Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Bie Tianxin had died in the scheme of the Great Western Continent.

Whether it was the Imperial Uncle of the Great Western Continent or Mu Jiushi, their actions had obtained Madam Mu's consent, her tacit approval.

Bie Yanghong and Wuqiong Bi's journey to White Emperor City to avenge their son was well within expectations. But Chen Changsheng had never expected that they would disregard their injuries and immediately step on the journey to revenge after leaving Holy Maiden Peak.

Black clouds and a seal had cut off an area of several hundred li around the Red River from the rest of the world. When the battle between the Divine was causing White Emperor City to shake and making the Red River burn for an entire night, Chen Changsheng was on the White Crane, bathed in starlight as he pondered how to make the South Stream Temple sword array one of his moves. As a result, he still knew nothing of this incident, though the capital had received the exact details last night.

Luoluo softly and quickly recounted the events around the time of the Heavenly Selection ceremony, like the fiery blood of the Divine dropping from the sky on that day. Lastly, she mentioned that Xuanyuan Po had taken part in the ceremony in order to stop the Demon Lord from winning and was now heavily injured and in a coma.

Only now did Chen Changsheng realize that in the few days after his departure from the Prince of Luling's estate, so many things had happened.

He was very concerned over Xuanyuan Po's safety and even more concerned for Bie Yanghong, because judging by Madam Mu's tone, Bie Yanghong had probably died already.

Back when he was leaving Mount Han, while seated in South Stream Temple's carriage, he would occasionally glimpse a streak of red in the distant wilderness. Later on, he met Bie Yanghong again in front of the Mausoleum of Books. However, he had never gotten a chance to have an earnest conversation with him, and when they met a few days ago in South Stream Temple, he had come to take revenge.

Chen Changsheng was truly not acquainted with Bie Yanghong, and there existed only loathing between him and Wuqiong Bi, but he really did like Bie Yanghong.

Just like the Tianhai Divine Empress, Wang Zhice, Wang Po, and everyone else that had interacted with Bie Yanghong.

Bie Yanghong was a gentleman, a good person. In complete contrast to Su Li, he had always had an inextinguishable sentiment of kindness to this world. This was despite the great difficulties brought by the endless road of cultivation and the Daoist companion at his side, both of which were liable to make one feel dejected.

On Holy Maiden Peak, Chen Changsheng had clearly felt Bie Yanghong's kindness toward him. Even when all the evidence pointed to him, Bie Yanghong was still willing to give him a chance to explain. This sort of trust was very heavy and engendered a deep respect.

The senior that he respected had just experienced the anguish of losing his only son, and now he had died in the distant lands of a foreign country?

Chen Changsheng's hand trembled as it clenched his sword.

The several hundred swords in the sky trembled in concert, letting out low buzzes. A torrential rain seemed about to fall.

Awe-inspiring sword intent enveloped the observation platform. The target of its incredible sharpness was extremely obvious.

It was precisely the person that Chen Changsheng was looking at: Madam Mu.

"So the Demi-human race was already prepared to start a war."

These seemingly calm words brimming with the will to fight caused the observation platform to explode into an uproar.

But no one could ease Chen Changsheng's worries, not the Bear tribe leader, the Shi clan leader, or the Prime Minister.

Because the veins of this matter were far too clear. It was impossible to explain clearly, even if they had the desire to.

The Great Western Continent's Imperial Uncle Mu and Mu Jiushi had killed Bie Tianxin so that they could frame Chen Changsheng. Upon their failure, Mu Jiushi fled to White Emperor City. To protect her, Madam Mu laid a trap in White Emperor City to kill Bie Yanghong and Wuqiong Bi, brazenly turning against the Human race and allying with the demons.

These were the facts. A detail might differ here or there, but this was the general picture.

Chen Changsheng asked, "Which demon expert did you invite? Black Robe or the Demon Commander?"

Madam Mu did not answer the question, calmly replying, "I did not strike."

Chen Changsheng replied, "But you activated the seal, preventing them from requesting aid."

"I originally did not plan to answer your question because I felt that it was laughable as bickering with a child. But now, I suddenly realize that you should be more prudent."

Madam Mu sneered, "Even if I did not activate the seal, you think that someone would come? Then think about this: the news that I've decided to ally with Xuelao City was spread out last night, so why has no one appeared yet?"

Chen Changsheng said nothing.

"I have heard that Wang Po has suffered significant injuries, so it can be understood why he has not come, but what of the Prince of Xiang? Or the Sect Master of the Mount Li Sword Sect? That you were able to appear in itself is a surprise. Did no one attempt to stop you? More importantly, in such a grand event, why has your teacher not appeared?"

Madam Mu said with pity and derision, "Your Holiness, you are still too young."

Because he was young, he was liable to get hotheaded, and thus impulsive, and so he now stood here alone?

Was this the meaning?

Chen Changsheng recalled the letter he had received in the Prince of Luling's estate and suddenly felt somewhat tired.

After receiving that letter, he almost immediately mounted the crane and flew west with scarcely a thought.

Mounting the crane and flying west was truly something to feel sad about, right?

But who had made him the Pope of the Human race? Who had made him choose this day?

This being the case, what right did he have to be tired, what time did he have to be sad?

With a light click, the Stainless Sword and the Vault Sheath parted. The several hundred swords in the sky howled through the air as they returned into the sheath.

This was the first time many of the demi-human personages had seen this sight, so they couldn't help but be somewhat shaken by this sight.

Chen Changsheng ignored Madam Mu, straightforwardly asking, "Do any of you have a clue?"

Luoluo, the Bear tribe leader, and the other individuals shook their heads.

A ruckus suddenly rose from Whalefall Platform, followed by hurried footsteps.

The Archbishop of the Western Wastes, several dozen priests, several officials of the Great Zhou, the Tang clan stewards, and the cultivators from the south climbed the stone steps.

The Red River Beast Guards charged with guarding the Imperial City had sufficient strength to stop them, but the situation in the Imperial City was abnormally chaotic today. Many of the supervisors had vanished, and the Beast Guards that were from the Bear tribe or the Shi clan were deliberately relaxed, allowing this party to force their way through.

Upon seeing Chen Changsheng, the archbishop and his group quickly bowed, after which they brought the heavily injured Xuanyuan Po forward.

Chen Changsheng's expression did not change as he took off Xuanyuan Po's clothes and saw his terrible injuries. He took the needles from around his finger and began the treatment.

Time slowly passed. His head remained bowed, all his focus on the treatment.

Luoluo remained crouched at his side, occasionally using a towel to wipe his sweat.

The observation platform was silent with no one daring to speak.

After some time, Chen Changsheng finally raised his head.

In a shaky voice, Luoluo asked, "How is it?"

She had just been able to see that Chen Changsheng had used true essence to force two pills into Xuanyuan Po's mouth.

From his cautious expression, she could tell that these two pills were the legendary Cinnabar Pills.

But even after this, Xuanyuan Po remained unconscious.

Luoluo was somewhat flustered.

"If he can wake up, it's fine, but if he can't…"

Chen Changsheng did not finish. Raising his head, he silently gazed at the streets of White Emperor City.

Xuanyuan Po was next to him.

Bie Yanghong was probably hiding somewhere in the city.

He didn't know whether either would survive.

Had he truly come too late?

……

……

A stray cat walked down the street. It warily took stock of its surroundings, somewhat confused.

Why was the Pine Paths so quiet today?

It did not know that the owner and servers of the bun store, as well as the laborers, had all gone to the plaza in front of the Imperial City. They wanted to see the excitement of the Heavenly Selection ceremony and personally witness the pride of the lower city: Xuanyuan Po's victory.

Why was the street so foggy despite the fact that the sun had risen ages ago?

It had no idea that the Demon Lord was currently in battle, that the terrifying abyss was seemingly making its way from the snowy plains of the extreme north to White Emperor City.

Suddenly, the stray cat dropped its tail and fled.

A young lady appeared in the foggy street.

Almost like this was a dream, an illusion.

Just like her face.

It was so beautiful that it did not seem real.

She walked into the alley called Three Harmonies Borough. Accompanied by the low ringing of the bell from the temple to the Celestial Tree, she walked up the small courtyard.

As her eyes fell upon the wooden gate, her nostrils flared, making her seem both careful and cute.

And then she caught a whiff of a smell.

"It stinks."