Chapter 2234 - Inside and Outside the Game, Variables Billow Like Fog

Two people sat on the ground atop an unassuming little hillock.

One was a young man. He was dressed in black, and his eyes were covered with a black cloth.

The other was a thoroughly wrinkled, bony old man whose nose was red from drinking. He wore oily cloth robes.

“Victory in this chess game doesn't lie within the game itself. The ancient Xi Family are pawns in this game, but aren’t Xun Hong and the other Three Purities Daoist Court experts pawns too?”

The old man brewed tea over a fire, and its fragrance wafted into the air.

“You’re wrong.” The young man with his eyes covered said, “The way I see it, winning this chess match requires going inside it. If you don’t enter these turbid waters yourself, you cannot see who are the players and who are the pawns.”

The young man raised a cup of tea and drained it. “Take now, for instance. Who knows how many other old-timers have hidden themselves in the shadows around Skybright Mountain?

“Some are allied with the Three Purities Daoist Court. Some are out to seize the power of reincarnation for themselves.

“Others are from spacetime forbidden zones. Each of these experts of other eras has their own motives.

“Others still are lying in wait for an opportunity to loot a burning house and reap the rewards of others’ conflicts.

“All of them are hidden in the darkness. There’s no way to know if they’re human or ghost, or gods or demons, much less what they’re after.

“From their perspective, this chess game will be far too dull without a few variables. After all, for the Three Purities Daoist Court, simply slaughtering the Xi Family would take no more effort than turning their hand. That alone is in no way worth watching.”

The young man in black set down his teacup and said, “So long as variables arise, those old-timers hidden in the darkness will step forth, one by one.

“But when they get involved in the game, they’ll become pawns, too.”

The old man just smiled in response. “Then who do you think is qualified to be the players of this game?”

The young man in black pondered briefly, then shook his head. “This game is far too great, with numerous competing factions. No one faction could possibly control the entire game. Admittedly, the Three Purities Daoist Court started this game, but when it comes time to play, they won’t be able to control what variables arise!“

The old man laughed. “Ah, but the way I see it, there are only two players in this game: Su Yi, and his enemies.

“No matter what they’re planning, and no matter whether they stand with the Three Purities Daoist Court or not, if they oppose Su Yi in today’s chess game, they can be counted among his enemies!”

The young man in black pondered briefly, then nodded. “Looking at it that way is simpler, but... there are too many variables. You have to consider the game in its entirety.”

The old man sighed, straight from the heart. “It’s true. We’re currently situated outside the chess game, but not even we can predict what variables will arise, much less the people directly involved

The young man said suddenly, “How about we seize this opportunity to make a bet?”

“What kind of bet?” The old man raised the teapot and refilled their cups. The fragrance of tea wafted into the air, soothing and ethereal.

“A bet on the ultimate victor,” said the young man. “If Su Yi emerges victorious in this chess match, I won’t participate any further. If he loses, you are not to interfere.”

He raised his teacup. “That’s fair, don’t you think?”

The old man smiled and asked in response, “But what if Su Yi wins a complete victory and kills until the ground runs red with rivers of blood? Are you sure you can stay out of it?”

The young man fell briefly silent before saying calmly, “That’s the price of losing. No matter who wins and who loses, we must both accept the outcome. If I lose... I can bear it.”

The old man sighed. “Is using people as pawns, heedless of their life and death, really okay?”

The young man said calmly, “If you’re so compassionate, go urge Su Yi to give up the secrets of reincarnation and the Epoch Spark, and this storm will blow over without a single casualty.”

The old man fell silent, then took a sip of tea. “Very well. This old man has lived a long, long time. I don’t mind gambling with you today.”

The young man was just about to say something when he saw the silver-robed “Ai Kun” appear before Skybright Mountain.

“Ai Kun?” The young man in black sounded confused. “Isn’t that your disciple?”

“It’s a fake name,” said the old man, the corners of his lips twitching imperceptibly. “His real name is Si Ming, and he’s always been intractably stubborn and unfettered. He does, however, have a rare and precious, supremely pure filial heart.”

“Si Ming? ‘Si’ means to control, and ‘Ming’ means ‘destiny.’ How could you give him a name like that? Aren’t you afraid of incurring heaven’s wrath?” asked the young man in black.

The old man laughed. “I don’t dare covet the powers of heaven. It’s enough for him to be the master of his own fate.”

“You ought to know that not even people like us have absolute control over our destinies,” said the young man. “Take now, for instance. Your disciple was the first to jump out into the open. If Su Yi loses, your lineage’s only legacy disciple is doomed beyond a doubt.”

The old man said, “When you conduct yourself, you must be daring enough to take the lead. The one who takes the first step forward plays a crucial role in determining the outcome. It is, admittedly, dangerous, but what if he succeeds?”

The young man pondered briefly, then suddenly looked up. His eyes were obscured by black cloth, yet he looked directly at the old man seated across from him.

“I understand. You have a few years left, and you want to arrange a grand stroke of good fortune for your disciple. You want him to have true control over his fate when he one day touches upon the River of Destiny!”

The young man sighed. “When parents love their children, they take care to ensure their long-term prospects. You’re his master, but your concern for him is no less than that of a parent!”

The old man drank a cup of tea and said, “You exaggerate, Fellow Daoist. The chess game has only just begun, so it’s too early to draw any conclusions.”

The young man nodded. “That’s what I was about to say.”

With that, he raised his cup and took a sip.

......

Meanwhile, in front of Skybright Mountain.

When “Ai Kun” appeared, he instantly became the center of attention.

Their expressions shifted, especially when they heard that he was here to deliver Su Yi an enormous gift.

Don’t tell me that Su Yi invited him here?

Xi Ning couldn’t help but ask, “Did Fellow Daoist Su send you?”

Si Ming smiled and shook his head. “I came here of my own accord without asking for Su Yi’s approval.”

He paused, then said, “The Xi Family is merely a pawn in this game. Allow me to take your place and act as a pawn instead. You just need to stand back and watch.”

Si Ming turned, then swept his gaze across Xun Hong and the others before bursting into laughter. “That goes for you, too. You might seem imposing, but in truth, you’re mere pawns. You’re just knives in the hands of the old-timers watching from the shadows!”

Uproar ensued. Si Ming’s words unquestionably implied that even more terrifying existences were hidden beneath the surface of this storm. Moreover, they were nearby and watching everything that happened!

“I’ll ask you once more. Just who are you, and who invited you here?” Xun Hong asked with imposing divine majesty. He could tell that the silver-robed "Ai Kun" wasn’t simple; it was the only reason he resisted the urge to attack and kill him on the spot.

“It doesn’t matter who I am,” Si Ming said with a laugh. “What matters is that now that I’m here, you can forget about laying so much as a single finger on the Xi Family.”

Another round of uproar followed this declaration.

The Xi Family had only just given in to despair, and they felt like lambs to the slaughter. When they heard this, they couldn’t help but take another look at Si Ming.

Just who is this guy? Is he really unafraid to die?

“Oh? Is that so? I’d like to see just how capable you are and why you’re bold enough to say such shameless things.” Xun Hong laughed sinisterly.

“I’ve made a few modest arrangements over the past few weeks. Now, I’d like to ask you to have a look at them,” said Si Ming.

He stretched out his hand, and a thin, disheveled, pale-faced man in brocade floated into the air. His eyes were tightly shut, and he was obviously unconscious.

One of Xun Hong’s allies, a bald old man, instantly roared in fury, “Dammit! What have you done with my eldest son?”

The crowd was in uproar.

The bald old man was from one of the Spirit Firmament Province’s top factions. He was a Three-Tribulation Master God.

Yet now, his eldest son had been captured!

Si Ming laughed. “It’s not just the eldest son you value so highly. Your daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and.... Oh, let me think. I’ve arranged for one hundred and thirty-nine of your blood relatives for a meal and a family reunion somewhere nice.

“Rest assured. All of them are alive and well, and they’re having a great time, because I gave them an opportunity to get together and share a feast,” said Si Ming.

He tossed the man in brocade over. “If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to ask your son.”

The bald old man’s face was instantly ashen with fury. “You’ve taken this too far. You——!”

“Shh!” Si Ming raised his finger to his lips. “Don’t threaten me; it’ll do you no good, and you’d best consider your relatives' well-being.”

The bald old man was overcome with rage and so angry that smoke billowed from the seven apertures of his face, but in the end, he dared not say anything.

“This is the source of your confidence? Despicable! You’re no better than a demon or heretic!” Xun Hong said coldly. “I’m not afraid to tell you directly that such debased methods will be completely useless against me!”

Si Ming laughed. “Don’t be in such a rush, and don’t be so sure. What if... you have to get on your knees and beg me later?”

Xun Hong’s eyelids twitched, and his expression shifted.

The tall, stalwart Zhan Yu roared, “What other tricks have you arranged? Just bring them all out and see whether it’s enough to make us lower our heads!”

“Alright, since you said so. I just love straightforward people like you!” said Si Ming.

With that, he flipped his palm, and a bloodied jade pendant floated into the air.

“Do you recognize this?” Si Ming asked with a smile.

“That... that... how did that wind up in your hands!?” Zhan Yu’s infuriated expression froze in place, and his whole body stiffened as if he’d been struck by lightning.

When the crowd saw this, they instantly realized that something was amiss.

But Si Ming just said leisurely, “Then you wouldn’t mind if I explain the secrets behind this pendant to everyone here, right?”

Zhan Yu roared, “You wouldn’t dare!”

His face was flushed red and hideously contorted. He’d completely lost his composure, as if someone had seized him where he was most vulnerable!