Chapter Twenty-Three: Celestial Soldiers and Heavenly Generals!

Hearing Bai Ze's words, Jiang Yuan was momentarily stunned and asked in confusion, "What does Bai Ze, the Demon Sage, mean by this?"

Bai Ze merely offered a mysterious smile. "You, Your Majesty, need only remember what I say now. No matter when, I will always acknowledge your identity as the Human Emperor."

Jiang Yuan felt even more bewildered, unable to grasp the meaning behind these words.

Bai Ze would recognize his identity as Human Emperor? Was Bai Ze implying that Jiang Yuan could command him at will?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuan’s heart filled with delight. Could this be nature’s gift?

"So, Bai Ze, are you planning to pledge allegiance to the Great Shang?" Jiang Yuan raised his eyebrows.

"That is not urgent. For now, I am merely informing Your Majesty. If I am to truly serve the Human Emperor, it will be after you have endured the trials you must face," Bai Ze replied cryptically.

"Trials? What trials must I face?" Jiang Yuan felt uneasy—he had only just obtained the system and started his journey, and now he was being told there were tribulations ahead?

He felt doubtful about Bai Ze’s words. Although legends claimed Bai Ze could see the past and glimpse the future, it all seemed too fantastical. Could someone really know everything?

"All will become clear in time, Your Majesty. Informing you that tribulations await is the limit of what I can bear. If I say more, I may be forced to transcend on the spot and perish," Bai Ze said calmly.

Jiang Yuan cursed inwardly, annoyed by Bai Ze’s enigmatic manner. He detested people who only spoke half the truth, and Bai Ze was the worst kind of them.

"Do not be angry, Your Majesty. The trials you must face cannot be avoided. Let things unfold naturally," Bai Ze maintained his tranquil expression.

Jiang Yuan’s mind was filled with frustration. Could Bai Ze actually know what he was thinking?

Just as the thought crossed Jiang Yuan’s mind, Bai Ze spoke again, "Do not be puzzled, Your Majesty. I do not know your thoughts—I merely make guesses."

Jiang Yuan shot him a glance. How could Bai Ze’s words be convincing at all?

"And if I fail to overcome these trials?" Jiang Yuan asked.

"Then, dust returns to dust, earth to earth," Bai Ze replied with a profound air.

Jiang Yuan scoffed inwardly. Dust and earth—wasn’t that just death? Everyone dies eventually, some with honor, some without... Truthfully, Jiang Yuan had no desire to die!

Wasn't Daji enchanting? Wasn’t being a tyrant enjoyable? He could curse whoever he pleased, confront anyone he chose.

"One last question. You, a half-sage, know so much—does that mean the affairs of mine are also known by those Sages?" Jiang Yuan asked.

Bai Ze merely smiled. "Your Majesty need not worry. I know these things only because of my innate talents and divine abilities, which allow me to glimpse a trace of the heavenly secrets. Otherwise, even Sages find it extremely difficult to probe such mysteries."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan finally relaxed. If only Bai Ze knew his true identity, perhaps he should silence him in the future?

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will never speak of this matter," Bai Ze replied with a knowing smile.

Jiang Yuan abandoned all pretense. If he could command Bai Ze in the future, he would surely have him serve as a living lie detector!

"If there’s nothing else, please send me back. My subordinates must be worried," Jiang Yuan said.

"There is one more matter I wish to ask," Bai Ze hesitated.

"Speak plainly," Jiang Yuan replied indifferently.

"If possible, when you truly become the supreme ruler of the Three Realms and Six Paths, could you leave a corner of the world for the demon clan?" Bai Ze requested.

Jiang Yuan was surprised and looked at Bai Ze. "Are you not able to decide for the demon clan yourself? As long as they do not provoke me, I would not destroy them without reason."

Bai Ze smiled bitterly. "I truly cannot decide for the demon clan. I am a divine beast born of the heavens and earth, not of any demon clan bloodline. I have never cared for power struggles, so although my strength and realm are considerable, my influence among the demon clan is limited."

"The real power lies with Donghuang, Emperor Jun, and Kunpeng."

Jiang Yuan felt a pang of bitterness. Those old demons were still alive? The road ahead would be arduous indeed.

"I understand. If possible, I’ll leave your demon clan some incense and offerings," Jiang Yuan replied casually, offering no definite answer.

"Then I thank you in advance on behalf of the demon clan," Bai Ze bowed deeply and saluted.

He truly had glimpsed a sliver of the future: a figure standing beyond the thirty-three heavens, above the Sages!

And that person might very well be this Human Emperor who had seized the body of King Zhou!

It was odd—though King Zhou's body had been taken, the Human Emperor’s fate could not be taken, yet not only had it not diminished, it had grown more powerful!

Moreover, the dying Shang Dynasty now showed signs of revival, even under the Sages’ machinations!

That was no minor feat—the Sages’ designs!

Jiang Yuan waved his hand casually, signaling Bai Ze to send him back.

Bai Ze understood. He gently waved his feathered fan, and this time Jiang Yuan felt no dizziness or discomfort.

When Jiang Yuan emerged from the chaos, he found those around him unchanged.

It was as if nothing had happened!

Had time frozen? Jiang Yuan was bewildered. Was it truly so terrifying? He noticed he was still in the same pose and position as before.

In other words, he had been standing there the whole time—yet the experience felt so real.

"Damn system, what’s going on?" Jiang Yuan worried he had suffered some loss at Bai Ze’s hands.

"Host need not be surprised. Bai Ze merely drew your consciousness into chaos. Time did not freeze—the interval was so brief it appeared unchanged," the system explained coldly.

Jiang Yuan felt much relieved. Luckily, Bai Ze lacked such power; otherwise, facing those Sages in the future would be hopeless.

"Your Majesty, as everything is settled, Bai Ze shall take his leave. I trust you will survive your tribulations, and we shall meet again," Bai Ze said.

With those words, his figure gradually became ethereal, then vanished in shimmering light.

Zhang Kui and his party watched, bewildered. Had Bai Ze spoken to the king?

But Zhang Kui, a Golden Immortal, could glimpse a little of the truth. While he didn’t know the exact means, with someone like Bai Ze, a mighty demon sage, anything was possible.

"Your Majesty, what did Bai Ze say to you just now?" Zhang Kui asked respectfully.

He feared Bai Ze might have threatened the king.

Jiang Yuan glanced at Zhang Kui and said carelessly, "Must I report everything I say to you?"

"I wouldn’t dare! I only worry Bai Ze might threaten Your Majesty," Zhang Kui quickly bowed.

"Enough. Let us proceed—continue toward the South Sea," Jiang Yuan ordered calmly.

The army moved out once more, advancing toward the South Sea with great momentum. During the journey, Jiang Yuan, dissatisfied with the slow pace, instructed Zhang Kui to use his Golden Immortal powers so that thousands of soldiers could fly through the skies, soaring over the land of the Nine Provinces like heavenly warriors.