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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 103 (358): [First Commander Tai Shi Yu]
(103rd of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Tai Shi Bai treated Li Weiyi with far greater intimacy and regard than any other retainer.
First, it was because of Li Weiyi's extraordinary talent in Psychic Power.
In Lingxiao City, fewer than five Heavenly Prides under the age of sixty had cultivated to his level of Psychic Power.
And "Zuo Ning" was only in his thirties.
Second, Tai Shi Bai had formed an excellent first impression of him on the post ship.
"Kindness" was rarer than a Millennium Essence Herb in this era.
"This matter must be explained from its roots," Tai Shi Bai said, "Over the past decade or so, in Lingxiao City, especially within the Great Clans of the Imperial Court, many women have been giving birth after drinking from the Mother-Child Spring, resulting in mothers without fathers."
Li Weiyi asked curiously, "Was this forcibly mandated by the Grand Palace Mistress of the Phoenix Pavilion?"
"When you come to Lingxiao City, never discuss anything about the Grand Palace Mistress. Remember this!" Tai Shi Bai cautioned.
Then, using telepathic transmission, he continued, "The Grand Palace Mistress has been locked away in her palace for over a decade. No one knows her current condition. Thanks to the efforts of the Second and Third Palace Masters to restore order, the Xiaotian Edict is now practically worthless."
"While there's no explicit law, within the Imperial Court, if an entire clan's women refuse to drink from the Mother-Child Spring, they're sure to be attacked by political rivals. They'll accuse you of harboring resentment towards the Grand Palace Mistress and harboring rebellious intentions against the Imperial Court."
Li Weiyi asked, "Isn't that a bit extreme?"
Tai Shi Bai gave a bitter smile: "For a thousand years, the Grand Palace Mistress was revered as a deity by countless people. Even now, she still is."
"In reality, the vast majority of clans and their women willingly drink from the Mother-Child Spring to bear children."
"But... something's gone wrong with the Mother-Child Spring!"
"Lately, women who drink from the spring have been giving birth to Ghost Infants. Even the mothers themselves are turning into Ghost Mothers."
"At first, the Imperial Court managed to suppress the news, secretly suppressing and confining these Ghost Mothers and Ghost Infants. But the situation has worsened over the past two years. Women who drank from the spring years ago have begun experiencing these transformations, including some with extremely high cultivation levels."
"In recent days, the news has spread throughout the streets and alleys, fueling rampant rumors."
"Some say the Grand Palace Mistress didn't actually find the Mother-Child Spring back then, but the Ghost Infant Spring. They claim everyone who has drunk from the spring will eventually suffer the same fate."
"Some say the Imperial Temple's lax supervision of the Mother-Child Spring allowed the Nether Realm of the Dead to exploit it."
"Others go even further, claiming the Tai Shi Clan is the mastermind behind the rumors, using the Mother-Child Spring to undermine the Grand Palace Mistress's authority, sow discord within the Imperial Court, and secretly plot a rebellion."
Li Weiyi, merely listening to Tai Shi Bai's account, could already sense a storm brewing, a thick atmosphere of conspiracy hanging in the air.
He said, "To dare slander the Grand Palace Mistress and drag the Tai Shi Clan into this... there must be a mastermind behind these rumors."
"We're already investigating," Tai Shi Bai replied, his face etched with worry, "Zuo Ning, you must understand this is a critical time. Externally, the Demon Race is wreaking havoc in the East Sea and the Western Territory. Internally, powerful foreign cultivators are temporarily residing in Lingxiao City."
"At this crucial juncture, for such a farce to erupt... no, it's not even remotely funny. The Ghost Infant Incident is specifically targeting those most loyal to the Grand Palace Mistress and the Imperial Court. Now, with our reputation in tatters and the court in turmoil, the Second Palace Master, given her temperament, will surely demand heads to roll."
"Who will take the blame?"
"If we can't resolve this quickly or uncover the truth, the Tai Shi Clan will face disaster."
Li Weiyi knew about the Demon Race's plan to attack Lingxiao City, so he strongly suspected their involvement. It was a perfect three-pronged attack.
First, it threw the Imperial Court into chaos, leaving them too preoccupied to notice the true intentions of the Demon Race and the Twin Rice Sect's attack on Lingxiao City.
Second, it further tarnished the Grand Palace Mistress's reputation, causing even the most loyal members of Lingxiao Palace to waver.
Third, political enemies would inevitably seize this opportunity to attack the Tai Shi Clan, plunging the Imperial Court into infighting.
The Tai Shi Clan would be marginalized and suppressed, despite controlling half the defensive formations of Lingxiao City and the four major passes. The consequences were obvious.
"This move is truly brilliant, a precise strike at the Imperial Court's Achilles' heel," Li Weiyi thought, secretly admiring the strategy, "Was the Mother-Child Spring inherently flawed, or was it tampered with?"
Tai Shi Bai shook his head gently: "We don't know yet. Many secrets are known only to the older generation. But... you needn't worry too much. The Tai Shi Clan has a Transcendent Ancestor. We won't fall so easily! We've weathered countless storms over the past thousand years."
The carriage passed through the bustling commercial district and arrived at Cloud Sleeve Ward, where the Tai Shi Clan resided.
The ward wall, thirty meters high, was constructed from Glazed Spirit Transformation Stone.
As the formation activated, the main gate swung open.
The streets grew noticeably quieter.
Buildings on either side were made of unique materials, with guardian formation stone beasts perched on their roofs and in front of their doors.
Cloud Sleeve Ward, centered around the Tai Shi Clan's Ancestral Manor, spanned a hundred-mile radius.
Nearly all residents within the ward were closely connected to the Tai Shi Clan, their families having been intertwined for generations through blood ties and marriage.
The Tai Shi Clan's Ancestral Manor was, needless to say, magnificent and opulent.
Within its walls, several mountains were incorporated, with lush treasure trees, strange birds nesting, and a sense of profound mystery.
In Lingxiao City, where every inch of land was precious, this was true extravagance.
A mile into the manor grounds.
On a white stone plaza, all Spiritual Masters dismounted their carriages.
Several Dao Seed Realm elder stewards emerged, first bowing to Tai Shi Bai.
Then, they produced Formation Tokens they had prepared in advance, distributing them to the guests and assigning their residences.
Li Weiyi received a palm-sized jade Formation Token.
On its front were the characters "Tai Shi."
On the back, his address was inscribed: Washing Lane, Wei Yi Residence.
The Ancestral Manor housed numerous female members of the clan, so it was not suitable for retainers like them.
Long Xiangcen, wearing a veil, did not receive a Formation Token, indicating she was permitted to stay within the manor itself.
A hearty laugh echoed from the northeast corner of the square: "Junior Brother Bai, you've finally arrived in Lingxiao City... Ah, Cousin Xiangcen, it's been two years since we last met, hasn't it?"
First Commander Tai Shi Yu, dressed in a magnificent Talisman Robe and wearing an Azure Jade Crown, strode forward with a spring in his step, his face beaming.
He appeared to be in his late twenties.
He was handsome and aristocratic, with a mole between his eyebrows. Unlike the aggressive aura of a First Commander, he exuded the carefree charm of a young playboy.
Several retainers followed behind him, each with striking appearances and powerful auras.
Tai Shi Yu stood beside Tai Shi Bai, but his gaze remained fixed on Long Xiangcen, scrutinizing her intently as if he could see right through her.
He smiled warmly: "You've become even more beautiful, Cousin Xiangcen, more beautiful than ever before! I'm attending the West Sea Palace's birthday banquet in a couple of days and need a female companion. Would you do me the honor of accompanying your cousin?"
Long Xiangcen offered a reserved, shallow smile and turned to Tai Shi Bai.
Tai Shi Bai, well aware of Tai Shi Yu's character, snorted coldly: "Tai Shi Yu, the family is in a precarious situation, teetering on the brink of disaster. Instead of addressing the crisis and taking responsibility, you're attending a birthday banquet? Is this how a First Commander should behave?"
"The Imperial Temple's problems are for the old men to handle. Why are you in such a hurry? What good will it do? Especially with the people you brought?"
Tai Shi Yu's eyes twinkled with amusement, his expression mocking.
Then, to everyone's shock, he began walking toward Long Xiangcen.
All the retainers knew about the delicate relationship between Tai Shi Bai and Long Xiangcen. Tai Shi Yu's words, gaze, and actions ignited their fury.
Two retainers stepped forward from behind Tai Shi Bai, blocking Tai Shi Yu's path. As retainers of the Southern Yan Pass General's Mansion, they could endure being slighted, but they couldn't stand by while their Young Master was humiliated.
Tai Shi Yu, heir to the Tai Shi Clan's mastery of Psychic Power, ranked among the top ten experts in Lingxiao City within the current sixty-year cycle.
He merely flickered his double pupils, no Spirit Light spilling out, yet the two retainers who had cultivated Dao Lotuses collapsed to the ground, utterly defenseless.
Long Xiangcen's heart skipped a beat.
Seizing the opportunity, she moved to hide behind Li Weiyi.
"Cousin Xiangcen, why are you hiding from me? Am I that terrifying?"
Seeing Li Weiyi standing firm before him, Tai Shi Yu's expression turned icy. He roared in a voice charged with Psychic Power, "Don't you know your place? Get out of my way!"
The force behind this command was even more potent than his earlier Soul-Seizing Gaze.
It was like thunder exploding in his ears.
"Whoosh!"
In front of Li Weiyi, a curved barrier of crimson-gold flames materialized, resembling a shield, and deflected Tai Shi Yu's sonic Psychic Power.
However, it couldn't completely block the attack, and Li Weiyi stumbled back two steps.
A flicker of surprise crossed Tai Shi Yu's eyes as he sized up Li Weiyi: "You can't be older than forty, right? To cultivate Psychic Power to this level at such a young age is rare even in this world. What's your name?"
"Zuo Ning!" Li Weiyi replied, neither arrogant nor servile.
"Never heard of you. So you're just an unknown." Tai Shi Yu pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
Seeing Tai Shi Bai's face growing increasingly cold, on the verge of erupting, he chuckled: "Never mind. Let's go. We'll drink wine and listen to music at the Immortal Forest in the Pale Moon Quarter!"
After leaving the manor, the frivolous smile vanished from Tai Shi Yu's face.
Using Psychic Power, he transmitted a message to one of his retainers behind him: "Investigate this Zuo Ning. Find out where he came from. This world isn't so vast that a top-tier Psychic Power genius could just appear out of nowhere."
He then instructed another retainer: "Keep a close watch on Long Xiangcen. Don't miss a single detail of her movements - where she goes, who she meets - the moment she leaves the Ancestral Manor."
Li Weiyi watched Tai Shi Yu and the others disappear into the distance: "What a formidable First Commander Tai Shi! I couldn't even withstand a single shout from him."
Long Xiangcen, no longer sullen, smiled brightly: "He's one of the Ten Talents of Lingxiao City, a top-ranked figure in the Jiazi Register. Just surviving his roar is enough to make you famous in Lingxiao City!"
Tai Shi Bai said, "Still as unserious as ever. Half of the Tai Shi Clan's reputation has been ruined by him. Now, people outside call him 'Tai Shi the Romantic.' He's gone through at least a hundred lovers. Let's head to our residences and rest. The Clan Head will host a banquet at the Ancestral Manor tonight to welcome you all."
Tai Shi Bai and Long Xiangcen proceeded deeper into the Ancestral Manor.
Li Weiyi walked alongside several Spiritual Masters residing in Washing Lane, chatting amiably and getting to know them.
Washing Lane, located five or six miles from the Ancestral Manor's main gate, was a secluded area filled with three-story pavilions. Each residence was a small courtyard with a combined hall and living quarters, spacious enough for six or seven people. Both the upper and lower floors were protected by Formations.
After touring the Wei Yi Ju Residence, Li Weiyi left Cloud Sleeve Ward and walked toward Pale Moon Quarter.
The main street of the quarter was exceptionally wide, stretching over a hundred yards.
The central imperial road remained empty, reserved for the palanquins of Immortal Realm Great Powers.
Pale Moon Quarter was renowned throughout the world as a bustling commercial district.
Immortal Forests, Heavenly Pavilions, Otherworldly Coffins, Rice People merchants, auction houses, medicinal pill shops, spiritual artifact stores, rare insect vendors, talisman shops... almost every Chamber of Commerce had its flagship store here.
Every Ancient Myriad Power maintained a presence in the quarter.
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END OF CHAPTER
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