I am a boss in the world of nine uncles

The next day.

Daji secretly slipped out of the palace and went straight to Shen Gongbao's residence. As soon as they met, she asked bluntly, "What is it that you are in such a hurry to see me?"

Yesterday evening, the pheasant spirit secretly slipped into her room, claiming that Shen Gongbao had urgent business with her but dared not trespass into the palace, and hoped that she could go to Shen's residence.

However, she was on her way to seek out the King for cultivation at that time, so she had to postpone their meeting until today...

After all, no matter how urgent Shen Gongbao's matter was, she couldn't let it interfere with her own cultivation!
Shen Gongbao led Daji into the main hall, closed the door, turned around, and asked seriously, "Do you know about the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart?"

"What is a seven-aperture exquisite heart?" Daji asked in confusion.

"The so-called seven orifices refer to seven openings; the seven-aperture exquisite heart is the innate divine heart that possesses seven openings."

This heart is utterly loyal and wise, able to connect with heaven and earth, like a seed of the Dao born of nature.

"If a demon can obtain this heart, it will possess astonishing talent and wisdom in cultivation," Shen Gongbao said.

Daji narrowed her eyes: "So, what do you mean?"

“From my investigation, I have discovered that Bi Gan possesses a seven-aperture exquisite heart. If you can obtain this heart, you will surely possess unparalleled talent for cultivation,” Shen Gongbao said sincerely.

Daji's expression changed slightly: "You want me to kill Bigan? No, no, the king will be unhappy."

Shen Gongbao: "..."

Didn't you approach King Zhou for power? What does it matter to you whether he's happy or not?

"Master Shen, I am very grateful for your kindness, but I am not worthy of such a brilliant mind."

"Also, I advise you not to tell anyone about this, lest you bring trouble upon yourself." Daji said with a serious expression as he stood there, stunned.

Shen Gongbao asked, "Are you worried that King Zhou will find out?"

“One reason is that, and another reason is that Bigan is a good man and a loyal minister. How could I harm him for my own selfish desires?” Daji said, “Therefore, that so-called seven-aperture exquisite heart is better off without.”

Shen Gongbao: "..."

Not long after.

After reluctantly sending Daji away, Shen Gongbao had the pheasant spirit who lived with him bring the jade pipa spirit over, and asked with a smile, "Yuqing, do you want to possess top-tier cultivation talent?"

The jade pipa spirit's eyes lit up: "I want to!"

In terms of cultivation, effort is not entirely worthless compared to talent, but there is no comparison.

For example, a person with poor aptitude might cultivate diligently for a thousand years but still be no match for a talented cultivator who cultivates for a year—the gap is so vast that it is despairing.

That's why everyone wants to have top-tier cultivation talent.
Shen Gongbao then explained the concept of the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart again, and finally said with a sincere face, "If you are willing, I can devise a plan for you to obtain Bi Gan's Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart."

The jade pipa spirit hesitated and said, "Bi Gan was an important minister of the Yin Shang Dynasty. Would harming him harm the country and the state?"

Shen Gongbao thought to himself, "My goal is to harm the Shang dynasty."

On the surface, however, he said with a serious expression, "Don't worry, it won't happen. According to the Yin Shang system, let alone losing a vice minister, even if we lose a prime minister, there are plenty of people waiting to fill the position. This court can function normally without anyone except the king."

Out of goodwill and trust for him, the jade pipa spirit took a deep breath and asked, "Master Shen, what should I do?"

Shen Gongbao smiled slightly and said, "Tomorrow, I will invite the King to inspect the Deer Terrace. After the King leaves the palace, you will immediately enter the palace and use your magic to cause the Queen Consort great heartache."

Then find a way to tell Yin Jiao and Yin Hong that only Bi Gan's clever mind can save the Queen.

Therefore, for their mother's sake, they would inevitably turn against Bigan.

The jade pipa spirit nodded heavily: "I understand, thank you, Daoist Shen."

Shen Gongbao waved his hand and said, "No need to thank me, we're all on the same side..."

"She's one of your own, but am I not one of yours? If this is such a good thing, why are you thinking about her and not me? I was the one who met you first, and we're clearly the closest people."

After the Jade Pipa Spirit left happily, the Pheasant Spirit immediately questioned Shen Gongbao with a wronged expression.

Shen Gongbao quickly explained, "Good Qing'er, how could I only think about her and not about you?"

In fact, I did this simply to get revenge on Bigan.

"While your 'seven-aperture exquisite heart' is real, the backlash from killing Bi Gan is also real. I don't want to see you in danger."

The pheasant spirit asked suspiciously, "Really?"

“Of course it’s true, I swear to God,” Shen Gongbao said, raising his right hand.

The pheasant spirit then turned its anger into joy, and asked curiously, "What grudge do you have against Bigan?"

“That old scoundrel Bi Gan has made things difficult for me at every turn in the officialdom. If he hadn’t driven me to the brink, why would I have resorted to such ruthless measures?” Shen Gongbao said dismissively.

The pheasant spirit said, "Should we discuss this matter with my eldest sister again?"

“I’ve discussed it with her, but she’s been bewitched by King Zhou and won’t listen to any honest advice, so let’s leave her alone,” Shen Gongbao replied.

Inside the royal palace.

Shouxian Palace.

Qin Yao suddenly opened his eyes and said to Daji, who was sitting cross-legged opposite him, "I just sensed that Queen Jiang will face a calamity tomorrow. You will stay by her side tomorrow and help her resolve this calamity."

Shen Gongbao thought he could speak discreetly in his own home, but little did he know that the entire Chaoge was within Qin Yao's sensing range. Every word he spoke, every action he took, and even his innermost thoughts could not escape his surveillance.

If Qin Yao hadn't known that driving him away would be even more dangerous, and if Shen Gongbao hadn't been backed by the Jade Void Palace, he would have dealt with him long ago.

Daji asked curiously, "What calamity awaits the Queen?"

"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed; you will know tomorrow," Qin Yao said, waving his hand.

The next day.

Huanghua Post Station.

Tai Dian and Hong Wo, who had traveled a long way, bowed to Ji Chang and said, "Greetings, Lord Marquis."

"Why have you come?" Ji Chang asked with a tense expression. "Has something happened in Xiqi?"

The two shook their heads in unison. Tai Dian was the first to respond, saying, "Reporting to the Marquis, nothing has happened in Xiqi. It is the Second Young Master who is worried about the situation in Chaoge and has sent us to ask you for your advice on how Xiqi should deal with the future."

Ji Chang breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Did you bring any fierce soldiers with you this time?"

Hong Wo nodded: "We have three hundred strong soldiers, which can help the Marquis break out of the city when Chaoge is undefended."

Ji Chang waved his hand and said, "There's no need to fight our way out; we can just walk out."

The two were stunned.

Ji Chang then recounted to them how he had been pardoned, leaving the two men completely stunned.

King Zhou's actions are truly perplexing.

"My lord, does King Zhou truly value the eldest son so highly?" After a long while, Hong Wo couldn't help but ask.

Ji Chang said, "It might really be true... After all, there is no more reasonable explanation than this one."

Hong Wo: "..."

"Let's not say anything else, let's go, lest things change if we delay," Ji Chang ordered.

Tai Dian said, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to the eldest young master?"

“Saying goodbye to him is tantamount to telling everyone I’m leaving. There are probably many people in this city who want me dead. It’s better to be discreet,” Ji Chang said.

Immediately, they changed their clothes and quickly left Chaoge City, heading straight for the Five Passes. Qin Yao saw this scene clearly, but made no comment. Instead, he calmly surveyed the terrace, then suddenly said to Shen Gongbao beside him:
"Judging from this progress, it will be completed in three to five days at most. On the night of the full moon, I will hold a grand banquet to await the descent of the immortals."

Shen Gongbao's expression changed slightly, but he forced a smile and said, "Your subject understands."

Qin Yao smiled slightly: "You've worked hard supervising the construction of the Deer Terrace, my dear minister."

Shen Gongbao shook his head and said, "I do not feel tired at being able to share the king's burdens."

"Your loyalty is commendable," Qin Yao praised with a smile.

at the same time.

Central Palace Garden.

The jade pipa spirit hid inside a thicket, peering into the flowerbed through gaps in the branches and leaves.

But then he saw his elder sister sitting opposite the Queen, enjoying tea and flowers, chatting and laughing, showing no intention of leaving. He couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

Shen Gongbao told her that the deceptive and harmful operation had to be completed before noon, and it was already past noon. If she waited any longer, she wouldn't have enough time to complete the operation.

Thinking of this, the Jade Pipa Spirit transformed into a jade-colored butterfly and flew to Daji. Seeing her elder sister turn to look at her, she immediately whispered, "Elder sister, it's me."

Daji was startled and replied telepathically, "Why are you here?"

"You should leave here first, lest you be implicated," said the Jade Pipa Spirit.

Daji hurriedly asked, "Tell me first, how did you end up here?"

The jade pipa spirit succinctly said, "I came to injure the Queen's heart ailment, and thus plot against the Seven Orifices Exquisite Heart."

Daji's eyelids twitched suddenly: "Did Shen Gongbao send you?"

The jade pipa spirit asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

“There’s something fishy about this, you absolutely mustn’t do it,” Daji said telepathically. “Do you know where I live? Go there quickly and wait for me, I’ll come find you later.”

The jade pipa spirit said, "What's going on? Shen Gongbao went to great lengths to get me this opportunity, and I don't want to waste it."

"Do you believe me or Shen Gongbao?" Daji asked.

After hesitating for a moment, the jade pipa spirit finally flapped its wings and flew swiftly towards Daji's residence.

noon.

Upon hearing that the king had returned to the palace, Daji refused to have lunch with Queen Jiang and returned to her own palace as quickly as possible.

“Sister.” The jade pipa spirit sitting on the edge of the bed suddenly stood up and said.

Daji closed the door with a flick of her sleeve and asked sternly, "What did Shen Gongbao tell you?"

The jade pipa spirit immediately began to recount the story in detail, without hiding anything.

Daji pondered for a long time, then exhaled a long breath: "Shen Gongbao is suspicious."

"What's the problem?" the Jade Pipa Spirit asked.

"He also told me about the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart. I originally thought he was doing it for my own good, but now it seems he was clearly doing it for himself. The question is, why did he kill Bigan?" Daji said slowly.

The jade pipa spirit was not quite clear on this, so she said, "You didn't agree, but I did. Can't that be explained?"

"I can't explain it," Daji said. "You've overlooked a crucial point: among the three of us sisters, who has the best relationship with Shen Gongbao?"

The jade pipa spirit seemed to have grasped the key point: "Second Sister is closest to him!"

“That’s right. Since the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart is so useful, why did he choose you and me first instead of Qingqing? Given Qingqing’s jealous nature, can she accept this situation?” Daji asked rhetorically.

The jade pipa spirit finally realized: "That makes sense."

“It’s not just a suspicion, there’s something fishy going on from the start. Judging from this incident, Shen Gongbao is definitely not our ally.” Daji said, “Stay away from him in the future, lest you be used as a pawn by him again.”

"Then Second Sister..." the Jade Pipa Spirit said.

"It seems like they've already moved in together, haven't they? She's too deeply in love. If you tell her these things, it might backfire."

So, you should keep that in mind. If Qingqing ever falls into trouble in the future, the two of us will lend a hand,” Daji said.

That night.

Shenfu.

Shen Gongbao waited from dusk until midnight, but the Jade Pipa Spirit never appeared, and he grew increasingly anxious.

"Hey, stop spinning me, it's making me dizzy."

Inside the main room, the pheasant spirit sat cross-legged on a pear wood chair, his gaze following Shen Gongbao's figure back and forth, and couldn't help but say something.

Shen Gongbao suddenly stopped and asked, "Could something have happened to the jade chime?"

The pheasant spirit said, "What could possibly happen to her? King Zhou wasn't in the palace at the time, and my elder sister was there too."

“Go and go find her; I’m still uneasy,” Shen Gongbao said.

The pheasant spirit obediently stood up: "Okay, okay, you can wait patiently."

In the blink of an eye.

Five watch.

The pheasant spirit flew back with a glint of demonic light and said, "The jade chime was left behind by eldest sister."

Shen Gongbao's eyelids twitched: "Why?"

"My elder sister said that King Zhou is unfathomable and his strength is even greater than hers."

If they discover the trickery involved, not only will Qingqing be in deep trouble, but you and I will be in the same boat.

She also told us to behave ourselves and not to offend King Zhou. "The pheasant spirit said.

Shen Gongbao: "..."

A deep sense of powerlessness once again enveloped him, making his hands and feet cold, and even somewhat desperate.

"Oh, right, my elder sister also asked me to remind you to make sure you do a good job at the Gathering of Immortals."

The pheasant spirit said, "Given King Zhou's strength, you absolutely cannot just find a few demons to fool him, not even ordinary immortal cultivators."

It would be best to return to Jade Void Palace and invite a few True Immortals to come; otherwise, we won't be able to explain ourselves."

Shen Gongbao: "..."

Alas, I have no choice in the matter!
The next morning.

Shen Gongbao rode the wind back to Kunlun Mountain and warmly invited his fellow disciples to a banquet on the night of the full moon.

Despite his repeated requests and even his invitation on the grounds of his master's orders, only four people—Yun Zhongzi, Manjushri Guangfa Tianzun, Cihang Daoren, and Puxian Zhenren—accepted the invitation. The others declined for various reasons.

Left with no other choice, he had to leave Kunlun Mountain again and go to ask his fellow immortal friends to fill the seats. Finally, he managed to gather twelve guests, which made him feel that he had fulfilled his duty to King Zhou, and he was finally at ease.

Two days later.

It was the fifteenth of September, and preparations for the immortal banquet began early in the morning at Lutai.

On the high platform, there were twenty-four seats, corresponding to the twenty-four celestial beings; the imperial chefs had been busy since morning, chopping and preparing vegetables for the banquet. Palace servants continuously carried wine and drinks to the high platform so that the celestial beings could enjoy themselves.

Before they knew it, dusk had fallen. Qin Yao, accompanied by Daji, Bigan, Jiang Ziya, and a group of members of the royal family, arrived at the Deer Terrace first. He asked Shen Gongbao, who was greeting them, "My dear minister, which immortals have arrived today?" (End of this chapter)