Undying Life
Chapter 363: Zhongshan’s True Advantage

Chapter 363: Zhongshan's True Advantage

"Whether the Water Mirror is effective or not, and whether he is Qitian Hou, I can only do my best with the meager information provided by Mr. Water Mirror," Mr. Shuijing said.

"No, Mr. Shuijing, the information you've provided is very valuable. Now, I am almost certain it is Qitian Hou," Zhongshan took a deep breath.

"Oh?" Mr. Shuijing looked surprised.

"What has always hindered my judgment was Qitian Hou's indifference, making it difficult for me to believe he could personally kill his own younger sister. But he did," Zhongshan sighed with a hint of regret.

"Since it's useful, that's good. There are just over ten days left. His Majesty will soon expect you to present your replaceings in court. Do you have any evidence against Qitian Hou?" Mr. Shuijing asked.

"No, Qitian Hou has meticulously planned this. There is not a single flaw, all clues have been thoroughly erased. From what we know, there is absolutely no evidence," Zhongshan sighed deeply.

"All physical evidence has been wiped clean, leaving only evidence against the princess. What about testimonies? It seems this time Qitian Hou acted alone, without witnesses," Mr. Shuijing remarked.

"No, since I am sure it is Qitian Hou, there is a witness," Zhongshan said.

"I certainly am not a witness," Mr. Shuijing chuckled.

"I know. When I speak of a witness, I refer to someone else, and there are two of them," Zhongshan affirmed.

"Two?" Mr. Shuijing frowned.

"Yes, one is Qitian Hou himself, and the other is Yinging," Zhongshan said.

"Them? How could Qitian Hou accuse himself? And isn't Yinging dead?" Mr. Shuijing frowned.

"Yinging is indeed dead, but she was one of the two who knew the truth. I must consult Tian Lao!" Zhongshan pondered.

"Tian Lao? Do you intend to summon Yinging's spirit?" Princess Qianyou asked in confusion.

"Yes!" Zhongshan replied.

"It won't work. If it could, the truth would have been revealed long ago. Tian Lao cannot be summoned," Princess Qianyou said.

"Regardless, I will go and inquire again!" Zhongshan smiled.

"Very well," Princess Qianyou could only nod.

"Mr. Shuijing, have some tea before you leave. I must go now," Zhongshan hurriedly said.

"Mm," Mr. Shuijing nodded.

Shortly after, Zhongshan left swiftly with a sense of urgency, leaving Ada and A'er to protect Princess Qianyou.

Once Zhongshan departed, Mr. Shuijing smiled and remarked, "I've never seen Zhongshan so nervous. Only matters concerning you, Princess, would make him so serious."

"Hehe," Princess Qianyou smiled happily.

"Can Tian Lao truly not summon Yinging's spirit?" Mr. Shuijing asked.

"No, Tian Lao has tried and failed. Yinging's spirit cannot be summoned to help. Qitian Hou is too clever, committing the crime flawlessly without leaving any traces or clues. There's really no hope during the trial," Princess Qianyou sighed.

"I think otherwise!" Mr. Shuijing smiled.

"Oh?" Princess Qianyou looked at Mr. Shuijing in puzzlement.

"It depends on who defends you. Qitian Hou is indeed intelligent, incredibly so, perhaps more than you, me, Zhongshan, or anyone else. But Zhongshan has an advantage, an absolute advantage. Even I am no match for him, and Qitian Hou is far inferior to him," Mr. Shuijing said confidently.

"Oh? I remember during the imperial examination, you mentioned something," Princess Qianyou said.

"Indeed, that time I felt it—this advantage is not innate intelligence, but something that surpasses innate intelligence," Mr. Shuijing said.

"Um? What exactly?" Princess Qianyou asked curiously.

"Shrewdness!" Mr. Shuijing replied.

"Shrewd?" Princess Qianyou frowned.

"Yes, shrewd, extremely shrewd. From my years of acquaintance with Zhongshan, I feel that every method, every action of his is incredibly shrewd. Shrewdness isn't innate intelligence; it's something magically cultivated afterward, influenced by experience, perception, mindset, and many other factors. This shrewdness doesn't make Zhongshan smarter, but it ensures that everything he does is absolutely right," Mr. Shuijing explained.

"Everything he does is right?" Princess Qianyou furrowed her brow.

"Yes, no matter how high one's intelligence is, there are limits to its thoroughness. But Zhongshan's shrewdness extends to every tiny detail, guaranteeing that every action he takes is the most correct. Haven't you noticed? For Zhongshan, it's not about being the best at everything, but about being absolutely correct. As long as it's correct, it doesn't matter whether it's good or not. He just needs it to be right," Mr. Shuijing sighed with admiration.

"But this 'rightness,' do you know how difficult it is to achieve? How hard it is to truly be 'shrewd'? It's incredibly difficult, far beyond my own millennia of exploration. Zhongshan's shrewdness is beyond Qitian Hou's comparison. Moreover, Qitian Hou, having absorbed the Imperial Realm when he was young, though it enhanced his wisdom, also robbed him of precious time to understand the depths of the world with a common man's consciousness. Therefore, he can never match Zhongshan. In front of Zhongshan, he is too inexperienced," Mr. Shuijing continued to marvel.

"Are you saying Qitian Hou can't match Zhongshan, or even you?" Princess Qianyou chuckled.

"Hehe, if 'wisdom' is vertical, then 'shrewdness' is horizontal. But if the princess asks like this, I won't be modest anymore," Mr. Shuijing chuckled.

"Hehe," Princess Qianyou also smiled happily, especially since they were discussing Zhongshan.

"The most direct example of this is the current rumors outside! I believe Zhongshan deliberately spread them," Mr. Shuijing said.

"Oh? How can you tell?" Princess Qianyou asked.

"Zhongshan is establishing his most illustrious image, all for your sake, Princess," Mr. Shuijing explained.

"How so?" Princess Qianyou looked at Mr. Shuijing.

"When Zhongshan returned, you were likely in a situation where everyone was isolating you—divided into three parts: relatives, the law, and public opinion. These three parts were like three mountains pressing down on you. When Zhongshan establishes his image, he simultaneously alters one of these parts—the murmurs of the public. Zhongshan has already moved one mountain away for you. As long as the other two mountains are also moved, you will be completely unshackled," Mr. Shuijing said.

"Are the murmurs of the public really that important?" Princess Qianyou frowned.

"That's where the princess lacks 'shrewdness' compared to Zhongshan," Mr. Shuijing smiled.

"For the princess to be compared to Zhongshan, in the past, I would never dare to mention it. But now, mentioning it, the princess isn't angry, but rather slightly pleased," Mr. Shuijing chuckled.

"Oh?" Princess Qianyou was curious.

"Who makes up the Great Luo Heavenly Dynasty? It's not just your Gu family relatives; it's His Majesty and the people of the realm. What is the will of heaven? It's the will of His Majesty, and similarly, the will of the people. When public opinion favors you, heaven favors you. When heaven favors you, what concern is there about your Gu family, the law, and such trivial matters?" Mr. Shuijing explained.

After pondering for a moment, Princess Qianyou took a deep breath and said, "Qianyou has learned a lot!"

"Hehe, I've been too talkative. Zhongshan thinks more thoroughly than I do. If I didn't say it, he would say it to you later," Mr. Shuijing shook his head and chuckled.

"How is it? What have you observed?" Da Xuan Wang asked.

"The trial will feature the most spectacular confrontation in the ancient hall," Fan Yipin said.

"Oh? Does the suspect resemble Gu Lin?" Da Xuan Wang asked in puzzlement.

"Hehe, he bears a strong resemblance, but Qitian Hou is extremely cunning. He has wiped away all traces completely, not a single one. Moreover, Zhongshan hasn't found any evidence whatsoever. I'm certain," Fan Yipin replied.

"Clean isn't good?" Da Xuan Wang chuckled.

"Clean is good, but too clean can be bad. It's because it's too clean that it exposes him. As I've told you, Zhongshan is exceedingly shrewd. Qitian Hou can't match him in this regard. Only you, Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor, the other three princes, and His Majesty have such profound 'shrewdness.' Even without a shred of evidence, Zhongshan might still bring down Qitian Hou," Fan Yipin thoughtfully remarked.

"You're that certain?" Da Xuan Wang smiled.

"It's my speculation. We'll have to wait until the day of the trial. But I can assure you, the confrontation between Zhongshan and Qitian Hou on that day in the court will be absolutely spectacular. If possible, I truly wish to witness it with my own eyes," Fan Yipin said after a moment of consideration.

"If you wish to see it, then go!" Da Xuan Wang chuckled.

"Huh?" Fan Yipin was slightly taken aback.

"On the day of the trial, many of my Gu family relatives will surely return to observe. You can enter with them, and I will inform His Majesty," Da Xuan Wang said.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Fan Yipin immediately smiled.

"Do we still need to be so formal?" Da Xuan Wang chuckled.

In the ancient capital, in a dim and remote area in the far north. Thick fog obscured everything, making it impossible to see beyond.

Zhongshan and Zhihuo descended from the clouds and stood on a mountaintop outside the dense fog, gazing at the vast expanse of white mist.

"General, Tian Lao resides here?" Zhihuo furrowed his brow.

"Qianyou said it's here, so it should be. As for the dense fog, you should have encountered such Feng Shui formations during the reign of the Great Emperor," Zhongshan said, wrinkling his brow.

"Is this a Feng Shui grand formation?" Zhihuo raised an eyebrow.