"Remarkable, that young man actually dares to question Mr. Yuan Shoucheng?"
"Indeed, half the people in Chang'an know that Mr. Yuan Shoucheng is the Imperial Preceptor's uncle, Yuan Tiangang, and his divination skills are incredibly precise. How could he possibly be wrong?"
"Hush, keep your voices down. While it's not appropriate to question Mr. Yuan Shoucheng casually, the young man isn't entirely wrong. Isn't controlling thunder and rain the Dragon King's job?"
"We common folk have endured enough rain from the Old Dragon King of Jing River these past years, enjoying favorable weather. We should know that mortals shouldn't casually discuss celestial matters."
"So what if he's the Imperial Preceptor's uncle? Isn't he just a mortal? Or is he one of those lackeys of the Heavenly Court who betrayed the Dao Ancestor, thus knowing things in advance?"
Among the crowd, some continued to support Yuan Shoucheng, looking down on the Old Dragon King of Jing River for daring to seek his own demise. However, a not insignificant number held different opinions.
Among them.
Besides the generally more rational commoners, there were precisely seven special individuals who had arrived beforehand to speak for the Old Dragon King of Jing River.
They were none other than the remaining seven of the Eight Immortals from the Chan Sect!
It turned out that when Sun Kong had instructed his followers, he had specifically mentioned the predicament of the Old Dragon King of Jing River. While seemingly unrelated, it was actually the true origin that would trigger the Journey to the West.
He knew very well that after the conflict between Daoism and the Demon Cult, many inevitable events could not be avoided and could only be circumvented or replaced.
Therefore.
He had specifically asked Jin Chanzi to dispatch the Rose Dragon King to persuade the Old Dragon King of Jing River.
He also had Guang Chengzi and the other seven Immortals from the Chan Sect stake out the location in advance, to persuade Emperor Taizong Li Shimin to resolutely deal with Li Chunfeng and the other two, while secretly cooperating to gradually reveal the relationship between Li Chunfeng and the two others with the Heavenly Court.
This move was considered the most cunning and most effective.
It was truly a way to kill without shedding blood, striking at the heart!
As expected.
With these words spoken, Yuan Shoucheng and the Old Dragon King of Jing River were both startled, feeling someone secretly exerting influence, fanning the flames of this matter.
The difference was.
Yuan Shoucheng could not fathom that his original plan had been disrupted. Although he still made the bet with the Old Dragon King of Jing River, the latter showed no signs of impatience, clearly full of confidence.
Furthermore, the number of people in the crowd he had swayed had decreased significantly, replaced by some rational individuals from an unknown source.
This incident might not be very significant, and it might not affect the outcome of tomorrow.
After all, he was indeed a subordinate of the Jade Emperor!
However, for some reason, Yuan Shoucheng felt an inexplicable unease, a sense of foreboding!
Therefore.
He, who should have been the calmest, hurriedly returned home.
At home.
He set up an altar.
And prayed for Tai Bai Jin Xing to communicate with him!
On the other hand, compared to Yuan Shoucheng's flustered expression, the Old Dragon King of Jing River at this moment could also discern that there were people in the crowd, presumably from Sun Kong, speaking on his behalf.
He was quite pleased in his heart.
Having been ordered to act, he felt even less panicked, and his confidence increased even more.
That day passed without incident.
Before leaving Chang'an City and returning to Jing River.
Although the Old Dragon King of Jing River couldn't understand that the seven Immortals from the Chan Sect were helping, he still nodded respectfully in the direction of certain people in the crowd!
After he left.
The commoners' discussions intensified.
"I have a feeling that this young man is definitely going to lose!"
"Don't talk nonsense. Don't think Yuan Shoucheng is a good person. Haven't you heard? Recently, Yuan Shoucheng, Li Chunfeng, and Yuan Tiangang are all suspected of being lackeys of the Heavenly Court."
"Think about it, a few days ago, how did that Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court openly betray the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor?"
"We, the people of Great Tang, have always believed in the Heavenly Dao and the Dao Ancestor. If they are truly like this, aren't they enemies of our Great Tang?"
"So, let's not jump to conclusions. Let's wait and see after the bet tomorrow. Also, we'll wait for our Great Tang Empire's wise ruler, Emperor Tai Huang, to pass judgment."
Seeing that many people were still unaware of the truth and were being misled by the Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Court and his three lackeys, the seven Immortals from the Chan Sect seized the opportunity to enlighten them.
Regardless of how many people would believe them.
At the very least, before the truth was revealed tomorrow, they could sow seeds of resentment towards the Jade Emperor and his followers in the hearts of the people.
Coupled with the fact that this matter was indeed true.
They believed that once the Old Dragon King of Jing River succeeded tomorrow, and the people of Great Tang unanimously switched their allegiance, Emperor Tai Huang would seize this opportunity to deal with Li Chunfeng, Yuan Tiangang, Yuan Shoucheng, and Wu Zetian.
Then this matter would be considered perfectly accomplished!
"I'm so envious of our senior brother! Back then, he was the first to be guided by Great Sage Sun, and indeed found his opportunity waiting in Chang'an City."
"Presumably, once Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang are apprehended, senior brother can recover his former cultivation and advance further."
"It's just that I wonder, where is our opportunity, the seven of us?"
"Brothers, after this matter is concluded, and after Emperor Tai Huang permits Jin Chanzi to embark on the Journey to the West, and after the fifth tribulation is over, we must implore Great Sage Sun for help again."
In the eyes of the seven Immortals from the Chan Sect, their admiration for Sun Kong had not diminished, only grown stronger, to the point where they almost considered him their elder brother!
...
The entire day.
Various factions were still making preparations. Apart from Sun Kong and others who already knew about this matter and had calculated the approximate outcome, the Heavenly Court side, surprisingly, had not sensed anything was amiss.
Even Tai Bai Jin Xing, upon hearing Yuan Shoucheng report that the Old Dragon King of Jing River was too calm, did not suspect anything, merely attributing it to his previous successful deception of the Old Dragon King.
"Yuan Shoucheng, you are one of my registered disciples. Although not as important as Li Chunfeng or Yuan Tiangang, you should be calm and less suspicious."
"It is as His Majesty said."
"They are all His Majesty's people. How can Sun Houzi and the others contend with His Majesty? Their winning probability is less than one percent, while ours is ninety-nine percent. Who would believe they could turn the tide?"
"If that were truly to happen, I would write my Daoist name backward!"
With Tai Bai Jin Xing's words, Yuan Shoucheng, who had been extremely uneasy, immediately felt much more relaxed.
That night passed without incident.
The next morning.
Indeed, the Jade Emperor sent someone to notify the Old Dragon King of Jing River to bring rain. Believing that the Old Dragon King would surely obey and willingly serve as cannon fodder, he intentionally hinted that he could reduce the hours and the amount of rainfall.
However, unexpectedly.
The Old Dragon King of Jing River was already aware of the Jade Emperor's scheme. While he quickly agreed on the surface, in reality, when it was time to rain, he did so precisely, not a drop less.
This instantly shocked Tai Bai Jin Xing and Yuan Shoucheng!
"Old Dragon King, why are you not following the rules? You promised to..."
Yuan Shoucheng looked at the Old Dragon King of Jing River in confusion.
But at this moment, as the Old Dragon King resumed his true dragon form and furiously accused Yuan Shoucheng of colluding with the Jade Emperor, coupled with Guang Chengzi's intervention and protection of Li Shimin's pronouncements.
The entire situation instantly reversed!
"What's going on?"
"You guys already... Oh no, I'm finished, I'm truly finished."
Yuan Shoucheng, who had been confident just a moment ago, was now being slapped in the face too quickly.
He became extremely anxious!