Chapter 1628: King Taishan’s Ploy

“Great emperor, Fengdu is in dire straits right now. If we fight, that will only give the humans the opportunity to kill us all.” Sect Spirit was also trying to persuade the Great Emperor of Fengdu, “Unity is what will allow us to survive the foreign threat, not division.”

“Indeed, any element that threatens the internal unity must be destroyed. Once I have killed all of you and taken full control over Fengdu, I would be better prepared to handle the foreign threat and protect Fengdu.”

The Great Emperor of Fengdu made a grabbing motion, and the four ghosts and gods flew uncontrollably toward him.

As the distance between them narrowed, Tyrant Extinction, Sect Spirit, Bright Star and Cojoined discovered that the emperor’s five fingers had become five sky piercing peaks. Tall, vast, and joined together like mountain ranges, they surrounded them from all sides like a giant prison.

The technique was called the Five Peaks of the Gate of Hell. It could suppress the evil ghosts of Fengdu.

The four ghosts and gods were stunned as a matter of course. They knew that they would not be able to escape if they fell into the prison.

However, they were much weaker than before. They were unable to break free immediately despite struggling with all their might.

Right before the four ghosts and gods would fall into the Five Peaks of the Gate of Hell, a silhouette suddenly stepped in from the entrance.

It was as if yin and yang were reversing, and time itself was flowing in reverse. The four ghosts and gods abruptly started moving away from the Great Emperor of Fengdu instead of toward. It was quite bizarre.

The silhouette himself did not seem to be affected by the time reversal. He walked right past Tyrant Extinction and Sect Spirit and stopped in front of the Great Emperor of Fengdu.

“You wanted to see me, didn’t you? I am here.”

The silhouette said softly yet heavily like a god. “You’re not planning to attack me, are you?”

“Scatter!” It was as if his words commanded the heavens’ authority. The Five Peaks of the Gate of Hell immediately scattered into nothing, and the Great Emperor of Fengdu let out a muffled groan and staggered backward. Every time he backed a step, the entire Luofeng Mountain would shake once.

After the Great Emperor of Fengdu caught himself, the silhouette said lightly, “You are before my presence. Salute!”

“We greet you, King Taishan...” The ghosts and gods hurriedly saluted to the silhouette.

The silhouette—King Taishan—did not respond though. He simply stared at the Great Emperor of Fengdu with even greater pressure than before.

A short while later, the Great Emperor of Fengdu slowly bowed his head and replied, “I greet you, King Taishan.”

Another moment of silence passed, and King Taishan finally said, “Rise.”

“I know why you desire to see me, Fengdu[1]. You simply wish to know if I’m dead or alive; well or unwell. You now know the truth. Are you satisfied?”

“I would not dare to test you, King Taishan,” the Great Emperor of Fengdu replied.

King Taishan continued to stare at the Great Emperor of Fengdu. “I don’t care what you think, Fengdu. However, everything I do is to rebuild the old Fengdu and recreate the cycle of rebirth of the underworld. If Fengdu prospers, then both of us prosper. The opposite is equally true. Do you understand?”

The Great Emperor of Fengdu fell silent for a moment. “I understand.”

King Taishan continued, “What do we desire if not the fulfillment of our Great Ways? Only by rebuilding the old Fengdu and recreating the old cycle of rebirth could we achieve our Dao and transcend. Only then could we become as eternal as the sky itself. It would be foolish to abandon your ultimate goal over some petty, selfish desires, no?”

“I hope you can all understand me!”

The ghosts and gods all replied respectfully, “We understand and will obey your teaching, King Taishan.”

King Taishan looked at the Great Emperor of Fengdu again. “Do you understand, Fengdu?”

The Great Emperor of Fengdu nodded. “I understand.”

King Taishan continued, “If so, then you should set aside your differences and work together. This great tribulation is Fengdu’s opportunity to rise up, and I have already made all the necessary preparations. When the time comes, the old Fengdu will return to its former glory, and all of you will achieve your Dao and become unfettered from this world.”

“We understand and obey, King Taishan.” This time, everyone including the Great Emperor of Fengdu bowed in unison.

The Great Emperor of Fengdu asked, “King Taishan, the humans are now aware of your existence. I’m afraid they would not let this grudge go. What should we do?”

“We should be fine. The human heart is complex and cowardly. The Chief Libationist is on the brink of death, and I am still here. In the short term, there is no one who possesses the renown to assemble enough champions to threaten us. They definitely would not dare to attack us without sufficient preparation either.”

King Taishan said calmly, “But of course, one should be prepared for every possibility, if only for the sake of Fengdu.”

“First, we need eyes on the Old Heavenly Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Dragon Subjugating Zen Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain and other orthodox champions. Only by knowing our enemy could we always be victorious. Two, we should contact those Strangers, monsters and humans who bore a grudge against the human race in general. We can sow dissension among them and keep them from uniting against us.”

“Is there anything else?”

The Great Emperor of Fengdu replied, “No, you have accounted for everything. This one is impressed.”

“Good. See it done.”

King Taishan gave the Great Emperor of Fengdu a glance. “Do not disappoint me.”

“I will do my best.” The Great Emperor of Fengdu bowed.

“Very good. I’m going now.” King Taishan turned around and left the hall.

After he was out of earshot, King Taishan suddenly said, “Are you confused?”

Tyrant Extinction appeared beside him and bowed his head. “Yes, King Taishan. I do not understand why you do not simply remove the Great Emperor of Fengdu.”

“It is not yet time,” King Taishan replied. “I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. Although I killed the Earth Yin Origin Lord back then, his body had hidden in the Nether with energy to spare. If I tried to eliminate Fengdu outright, the Earth Yin Origin Lord would most likely take action and fight me to the death. All outcomes end up with us being in a worse position.”

“Originally, I was hoping to confer Jing Run into the Yin Son of Heaven and slowly take over his authority and the Earth Yin Origin Lord’s origin divine power. It would have taken out the Great Emperor of Fengdu and accelerated my recovery. Alas, the plan ended in failure.”

Tyrant Extinction hurriedly apologized, “We failed to execute your plan to perfection and ruined your recovery. We beg for your forgiveness.”

“It is fine.” King Taishan replied, “I was careless, and I underestimated both the Chief Libationist and the Earthly Sovereign.”

When he said this, King Taishan’s eyes burned with anger, and his aura rose violently like the sea or hell itself. It was terrifying.

It only lasted a moment though. Suddenly, his energies abruptly fell into disorder before weakening rapidly as if he was losing control. His silhouette had also become much more transparent than before.

Tyrant Extinction asked worriedly, “Are you alright, King Taishan?”

King Taishan exploded, “That damned Earthly Sovereign destroyed a wisp of my origin divine intent. He ruined centuries of hard work and weakened me considerably. Damn him! Damn him to hell!”

Tyrant Extinction dropped to his knees fearfully, “Please, calm yourself.”

Maybe it was because he was done venting, but King Taishan gradually calmed down. “Phew... I’m going to fall to slumber and recuperate for the foreseeable future. Do not clash against the Great Emperor of Fengdu, and protect the capital city during this time. I will make a new decision after I have awakened.”

“As you command, King Taishan.” Tyrant Extinction said worriedly, “However, I do not think that the Great Emperor of Fengdu would cooperate.”

King Taishan replied, “It will be fine. Fengdu had taken some injuries earlier, and I have intimidated him enough that he would not dare to cause trouble in the near future.”

“The day I recover my strength is the day he dies. For now, please endure his impudence for a while longer.”

“As you command,” Tyrant Extinction replied while clasping his hands in front of him.

King Taishan added, “There is one more thing I need you to do.” Tyrant Extinction asked, “What is it, King Taishan?”

“I want you to locate the Earthly Sovereign’s successor and kill him. Bring back the Earthly Sovereign Bell as well.” A hint of steeliness and coldness flickered behind King Taishan’s eyes. “Whether or not Fengdu will be successfully rebuilt hinges on this matter. I don’t care what you must do to see it done, you simply must succeed.”

Tyrant Extinction responded, “I will live up to your expectations, King Taishan.”

“Mm. You may leave.”

King Taishan waved his hand, and Tyrang Extinction was gone a few seconds later. While looking at the black sky of the Nether, King Taishan said, “I don’t believe that you’re still alive, Earthly Sovereign. You cannot win.”

After that, he took one step forward and appeared above the Yellow Spring. Then, he allowed himself to fall into its dirty, yellowish waters.

1. Not a mistake. ☜