Chapter 236: Chapter 231: The Secret of Heaven
As soon as Elder Tianxuan’s apparition vanished, Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue exchanged glances, both deep in thought.
"It seems that the fourth-rank we couldn’t predict before is Aunt Ling Guang," Gongsun Qingyue was the first to speak.
Her eyes sparkled with the eagerness to try, as if she had already prepared herself to unsheathe the Master’s Sword she had been honing for so long.
With Gongsun Qingyue’s acute mindfulness, she naturally guessed that Ji Lingguang was dissatisfied with being deemed a junior and tried to turn the tables, but her attempt fell apart with Tianxuan’s arrival, and yet Tianxuan had agreed to meet them.
It was foreseeable that these two would engage in a covert battle of wits and strength, which would undoubtedly be delightful to watch and also an excellent opportunity for Gongsun Qingyue to draw her sword. She couldn’t wait to see her master’s defenses broken.
For years, Tianxuan and Ji Lingguang had been at odds, but Gongsun Qingyue, due to blood ties, shared a certain closeness with Ji Lingguang. As for the contest between the two, she considered herself to be neutral.
At least until the situation escalated to a certain extent, Gongsun Qingyue was neutral.
So hearing that they were to cross swords, she did not feel anxious; rather, it brought her pleasure akin to watching an entertaining show.
"That seems to be the case."
With the opportunity regained, Jiang Li wasn’t as joyful. Instead, he pondered why Elder Tianxuan had agreed to the meeting.
Then, Jiang Li realized he might have inadvertently confirmed Tianxuan’s suspicions about Feng Manlou.
His anxiety was misinterpreted, leading to this outcome by a twist of fate, and now his good brother likely has real troubles ahead.
’And, the inadvertent slip didn’t cause any backlash.’
Jiang Li looked up at the sky to make sure there were no signs of thunder striking him down.
"Let’s go, the master has ordered us to leave the valley to meet him," Jiang Li said, leading the way, "Besides, if we don’t leave, a certain Clan Elder would probably be too scared to show his face."
Having said that, the two of them left the ancestral land.
After their departure, a Clan Elder silently emerged from the shadow at the entrance of Lie Mountain Hall.
"Damn kid, bad-mouthing me like that."
The Clan Elder muttered a soft curse, then somewhat helplessly, "Do you think I don’t want to show myself? But what good would that do? Berate them? That would be even more embarrassing."
Elder Tianxuan’s projected aura had instantly spread across the ancestral land, subjecting all clan members to a magnanimous pressure. In theory, the Clan Elder should have appeared to ensure Tianxuan did not overshadow the hosts.
But the Jiang family was now too weak, so weak that they didn’t even have a fourth-rank.
Elder Tianxuan stayed out of the Jiang’s Ancestral Land to avoid overshadowing the hosts, but the situation had unfolded anyway.
This forced the Clan Elder to make a choice: to save face by making an appearance or shamelessly pretend not to hear.
The Clan Elder chose the latter.
"The Jiang family is not in a position to worry about face. Besides, some of the young ones in the clan have learned the Innate Qi and long to hold their heads high. Let them realize how weak the Jiang family is."
The Clan Elder whispered, leaving Lie Mountain Hall to work on the morale of his clan members.
He knew that Jiang Li’s words were not meant to ridicule him, the Clan Elder, but rather to prompt him to deal with the younger generation and help them face reality.
Jiang Li was returning to Dinghu Sect. On his way back, he planned to take some people with him so they could join the Dinghu Sect.
Joining the Dinghu Sect openly and honorably was different from Jiang Zhuyun’s underhanded tactics. The latter harbored ill intentions, while the former implied seeking protection. This was a proactive gesture of submission to Dinghu Sect.
With Tianxuan present, Dinghu Sect naturally would not refuse.
This would damage the Jiang family’s pride, but in such times, pride was worthless, just as the Clan Elder wouldn’t make a show just for pride’s sake.
...
...
Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue left the ancestral land and had traveled about two li when they met Elder Tianxuan.
She stood upon an outcropping boulder on the hill ahead, with the mountain breeze fluttering her moon-white gown, making her appear as if she were flying.
"Master."
Jiang Li and Gongsun Qingyue leapt up, greeting her respectfully.
Elder Tianxuan turned around, a smile that was not quite a smile upon her face as she glanced at Gongsun Qingyue, "So respectful to your master, it seems you have already thought of a method to counter-attack."
It was proper for Gongsun Qingyue to greet with respect in the presence of others.
But if she was just as respectful in private, there was something amiss.
Based on Tianxuan’s experience, this meant she had already thought of a counter-attack strategy and was waiting for the right moment to catch her master off guard.
"Your master awaits your cunning move," Elder Tianxuan said indifferently.
She was like a supreme master standing aloof from worldly affairs, perched atop the peak, waiting for the overconfident to challenge her, a lofty isolation born of unmatched skill.
"I will not disappoint, master," Gongsun Qingyue said through clenched teeth.
Just wait, the time for enlightenment is coming.
"Heh~"
Elder Tianxuan smiled slightly, exuding an air of invincibility, the stance of the undefeated. Had her mere disciple ever won against her?
Then, Elder Tianxuan’s gaze shifted to Jiang Li, her smile fading slightly, "Have you made an oath with someone?"
Jiang Li had no chance to reply when she continued, "In this world, oaths or binding promises are generally based on Dao Fruit abilities, such as those of the Thunder Department’s Gods. However, the truly unbreakable oath is only one of its kind, and that is the oath witnessed by Heaven. Only three types of people can invoke such an oath."
Elder Tianxuan pointed at Jiang Li and then toward herself, "People like us who hold certain positions within the two families,"
"And descendants of Fuxi."
The three types of people were exactly the descendants of the Three Emperors.
"Why can only these three types of people do it?" Jiang Li asked.
His heart was filled with tumultuous waves, and he could feel a mysterious gaze upon him, as if daring him to reveal the secrets of Feng Manlou would incur Heaven’s Punishment.
However, sometimes not answering is an answer in itself.
The fact that Jiang Li was asking in such a manner meant that his oath was witnessed by Heaven.
Elder Tianxuan looked at Jiang Li, seemingly noticing nothing unusual, yet as if she understood everything. She spoke slowly, "It’s not yet time for you to know. All you need to understand is that the pact between the Ji Family and the Jiang Family was witnessed by Heaven. Also, all oaths must not harm the Three Clans, just like how you and I would swear not to conspire against the main house of the Jiang Family."
’Why does it sound like Heaven is a common property of the Three Clans?’ Jiang Li mused internally.
He’d thought that being tricked into making an oath last time was because Heaven was too idle, but looking at it now, it wasn’t that Heaven was idle, but that Heaven only witnessed oaths for those of the Three Clans.
Jiang Li thought to himself and found it somewhat amusing.
Thinking this way, Heaven seemed like a lawyer shared by the Three Clans, tasked with drafting their agreements.
Wait, lawyer...
A chill went through Jiang Li’s heart.
Lawyer, human?
If Immortals, Buddhas, Humans, and Gods, as well as demons, ghosts, and monsters all have Dao Fruits, was it possible that Heaven also has a Dao Fruit?
If so, could obtaining this Dao Fruit turn one into Heaven?
This speculation sounded unbelievable, but it wasn’t impossible.
Furthermore, why were the descendants of Fuxi nowhere to be seen in the Great Zhou? And why did Feng Manlou hide his identity?
This question was something both Jiang Li and Elder Tianxuan wanted to know.
Thus, she agreed to this meeting, intending to probe and see what kind of medicine was really being sold in the gourd that was Feng Manlou.
...
...
After leaving the Jiang’s Ancestral Land, Feng Manlou, whether rushing or walking slowly, finally reached a plain before sunset.
This place wasn’t far from the State Mansion; if one looked far enough, they could see the towering walls of Yong City.
The Red Feather Palace was situated here, staring directly at Yong City from a distance, as if declaring its resolute determination.
As Feng Manlou arrived, he could see palace maids and guards carrying scrolls back and forth outside the hall, as well as neatly dressed officials ready to serve or help with the scrolls, moving to various places, or queued up, waiting obediently.
Feng Manlou didn’t care about them and went straight to the main hall.
At that moment, a young man with perfect facial features was exiting, and as they passed by one another, the young man did not glance sideways, his pace steady, every step the same distance, while Feng Manlou took slight notice.
’Zhong Shenxiu,’ he noted to himself inwardly.
Outside the main hall was a middle-aged man with black long beard dressed in red official robes.
Judging by his attire, this man should be Hong Haogu, the Yong Governor.
The current state of Yong Province was due to the combined efforts of various factions, as well as Hong Haogu’s non-intervention. Although he was a high-ranking official, the control he had over the province was far from comparable to the other eight states due to Yong’s unique circumstances.
Moreover, with the arrival of Lu King who brought the Authority Seal, Hong Haogu’s inaction was understandable.
But reasonable as his actions may be, punishment was still due. It was just not the right time to replace the Inspector, and so, the Princess was just letting him off for now. Otherwise, Hong Haogu would have been squatting in prison alongside those Prefectural Governors and County Magistrates.
Feng Manlou also glanced at Hong Haogu as he entered the hall.
As soon as he entered the hall, he saw Ji Lingguang burning a scroll to ashes.
"Relying on Mengpo Soup to wipe the memories of the people, one really has to admire the audacity of that Ji Ye bastard, and the Yin Law Department for actually doing it!"
A fiery aura filled the great hall, and the figure sitting at the far end shone like the sun, making almost make a Yin God’s form nearly dissipate.
"Princess, please spare me!"
The nearly ten-foot tall Bull-headed creature hit the floor, shivering, "This was the plan of Lord of the Mansion and Lu King, not mine!"
He threw his superiors under the bus quite readily, and his cowardice was truly a sight to behold.
Hearing this, Ji Lingguang’s fury rose to her brows, but still, she was rational enough not to take it out on a minor Soul Hooker.
"Get out!" Ji Lingguang waved her hand, saying, "Go back and tell your superiors to at least send a King Yan to negotiate with me."
The Bull-headed creature gratefully retreated.
Then, only Feng Manlou was left in the hall.
"That scoundrel Ji Ye actually plans to mix Mengpo Soup into the water supply to erase the memories of all citizens after his promotion. He deserves to die, Soul Devoured by Ten Thousand Ghosts."
Ji Lingguang’s phoenix eyes sparkled as she turned to Feng Manlou, "I’ve had enough bad news. My dear husband, you wouldn’t tell me that you didn’t bring back Jiang Li, would you?"