Chapter 318 - - 316 Demon Star in Turmoil_1

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“The constellations revolve around the Earth, the Big Dipper shifts position, the Demon Star brings chaos to the world, the Female Constellation Star shines brightly, while the Emperor Stars dim…”

In Chongming Country, atop the Star-gazing Platform.

The lean-faced State Preceptor, over forty years old, gazed up at the stars crowding the night sky, his eyebrows deeply furrowed as he muttered to himself, “The world is in great turmoil, women are acting beyond their authority—it really is the omen of ‘women acting beyond their authority’. But who? Who is the Demon Star beside the Fourth Princess? Who has the power to uplift the Female Constellation Star? In the past, it was only ever the warrior stars lifting the Emperor Star, why is it a Demon Star this time…”

After another glance at the sky, looking at that Demon Star, even brighter than the Female Constellation Star, the State Preceptor turned and hurried down from the Star-gazing Platform, heading straight for the imperial palace.

…

In the imperial palace, the Royal Study.

A teacup smashed into pieces on the floor.

Emperor Gu Shicun of Chongming Country was in the midst of a thunderous rage, “…no need to wait, issue a warrant, nationwide. This Luo Shuang is a disaster. What is she doing resurrecting Qingwu Country and throwing my Chongming Country into chaos? And you, Shi Pingchuan, why did you promise, without authorization, to help Luo Shuang restore her country? Could it be that the Prime Minister desires to overstep his authority into military power?”

On the side.

Prince Gu Shiming, bearing some resemblance to Gu Shicun, glanced at Shi Pingchuan with a flicker of almost imperceptible scorn at the corner of his mouth.

“Your Majesty, please temper your Wrath of Thunder,” the Prime Minister Shi Pingchuan stepped forward calmly, “Your Majesty, I have never considered overstepping into military affairs. My promise to Luo Shuang is in connection with the matter of the Heavenly Demon mentioned earlier.

Luo Shuang is but a woman, without soldiers or generals, and poses no significant threat. The true danger lies with the Heavenly Demons scattered throughout Chongming Country. I intend to use Luo Shuang as bait to draw out the hidden demons, and when they show themselves, we will capture them all in one fell swoop.”

“Prime Minister, as far as I am aware, not only are Heavenly Demons causing chaos, but Immortal Gods from the Heavenly Realm have also descended to eradicate them. Why do you only speak of the Heavenly Demons and not of the Immortal Gods?” Prince Gu Shiming spoke languidly.

“Your Highness, are there really such things as Immortal Gods? Nothing but the demons trying to glorify themselves,” Shi Pingchuan chuckled lightly, “Otherwise, wouldn’t the growth patterns of Immortal Gods and Heavenly Demons be entirely unique? Your Highness is renowned for your intelligence and bravery; surely you can see through such simple tricks!”

“Prime Minister, I honestly can’t see through Heavenly Demons and Immortal Gods; I just don’t understand why you insist on a complete extermination of all Heavenly Demons,” said Gu Shiming, “If not for your insistence on slaying the demons, Chongming Country wouldn’t be in such disorder.”

He paused, “Setting aside the internal strife in Qingwu Country for now, if one day North Sea Country or Dachu Country were to employ Heavenly Demons, how shall we deal with that?”

The Prime Minister calmly uttered eight words: “Employing demons will surely backfire. Your Highness, just watch; within three years, if there are countries that employ demons and yet are not in disorder, my head can be offered as a sacrifice to the heavens…”

A burst of golden light exploded in Gu Shiming’s eyes.

The Emperor’s gaze swept over the two arguing men and said, “My brother, Prime Minister, I’ve invited you here to discuss the matter of Luo Shuang. Our nation’s people are restless, and if we don’t eliminate this threat at its root, we may face endless trouble.”

Shi Pingchuan said: “Your Majesty, grant me one more month, and I assure you that Heavenly Demons within Chongming Country will be eradicated…”

The State Preceptor rushed in hurriedly.

In the Royal Study, all three sets of eyes turned to the State Preceptor.

Emperor Gu Shicun frowned slightly: “State Preceptor, what brings you here in such haste?”

The State Preceptor, overlooking formalities, urged: “Your Majesty, please deploy the troops at once to annihilate Luo Shuang. I observed the stars tonight; the Female Constellation Star is brushing against the Big Dipper, guarded by a Demon Star, and the Emperor Stars are lacking in brightness. If Luo Shuang is not promptly suppressed, the world will soon be in great disorder.”

“What?” Gu Shicun’s expression changed.

“Your Majesty, every word I have spoken is true,” continued the State Preceptor. “The light of the Female Constellation Star is flickering, its position unstable, relying entirely on the Demon Star for support. In suppressing the Female Star, it is imperative that we do not allow the Demon Star to escape; otherwise, Chongming Country shall be in peril.”

Demon Star?

A pang struck the Prime Minister’s heart.

The shadow of Duge flashed through his mind.

He knew that the State Preceptor truly had the ability; on the day the Alien Warrior took a host, it was he who had rushed into the imperial palace to warn the Emperor of the descent of the Demon Star, predicting chaos in the world. That’s why he could successfully convince the Emperor to eradicate Heavenly Demons throughout Chongming Country.

It was also him who opposed the Prime Minister at every turn, trying to remove him from his position. Were it not for their past animosity, the Prime Minister might even suspect that the State Preceptor had seen through his identity.

And yet, even so, the State Preceptor had never seemed as frantic as he was today…

Demon Star!?

The person behind Luo Shuang can’t be Duge, can it?

If it were him, it might indeed be possible to concoct another rumor of a standoff between immortals and demons…

But if it is Duge, why hasn’t he come to the Capital City to find me?

Is it that my hints weren’t clear enough, or does he not trust me…

No.

The person behind Luo Shuang definitely isn’t Duge.

Given Duge’s personality, he wouldn’t lay low for over ten days before exploding; perhaps it’s some lucky warrior from another planet!

Out of ten planets, it can’t be that there’s only one freak like Duge, right?

Shi Pingchuan looked at the golden first place on his personal panel floating before his eyes, his thoughts racing. His palms were sweating, and for the first time since he had heard of the appearance of the Demon Star, a trace of panic flickered in his heart…

…

“Your Excellency Shi, Prime Minister…”

Gu Shicun’s call brought Shi Pingchuan back to his senses, and upon regaining his composure, he hurriedly apologized to the emperor: “Your Majesty, I have been weary from the multitude of official duties these days, and I just became a bit absent-minded. Please forgive my offense.”

“Your Excellency has worked hard. However, the Prime Minister must still toil for the nation’s significant affairs; you cannot rest yet,” Gu Shicun coaxed with concern, seeing through Shi Pingchuan’s lapse. He then asked, “What do you think about what the State Preceptor has proposed?”

“My original intention was to label Luo Shuang as a Heavenly Demon’s vessel and issue a nationwide arrest warrant, forcing her out of Chongming Country to quell the rumors she’s caused,” Shi Pingchuan deliberated for a moment and said, “Since the State Preceptor speaks of the Demon Star bringing chaos, the previous strategy is no longer viable. Luo Shuang lacks troops and generals. Have the Prince find a trustworthy commander, pretend to be bewitched by Luo Shuang, and join her ranks. Once we lure her out, we can capture her in one fell swoop.”

“That’s doable.” In that moment, Gu Shiming didn’t argue with the Prime Minister and quickly agreed.

“Luo Shuang once studied at Qinglan Sword Sect. Your Majesty could send a letter to Qinglan Sword Sect, asking for their cooperation in capturing Luo Shuang,” Shi Pingchuan continued, “to prevent the Qinglan Sword Saint from being deceived by the Demon Star behind Luo Shuang…”

Without realizing it,

Shi Pingchuan was already dealing with the Demon Star behind Luo Shuang using the same template he had for Duge.

Whether in the simulation or on the Alien Battlefield, Duge’s strongest suit wasn’t the keywords, but his Mouth Escape Skill. Many opponents stronger than him often became dizzy with his few words and ended up helping him instead.

No matter if the one across is Duge or not, the method to deal with him is the same.

Duge not joining me right away has always been unsettling. After all, in the last Alien Battlefield, despite having the upper hand, Duge only brought back one warrior from Qiyuan Star.

Under those circumstances, he could have easily taken nine of his own people from Qiyuan Star…

…

“Then let’s follow Your Excellency’s plan,” Gu Shicun glanced at Shi Pingchuan, nodded, and then looked toward Gu Shiming, “My brother, you will cooperate fully with the Prime Minister.”

“Yes, brother,” Gu Shiming replied.

“Alright, the two of you may leave now! I still have urgent matters to discuss with the State Preceptor,” Gu Shicun waved them off, dismissing the two men.

Shi Pingchuan and Gu Shiming each paid their respects and left.

About a quarter of an hour after the two had left, Gu Shicun turned to the State Preceptor with a worried expression, “State Preceptor, is allowing the Prime Minister to gain too much power really no problem? I can feel that his vitality grows stronger day by day, a growth rate inconceivable, rivaling even a Grandmaster. I’m afraid that one day, he will turn against me!”

“Your Majesty, using demons to drive out demons is the wise strategy. The Prime Minister has the aspect of a short life; he is not a concern.” The State Preceptor sighed, “My worry is the Demon Star behind Luo Shuang. With the brilliance of the Demon Star growing by the day, with the Prime Minister’s strength alone, I fear he’s no match for the Demon Star. Your Majesty needs to find a way to empower the Prime Minister.”

“Has the State Preceptor found out lately what the Prime Minister relies on for growth?” asked Gu Shicun.

“Aside from suppressing the Heavenly Demon, the Prime Minister actively sidelines officials who oppose him in the court, promoting his loyalists. He also instructs his followers to accept bribes for buying and selling offices. I suspect his attributes are related to power and prestige,” the State Preceptor said. “Should the day come when the Prime Minister becomes too big to control, your Majesty can quickly diminish his strength by dismissing him from his post.”

…

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