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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 72 (216): [Ge Xian Tong's Traces]
(72nd of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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"Oh, you're all here! Brother Weiyi, you've finally come out of seclusion. I haven't had a chance to catch up with you these past few days."
Tang Wanqiu, upon arriving, immediately grabbed Li Weiyi's hand with unrestrained enthusiasm.
Accompanying her was Wanyan Xiaose, clad in a green robe.
She was the top young Martial-Mystic Cultivator in Ying Prefecture, Northern Territory, adorned with exquisite silver ornaments. Though she appeared to be a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl, her figure was exceptionally voluptuous, with a graceful curve from chest to waist that far surpassed the budding figures of Li Ling and Yaoyin.
In addition to her Martial-Mystic Prowess, Wanyan Xiaose was also a highly accomplished Psychic Power practitioner, a Great Spiritual Master of the Calamity Fire Realm who cultivated countless insects.
"Brother Yi, I heard you've raised seven Lord-Marquis Grade Strange Insects. Could you let this little sister have a look?"
Wanyan Xiaose's almond eyes shone with bright anticipation. Combined with her exquisitely sculpted features, she stared intently at Li Weiyi. Any other man would have found it difficult to refuse such a request.
Li Weiyi was still pondering how to decline when Li Ling snorted: "Those so-called seven Lord-Marquis Grade Strange Insects are nothing more than a malicious scheme to use Brother Yi as a weapon. Sister Wanyan, with your intelligence, how could you possibly believe such rumors?"
Wanyan Xiaose forced a bitter smile: "It's just that my Wanyan clan is renowned throughout the world for our mastery of insect control. When I heard that Brother Weiyi possessed a rare insect, how could I resist my curiosity? Forgive me, I was too forward just now."
Since the other party came from a family of insect Tamers, Li Weiyi was even more reluctant to reveal the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor. Even if she couldn't recognize it, describing it to the elders of her clan upon her return would pose a risk.
Better to let her remain suspicious.
Seeing Li Weiyi remain unmoved by her beauty, seemingly not as susceptible as rumored, Tang Wanqiu's eyes flickered.
She chuckled and said, "Brother Weiyi, Wanyan is just like that - straightforward. Being the Heaven's Chosen Daughter, she's been spoiled by the elders of her clan. Don't take it to heart. Since you're both Insect Tamers, you'll surely have plenty to discuss. You should connect more in the future."
Li Weiyi thought to himself, 'Tang Wanqiu is sharp-witted. She came to probe whether I possess the seven Lord-Marquis Grade Strange Insects, yet she manages to advance and retreat with perfect timing, never becoming overbearing. Her social skills are truly impeccable.'
Suddenly, Tang Wanqiu's expression turned serious.
In a low voice, she said, "We've found Ge Xiantong's hiding place! We must strike before he recovers from his injuries. Ideally, we should surround and kill him, eliminating this major threat."
Cang Li feigned confusion: "Based on the location on the invitation, finding him shouldn't have been difficult. Why did it take until today?"
Tang Wanqiu plopped down in the chair opposite Cang Li, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Brother Li, you're unaware. According to the Immortality Pill's location on the invitation, Ge Xiantong's three Immortality Pill Tickets and Jiang Ning's one are all within the Prefectural Governor's Mansion."
"The Prefectural Governor's Mansion boasts the most formations and Spiritual Masters in the city. Moreover, it's heavily guarded by the Imperial Court's top experts, making it virtually impenetrable."
"Over the past few days, the Snow Sword Tang Court has launched several probing attacks on the Prefectural Governor's Mansion using Thunder Law Profound Ice to break through its formations. Meanwhile, hidden spies have been investigating. We're certain Ge Xiantong isn't hiding there to recover from his injuries."
Cang Li nodded in understanding: "If I were Ge Xiantong, I wouldn't risk exposing myself so openly after being injured."
"Clap!"
Tang Wanqiu clapped her hands.
"Exactly! Not only have we been searching for him, but Luan Sheng Lin You has also activated the Dead Ember agents hidden within the Imperial Court. Several Dead Ember destruction incidents have already erupted within the Prefectural Governor's Mansion."
Cang Li asked, "Where is Ge Xiantong hiding?"
"Immortal Forest," Tang Wanqiu said.
Cang Li was moved: "He's hiding in such a conspicuous and dangerous place?"
"That's why he's the number one expert in the world, isn't he? The Immortal Forest floats in mid-air, overlooking the entire city, giving him a clear view of any changes in the situation. If a major crisis erupts within the Imperial Court, he can immediately rush to reinforce them," Tang Wanqiu explained.
Cang Li said, "Miss Tang Wanqiu seems more interested in Ge Xiantong than in the Immortality Pill Tickets from the Prefectural Governor's Mansion."
"Between us, there's no need to hide anything." Tang Wanqiu spoke seriously, "Before the Lantern Festival, the Immortality Pill Tickets were a hot potato. The more you held, the more likely you were to become a target. And attacking the Prefectural Governor's Mansion is tantamount to declaring war on the Imperial Court. Even if you win and seize the Immortality Pill Tickets, you're bound to suffer heavy losses."
"Hunting down an injured Ge Xiantong would be far easier."
"If the Snow Sword Tang Court can kill Ge Xiantong, the number one young talent, at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, even if I don't become a Hidden Dragon myself, returning north would be glorious. It would certainly make all those old fogeys sit up and take notice."
"The more important significance lies beyond the lantern festival itself. This is my way of declaring to the world that the Snow Sword Tang Court remains the leader of the Rebel Army, the vanguard against the Imperial Court, and that we have the strength to defeat them."
Cang Li nodded slightly: "Miss Tang Wanqiu, what courage! If you can kill Ge Xiantong, your reputation at the Calamity Crossing Temple will soar. When do we strike?"
"Sooner rather than later. The faster, the better."
Tang Wanqiu asked, "Brother Li, how much of your injuries have healed?"
"About seventy percent."
Cang Li, far from being foolish, immediately cautioned, "Miss Tang Wanqiu, are you planning to use the Jiu Li Clan's assistance in this battle against Ge Xiantong?"
In other words: Once Ge Xiantong is defeated, the Jiu Li Clan will no longer owe you a favor.
Tang Wanqiu replied, "Right now, Luan Sheng Lin You is dealing with the Zhu Sect in the Western Territory, while the Zuoqiu Sect has joined forces with the Zhu Sect to resist. Meanwhile, a portion of the Imperial Court's forces has been dispatched to the Eastern Territory. If I don't seize this golden opportunity, I'll truly be a worm of the Northern Territory. Can you summon Li Jiufu back? Your sister's Golden Talisman Swords will also prove invaluable."
Cang Li felt a pang of unease. He desperately wanted to keep Li Ling out of such a dangerous battle, but he had already promised, leaving him no choice but to agree. He nodded in assent.
Tang Wanqiu and Cang Li discussed the specific details of their plan.
After shaking off the "clingy" Wanyan Xiaose, Li Weiyi went to Bai Shu's residence to meet Yang Zhiyong and Yang Yun.
Wanyan Xiaose was undeniably beautiful, but her motives were too obvious and her mind too calculating. If she discovered the secret of the Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperor, "Brother Yi" would likely become "Li Weiyi, die!" in an instant.
An Insect Tamer who controlled seven rare insects of Immortal Realm strength could stand on equal footing with a Clan Head, even among the Ancient Myriad Sects.
Faced with such temptation, Wanyan Xiaose would likely have thrown herself at Li Weiyi, even offered herself, to uncover the truth about the rare insects' grade.
....
Yang Zhiyong and Yang Yun were both bound by spiritual artifact chains and hidden in a cellar.
Bai Shu assured Li Weiyi that she had planted Death Spirit Fire within them, so there was no need to worry about them escaping.
Yang Zhiyong sat on the ground, his eyes cold: "Li Weiyi, do what you will. Kill me or torture me as you please. If I, Yang Zhiyong, so much as flinch, I don't deserve the Yang surname."
Yang Yun, sitting beside him, frowned deeply, thinking Yang Zhiyong shouldn't provoke this ruthless man.
In this world, there are many things more terrifying than death.
Li Weiyi stood silently in the dimly lit cellar, carefully observing Yang Zhiyong's every word, gesture, and physical feature.
Yang Zhiyong continued, "I know you're keeping us alive to use us as leverage against the Young Mistress. But you've miscalculated. The Young Mistress has shown me immense kindness. We'd rather smash our heads against the wall than become your bargaining chips. Right, Yang Yun?"
Yang Yun struggled to speak, stammering, "With our cultivation, it's unlikely we could kill ourselves that way. Besides, he wouldn't give us the chance."
"You coward! How could the Young Mistress, with her brilliance and decisiveness, have a brother like you?" Yang Zhiyong roared.
Yang Yun replied, "It's not fear of death. I'm simply stating facts..."
"Yang Qingxi is dead!" Li Weiyi announced.
The two men on the ground looked up, stunned.
"Impossible... absolutely impossible! The Young Mistress clearly escaped... What trick are you trying to pull now?" Yang Zhiyong's reaction was even more intense than Yang Yun's. He simply refused to believe Li Weiyi.
Li Weiyi replied, "Exactly. I'm just as curious. If she escaped, why was her body found in the Bing Juze Lake seven days later? Everyone now claims I killed her, but only you two know how wronged I am."
Seeing his utterly serious expression, Yang Zhiyong and Yang Yun trembled, already believing him seven or eight parts.
"How could this have happened? My sister's cultivation and combat prowess were so strong... How could she have suddenly died?" Yang Yun muttered to himself, unable to accept it.
Yang Zhiyong knew there were two Yang Qingxis, but in his eyes, both were the Young Mistress he deeply respected. Regardless of which one had died, it felt like a bolt from the blue, causing him immense pain.
He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes reddening: "Li Weiyi, since the Young Mistress is already dead, we're no longer of value. Let us go. We'll testify that you didn't kill her."
"One Yang Qingxi has died, but the other remains. Your value hasn't diminished."
Li Weiyi suspected the five chests of Yongquan Coins had likely been stolen by the other Yang Qingxi. He planned to use the Snow Sword Tang Court's major operation today as cover to travel to the Sui Sect's headquarters and get to the bottom of things.
"Of course you two will return, but in a different way."
....
In Northern City, an old, established noodle shop.
The weather was atrocious, and only three customers braved the storm.
A steaming bowl of soup noodles was served. Li Weiyi first cupped the bowl and took a sip of the hot broth.
The broth was rich and thick, simmered from mutton.
Bai Shu and Yang Yun sat on either side of him.
As Li Weiyi ate, he instructed, "Today, the Snow Sword Tang Court will send a Martial-Mystic Cultivator to feign an attack on the Prefectural Governor's Mansion. Yang Qingxi and the Sui Sect's elite will undoubtedly rush to defend it. We'll use this distraction to infiltrate the Sui Sect's headquarters."
"Bai Shu, you stay outside to provide support."
Li Weiyi had decided to first confirm whether Yang Qingchan was truly dead before deciding how to ambush Yang Qingxi.
Now, with his cultivation advanced to the peak of the Fourth Sea, he no longer feared the younger generation of the Sui Sect.
Moreover, he possessed a chest of Thunder Law Profound Ice, which could even withstand the Sui Sect's headquarters' formations.
Perhaps this was what Zuoqiu Ting meant by the heart of a true powerhouse.
Yang Yun stared at the bowl of noodles before him, his face ashen with grief. He had no appetite and pleaded pitifully, "Can you spare my sister? She's all I have left..."
Li Weiyi bit through a noodle and looked up.
"So, you're refusing to cooperate?"
Yang Yun's face crumpled even further.
Bai Shu, her exquisite features hidden by a black veil and hood that concealed her otherworldly beauty, gave a seductive smile.
"Without a trump card, you have no right to negotiate. If Brother Yi can't escape the Sui Sect's stronghold, I'll trigger the Death Spirit Fire within you immediately. So, be a good boy and do as you're told!"
After a moment's thought, she added, "Even Luan Sheng Lin You had to retreat before Brother Yi. Do you really think you stand a chance against him? Don't be foolish!"
"You're exaggerating!" Li Weiyi flushed with embarrassment.
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END OF CHAPTER
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