The Mirror Legacy - Chapter 1330: Demonic Disciple (I)
Chapter 1330: Demonic Disciple (I)
Qianlizi startled at Li Jiangqian’s sharp shout. She lifted her head as if waking from a dream, her face pale as she stood frozen in the wind, then turned to say, “Someone has killed cultivators of the Locust Soul Hall!”
Li Jiangqian had feared that the Purple Smoke Gate leader might immediately ride the wind and rush north. Since she still seemed clear headed, he finally relaxed, then grasped her meaning and asked softly, “Someone?”
Qianlizi had said someone, not ‘my lord’. Perhaps the cultivators of the Locust Soul Hall were not killed by Lin Feng. But who among the current cultivators of the Locust Soul Hall could kill them, and who would dare to do so?
Li Jiangqian watched her pale face as Qianlizi replied with a mix of fear and shock, “It should not be this early. It is far too early. At this point, those at the Qi Cultivation Realm should only be escaping from the hands of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. How could they have fallen already, and more than one at that? Someone has interfered.”
The stage in Jiangbei had been set jointly by the Supreme Yang Dao lineage and other forces on both banks. For something like this to happen now, and to stir up trouble while Tinglan was absent, was certainly not a good thing!
Sure enough, one link follows another. Once things move, the waves are earthshaking.
Li Jiangqian’s expression darkened at once as he asked quietly, “To dare act against cultivators of the Locust Soul Hall… Would the north… harbor any… dissatisfaction?”
A pale Qianlizi shook her head and pressed her lips together as she said, “This is nothing to the north. The Locust Soul Hall was our arrangement. As long as my lord is present, the stage will always exist, whether it is set in the east or the west, whether the clown is this one or that one. If others are dissatisfied with the stage we set up, they can come and tear it down.
“After all, whenever my lord’s immortal carriage tours the world, some grotto heavens and secret realms always descend, to be shared among us, bringing benefits before and after. This time, someone has stirred the waters and torn down a corner of the stage.”
Li Jiangqian looked at her with a grave expression. If he understood correctly, the previous benefit had been the grotto heaven of Mount Dongli. His brows rose as he probed, “Senior Han… how should we respond at present?”
The matter in Jiangbei was far too significant. With Tinglan gone, Li Jiangqian very much did not wish for Qianlizi to handle everything. After all, there was a strong chance she was a woman left behind by a former True Monarch. Who knew what hidden dangers she carried? She was practically a ticking bomb!
He did not know what kind of confidence Tinglan possessed to allow Qianlizi to control Purple Smoke Gate, and a dense cloud of doubt rose in his heart, How strange. Daoist Master Tinglan is also someone of careful calculation. Could she truly be certain that the True Monarch would definitely not meet Qianlizi?
As he pondered this, Qianlizi quickly steadied herself and said softly, “The urgent matter is to clarify what is happening in the north. I must ask your esteemed family to contact the Capital Immortal Dao. I will go to Lake Xian to take a look.”
The woman had already turned her spirit wind and said softly, “As for the matter of the Daoist Master, your esteemed family should make a swift decision. I am heading to Lake Xian and will first return to the blessed land to consult with the elders. If there is any news, simply send a letter to Purple Smoke Gate.”
She took her leave along with several members of the Purple Smoke Gate on the island. They swiftly rode the wind eastward. Only then did the members of the Li Family gather. Finally, Qu Buzhi arrived, his head lowered in slight dishevelment.
Li Jiangqian had him rise and asked, “What news is there? Have you found out who fell in the north?”
Qu Buzhi wore a grave expression. He stepped forward and said in a low voice, “Not yet. However, I have received other news. Monks under Chengyun Gate’s authority, led by Yaosa Chengmi, have already crossed Chengshui Marsh and entered the territory of Xuanmiao Temple, where they are openly promoting the methods of Buddhist cultivation.”
“The Capital Immortal Dao did not stop them, allowing this group of Buddhist cultivators to pass through the borders and head toward White Sea Stream. The territory there seems somewhat chaotic.”
The last trace of hope in Li Jiangqian’s heart extinguished with that. If Yaosa Chengmi had reached Xuanmiao Temple’s territory, then the entirety of the Capital Immortal Dao lay between him and the Locust Soul Hall. It was naturally impossible that these two factions had come into conflict.
It is very likely that someone else has intervened.
Li Jiangqian waved him away and returned to the hall in silence. He then relayed the information gathered so far. Li Minggong was the first to speak after a moment, saying quietly, “Two Daoist Masters clashed in the north, and our family knew nothing of it, yet Crimson Reef Island deliberately launched a probing attack against us. That alone reveals their stance. As for Daoist Master Zhugong going north to render aid, it may nothave been her intention to let this happen.”
“Crimson Reef Island…” Li Jiangqian shook his head. “Guo Hongjian cultivates Merging Fire. He cannot be judged by ordinary standards. Without the backing of Purple Mansion Realm divine abilities, Guo Hongjian would have been an unexpected opportunity for various factions to probe.
“As for the Grace Covenant Gate, even if Daoist Master Zhugong stands on the side of the Purple Smoke Gate, it is understandable for her to allow Guo Hongjian to probe the whereabouts of our Daoist Master. This matter is far too complicated… Luoxia, Supreme Yang, and the Zhao Buddhist faction are all involved, with layers upon layers of Purple Mansion Realm forces beneath them. Without sufficient background, the situation cannot be seen clearly. I believe it is not appropriate to have the Daoist Master return.”
Although Li Xuanxuan was openly worried, he too could distinguish between their priorities. After listening, he stroked his beard and said, “That is correct. The one who originally presided over the overall situation was Daoist Master Tinglan. As a figure of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage and the Purple Smoke Blessed Land, she was still harmed to the point of going missing. Now that none of the major factions wish to sit in that position, they have turned their attention to our family.
“As for the matters in the north, although they are extremely dangerous, our family still holds the advantage of acting first…”
The skies in the north were already pouring with torrential rain, and heavy rain was also falling over Moongaze Lake. Li Jiangqian had already sensed the danger as Li Quewan spoke softly from beside him, “I fear this is pressure from major powers. Whether it is the Supreme Yang Dao lineage or the forces opposing it, neither is something our family can afford to touch. We only need to give her a reply.”
“Indeed.” Li Jiangqian seemed momentarily lost in thought as he reasoned aloud, “Let us first observe the situation. I will send someone to reply to Purple Smoke Gate, saying that our family has already issued a warning. As for when the Daoist Master can arrive, or whether he will be intercepted by Changxiao Gate along the way, that is another matter.
“That is the first matter. The second is that… once the Daoist Master leaves, information from Jiangbei will fall into a fog. The north changes by the moment, and waiting for news to arrive could take who knows how long. The Capital Immortal Dao must be properly reassured and used to observe Jiangbei, especially since Yehui was so selfish that he dared not leave behind even a single message… Currently, the Capital Immortal Dao places great trust and reliance on our family.”
“But what about the matter of Crimson Reef Island…”
“No matter.” Li Jiangqian picked up his brush, pondered for a moment, and wrote, The earlier incident has now been clarified. It was caused by Guo Hongjian of the Guo Family, in order to sow discord between our two families and scheme for the northern shore. I therefore fear that the matter of the Locust Soul Hall may undergo changes. If there is any news, please write back to inform me.
Li Jiangqian read it over twice, and only after confirming that others would not detect his family’s involvement did he say, “The Capital Immortal Dao has dealt with Crimson Reef Island for many years. The words cannot be too explicit, lest they think we are sowing discord and become wary for no reason. I will merely link the two matters together and let Guan Gongxiao draw his own conclusions…”
The Capital Immortal Dao had left someone stationed at the Li Family, so he could simply send it back. After folding the letter, Li Jiangqian immediately had it delivered and then looked at those beside him with a solemn expression, “I ask everyone to keep watch over the four shores. This is absolutely not the time for carelessness. If fate stirs and some figure appears along the shore, they must be eliminated early. Especially the eastern shore and the Wilderness.”
Since someone in Jiangbei was already tearing down the stage, there was no telling what else might happen next. The lake was relatively safer, while the eastern shore was more prone to trouble. Everyone nodded.
