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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 3: [Qiu Prefecture Lantern Festival]
Chapter 63 (207): [Two Debtors]
(63rd of Volume 3)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Li Weiyi dreaded women with Bai Shu's bold personality the most. She immediately exposed his rookie status, leaving him completely outmatched.
His expression turned awkward as he quickly explained, shifting the blame to Shi Liuyu.
Bai Shu refused to let go, sitting directly beside him and linking her arm through his.
Her voice, as gentle as flowing water, said, "Considering your Young Master Li's reputation for defeating all enemies, even a free companion like me wouldn't be a loss."
Shi Shishi interjected, "Xiao Bai, let go at once! Brother Weiyi is a man sought after by both the Jiu Li Tribe and the Zuoqiu Clan as a son-in-law. Why would he be interested in you?"
Bai Shu retorted, "I refuse! What's the point of those noble ladies? They know nothing, can't let loose, and wouldn't even move in bed."
Li Weiyi's head was about to explode.
'No wonder she's Shi Liuyu's disciple,' he thought.
Of course, he had never been to the Love Painting Boat.
Shi Liuyu had mentioned Bai Shu when he was forced to go to the Jiu Li Hidden Sect to gather information for the Earth Wolf King's Army after being implanted with the Six Desires Talisman.
Shi Shishi then introduced Li Weiyi to the other three members of the Earth Wolf King's Army: two Mortal Martial-Mystic Cultivators at the Fifth-Stage Five Seas Realm and a Werewolf-like Aberrant Martial-Mystic Cultivator who had reached the Sixth Sea.
In terms of the younger generation's strength, the Earth Wolf King's Army was exceptionally powerful, far surpassing the San Chen Palace.
However, the Sui Sect and Night City were no pushovers, and were even stronger.
Even in one-on-one combat, victory was uncertain.
Yin Jiu's task for the Earth Wolf King's Army was to simultaneously contain the Sui Sect and Night City. This revealed the dire situation faced by the Zuoqiu Clan and the Jiu Li Tribe, leaving them with no spare forces to deploy.
"Night City will also attack? Their backing is the Young Venerable," said Jia Raodao, who had cultivated to the Sixth Sea.
"Could it be that the Far Western Ashlands and the Imperial Court will be launching a simultaneous attack? Who could withstand that?"
Except for Bai Shu, the Demonic Woman who clung to Li Weiyi's arm, the young Martial-Mystic Cultivators of the Earth Wolf King's Army wore grim expressions.
Shi Shishi said, "It's only a possibility, but we must be prepared. Changning Street, where the Sui Sect Martial-Mystic Cultivators are gathering, is only three miles from the South Lake Guild Hall, where Night City's forces are concentrated. With our cultivation, we can travel between them in an instant."
"Here's the plan: The main force of the Earth Wolf King's Army will remain concentrated near Changning Street. Tao Yanyan, you go alone to monitor the South Lake Guild Hall. If Night City's forces make any suspicious moves, signal with a wolf howl."
Tao Yanyan's eyes widened like copper bells, "Can you handle Yang Qingxi?"
Shi Shishi, aware of his limitations, forced a bitter smile: "Yang Qingxi is among the top Second-Tier Martial-Mystic Cultivators in the Southern Territory - the same person who escaped Zuoqiu Ting's grasp. You don't really think we're here to capture her, do you? Tonight, our primary goal is containment, not a desperate fight. If we can't win, I know how to run, don't I?"
Li Weiyi, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke: "Everyone, there's no need to be so tense. Whether a battle erupts tonight depends on the outcome of the clash between the top-tier figures."
"Brother Weiyi, what do you think?" Bai Shu asked, her voice as sweet and naive as a silly girl's.
Li Weiyi replied, "If Zuoqiu Ting, Cang Li, and Li Jiufu don't suffer a complete, one-sided defeat, a full-scale war is unlikely to erupt. But if all three of them die, we have no reason to fight. We should flee the city immediately and abandon the Hidden Dragon Competition. That's the wisest course of action."
Shi Shishi interjected, "What if they both suffer heavy losses?"
Li Weiyi said, "That's hard to say. If both sides are rational, they wouldn't be fighting in the first place! They'd have to cease hostilities, quickly consolidate their defenses, and prevent other factions from taking advantage of their weakness. When people lose their minds in the heat of battle, anything can happen."
Facing Ge Xiantong and the potential intervention of the Young Venerable, no one believed the Zuoqiu Clan or the Jiu Li Tribe had any chance of victory.
Everyone's only hope was to survive the night's fiercest attacks. They believed that a new power structure would naturally emerge by morning.
Li Weiyi continued, "We should all thank the Calamity Crossing Temple's Immortal Master. When he revealed the conditions for becoming a True Dragon, I suspect he planted a seed of evil in Luansheng Linyou's heart. After all, Ge Xiantong is the only one in the city who can prevent him from becoming a True Dragon."
"At the same time, Ge Xiantong will become even more wary of him."
"Even if they had truly reached an agreement before, a serious rift has now formed between them, making them bitter enemies. This gives the Zuoqiu Clan and the Jiu Li Tribe a sliver of hope."
"Buzz!"
"Buzz!"
...
The New Year bell tolled from Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain, signaling the start of the Hidden Dragon Competition.
Countless fireworks soared into the sky, exploding into a dazzling and beautiful display.
The Snow Wolf Chariot, still speeding through South City, was heading straight for Changning Street.
Li Weiyi said, "I think Yang Qingxi and Yuwen Tuozhen have likely gone to the main battlefield. They won't be at Changning Street or the South Lake Guild Hall. Our biggest opponent might be that mysterious Black-Clad Woman from the Sui Sect."
Tao Yanyan nodded: "I agree! Jia Rao, you go watch the South Lake Guild Hall. I'll deal with the Black-Clad Woman."
Jia Rao nodded in agreement.
Shi Shishi said, "Brother Weiyi, are you really going to take on the Sui Sect tonight?"
"What's wrong?" Li Weiyi asked.
Shi Shishi wore a worried expression: "I'm afraid we'll be the ones getting taken down. There's a big difference in strength between the Earth Wolf King's Army and the Sui Sect. Besides, Changning Street is their home turf."
Tao Yanyan added, "That's right. As a genius like you, why risk your life like this?"
"I'm here to collect a debt! There won't be a second chance like this tonight," Li Weiyi said, knowing they were being tactful, trying to spare his feelings by avoiding words like "reckless" or "suicidal."
"Don't worry. There are ways to collect a debt that might not require us to risk our lives," Li Weiyi said.
"Boom!"
In the city, a thunderous roar shook the heavens near the Xuantian (Profound Heaven) Stone Wall, as countless purple lightning bolts shot skyward.
Everyone on the chariot turned to look.
"It's the Thunder Ice Technique, used to break formations. The battle between top-tier experts must have begun!" Tao Yanyan said.
The chariot raced onward, the streets on either side shrouded in darkness, doors bolted and windows shuttered.
Only near Changning Street did lights reappear. Young Martial-Mystic Cultivators in armor guarded every intersection, and a formation barrier enveloped all the buildings along the several-hundred-meter-long street.
The Sui Sect Martial-Mystic Cultivators had already assembled, poised to strike.
Shi Shishi went to rally the Earth Wolf King's Army.
Li Weiyi and Tao Yanyan arrived first, concealing their auras and hiding in the shadows to observe.
Bai Shu flew over, her eyes flashing with sharp light, her earlier dazed and gentle demeanor completely gone.
"The wolf scouts monitoring Changning Street reported that Yang Qingxi and Yang Yue left this afternoon and haven't returned. The only experts left are Yang Zhiyong and a few Great Spiritual Masters. We could simply eliminate them directly."
Tao Yanyan said, "Don't underestimate them! Changning Street is swarming with Sui Sect Five Seas Realm Martial-Mystic Cultivators and Great Spirit Masters - at least seventy or eighty of them. If we get surrounded, I'll die in there."
"Huh! What a powerful Disguise Technique..."
Bai Shu exclaimed, staring at Li Weiyi.
Li Weiyi's appearance and physique had undergone a drastic transformation, now resembling Yang Yue, the second-ranked expert of the Sui Sect.
Tao Yanyan frowned, feeling she couldn't dissuade him: "How much does the Sui Sect owe you that you're risking so much?"
"It's a long story," Li Weiyi replied.
Tao Yanyan said, "Your Disguise Technique is remarkable, but someone familiar with Yang Yue might see through it."
"Don't worry, I'm not being reckless. I just want to confirm a suspicion. I believe that if I were the Black-Clad Woman, the Sui Sect's hidden power, I wouldn't live on Changning Street. I'd be hiding nearby."
Li Weiyi waved to them, shouldered a heavy sword, and, in Yang Yue's guise, prepared to circle Changning Street.
Bai Shu watched his retreating figure and said, "He's got guts, doesn't he? He's not afraid of actually drawing out the Black-Clad Woman? He's only in the Fourth Stage of the Five Seas Realm... I think he's the real Barbarian Bandit."
Tao Yanyan replied, "Drawing her out would be great! A master like that hiding in the shadows is truly terrifying."
Li Weiyi moved through the streets and alleys, using his hearing and sense of smell while carefully observing every building. He tried to put himself in the Black-Clad Woman's shoes, imagining what kind of place she would choose to live in and what state she would be in right now.
"Creak!"
On the right, along the riverbank, a grand four-story building that had been pitch-black suddenly had its doors thrown open.
"Uncle Yue?"
Yang Yun, emerging from the doorway, called out uncertainly.
Li Weiyi stopped, glanced up at the grand building's plaque - Immortal Joy Pavilion - and realized it was a brothel.
He flashed forward, slapped Yang Yun across the face, and scolded, "Tonight is fraught with danger. The Sui Sect's Martial-Mystic Cultivators are fully prepared, ready to rush to the battlefield and fight for their sect's future. And here you are, daring to come to a place like this! I'll report you to your sister."
Yang Yun was a Nine Springs Supreme. After consuming the Crimson Haze Herb, he had transformed into a Pure Immortal Physique. His cultivation had now reached the Fifth-Stage Five Seas Realm, making his future limitless.
He dared not defy Yang Yue. Scanning his surroundings, he quickly explained, "Uncle Yue, you misunderstand. I'm here on official business."
"Stop talking nonsense. What official business could you possibly have here?" Li Weiyi pressed, trying to glean more information.
Yang Yun was about to speak when a woman's voice, enough to startle Li Weiyi's soul and spirit, echoed from the doorway behind him: "Yang Yue, weren't you supposed to be with Qingxi at Ge Xiantong's Immortal Banquet? The city is filled with powerful Spiritual Qi fluctuations and constant booming sounds. It seems the Imperial Court's battle against the Zuoqiu Clan and the Jiu Li Tribe has already begun."
It was Yang Qingxi's voice.
How bizarre!
Could there really be two Yang Qingxi?
Li Weiyi glanced at the open door behind Yang Yun.
Inside, it was pitch black.
Even with Spiritual Qi coursing through his eyes, he couldn't see anything, as if staring into a stagnant pool of dead water.
Just as Li Weiyi was about to seize Yang Yun as a hostage and send a wolf howl to alert Tao Yanyan and Bai Shu, Yang Qingxi's voice echoed from within the door: "It seems Yang Zhiyong didn't tell you! There's no need to be so shocked. Yang Qingxi has always been two people: one working in the open, the other hidden in the shadows, cultivating in seclusion. We switch places whenever necessary, so neither of us ever neglects our cultivation. As Yang Qingxi, I've actually met you twice before, but you never knew it!"
Li Weiyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately changed his strategy. He sighed, "You've hidden yourselves so well! After all these years, we've only met twice?"
"One in the light, one in the shadows - naturally, there's a distinction between the primary and secondary roles. I only take over in the open when she's in seclusion," Yang Qingxi's voice replied.
Li Weiyi's mind raced. He concluded that the five chests of Yongquan Coins were likely stolen by this Yang Qingxi. Feigning composure, he explained, "Qingxi said tonight is extremely dangerous. Zuoqiu Ting, Cang Li, and Li Jiufu are all peak experts comparable to Dao Seed Realm cultivators. She told me not to participate in the fighting over there and to slip away at the first opportunity."
"She's right! The Sui Sect's foundation is too weak to risk our lives for the Imperial Court. Just look at how Jiang Ning publicly executed Sheng Qingyan - it's clear the Imperial Court treats us like dogs. Hmph! Come in. It's time we formally meet." Yang Qingxi said.
Li Weiyi was now in a dilemma.
Why hadn't Shi Shishi and the Earth Wolf King's Army arrived yet?
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END OF CHAPTER
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