In the upper floor of the Bufen Hall, Xiaolang Tongxue’s solemn self-exposure still echoed in everyone’s ears, but their expressions remained calm.
Dong Changtian yawned, Dong Geyu teased the cloud lark in the birdcage, and Qi Tiezhu sipped his tea.
Ke Mo, who had mustered up his courage, looked bewildered:
“I said I was an undercover agent, even though it wasn’t my own will…”
“We’ve known all along.”
“What?”
Ke Mo leaned back slightly, unable to understand the calm reactions. They had known all along, so why hadn’t anyone said anything? Why had they let him rise through the ranks until he was almost the boss?
Xiaolang Tongxue’s CPU was smoking from frustration.
Dong Ao was about to say something when Dong Changtian elbowed him, interrupting his speech with a look of shock on his face:
“What? Little Lang, you’re an undercover agent? I’m so heartbroken; I won’t have any snacks tonight.”
Ke Mo: “……”
Even though it wasn’t his choice to be an undercover agent.
And your acting skills could be better. Not only did this fail to maintain my dignity, but it made me want to claw out a four-bedroom apartment.
Before deciding to expose himself, he had prepared mentally, even ready for torture like sitting on tiger benches, being whipped with a small whip, refusing to yield until the beauty trap…
He had thought about requesting to skip the earlier parts and go straight to the beauty trap.
For example, if Han Xianzi Sister took the whip…
Who would have thought his undercover skills were so poor?
“When did I get exposed?”
“In the first month.” Dong Ao answered honestly.
Ke Mo returned to Ink City, and despite looking the same, with the same personality and people around him, how could Dong Changtian and others not personally verify?
“……”
Ke Mo was momentarily speechless, then after a long while, he asked: “Then why didn’t you arrest me?”
“You didn’t do anything harmful to us,” explained Dong Ao.
Qi Tiezhu also put down his teacup with a smile: “Since that’s the case, there’s no need to alarm the snakes. Besides, you work hard and are capable. What if you were exposed and ran away?”
“And you’ve been here for…”
Dong Geyu was cut off by Dong Changtian’s glance.
Continuing, Dong Changtian said: “The longer you stay, the better. You’re almost forgetting you’re an undercover agent yourself. Why should we say more?”
Everyone nodded.
“Yeah, Little Lang has been working hard, enduring hardships and traveling far and wide, it’s not easy.”
“Little Lang is fine!”
“Heh, sometimes when I see Little Lang sneaking around, I thought no one knew, it was fun. I even ate more rice wine.”
Ke Mo: “?”
How does it feel like the real reason they didn’t expose him was the last statement?
“Well, now that it’s come to this…”
“It doesn’t matter, Little Lang, do what you need to do, we’ll support you.”
“We’ll support your undercover work. If we need to give an explanation to the Celestial Race, we can think of something together. If the Celestial Race has any plans, you can tell us in advance.”
“That would be great…”
Ke Mo felt it was wrong again.
What side was he really on as an undercover agent?
Never mind, he never intended to serve the Celestial Race anyway.
With a strange mood, Xiaolang Tongxue told the plan.
Thus, many of the blade-wielding people in Ink City, including Ke Mo himself, became busy during this period.
Human City was vast, with a large population. The previous disaster didn’t cause much substantial damage to the outermost city. The population of Earth City and Heavenly City combined was less than one percent.
It used to be different, as every fifty years, the disaster claimed most lives.
Now, it has been eighty years since the last full recovery.
Previously, people formed small villages to spread the risk of disasters and due to lack of space, they developed into cities.
It’s time for a change.
Rebuilding everything would take a long time with just human strength. But with the help of the Celestial Race, it would be completely different.
“Let’s use Ink City as the core, and promote prosperity.”
“What if some villages don’t cooperate?”
“You can show them the symbol of Ink City.”
The blade-wielding people received new tasks.
With the right timing and location, they were responsible for the people.
After discussing with the people of Human City, Ke Mo wrote another report, revised it with everyone, and only then did he let Feng Zhi take it back to the Celestial Race.
The next day.
This secret report was delivered to Heavenly City.
When Jiang Yu saw it, his eyebrows rose meaningfully:
“This Ke Mo is truly talented.”
“So this matter…”
“Do it.”
The Celestial Race didn’t know what Jiang Yu was thinking or why he didn’t bring it up, so they all followed the plan and completed their tasks.
For the first time, the City of Divine Beings was harmonious, with the three cities cooperating.
One month later, the Spring Wind Plan swept across the entire Human City.
“The miasma troubling our town has finally dissipated. The Celestial Race is truly powerful.”
“Since the Upper Race of Spring Dawn came, crops in the fields have grown better.”
“How did they come to help us?”
“I saw the symbol of Ink City. If I go to Ink City now and become a blade-wielder, could I bring prosperity back home?”
“I just came back from there. The people there are prosperous and wealthy, and they speak so nicely.”
…
By year-end, although the land swept by the spring wind was still barren except for the single tree in Ink City, many seeds of hope had already been sown.
The radiance on the Divine Sword of the Celestials grew more dazzling.
Its power must have increased significantly, though only its current owner, Jiang Yu, might know the exact amount.
With this development, it shouldn’t be a problem for the City of Divine Beings to weather the next disaster.
…
Outside, watching the passage of time in the Jiangshan Yizhi Map, everyone looked at each other, puzzled.
“Is this possible?”
“Why does Ke Mo’s development proceed so smoothly, with one plan after another, promoting prosperity first?”
“Usually, in trials, participants either focus on becoming stronger or establishing their own factions in the Earth City. Leading the entire City of Divine Beings in development is unprecedented, and the results seem quite good…”
“But he proposed the plan, and it was Jiang Yu who became stronger.”
“Isn’t he taking all the credit for resolving the disaster?”
Many days later, the attention on the Divine Being trial continued to grow.
…
“With such a talented disciple, how could a great cause fail?” Shang Wu stood on Wanchun Courtyard, hands on her waist, speaking confidently.
“I’ll buy off the eunuchs around Emperor Jingtai and suggest he abdicate.”
But Shang Qinqing frowned: “Why place the scene on Jiang Yu? He has nothing interesting.”
Just then.
In the Jiangshan Yizhi Map, after another three years, changes occurred once more.
“Oh, it seems Jiang Yu is about to make a move.”
“What?”
“He wants to strike proactively before the disaster arrives!”
“??”
…
“Now that the City of Divine Beings is prosperous and flourishing, with the disaster still brewing, the advantage is ours, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“I already hold the Divine Sword of the Celestials. Why not seize this moment to permanently resolve the issue!”
In Heavenly City, Jiang Yu held the Divine Sword of the Celestials, looking mighty.
Several years had passed, and the City of Divine Beings was thriving.
…
However, many things were just starting and hadn’t reached maturity yet.
Even the Celestial Race couldn’t understand Jiang Yu’s decision.
No one knew where he got his confidence.
Many of the Celestial Race believed they should wait.
But while the City of Divine Beings was unprecedentedly harmonious, the Celestial Race was not unified internally.
For instance, those advocating for the path of birth, d*ath, and conquest were gradually forgotten, and no one sang their names anymore.
They supported Jiang Yu’s proposition, especially since his determination was firm.
“Why can’t Jiang Yu just enjoy the fruits of being an emperor? Why does he insist on doing this?”
“There were also trial participants who wanted to counterattack the Otherworld, but not only did they fail, they even lost the outermost part of the City of Divine Beings.”
“Perhaps he has some trump card we haven’t considered, planning a grand move?”
People in the Imperial Capital also couldn’t understand Jiang Yu’s actions.
But some felt he had enough confidence, given the Divine Sword of the Celestials was in his hands and was unprecedentedly powerful.
If he succeeded, the trial could end early.
He might be the first to pass through when the territory of the City of Divine Beings opens up.
…
Ink City.
“What’s going on? A large army is passing through Ink City?”
Ke Mo was stunned upon hearing this news.
Feng Zhi nodded hesitantly: “I don’t know why he’s in such a hurry, but Po Jun and Tanlang support him.”
“If he deliberately passes through here, he wants to drag you into the war. I suggest you run early.”
“I can hide, but someone has to stay.”
Ke Mo took a deep breath and asked: “Feng Zhi, what’s your estimate of the chances of winning this battle?”
“Less than one in ten.”
“Really?”
“My sister said so.”
“Well, then there’s nothing to worry about.”
…
Yinma Town could hardly keep its name anymore.
To facilitate the joint forces of Heavenly City and Earth City, the river had already been filled with rocks.
In a garden in a villa within Yinma Town, Jiang Yu was looking at a map with several Celestial Race members, discussing the route of the march.
“There’s half a month’s journey left, and we’ll reach Ink City.”
The Celestial Race member speaking was twice as tall as an ordinary person but wasn’t bulky, lean but strong, muscles like solid iron.
This was Po Jun, who advocated for the expedition.
“Has Ink City responded to the call for enlistment?”
Jiang Yu narrowed his eyes, asking calmly.
“They sent many weapons and provisions, but no one enlisted.”
Po Jun replied in a deep voice: “The reason is that Human City is still recovering, lacking manpower, which wouldn’t affect the outcome of the battle.”
“They are willing to offer everything except people.”
Another Celestial Race member, with gray hair and a hint of anger in his brows, said:
“I think they lack confidence in this battle. If they had the same response as in Ink City, the former Town Chief of Yinma Town would have asked me how many blade-wielders participated in the military.”
Even if all the commoners in Human City were conscripted, it wouldn’t significantly impact the battle’s outcome.
But they would affect the power of the Divine Sword of the Celestials.
“Po Jun, go in person.”
“Yes.”
A tall figure walked to the door, flipped, and black clouds gathered into a warhorse, carrying him into the sky.
Jiang Yu watched the lake in the garden for a long time, trying to summon something, but there was no reaction.
His pupils narrowed, seeing a sword light like a silver fish under the lake, shining brightly. Silver threads stretched out, forcibly capturing the silver light and bringing it back.
The rampant sword light froze the lake, the silver light returning to Jiang Yu’s palm, dimming.
It was the Divine Sword.
Under the large-scale development of the City of Divine Beings, the Divine Sword’s power grew stronger daily. However, it was gradually losing control.
Especially recently, it seemed to constantly want to leave him and fly to its true owner.
That person was in Ink City.
…
In the Bufen Hall.
Ke Mo and Dong Changtian, among other old residents of Ink City, gathered. If anyone was missing, it was Ying Bing, who never participated in these affairs.
Po Jun entered, not showing arrogance, bowing slightly before speaking:
“Everyone probably knows my purpose. Among you, some have strength comparable to the Celestial Race. Therefore, at least one of you should participate.”
“You know the benefits. Many in Earth City are enlisting. Who among you intends to join?”
Ke Mo, Qi Tiezhu, and Dong Changfeng exchanged glances.
“Join what? Join the rush? That old man, I’ll go.”
Dong Changfeng pretended to have hearing problems.
“I am turning a hundred soon, the perfect age to fight.”
Qi Tiezhu moved his bones, making a cracking sound and breaking out in sweat.
“Ouch… I strained my back…”
“Ah, we are getting old.”
“Being useless in battle is minor, but if it causes trouble for the City of Divine Beings’ great cause, it would be unforgivable.”
“Such matters should be left to the young.”
“?”
Xiaolang pointed at himself and looked around, seeing only white-haired elders.
These old residents of Ink City were from the Great King Village era.
Apart from me, are there any young people?
Po Jun frowned, unsure how to respond to this excuse. He could only look at Ke Mo, thinking he was a suitable candidate.
Xiaolang coughed lightly: “Tianwang Gedi Hu!”
“!”
Po Jun was shaken, nearly blurting out “Bao Ta Zhen Hei Yao.”
Right, this kid is the undercover agent planted in Ink City by the Celestial Race!
Po Jun was at a loss. He couldn’t let an undercover agent represent Ink City in battle; that would be absurd.
“Alright, stop fooling around. This is unbecoming.”
Ke Mo coughed lightly and said: “Since it has come to this, let’s decide randomly.”
“How?”
“Toss a coin. Heads, Old Dong goes; tails, Old Qi goes.”
“What about you?”
“I stand.”
“This… This isn’t right.”
Everyone was confused, even Po Jun, wondering if it was correct.
Ke Mo said seriously: “There’s no problem. The coin will either land heads, tails, or stand. There are only three possibilities, and the probability is the same.”
Qi Tiezhu and Dong Changtian’s eyes flashed with wisdom.
“This…”
“There’s no problem, toss it.”
Po Jun reluctantly agreed, not wanting to let the undercover agent participate.
To be honest, his conscience hurt a bit, but for the greater good, it couldn’t be helped.
Finally…
Gurgle…
Ke Mo tossed a copper coin, which precisely landed standing in a crevice.
Po Jun: “?”
