Chapter 1240: The Serpent of Dilemma

The Heavenly Serpent darted back and forth through the corridors, knocking on the doors of the “Celestial” members one by one.

Except for the Heavenly Ox, who was absent, all the other “Celestial” members were notified.

Upon hearing the news, their expressions varied, and the Heavenly Serpent scrutinized their eyes, reading their thoughts.

As the Heavenly Dog had said, the current situation was indeed precarious. Among the few remaining “Celestials,” hardly anyone genuinely intended to suppress the “rebels.” Invisible cracks had already begun to spread among them.

The Heavenly Rat had been injured and was now prone to fits of rage. When the Heavenly Serpent relayed the message, his mind was consumed by the thought of venting his anger by killing his own student. Knowing there was nothing he could do to sway the old man, the Heavenly Serpent briefly explained the situation before leaving and seeking out the Heavenly Tiger.

The Heavenly Tiger, clad in a bellyband, sat on the floor of his room, feasting on a corpse, his mouth smeared with blood. He showed little interest in the Heavenly Serpent’s arrival. After the Serpent stated his purpose, the Tiger merely muttered, “Got it,” in a vague tone.

Next were the Heavenly Horse and the Heavenly Rabbit. The elderly Heavenly Horse’s resolve was slightly firmer than the others; she was genuinely considering how to drive out the “rebels.” In stark contrast, the recently awakened Heavenly Rabbit was already wavering before the Serpent even spoke. By the time the Serpent finished explaining the plan to mobilize against the “rebels,” her mind was already filled with thoughts of surrender.

Finally, there were the Heavenly Monkey and the Heavenly Rooster, both meditating in the same room. Neither opened their eyes when the Serpent entered. Left with no choice, the Serpent addressed the air, pouring out his words in one breath, yet neither gave any response.

Beyond the Heavenly Rat, Tiger, Horse, Rabbit, Monkey, and Rooster, there was no one else left to notify.

The Heavenly Dragon and the Heavenly Ram were out of the question, the Heavenly Boar was already dead, and the Heavenly Dog knew the full story. That left only himself.

The Heavenly Serpent asked himself—if he had heard this news, would he lead the charge to resist at such a time?

It was truly a dilemma.

They were supposed to bring the “Terrestrial” members to suppress the “rebels,” yet all the “Terrestrials” hoped the “Celestials” would step down. It was akin to sending wild dogs to hunt wolves.

Going meant risking injury or death, while not going might provoke the Azure Dragon, leading to the same fate.

So why couldn’t those “participants” just quietly endure their oppression?

Once they started their “rebellion,” the remaining “Celestials” were left with a deadly no-win scenario.

Closing the door to the Heavenly Monkey and Rooster’s room, the Heavenly Serpent approached his own quarters. Before he could enter, he spotted a large group of figures approaching from the far side of the Azure Dragon’s chambers.

They were still distant, but instead of heading toward the Azure Dragon’s room, they turned left upon reaching it, entering the transverse corridor opposite his own.

Leading them was a black ram, guiding a host of “participants.”

“The cargo hold…?” The Heavenly Serpent frowned, pondering for a few seconds, yet the situation remained baffling.

Why would those who truly sought to “rebel” head to the “cargo hold”?

Why not attempt to enter the Azure Dragon’s room and kill him?

At the very least, they should try.

If the Azure Dragon died, not only would everything come to an end, but he himself would no longer be trapped in this dilemma.

“No…” The Heavenly Serpent shook his head, recognizing the danger in his thoughts.

Once the idea “if only the Azure Dragon would die” took root in his mind, experience told him it would inevitably lead to disaster.

Countless uprisings, betrayals, and riots had occurred in this place, yet the Azure Dragon had survived every single one.

Though the Heavenly Serpent also wished for the Azure Dragon’s death—to lift his head, open his eyes, and live freely—he couldn’t afford to plan for it prematurely.

He still had to fulfill his duties and carry out his orders.

Pretending not to see the black ram’s formidable procession, he turned and opened his door.

Xiao Ran sat inside, unchanged from when he had left—arms crossed, legs crossed.

The Heavenly Serpent cast her a brief glance before walking to a corner of the room, taking a cup from the hands of a “human-shaped furnishing,” and pouring himself some water.

“Cat got your tongue?” Xiao Ran asked. “What did the ‘Celestials’ say? Are they obeying my orders?”

The Heavenly Serpent didn’t answer, sipping his water while contemplating the situation.

His trip had yielded only one useful piece of information: the Heavenly Dog wanted him to kill this woman.

But moving forward remained difficult.

After all, this woman had been sent to his room by the Azure Dragon. Killing her would be tantamount to openly defying him.

Yet the Heavenly Dog had refused to let him see his eyes, leaving the Serpent unsure of his true concerns. The only certainty was that the Heavenly Dog sought to remain untouched by the storm.

He wouldn’t join the “participants,” nor would he actively suppress them. He was merely waiting for an outcome.

“Wait a minute…” The Heavenly Serpent tightened his grip on the cup, feeling that he was finally piecing things together.

If the Heavenly Dog chose to do nothing and let events unfold… then he had already positioned himself as an adversary.

The Heavenly Serpent couldn’t afford to let the situation escalate. He wanted to survive—not just from the “participants,” but from the Azure Dragon as well.

So, was the Heavenly Dog’s advice—coming from an opposing stance—truly in his best interest?

The Heavenly Serpent turned, his gaze icy as he studied Xiao Ran.

Killing her would be effortless. The only reason she still lived was because of the Azure Dragon’s word.

Given that… was it possible the Heavenly Dog was leading him into a trap?

No matter how events unfolded, the Azure Dragon would remember only his defiance and direct all his wrath at him.

The Heavenly Serpent nodded. This reasoning aligned with the Heavenly Dog’s desire to “remain unscathed.” Only by doing so could he stay completely safe amidst the chaos.

Merely “watching the fire from across the river” wasn’t enough—he had to set the blaze himself.

Xiao Ran, noticing his prolonged silence, stepped behind him and tapped his shoulder.

“Playing dumb, are we?” she said. “Disrespecting me is disrespecting the Azure Dragon. Understood?”

The Heavenly Serpent turned, locking eyes with her, that eerie familiarity washing over him again.

This woman wasn’t lying. She genuinely believed she represented the Azure Dragon—a confidence so fierce even the Heavenly Serpent felt dwarfed by it.

He knew that even while serving the Azure Dragon, he would never dare claim to speak for him.

So this woman… must not be killed.