Chapter 1883: Open Card

"What a sweet talker."

Yue Gongnu still managed to pinch Yu Zhiwen's soft, doughy cheek, while quickly calming her emotions.

She had waited thirty years and hadn't expected to see him again. Now that she had an unexpected opportunity, while others might eagerly anticipate it, she was in no hurry.

"You two were far too careless. If Dao Qiongcang had been even more despicable, at that moment, I..." She trailed off mid-sentence, looking at the two unfamiliar faces before her. Yue Gongnu suddenly remembered that these weren't the impetuous A-Li or the young Dao from before.

Times had changed, and people were different; this was a new generation. She had neither the standing nor the right to go on chattering, which would only annoy them. She chuckled softly, stopped speculating, and returned to the main topic:

"I will go with you to Lingyu Mountain, but we all need to go in disguise. As long as we avoid the Ancestor Gods' attention, our self-preservation will be sufficient." She pointed at the two women, indicating their faces were too conspicuous. After a pause, she continued, "And with me by your side, at least Dao Qiongcang won't cause trouble from behind; his schemes are vast."

"I can't see Dao Xuanji right now, but knowing her personality, she won't rest. She will definitely be involved in this situation, either at the forefront or behind the scenes. I suspect she might have gone to Crossroads. This time, her target could be Xiang'er... Xiang Yaoyao, or as you call her, Aunt Xiang." Even Yue Gongnu couldn't help but show a hint of amusement when she uttered the word "Aunt."

Soon, her eyes regained their shrewdness. She glanced briefly at the two halves of Dao Qiongcang sinking into the waves near the South Sea, her willow brows slightly furrowed: "The Dao siblings are both quite troublesome..."

As if to reassure the two women, she turned back and smiled at Yu Zhiwen: "I only want to meet one person. If accompanying you on this journey allows me to achieve my wish, nothing could be better. Of course, if you have any reservations or other matters to attend to, you are free to decline my offer."

Liu Fuyu gazed at the breathtaking face before her. When Yue Gongnu smiled, it was like a hundred flowers blooming, bright enough to illuminate the night. Liu Fuyu thought that in this world, regardless of gender, it would likely be difficult to refuse her. However, Liu Fuyu remained silent, instead casting a glance at Yu Zhiwen, knowing it was now time for the two mistresses to decide.

"What are you saying, Sister Yue?" Yu Zhiwen responded with a smile, "Of course, we'll go together. We trust you." She had naturally also harbored doubts, wondering if even Yue Gongnu, standing before them, was merely a Heaven's Mystery puppet created by Dao Qiongcang.

Even the recent act of being cut in half by a sword might have been a self-directed performance by Dao Qiongcang, intended to elicit sympathy and better approach the two of them. But Yu Zhiwen was not foolish. With a shift in thought, everything became clear.

No matter how ruthless or extreme Dao Qiongcang was, he was not Dao Xuanji. There were two people he would absolutely not dare to harm: Xiang Yaoyao and Yue Gongnu. Just like when Dao Qiongcang captured Aunt Xiang in Jade Capital City last time, he moved her around until Xu Xiaoshou finally broke into the Dead Sea. Aunt Xiang remained unharmed for all that time and returned perfectly intact.

As long as the God of Death was alive, while Dao Qiongcang might have been forced by circumstances to capture Aunt Xiang as a ploy to catch Xu Xiaoshou, he wouldn't even have had time to protect her, let alone provoke animosity with the God of Death. Similarly, as long as Ba Zun'an remained alive, Dao Qiongcang would have to be incredibly audacious to allow his Heaven's Mystery puppet to impersonate Yue Gongnu and send her to deceive them.

Unless he was absolutely certain that Ba Zun'an, Xu Xiaoshou, Yue Gongnu, and she herself would all certainly perish in this situation, he would never dare to use such an extreme plan. And the inscrutable Dao Qiongcang had always respected variables. When he truly exerted himself, he would use at most forty percent of his power. The remaining sixty percent would be split: thirty percent for variables and thirty percent for better timing, acting as the situation demanded. Dao Qiongcang was simply incapable of executing a foolproof plan... Yu Zhiwen knew her "Senior Uncle's" character all too well.

"How did you get out, Sister Yue?" she added, asking this question. She naturally hoped to go to Lingyu Mountain with Yue Gongnu.

After all, Yue Gongnu was the former Holy Emperor's successor, whose vision, strategic thinking, and tactical prowess were all top-tier by current standards. Neither she nor Liu Fuyu could possibly have such a unique perspective on things.

Yet, Yu Zhiwen also knew that, by rights, Yue Gongnu should be in the Cold Prison within the Cold Palace Imperial Realm at this time. But she had not only escaped but had also been seen with Dao Qiongcang...

"Dao Qiongcang placed bets on three factions, and also guarded against Dao Xuanji, to prevent previous events from recurring. He impersonated your master, abducted me from the Cold Prison, then hid me in the South Sea, and I've only just emerged now." Yue Gongnu spoke very concisely, but the implications, upon careful thought, were quite moving.

Everyone was focused on Lingyu Mountain, awaiting the battle between Hua and Ba Zun'an, or Hua and Xu Xiaoshou. Few could have anticipated that Yue Gongnu, hidden away in the Cold Prison, or the unseen Dao Xuanji, both had the power to influence the course of the battle once again.

Even if the variables were minuscule, if they erupted at a critical moment, they would be enough to turn the tide! And the subtlety of abducting someone by impersonating Dao Xuanji was also chilling.

Even if the Cold Palace Imperial Realm eventually discovered something, now that Yue Gongli was in charge and at odds with Dao Xuanji, would he choose to turn a blind eye, or expose everything and offend Dao Qiongcang? Despite so much happening, it all remained hidden beneath the surface.

"This... is Dao Qiongcang..." Leaving aside matters of the Dao Division, when working under the Dao Hall Master, Yu Zhiwen's feelings could only be described by two words: seamless, and worry-free!

But now, with their differing positions, and her Senior Uncle standing on the opposite side, when she had to deduce all his methods and details herself: it was better not to see them, at least then she wouldn't be constantly worried. But seeing them, feeling them, only left her with a sense of helplessness afterwards, which was even more terrifying.

No wonder Xu Xiaoshou feared no one but Dao Qiongcang's tricks... Yu Zhiwen quickly composed herself, her heart leaning more towards Yue Gongnu. Yue Gongnu might still be no match for Dao Qiongcang, but she was one of the few in this era who could slightly restrain him. As for the rest, they could only wait for Xu Xiaoshou's return! Dao Qiongcang was like a raging beast, exploiting every vulnerability, and only the meticulous Xu Xiaoshou could counter his moves one by one and defend against them!

"Which three factions did he bet on?" On the side, Liu Fuyu couldn't help but ask out of curiosity. She was also part of the same situation, yet what she had learned in the past half-year was far less than what Yue Gongnu had just revealed. While ancient sword cultivators didn't typically use their brains much, this comparison made it seem like ninety-nine percent of people, including herself, were being made to look like fools.

Yue Gongnu tilted her head slightly: "The various Ancestors are at odds, and all have their own schemes. Firstly, the Demon Ancestor and Medicine Ancestor, secondly, Cursed Yin, and lastly, Ba Zun'an and Xu Xiaoshou. Dao Qiongcang offended none of the three, or rather, he cooperated with all three parties." This puzzled Liu Fuyu, who didn't understand after hearing it.

Dao Qiongcang's collusion with Cursed Yin was evident from the fall of the Great Emperor of All Beings half a year ago. Dao Qiongcang's cooperation with Xu Xiaoshou, where they used and supported each other, Liu Fuyu also knew about.

"He colluded with the Demon Ancestor and Medicine Ancestor too?" Liu Fuyu frowned, unable to figure out this connection. Being in this situation was like being lost in a dense fog. Yu Zhiwen also couldn't see any trace of collusion between Dao and Demon factions, so she waited for Sister Yue to elaborate.

Yue Gongnu sighed softly, looking at Liu Fuyu: "The collusion between Dao and Demon factions focuses on you." Liu Fuyu's beautiful eyes widened slightly. Yu Zhiwen was also somewhat disbelieving.

For the past half-year, she had spent most of her time cultivating swordsmanship with Liu Fuyu and had found no signs of "collusion" whatsoever! Without waiting for questions, Yue Gongnu's gaze fell on the pure white, flawless three-foot-long sword at Liu Fuyu's waist:

"This is one of the Twelve Swords of Sword Pavilion, 'Guardian,' isn't it?" Is it related to this sword? Yu Zhiwen's spiritual sense also focused on the sword. But there were no traces of Heaven's Mystery art or Demon Ancestor power on Guardian. How could it be implicated?

"Yes..." Liu Fuyu nodded hesitantly, a slight chill running through her. Although she still didn't understand what Yue Gongnu meant, she vaguely sensed the origin of her earlier uneasy premonition. It wasn't just Sword Pavilion! It was also related to Dao Qiongcang!

"The Guardian of Sword Pavilion..." Upon hearing the affirmative reply, Yue Gongnu's heart sank. Even though she hadn't left the Cold Prison for thirty years and hadn't concerned herself with the minor affairs of the five Great Holy Emperor Secret Realms or the five regions of the continent, she had learned much about major events, either through roundabout reports from A-Li or overheard conversations among the Listening Rain Pavilion maids. Furthermore, as the Holy Emperor's successor, she had long known about the secrets related to the Ancestor Gods. Her words now were sharp and direct, piercing through the fog:

"Sword Pavilion, if I recall correctly, seals the Demon Ancestor's spirit, doesn't it?" Hearing this, Liu Fuyu suddenly lifted her head, as if a bolt of lightning had struck her mind, capable of breaking through the chaos of her memories and revealing a corner of the mystery.

Yue Gongnu had only been speculating, but seeing Liu Fuyu's reaction, she knew her guess was largely correct. She sighed again: "The Twelve Swords of Sword Pavilion serve as a seal, and Sword Pavilion itself is the vessel for locking spirits, exiled forever within the river of time. This was Sword God Gu Louying's final struggle before falling into reincarnation. How could 'Guardian' have been so easily taken from Sword Pavilion by you?"

Liu Fuyu's face instantly paled. A figure appeared in her mind, and she murmured silently, "My master..." Another master? It seemed, then, that Liu Fuyu had been unconsciously tricked, and the key issue lay with her master.

"Your master..." "My master passed away peacefully thirteen years ago," Liu Fuyu said, knowing the woman before her had a high-level perspective and genuine insight, possibly able to see through the situation, so she dared not hide anything. "Sword Pavilion had no major abnormalities, and my master's life was also uneventful. Before passing, following the old custom, she unlocked a mystery with her sword and left a prophecy: 'When the time is right, I must take Guardian out of the Pavilion and find the one who can break the deadlock...'"

She paused, then turned to look at Yu Zhiwen: "That is, Xu Xiaoshou." Yu Zhiwen's red lips parted slightly, and she murmured, "If there were no abnormalities, why would a deadlock-breaker be needed?"

Liu Fuyu's delicate body trembled. She had never considered this point! After leaving Sword Pavilion, she had pinpointed Xu Xiaoshou, followed him all the way to Jade Capital City, and for over half a year now, Xu Xiaoshou had not gone to Sword Pavilion with her—he seemed very busy? No! If Liu Fuyu was astute, she might think: "Was Xu Xiaoshou guided?"

Yue Gongnu's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, observing Liu Fuyu as if discerning something. Finally, she gently shook her head: "Even though I haven't been out for many years, I know that someone who can face Cursed Yin and retreat unscathed from the God's Remains—Xu Xiaoshou—would certainly not be guided by the Demon Ancestor. And if you didn't do this intentionally, there's only one answer left: you were the one who received roundabout guidance and memory confusion."

Was I the culprit? Liu Fuyu panicked, feeling slandered. Her gaze darted back and forth between Yu Zhiwen and Yue Gongnu, wanting to explain but not knowing what to say. Her words caught in her throat. Overwhelmed by anxiety, she felt like a mute eating bitter melon—she had suffering but couldn't express it.

"Sister Liu wouldn't do such a thing!" Yu Zhiwen's words were firm; she believed Liu Fuyu was not a bad person. But what did Yue Gongnu mean by "roundabout guidance" and "memory confusion"?

Yue Gongnu said nothing and took Liu Fuyu's hand. Liu Fuyu instinctively resisted but ultimately didn't pull away, allowing the woman opposite her to let her holy power flow into her body and freely investigate.

Yue Gongnu released her hand: "You've been to Jade Capital City." Of course! Xu Xiaoshou was in Jade Capital City at the time. To find him and take him to Sword Pavilion, what other way was there besides entering the city? Teleporting someone remotely?

Liu Fuyu was still perplexed, but Yu Zhiwen, hearing only the words "Jade Capital City," felt a chill in her heart and probably guessed what was going on. "Hey, hey, hey!" Just then, near the South Sea, two halves of a body were carried in by the waves. Dao Qiongcang, while reattaching himself, vigorously slapped the beach with his hand and called out loudly, somewhat exasperated:

"Yue Gongnu! What happened to 'playing the zither in the Cold Prison for thirty years, oblivious to the outside world'? When you were with me in the South Sea, you acted utterly clueless, distraught, and only wanted to see your Ba... oh, Little Ba. You haven't even met him yet, and you're already starting to strategize for them, even turning against me? Don't forget! Who went to great lengths to save you from deep trouble, just to reunite the two of you—it was me! It was Dao Qiongcang!" Dao Qiongcang was furious, his face displaying intense resentment, as if he had been stabbed in the back.

Yue Gongnu ignored him, staring at Liu Fuyu and saying: "Jade Capital City is at the foot of the Holy Mountain, and the capital's Grand Array was created by Dao Qiongcang himself. You were looking for someone right under his nose; even if you tried to conceal it, would he not know?"

Liu Fuyu looked in disbelief at Dao Qiongcang on the beach, who had reassembled himself and was struggling to stand. Was it really him? And when she was searching for someone, she hadn't even bothered to conceal herself; she was completely open about it. She hadn't even considered "roundabout guidance" or "memory confusion." Who would have considered such things at the time? It was merely her master's dying wish; she just needed to bring Xu Xiaoshou. Wouldn't thinking about such things be overthinking it?

Yue Gongnu instantly recognized her naivety. How could the mundane world be as pure as the reclusive Sword Pavilion? She said in a deep voice, "Others might not know why you were looking for Xu Xiaoshou, nor would they pay much attention. But Dao Qiongcang is full of stratagems; it's impossible for him to ignore it or fail to notice."

"What stratagems? I call that being vigilant!" Dao Qiongcang yelled from behind. Yu Zhiwen had likely figured out the whole story and continued:

"So, after realizing that Guardian had left the Pavilion and Sister Liu also came from Sword Pavilion, Dao Qiongcang didn't need to guide Xu Xiaoshou, and he couldn't have anyway. He only needed to leave a Heaven's Mystery imprint through the capital's Grand Array, roundaboutly guiding Sister Liu—to dilute her existence and Sword Pavilion's existence. Even if Xu Xiaoshou were to go to Sword Pavilion, given his priorities, he wouldn't take this matter to heart, prioritizing his cultivation instead." Xu Xiaoshou had told her about guidance and roundabout guidance.

"So, it was delayed again and again, and in the blink of an eye, half a year passed, until the Ghost Buddha descended and the Three Ancestors arrived, making it impossible to go anywhere. So this matter was put on hold?" Yue Gongnu nodded slightly: "Intelligent indeed."

However, there was little praise in her voice, and her tone was quite heavy, clearly indicating that at this point, there was no room for negotiation.

"Full of stratagems..." Liu Fuyu trembled with anger, wishing she could draw her sword and hack the distant figure, who was now getting back up, into two halves, then sink him into the South Sea to feed the fish. She had heard of the inscrutable Dao Qiongcang and therefore dared not provoke him, nor did she have any intention of approaching or challenging the Ten Venerables. She simply wanted to fulfill her master's dying wish and return to Sword Pavilion to guard it for life. She never thought that by not offending anyone, others would offend her—she didn't even know when Dao Qiongcang had tampered with her!

No wonder Xu Xiaoshou, despite cultivating ancient and even famous swordsmanship, never felt tempted by Sword Pavilion, a prime location for sword cultivation where even a glance could lead to improvement. It wasn't that he wasn't tempted; the problem was that she and Sword Pavilion had both "forced" lost their appeal to Xu Xiaoshou.

"Roundabout guidance..." She looked up at the sky, the night as clean as if washed. The dead silent night sky existed whether one gazed at it or not. But compared to before, it was as if countless eerie eyes were watching her every move in the night, and countless invisible hands were guiding her direction.

Liu Fuyu suddenly felt weakness throughout her body. She was in a chess game, unknowingly a pawn, manipulated at will. When she finally realized it, about to be battered and bruised, there was no turning back. The night was so desolate, the night sky so terrifying. And when she lowered her gaze back to reality, the orchestrator of this terror had finished reassembling himself like a resurrected corpse, twisting his body and stumbling towards them.

"So you wanted to release the Demon Ancestor's spirit from Sword Pavilion and have it descend upon the five regions?" Liu Fuyu's pupils trembled, not understanding what benefit this move held for Dao Qiongcang. Dao Qiongcang stumbled with each step, his injuries seemingly not yet fully healed. He wore a smile, a chilling, half-smile that was subtle and eerie, like a lifelike dummy. He couldn't be bothered to respond to foolish remarks, simply saying to himself:

"The three of you, ignorance is bliss. Stop thinking, and you can find peace of mind. If you continue this discussion, great calamity might befall you, and terror might descend. My advice is that it's best not to, okay?"