Chapter 233: Chapter 228 Shi Baonan
Jiang’s Ancestral Land, in the Yanwu Pavilion next to the Lie Mountain Hall.
Originally only meant for the Family Head’s residence, the Yanwu Pavilion now had a new master. In the elegantly ancient room, Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue sat facing each other, both simultaneously stimulating their True Qi, which flowed into the Wind Queen Compass placed between them.
Large numbers of Array Plate phantoms appeared around them, featuring the Eight Trigrams, Eight Gates, nine stars, and Eight Gods. As the Array Plates spun, they calculated the whim that Jiang Li had just had.
Jiang Li possessed Li Chunfeng’s Dao Fruit Ability, and with the additional study of the Wind Queen’s Strange Gate, he was able to link the abilities of three Dao Fruits into one cohesive unit, complementing each other greatly and enhancing his calculation power. He was now considered an expert in Mathematics.
And Gongsun Qingyue, being an important figure in the Gongsun Family, naturally had the qualifications to study the Wind Queen’s Strange Gate as well. Combined with her Eighth Rank and Seventh Grade Dao Fruit’s computational abilities, at this moment, joining hands with Jiang Li, they could attempt Divination for the existence of any being below Fourth-Grade Expert, even if that being was royalty.
However, no matter how much they calculated, it was difficult to find the source of the whim. It was like wandering through a maze, constantly hesitating and unable to find the correct path.
After a short while, they ended their session, and the phantoms of the Array Plates gradually dissipated. Jiang Li, with a serious expression, said, "There’s no mistake, it’s definitely Fourth-Grade."
Together, even if they couldn’t break through the Qi Shu, they should have been able to sense when their calculations were being interfered with by the Qi Shu. The fact that they couldn’t detect it now only meant one thing, that the source of the whim originated from Fourth-Grade or even above.
So the question was, which Fourth-Grade Expert wanted to scheme against Jiang Li?
Jiang Li had always avoided dealings with high-powered experts, the only exception being what seemed like an inevitable encounter with Buddhist Zhen Ru on Fengming Mountain.
’Could it be that he is so impatient to force me into Buddhism?’ Jiang Li pondered in secret.
At this moment, with a hint of contemplation in her voice, Gongsun Qingyue said, "Could it be... the master?"
Jiang Li raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"The master?"
Upon careful consideration, it seemed quite possible.
Although Elder Tianxuan had caused trouble once, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t do it a second time. This could be inferred from Gongsun Qingyue’s conjecture.
In terms of understanding Elder Tianxuan, Jiang Li certainly didn’t match up to his senior sister, who had joined the Sect earlier. Even Gongsun Qingyue, his senior sister, was suggesting this possibility, which made it highly probable that the old demon might continue to trouble her two poor disciples.
"So, we should strike first," Gongsun Qingyue said, stars appearing to twinkle in her eyes, indicating a strong desire to attack.
Senior sister had been sharpening her sword for a while, intending to wield it after returning to the Sect, but unexpectedly, Tianxuan had come directly to Yong Province and taught Gongsun Qingyue a lesson in advance.
The proposal she was making now, if not mixed with some personal grudge, was something Jiang Li refused to believe.
However, what she said was not necessarily impossible.
Jiang Li also hoped Gongsun Qingyue’s guess was correct.
If indeed the old demon wanted to cause trouble again, that would be good news, at least Jiang Li wouldn’t have to be constantly on guard, worrying about being schemed against by some Fourth-Rank Expert. And moreover...
[There would be more fun to watch, hehehe.]
[I’ve also been waiting for this day for a long time.]
Watching the text appear in front of him, Jiang Li’s heart remained undisturbed; his mental state had ascended to a level where he could completely ignore the slander of this wretched book.
"The master indeed went a bit too far, pretending to be the senior sister to deceive me, even claiming that giving the senior sister a chance was useless."
Jiang Li, sipping tea nonchalantly, incited a further response from Gongsun Qingyue, stirring up her rebellious spirit, then added, "But it could also be some other Fourth-Rank, so, we must still be cautious and any increase in strength is good."
Jiang Li placed his hand on his Protective Bracelet, taking out various spoils of war from within.
These included the remains of King Lu and his son—King Lu’s skeleton and the disfigured corpse of Ji Chengye, the Cliff Sword, and several Jade Talismans.
The first was the body of Ji Chengye, Heir of King Lu, which still contained the Dao Fruits of the Confucian scholar, Pupet Soldier, and Confucian General, whereas the Dao Fruit of Marquis Guan had returned to the armor on his body.
King Lu’s skeleton, which had mutated into a giant-like form, still encompassed King Lu’s Dao Fruit from Ninth Grade to Fifth Grade. If the right vessel could be found, a number of Daoist Artifacts could be reaped, especially the Sixth Rank and fifth-rank Daoist Artifacts, which could become critical factors in determining victory at certain times.
Just like the Cliff Sword, that item was a great weapon against Sword Cultivators and all Magic Practitioners. Not only could it impose a flying prohibition, but it also could increase gravity and suppress the enemy. The average Magic Practitioner, when facing the Cliff Sword, would likely be defeated in close combat.
As for those Jade Talismans, they contained the Dao Fruit of Jiang Wuming.
"The Ghost Gate was given to the master; among the remaining Dao Fruits of King Lu, there is the annual Tai Sui of fifth-rank and the Blessing God of Sixth Rank. Senior sister, do you have any suitable Magic Artifact or need?" Jiang Li asked.
Gongsun Qingyue glanced at the ferocious skeleton and examined the Jade Talismans one by one, shaking her head and saying, "I don’t have any suitable Magic Artifacts at hand, nor do I need any extra Dao Artifacts. My Seamless Heavenly Cloth is comparable to a fifth-rank Magic Artifact, along with a sword for protection, so I don’t need many artifacts."
A wealthy lady!
Jiang Li once again confirmed just how wealthy Gongsun Qingyue was.
Her Seamless Heavenly Clothes were far more superior to the Cloud Clothes he wore, and they could change shapes at will, offset external forces, True Qi, and they were both beautiful and defensive, all while being priceless. A single set of Heavenly Clothes was even more valuable than a fifth-rank Daoist Artifact.
"Then I will ask the Clan Elders later, to see if they have any suitable Magic Artifacts."
Jiang Li said this and was about to collect the spoils of war except for the Cliff Sword and Ji Chengye’s corpse.
Although he had many Dao Artifacts, he dared not use them all at the same time.
Dao Artifacts were not better in greater numbers; if one used too many Dao Artifacts at the same time, especially artifacts of different categories, one must be careful of backlash. After all, what was contained within these artifacts was the essence of cause and effect.
This was, after all, basic common knowledge that everyone knew, but because most people could not access a multitude of Dao Artifacts, they did not need to remember this piece of common knowledge.
Jiang Li planned to dispose of Ji Chengye’s corpse, keeping the armor for future use, and the Cliff Sword could be used to ambush others, like Yuan Zhen, a Sword Cultivator.
"Is my dear brother around?"
At that moment, a familiar voice came from outside Yanwu Pavilion.
’Feng Manlou, he can actually come out?’ Jiang Li was surprised.
Calculating the time, his master should have already met with the Princess by now. The Princess was said to be an extremely dominant figure, or else she couldn’t have secured her position as the Chief of the Southern Heavenly Department as a woman.
While Feng Manlou was nothing but an Affiliated Son-in-law, even with the prefix of Dragon King added in front of that, he probably didn’t hold much status in his family.
With such a disparity in status, one could predict what actions the Princess would take after learning of someone’s rash behavior.
Even if his dear brother was a powerful figure and not afraid of being mistreated by the Princess, he shouldn’t be visiting Jiang’s Ancestral Land during this period. He should be hanged and whipped by the Princess, made to kneel and punished, or be frantically squeezed for public grain.
Thinking up to this point, with a sharp sense of crisis, Jiang Li pondered, ’Could he be scheming against me?’
If it were Feng Manlou, indeed, he would be capable of confounding Jiang Li’s calculations.
Although Jiang Li had once inadvertently come to know the secrets of Feng Manlou’s life, every attempt to perform Divination afterward had been fruitless, as if that one time had been a fluke, a mere coincidence that allowed Jiang Li to succeed just once, with no repeat occurrence.
With this thought, Jiang Li sent a telepathic message, "I’ll go meet him; you notify Master."
Elder Tianxuan and Gongsun Qingyue had a Magic Artifact that allowed them to communicate with each other, but the distance was limited. Within ten miles, they could communicate freely; beyond ten miles, it was impossible.
What Jiang Li meant was to have Gongsun Qingyue continuously initiate communication so that as soon as Tianxuan entered within ten miles, she should hurry over.
Having said that, Jiang Li tidied up his belongings and left Yanwu Pavilion, only to see Feng Manlou approaching with a bitter expression, lamenting, "My dear brother, you really have put me in a difficult position."
True Qi, no abnormalities.
Essence Element, unharmed.
Mental State... Jiang Li couldn’t see through it.
His dear brother seemed fine, neither tormented nor exploited, and despite the bitter look on his face, Jiang Li couldn’t tell where the suffering lay.
This was not good.
He had already mourned in advance for his dear brother’s plight, yet Feng Manlou turned out to be fine.
Wasn’t this causing Jiang Li to mourn in vain?
"Why does brother speak so?" feigned Jiang Li, pretending not to understand.
"My dear brother..."
Seeing this, Feng Manlou looked both annoyed and resigned, moving to pull Jiang Li along, "I don’t care, the thing is, my woman now knows about our sworn brotherhood and she is furious. You must come with me quickly and help me explain to her."
Go out?!
Jiang Li suddenly felt his sense of crisis ignited; the last thing he wanted was to go out, especially to meet a Fourth-Grade Expert.
Wasn’t this exactly corresponding to his whimsical thoughts?
"No, I must consult with my master first," Jiang Li firmly refused.
"It’s a trivial matter, why the need to consult, and besides, if we meet your master, I would also like her to join us," said Feng Manlou, "The Red Eyebrow Army may be gone, but the chaos in Yong Province is not settled. At this juncture, all sorts of demons, ghosts, and monsters have appeared, and it is necessary to discuss with your master."
"Master is not here."
"Then shall we go first?"
"I need to consult with Master."
Jiang Li adamantly stuck to consulting with Elder Tianxuan, no matter what Feng Manlou said, refusing to leave.
Regardless of what Feng Manlou suggested, he insisted on consulting with his master.
Seeing Jiang Li behaving so much like a doting Master’s disciple, Feng Manlou felt both helpless and sympathetic.
Poor dear brother, everything must be decided by the master, your future might be even more miserable than mine.
Just thinking about it made Feng Manlou unable to contain his glee.
’Moreover, with Jiang Li and Tianxuan bound together, the help he could provide in the future would only be greater...’ The thought crossed the Affiliated Son-in-law’s mind as he continued to tug at Jiang Li.
The stronger Jiang Li became, the more support Feng Manlou would gain. Swearing an oath of brotherhood with Jiang Li brought troubles, but the rewards were significant.
However, at the current moment, it was more urgent to tie a connection between Jiang Li and Tianxuan; otherwise, Feng Manlou himself would not end up well.
Realizing this, Feng Manlou’s arm suddenly exerted a powerful force, intending to pull Jiang Li.
"My dear brother, I wouldn’t harm you. Just accompany me for a trip," he said.
The plan was to take Jiang Li away first, then use him to draw in Tianxuan, luring the lord into the pot.
Jiang Li felt this strength and his gaze shifted, ’This is a good opportunity to test if the Wind Queen Dao Fruit is on him.’