Chapter 541: Chapter 452: Discussing Business

The Demon Clan really has changed from what it once was.

For the first time, he felt an impulse to leave his seclusion, sensing that a dazzling ray of light had suddenly pierced through the hopeless state of the world.

That light was so blinding, it dispelled the gloom in his heart, restoring his confidence in living.

He had made up his mind to join the Demon Court.

"Father, what are you thinking about?" The child’s call startled him from his reverie.

Looking at the curious child before him, he revealed a radiant smile, touched the little head, and said, "Nothing much, let’s continue playing."

The hearts of children are always brilliantly sunny, and hearing such words, the kid immediately started frolicking again.

His wife alone, with her keen senses, noticed the change in her husband, as if he had dusted off all the cobwebs, shining all over.

As his wife, she was well aware that her husband was a man with secrets, with the dense scars covering his body telling of his extraordinary past.

But she never asked, knowing he harbored a deep sense of disillusionment, sometimes finding him sitting on the threshold, silently staring at the sky, his eyes filled with desolate helplessness.

She knew her husband carried secrets within, though she didn’t know the specifics; as long as he was willing to live the everyday life with her, she was content with whatever that life might be.

In the once chaotic times, having peace was a significant blessing.

She gently reached out her hand, and only then did her husband become aware of her thoughts, smiled at her, and firmly grasped her hand.

Hand in hand, the two of them followed their child, strolling down the bustling streets, where the lights stretched their shadows long, intertwining them together on the ground.

The monsters of Luzhou in the North were overjoyed, while the atmosphere in the Heavenly Court was somewhat eerie.

Logically, the Jade Emperor had achieved a great victory by defeating the Eastern King, who had been in hiding for a long time; this should have been cause for universal celebration and grand festivities.

Yet, this time it was eerily quiet, with not a whisper to be heard, as if everyone had already forgotten this splendid triumph.

Even the craftsmen of the Heavenly Forge Bureau who were devoted to their craft realized something was amiss, as a heavy mood hung over the entire bureau.

Lu Shu and Liu Ming, heads bowed as if focusing on their tasks at hand, were in fact not concentrating on their work at all.

Even they, newcomers to the Heavenly Court, sensed that something was not right.

It seemed that the immortals of the Heavenly Court had quite a few complaints about the Jade Emperor.

"Do you feel it? Despite His Majesty achieving a great victory, hardly anyone in the Heavenly Court is smiling," Lu Shu whispered mysteriously.

Liu Ming sighed and said, "How could I not notice? I’m not blind."

With such an evident situation in the Heavenly Court, any observant person could see it.

Liu Ming had never imagined that even the mighty Heavenly Court could experience such a day of palpable anxiety. Although he didn’t know exactly what had transpired, it was clear that the current Heavenly Court was rife with undercurrents.

Their Highness up high seemed to trust no one, having sealed the gates of the Lingxiao Treasured Palace since the end of the great war as if disappearing without a trace.

Externally, the Immortals seemed indifferent to the missing Heavenly Emperor. Many were secretly banding together, though it was unclear what exactly they were plotting.

Even the most common Heavenly soldiers had sensed that something was amiss.

Liu Ming had never imagined the Heavenly Court would reach such a state; it even seemed on the verge of collapse and crisis.

Yet, such matters were not for the likes of them, the insignificant figures, to fret over. Their only concern was whether they could survive in these chaotic times.

Within one of the Heavenly Court’s Immortal Residences, a group of people were surreptitiously gathered.

"If we continue to wait like this, are we supposed to wait until he ascends to the Great Way and truly reigns supreme?" an Immortal suddenly stood up and roared.

"What are you shouting for? If you have the ability, advance the path before him, and then all these issues will cease to exist, won’t they? But with our realms, who knows when we could reach such a step? This is not what we should be concerned about," said the leader with an indifferent tone.

After scanning the room, he continued, "It’s time to choose sides. I imagine you all understand our situation. The Great Way is out of reach, and the struggle for the Great Way has nothing to do with us, but the decisions of those above us concern our very lives. We must choose carefully."

The others nodded silently upon hearing these words. The speaker was seasoned and cautious, and for people like them, choosing the right side was crucial for a stable life.

"Right now, we have two choices: either devote ourselves entirely to the Jade Emperor and help him ascend to the Great Way, or stand against him. What do you think?"

"The Jade Emperor may seem benign now, but let’s not forget his methods from back in the day. As a Sword Immortal who once dominated the Three Realms, his sharp edge is something he can never fully sheathe," someone lamented.

It seemed the Jade Emperor’s past actions had left a deep impression on them.

"Indeed, although his approach has softened over the years, at his core he remains a Swordsman who is unlikely to change, merely waiting for the right moment," another added.

"Once he ascends to the Great Way and exerts pressure over the Three Realms, I fear his methods will become even more fierce and ruthless," a third person reflected with a sigh.

Having served as Immortal Officers in the Heavenly Court for a long time, they had a clear understanding of the Emperor’s temperament and methods. If one had no guilty conscience, all was well; but if one harbored any guilt, nobody wanted the Jade Emperor to truly ascend to the Great Way.

"This situation, placing oneself in such a perilous position, is meant to force a rebirth from a desperate state. It is the way of a Swordsman, but not the kind of situation we wish to see. Had he been willing to give way, perhaps there would be none of these troubles even if it meant delaying his own enlightenment," someone added.

After saying this, the speaker glanced at the group before continuing with a grave tone, "If any of you wish to follow him, be prepared to face a very slim chance of survival."

At these words, everyone fell silent. They were not fools; experienced and well-informed, they understood the implicit warning in his words. The Jade Emperor’s situation was indeed perilous; with the reason of the Great Way, he had become an enemy to the whole world, and success seemed fraught with insurmountable difficulties.

In truth, many had already made their decision, but the Jade Emperor’s prestige had become so ingrained over the years that when it came to making a choice, they were gripped with fear.

For many, the prospect of the Jade Emperor succeeding seemed unlikely to fail.

"This is a struggle for the Great Way, inherently brutal. Didn’t you see the Eastern King risk his life that day? And Maitreya, the Buddha of the West, even intervened personally. This is different from past incidents. I still believe his failure is certain," someone concluded.