Interlocking Schemes, Step-by-Step Calculations — Splashing Dirty Water and Swallowing It With a Pinched Nose
Interlocking Schemes, Step-by-Step Calculations — Splashing Dirty Water and Swallowing It With a Pinched Nose
Hearing the conversation of the group of old fossils and big shots high in the sky, the many cultivators fell silent, their backs turning cold.
Now that the Successor of Demonic Arts had emerged into the world, with what was suspected to be a massive organization backing him, he had brazenly infiltrated the Longevity Gu Family’s banquet, preparing to murder this mysterious woman of the Longevity Wang Family.
Quite a few people still didn’t know Wang Zijin’s true identity.
They were only speculating, feeling that the Successor of Demonic Arts behind this wanted to use it to provoke conflict between the Longevity Gu Family and the Longevity Wang Family.
Because if something happened to Wang Zijin, the Longevity Gu Family would inevitably bear great responsibility.
Of course, anyone with eyes could see that the Longevity Gu Family could not possibly do such a thing.
“Judging from the fluctuations of the transcendent techniques, it’s actually the aura of Sky Emperor Mountain. Looking at it this way, this is very suspicious!”
“Could the Successor of Demonic Arts be within Sky Emperor Mountain?”
Many young cultivators spoke with shocked expressions, having heard the conversation of those of the older generation.
Among them, a highly prestigious old fossil had said that the transcendent fluctuations of the battle came from Sky Emperor Mountain.
This horrified them even further — one could even say it sent chills down their spines.
The beings of the Primordial Ten Thousand Races in particular wore faces full of horror and disbelief.
For them, the status of Sky Emperor Mountain practically went without saying. Whenever Sky Emperor Mountain was mentioned, they would normally wear expressions of reverence, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
But now, hearing that Sky Emperor Mountain was connected to the Successor of Demonic Arts, their minds buzzed, nearly exploding.
How was this possible?
Sky Emperor Mountain stood high above all, worshipped and looked up to by the ten thousand races. It was a power established jointly by several Sky Emperors of the past, utterly transcendent.
Out of nowhere, how could it possibly be connected to Sky Emperor Mountain?
Unimaginable!
“Could Sky Emperor Mountain be the mastermind behind all this... this is too terrifying...”
A Young Prodigy spoke with a grave expression.
Meanwhile, Gu Changge — who had already found the puppet core right under the noses of the crowd of old fossils and stored it away in his Portable Supreme Cave — had already drifted down from the high sky.
The expression on his face looked much the same as those of the many Young Prodigies: grave, with a hint of contemplation.
Hearing those words, however, he shook his head and said, “If this matter were related to Sky Emperor Mountain, then why would he use Sky Emperor Mountain’s techniques during the fight? Wouldn’t that be deliberately telling everyone that he’s connected to the Successor of Demonic Arts?”
“I don’t believe anyone could be that stupid.”
At this point, Gu Changge sighed softly, as if he too were quite perplexed.
“What Brother Gu says makes sense. That’s exactly what I was suspicious of.” Wang Wushuang, having calmed down, nodded in agreement.
Ye Langtian and the other Young Prodigies nearby weren’t fools either; they could clearly perceive this loophole.
Gu Changge took in everyone’s expressions, a strange glint flashing through his eyes.
The effect he wanted had been preliminarily achieved.
This whole affair was a frame-up to begin with, and he had never intended to make it flawless. He had merely taken the opportunity to splash the dirty water onto Sky Emperor Mountain, the better to set up his next move.
Whether they believed it or not, Sky Emperor Mountain had now inexplicably gotten itself splattered with filth.
And this was all within Gu Changge’s expectations and plans.
However... he didn’t intend to leave it at just that.
Hearing Gu Changge take the initiative to speak up in Sky Emperor Mountain’s defense, many beings of the Primordial Ten Thousand Races looked over with faces full of gratitude.
When they had heard that this matter involved Sky Emperor Mountain, they had actually broken out in cold sweat, worried that Gu Changge would unreasonably direct his wrath at Sky Emperor Mountain.
Given his current might and influence, although Sky Emperor Mountain’s status was exalted, it was not nearly enough to quell Gu Changge’s fury.
After all, just how many terrifying powers now stood behind him? Setting aside the profound foundation of the Longevity Gu Family, there were the Primal Celestial Temple, Skyward Schloss, the Primordial Races...
Which of these powers could be taken lightly?
Though the Primordial Ten Thousand Races were vast in number, before this matter was thoroughly investigated, Sky Emperor Mountain bore the most obvious suspicion.
With Gu Changge speaking thus, proactively clearing Sky Emperor Mountain of suspicion, they all breathed sighs of relief.
As for suspecting that Gu Changge himself had a problem?
Unless there was something genuinely wrong with their brains.
At this time, many experts of the older generation hurried over from various places, now gathering in the vicinity.
Hearing his words, one of them sighed and nodded, saying, “What Young Master Changge says — is that not exactly what we suspected and found hard to believe? The aura fluctuations of Sky Emperor Mountain, if one truly senses them, are simply far too obvious.”
“Indeed. It looks rather like someone deliberately smearing Sky Emperor Mountain, trying to make us suspect them. But we’re not fools — how could we fail to see through it?”
Another old fossil spoke up. He was tall in stature, with a naturally imposing face, and came from a Cult of Immortality. His words carried great authority.
He strongly agreed with Gu Changge’s view, feeling that this matter looked like someone framing Sky Emperor Mountain.
Very quickly, this view gained the agreement of nearly everyone present. After all, the loophole was simply too obvious.
Sky Emperor Mountain could not possibly be stupid to such a degree, leaving behind such a trace.
Seeing everyone begin to discuss animatedly, their words turning toward finding the true Successor of Demonic Arts and restoring justice to Sky Emperor Mountain, Gu Changge’s expression couldn’t help but turn somewhat amused.
But that expression quickly vanished.
His face returned to normal.
However, how could the plan he had laid out be that simple?
Soon, Gu Changge’s brows furrowed slightly as he took the initiative to speak, addressing Wang Zijin.
Within his deep eyes there seemed to be an inscrutable meaning. “Regarding this matter, I wonder what Miss Zijin thinks?”
Hearing these words, the place instantly fell quiet.
Including the many clansmen of the Longevity Gu Family and the guests of the various great orthodoxies, everyone couldn’t help but look over.
Gu Changge’s words now carried great weight, and many people wanted to hear his opinion.
Wang Wushuang, Ye Langtian, the Young Prodigy of the Golden-Winged Roc Clan, and the others all wore varied expressions, preparing to hear what Gu Changge would say.
“Why is Young Master Changge asking for this woman’s opinion? Is there something special about her identity?”
Some people still didn’t know Wang Zijin’s identity and couldn’t help but ask curiously.
To be able to hold out for so long against a Sacred Lord Realm assassin — that was a terrifying ability in itself! Especially since she was a member of the younger generation!
This made many people’s hearts palpitate, and they couldn’t help but admire her.
So strong!
“Shh, shut up.”
“Saintess Zijin is not someone the likes of you can casually discuss!” Hearing this, some old fossils immediately rebuked them, showing great respect toward Wang Zijin.
If she weren’t the Successor of Mortal Palace, how could she have been assassinated by the Successor of Demonic Arts for no reason? Any ordinary young prodigy would have been crushed into oblivion, body and soul, at the very first moment!
Sss!
Hearing this, everyone now understood. Their eyes widened directly as they sucked in cold breaths.
No wonder she seemed so close to Gu Changge.
So this mysterious woman of the Longevity Wang Family was actually the Successor of Mortal Palace! This left them horrified, all of them collectively stunned.
At this moment, Wang Zijin paid no mind to how the many cultivators around her viewed her.
She glanced at Gu Changge.
Seeing his expression, she suddenly felt that although he hadn’t said it outright, he seemed to have arrived at the same conclusion as her. She couldn’t help but smile faintly and say, “Actually, my view should be about the same as Brother Gu’s. Right now, everyone subconsciously believes that Sky Emperor Mountain has been framed and has nothing to do with the Successor of Demonic Arts.”
“But in my view, that is precisely the most suspicious part.”
“After all, this way, everyone will eliminate Sky Emperor Mountain from suspicion first, and instead go searching for other suspects... What if, by doing so, we happen to let the true culprit slip by? Wouldn’t that be falling right into their trap?”
Her voice was soft and calm, without much force behind it.
Yet it crashed down upon everyone’s hearts like a hundred thousand mountains.
Weng!!
The crowd of old fossils in particular turned pale with shock, as if layer upon layer of fog had been lifted, instantly enlightened.
They realized... what they had been thinking was actually not far off from what Wang Zijin had said!
Which was to say, they had already eliminated Sky Emperor Mountain from suspicion first, believing it impossible for it to be connected to the Successor of Demonic Arts.
After all, with such obvious transcendent aura, what explanation could there be besides a frame-up?
But what if... this was truly deliberate!
Thinking of this, many people felt chills run through their entire bodies. If Wang Zijin hadn’t spoken, they would all have thought wrong.
“As expected of the Saintess of Mortal Palace! Brilliant and perceptive, instantly grasping the crux of the matter. This old man is filled with admiration.”
One cultivator of the older generation greatly agreed with this view — and found it even more convincing than the initial one.
“A false trail laid to confuse us! Truth within falsehood, falsehood within truth. Although this is what we now suspect, there’s no evidence proving any connection to Sky Emperor Mountain either. That said, if this really was Sky Emperor Mountain’s doing, then this scheme and arrangement is truly enough to make one’s heart tremble — we were nearly deceived by them.”
“Thanks to Saintess Zijin, otherwise we likely never would have figured it out.”
For a time, everyone began to heap compliments upon Wang Zijin, their words full of admiration and praise.
So young, with unfathomable cultivation, and so close to Young Master Changge — her future prospects were simply limitless!
The younger generation also nodded one after another, their expressions varied.
With this analysis from Wang Zijin, they couldn’t help but admire her. Analyzing the crux from another angle — that was something none of them could have done.
On the other hand, quite a few beings of the Primordial Ten Thousand Races turned deathly pale, finding it hard to accept.
“Brother Gu’s view should be about the same as mine, right?” Wang Zijin asked Gu Changge with a graceful smile.
Gu Changge nodded, his expression carrying a perfectly measured trace of admiration as he said, “Indeed. I never expected Miss Zijin’s thinking to coincide so exactly with mine. Though at first, I too was nearly deceived by them. No matter what, Sky Emperor Mountain remains the most suspicious.”
Hearing him say this, Wang Zijin seemed to smile even more happily.
Hearing this, all the cultivators fell silent, feeling an even greater shadow descending over their heads.
Even Sky Emperor Mountain had been dragged into this — the heavens were about to change!
“Still, with the Successor of Mortal Palace emerging into the world, and with Young Master Changge, a True Celestial Being, on our side, it’s not as if we’re without hope...”
“The Successor of Demonic Arts runs rampant across the world. It’s time to find a way to track down his whereabouts and annihilate him in one stroke.”
Such were the thoughts that arose in everyone’s minds, all at once. With Young Master Changge among the younger generation, they saw hope of contending against the Successor of Demonic Arts.
Taking in everyone’s expressions.
Gu Changge’s expression remained natural, and no one knew that his heart was currently full of sneering mockery.
Tonight’s goal had finally been achieved.
This basin of dirty water—he had already splashed it all over Sky Emperor Mountain.
Even if Sky Emperor Mountain wanted nothing to do with it, they would have to pinch their noses and swallow it down.
It was absolutely nauseating to death.
They would never imagine that they had been schemed against by Gu Changge out of nowhere; even on their deathbeds, they probably still wouldn’t figure it out.
<*Ding!* The Fortuitous One of the mortal-possessing-expert genre has suffered damage to his reputation. Gained 3,000 Fortuity Points and 15,000 Fatums.>
At this moment, Gu Changge also heard the System’s notification.
It made him unable to hold back a smile.
It seemed his plan had no problems. A butterfly flapping its wings across the ocean could stir up a massive storm, let alone a scheme of this caliber.
Though it seemed trivial, in the context of the entire Beyond, the sensation it caused was absolutely enormous.
This little horse-feeding servant—he would have him firmly in the palm of his hand, played to death.
......
And very quickly, what had happened tonight at the Longevity Gu Family was spread out at the first opportunity, triggering a huge sensation everywhere.
All the guests had personally witnessed the scene at the time, and none of them disputed the news—they could all vouch for its authenticity.
For a time, the world was shocked, and all eight directions trembled.
The reappearance of the Successor of Demonic Arts sent shivers through everyone.
Especially this time, it was even more brazen—he had actually attempted to assassinate the Successor of Mortal Palace. Fortunately, he was stopped by the many experts of the Gu Family, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.
This incident provoked wariness and grave attention from all the great orthodoxies and sects, and Sky Emperor Mountain bore the brunt of it, instantly pushed into the eye of the storm.
No matter what, the uproar caused by this matter was too terrifying, enough to make people tremble.
When the scene of that day spread, the Sacred Lord Realm being who had attempted to assassinate the Successor of Mortal Palace had used Sky Emperor Mountain’s ultimate techniques—the aura could not have been mistaken.
For a time, all kinds of theories spread throughout every corner of the Beyond.
Whether it was the Human orthodoxies or the Myriad Clans, all became cautious and wary because of this matter.
After tens of millions of years, the Successor of Demonic Arts had reappeared in the mortal world—and was even more terrifying than any previous Successor of Demonic Arts, hidden even deeper.
And just as all the great powers were in an uproar of shock—
Another piece of news came out!
Sky Emperor Ying’s own son, the current Prince Ying, Ying Shuang, had emerged into the world!
Once this news spread, it immediately triggered a terrifying wave, and the momentum it caused could only be described as horrifying.
Some Cultivators deliberately investigated and discovered that the day Prince Ying announced his emergence was precisely the day of Gu Changge’s mother’s birthday banquet—and also the day the Successor of Mortal Palace was attacked.
The timing was just that coincidental.
This could not help but shock the various orthodoxies and sects, and many people even felt a surge of anger in their hearts.
Wasn’t this a bit too coincidental?
In the eyes of many, this was Sky Emperor Mountain’s provocation against all the orthodoxies and sects! Blatant and unscrupulous!
Especially the White Tiger Clan—they were practically mad with hatred.
After all, their successor had died at the hands of the Successor of Demonic Arts, with even his entire body’s essence devoured completely.
Although they also belonged to the Primordial Myriad Clans and were supposed to revere Sky Emperor Mountain,
the moment they thought of the Successor of Demonic Arts being deeply connected to it, the entire clan felt sick, and they even wished they could personally march to Sky Emperor Mountain to demand justice.
Their clan leader, hair bristling with fury and eyes bloodshot, let out a heaven-shaking roar, unable to vent the rage in his heart.
“Damn it! To think our clan respected Sky Emperor Mountain so much, yet my son’s death is actually connected to them?”
The many clan elders beside him hurriedly held him back, saying, “Clan Leader, you mustn’t! How can we act so rashly in such a matter? The Young Master’s death has enraged our entire clan, but this matter of Sky Emperor Mountain... there’s simply no evidence! It’s all just speculation from various parties!”
They also didn’t want to bring disaster upon the White Tiger Clan for no reason.
Sky Emperor Mountain’s foundation was not something the White Tiger Clan could compare to—multiple Sky Emperors had presided over it. Who knew what methods they still had in reserve?
They hated it too!
However, Sky Emperor Mountain had stood tall for many years and naturally had no shortage of supporters. Many clans felt that Sky Emperor Mountain was being maliciously slandered, framed by someone.
Sky Emperor Mountain stood high above, its position transcendent, revered by the Myriad Clans—would they need to do something so self-defeating?
This was completely a deliberate frame-up by the Longevity Gu Family and the Successor of Mortal Palace!
In short, all kinds of outcries and denunciations arose.
“What’s going on? Could Sky Emperor Mountain really be connected to the Successor of Demonic Arts?”
“Damn it, I don’t have any memories of this at all. Is it true? Or is someone deliberately framing me?”
Meanwhile, crushing through the sky, inside an incomparably luxurious and towering phoenix boat flickering with runes.
Within the pavilion chambers.
Ying Shuang, sitting cross-legged, dressed in exquisite and gorgeous clothes with immortal qi swirling around him, had a face full of shock and disbelief.
His brows were tightly furrowed as he, too, heard much of the news from the outside world.
He had pushed against the opposition of all of Sky Emperor Mountain to emerge and walk the world, but he truly never expected that what greeted him was not reverence and awe of all kinds, but all manner of curses and fury.
In this instant, Ying Shuang was completely dumbfounded, his expression turning incomparably ugly.
He was now the lofty Prince Ying—who in this world would dare to slight or look down on him?
Wherever he went, he was bound to receive the awe and reverence of Cultivators and living beings.
Who could match such an identity? Not to mention he had the backing of the vast foundation of Sky Emperor Mountain behind him?
But once the name of the Successor of Demonic Arts was hung over his head, forget being Sky Emperor Ying’s own son—even if Sky Emperor Ying himself reappeared in the mortal world, it would be useless.
This made Ying Shuang furious, unwilling, and even fearful and trembling.
After all, he was not the real Prince Ying! He was just an impostor, wearing this body yet without a single memory of it.
If someone really suspected him and moved against him, what would he do?
Ying Shuang was now panicking like crazy, his palms covered in cold sweat.
This tested his acting skills far more than pretending to be Prince Ying ever did.
The Successor of Demonic Arts—that was the greatest enemy universally acknowledged by all orthodoxies and powers in the world since ancient times!
He had lost his initial confidence; his heart was now uneasy, his back drenched in cold sweat.
He even felt some regret and resentment—who knew that after becoming Prince Ying, instead of properly enjoying all of this, enjoying his status and position, he would have to take the fall for Prince Ying’s black pot?
Feeding horses was simpler—no need to live in constant fear like now!
At this moment, Ying Shuang even began to harbor resentment toward the unknown existence that had swapped his identity with Prince Ying’s in the unseen workings of fate.
“You damned heavens, since you let me enjoy all of this, why did you also make me bear all of this?”
Ying Shuang’s voice trembled slightly, though he understood that complaining like this was useless.
Soon, he calmed down and began muttering to himself, “At a time like this, I can’t panic, and I absolutely can’t show weakness, or the entire momentum of Sky Emperor Mountain will deflate.”
“Whether I am or am not the Successor of Demonic Arts, I can’t admit to it now. I have to find a way to clear myself of suspicion...”
All kinds of thoughts flashed through his mind.
But in the end, there was no way—he had no way to prove his innocence... unless he could actually find the real Successor of Demonic Arts.
“This is all that Gu Changge and the Successor of Mortal Palace framing me... damn it...” By now, Ying Shuang had already marked these two down in his grudge book. Once he cleared himself of the Successor of Demonic Arts identity, he would definitely settle accounts with them.
“Brother, are the rumors true?”
At this moment, a young girl’s faint voice suddenly came from outside Ying Shuang’s chambers.
A tall young woman with shoulder-length silver hair, a breathtakingly beautiful face, and dressed in immortal robes stood there, her brows furrowed as she asked.
It was none other than Ying Shuang’s sister, Ying Yu.
During this period, she had no idea how many waves of Cultivators and creatures coming to assassinate them she had dealt with.
Because of her brother’s high-profile behavior, their whereabouts had been noticed by many powers, and these powers all had more or less irreconcilable grudges with the Successor of Demonic Arts.
As a result, they all came charging at them one after another, seeking revenge!
This made Ying Yu feel it was all very troublesome.
Her expression was now full of confusion—she felt that such a stupid thing didn’t seem like something the brother she knew would do.
And the Successor of Demonic Arts? Ever since her brother broke the seal, he had been cultivating within the palace all these years, never leaving it even half a step.
The Successor of Demonic Arts was her brother?
How was that possible?
“What do you think?”
Hearing this, Ying Shuang, behind the door, panicked inwardly, but he had to deliberately maintain his composure and asked indifferently.
Ying Yu remained outside the pavilion and did not enter.
She felt that ever since some time ago, Ying Shuang’s behavior had always been strange—he would ask her about many things he obviously already knew, several times over.
She couldn’t say what exactly was wrong, but something felt off.
However, she merely chalked it up to Ying Shuang recently hitting a bottleneck in his cultivation, causing a slight change in temperament.
“If Brother won’t say, then forget it. But this matter has to be resolved eventually,” Ying Yu said indifferently, then left the place.
She pondered in her heart, feeling that to clear away the suspicion of being the Successor of Demonic Arts, contending against all the orthodoxies and sects was unrealistic—nor could she possibly accomplish it.
How vast and boundless was the Beyond?
She couldn’t say.
How many experts and masters were hidden within it? Sky Emperor Mountain had stood immortal, but no matter how confident they were, they couldn’t possibly make enemies of everyone.
“So the best solution is that channeling is better than blocking. The rumors all spread from the Longevity Gu Family that night. Gu Changge, the Successor of Mortal Palace?” Ying Yu murmured, thinking of two very key figures.
She didn’t think there was anything wrong with their accounts either... but the key point was that Sky Emperor Mountain really had been framed—the hidden Successor of Demonic Arts’ methods of laying false trails were incomparably ingenious.
“It seems I’ll have to meet this Gu Changge. I’m afraid only by starting with him can we clear away the suspicion. Among the younger generation today, his influence is enough to instantly reverse this situation.”
Very quickly, Ying Yu thought of a solution—they had to make Gu Changge understand that they had gotten the wrong enemy.
“Thank goodness for my sister’s astonishing methods, otherwise I really wouldn’t know what to do during this time.”
Inside the pavilion, sensing that his sister had left, Ying Shuang couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Besides that, the various forces at his side were also powerful figures with formidable methods.
Otherwise, he really wouldn’t know what to do!
“Gu Changge, Successor of Mortal Palace...” Soon, deep hatred and fury appeared in his eyes, and toward Gu Changge—who had been dazzling since childhood, with momentum even greater than his own—he felt intense unwillingness and jealousy.
On what grounds could a few words from him plunge the current me into such a dangerous situation?