Chapter 466 - 237: "Wutong God

Chapter 466: Chapter 237: "Wutong God

Wei Chen clenched his fists. "Every hundred years, countless people die because of Zhu’s schemes. I just don’t understand why Zhu would leave clues about himself in Nie Gong’s Treasure Vault, let alone mention all his plans."

Zheng Xiu noticed Feng Bei’s palm growing sweaty. She tightened her grip on his hand, her fingers trembling slightly. Zheng Xiu instantly understood that Feng Bei was remembering what had happened two hundred years ago, and even more, the people who had died then. He began to trace lines in her palm more quickly, with a certain rhythm.

At first, Feng Bei didn’t understand, thinking he was just scratching aimlessly and was about to roll her eyes. Soon, however, the rhythm of Zheng Xiu’s tracing changed—nine light strokes and one deep, then five light and three deep. The meaning hit Feng Bei in an instant. Her entire body jolted, a mix of shame, annoyance, and longing flooding through her. She forcefully pulled her hand away, stopping Zheng Xiu’s mischief.

Feng Bei composed her expression, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You two shouldn’t just talk. The food’s getting cold. In a bit, Chef He will be angry again." As she spoke, Feng Bei placed a piece of stir-fried river clam into Zheng Xiu’s bowl, adding, "Prince, please conduct yourself with dignity."

Seeing that Feng Bei’s mood had lifted, Zheng Xiu roared with laughter. He used his thick chopsticks to pry open the shell, plucked out the savory clam meat, and tossed it into his mouth, chewing with a loud SMACK SMACK, savoring every bite.

"Chef He’s cooking has really leveled up," Zheng Xiu said, full of praise. He then turned back to Wei Chen and continued, "The clues left in Nie Gong’s Treasure Vault... Zhu left them intentionally."

Wei Chen’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

Zheng Xiu replied with a smile, "His schemes are far-reaching, as if he has anticipated humanity’s every move, far beyond anything we can imagine. Neither of us should underestimate an old monster who has lived for a thousand years. As he makes his moves for the current century, he is also preparing for the next. Everything is interlinked, and the more you think about it, the more terrifying it becomes. Over two hundred years ago, the three Mystics Zhu chose were the Director of the Secret Factory, Lou Mengkong; the emperor-slayer, Cheng Xiao; and... Xie Luohe."

At the mention of Xie Luohe’s name, Zheng Xiu’s expression remained calm, but he felt an inexplicable pang in his chest.

Wei Chen’s expression grew thoughtful. Zheng Xiu picked up some food and popped it in his mouth, savoring Chef He’s handiwork and washing it down with wine. He continued, "And the scheme from two hundred years ago also fueled Gongsun Mo’s craving for the Darkness. Gongsun Mo delved into its mysteries, became ensnared, and a hundred years ago, became a Human Pillar."

Wei Chen was astonished that the "history" Zheng Xiu had unearthed was far more detailed than what he knew. How could he possibly have guessed that Zheng Xiu and Feng Bei had, in a way, "personally" experienced the events of that era as Gongsun Mo and Xie Luohe, respectively?

Wei Chen asked, puzzled, "But you need three Human Pillars."

"The Ceremony to offer the Human Pillars doesn’t necessarily require gathering all three in the same place. If I’m not mistaken, he just needs to set his various plots in motion at roughly the same time, right before the centennial deadline."

Wei Chen looked stunned, then understanding dawned on his face. "So that’s how it is... No wonder twenty years ago..."

He trailed off, his gaze shifting to Feng Bei.

Zheng Xiu decided to lay it all bare. He had no intention of hiding this past. He glanced at Feng Bei, who gave him a slight nod. Zheng Xiu continued, "Exactly. Twenty years ago, in Baili Village, he chose you and Feng Bei as Human Pillars. And then, step-by-step, he engineered the tragedy of Baili Village. It’s just... I’m still not sure who the third Mystic from twenty years ago was."

Zheng Xiu’s voice deepened. "I still have many questions. There has to be another reason why Zhu targeted Feng Bei time and time again, beyond her just being an Innate Mystic. Perhaps it’s because you and Feng Bei once came incredibly close to the Darkness, which would make you the most ideal candidates for becoming Human Pillars."

Wei Chen nodded; he was clearly aware of this matter.

"But in truth, did it absolutely have to be you two?" Zheng Xiu continued, voicing his own train of thought. "If you were irreplaceable, he would only need to focus his schemes on the two of you. Why would he go to the trouble of single-handedly creating Ye Weiyang?"

"If I’m not mistaken, he possesses a method for stripping Deceitful Objects from Mystics, as well as a way to find new ’candidates’ who are compatible with them!"

"He created Ye Weiyang to make it easier to manufacture new Mystics!"

"Just like how he manufactured the Crow Fosterer!"

"Is there a way to salvage a failed Ceremony?"

"Did he create Ye Weiyang to remedy the failure of his plot twenty years ago, or is it preparation for the next hundred-year cycle?"

"What impact will Zhu’s failure twenty years ago ultimately have on the Common World?"

"Or... did he truly miscalculate twenty years ago? Or was your escape also just another part of his grand design?"

"I speculate that he doesn’t dare approach the Imperial City, but is that actually true?"

"To catch a big fish, you need heavy bait! My establishing the Disaster Prevention Bureau with such fanfare, and even naming the division you Mystics belong to the ’Pillar’ Division—it’s all a clear message to him. I’m telling him that I understand him, that I know everything he’s been plotting over the years!"

"The Disaster Prevention Bureau is making such a stir, and bizarre cases are cropping up everywhere, yet he seems to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace. I refuse to believe that killing the Crow Fosterer truly severed all of Zhu’s eyes and ears. On the morning I founded the Bureau, I had Jiang Gaoyi screen everyone. There was one man acting suspiciously—his face was blank, his movements stiff. Jiang Gaoyi couldn’t get a read on him. I suspected his identity and had him followed. He fled far outside the city, where he inexplicably melted into a puddle of blood, completely and utterly dead."

Hearing this, Wei Chen was horrified. He shot to his feet, knocking over his wine cup. "That was Zhu?"

Zheng Xiu asked in return, "Have you ever seen Zhu?"

Wei Chen sat back down, calmed himself, and slowly shook his head.