Chapter 370: Chapter 91 Asking the Waystone Kaiyang
Stepping out of the Imperial City’s grand gate, one would immediately encounter a tall figure standing under a distant tree.
Gongsun Qi took a step and instantly appeared under the tree shade, smiling as he looked at the other person, "Elder Kaixiang, you seem in such a rush to meet me. What’s the matter?"
While conversing with his Sect brother, Gongsun Qi spoke familiarly and without his usually imposing demeanor, appearing wholly like he was facing a friend rather than the enigmatic presence he commanded around Zhang Zhixuan.
However, Elder Kaixiang didn’t seem too appreciative.
With his arms crossed, he bluntly said, "I advise you to return to the Sect."
"The old folks inside wanted to kill Junior Sister Tianxuan, and it has already come to blows. Although I usually don’t care much for Tianxuan’s cunning tactics, whoever dares to touch my Sect comrades, I’ll chop down, Emperor or not."
"Junior Sister Tianxuan isn’t dead..." Gongsun Qi shook his head.
Before he could finish, Elder Kaixiang replied irritably, "I know she’s not dead, I’m not stupid. With the current state of Divine Capital looking like a storm is about to hit, to say that woman isn’t fanning the flames, I absolutely wouldn’t believe it."
His eyes narrowed, fixing a piercing gaze on Gongsun Qi, "But her not being dead doesn’t mean this matter is over. This time, I’m standing with Tianxuan. What do you say, Sect Leader?"
"By the way, if Elder Tian Ji hadn’t sent word to the Sect in time and stopped those two fools, they would have already arrived in Divine Capital by now."
The underlying meaning was clear: the minority must follow the majority.
Out of the six elders of Dinghu Sect, besides Elder Tian Ji, the other five had expressed hostility towards the Emperor, essentially forcing Gongsun Qi, the Sect Leader, to take a stance.
Even if not opposing the Emperor, he needed to return to the Sect to remain neutral.
That was Elder Kaixiang’s implication.
Gongsun Qi and he locked gazes, and what Gongsun Qi saw in Elder Kaixiang’s eyes was a resolute determination.
Even faced with the Six Great Powers of the era, Elder Kaixiang showed no signs of retreat.
"Brother, you talk like a true outlaw. If Junior Sister Tianxuan heard this, she’d laugh at you for being an unrefined Martial Artist again."
Gongsun Qi suddenly chuckled, shaking his head, "I’ve already left the Imperial City. Isn’t my intention clear enough?"
"Hm?" Elder Kaixiang showed confusion.
As he said, he wasn’t foolish, but when it came to these convoluted matters, he was somewhat at a loss.
Usually, in such situations, Elder Kaixiang would simply solve it by cutting down with his sword.
"Since you know Tianxuan faked her death, you might also have guessed something about Jiang Li’s fate," Gongsun Qi spoke slowly, "Then do you know where the Ginsengfruits in the Imperial City came from? And how those Ginsengfruits have been handled?"
Elder Kaixiang honestly shook his head.
Gongsun Qi continued, "The Immortal Queen from Kunxu Immortal Palace is currently in the Imperial City, using Ginsengfruit to refine the Immortality Elixir."
Upon hearing this, Elder Kaixiang suddenly tensed, his eyes flashing with a fierce intensity.
No matter the time or place, Kunxu Immortal Palace was his primary adversary.
But in the next moment, all hostility was drowned out by the shocking news Gongsun Qi had revealed. Despite his preference for action, Elder Kaixiang realized the key significance of this news.
As for the Emperor’s intention for eternal life, the existing rumors in Divine Capital were that the Emperor had sent people to kill Jiang Li to seize the Ginsengfruit, hoping to use it to refine medicine that would grant him immortality and eternal youth.
Kunxu Immortal Palace was not part of this version of the rumor.
Nor was there any mention of Tianxuan’s death being connected to them.
Jiang Li and Tianxuan had exposed the Emperor’s plans, but they had not revealed that the Immortal Queen was refining the Immortality Elixir.
Because that was their trump card.
If it were only the Emperor’s intention for eternal life, the other Third Grade powers would certainly be concerned but might not take action to stop it. The Emperor was seeking immortality, not advancement, and even if he succeeded, he would still not surpass the other Third Grades. After all, immortality wasn’t exclusive to them.
If the Emperor fails, it would simply mean the replacement of the Emperor, while the court still retains one of the Six Great Powers.
To the other Third Grades, whether the Emperor succeeds or fails does not make much difference.
Not getting involved doesn’t affect them.
If they do get involved, they might even risk being taken down by the Emperor.
Not allowing the Emperor to live forever essentially means wishing for his death; naturally, the Emperor would fight with everything he has against the attacking forces. Unfortunately, since this matter is unrelated to promotion, it can’t ignite the fervor of all Third Grades immediately. It might not guarantee the participation of other Third Grades, possibly leading to a one-on-one situation. In trying to stop the Emperor, they might instead get killed by the Emperor.
However, if this matter involved the Immortal Queen, that would be different.
If the Immortal Queen successfully refines the Immortality Elixir, she would be a step closer to Second Grade, a situation undesirable to everyone.
"If this information were to leak out, it would certainly lead to a unified strike by the Third Grades, but this would also turn the Divine Capital into a complete battlefield, destroyed in an instant," Gongsun Qi explained. "Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, she wouldn’t use this trump card."
"And that necessity occurs when I am her adversary."
Gongsun Qi stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of sternness emerging amidst the calm winds.
If Gongsun Qi were to join forces with the Emperor, even if Tianxuan made arrangements, in the end, she would likely have to use that move to stop the Emperor.
But if Gongsun Qi chose neutrality, then he would only need to deal with the Emperor. In this case, the trump card could still be preserved.
"I am residing in the Imperial City to safeguard the path for the Immortality Elixir, allowing the Emperor to confidently leave the Divine Capital to attack Junior Sister Tianxuan. Now that I have left the Imperial City..."
Before Gongsun Qi could finish, he started walking on the road away from the Imperial City, "Let’s go, as you said, back to the Sect."
If Gongsun Qi were to leave the Imperial City, Tianxuan would only need to deal with the Emperor.
"No."
Elder Kaiyang, seeing this, shook his head, "Junior Brother plans to attack the Old Witch of Kunxu Immortal Palace. You go ahead, Sect Leader Brother. I will return to the Sect in a few days."
He dared not attack the Emperor, having only spoken figuratively before. It wasn’t that he didn’t dare offend, but rather that he could not defeat him.
But if it were to attack the Old Witch of Kunxu Immortal Palace, then Elder Kaiyang had his reasoning.
He might not reach the Immortal Queen, but cutting down Su Nu was still possible.
"Your mission is already complete. Do not get involved in the upcoming battle."
Gongsun Qi shrank to a few inches, already at the end of the long street, his voice echoing from afar.
As he spoke, streaks of pure white Qi Mechanism gathered in the air, forming ancient and vast characters.
As soon as Elder Kaiyang sensed this Qi Mechanism, his body tensed, "Master?"
He was very familiar with this Qi Mechanism. It was that of the Master who had taught him at the Imperial College.
A Third Grade had made a move.
Just after Gongsun Qi left the Imperial City, just after his conversation with Elder Kaiyang.
In a moment, Elder Kaiyang’s mind raced, a spark of realization flashing through, prompting him to curse, "I’ve been outplayed by that woman again."
Clearly, she had been keeping an eye on Kaiyang, to be so aware of the situation.
This time, Elder Kaiyang was like a stooge, set up specifically to scout for Tianxuan.
Others asking to see the Sect Leader might not be granted an audience, but if Elder Kaiyang came to visit, to prevent him from really storming the Imperial City, the Sect Leader would most likely meet with him.
If the Sect Leader would not meet him, it would indicate that he had decisively chosen to help the Emperor. Then there was nothing more to say; directly deploy the trump card. If met, it could be used to probe Gongsun Qi’s intentions.
From the looks of it, Gongsun Qi had also noticed and responded accordingly.
The only one who didn’t know was the stooge himself, who had simply followed his heart to meet the Sect Leader.