Chapter 1873: Diabolical Plan
Chapter 1873: Diabolical Plan
"Let’s hope I didn’t make the wrong decision," Commander Dan thought. Ever since becoming a Saint, the overwhelming advantage of the artifact has become weaker. And during the expedition, in the face of those Tribunal Lords, he has questioned many times whether this artifact was still operational.
"I have the perfect mission for you," Wang Wei stated. "I need your help finding the missing Divine Prince. You —"
"I’m sorry, but this is beyond my abilities!" Commander Dan immediately said. "The power behind the prince is most likely third-step, or at the minimum, second step — that’s beyond what my artifact can handle."
"Please, let me finish. Your task is to aid Emperor Kong, who is blessed by destiny. With the addition of your artifact, you should be able to find the prince."
Commander Dan did not immediately reject. Instead, he calmly glanced at the dice, and upon activation, a soft golden light emanated from it. A few seconds later, a smile crept on the commander’s face: the result was positive. Although there will be danger, this mission is also an opportunity — an opportunity to escape the central chaos.
Controlling his emotions, Commander Dan glanced at Wang Wei, "Can you tell what you want with the prince?"
Wang Wei sipped his wine, "The power of a False Third Step Powerhouse is too terrifying, and I’m afraid the price is the only one capable of eliminating such an enemy."
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Using the prince is like —"
"Playing with fire? I understand, but this may be our only choice," Wang Wei sighed.
"I see," Commander Dan nodded with a self-deprecating sigh. In their current situation, their options were limited. "I have no problem, but I also have one condition."
Wang Wei frowned, "I’ll listen, but no promises."
"I want to bring Madam Chu and a few friends along on this mission."
Wang Wei looked at him with a smirk, "It seems you didn’t choose her simply because of her capabilities."
Commander Dan coughed lightly, "The cultivation path is long and arduous, and it’s challenging to find someone you can trust and get along with."
"True."
"So, what do you say?"
"I have no problem with you bringing others."
"Great!"
"Don’t get excited yet," Wang Wei coldly said, immediately pouring cold water on his head. "If any of them do something detrimental to the mission, then it will count as your betrayal."
"What? How is that fair?"
"It’s not, but those are my terms," Wang Wei calmly remarked. "This is not a game, and many things are at stake. I don’t know these people, so if you want to help them, you must put your reputation and safety on the line."
"I know you want to be careful, but this —"
"Everybody must make sacrifices to survive this ordeal. You did, and so should they?" Wang We interjected. "Do you understand what I mean?"
"...I understand," Commander Dan sighed. Wang Wei’s words were obvious: since he had to use a harsh contract to guarantee his loyalty, these recommended people can do the same. Only through this harsh and binding method can everyone feel more comfortable working together on such sensitive topics.
"Good. Don’t disappoint me."
"I won’t," Commander Dan replied before his body paused. Wasn’t he the Saint? Why did it feel like Wang Wei was the superior one? Shaking his head, he didn’t dwell too much on the issue. They conversed for a few more minutes before General Three Strikes secretly exited the premises.
"Sir, what are you planning?" Ai asked as soon as they were alone.
"Why are you assuming I’m planning something?"
"Sir, you are currently in paranoid mode, and this meeting went too smoothly," Ai explained. "The time it took you to accept the commander’s proposal was too short. I’ve calculated using numerous parameters, and the result was that the trust you placed on the commander by allowing him to participate in such a crucial mission is astonishing – and that’s even considering the binding contract. Not to mention, you even allowed him to bring other people."
"You are indeed sharp," Wang Wei smiled.
"So, what are you planning?"
"This man probably doesn’t have long to live," he replied.
"Oh? What’s the basis of this conjecture?"
"Luck," Wang Wei replied. "How rare is a True Saint Artifact? How could a mortal discover such a thing and successfully grow without anyone intervening? By now, you should understand the horror of this universe."
"Is he about to be harvested?" Ai asked.
"You catch on quickly, but that should be expected," Wang Wei smiled. "Commander is probably the nourishment cultivated by the artifact to repair itself. However, in the current situation, there is a high chance that he’ll die before being harvested. Hence why I said his death is approaching.
"Now, can you deduce what will happen after working together with Kong?"
"Emperor Kong is a man of great destiny, and he will probably inherit the True Saint Artifact once the commander dies."
"Exactly. I’ve worded the contract in a way that if he dies before achieving the goal, that can also be interpreted as betrayal, and —"
"Everything will belong to you."
"That’s still the tip of the iceberg," Wang Wei continued. "Commander Dan’s friends and Dao Partner also fall under the category of ’everything that belongs to him,’ meaning I can also take their items."
"Master, you’re despicable."
"Hey, that’s a bit harsh."
"But, it’s the truth."
"No, it’s not," Wang Wei said. "How long has General Three Sticks lived? Doesn’t he know that there is no free lunch in this world? If I were him, the first thing I would do after sanctifying would be to throw that artifact away or find a way to melt and refine it into something else.
"So, why didn’t he do any of that? It’s because of his arrogance and dependence. He probably believed he could deal with the mastermind, but the truth of the matter is that he had become too reliant on the artifact that he couldn’t let it go.
"If I guess correctly, his dependence on foreign aid has become a real problem. Why is he after Madam Chu? Is it because he actually loves her, or because he’s interested in her True Saint Artifact? The Dragon-Phoenix Ring is obviously a weapon designed to be wielded by a couple. As long as he gets her heart, he will also get a True Saint Weapon. Who wouldn’t want such a bargain?
"Hey, I reckon his so-called friends are also people with items that he desires."
"Master, you’re judging people with the greatest malice," Ai commented. There was no way to gather so much information about Commander Dan in that short twenty to thirty-minute conversation.
"That’s not necessarily a bad thing," Wang Wei replied. "If I’m wrong, then that’s for the better. But if I’m right, I won’t be surprised when they eventually show their true color."
"Human emotions are a nightmare."
"Alright, go summon Dugu Baitian, and while you’re at it, set up the mission with Kong."
"Yes, sir."
Wang Wei changed the drinking cup and selected a stronger but more refined wine. Less than a minute later, the domineering Dugu Baitian appeared above the lake. Wang Wei glanced at him, and unlike the last time he had seen him, Dugu Baitian looked more restrained. If the Grand Chancellor before was a mighty lion who would suppress anyone who threatened his rule, the current Dugu Baitian was more of a tiger — a more restrained but deadlier hunter.
After taking a glance at the river, Dugu Baitian landed on the pavilion and sat down. Receiving the wine cup, he drank everything in one motion before motioning for more. Wang Wei then refilled his cup five times before Dugu Baitian finally stopped.
"I’ll be direct. I’m here to exchange for Empyrean Black Heart."
"Black Heart? Oh, the little devil from the Desire Heart Palace. What do you want him for?"
"In exchange, I’m willing to hand over all the Grand Sect Alliance’s Qi Luck," Dugu Baitian stated. "And I’m willing to sign a binding contract not to attack the Dao Opening Sect for more than 100 billion yuan epoch."
"Hmm? You —"
"If that’s not enough, I’m also willing to leave the Eternal Ascension World for an extended period. We can negotiate the appropriate length of time."
"Are you done?" Wang Wei asked.
"That’s all I can offer."
"You still haven’t answered my question: what are you going to use him for? Why are you willing to pay such a price for one Empyrean?"
Dugu Baitian waved his hand and filled his wine cup with his own wine before chugging it down, "To be honest, I see little hope of surviving the current ordeal. I cannot rely on anyone, and even if someone were reliable, I refuse to rely on them. So, in the current situation, the only option left for me is a desperate gamble. I want to sanctify, and the only method available for me is to use the Empyrean Black Heart and that parasite."