Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 124

Elder Di Sheng interjected, "Indeed, I've heard that evil cultivators are skilled in all sorts of strange spells, so we must be cautious. I will use spatial magic to strengthen the palace's defenses and prevent the evil cultivators from infiltrating again."

Liu Sijun: "We can also set some traps to lure the evil cultivators in. Let them know that we are not powerless to fight back."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, they went to a secret room in the palace to discuss countermeasures in detail.

Inside the secret chamber, everyone sat around a huge stone table, on which was placed a map of Zhongzhou City.

Gu Changzhou pointed to the map and said, "We can set up some defensive formations around the palace, which will be overseen by Elder Lang, Elder Di Sheng, and several elders from Yougu Palace. These formations must not only be able to resist the attacks of evil cultivators, but also be able to monitor their movements."

Elder Lang nodded and said, "I will incorporate concealment and tracking spells into the formation so that we can detect any evil cultivators who approach immediately."

Elder Di Sheng also said, "Based on the magic array, I will use spatial magic to set up some spatial traps, so that evil cultivators will never return."

Ji He: "I will lead the alchemists of Yougu Palace to refine some special pills. These pills can enhance our strength and also restrain evil cultivators."

Song Hongyuan: "Ding Yiguan and I are responsible for strengthening our research on the 'Chaos Gathering Pill' and striving to figure out its secrets as soon as possible, so that we may be able to find the key to fighting against evil cultivators."

Nightshade: "I will lead the Shadow Guards to patrol the city secretly to prevent evil cultivators from infiltrating the city and harming the people."

With everyone contributing their ideas, a detailed plan was gradually developed.

Xuanji Hall

Lin Yan, who had been in seclusion for several months, has finally emerged.

Although he couldn't come out these past few months, he still directed the Xuanji Hall's operations and was fully aware of the current situation in Zhongzhou City.

At the same time, they were extremely dissatisfied.

"That good-for-nothing Du Wei personally led so many people, but he still couldn't kill Gu Changzhou."

The key issue is that we don't even know if they're dead or alive now.

Lin Yan paced back and forth in the Xuanji Hall, his face full of anger.

One of his subordinates beside him kept his head down, not daring to breathe.

Lin Yan abruptly stopped, staring intently at his subordinate, and said sternly, "Go and find out where Du Xuanwei is. I want to see her alive or dead! If you can't even handle this, don't come back."

The subordinate trembled and quickly replied, "Yes, Master, I'll take care of it right away."

After saying that, he left in a hurry.

Lin Yan snorted coldly, secretly thinking: Gu Changzhou is truly troublesome; if he isn't eliminated quickly, he will become a major threat. And that 'Chaos Gathering Pill' must not be allowed to be refined by them; if I can't get it, I'll destroy it!

The palace has now gathered forces from various sides, and a direct confrontation is definitely not the best strategy.

Lin Yan's mind raced. He decided to disrupt the enemy's plans first, and then seize an opportunity to act. He summoned a subordinate skilled in intelligence gathering: "Go, spread some false information, saying that the Misty Palace is colluding with our Xuanji Hall. Also, find a trusted confidant who is proficient in disguise, disguise him as a disciple of Yaohua Palace, and deliberately slander the Misty Palace in front of Gu Changzhou and the others."

Only by sowing discord between Gu Changzhou and the various sects, creating internal conflicts among them, can the problem be fundamentally solved.

The confidant looked troubled: "Master, if this is discovered, I'm afraid..."

Lin Yan glared at him: "Hmph, if you can't handle this matter properly, you'll have to answer to me with your head!"

The trusted confidant dared not say another word and left to carry out the order.

After doing all this, Lin Yan felt it wasn't enough, so he decided to send another group of experts skilled in concealment and assassination to infiltrate the alchemy room of Yougu Palace without making a sound.

"Remember, first destroy the alchemy furnace and medicinal herbs, and it would be best if you could kill a few alchemists."

After making these arrangements, Lin Yan gave a sinister smile.

I haven't seen the Crown Prince for many days. I've helped him so much, and now it's time to repay him.

Lin Yan turned around and beckoned to a trusted aide, whispering, "Go and inform the First Prince that I wish to see him. Tell him to find a secluded place, and I will personally go to meet him."

The trusted confidant obeyed the order and quickly disappeared into the night as a black shadow.

A day later, Lin Yan disguised himself and quietly arrived at the meeting place agreed upon with the eldest prince.

This was an abandoned old house, overgrown with weeds, exuding a sinister atmosphere. The eldest prince was already waiting here. When he saw Lin Yan, a complex expression appeared on his face, showing both awe and a hint of helplessness.

"Master Lin, may I ask what brings you to this prince's presence?" The eldest prince spoke first, his tone tinged with caution.

Lin Yan sneered and said, "Your Highness, I have done so much for you, and now it is time for you to repay me. Gu Changzhou and the others are currently gathering forces from all sides in Zhongzhou City, trying to protect the 'Chaos Gathering Pill,' which is extremely detrimental to our plans. As a prince, you must have your own power in the city. Find a way to cause them some trouble."

The eldest prince frowned, looking troubled: "Master Lin, as you know, Father is now very suspicious of me, and my power in the palace has been greatly weakened. It's not easy for me to stir up trouble in the city."

Lin Yan's eyes flashed with malice as he approached the eldest prince and threatened, "Your Highness, you'd better think of a way, otherwise, if our plan fails, do you think you can escape unscathed? Don't forget, you and I are in the same boat."

Bei Chenhan felt a chill run down his spine. After weighing the pros and cons, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, Hall Master Lin, I will do my best. But you must promise me that once the plan succeeds and we obtain the 'Chaos Gathering Pill,' you will help me ascend the throne."

Lin Yan's lips curled into a triumphant smile: "Your Highness, rest assured, as long as you cooperate obediently, I, the Hall Master, will certainly not treat you unfairly. You can start by spreading rumors, saying that Gu Changzhou and others intend to rebel and want to use the power of the 'Chaos Gathering Pill' to usurp the throne. Then bribe some commoners to spread the word throughout the city and create chaos."

Bei Chenhan nodded: "That's not difficult, I'll arrange it right away. But I'm not sure how effective it will be."

Lin Yan patted the eldest prince on the shoulder: "Your Highness need not worry. As long as the people in the city are in a state of panic, Gu Changzhou and his men will have to be distracted. Moreover, with the divisive tactics I arranged earlier, internal conflicts will inevitably arise among them. At that time, we can seize the opportunity and take the 'Chaos Gathering Pill' in one fell swoop."

Bei Chenhan took a deep breath and said, "I hope it's as Hall Master Lin says. Then this prince will go back and make preparations now."

Lin Yan watched the Crown Prince's departing figure, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

But he knew that at this time, the eldest prince still had value and he still had to deal with him.

(End of this chapter)