Chapter 858 - Plan

Chapter 858 - Plan

Li Huowang stopped and looked at Li Sui incredulously. He never thought she would say something like that.

His lips quivered and he shouted, “Don’t butt into the matters of adults! You are just a child!”

Li Huowang began to walk away, then stopped again. “It’s up to her whether to understand me or not. Still, I need to use this chance to shake up the Heavenly Mater so that Miaomiao has the choice at least.”

“Alright, as you say.”

Li Sui’s slowly sank into the earth, saying, “Father, forgive me for my harsh words, but certain issues should be addressed as soon as possible. Dragging things on isn’t an option here.”

Li Huowang’s body glittered and disappeared. He was invisible now.

The palace in Shangjing wasn’t far, so Li Huowang reached it within moments. This time, Li Huowang found Gao Zhijian in the study, where he had been approving proposals and reports. Li Huowang kept the story short and explained everything that had happened.

Half a division later, Gao Zhijian was frowning. Li Huowang said, “I hope the emperors do not forsake the White Lotus Sect for the sake of peace. The White Lotus Sect is so massive that almost every civilian is a part of it. They are integral in every kingdom.”

Gao Zhijian frowned at Li Huowang. “I'm not so stupid enough to do that. There’s no difference between allowing foreign soldiers to run amok in my lands and giving my throne to someone else.”

“Good. I understand the conflict you have with the White Lotus Sect. Don’t worry about it—I’m certain that there’s a way to resolve it.”

Gao Zhijian scratched his head. He didn’t want Li Huowang to get involved with them because he himself didn’t know what to do either.

“Senior Li, what do you think we should do to solve this?”

“I don’t have a plan. I will just sit in the middle and not let anyone kill anybody. We can slowly think about a plan that way. I will destroy the side that crosses the line first—they will have to do it over my dead body!”

Li Huowang then looked up at the ceiling and shouted, “Stop trying to pretend that you’re dead! I’m talking to you too! If you have the audacity to pull off any stupid stunts, I will go to the Baiyu Capital to give you a good beating!”

“Senior Li, can you stop fooling around? Actually, that’s fine. We have a common enemy in front of us, so let’s just set it aside for now. We can get back to it once we resolve the current issue.”

“Fine, let’s do this!” Li Huowang didn’t mind making threats and fooling around if it meant that their plan would work.

Li Huowang asked, “What do you intend to do?”

Li Huowang did not wait for an answer and returned to the Qi Kingdom.

Gao Zhijian sighed as he stared at the vacant study. The recent conflict with the Dharma Sect had finally ended, but another war loomed on the horizon. Once again, the Liang Kingdom was on the brink of chaos. Gao Zhijian couldn't help but wonder when peace would finally return to the lives of its people.

"It seems we are destined for yet another war," Gao Zhijian murmured.

"We will have to raise taxes again.” He paused, frowning. “No, that’s not possible. We cannot solely rely on the resources of the Liang Kingdom. The other kingdoms need to lend their support too. Summon the officials for an urgent gathering."

“We understand.” A file of old eunuchs appeared from behind the screen as they greeted Gao Zhijian.

Gao Zhijian pondered before he asked, “Things have gotten to this stage. I don’t think asking about what’s going on with Li Huowang is too much, is it?”

“Mm-hmm.” Xuan Pin floated up from beneath the ground.

Gao Zhijian hesitated before he gave out his summons. Soon, an old man carrying a white flag entered the study. The old man’s eyes were completely white as an eunuch guided him.

Gao Zhijian had met the man before. It was the same person whom they had sought to learn their fortune before the war with the Dharma Sect. He was much older now.

“Master, what do you think about the dangers to the Liang Kingdom this time?”

“Hmm...” The old man nodded silently before he kneeled on the ground. He took out a palm-sized tortoise shell written with red runes.

The old man took out eight bronze coins and threw them into the shell, raising it above his head and shaking it vigorously.

As he shook it, the old man mumbled, “Zi, Wu, Mao, You by the roadside, Yin, Shen, Ji, Hai back to their home. Jia, Zhen, Yi, Li, Bing, Xing, Kun, Ding, Qian, Wu, Kan, Ji, and Xun at the gate...”

He was halfway through the chant when the tortoiseshell in his hands burst open. The shrapnel cut open the old man’s hands while the bronze coins, now bloodied, fell onto the ground.

Gao Zhijian frowned when he saw what happened. The atmosphere in the study became very tense.

The old man wiped the blood off his hands using his clothes and touched the bronze coins with his trembling hands. He felt the blood on the coins and shuddered.

Nevertheless, the old man remained silent, carrying on with his task of discerning the heads and tails of the coins. Finally, he kowtowed to Gao Zhijian. "Your... Your Majesty... it is a sign of great fortune.”