Chapter 982: Fusion of The Three Yin Beings
The Taiping Sect’s miscalculation lay in a single word—greed.
Once the Golden Tower Council learned of the true situation regarding Izanagi, they authorized a full investigation, giving Sage Qingwei the authority to mobilize figures such as Princess Himiya Akiko, the Great Tengu, and Tamamo-no-Mae under the Daoist Order’s name. Through this, he succeeded in reviving Izanagi and opening the divine kingdom.
However, as the Imperial Preceptor had said, no one within Fenglin could surpass Sage Qingwei, the Sage Commander who wielded the highest authority there. In name, the Golden Tower Council was higher, but they were in Jade Capital, too far to intervene. Ultimately, it was Sage Qingwei who decided how things were handled in Fenglin.
In this world, matters were never settled simply by an edict from the higher-ups. How such orders were carried out and to what extent—whether half-hearted or excessive—depended on execution. Otherwise, there would be no disputes between central and local powers nor countless cases of corruption, despite edicts forbidding it.
This was precisely the Imperial Preceptor’s reminder. Since the matter had been reported to the Golden Tower Council, they would naturally need an explanation afterward. But Sage Qingwei could decide whether to hand over 100%, 50%, or even 30% of the information gathered from this mission.
If he wished to keep certain findings, then secrecy was paramount. Thus, Sage Qingwei faced a dilemma. He could bring Tamamo-no-Mae and the Great Tengu into the divine kingdom with him—ensuring success but risking exposure.
In name, these two Great Yokai had submitted to the Daoist Order, not to the Taiping Sect specifically. Amid intensifying struggles among the three Daoist sects, they would hardly pledge allegiance lightly. With their strength, they could afford to remain neutral, waiting to side with the victor rather than risking their lives from the start. Thus, Sage Qingwei had to invoke the Golden Tower Council’s name to mobilize them, not act under his personal authority.
Moreover, their submission had been too recent. Even if they had chosen the Taiping Sect, such a short time was nowhere near enough to build genuine trust.
If Sage Qingwei brought them into Izanagi’s divine kingdom, secrecy would be nearly impossible. The Taiping Sect’s aims would be compromised, and they would have to share their prize with the other sects.
Even from the Daoist Order’s broader perspective, the two Great Yokai could not be fully trusted. Who could say they wouldn’t act on sudden greed?
In the end, Sage Qingwei chose to enter Izanagi’s divine kingdom alone, staking everything on a risky gamble.
The other two Daoist sects understood that if they did nothing, they would simply watch as the Taiping Sect devoured the lion’s share of whatever lay in the divine kingdom. From the standpoint of the Zhengyi Sect, the Heavenly Preceptor called this an imbalance. It was not a moral condemnation of the Taiping Sect. If the Zhengyi Sect were in the Taiping Sect’s shoes, they would make the same choice. This so-called “imbalance” was purely a matter of interest.