This was a theory the five godkings had entertained before, so they weren’t particularly surprised by Jiang Chen’s proposition.

However, they didn’t have anything concrete to support this suggestion.

“No matter how shrewd the culprit is, he isn’t going to allow others to be in control of such a key part of the plan,” Jiang Chen continued. “If the culprit isn’t among the seven keyholders, what’s he going to do if they come to an agreement to let His Majesty go?”

“You’re right.” The overweight godking nodded approvingly.

“Besides, what did the culprit stage the coup for? Power, of course. Someone ambitious enough to overthrow the emperor must have a controlling streak to his hide. It doesn’t make sense for him to give others the tool to disrupt his plans while he stays on the sidelines.”

Jiang Chen based his analysis on the human psyche. He didn’t have any concrete proof either.

“We can speculate all we want,” the thin godking spoke up suddenly. “Even if we suspect the same person, we can’t make an accusation until the culprit exposes themself.”

Godking Crimsonwaters sighed. “You’re right. That’s the dilemma we’re in. We need Celestial Emperor Taiyuan to root out the culprit, but the culprit holds one of the keys required to liberate His Majesty. It’s a conundrum.”

Godking Righteous slapped the table with a hand. “Taiyuan Plane has been deteriorating because of the culprit. It’ll fall apart sooner or later.”

The five godkings failed to come to any conclusion. All they could do was to complain and lament their misfortunes. Under the circumstances, if they didn’t muster the courage to do something, the situation would only inch further into the abyss.

“Aren’t we going to do anything this time, Brother Crimsonwaters?” the overweight godking demanded defiantly.

“What do you think, Brother Fei?” Crimsonwaters asked in lieu of a response.

“What do I think?” muttered the overweight godking. His tone turned agitated. “I think we should give it a try. Bring the issue up during the conference. Perhaps we can succeed in pushing for a consensus. Anyone who dares object to Celestial Emperor Taiyuan’s release will be a traitor! No one wants that, right?”

He had a point.

“What if we fail?” asked Crimsonwaters. “What if no one answers our call?”

“You won’t know until you try,” Jiang Chen offered suddenly. “Someone has to take a stand,” he emphasized. “Someone has to take the first step, even if the price is his life.”

“I’ll do it!” volunteered Godking Righteous.

“I’ll do it!” shouted the godking in blue at the same time.

“I volunteer!” The overweight godking straightened his chubby torso, ready to risk his life.

“It’s easy for you to volunteer yourself now,” interjected the thin godking. “Will you be brave enough to do so on an occasion as solemn as the conference?”

“We have to be,” Godking Righteous delivered solemnly. “Even if we can’t individually, we’ll muster the courage if all five of us do it together.”

Everyone turned to Crimsonwaters for his decision. He was their leader among the five.

After a long stretch of silence, Crimsonwaters pronounced in a determined tone, “We’ll play it by ear tomorrow. If someone else brings the issue up first, we’ll show our support immediately and push for a consensus. If no one does so, we’ll take matters into our own hands. What do you think?”

“Alright, that’s the plan!”

“We have a deal. No going back!”

The five godkings finally made up their minds.

Jiang Chen sighed inwardly. The current situation had indeed made the five godkings desperate. Even rabbits bit when they were cornered. The culprit had managed to cause the downfall of an entire prosperous plane!

“What do you think, Elder Zhen?” Godking Righteous settled his deep gaze on Jiang Chen.

Jiang Chen didn’t avert his eyes. “People will follow!” he said earnestly. “Even if you fail, I will follow in your footsteps. However, I believe an opportunity to strike back will arise during the conference. I can tell our plane has reached rock bottom. It’s time for our final stand.”

“Oh? How so?”

Jiang Chen smiled. “Observing the layout of destiny and calculating the future has been a hobby of mine since I was young. Taiyuan Plane has been in decline, but it’s not doomed yet. It’s time for it to bounce back.”

Destiny was a fickle thing.

The five godkings were no experts in the area, so they didn’t immediately dismiss Jiang Chen’s cryptic words. It was better to believe than to doubt.

“Haha, we should be more optimistic if that’s what you believe, shouldn’t we?” chuckled the godking in blue.

“Yes, we have to believe that things will change for the better. If we have faith, the other godkings will follow suit. Once everyone comes to the same realization and takes measures to save themselves, things will get better. Like Elder Zhen says, we will rise again.”

......

The gathering made Jiang Chen realize that Taiyuan Plane was on the cusp of a revolution.

The time had come. The widely anticipated godking conference was to begin.

One by one, godkings led their parties to their assigned location within the Taiyuan Sky Palace. Every godking in Taiyuan Plane had arrived at the conference.

They were assigned to different spots according to their status and power.

Possessing a high status, Godking Crimsonwaters was assigned to the front where it was spacious. He stood out in the crowd.

At the godking’s behest, Jiang Chen sat close behind Crimsonwaters with his legs crossed.

Elders Ge and Xu could barely contain their burning jealousy. The elder was damn lucky to attract the godking’s attention and be treated with such regard! He must be blessed with generations of good fortune!

“Taiyuan Sky Palace... finally, I have returned.” Jiang Chen knew the place well. He knew the stairs and every inch of the palace. It’d been hundreds of thousands of years, yet memories rushed into his mind like it was only yesterday.