He uses himself as bait to disguise the true target.

"Joyful God Money" might be part of the plan.

Or perhaps, it's just to distract them...

Thinking of this, Li Yan fell into deep thought, then spoke: "In that case, let's play along with him."

"We'll stay in the city to bide time, occasionally making some commotion to let King Shu lower his guard."

"Esteemed seniors, there are many rebels in the city, a frontal assault is not advisable. You should find a way out of the city, contact Mingshanzi in Qingcheng, and together resolve the issue at the Dujiangyan."

"This plan is foolproof."

Situ Bo understood instantly upon hearing this.

Although he was eager to personally deal with Situ Qian, he also knew that after this matter, it would be difficult to find another opportunity.

Even if there were, it would likely be a trap.

It would be better to leave the city; without King Shu's large army, their power could be fully utilized.

After setting the strategy, everyone didn't waste words and went to rest, with only Tea Gu Maiden Liang Yu continuing to care for Granny Jin.

Li Yan also found a rundown house to rest in.

By this time, the night had long fallen, the wind and snow had ceased, and the bright moon hung high. He took out the yellow silk he had obtained earlier and, under the moonlight like frost, examined it.

This item, strictly speaking, is a Yellow Silk Scripture Banner Scroll, about nine inches long, matching the "highest yang number." The outer layer is gilded yellow silk, with a black silk lining, symbolizing "the union of heaven and earth," and it is exquisitely made.

The front is embroidered with densely packed small vermillion characters:

Reverently serve, Qingling Cave, Beidou Palace.

With forty-two divisions, and ninety million figures.

Ruling over the Three Realms, ten directions, nine lands, mastering Five Peaks, Eight Extremes, and four corners...

This is the Earth Official's Absolution of Sins Treasure Decree.

Besides this, only the corners have some cloud patterns outlined.

Li Yan, thoughtful as he was, activated his divine skills to investigate.

As expected, just like before, there was no sign of any foreign energy.

It seems that after its previous use, all its power was already depleted.

The Earth Official's full title is "Zhongyuan Second Rank Amnesty Earth Official Qing Xu Great Emperor," one of Taoism's Three Officials, ruling over Yin and Yang, sin and blessings, and mastering Five Peaks, Eight Extremes, and four corners.

The belief in the Three Officials has never waned, with a broad base from official, Mystical Sect, to the folk, regularly worshipped.

If the Daluo Law Realm's rules are indeed as he imagined, then the power of this Qing Xu Great Emperor must be extremely terrifying.

Could it be that Zhao Changsheng and the others have this deity behind them?

No, that doesn't make sense...

Perhaps they have another way to obtain this treasure.

In the future, it's probably necessary to pay more attention to such information...

Thinking of this, the image of Yang Chenghua came to mind.

This one is the True Monarch of Er Lang, not weaker than any other entity. If he can successfully ascend, enter the Daluo Law Realm, he might also be a formidable figure.

With him, there might be a chance to glimpse the mysteries of the Dharma Realm...

......

At the hour of Hai, in the rear hall of Shu Prince Mansion.

This hour is also known as "the hour when people settle," and unless there's a special occasion, like the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth of the first month, citizens should already be asleep.

However, within the grand hall, it remains brightly lit.

King Shu leaned slantingly on the throne, holding a wine cup in one hand while another foot dangled over the dragon-patterned armrest, his features old and solemn, but his manner was utterly nonchalant.

Servants and maids below passed dishes and poured wine, each with head lowered, silent.

It's the first time they've seen King Shu in such a manner, recalling some of the palace's hidden rumors, and they felt even more fear in their hearts.

Only three people were below.

The Blood Shaman, Black Sect Lama, and Situ Qian.

At this moment, Situ Qian was already tense all over; seeing the nonchalant demeanor of the Blood Shaman and Black Sect Lama made him even sweatier on his forehead.

He knew this "King Shu" was finally about to lay cards on the table!

He wasn't a fool; he had long suspected.

The "King Shu" before him was not the real one.

Most likely possessed by some master.

It was simply audacious!

Bear in mind, today's Great Xuan Dynasty is not like the Great Song of the past, especially since it involves the current emperor's brother.

Even the Taixuan Orthodox Sect would not take this lightly.

Outside the grand hall, there were over a hundred Black Feather Guards, armed with Divine Fire Guns, guarding all crucial paths.

If not handled well today, it might mean death here!

"King Shu" sat high on the dais, the scene below fully visible, yet he didn't rush to speak with Situ Qian. Instead, he gestured with his hand for the maid to leave, then said, "Have the funds been distributed?"

The Black Sect Lama quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and replied, "Reporting to Sir, it's all been distributed. The spies surveying the city have reported back that the citizens love it, some carrying it on them, others making adornments out of it."

"Very good."

"King Shu" nodded in satisfaction, "All is ready except the east wind, but this east wind still hasn't shown up..."

He then glanced at Situ Qian, "Daoist Situ, there's someone hidden in my palace whom you must have met, what did he tell you?"

Situ Qian's body stiffened, unsure of what to say.

"King Shu" took a sip of wine and serenely said, "Actually, no need to guess; I know he must have said I'm using you all to dig for treasure myself..."

"He would also say to cooperate with you for treasure hunting."

"Am I right?"

Situ Qian's eyelid twitched, forcing a strained smile, "That person obviously harbors malice, naturally I wouldn't fall for it."

"King Shu" gave a slight smile, "Aren't you curious about what treasure I'm digging for?"

Situ Qian remained silent, not knowing what to say.

Curiosity was certainly there; staging such a grand setup, it surely wasn't some Dragon Palace Water Mansion, but he dared not speak frankly.

"Have you ever heard... of the Nine Tripod?"

"King Shu" held his wine and looked beyond the hall.

"Nine Tripod?!"

Situ Qian abruptly stood up, his face full of disbelief.

"King Shu" nodded, "The Nine Tripod is truly a National Guardian Divine Artifact of incredible power, able to resurrect the dead, heal broken bones, and mend your wounds with ease."

"It could even grant longevity, not an issue."

Given the situation, Situ Qian couldn't bother with anything else, he bit the bullet and cupped his hands, "Pardon my impertinence, the Nine Tripod, as grand as it sounds, is nothing but a National Guardian Divine Artifact, capable of masking one's aura."

"Helping someone achieve longevity seems unattainable, doesn't it?"

"Hahahah..."

Suddenly the Blood Shaman spoke up, laughing, "When the Nine Tripod was first forged, its symbolic meaning was more significant, but back then Emperor Shi drowned them in the Divine State's earth vein, migrating with the three great dragon veins."

"Over thousands of years, it absorbed infinite spiritual energy from the earth vein, already achieving communication with God, gathering Divine State's Qi Fortune, even immortals descending would covet it."

"If not for this, would we be willing to serve?"

Situ Qian's expression was uncertain.

For a long while, he finally bent over, cupped his fists, and spoke:

"What do you need me to do?"

He wasn't driven by greed; rather, if he didn't agree today, he might not leave this hall alive.

"Simple."

"King Shu" calmly said: "'Joyful God Money' is a Curse Artifact, I want the streets of Chengdu to be deserted on the fifteenth of the first month, filled with lunatics. Yet, the person who was supposed to preside over the rituals has second thoughts."

"Tomorrow, I will release information, letting you use the Netherworld Stage as the array eye. Once he knows, he will certainly reveal himself to find you."

Situ Qian's eyes narrowed, "I am not his match."

The "King Shu" in front no longer concealed anything, revealing some of his aura, but the depth of its Dao was such that he couldn't gauge it.

Such a situation he had only seen in the Class Leader of the Ghost Theater Troupe.

No matter who this "King Shu" was, being able to hide under such a person's nose, it was evident that this mysterious person was similarly formidable.

"Don't worry."

"King Shu" said with a calm expression: "Just agree. I'm just providing a stage; he also understands the intention."

"At least until the treasure is unearthed, he won't turn against us."

"Alright!"

Situ Qian, with no choice, had to nod in agreement.

"King Shu" then looked at the Blood Shaman, his gaze slightly cold, "With several failures, at your ability to handle matters, you might not have the right to use the Nine Tripod after it's unearthed."

The Blood Shaman immediately lowered his head, "Please, sir, give another chance."

His face was pale, partly due to the large consumption today and partly out of fear.

"King Shu" nodded: "Before the fifteenth of the first month, Chengdu Prefecture may seem relaxed outside but should be tightened inside. I want the people to be festive, while you secretly visit and investigate, ensuring all the rats in and outside the city are drawn into Chengdu."

"If you can kill them, do so. If not, at least keep them in the city."

"I guarantee to not let you down."

The Blood Shaman's heart finally eased when he heard this.

After they departed, when the grand hall was empty, "King Shu" looked at the wine in his cup and murmured:

"When the Nine Tripod emerges, the Divine State sinks."

"Hmph, if you block the way, don't blame others for overturning the table..."

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