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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 119 (374): [Confrontation]
(119th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Azure Cloud Market.
Late at night, in the frigid depths of the twelfth lunar month.
The guests of the West Sea Royal Manor had yet to disperse. Laughter and chatter drifted from the main gate, a farewell feast in full swing, carriages and beasts rumbling through the streets.
Tears streamed down the faces of women as their husbands, clad in armor, mounted their steeds and rode off overnight to the West Sea military camp, their return uncertain.
Li Weiyi, disguised as a young man in his early twenties, walked along the market's ten-mile-long main street toward Minglun Ward in the southwest corner.
Minglun Ward, a square mile in area, housed a thousand residences.
All were two- or three-story buildings with curved roofs, painted in shades of blue and green.
To the south of the ward flowed a Spiritual Stream more than thirty feet wide, its waters gurgling through a misty expanse. The stream connected to the Lingxiao Palace, fed by an underground spring.
A boundary marker stood at the entrance to the market.
Within the ward, jade pillars embedded with Formations stood tall, all connected to the network of thirty-six Earth Veins beneath the ground.
Each residence was protected by its own defensive Formation, surrounded by ten-foot-high walls and planted with Precious Herbs and ancient trees.
"Knock, knock!"
Li Weiyi arrived at the address Zhuang Yue had given him and knocked gently on the door.
The ripples of the Formation faded, and the door swung open.
Standing before him was Zhuang Yue, her face flushed with anger.
She wasn't wearing her Phoenix Terrace Maiden robes. Instead, she wore a dark red cloth dress, her slender waist cinched with a belt. Her hair was styled in a simple bun secured with a jade hairpin. If not for her Pure Immortal Physique, which gave her skin a luminous, porcelain-like glow, she would have looked like a young maiden raised in seclusion.
Li Weiyi had used this face in Li Prefecture before, without concealing his gaze. Zhuang Yue recognized him instantly.
"Hurry inside," Zhuang Yue urged.
As Li Weiyi entered, she immediately reactivated the courtyard's Formation, acting like a thief, terrified of being discovered.
Her delicate face was etched with worry, her brows furrowed in a perpetual frown.
She muttered in a low voice, "What exactly is the Jiu Li Hidden Sect up to? I heard today that you've become the Divine Son of a Heretical Sect? You're going to be the death of me! Why are you doing this to me?"
"You owe me your life, and quite a bit of money too."
Li Weiyi instinctively began observing his surroundings.
Inside the gate, a small courtyard housed a stove, weapon racks, and over a dozen treasure trees radiating crimson light. Men's clothing hung drying in the sun.
Beneath the trees stood a stone table with four stone stools, and a tea set rested on the table.
Li Weiyi asked in surprise, "Is this your home? Are there elders or a husband here? Wouldn't it be inconvenient?"
"This is where my grandfather lives... Just stop asking so many questions. Answer me: Are you planning to do something harmful in Lingxiao City? The Zhuang Clan has been loyal to the Imperial Court for generations. If you intend to harm the court, I will never give you the list." Zhuang Yue's tone was resolute, her expression fierce.
Li Weiyi glanced at her chest, noticing the bulging shape of the list: "Isn't it right there on you? If you won't give it to me, I'll just take it."
Zhuang Yue quickly hid the list in her Boundary Pouch.
Li Weiyi walked to the stone bench, poured a cup of tea, and took a sip: "It's gotten cold. Warm it up for me. Also, make a few small dishes. I haven't eaten a bite all night."
An aged voice echoed from within the room: "You two chat first. I'll prepare the meal."
Li Weiyi stood up abruptly, momentarily stunned. He hadn't used his Psychic Power to scan the room earlier, which would have been rude.
But now, channeling Spiritual Qi into his ears, he listened intently. He heard no breathing.
He turned to Zhuang Yue: "Grandpa Zhuang? I should go pay my respects!"
Zhuang Yue grabbed his sleeve, using Spiritual Qi to transmit her urgent words: "Don't go! My grandfather knows who you are - he'll kill you! And stop saying such nonsense! Those Phoenix Terrace Maidens have been laughing at me to death. Even my grandfather doesn't know where he heard the rumors. He grilled me for over an hour earlier!"
Li Weiyi replied, "As a junior, it would be rude not to pay my respects."
"Knock, knock!"
Another knock echoed from the door.
Li Weiyi's eyes narrowed as he listened intently.
There was only one person outside. He breathed a silent sigh of relief.
Using Intent and Psychic Power for detection should be avoided unless there's a significant cultivation gap. Doing so would expose oneself.
Peeking through the crack in the door, Zhuang Yue saw the person outside and nearly burst into tears, her face flushed with the panic and fear of being caught in the act.
"It's Miss! What do we do now? You have to hide quickly!"
Li Weiyi sat back down on the stone bench.
"She must have been hiding somewhere in Minglun Ward all along. Seeing me enter, she came to confront me. What good will hiding do?"
"This is all your fault!"
Li Weiyi said, "It was you who collected the list, which she must have discovered. And you came home specifically tonight. Given her vigilance, it would be strange if she didn't suspect something. Open the door. I'll take responsibility for everything."
"You've ruined me!"
Another knock echoed through the courtyard.
With no other choice, Zhuang Yue steeled herself and opened both the door and the Formation.
Jiang Ning, cloaked in a black Spiritual Artifact Nightwalker's Garment with a hooded cowl and a veil, stepped inside.
Her eyes, as bright as stars, naturally locked onto the figure seated beneath the tree.
With a thud, Zhuang Yue instantly knelt beside her, tears streaming down her face.
"Miss, I lied to you. I shouldn't have deceived you. It's all my fault. But he saved my life, and I had to repay his kindness. I didn't betray the Imperial Court... I have my principles..."
Li Weiyi looked at her: "Don't accuse me unfairly. When did I ever ask you to betray the Imperial Court?"
"Shut up!" Zhuang Yue snapped.
Jiang Ning studied him, then dispelled the disguise from her Spiritual Artifact Nightwalker's Garment and walked over to sit on the stone bench opposite him.
"Show your true face. I've been waiting for you outside all night."
"Aren't you still wearing a veil? Get up. This has nothing to do with you. I'll take full responsibility." Li Weiyi called out to the distance.
Jiang Ning stared at him, then removed her veil: "He says it has nothing to do with you. Get up. I'll settle this with him alone."
Zhuang Yue stood up and was pulled into the room by a white-haired Elder with a limp.
Soon after, the sound of a fire being lit and food being prepared came from the kitchen.
Li Weiyi dispelled his Disguise Technique and sat upright across from her, drinking in the Feather Immortal's breathtaking beauty at close range.
Two years had passed, and with her cultivation having advanced, every inch of her skin seemed to be infused with the essence of heaven and earth. She exuded a unique aura of immortality.
It was as if this ordinary courtyard had become brighter and the air sweeter and more intoxicating simply because of her presence. The entire world had transformed into a celestial realm.
Though she wore an official robe and served the Imperial Court, her beauty alone transcended the mundane constraints of her earthly identity.
After a long silence, Jiang Ning spoke first, "Zhuang Yue said you saved her life, and she wants to repay you. You also saved my life, and I will repay you as well. Tell me your purpose. Why are you here in Lingxiao City?"
Zhuang Yue had rushed in, taken the teapot, and rushed out again.
Li Weiyi said, "After Zhuang Yue finishes helping me, I can take her away, ensuring a proper ending. But this matter has drawn you in. Can I take you away too?"
Jiang Ning pondered for a moment: "I spent a long time outside earlier, thinking about what happened to you these past two years. I thought about how you emerged from the darkness and despair after the Ancestral Field was abolished, how you rallied and achieved breakthroughs in Psychic Power cultivation. I thought about what you encountered in the Underground Immortal Mansion, how you survived, and why you've been avoiding me, your former friend."
"After returning from the Calamity Crossing Temple, I visited the Underground Immortal Mansion and gathered a lot of information about you, even questioning Chen Chuan."
"All the clues point to the Spirit Platform Blazing Star Stone you were searching for before entering the Underground Immortal Mansion. It's closely linked to the Heretical Sect and is a treasure for Psychic Power cultivation."
"So, what's the truth about South Yan Pass? The Fourth Divine Son of the Heretical Sect - that can't be just a rumor, can it?"
Li Weiyi could feel her genuine concern and care. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to accomplish so much in such a short time since returning from the Calamity Crossing Temple.
A warm current surged through his heart.
"I'm sorry... There are many things I can't tell you right now," Li Weiyi said.
Jiang Ning asked, "You can trust Zhuang Yue, but not me?"
Li Weiyi replied, "Because I don't know where the next Jiang Xin might be."
Jiang Ning said, "Li Weiyi, I trust you because I know what kind of person you are. I believe you must have your reasons. So, even if everyone outside calls you the Heretical Sect's Divine Son, I've come here alone, not with the Phoenix Terrace's army."
"Between the Imperial Court and the Heretical Sect, I will choose the Imperial Court because I've seen the Heretical Sect's most bloody and extreme side."
"But I don't believe you are that side. Even if people change, and one day you become a stranger, no longer the same person you once were - the young man who risked his life for others' lives, the young man at the Five Seas Realm Boundary in Burial Immortal Town, on the ship in Zhi Prefecture, and on the sea of Bing Juze Lake- that young man had ideals, responsibility, and goodness."
"If that day ever comes, I'll do everything in my power to bring you back."
"So, why couldn't you open up to me? Why were you branded with the Death Spirit Fire? Did you think I couldn't keep a secret?"
Jiang Ning's words were sharp as a blade, and nothing could cut through a heart more effectively than genuine emotion.
Meeting her gaze, Li Weiyi could no longer force a smile.
He longed to pour out everything that weighed on his mind.
A long silence hung between them.
Zhuang Yue brought over the warmed tea and poured a cup for each of them. Sensing the strange atmosphere, she trembled with fear, afraid they might suddenly erupt into violence.
Jiang Ning said, "Was it you who handed Jiang Xin's letter of denunciation against the Sect's Mansion Elder to the Commander-in-Chief's Office?"
"No, Phoenix Terrace discovered it."
Li Weiyi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gradually calmed the ripples Jiang Ning had stirred in his heart.
He continued, "Jiang Ning, I've thought about this for a long time. I believe I truly need your help. But you must promise me you won't tell anyone, not even Phoenix Terrace or the Jiang Clan."
"I promise."
Jiang Ning said, "Tell me everything. I need to know the truth. Zhuang Yue, give me the list."
Zhuang Yue retrieved the list and presented it to her with both hands.
Jiang Ning held the list, saying, "Tell me your purpose for coming to Lingxiao City, and we'll exchange information."
Facing Jiang Ning, Li Weiyi felt more pressure than he had ever felt facing any enemy. The slightest misstep could pierce his defenses.
Now that he had recovered, he said, "That's right. I am the Fourth Divine Son of the Twin Rice Sect, cursed with the Death Spirit Fire."
Jiang Ning offered, "I can ask the Second Palace Master to help you dispel it."
Li Weiyi waved his hand: "The Death Spirit Fire within me was planted by the Ancestor of Rice himself. 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 words through Spiritual Qi: "The Sui Sect is a faction supported by the Twin Rice Sect. Yang Shenjing is the Vice Palace Master of the Heaven Valley (Tianxia) Hall, one of the Twin Rice Sect's Four Halls. The Old Ancestor of the Sheng Clan is an Elder of Qiu Prefecture, and Yang Qingxi is the Twin Rice Sect's Sixth Divine Maiden."
Jiang Ning was truly stunned by this revelation.
It was nothing short of earth-shattering.
After Yao Qian achieved Immortal Realm, the Second Palace Master had promoted him to Junior Minister of the Phoenix Terrace.
The Phoenix Terrace, besides the Second Palace Master, included other giants like the Minister-in-Charge and the Head of the Attendant Hall.
But the real work was done by the two Junior Ministers.
As a Junior Minister, Yao Qian had access to the most critical intelligence, both top-down and bottom-up, within the Imperial Court.
His influence was so vast that it could shake the very foundations of the nation.
Even more alarming was that after the Sui Sect pledged allegiance to the Imperial Court, they gained access to vast resources and could move freely throughout the Lingxiao Realm, rapidly expanding their power.
Li Weiyi continued, "The Sui Sect, under the guise of the Twin Rice Sect, secretly amassed vast wealth. They even trafficked disabled Ricefolk, selling them to the Three Island Barbarians to feed their mounts. Headquarters decided to investigate them, but due to Jiang Xin, the news leaked. This led to the South Yan Pass incident, where the Twin Rice Sect turned against itself, framing and sabotaging each other."
"Slaying angels and killing imperial envoys?" Jiang Ning asked.
Li Weiyi replied, "That's essentially it."
Zhuang Yue brought out steaming dishes, their rich aroma of meat filling the room.
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END OF CHAPTER
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