Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

On the list, the most powerful person other than Madam Mu was Chusu. Moreover, this was a monster that cultivated the Yellow Springs art. It had formidable methods of escape, was incredibly secretive, and its techniques were ever-changing and unfathomable. It was extremely sinister and crafty, and though it had lost an arm to Xu Yourong in White Emperor City, it was still very difficult to kill.

It could be presumed that this monster was already hiding in this vast range of mountains. How could they find it?

"Perhaps I can guess where he is."

The blind zither player from the Tang clan suddenly offered, "If Your Holiness does not mind, this matter can be given to me."

Everyone remembered that this blind zither had been the previous generation's Grand Elder of the Longevity Sect and the monster called Chusu was a strand of the previous Longevity Sect Master's soul.

Linghai Zhiwang turned to Chen Changsheng, clearly rather willing.

Chen Changsheng did not agree, because the blind zither player had suffered heavy injuries in that battle with the Angel which would be very difficult to recover from in a short time. And besides, he was still a Guardian of the Tang clan.

Xu Yourong understood his meaning and proposed, "Have me do it."

She was undoubtedly the best choice for killing Chusu, perhaps the only choice.

Her Daoist technique was a natural counter to the Yellow Springs art, and she could rely on her speed to destroy Chusu's escape techniques.

Besides her, no one else present could catch up to Chusu, and even if they could, they were not guaranteed to kill it. Not even Chen Changsheng was very confident.

But Chen Changsheng still did not agree, and his reason obtained the approval of everyone present.

He would be returning to the capital soon. In that city was an even more important matter, and an even more troublesome problem.

At this time, Xu Yourong could not leave his side.

Linghai Zhiwang asked, "Then what can we do? Put it aside for now?"

The camp once more fell silent, the mood oppressive.

"I'll think of a way."

Chen Changsheng glanced at Xu Yourong and walked out of the camp. Xu Yourong understood and followed him.

Linghai Zhiwang and the others were somewhat worried and looked to Tang Thirty-Six.

Tang Thirty-Six waved his hands, indicating that he would not be taking part in this matter.

"I'll go and see."

As the least senior of the archbishops, Hu Thirty-Two helplessly sighed and walked out of the camp.

Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong stopped under a pine tree growing along a cliff.

He knew that Hu Thirty-Two was behind him, but he did not order him to stop.

If he did not let the archbishops know what he intended, they would probably find it very hard to be at ease.

A cool breeze caused pine needles to rustle down from the tree.

A few yellowed needles fell on mottled yellow fur, seeming to melt into it and become almost indistinguishable.

It was a dog-like animal, its fur rather messy. It looked somewhat repulsive.

Its two hindlegs seemed to have been broken, and it looked rather pitiful as it dragged them along the ground.

When it looked at Chen Changsheng, a flash of excitement gleamed in its eyes. It used its forelegs to raise its body and quickly crawl up to Chen Changsheng, where it incessantly kissed his feet.

Xu Yourong tilted her head as she viewed this sight, finding it quite interesting.

Although this was not her first time seeing this sort of sight, she still felt like laughing every time she saw this monster act like a treacherous official.

Hu Thirty-Two was not at all interested. When he saw those tiny, evil eyes, he felt his body chill.

Suddenly, he recalled the origins of this monster and his expression instantly changed. He shakily asked, "This is an Earth Monkey?"

Yes, this was that Earth Monkey that had lived in the Garden of Zhou for centuries.

It was also that monster described in the Daoist scriptures as the most sinister, most shameless, most crafty, and most bloodthirsty.

Even the Mountain-toppling Fiend and the Monster Bull, massive monsters ranked extremely high on the Ranking of Monsters, were not willing to offend the Earth Monkey. They would even listen to its orders in battle.

Upon confirming that this mangy yellow dog-like being was that horrifying monster of legend and recalling the gruesome stories surrounding it, Hu Thirty-Two felt even colder.

If it weren't for the fact that it was Chen Changsheng who had summoned this Earth Monkey and the Earth Monkey was acting so meek and obedient, he would immediately attempt to kill it.

The Earth Monkey sensed the hostility from Hu Thirty-Two, as well as that faint fear.

For humans to still remember its infamous reputation even though it had not been seen in the world for so many years made it rather proud, though it quickly sobered up.

Unlike those monsters who wished to continue their peaceful lives in the Garden of Zhou, the Earth Monkey had always wanted to return to the living world and take a look around.

It had begged Chen Changsheng many times, but Chen Changsheng knew of its vicious reputation and its evil ways, so he naturally did not agree. But since Chen Changsheng had finally summoned it out of the Garden of Zhou into the real world today, this naturally meant that the situation had changed, that perhaps it really did have a chance of fulfilling its wish.

At this crucial moment, the Earth Monkey would not commit any mistakes. Its eyes turned innocent and its expression even humbler, its body pressing even lower to the ground. Its two crippled hindlegs began to tremble while its tail beat against the floor, but it was also extremely careful to not raise a single speck of dust. It had truly succeeded in mastering the art of looking pitiful.

Hu Thirty-Two remained wary. He would not be fooled by this act. Xu Yourong, on the other, finally could no longer suppress her laugh.

Chen Changsheng said, "Stop pretending and quickly rise."

At these words, the Earth Monkey hurriedly straightened its body, no longer daring to make a single extraneous movement.

Its two crippled hindlegs had actually been cured a long time ago.

It was just that in the Garden of Zhou, it had gotten used to dragging its hindlegs along as it crawled across the plains. The only monsters that knew of this fact were the Mountain-toppling Fiend and the Monster Bull.

Chen Changsheng said, "Help me with a matter."

The Earth Monkey's eyes began to roll around in thought.

Chen Changsheng took a pill from his bosom and fed it to the Earth Monkey.

The Earth Monkey's eyes instantly lit up. It sat on the ground and, just like a cultivator, closed its eyes in meditation.

A light mist began to flow out of its nostrils. Its remaining internal injuries had been completely cured.

The pill had not been the Cinnabar Pill, but had been made from the dregs left over after refining the Cinnabar Pill. However, the pill still contained some of Chen Changsheng's blood.

After some time, the Earth Monkey opened its eyes and gave Chen Changsheng a look of absolute gratitude.

Chen Changsheng took a drawing of Chusu from Hu Thirty-Two and unrolled it in front of the Earth Monkey's eyes. "This person."

The Earth Monkey looked at the strangely-shaped fellow in the drawing and thought to itself, there's someone in the world that's actually uglier than me. Its curiosity was piqued.

Chen Changsheng said, "Kill it."

The Earth Monkey instantly came to its senses, letting out several low growls. It used its bloodthirsty killing intent to prove its loyalty.

Hu Thirty-Two finally understood what Chen Changsheng intended to do.

It was well-known that Earth Monkeys had the innate ability to travel through the earth, and they were also extremely cruel and sinister. This was the best choice for hunting down and killing Chusu.

But Chusu was also a true monster. The Earth Monkey did not necessarily have the ability to kill it.

"I have an idea."

Hu Thirty-Two knew that voicing this suggestion might alter the Pope's view of him, even cause the Pope to be wary of him.

But as his most loyal subordinate, he had to voice his suggestion, leaving nothing to hide.

After hearing this idea, the gaze Chen Changsheng aimed at him truly did change.

Even the Earth Monkey's gaze toward Hu Thirty-Two changed, as if it had recognized a comrade.

Xu Yourong just shook her head.

……

……

The Earth Monkey left the cliff, heading into the mountains to seek out the world it had lost and Chusu.

Other Chen Changsheng, Xu Yourong, and Hu Thirty-Two, no one knew of this matter, and nobody knew what sort of attitude the Earth Monkey would use to appear in front of Chusu.

Not long after the Earth Monkey's departure, the Orthodoxy's convoy set out for the capital.

Everyone knew that Chen Changsheng was returning to the capital because he had received a letter.

But was it really because of that letter?

Of course it was not. The young emperor was still in the capital, as was Shang Xingzhou.

And most importantly, the Li Palace was also in the capital.