Chapter 235: Chapter 230: Yin Cha and Mistakes
In front of Lie Mountain Hall, ethereal eyes exuded a superhuman majesty, towering like celestial stars, gazing down from above.
Elder Tianxuan was fundamentally a God Demon, merely concealing her power until now. At this moment, she revealed the aura of a Star God, her mere presence feeling as vast as the cosmos itself, her imposing power directly affecting the entire ancestral land.
However, in the next moment, Elder Tianxuan withdrew her oppressive aura, and her ethereal appearance began to solidify as her perfect figure gradually descended.
"Master."
Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue, who emerged from Yanwu Pavilion, respectfully saluted.
At least outwardly, both were impeccably respectful, determined to let Elder Tianxuan know that her previous admonitions were effective, not daring to overlook a single detail.
As for what truly lay beneath the surface, that was a matter of perspective.
Elder Tianxuan nodded slightly, then her gaze rested on the motionless Feng Manlou, saying indifferently, "I remember, presently Yong Province has numerous matters requiring processing by you and your spouse. Why would the Prince Consort find the leisure to trouble my young disciple?"
As she spoke, Elder Tianxuan’s Phoenix Eye slightly narrowed, her figure ethereal and her gaze void, yet Feng Manlou felt pierced by a clarity that seemed to see through all.
Tianxuan seemed to be doubting something.
Upon hearing of Feng Manlou’s visit, Jiang Li immediately had Gongsun Qingyue send continuous messages, making sure Elder Tianxuan arrived at the first notice, which itself represented a type of apprehension.
Both Gongsun Qingyue and Elder Tianxuan, who knew Jiang Li well, detected this apprehension.
Especially Elder Tianxuan, who had personally divined Feng Manlou’s fate years ago without finding anything unusual. However, deep down, she doubted that a woman like Ji Lingguang would choose someone mediocre.
Today, the apprehension Jiang Li inadvertently revealed ignited Elder Tianxuan’s suspicions.
’Could she be suspecting me?’
Feng Manlou, unaware that Jiang Li had inadvertently revealed a hint, but keenly, or perhaps cautiously, considered the possibility of being suspected.
Being able to remain undiscovered in Divine Capital for many years demonstrated his meticulous nature. Upon sensing the potential suspicion, Feng Manlou immediately laughed it off, "Ah, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. As loving brothers, how could I possibly trouble him? It was merely a sparring session."
Despite his words, his gaze on Jiang Li was anything but brotherly.
’Feng Manlou is trying to clear suspicion.’ Standing behind Elder Tianxuan’s ethereal form, Jiang Li saw through Feng Manlou’s words and instantly realized his earlier apprehension must have been noticed by his master and senior sister.
Connecting his master’s and Feng Manlou’s behavior, he immediately discerned Feng Manlou’s intention.
Feng Manlou wasn’t here to cause trouble, but now he wished to seem like a troublemaker. It wasn’t just to obscure his actual purpose, but also to dispel Elder Tianxuan’s suspicions.
Even a potential suspicion must be dispelled.
Conveniently, Jiang Li "betrayed" his brother, which perfectly served as a pretext for troublemaking and could also prompt Elder Tianxuan to visualize her old nemesis’s awkward position, pleasing her and dissipating any doubts.
People, when happy or sad, generally don’t like to think much, or rather, their thoughts are clouded by emotions.
The convolutions in all this, if not for Jiang Li knowing the full story, would be hard to understand.
Together, the three of them had at least three thousand schemes. Senior Sister Qingyue might have fewer, but still hundreds. Despite there being only four people and a few exchanges, Jiang Li keenly sensed the strong undercurrents.
"Is that so?"
Elder Tianxuan remained noncommittal, her beautiful face betraying no emotion, simply stating, "Then come, let this court see this deep brotherly love between the Prince Consort and my disciple."
To perform acts of brotherly love before Tianxuan, then using that to mock Ji Lingguang?
Just thinking of the consequences that such actions would bring made Feng Manlou’s knees heat up again, feeling as if they were scorched.
He’d had enough of Fire Lotus, time to put it away.
Logically, he should now find an excuse to leave and seek another opportunity, but he was unsure if he had dispelled Elder Tianxuan’s suspicions.
Tianxuan’s indifferent tone offered no insight into her thoughts.
At that moment, Feng Manlou made up his mind, biting his lip and secretly thought, ’Sorry, my lady.’
"Wait!" called out Feng Manlou, "I have another purpose. My wife would like to invite Elder Tianxuan to the State Mansion to discuss the resolution to the drought issue in Yong Province."
"Inviting me for a visit?"
Elder Tianxuan wore a half-smiling expression, "Are you sure?"
She had just finished mocking Ji Lingguang, and now the other party was inviting her for a meeting again. This could either indicate Ji Lingguang enjoyed being humiliated, or she was attempting a counterattack.
It clearly looked like a setup for a trap.
According to Ji Lingguang and Feng Manlou’s original plan, it was to first send Jiang Li over, then draw Elder Tianxuan there, catching her off guard with a premeditated plot.
Even if Tianxuan, with her exceptional calculative ability, guessed it was a trap, she would have to attend due to Jiang Li being there. She was a person who valued face and was protective, not allowing Jiang Li to be disadvantaged by Ji Lingguang.
But now, with Jiang Li not going and Elder Tianxuan returning first, extending the invitation then was openly revealing there was a scheme.
’My dear big brother, do you really need to go this far?’ Not only was Elder Tianxuan surprised, so was Jiang Li.
Feng Manlou was diverting attention, risking revealing his and the Princess’s hidden intentions.
The red thread could be sought again at another opportunity or even not at all, but if Elder Tianxuan continued to harbor suspicions, there was a chance he might intensively investigate Feng Manlou, undoubtedly bringing great inconvenience and even the possibility of exposure.
The unprecedented changes in Great Zhou of the past 800 years were already beginning to emerge, and Feng Manlou would definitely not continue to endure in silence; he was bound to take action.
And with such a move, flaws were prone to appear, which might reveal his intent.
Therefore, in order to dispel suspicions to the greatest extent, or rather to divert Elder Tianxuan’s attention, Feng Manlou had already decided to abandon this action and seek another opportunity.
So...
"I’m letting you off easy," Feng Manlou thought as he looked at Jiang Li, feeling somewhat regretful.
This time, having been sensed by Tianxuan that he and his wife had ulterior motives made her alert, and it was uncertain whether the red thread could really be tied to Tianxuan.
If this plan failed, his own wife would be continuously manipulated by Tianxuan, and this unkind and unjust junior brother would also not realize what being an Affiliated Son-in-law meant.
He didn’t know that Jiang Li was feeling anxious at the moment.
His elder brother was retreating from battle, and a favorable marital match was slipping away right before his eyes, making Jiang Li feel suffocated just thinking about it.
"Disciple, what do you think?" Elder Tianxuan suddenly turned and asked Jiang Li.
Amidst his anxious feelings, as Jiang Li met her gaze, he suddenly spotted the noble purple stars and distant silver starlight shining in Tianxuan’s eyes, a sense of tacit understanding rising in his heart.
Ziwei and Tianfu, assistance.
Whenever the main star is seen in the Life Mansion, it requires the accompanying stars. Although this move is named after Beidou and Southern Dipper’s stars, the essence lies not in Ziwei or Tianfu, but in their assisting stars.
This is a move of connected assistance.
Originally, Gongsun Qingyue had used this move to establish a connection with Jiang Li from afar, transmitting Divine Essence, helping Jiang Li survive the Eight Qi Tribulation of Qi Tomb. Now, Tianxuan was also using this move, through a shadow as a medium, to connect from a distance with Jiang Li.
Their Divine Sense connected, feeling each other’s emotions simultaneously as if their hearts resonated.
Not to transmit power or Divine Essence, but to let both be in sync at this moment, their spirits drawing closer.
Jiang Li sensed the doubt arising in Tianxuan’s heart, while Tianxuan felt the urgency in Jiang Li’s heart.
"I understand," Elder Tianxuan’s specter nodded.
Jiang Li: "?"
What do you understand?
It always felt like his master had some misunderstanding.
Before Jiang Li could articulate his confusion, Tianxuan suddenly severed the connection,
"I shall not meet a defeated subordinate; if Ji Lingguang wishes to meet, he should come to see me," Elder Tianxuan spoke in a detached and rather haughty tone. "The Sect is about to hold the Sword Discussion Conference, and I will soon return to the Sect. Tell Ji Lingguang to handle his urgent affairs within two days and meet me, or he shall miss the opportunity."
She had agreed to the meeting.
Although quite impolitely, she indeed agreed to the meeting.
Feng Manlou felt both a surprise and suspicion; he was relieved that he didn’t have to return and continue offering sacrifices to the Fire Lotus. His doubt, of course, was why Elder Tianxuan had agreed to the meeting.
Could it be that she was someone who couldn’t withstand provocation?
Regardless, the matter was considered successful.
"Elder doesn’t mince words," Feng Manlou said with a wry smile, bowing, "I will relay your message to my wife, farewell."
With that, he turned and left.
Elder Tianxuan’s specter then said to Jiang Li, "Come meet me outside," and subsequently disappeared.
...
...
On a mountain peak outside the ancestral land, Elder Tianxuan stood with her graceful figure, watching intently at the valley and the figures emerging from it.
"Feng Manlou..."
She murmured, "Why does Jiang Li fear you so much? And why does he not dare reveal the anxiety in his heart before you?"
"Did I really misjudge back then? If so..."
Elder Tianxuan’s gaze grew deeper.
Back then, Tianxuan had obtained Feng Manlou’s destiny through the Royal Family, even acquiring his Essence Blood. If she could still miscalculate under such circumstances, it would mean that either Feng Manlou’s mastery over the Exchange Skill was no less than her own, or someone far superior to her was protecting him.
This suspicion was precisely why Tianxuan had agreed to meet.
Seeing what measures Ji Lingguang would take was secondary; probing Feng Manlou was the main intent.
Jiang Li could not have imagined that this opportunity, presumed to have perished, would return to his hands in such a form.
It seemed, indeed, he was fated with Tianxuan.