Everlasting Immortal Firmament

The emperor’s study, Borderless Heavenly Capital:

Gu Hai sat behind his desk, discussing the aggressions of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty with his ministers.

He turned his gaze towards Sima Changkong. “Mister Sima, can I trust the information you provided?”

Mo Yike stepped back as Sima Changkong stepped forward.

“Your Reverence, as you know, the Han Imperial Dynasty is holding the heirs of the six factions hostage. Recently, a sect master presented a letter of surrender. Since you instructed we could take measures based on the urgency of the matter during your absence, I sought approval from the crown prince and Empress Chen to handle this matter when I received the letter. Then I met with the sect master. I discovered that opinions within the six factions were divided, so I asked Lord Meng’s Embroidered Uniform Guard to stir up some trouble internally to win them all over to the Han Imperial Dynasty. The details are in the report you read. I believe the information is reliable,” Sima Changkong responded, grinning.

Gu Hai gave a small smile. “Your report was indeed insightful. Not only did the three sect leaders agree, but even the three imperial emperors did. That’s no small feat. You deserve the primary credit for bringing these six factions under control.”

Sima Changkong shook his head. “In truth, I merely took advantage of the situation. It’s not my doing that the three imperial emperors were willing to pledge loyalty to the Han Imperial Dynasty. It was because of you, Your Reverence.”

“Oh?”

Shaking his head, Sima Changkong continued, “Your Reverence could have easily wiped out the six faction leaders when they planned to ambush you in Three Mountains City. However, you merely restrained them, breaking their pride. Furthermore, you even let them return, demonstrating your benevolence. After seeing the destruction of the Spirit Mountain Holy Land and you aiding Chiyou in the attack on Xuanyuan City, they also saw our Han Nation’s strength. Everything they depended on crumbled; only then did I take the chance to push them in our direction. My deeds are not worth mentioning.”

Gu Hai laughed, “Mister Sima, you’re too modest. Do you think I’d take credit from you? We hope your ‘taking advantage of the situation’ can apply to the entire world!”

With a humble smile, Sima Changkong said, “I wouldn’t dare!”

Gu Hai giving Sima Changkong all the credit warmed Sima Changkong’s heart.

“Since the six major factions are willing to join our Han Nation, Mister Sima, you must be careful. This is a dangerous moment. The Huang Heavenly Dynasty is watching us closely. We must proceed with caution,” Gu Hai said solemnly.

“Rest assured, Your Reverence. Just give me your written order, and the six factions will certainly join the Han Imperial Dynasty,” Sima Changkong promised.

Gu Hai nodded. “That’s good. Let’s not waste time. Draft the order, and we’ll issue it immediately after we review it.”

“Yes!” Sima Changkong agreed.

“Your Reverence, how should we handle the leaders of these six factions?” Sima Changkong asked with a frown.

Gu Hai instructed, “Their contribution of their nations is equivalent to the expansion of territory. However, although these factions are powerful, they can’t compare to our Han Imperial Dynasty. They can continue to wield authority but in different locations to prevent them from forming factions. All the six factions’ subordinates must be dispersed, and the six faction leaders must come to Borderless Heavenly Capital and become our subjects, serving directly under us.”

“Yes!” Sima Changkong agreed.

“Mo Yike!” Gu Hai called out.

“This official is present!” Mo Yike answered respectfully.

Gu Hai turned his attention to him. “Your report showed great strategic insight, covering all factions from the cardinal north position to the cardinal center position of the Divine Continent. As we’ve already discussed, most of these factions will choose to support the Huang Heavenly Dynasty. Therefore, we must mobilize our troops to show our nation’s strength. We now establish the Nation Suppression Army. Mo Yike, you’ll be the commander, coordinating our national military force to confront various battlefields.”

“This official obeys!” Mo Yike responded.

“Chen Tianshan!” Gu Hai called out.

“This official is present!” Chen Tianshan answered.

“Chen Tianshan, you will serve as the deputy commander of the Nation Suppression Army. You’ll assist Mo Yike. After capturing new territories, ensure the smooth transition of officials and troops. We must replenish the newly conquered cities with fresh forces as quickly as possible,” Gu Hai commanded.

“This official obeys!” Chen Tianshan responded.

“Gao Xianzhi, Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, and Long Shenying!” Gu Hai called out solemnly.

“This official is present!”

“Gao Xianzhi will serve as a deputy commander of the Nation Suppression Army. You are to assist Mo Yike, leading the First Corps to break the Han Nation’s enemies and march south!

“Kong Xuan will serve as a deputy commander of the Nation Suppression Army. You are to assist Mo Yike, leading the Fifth Corps to break the Han Nation’s enemies and march south!

“The Mosquito Daoist will serve as a deputy commander of the Nation Suppression Army. You are to assist Mo Yike, leading the Sixth Corps to break the Han Nation’s enemies and march south!

“Long Shenying will serve as a deputy commander of the Nation Suppression Army. You are to assist Mo Yike, leading the Eighth Corps to break the Han Nation’s enemies and march south!”

“This official obeys!” the four corps commanders chorused in response.

“Sima Changkong!” Gu Hai called out.

“This official is present!”

“Sima Changkong will serve as a deputy commander of the Nation Suppression Army. You are to assist Mo Yike, leading the Seventh Corps to visit the various factions. Persuade the major factions to join us or instigate discord within their alliances and break their internal cohesion, providing indirect support on the battlefield,” Gu Hai instructed.

“This official obeys!” Sima Changkong answered.

Gu Hai added, “This Nation Suppression Army is our secret, for now, to facilitate Sima Changkong’s battlefield strategies. When the time is right, we can leak some information. We will announce it to the world when the situation is mature. When that time comes, it will be the moment for Gao Xianzhi, Kong Xuan, the Mosquito Daoist, and Long Shenying to lead their troops and fully launch the attack!”

“Yes!” everyone answered.

“Why don’t I see any information about Chiyou’s body in these reports?” Gu Hai asked sullenly.

Gu Qin stepped forward. “Imperial Father, I instructed the officials not to include information about Uncle Chiyou’s location in the reports so Imperial Father would not see it.”

“Huh?” Gu Hai frowned.

“This child and official wanted to report this in person. Ji Dihong dismembered Chiyou’s body and scattered it across four different places. Furthermore, he proclaimed Chiyou a demon. This child was worried that…”

“Worried that we would put everything aside to snatch his body back?” Gu Hai said.

Gu Qin showed a small, bitter smile. “This child may have overthought it.”

Gu Hai took a deep breath and said solemnly, “The body of Chiyou is our responsibility.”

Chen Tianshan interjected anxiously, “Your Reverence, His Highness is right. Ji Dihong is using Chiyou’s body to lure you into a trap.”

Gu Hai responded sternly, “We know, but we must go. Chiyou’s body should not be desecrated by Ji Dihong. He is not worthy!”

“Imperial Father, we have some intel from the Huang Heavenly Dynasty. The Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s people knew about Imperial Father’s location and movements when Imperial Father headed to the nether realm!” Gu Qin reported with a furrowed brow.

“What?” The corps commanders turned surprised gazes towards Gu Qin.

“I refrained from disclosing this information to anyone lest it unsettle our people. I reported it only to Imperial Mother,” Gu Qin explained solemnly.

Gu Hai gazed at Gu Qin without blame. Given the palpable fear among the citizens when Borderless Heavenly Capital’s blessings crumbled, he understood why Gu Qin kept such news under wraps.

“Where did you get this information, Your Highness?” Mo Yike inquired with a puzzled expression.

Mo Yike and Meng Tai had invested substantial effort into infiltrating the Huang Heavenly Dynasty with spies. However, even their exceptional skills had failed to uncover such crucial information. This would require access to the innermost circle of Ji Dihong’s confidants, a group that remained beyond their reach. Nevertheless, Gu Qin had acquired the information. Could he have an informant among Ji Dihong’s closest associates?

“Father knows the person who passed me this information.” Gu Qin looked at Gu Hai as he spoke.

He was referring to Mister Starless, who was Gu Ming. However, this information could not be revealed to anyone else but Gu Hai. Should it leak, Gu Ming’s ruin would be inevitable.

“Oh?” Gu Hai looked at Gu Qin.

“The word from that end said that one of Ji Dihong’s officials, named Cangjie, created two treasures right when Imperial Father left Borderless Heavenly Capital. These treasures could track Imperial Father’s location. One was given to Dahong, the other to the Heavenly Demon Holy Land. My mother and I were on tenterhooks ever since, powerless to intervene!” Gu Qin stated with a bitter expression.

“Cangjie?” Gu Hai’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Yes, Cangjie has a method to find anyone in the world. He revealed my location during the Blessings Destruction Plan to Jiang Gautama. Later, he also found the location of Little Tang’s spiritual souls. This time, he discovered Father’s location too. I believe this Cangjie must be closely monitoring every action of our nation, especially your whereabouts, Father!” Gu Qin shared with concern.

Gu Hai narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Now, Ji Dihong is using Chiyou’s body to lure Imperial Father out of Borderless Heavenly Capital. The moment Father leaves, Cangjie will undoubtedly be aware; then Ji Dihong will lay an ambush in full force. This child worries that…,” Gu Qin trailed off anxiously.

All the corps commanders paled.

“Your Reverence, His Highness’s concerns are reasonable. Ji Dihong is currently eyeing us like a tiger. Imperial Emperor Chiyou has already fallen. If he were alive, he certainly wouldn’t want Your Reverence risking yourself for him!” Mo Yike quickly spoke up.

Gu Hai tapped the table with his finger but eventually shook his head. “When we faced danger back then, Chiyou didn’t hesitate to come to our aid and even dared to stand against the Heavenly Demon Holy Land. Now that First Brother Chiyou’s head is separated from his body, should we just stand by and do nothing? We can’t and we won’t.”

“Please reconsider, Your Reverence!” the corps commanders exclaimed in unison.

“We understand your concerns. However, every problem has a solution. Now that we know it’s a trap, we won’t let Ji Dihong have his way. However, we must retrieve Chiyou’s body. As for how to retrieve it and how to go about it, you don’t have to concern yourselves. Focus on what you have to handle, and don’t let Ji Dihong intimidate you. Over the years, we’ve encountered many opponents. While none might have been as formidable as Ji Dihong, facing the Huang Heavenly Dynasty is not the most dangerous thing we have done. The Han Imperial Dynasty is no longer the royal dynasty it once was, and hasn’t the Spirit Mountain Holy Land already perished? So what about the Huang Heavenly Dynasty? Those who dare to harm the Han Nation will pay the price!” Gu Hai declared, his voice sinking.

“Yes!” everyone responded in unison.

“Where is Chiyou’s body?” Gu Hai turned his gaze to Gu Qin.