Chapter 72: The Calculations of the Guide

As Lamp-Lighter set out for the Celestial Court, many other renowned powers of the Primordial Age—Laozi, Yuanshi, Minghe, and so forth—each sent their own disciples or followers to offer congratulations, just as Tongtian had done. Even Zhun Ti, who had long remained silent in the West, was no exception.

Meanwhile, the Celestial Court was awash with activity. With the surrender of the Wu Clan, vast territories were left unclaimed. At Li Tian’s command, Sui Ren and others began to rally the human tribes, urging a mass migration to the west of Buzhou Mountain. For a time, all of the Primordial World was abuzz with movement and excitement.

At the same time, the remaining Wu people were deliberately dispersed by Li Tian to the far corners of the land. Of course, these were the common clansfolk; those among them who were above the rank of Grand Luo Golden Immortal, as well as the Ancestral Witches and Great Witches, were kept in the Celestial Realm.

Naturally, this caused deep dissatisfaction among the Wu, but faced with the overwhelming might of the Celestial Court, they could only endure in silence. Now, though their numbers still reached into the hundreds of billions, when spread across the vastness of the world, they became nearly invisible—especially as the human race had grown to numbers beyond reckoning.

Moreover, after so many years of development, the humans now boasted more than a hundred thousand Grand Luo Golden Immortals. Without the Wu’s supreme warriors, the outcome of any contest with the humans was apparent; while not destined for extinction, the Wu would never again reign unchallenged.

At the same time, countless demon clans also found themselves in dire straits, for now they would have to guard not only against the humans but the Wu as well.

But such matters were no longer for Li Tian to concern himself with. He had once vowed, “May the beings under Wu rule live in peace and prosperity as those under the Celestial Court do.” And after the great migration westward, a subtle decree from Heaven itself descended, signaling the fulfillment of his vow.

Li Tian, upon learning this, felt a weight lift from his heart. At last, he was free of Heaven’s constraints.

...

When Lamp-Lighter arrived at the Celestial Court and announced Tongtian’s name, he was granted unimpeded entry and treated with great ceremony, which put him in high spirits—at least at first. His mood quickly soured, however, when he saw that his host was none other than Redcloud.

Redcloud, now resplendent in robes of brocade and basking in glory, stirred a pang of envy in Lamp-Lighter’s heart, awakening an ancient grudge. Though the years had dulled his hatred, seeing Redcloud so exalted set his teeth on edge. Heaven itself seemed unjust!

“Ah, it is Lamp-Lighter! I trust you have been well?” Redcloud, oblivious to the turmoil within Lamp-Lighter, greeted him with a slight bow and a warm smile.

Lamp-Lighter forced himself to return the courtesy. “Greetings, Redcloud. It has been a long time.”

He was not so unwise as to show his animosity openly.

“I did not expect you to become a disciple of the Saint Tongtian. Remarkable indeed,” Redcloud remarked, his tone light but, to Lamp-Lighter’s ears, tinged with mockery.

Was Redcloud mocking him? Hmph! Had not Redcloud himself defected to the Celestial Court, even surrendering the precious Primordial Purple Qi? After all, Lamp-Lighter had been among the honored three thousand guests of the Zixiao Palace; to now kneel at a peer’s feet was indeed humiliating.

But this was the Celestial Court, and no matter his anger, Lamp-Lighter could only bury it deep within.

After exchanging the usual pleasantries, Lamp-Lighter presented the congratulatory gifts from the Sect of Interception, and, at Redcloud’s enthusiastic invitation, gritted his teeth and took a tour of the Celestial Court.

During the visit, Lamp-Lighter did not forget his true purpose. Once he inquired about Kunpeng’s residence, he excused himself from Redcloud and went to seek out Kunpeng.

...

At that moment, Kunpeng was deep in discussion with Jieyin about revising the doctrines of the Doctrine of All Beings. The creed had once well-served the beings under Wu rule, but with the changing times, they now had to adapt.

In the midst of their conversation, Lamp-Lighter arrived unannounced.

“Kunpeng, your life here is truly enviable,” Lamp-Lighter remarked as he entered the palace, glancing around with a sigh.

“Lamp-Lighter, what a pleasant surprise.” Kunpeng rose and offered a polite bow. The two were somewhat acquainted, so Kunpeng welcomed him cordially.

Lamp-Lighter accepted without hesitation, then, seating himself, turned to Jieyin with curiosity. “And who, may I ask, is this?”

“This is Jieyin. Though he did not attend the teachings at Zixiao Palace, he is nonetheless a supreme innate deity,” Kunpeng explained, recounting briefly how he had come to know Jieyin.

“So you are Fellow Daoist Jieyin.” Lamp-Lighter offered a respectful bow.

...

The three soon fell into casual conversation, sharing stories of their experiences over the years, and Lamp-Lighter took the opportunity to glean some information about the Celestial Court.

“Alas, it is lamentable,” Kunpeng said, “Redcloud has been made a prince, while my cultivation and foundation are no weaker than his, yet I am but a lord...”

When Redcloud was mentioned, Kunpeng did not hesitate to voice his grievance. His obsession had shifted over the years from the Primordial Purple Qi to the coveted prince’s title. Of course, he was merely venting; the power of the Celestial Court kept him from harboring any real malice toward Redcloud.

“It’s nothing but luck for Redcloud!” Lamp-Lighter agreed, openly revealing his own resentment.

...

Jieyin, seated in meditation nearby, appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly his mind was racing. Over recent days, he had pondered countless schemes to seize the Primordial Purple Qi, and at last he believed he had found a viable path: to slay Redcloud in the briefest possible moment, claim the treasure, and then flee west without delay.

With the lure of sainthood before him, Jieyin was ready to return to the West. No doubt Zhun Ti would not refuse him then, and with a Saint’s protection, the Celestial Court would hardly dare to provoke an open conflict. Thus, his great ambition might be achieved.

This was the plan with the highest chance of success, but even so, its odds were no more than thirty or forty percent. The difficulty lay in how to slay Redcloud instantly—if Redcloud managed to sound the alarm, Li Tian and Nuwa, both Saints, might intervene, making even escape uncertain.

At first, Jieyin had considered enlisting Kunpeng, but now, seeing Lamp-Lighter, he glimpsed a better opportunity. For all Kunpeng’s power and deep foundation, Jieyin knew he was no match; even together, obtaining the Purple Qi after Redcloud’s death would be difficult.

Lamp-Lighter, by contrast, was but a Preliminary Quasi-Saint, his foundation inferior to Jieyin’s. He should be much easier to handle.

As these thoughts churned in his heart, Jieyin’s eyes flashed with a glint of cunning as he looked at Lamp-Lighter.

...