April 24, 2018

City Lord’s Mansion of Golden Jade City.

The seventh temporary government meeting is called urgently.

Hosting the meeting, Zhao Hongwu wears a look of worry, with half of the luster gone from his white hair, and his skin dull and haggard, resembling an inept ruler drained by wine and women.

However, those close to him know very well that since his family broke apart, Zhao Hongwu has been cultivating himself, staying away from women and alcohol, focusing all his limited energy outside of daily cultivation on the boundless cause against Zhao Chenlu. He is a living example of a contemporary Saint.

His current fatigue is truly a result of an all-night effort deducing the array map, causing him excessive depletion.

Yet, this exhaustion has brought rich results.

"Last night, through the joint deduction by myself and several elders, we have initially determined there’s no theoretical issue with these two array maps, and they can operate normally."

While speaking, Zhao Hongwu’s mouth even exudes a faint taste of blood, indicating that his internal organs have suffered considerable injury, prompting deep respect from the participating guests present.

Over the past two decades, the impression left by this veteran fighting on the frontlines against the government has always been that of Golden Jade City’s top gourmet, holder of supreme cards of several top-tier restaurants, a dreaded diner who could cause a restaurant to close with a word... But only today do people finally recognize the soul of a rebel hidden behind the identity of a gourmet. Only a rare few veterans who have been involved in Zhao Hongwu’s coup group activities for many years frowned slightly when they caught the scent of blood.

Meanwhile, Zhao Hongwu glanced at the room’s atmosphere with his peripheral vision, pleased to see the solemn air.

Indeed, having blood tofu for breakfast was the right choice.

Nonetheless, outwardly, this newly appointed head of the temporary government maintained a basic serious expression and said in a deep voice: "Furthermore, after our discussion, we have decided to officially adopt Zhao Xinyu’s proposal of [United Strength], to suppress Zhao Chenlu with the wish power of a million people. The Broken Moon Sword Array will be the backup plan."

At this point, the conference room began bustling with discussions.

"Should we really trust that puzzling Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband?"

"Was his identity verified, could he be a fraud?"

"Hasn’t Zhao Lingbo always despised him, wouldn’t using his plan offend Zhao Lingbo?"

Amidst the discussion, Zhao Lingbo’s voice came from a corner of the room: "Don’t overthink it, as long as we can undeniably overthrow Zhao Chenlu, I won’t care about meaningless reputations... I too was one of those who deduced the array overnight, so I have to admit, even if purely in terms of lethality, theoretically, United Strength surpasses the Broken Moon Sword Array."

At this, Zhao Lingbo’s voice inadvertently took on a slight tremble, and she paused as if suppressing some inner turmoil, then continued with a more stable, icy tone.

"So, for that woman, the painstakingly serving close maid of over a decade, is not as good as a so-called ex-husband who can’t see sunlight. Such reversal of actions to this extent, if not thoroughly crushing her, would be irresponsible towards the two million people of Golden Jade City."

After these words, the temperature of the entire conference room seemed to change.

Zhao Hongwu nodded, saying: "Let’s have the staff raise the temperature of the Constant Temperature Array slightly, and then continue with the next agenda. If we are determined to use United Hearts Array, the subsequent work becomes very complex. On one hand, we need to gather materials quickly to set up the array, and on the other, we must fully initiate the public opinion channels to guide the million people of Golden Jade City. The former task will be handled by Zhao Hongwen, as you’ve been involved in the resource coordination work of Golden Jade City, you should be quite familiar with this aspect. The focus is the latter public opinion work, as the array’s effectiveness is closely tied to public opinion. If we fail to gain public support, this array would be meaningless, and we would have to gamble on the Broken Moon Sword Array and Zhao Chenlu’s Blood Battle Talent."

At this point, Zhao Hongwu glanced at several companions and sighed: "The theory of Blood Battle Talent proposed by Zhao Xinyu may be unbelievable, but considering Zhao Chenlu’s actions over the years, no matter how inconceivable it seems, we can’t take it lightly. So, whether they call us timid or overthinking phantoms, unless absolutely necessary, we really don’t want to gamble on Zhao Chenlu’s comeback abilities. Hence, at the public trial assembly, we must deal a fatal blow, ignite public opinion, refine an unstoppable surge of wish power, so Zhao Chenlu can never rise again."

Everyone present nodded, showing expressions of lingering fear.

In Zhao Chenlu’s years of governing Golden Jade City, she had countless times used the rebels for killing and establishing her power, crushing their dignity and worldview like a cat playing with a mouse... Thus, without a concrete and viable plan, none dared to gamble on her comeback ability.

In fact, even today, Zhao Chenlu has been suppressed by the Seventeen Linked Rings for over five days, and with Golden Jade City in turmoil, a good portion of the former rebels still hesitate to step forth and support Zhao Hongwu’s great cause... all because they’re afraid of Zhao Chenlu suddenly reappearing, with a sly smile saying it was all an act, and now they are all doomed.

In the silence, someone said: "If—and I’m just saying if—the United Hearts Array also proves ineffective? What if Zhao Chenlu has other means aside from Blood Battle Talent? Or what if Zhao Xinyu was a mole planted by Zhao Chenlu from the start to toy with us?"

Zhao Hongwu sighed: "This question was already discussed at the beginning of the coup, it’s very simple, if it really comes to that, then we seek political asylum in Celestial Craft City, the contacts there have been arranged, the application forms have been filled, the deposit paid... so there’s no need for excessive worries. And ultimately, aiming to overthrow Zhao Chenlu’s tyranny, how could that not entail some risks? The first step, bearing the highest risk, has already been handled by Zhao Lingbo on our behalf, we can’t just keep enjoying the benefits without making a move."

Having said that, Zhao Hongwu waved his hand: "Enough, time is limited, let’s not waste it on such irrelevant topics. Next, I will assign public opinion guidance work, please listen carefully, rallying the hearts of a million people in Golden Jade City in just a few days requires our sincere cooperation and united effort. First, we need to determine the theme, what kind of Zhao Chenlu do we want the people of Golden Jade City to see, and how can we ensure within just a few days that she becomes utterly disreputable and irreparable?"

Quickly, someone suggested: "Let’s go with Zhao Xinyu’s suggestion, smear her as a spy of the Demon Race, how about that?"

Then someone countered: "Isn’t that a bit far-fetched, would people believe it? Over these years, has any Demon Race spy been seen on Xiangzhou Continent? Relying solely on those irrational Demon Essence, could they possibly produce a figure like Zhao Chenlu? I find it hard for people to believe."

"That’s not how it goes, these years no one has seen Demon Race figures, possibly because they were blocked by the Saint Sect. And Zhao Chenlu could be a rare escapee..."

"Such claims need validation from the Saint Sect, but the Saint Sect wouldn’t endorse such fabrications on our behalf."

"Not necessarily, as long as the Saint Sect doesn’t oppose us when we make the claim... I think the attitude of the Saint Sect in this coup is quite ambiguous. Previously, Zhao Chenlu’s ties with the Sect Leader of the Saint Sect and the deans of the Three Academies were quite close, yet now no one has stepped up to speak for her. They all seem pleased with the situation."

Before long, the conference hall erupted in disputes, everyone holding their ground, none persuading the other.

A moment later, Zhao Hongwu clapped his hands, stopping the disorderly discussions, and spoke: "The issues you were just disputing, we debated for a long time last night, honestly without reaching a definite conclusion. Personally, I don’t support this approach. The label of the Demon Race is too significant to use lightly; otherwise, not only Zhao Chenlu herself, but even Golden Jade City might be affected. For the past two thousand years, other places didn’t have Demon Race spies, yet allegedly Golden Jade City had faced one reaching the position of City Lord—it would make the entire city a laughing stock."

Pausing briefly, Zhao Hongwu continued: "Of course, some would say being Zhao Chenlu’s toy is worse than being the laughing stock of the world, as to many, we coup participants have been no different from laughing stocks over the past twenty years. So, until I thought of this method, the issue remained unresolved."

Having finished, Zhao Hongwu stood up, raised his hand, projecting the image of a middle-aged Sword Cultivator into the center of the conference room.

His appearance was unremarkable, his attire plain, but the White Sword at his waist was conspicuously dazzling—none other than the one who shone brightly last night, Zhao Xinyu.

"This person claims to be Zhao Chenlu’s ex-husband. His confident speech last night made everyone in the room believe him. Given that... let’s announce this to the world and see their reaction!"

"...Ah?"

Zhao Hongwu’s face showed a hint of satisfaction: "Zhao Chenlu, as the most beautiful lady under heaven, owes half her charm to her personal qualities and the other half to her single status! If the world learns that Zhao Chenlu is not only not single but has secretly kept a boy toy over the years to fulfill her desires, what do you think the result would be?"