Chapter 1155 - 783: The Night Before

After hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Gu Mingyue immediately chimed in, his voice full of agreement. He was terrified Zhang Chen would stab him in the back, and that he’d end up being forced to die by the countless disciples under his command in the name of righteous duty.

If the countless disciples under his command really forced his hand, then should he die or not?

If he didn’t die, that would mean disregarding righteousness, disregarding his fellow brothers in the sect, becoming a selfish, petty man. His reputation within Yellow Heaven Dao would surely reek, he would inevitably lose people’s hearts, be isolated throughout Yellow Heaven Dao from then on, and thus be reviled for ages.

And if he did die?

He had already become a Twelfth Tier Natural God; he wasn’t an idiot. How could he willingly go to his death?

Zhang Chen glanced at Gu Mingyue. "Relax. I’m not an idiot. How could I let myself be seduced by the Demon Race?"

"The Demon Race is treacherous. If I listened to them, then once you died, they definitely wouldn’t let me go." Zhang Chen said this, then asked Gu Mingyue, "How much do you know about this Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array?"

"I’ve only heard people say that the Demon Race’s Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array was created by the Peacock Ancestor to suppress the fluctuating qi luck of the Demon Race brought on by expansion. To set up this array, first you choose the twelve clans within the Demon Race whose qi luck is most prosperous, then you select twelve Demon Gods, who undergo incense worship to become Divine Spirits, each suppressing the qi luck of their own clan. As for deeper subtleties, I fear only the Peacock Ancestor knows; I myself do not." Gu Mingyue said.

"Looks like this Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array isn’t simple." Zhang Chen muttered, his eyes turning toward the distant Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array, his gaze filled with Golden Light as he tried to peer into the array’s truth and falsehood, seeking the key nodes to shatter it.

Gu Mingyue twisted his head to look at the distant Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array. "That grand array is a gray murk, covering all information. Trying to discern its mysteries is as hard as ascending to the heavens. How about I dispatch a few disciples to take a trip into the array? We might be able to see a bit of its reality."

Zhang Chen turned his head and gave Gu Mingyue a look. Take a trip? Wasn’t that just sending his sect’s experts to die, and using the chance to spy on the array’s inner workings?

Only, Zhang Chen didn’t dare let Gu Mingyue do that. If the other decided to have Huang Chao go up top, wouldn’t that ruin his own plan?

Of course, Zhang Chen had also considered killing Gu Mingyue, then begging the Demon Race to open a path. Unfortunately, Zhang Chen knew this was an open scheme of the Demon Race, and he wasn’t stupid enough to stake everything on them.

Still, since Zhang Chen wanted to exploit a loophole to break the array, he had naturally made preparations long ago. His heart stirred, and he began to summon the Great Freedom Celestial Demon. The next moment, a black lotus appeared before Zhang Chen.

This black lotus was linked to Zhang Chen’s aura; there was qi resonance between the two, so Gu Mingyue could not see it.

"Brat, this Ancestor was in seclusion, refining that fellow. What are you summoning me out for?" The Great Freedom Celestial Demon’s voice carried clear displeasure.

Hearing this, Zhang Chen looked toward the distant grand array, and spoke inwardly to the Great Freedom Celestial Demon Dao, "I’ve run into trouble. I must trouble Ancestor to take a trip and help me find the weak points in that Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array."

The Great Freedom Celestial Demon heard this, took on human form, and turned to gaze at the distant, gray-shrouded Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array, a hint of curiosity flashing in its eyes. "The Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array?"

With just one glance, it recognized the origin of that array.

"Ancestor, you recognize this grand array?" Seeing the Great Freedom Celestial Demon recognize the array at a glance, Zhang Chen couldn’t help but feel secretly overjoyed.

The Great Freedom Celestial Demon said, "Some fragments of my memory have awakened descriptions of this array. This array is no ordinary thing; it touches on the Dao of the Twelve Primordial Stars and the circulation of qi luck. Breaking it is incredibly difficult. You do have some methods, and an Innate Spiritual Treasure protecting your body, but breaking this Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array is still beyond you. The only thing you can do is hibernate within the array, hide your presence, and wait for them to disperse it. Then you’ll naturally be able to rush out."

At this point, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon was afraid Zhang Chen wouldn’t appreciate how dangerous it was, so it earnestly added, "This array isn’t just an array. It’s entangled with unfathomable qi luck. Don’t say you—even existences who have attained Dao Fruit, if they fall into it, can only be suppressed. You absolutely must not act rashly. For you, the best choice is to hide."

Hearing this, Zhang Chen showed a contemplative expression and looked into the distance. "I may not be able to break a complete Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array. But what if it’s a Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array missing two Demon Gods?"

The Great Freedom Celestial Demon was stunned, giving Zhang Chen a surprised look. Zhang Chen then recounted how he had suppressed two Demon Gods. After hearing this, the Great Freedom Celestial Demon finally came to a realization. "So you actually have such means. You’ve truly made this Ancestor look at you anew. Now that the Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array is missing two host Demon Gods, that’s equivalent to opening up two flaws. Although breaking the array is still very difficult, having you escape alone is no problem."

"I want to shatter the array’s blockade and open a path of survival for the civilians of Jinling City." Zhang Chen replied to the Great Freedom Celestial Demon.

The Great Freedom Celestial Demon shook its head, denying Zhang Chen’s idea. "You’re overestimating yourself. You don’t have that kind of strength."

"What if I use the Blood Sea Array to break array with array?" Zhang Chen turned to look at the Blood Sea Array behind him.

The Great Freedom Celestial Demon was taken aback, then turned to glance at that Blood Sea Array, saying thoughtfully, "There might be some chance."

"Either way, I have to try." Zhang Chen said in his heart.

Then Zhang Chen ended his communication with the Great Freedom Celestial Demon. With a plan in mind, he said to Gu Mingyue, "We move tonight. Go back and make preparations."

Hearing this, Gu Mingyue’s heart jolted. "You’ve found a flaw in the Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array?"

Hearing Zhang Chen speak with such certainty, a feeling of bewildered suspicion rose in his heart.

"Of course! We’ll see the outcome tonight."

Zhang Chen replied, and as soon as he finished speaking his figure vanished from where he stood, leaving Gu Mingyue staring in a daze.

Only after quite a while did Gu Mingyue come back to herself. Her eyes stared blankly in the direction Zhang Chen had left, her face full of shock as she said, "I underestimated him."

To speak of Zhang Chen, he made his way back into Jinling City, and after a brief moment of thought, he arrived at the courtyard where Zhou Qiucheng was staying. "Sir."

Zhang Chen stood before Zhou Qiucheng and called out, walking over with a food box in hand.

Vast Righteous Qi flowed all around Zhou Qiucheng as he was comprehending the Great Dao. Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, he opened his eyes. "How did it go?"

"We break out tonight." Zhang Chen answered.

Upon hearing this, a trace of joy showed on Zhou Qiucheng’s face. "In the end, the common folk of Jinling City will have one more path to survival. Your merit is boundless."

"Tonight I must go preside over the matter of breaking the array. As for your safety, I intend to entrust you to the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency and ask that you break out together with them. Once I have broken the array, I will go to Kyoto with you." Zhang Chen said to Zhou Qiucheng.

Zhou Qiucheng nodded at these words. "I am already a cripple now; everything is according to your arrangements."

Following the forces of the great clans to break out was, after all, far more likely to succeed than breaking out together with ordinary civilians.

"I have a deep friendship with the Chief Leader of the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency, Chen Ping. He will certainly protect you and escort you out. Of course, I have also arranged methods in secret; if any crisis arises, someone will naturally make a move at the critical moment to rescue you." What he referred to was Gong Hei, whose body had been taken over by the Blood God Child.

"Everything depends on your arrangements." Zhou Qiucheng said.

Within the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency

Chen Ping stood in his study, gazing at the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls. His eyes were unfocused; his mind was not on the artwork at all.

"Jinling City is in peril now. With the city sealed off by the Demon Race, we are in great trouble. The slightest misstep means we will be wiped out by them. What should be done now?" Chen Ping was burning with anxiety. He had broken out from the Northern Land and naturally knew how deadly a Demon Race siege could be.

Compared to Zhang Chen, all the old and young in his family were in Jinling City. Once the city’s grand array was breached, their end would surely be annihilation without even a place to be buried.

"What should I do? What should I do?" Chen Ping muttered over and over.

As for Zhang Chen, after taking out the food box and eating with Zhou Qiucheng, he led Zhou Qiucheng all the way to the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency. There they saw Chen Ping personally come out to greet them, and then the three of them entered the escort agency. Zhang Chen said to Chen Ping, "This is Mr. Zhou Qiucheng of Chongzheng Academy."

"No need for you to introduce him, my worthy brother. I naturally recognize Dean Zhou. I have long heard of Dean Zhou’s illustrious name." Chen Ping cupped his fists toward Zhou Qiucheng. "I have seen Dean Zhou."

"Chief Leader, there’s no need for such courtesy. I am but a cripple now. I’ve come this time to ask for help." Zhou Qiucheng said.

"Whatever needs saying, let’s talk inside." Zhang Chen cut off the conversation between the two.

The three of them entered the room. Chen Ping looked at Zhang Chen. "Zhang, with the Demon Race besieging the city and chaos right before our eyes, you and Mr. Zhou should move into the escort agency as soon as possible. There are several thousand men of our agency here; it’s still safer than you living outside. We can look after each other, and perhaps we may hope to escape this calamity."

At this point Chen Ping looked at Zhang Chen. "Looks like you and I, brothers, might have to flee for our lives once again!"

Hearing Chen Ping’s words, Zhang Chen also smiled. "What a coincidence. I came to find you today precisely because of this matter."

Zhang Chen said to Chen Ping, "Tonight Yellow Heaven Dao will organize men to seek out the flaws in that Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array, then seize the chance to break out. I’ll have to trouble you, Mr. Chen, to escort Mr. Zhou out."

"Breaking out tonight?" Chen Ping was stunned at these words.

"The flaws in the Twelve Primordial Stars Grand Array have already revealed themselves. Tonight is precisely the best time to break out." Zhang Chen said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ping’s expression immediately turned solemn. "I must thank you, Zhang, for informing me, so we can prepare in advance. Otherwise, if we were caught off guard, we might be struck completely unprepared. Brother, stay here at my escort agency. Tonight we’ll break out together."

Zhang Chen shook his head at these words. "I still have matters to attend to. For the breakout, you take Mr. Zhou and go first. I have some other things to do."

Zhang Chen did not mention that he was going to break the array. Right now he only wanted to keep himself out of this as much as possible; the cleaner he kept his hands for now, the easier it would be later when he made a move against the Tree of Life Coffin.