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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 97 (352): [The Secret Front]
(97th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Songgu, the current Hidden Lord of the Jiu Li Hidden Sect, was no longer a secret to Zuoqiu Hongting, Yin Jiu, and Cang Li.
Once Qi Xiao's injuries stabilized, he recounted everything that had happened over the past two years in exhaustive detail.
Even Cang Li, consumed by hatred and agony, managed to calm himself, understanding that any rash action would undo the perilous efforts of his father, Yao Qingxuan, and Li Weiyi across two generations.
Simultaneously, all three were stunned by the sheer power of the Heretical Sect Qi Xiao described - far greater than the outside world had imagined.
Previously, the common belief was that the Heretical Sect's strength was inferior to that of the Ancient Myriad Sects.
Zuoqiu Hongting said, "Both the Zuoqiu Sect and the Zuoqiu Hidden Sect have repeatedly sent skilled and resourceful Cultivators to infiltrate the Heretical Sect. Less than one in ten ever reached the Main Hall. And of those who did, hardly any survived."
"They only knew the Main Hall was located within a certain Secret Realm, accessible via a Space Teleportation Formation. They had no idea it was actually hidden within an Underground Immortal Mansion."
Qi Xiao gave a bitter smile: "If not for Li Weiyi, I would have died at the Main Hall long ago. Without Yao Qingxuan, Brother Weiyi would surely have perished as well. Even Yao Qingxuan alone wouldn't have been enough; we needed Hall Master An's backing as well. The Main Hall was truly a death trap at every step. No one trusted us, and they used every means imaginable to eliminate us."
Yin Jiu said, "Hidden Lord's timely appearance at Southern Yan Pass makes Yao Qingxuan's identity self-evident."
Cang Li replied, "We have only three months, and the situation is critical. The Demon Race, the Heretical Sect, and the Nether Realm of the Dead must already be making comprehensive covert preparations."
"The Twin Rice Sect has been hidden for a thousand years, and their People are scattered across the land. The major powers have undoubtedly been silently infiltrated and riddled with holes, making it impossible to distinguish friend from foe."
"We must act now. We cannot stand idly by and watch Lingxiao City fall. No matter how corrupt the Imperial Court may be, it remains the strongest pillar of the Human Race. Even if it must collapse, we must drag down our enemies first."
Zuoqiu Hongting added, "As you said, it's impossible to tell friend from foe. Once news leaks, can you guarantee that all nine Clan Chiefs of your Jiu Li Clan are trustworthy? I certainly can't guarantee that there are no Heretical Sect members among the Immortal Realm Great Powers of the Zuoqiu Sect. Even if there aren't, the Heretical Sect will have tried every trick in the book to infiltrate, subvert, coerce, and bribe. We are in the open, while they operate in the shadows. A thousand years is more than enough time to accomplish countless things."
"If the Demon Race and the Heretical Sect discover that the news has leaked, war will erupt instantly. They have been preparing for this for a long time, while we have done nothing."
She turned to Qi Xiao: "The exact details of the attack on Lingxiao City are likely known only to those above the rank of Venerable One within the Heretical Sect, right?"
"That's probably the case," Qi Xiao replied.
"Yao Qingxuan is likely the highest-ranking Human in the Heretical Sect."
Zuoqiu Hongting pondered carefully.
"Regardless of when they actually strike, we should assume they'll move within three months. By now, the Demon, Evil, and Nether factions must already be deploying forces across the Imperial Court's Eight Core Provinces. To conceal their true objective, the Demon Race will undoubtedly launch diversions in the East Sea, Southern Territory, and Western Territory, drawing the court's attention to the periphery."
"A frontal attack on Cloud Heaven (Yuntian) Immortal Plain and Lingxiao City would result in devastating casualties and might not even succeed."
"The only viable strategy is to coordinate an inside-outside attack."
"This battle, which will determine the fate of the world, hinges on the situation within Lingxiao City and the four strategic passes leading to Cloud Heaven (Yuntian) Immortal Plain. If we can eliminate as many Demon and Heretical Sect infiltrators and Human traitors as possible before the main conflict, Qilin Zhuang and the Heretical Sect will pay a heavy price for daring to enter Cloud Heaven (Yuntian) Immortal Plain."
"Li Weiyi's decision to mobilize the Jiu Li Hidden Sect's elite fighters to Lingxiao City must be for this very purpose: to cripple the enemy on the hidden front and secure every possible advantage for the Human Race."
Yin Jiu said in a low voice, "It's a pity that Hidden Lord may already be... gone. The only Hidden Ones we can mobilize are the young ones from this Sixty-Year Cycle. Trying to counter the Heretical Sect's thousand-year plan with such limited resources is like throwing an egg against a rock. Moreover, Lingxiao City has formidable figures like Yao Qian."
Cang Li said, "If we can't fully trust even the Nine Clan Chiefs and Nine Great Priests of the Jiu Li Clan, who can we trust? How can we guarantee that not a single detail will leak?"
Zuoqiu Hongting said, "Since this is a covert operation, we must rely on the Hidden Sects. Mobilizing large numbers of openly skilled experts would immediately alert the enemy. If the Jiu Li Hidden Sect isn't enough, we can call upon my Zuoqiu Hidden Sect. With only two months left, I don't know if we can even make it in time."
"Isn't it three months?" Yin Jiu asked.
Zuoqiu Hongting said, "By the last month, or even the last half-month, the Imperial Court, even with its sluggish bureaucracy, should have sensed the danger. Qi Xiao, the Death Spirit Fire within you is quite unique. The Heretical Sect likely has a way to use it to pinpoint your location. I can't take you back to Qiu Prefecture City."
Qi Xiao's expression was bitter. He nodded and said, "I understand! Only my death will prevent the Twin Rice Sect from suspecting anything. I prepared for this before I returned. Just give me a quick death!"
Zuoqiu Hongting shook her head: "There's another path, perhaps more valuable than death."
Qi Xiao stared at her blankly.
"Return to the Twin Rice Sect's Main Hall," Zuoqiu Hongting said, "Use the entrance to the Underground Immortal Mansion a hundred miles away to return. Whether you survive depends on your fate! To be safe, I'll erase your memory of this event and place a letter in your chest written in Li Weiyi's hand. When you wake up and read the letter, you'll know what to do."
"Swish!"
She opened her Spirit Realm between her eyebrows, channeling the power of the shattered lamp.
Light, sharp as a blade, sliced into Qi Xiao's Sea of Consciousness.
Qi Xiao fainted.
Yin Jiu, imitating Li Weiyi's handwriting, wrote a letter and stuffed it into Qi Xiao's chest: "The letter tells him that if anything changes at Southern Yan Pass, he must immediately return to the Divine Sect's headquarters and inform the Southern Venerable."
Yin Jiu carried Qi Xiao toward the entrance to the Underground Immortal Mansion.
"Cang Li, please grieve with restraint. Uncle Li may have prepared for this and not died at Southern Yan Pass. Control your emotions and clean up and rearrange this place. We can't let the Heretical Sect suspect anything. I must return to Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain immediately," Zuoqiu Hongting said before leaving.
....
After his secret meeting with Zhuang Yue, Li Weiyi retrieved Seventh Phoenix and immediately rushed back to the Retainers' residence, not daring to linger too long.
He leaped over the wall and landed in the courtyard.
Releasing his Psychic Power, he scanned the area.
The two maids were sound asleep in their respective rooms, their breaths long and shallow.
"Something's wrong! They're both Spiritual Masters. How could they possibly fall asleep together on their first night serving me?"
Li Weiyi's instincts flared. He immediately slapped a Divine Speed Talisman onto his body and clutched an Immobilization Talisman in his hand, his back concealed as he pushed open the door.
The Formation set up in the room had been broken.
In the darkness, a slender and graceful figure lay on the bed, a faint fragrance lingering in the air, stirring a sense of intoxicating allure.
"What took you so long? I was about to fall asleep!" Long Xiangcen's voice was soft and weary.
Li Weiyi flicked his fingertip.
A spirit fire shot out, illuminating the glass lamp on the table.
In the lamplight, Long Xiangcen lay on her side, still wearing her pale yellow ru skirt. But she was utterly different from her daytime appearance - her snow-white, slender jade legs were exposed, reaching all the way to her plump, rounded thighs. Her fluffy tail swayed gently, her eyes brimming with alluring charm, her expression utterly seductive.
Even the most resolute man would likely abandon all restraint and pull her into his arms for a passionate embrace.
Li Weiyi stood at the door, his expression grim: "Striking here benefits no one. If Tai Shi Bai finds out about Miss Long's lascivious pose astride Luan Sheng Lin You's legs, all your cherished memories will vanish."
"So you saw it after all!"
A cold glint flashed deep within Long Xiangcen's pupils, quickly replaced by a smirk, "Do you think he'll believe you or me? My aunt is currently in charge of the General's Mansion. She's my own aunt, you know."
"If Madam Tai Shi were a member of the Demon Race faction, I would have fled long ago. Why would I willingly walk into a trap?"
Li Weiyi believed the Long Clan wasn't involved in the Demon Race faction's activities because she was genuinely investigating Jiang Xin's identity as the "Prefect Elder." If she had been trying to cover up the truth, the letter Li Weiyi had sent to Tai Shi Bai would have vanished without a trace.
Did they really expect the Jiang Clan and Phoenix Terrace to bring down Jiang Xin?
Li Weiyi continued, "If I shout now and summon the Tai Shi Clan retainers, they'll be curious why a powerful figure like Dragon Immortal Maiden would end up in my bed. If she can climb into my bed, can she climb into theirs too?"
Long Xiangcen's smile vanished, her gaze fixed on Li Weiyi for a long moment.
"You have incredible audacity! Do you really think your Transformation Technique can fool everyone?"
Li Weiyi saw she wouldn't strike easily. If she intended to attack, she would have already hidden assassins in the courtyard. His tense nerves relaxed slightly as he smiled. "This is my true face. I'm not afraid of being exposed."
Long Xiangcen chuckled, sitting up in bed and leaning against the headboard.
"I came here to verify your true identity. To see if you're truly the Divine Son or just a so-called hundred-year-old man. Show me the Twin Rice Sect's Divine Son Life Token again."
She held out her hand, demanding it.
Li Weiyi would never hand over the Life Token, giving her leverage.
He said, "Actually, our goals are the same. There's no need for us to destroy each other."
"What's your goal?" Long Xiangcen asked with a disbelieving laugh.
Li Weiyi replied, "Whatever your goal is, that's mine too. In fact, we could cooperate."
Long Xiangcen's expression turned serious.
"You're not a member of the Twin Rice Sect at all, much less the Divine Son. You've destroyed the Twin Rice Sect's foundation in Southern Yan Pass."
Li Weiyi entered the room and sat down at the table beside the lamp, sighing: "This matter is a secret of the Divine Sect, and I can't tell you too much. I'll only tell you one thing: Yao Qian, the Junior Minister of the Phoenix Terrace, is from the Divine Sect. The Divine Sect's foundation at Southern Yan Pass was destroyed by his hand."
Long Xiangcen was truly stunned by this revelation, unable to discern its truth.
"If you're truly a member of the Twin Rice Sect," she asked, "why did you kill several Dao Seed Realm experts of our Demon Race at the Thunder Thirty-Six Tombs?"
Li Weiyi sneered: "The Divine Sect and the Demon Race are merely allies in the attack on Lingxiao City. You wouldn't be naive enough to think that alliance is unbreakable, would you? Your Demon Race's leader, Qilin Zhuang, breached the Underground Immortal Mansion, causing us immense suffering."
Long Xiangcen wouldn't be fooled by his glib words. She refused to be deceived a second time, lest she lose face before Luan Sheng Lin You.
"There must be a reason, right?"
Li Weiyi pondered for a long time, finally exhaling deeply.
"If I don't tell you, you'll likely continue to target me, disrupting my plans."
"That's good to know," Long Xiangcen said.
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END OF CHAPTER
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