Cong Er

"What did you say?"

Ge Xiantong thought he had misheard.

Li Weiyi said, "The Demon Race, the Rice Cult, the Demon Kingdom, and the Netherworld devised a plan several months ago to attack Lingxiao City. The goal was to settle the score in one battle and shatter the human forces into a chaotic mess."

"Now that the Demon Race has made a move, but the Rice Cult and the Demon Kingdom are remaining inactive, it shows that their plans have not changed."

"If their plan goes as they predicted, the attack on the Zhu family is merely a feint, intended to lure the Imperial Court's powerful figures and those at the Longevity Realm Giants to the Western Territory."

"The Zhu family was defeated and joined forces with the West Sea Slaves at Shenming Pass. This must have been something that the Zhu family's Chaoran and Zuoqiu Courtyard had planned long ago."

"The Shenming Pass is now more secure than ever. Demon Race launches a forced attack, they will suffer heavy losses. Kirin Zhuang has no way out but to launch a surprise attack on Lingxiao City with his top experts."

"The attack on Lingxiao City should take place when the Demon Race army has completely conquered the three prefectures and the army has converged outside Shenming Pass. Because at that time, the Imperial Court's experts will definitely have been lured to Shenming Pass, leaving Lingxiao City in its weakest position."

Zen Sea Observing Mist said, "After today's battle report, the Imperial Court should already have Transcendent and Longevity Realm Giants heading to Shenming Pass. Therefore, before we take action, we must first secretly recall the Transcendent Realm. This will take at least a day."

Li Weiyi said, "We'll make our move the day after tomorrow?"

"The day after tomorrow morning, the moment the major government offices in Lingxiao City open their doors," said Zen Sea Observing Mist.

Ge Xiantong was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, his eyes darting back and forth between Li Weiyi and Zen Sea Observing Mist. Finally, he interjected, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain and Lingxiao City are impregnable, with countless formations. Even if the Martial Path Son of Heaven himself came, he would pay a price... Li Weiyi, release me. Regardless of whether it's true or not, I must report this first."

Li Weiyi looked at him seriously. "Ge Xiantong, do you know why I haven't dared to tell the Imperial Court the news? You know better than I what the Imperial Court is like inside. What makes this so-called Demon Country Crown Prince dare to be so presumptuous in Lingxiao City?"

Ge Xiantong knew what he was implying. "No matter what, Chao Ran would never betray the Imperial Court, and the formation couldn't possibly be flawed."

"I can't afford to waste any more time with you. If you insist on reporting this now, I'll have no choice but to lock you up," Li Weiyi said.

Ge Xiantong looked at Zen Sea Observing Mist: "I'm listening to... her."

Zen Sea Observing Mist said, "There are three hours until dawn. Go and gather the Mist Shadow Army in Lingxiao City, and announce to the outside world that you are heading to the Western Territory, thus drawing everyone's attention to you."

"You actually know about the Mist Shadow Army... you actually know about it..." Ge Xiantong muttered to himself.

Zen Sea Observing Mist said, "Judging from your expression, the Mist Shadow Army should still exist. This army was once spread across Three Hundred Prefectures of the Lingxiao Shengjing, and was the last trump card of the Lingxiao Palace. Logically speaking, only Yu Yao should know about it."

Ge Xiantong said, "After Master's accident, the Mist Shadow Army approached me. But only Master can mobilize them, and it requires a military token. They are hidden in various secret realms of the Twenty-Eight Prefectures. Their numbers are small, but each one is a master. It's impossible for them all to arrive at Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain in one day."

"Therefore, I'm only asking you to summon the Mist Shadow Army within Lingxiao City. I can't give you the military token; you'll have to figure it out yourself."

Zen Sea Observing Mist said, "If you can do it, I'll let you leave. If you can't, you'll stay in the Phoenix Pavilion with your master."

"I can do it, I definitely can do it... I can!" Ge Xiantong said.

With Ge Xiantong providing cover, the four of them easily escaped the cloud and mist formation.

After leaving the palace gates, Zen Sea Observing Mist and Li Ling departed first, disappearing into the night.

Ge Xiantong looked at Li Weiyi: "Who exactly is she?"

"If you already have suspicions, is there any point in continuing to ask?" Li Weiyi said.

Ge Xiantong said, "But how is that possible? If our master were to return, he would trust me more. Why should he be so close to you?"

"Just do as she says, and don't ruin our plans. She trusts you; she's giving you a chance to grow." Li Weiyi waved his hand and quickly left to attend to his own business.

Late at night.

Danyue Ward is like a Night City, still bustling with traffic and brightly lit with lanterns.

The pavilions and terraces were filled with endless singing and dancing, a scene of extravagant indulgence.

Even though bad news came from the Western Territory today, it only caused grief and worry to a small number of people. In the eyes of most people, war was far away from them and far away from Lingxiao City.

The Chaoran Mansion is not far from Danyue Ward.

Shi Jiuzhai sat on the artificial hill inside the gate, gazing at the towering pavilions in the distance. He could see women in colorful dresses dancing gracefully. The sounds of the zither, flute, and pipa were melodious and enchanting.

He said, "In such a sorrowful moment as today, to still have the mood for singing and dancing... Sometimes, I really think the Hidden Gate should just leave, should let Lingxiao City be destroyed, and let them know the cruelty of war."

The Cooking Elder squatted in front of the door, feeding the strange insects in the jar, and laughed, "A few days ago when we were drawing lots for life and death, you clearly drew the life lot, but you didn't leave on your own."

Shi Jiuzhai was speechless, then smiled and said, "I heard that Hidden Person beat up Great Zen Master Xinku of Coffin Mountain in Fuzhou, and Great Zen Master Xinku is now leading a large group of people to search for him."

The Cooking Elder said, "Great Zen Master Xinku deliberately leaked the news, wanting the cult to know as quickly as possible that Hidden Person has betrayed them and that Venerable Nan is problematic."

Shi Jiuzhai nodded. "The Hidden Person should have returned to Lizhou by now. With his talent in mental power, given time, he will surely become Saint Spirit King Mind Master and the guardian deity of the Jiu Li Tribe."

"Knock knock!"

A knocking sound with a distinctive rhythm rang out.

The Cooking Elder peeked through the crack in the door, then deactivated the spell and opened the door.

After entering, Li Weiyi dispelled his Disguise Art and said, "I want to see Elder Yao."

Elder Yao is, of course, Yao Qingxuan.

Why are you back?

Shi Jiuzhai and the Cooking Elder looked at each other, completely puzzled.

Li Weiyi didn't have time to explain. He looked at the Cooking Elder and asked, "How many hermits and hermit elders are left in the city? How long will it take to get all the information to them?"

"Besides the few of us, there are about twenty more people! We have about three hundred people we can use below." The Cooking Elder pondered for a moment, "Should we gather everyone? The earliest we can gather them all is tomorrow noon."

Li Weiyi nodded. "Let's get it done now."

Shi Jiuzhai said, "Elder Yao and Old Zhuo have gone to take care of an important matter! They left after the news of the defeat in the Western Territory reached the city and have not yet returned."

Li Weiyi strode towards the council hall and, seeing Yin Er hurrying out, immediately ordered, "Give me a copy of all the recent data and information. Also, prepare a new room for me!"

Yin Er hadn't recovered from the shock of Li Weiyi's return when he froze again. "A new house? Who's getting married?"

"I!"

Li Weiyi added, "We must be quick. The arrangements must be completed before the city gates close tomorrow. Ideally, before noon!"

Yin Er and Shi Jiuzhai both gritted their teeth, grinned, and looked on with suspicion and bewilderment.

Yin Er asked, "Should we prepare the wedding attire, wedding wine, and wedding banquet?"

"Isn't that obvious? Of course we should," Li Weiyi said.

Yunxiu Ward, the Ancestral Mansion of the Taishi Family.

At 1:15 AM, there were still two hours until dawn.

The Ancestral Mansion is shrouded in several mountains, deep and tranquil.

Lights were on in the residence of Taishi Qingshi, which was shrouded in mist, completely blocking out all external perception.

Liang Chu, the Saint Mind Master of the Liang Family, was over two hundred years old and held a high position in the court. His hair and beard were white, but at this moment he knelt tremblingly in the courtyard.

There was a corpse next to him!

An elderly figure emerged from the courtyard, leaning on a cane. He wore an indigo robe, his body was hunched, and his face was so thin it was only the size of a palm, covered in wrinkles.

Beneath the wrinkles, the eyes gleamed with a dark silver light.

Liang Chu didn't dare to look him in the eye, and bowed his head in reverence. "Teacher... I will definitely investigate thoroughly, investigate the entire Liang Family..."

"Second brother, the rest is up to you! Keep my return a secret for now."

The Duke Taishi's voice was hoarse as he walked past Liang Chu without ever glancing at him. The snake-patterned cane in his hand was cracked, and the cracks emitted a starlight-like radiance.

The light gradually disappeared into the fog.

Taishi Qingshi stood at the door, bowed, and then turned his gaze to Liang Chu: "The Liang Family is too deeply involved with the cult, and it's not just about Liang Xianshi. Junior brother, in these extraordinary times, we don't have that much time for you to investigate slowly."

As Duke Taishi walked through the fog, he thought of the turmoil in the eastern border and the war in the Western Territory, and he was exhausted. Reflecting on the events of the past twenty years, he felt that the fate of the Lingxiao Palace had run out and there was no way to reverse it.

He returned to his thatched hut in the valley along the mountain path.

The thatched cottage has a history of three thousand years. It is surrounded by two rows of fences, and the courtyard is planted with various fruits and vegetables, all of which are Thousand-Year Elixir.

As Duke Taishi arrived outside the thatched hut and opened the fence gate, a woman's voice rang out from inside. "Cong Er, you're finally back!"

Duke Taishi stood still, head bowed, staring at the ground. His thoughts were pulled away from all the distractions and worries. A faint smile appeared on his wrinkled face. This auditory hallucination had instantly pulled him back three thousand years.

"Cong Er, you're finally back! Have you finished drawing the talisman I asked you to draw?"

"Is the drawing... finished?"

The child, only twelve or thirteen years old, said nervously.

"If it's finished, it's finished. If it's not finished, it's not finished. Ten strokes for slacking off, thirty strokes for lying."

Duke Taishi took a deep breath, recalling his childhood, feeling as if it were a lifetime ago. Now, in his twilight years, he smiled bitterly and muttered to himself, "Indeed, old age waits for no one. Why did I think of my teacher?"

Everyone in the world thought he was called the Duke Taishi, including his two sons who were still alive.

But only he himself knew that his name was Taishi Cong.

"Cong Er!" The voice rang out again inside the room.

The sound was so clear; it was definitely not an illusion.

Duke Taishi straightened his hunched body as much as he could, as if struck by lightning, staring intently into the thatched hut. Through the window, he could see a red figure.

His arm, which was holding the cane, trembled incessantly.

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