Showdown

Qingyun Workshop.

Late at night, in the chilly winter month of December.

The guests at the West Sea Royal Mansion's Mansion had not yet all left, and voices of laughter and chatter could still be heard from the direction of the main gate. It was a farewell feast, with carriages and beasts moving about. There were also women weeping, seeing off their husbands as war was about to break out, as they donned their armor and mounted their horses, heading off to the West Sea military camp overnight, with no idea when they would return.

Li Weiyi disguised himself as a young man in his early twenties and walked along the ten-mile-long street in the neighborhood towards Minglun Alley in the southwest corner of the neighborhood.

Minglun Alley, a square mile in size, has a thousand residential houses.

All of them are two or three-story, roof-style buildings, in shades of blue and green.

In the south, there is a spirit stream more than ten zhang wide, flowing gently amidst a vast expanse of spiritual mist. The stream connects to the Lingxiao Palace, where springs gush forth from the earth.

Inside the town, a boundary marker stands.

Inside, jade pillars were erected to form an array.

All of them are connected to the thirty-six earth veins underground.

Each dwelling is equipped with Defensive Formation, surrounded by walls about ten feet high, and planted with precious medicinal herbs and ancient trees.

"Knock knock!"

Li Weiyi arrived at the address Zhuang Yue had given her and gently knocked on the door.

The ripples from the array dissipated, and the door opened.

The one who opened the door was Zhuang Yue, whose face was full of anger.

She wasn't wearing the robes of a female official in the imperial palace, but rather a dark red cloth dress with a slender waist and a green hairpin. If it weren't for her Pure Immortal Body white skin, she would have looked like a sheltered young lady from a wealthy family.

Li Weiyi had used this face in Lizhou before, and he didn't hide his eyes, so she recognized him at a glance.

"Come in quickly," Zhuang Yue said.

After Li Weiyi entered, she immediately activated the courtyard's protective array, acting like a thief, as if afraid of being discovered.

Zhuang Yue's pretty face was filled with distress, her brows furrowed with worry. She complained in a low voice, "What exactly is the Jiu Li Hidden Gate trying to do? I heard today that you even became the divine son of an evil cult? You killed me, why did you do this to me?"

"You owe me a life, and you also owe me a lot of money."

Li Weiyi habitually observes the environment first.

Inside the gate was a small courtyard with stoves, weapon racks, and more than a dozen precious trees that emitted a red glow. Men's clothes were drying there.

A stone table and four stone benches are placed under the tree, and there is a tea table on the table.

Li Weiyi asked in surprise, "This isn't your home, is it? Are there elders or a husband living here? Wouldn't it be inconvenient?"

"This is where my grandfather lives... Don't worry about that. Answer me, are you planning to do something bad in Lingxiao City? The Zhuang family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. If you want to harm the Imperial Court, I will never give you the list." Zhuang Yue's attitude was very firm, and she looked fierce.

Li Weiyi glanced at her chest and saw the bulging shape of the list. "Isn't that what you carry with you? If you don't give it to me, I can take it."

Zhuang Yue quickly hid the booklet in her bag.

Li Weiyi walked to the stone bench, poured a full cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "It's a bit cold. Could you heat it up for me? Also, make a few side dishes. I've been busy all night and haven't eaten a single meal."

Inside the room, an aged voice rang out. "You all chat first, I'll take care of the food."

Li Weiyi suddenly stood up, stunned for a moment. He hadn't used his mental power to sense things just now, as that would have been very impolite.

However, when I circulated the Qi into my ears and listened carefully, I could not hear any breathing sounds in the room.

He looked at Zhuang Yue: "Grandpa Zhuang? I'll go pay him a visit!"

Zhuang Yue grabbed his sleeve and used her magical energy to transmit her voice, urgently saying, "Don't go! My grandfather knows your identity and will beat you to death. Don't you dare say those nonsense things again. I've been laughed at to death by those guys from Luantai. Even my grandfather somehow found out about it and interrogated me for over an hour earlier."

Li Weiyi said, "As a junior, it would be extremely impolite not to pay a visit."

"Knock knock!"

There was another knock on the door.

Li Weiyi's eyes narrowed as he listened intently.

There was only one person outside the door, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

You shouldn't easily use your mind and spiritual power to sense others, because while you're probing them, you'll also expose yourself. Unless, of course, there's a significant difference in cultivation level.

Zhuang Yue peeked through the crack in the door and saw the person outside. She almost burst into tears, filled with the panic and fear of being caught in the act. "It's Miss! What do we do now? Hide quickly!"

Li Weiyi sat back down on the stone bench. "She must have been hiding somewhere in Minglun Alley all along, and only came to ambush me when she saw me come in. What good would hiding do?"

"It's all your fault."

Li Weiyi said, "It was you who collected the list, and she found out. You even went home specifically tonight. Given her vigilance, it would be strange if she didn't suspect anything. Open the door, I'll take the blame."

"You've ruined everything!"

The knocking sounded again.

Having no other choice, Zhuang Yue gritted her teeth and opened the door and the array.

Jiang Ning, dressed in a black magical Nightwalker's Robe with a hood and a veil, entered the room. Her bright, star-like eyes naturally fell upon the figure sitting under the tree.

With a thud, Zhuang Yue instantly knelt down beside him, sobbing, "Miss, I lied to you, I shouldn't have lied to you, it's all my fault. But he saved my life, I must repay his kindness, I didn't betray the Imperial Court... I have principles..."

Li Weiyi looked over and said, "Don't wrong me. When did I ever ask you to betray the Imperial Court?"

"Shut up!" Zhuang Yue said.

Jiang Ning scrutinized him, took off her magical Nightwalker's Robe, walked over, and sat down on the stone bench opposite him. "Restore your original appearance. I've been waiting for you outside for a long time tonight."

"Aren't you still wearing a veil? Get up. This has nothing to do with you; it's my responsibility alone," Li Weiyi called out to the distance.

Jiang Ning stared at him, then removed her veil. "He said it has nothing to do with you, so get up. I'll settle the score with him alone."

Zhuang Yue stood up and was pulled into the room by a lame, white-haired Old Man.

Before long, the sound of cooking began to come from the kitchen.

Li Weiyi dispelled his Disguise Art and sat upright opposite her, admiring the breathtaking beauty of Fairy Yu up close.

Two years have passed, and due to her improved cultivation, every inch of her skin seems to be formed from the essence of heaven and earth, and she exudes a special celestial charm.

The feeling was that this ordinary little courtyard had become much brighter because of her arrival, the air had become sweet and intoxicating, and the whole world seemed to have transformed into a fairyland.

Although he was in the Imperial Court and wore official robes, his appearance alone made him transcend the constraints of his worldly identity.

After a long silence, Jiang Ning spoke first, "Zhuang Yue said you saved her life and she wants to repay that kindness. You also saved my life, and I will definitely repay that kindness too. Tell me your purpose, what are you doing in Lingxiao City?"

Zhuang Yue arrived in a hurry, took the teapot, and left in a hurry.

Li Weiyi said, "After Zhuang Yue helps me with my work, I can take her away, which would be a clean break. But since you've been dragged into this, can I take you away?"

Jiang Ning pondered for a moment, "I thought about this for a long time outside, thinking about what had happened to you in the past two years. I thought about how you emerged from the darkness and despair after the ancestral field was destroyed, how you rallied and achieved success in your mental cultivation. I thought about what you encountered in the Underground Immortal Mansion, how you survived, and why you dared not see me, your former friend."

"After returning from the Du'e Temple, I went to the Underground Immortal Mansion and gathered a lot of information about you, and I also questioned Chen Chuan."

"All clues point to the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone you were searching for before entering the Underground Immortal Mansion. It has close ties to the cult and is a treasure for cultivating mental power."

"So, what is the truth about Nanyan Pass? The Fourth Divine Son of the heretical cult can't be entirely unfounded, right?"

Li Weiyi could feel her sincere care and concern; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to do so much in such a short time since returning from the Du'e Temple. A warm feeling welled up in her heart.

"I'm sorry... there are many things I can't tell you right now," Li Weiyi said.

Jiang Ning said, "You can trust Zhuang Yue, but you can't trust me?"

Li Weiyi said, "Because I don't know where the next Jiang Xin will be."

Jiang Ning said, "Li Weiyi, I trust you because I know what kind of person you are, and I believe you must have your reasons. So, even though everyone outside says you are the chosen one of a heretical cult, I came here alone, not with the army of Luantai."

"Between the Imperial Court and the cult, I would choose the Imperial Court, because I have seen the most bloody and extreme side of the cult."

"But I don't think you're the bloodthirsty and extreme side. Even if people change, even if one day you become a stranger, no longer the person you used to be, the boy who would fight to the death for others, the boy who had ideals, responsibility, and kindness in the Five Seas Realm of Immortal Burial Town, on the ship in Zhizhou, and on the sea of Soldier Ancestor Marsh."

"If that day ever comes, I will do everything in my power to find you."

"So, why can't you speak to me? You've been planted with the Death Spirit Fire. Or do you think I can't keep a secret?"

Jiang Ning's words were too sharp; nothing could dissect a person's heart more effectively than genuine emotion. Meeting her gaze, Li Weiyi could no longer smile, and wished she could pour out everything in her heart.

A long silence followed.

Zhuang Yue brought over the hot tea and poured a cup for each of them.

Sensing the eerie atmosphere, she trembled with fear, afraid that the two would suddenly start fighting.

Jiang Ning said, "Jiang Xin is Prefectural Elder. Did you deliver the letter of denunciation to the General's Office?"

"No, it was discovered by the Imperial Secretariat."

Li Weiyi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gradually calmed the ripples in his heart caused by Jiang Ning. He then said, "Jiang Ning, I've thought about it for a long time, and I feel that I do need your help. But you must promise me that you won't tell anyone, including Luantai and the Jiang family."

"Can."

Jiang Ning said, "Tell me everything. I have the right to know. Zhuang Yue, give me the list."

Zhuang Yue took out the list and handed it to her with both hands.

Holding the list, Jiang Ning said, "Tell me your purpose in coming to Lingxiao City, and we'll make a deal."

Facing Jiang Ning, Li Weiyi felt more pressure than facing any other enemy; the slightest carelessness would shatter his resolve. Regaining his composure, he said, "That's right, I am the Fourth Divine Son of the Rice Sect, and I have been imbued with the Death Spirit Fire."

Jiang Ning said, "I can ask the Second Palace Master to help you resolve this."

Li Weiyi waved his hand. "The Death Spirit Fire within me was planted by the Rice Ancestor, and no one can dispel it. I came to Lingxiao City to monitor the Sui Sect and Yao Qian."

Jiang Ning asked, "What do you mean?"

Li Weiyi glanced at the kitchen and transmitted his voice with his magical energy. "The Sui Sect Yang Shen Realm is the Deputy Hall Master of the Heavenly World Hall, one of the four halls of the Rice Sect. The Sheng Family Ancestor is the elder of Qiuzhou. Yang Qingxi is the Sixth Divine Maiden of the Rice Sect."

Jiang Ning was truly stunned by this piece of information.

It was no less than earth-shattering.

It should be noted that after Yao Qian broke through to the realm of immortality, he was promoted to the Shaoqing of the Luantai Palace by the Second Palace Master.

Besides the Second Palace Master, the Luantai Palace also houses powerful figures such as the Minister and the Head of the Attendant Hall, but the ones who actually do the work are the Left and Right Shaoqing.

Sitting in the position of Shaoqing, one can obtain the most crucial intelligence from the Imperial Court from top to bottom and bottom to top immediately.

The impact is so great that it could shake the very foundation of the nation.

Even more significant was that after the Sui Sect surrendered to the Imperial Court, he obtained a massive amount of resources, allowing him to move freely throughout the entire Lingxiao Shengjing and rapidly expand his power.

Li Weiyi continued, "The Sui Sect, behind the back of the Rice Cult, embezzled a great deal of wealth and even sold crippled rice people to feed the mounts of the Three Island Barbarians. The main altar decided to monitor them, but because of Jiang Xin, the news leaked out, which led to the internal conflict and framing within the Rice Cult at Nanyan Pass."

"Slay the angel, kill the imperial envoy?" Jiang Ning asked.

Li Weiyi said, "That's roughly the idea."

Zhuang Yue brought out dish after dish, steaming hot and with a rich aroma of meat.