Loyalty and Righteousness Have Never Been Easy to Reconcile

Li Weiyi immediately withdrew his Heavenly Eye, not daring to look at it for long, for fear of being sensed by the experts in the courtyard.

After thinking it over, a smile appeared on his lips.

From Yao Qian's perspective, he must have thought that Li Weiyi wanted to take revenge on the Daojiao sect to vent his hatred for Zhou Bida's death. Therefore, he turned the tables and laid Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare.

It is foreseeable that the Daojiao sect likely has ambushes at its remaining two strongholds and more than a dozen properties in Nanyan Pass.

As for why the Imperial Court knew about these strongholds and industries, he had a great deal of room to maneuver. He could have easily found out from "Prefectural Elder Jiang Xin." He could even use this to gain merit and make amends for the mistake of "wrongfully killing" Zhou Bida.

At the same time, they could pin the blame for the complete annihilation of the Nanyan Pass Rice Cult's foundation on Li Weiyi. On the Rice Cult's side, they could also drag Yao Qingxuan into the mess.

This is another example of killing two birds with one stone.

But...

This is exactly the result Li Weiyi wanted to see.

It all depends on who the Rice Cult headquarters will believe.

In any case, Li Weiyi's goal of destroying all of the Daojiao sect's bases in Nanyan Pass and framing the Sui Sect has been achieved with Yao Qian's help.

How could he not be happy?

We must find a way to rescue Qifeng right now.

From the outside, the Daojiao stronghold appeared calm and peaceful, with only the lanterns under the eaves swaying in the wind.

"They couldn't possibly know which stronghold or property I would attack. It's impossible for so many experts to be gathered in every single place."

With a thought, Li Weiyi transformed into a wisp of green smoke and departed, intending to use a feint attack.

Half an hour later.

Rice Sect's property, located in the North City of the third-tier city area, was attacked by Li Weiyi.

The Imperial Court's martial arts practitioners, including five Dao Seed Realm and Mind Master experts and dozens of the Five Seas Realm cultivators, were lying in ambush, but they were unable to withstand the attack. One of the eunuchs escaped and rushed to the stronghold where Zhuang Yue and the others were lying in ambush, which was only seven or eight miles away.

Li Weiyi, who had managed to escape, caught up with him, knocked him unconscious with a single blow, and dragged him into the shadows.

A moment later, Li Weiyi donned the blue-green robes of a eunuch, transformed into his likeness, his face covered in blood, stepped out of the shadows, and ran frantically towards the stronghold where a large number of Imperial Court troops were lying in ambush, shouting, "He's appeared! That villain has appeared... That villain has appeared in the North City..."

Inside the courtyard of the Rice Cult base.

Jiang Ning sat on a rosewood chair, her hair flowing like clouds, wearing a white official robe with a red goose embroidered on the rank badge on her chest, and a veil surrounded by magical mist.

Despite being Pure Immortal Body, all the other female officials of the Luantai Palace present paled in comparison.

She slightly raised her pair of dark, bright eyes and asked, "What time is it now?"

"Six quarters past the hour of Yin! It seems that those cult leaders won't be making their move tonight."

Jiang Qumin elder of the Jiang family, stood three steps away on the snow. She held a huge pearl in her hands, and the psychic energy between her brows permeated the entire stronghold, creating an illusory scene.

Under Yao Qian's guidance, Luantai's analysis concluded that the series of events that had occurred in recent days were internal strife caused by a power struggle within the cult.

One group was led by "Prefectural Elder Jiang Xin," and the other was Zhou Bida's contact person.

Both the Luantai Pavilion and the General's Mansion were exploited by cult forces.

If this opportunity can be seized to wipe out both cult forces, Luantai will be the ultimate winner, enough to make amends for his past mistakes.

Zhuang Yue, sword in hand, coldly snorted, "The cult is full of selfish and self-serving individuals. For power and profit, they fight amongst themselves. When the snipe and the clam fight, the fisherman benefits. After this battle, Nanyan Pass was completely wiped out, and Luantai achieved a great victory. No, we're still missing that one last foolish sorcerer. He probably doesn't know that to capture him, Luantai, the Jiang family, and the General's Mansion have secretly deployed large numbers of troops, laying Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare."

None of the Imperial Court officials present responded.

Because the struggle for power and interests is not only fiercer, bloodier, and darker within cults, but also within the Imperial Court.

Just then.

Outside the courtyard, Li Weiyi, disguised as a eunuch, shouted, "That villain has appeared in the North City!"

Suddenly, a whooshing sound filled the courtyard of the stronghold.

Several figures, including Zhuang Yue, rushed out.

Li Weiyi seemed to be exhausted. She was unsteady on her feet, her face was pale, and she almost fell in front of Zhuang Yue, but fortunately she was helped up.

"What's going on? Where did that demon appear?" Zhuang Yue asked.

Li Weiyi, panting and stammering, said, "North City... Xuansheng Street, the grain and oil shop... Quick... That villain is too strong, we're no match for him..."

"Swish! Swish..."

One after another, top experts rushed out of the stronghold, soaring over the rooftops and heading towards the North City.

Zhuang Yue was about to return to the courtyard to report when a voice transmission sounded in her ear, "Go east along the main street, to the noodle stalls on the side of the street. If you need anything, don't tell anyone."

She turned around abruptly, only to see that the eunuch from before had already led a large group of men toward the North City.

That sound just now...

Zhuang Yue suppressed her shock and regained her composure.

She is no longer as naive as she was two years ago. Having experienced countless trials, she has naturally grown. Although, the growth is slow.

At 6:45 AM, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

At 3:45 AM, the city gates, which had been closed for three days, were opened.

People from all over the country flocked into the city.

The streets are bustling with pedestrians and vehicles.

Zhuang Yue gazed into the distance at the noodle stall bathed in warm streetlights. There, she saw a young man in a grey robe sitting at the table with his back to her, eating noodles with chopsticks. Opposite him was another bowl, steaming hot.

Looking around again, Zhuang Yue walked quickly, sat down opposite the young man, and glared at him intently.

Li Weiyi looked up, revealing an unfamiliar face, and smiled at her, "Eat quickly, then we can talk business."

Zhuang Yue was very nervous and lowered her voice. "You've been the one causing trouble these past few days! What exactly are you trying to do? This secret rendezvous with me is going to get me killed!"

"Knowing you'd be killed, you still came?" Li Weiyi said.

Zhuang Yue lost her temper and asked, "Have you joined a cult?"

Li Weiyi continued eating, and after a while asked, "Have the Imperial Court guards at that stronghold withdrawn?"

"I will not betray the Imperial Court or Miss, so don't even think about getting any information from me," Zhuang Yue said angrily.

"So it really was her."

Li Weiyi sighed inwardly, then looked at Zhuang Yue and smiled, "Do you know why I contacted you instead of Jiang Ning? Because I trust you more. Our friendship goes beyond just one life-or-death experience."

Zhuang Yue 'Pure Immortal Body fair face flushed instantly. "But I really have no choice. You know I can't keep secrets. The city gates are open now, so hurry up and get out of the city. I promise I won't expose you."

Li Weiyi said, "Qifeng is trapped in the illusion of that stronghold. Help me get her out."

Zhuang Yue breathed a sigh of relief, "Just this?"

Li Weiyi then said, "Could you help me find a list of all Imperial Court Dao Seed Realm experts who have gone missing in the Underground Immortal Mansion? The Feather Yamen of the Attendant Hall should have it."

If all thirty Dao Seed Realm experts that Phoenix-born Unicorn-young were to infiltrate Lingxiao City, they would be a major source of uncertainty in this earth-shattering battle that would determine the fate of the world.

Those are thirty powerful undead warriors!

With Zhou Bida dead, Li Weiyi decided to take on this heavy responsibility.

Even if we cannot prevent the destruction of Lingxiao City, we must make the Demon Race, the Netherworld of the Departed, and the Rice Cult pay the greatest price in this world-destroying war, on the battlefield of Lingxiao City, which is destined to become the largest meat grinder in a thousand years, so that they are unable to sweep across the world with the momentum of victory.

This creates an opportunity to defeat human forces such as Zuoqiu Courtyard, Xue Jian Tang Ting, Zhu Clan, and Lei Xiao Sect.

Secretly eliminating the forces of the Demon Race and the Rice Cult buried in Lingxiao City is of paramount importance.

This is a tough battle that Li Weiyi has gathered all the hidden masters above the Dao Seed Realm to fight in Lingxiao City.

"No, I cannot betray the Imperial Court." Zhuang Yue was loyal to the Imperial Court and felt that agreeing to Li Weiyi's request would be considered collusion with a cult, a hurdle she couldn't overcome in her heart.

Li Weiyi said, "You owe me a life, and you owe me a lot of money."

Seeing that Li Weiyi no longer talked about their past friendship and said such things, Zhuang Yue felt extremely sad, as if the two were about to draw a line between them.

She said with a bitter expression, "The information we've gathered is completely inaccurate! There are many factions in the Imperial Court, with three palace masters and seven transcendent beings. Each faction has a large number of the Dao Seed Realm experts under its command. For example, the Embroidered Uniform Divine Guard under the Blood Robe Chief Steward, and the two great generals in the army West Sea King and the Duke of East Sea, their experts go to the Underground Immortal Mansion to investigate without reporting to the Attendant Hall."

"The movement of personnel under the various state governments is much more flexible."

Li Weiyi frowned slightly. "Collect as many detailed lists as possible, and I will verify them myself later."

Zhuang Yue asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

"Is it impossible to do? If it is, tell Chen Chuan about it and have him handle it," Li Weiyi said.

Chen Chuan is Yin Thirteen.

Zhuang Yue gritted her teeth. "Is this how you ask for a favor? I can't even know your purpose?"

"You're not smart enough. Knowing too much will only cause trouble," Li Weiyi said.

Zhuang Yue asked, "What did you say?"

Li Weiyi quickly changed his tune. "If a person has enough flaws, then they have no flaws at all! Who would believe that you, Zhuang Yue, would betray the Imperial Court?"

The attack on Lingxiao City was a momentous event; once word got out, it would surely cause a sensation.

Even if the Demon Race is not fully prepared, they will act immediately, giving the Imperial Court no chance to prepare for a large-scale purge of internal spies or the deployment of troops. At that time, the Rice Cult will have no choice but to be forced into the game.

Just like the battle in Qiuzhou, Kirin Zhuang acted with extreme decisiveness. It could be said that if Li Weiyi had dared to leak the news in the morning, the battle might have already broken out by noon.

The current Imperial Court has only sensed the danger and has never considered that the Demon Race would dare to directly attack Lingxiao City.

The surface of the water rippled slightly, but beneath, a fierce undercurrent surged.

Whoever wins the covert battle of preparation and planning before the big war will gain a greater advantage once the war begins.

This was Li Weiyi concern.

Secondly, no one knows which people within the Imperial Court have been controlled by the Demon Race and the Rice Cult. Jiang Xin's existence is definitely not an isolated case.

Before Zhuang Yue could get angry, Li Weiyi asked again, "What exactly happened three days ago in the battle between the Longevity Realm Giants Nanyan Pass?"

Zhuang Yue shook her head vigorously. "I don't know, I don't know anything. Anyway, the Sect Master of the Sui Sect hasn't returned to the city yet, that's all I know. You've really ruined my life!"

Li Weiyi glanced sideways, sensing several sharp gazes fixed upon him. Knowing that experts had surrounded them, he remained calm and comforted Zhuang Yue, saying, "Loyalty and righteousness have always been difficult to reconcile. I understand your pain, but Zhuang Yue, aren't we friends who have shared hardships? Let's leave it at that... Remember what you promised me. Keep your eyes on me!"

Zhuang Yue looked up blankly, and their pupils met for a fleeting moment.

A spiritual imprint entered Zhuang Yue's body.

She froze, completely stunned.

Under Li Weiyi's control, Zhuang Yue picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. In an aged voice, he said, "Fairy Yu truly lives up to her reputation as the Second Palace Master's disciple. My little tricks can't fool you. Haha!"

Thirty feet behind him, Jiang Ning appeared out of thin air, wielding the Startled Feather Sword. The immense aura emanating from him startled everyone around him, causing them to flee in terror.

The residents of the city all know the destructive power of a battle between top experts.

This street was cleared out instantly.

Silent as a dead city.