ASER - Chapter 188
Chapter 188: Pawns
Chen Xun flipped through the papers, still feeling that the ink on them wasn't quite right; the way it had dried was off.
It seemed more like a chemical change caused by some kind of energy.
He got up, took the papers, and walked into the laboratory. The papers were examined on the equipment.
Indeed, energy had been applied to them.
Someone had been here last night.
Chen Xun immediately went into the room and stood in the center. With his intellect, he was accustomed to recording all microscopic information in a static state. After comparison, he found that nothing was missing. The most terrifying thing was that the intelligent hidden devices he had designed had not detected anyone entering or leaving.
Either this person was at the Grandmaster level or even Spirit King level or above, or... the other party was a ghost.
But they had definitely been here, yet they hadn't harmed him, nor had they taken anything.
What was their purpose?
Moreover, they had left energy traces on this paper, but it contained the details of his calculations, which were completely unchanged.
His calculations hadn't changed, which meant the other party had left something but then removed it. However, this person definitely understood what these calculations signified.
The Heavenly Spirit Clan's secret realm, an alternate dimension energy formation.
Then this person should fit the following characteristics: powerful, mysterious, knew him, and knew the Heavenly Spirit Clan.
Many potential individuals came to mind.
The Imperial Clan, Lushan.
These two were the most likely. The former had been investigating the secrets of his ancestor Chen Gui and information about them, the Chen family descendants. Lushan was also curious about this but was more inclined to protect them, probably fearing the Imperial Clan might use A'Diao's relatives to threaten her. Although the possibility was low, Lushan was also trying to avoid such a scenario.
If it were the Imperial Clan, they should be eager to target A'Diao regarding the curse, looking for methods. Causing trouble here rashly would be meaningless and could easily alert Chen A'Diao, causing her to remain holed up in Lushan. Therefore, for the Imperial Clan now, inaction was better than action, making a visit to him even less necessary.
If it were Lushan, it was even less likely. Even if there were factions within Lushan that disliked A'Diao, since the Mountain Head could protect A'Diao and ensure her safe retreat from the Imperial Clan, he wouldn't allow those in Lushan, who were already under his nose, to act recklessly. Conversely, those people would actually be more careful to protect their reputations and unwilling to anger the Mountain Head.
Therefore... only one other person remained, seemingly impossible, yet actually very possible.
Chen Xun examined his palm and noticed some subtle changes in his skin. Lost in thought, he soon lay down in a device and checked all his body's data.
At this time, Daoguang Jingci had not left either. Instead, she returned to her residence, went back into the pool, and circulated her bloodline diagram.
Faintly, curse markings could be seen appearing on her body... spreading inch by inch. She endured the pain, refining the essence blood within her. Suddenly, golden, liquid-like flames erupted from her body.
Amidst the brilliance, a phoenix underwent nirvana. Soon, a gleaming golden inner core emerged from her phoenix body through nirvana.
"It actually worked, it really is..."
Although she had read many books from the first generation, and A'Diao had jokingly teased her that day about the feasibility of this dual cultivation method, she hadn't taken it seriously on the surface. Later, combining it with her own plans, she ultimately took this path.
Three hours later, she reverted to her human form. After dressing, she took the inner core and teleported, appearing on a mountain cliff.
The other person was sitting cross-legged on the edge of the cliff, looking at the mountains and sea. At night, the mountains and sea were a stretch of darkness, but the starlight reflected, faintly casting a sheen over this mortal world.
From the back, he appeared to be an old man.
Bathed in starlight, sitting and gazing at the mountains and sea.
Daoguang Jingci didn't care what the other person looked like. After all, spiritual energy had revived; whether old or young, dignified or wretched, one couldn't generalize.
The world was changing, life and death were a struggle; what was the point of discussing appearances?
"I have advanced to the True Phoenix Body. This is the Nirvana Inner Core, the one you wanted. According to our previous agreement, please lift the evil curse on my clansmen."
She showed no emotion, nor did she mention what she had done. She simply knelt and presented the box.
The old man didn't take it, merely saying in a hoarse voice, "The method she taught you was to create a bloodline. You modified it to advance to the True Body, not hesitating to sacrifice your lifespan and fertility for it. Ruthless enough. But I didn't expect you to uncover the secret of the Celestial Clan's curse lingering in the Chen family's descendants."
Daoguang Jingci lowered her head and said faintly, "Senior, there's no need to test me. I don't know anything else. I only know that the core of that Celestial Maiden Highness's curse is bloodline proliferation. The evil curse was meant to sever Chen Gui's bloodline, turn his greatest desire to revitalize his family into nothing, and make his most cherished descendants pay the price for his actions. By the same token, as the strongest upper limit of this curse, it can also be used to perfectly create a matrilineal bloodline and condense a blood pill. Just like Xu Zhaoyin could use this principle to give birth to Xu Ye without the curse. Essentially, the Celestial Clan's curse signifies a kind of genetic isolation."
The old man: "So you thought about having offspring? It seems you quite like him."
He knew? That made sense. Such a terrifying figure, it seemed everyone was his pawn.
Since he had set the condition of wanting the inner core for the transaction, he naturally considered how she would accomplish it.
Offspring? What the hell.
Daoguang Jingci was stunned for a moment, finding his words very strange. She mocked herself, "Acting like this is more than ungentlemanly; it's downright despicable and shameless. If someone did this to me, I would kill them without hesitation. But for me, if it's to lift the clan's evil curse, I even chose to marry that old scoundrel. Being a villain once more doesn't require me to put on a high hat of innocence and grievance. But there's no need to use the word 'like,' as if it's so poetic and picturesque."
At their level, poetic sentiments were far less important than life and death.
Despicable is despicable, beyond reproach. Other emotional aspects are secondary.
After all, if the house is burning down, who would still be indulging in romantic trifles inside?
"That day, I made your relative die instantly from the evil curse. You then began to investigate all existences cursed by the Celestial Clan and found that the three alien imperial clans all had it. That's why you were all eager to marry into the imperial families of the three nations. But besides you, among humans, only the Chen family suffered this. So you became interested in the Chen family and have been investigating for years. When Chen Xun proactively applied to join the guard, you reviewed his application. You could have screened him out, but you confirmed him later. I'm afraid you intended to probe the Chen family long ago."
To subdue this proud and intelligent Heavenly Spirit Clan Princess, an irresistible threat was necessary. Thus, their first meeting was extremely bloody.
Leaving no room for maneuver.
The old man didn't turn back, but his voice was dangerous and hoarse. "Do pawns also need to understand the master's strategy? Is it because you're unwilling? Wanting to jump off the chessboard?"
A faint pressure emanated. Daoguang Jingci narrowed her eyes, not panicking, but slowly said, "Ever since I learned the Celestial Clan was not extinct, how would I dare?"
Actually, even if the old man hadn't appeared, the clan had faintly sensed it.
Because it was becoming increasingly difficult for offspring to be born, and many died shortly after birth. This was unusual. The most unusual thing was that she saw panic in her elders, a panic born of vague suspicions.
She asked, but they basically wouldn't say, as if avoiding something taboo.
The old man's appearance was the other shoe dropping. When it fell, the glass plate shattered, and only then did she see the ashes mixed within the plate.
The three alien imperial clans had betrayed the Celestial Clan in the past.
Speaking of which, the existence of the alien races was also due to the Celestial Clan.
"I was just preparing for this inner core. For a seemingly impossible task, one must always try their best. However, I'm very puzzled—if you truly wanted the inner core, you could have just killed me and refined it yourself. I believe you have that ability. Why ask me to devise a way myself?"
"Actually, you had long anticipated that I would investigate the Chen family and eventually use Chen Xun. All of this was within your expectations."
Since it was already done, Daoguang Jingci was someone who didn't regret her moves. At this moment, her words were instead sharp and insightful, probing the other's intentions—the other party had said a few more words tonight, clearly with a purpose.
The old man: "Two reasons. One, you'll know later. You don't need to think it's such a big deal. Today, you witness storms in the hall and suffer humiliation behind it, yet you don't know that centuries ago, others had their bones crushed and their clans exterminated. Today, you lost virtue and dignity, he lost his physical well-being. What does all that count for? So young, you still don't know what hell is."
He said this with a light, dismissive laugh, as if their suffering was insignificant. His humanity seemed thin, but it was also realistic.
"I'll make a bet with you. Guess when he will find out?"
Daoguang Jingci's expression changed slightly, but she eventually said, "It should be soon. It can't be hidden, actually."
He is too smart, too perceptive.
"Then guess again if he will contact you."
As soon as these words were spoken, Daoguang Jingci's private account, which she had set up only after entering Tang Song, rang.
They had never added each other as contacts, nor had they ever communicated. She had never revealed it to anyone, yet he already knew.
This person... how terrifying.
Tonight, she had offended such a person.
Daoguang Jingci felt a headache. For the first time in many years, she felt a sense of trepidation. After all, she was the one who had made the mistake.
The old man stood up.
"You see, this is my next objective... I've taken the item, and also the Book of the Yellow Springs you gave me earlier. Thank you, Your Highness Daoguang."
Daoguang Jingci looked at the still-ringing number, then at the old man who was about to turn ethereal, and suddenly spoke.
"I think I know your identity. And I know you are deliberately tormenting us, making us fight, struggle, and suffer."
"So, the alien races' betrayal of the Celestial Clan back then wasn't just a betrayal out of self-preservation, but rather an active assistance in the murder of the Celestial Clan by humans, right?"
The old man's body paused slightly but soon dissipated, leaving only a low voice.
"Winners become kings, losers are vilified; who is right and who is wrong is not worth mentioning. She never brought it up. But three hundred years later, don't blame us for being ruthless. History always repeats itself. Speaking of which, wasn't the Skeletal Remains Refinement Method an invention of your ancestors? A work of genius."
"Haha."
However, Daoguang Jingci heard a hint of desolation in the mocking "haha" that followed.
The Skeletal Remains Refinement Method?
This seemed like very crucial information.
But she was more curious about who the Book of the Yellow Springs and her Nirvana Inner Core were for.
These two things, combined, were actually both related to genes and bloodlines.
Daoguang Jingci finally answered. Just as she was about to speak, Chen Xun's voice came from the other side, exceptionally calm, "I know Your Highness has to return to the Imperial Palace in the morning. Please come to my place now to discuss matters. If you are unwilling, that's fine too. We will each bear the consequences."
Calm to the bone, yet still refined and courteous, without losing his composure.
Daoguang Jingci inexplicably felt a little regretful, but she also knew there was no way back. So, she remained silent for a moment, then agreed, and teleported back to that room.
Chen Xun had already changed into casual clothes and was waiting for her. He handed her a glass of water and said calmly, "He found you? Is your Heavenly Spirit Clan's evil curse that severe? Or does he have a way to catalyze it prematurely?"
"It's probably not that exaggerated. It's just that my cousin was already in poor health, congenitally weak. He just gave it a push. Our curse is not quite the same as your Chen family's."
Chen Xun's eyelids twitched slightly. "What are you suspecting?"
"Skeletal Remains," Daoguang Jingci said. "Our alien races' curse might have originated from devouring a portion of the Celestial Clan's Skeletal Remains. But I don't understand why the Imperial Clan doesn't have it. Back then, they should have been united, joining forces to defeat the Celestial Clan."
Chen Xun: "Because of the genetic barrier between the two sides. When humans absorb, they can only take in essence like energy. But because the alien races' own origin had some connection to the Celestial Clan back then, they could absorb some genes... and suffered a backlash."
Daoguang Jingci was stunned.
This reason... seemed very simple and crude, yet exceptionally logical.
She understood now and couldn't help but smile bitterly. "So, it's like begging for escape in purgatory. Suddenly, I feel that the imperial clans of the three nations being so carefree is unreasonable."
All are guilty. They live a life worse than death, while the instigators, the imperial clans of the three nations, are flourishing. How could they be reconciled?
"People who are too carefree are prone to being struck by lightning—except for my A'Diao."
"..."
"Also, even if you've guessed his identity, don't try to guess his other identities. People who survived from that era find it hard to have mercy for people of the present."
Although Daoguang Jingci had long known Chen Xun was formidable, she didn't know he was this formidable. She was so shocked she almost forgot to take the cup. But she quickly recovered, took it, thanked him politely, and then asked, "You knew him long ago and have had contact with him? Or rather, he had contacted the Chen family long ago?"
The order of events makes a huge difference.
"Knowing so much about the Chen family won't benefit Your Highness. After all, your current situation is already very bad."
For such a proud person to resort to such a desperate measure, it showed she had been pushed to the brink.
Chen Xun didn't mention what happened earlier, as if it was nothing. Daoguang Jingci could only avoid mentioning it as well.
Between them, the most important thing was always the curse.
"Actually, the bloodlines of the three alien imperial clans are already severely depleted of offspring, but what is shown externally is all a facade. For this, we even developed techniques for body splitting and soul separation and reconstruction, all to play multiple roles—what we are actually guarding against are the imperial clans of the three nations. Especially after the revival of spiritual energy, they have re-mastered realm-opening technology and have the ability to invade our secret realms. Marrying into them is to infiltrate their power structures, bind our interests with theirs, and intensify the internal strife among the three nations, thereby creating space for our survival."
Having reached this point, it wouldn't make sense not to be direct.
"But you sought me out because?" Daoguang Jingci guessed this person (Chen Xun) wouldn't tell her about the Chen family's affairs. And regarding that old man, Chen Xun definitely knew more than her, which was why he told her not to ask.
"If I'm not mistaken, you have a way to rejuvenate that old scoundrel, thereby completing this cooperation."
"Yes."
"Those old fogeys in the Imperial Clan won't refuse your marriage alliance because Tang Song needs the power of the Heavenly Spirit Clan. So, you, as Empress, will exist. But soon, you will become the Empress Dowager."
Daoguang Jingci's eyelids twitched slightly as she looked at him.
He knew... He was aware of the recent changes in the court, and from this, he deduced that those old Imperial Clan fogeys were changing the power structure to suppress the old scoundrel's faction.
So perceptive.
"I had guessed as much, but I didn't expect them to be so decisive. So... what do you need me to do for you? To make up for my guilt."
She asked bluntly.
"In this matter, I didn't suffer a loss either. Let's just say I was drunk. But you didn't tell me beforehand, and that's not right. If you had told me, I might not have refused to cooperate."
His stern and methodical manner made her feel ashamed.
"...It wasn't right. I'm sorry."
She didn't know he knew so many inside details. However, why did he say he would cooperate? Unless he... had already guessed what that person would do with the inner core.
"So, when you become Empress Dowager, they will definitely support Crown Prince Ye. I don't like or trust this Crown Prince Ye, but he is no pushover either. In the future, he will certainly be unwilling to be controlled by those old fogeys and won't want to be a puppet. Therefore, in principle, you need to hold power to balance him, rather than being a mere figurehead. Naturally, you will also definitely take the opportunity to win the support of a few old fogeys. I need you, on this basis, to be unconditionally biased towards one person in your heart."
Daoguang Jingci tapped her temple with her finger, met his gaze, and voiced her guess.
"Is it you, or Chen A'Diao?"
Chen Xun: "I don't need anyone's bias. She doesn't really need it either. But I just want to secure it for her. Do you agree?"
It was cooperation, but it also required her to concede on this basis.
"Alright. This is not a difficult matter for me. I already had this intention."
As an alien, it was too difficult for her to gain power in Tang Song. Either she would be a puppet, or... she would support a new power system and reap the greatest benefits.
Coincidentally, Chen Xun had also long set his sights on power. Their cooperation indeed had no upper limit.
It just added an unconditional bias towards Chen A'Diao, which meant he was asking her to serve Chen A'Diao in the future.
This man truly exhausted all his efforts for A'Diao, and he also leveraged her guilt to reasonably demand compensation.
Back and forth, neither owed the other anything.
"Anything else?"
Daoguang Jingci also said calmly, "Actually, I have a way to enable you to cultivate. The secret method A'Diao gave me should also work for you."
It would only cost her some essence blood and some treasures.
Chen Xun was stunned, then fell into thought, but soon refused.
"Sometimes, losing support in certain aspects isn't necessarily a complete loss. If Heaven doesn't grant it to me, why force it?"
Moreover, this person... was a Phoenix Princess. The incident with her tonight seemed to have also improved his constitution somewhat—what that old scoundrel dreamed of, he had obtained instead.
It was just that mentioning this matter here was rather indelicate, so Chen Xun didn't say it.
Daoguang Jingci fell silent. She was about to leave but suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask, "Have you ever thought that if the Imperial Clan activates the curse, Chen A'Diao might survive with help from various parties, but what about you? And your father and younger brother?"
Xu Ye could avoid it.
But the others were actually all on the same cursed line.
And the curse actively triggered by the Imperial Clan might not be selective.
"Each has their own destiny."
Chen Xun thought for a moment, then added, "After tonight, regarding future matters, if neither of us breaks our promise, we owe each other nothing. You don't need to dwell on it anymore."
In such a world, scheming for power, struggling for life and death—methods are secondary; mentality is king.
"Alright."
After Daoguang Jingci left, she was thinking about one thing.
The inner core, the Book of the Yellow Springs, Chen Xun's reaction, that person's understanding of the Chen family, the curse, genes, bloodline, Chen Gui, the Celestial Clan.
Everything combined seemed to point to a person who appeared unrelated to tonight's events.
Moreover, that old man had long anticipated that she and Chen Xun would reach an agreement.
It was also to serve that person.
Chen A'Diao.
There was a large net behind this person.
But that person (the old man) represented the Celestial Clan. The Chen family was cursed by the Celestial Clan, so Chen A'Diao was also a pawn on the curse's chessboard. Her Heavenly Spirit Clan was also a pawn. Yet now, all these pawns were serving Chen A'Diao...
So, she was the biggest pawn?
If Chen A'Diao found out about this, she would probably poke a hole in the sky.
Was Chen A'Diao someone who could be a pawn?
Vaguely, Daoguang Jingci could sense a cruel design in this chessboard concerning the Chen family—at least Chen Xun had such self-awareness.
That's why he didn't care if he could cultivate or not, because even if he cultivated, he couldn't change the situation. All he could do was strive to get Chen A'Diao off the chessboard.
For this, he would rather burn to ashes.
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