bookbashuk Chapter 137 Got It Wrong
Chapter 137 Got It Wrong
Chapter 137 Got It Wrong
As night deepened, a single lamp flickered dimly inside the restaurant.
A waiter from the restaurant came to light a lamp for the two of them. The dim light cast their long shadows on the wall.
After sharing drinks and having heart-to-heart talks, when their eyes met, they genuinely felt a sense of kinship, as if they were both wanderers in the same world.
With Li Qingyi's masterful acting skills, he perfectly portrayed the character of a "lovestruck landlord" who was tormented by love, anxious about losing her, and longing to understand everything about his beloved.
From Cui Yao's slightly reminiscent and sentimental narration, Li Qingyi learned that:
Zhao Mengxi joined the Dao Sect three years ago and quickly became the focus of attention among the outer disciples due to her exceptional talent and temperament. Now, at only nineteen years old, her cultivation has already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining, making her a true prodigy.
This startled Li Qingyi. When his cultivation level was low, he had planned to go and kidnap Zhao Mengxi.
This dead roast chicken still carries a hidden treasure! It only reveals the fifth level of Qi Refining, truly insidious.
But then I thought about it again and it made sense. How could someone enter the Dao Sect without some talent?
The Zhao Mengxi described by Cui Yao was completely different from the one Li Qingyi knew.
She was depicted as a serene and aloof fairy who kept her distance from everyone and was devoted to the Dao.
Hearing this, Li Qingyi couldn't help but wonder:
How come when it comes to me, the style suddenly changes to that of a scheming and fickle roast chicken?
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became slightly tipsy.
Seeing that the time was right, Li Qingyi subtly changed the subject and asked, "Brother Cui, last night I overheard you and Mengxi discussing going to the Zhao family. Could you tell me the details? Mengxi seems to attach great importance to this trip."
Cui Yao paused slightly in his hand as he raised his glass, and his brows immediately furrowed.
By the flickering lamplight, his sharp gaze fixed on Li Qingyi's face. "Brother Fang, why did you suddenly ask about this?"
Li Qingyi's face showed some worry: "Brother Cui, you may not know this, but in a few days, I will be returning to the Zhao family with Mengxi. If we can know more about the inside story, we can make plans in advance to avoid any unforeseen events."
Cui Yao pondered for a long time, the wine in his glass swirling gently. Finally, he put down his glass, his voice lowering slightly: "I know very little about the specifics. I only know that the Zhao family seems to have recently encountered a great treasure or opportunity, attracting the covetous eyes of many powerful forces. The situation is extremely complex. My master also strictly ordered me not to get involved lightly."
Li Qingyi felt slightly disappointed.
His original intention was to use Cui Yao to probe the Dao Sect's true attitude and plans regarding the Zhao family, but this answer was sparse and watertight.
Was it due to ignorance, or was it a deliberate attempt to conceal something due to lingering suspicion?
He was not satisfied and decided to take another drastic measure.
"Brother Cui, do you know the nature of metal?"
"Metal element?" Upon hearing this, Cui Yao looked bewildered, his brows furrowing.
"What is this? Some kind of special spiritual material? Or a key point in a cultivation technique?"
Seeing Cui Yao's reaction, Li Qingyi was basically certain that he himself was completely unaware of this.
However, Li Qingyi had a question in her mind: in the simulation before last, Zhao Mengxi wanted to take Ling'er away from the Zhao family.
If Zhao Mengxi is a disciple of the Dao Sect, does that mean the Dao Sect is also plotting against Jin Xing? It's just that they have reasons for not acting openly.
Otherwise, with Xuan Ce City so close to the Dao Sect, Ling'er would never have been able to leave.
Li Qingyi couldn't help but rub her temples. She regretted bringing Ling'er to Xuan Ce City.
"Brother Fang, what is this 'metal element' you mentioned earlier?"
These two words seemed to possess a magical power, captivating Cui Yao's mind.
Li Qingyi frowned; Cui Yao's reaction was somewhat unexpected.
Although their contact was brief, Li Qingyi knew that the other party shouldn't be so interested in two unfamiliar characters.
There's a problem.
Suddenly, Li Qingyi had an idea. He got up, walked to Cui Yao's ear, and whispered something to him.
"The metal element is formed from a single, immortal essence of heaven and earth. Obtaining it allows one to build a flawless foundation for the Dao and unlock the gates to the Golden Elixir."
Upon hearing this, Cui Yao's pupils contracted and his breathing became rapid.
"Brother Fang, is what you say true?!"
Li Qingyi gave him a mysterious smile. "Of course."
Cui Yao's expression was nothing short of fascinating, conveying shock, worry, and joy.
A mix of emotions made Li Qingyi's scalp tingle.
Something's not right—
Li Qingyi looked up at the sky, thinking to herself: Could it be that someone above has started making arrangements?
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Cui Yao recovered his senses and bowed to Li Qingyi, saying, "Thank you very much, Brother Fang, for revealing such a shocking secret. I am deeply grateful. Farewell, we will meet again in the Zhao family—"
After saying that, he left the restaurant.
Li Qingyi's heart sank little by little.
Originally, I wanted to test whether he had anyone backing him, but now it seems I've gone a bit too far.
After all, in the simulation, Cui Yao didn't go to the Zhao family.
With a heavy heart, Li Qingyi returned to Huanzhulou and made her choice.
"I choose option two."
Under the cover of night, you went to find Zhao Mengxi, and on the way, you noticed her acting suspiciously as she headed out of the Zhao family's house.
[After a moment's hesitation, you decided to secretly follow. You concealed your presence to the extreme, and as soon as you left the Zhao family compound, you saw Zhao Mengxi summon her mount and fly towards the imperial city.]
You sighed and finally returned to the Zhao family. The capital was a dangerous place, and going there now would not be wise. Besides, your travel speed was slower than that of the mount, so you simply returned to the Zhao family.
Just as you were about to return, Zhao Wuyi suddenly appeared and blocked your way, asking what you were doing leaving the Zhao family in the middle of the night.
[You gazed in the direction of the imperial city, a chill running through you. Zhao Wuyi's question could only mean one thing: he hadn't discovered Zhao Mengxi's secret departure from the Zhao family, or perhaps he was simply used to her behavior.]
After a moment's hesitation, you told Zhao Wuyi what you had just witnessed. He looked hesitant. You then asked him if he knew that Zhao Mengxi had joined the Dao Sect. His expression became even more grave after you finished speaking.
[You devise a plan. Immediately tell Zhao Wuyi your speculations about the Dao Sect and suggest he try to join forces with the Sanyi Sect.]
You don't know if he listened to your advice before he took you back to the Zhao family.
Three days passed in a flash, and just like the previous simulations, the banquet proceeded smoothly. To your surprise, just as you were preparing to descend the mountain, Zhao Wuyi invited you to his cave dwelling.
To your surprise, you encounter Jiang Yanxu here. After a conversation, you learn that the Six Gate Generals and the Zhao family are on the same side, fighting against the Three Sects and the Imperial Family. As for how the gold will be distributed, that will be discussed after the matter is settled.
You can tell that Jiang Yanxu is asking for your opinion; he clearly sees you as the representative of the Listening Rain Pavilion Master.
You had no choice but to agree. With the agreement reached, you began discussing how to counter the royal family and the three powerful clans.
[You've received intelligence that the Zhengyang Immortal Sect has already sent people to contain them, leaving only the Dao Sect and the Imperial Family as difficult targets.]
[Learn from your mistakes. Have the two of them control Zhao Jingci, who has sided with the royal family, and tell them that Zhao Jingci is willing to sacrifice his life and vital essence to use forbidden techniques for Li Xuance.]
Jiang Yanxu was very puzzled after hearing this, not understanding why the Purple Mansion True Person of the Zhao family would pledge allegiance to the royal family.
Seeing Zhao Wuyi's face ashen, he wisely refrained from pressing further.
Seeing that the two had agreed to your plan, you then told them that they must capture Zhao Jingci within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, otherwise Li Changqing from the royal family would send reinforcements.
[After hearing this, Jiang Yanxu and Zhao Wuyi looked at you with a hint of apprehension. You know they definitely mistook it for the Listening Rain Pavilion's intelligence network.]
[You don't want to explain, and you can't explain. Now, only the Dao Sect's movements remain a mystery. You look at Zhao Wuyi, wanting to know what will happen to Zhao Mengxi, but he only shakes his head at you.]
After some discussion, you decided to capture Zhao Jingci tonight. Leave Zhao Wuyi's cave and head down the mountain to find Qin Xiyue.
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