Chapter 120: The Heavenly Leisure Star

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Sun Meng opened his eyes in disbelief—Gongsun Sheng had actually come in person! He had sensed earlier the shift in the star energy; the seven stars of the Big Dipper glowed unusually, yet the seven figures in Chao Gai’s household did not perfectly correspond. In other words, as expected, Bai Sheng was merely a peripheral star, not among the core seven.

“Go! That person is the last one,” Sun Meng transmitted to Chao Gai. After a bow, Chao Gai hurriedly led the others to the door and personally opened it.

“Poverty Taoist…” Gongsun Sheng had initially thought a servant would open the door, planning to use some excuse to see Chao Gai. But unexpectedly, Chao Gai himself opened the door, flanked by six others, five of whom, according to the constellations, corresponded precisely to the seven stars.

Stunned, Gongsun Sheng bowed to Chao Gai. “I am Taoist Gongsun Sheng, guided by the Heavenly Secrets, specially come to meet King Chao.”

Chao Gai replied, “We have awaited Brother Gongsun for a long time. Please—!”

Gongsun Sheng nodded, guessing this must be the cause of the unforeseen change.

The group arrived outside Sun Meng’s room; the next moment, everyone found themselves again beneath that starry sky.

Gongsun Sheng was an awakened General Star, the Heavenly Leisure Star.

The system’s detection surprised Sun Meng, but he still handed Gongsun Sheng the cultivation method. Bathed in starlight, his identity was reconfirmed.

‘Gongsun Sheng’s arrival is no accident. Then why was Chao Gai’s constellation stolen by Song Jiang?’

After Gongsun Sheng comprehended the cultivation method, Sun Meng said, “You eight are all incarnations of stars, with a total of one hundred and eight. But before the stars ascend to heaven, shedding their mortal shells, they also leave behind lingering demonic thoughts. Previously, these star demons escaped their seals to wreak havoc on the mortal world. When I found this method, I knew my mission: to ensure that when the stars converge, the General Stars hold majority and leadership, to help the human dynasty overcome this calamity.”

Now fully in character, Sun Meng’s persuasion was utterly convincing. Combined with his formidable strength and preconceived authority, Gongsun Sheng and the others believed him without doubt.

Chao Gai said, “Thank you, elder, for your assistance. Yet this matter is difficult. The current Emperor Star is weak, treacherous ministers abound, and it is hard to gain the court’s trust. Moreover, many star incarnations are scattered across the land, making gathering them challenging. Elder, do you have a good plan?” He had vaguely mentioned this when discussing with Wu Yong and the others. Except for Bai Sheng and Wu Yong, the other four thought it better to find a place to lie low.

“I sensed it earlier. On Liangshan Marsh, there is a hidden Great Star Formation, prepared for your gathering. As long as you continue to gather on Liangshan, the scattered General Stars will come to the mountain. The key is ensuring the number of General Stars during the assembly,” Sun Meng explained. “Currently, several awakened stars on Liangshan are unfortunately demon stars. Therefore, I need you to ascend, take command, and establish your positions.”

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Gongsun Sheng’s eyes gleamed. Even his master had not foreseen so much. Who was this elder before him? Yet Sun Meng’s advice matched his master’s earlier plan: gather Chao Gai and the others, use the birthday tribute as bait, unite them, and finally ascend Liangshan.

But with Sun Meng’s interference, not only had the birthday tribute not arrived—they hadn’t even set out!

Hearing they truly were to go into hiding, the Ruan brothers and Liu Tang showed no surprise; only Bai Sheng was utterly shocked. He had imagined using his current skills to work as a hired muscle for some wealthy family, living a comfortable life!

Before he could speak, the Ruan brothers surrounded him.

Chao Gai clenched his teeth and asked, “May I ask, elder, must it be this way?” He had considerable property here and had thought about gathering the stars, then raising an army once chaos began. But Sun Meng had bluntly said they must go into hiding, even finding the place for them. He was just asking.

Wu Yong said, “Elder, even if we want to ascend, we need a token of allegiance!” They knew Liangshan Marsh well; it was nearby and its customs were understood.

Sun Meng glanced at Wu Yong. “This matter, Gongsun Sheng is aware of.” Then he looked at Gongsun Sheng. “You were originally waiting for this to happen before coming to find them, right?”

Gongsun Sheng nodded. “I had been investigating the treacherous eunuch Cai Jing’s son-in-law, Liang Zhongshu. I discovered he planned to send gifts to Cai Jing soon, for his birthday. These goods were not official tributes but private plunder, amassed illegally. From my inquiries, the value might reach one hundred thousand strings of coins, including gold and jewels.”

“So, because this money can’t withstand official scrutiny, you targeted this birthday tribute?” Wu Yong looked at Gongsun Sheng.

Gongsun Sheng smiled. “Yes. Had it been an official escort with soldiers, I wouldn’t have cared. But Liang Zhongshu’s intentions are corrupt. He only sent a dozen or so trusted men along a secret path to Kaifeng. I calculated the route; not far ahead lies Huangnigang, a necessary passage.”

Wu Yong said, “Even so, with so much treasure, it would be difficult to handle after we seize it. If any mistake is made, our only choice would be to flee to Liangshan. Why do you insist on this course?” His gaze scrutinized Gongsun Sheng carefully. Except for Gongsun Sheng, the other seven were familiar to one another. As a Taoist and outsider, Gongsun Sheng knew Chao Gai and even bet on his courage to seize this tribute. What was his basis?

“Enough. Since we have decided to ascend Liangshan, we need a gift to introduce ourselves—this birthday tribute fits perfectly!” Chao Gai said. “How much time remains before the tribute arrives?” He looked toward Gongsun Sheng.

Gongsun Sheng replied, “About three months. Considering their travel, there’s still half a month left.”

“In that case, we have ample time to prepare!” Chao Gai smiled. This period was enough to settle his family affairs. Once they went into hiding, he wouldn’t be able to manage this side. If the property were confiscated, he wouldn’t know who would benefit.

Sun Meng looked at the now-resolved group and said, “Since you have all decided, wait quietly for the right moment! I must leave now.” The Seven Stars Gathering mission was completed, earning him points. Moreover, he wished to meet an important figure to resolve his lingering doubts.

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Chao Gai and the others were about to speak in farewell, but the next moment, Sun Meng’s figure had vanished. They had no idea how he had left; it was as if it had all been a dream.

Sun Meng glanced at his energy consumption. The star-light body technique he had just used was only a short-distance move, but an excellent escape method.

Beyond the third tier, he found his physical qualities had improved more than before. Even his previous so-called semi-third tier state was now completely dominated by his current self. He could clearly sense the energy of heaven and earth and manipulate it with ease.

Of course, such feats were only possible in a world of low rank.

“Just at the early third tier, having such power—it’s hard to imagine mid or late third tier!” Sun Meng sighed. His every movement could upheave rivers and mountains; he could split the earth. In this world at this level, he was like a terrestrial immortal.

The cultivation of the Star Battle Body only guaranteed his physical strength would grow until third tier perfection. To correspondingly cultivate other fields, he must either wait for others in the system or find ways himself in the mission worlds.

He chose the latter: first, he assisted the Three Kingdoms world in its advancement and martial arts dissemination; second, in this world, he used the fate stars and the Liangshan heroes to deduce the next stage of cultivation methods.

In no time, Sun Meng arrived at Yuncheng County.

The county was not large, but one person had a renowned reputation throughout the martial world.

The Loyal Hero of Shandong, the Jade Qilin of Hebei—

This was none other than Song Jiang, the appointed chief constable of Yuncheng County.