‘To the Water God:

I have heard that the human race is rising and the Heavenly Court is being established. There are wise and capable humans who have entered heaven to assist His Majesty the Jade Emperor, skilled in strategy and arrangements, single-handedly supporting the dragon into heaven, and recently resolved the crisis of the great virtuous Houtu. This humble Daoist deeply admires this.

This humble one attained the Dao in ancient times and once followed two Demon Emperors to establish the ancient Heavenly Court. However, because the ancient Heavenly Court committed many unjust acts persecuting living beings, this humble one became disillusioned and gradually withdrew from the ancient Heavenly Court. Fortunately, with the Heavenly Dao’s permission, I avoided being tainted by the demon race’s karmic obstacles.

Half a year ago, Luya came seeking this humble one, asking for a way to survive. This humble one, having promised the Demon Emperor to help his son with three matters – this being the third – and considering the demon race’s disrespect for the current Heavenly Court, thus offered a plan benefiting both sides.

For the Heavenly Court, the demon race’s rebellion allows them to rightfully clean up demon remnants. For Luya, as the son of the ancient Demon Emperor, he might through this seek His Majesty the Jade Emperor’s mercy for his life.

This humble one has no intention to oppose the Heavenly Court, much less to trouble fellow Daoists. This humble one can make a great Dao oath to never reveal fellow Daoist’s background to anyone, and can also swear to never interfere with any Heavenly Court matters. Please show mercy and spare this humble one’s life.

If a fellow Daoist is willing, this humble one wishes to befriend you and share wine and conversation. In the long life ahead, why not have a kindred spirit?

If fellow Daoists will not pursue this matter, please crush this jade talisman. This humble one will sense it, and it will put my mind at ease.

Respectfully,

Baize.’

…

“Hmm…”

Li Changshou pondered, about to crush the jade talisman, but light flickered in his eyes as thousands of thoughts crossed his mind.

He smiled slightly, playing with the jade talisman in his hand.

This Baize seemed to understand him very well… this instantly made Li Changshou think of many aspects.

Ling’e asked softly: “Master, is this Baize the auspicious beast written about in ancient texts that you discussed with Senior Grand Magister earlier?”

“Yes,” Li Changshou nodded with a smile, “Unexpected that Baize’s divine ability to seek fortune and avoid calamity is so sensitive. Grand Magister just went to track him down, and he’s already here begging for mercy. Though that’s not quite right – this jade talisman was probably written earlier and just delivered at this time. For a mighty ancient demon general to lower himself so much to seek survival, it’s quite admirable.”

Ling’e laughed lightly, saying: “Somehow it feels like you’re too scary, Master.”

“Oh?”

“Scary to beasts, scary to beasts,” Ling’e stuck out her tongue. “Master, let’s quickly notify Grand Magister that Baize has delivered himself!”

Li Changshou countered: “If it was Baize who came to deliver the message, how would Grand Magister have gone searching elsewhere?”

A light flashed in Ling’e’s mind as she suddenly realized something, exclaiming:

“If he could find Dust Transcending Gate, doesn’t that mean Baize already knows Master’s background? Is Baize making a veiled threat that if we trouble him, he’ll expose Master’s background?”

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head, saying: “Baize’s intentions are at least ten times more complex than what you imagine. This message jade talisman is truly ingenious… Look, even someone like him who could emerge unscathed from the war between shamans and demons is now entangled by demon race karma. When I teach you to avoid karma, am I teaching wrong?”

“Master’s teachings can never be wrong!”

Ling’e pondered for a while, then asked: “Could Senior Baize not have foreseen Grand Magister’s actions?”

“No,” Li Changshou said, “Grand Magister has the Taiji Diagram concealing him, his very name is hidden, and he cannot be detected by destiny’s threads. If Baize knew Grand Magister was hunting him, his wording would not be like this.”

Feeling dizzy, Ling’e quietly sat on the meditation cushion beside her master, silently watching his serious profile as he thought…

The pill room soon fell into silence, until Ling’e couldn’t help covering her mouth to yawn, and Li Changshou finally let out a slow breath.

“It seems Grand Magister will come to us within a day, delivering Baize’s second jade talisman.”

“Why?” Ling’e asked puzzledly.

Li Changshou smiled without answering, crushing the jade talisman in his hand. “Wait here, notify me if there’s news. I’ll go settle those seniors first.”

“Oh…”

Ling’e agreed, and Li Changshou closed his eyes in concentration, shifting his consciousness to the Southern Continent.

In Anshui City, Li Changshou summoned the village chief of Bear Village, who was Bear Lingli’s father, Old Three Bear.

He had Old Three Bear by two rows of houses in the city’s busiest area to arrange temporary mortal dwellings for the one hundred and eight demon soldiers.

Li Changshou repeatedly instructed Old Three Bear to assign three guards and two maids to each senior, ensuring they would not be neglected in any way.

Old Three Bear immediately agreed – for their Sea God Church, this wasn’t any burden at all.

While Old Three Bear rushed off to arrange various matters, Li Changshou called the two demon soldier commanders before him.

Although Grand Magister said these two commanders weren’t the strongest among the one hundred and eight demon soldiers, when Li Changshou carefully sensed them, he felt like he was facing two mountains emanating faint pressure…

Truly worthy of being survivors of the human army that broke through the demon race’s Great Array of Heaven and Earth!

“Seniors, how should I address you?”

“Heaven One,” the burly man answered in a low voice.

“Universe One,” the scarred woman said softly.

Li Changshou cupped his hands and said seriously: “Senior Heaven One, Senior Universe One, please settle down here first. This is the mortal world of the Southern Continent, without many cultivators. The temple in the city is my incense temple. Everyone can move freely around the city or go anywhere else. The mortals in this city are especially brave – they won’t fear seeing immortals or dragons. Currently, human nations stand side by side without a common ruler, cultivators gather in the Middle Continent, and it’s generally peaceful. Getting some mortal air here might help seniors recover.”

“Thank you,” Heaven One bowed with clasped hands.

Universe One said: “If my lord cannot handle the demon race, please do not hesitate to command us to the battlefield. This is our duty.”

“No need,” Li Changshou said, “This is a war between the demon race and the Heavenly Court. If the demon race directly attacks humans, countless immortal sects in Central Divine Continent could instantly flood demon territories. Don’t worry, just focus on recovering in the mortal world. My avatar is in that great temple – if you need anything, have them notify me.”

The two demon soldier commanders didn’t say more, bowing in acknowledgment.

Li Changshou said: “I have urgent matters to handle today, so I won’t stay longer. Please rest well, you two.”

Then, Li Changshou took his leave, letting the shaman-human race divine envoys handle all subsequent arrangements.

As his consciousness was leaving, Li Changshou saw a scene at a street corner:

Two female demon soldiers stood before a stall selling women’s hair ornaments, standing silently with lifeless eyes.

The female vendor wanted to speak to them but didn’t dare, her expression truly indescribable…

Having these one hundred and eight demon soldiers in Anshui City meant Li Changshou could worry less about this place – a small benefit, indeed.

Later he would need to find some meticulous divine envoys and temple keepers specifically responsible for taking care of these one hundred and eight ancient humans’ daily needs.

Hmm?

For some reason, Li Changshou suddenly felt like he had opened a Hongmeng retirement home.

His consciousness returned to Little Jade Peak, and Li Changshou immediately began analyzing how much of a threat Baize posed to him.

Ling’e beside him…

At first glance, she seemed to be meditating, but looking carefully, she was taking a nap.

This girl…

Li Changshou’s eyes were full of concern as he placed a paper note beside Ling’e’s hand, with “three hundred times” written on it.

Then, he propped his chin up, sitting lost in thought before the pill furnace.

Someone as cunning as Baize must have arranged everything while sending him the jade talisman.

How much information could one message jade talisman convey?

Would the other party come in person to deliver the message and hide near the Dust Transcending Gate?

Li Changshou directly rejected this possibility – after all, someone as calculating as Baize wouldn’t put himself in danger.

Of course, to be safe, Li Changshou immediately mobilized paper avatars outside the mountain gate, thoroughly searching everywhere several times, naturally finding nothing.

He and Baize would both predict each other’s predictions, leading to predictions piling up and falling into an endless cycle.

The ancient demon race’s strategist was indeed extraordinary.

When matching wits with such a master from afar, one must maintain sufficient doubt about one’s immediate judgments.

Perhaps his current thoughts were exactly what the other party had suggested and guided him to deduce…

Li Changshou took out a scroll and began writing and drawing, as if chains flew out from Little Jade Peak, spreading to various parts of Hongmeng.

It seemed countless shadows existed in heaven and earth, with the only truth hidden among them.

So, several hours later…

“Eh?”

Ling’e opened her eyes, thinking she was dreaming, and pinched her hand to confirm what she saw wasn’t false.

The pill room had somehow sunk into the mountain, with opened scrolls floating around, covered in dense small characters and maps.

Ling’e looked carefully for a while, feeling dizzy – it seemed Master was analyzing Baize’s hiding place.

Li Changshou now stood before a simple terrain map of Hongmeng’s Five Continents, hands behind his back and brows furrowed.

“Awake?”

“Ah,” Ling’e immediately jumped up, saw the note in her hand, opened it, and sighed deeply.

Li Changshou praised: “This Baize is truly a master.”

“Master, is Baize that formidable? He just gave us a jade talisman – what could be deduced from that?”

Li Changshou said: “No, just integrating and analyzing all the information, then breaking it down and analyzing it again from different angles, yields many conclusions. The information he gave was just right.”

Ling’e tried her best to follow her master’s logic, asking puzzledly: “But if he didn’t know we were discussing how to deal with him in the valley, wouldn’t sending this letter deliberately expose himself?”

“Correct, he deliberately exposed himself.”

“Why?”

“Because of wariness, and because of his past service to the demon race.”

Li Changshou said: “I am now the absolute opposite of the demon race. How could His Majesty the Jade Emperor and I allow such a powerful being from the demon race to live, especially one who will sooner or later be entangled by demon karma? He must also know that to be safe, I might ask Grand Magister to strike first and kill him directly. Therefore, Baize wanted to move first, sending this jade talisman to show submission and goodwill, trying to turn enemy into friend and kindred spirit, thus avoiding disaster.”

“Why isn’t it a threat to us?”

“Because it can’t constitute a threat,” Li Changshou said. “If he reveals our background, we’ll just frankly admit it and move next to Doulu Palace. This would turn my wariness of him into hatred, cutting off his path to survival.”

Ling’e raised her hand to her forehead, “Then, Master, what should we do now?”

“Wait for Grand Magister… Speaking of Grand Magister, he’s already here.”

Li Changshou took out a jade talisman, slowly raising the pill room from within the mountain, saying with a smile: “If I’m not mistaken, the jade talisman Grand Magister brings back must contain a message from Baize to me. This letter will either be passive, saying he’s actively leaving Hongmeng to drift in chaos; or proactive, making a bet with us that if we can find him, he’ll serve the human Dao school or Heavenly Court, but if we can’t find him, we’ll let him go; or risky, pretending to oppose us step by step, trying to fake his death and escape. And this letter must have been written half a year ago.”

Ling’e pursed her lips, feeling like she had copied the Stability Scripture in vain.

“Master, why doesn’t he just hide secretly?”

Li Changshou said:

“It’s not that he’s unwilling, but that he can’t. In Hongmeng’s arts of calculation, the top five, excluding the Heavenly Dao and Lord Dao Ancestor, are: first, our Human Dao School’s Sacred Lord; second, the primordial treasure Taiji Diagram; third, the other five sages; fourth, Grand Magister wielding the Taiji Diagram; and fifth, Emperor Fuxi holding the Eight Trigrams plate. Baize’s ability lies in sensing danger. Unless he completely leaves the area covered by Hongmeng’s Heavenly Dao, he can only act like this – who made him a well-known ancient demon general? Karma isn’t something he can shake off just because he wants to. I deduce he’s either not skilled in combat magic and doesn’t dare easily leave areas protected by the Heavenly Dao, or he can’t bear to leave this prosperous world for the eternal loneliness outside heaven and earth. Probably the former.”

Bang! Bang bang!

With several tremors, the pill room reappeared on the mountain surface, surrounding formations fading.

Grand Magister clicked his tongue in wonder, examining the pill room from not far away.

Li Changshou made a Daoist salute to Grand Magister, smiling: “Did Senior Brother bring back Baize’s letter?”

“You guessed it,” Grand Magister said, slightly embarrassed but serious: “I tracked him for half a day, wandering through various great worlds, finding sixteen places where he had appeared, seeing many of his pleas for mercy. This auspicious beast’s hiding skills are truly remarkable, even fooling the Taiji Diagram continuously. But continuing the search, even if it took eight or ten years, we would eventually catch him. At the most recent location, he left a jade talisman, asking me to bring it back for you to examine, saying everything would be clear.”

Li Changshou asked: “Did Grand Magister read it on the way?”

“Hahaha, just curious, just curious,” Grand Magister waved his hand. “I opened that jade talisman just moments ago, and it destroyed itself. The contents were quite interesting – he said he’s placed four false bodies and one true body among the Five Continents. If we can find his true body within half an hour, he’ll accept any punishment and serve the Human Dao School wholeheartedly. If we can’t find him, he asks us to let him go this once, and he’ll hide in the Chaos Sea for three thousand years. He said the only clue he could give you is that his hiding place is the safest.”

Ling’e couldn’t help supporting her forehead with one hand, saying softly: “Master… you might as well live with this auspicious beast.”

Li Changshou said seriously: “So we have about a quarter-hour left?”

Grand Magister gave a thumbs up: “Believe in yourself, you can do it, Changshou!”

“I…”

Li Changshou took a slow breath, smiling:

“Senior Brother, Ling’e, let’s calculate together where his true body is hidden. Those false bodies don’t need consideration – they’re just smoke screens he released. As for the safest place he mentioned, I’ve already listed about one hundred and twenty-six possibilities…”

“Good.”

“Master, should I join too?”

“Yes, Ling’e, you’re extremely important right now – use all your cleverness!”

Then, Grand Magister, Li Changshou, and Ling’e returned to the pill room.

Li Changshou sat centered on a meditation cushion, Grand Magister paced with hands behind his back before the scrolls Li Changshou had just filled, while Ling’e pinched her chin, exhausting her mind in various thoughts.

Soon, Li Changshou wrote down seven place names, saying: “Choose one from these.”

Ling’e hurriedly asked: “Why isn’t the Heavenly Court among the seven places Master wrote?”

Grand Magister smiled: “The Heavenly Court has Lord Laozi presiding, and it’s not far from Taiqing Temple.”

Ling’e quickly hid behind Li Changshou, saying softly: “This disciple spoke too much, please don’t mind, Grand Magister.”

Li Changshou said: “These seven places are the seven most likely hiding spots. Let’s simultaneously say the place we most suspect – we must speak at the same time, according to our inner thoughts. I’ll count down from three… Three, two, one…”

“The place where the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother reincarnated!”

Grand Magister: “He might be mixed in with Anshui City.”

Ling’e: “Mount Kunlun, in our Dust Transcending Gate ancestor’s cave dwelling!”

“Senior Brother, let’s go!”

Li Changshou immediately stood up, “Listen to Ling’e, go to True Person Du’e’s residence!”

“Oh? Why listen to her?”

Grand Magister didn’t understand, and Ling’e was also completely bewildered, pointing at her own nose, stumbling over her words.

“Li-listen to-to me?”

“No time, Senior Brother, quickly open the diagram! I’ll explain later!”

…

‘Tsk, in the end, I cheated.’

On Mount Kunlun, in a cave-dwelling temporarily vacant due to its owner visiting friends;

In a side cave filled with different styles of ‘clouds’;

A middle-aged Daoist with a goatee reclined on a white cloud, stroking his beard and chuckling.

Half an hour was almost up.

Regarding understanding the Water God, Baize felt that in all of Hongmeng, only the Water God himself could surpass him, Baize.

This time, Baize had truly gone all out.

Following the Water God’s habits and calculation methods, he spent half a year deducing every option the Water God might think of, then did the opposite, using the phrase ‘the safest place’ to set the game rules…

This problem, he, Baize, would win!

If the Water God’s choices were on the tenth floor, and ordinary clever people thought on the fifth floor…

He should have matched wits with the Water God on the tenth or ninth floor, but he deliberately stepped back to the fifth floor.

Too high or too low wouldn’t work – only here, the place least matching the Water God’s thinking pattern was ‘the safest place’!

“Haha, hahaha!”

Thinking of this, Baize reclined there laughing heartily, his goatee gleaming, expression completely self-satisfied.

He truly couldn’t wait to see what expression this Water God, who always played with avatars, would have after finding his false body!

Half an hour, time’s up!

“Senior Brother, is this the ancient demon general?”

A hundred-birds-like female voice eerily sounded from behind, making all of Baize’s hair stand on end, his divine soul seemingly frozen.

Then he heard a man’s voice sigh softly.

“Should have bet correctly. Please, Senior Brother… destroy him.”

“Very well.”