Chapter 893: I Have Two Plans to Break This Situation

They emerged from Yuan Fu.

Xu Xiaoshou had transformed into the appearance of his junior sister, Mu Zixi, and had changed into new clothes. Of course, he ultimately failed to obtain any of Lei Xier's personal garments. Instead, amid a flurry of curses, he calmed down and tore some scraps of fabric from his own clothes to use as a substitute.

Lei Xier had also changed into new robes. Xu Xiaoshou's clothes were large enough to cover her entirely, but certain areas still had a taut feel to them, stirring the imagination.

Naturally, she had opened her own boundary domain to change, so no one could see the process. That boundary domain of the Wangzuo realm was truly detestable...

“Out already? So quickly?”

Wuji Laozu saw Xu Xiaoshou, transformed as Mu Zixi, emerge, but Lei Xier was nowhere in sight. He couldn't help but ask, “Where's your junior sister? Why didn't she come out?”

“Exiting the ancient texts world and exposing ourselves under the red robes' scrutiny, then suddenly having an extra person—that's absurd!” Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes. “Besides, who’s like you, jumping into battle right after without resting?”

Lei Xier had just recovered from serious injuries and had recently broken through to the Wangzuo Dao realm, so her cultivation was unstable and needed time to settle.

Taking advantage of this time in Yuan Fu to rest and recover was perfect for her to consolidate her Dao foundation.

“Oh, after a great battle, rest is needed...” Wuji Laozu murmured upon hearing this, shrinking back slightly as he pondered.

Xu Xiaoshou ignored the old man and went straight to Lei Shuixing. “What about you? What's your plan? We're heading out next. I and Xuan Wuji—well, and Liu Changqing—can leave under normal circumstances. But what about you?”

Lei Shuixing had charged into the battle. He had ended the threat from the other, but escaping unscathed afterward would be difficult.

Of course, Xu Xiaoshou had a solution. As long as Lei Shuixing agreed, he wouldn't mind opening Yuan Fu and sending the guy inside to reunite with his sister.

Lei Shuixing clearly understood Xu Xiaoshou's idea but only shook his head slightly. “I have my own way to escape. Once you've handled everything, I'll send you out of the ancient texts world first.”

Xu Xiaoshou didn't press further.

Lei Shuixing had spent years by Ba Zun An's side, facing countless dangers, so he must have plenty of life-saving items.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have handed over the Dun Shen Coin so easily.

Since this guy had his own backup plans, Xu Xiaoshou decided to let it be.

“After we get out, what's your next move?” Lei Shuixing leaned on his Chou Shen Staff, asking casually as if nothing were amiss.

The other was dead. It wasn't as if Xu Xiaoshou could just disguise as Mu Zixi and hide Lei Xier, and everything would be fine.

Shengshen Hall wasn't foolish. A Taixu had truly been killed. Who did it, where it happened, and when—Rao Yao Yao would investigate it all thoroughly.

If they didn't plan ahead, even if Xu Xiaoshou became Mu Zixi, it wouldn't help in the end.

Lei Shuixing's question was clearly meant to test Xu Xiaoshou's understanding of the future situation.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't take offense. He simply held up two fingers and said, “I have two plans to break this deadlock, but the second relies on the first, and the first isn't something I can say directly myself...”

He drew out the last syllable, staring straight at Lei Shuixing's weathered face without continuing.

Beside them, Wuji Laozu was left hanging, thinking to himself that this was no better than just admitting there was no plan. What was all this about first and second, reliance, and not saying it outright?

Why keep us in suspense!

Lei Shuixing waited in silence. After a long moment, he suddenly smiled. “That first plan of yours is probably the same as what I have in mind.”

Xu Xiaoshou smiled back, adopting an attentive expression as if ready to listen.

Some things he could think in his mind but couldn't say aloud himself.

But Lei Shuixing was clever. Whatever he could think of was likely the same as Xu Xiaoshou's idea.

“The other was killed by me!”

Lei Shuixing's tone grew serious as he thumped his Chou Shen Staff on the ground and said to Xu Xiaoshou and Wuji Laozu, “Once we're out, no matter what happens or how the red robes question you, you know nothing.”

“Nothing?” Wuji Laozu raised an eyebrow, vaguely grasping the idea between the two.

Lei Shuixing nodded and continued, “How could a Zongshi and a Zhan Dao possibly kill a Taixu? Your apparent strength is just too weak.”

“Exactly.” Xu Xiaoshou tugged at his twin ponytails and nodded innocently. “I'm just a little Zongshi with a wood-attribute Tun Sheng Mu body. The other found me, asked what he wanted, and then left.”

The two fell silent, then turned to look at Wuji Laozu.

Wuji Laozu paused, then caught on and chuckled. “This old ancestor is just an ordinary Zhan Dao. My real name is Liu Changqing, and with my cultivation sealed, I'm only at Zongshi level. Once the other got his answers, he wouldn't harm anyone and just leave. As a mere Zongshi bodyguard, I wouldn't be foolish enough to attack a trial official in that situation.”

“Very good.” Lei Shuixing nodded approvingly. “After the other left and was alone, I showed up. The Sheng Nu have already declared war on Shengshen Hall, so how could we pass up such a rare chance to catch someone isolated? So, I led the Sheng Nu higher-ups disguised as smugglers and struck, killing the other.”

Smugglers... Wuji Laozu was taken aback. “How many people did you bring?”

Lei Shuixing replied, “That's all after the other left, which you wouldn't know about anyway, so why ask?”

Xu Xiaoshou listened from the side, feeling a sense of admiration.

Was this how smart people coordinated their stories? Without saying it outright, they rewrote the other's fate in just a few sentences.

And it all flowed logically: insufficient cultivation, lack of ability, complete ignorance...

Sometimes, the most dangerous situations were also the safest.

Of course, to make this stick, they had to sacrifice someone.

Clearly, in the current situation, Lei Shuixing was volunteering to be that person.

Without him stepping up, the other's fate couldn't be rewritten, and someone else would have to bear the consequences.

This was Xu Xiaoshou's first plan.

Because it required Lei Shuixing himself to take the fall, Xu Xiaoshou couldn't say it directly.

Even if everyone understood, some things were better coming from the person involved.

As for using someone...

Xu Xiaoshou knew this might seem like exploitation.

But he was no longer the naive newcomer from Tiansang Spirit Palace.

This level of using others was nothing.

The biggest exploitation he'd done was trading the lives of all the spirit refiners in Dongtian Wangcheng for the safety of everyone at the Ling Que Trade Fair—Wangcheng Sheng Bao!

Or rather, it wasn't exploitation at all—just an exchange of interests.

Because Xu Xiaoshou knew Shengshen Hall would pull all their forces to defend, loosening their layout on the other side.

Xu Xiaoshou had asked himself if what he did that night, despite Shengshen Hall's protection, left him with any guilt.

No guilt!

That night marked his true psychological transformation.

The world was black and white, but there was no absolute white or absolute black; light and darkness alternated.

Blind goodness only brought self-destruction.

As the saying went: The kind are bullied, the gentle are ridden.

People couldn't live only for themselves or only for others.

Excess in anything was as bad as deficiency.

That gray area between the two—if you understood it, you'd try to navigate it and gain life's insights.

If not, you'd never understand.

Xu Xiaoshou also knew Lei Shuixing's thinking aligned with his own. Choosing to sacrifice himself wasn't just for his sister.

On the contrary, Tianshang First Tower held even more weight!

It was a dark organization that had established itself under Shengshen Hall's nose and even connected with the Alchemists Association.

It couldn't do much now, but in the future, it would deliver an unexpected surprise.

For Sheng Nu, Tianshang First Tower was too important.

What Lei Shuixing was doing was also an exchange of interests: taking on the karma of killing the other to protect a more valuable pawn.

That was all.

Before becoming someone who was ten parts kind, first be someone who's kind to yourself and your loved ones!

“Do you have anything else to add?”

In the ancient texts world, before leaving, Lei Shuixing was extremely cautious, asking again and again.

Even in his mind, the current plan was already perfect, flawless, and without any flaws.

“But there are flaws!”

Wuji Laozu suddenly spoke up. “The control of Yunjing World was seized, and the other was killed during that time. Shengshen Hall might deduce that I was involved. After all, when we left Void Island, I used the Tianji Technique.”

Lei Shuixing said nothing, even turning his head away, clearly indicating he didn't want to address this.

Xu Xiaoshou had to step in helplessly. “You're too caught up in it! The one who seized Yunjing World was Xuan Wuji, who colluded with Sheng Nu and escaped from Void Island as a ghost beast. What does that have to do with you, Liu Changqing? Besides, the you who's with Young Master Xu now is just a minor Zongshi!”

“Uh...”

Wuji Laozu was at a loss for words, his face turning red.

You had a point.

But it sounded off somehow.

He asked with some worry, “At the Ling Que Trade Fair, Liu Changqing traded the Blood Tree Yin Branch, which I got from Void Island. Maybe Shengshen Hall could link Liu Changqing, me, and your Tianshang First Tower through that?”

Xu Xiaoshou shook his head, not wanting to answer.

Wuji Laozu was being overly self-centered.

The trade fair matter ended after the event. That time, Liu Changqing wasn't there; I had a conversation with Shou Ye, and then Si Ren Mister vouched for us, completely clearing Tianshang First Tower's suspicions.

Unless Si Ren Mister had an accident...

But the old sword immortal had already run off to who knows where, maybe even left Dongtian Wangcheng, so it wouldn't affect things here.

Wuji Laozu's worries might be valid. Some smart people in Shengshen Hall could piece together clues in their spare time and possibly figure out the details.

But Xu Xiaoshou wouldn't give them the time.

“Just keep quiet for now. If you have questions, wait until I explain the second plan, then ask!” Xu Xiaoshou frowned.

Wuji Laozu was shut down, his face turning ashen.

But he was used to his status and Xu Xiaoshou's attitude toward him, so he said nothing more.

“Go on.” Lei Shuixing turned back.

Xu Xiaoshou said to him, “I know you plan to go out and handle this alone. But that's too much pressure, and right now, the Sheng Nu higher-ups probably aren't with you.”

Lei Shuixing didn't respond, but inwardly, he thought this guy was incredibly sharp—he could guess everything.

Indeed, that was his plan. After leaving the ancient texts world, he'd reveal his identity and draw the hatred.

But Ba Zun An, the storyteller, and others had their own tasks.

Besides Luo Leilei, Lei Shuixing had no one else with him.

Getting support from others would be hard in the short term.

Xu Xiaoshou patted his shoulder earnestly. “I know what you're thinking, but sometimes, self-exposure isn't as convincing as letting your enemies find the 'true answer' through their own efforts.”

“What do you mean...” Lei Shuixing caught on immediately, the situation clarifying in his mind.

Xu Xiaoshou smiled confidently. “You don't need to expose yourself. Just follow the previous trajectory.”

“This battle was started by the other. Now that he's dead, Shengshen Hall will definitely send people to investigate.”

“And here, there are forces of Tianji, boundary domains, Taixu world, and finally... the ancient texts space.”

“It's all a mess!”

Xu Xiaoshou summarized heavily, then spread his hands. “But trust your enemies—they're strong and will find out, which means the storyteller was involved.”

Lei Shuixing was startled.

He couldn't believe how Xu Xiaoshou could maintain such calm and clear analysis amid such uncertain futures.

But what Xu Xiaoshou said was undoubtedly correct.

Lei Shuixing pondered with his head down, then frowned. “The storyteller has gone to Void Island; he couldn't possibly be in Yunlun Mountains.”

Gone to Void Island... Xu Xiaoshou was only slightly surprised before recovering, then said with an interesting expression, “Yeah, he's on Void Island. How could he still be in Yunlun Mountains?”

“Mm.” Lei Shuixing nodded seriously. “That doesn't add up. Shengshen Hall might dismiss the deductions you mentioned right away.”

“What?”

Xu Xiaoshou was baffled, looking puzzled. “Did you misunderstand? The storyteller might be gone, but the power of Yin Yang Sheng Si Lei is definitely in Yunlun Mountains.”

“Shengshen Hall will only wonder if the storyteller used an external avatar or some other ability.”

“They'll have to speculate about the storyteller's power, not question whether he was ever here!”

Xu Xiaoshou saw Lei Shuixing staring at him in a daze and realized the guy hadn't caught on yet.

No wonder— not everyone had a mind that twisted nine turns and reached the stratosphere.

Xu Xiaoshou laughed and asked, “Have your past battles only involved swords or treasures from Sheng Nu higher-ups? Never any psychological warfare?”

Lei Shuixing's face flushed slightly.

Only after Xu Xiaoshou said it outright did he realize his earlier assumptions were what Shengshen Hall would assume—he didn't need to.

And Shengshen Hall making assumptions, even with doubts, would require verification, which would waste time from the start.

“This guy thinks so far ahead...” Lei Shuixing was truly impressed by Xu Xiaoshou's mind.

Tianshang First Tower's existence proved his capabilities weren't simple.

Today's conversation had been enlightening for Lei Shuixing.

But while he felt enlightened inwardly, outwardly, he maintained a calm demeanor. “Is that your second plan? I do nothing and just wait for them to come?”

“How could I let you wait to die?” Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes, directly addressing the displeasure in Lei Shuixing's words, then pointed upward.

The sky in the ancient texts world showed little anomaly.

But in Yunlun Mountains, the heavens had cracked open with fissures from Void Island.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. “You should be able to contact the storyteller in Void Island, right? Otherwise, losing contact as soon as he entered would be unlikely.”

“Have the storyteller stir up some trouble in Void Island. Shengshen Hall probably won't have time for you then.”

“In that case, if they still find you, that's truly them finding the 'root answer' through their own efforts.”

“If they believe it themselves, Tianshang First Tower's suspicions will be completely cleared.”

“By the time things reach that point, a lot of time will have passed. In that time, you can find help and extricate yourself.”

“The overall situation should develop that way. There might be some odd little details or ripples along the way, but you're smart—adapt as needed.”

Xu Xiaoshou spread his hands and spoke at length.

Lei Shuixing went from calm to slightly parted lips, then to utter shock.

Wuji Laozu was even more stunned.

How long had it been since the battle ended?

The strange feeling from the enemy's death hadn't fully faded, and Xu Xiaoshou had already thought through to Shengshen Hall's conclusion?

Who was the pawn here?

With a mind like that, why was he in Yunlun Mountains?

Shouldn't he be with Sheng Nu, strategizing from the shadows and winning victories from afar?!

In that moment, Wuji Laozu gained a whole new perspective on his future master...

“Passive value from being revered: 2.”

Xu Xiaoshou rattled off his thoughts to the two like scattering beans, feeling his mouth go dry.

He instinctively reached back, but didn't find Xiao Wanfeng's teacup, then realized his tea server wasn't around...

Coming to his senses, he saw the two staring at him with dropped jaws.

“Still listening?” Xu Xiaoshou frowned. Did he have to repeat it?

“Listening.”

“Listening.”

Lei Shuixing and Xuan Wuji nodded like pecking chickens, still processing Xu Xiaoshou's second plan.

“It's not that complicated, right?” Xu Xiaoshou thought for a moment and summarized, “In short, just four words... Wei Wei Jiu Zhao.”