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Should I... trust you?

At that moment, the entire barrier fell completely silent. Not a single sound remained—not even a breath. It was clear how weighty those words were.

Chen Qing knew his answer would determine the final direction.

Honestly, whichever path the Emperor chose, he could accept it.

If the Emperor collaborated with the Taoist Sect, it could temporarily stabilize the situation and divert attention from the Buddha Kingdom.

That would provide him greater opportunity to return to Jiangnan and fully assist in clearing out the Buddha Kingdom’s temples.

He had not signed the talisman paper contract and would not be restricted by the Taoist Sect. However, because of his alliance with Great Jin, it meant he was also effectively allied with the Taoist Sect.

This arrangement was not inherently disadvantageous to him.

But Chen Qing simply did not want the Emperor to ally with the Taoist Sect...

He could not say why. It was just an inexplicable feeling that something was off.

"Your Majesty..." Chen Qing took a deep breath and clasped his hands respectfully as he said, "If Your Majesty is willing to trust me, I, Chen Qing, will certainly not let Your Majesty down!"

The Emperor looked at him. The reply was confident—a promise not to disappoint—rather than a mere declaration to try his utmost. He had provided the most prudent answer, demonstrating the greatest resolve.

And the implication of the reply was clear: it signified his opposition to an alliance with the Taoist Sect!

Upon hearing the answer, the Emperor instead smiled. "Why is that? Earlier, I heard you mention that someone backing the Taoist Sect might be an acquaintance of yours?"

"Yes..." Chen Qing nodded.

If Pu YunChuan was indeed behind the Taoist Sect, then theoretically, they should be on the same side.

In the past, Pu YunChuan had abandoned him and the others because he ultimately could not bear to destroy the world.

Having experienced the warmth and coldness of humanity and lived through time’s passing in this world—even though it had only been twenty years—Chen Qing had also undergone a change in perspective.

He had come to agree with Pu YunChuan’s actions back then.

The people of this world and those of Digital City.

.. were no different. Everyone was equally living beings with their own emotions; no one was inherently nobler than another.

Back then, humans were creatures of flesh and blood, yet they were not much different from digital beings.

To avoid a future of misery, Pu YunChuan had resolutely chosen to eliminate an entire world of digital beings.

Now, Chen Qing’s position aligned with Pu YunChuan’s.

Since this was the case, there was no longer any conflict between the two of them. Furthermore, as blood brothers in the past, cooperation seemed natural.

But here was the strange part: why had Pu YunChuan not sought him out?

That was the biggest question!

If Pu YunChuan was truly behind the Taoist Sect, why had he avoided contacting Chen Qing?

Chen Qing currently possessed the largest military force in the world, the most well-established Human Race foundation, and a wealth of mid-level talent—especially in the field of array specialists.

The entire Central Plains did not have even one-tenth of Jiangnan’s experts in this area.

If those many array masters combined with the Taoist Sect’s mechanical techniques, the power unleashed would be astonishing.

Yet Pu YunChuan passed over him as a collaborator and instead chose the Emperor of the Siao Family?

Why?

Was Pu YunChuan unwilling to face him?

Or was it... something else?

Chen Qing did not believe that Pu YunChuan would be unwilling to face him.

He had always been an obstinate man who would do anything for the ideals he held dear.

Years ago, he could abandon Chen Qing without hesitation, and now he could admit his mistake and seek cooperation just as decisively.

That was simply the kind of person he was.

But he hadn’t...

The Taoist Sect... was likely founded by Pu YunChuan. Yet... the current Pu YunChuan... was very likely not the same man as before!

This possibility was what Chen Qing feared most. Figures like Old Liu, Elder Long, and even Western nobility were nothing in his eyes compared to the terror of Pu YunChuan becoming an enemy.

If Pu YunChuan truly stood opposed to him, then everything Chen Qing aimed to achieve would require his absolute efforts to thwart.

Only through resistance could there be a chance of survival.

That was his instinct.

"He is indeed an acquaintance..." Chen Qing rubbed his fingers, his expression solemn. "But I’m not sure if he’s still the same as he was back then. However, one thing I am certain about: something is definitely wrong with the Taoist Sect!"

"So you don’t want Ziyue to merge with that person named Yun Yue?" The Emperor turned to Ziyue. "What do you think?"

Ziyue lowered her head and thought for a moment before finally saying, "I trust Chen Qing!"

Upon hearing her answer, Chen Qing’s heart skipped slightly.

The two of them had broken through the final barrier of their relationship and could now be considered ultimate partners. Yet, amidst such overwhelming temptation, Ziyue had chosen him, which surprised him.

After all, his objections to her merging with the Taoist Sect’s Yun Yue were inherently suspicious. What if he feared she would undergo a complete transformation after merging, and thus stopped her out of selfish motives?

What if he was guarding against her?

"Aren’t you afraid..."

"Be quiet!"

"Oh..." Chen Qing lowered his gaze, and after being reprimanded, he seemed to become much more obedient. Ziyue glared at him briefly before turning to the Emperor. "And your decision, Your Majesty?"

"Then I’ll trust you this time as well." The Emperor chuckled.

Chen Qing froze momentarily, and when he glanced at the Emperor, his emotions were complicated. He had never imagined that someday, the person who trusted him the most would be this man before him.

After all, the ultimate path of his Divine Path sect was meant to overthrow him!

"Your Majesty is wise!" Chen Qing smiled. "Rest assured, Your Majesty. Within three days, there will be results!"

"I can wait for three days. However..."

"Your Majesty is concerned about Jiangnan?" Chen Qing immediately understood his meaning.

"My Imperial Sister has a personality quite different from mine. If the Taoist Sect reaches out to her..."

"What does Your Majesty think of the King of Qin?" Chen Qing suddenly asked.

"A very complicated man..." The Emperor’s expression became deeply complex as he spoke of the King of Qin. "But one thing I am sure of—he would never collaborate with any being from ancient times..."

-------------------------------------------

"Is it truly necessary to wait a bit longer, My Lady?"

Regarding the Emperor’s need to consider for a few days, Yun Yue did not press or persuade him further. In her eyes, his current hesitation was simply a lack of urgency. When the Buddha Kingdom’s measures became increasingly excessive, he would naturally compromise.

But Ziyue was different.

"My Lady, you’re not like the Emperor. He has the Dragon Vein to protect him. Even if he drags this out for a few days, nothing major will happen. If you delay, the consequences could be severe."

Ziyue smiled faintly upon hearing this and said lightly, "Since His Majesty faces no dire issues, how could I possibly have any? You’ve already witnessed the Emperor’s personal strength.

Even if the Buddha Kingdom’s Victorious Fighting Buddha were to arrive in person, he wouldn’t gain an advantage.

Comparatively, what could my so-called Evil Corpses possibly do? "

"You place too much trust in the Human Lord’s power," Yun Yue frowned.

"You don’t believe in him?" Ziyue smiled. "If you don’t trust him, then why bother striving to cooperate with him?"

Yun Yue sighed softly at those words before finally saying, "You weren’t a hesitant person in the past, My Lady. Very well, take your time considering. No matter what decision you ultimately make, I will stand by your side."

"Then... I must thank you for your support, Taoist Friend." Ziyue smiled and lowered her head slightly in salutation.

When Yun Yue heard the words "Taoist Friend," she froze momentarily before smiling and returning the gesture in kind. "Born from the same root, Taoist Friend, unnecessary pleasantries are not needed."

After Yun Yue had left, Chen Qing approached her slowly from behind.

"There seems to be no doubt that she is an envoy of the Taoist Sect. Chen Qing, if there’s truly an issue, what do you think it could be?"

Ziyue trusted Chen Qing’s judgment deeply.

If Pu YunChuan had indeed changed, significant problems had likely emerged.

However, with the Taoist Sect being such a large organization founded on the principle of safeguarding heaven and earth, its core ideology should be reliable.

Reclaiming former strength would also aid the current situation.

Yet Chen Qing had stopped her, and that could only mean the Taoist Sect concealed an even greater danger within.

"I have a theory..." Chen Qing lowered his voice and spoke quietly. "This theory seems improbable, but... I still believe it’s not entirely unlikely."

"If your theory is correct, how grave is the outcome?"

"Very serious..." Chen Qing said with a bitter smile. "It could be the worst-case scenario we face!"