If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1288 The Four Siblings of the Zhao Family

"Don't shout!" Bixiao also heard the Water Bucket Taoist's shout.

Her pretty face flushed red with anger, and she shouted, "Water Bucket, you ungrateful, treacherous disciple who betrays his master!"

"Haven't we sisters been good enough to you in the past? Are you going to kill us before you're satisfied?"

"Grandmaster Uncle, this disciple dares not. This disciple is still at a loss and does not know what to do."

The bucket entered the celestial cloud, glanced around, and saw that the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao were all there. He immediately bowed respectfully and cried out aggrievedly, "How did 'ingratitude' and 'betraying one's master and ancestors' fall on this disciple's head? This disciple is completely innocent!"

"Don't you know how awkward our situation is now?" Lady Yunxiao's face was frosty, and she said solemnly, "In the past, we tried our best to satisfy your requests."

But you're still desperately trying to drag us into this mess.

Now that we have entered the path of divinity, how can we withstand even the slightest bit of calamity?
"You insist on killing the three of us, causing our souls to be scattered and our spirits to vanish? Isn't that ungrateful and utterly rebellious?"

The bucket knelt on the celestial cloud, kowtowed repeatedly to the Three Immortal Maidens, and apologized profusely, saying, "It was this disciple's recklessness."

The disciple is overly anxious and fearful.

When I heard the Empress calling me, I immediately found my anchor and stopped babbling incoherently.

This disciple is truly grateful to my grandmaster uncle and has no intention of betraying my master or ancestors. I beg my grandmaster uncle to understand!

After bowing, Fuqiu Zi advised, "Previously, Yu Fengxian deliberately slandered the three ladies, saying that the ladies had secretly passed on a strange technique to her, which enabled her to upgrade the Yellow River Formation and defeat us."

Fellow Daoist Lu Ding firmly refused to believe it, and kept defending the Empress, saying that Yu Fengxian had deliberately dragged the Empress into this tribulation with malicious intent, and that we must not fall into her trap.

Yunxiao frowned and glanced at him, saying, "Water Bucket, we called you here to settle this matter and prevent the three of us sisters from getting involved in this karma."

Don't blame us for being too domineering.

Why are we being targeted by Yu Fengxian?

Wasn't it you who secretly borrowed the Golden Dragon Scissors from Bixiao, allowing Ye Jiutian to kill Yu Fengxian during the Huashan Dao Discussion?
I descended to the mortal realm to deceive her in order to retrieve the Golden Dragon Scissors.

He gave up a set of Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation that was supposed to be not very powerful in exchange for her promise.

Now that things have escalated to this point, isn't the root cause precisely you?

Lu Dingxian said with a bitter face, "Grandmaster Uncle is right. I feel ashamed and dare not complain in the slightest."

But the disciple couldn't even break the Nine Turns Yellow River Formation, losing face in front of all living beings in the Three Realms.

How can we help our three grandmaster uncles resolve their karmic entanglements? Could you please offer some guidance?
"If the disciple can do it, I will definitely do it!"

Bixiao said, "That's simple. Just be honest about your relationship with Ye Jiutian and explain the whole story clearly."

"Who should I tell? Most people in the Immortal Realm know about the relationship between Ye Jiutian and me."

Previously in the mortal realm, the disciple also took the initiative to confess the cause and effect of the Golden Dragon Scissors to Yu Fengxian.

She clearly knew everything, yet she still tried to harm her three grandmaster uncles.

"She's naturally wicked and ruthless, there's nothing we can do about it!" said Lu Dingxian.

Bixiao immediately said, "You don't need to tell Yu Fengxian, nor do you need to explain to the immortals."

Go find the historians and storytellers among men.

Explain this to them clearly and ask them to write this case into a book so that it will be passed down through the ages.

By the way, weren't you supposed to be assisting the true emperor?
We must control the discourse of the new dynasty, make the historians clear the names of the three of us sisters, and write more bad things about Yu Fengxian.

For example, her past acts of interrogating immortals and stealing peaches from the Heavenly Palace are enough to fill a 100,000-word 'Biography of the Evil Fairy'!

Lu Dingxian asked in surprise, "Why did Grandmaster Uncle come up with the idea of ​​writing history? Isn't this Yu Fengxian's doing?"

Bixiao looked at her with disdain and said, "You want to attain the Great Luo realm and guide the Great Tribulation, yet you don't even understand the principles of knowing your enemy and yourself, and learning from your enemy's strengths?"

Yu Fengxian is now so powerful and invincible, she must have done something right.

Study her carefully, learn from her strengths and advantages, and then use her own methods against her.

Ultimately, she was assisting the Qin Dynasty, which lacked a destiny, and was inherently at a disadvantage.

No, we won't. If you learn from her, you will definitely be able to do even better than her.

For example, she implemented benevolent policies for ten years to win the hearts of the people, so you should also steal from the Qin treasury and use Qin's silver to subsidize the people.

She has dredged the earth's veins and taken control of the land. Your cultivation is clearly higher than hers, so why don't you compete with her for land control and strive to make the earth's veins in China more stable?

For example, she always uses the righteousness of the imperial court to pressure you, but you try your best to undermine her righteousness!

How could someone so foolish as to assassinate a world-renowned sage?

Bixiao's pretty face scrunched up in exasperation. "Even someone like me, who went mad during the Investiture of the Gods era, thinks you're even madder now. Have you all lost your minds due to the calamity's influence?"

Lu Dingxian said awkwardly, "It's called 'going crazy' if it fails, but it's a brilliant strategy if it succeeds."

Logically, our chances of success are extremely high, and the chances of failure are almost nonexistent.

Even though Qinglian Sun had escaped hundreds of miles from Xianyang, he was still captured by Yu Fengxian.

If this had happened during the Investiture of the Gods period, which of your senior uncles could have imagined it?

"Ahem, Lady Bixiao, how should we uphold the righteous cause of Yu Fengxian?" asked the Old Man of Nine Peaks.

Lu Dingxian also straightened his expression, bowed respectfully, and said, "Please, Grandmaster Uncle, do not hesitate to give me your guidance."

Fuqiu Gong and Yangbo Sanren also looked at Bixiao with expectant expressions.

When Bixiao reprimanded them, they didn't take it seriously.

I feel that she, as someone who failed in her mission, is often used as a role model to educate younger generations, and has no right to lecture them.

But as they listened to her analysis point by point, they became completely engrossed, as if they had been enlightened.

It's not that they're stupid.

They've all attained the Great Luo realm, how could they be stupid?
I don't know the true face of Lushan, I am only in this mountain.

Seeing that all the immortals were listening respectfully, Bixiao was beaming with pride.

Yunxiao gave her a subtle glare, and she put away her smug little expression and said loudly, "Huai Yufengxian's righteousness is actually very simple."

Yu Fengxian's righteousness stemmed from the Qin Dynasty, which unified the world.

Once the new dynasty is established, even if the Qin dynasty has not yet been destroyed, as long as a confrontation between the two dynasties is formed, Yu Fengxian will no longer be able to manipulate you with righteousness.

For example, the case of the sworn-breaking Taoist priest.

It is said that the enemy country secretly bribed those Taoist masters with a large sum of money.

While those who break their oaths are certainly despised, the case shouldn't have blown up this much.

For example, the assassination of the three dukes. Isn't it only natural for an assassin from an enemy state to kill the three dukes of Qin?
All mortals can accept this kind of political scheming and despicable behavior.

Alas, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the rites and music collapsed, ministers betrayed and were disloyal, and rulers discarded their usefulness after they had served their purpose. These things happened frequently.

Don't portray it as a conflict between immortals and humanity. Instead, steer the narrative towards internal human issues and inter-national conflicts.

No matter how baseless the infighting between the feudal states may be, it will not tarnish the name of the immortal.

"That makes sense!" Lu Dingxian murmured.

Bixiao grinned and said, "Actually, your most urgent task is not to fight against Yu Fengxian, but to enhance your own destiny."

Do you still remember the promise Yu Fengxian made to the gods of the Four Rivers and Five Sacred Mountains last year?

Fuqiu Gongdao asked, "Does Your Highness mean the agreement regarding the Return to True Form Diagram?"

Bixiao nodded and said, "Yu Fengxian actually told you the answer long ago - the Qin Dynasty is most afraid of losing its legitimate status."

If a hero of China first establishes a nation, and then performs the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai to obtain the Mandate of Heaven, he will become the legitimate ruler in the hearts of some of the people of China.

The Great Qin Empire was immediately downgraded to the Great Qin Kingdom, just like the 'Qin State' before Ying Zheng.

Thus, the Qin state was merely one of the feudal lords of China, no longer the leader of humanity.

Now, Yu Fengxian can use the righteous cause of the legitimate dynasty to label you as traitors and rebels, and you will have no way to defend yourselves because it is the truth.

But once the Qin Empire is no longer the sole legitimate dynasty, can she still use righteousness to pressure people?

She sent people to post notices outside the immortal mountain cave, and you had the 'New Dynasty's' servants tear them down. That was perfectly reasonable; you didn't even need to do it yourselves.

Lu Dingxian's eyes shone even brighter, "Grandmaster Uncle's brilliant plan can bring peace to the world!"

Bixiao laughed even more triumphantly.

Yunxiao sighed, "What kind of brilliant plan is this? Didn't the Investiture of the Gods in the past tell future generations the answer?"
Many of the Chan Sect cultivators who strive to save the world never directly oppose the Emperor of Chaoge.

They simply supported the Ji dynasty and strengthened the power of Xiqi, enabling Xiqi to fight against the Shang dynasty.

In order to gain a legitimate claim, the Ji clan forced King Wen to stay in Youli for a full seven years.

Prince Boyi Kao of the Ji family was turned into meatballs, and King Wu deliberately stayed in Xiqi, waiting for the Shang dynasty to take the initiative to attack him.

All of this led to King Zhou of Shang's complete loss of morality, allowing Xiqi to raise the banner of "punishing the wicked," and all the people of the world followed him.

People like you directly stormed the capital and killed people, including the current prime minister and military strategist.

In the barbaric era when etiquette was lax, this would have been inconceivable.

Even after the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect entered Chaoge, they only advised King Zhou to be a good emperor, and even pretended to help him eliminate the fox demon Su Daji.

In the end, even Lady Yunxiao couldn't help but complain, "You modern Golden Immortals are so honest and straightforward, just like us 'ancient Jie Sect cultivators.' How come you haven't learned even a trace of the hypocrisy and cunning of the Chan Sect?"
Having clearly read "The Old Story of Investiture of the Gods," one should learn from the victorious Chan Sect!

The old man at the Nine Peaks nodded repeatedly at first, but when he heard that the great immortal of the Chan Sect was hypocritical and cunning, he became displeased.

Because he belongs to the lineage of Yun Zhongzi.

"Back then, the immortal Yun Zhongzi truly wanted to get rid of the fox demon Daji, and his heart was sincere and firm."

Unfortunately, King Zhou was utterly foolish, and the Shang Dynasty lost its destiny; it was its fate.

Yunxiao glanced at him and sneered, "With Yun Zhongzi's cultivation, if he really wanted to get rid of the fox demon, he wouldn't even need to show his face. Why would he need King Zhou's cooperation?"

Even if Yun Zhongzi doesn't take action himself, he only needs to spread the word that 'Su Daji is a fox demon'.
The news would reach Grand Tutor Wen's ears sooner or later.

At that time, Wen Zhong will surely rush into the inner palace with his divine mace and beat Daji to death.

If King Zhou dared to obstruct him, he was beaten to death along with him, and a new emperor was installed.

Who didn't know this principle back then?

You should respect your teachers and avoid using their names; this kind of filial piety is good.

But to believe a lie and then risk your life for it, acting and speaking according to that lie, is utterly foolish.

Grand Tutor Yu's current status in the Qin Dynasty is something Grand Tutor Wen enjoyed hundreds of thousands of years ago.

He could rebuke the king and even beat treacherous officials to death in the court, while King Zhou, with his violent temper, could only whine and beg.

If Wen Zhong had known that Daji was a fox demon, he would have killed her immediately, and no one could have stopped him.

Yun Zhongzi put on a grand show in front of King Zhou, making himself seem incredibly sophisticated and earning the king's respect and admiration. However, he refused to utter a single, simple statement: "Daji is a fox demon."

They specialize in using methods for exorcising demons that are complex, slow to produce results, and prone to errors.

In the end, Yun Zhongzi was not genuinely helping King Zhou of Shang. He was just helping the Chan Sect gain "moral authority"—"Our Chan Sect has warned King Zhou of Shang before, but he didn't listen and even hated us (under Daji's instigation). What can we do?"
This incident also shows that, in terms of understanding destiny and fate, the disciples of the Jie Sect were indeed several levels below those of the Chan Sect.

Among all the powerful figures of the Jie Sect in the Shang Dynasty, not one of them discovered Su Daji's identity. Even the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect did not see Su Daji; they only glanced down from the sky and immediately noticed the demonic aura within the palace.

Grand Tutor Wen only knew how to lead troops into battle. His ability to observe the qi and stars and sense the dragon veins to distinguish good and bad fortune was not entirely absent, but in terms of effectiveness, it was practically the same as not having it at all.

Yunxiao unleashed his ultimate move right in front of him, and every word he uttered made perfect sense. The old man from the Nine Peaks blushed with embarrassment, but he couldn't refute it at all.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Lu Dingxian changed the subject, saying, "Grandmaster Uncle, do you have any other brilliant ideas?"

Bixiao's face lit up with excitement again, and she opened her mouth as if she were about to launch into a long tirade, but Yunxiao interrupted her, saying, "That's all, I've said what I needed to say, you can go now!"

Bixiao paused for a moment, her expression turning sullen and displeased.

Lu Dingxian glanced at her, understanding that Lady Yunxiao did not want to be implicated too deeply.

"Grandmaster Uncle, please enlighten us and teach us how to break Yu Fengxian's Nine Elements Nine Turns Yellow River Formation." He kept bowing towards the clouds.

Yunxiao shook his head and said, "I can break her formation myself, but I can't teach you."

Lu Dingxian asked in confusion, "Why can our grandmaster master break this, but not teach it to us?"

“I have the Hunyuan Golden Cauldron protecting me, do you have one? Of course, you can find other protective spiritual treasures.”

"If you can't break through it with just skills, even if you all work together, I can't either," Yunxiao said.

"Could my grandmaster uncle borrow the golden goblet?"

Before Lu Dingxian could finish speaking, Yunxiao interrupted him, "Don't even think about it! If I lend it to you, there will only be one outcome: Yu Fengxian will take the Golden Bucket away again, and she will use the real Golden Bucket to wreak havoc everywhere, and no one will be able to stop her."

Lu Dingxian said awkwardly, "This disciple is not so useless. Even if this disciple is useless, I still have several fellow Daoists by my side."

"The Hunyuan Golden Bucket is the foundation upon which we sisters stand; we will not lend it to anyone."

"Unless you obtain a decree from the Dao Ancestor and have him vouch for you," Lady Yunxiao said resolutely.

Having said all that, Lu Dingxian and the others dared not press the matter. They bowed respectfully once more to express their gratitude to the Empress before departing together.

After they disappeared from sight, Bixiao asked in confusion, "Why did you stop me from continuing?"
What I've described so far is just the overt strategy; there are also covert and ingenious schemes that I haven't mentioned yet.

Yunxiao said, "Let's talk about some overt strategies that any rational person could think of. This will give Yu Fengxian some retribution, but also stop at the right time and prevent ourselves from falling into a great calamity."

A faint golden light appeared behind them, and a majestic general in military attire strode out.

"Big Brother!" The Three Immortals immediately bowed respectfully.

“Sister, you don’t need to be so cautious,” the divine general said.

(End of this chapter)