After breaking up with my girlfriend, I became a Great Sage of the Demon Clan.

Wenquxing's words struck a chord with Zhao Wenhe. The more Zhao Wenhe looked at Wenquxing, the more she felt that he was a smart person and would surely be the pillar supporting her future great cause.

"Why must you do this, my dear minister?"

Zhao Wenhe got off the chair, went to Wenquxing, and helped the old man up.

Zhao Wenhe said gently.

"My dear minister, if we succeed in our great undertaking in the future, I will surely grant you the title of prime minister and enfeoff you as a marquis with ten thousand households."

Wenquxing was naturally extremely grateful.

Zhao Wenhe released Wenquxing's hand, and after taking a few steps away, the Empress asked again.

"My dear minister, how many mortals in this world can actually read?"

Wenquxing answered honestly.

"Less than 30% are illiterate."

Zhao Wenhe's expression turned cold.

"Nonsense! How can the nobles of this dynasty be so muddle-headed? Don't they know the ancient saying, 'The people can be led to follow a path, but not made to understand it'?"

Zhou Yan, who was squatting to the side, lowered his head and sneered.

The saying "The people may be made to follow a path, but they may not be made to understand it" means that the people can be given freedom, but they cannot be made to understand or comprehend knowledge, or rather, the thoughts of the rulers.

Simply put, it's a policy of keeping the people ignorant.

Zhao Wen just kept claiming to be a member of the Taisho royal family and saying that Bai Ze held the map. In reality, she was treating all the other awakened ones like fools. Because in the past, you could just wave any big flag and say that the Azure Heaven was dead and the Yellow Heaven should rise, or that there was an Eternal Mother and a Void Homeland, and you could make a bunch of uneducated peasants believe you, follow you, and take your words as gospel. You could get them everything from their wealth to their lives for free.

However, the current awakened group is literate at the very least, so no matter how big Zhao Wenhe's facade is or how nice his words are, people still think Zhao Wenhe is a fool.

Zhao Wenhe was angry because you guys wouldn't let me get something for free.

How can you guys be so smart?

Are the current rulers all out of their minds?

Why should we enlighten the people?

It wasn't until Wenquxing stood up and said that because of the great plague, the world would be in chaos, and Zhao Wenhe could make a lot of money, which would be shared with the awakened people listening to his instructions, that the other awakened people became excited.

Because Wenquxing (the God of Literature) views them as intelligent people (by Zhao Wenhe's standards). Only intelligent people can refrain from acting without seeing tangible benefits. If you don't offer concrete advantages or make empty promises, who will follow you?

Wenquxing echoed Zhao Wenhe's words.

"As the Tao Te Ching says, 'Those who were good at governing in ancient times did not enlighten the people, but rather kept them ignorant. The people are difficult to govern because they are too clever.' The current court does not understand the ancient teachings and does not respect the sages; this is a sign of the downfall of the country."

The saying of Wenquxing is also a line of thought. Lao Tzu said that ancient politicians who were able to govern a country should have understood that the policy of keeping the people ignorant was a national policy, because the people are difficult to govern because they are smart and the ruling class cannot be fooled.

Zhao Wenhe found Wenquxing's speech increasingly pleasant, and his use of classical allusions suggested he was a well-read scholar. So he inquired about it.

"Your family's scholarship must be long and rich, given how well you are familiar with the classics, my dear minister."

Wenquxing smiled smugly.

"The Ye family has been a scholarly family for five generations. Their ancestor during the Taisho era was Ye Xinxin, a great Confucian scholar from Run'an."

Zhao Wenhe's eyes lit up, and he said with delight.

"I once read your grandfather's 'Returning Home in the Snow,' and his small seal script was vigorous and well-formed, showing his profound understanding of literature."

Wenquxing clasped his hands and bowed.

"My ancestor was able to receive His Majesty's praise, which means he can rest in peace even in the afterlife."

Zhao Wenhe laughed heartily.

"Good, good, it is truly destiny that I am born alone, and not only am I accompanied by Bai Ze."

Zhao Wenhe looked at Zhou Yan, who had a gloomy face, and then at Wenquxing, who was outwardly respectful but inwardly plotting how to betray this woman and almost said he wanted to become her godfather.

"With a great Confucian scholar following in their footsteps, the Taisho era is in hope of revival."

Wenquxing dismounted his horse down the slope.

"Your Majesty, everything I said before was true. The Eastern Xia Federation is now ravaged by disease, and the federal government is tyrannical and has lost the trust of the people. We are waiting for Your Majesty to descend to earth. As long as Your Majesty holds the Bai Ze Diagram and brings auspicious signs, we can manipulate public opinion and win people's hearts. It will be as easy as turning your hand."

Although everyone can read nowadays, it is still necessary to have a legitimate reason for one's actions.

If Zhao Wenhe were to actually appear with the Bai Ze diagram, she would surely fool many people. These fooled people would then fool others, and so on. This would create a cycle where Zhao Wenhe is the emperor, or even someone whose name is recognized by Bai Ze, the representative of heaven. This would bind Zhao Wenhe's reputation to the idea that she truly is the emperor.

Once others believe it to be true, then whether it is true or not becomes irrelevant.

"only……"

Wenquxing smiled wryly.

"This great plague is probably..."

Zhao Wenhe waved his hand.

"I have a way to cure this great plague, and I can also ensure that this great plague does not harm my people."

Wenquxing pretended to be surprised.

"Is this true?"

Zhao Wenhe stood tall and proud.

"How could it be fake?!"

"Wonderful, wonderful! This is truly destiny on our side, Your Majesty. Our grand ambitions and great achievements are truly within our grasp."

Zhao Wenhe's face flushed with joy.

Wenquxing praised Zhao Wenhe a few more times, then said it was getting late and left Dawu Hall. Zhou Yan, who had been silent all along, followed him out. As soon as he left Dawu Hall, Zhou Yan thought to himself with a sarcastic tone.

"Old Ye, you really know how to talk. Zhao Wenhe was laughing like an idiot just now."

Wenquxing responded cheerfully.

"Scholars, what they excel at most is their eloquent tongue, right? If I wanted, I could use eighteen different ways to flatter you, and every single one of them would hit the nail on the head."

Wenquxing didn't want to talk about it at all. When he was young, he used his mouth to win the hearts of countless girls and then into their beds.

Zhou Yan smiled and shook his head, then said.

"Mr. Ye, I just thought of a method. It might work. I don't know how it will turn out, but I think it's worth a try."

Wenquxing asked in return.

"Young sir, you can tell me our relationship."

Zhou Yan looked at the twelve suspended immortal mountains outside Dawu Mountain.

"I want to visit those sacred mountains."

Wenquxing responded immediately.

"Those places are extremely dangerous; I can't even guarantee I'll survive them!"

Zhou Yan sighed.

"It's alright, these immortal mountains are all high-level illusions, and I'm immune to illusions."

While inside the Great Wu Palace, Zhou Yan had been pondering how to break the deadlock. Due to his own abilities and the conditions he could utilize, Zhou Yan thought long and hard, and finally decided on those few suspended immortal mountains.

Those immortal mountains were places that even Zhou Yan, who was immune to illusions, could not see through. They had obviously reached the point of solidifying illusions into reality. This level of illusion must be maintained by some terrifying powerful being.

I might be able to gain the support of this powerful figure. And then, even if I can't kill Zhao Wenhe directly, I can just open the sealed Penglai Island and let the Four Divine Beasts in.

Wenquxing said with concern.

"Young sir, I still think..."

"I will take Qingcai with me."

The Nine-Colored Deer was a mythical beast that the Antarctic Longevity Emperor kept and loved very much. Moreover, Qingcai had stayed in Penglai Dawu Mountain for more than two hundred years. Zhou Yan always felt that if there was a powerful being in Penglai, he would definitely recognize Qingcai. With this connection to Qingcai, Zhou Yan felt that the danger was mitigated.

After all, not every immortal beast is like Zhao Wenhe, the madman who dared to slaughter the Heavenly Emperor's dojo. Even the so-called Great Sage of the Spiritual Heart, the true dragon, was scared away when he heard Zhao Wenhe say he wanted to restore his kingdom.

Wenquxing was silent for a moment, then responded.

"It is a blessing for all people that the young gentleman has such a heart."

Zhou Yan chuckled softly.

"However, I am currently infected with the plague and am being monitored by Zhao Wenhe. Elder Ye, you must find a way to prevent Zhao Wenhe from finding out and running away."

Wenquxing chuckled softly.

"This is a trivial matter. Young sir, you should go to sleep now. I will use my magic in your dream to create a fake body for you, ensuring that you are protected from the plague and can also escape Zhao Wenhe's sight."

Zhou Yan couldn't help but sigh, it's so convenient to have a big shot helping you, if he were all alone now, he probably wouldn't be able to do anything.

After parting ways with Wenquxing, Zhou Yan went to Xiao'an Palace. Without petting the fox or sucking the nine-colored deer, he went straight to his bedroom, lay down, and closed his eyes.

Darkness soon descended.

"Young Master."

The voice of Wenquxing appeared in Zhou Yan's ear. Zhou Yan shuddered, and a bright light appeared before his eyes. Then Zhou Yan saw the bed where he was lying and sleeping. The young man got up, and when he got up, his hand touched something. When he turned around, Zhou Yan saw a guy who looked exactly like him lying on the bed.

Zhou Yan looked up the guy's attributes.

Name: Illusory Dream Illusion

Effect: The fake body, composed of literary energy, is almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Zhou Yan got out of bed and walked towards the entrance of Xiao'an Palace.

At the doorway, Su Xiaowan and the Chongming bird were both lying on the ground, snoring away.

The nine-colored deer that was originally munching on weeds on the ground now raised its head and stared blankly at the other nine-colored deer munching on weeds in front of her.

"elder brother……"

The nine-colored deer stretched out its little hooves and pointed at the little creature in front of her that looked just like her.

"This girl, this girl, is she my sister?"

Zhou Yan: "..."

No, it's a fake created by the God of Literature.

Zhou Yan walked to the Nine-Colored Deer, picked up the silly little thing, and the Nine-Colored Deer looked at Zhou Yan in confusion.

Zhou Yan said in a low voice.

"Qingcai, go play with your brother."

This kid is so easy to fool, he believes everything you say.

The nine-colored deer's eyes lit up instantly.

"Mmm, I'll go play with my brother, hehe, brother, where do you want to go..."

Zhou Yan silently hugged the nine-colored deer and ran towards the nearest floating immortal mountain.

In the distance, a mountain peak.

Wenquxing stood atop the mountain, hands behind his back, and the old man murmured to himself.

"I never imagined that I, an old man over a hundred years old, would have to rely on a minor child."

"The more you try to get by, the worse you'll get."

Chapter Thirty: The Grotto-Heaven on the Mountain

After Zhou Yan awakened the Lesser Universe skill, he gained the ability to step on air, meaning he could step on any point in space. This was not flying, but it was better than flying.

With the help of Wenquxing, Zhou Yan created a fake Nine-Colored Deer. Zhou Yan then carried the Nine-Colored Deer and flew through the air at supersonic speed towards the nearest floating immortal mountain.

After these floating immortal mountains appeared, Zhou Yan observed them. According to the information given by Bai Ze's ability, they were creations made by condensing the illusory into the real through very high-level illusion techniques. Because these things were so fake that they were real, even Zhou Yan's ∞ spirit, which was immune to all illusion techniques, could not see through the core of these illusion techniques.

If you can't see through it, so be it. This isn't the time to be particular. Zhou Yan just wants to find the mastermind behind the illusion as soon as possible.

The nine-colored deer in Zhou Yan's arms wiggled a few times, feeling uncomfortable, so it transformed into a little girl's human form. This little one was easy to move around with because of her small size, and she asked happily.

"Brother, brother, where are we going next? Shall we play hide-and-seek, or jump rope? Qingcai is really good at jump rope."

"stop!"

A flock of cranes suddenly flew out from a floating immortal mountain that Zhou Yan was visiting. The cranes formed a line and surrounded Zhou Yan.