Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
***********************************
Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 123 (378): [My Sister Is Dead]
(123rd of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
***********************************
Li Weiyi divided the dozens of Hidden Ones and Hidden One Elders into two groups.
One group was tasked with investigating the Demon Race, while the other was assigned to the Twin Rice Sect.
Those who could reveal their true appearances - such as Yin Wu - Shi Jiuzhai, Yin Jiu - Li Jiufu, and Yin Shi Yi - Li Jiao - were responsible for screening the list of Imperial Martial-Mystic Cultivators obtained from Zhuang Yue.
In other words, they were in charge of identifying the thirty Dead Spirit experts who had used the Soul Fusion Secret Technique to infiltrate the Imperial Court.
Li Weiyi made specific arrangements: "The Dao Seed Realm experts captured by the Twin Rice Sect after their attempt to enter the Underground Immortal Mansion are either Inferior Root Dao Seed Realm cultivators or nearing the end of their lifespans. Their range is quite limited."
"Yin Shi Yi, Ge Xiantong owes you a favor. If necessary, you can leverage his influence."
"Yin Wu, your primary focus remains Long Xiangcen. She is a crucial figure in dealing with the Demon Race."
"Those thirty hidden Dead Spirit experts are incredibly dangerous, their cultivation levels undoubtedly high."
"Remember, your goal isn't to kill them, but to identify as many as possible. Before the war erupts, we must not alert them."
Yin Jiu asked, "What about after the war begins?"
Li Weiyi replied, "I'll immediately send the list to the Imperial Court's vetted departments. They'll handle the arrests themselves. There might still be some corrupt departments, but it's impossible for every single one to be compromised."
"Even if the Demon Race and Twin Rice Sect bypass the Eight Core Provinces and seize Lingxiao City first, they can't instantly attack the Cloud Heaven (Yuntian) Immortal Plain. The Imperial Court will have at least half a day to a full day to react."
"Our task now is to silently gather intelligence for them, giving them the ability to resolve these threats within that half-day window. Instead of waiting for war to break out, when everything falls apart, and they're overwhelmed and unable to cope."
"Lingxiao City is like a battered ship riddled with holes. We must find those leaks and let them plug them themselves before the storm hits."
Hidden Nine said, "In other words, once we've gathered most of the intelligence, we can move in for the arrests even before the war starts?"
"That's right, the sooner the better."
Li Weiyi didn't have much faith in the Imperial Court's efficiency. Even if they were handed the intelligence directly, internal power struggles would likely prevent swift action.
The risk of leaks and disaster was far greater.
In that case, he'd have to find a way to deliver the information to several Transcendents simultaneously.
The masked Xingyuenu said, "The Phoenix Terrace is responsible for intelligence gathering, espionage, and counterintelligence within the Imperial Court. With their assistance, we can achieve far more with less effort."
After dismissing half of the Hidden Ones tasked with tracking the thirty Dead Spirit experts, Li Weiyi turned to Xingyuenu: "The Twin Rice Sect's influence in Lingxiao City is vast. Even just the Sui Sect alone is a formidable opponent. Within the Phoenix Terrace, figures like Yao Qian and Jiang Xin hold high positions. It's likely already riddled with infiltrators."
Li Weiyi was certain Jiang Ning would investigate the Imperial Martial-Mystic Cultivators on the list and target the Sui Sect's agents within the Phoenix Terrace.
Given her personality, she wouldn't sit idly by.
There was no need to state the obvious.
Li Weiyi said, "Now, let's discuss how to deal with the Twin Rice Sect and the Sui Sect."
"Hidden Two, how's the investigation into the Twin Rice Sect's strongholds coming along?"
Hidden Two produced a booklet and handed it to Li Weiyi, "I've compiled all the information gathered over the past few days, following the leads provided by the Divine Hidden One and those we've uncovered ourselves."
Li Weiyi flipped through the booklet as he spoke, "Keep digging deeper! But be extremely cautious. The Twin Rice Sect has at least one Venerable One in Lingxiao City, and their cultivation should be terrifying."
"As always, investigate covertly. Don't alert the enemy. I don't want anyone dying in Lingxiao City."
Outside the Council Hall, Old Zhuo planted Death Spirit Fire in every departing Hidden One and Hidden One Elder.
Among the Major Powers, disciples carrying crucial secrets or undertaking important missions are always marked with Death Spirit Fire.
The purpose of planting Death Spirit Fire is twofold:
First, it serves as a method of secrecy. If captured by the enemy, any attempt to search their soul will instantly trigger the Death Spirit Fire. Some powerful Death Spirit Fires can even incinerate the enemy.
It's like carrying a hidden flame, setting a deadly trap for the enemy.
Second, planting Death Spirit Fire allows the sect to swiftly execute any disciple who betrays them and leaks secrets to the enemy.
This is an essential precaution for those carrying crucial secrets or undertaking important missions.
Yet even with these measures, the risk of betrayal remains.
Therefore, the most sensitive secrets are protected by Death Spirit Fire personally planted by the Transcendents themselves.
The "spirituality" of such Death Spirit Fire is far more terrifying.
Just like the Death Spirit Fire within Yao Qingxuan, her words and actions could potentially be sensed. Even when sharing secrets with Li Weiyi, she mostly relied on hints and implications.
The Hidden Lord had once said that Yao Qingxuan dared not speak directly.
But how far Transcendents could truly go remained unclear, even to the Hidden Lord.
He simply couldn't comprehend that level of existence. The sensing abilities of Transcendents varied depending on their realm.
Perhaps they could sense things within a certain range.
Perhaps they needed complete concentration to detect subtle shifts.
The incomprehensible only deepened their reverence.
In the Council Hall, only Li Weiyi, Hidden One, and Hidden Five remained.
Hidden One removed his mask, revealing a face in his early thirties with a pair of mustaches above his lips and an air of melancholy.
Hidden Five narrowed his eyes in surprise: "Yang Qianfeng, the First Commander of the Yang Family? Hidden One, it's actually you."
Hidden One replied, "The Cangli Tribe and the Yang Family have been intermarrying for generations. Their internal conflicts and entanglements are complex. Why would that be strange? They're so intertwined that it's impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins. If not for the Hidden Lord, I would have died at the hands of the Yang Family long ago, along with my grandmother."
"The fruits of hatred ripen within each person's heart. Who else would care? All they see is your current glory."
"Divine Hidden One, I've discovered something. Li Songjian, the eldest son of the Cangli Tribe's Clan Chief, is likely a member of the Twin Rice Sect. His wife is Yang Qingxi's aunt."
Li Weiyi had already discovered someone planting Benevolent Rice within the Jiu Li Ancestral Realm during his mission to retrieve the seven Phoenix-Winged Moth Emperors.
He had seen an old man who bore a striking resemblance to Li Songlin and Li Songgu. It was highly probable that this was their elder brother, Li Songjian.
Hidden One said, "But we still have no leads on the traitor hidden among the Jiu Clan Chiefs. We previously believed Coffin Mountain had suppressed and subdued them. Now it seems it was the Twin Rice Sect's doing."
Hidden Five, who had encountered the old man, added, "That man was undoubtedly a Great Power-level figure. It's a tragedy that such a formidable cultivator had their spine broken and was turned into a dog, forced to become a tool for our enemies to destroy the Jiu Li Clan."
Hidden One deeply understood this sentiment: "Black contains white, and white contains black. As members of the Hidden Sect, we are destined to walk the edge of black and white, constantly encountering those who traverse this boundary. We can't integrate into absolute white, and we're not qualified to confront absolute black."
The Twin Rice Sect, the Sui Sect, the Imperial Court - all had planted their nails within the Jiu Li Clan. The Jiu Li Hidden Sect's existence was their counterattack.
The black and white of the world's major powers were inextricably intertwined.
Li Weiyi pondered for a moment.
"Let's set this aside for now. The truth will eventually come to light. Hidden Five, hand Si Kong Jingyuan over to Hidden One."
With a loud thud, the unconscious Si Kong Jingyuan tumbled out of the Cosmic Pouch.
Li Weiyi said, "This man is the Divine Son of the Twin Rice Sect. He must know many secrets."
Hidden One replied, "Does the Divine Hidden One want me to pry open his mouth?"
"He's likely been implanted with Death Spirit Fire. Getting him to talk will be difficult."
Li Weiyi continued, "I need you to use the Sui Sect's power to interrogate him. Give him a thorough beating. If you can get him to talk and obtain information, that's ideal. Then, at the right moment, let him narrowly escape."
Hidden One immediately understood.
"Frame the Sui Sect? Use the Twin Rice Sect to deal with Yang Shenjing, Yao Qian, and the others? When should I let him escape?"
"Wait for my signal."
Li Weiyi was waiting for news from the Main Hall.
If their previous plan succeeded, either Yao Qingxuan or An Xianjing would likely come to Lingxiao City.
The Hidden Ones began to depart in batches.
The Forty-Fifth Supreme Elder bid farewell.
"This matter is too significant. After the battle at Lingxiao City, the world's power dynamics will inevitably shift. I must return to Li Province to report to the Hidden Lord and summon all the Supreme Elders and Ancient Hidden Ones to prepare for the even more perilous and chaotic situation ahead."
"If Lingxiao City falls, retreat toward Li Province. The Hidden Sect will provide support."
The Hidden Lord he referred to was, of course, the Divine Hidden One from the previous Sixty-Year Cycle.
...
Heavenly Pavilion, Pale Moon Quarter.
In the lavishly decorated room, Tang Wanqiu lay slumped over the table, nursing his sorrows with wine.
His face was flushed, his eyes glazed, and his body reeked of alcohol.
For the past few days, he had been living in a daze, half-drunk and half-awake.
The two maids who had been accompanying him had long since passed out from the drink.
"Knock, knock!"
A knock sounded at the door.
An elder from the Snow Sword Tang Court's Tang Ting, his voice urgent and joyful, called out, "Young Master Qiu..."
"Leave me alone! Get out! My sister is dead... My sister is dead! What's the point of living? Sister... If only I hadn't gone to the Calamity Crossing Temple... I didn't even get to see you one last time..."
Tang Wanqiu clutched the wine jug, sobbing like a child, his grief overwhelming.
Tang Wanzhou was more than just his sister; she was also his strict teacher, an unwavering leader, and the spiritual banner of the younger generation within the Snow Sword Tang Court.
"Bang!"
The door burst open with a single palm strike.
"Are you all trying to rebel? Who gave you the audacity... Sister... Is that you? Am I dreaming?"
Tang Wanqiu abruptly wiped the tears from his eyes with his sleeve, trying to get a clear look at the figure entering the room.
Tang Wanzhou surveyed the scene, his gaze settling on Tang Wanqiu. With a resounding "slap," he backhanded Tang Wanqiu, sending him sprawling to the floor.
"Sister, it really is you! I know this slap too well! Sister, you're not dead!" Tang Wanqiu clutched his face, his excitement palpable.
Tang Wanzhou sat down in a chair, "Tang Wanqiu, look at yourself now. Is this the Heaven's Chosen who went to the Calamity Crossing Temple for cultivation? A little setback has already knocked you down? Drag him out, sober him up, and bring him back when he's composed."
"As you command."
The two elders of the Snow Sword Tang Court, who held Tang Wanzhou in utmost reverence, were transformed. Their dejection vanished, replaced by radiant eyes, as if serving the Young Lord had imbued them with boundless energy.
Two quarters of an hour later.
Tang Wanqiu was completely sober, having bathed and changed into fresh clothes. He entered the room with a brisk step, his spirits high.
Seeing Tang Wanzhou standing by the window, gazing outside, he immediately became cautious again.
He explained, "Sister, I thought you had perished in the Underground Immortal Mansion. I was so heartbroken that everything seemed gray. That's why I had a few drinks."
Tang Wanzhou said, "If I die in the Underground Immortal Mansion, the future of the Snow Sword Tang Court will rest on your shoulders. I don't need you to mourn me. I need you to remain eternally spirited, to shoulder the responsibilities of a man, and to press forward with unwavering determination."
Tang Wanqiu smiled, "With sister's earnest teachings, I feel the path ahead is clear, free from confusion."
"I don't have time to beat you up again. If I ever see you so despondent again, I'll throw you into the depths of the Nether Realm of the Dead. Whether you survive will depend entirely on your own fate. The future Master of the Snow Sword Tang Court can never afford to show weakness, not at any time," Tang Wanzhou said.
Tang Wanqiu replied, "If I disappoint you again, I'll go to the Nether Realm of the Dead to temper myself."
Tang Wanzhou took out a letter and tossed it to him, "Leave the city immediately and return to the Northern Territory. Tell the old man that the time has come to lead our forces south to water our horses. Have him gather our troops and prepare to cross the Mist Grassland at any moment to come to the Cloud Heaven (Yuntian) Immortal Plain to slay Demons and claim the final victory. The specific tactics and my thoughts are all detailed in this letter."
"Sister, aren't you coming with me?" Tang Wanqiu asked.
Tang Wanzhou replied, "I have more important matters to attend to."
_______________________
END OF CHAPTER
Subscribe to the MTL WORLD (@mtlworld1) YouTube Channel.
*************************************