Chapter 621: 571: Aren’t You Afraid of Capsizing?
No matter what, and regardless of how much I helped to elevate the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, even if I am the co-holder of the Golden Book and Jade Scroll, I can only regard myself as having a partial share in the Great Ming Divine Dynasty.
But there’s no denying that the emperor of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty is Zhu Houji, and the scholars and warriors behind him have been the driving force of its prosperity. They have poured countless sweat and tears to make the Great Ming Divine Dynasty strong over the decades.
No matter their intentions, the Great Ming Divine Dynasty is the fruit of their labor and the return of their hard work. As an outsider who merely holds the title of national teacher, I absolutely cannot make decisions without their consent. Even if I believe a choice benefits the current state of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, making a decision without communicating with them goes against my principles.
Moreover, when it comes to matters especially involving benefit allocation, I understand clearly that no one is willing to easily give up their gains. Thus, if I make a decision alone, it will inevitably cause complaints.
“Master Pei overthinks things. I always remember your kindness and dare not forget it,” Zhu Houji stated earnestly.
No matter how wary he and the council elders feel about Pei Xuanjing’s existence, no matter how many times they have tried to diminish Pei Xuanjing’s influence, he also understands how significant Pei Xuanjing’s contribution to the Great Ming Divine Dynasty has been.
More importantly, given the current situation, they cannot do without Pei Xuanjing. He plays a significant role in the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, especially in the coming circumstances. They cannot divide and this would harm the Great Ming Divine Dynasty.
Moreover, Zhu Houji is aware that ceding benefits is painful, but it is a necessary action. Otherwise, they will face more opponents and enemies, and the situation will get more chaotic.
Pei Xuanjing chuckled and did not say more. He understood their caution and was fully aware of his deep entanglement with the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, which cannot easily be detached.
More so, for Pei Xuanjing, the Great Ming Divine Dynasty counts as his second homeland, and it is a product of his hard work as he was instrumental in its promotion. Besides, his loved ones live here and enjoy the protection of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty. As long as he does not choose to sever ties, he will not actively let go of these things.
Having dealt with this matter, Pei Xuanjing turned his focus onto Wu Shijiu and asked, “Now what I am curious about, Mr. Wu, is why you are still here.”
The first task he had to complete this night was already done: to appease Zhu Houji and have him agree to make necessary concessions when the time comes.
Next is the second task he has to complete – the interaction with Wu Shijiu.
If I said I didn’t know Wu Shijiu very well previously, but when I saw his power restored to the Spirit Realm Eightfold, I realised that the deal we initially made was practically a joke.
Back then, Wu Shijiu stated that he helped the Great Ming Divine Dynasty to ascend and hoped that someday after the many forces in the Sky Wasteland return, I could shield him from trouble and protect him.
But as of now, Pei Xuanjing confirms that this is just an excuse for Wu Shijiu. Considering the level of Spirit Realm Eightfold attained by Wu Shijiu, the trouble he encounters must be significant. Those who intimidate him should at least be at Spirit Realm Eightfold or even more powerful, at the Ninefold.
However, even if that were Wu Shijiu’s original thought, believing in their potential and acknowledging the chances that the Great Ming Divine Dynasty offers, he would not have thought that within these few decades, the Great Ming Divine Dynasty could possess power capable of contending with the Spirit Realm Eight or Ninefold.
“Hehe, the Great Ming Divine Dynasty is flourishing now, and I am just looking for a place to shelter from the wind and rain. Does the Grand National Teacher fear the trouble I might bring?” Wu Shijiu said with a smirk.
Knowing that his original intention had been seen through by Pei Xuanjing, he didn’t care but instead openly stated his changes in plans.
His straightforward response surprised Pei Xuanjing, “Does that mean you’re prepared to join us?”
“Exactly,” Wu Shijiu nodded.
He indeed had made his decision, after all, both the Great Ming Divine Dynasty and Pei Xuanjing are full of mystery and potential, making them worth a try.
“What if we capsize one day?” Pei Xuanjing retorted.
Despite appearing calm and in control, Pei Xuanjing was acutely aware that in this world, nothing guaranteed a smooth sailing course. Sometimes, unexpected things were bound to occur.
Even with matters that he himself wasn’t completely sure of, where did the other’s confidence come from? How could he just trust that he would have the last laugh in the end?
“Sometimes, I just want to take a gamble. If I lose, I lose. At least I won’t have any regrets,” Wu Shijiu confidently declared.
As for his current predicament, Wu Shijiu was clear. If he doesn’t return to his ancestral land, he will inevitably face endless pursuit from the Witch Deity Teaching.
Facing a top-level sect’s pursuit, ordinary sects wouldn’t dare to shelter and protect him. Even some top-level sects wouldn’t risk confronting the Witch Deity Teaching for his sake. So, both his situation and standpoint were not good.
Originally, he planned to recover his strength first, then consider other plans. But now, by chance, he came across the Great Ming Divine Dynasty and Pei Xuanjing. Considering the potential of both, as long as there isn’t any disruption midway, there will assuredly be a place for them in the future.
So, if he can seize this chance and establish friendship with them and gain their support, he will undoubtedly be more composed when facing the Witch Deity Teaching in the future. Perhaps he could even retrieve many of his lost items.
Before Pei Xuanjing could observe, he proactively posed a question, “As for the Witch Deity Teaching, I wonder what His Majesty and the Grand National Teacher may already know?”
Hearing his query, Pei Xuanjing didn’t answer immediately, leaving his eyes deep and unreadable.
As for the top-level factions in the Sky Wasteland, Pei Xuanjing didn’t know much, especially about the Witch Deity Teaching, which was particularly mysterious even amongst these powerhouses. The common cultivators would normally not get in touch with it.
Zhu Houji’s eyes flashed with surprise. He had frequent interactions with Wu Shijiu over the years and had gotten to understand many secrets about the various Sky Wasteland factions. However, concerning the Witch Deity Teaching, where Wu Shijiu came from, it seemed like Wu Shijiu was reluctant to mention it and always tended to avoid the topic whenever it was brought up.
Now, hearing Wu Shijiu bring it up voluntarily, Zhu Houji’s first reaction was that Wu Shijiu definitely had a motive; otherwise, he wouldn’t have initiated the topic so openly.