darknovel Chapter 7 Yaochi Gives Up
Chapter 7 Yaochi Gives Up
Seeing Yaochi repeatedly making excuses, Haotian's tone grew impatient: "Junior Sister, how about I handle this matter?"
Yaochi looked at Haotian, fully aware that Li Taibai's reasoning was true.
Yaochi's gaze turned cold, her heart filled with disappointment. Haotian was indeed using her!
If Taibai hadn't told him, he would have been completely unaware of this enormous karmic cause and effect, which could directly destroy him. He had just descended to the mortal realm to build up his power, but now Haotian was going to destroy him first!
"Senior brother, what's wrong with you? Why are you in such a hurry? Why do you have to do this?"
Yaochi continued to question, truly not wanting Haotian to be like this, and wanted an answer. The ninja's anger fueled her continued probing!
Li Bai himself did not make a definitive statement, but only expressed doubts, letting Yaochi verify it herself. Now Yaochi has basically verified it!
Li Bai would naturally not make any definitive statements about this matter, but would simply fill in the gaps and avoid causing trouble for himself!
If Yaochi herself doesn't see through things during this period, then she, as the strategist, will be caught in the middle!
Once he made a definitive statement, Li Bai transformed from a strategist into a troublemaker.
Haotian is the Heavenly Emperor and Yaochi's senior brother for billions of years. Although Yaochi is heartbroken at this moment, the old brother-sister relationship has not been completely severed.
If Yaochi softens her heart and reconciles with Haotian, Li Bai's words that Haotian wanted to sacrifice her will become irrefutable evidence of sowing discord.
Therefore, Li Bai was aware of this, and every sentence was a guess, leaving Yaochi to verify it herself.
The decision of power can only come from the monarch himself.
If Li Taibai were to tell Yaochi that Haotian wanted to harm her, Yaochi would be passively awakened to the truth and would blame Taibai for instigating her.
If Yaochi herself asked, saw, or forced the matter out, then it means that Yaochi herself has seen through it all, her heart is completely dead, and she will never bring up old grievances to blame her ministers in the future.
Li Bai understood this point well. Even if he was a time traveler who knew the outcome, he still wanted the monarch to resolve his inner conflict himself. The ministers could only offer a mirror, not force the monarch to open his eyes.
Li Bai has basically figured out Yaochi's mindset. Yaochi's current mindset is: I believe Li Bai about 80%, but I still don't want to believe that my senior brother from billions of years ago would be so ruthless.
I want to hear Haotian say it to me personally so that I can finally give up completely.
Only after taking this step will Yaochi completely break with Li Bai, become completely independent, and wholeheartedly trust him.
Li Taibai stood silently by the side the whole time, just watching. He knew that this step had to be taken. If he didn't, he would have to leave, because Yaochi was to be under Haotian's control, so there was no need for him to stay.
If Yaochi can't see through it, Li Bai could add one more thing: she's sowing discord between the Heavenly Emperor and his sister, making irresponsible remarks about the emperor, and spreading false rumors to mislead the ruler.
If Yaochi herself saw through it, then Li Bai was the one who loyally offered advice, cleared away the clouds to reveal the sun, and saved his lord from the abyss.
From then on, he became Yaochi's most trusted confidant. Therefore, Li Bai never made definitive statements, only offering speculations for Yaochi to verify themselves. This was not cowardice, but the survival strategy of a top strategist.
The emperor's heart is unfathomable, and old feelings are hard to sever. Only by letting Yaochi hear and see with his own eyes, and by letting his heart die, can he, as a subject, both achieve great merit and retreat unscathed. This is the integrity of a strategist!
Furthermore, in this step, Li Bai was also verifying Yaochi, not only that the ruler chooses his ministers, but the ministers also choose their rulers, to see if this was a place they could stay.
If Yaochi ultimately chooses to serve Haotian as its master, Li Taibai will really leave!
Yes, Li Bai would not hesitate to withdraw and leave Yaochi directly.
The reason is simple: those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. If Yaochi is willing to be a vassal and sacrificed, then Yaochi is not a monarch capable of achieving great things or establishing a legal system.
A strategist like Li Bai would not serve a ruler who willingly lowers his status and ruins his own future.
Therefore, Yaochi must take this step by herself. If Yaochi does not see Haotian clearly, Li Taibai cannot stay. It can also be said that this is the first threshold for the relationship between ruler and subject. Haotian must pass this threshold!
If Yaochi can't even pass the test of Haotian, she is not worthy to be the Great Celestial Venerable who rules over all the immortals!
This is not Li Bai's way of deliberately sowing discord between Haotian and his siblings. If they do not become independent, they will have no future when facing the sages.
This is not a simple sibling dispute; it is the first and most critical test for Yaochi to become an independent ruler.
To become a monarch, the first hurdle is always spiritual independence. A monarch who wants to establish himself in the Three Realms must overcome three trials.
Do not depend on others, do not fear others, and do not blindly follow others.
Haotian is the first barrier of Yaochi.
After that, Yaochi is the Great Heavenly Venerable of Yaochi, who sits on equal footing with Haotian and jointly governs the Three Realms.
If she can't get through this, Yaochi will forever remain Haotian's junior sister, vassal, supporting character, and sacrifice.
Even her closest senior brothers couldn't suppress, get rid of, or dare to refuse her. In the future, when facing saints, powerful beings, and ancient forces, what will Yaochi rely on to stand up?
By what right do they command all the immortals? By what right do they command the trust of others?
Even Haotian wouldn't dare to confront him directly; facing a sage in the future would only lead to certain death.
Furthermore, Yaochi's inherent status destined her not to be a vassal.
Yaochi was not self-appointed; it was personally bestowed by the Dao Ancestor, placing it on par with Haotian, in charge of the Yaochi Immortal Realm, and governing the laws of all immortals.
Yaochi's innate position is that of an independent celestial being, not a celestial empress, nor an appendage.
However, if Yaochi were to compromise and become a vassal of Haotian, it would be to undermine its own foundation, destroy its own legal system, and sever its own destiny.
Li Bai saw it better than anyone else: once Yaochi bowed its head, its ruler would be finished.
It's pointless to serve a useless ruler; it's better to leave early.
Therefore, this lesson is the first lesson in the relationship between ruler and subject. For Li Bai, it is a test of whether he can pass the test at Yaochi.
If the ruler is not independent, then the ministers will have no support; if the ruler is not self-reliant, then the country will have no future.
If Yaochi cannot even pass the test of Haotian, dares not to be independent and unwilling to break away, then in the future, when facing the sages and the myriad races of the prehistoric world, it will only be at the mercy of others and have no future to speak of.
Only by passing through Haotian and severing all ties can Yaochi truly ascend the throne and be worthy of his subjects' lives.
In fact, Li Bai did not frame or sow discord. Essentially, Haotian sold Yaochi in exchange for a great calamity of the gods, but it was all for naught. That is the truth!
Essentially, Haotian wasn't trying to achieve a win-win situation with Yaochi; he was using Yaochi as a sacrifice to gamble on a game he was destined to lose.
Li Bai merely pierced through this thin veil of mystery; that was all. Everything was the path Haotian himself chose, which was simply that he was too self-righteous.
As Yaochi looked at Haotian, a chill gradually crept into her eyes.
This is the person I've called "senior brother" for millions of years.
They took human form on the same day, shared the same Dao Ancestor, and held the same position. Upon arriving in the Heavenly Court, they were already paving the way for Haotian.
"Senior brother."
Yaochi spoke, her voice low and her tone indifferent, as if she were asking about something trivial!
"What's wrong with you? Why are you in such a hurry? Why do you have to do this?"
Haotian, thinking that Yaochi hadn't thought much of it, immediately said, "Junior Sister, you're overthinking it. I just feel that now that we've taken over the Heavenly Court, we should get the important matters settled as soon as possible. The Three Realms have been without a ruler for a long time, the stars in the heavens have lost their restraint, and the great gods of all sides are occupying their own territories. Every day we delay, there will be more variables."
Haotian spoke these words with great confidence, but Yaochi asked, "But Senior Brother's arrangement just now was clearly based on Senior Brother's wishes."
Yaochi continued, "My senior brother is in charge of the celestial bodies and governs the affairs of the Three Realms, while I govern the Yaochi Immortal Realm and govern all the immortals under heaven. When the Dao Ancestor conferred titles, he said that we would jointly govern the Heavenly Court and be ranked as equals among the Great Heavenly Venerables."
"Senior brother and I are of the same rank and grade, but our duties are different. May I ask, senior brother, why is it that in your arrangements, you are the one to be respected?"
Haotian was silent for a moment, then said, "Junior Sister, do you still remember what the Heavenly Court of Emperor Jun looked like?"
Yaochi remained silent.
Haotian didn't need Yaochi's answer.
"Di Jun is the Heavenly Emperor, and Tai Yi is the Eastern Emperor. Di Jun holds the sun, and Xi He holds the moon. The Heavenly Emperor and the Heavenly Empress jointly govern the Heavenly Court."
"Back then, the Heavenly Court was a place where all demons paid homage, and all the stars in the heavens obeyed its commands. Who in the Three Realms dared to utter a single word of dissent? Before the war between the Lich King and the Demon King, the Heavenly Court's majesty was such that even saints had to give it some respect."
"Junior sister, we should be like this too. How can there be two monarchs in the Heavenly Court? It should be a joint rule by the Emperor and Empress!"
Yaochi's heart sank suddenly.
Haotian's true intentions were finally revealed: Dijun would become the Heavenly Emperor, and Xihe would become the Heavenly Empress.
The Heavenly Emperor is the master, and the Heavenly Empress is the assistant.
Di Jun's name is always placed before Xi He's. When people in the Three Realms mention the ancient Heavenly Court, they first think of Di Jun and Tai Yi, and then Xi He and Chang Xi. It's not that they share power, but that they are master and servant.
Haotian wasn't proposing a Peach Banquet; he was redefining the relationship between Haotians.
Because the Dao Ancestor's conferment was at the same level, but now he wants to destroy himself and completely prioritize Haotian.
From jointly ruling the Heavenly Court to becoming the Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress.
Yaochi looked at Haotian, utterly despondent, her eyes filled with coldness.
Every word that Venus spoke flashed through Yaochi's mind.
The Great Celestial Venerable and the Great Celestial Venerable Haotian were originally beings of the same level. However, if this Peach Banquet was truly held under the guise of celebrating a birthday, then from then on, the Heavenly Court would only have Haotian, and no Great Celestial Venerable.
Yaochi slowly spoke, "Senior brother, how could you think such a thing?"
Haotian frowned slightly, thinking that Yaochi was being unreasonable and that this was how things should be done!
Yaochi stood up.
"We are of the same rank, bestowed by the Dao Ancestor himself and certified by the Heavenly Dao. Senior brother is the Jade Emperor of the Golden Palace, and I am the Golden Mother of the Jade Pool. Senior brother governs the stars of the heavens, and I command all immortals. Our duties are different, but our positions are the same."
Yaochi's voice was calm yet somewhat cold: "Senior brother just said that Dijun is the Heavenly Emperor and Xihe is the Heavenly Empress. Senior brother and I should be the same. Senior brother is telling me that from now on, I will no longer be the Great Heavenly Venerable who is on equal footing with senior brother."
Haotian suddenly stood up: "Junior Sister! We've been brothers and sisters for countless eons, how could you think of me like this? When did I ever say I wanted you to be my subordinate? When did I ever say you weren't my equal?"
Haotian never expected Yaochi to be so forceful. All his schemes were thwarted, and he trembled with anger.
Haotian felt that Yaochi was inconsiderate and disregarded the big picture, and he hated Yaochi even more for not listening to his arrangements.
"Junior sister, you have disappointed me greatly!"
Haotian continued angrily, "Junior Sister, can't you even manage to share the same boat? Are you going to make us a laughingstock in the Three Realms!"
Yaochi was also disheartened, staring directly at Haotian: "Senior brother, you have just disappointed me. Knowing full well that you were deceiving me in my name, where do you place me? In the future, will I have any reputation left in the Three Realms?"
Haotian waved his hand and said matter-of-factly, "What difference is there between us? Even if my junior sister has no reputation, as long as I become the supreme ruler of heaven and earth, I can take everything back for you."
Upon hearing this, Yaochi's last shred of hope was shattered.
It turns out that Haotian had indeed planned it all out in advance; everything was exactly as Li Bai had predicted!
"So, Senior Brother had already foreseen this, yet he didn't tell me a word. Why didn't you speak plainly to me?"
Haotian's tone hardened: "I am in charge of the Lingxiao Palace. If I lose all my prestige, there will be no chance of recovery. Even if my junior sister has lost face for the time being, as long as the Heavenly Court is restored, her prestige will naturally return."
Yaochi pressed on, "Then why insist on using my birthday celebration as a pretext? Senior brother, what exactly are you plotting? Why don't you just say so now?"
Haotian was speechless for a moment, but he couldn't say anything more, because how could he say it?
It's nothing more than bringing shame upon oneself by seeking the support of the Dao Ancestor. This is something only one can plan, but one cannot say it out loud, otherwise wouldn't that be using the Dao Ancestor and the Sage?
I can't say it; saying it would be like playing with fire and getting burned!
Haotian looked at Li Taibai first and immediately shouted, "Junior Sister, you've entered without any consideration. Has someone slandered you? Is it this treacherous minister who has bewitched you?"
Upon hearing this, Li Bai realized it was indeed true and immediately bowed to apologize: "Great Heavenly Venerable, please be wise, this humble subject has just taken human form."
"I know nothing of worldly causes and effects, nothing of the rules of the Heavenly Court, and nothing of the brotherly and sisterly affection between the two Great Heavenly Venerables. I am but a stubborn rock by the Jade Pool, and it is only through the enlightenment of the Great Heavenly Venerables that I have come to this day. In my heart, I only have the desire to serve the Great Heavenly Venerables, and I have no intention of bewitching anyone. May the Great Heavenly Venerables of the Jade Heavens bear witness."
Haotian knew that this matter could no longer be resolved, so he abruptly turned and left, leaving behind only the words: "Junior sister, you have disappointed me greatly."
Haotian's figure disappeared into the horizon in an instant.
Yaochi gazed at Haotian's retreating figure, her heart turning utterly cold: "Senior brother, you... are far too selfish."
........
At this moment, Li Bai completely understood Haotian's thoughts, and also understood Yaochi's thoughts.
In essence, it was a self-inflicted humiliation to ask the Dao Ancestor for support, coupled with a scheme to change the Heavenly Court from having two deities to having one!
Haotian hopes that Yaochi will be sensible, understanding, and blindly cooperative.
I can't explain Haotian's inner logic, but you should understand it. You should take the blame for me without asking why, and you should stand by me through thick and thin!
The truth is, this is something that can't be said aloud, but I hope Yaochi will blindly cooperate with me!
Yaochi refused to cooperate, and Haotian felt that she did not understand him, did not consider the overall situation, was misled by treacherous officials, and would not work together with him!
However, if Haotian had truly revealed this matter, Yaochi might have been able to understand. But now, he's asking Yaochi to bear such a huge karmic burden without explaining what he's planning!
Yaochi paid too high a price, giving up her status as the Great Celestial Venerable, turning herself into a vassal, becoming a laughingstock of the Three Realms, and bearing the wrath of the Sages. Yet Haotian didn't even give a reason, or say what he was plotting!
He urged Yaochi to consider the bigger picture, but Yaochi didn't even know what the bigger picture was. Now, the rift between the two of them was already so deep that they had basically broken off all pretense of civility. However, Li Taibai knew that this was not enough and that the situation would continue to escalate!