would remain."
Emperor Xia Xiang laid down a choice, thinking that it would throw us into a dilemma. However, the Son of Heaven simply refused to choose, leaving Emperor Xia Xiang to weigh it himself! The remaining embers or the fire of a thousand years, he understood how Emperor Xia Xiang would choose.
For, in some ways, they are indeed the same kind of people."
Jiang Wang thought to himself, facing the threat of mutual destruction, yet still charging forward resolutely... this indeed exudes the majesty of that Son of Heaven, indeed the kind of choice that Son of Heaven would make.
"I still find it hard to understand; isn’t it said that the Blood River Sect holds the position of guarding the Evil Sea and has the favor of the Heavenly Will? This Heavenly Will..."
Ruan Qin said, "The will of the world does exist but lacks intelligence, being more akin to a mixture of numerous rules maintaining the existence of the world. The Blood River Sect has suppressed the Evil Sea for so many years, their understanding of it is unmatched, naturally having some methods of their own. Huo Shiji successfully deceived the ’Heavenly Will’ and the world, collaborating with Emperor Xia Xiang. The secrecy of this matter was known only to Huo Shiji and Emperor Xia Xiang back then."
Jiang Wang said, "But he could not deceive Your Majesty... Your Majesty truly is wise and valiant!"
Regardless of whether His Majesty could hear him or not, Supervisor Ruan’s praise for His Majesty was not without purpose, and Jiang Wang echoed this praise without error.
Ruan Qin smiled slightly, "With His Majesty’s wisdom and clarity, he would not be misled. On one hand, he showed Emperor Xia Xiang a determination to perish together, while on the other, he employed various means to sow suspicion between Emperor Xia Xiang and Huo Shiji, further reducing the possibility for Emperor Xia Xiang to activate the Longluo Formation. Eventually, he struck a crippling blow to Emperor Xia Xiang on the front battlefield, nearly extinguishing Summer in one battle. But at the same time..."
His voice grew more solemn, "We also pretended not to know about the Longluo Formation, giving Huo Shiji sufficient time to erase related traces."
Jiang Wang came to realize, "It seems even though he erased his traces, we must have left evidence on our side. We used this matter to control this True Monarch of the Blood River!"
Ruan Qin sighed, "This matter concerns the survival of the Blood River Sect, and Huo Shiji had no choice but to be constrained. However, the dignity of a True Monarch cannot be lightly offended. Over these many years, we have never contacted Huo Shiji once. It was not until Marshal Cao led the Fa Xia campaign that we had him block Lord Changsheng once. This time with the changes in Saint Water, I originally intended to take the opportunity to communicate with him for strategic planning in the South Border..."
A Yandao True Monarch caught by the Life Gate is indeed an incredibly useful chess piece. Unfortunately, he was discarded after just one use. The death of Huo Shiji is, for Qi Country, a monumental loss.
Thinking back now, did Huo Shiji turn away from the Door of Mortal World due to a reluctance to be controlled by others any longer?
After all, the plot of the Longluo Formation ceased with Emperor Xia Xiang and him. Emperor Xia Xiang has been dead for decades, and once he dies as well, Qi Country would have no reason to bring up this matter again.
Jiang Wang pondered, "No wonder you suspect Huo Shiji faked his death. If I were in his position, I would also think he might use this method to escape. But with the Yandao level Evil Observation at the Triple Punishment Palace, Sword Pavilion, and Twilight Drum Academy, witnessed by True Monarchs, even the Bodhi Evil Ancestor, which I have personally seen, this event could hardly be faked."
