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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 156 (411): [Cong'er]
(156th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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"What did you say?"
Ge Xiantong thought he had misheard.
Li Weiyi said, "The Demon Clan, Twin Rice Sect, Demon Kingdom, and Netherworld planned to attack Lingxiao City months ago. Their goal was to decisively crush the Human Clan's power and reduce it to scattered fragments."
"Now that the Demon Clan has moved, while the Twin Rice Sect and Demon Kingdom remain inactive, it indicates their plan hasn't changed. According to their simulations, the attack on the Zhu Clan was merely a feint, intended to draw the Imperial Court's Transcendent and Immortal Realm giants to the Western Territory."
"The Zhu Clan's defeat and the Western Sea Slaves gathering at Divine Light Pass were likely prearranged between the Zhu Clan's Transcendent and the Zuoqiu Clan's Transcendent. Divine Light Pass is now more fortified than ever. If the Demon Clan launches a direct attack, they'll suffer heavy losses. Qilin Zhuang has no other choice but to resort to a surprise attack on Lingxiao City with their top experts."
"The timing of the attack on Lingxiao City will likely coincide with the Demon Clan's complete conquest of the Three Prefectures and the convergence of their main force outside Divine Light Pass. By then, the Imperial Court's elite forces will undoubtedly be drawn to Divine Light Pass, leaving Lingxiao City at its most vulnerable."
Zen Hai Guanwu said, "By now, after the battle report arrived, the Imperial Court should have already dispatched Transcendent and Immortal Realm Giants to Divine Light Pass. Therefore, before we act, we must secretly recall the Transcendent experts. This will take at least a day."
Li Weiyi asked, "So, we'll strike the day after tomorrow?"
"The moment the Prefectural Offices in Lingxiao City open their doors the day after tomorrow morning," Zen Hai Guanwu replied.
Ge Xiantong paced like an ant on a hot griddle, his gaze darting between Li Weiyi and Zen Hai Guanwu.
Finally, he interjected, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain and Lingxiao City are impregnable, protected by countless Formation Arts. Even the Martial-Mystic Dao Heavenly Emperor would pay a price to breach them... Li Weiyi, release me! Regardless of whether this is true or false, I must report this immediately."
Li Weiyi looked at him sternly: "Ge Xiantong, do you know why I've hesitated to inform the Imperial Court? You understand the inner workings of the Imperial Court better than I do. Why would the Demon Kingdom Crown Prince dare to act so brazenly in Lingxiao City?"
Ge Xiantong knew what he meant.
"Regardless, the Transcendent experts cannot betray the Imperial Court, and the Formations cannot be flawed."
"I can't waste any more time arguing with you. If you insist on reporting this now, I'll have to detain you," Li Weiyi said.
Ge Xiantong looked at Zen Hai Guanwu and said, "I'll listen... to her."
Zen Hai Guanwu replied, "Three hours until dawn. Go gather the Mist Shadow Army within Lingxiao City. Announce that they're heading to the Western Territory, drawing everyone's attention to you."
"You actually know about the Mist Shadow Army... You actually know..." Ge Xiantong muttered to herself.
Zen Hai Guanwu continued, "Judging by your expression, the Mist Shadow Army must still exist. This army once spanned all three hundred prefectures of the Lingxiao Realm, serving as Lingxiao Palace's final trump card. Logically, only Yu Yao should know about them."
Ge Xiantong said, "After Master's accident, members of the Mist Shadow Army sought me out. But only Master could command them, and she needed a military token. They're hidden in various Secret Realms across the Eight Prefectures, few in number but all highly skilled. It's impossible for them to all reach the Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain within a day."
"That's why I'm only asking you to gather the Mist Shadow Army within Lingxiao City. As for the military token, I can't provide it. You'll have to find a way yourself."
Zen Hai Guanwu said, "If you succeed, I'll let you leave. If you fail, you'll remain in the Phoenix Pavilion with your Master."
"I can do it! I can definitely do it!" Ge Xiantong declared.
With Ge Xiantong's cover, the four easily escaped the Cloud Mist Formation.
Once they were far from the palace gates, Zen Hai Guanwu and Li Ling left first, disappearing into the night.
Ge Xiantong turned to Li Weiyi: "Who exactly is she?"
"You already have your suspicions. Is there any point in asking?" Li Weiyi replied.
Ge Xiantong said, "But how is this possible? If our Martial-Mystic Ancestor returned, she should trust me more. Why would she be so close to you?"
"Just do as she instructed and don't ruin our plans. Her trust in you is a chance for you to gain experience," Li Weiyi waved his hand and quickly left to attend to his own affairs.
Late at night.
Pale Moon Square resembled a Night City, still bustling with carriages and brightly lit.
Music and dance never ceased, and the atmosphere was one of decadent luxury.
Even the grim news from the Western Territory earlier that day only caused grief and worry for a small minority.
To most, the war seemed distant, far removed from Lingxiao City.
Not far from Pale Moon Square, in the Transcendent Manor.
Shi Jiuzhai sat on a rockery inside the gate, gazing at the towering pavilions in the distance.
He could see women in colorful robes dancing gracefully.
The melodious sounds of zithers, flutes, and lutes filled the air, drawing him into a state of intoxication.
He said, "In such a moment of grief, they still have the heart for song and dance. Sometimes, I truly believe the Hidden Sect should just leave, let Lingxiao City fall, and let them experience the true brutality of war."
Elder Ao Shan squatted before the door, feeding the Strange Insects in a jar.
He chuckled, "When you drew the life-or-death lot a few days ago, you drew the life slip. You chose not to leave."
Shi Jiuzhai had no reply.
He smiled wryly and said, "I heard the Divine Hidden One beat up Great Zen Master Xin Ku of Guan Shan in Fu Prefecture. Xin Ku is now leading a large force, searching for him everywhere."
Elder Ao Shan said, "Great Zen Master Xin Ku deliberately spread the news to alert the Heretical Sect as quickly as possible, revealing the Divine Hidden One's betrayal and Venerable Nan's involvement."
Shi Jiuzhai nodded: "The Divine Hidden One should have returned to Li Prefecture by now. With his talent for Psychic Power, given time, he will undoubtedly become a Holy Spiritual King, the guardian deity of the Jiu Li Tribe."
"Dong! Dong!"
A rhythmic knocking echoed through the courtyard.
Elder Ao Shan peered through the crack in the door, then dispelled the Formations and opened it.
As Li Weiyi entered, he dispelled his Disguise Technique: "I need to see Elder Yao."
Elder Yao was, of course, Yao Qingxuan.
"Why have you returned?"
Shi Jiuzhai and Elder Ao Shan exchanged bewildered glances.
Li Weiyi didn't have time to explain.
He turned to Elder Ao Shan and asked, "How many Hidden Ones and Hidden Elders remain in the city? How long will it take to relay the message to all of them?"
"Besides us, there are about twenty more. And we have roughly three hundred people who can be mobilized," Elder Ao Shan said after careful consideration, "Should we summon everyone? It would take until noon tomorrow at the earliest to gather them all."
Li Weiyi nodded: "Do it now."
Shi Jiuzhai added, "Elder Yao and Elder Zhuo have gone to handle a major matter. They left after news of the Western Territory's defeat reached the city and haven't returned yet."
Li Weiyi strode toward the council hall.
Spotting Hidden Two hurrying out, he immediately ordered, "Bring me copies of all the recent intelligence reports. Also, prepare a bridal chamber for me!"
Hidden Two, still reeling from Li Weiyi's sudden return, froze.
"A Bridal Chamber? Who's getting married?"
"Me!"
Li Weiyi continued, "It must be ready before the city gates close tomorrow. Preferably by noon!"
Hidden Two and Shi Jiuzhai exchanged glances, their jaws clenched, their mouths twisted into grimaces, their eyes filled with suspicion and bewilderment.
Hidden Two asked, "Should we prepare wedding robes, wine, and a banquet?"
"Is that even a question? Of course," Li Weiyi replied.
....
....
Cloud Pavilion District, the ancestral manor of the Tai Shi Clan.
At the first moment of the yin hour, two hours remained until dawn.
The manor enveloped several mountains, shrouded in deep, serene tranquility.
In the courtyard of Tai Shi Qingshi's residence, a lamp glowed dimly.
Mist swirled around the courtyard, enveloping the entire world and isolating it from all external perception.
Liang Chu, a Holy Spiritual Master of the Liang Clan, was over two hundred years old and held a high position in the imperial court.
His hair and beard were white, yet he knelt trembling in the courtyard.
Beside him lay a corpse!
From the residence emerged an aged figure leaning on a cane. He wore a long indigo robe, his body stooped, his face gaunt, barely larger than a palm, covered in wrinkles.
Beneath those wrinkles, his eyes gleamed with a faint silver light.
Liang Chu dared not meet his gaze, bowing his head in reverence. "Teacher... I will investigate thoroughly, expose the entire Liang Clan..."
"Second son, the follow-up is in your hands. Keep my return a secret for now."
Duke Tai Shi's voice was hoarse as he passed Liang Chu without a glance.
His snake-patterned cane, riddled with cracks, emitted a starlit glow from within.
The light gradually faded into the mist.
Tai Shi Qingshi stood at the door, bowed, and then turned his gaze to Liang Chu.
"The Liang Clan's ties to the Heretical Sect run far deeper than just Senior Master Liang. Junior Brother, in these critical times, we don't have the luxury of slow investigations."
Duke Tai Shi (Tai Shi Qingshi) walked through the mist, his mind heavy with the turmoil in the Eastern Territory and the war in the Western Territory. Reflecting on the past twenty years, he felt the Lingxiao Palace's fate was sealed, beyond redemption.
Following a mountain path, he returned to his thatched hut in the valley.
The hut was three thousand years old, surrounded by two rows of fences. The courtyard was filled with various fruits and vegetables, all of them Millennial Essence Herbs.
As Duke Tai Shi reached the hut and opened the gate, a woman's voice called from within, "Cong'er, you're finally back!"
He froze, his head bowed, his gaze fixed on the ground.
His thoughts, previously consumed by worries and distractions, cleared.
A faint smile touched his wrinkled face, as the phantom voice instantly transported him back three thousand years.
"Cong'er, you're finally back! Have you finished the talisman I asked you to draw?"
"I... I think so!" the twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy stammered nervously.
"Finished means finished. Not finished means not finished. Ten lashes for laziness, thirty for lying."
.....
Duke Tai Shi took a deep breath, recalling his childhood.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
Now, he was old and frail, and he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
"Time truly spares no one. How did I end up thinking of my teacher?"
The world knew him as Duke Tai Shi, including his two surviving sons.
But only he knew his true name: Tai Shi Cong.
"Cong'er!" The voice echoed through the room again.
It was so clear, it couldn't be a hallucination.
Duke Tai Shi straightened his hunched back as much as he could, as if struck by lightning.
He stared intently into the thatched hut, but through the window lattice, he saw only a red blur.
His arm, which leaned on his staff, trembled uncontrollably.
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END OF CHAPTER
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