Once Wushi Yan realized the truth, he sank into profound despair and withdrew into himself, no longer answering any of Li Chen's questions.
Li Chen did not press him. He went out to discuss matters with Qi Maigu.
"Centipede Daoist, the Heavenly Dragon Gate? This is important intelligence! We must report it to the sect at once and have them send reinforcements!"
Qi Maigu had grown close to Li Chen recently and had his interests at heart. "As a rule, if the intelligence on a Blessed Land proves inaccurate, the sect will take responsibility and help you deal with powerful enemies."
"But the local situation is as treacherous and changeable as shifting clouds and waves. Even the sect cannot act rashly. Otherwise, if you're defeated, all the money, provisions, and manpower they sent will go straight down the drain. So you'd best seek some support from the Yu Household first. Once the situation looks favorable, the sect will naturally step up its assistance."
Li Chen smiled. "Fellow Daoist Qi, is it really wise to put it so bluntly?"
"I'm serious, Fellow Daoist Li," Qi Maigu said. "You mustn't let your guard down."
"Don't worry," Li Chen said. "I know what I'm doing."
Li Chen was not someone who could be frightened into submission. He had chosen a remote domain a million li away precisely because the mountains were high and the emperor far away, leaving him fewer concerns whatever he did.
From beginning to end, he had never counted on anyone else.
Still, Qi Maigu had a point. From sects and nations down to individuals, adding flowers to brocade was easy; delivering charcoal in the snow was hard.
It was the same principle as buying into a rise rather than a fall. He must not let himself slip into trouble