This was a theory the five G.o.dkings had entertained before, so they weren’t particularly surprised by Jiang Chen’s proposition.
However, they didn’t have anything concrete to support this suggestion.
“No matter how shrewd the culprit is, he isn’t going to allow others to be in control of such a key part of the plan,” Jiang Chen continued. “If the culprit isn’t among the seven keyholders, what’s he going to do if they come to an agreement to let His Majesty go?”
“You’re right.” The overweight G.o.dking nodded approvingly.
“Besides, what did the culprit stage the coup for? Power, of course. Someone ambitious enough to overthrow the emperor must have a controlling streak to his hide. It doesn’t make sense for him to give others the tool to disrupt his plans while he stays on the sidelines.”
Jiang Chen based his a.n.a.lysis on the human psyche. He didn’t have any concrete proof either.
“We can speculate all we want,” the thin G.o.dking spoke up suddenly. “Even if we suspect the same person, we can’t make an accusation until the culprit exposes themself.”
G.o.dking Crimsonwaters sighed. “You’re right. That’s the dilemma we’re in. We need Celestial Emperor Taiyuan to root out the culprit, but the culprit holds one of the keys required to liberate His Majesty. It’s a conundrum.”
G.o.dking Righteous slapped the table with a hand. “Taiyuan Plane has been deteriorating because of the culprit. It’ll fall apart sooner or later.”
The five G.o.dkings failed to come to any conclusion. All they could do was to complain and lament their misfortunes. Under the circ.u.mstances, if they didn’t muster the courage to do something, the situation would only inch further into the abyss.
“Aren’t we going to do anything this time, Brother Crimsonwaters?” the overweight G.o.dking demanded defiantly.
“What do you think, Brother Fei?” Crimsonwaters asked in lieu of a response.
“What do I think?” muttered the overweight G.o.dking. His tone turned agitated. “I think we should give it a try. Bring the issue up during the conference. Perhaps we can succeed in pus.h.i.+ng for a consensus. Anyone who dares object to Celestial Emperor Taiyuan’s release will be a traitor! No one wants that, right?”
He had a point.
“What if we fail?” asked Crimsonwaters. “What if no one answers our call?”
“You won’t know until you try,” Jiang Chen offered suddenly. “Someone has to take a stand,” he emphasized. “Someone has to take the first step, even if the price is his life.”
“I’ll do it!” volunteered G.o.dking Righteous.
“I’ll do it!” shouted the G.o.dking in blue at the same time.
“I volunteer!” The overweight G.o.dking straightened his chubby torso, ready to risk his life.
“It’s easy for you to volunteer yourself now,” interjected the thin G.o.dking. “Will you be brave enough to do so on an occasion as solemn as the conference?”
“We have to be,” G.o.dking Righteous delivered solemnly. “Even if we can’t individually, we’ll muster the courage if all five of us do it together.”
Everyone turned to Crimsonwaters for his decision. He was their leader among the five.
After a long stretch of silence, Crimsonwaters p.r.o.nounced in a determined tone, “We’ll play it by ear tomorrow. If someone else brings the issue up first, we’ll show our support immediately and push for a consensus. If no one does so, we’ll take matters into our own hands. What do you think?”
“Alright, that’s the plan!”
“We have a deal. No going back!”
The five G.o.dkings finally made up their minds.
Jiang Chen sighed inwardly. The current situation had indeed made the five G.o.dkings desperate. Even rabbits bit when they were cornered. The culprit had managed to cause the downfall of an entire prosperous plane!
“What do you think, Elder Zhen?” G.o.dking Righteous settled his deep gaze on Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen didn’t avert his eyes. “People will follow!” he said earnestly. “Even if you fail, I will follow in your footsteps. However, I believe an opportunity to strike back will arise during the conference. I can tell our plane has reached rock bottom. It’s time for our final stand.”
“Oh? How so?”
Jiang Chen smiled. “Observing the layout of destiny and calculating the future has been a hobby of mine since I was young. Taiyuan Plane has been in decline, but it’s not doomed yet. It’s time for it to bounce back.”
Destiny was a fickle thing.
The five G.o.dkings were no experts in the area, so they didn’t immediately dismiss Jiang Chen’s cryptic words. It was better to believe than to doubt.
“Haha, we should be more optimistic if that’s what you believe, shouldn’t we?” chuckled the G.o.dking in blue.
“Yes, we have to believe that things will change for the better. If we have faith, the other G.o.dkings will follow suit. Once everyone comes to the same realization and takes measures to save themselves, things will get better. Like Elder Zhen says, we will rise again.”
……
The gathering made Jiang Chen realize that Taiyuan Plane was on the cusp of a revolution.
The time had come. The widely antic.i.p.ated G.o.dking conference was to begin.
One by one, G.o.dkings led their parties to their a.s.signed location within the Taiyuan Sky Palace. Every G.o.dking in Taiyuan Plane had arrived at the conference.
They were a.s.signed to different spots according to their status and power.
Possessing a high status, G.o.dking Crimsonwaters was a.s.signed to the front where it was s.p.a.cious. He stood out in the crowd.
At the G.o.dking’s behest, Jiang Chen sat close behind Crimsonwaters with his legs crossed.
Elders Ge and Xu could barely contain their burning jealousy. The elder was d.a.m.n lucky to attract the G.o.dking’s attention and be treated with such regard! He must be blessed with generations of good fortune!
“Taiyuan Sky Palace… finally, I have returned.” Jiang Chen knew the place well. He knew the stairs and every inch of the palace. It’d been hundreds of thousands of years, yet memories rushed into his mind like it was only yesterday.