You're Supposed to Play a Reckless Man, Not Actually Be One

After withdrawing his consciousness from the Wuji Divine Hall,

Chen Ye and Liu Xiaoyao, two trusted confidants, immediately arranged a clandestine offline meeting. They slipped into a secure safehouse, shielding themselves from all prying eyes, and began whispering their conspiracy—matters far too sensitive for outsiders to hear.

Following Immortal Emperor Wuji’s orders, secrecy was paramount, and caution was only natural. Even the Emperor himself couldn’t fault them for that!

Though, admittedly, the content of their scheming was somewhat... treasonous.

The Seal-Bearing Immortal Official Chen Ye gazed with a sly glint in his eyes. "Xiaoyao, what’s your take on this? Chi Guowei may seem like a die-hard loyalist, but from what I know, the ancient Golden Scale Clan’s progenitor has shown signs of awakening. That ancestor was the last Dao Ancestor before the Divine Seclusion Era. According to a now-destroyed rare manuscript, that Golden Scale Dao Ancestor once briefly ascended to the throne of an Emperor!"

"Tell me, is Chi Guowei truly loyal?"

Liu Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, his third eye flickering open and shut with an eerie glow. But in the end, he shook his head.

"Old Chen, I know what you’re thinking, but Chi Guowei is different. He won’t betray Wuji—at most, he’ll pull some shady moves behind the scenes. I tested him earlier in the Divine Hall. There’s definitely something off about him, but it’s nothing major."

"If I had to guess, aside from the Purple Star Faction and our own involvement, the Golden Scale Clan was likely part of that mysterious force that suddenly interfered during the burning of the Classics Pavilion."

"But so what if we figured it out? We covered our tracks too well—there’s no evidence to pin him down. Worse, if we expose this, he’d turn the tables and crush us instead!"

Chen Ye sighed softly. "Then we’ll have to put in some real effort this time. We can’t let Chi Guowei catch us slipping."

"Here’s the plan—find a way to notify Zhang Bairen and have him instruct that guy in the lower realm to cooperate."

Liu Xiaoyao frowned. "That might be tricky. Zhang Bairen is still patrolling the River of Time, and our mission is strictly confidential. Trespassing into the River of Time would be too brazen. Maybe we should recruit the last surviving grandfather-grandson duo from the Zhang family into our squad?"

"No, that won’t work." Chen Ye tapped his folding fan thoughtfully. "The Zhang duo was recently dispatched to the lower realm. Immortal Emperor Wuji’s aura lingers too strongly on them. Bringing them into the team risks alerting him at the slightest misstep."

At this, Liu Xiaoyao gave him a strange look. "Old Chen, are you paranoid or what? We can’t guard too tightly against Immortal Emperor Wuji. We have to operate under his nose, not behind his back!"

Chen Ye rolled his eyes. "Do you even know what this secret mission to the lower realm is about? You think it’s just to hunt down some fugitive? Wrong! The Emperor’s real goal is to have us fill the variables!"

"Otherwise, why would there be danger in chasing a mere fugitive? Didn’t you hear him tell us to ‘be prepared’? The Emperor’s mind is inscrutable—you need to read between the lines, not take everything at face value. It’s fine to play the fool sometimes, but don’t actually become one."

"Bringing the Zhang duo into the team is risky. Not only are they tied to Zhang Bairen, but their unique status would draw the Emperor’s attention. We’d be severely restricted, unable to act freely..."

"Alright, alright, I’m an idiot, happy?" Liu Xiaoyao waved his hands in surrender. "Stop rambling and just tell me what to do."

Chen Ye thought for a moment before speaking slowly. "Since Immortal Emperor Wuji wants variables filled, we should follow his will—eliminate dissenters and promote loyalists. The lower realm is a meat grinder, while the upper realm is the high court of power."

"I stand by my earlier suggestion: find a way to notify Zhang Bairen and ensure he coordinates with us. Otherwise, we might end up mistaken for enemies and get wiped out..."

"Is it really that terrifying, brother? At worst, we’re half-step Dao Ancestors. What kind of karmic variable in the lower realm can’t be resolved with a single stroke of a primordial Dao mark? And even if there is, could it possibly exhaust all six of my Dao marks?"

"Absolutely. Even Immortal Emperor Wuji suffered setbacks down there. What makes you think we’re special? Do you think ‘meat grinder’ is just a nickname? The power of variables is unfathomable—terrifying beyond measure!"

"Fine. I do know a hidden path into the River of Time. The risks are high, but it’s discreet."

"Go ahead then. Stay safe. I’ll handle assembling the team and rounding up ‘volunteers.’"

"..."

With their conspiracy concluded, the two immediately set their plans into motion.

Meanwhile, in the Wuji Heavenly Court’s Hall of Wealth...

Chi Guowei, Immortal Emperor Wuji’s most trusted confidant, calmly finished his routine approvals before quietly shutting the doors. He retreated into the innermost private chamber and discreetly retrieved a golden orb, channeling his consciousness into it.

"Ancestor, things aren’t looking good for me. Liu Xiaoyao suspects me. I’ll have to cut off supplies to the clan for a while until the heat dies down..."

Almost instantly, an ethereal Dao resonance echoed from the orb.

"Child, shall I make Liu Xiaoyao... quietly disappear?"

The unspoken implication was clear: if the problem couldn’t be resolved, then the one raising it could be removed instead.

Chi Guowei stiffened and immediately refused. "Ancestor, please stay calm! Liu Xiaoyao holds more weight in Immortal Emperor Wuji’s heart than I do. Acting recklessly could bring annihilation upon our Golden Scale Clan!"

"Some things, the Emperor simply chooses not to investigate—but that doesn’t mean he can’t. Especially since I just clashed with Liu Xiaoyao. Once suspicion is cast, no excuse will matter."

The golden orb trembled slightly, followed by a sigh. "Very well, child. Do as you must. Try to mend relations with Liu Xiaoyao if possible. The clan relies on you."

"Understood, Ancestor."

"..."

The orb dimmed, signaling the end of their communication.

In contrast, Chi Guowei’s dark golden pupils burned brighter, as if ignited by an inner flame.

Truthfully, he wanted nothing more than to lay everything bare before Immortal Emperor Wuji!

He couldn’t understand—why?

The Heavenly Court was at its zenith, thriving like never before. Immortal Emperor Wuji was invincible!

So why did his resurrected ancestor refuse to submit?

Yes, the ancestor was the last Dao Ancestor before the Divine Seclusion Era, even briefly claiming the throne during the chaos of the immortal realm. But that was the past!

Did his ancestor truly not grasp how formidable Immortal Emperor Wuji was?

The mighty Lingxiao Era had crumbled under Wuji’s might. He had overthrown a reigning Immortal Emperor, shattered the myth of invincibility, and subdued all challengers across the cosmos!

And his ancestor?

To put it bluntly, his so-called reign was a fluke—unrecognized by the heavens, unrecorded in official history, mentioned only in obscure apocrypha. He was never truly invincible, let alone undefeated.

Compared to Immortal Emperor Wuji, the difference was night and day!

How dare his ancestor even entertain thoughts of rebellion?!

All because of some cryptic prophecy?

"I must’ve been out of my mind to believe you. This is the last time I help you."

Chi Guowei let out a quiet sigh, forcibly suppressing the gloom in his heart before putting on a bright smile, ready to approach Liu Xiaoyao for a work discussion.