Chapter 415: Wedding Banquet Farewell

At noon, almost all the Inman and Inman Elders gathered at the extraordinary mansion near Danyuetan.

Inside the main hall, Li Weiyi and Yao Qingxuan sat side by side, quickly reviewing the newly delivered information. Inman Er was nearby, copying the lists and ledgers sent by the Zuoqiu Family, one by one.

Elder Zhuo patrolled the perimeter of the extraordinary mansion, checking for any tails following the Inmen. All potential dangers had to be eliminated.

The old man responsible for meals, who had been watching the sundial outside, hurried into the hall. “It’s a quarter past noon,” he announced. “Only Elder Twelve and the Junior Elder haven’t arrived yet.”

Elder Twelve was the gatekeeper guarding the Jiuli Insect Valley.

The Junior Elder was Xing Yuenun, the disciple of the Third Palace Master.

Li Weiyi looked up. “The battle report from the western frontier reached the city yesterday, and now all the government offices in Lingxiao City are in chaos. It will be difficult for the Junior Elder to get away. For now, never mind those two. Call everyone else in.”

Including Elder Zhuo, the Inman and Inman Elders entered the hall.

Including Li Weiyi and Yao Qingxuan, there were twenty-one people in total.

Li Weiyi sat at the head of the long table, his gaze sweeping across everyone. “For a while now, everyone has been in extreme danger. Three Inman Elders and Inmen have died, and four are missing. Today, everything ends. All of you, take your people and evacuate Lingxiao City in batches before dark, returning to Lizhou.”

“Leaving Lingxiao City does not mean you are safe.”

“Tomorrow, the entire Lingxiao Realm will likely erupt into war. Among them, Fuzhou will be the most dangerous. You can choose to detour through the Eastern Realm.”

The Hidden Sect experts present, all exceptionally intelligent individuals, immediately understood what was about to happen.

Shi Jiuzhai asked, “If everyone leaves, who will stay to do the final task?”

The final task, of course, was to ignite the war.

The method to ignite the war was to simultaneously deliver information gathered by Yao Qingxuan, the Jiuli Tribe, and the Zuoqiu Family—including details about cult strongholds, lurking operatives, bribed individuals, court officials who defected to the Demon Kingdom, hidden departed spirits, and the fact that the Suizong were members of the Dao Sect—to various government offices in the capital, forcing the court to act.

Li Weiyi had considered sending the information to only one government office to ensure maximum secrecy.

Firstly, relying on just one office could not eliminate so many enemies in the shortest possible time.

Secondly, if only one office received the information, what if that office had already been infiltrated by the enemy?

Thirdly, if other government offices in Lingxiao City remained uninformed, they might interfere, obstruct the operation, and create obstacles, ultimately preventing success.

Making the information public was a strategy adopted after compromise.

Once the court began city-wide searches, attacks, and arrests, the enemies within the city would have no choice but to act immediately.

Otherwise, once the court cleansed the city, Lingxiao City would no longer be riddled with holes. It would then be exceedingly difficult for them to breach the city.

Delivering intelligence to various government offices seemed like a minor, simple task. However, the reality was incredibly complex.

Inman Yi said, “This final step is the most crucial. Firstly, the enemy is spread throughout the city; there must be no premature leaks, no time for them to react. If we all leave, who can we entrust with delivering the message, ensuring it absolutely won’t be leaked prematurely?”

Yao Qingxuan said, “For something of this magnitude, an extraordinary individual must immediately step forward to take charge, so that the court doesn't descend into chaos and the various government offices can act swiftly. Since the Junior Elder isn't here, who can deliver the information to the Third Palace Master immediately? The Third Palace Master is currently overseeing matters in Lingxiao City.”

An Inman Elder said, “To defend the Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain, the most crucial thing is to ensure that the Immortal Plain Grand Formation, the City Protection Grand Formation, the Nine Heavens Beyond Grand Formation, and the thirty-six underground earth vein networks remain undamaged. This must be done before the intelligence is sent. Divine Inman, you plan to act early tomorrow, don't you? That's too rushed; we are not ready.”

Li Weiyi said, “If we are not ready, the enemy is even less so. I will stay to make the final arrangements. Please trust me.”

“Why should you be the one to stay? I intend to use the court's actions against the Suizong as an opportunity to kill Yao Qian, so I must be the one who stays.” Yao Qingxuan’s gaze was firm, mystical energy flowing at her fingertips, ready to immediately restrain Li Weiyi and have the Inmen escort him away.

Li Weiyi glanced at her fingers. “Elder Yao, I am the Divine Inman. By the rules of the Hidden Sect, you must obey me. Furthermore, do you know what my backup plan is? What I can solve, you cannot!”

Just then, Inman Er hurried in to report, “A wedding carriage has arrived outside.”

All eyes in the hall turned to Li Weiyi.

Li Weiyi stood up and walked outside. “The one who can resolve all your concerns has arrived!”

With a whoosh!

Elder Zhuo opened the main gate of the extraordinary mansion, and a two-zhang wide gap appeared in the formation's light veil.

The wedding carriage was not extravagant.

Pulled by exotic beasts, its carriage was red, adorned with red silk ribbons.

All the Inmen stepped out into the courtyard, standing at various points.

The person driving the carriage wore a bamboo hat. He looked up and saw that the person waiting to greet him inside was Li Weiyi, and an expression of disbelief immediately appeared in his eyes.

It was none other than Taishi Bai.

No one else followed the carriage.

Taishi Bai had been instructed by his second uncle, Taishi Qingshi, to escort a clan maiden to an engagement. He was extremely unwilling, believing that with the people of the three western provinces being tormented by demons, the nation facing a crisis, and the world in turmoil, what was the point of an engagement?

Taishi Bai jumped down from the carriage and removed his hat, his gaze sweeping over the martial arts masters in the courtyard. Finally, his eyes landed on Li Weiyi. “Who’s getting engaged? You?”

“Not engaged, married,” Li Weiyi said with a smile.

Taishi Bai couldn't tolerate this. “Married? Married to a maiden from my Taishi clan? What about Zuoqiu Hongting? What about Jiang Ning? Li Weiyi, you... what exactly are you and my second uncle plotting?”

Li Weiyi realized that the extraordinary individual Chan Hai Guan Wu trusted most was likely Duke Taishi.

“Inman Er, immediately set out food and wine. This is both my wedding banquet and a farewell feast for our brothers.”

Li Weiyi took a compiled intelligence report from Shi Jiuzhai and handed it to Taishi Bai. “This is why your second uncle sent you here! Take this back. The success of tomorrow’s operation depends entirely on your Taishi clan and the City Defense Camp.”

Taishi Bai took it and quickly scanned through it, turning pages faster and faster, growing increasingly alarmed, his face turning deathly pale. Finally, his hands began to tremble. “The Suizong’s Divine Realm Yang is the Vice-Hall Master of the World Hall cult?”

Yao Qingxuan and Elder Zhuo watched the wedding carriage. As martial cultivators of the Longevity Realm, their souls and perceptions were strong, and they sensed an extraordinary aura within the carriage.

Taishi Bai stared intently at Li Weiyi. “How can there be so many cult members and departed spirit masters hidden within Lingxiao City?”

Regarding the court officials who defected to the Demon Kingdom, the Taishi clan actually knew more than the Jiuli Tribe and the Zuoqiu Family. Therefore, Taishi Bai was more astonished by the cults and departed spirits.

Li Weiyi patted his shoulder firmly. “Tomorrow will be a battle of life and death, one that could very well determine the survival of the court and the existence of humanity. Lord Taishi sent you here to discuss cooperation with me, finalize a specific plan, and ensure mutual coordination.”

Taishi Bai, after all, was no ordinary person; he quickly calmed down.

Half an hour later.

Taishi Bai now fully understood what was happening, his heart as heavy as lead. He wished he could sprout wings and immediately fly back to the Taishi clan.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.

Li Weiyi held back Taishi Bai, who was eager to leave. “After today, we don't know if we’ll ever meet again. Shouldn't you at least have a cup of my wedding wine before you go?”

“Isn’t this just a ruse to mislead people? Are you really going to marry a maiden from the Taishi clan?” Taishi Bai asked.

Li Weiyi walked towards the wedding carriage, and transmitted a message, asking, “Chan Wu, have you taken out the provincial governor’s robes and seals?”

“The inner treasury has a total of one hundred and forty-six sets; six sets have been reserved for the Jiuli Hidden Sect.”

A slender, jade-like hand lifted the carriage curtain.

The hand was utterly flawless, with long, slender fingers, soft as if boneless, seemingly carved from immortal jade. This hand alone was more captivating than the faces of many pure immortal maidens.

Under everyone’s gaze, Chan Hai Guan Wu, clad in red robes and wearing a veil, stepped out of the carriage.

Li Ling was unified with her, having used a disguise spell.

Although she seemed to have no aura, when their eyes met hers, the martial arts masters present felt their souls under attack and involuntarily lowered their heads.

When they recovered, each one gasped, realizing that this so-called Divine Inman's wife was likely an extraordinary figure.

Was she truly the Divine Inman’s wife?

No one believed it.

Taishi Bai was full of questions. He was certain there was no one so stunningly beautiful among the maidens of the Taishi clan.

Who exactly was she?

Chan Hai Guan Wu took out six sets of provincial governor’s robes and official seals and handed them to Li Weiyi.

Li Weiyi had a strange feeling, as if he was receiving dowry, and he gave one set to Taishi Bai.

Taishi Bai would certainly not leave Lingxiao City. Having the provincial governor’s robes would significantly enhance his ability to protect himself.

Li Weiyi could watch Taishi Bai go to battle, and provide him with the best armor and weapons as support. However, for Jiang Ning, Li Weiyi only wished to use any means necessary to take her away from the battlefield.

The romance of the former was unconditional support.

The romance of the latter was unconditional protection.

In the same situation, the bond between men and the bond between a man and a woman are always different.

Li Weiyi gave two more sets to Elder Zhuo and Yao Qingxuan.

They were Longevity Realm martial cultivators, capable of wielding the power of the provincial governor’s robes and official seals.

One must understand that a thousand years ago, those qualified to obtain these treasures had to be at least Great Longevity cultivators. They had to be extraordinary to fully unleash the power of the provincial governor’s robes and official seals.

The remaining three sets were difficult to distribute.

As the saying goes, inequality is more feared than scarcity.

The three, filled with doubt, each released their mystical energy to activate the robes and seals.

The next instant.

All three were simultaneously horrified, their eyes gleaming with sharp light, staring fixedly at the woman in red standing beside Li Weiyi.

Taishi Bai exclaimed, “How is this possible? The provincial governor’s robes and official seals have been dormant for a thousand years. I haven't cultivated the Dragon Awakening Art, so why can I activate them? I can even use the robes’ spatial power, speed, and dragon soul energy?”

“With these artifacts, even an ordinary extraordinary individual would find it difficult to kill me,” said Elder Zhuo, a Great Longevity cultivator. His gaze towards Chan Hai Guan Wu was now filled with respect.

Chan Hai Guan Wu walked up to Yao Qingxuan. “Give me the Ghost Banner! With the spatial power of the provincial governor’s robes, the Dao Ancestor will not be able to cross vast distances to ignite the death spirit fire within you.”

Yao Qingxuan took out the Ghost Banner and handed it over. The other party’s aura was so powerful that she had momentarily suspected it was Emperor Mist returning.

“Alright, let's go! The wine is ready. Let’s have a cup of wedding wine and toast to our reunion in Lizhou. Everyone must survive this battle.” Li Weiyi pulled Taishi Bai along and walked towards the inner hall.

Chan Hai Guan Wu followed leisurely behind.