"With Chengyu's current state, how can he possibly win against Xu Zijing?"
Feng Jie Yu watched as the two walked up to the martial arts stage and turned to Xu Nanzhi with her question.
Xu Nanzhi glanced around cautiously, but Feng Jie Yu remained calm.
"Don't worry, as long as I'm here, no one else can hear us. Even Zhao Shijue, who is an Earth Immortal and standing the closest, wouldn't be able to overhear our conversation."
With this reassuring answer, Xu Nanzhi finally responded.
"Chengyu has a special magic artifact on him. It has saved him more than once and just woke up yesterday."
"The strange Five-Color Divine Light?"
Feng Jie Yu, being knowledgeable, naturally linked it to the peculiar artifact on Su Chengyu's body.
Seeing Xu Nanzhi nod, Feng Jie Yu still was not convinced.
"It's not enough. Even if Su Chengyu manages to hold his ground against him or even win, it means nothing."
Feng Jie Yu chuckled lightly: "Why do you think I don't just take action and sweep these people away? You don't think I'd refrain from acting rough with Princess Consort Chen while in the Capital City, do you?"
Xu Nanzhi shook her head, as she knew a bit about Feng Jie Yu's carefree nature.
"It's because it lacks meaning. Le Niushang has come this time for proof. Even though she's certain that Chengyu cannot perform at his full capability, as long as Su Chengyu doesn't defeat Xu Zijing with his own strength, his matters with Lin An are over. I know that girl Lin An holds feelings for Chengyu. If this were only about the two of them, it wouldn't matter. But the biggest issue isn't just with them."
Xu Nanzhi blinked, knowing little of court affairs, and understanding even less about Su Chengyu's situation in the Capital City or Zhao Xuanzhen, the Heavenly Son. She had not thought this far.
"Now, with the vacancy of the Demon Slayer Officer causing a citywide uproar and not a single person to suppress the news, have you wondered why?"
"It's the will of Your Majesty?"
"Yes, Le Niushang is just a pawn. She believes she's scheming against Su Chengyu, not realizing she's being used by Zhao Xuanzhen. Zhao Xuanzhen is also waiting, wanting to see the true extent of Su Chengyu's current power and realm. Xu Zijing is the one who will confirm this for him."
"Le Niushang truly holds Zhao Xuanzhen's favor, otherwise the Shen Family wouldn't keep her atop the Red List. But Xu Zijing is ultimately the sword Zhao Xuanzhen personally forged along with Ji Yuguang as a Xia Country weapon. Without Zhao Xuanzhen's instructions, he would not have come."
Upon hearing this, Xu Nanzhi finally understood.
"So Su Chengyu must win. Not just to show these people, but to show the Heavenly Son."
"Yes, others might not understand the methods Chengyu uses, but as his opponent, Xu Zijing will know clearly. By the time this information reaches Your Majesty, Chengyu will have completely lost, regardless of Le Niushang's attitude."
Upon hearing this, Xu Nanzhi bit her lip, and her fists clenched unconsciously—after all, with the situation as it was, she couldn't help but blame herself.
Seeing this, Feng Jie Yu chuckled and said, "You need not worry so much. Even if you can't see through this matter, Chengyu probably has another plan."
Xu Nanzhi shook her head: "Aunt Feng, you misunderstood. I believe Chengyu certainly has a way to win. I just realized, even if Chengyu wins, he's still caught in His Majesty's plan, so I'm worried..."
Feng Jie Yu smirked and said, "No, you're wrong again."
"What Zhao Xuanzhen wants is for him to succeed the Demon Slayer Department as the Demon Slayer Officer. If Su Chengyu doesn't win, he can keep Lin An, and Xu Zijing can hold up on the Demon Slayer front. Both outcomes are acceptable to him. But don't forget, what Chengyu wants is not just... or should I say, not only the position of Demon Slayer Officer." The rightful source is nοvelfire.net
"Heavenly Punishment Department?"
"Yes. I don't know if this is part of Chengyu's plan or a stroke of luck, but the moment he showed his token, Zhao Xuanzhen's plans were thoroughly disrupted. By then, facing the petitions of these people and the Heavenly Punishment Department commander badge, Zhao Xuanzhen will truly be caught in a predicament. The power of the Heavenly Punishment Department, which he spent years gradually dismantling, might come back, and then it's hard to say who will control whom."
After hearing Feng Jie Yu's words, Xu Nanzhi's inner doubts were completely dispelled. She looked at the martial arts stage, knowing that all she needed to see now was how Chengyu would win.
"This isn't your power."
During the hundreds of exchanges with Su Chengyu, Xu Zijing used hundreds of talismans, including many precious ones given by Ji Yuguang. Yet, even so, he couldn't break through Su Chengyu's defense.
None of this was unexpected, as he knew of Su Chengyu's past strength. Given his talent, it wasn't surprising for Su Chengyu to accomplish this.
However, at this moment, Su Chengyu was using the same creation power as himself.
As someone on the Road of Creation, Xu Zijing was well aware that such a high level of defense was beyond what the Hollow Void Realm could muster.
Even if Xu Zijing couldn't fathom how Su Chengyu managed it, he was certain that Chengyu was using external means to battle him.
"What? I'm just a grasshopper tied to the same rope as him now. If you move against him, you can't expect me not to act?"
Seeing himself exposed, the Heaven-Mending Stone no longer hid and directly transmitted to Xu Zijing.
"Senior, you're an Earth Immortal, and I'm indeed not your match. But if Su Chengyu's means are just using you to fight me, then I cannot acknowledge him."
Xu Zijing spoke formally, but his assault did not cease for a moment.
The Heaven-Mending Stone, seeing this, became impatient: "Why can't you understand? As I said, my power is now his power; there's no issue."
Despite the Heaven-Mending Stone's argument, Xu Zijing still shook his head.
In other circumstances, maybe Xu Zijing would have accepted it, but he was explicitly instructed when leaving Yaoguang Dojo.
"Zijing, remember. You may lose today, but only to him; if you lose to someone else, don't bother coming back. Either he dies, or... you do."
"I solemnly heed my master's command."
A recalled image in his mind solidified Xu Zijing's resolve. Against Su Chengyu, he now held nothing back, unleashing his mana, and a massive Dharma Body formed behind him.
"I invoke the Star River Talisman!"
A talisman inscribed in cinnabar descended from the sky, aimed directly at Su Chengyu, vexing the Heaven-Mending Stone.
"Su Chengyu! This guy is courting death. Can I kill him?"
Back at Su Chengyu's side, the Heaven-Mending Stone had already merged into his Sea of Consciousness, allowing communication with Su Chengyu.
As Su Chengyu looked up at the scene, he fully realized that Xu Zijing must have a reason he couldn't stop.
"Well, I'll have to try that method. Heaven-Mending, you can return. I'll handle it myself."
"You will? Are you courting death too?"
Su Chengyu smiled slightly and said, "I have to gamble. My first bet is that he doesn't really want to kill me."