Chapter 393: Chapter 111: The Nine Palaces Eight Trigram become one, the Bull-headed abandons darkness and seeks the light
The divination symbols evolved, casting light and shadow that seemed both real and illusory, slowly forming a scene of a certain place.
Suddenly, eight trigrams converged in the midst of the light and shadow, forming human silhouettes through the trigrams, causing Ji Yuan’s expression to subtly change.
"Body formed from Eight Trigrams, this Jiang Li has even uncovered the Divine Farmer Nine Springs, no wonder he was able to injure the Eldest Prince," Ji Yuan couldn’t help but say.
As a member of the Ji Family, he naturally had an understanding of the Jiang Family’s Divine Skills; after all, the two families had been in contact for many years, and some things couldn’t be concealed.
It was precisely because he understood this that he was shocked by Jiang Li’s cultivation.
For the typical main family members of the Jiang family, there was one Qi Sea for each realm, up until the fifth-rank, after which they would consider creating several more Qi Seas. This was not only because it was far more difficult to reach Perfection and advance after the fifth-rank, but also because it was generally only at the fifth-rank that a person could sustain nine Qi Seas.
Below the fifth-rank, the physical body and Essence Element were completely insufficient to refine enough True Qi to fill nine Qi Seas, even if one ingested medicine to advance, filling up the Qi Seas. After consumption, how to replenish was another problem.
If the foundation couldn’t keep up, one could only continue consuming medicine. Repeating this process would even be too much for a member of the Jiang family practicing Innate Qi, as the toxins would ruin their foundation.
While speaking, the eight trigrams had already arranged themselves around the human silhouette, with ripples starting to emerge wave after wave.
Undoubtedly, this was interference from Qi Shu.
Just like the gravity of stars, Qi Shu stirred external fluctuations, increasing the difficulty for outsiders to detect and even bouncing back.
Ji Yuan was well aware of this interference from Qi Shu. He now activated the Eight Trigrams, and the array map on the ground shone brilliantly, layer upon layer of the Eight Trigrams Array rose from the map, enveloping Jiang Li as it operated.
Like a skilled butcher flaying an ox, he peeled away the ripples layer by layer, and in the blink of an eye, broke through numerous layers.
"Tianxuan doesn’t seem to have noticed yet," Ji Yuan, operating the Eight Trigrams, said.
Then, another ten layers of ripples.
"This child’s Qi Shu is so strong, it must be because he obtained the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron, which greatly increased his Qi Shu."
Afterwards, dozens more layers.
Ji Yuan’s forehead was already covered in a slight sweat, while the human silhouette was still not fully materialized.
"How can this old man sense the Qi Shu of my own family?" Ji Yuan was beginning to find it unbelievable.
He was also a Clan Elder within his family, and in terms of status, even if he was not higher than Gongsun Qingyue, at least it was nearly so. The Jiang family’s ancestral protection wouldn’t cover him.
Even if Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue were engaged, theoretically, it shouldn’t be enough to interfere with Ji Yuan.
If he truly became a son-in-law, it might be somewhat challenging, but isn’t it the case that he hasn’t become one yet? They haven’t even gotten engaged.
But what was going on right now?
The Qi Shu of the Jiang family, the Qi Shu of the Ji Family, the sect Qi Shu of Dinghu Sect, along with a Qi Shu as enduring as the ancient skies—four external energies in total—surrounded the central, blurry human silhouette and the changing light and shadow. In a trance, it seemed like three massive ethereal shadows descended, standing behind the silhouette.
Immediately, without waiting for Ji Yuan’s next move, the human silhouette came to life.
The Eight Trigrams operated within him, forming an array, and the blurred human face cracked open to slowly reveal pupils.
"Nine Palaces Eight Trigram, forming one entity, he is internally channeling the Wind Queen’s Strange Gate, with both the person and the Qimen united as one. Anyone who tries to divinate him would be detected by him."
Realizing this, Ji Yuan showed a wry smile. He had thought that due to Tianxuan’s intervention he would fail, but it turns out Tianxuan didn’t even need to intervene; Jiang Li alone was enough to handle his divination.
Especially this method of the Nine Palaces Eight Trigram forming one entity was utterly beyond his comprehension.
Those cold eyes observed, and the three shadows behind him seemed to draw even closer, their imposing presence bearing down. Even though they were just illusions manifested from the practice, at this moment, they exerted a tangible pressure on both Ji Yuan and Cui Jue, causing their blood to surge and their pupils to involuntarily constrict.
"Jiang Li!"
Cui Jue, withstanding the imposing presence, spoke with a calm that betrayed an unconscious raise in pitch, "You are suspected of lawlessly murdering the Second Prince, and by the order of the King You, the Divination Order has been requested to perform a divination, which unexpectedly led to you. What do you have to say?"
Undoubtedly, this was a frame-up, trying to link the crime to Jiang Li.
It was also an attempt at deception, planning to bluff Jiang Li to gauge his reaction.
And they could even further solidify the frame-up.
What if it failed?
Of course, a sincere apology would be in order.
Hastiness in the investigation leading to some improprieties is understandable, right?
While speaking, Cui Jue was already planning to go back and have Bull-headed Li Mi split his Divine Sense to recreate the memories, as he wanted to see Jiang Li’s response with his own eyes.
Of course, if Jiang Li really did show flaws and thus get silenced, that would be even better.
"Investigating the ’Lawless Freedom’ murder?"
The trigrams forming the human silhouette reacted, affecting the area in reverse, vibrating the air, and said, "What does that have to do with me, Jiang Li?"
"Since the divination led to you, whether it is related or not, we’ll find out after investigation," Cui Jue replied coldly. "My subordinates should have already approached you. I ask Young Master Jiang to cooperate for now, and if the Yin Law Department’s investigation is in error, I will personally apologize to you."
Cui Jue spoke more and more sternly, seemingly determined to make Jiang Li surrender and follow him back to the Yin Law Department to confess honestly.
Regarding this, the shadowy figure of the Daoist remained silent, just narrowing their eyes slightly, with the vivid illusion they conjured revealing a mocking expression.
On the other side, within the Underground Palace, Jiang Li’s Qi Mechanism soared dramatically; an intangible pressure enveloped his surroundings. He glanced sideways at the Bull-headed figure and raised his right hand lightly, as if about to strike.
"Hold on!"
The Bull-headed erupted in a thunderous shout.
"Hmm?" Jiang Li’s palm paused.
Only to see the nearly ten-foot-tall burly figure step forward, a hoof hitting the ground with a heavy sound, and a bovine face spoke earnestly, "I wish to abandon the dark and follow the light."
As he spoke, he knelt down like pushing a golden mountain or tilting a jade pillar, bowing deeply, "Yin Law Department’s Soul Hooker, Bull-headed Li Mi, wishes to report my direct superior, Cui Jue, for frame-ups and false accusations, turning black and white upside down, with the intent to falsely implicate the Jiang Family Master."
His speech was both rapid and clear, finishing his allegiance in less than the time of two breaths.
"Hmm..."
Jiang Li had the feeling of being at a loss for words.
He had intended to take down this Bull-headed figure and, with the Heart Demon Secret Sword, beat the truth out of its spirit, revealing everything it knew, and then launch a counterattack. When it came to playing by the rules, Jiang Li had always been one to eschew them.
But before he could act, the opponent had already knelt down.
"It’s you."
As Jiang Li observed its form, a feeling of recognition emerged; he immediately remembered the last Bull-headed figure he had seen. Wasn’t this the ’loyal and devoted’ Bull-headed that was there when he had killed Ji Chengye?
Back then, defeated by Jiang Li, Ji Chengye called upon this Bull-headed to take Ming Yang hostage, but this individual straightforwardly replied to go find the Lord of the Mansion and then disappeared without a trace.
"I guess you didn’t reveal the details when you went back," Jiang Li said playfully.
To actually report the details and let his superiors know he ignored a death would make it impossible for this Bull-headed, even if not dead, to continue serving like now.
Keep in mind, he abandoned the Heir of King Lu, and within the Yin Law Department, it was the old Ji Family controlling power.
"The Jiang Family Master is insightful; Xiao Niu admires you," the Bull-headed hastened to flatter without a second thought.
Having a leverage in Jiang Li’s hands, although unsure whether he took it seriously, Bull-headed still felt uneasy at heart, not daring to face Jiang Li.
Yet because the Bull-headed had a few encounters with Jiang Li, the superiors sent him to investigate the connection between Jiang Li and Lawless Freedom, even suspecting him to be a decoy or a pawn.
And so, it led to the present moment, where Bull-headed defected on the spot.
"The Yin Law Department plans to use Xiao Niu as a pawn to frame the Master; such behavior is utterly despicable and shameful. Li Mi is willing to be a pawn before the Family Master’s horse, to seek justice for the Family Master."
Though rough in appearance, Bull-headed spoke with clear logic, even with the meticulousness of a scholar, explaining his situation to earn Jiang Li’s trust.
Especially that address...
It had been Young Master Jiang before, then changed to Jiang Family Master, and now it’s just Master. The titles shifted thrice in a brief span of time, rapidly closing the distance between them, now presenting himself as one of their own.
"Woof—"
The little red dog let out a low growl, glaring warily at the Bull-headed figure, as if facing a formidable enemy.
The Bull-headed’s flattery was impressive; though Xiao Tian was a dog, it couldn’t help but develop complex human-like emotions, feeling somewhat inferior.
"Interesting," Jiang Li revealed a slight smile.
"Interesting."
High atop the Qintian Bureau’s tower, a soft murmur came from behind Jiang Li.
Following that, the blurry figure pivoted a turn, the Eight Trigrams evolved, and an exalted, stellary breath emerged. Jiang Li’s figure turned backwards, while behind him, a sublime form moved to the front.
In the blink of an eye, the figure representing Jiang Li had vanished, replaced by a silhouette as serene as the goddess of the cold moon.
"Presuming to divine without permission about my disciple, and now even daring to talk back and slander."
The almost ethereal figure spoke faintly, but her incorporeal form emitted tangible sounds, unlike Jiang Li who previously manipulated sound through air vibrations from afar.
As her voice fell, a cold and desolate Qi began to manifest, and tonight’s bright moon seemed to be rapidly descending toward the earth, the eminent Taiyin Star looming closer.
Tianxuan was about to make a move.
"Hold on!" Cui Jue shouted loudly.
He had not expected such a disregard for outward rules, ready to attack outright, and his interruption clearly couldn’t stop Tianxuan.
As her jade fingers pointed forth, the world seemed to freeze at that moment.