The Tyrant Doesn't Think About Sealing, but First About How to Trick People

Early the next morning.

Inside the central command tent, the atmosphere was as heavy as lead.

Last night, Wang Hao did not publicly reveal all the secrets Shen Xue had brought. Instead, he worked through the night to summon only the core circle—Yu Huatian, Wei Zhongxian, a few imperial ancestors, as well as the three women Shen Xue, Yun Meng, and Ren Mingyue, plus the strongest few among the ten temporary workers.

There was no nonsense in the tent.

Wang Hao got straight to the point and threw out everything that could be said.

"There is only one conclusion."

"This secret realm is not just a relic of the Martial God's battlefield."

"The depths most likely involve something sealed away from ancient times, and the seal may have already been damaged."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed simultaneously.

An ancestor of the Wang family was the first to frown: "Grandnephew, if this matter truly involves an ancient demon-sealing ruin, the risks probably far exceed our estimates. I suggest we immediately withdraw the main force, seal the entrance, and mobilize more array masters and enshrined experts from the capital."

Another ancestor nodded in agreement: "Indeed. If some great ominous entity is truly sealed inside, rashly disturbing it will result in immense casualties for the imperial guards."

Yun Meng also rarely refrained from being contrarian, her expression solemn: "I agree with retreating first. No matter how great the opportunity, you need to be alive to take it."

Although Ye Guyun and the others were unwilling, the scenes of the broken sword's abnormal movements and the remnant soul's warning last night were still vivid in their minds. They also knew that this was no longer an ordinary instance where one could take a gamble and turn from a chicken into a phoenix.

Ren Mingyue didn't speak, just quietly looked at Wang Hao.

She understood this emperor too well.

These people were speaking very steadily, very reasonably, very much like a normal decision-making process.

But the problem was—Wang Hao was often not a normal person.

Sure enough.

After a brief silence, Wang Hao slowly swept his gaze over the crowd, his expression solemn and majestic.

"What you all have said are all prudent words for the sake of the country."

"But—"

His voice suddenly sank, and with a flick of his dragon robe, his entire aura instantly rose.

"How can I, just because there is danger ahead, sit back and watch evil spirits bring disaster to the common people!"

"The eight hundred miles around the capital are the heartland of the Great Zhou. If a great menace is truly hidden here, if I take a step back today, tens of millions of people might pay the price for me in the future."

"Therefore, we cannot retreat."

These words were spoken powerfully and with righteous indignation.

Many people in the tent were somewhat awed.

Even the ancestors showed slight signs of being moved.

Yun Meng even raised her eyebrows and muttered in a low voice: "This dog of a man... how come he suddenly looks like a decent human today?"

Shen Xue's brows, however, did not relax.

Others might not know, but last night she had heard with her own ears this bastard say he wanted to throw a bomb right in Xie Wujiu's face.

This look of 'I will not retreat for the sake of the common people' he was putting on now might fool outsiders, but fool her?

In his dreams.

Sure enough, the next moment, Wang Hao changed the subject.

"However, not retreating is one thing, but we can't act recklessly either."

"This kind of dirty and tiring work naturally requires proper methods and approaches."

Saying this, his gaze fell on Yu Huatian.

"Yu Huatian."

"This minister is here."

"You will immediately take people and, using the periphery of the Weapon Burial Terrace as a base, set up three layers of guiding arrays, two layers of space-locking arrays, and one layer of reverse shifting array."

Yu Huatian was startled: "Your Majesty means..."

Wang Hao smiled, a very wicked smile.

"It means setting up a stage in advance."

"Just in case something incredible really pops out from the depths of the secret realm, someone has to be there to take the fall."

Everyone in the tent was speechless.

Good heavens.

After talking for so long, it was still a scheme to pit people against each other.

Yun Meng was instantly amused: "I knew it, you can't stay serious for more than three sentences."

A Wang family ancestor hesitated and said: "Could it be that you want to... lure the enemy into a trap?"

"Exactly."

Wang Hao tapped his fingertips lightly on the desk, his eyes like a fox calculating the layout of a chicken coop.

"Don't the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, the Heavenly Dao Alliance, and the Crimson Moon Demon Cult all really want the Martial God's opportunity?"

"Then I will give them an opportunity."

"When the time comes, as long as the trap is set beautifully, not only will they not suspect anything, but they will actually fight each other to jump in."

Shen Xue felt her temples throbbing as she listened: "Are you crazy? That is a remnant body of a Night Fiend, what if the situation gets out of control—"

"That is exactly why we need to set up the arrays first."

Wang Hao interrupted her, "It's not like I want to let it out for a walk. I just want to use it within a controllable range to scare people, set them up, and conveniently let Xie Wujiu experience what karma is."

Saying that, he suddenly stood up and came to the simple map of the secret realm.

"Look here."

"The Weapon Burial Terrace is just the periphery. According to the remnant soul's hints, the real problem lies in the deeper demon-sealing area."

"If we launch a direct assault, the risk is too high; but if someone paves the way for me, triggers the mechanisms, and draws out the variables... I can just pick up the ready-made intelligence from behind, and conveniently decide when to pull in the net."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen's mouth twitched fiercely.

Familiar, too familiar.

Wasn't this just an upgraded version of yesterday's scientific exploration?

The only difference was that yesterday they used demonic beasts, death row inmates, and magical treasures to scout the way, while today they were preparing to use the Heavenly Secret Pavilion and various ambitious schemers to scout the way.

Even a capitalist would have to call him the founding master upon seeing this.

Ye Guyun said coldly: "But the enemy might not fall for it."

"They will."

Wang Hao said with absolute certainty, "Because I understand this group of people too well."

"Tell them there is danger ahead, and they will hesitate."

"Tell them there is Martial God origin, a complete inheritance, and heaven-defying opportunities ahead, and they will convince themselves."

"The thing humans are best at is never assessing risks, but finding excuses for their greed."

The tent fell silent for a moment.

Because these words were simply too true.

Wang Hao continued to issue orders:

"Wei Zhongxian."

"This old slave is here!"

"From now on, quietly spread rumors in the camp. Just say that there were abnormal movements deep within the Weapon Burial Terrace last night, and that an ancient weapon path true spirit appeared, seemingly pointing to the location of the true Martial God origin."

"But don't make the news too absolute. It should be half true and half false, making people feel that it is verifiable, credible, and worth gambling on."

"Especially make sure those with ulterior motives hear it."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian's old face bloomed into a smile.

"Your Majesty is wise! This old slave is very familiar with this kind of entrapment!"

"Mm."

Wang Hao nodded in satisfaction, "Remember, don't rush to catch them. Let them move first."

"Whoever moves is the one with a problem."

"Whoever runs towards the depths could be a mole, an opportunist, or both."

Yu Huatian also understood, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "Your Majesty wants to use this wave of rumors to filter out all the filthy things in our ranks."

"Exactly."

Wang Hao smiled as warmly as the spring breeze, "Things like the human heart, no matter how deeply hidden they are normally, as long as enough bait is provided, they will float up on their own."

Watching this scene, Shen Xue felt extremely complicated.

She was originally worried about whether the Great Zhou side would fall into disarray after learning about the remnant body of the Night Fiend.

As it turned out, not only did Wang Hao not panic, but he immediately began laying out an even bigger scheme.

This bastard didn't think about how to seal it, but first thought about how to screw people over.

Yet, every step he planned was extremely reasonable.

First spread the news, then bait the moles, set up arrays as a safety net, use the enemy to scout the way, and finally choose the right moment to close the net.

It was simply wickedly methodical.

After the meeting, everyone dispersed.

The entire camp appeared normal on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents were surging.

Starting in the afternoon, all sorts of unverified rumors quietly began to spread.

"Have you heard? The Weapon Burial Terrace is just the periphery; the true Martial God inheritance is deeper inside."

"More than just an inheritance, I heard it is the Martial God's Essence. One breath of it can help you break through three major realms."

"Really?"

"Someone from the Eastern Depot saw it with their own eyes. Last night, His Majesty personally studied the map all night and summoned three special envoys for a secret talk..."

"Holy crap, then there is an eighty percent chance it is a massive haul!"

The rumors grew increasingly outrageous as they spread.

From "suspected to have a core area," it rapidly evolved into "the Martial God's heart is hidden deep within the secret realm," "whoever gets it becomes the next generation's Martial God," and "it even hides the secret to breaking through the ninth realm."

Wang Hao listened to the public opinion summary presented by the Eastern Depot, nodding in satisfaction.

"Not bad."

"Things like rumors just need to be allowed to grow their own legs."

"I am only responsible for watering and fertilizing them a bit."

And just before dark, the system notification arrived.

"Ding! Intelligence updated."

"Ding! Detected abnormal action tendencies from multiple individuals in the camp."

"Ding! Three of them reacted abnormally to the intelligence regarding the 'deep Martial God's Essence' and have begun secret contact."

Wang Hao's eyes lit up.

The fish took the bait.

He set down the scroll and leisurely stood up.

"Men, prepare to watch a show."

That night.

Behind an inconspicuous supply tent on the west side of the camp.

Three figures quietly met in the shadows.

One of them wore the uniform of an Imperial Guard captain, with a lean figure and gloomy eyes; the other two were a disciple of a hidden sect accompanying the team, and someone disguised as a logistics deacon.

The three lowered their voices, their expressions urgent.

"Is the news confirmed?"

"Confirmed. I have already obtained a corner of the incomplete map leaked from the Eastern Depot. The route points to the ground fissure beneath the Weapon Burial Terrace."

"That tyrant Wang Hao has probably already discovered the true core, which is why he is deliberately suppressing it and keeping it a secret."

"Hmph, he wants to swallow it all himself, but we will not let him have his way."

"As long as we pass on the route and intelligence, someone from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets will naturally respond. When the time comes, whether it is the Martial God's Essence or the dominant control over the secret realm, we will have a share of the credit."

The leading Imperial Guard captain nodded, his eyes fierce.

"Then we make our move tonight. We leave the team and enter the depths one step ahead."

"Wealth is found in danger."

However, what they did not know was...

In the darkness not far away, Yu Huatian stood expressionlessly.

And in the shadow of a rock higher up, Wang Hao, draped in a cloak and holding a cup of hot tea, was watching this scene with great relish.

"Tsk."

"People actually believed it."

"It seems the four words 'Martial God's Essence' are even more effective than I imagined."

Behind him, Wei Zhongxian bent his waist and whispered, "Your Majesty, should we apprehend them now?"

"Apprehend what?"

Wang Hao snorted lightly. "Catching them so early would be boring."

"Let them run."

"Give them the map, give them the path, and it is best to give them a little hope of 'finally approaching the core after enduring untold hardships'."

"Wait until they have stepped into all the traps they are supposed to step into, and then collect their corpses."

Speaking of this, his smile grew even more radiant.

"I love watching this kind of self-proclaimed smart person take the fake bone I fed them and happily run all the way into the slaughterhouse."

The night breeze blew, and the camp lights flickered.

And those three sneaky figures finally took advantage of the gap during the changing of the guard, quietly left the main camp, and headed straight for the depths of the Weapon Burial Terrace.

A true entrapment operation had officially begun.

Midnight, the mountain wind howled.

The three men who had broken away from the main camp hurried along, looking both nervous and excited.

They thought their movements were secretive, completely unaware that from the moment they stepped out of the camp, at least three groups of people were secretly watching them from above, below, and behind.

It was just that no one exposed them.

Because what Wang Hao wanted was never as simple as "catching three moles."

He wanted to follow the vine to get the melon, uprooting the entire line.

"Hurry up."

The Imperial Guard captain urged in a low voice. "In a little while, the night patrol inspections in the camp will become stricter."

His name was Zhou Cheng. On the surface, he was a mid-level captain in the capital's Imperial Guard, but in reality, he was a hidden nail planted into the Imperial Guard system by the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets a long time ago.

Ever since the Heavenly Dao Alliance rebelled against the Great Zhou, many of their disciples had gone undercover.

Zhou Cheng was one of them.

Entering Yan Mountain this time, he was originally just ordered to gather intelligence. But when the words "Martial God's Essence" reached his ears, he was tempted almost instantly.

As long as he passed the intelligence to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, or touched the true core one step ahead himself, he could not only make a great contribution but might even take the opportunity to change his destiny.

Are kings and generals born noble?

Wang Hao, a... bah, a piece of trash who sat on the dragon throne purely by reincarnation could dominate the Great Wilderness, so why could he not, Zhou Cheng, take a gamble?

"Up ahead is the rift of the Weapon Burial Terrace."

Another person said in a low voice.

This person was named Lu Chen, an informant planted in the team by the hidden sect "Guiyuan Sect," who had already secretly defected to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. As for the third person, it was Sun Yue, dressed as a logistics deacon, who came from another wavering faction and was best at trimming his sails to the wind.

The three of them were not exactly of one mind.

But on the two matters of "the secret realm's core fortuitous encounter" and "selling information in exchange for a future," their interests were aligned.