Chapter 1528 - 551: Deceiving the Fox
Niu Benben and Cailin left Lingxiao Hall with their heads bowed, exchanged a glance, and nodded in understanding before setting off on their clouds.
Cailin transmitted her voice, "From the Emperor’s arrangement, Cuìhuā might indeed have some issues."
"It’s true what they say about beauty causing trouble."
Niu Benben clicked his tongue and advised,
"Time is of the essence. I’ll arrange the manpower, you go find the Nine-tailed Fox. You’re not good at acting, so try not to talk to her about anything, just act as usual."
Cailin nodded solemnly.
She sighed lightly, saying no more, clearly having made her own choice between loyalty to the Heavenly Emperor and a year’s friendship.
The two parted at the Heavenly Gates, Niu Benben heading straight for the Western Continent, while Cailin made her way to Dong’an City.
The Nine-tailed Fox was residing in a small courtyard in Dong’an City, secretly ’protected’ by the Heavenly Fury Guards.
Inside Lingxiao Hall, Li Ping’an and the Eastern King sat on a high platform, watching the Heavenly Patrol Mirror reveal three images:
In the center was the Nine-tailed Fox, wearing a gauze dress, reclining on a soft couch, eating special skewers from Dong’an City, exuding an astonishing charm from head to toe, perfectly embodying the allure of skin like cream and unmatched beauty.
The upper and lower separate frames showed Niu Benben and Cailin.
When Cailin reached Dong’an City and returned to the courtyard of the Heavenly Fury Guards, the center and lower frames automatically merged, showing Cailin in an ancient long dress sitting at the edge of the couch where the Nine-tailed Fox was.
The Nine-tailed Fox slid the Casting Cloud artifact, Cloud Mirror, in front of her, searching for her favorite ’channels’, the smile on her lips indicating she was in quite a good mood.
Cailin asked, "Is Dong’an City fun?"
"Mm-hmm," the Nine-tailed Fox answered without lifting her head, "I’d say the Heavenly Emperor’s father is a genius, how did he come up with all this?"
Cailin’s lips curved slightly upward, responding seriously,
"It wasn’t just the Heavenly Emperor’s father. Initially, it was all the Emperor’s doing; these practical and interesting little gadgets were his ideas.
"But later, as the Emperor worried about the world and governed the Three Realms, dealing with countless complexities and contemplating the survival of heaven and earth, these small gadgets were handed over to the Heavenly Work Pavilion, originally the Heavenly Court’s Art of Non-Spirit research base.
"The Casting Cloud Sect is merely a department directly under the Heavenly Court."
The Nine-tailed Fox looked up at Cailin, blinking lightly: "Cailin Commander, why do you look like this every time the Emperor is mentioned?"
"Can’t I admire the Emperor?"
Cailin flicked her sleeve, humming lightly, not looking at the Nine-tailed Fox.
She spoke calmly,
"I’ve told you many times before, it was the Emperor who bestowed new life upon us beings.
"Even if the Emperor wants me to die now, it should be because the stability of the world and the survival of beings require me to make such a sacrifice.
"I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment."
The Nine-tailed Fox couldn’t help but raise her hand to her forehead: "There’s no saving you; blind loyalty isn’t this blind."
Cailin slightly pursed her lips: "Have you ever been directly controlled by the Heavenly Dao?"
The Nine-tailed Fox chuckled delicately: "I don’t have as rich a demonic experience as you."
"It was then I realized, death isn’t scary; it’s the inevitable end of living beings. What’s truly terrifying is being unable to die even if you wish to."
Cailin gently exhaled,
"I felt as if I were endlessly falling into an abyss, unable to see any light until a ray of light suddenly appeared before me.
"At first, I only felt gratitude towards the Emperor, thinking I should serve this savior.
"But later, as I watched the changes in heaven and earth, saw how the Hundred Clans went from struggling to gradually prospering, I understood we were not only about hatred, war, bullying the weak, or domination and humiliation.
"I admire the Emperor, serve the then order of the world, and am willing to give everything for it, is that wrong?"
The Nine-tailed Fox was left speechless.
She shook her head somewhat helplessly: "I can’t understand you all. I’m much simpler. My little life is in the Heavenly Emperor’s hands, and from now on, I can only wait for the Emperor to feel lonely to have a chance to turn things around."
Tschk!
Cailin drew her sword from its sheath.
"Just joking, just joking."
The Nine-tailed Fox quickly smiled apologetically, trying to dodge on the soft couch, instantly flooding the room with a springtime atmosphere.
Within the Lingxiao Hall in the Heavenly Court.
The Eastern King had turned to look at the clouds outside Lingxiao Hall.
With long-term experience assisting Xuanyuan Huangdi, the Eastern King had always been wary of the resource of beauty.
Li Ping’an also felt slightly awkward watching this scene, but now, to control the situation, he had no choice but to watch.
"Eastern King, what do you think?"
"Cailin Commander’s loyalty need not be doubted; they appear unaware of our observation, acting very naturally."
The Eastern King laughed and said,
"As for this unparalleled beauty, I believe when the Emperor feels lonely, he can seek comfort from her.
"Is this not where the manifestation of the ruler’s power lies? I imagine the two Heavenly Queens might turn a blind eye."
Li Ping’an glared at the Eastern King, who calmly looked upward.
Yet, with the incident involving Lady Ba, Li Ping’an indeed found himself at fault in this matter, unable to counter.
"Enough about loneliness."
Li Ping’an muttered, then forced himself to look towards Niu Benben’s location.
Niu Benben had gathered a hundred Heavenly Fury Guards, murmuring with them for a long time before the hundred simultaneously made a Heavenly Dao vow, strictly keeping the forthcoming matter confidential.
They underwent a simple disguise, donned ghost masks and black cloaks, then headed to the fox clan’s homeland to execute a plan devised by the Eastern King.
Upon reaching the homeland, the Heavenly Fury Guards busied themselves a great deal.