Willing to Offer Up the Entire Great Yu Empire, Yu Tianzheng's Plan
Willing to Offer Up the Entire Great Yu Empire, Yu Tianzheng’s Plan
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s words plunged Yu Feiya into deep thought.
In truth, as she saw it, something so baseless and unfounded was very difficult to draw any conclusions from.
Emperor Yu likely wouldn’t believe it either, unless Tuo Ba Xiaoyao produced evidence. Why would Gu Changge send someone to assassinate the Second Prince?
And how would Tuo Ba Xiaoyao even know about it?
Numerous doubts swirled through Yu Feiya’s mind.
Even so, she still chose to trust Tuo Ba Xiaoyao. She nodded and said, “I’ll do my best to persuade Father Emperor and have him keep an eye out. As for your side, I’ll keep it a secret for you.”
Tuo Ba Xiaoyao broke into a smile and said, “Understood. Then thank you, Feiya.”
At this point, he didn’t yet want to expose himself and let others learn of his true depths.
When the time came, if Emperor Yu asked about it, Yu Feiya could simply fob him off.
And once this matter was over, he would find a suitable opportunity to explain everything clearly to Emperor Yu.
After that, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao took his leave, his figure transforming into a wisp of green smoke that vanished into the void.
Yu Feiya pondered in place for a long while before finally heading back toward her own palace, carefully mulling over Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s words in her heart.
“Three days from now...”
she murmured softly.
Meanwhile, after being escorted by Emperor Yu’s people to the palace arranged for his temporary residence, Gu Changge first sealed off the surrounding void to prevent anyone from spying with their divine sense.
Only then did he order his subordinates to investigate matters concerning Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
The Alliance of Thousand Merchants spanned the various heavens of the Beyond and had branches within the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty as well.
He only needed to give the order, and someone would naturally deliver the information he wanted.
“Did you send people to investigate the Absolute Yin Heaven calamity?”
Jiang Chuchu walked over while wiping her dark hair, draped in a thin gauze that rose and fell ethereally like mist.
There were still traces of water on her arms—clearly, she had just finished bathing.
By now, the veil on her face had long been removed, revealing a flawless immortal countenance. Her vermilion lips were a touch of red without any rouge, and her skin was crystalline and translucent, fair and delicate, like the finest mutton-fat jade.
Hearing her, Gu Changge turned his head and smiled. “Not yet. I just had someone look into another fellow who caught my interest.”
“A fellow who caught your interest? Could it be that Eldest Princess in the imperial palace, Yu Feiya?”
Jiang Chuchu blinked her eyes, then asked in a deliberately casual tone.
Hearing this, Gu Changge chuckled and reached out to pull her into his arms.
But Jiang Chuchu nimbly dodged backward, evading his hand.
“You haven’t answered my question yet.” Her eyes were crystalline and beautiful, immortal light seeming to flow within their glistening depths. “You’re not allowed to fob me off again.”
Gu Changge said somewhat helplessly, “Why are you getting jealous? She only offered me a toast at the banquet hall. Look at you, being so petty.”
Jiang Chuchu said, a bit vexed, “When you were at the palace, you kept staring at her. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
“I was only wondering what kind of physique she has. Where is your mind wandering off to?”
Gu Changge sighed, appearing quite exasperated.
“In looks, she can’t compare to you. In sweetness, she can’t compare to you either. Tell me, why would I be interested in her?”
Jiang Chuchu sniffled, her eyes fixed on his face. “Really? You’re not allowed to lie to me again.”
“Of course it’s true—truer than genuine gold and silver.” Gu Changge wore a thoroughly earnest expression.
He didn’t explain the matter of Tuo Ba Xiaoyao, because there was no need.
What Jiang Chuchu wanted was merely an attitude, not an explanation.
Even if Gu Changge truly were interested in Yu Feiya, the Eldest Princess of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, she wouldn’t genuinely make a fuss over it.
Because what she wanted had never been much to begin with.
That said, over this period of time, Gu Changge had noticed that Jiang Chuchu really was somewhat too fond of clinging to him.
Though not to the point of following him every step of the way, she would come check from time to time to see whether he was nearby, as if only that could put her at ease.
This gave Gu Changge something of a headache—even Yue Mingkong wasn’t as clingy as Jiang Chuchu.
Especially after the Absolute Yin Heaven calamities erupting in other regions were dealt with by Ah Da, whom he had dispatched...
Jiang Chuchu had completely set her mind at rest, handing over the various other affairs of the Mortal Palace to the other elders.
As a result, she spent all day not cultivating, simply wanting to stick by his side.
“Then let’s rest early tonight.”
Seeing Gu Changge give such assurances, Jiang Chuchu couldn’t help but let out a pfft of laughter. She buried her head in his chest, her slightly damp dark hair giving off a pleasant, delicate fragrance.
“Resting so early—don’t forget the real business you came to the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty for.”
At the sight, Gu Changge spoke with a gentle expression.
Hearing this, Jiang Chuchu raised her glistening eyes to look at him and said, “Don’t I still have you? Right now I don’t want to think about the Mortal Palace’s affairs at all. I just want you to keep me company.”
In her current view, all of this was entirely natural and proper.
“I feel like I’m about to spoil you rotten.” Gu Changge smiled and swept her up into his arms.
The corners of Jiang Chuchu’s lips curved slightly as she wrapped a pair of snow-lotus-like jade arms around his neck. “As long as it stays like this forever, that’s good enough.”
Gu Changge couldn’t help but shake his head with a soft laugh.
He was certain that in this world, apart from him, no one else had ever seen Jiang Chuchu like this.
In the days that followed, the entire Great Yu Celestial Dynasty was bustling with preparations for the Hunting Event.
Practically every day, flying boats and divine rainbows could be seen streaking in from all directions, rushing toward the Great Yu Imperial Capital.
Besides the powers within the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s borders, the other Cults of Immortality and Supreme Dao Lineages would also send people to observe the ceremony.
And this time, Gu Changge’s personal arrival at the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty naturally caused an enormous sensation.
Countless cultivators and living beings were discussing the matter.
Especially upon learning that Gu Changge would also attend the Hunting Event three days later, the crowds grew even more fervent, their hearts surging with excitement.
Many of the younger generation rubbed their fists and palms in anticipation, secretly hoping to shine brilliantly at this Hunting Event and catch Gu Changge’s eye.
The various great families and clans of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty had also made extensive preparations for this Hunting Event.
Meanwhile, the investigation Gu Changge had ordered into Tuo Ba Xiaoyao had yielded results.
However, judging from his record over the years, it was difficult to find any clues whatsoever.
For Tuo Ba Xiaoyao was the Imperial Capital’s publicly acknowledged mediocrity of the General Residence—dull and honest, of ordinary talent, interested only in practicing the sword.
As for his cultivation, it was said to be inferior even to that of a six-year-old child.
All of this fit the persona of a good-for-nothing perfectly, but in Gu Changge’s eyes, something was still missing.
Precisely because no clues could be found, it seemed all the more strange.
As the third son of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s Grand General, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao’s status was extremely noble. His relations with his brothers and sisters were harmonious and united, with no word of any quarrels or conflicts ever leaking out.
So in Gu Changge’s view, Tuo Ba Xiaoyao was either hiding his abilities, biding his time in obscurity...
Or he was a late bloomer who had yet to truly become a Fortuitous One.
To determine which possibility it was, it was actually quite simple—he only needed to test the people around Tuo Ba Xiaoyao.
Didn’t he have an older sister and a younger sister?
Gu Changge planned to probe Tuo Ba Xiaoyao at the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s Hunting Event.
By then, he would be able to confirm whether or not he was the master of the Sword of World Domination.
However, the very next day, an unexpected visitor suddenly arrived, piquing Gu Changge’s interest.
“Yu Tianzheng pays his respects to Young Master Changge.”
The visitor was a middle-aged man, tall and imposing in stature, with black hair cascading like a waterfall and deep, fathomless eyes—an extremely commanding presence.
Most striking of all, his features bore a seventy-percent resemblance to the current Emperor Yu.
Only, he looked more weathered, appearing somewhat older.
Moreover, his arrival had been conducted in secret, without alerting anyone.
Had Gu Changge not sensed that he bore no malice, he would have already struck just now.
To slip silently into this imperial palace undetected...
One either possessed heaven-defying strength, or had eyes and hands reaching everywhere, with countless informants and agents planted throughout.
In Gu Changge’s view, this self-proclaimed Yu Tianzheng before him likely belonged to the second category.
This gave rise to some conjectures in his heart.
“What business do you have with me?”
Gu Changge asked, his gaze carrying a trace of interest as he sized up the man’s strength.
A Half-Step True Daoist.
And judging by his depth, he was even somewhat stronger than the Emperor Yu he had seen in the palace that day.
Yu Tianzheng was dressed in grey robes, his countenance grave and solemn, exuding an air of magnanimity and dignity—clearly a man long accustomed to high position.
“I have come to pledge allegiance to Young Master Changge, and I am willing to offer up the entire Great Yu Celestial Dynasty.”
At these words, Yu Tianzheng spoke in a deep voice, his expression utterly serious, without the slightest hint of jest.
Before coming to see Gu Changge, he had already prepared his pitch.
For he understood what kind of person Gu Changge was—he would not listen to any of his nonsense.
So he came straight to the point.
“Interesting. You’re willing to offer up the entire Great Yu Celestial Dynasty and pledge allegiance to me?”
“But on what basis—just you?”
Gu Changge’s gaze held a trace of intrigue. After a faint smile, his expression quickly returned to normal.
This man was either a fool, or he came with confidence, to dare speak such treasonous words to him.
One must know that with a single word from Gu Changge right now, countless experts would instantly emerge from the palace to seize him.
Let alone Gu Changge taking action personally.
For this man to have such audacity, he was clearly making a gamble.
“Naturally, on my own account. Young Master Changge, please allow me to explain the whole matter to you.”
“Once it is done, I am willing to hand over the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty with both hands.”
Seeing that Gu Changge showed no intention of striking, Yu Tianzheng’s face revealed a hint of joy, and he inwardly breathed a long sigh of relief.
It seemed he had bet correctly.
How could someone like Gu Changge not harbor some designs on the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty?
“Three hundred years ago, I contended for the throne with the current Emperor Yu—Yu Tianhe—and we were evenly matched. He and I were born of the same mother, close as true brothers. In those early years, I even promised him that once I swept away all other obstacles, I would hand the throne over to him. But I never imagined that in the end, he would plot against me, sending men to assassinate my wife and child...”
“Even our mother was poisoned by him, and in the end, the blame was pinned on me...”
Yu Tianzheng’s face surfaced with bone-deep hatred as he recounted to Gu Changge the many events of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty’s succession struggle three hundred years ago.
Including how he had been defeated, how he had been exiled beyond the Great Yu’s borders.
And how, over these years, he had endured hardship and nursed his vengeance, planning to reclaim everything that was rightfully his. Gu Changge listened with keen interest, not interrupting him.
As for Yu Tianzheng’s account, Gu Changge naturally wouldn’t take it at face value—the grievances between him and Emperor Yu were something only the two of them truly knew.
What Gu Changge was considering now was what benefit Yu Tianzheng could bring him.
That was all.
If what Yu Tianzheng said failed to satisfy him, Gu Changge wouldn’t mind personally sending him off to meet Emperor Yu.
“If I ascend the throne of the Great Yu Celestial Dynasty, I will surely serve Young Master Changge as my lord. I can swear a Dao Heart Oath—should I break this vow, may my Dao Heart collapse, may I be reduced to ash, never to enter the cycle of reincarnation.”
Seeing that Gu Changge remained silent for a long while, Yu Tianzheng couldn’t help but make this pledge.
“Then what do you need my help with?”
Hearing this, Gu Changge paused slightly before continuing to ask.
He didn’t actually want to place his bet on Yu Tianzheng, but who could blame the bait for being simply too large?
The Great Yu Celestial Dynasty was no Hidden Ji Family or Hidden An Clan.
It was a renowned immortal power of the Beyond, its heritage ancient enough to rank among the foremost in the Beyond, its foundations unfathomably deep.
Of course, Gu Changge actually had other plans in mind as well.
He didn’t need Yu Tianzheng’s Dao Heart Oath—he only needed to plant a demonic seed within the man’s Dao Heart.
That way, even if Yu Tianzheng’s plan failed, he needn’t worry about being exposed as the mastermind behind it all.
“I need Young Master Changge to send troops to help me quell the unrest when the time comes.”
Seeing Gu Changge’s tone soften, a trace of excitement surfaced on Yu Tianzheng’s face.
He had, in truth, been waiting for this day for a very long time, but no one had been willing to help him.
Over these years, he had laid no small number of arrangements within the palace—otherwise, he could never have infiltrated it so easily.
“That’s no problem. But before that, I need to see what capital you have that makes you worth my support.” Gu Changge nodded.
Yu Tianzheng drew a deep breath, his gaze glinting sharply. “Young Master Changge, rest assured—I have long had a plan in place.”
“At this Hunting Event, I have already arranged for men to assassinate Emperor Yu’s second son. He treasures that son dearly, grooming him as his future successor, and will not tolerate the slightest mishap befalling him.”
“Once my men kill his son, Emperor Yu will inevitably be enraged and search everywhere for the assassins.”
“At that point, the Great Yu’s territories will surely fall into chaos. I’ll take the opportunity to infiltrate the palace and kill Emperor Yu.”
“With that, the Great Yu will be leaderless and plunged into panic. I will then reveal myself. With my identity, I can rightfully and legitimately succeed to the throne of Emperor Yu. And at that time, what will need to be dealt with are Yu Tianhe’s die-hard loyalists and the rebellious forces in the various regions.”
Once Emperor Yu died, the Great Yu’s territories would inevitably descend into even greater chaos.
It might even draw the covetous eyes of other powers and Dao lineages—which was exactly why Yu Tianzheng needed Gu Changge to send troops to help him quell the unrest when the time came.
Moreover, with Gu Changge’s deterrence, those restless powers and lineages could be made to behave, not daring to act rashly.
“Your plan is indeed flawless. But have you considered whether the experts hidden within the palace, and those old ancestors of the Great Yu, would accept your succession?”
Gu Changge said indifferently, not thinking the odds of success were very high.
For a Great Yu Celestial Dynasty so vast, with such an ancient heritage—if the death of a single Emperor Yu could plunge it into chaos, that would be far too fanciful.
“Young Master Changge, please rest assured on this point. Whether it is me or Yu Tianhe, we are both of the Great Yu’s bloodline.”
“To those old ancestors, it makes no difference who succeeds the throne. As for the chaos within the Great Yu’s borders, I have other arrangements in place.”
Hearing this, Yu Tianzheng appeared quite confident. He had long since considered these concerns and had countermeasures prepared for all of them.