The Heaven and Earth Society Members Gather (I)

Not only Zhuo Haoran, but also the high-ranking military officers present were initially stunned, and then began to curse and swear.

"Is the young emperor still so stubborn? Does he think his life is too short, or is the dragon throne too uncomfortable for him, and he can't wait for us to oust him?"

"Damn it, where does the Great Feng Dynasty get its confidence? The national treasury is empty, the country is in chaos, and even the supervisors are gone."

"Hey, since you're not afraid of death, then let's fight! Once we've stormed into the capital, that little emperor will be kneeling down, begging for mercy."

Since the supervisor was sealed off and occupied Qingzhou, the morale of the Yunzhou army has soared to its peak, and they even became arrogant, believing that it was only a matter of time before they captured the capital and took control of the Central Plains.

When discussing the Great Feng Dynasty, his words were often disdainful, reflecting a condescending attitude.

Therefore, in the eyes of the generals, the peace negotiations were nothing short of charity and pity; how dare the Great Feng court take the initiative to refuse?

They thought that when the Yunzhou army advanced all the way to the capital, and when the Grand Preceptor and other powerful and invincible masters like Jialuoshu descended upon the capital, would their Great Feng be able to resist?

Qi Guangbo's face was solemn. After waiting for the generals to vent their emotions, he tapped the table and said:

"The intelligence from the Heavenly Secrets Palace's spies is that Xu Qi'an forced Yongxing to abdicate and supported Princess Huaiqing's ascension to the throne."

The Yunzhou military generals, who were just moments before excited and shouting, were now speechless after hearing Qi Guangbo's words. They looked at each other in astonishment and shock.

This news was indeed shocking and caught everyone off guard. But its nature leans more towards "absurd" and "outrageous"—supporting a woman to the throne?!

"Pfft~" Someone couldn't help but burst out laughing:

"What, has Mr. Xu run out of options? He's come up with such a foolish move."

"Yes, a woman ascending the throne as emperor, does he think the Central Plains aren't chaotic enough? Even if the officials in the capital are wary of his military power and dare not immediately rise up in rebellion, as soon as he leaves the capital, the empress will probably be given poisoned wine or die mysteriously in the palace," Zhuo Haoran sneered.

As a bloodthirsty butcher, women were mere playthings in his eyes; how could they possibly deserve to sit on the dragon throne?

Yang Chuannan shook his head and chuckled:

"In this way, the people of the capital will be in turmoil, and it will be even more difficult for them to unite against us. Once the Grand Preceptor has refined the fortune of Qingzhou and marched north, it won't be long before we can decisively defeat the capital."

The other generals burst into laughter, some mocking, some disdainful, some joking, seemingly less concerned about the failed peace negotiations.

Ji Xuan and Ge Wenxuan exchanged a glance. Although they were confused and bewildered, they did not rush to echo the generals. Instead, they looked at Qi Guangbo.

"Indeed, supporting the eldest princess to ascend the throne was a risky move."

Qi Guangbo looked around at everyone and slowly said:

"If I told you that he not only supported a woman to ascend the throne, but also stabilized the court in a very short time, and on the day the eldest princess ascended the throne, the capital was filled with flowers, and the people of the capital regarded it as an auspicious omen from heaven, believing that the eldest princess's ascension to the throne was the will of heaven, and was to save the Great Feng from the storm."

"What do you all think about this?"

The laughter in the hall suddenly subsided.

The smiles vanished from the faces of the generals, and they exchanged silent glances, wanting to see how their colleagues would react.

Ge Wenxuan said:

"He forced Yongxing to abdicate in order to install a puppet emperor, thus eliminating any worries about the future. But if it's going to be a puppet, wouldn't it have been better to choose an innocent child? Why take this risky step of supporting a woman to the throne?"

Someone chuckled.

"That empress must be incredibly beautiful; she might already be Xu Qi'an's lover. Everyone knows that Xu is a womanizer."

Ge Wenxuan frowned and said:

"The person who only thinks of their enemies as fools is the real fool."

Ji Xuan pondered for a moment:

"According to intelligence from the Great Feng royal family, Princess Huaiqing is a renowned talented woman in the capital. She studied at the Cloud Deer Academy and served as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy during the reign of Emperor Yuanjing. She is no ordinary woman."

Because of his background, Ji Xuan paid special attention to members of the Great Feng royal family. The generals present might not know much about a princess's background, but Ji Xuan knew it all.

"Just because of that?"

Zhuo Haoran understood Ji Xuan's meaning. The talented princess might be even more powerful than Yongxing if she were to rise to power, but due to his prejudice against women, he still maintained a disdainful attitude.

Qi Guangbo tapped the table again and said:

"When the news came from the Tianji Palace spies, the delegation heading to the capital was still there. Xu Qi'an was spared, presumably to make a deal with us."

Everyone turned to look at Ji Xuan.

If he were an ordinary illegitimate son, his influence would be limited, and he would certainly not give the Great Feng court the opportunity to make exorbitant demands.

However, this illegitimate son was Ji Xuan's younger brother (not a twin), and Ji Xuan, as a third-rank martial artist from the Yunzhou lineage, held a superior position, so his younger brother was naturally not comparable to an ordinary illegitimate son.

Ji Xuan said in a deep voice:

"We shall submit to the General's decision."

He took the initiative to back down.

Qi Guangbo said:

"Three days later, gather your troops and enter Yongzhou territory. Besiege the city without attacking, putting pressure on the Great Feng court. Then send an envoy to contact Yang Gong and force them to release the prisoners."

Ge Wenxuan nodded:

"In this way, we can get back Young Master Ji Yuan at a small cost."

By assembling troops, they were both applying pressure and demonstrating a strong stance, thus cutting off the Great Feng court's chance to make exorbitant demands.

Upon hearing this, the generals inside the hall rubbed their hands together excitedly, eager to get started.

"I can't wait any longer."

"The soldiers longed to attack Yongzhou day and night."

"I doubt they would dare refuse to hand over Young Master Ji Yuan."

In a mansion less than three miles from the Provincial Administration Commission in Qingzhou.

Xu Pingfeng sat cross-legged, and streams of power invisible to the naked eye converged towards the mansion, transforming into streams of light that flowed into the white-robed Warlock's body.

These forces were concentrated in the Dantian, forming a turbid mass of energy.

Xu Pingfeng grasped the ball of energy with both palms, refining the "impurities" within it little by little, making it more transparent and flawless.

The core ability of Qi Refinement is to refine and purify the Qi of a region, integrate it into their own body, and then use the refined Qi to leverage the power of all living beings.

When one's fortune reaches a certain level and undergoes a qualitative change, one can advance to the position of a Fate Master, glimpse the future, and become the world's top chess player.

The sound of flapping wings rang out from the courtyard, and a carrier pigeon landed steadily in the yard.

Xu Pingfeng opened his eyes, drew the semi-turbid energy into his Dantian, and then reached out to "catch" the carrier pigeon in the courtyard. The pigeon carried a message from Qi Guangbo.

After reading the contents of the note, Xu Pingfeng pondered for a moment, then wiped his fingertip across the paper.

The black writing disappeared, leaving only one character:

Can!

He stuffed the note back into the bamboo tube on the carrier pigeon's leg, tossed it gently, then stood up, took a step to the left, and went to the meditation room next door.

The room was as hot as in the middle of summer. The Bodhisattva of the Garuda tree sat cross-legged, and the empty space around his neck was gone; his head had been regenerated.

"The peace talks have failed."

Xu Pingfeng laughed.

The Bodhisattva of the Gara Tree opened his eyes, his solemn face devoid of any other expression, and slowly said:

"As expected, the supervisor had a backup plan."

"But what kind of trump card gives him the confidence to fight us?"

Xu Pingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, chuckling as he said:

"You don't know him well enough. His willingness to fight us to the death may not be due to confidence. If we are driven to a dead end, we will all perish together."

Even if the Supervisor had a trump card, it was impossible for him to directly advance to the first rank. It was simply a means to enhance his combat power, and Luo Yuheng was about to undergo tribulation, advance to the first rank, and catch up with some of his combat power.

"It gave him some confidence."

The Bodhisattva of the Garuda Tree nodded slightly.

Xu Pingfeng continued:

"We will send troops to Yongzhou in three days. At that time, we will find out the truth."

"Has the White Emperor not yet returned to the Nine Provinces Continent?" asked the Bodhisattva Garuda Tree.

"It will take some time," Xu Pingfeng said.

No one knows what that descendant of Gods and Devils is doing or plotting overseas.

Of course, if Xu Pingfeng were to investigate deliberately, he could still find some clues, but there was no need.

Doing so would only damage alliances and would be counterproductive.

Bureau of Astronomy.

At the Eight Trigrams Platform, Xu Qi'an sat cross-legged at the table, observing the myriad aspects of life in the capital and comprehending the power of all living beings.

A flash of light appeared behind him, and Sun Xuanji, dressed in flowing white robes, appeared with Protector Yuan.

"Is your injury healed?"

Xu Qi'an remained seated cross-legged, leaving behind the upright figures of the man and the ape, just like the former supervisor.

Protector Yuan first looked at Sun Xuanji, then turned back to look at Xu Qi'an's retreating figure, and said:

"Almost done."

Xu Qi'an nodded and took out a brocade pouch from his bosom:

"The things inside will tell you what to do next."

Sun Xuanji took the brocade pouch but didn't open it, silently watching Xu Qi'an's retreating figure.

Protector Yuan's considerate translation:

Are you imitating Teacher Jianzheng? But I think you're more like Junior Brother Yang!

Xu Qi'an chuckled but did not reply.

Yuan Hufa's understanding translation:

Xu Yinluo's heart told him: Don't compare me to the King of Pretend. I'm not cosplaying a supervisor; I'm imitating Zhuge Liang. Damn, I was careless. I didn't watch out for this damn monkey. I'm going to eat monkey brains tonight.

Yuan, the Protector, was startled awake, breaking free from his immersive mind-reading state. He silently shrank behind Sun Xuanji and said tremblingly:

Please give me a chance.

Sun Xuanji opened the brocade pouch, glanced at it, hummed in agreement, and then the array patterns beneath his feet spread out, teleporting away with Protector Yuan.

Protector Yuan felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders, as if he had been given a second chance at life.

At the same time, he realized that his mind-reading Divine Ability had improved again, and he could see through Xu Yinluo's thoughts even when Xu Yinluo did not restrain them.

For a moment, I didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

As soon as Sun Xuanji left, Xu Qi'an took to the air and flew towards Lingbao Temple.

Having been back in the capital for many days, he had not yet visited Lingbao Temple. At first, he was neither in the mood nor had the time, but later, he was busy cultivating with the Flower Goddess and deliberately neglected the Imperial Preceptor.

After all, the Imperial Advisor must know about his dual cultivation with Mu Nanzhi. Going to provoke trouble at this time is not the survival instinct a fishpond owner should have.

But now he has to go to Lingbao Temple.

Inside Lingbao Temple.

Luo Yuheng sat cross-legged above the pool, meditating with his eyes closed.

He was dressed in a feathered robe, wore a lotus crown, and had a striking red dot between his brows.

Her aloof and otherworldly beauty, like a celestial being from the heavens, and the ethereal aura she cultivated through years of Daoist practice, could easily outshine most women "born into the mortal world."

In the pavilion by the pond sat a woman holding a fox cub, clicking her tongue in amazement:

"The Imperial Preceptor is so beautiful! Her skin is like jade, her eyes are like phoenix eyes and her lips are like red lips. She has an icy complexion and a jade-like figure. She is a rare beauty among men."

"It truly makes a common woman like me envious and jealous!"

She was plain-looking and quite old, but her tone of voice was clearly teasing and joking, showing no trace of inferiority.

"I'm so envious and jealous!" Bai Ji clapped her hands together and chimed in.

Mu Nanzhi sighed:

"The Imperial Advisor is beautiful, but it's rather pitiful that she doesn't have a man to cherish her."

Bai Ji said in a sweet voice, "Poor thing!"

Mu Nanzhi continued:

"Unlike me, although I'm not particularly attractive, at least I have a man who loves me."

Suddenly, he shook his head, his face full of worry. "It's not a good thing either. He's a lecherous wretch; he won't even let me get out of bed."

A vein bulged on Luo Yuheng's smooth forehead.

She pretended not to hear and continued meditating.

The small courtyard is separated by a wall.

Xu Qi'an quietly left, using the "Star Shifting and Constellation Changing" ability of the Heavenly Gu to conceal his aura, returning to where he came from, keeping his merits and fame hidden.

"That idiot Mu Nanzhi got all cocky after awakening the Flower Goddess's spiritual essence. Imperial Preceptor, you're getting your comeuppance. Who told you to threaten and intimidate her back then? Anyway, it's none of my business."

"These days, it's all about sisters competing against each other: the Flower Goddess competes with the Imperial Preceptor, Huaiqing competes with Lin'an, Lingyue competes with Yuanshuang."

Xu Qi'an left Lingbao Temple.

Half an hour later, an orange cat leaped onto the wall and entered the secluded courtyard.

Mu Nanzhi and Luo Yuheng both looked at the orange cat.

The orange cat remained completely calm. With a letter in its mouth, it walked gracefully to the edge of the pool and dropped the letter down.

Then he turned and left.

The Imperial Advisor and the Flower Goddess both frowned and tentatively asked:

"Xu Qi'an?"

The orange cat snapped out of its daze, gave a cute "meow," and continued walking forward.

The two women, though elderly, still possessed stunning beauty that captivated everyone. They turned their gaze away.

Luo Yuheng beckoned over the envelope, unfolded it, read it, and gave a cold smile.

"Whose letter?"

Mu Nanzhi asked, feigning indifference.

"Xu Qi'an."

Luo Yuheng said calmly.

"What did you write?" Mu Nanzhi's ears perked up immediately.

Luo Yuheng raised the corner of his mouth, speaking in a nonchalant tone:

"I pray for dual cultivation."

Nighttime, Eight Trigrams Platform.

Xu Qi'an held the fragments of the Earth Book, and with the faint starlight, gazed at the message conveyed on the mirror.

[1: The stronghold of the Earth Sect Demon Cult has been located. They are indeed in Qingzhou, having joined the rebel army in Yunzhou. They are currently in charge of the Provincial Judicial Commissioner's Office in Qingzhou. Their main stronghold is located in the Provincial Judicial Commissioner's Office in Qingzhou.]

They were still wearing the traditional Daoist robes of the Earth Sect, making them easy to identify.

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were deeply impressed by Wei Yuan's spies.

[Nine: Alright, let's proceed according to plan, everyone. Let's find a place to meet.]

[Three: Let's meet in the underground palace outside Yongzhou City. Everyone knows that place, and Yongzhou is right next to Qingzhou, making it convenient to move around. There's no need to come to the capital again.]

[8: The Underground Palace Outside Yongzhou City?]

Asura did not know the location of the underground palace.

Chu Yuanzhen sent a message: "[There's a mountain range thirty miles south of Yongzhou City. You should be able to find us there. Where are you, Number Eight? If it's not too far, we can come and pick you up on our swords.]"

Asura sent a message refusing: [No need, it's not too far, I'm already in the Central Plains.]

It's only a few thousand miles away from Yongzhou.

[Nine: Well then, see you tomorrow at dawn!]

All members replied: [Okay!]

There's going to be a good show tomorrow. Xu Qi'an carefully put away the fragments of the Earth Book, merged into the shadows, and returned to the house.

The candlelight was as dim as a bean.

Mu Nanzhi held Bai Ji in her arms and sat at the table looking at a storybook with pictures and text.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Xu Qi'an spoke, he began to unbutton his robe, preparing to shake the bed until it creaked with the Flower Goddess.

Mu Nanzhi sneered:

"Why is Xu Yinluo coming here instead of seeking out your Imperial Preceptor for dual cultivation?"

Why would I seek out the Imperial Preceptor for dual cultivation? It's not time for dual cultivation yet. In her normal state, Luo Yuheng still resists having sex with me. Xu Qi'an doesn't understand what she's jealous about.

Wasn't he showing off and looking all splendid during the day?

"What are you talking about?" Xu Qi'an said irritably.

Mu Nanzhi scoffed, too lazy to pay him any attention.