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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 109 (364): [Exposed]
(109th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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The dim twilight hung like a heavy veil over the world.
Lanterns glowed under the eaves, casting an eerie silence over the long street.
All eyes followed Li Weiyi's gaze, settling on Zhuang Yue.
Some were shocked, others disbelieving.
The Phoenix Terrace's large contingent of Female Officials and Eunuch Officials, having formed formations and activated their spiritual artifacts, had come to hunt down a major Heretical Sect enemy.
They had even cleared the area in advance, meticulously planning their ambush. Yet, instead, they had stumbled into a colossal joke.
Yes, a joke.
A Female Official of the Phoenix Terrace secretly meeting with a man should have been handled discreetly.
Instead, it had become public knowledge.
More importantly, this Female Official was none other than the closest attendant of the renowned Feather Immortal.
Their mission to capture a Heretical Sect Demon Man had turned into a case of catching a woman in the act of adultery.
Jiang Ning frowned at Zhuang Yue.
Even with her composure and wisdom, she found herself at a loss.
Because, knowing Zhuang Yue as she did, the fact that the girl hadn't immediately drawn her sword and struck down Zuo Ning spoke volumes.
Clearly, during her two years at the Calamity Crossing Temple, everyone had been living their own stories.
Jiang Ning suddenly realized that Zhuang Yue possessed her own independent will, not merely a subordinate to her. It was impossible for her to live solely for Jiang Ning forever.
The Female Officials of the Phoenix Terrace had not always been forbidden from contact with men. This rule had only been established a decade ago, after the Xiaotian Edict was issued.
All humans possess the seven emotions and six desires.
The more something is forbidden, the stronger the backlash becomes.
While many in the crowd gnashed their teeth in hatred, feeling that Zuo Ning and Zhuang Yue had sullied the Phoenix Terrace, even more wore expressions of envy and admiration.
They saw Zuo Ning's daring act of coming to Lingxiao City and publicly revealing the truth before countless witnesses as an act of self-sacrifice.
This courage and audacity held a unique romanticism, reminiscent of the heart-wrenching tragedies recounted by storytellers - shocking, yet deeply moving.
Li Weiyi knew that Lingxiao City might not withstand the great calamity looming in three months. He saw this as an opportunity to rescue Zhuang Yue in advance and send her away.
While it was undeniable that he had used her, saving her from this pit of despair would bring him some measure of inner peace.
Li Weiyi walked toward Zhuang Yue.
The Martial-Mystic Cultivators of the Phoenix Terrace exchanged glances, looking at Jiang Ning, unsure whether to intervene.
Even the two highly skilled old women were struggling with what to do.
If it were any other girl, they would have harbored doubts. But this was Zhuang Yue, known for her straightforward and stubborn personality, and her unwavering loyalty to the Imperial Court and Jiang Ning.
How could she possibly be involved?
The formation of seven Female Officials, including Zhuang Yue, had already dispersed. Two of the younger ones had slightly reddened eyes, showing no hostility toward Li Weiyi.
"Come with me."
Li Weiyi extended a hand, his gaze filled with conviction.
Of course, Zhuang Yue knew Li Weiyi's earlier words were meant to deceive others and conceal the truth. Yet she remained dazed.
Her eyes swollen and red, she shook her head: "I can't betray Miss... Whether what you said is true or not, I can't leave the Phoenix Terrace..."
Li Weiyi sighed, frustrated by her stubbornness.
He tried again: "After what happened today, staying at the Phoenix Terrace means certain death. Your Miss can't protect you. Come with me. I swear, as long as I draw breath, I won't let you die."
Zhuang Yue could hear the sincerity in his words and believed in his abilities. Even though she knew he wasn't referring to romantic love, tears still involuntarily streamed down her face.
"Clang!"
The Jing Yu Feather Sword flew out and landed in Jiang Ning's hand.
Jiang Ning's eyes were clear and cold, unclouded by appearances.
She refused to believe Zuo Ning had nothing to do with the events at Southern Yan Pass.
Zhuang Yue, with her simple mind, had undoubtedly been manipulated.
However, Zhuang Yue had followed her for over a decade. Jiang Ning had to protect not only Zhuang Yue's life but also her dignity, ensuring she still had a place at the Phoenix Terrace.
Therefore, Zuo Ning could neither be killed nor released.
She needed a foolproof plan.
The female officials around Zhuang Yue had been selected for the Phoenix Terrace as children and shared a deep bond.
Seeing Jiang Ning draw her sword, they all knelt down to plead for mercy.
"Lord Jiang, spare their lives!"
"Zhuang Yue was just momentarily confused."
"Zuo Ning... at least he showed some courage. He's not a coward..."
Jiang Ning secretly admired Zuo Ning's cunning. He was a master of manipulating hearts and emotions.
"When did I say I wanted to kill them?" she asked, "Zuo Ning, even if you had nothing to do with the Southern Yan Pass incident, your strength alone qualifies you for the Jiazi Register. Yet Phoenix Terrace hasn't recorded your information. Anyone on the blacklist who enters Lingxiao City without reporting themselves is generally considered a rebel spy by the Imperial Court. You wouldn't want to harm Zhuang Yue, would you? Come, let's go to Phoenix Terrace."
Li Weiyi hadn't expected Jiang Ning to play this card.
He was still pondering how to respond when the sound of approaching carriage wheels echoed in the distance.
An ornate Exotic Beast Carriage gradually drew closer, followed by two rows of guards.
Tai Shi Bai's voice rang out from within the carriage: "Lord Jiang, Zuo Ning is a retainer of the Tai Shi Clan, brought to Lingxiao City by me from the General's Mansion. Since you can't produce evidence linking him to the heretical cult bloodbath at Southern Yan Pass, I must ask for a favor. As for registering him in the Jiazi Register, I will personally take him to Phoenix Terrace tomorrow."
Tai Shi Bai transmitted to Jiang Ning via spiritual energy: "This favor is also being requested by the West Sea Palace. I must take him there immediately. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me."
Li Weiyi wanted to take Zhuang Yue with him, but she was utterly stubborn, shaking her head vehemently.
Inside the carriage, Tai Shi Bai said loudly, "Zuo Ning, you needn't worry about her. She's Lord Jiang's maid. If Lord Jiang can't even handle such a minor matter, no one at Phoenix Terrace will truly follow her in the future."
The Martial-Mystic Cultivators of Phoenix Terrace retreated like the ebbing tide.
Li Weiyi boarded the carriage, but before he could speak, Tai Shi Bai rebuked him first.
"Why didn't you discuss such a major matter with me? If I had known earlier, there might have been a chance to resolve this privately with Phoenix Terrace and Jiang Ning. Now that it's been brought into the open, we can only handle it by the book."
Li Weiyi couldn't tell him the truth, so he could only force a bitter smile: "How could I bring such a matter into the open?"
"Love between a man and a woman - she has feelings, and you have loyalty. What's wrong with bringing it into the open? If you had told me earlier, I would have definitely helped you."
Tai Shi Bai paused, then added, "If you had believed Jiang Ning just now and gone to Phoenix Terrace, you would have been thrown into the deepest prison. She wants to save Zhuang Yue, so she would have forced you to take the blame. Don't be deceived by Jiang Ning's beautiful appearance; she's a highly manipulative woman, far from weak. Moreover, she holds a great secret, making her far from ordinary - even Tai Shi Yu dares not provoke her."
Li Weiyi knew perfectly well that going to the Phoenix Terrace was a death sentence.
But it wasn't Jiang Ning who would kill him; it was Yao Qian.
Even though Li Weiyi had a way to avoid going, he was deeply grateful for Tai Shi Bai's righteous intervention. Tai Shi Bai truly considered him a friend, yet Li Weiyi had concealed so much, and a sense of guilt welled up within him.
Tai Shi Bai said, "The mysterious person who had that child deliver the letter to me at Southern Yan Pass... was that you?"
Li Weiyi's heart skipped a beat. He realized that Tai Shi Bai's only weakness was his emotions; his intellect was no less sharp than Tai Shi Yu's.
Everyone had their own insurmountable hurdle.
The carriage moved slowly.
After passing the long street, the outside world grew lively and bustling.
Li Weiyi remained calm and admitted, "How did you figure it out?"
Tai Shi Bai sighed: "I hadn't suspected you at first, but if you had already entered Southern Yan Pass, you became the prime suspect. To deliver that letter, you would have needed to know in advance that I would return to the city that day. And you, precisely, were one of the few who knew."
"You lured me to rescue Zhou Bida's family, and Zhou Bida is a member of the Jiu Li Clan. Are you also a member? The Jiu Li Hidden Sect?"
"Isn't the Earthwolf King's Army under your Jiu Li Clan's command?"
Li Weiyi took a deep breath, met his gaze, and slowly nodded: "Jiang Xin's secret - that he's an Elder of the Heretical Cult Mansion - was revealed to me by Vice Commander Zhou. He had uncovered a great deal of evidence. Unfortunately, Jiang Xin sensed this in advance and seized Vice Commander Zhou's family, using them to blackmail him."
Tai Shi Bai asked, "So he dared not report this to the General's Mansion?"
"Southern Yan Pass is riddled with spies and hidden agents from the Attendant Hall. Reporting to the General's Mansion would only alert Jiang Xin. Before the General's Mansion could even begin an investigation, Jiang Xin would already know where his wife and daughter were being held."
Li Weiyi continued, "Young Master Bai should understand. Vice Commander Zhou deeply loved his wife and daughter, and he possessed the integrity of a Human Race Martial-Mystic Cultivator. Unable to abandon his family or betray the General's Mansion, he could only seek outside help. He turned to the Jiu Li Clan, secretly requesting their aid in finding his wife and daughter."
"Alas... Jiang Xin was too cautious and cunning. Nothing in Southern Yan Pass escaped his notice. He once again gained the upper hand, summoning the Junior Secretary of the Phoenix Terrace and turning the tables on Vice Commander Zhou, falsely accusing him and ultimately causing his unjust death."
"That's right! Vice Commander Zhou was a member of the Jiu Li Clan, but when have we ever opposed the Imperial Court? For over a decade, while the world was embroiled in war, Li Province remained peaceful."
"Within the Imperial Court, countless descendants of the Ancient Myriad Sects hold positions of power, don't they?"
"I swear on the honor of the Jiu Li Gods that Vice Commander Zhou, despite his military career and high position, has never provided the Jiu Li Clan with any intelligence detrimental to the Imperial Court. Have you uncovered any evidence of his treason?"
Li Weiyi deliberately mentioned only the Jiu Li Clan, downplaying the Jiu Li Hidden Sect.
To outsiders, they seemed identical.
But...
They were definitely not the same.
Tai Shi Bai said, "I never said Vice Commander Zhou betrayed the Imperial Court. Why are you getting so worked up?"
Li Weiyi replied, "Am I worked up?"
Tai Shi Bai stared at him for a long moment.
"In truth, Vice Commander Zhou never concealed his Jiu Li heritage from my father. He joined my father's personal guard at the age of twenty-five. If my father hadn't trusted him completely, how could he have promoted him to Deputy Commander? How could he have entrusted him with the entire defense of Southern Yan Pass?"
Li Weiyi had long anticipated this. Zhou Bida had sacrificed his wife and daughter rather than betray Tai Shi Qingcang, a testament to his deep respect. Under such circumstances, how could he have kept many secrets hidden?
Tai Shi Bai grasped Li Weiyi's shoulder, his expression earnest: "I'm forty-one this year, a few years older than you. We could easily be brothers. I have a few heartfelt words I need to share."
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END OF CHAPTER
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