Chapter 411: 聪儿

"What did you say?"

Ge Xiantong thought he had misheard.

Li Weiyi said, "The Demon Clan, the Rice Sect, the Demon Kingdom, and the Netherworld had already formulated a plan several months ago to attack Lingxiao City. Their aim was to decide the outcome of the war in one battle, shattering human forces into scattered fragments."

"Now the Demon Clan has moved, but the Rice Sect and the Demon Kingdom remain inactive, indicating their plan hasn't changed."

"If their rehearsal is accurate, attacking Zhu Gate was merely a feint, intended to draw the court's Transcendents and Longevity Realm grandmasters to the Western Regions."

"The defeat of Zhu Gate and its convergence with the West Sea Slaves at Shenming Pass was likely something the Zhu Gate Transcendent and the Zuoqiu Family Transcendent had discussed and agreed upon long ago."

"Now, Shenming Pass is more secure than ever. A forced assault by the Demon Clan would result in heavy losses. Qilin Zang has no retreat, leaving only one option: a surprise attack on Lingxiao City by top masters."

"The timing for the attack on Lingxiao City should be when the Demon Clan's army has completely seized the Three Provinces and gathered outside Shenming Pass. At that point, the court's experts would undoubtedly have been drawn to Shenming Pass, leaving Lingxiao City in its most vulnerable state."

Chan Hai Guanwu said, "After today's battle report came back, the court's Transcendents and Longevity Realm grandmasters should have already rushed to Shenming Pass. Therefore, before we act, we must secretly recall the Transcendents. This will take at least one day."

Li Weiyi asked, "We're acting the day after tomorrow?"

"The day after tomorrow morning, at the very moment the various government offices in Lingxiao City open," Chan Hai Guanwu stated.

Ge Xiantong paced anxiously, like an ant on a hot pan, his eyes darting between Li Weiyi and Chan Hai Guanwu. Finally, he interjected, "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Yuntian Immortal Plain and Lingxiao City are impregnable, with countless formations. Even if the Martial Arts Emperor himself arrived, he would pay a price... Li Weiyi, release me. Regardless of whether it's true or false, I must report this immediately."

Li Weiyi looked at him sternly: "Ge Xiantong, do you know why I haven't dared to tell the court this news? You know better than I do what the court's internal situation is like. How can the Demon Kingdom's Crown Prince you spoke of act so brazenly in Lingxiao City?"

Ge Xiantong knew what he was implying: "No matter what, Transcendents cannot betray the court, and there cannot be a problem with the formations."

"I can't afford to waste any more time with you. If you insist on reporting this now, I'll have to confine you first," Li Weiyi said.

Ge Xiantong looked at Chan Hai Guanwu: "I'll listen to... her."

Chan Hai Guanwu said, "It's three hours until dawn. Go gather the Misty Shadow Army within Lingxiao City and publicly state that you are heading to the Western Regions, drawing everyone's attention to yourself."

"You actually know about the Misty Shadow Army... You actually know..." Ge Xiantong muttered to himself.

Chan Hai Guanwu said, "From your expression, the Misty Shadow Army must still exist. This army once spread across all three hundred provinces of the Lingxiao Living Realm, serving as Lingxiao Palace's final trump card. Logically, only Yu Yao should know about them."

Ge Xiantong said, "After Master met with trouble, members of the Misty Shadow Army approached me. However, only Master could command them, and it required a military token. They are hidden in various secret realms across the twenty-eight provinces. Their numbers are small, and each one is a master, but it's impossible for them all to reach Yuntian Immortal Plain within a single day."

"Therefore, I'm only asking you to gather the Misty Shadow Army within Lingxiao City. As for the military token, I can't give it to you; you'll have to figure that out yourself."

Chan Hai Guanwu said, "If you can do it, I'll let you go. If you can't, you'll stay with your Master in Fengge."

"I can do it, I'm sure I can... I can!" Ge Xiantong declared.

With Ge Xiantong providing cover, the four easily left the Cloud Mist Formation.

After moving away from the palace gates, Chan Hai Guanwu and Li Ling departed first, vanishing into the night.

Ge Xiantong looked at Li Weiyi: "Who exactly is she?"

"You already have a guess, so what's the point of asking?" Li Weiyi replied.

Ge Xiantong said, "But how is that possible? If Grandmaster returned, she should trust me more. Why is she so close to you?"

"Just follow her instructions and don't ruin our important plans. Her trusting you is an opportunity for you to gain experience." Li Weiyi waved his hand and quickly departed to attend to his own matters.

Deep night.

Danyue Lane was like a sleepless city, still bustling with traffic, its festive lanterns shining brightly.

Towers echoed with endless songs and dances, a scene of extravagant indulgence.

Even with the terrible news from the Western Regions today, only a small portion of people felt deep sorrow and worry. To most, war seemed distant, far from Lingxiao City.

The Transcendent's residence, not far from Danyue Lane.

Shi Jiuzhai sat on the rock garden inside the gate, gazing at the tall towers in the distance. He could see women in colorful robes dancing gracefully. The sounds of zithers, flutes, and lutes were pleasing and melodious, captivating all who heard them.

He said, "At such a sorrowful time as today, they still have the heart for singing and dancing and enjoyment. Sometimes, I truly feel that the Hidden Sect should just leave, and let Lingxiao City be destroyed, so they can know the cruelty of war."

Elder Aoshan squatted by the gate, feeding the strange insects in a jar, and chuckled: "A few days ago, when we drew lots of life and death, you clearly drew the life lot. It was your own choice not to leave."

Shi Jiuzhai was speechless, so he smiled and said: "I heard that the Spirit Recluse beat up Grand Zen Master Xinku of Coffin Mountain in Fuzhou. Grand Zen Master Xinku is now leading a large force, searching for him everywhere."

Elder Aoshan said: "Grand Zen Master Xinku intentionally spread the news, wanting the heretical sects to know as quickly as possible that the Spirit Recluse had betrayed and that Southern Venerable was compromised."

Shi Jiuzhai nodded: "The Spirit Recluse should have returned to Lizhou by now. With his psychic talent, in time, he will surely become a Saint Spirit King Psionist, a guardian god of the Jiuli Tribe."

"Knock, knock!"

A knock with a distinct rhythm sounded at the door.

Elder Aoshan glanced outside through the crack in the door, then disengaged the formation and opened the gate.

After entering, Li Weiyi dispelled his disguise art: "I need to see Elder Yao."

Elder Yao, of course, was Yao Qingxuan.

"Why are you back?"

Shi Jiuzhai and Elder Aoshan exchanged bewildered glances, completely perplexed.

Li Weiyi had no time to explain. He looked at Elder Aoshan and asked: "How many Hidden Ones and Hidden Elders are left in the city? How long will it take to get the message to all of them?"

"Besides us few, there are about twenty remaining! And roughly three hundred usable individuals below them." Elder Aoshan pondered carefully: "Do you want to gather everyone? The earliest they can all be assembled is tomorrow noon."

Li Weiyi nodded: "Go do it now."

Shi Jiuzhai said: "Elder Yao and Elder Zhuo left to handle an important matter! They departed after the news of the Western Regions' defeat reached the city and haven't returned yet."

Li Weiyi strode quickly towards the assembly hall. Seeing Hidden Two emerge briskly from the hall, he immediately instructed: "Give me all the latest information and data. Also, prepare a new room for me!"

Hidden Two, still recovering from the shock of Li Weiyi's return, was stunned again: "A new room? Who is getting married?"

"I am!"

Li Weiyi added: "It must be done quickly. It needs to be ready before the city gates close tomorrow. Preferably before noon!"

Hidden Two and Shi Jiuzhai gritted their teeth, mouths agape, their eyes filled with suspicion and confusion.

Hidden Two asked: "Then do we need to prepare wedding attire, wedding wine, and a wedding banquet?"

"Isn't that obvious? Of course," Li Weiyi replied.

Yunxiu Lane, the ancestral manor of the Taishi family.

It was a quarter past the Tiger hour, two hours before dawn.

The ancestral manor encompassed several mountains, deep and tranquil.

In Taishi Qingshi's residence, lights were on. A misty haze surrounded the courtyard, enveloping the entire area and isolating it from all external perception.

Liang Chu, the Liang family's Saint Spirit Psionist, over two hundred years old and holding a high position in court, with white hair and beard, was now kneeling trembling in the courtyard.

Beside him was a corpse!

From inside the residence emerged an aged, stooped figure, leaning on a cane, dressed in an indigo robe. His face was gaunt, shrunken to the size of a palm, and covered in wrinkles.

Beneath the wrinkles, his eyes glowed with a dark silver light.

Liang Chu dared not look up to meet his gaze, bowing his head in kowtow: "Teacher... I will investigate thoroughly, I will investigate the entire Liang family..."

"Second Child, I'm leaving the rest to you! My return is to be kept secret for now."

Grand Historian Taishi's voice was hoarse. He walked past Liang Chu without so much as a glance. The snake-patterned cane in his hand had many cracks, and starlight-like radiance emanated from within them.

This light gradually vanished into the mist.

Taishi Qingshi stood at the doorway, bowed, then turned his gaze to Liang Chu: "The Liang family is too deeply involved with the heretical sects. It's not just one Elder Liang. Junior Brother, during these extraordinary times, where do you have so much time to investigate slowly?"

Walking through the mist, Grand Historian Taishi felt mentally and physically exhausted, contemplating the chaos in the Eastern Regions and the war in the Western Regions. Reflecting on the past twenty years, he could only feel that Lingxiao Palace's destiny was exhausted, beyond saving.

Along the mountain path, he returned to the thatched hut in the valley.

The thatched hut was three thousand years old, with two rows of fences. Various fruits and vegetables, all millennium-grade medicinal herbs, grew in the courtyard.

Grand Historian Taishi arrived outside the thatched hut. Just as he opened the wattle gate, a woman's voice echoed from inside the room: "Cong'er, you're finally back!"

Grand Historian Taishi stopped, head bowed, his gaze fixed on the ground. His thoughts detached from all miscellaneous worries and troubles. A faint smile appeared on his wrinkled face, and this auditory hallucination instantly pulled him back three thousand years.

"Cong'er, you're finally back! Have you finished drawing the talismans I asked you to draw?"

"Drawn... finished, I guess!"

Only a child of twelve or thirteen, he said nervously.

"Finished means finished. Not finished means not finished. Ten strokes for laziness, thirty for lying."

Grand Historian Taishi took a deep breath, recalling his childhood memories. He felt as if an age had passed; now old and decaying, he chuckled bitterly to himself: "Indeed, time spares no one in old age. Why did I think of Master?"

Everyone in the world, including his two still-living sons, believed his name was Grand Historian Taishi.

But only he knew his name was Taishi Cong.

"Cong'er!" The voice echoed again from inside the room.

The voice was so clear, it was definitely not a hallucination.

Grand Historian Taishi's hunched body straightened as much as it possibly could. He felt as if struck by lightning, his gaze fixed on the interior of the thatched hut. Through the window lattice, he could see a faint red silhouette.

The arm holding his cane trembled uncontrollably.