Chapter 225: Catching Cheating

In the teahouse, martial cultivators from various major powers were discussing the significant events of the past few days.

“After the Zhu Clan was defeated, Zuoqiu Hong intervened to save Zhu Yibai.”

“It’s said that Wuxin Golden Ape, along with the demon martial cultivators from Tianya Ridge, also pledged allegiance to the Zuoqiu Enclave, instead of siding with the Far West Ashlands.”

“Tianya Ridge, after all, is located deep within the Southern Territory, right under the nose of the Zuoqiu Enclave. It’s different from Coffin Mountain, which is on the border of the Southern Territory, and Night City, hidden within the Necropolis.”

“The Zuoqiu Enclave’s prestige grows daily; it has almost unified the Southern City. Its overall strength is now enough to contend with the Imperial Court and the Far West Ashlands!”

“Li Weiyi and Yang Qingxi have been missing for five days, as if they vanished into thin air. All major powers have searched the entire city but found no trace of them.”

“Rumor has it they already died at the hands of powerful figures from the Far West Ashlands. How could anyone who offends Luan Sheng Lin You possibly escape with their life?”

“Yang Qingxi’s Dragon Seed token did indeed fall into Luan Sheng Lin You’s hands.”

“It’s a pity. Killing a top expert like Hua Yuzi should have made them famous throughout the land.”

Hearing this, Yang Qingxi sneered, about to retort with a few sarcastic remarks.

Suddenly, a familiar strange laugh echoed: “Where did you hear such false news? As far as I know, those two are enjoying themselves somewhere! Have you heard of ‘Babbling Brook’?”

“Heard of it, heard of it! Everyone says Young Master Li is highly skilled and always delivers on his promises. Whether it’s defeating all enemies in five moves or the bold pronouncement of ‘Babbling Brook,’ he never fails to impress.”

“If he hadn’t truly taken down Yang Qingxi, given their mortal enmity, how could they possibly have joined forces against an enemy?”

Beneath her veil, Yang Qingxi’s face turned livid. She turned to look at Shi Liuyu and Shi Jiuzhai, who were coming up the stairs, and transmitted a message to Li Weiyi using spiritual energy: “Were those vulgar words truly yours?”

Li Weiyi gave a wry smile, bowing his head as he poured tea for Shi Liuyu and Shi Jiuzhai in advance: “If I had such intentions, Miss Yang, would you dare to live under the same roof with me? What are we even talking about... My goodness, please stop. Don’t ever let me hear that term again.”

Shi Liuyu sat down at the tea table where the two were, picked up a cup of tea, and drank it. He looked at Li Weiyi with a smile, asking with great curiosity, “Young Li, how’s the ‘brook’?”

“Law King, I’m right here!” Yang Qingxi tapped the table with her finger, speaking coldly.

“Thump!”

Shi Jiuzhai kicked Shi Liuyu: “It was fine to say that before; after all, you were enemies. But it’s different now. She’s our sister-in-law, show some respect.”

Shi Liuyu quickly cupped his hands and apologized to them: “Brother Six was in the wrong. For your wedding, I’ll punish myself with three cups.”

“No need for self-punishment, just settle the bill!”

Li Weiyi immediately stood up and left, not daring to stay with Shi Liuyu and Shi Jiuzhai.

There were too many eyes and ears here. If people saw the two Law Kings at their table, someone would surely suspect his and Yang Qingxi’s identities.

Their identities and whereabouts could easily be exposed because of this.

Yang Qingxi quickly followed, hurrying down the stairs.

After leaving the teahouse, the two walked along the bustling street.

Yang Qingxi said, “Those two must have been sent by the old fogeys of the Jiuli Tribe, deliberately trying to expose your whereabouts, separate us, and force you back to Southern City. Li Weiyi, let’s part ways here!”

Li Weiyi said, “I still think we should resolve the Six Desires Talisman first!”

“If you help me rescue Yang Zhiyong, I’ll immediately agree to nullify it with you and pay you a generous reward. Don’t rush to refuse; with the current rumors about you and me, if I approach Shi Shishi, he’ll definitely be willing to help me rescue him,” Yang Qingxi said with a smile.

“Then go find him! Neither of you wants to be involved anymore.”

Li Weiyi turned and headed towards Evergreen Temple.

Yang Qingxi watched his retreating back, the smile in her eyes gradually fading. Li Weiyi’s steadfast resolve exceeded her expectations; despite all her efforts, she couldn’t sway him.

Such a person cannot be subdued!

Only at this moment did Yang Qingxi truly begin to consider whether to pursue reconciliation with all her might, or to have her Sect Master kill him at all costs after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, to prevent future troubles.

Yang Qingxi had a crucial issue that she hadn’t mentioned to Li Weiyi at all.

That was, the established enmity with the Jiuli Tribe was bound to involve both of them. The difficulty of reconciliation was far greater than eliminating the hidden danger.

Yang Qingxi’s eyes were as calm as water. She looked up from her deep thoughts and realized she was at a crossroads.

Back at Evergreen Temple, Li Weiyi sensed someone inside the guest hall when he was still dozens of feet away from where he and Yang Qingxi were staying.

He stopped, and the spiritual energy within his body began to circulate.

Zuoqiu Ting’s voice came from inside: “Where’s Miss Yang, who came back alone?”

Li Weiyi quickly walked over to the door, looked at the three people inside, and smiled, “How did you find me?”

Zuoqiu Ting sat on a chair, holding a folding fan, legs crossed, facing the door.

Shi Shishi was face down on the bed, his rear sticking up, sniffing around like a fat cat: “I smell both of you. Brother Weiyi, did you sleep for five days?”

Qi Xiao examined the table and windows, looking for suspicious traces.

“Impressive!”

He gave Li Weiyi a thumbs-up and bowed deeply: “Young Master Li, please teach me your true scripture. How did you manage to conquer a woman like Yang Qingxi? She’s one of the top powerhouses among the younger generation of women in the Southern Territory, strong in methods, strong in mind, and strong in ability.”

Li Weiyi stepped inside and sat next to Zuoqiu Ting: “What are you doing in the Eastern Territory? Did you come specifically to catch me in the act?”

“Haha!”

Zuoqiu Ting chuckled, “If we wanted to catch you in the act, we would have come three days ago, and we would have brought Li Ling. See, aren’t I righteous, brother? I didn’t bring any Jiuli Tribe martial cultivators, just so you wouldn’t be caught in the middle and find it difficult.”

“You knew we were at Evergreen Temple three days ago?” Li Weiyi asked.

“To be precise, I knew the afternoon of the second day after you hid in Evergreen Temple! But I was too busy then, and I knew you needed to recover from your injuries, so I didn’t disturb you.”

Zuoqiu Ting said seriously, “Do you know what the Zuoqiu Enclave’s greatest advantage is in this Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival? It’s our network of informants spread across every corner of the city.”

“The fact that you evaded this network for a day and a night is already very impressive!”

Li Weiyi asked, “Are you preparing to make a move against Dragon Gate and Thundercloud Sect?”

“Can’t I just be here to visit you two ruthless individuals who killed Hua Yuzi? Li Weiyi, you’ve helped me immensely! Without Hua Yuzi, Luan Sheng Lin You is no longer invincible, and their mobility is severely restricted,” Zuoqiu Ting said.

The location of the Immortality Pill tokens will be displayed on all Class A, Class B, and Class C invitations.

If Luan Sheng Lin You carries the Immortality Pill tokens, any movement they make will expose their whereabouts in advance.

If they leave the Immortality Pill tokens at their stronghold without a top expert like Hua Yuzi guarding them, their lair could easily be raided.

Zuoqiu Ting said, “I came to the Eastern Territory not to deal with Dragon Gate and Thundercloud Sect, but precisely to protect them. Tonight, the Imperial Court, the Far West Ashlands, and the Snow Sword Tang Court are preparing to join forces to eliminate the ‘Two Worms of the Eastern Territory’ and divide all the Immortality Pills, Dragon Seeds, and Dragon Bones in the Eastern Territory.”

Li Weiyi instantly understood: “So, these three factions’ next target is the Zuoqiu Enclave?”

Zuoqiu Ting nodded: “Recently, the Zuoqiu Enclave’s influence has grown too strong. If those three factions weren’t worried about Dragon Gate and Thundercloud Sect reaping the benefits, they would be attacking us tonight.”

“Now, the existence of Dragon Gate and Thundercloud Sect has become a force that restrains them.”

Li Weiyi muttered to himself, “No wonder...”

It turned out that the appearance of Shi Liuyu and Shi Jiuzhai was meant to force him away from the Eastern Territory, this impending maelstrom, and to warn him.

Qi Xiao said, “Brother Weiyi, you don’t have a Dragon Seed token or a Dragon Bone token yet, do you? How about we seize the chaos tonight and get one of each? Law King Shishi and I will help you.”

“Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Qi, but I’m not in a hurry for now.”

Li Weiyi was naturally interested in the rewards from Transcending Tribulation Temple, but he always felt that having his identity and location locked down was too dangerous, so he had never actively pursued them.

“Then you two help me get mine first,” Shi Shishi said.

Li Weiyi thought of something and looked at Zuoqiu Ting in surprise: “Wait, with such a massive situation tonight, you only brought the two of them to save Dragon Gate and Thundercloud Sect?”

Yang Qingxi rode in a carriage, returning to Northern City.

Upon reaching the Governor’s Mansion gate, her carriage was intercepted by an Imperial Court martial arts expert from the Fifth Sea realm, cultivating the Sixth Sea. He coldly bellowed, “Who goes there? Do you not know the Imperial Court’s rule that no carriages or idle persons may approach within ten zhang of the Governor’s Mansion? Violators will be executed.”

Yang Qingxi lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out.

Outside, Imperial Court martial cultivators had already surrounded them, each with a vigilant expression.

Yang Qingxi removed her veil, revealing an exquisite, striking, and beautiful face. “Yang Qingxi!” she declared. “I wasn’t aware when the Imperial Court established this rule?”

“What, she’s Yang Qingxi?”

“Yang Qingxi, who killed Hua Yuzi!”

“It can’t be a Cinder Spirit, can it?”

The Imperial Court martial cultivators, wielding their spear artifacts, burst into a flurry of discussion, as if a pot had boiled over. Some were shocked, some awed, and some admired her.

A martial cultivator had already rushed into the Governor’s Mansion gate to report.

Yang Qingxi knew that these Imperial Court martial cultivators were the type to bully the weak and admire the strong. So, she deliberately let out an arrogant sneer: “The top expert under Luan Sheng Lin You’s command died by my hand. What Cinder Spirit could possibly skin me alive?”

The Sixth Sea martial cultivator from before immediately stepped forward and bowed: “Esteemed Yang, my apologies. The struggle for supremacy in Qiuzhou City has grown increasingly fierce. Every day, martial cultivators and carriages come to breach our gates with lightning spells and profound ice. That’s why this rule was established. Please forgive us if we have offended you.”

Jiang Ning personally came to the Governor’s Mansion gate to greet her, stating coldly, “Yang Qingxi, the Second Palace Master wishes to see you!”

Yang Qingxi quickly reined in her arrogance and strode through the gate. She paused briefly beside Jiang Ning and bowed: “How could Qingxi be worthy of an Imperial Envoy coming out to greet her?”

Behind Jiang Ning, Zhuang Yue clenched her fists so tightly her teeth almost ground together, staring at Yang Qingxi as she went to pay respects to the Second Palace Master: “Look at her arrogant demeanor! If it weren’t for delivering the Second Palace Master’s orders, why would Miss Jiang have to put up with her? Hua Yuzi wasn’t killed by her alone!”

Jiang Ning shot her a glance: “The power Yang Qingxi displayed is at the successor level, and she indeed performed the first great deed for the Imperial Court in the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. You, in the future, be more careful with your words.”