The next morning at the break of dawn, the Evil Star Sect's contingent arrived at the Divine King's gathering point.
The Divine King's side began taking roll and verifying manpower.
When they reached the Evil Star Sect, the Divine King's officials noticed one person was missing. They couldn't help but ask, "Where is the Evil Star Sect Master, Han? Doesn't she know the Divine King's departure time? The appointed time has already arrived, and she still hasn't shown up?"
Jiang Chen replied calmly, "Reporting to the Elder — Sect Master Han encountered some issues with her cultivation a few months ago and has entered secluded cultivation. I'm afraid she won't be able to make it to this Divine King's Lords' Assembly."
One fewer person wasn't really a problem.
If there were extra people, however, the Divine King's side would absolutely not allow it. Every sect had a designated quota, and bringing anyone beyond that clearly violated the rules.
As for a sect like the Evil Star Sect that hadn't even filled its quota, the Divine King's side naturally wouldn't make a fuss about it. The official furrowed his brow. "Are you certain she isn't coming?"
"I am certain." Jiang Chen nodded.
"Very well. Then that slot will be reclaimed and reassigned to someone from the Divine King's side," the official said flatly.
"As it should be." Jiang Chen handled the matter with complete ease.
This minor commotion had no real impact. Elder Xu and Elder Ge, seeing that the Divine King's side hadn't pressed the issue, breathed a secret sigh of relief.
As for whether Sect Master Han went or not, those two old codgers couldn't have cared less. Her not going meant nothing lost on their end.
If these two unpleasant Zhen elders — one senior, one junior — also didn't go, that would be even better. The Evil Star Sect's contingent would be entirely under their control.
Unfortunately, both of those unlikable Zhen elders intended to participate. That left Elder Xu and Elder Ge feeling rather uneasy.
But they could only stew over it in their minds. In front of Jiang Chen, they wouldn't dare show even a hint of displeasure.
Otherwise, whether they'd even get to attend the assembly would become very much uncertain.
The official went up and reported the Evil Star Sect's situation to the Crimson Water Divine King. The Divine King was somewhat surprised and had Jiang Chen brought over.
"Junior Elder Zhen, we meet again." There seemed to be a hint of amusement in the Crimson Water Divine King's smile.
"Greetings to Your Majesty the Divine King."
"The matter of Sect Master Han entering secluded cultivation — why wasn't I informed earlier?" The Crimson Water Divine King's smile carried an odd quality, his sharp gaze fixed on Jiang Chen.
"Sect Master Han said it was a minor matter and there was no need to trouble anyone else. So she asked me not to spread the word. Your Majesty, one fewer person shouldn't cause any trouble, right?"
"Junior Elder Zhen, is Sect Master Han truly in secluded cultivation?" The Divine King's tone grew slightly heavier.
"That is indeed what she told me." Jiang Chen nodded.
The Crimson Water Divine King gazed leisurely in the direction of the Crimson Water Celestial Pool and sighed. "Let's hope she truly is in secluded cultivation. That little girl — sometimes she has too many thoughts rattling around in that head of hers."
"All right, Junior Elder Zhen, return to your contingent. When we reach the Profound Abyss Great World for this Divine King's Lords' Assembly, remember to speak less and observe more."
After delivering his admonition, the Crimson Water Divine King dismissed Jiang Chen.
Returning to the Evil Star Sect's ranks, Jiang Chen turned over the Divine King's words in his mind. He even suspected that the Crimson Water Divine King might have already grown suspicious.
But the Divine King certainly wouldn't suspect that Han Shuang had gone to rescue the Profound Abyss Celestial Emperor — rather, he would suspect she harbored some scheme regarding the Crimson Water Celestial Pool.
Of course, whether the Crimson Water Divine King suspected anything no longer mattered, because the Divine King was about to set out. There was no way he could split his attention to deal with Han Shuang.