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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 158 (413): [Eight Hundred]
(158th of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Song Yulou gave a bitter smile, knowing that with such irrefutable evidence, the others would never believe him.
Li Weiyi felt uneasy, sensing something strange about Song Yulou's demeanor.
He turned to Yao Qingxuan: "Is there Death Spirit Fire planted within him?"
Yao Qingxuan shook her head: "If the Twin Rice Sect had planted Death Spirit Fire in him, the Third Palace Master would have noticed."
Li Weiyi pressed on: "This is highly unusual! How could the Twin Rice Sect possibly leave someone as important as Song Yulou uncontrolled? Patriarch Song, did you ever provide the Twin Rice Sect with your clothing, soul threads, blood, hair, birthdate and time, or any other personal information?"
Song Yulou, desperate to clear his name, answered without hesitation: "That Venerable did ask for my birthdate and blood to forge a unique Twin Rice Sect's Life Token just for me. That Venerable is none other than Zen Master Liu Nian."
"A Twin Rice Sect's Life Token only requires blood; your birthdate and time aren't necessary," Li Weiyi said, turning to Yao Qingxuan, "Master, are you familiar with the Six Thoughts Divine Mind Curse?"
Yao Qingxuan said, "You suspect Song Yulou was afflicted with this curse by the Twin Rice Sect, and at a specific time, his mind was controlled. So he did things without knowing it? He thought he had deceived the Twin Rice Sect, but in reality, they were merely using him as a tool."
"That's a strong possibility!" Li Weiyi agreed.
Yao Qingxuan fell into deep thought, "The Six Thoughts Divine Mind Curse is merely a legend. Because it's so evil, those who practiced it were purged by various factions long ago, disappearing during the era of the Six Thoughts Heart Demon. Moreover, Gu Curse techniques often harm the caster first, and the conditions for casting them are extremely demanding."
Song Yulou, with his exceptional intellect, immediately said, "If my mind was controlled and I was forced to steal the formation glyphs and diagrams for them, if I failed to deliver them on time, Zen Master Six Thoughts would surely suspect something. Trust me this once. Modify some of the formation glyphs and diagrams in the book and let me deliver them."
Li Weiyi shook his head: "First, the Twin Rice Sect wouldn't put all their eggs in one basket. If you disappeared, their other trump cards would surface."
"Second, when the Twin Rice Sect approached you, it was at least several years ago, wasn't it? Back then, you were crucial to them because they couldn't easily conquer the Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain on their own."
"But now, with the Crown Prince of the Demon Kingdom here, Qilin Zhuang's unparalleled power, and the Nether Realm of the Dead lurking nearby, you're no longer as important!"
Song Yulou's double pupils suddenly turned gray, then snapped back to normal.
But his gaze was completely different, and he struggled desperately against the seals and chains binding him, unable to break free.
"There's definitely something wrong," Yao Qingxuan realized, noticing the change in Song Yulou's eyes.
Old Zhuo approached: "Perhaps a powerful figure is using a Gu Curse to control his mind. It's terrifying - completely undetectable. Can even the Transcendent Manor's formations withstand such curse arts?"
Old Zhuo reapplied the seals.
Li Weiyi stuffed Song Yulou into a cloth sack.
"I don't think we need to kill him. The Jiu Li Clan shouldn't offend the West Sea King and the Third Palace Master. It's better to avoid disaster later if this ever comes to light. I'll move him now; we can't keep him here indefinitely."
Li Weiyi tossed the cloth bag into the carriage and was about to drive away when Yao Qingxuan stopped him.
"Why did you even come back? I'm furious!" she said.
Li Weiyi flashed a smile, "I'll be back before noon tomorrow. I'll give you both an explanation then."
Yao Qingxuan remained unmoved, still blocking his path.
"I came back hoping that all Hidden Ones, including you, Master, can leave the Cloud Heaven Immortal Plain alive. Many sacrifices could have been avoided."
Li Weiyi drove around Yao Qingxuan and exited the Mansion.
Yao Qingxuan didn't stop him.
Even if he were bound and sent out of Lingxiao City right now, he'd still return.
Old Zhuo activated his Nightwalker's Garment and followed them in stealth.
The Old Man of Medicinal Cuisine walked up to Yao Qingxuan and whispered, "He came back to get married. His intended bride might be that girl from the Jiang Clan. He even had Hidden Two arrange a new bridal chamber!"
"What?"
The news made Yao Qingxuan's vision blur.
She desperately wanted to chase after Li Weiyi and drag him back.
This was utter madness!
.....
Li Weiyi drove his carriage to the Azure Cloud Quarter, where the West Sea King's Estate was located.
Dawn was breaking, and the quarter gates had already opened.
Cracking his whip, he urged the horses forward, the carriage heading toward Minglun Lane in the quarter's southwest corner.
It stopped before the gate of Old Zhuang's residence.
Li Weiyi's expression was the same as when he had first come here. He jumped out of the carriage and knocked on the door.
After a long moment, the door creaked open.
Old Zhuang stood shirtless, holding a hammer.
Sweat glistened on his skin, clearly having been up for hours, forging metal for spiritual artifacts.
His eyes darted around, and he quickly limped over to the horses, pulling the carriage inside.
Once inside, the Formation activated.
Old Zhuang set down his hammer.
"Why haven't you left yet? The Imperial Court is hunting you down through many government offices."
Li Weiyi replied, "I've come to fulfill my promise."
Old Zhuang's expression softened slightly.
"You're leaving? How long until you go?"
"This afternoon, before the city gates close. You, Zhuang Yue, and my people must all leave the city. Li Province will have a place for you."
Old Zhuang asked, "So urgent?"
"Extremely urgent."
Li Weiyi continued, "Grandpa Zhuang, go immediately and bring Zhuang Yue and Jiang Ning here. My time is short. I must see them before noon."
Old Zhuang rode away, heading for Phoenix Terrace.
Li Weiyi arrived at the noodle shop beside the main gate of Minglun Lane, ordered a bowl of soup noodles, and waited quietly.
No matter what, he still wanted to take Jiang Ning with him.
He didn't know if Zuoqiu Hongting had left Lingxiao City, but he had already sent Hidden Two to contact the Zuoqiu Hidden Sect. It would be best if they could all evacuate before the war ignited.
An hour later, Zhuang Yue and Jiang Ning arrived at Minglun Lane.
In the courtyard, Jiang Ning's eyes were filled with resentment.
"I heard you were in Fu Prefecture. If you left, why did you come back?"
"I heard you were attacked. Have your injuries healed?" Li Weiyi thought of his upcoming marriage to Zen Hai Guanwu and felt a strange sense of guilt.
Suddenly, he felt he no longer had the right to care about her.
Jiang Ning's heart warmed, and the resentment in her eyes faded.
"I'm fine! Do I look like someone who was seriously injured?"
Zhuang Yue stood behind Jiang Ning, hesitating to speak.
Li Weiyi turned to her, "Zhuang Yue, tell me!"
Zhuang Yue immediately puffed out her cheeks in anger, "Xie Chucai's actions were driven by love turned to hate. He struck with ruthless cruelty, and Miss nearly lost her life. Today is the first time she's left Phoenix Terrace since her injury."
"If I ever meet him again, I'll kill him," Li Weiyi said.
Jiang Ning replied, "His condition is strange. He seems to have lost his sanity and become a monster."
"Forget about him! Jiang Ning, you, Zhuang Yue, and Grandpa Zhuang must leave the city today. The sooner, the better. Don't go back to Phoenix Terrace to pack. Don't alert anyone. Just leave immediately," Li Weiyi urged.
Jiang Ning, sharp-witted and observant, fixed her gaze on Li Weiyi's eyes.
"Give me a reason."
She knew only that the Sui Sect was backed by a Heretical Sect, a major threat, but was unaware of the impending attack on Lingxiao City.
Li Weiyi stopped deceiving her.
"Because tomorrow, you won't be able to leave!"
"Why?" Jiang Ning asked.
Li Weiyi glanced at Zhuang Yue and Old Zhuang, who were also watching him intently.
Then, he revealed everything he could.
Zhuang Yue paled in shock: "How dare they? The Grand Palace Mistress is still at Phoenix Pavilion Peak, and the Third Palace Master controls the Formation. Even if countless demons and demonic specters came, they could be killed."
Jiang Ning turned and walked toward the gate.
Li Weiyi flashed forward, blocking her path.
"With our cultivation, there's only so much we can do. We've already given our all. Staying here any longer is pointless."
Jiang Ning had been listening intently, so she understood the gravity of the situation.
She forced herself to appear calm.
"Li Weiyi, I'm truly grateful to you. I don't know how to express my gratitude. But you should know me. I can't leave alone. I'm a Dao Seed Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivator. If all the Dao Seed Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators in the Imperial Court chose to flee in the face of war, who would fight?"
"Put another way, if I can't face danger and tribulation bravely today, if I can't defend the beliefs I've always upheld and fulfill the responsibilities I must bear, then when we two are together in the future and face hardship and setbacks, I'll abandon you at the first sign of trouble. Is that the kind of Jiang Ning you want?"
"Can you understand me?"
Li Weiyi felt as if he'd been struck by a club when he heard her final question.
Jiang Ning knew that this parting might be their last.
She stepped forward and embraced Li Weiyi, her cheek pressed against his chest.
"I'll stay at Phoenix Terrace. My actions tomorrow can help you. My presence here isn't without value. You've already done enough for the Imperial Court. Take Zhuang Yue and Grandpa Zhuang and leave the city quickly."
"Alright!"
Li Weiyi placed his palm on Jiang Ning's head, and Spiritual Light erupted from his palm, knocking her unconscious with a single finger.
He had expected this.
Given her personality, she would never have left.
Zhuang Yue glared and shouted, "What are you doing?"
"If you don't behave, I'll knock you out too," Li Weiyi said.
Throughout the entire ordeal, Old Zhuang remained the calmest.
He smiled: "I only have two years left to live anyway. I'm not leaving! If I can fight a glorious battle before I die, that's all I ask. Don't try to persuade me. You young people have your future, your boundless potential. But this old man has his own perspective on life and death."
Li Weiyi chuckled: "Perfect timing. I have two matters to entrust to Grandpa Zhuang. First, there's a person in the carriage. Keep a close watch on him and under no circumstances open the bag. Tomorrow, the moment the city's prefectures open their doors, send him to the West Sea King's Manor."
"Alright, leave this matter to the old man," Old Zhuang replied.
Li Weiyi continued, "Second, how many veterans are staying in the Azure Cloud Quarter?"
"There are eight hundred combat-ready veterans, all once the elite of the elite," Old Zhuang said.
"Eight hundred it is. Gather them all today. Tell the public they're heading to Divine Light Pass to rejoin the West Sea Camp and answer the call of national duty," Li Weiyi said, "Grandpa Zhuang, do you think they'll respond?"
"Xiao Li, you underestimate them. Yesterday, when news of the Western Territory's defeat reached Lingxiao City, veterans immediately stepped forward, calling for a return to the battlefield. Many have already answered the call," Old Zhuang chuckled.
"Excellent," Li Weiyi said, "Tomorrow at dawn, gather everyone outside the Pale Moon Quarter. And remember, not a word of this must leak."
"Give me some Death Spirit Fire," Old Zhuang said.
Li Weiyi flicked a finger, and a wisp of Death Spirit Fire entered Old Zhuang's body.
It wasn't a matter of distrust, but rather a precaution against unforeseen circumstances.
After leaving Song Yulou with Old Zhuang, Li Weiyi placed Jiang Ning in the carriage and drove out of Minglun Lane.
Zhuang Yue bit her lip and parted the rear curtain, exchanging a final farewell glance with Old Zhuang, who had followed them to the gate.
Only when they turned the corner did tears finally spill from her eyes.
Throughout the entire ordeal, she hadn't uttered a single word of dissuasion, maintaining a calm and rational demeanor.
She wanted to show Old Zhuang that she had grown up and could now take care of herself.
Hearing the sobs from inside the carriage, Li Weiyi looked up.
The sun was climbing higher in the sky.
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END OF CHAPTER
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