What did I say? Give me some insight.

  Second smiled, “My heart was encased in doubt and Sage pierced the veil with his miraculous ability to help me. I know Sage is clear on my thoughts and your gesture showed me, Heaven’s Will fell on me!”


  He cupped his hands, “I thank you, Sage, for guiding me on the right path. I understand now.”


  Second laughed all the way.

  Chen Ming: ……

  Whatevs, this Immortal Master didn’t make a peep!

  The good thing was Second sent experts over to guard him. Under his orders, the Gold Immortals bunch banged and hammered away to seal the window.

  A month passed.

  He just now got to know why there was no response. It took time to send the message over, even more so in the Galaxy.

  The rumors outside never dwindled though. Quite the number spoke of Heavenly Court wanting to confer Sage Ran Zui the mantle of High Priest, to wield the High Priest Scepter!

  It wasn’t without cause either. Everyone knew of Headless Assembly’s priest winning over the four High Priests with but a line, and Sage’s win over the former in the same fashion.

  Who was greater than who was now clearer than ever.

  To top it all off, it came after the century war and the four High Priest’s grand style losing. Nonetheless, these positions were still attractive.

  A boy was talking with Heavenly Court’s High Priest beneath a pine tree, “Master, this Sage has ill-intent! Why don’t we……”


  “Are you a fool? There isn’t a man out there who doesn’t know we do not see eye to eye with Sage Ran Zui. Us, as chess pieces, lost. He is waiting for the right time to enact his next move, to enter the board himself!”


  “Master, Emperor’s intent is hard to unravel!”


  “Return the High Priest Scepter. Since Sage didn’t leave, he wants to be a chess player. We can only watch this new High Priest his play, and what his duty shall be.”


  There were many High Priest duties, and the current one in the Heavenly Court was that of Emperor’s right-hand man.

  Above it was another, Chamberlain.

  When being conferred the title of High Priest, the Emperor didn’t come in person.

  After becoming High Priest, he wouldn’t hold any more meetings and let everything in High Priest’s hands to deal with. He held the power to collapse a Domain!

  In the dead of night, one man paid a visit to Heavenly Court’s High Priest, prince Tie Pan, “By Emperor’s decree, I ask that High Priest returns the High Priest Scepter!”


  He laughed, “This is fine also, it’s been so long since I rested. Did the Emperor came?”


  Tie Pan shook his head, “No.”


  “I just knew Sage Ran Zui’s duty was that of a Chamberlain.”


  Heavenly Court’s High Priest was relieved of duties and the boy gave back the High Priest Scepter.

  In this Heavenly Court, no one would find the chance to play chess as the opponents were numerous. Not only would he need to fight against the colossus called Headless Assembly, but also defend against the other Great Immortal Domains. And not to forget, the clamor the fiends were making in each of them.

  I’ll leave this mess in Sage Ran Zui’s capable hands. No one will unravel this tangled yarn, no one!

  To do it, one would need an ingenious trick.

  On the morrow, Second Crown Prince carried Emperor’s decree to Sage Ran Zui’s dwelling, “Sage Ran Zui’s Dharma is boundless, mystical in skill. The people are suffering on all accounts. I ask that Sage Ran Zui saves them through the High Priest Scepter I confer thee!”


  Chen Ming listened, Not bad, it’s the Chamberlain duty. Does that mean I can mess around Heavenly Court with impunity?

  There were many duties, yet Chen Ming was a bit underwhelmed the decree came from Heavenly Court only.

  I need to figure out how to gaze upon all steles.

  Let’s take it slow.

  Second stood outside his courtyard the whole night, yet all that greeted him was silence.

  The people figure he was putting on airs. He would later command all Kings so how could he do that without some flair in it?

  By common practice, Chen Ming should accept it three days later.

  None thought this was insolence. The previous High Priest did it too.

  Come dawn of the fourth day, Chen Ming’s door was as shut as ever. The winds were changing!

  Holding up for three days, Second Crown Prince could understand, as all High Priest liked to play as such. But it’s the fourth day, dammit!

  He didn’t snap though, his thinking going in another direction, Sage Ran Zui’s shows me favor. I am no Emperor and waiting a bit longer is normal. This may well be an ordeal to test my sincerity!

  Second held the decreed and the High Priest Scepter with a smile on his lips, while the rest were having wild thoughts.

  In a tavern, one commented, “What do you guys think, is Sage Ran Zui’s campaign over?”


  “Sage is a cut above the four High Priests. Isn’t it normal for it to last longer?”


  Someone was of another opinion. “Is there any chance Sage never considered becoming Heavenly Court’s High Priest?”


  “Yeah, isn’t that also it?”


  “I heard the other Great Immortal Domains sent their decrees, just that Heavenly Court was faster!”


  “You’re saying he’s waiting for his choice’s decree?”


  “I believe Jade Lake’s will be it. For a man like Sage Ran Zui, Jade Lake is his best choice. After all, the more they see the more worldly matters heart monks can break out of. The deeper their heart, the longer their life, and the greater their skill!”


  “Don’t make the mistake of forgetting that Jiu Qiansui man from Jade Lake. He was just a thread away from being a Galaxy Lord all on his own. He could settle the fiends! If not for Headless Assembly’s pressure, Jade Lake wouldn’t have imprisoned him.”


  “Jade Lake has the peach tree which heart monks desire. The way I see it, he might be the next Jiu Qiansui!”


  “His kind are the most terrifying. With but a mortal body, one word from him can save a life or cut it short! A man above all others!”