Yefutidaolu

Chapter 351 A Shocking Choice

However, Gao Jian remained unusually calm in the face of Yuan Lu's overwhelming pressure, which could almost crush mountains.

He even bowed slightly, his movements displaying just the right amount of respect.

"Your Majesty is wise," Gao Jian's voice was clear and steady. "We must always have some backup plans."

Yuan Lu frowned.

Just as Yuan Lu's eyes grew colder as he pondered how to make the most of this last opportunity to exert pressure or lay a trap, Gao Jian made a move that Yuan Lu had never expected.

Gao Jian calmly took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his sleeve, which exuded a specific aura—the aura of an official seal.

He lifted it with both hands, bowed slightly, and handed it to Yuan Lü.

"Please take a look at this item, Ancestor."

Yuan Lu's eyes narrowed slightly, and his powerful divine sense instantly swept over the talisman. The contents clearly entered his mind—it was a dictionary bearing Gao Jian's personal seal!
The content was:
"Your Majesty, I was appointed Imperial Commissioner of Liangzhou to oversee border affairs. I have fortunately fulfilled my mission. However, Liangzhou is a small prefecture, and after this chaos, the people are exhausted and destitute. They eat grass roots in the morning and tree bark in the evening. Their poverty is already a serious problem. Furthermore, with the war still raging and taxes still levied, the number of people fleeing has increased. Officials are becoming increasingly ruthless and corrupt, and the weak and foolish are easily bribed by those in power. All of this is my fault."

"Your Majesty, I am limited in ability and have been in a very difficult situation. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to postpone the campaign and hold it in another year to avoid further trouble and disruption. This is why we, the common people, are poor and bored, heartbroken and yearning for rebellion. There are still hidden dangers of unrest on the border."

"While I was stationed at the border, I nearly captured the Hu tribe alive, only to have them escape again. I cannot help but feel some regret that the enemy chieftain was allowed to flee among tens of thousands of troops. Surely not a single person knew of this. I intend to first send elite troops to consult with both the living and the dead, or to lie in ambush on either side, so that when the enemy general arrives, he can raise a signal to ambush him. Then, I will follow up with the main force. The enemy general will be attacked from both sides, as if he has wings, and there will be no escape. This is a plan for the lasting peace of the border. To atone for my sins, I have rushed to report this to the emperor. I humbly request that you gentlemen discuss it quickly and issue your instructions, and earnestly request your approval for implementation."

The meaning of these words is very simple.

Gao Jian said that he had not done a very good job and felt guilty. Seeing that the people of Liangzhou were still under threat from the Hu people and were engulfed in war, he hoped that the Divine Dynasty would give them some forgiveness.

Now, there is still a chance to make amends. I hope the Divine Dynasty will give him this opportunity. He will cooperate with Youming to solve the border problems forever.

Gao Jian used this as a reason to refuse the emergency recall order from the Divine Dynasty!

He refused!
Although everything was settled, he immediately left, and Yuan Lu still had to politely see him off.

But now, Takami himself has rejected all of that!
Even Yuan Lu was surprised at this moment.

His eyes narrowed sharply. He had anticipated that Gao Jian would beg for mercy, feign compliance, and try to use the imperial decree to escape... but he never expected that the other party would actually give up this only way out! Leaving him completely in Yuan Lu's hands?!
This is simply...unbelievable!
Just as Yuan Lu was reeling from shock and uncertainty, Gao Jian raised his head. A calm smile appeared on his face as he met Yuan Lu's chilling gaze and clearly stated:
"Don't worry, Ancestor."

"What I promised, you are wise... I will never go back on my word."

Inside the library, there was a deathly silence. Only Gao Jian's calm words echoed.

Yuan Lu was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Good! Young friend, you truly have spirit!"

A loud, unrestrained laugh echoed throughout the area.

"Good! Good! Good!" Yuan Lu exclaimed three times, his laughter gradually subsiding, but the gleam in his eyes grew even more captivating. He re-examined the excessively young imperial envoy before him, his tone filled with undisguised admiration and inquiry, "Young friend! Insightful, young friend! You truly... possess great spirit! Great courage!"

He strode forward: "I have lived for a thousand years and have seen countless outstanding talents, as well as many reckless madmen! But you are the first person to dare to deliberately destroy his only path to survival and put himself in a deadly situation in front of me!"

He stared at Gao Jian with great interest. "Can you tell me what you're thinking?"

Yuan Lu was indeed shaken.

Gao Jian's move completely disrupted his predictions.

By choosing to stay, Gao Jian was essentially abandoning the protection of the Divine Dynasty and exposing himself completely to the clutches of Yuan Lu! This courage and almost insane decisiveness forced him to reassess this young man.

Whatever Gao Jian's intentions may be, his courage and scheming in putting himself in a desperate situation deserve his serious consideration.

Faced with Yuan Lu's oppressive scrutiny and blunt questioning, Gao Jian's expression remained calm as still water. He even slightly straightened his robes, which had become slightly wrinkled from sitting for a long time, his demeanor composed and unhurried, as if he were facing not a giant of the Twelve Realms who held the power of life and death, but an elder with whom he could discuss the Dao on equal terms.

"You flatter me, Ancestor." Gao Jian bowed, his voice clear and resonant, and began his eloquent discourse:
“Firstly,” Gao Jian raised his head, his clear gaze meeting Yuan Lu’s, “I am a junior who has just entered the path of cultivation. Although I have been promoted by the Divine Dynasty, I am just a frog at the bottom of a well, and my view of the world is limited to a small area. The Ancestor is the first great power of the twelfth realm that I have ever met. He possesses the great power to reverse the universe and glimpse the cycle of reincarnation. Standing on the mountain peak, he is like the North Star hanging in the sky, shining for eternity. To be able to know the Ancestor, discuss the Dao, and even trade with him is already an immense opportunity for me.”

"I often think that the path of cultivation is long and arduous. It is better to have one more friend than one more enemy. Our ancestor is a powerful figure in both the realms of the living and the dead, with a deep and profound foundation. Although I am not talented, I know the principle of going with the flow and rising by taking advantage of the situation. If I were to offend our ancestor due to some misunderstanding or shortsightedness, it would be neither the act of a wise person nor the wish of this junior. These are my heartfelt words, and I earnestly hope that our ancestor will understand."

Yuan Lu's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not interrupt.

"Secondly," Gao Jian changed the subject, his tone becoming more pragmatic, "I have a heavy responsibility and personal aspirations on this journey. Although the Divine Dynasty is vast and rich in resources, it also has its limitations and cannot be entirely satisfactory. However, the Netherworld... has profound cultural heritage and abundant secrets. For example, the mysteries within this Scripture Pavilion have already benefited me greatly in just seven days, and I feel that the road ahead is much clearer. My desires are not limited to this."

"The Lesser Reincarnation Method is profound and unfathomable, a stepping stone to immortality; the Earth's spiritual veins contain the essence of heaven and earth, possessing the power to transform the world. This junior dares to offer my meager talents and serve with utmost loyalty to assist the Ancestor in perfecting this method. At the same time... I also hope to borrow the Ancestor's favor to absorb the power of the netherworld and the celestial realm, forging my own foundation for the Great Dao in the future. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, where each gets what they need. I wonder if the Ancestor... would be willing to give this junior another chance to find such a powerful backer?"

Gao Jian's words, while pointing out what Yuan Lu wanted, positioned himself as a genius seeking cooperation and resources, adopting a sufficiently humble and tempting stance.

Hearing Gao Jian's words, Yuan Lu's eyes flashed, clearly weighing his options. However, Gao Jian wasn't ready to stop yet; he continued:
“Thirdly,” Gao Jian continued, throwing out an even more enticing bait, “I once had a… affair with a noblewoman from the Dragon Palace named Dan Sha on the shores of the East Sea. This woman has a special identity, and I became acquainted with her by chance. Deep within the Dragon Palace lies the secret of the ‘True Explanation of Transformation and Return to Origin,’ which she might be able to introduce me to. However, both she and I are of lowly status, and it will require the Ancestor’s personal intervention for the matter to be accomplished.”

Gao Jian, observing the subtle changes in Yuan Lu's expression, continued, "Ancestor, you wish to accomplish the great task of becoming an Earth Immortal, and the Lesser Cycle is the foundation for achieving the Dao. If I could use my past connections and your prestige to find out the whereabouts of this scripture, or even obtain it... wouldn't that be a timely help to your great cause? I ask for little, only that when you succeed, you share some of the opportunity to comprehend this Dao with me, helping me to glimpse the path of reincarnation. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement; what do you think, Ancestor?"

Gao Jian's words implied that he could help Yuan Lu obtain key resources and hoped to share the profits.

After stating his three reasons, Gao Jian bowed slightly, his tone still calm, yet carrying a powerful confidence and a subtle sharpness, as he looked directly into Yuan Lu's eyes, which seemed to pierce through one's heart:
"Ancestor, are these three reasons sufficient?"

"Senior Yuanlu, what do you think..."

"Do you think I'm qualified to take these things?"

Silence fell once again inside the library.

Qin Long glanced at Gao Jian, who remained motionless like a stone, but he clearly understood that Gao Jian was plotting against him.

Yuan Lu remained silent, his gaze sweeping over Gao Jian as if he were judging the truth and weight of his words.

Gao Jian's words were clear and logical, with sufficient reasoning. He included both Yuan Lu's and his own needs, without neglecting either party. To be honest, they were very tempting.

Making friends with powerful figures, seeking resources, plotting the Great Dao together, and even providing clues to the Dragon Palace's secret treasures... each of these seems to explain why he was willing to stay and abandon the protection of the Divine Dynasty.

The surprise and doubt in Yuan Lu's eyes were gradually replaced by a deep scrutiny with a hint of appreciation.

Regardless of whether Gao Jian had ulterior motives, his courage, his planning, and his calm demeanor as he spoke confidently in front of him were enough to make him temporarily suppress his murderous intent.

A living, insightful opinion that can bring great value is indeed more useful than a dead imperial envoy.

however……

Yuan Lu will never know what kind of shocking, insane, true thought was hidden deep within Gao Jian's calm eyes.

Three reasons?

Every word and phrase is a lie!

He has one purpose, and only one purpose.

That means killing Yuan Lu!
This insane plan is like dancing on a tightrope over a precipice; the slightest misstep could lead to annihilation and eternal damnation!
But Gao Jian's smile appeared even more sincere and open, like a young talent genuinely seeking cooperation and protection, awaiting the judgment of his senior.

After a while, Yuan Lu said, "Just for your courage, I can agree, but there is a problem. You have already ruined the exchange of resources with the Dragon Palace. Originally, we would have enough resources once we obtained the souls of the billion people in Liangzhou, but you have cut off this matter. Tell me, what should I use to exchange with the Dragon Palace for the 'True Explanation of Transformation and Return to Origin'?"

"Ancestor, you are being far too cautious. You have gone to great lengths to plunder a billion souls, but all you are looking for is resources. There are so many resources in the world, why worry about not being able to exchange them for what the true dragon needs? Why bother with ordinary people? Many immortal sects and aristocratic families have accumulated over a thousand years. Just pick one of them and you will have all the resources you need."

Yuan Lu narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he were re-evaluating the audacious young man before him.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Ordinary wealth is like wild grass in the forest, growing in spring and withering in autumn, endlessly regenerating. Although what we take is meager, its advantage lies in its inexhaustible nature. We can use it without restraint, and even accumulating grains of sand into a tower can be sufficient for our needs."

Then he said, “The treasures of the immortal sects and aristocratic families are like hidden treasures in a box, accumulated over generations, with profound foundations. However, their connections are far-reaching and intricate. If we were to take them by force… we risk attracting a pack of wolves and turning against ourselves, which is not the way of a wise man. As you know, Cang and Liang are remote and poor, making them easy to take. However, although their families are weak, many have blood ties and Daoist connections with the central nobility. To act rashly would be tantamount to playing with fire and only creating more obstacles.”

"It seems that you, Gao Jian, escaped by taking risks and luck in the past when you were with the Jin family. However, if you were to use such ruthless methods again in the heart of the capital, under the watchful eyes of everyone... even if I were to support you from behind, it would be difficult to silence the public's opinions. Moreover, the laws of the Divine Dynasty are strict, and it is probably not that simple."

Faced with Yuan Lu's questioning, Gao Jian's smile remained unchanged, even appearing more composed: "Ancestor's thoughts are thorough and insightful. However..." He changed the subject, posing the question that had also piqued Yuan Lu's curiosity, "What I did previously violated a great taboo. Logically, countless enemies should have wanted to eliminate me. Yet, why has no one sought revenge against me so far? Does Ancestor know the reason?"

A glint flashed in Yuan Lu's eyes, clearly intrigued: "Oh? Why?" This was indeed a thought-provoking question. Given the commotion Gao Jian had caused at the Jin family, he had offended far more than a few powerful figures; logically, he should have already faced retaliation.

Gao Jian said casually, "Actually... it's extremely simple. It's just that... they all think that I didn't do this, including you, senior."

Yuan Lu's gaze turned serious.

"I am not the one who wields the knife, but... I am merely a knife."

"Whether it's the Jin family or the Zuo family, they have entrenched themselves in a state, their roots deep and powerful, and they have long been seen as a chronic problem by some people. My actions may seem reckless, but they actually suit the wishes of certain pawns. They are happy to see these powerful families weakened or even eliminated, but they are reluctant to get involved themselves due to the dignity of these families and their intricate networks of relationships, lest they be branded as 'slaughtering their colleagues'."

"At this moment, my 'knife' appears. Sharp, useful, and... its origins are clear, its motives are well-defined. Everything I do, no matter how ruthless, will ultimately be used by those true masters of the game. They only need to stand by and watch, or secretly fuel the flames, to reap the benefits. Once these targets fall, the vacated profits will be divided among them. And my 'knife' will certainly not be noticed."

“This trick might work on you, but it won’t work on me. I’m not on the chessboard anymore; I’ve escaped,” Yuan Lu said.

"That's hard to say, senior." Gao Jian smiled. "Have you really broken through to the twelfth realm?"

(End of this chapter)