Chapter Seventy-Three: The Calamity of the Crimson Cloud

The next day, after bidding farewell to Kunpeng, Burning Lamp prepared to leave the Heavenly Court.

After an entire night of conversation, Burning Lamp had gained a comprehensive understanding of the situation in the Heavenly Court. He knew that even if he joined, the best he could hope for was the rank of prince—hardly a promising prospect. This realization made him hesitate...

Should he truly leave the Sect of Severance and throw his lot in with the Heavenly Court?

"Friend Burning Lamp, wait a moment."

Just as he was torturing himself with indecision, a voice called out from behind. He turned to see it was the Guide.

"Friend Guide, what is it you wish to discuss?" Burning Lamp turned with a puzzled expression.

"Please, come with me," the Guide replied, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace. For someone as expressionless as he, it was already a rare attempt at amiability.

"Very well," Burning Lamp agreed after a brief hesitation, his curiosity piqued as to what the Guide wanted with him.

...

The two arrived at the Guide’s residence. After they had taken their seats, the Guide cast a spell to seal off their senses from prying, then slowly explained his true intentions under Burning Lamp’s watchful gaze.

When Burning Lamp heard that the Guide intended to risk everything to assassinate Redcloud, he was momentarily stunned. Although he harbored his own dark resentment toward Redcloud, Redcloud was now the king of the Heavenly Court, and not someone he dared cross lightly. After all, Redcloud no longer possessed the Primordial Purple Qi; killing him would bring no real benefit.

"Friend Guide, you must be jesting. Redcloud is the king of the Heavenly Court—how could he be killed?" Burning Lamp forced a laugh, trying to excuse himself.

Of course, he would not foolishly agree to such a scheme, especially since he did not yet know the Guide's true purpose. The Guide was now a member of the Heavenly Court; to kill Redcloud would be tantamount to betraying the court. What could drive him to such an act?

But what, exactly, was the Guide after in plotting against Redcloud? Now that Redcloud was known to have lost the Primordial Purple Qi, what was left to covet?

"You need not worry," the Guide reassured him, assuming from Burning Lamp’s expression that he was concerned about his escape route. Smiling, he outlined the plan he had devised.

"To be frank, the Western Sage Zhunti is my junior brother. Once we have killed Redcloud, we can go to him. I doubt the supreme Emperor of Subtle Dharma would offend a sage over a single Redcloud."

"Oh? The Western Sage is your junior brother?" Burning Lamp’s eyes lit up. His life in the Sect of Severance had been far from satisfactory, and he had long considered serving elsewhere.

But was the Guide really telling the truth?

"I would never deceive a friend," the Guide replied with a faint smile, but said no more; clearly, he did not wish to delve into old matters.

"Such generosity, friend Guide... Then I shall accept," Burning Lamp said after brief consideration, nodding. "To be honest, I have long wished to rid myself of Redcloud, but I have held back out of fear of the Heavenly Court's power. What you say is precisely what I desire."

"With your help, our success is assured!" the Guide replied, delighted. With Burning Lamp on board, their odds of success rose to sixty percent at least.

The two then discussed the details of their plan. When they were done, Burning Lamp took his leave. However, instead of departing the Heavenly Court directly, he sought out Kunpeng.

He could not be sure if the Guide was being truthful or what the Guide’s real intentions were. He dared not act recklessly; being used as another’s pawn would be disastrous.

...

"Friend Burning Lamp, why have you returned?" Kunpeng looked at him in surprise, not understanding why Burning Lamp had come back.

"My apologies for troubling you," Burning Lamp said with a bow and a smile.

"No trouble at all," Kunpeng replied, inviting him to sit.

Burning Lamp then gave Kunpeng a brief account of his conversation with the Guide. Kunpeng listened and was momentarily taken aback.

He then recalled, from countless years ago, something he had said to the Guide in a fit of pique, simply to spite Redcloud...

It had been nothing more than an offhand remark, forgotten as soon as it was spoken. He never expected the Guide to remember it all this time, let alone plan against Redcloud because of it.

For a moment, Kunpeng was filled with mixed emotions. He felt a twinge of guilt toward the Guide, but did not know how to explain.

His mind raced. When he realized the Guide had kept all this from him, plotting to seize the Primordial Purple Qi for himself, Kunpeng’s eyes grew cold.

"Guide, since you show no loyalty, do not blame me for being ruthless. Let you be the stepping stone to my ascension!"

Kunpeng narrowed his eyes, a plan forming in his mind. He quickly fabricated an excuse for Burning Lamp, explaining how the Guide’s hatred for Redcloud ran deep, and so forth.

Burning Lamp, hearing this, finally understood and felt relieved. The prospect of escaping the Sect of Severance while eliminating the ever-irksome Redcloud filled him with secret delight.

He thought to himself: "Heaven favors me, Burning Lamp!"

...

"Where is King Redcloud?"

That day, the Eastern Prince arrived at Redcloud’s residence. Finding Redcloud absent, he casually asked a guard.

Since the last war with the Wu tribe, the Eastern Prince often visited Redcloud. Over time, they had become friends, frequently discussing the Way together.

"King Redcloud left with Lord Guide," the guard replied with a respectful bow.

"Guide?" The Eastern Prince frowned. Why would Redcloud be walking with that bald-headed Guide?

He quickly consulted his divinations, but found only a haze. A sense of foreboding crept over him.

"Do you know where they went?"

The guard thought for a moment. "It seemed they went westward."

The Eastern Prince pondered briefly, then left the Heavenly Court, flying west while extending his divine senses to search the surroundings.

...

Meanwhile, tens of millions of miles away—

"Lord Guide, where are you taking me?" Redcloud followed behind, puzzled as he saw the Guide flying ahead, silent and intent.

"We’re almost there," the Guide replied, glancing back.

But his unease was plain to read on his face—for all his stoicism, he could not entirely conceal his discomfort. If not for his habitual expressionlessness, he would surely have given himself away.

"I see," Redcloud replied, asking no more.

Still, curiosity stirred within him. What place was so important that the Guide would personally escort him there?

As for the possibility of the Guide intending him harm, Redcloud never considered it. He had never wronged the Guide—why would the man wish him ill? Besides, he had nothing worth coveting.

...