The road is vague

Chapter 263 A Life Full of Twists and Turns

Next.

Li Mo finally learned the truth about the fighting outside the city a few days ago from this middle-aged female cultivator surnamed Zhang.

The states of Qian and Lu have now been at peace for fourteen years.

However, the struggle between the two sides has never truly ceased in the past fourteen years; it has simply shifted from open military battles to covert conflicts.

The main cultivation method of the Korean Lingcao Sect is renowned for its ability to rapidly cultivate various spiritual plants.

Therefore, although the country itself is not very strong, it has become one of the important competitive targets of the two countries. For the two countries, as long as they occupy South Korea, Lingcao Sect, and Peihu, they can obtain a continuous source of spiritual medicine resources.

Therefore, during the truce, both countries not only secretly infiltrated and supported their own forces, but also sent a large number of envoys to safeguard their own interests.

Half a month ago.

As usual, the Daqian Pacification Commissioner sent envoys to Korea to safeguard the Daqian Kingdom's many interests in Korea and to collect this year's tribute.

However, this time they failed to receive the tribute from the Spirit Herb Sect as expected.

With the Lingcao Sect cultivators making excuses and delays, the delegation gradually sensed something was amiss.

Through covert investigation, it was learned that a true disciple of the Natural Sect of Lu State would soon arrive in Lan City to discuss marriage with the Feng family of Lan City. This enraged the Pacification Office, which decided to strike first and kill several Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed at the Lu State's liaison office in Han State as a deterrent.

Whether such practices are moral or legal, and how South Korea feels, are not matters that the Pacification Office should consider. The struggle between major powers is a hundred times more brutal than many people imagine.

However, although their assassination plan succeeded, they underestimated the complexity of the internal political situation in South Korea.

Unlike the imperial court in the Great Qian Kingdom, which governed through secular means, this was a secular society.

It is also different from the state of Lu, which revered sacred mountains and holy sites.

South Korea has long existed between two major powers, which has led to it becoming a hybrid, with numerous factions embroiled in conflict.

South Korea faces internal conflicts between conservatives and radicals within the Yeongchok Sect, conflicts between powerful families in various cities, the machinations of secret organizations, and the presence of personnel from various countries.

By comparison.

The conflict between the disciples of the Lingmu Sect's established families and the independent disciples is almost negligible.

The city lord of Lancheng is from the Feng family, a prominent clan.

The reason why the new capital of South Korea was moved to Lancheng was not only because the old capital was destroyed in the war, but also because the Feng family produced its second Golden Core cultivator, named Feng Yangxing, who now holds an important position in the Lingcao Sect. As a result, the Feng family became the most prominent family in South Korea for a time.

The marriage partner of the true disciple of the Natural Sect was none other than Feng Yangxing.

If this succeeds, although it will not completely change the course of South Korea's fate, it will greatly reduce the influence of the Qian Kingdom.

"The Natural Sect is willing to offer one of its true disciples in a marriage alliance with a mere Golden Core cultivator from South Korea?"

Li Mo found it hard to believe; it didn't make logical sense.

Now he is also a true disciple, and he knows that for a sect, a true disciple represents a long-term investment that lasts for more than a hundred years.

Every true disciple has only one goal: to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

For a sect, any true disciple who fails to advance in rank is considered a failed investment.

Therefore, from Li Mo's perspective, using a true disciple to win over a mere Golden Core cultivator from a small country is a losing proposition no matter how you look at it.

Moreover, this Golden Core cultivator's background in South Korea doesn't exactly allow him to dominate the overall situation.

"That's... that's indeed the case according to the intelligence."

"If that's the case, then why are you only being held here, and not even locked up in a cell?"

Li Mo's words caused the three of them to exchange glances.

Upon hearing this, the male cultivator with the white beard looked thoughtful. He stroked his beard and gave his judgment.

"The Feng family seems to have a completely different attitude towards the Lu Kingdom's attempts to win them over. As far as I know, Feng Yangxing only had the opportunity to advance to the Golden Core stage after participating in the Longevity Enlightenment Conference of the Lu Kingdom's Heaven-Seizing Sect. Therefore, he maintains a close attitude towards the Lu Kingdom. The reason why we failed to receive the tribute on time some time ago was mostly due to Feng Yangxing's interference in the Spirit Herb Sect. However, the city lord of Lan City, Feng Xia, mostly still insists on a neutral attitude and is unwilling to easily break the balance between the two countries."

The Longevity and Enlightenment Conference?

Li Mo felt a vague sense of familiarity, and then he suddenly remembered.

Back when he was still a disciple of the Jinxiu Hall, he heard Zhou Zheng talk about this matter when he attended a small trade fair organized by the Gongdao Society.

The Duotian Sect possesses a fragment of a small, ancient secret realm, containing profound secrets that can aid in enlightenment.

The Longevity and Enlightenment Conference of the Duotian Sect is held annually on a small scale, inviting Qi Refining disciples from other sects and surrounding small countries to participate. Every ten years, a large-scale conference is held, inviting Foundation Establishment cultivators from other sects and surrounding small countries to participate.

He had initially suspected that the ethereal dream was related to this.

But he later learned from the Nine Fox Clan that the Misty Box was a treasure of the ancient Misty Nine-Tailed Fox, which was lost after the ancient war and its whereabouts are unknown.

As for whether there is some deeper relationship between the two, Li Mo has no idea.

"Would assassinating this disciple of the Natural Sect, who was married into the family, turn the two countries against each other?"

Given Li Mo's mindset as an inspector of the Heavenly Mandate Bureau, it would be difficult for him to understand the working style of these Pacification Bureaus.

The female cultivator surnamed Zhang gave a cold smile.

"After all, this is a true disciple. If the assassination succeeds, the Lu State will naturally be furious and put pressure on the Han State. Then we'll see what they choose to do. In the end, this world is all about strength!"

Li Mo felt there was something fishy about this.

In any case, it's simply not worth it to use a true disciple to win over a mere two Golden Core cultivators.

After pondering for a moment, he asked, "Since it's a marriage alliance, no matter what, you wouldn't only send one true disciple. You're not planning to send me alone to assassinate him, are you?"

"of course not!"

The female cultivator surnamed Zhang was overjoyed to see that Li Mo was actually willing to help.

"Over the years, we have also cultivated a considerable force, but these people are ultimately just henchmen and not worth relying on. The ones who actually get things done are our own people."

Throughout South Korea, there are over twenty Golden Core cultivators on the surface.

Half of them spend most of their time in the Lingcao Sect.

Over the years, several Golden Core cultivators have been recruited by the Great Qian Kingdom's Pacification Office.

During peacetime, the conflict between the Qian and Lu kingdoms revolves around the allegiance of these Golden Core cultivators, a series of struggles designed to secure their allegiance during wartime. The Qian Kingdom's Pacification Commission will absolutely not allow two Golden Core cultivators to join the Lu Kingdom's camp.

Even if the assassination fails, it is necessary to exert sufficient deterrence.

……

Two treasure ships sailed smoothly over the boundless, desolate Gobi Desert.

One of the treasure ships.

Chu Yuni, recognized as the most beautiful woman among the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Natural Sect, looked down at the Longevity Token in her hand, and a hint of sadness appeared in her eyes on her beautiful face.

The Longevity and Enlightenment Conference of the Heaven-Seizing Sect is held once every ten years.

five years ago.

She was fortunate enough to obtain a Longevity Token and participated in the conference with high spirits, thinking that she would have some opportunities. However, she was not only disappointed, but also attracted a tragic love affair. She was instantly in love with Feng Yangxing, a disciple of the Korean Lingcao Sect who was only at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage at the time.

After Feng Yangxing advanced to the Golden Core stage, he immediately sent an envoy to the Natural Sect to propose marriage.

Under normal circumstances, the higher-ups at Natural Gate would not have paid any attention to this.

However, this was a critical time when the Heavenly Longevity Turtle and the Mountain-Crushing Giant Ape of the Southern Barbarian Lands were fighting. The State of Lu intended to win over many deities of the Southern Barbarian Lands so that it could launch a full-scale offensive in the upcoming conflict with the State of Daqian.

For the sake of the overall strategic plan, Natural Gate has also been paying more and more attention to the South Korean side.

This way.

Chu Yu Ni, who was originally just an ordinary inner disciple, was promoted to one of the true disciples of the Natural Sect and was granted the Longevity Token, allowing her to participate in the Longevity Enlightenment Conference five years later.

But as a price to pay.

She had to marry into the Feng family in South Korea in order to win over the two Golden Core cultivators in the Feng family.

Thinking about how she would become someone else's wife and live in an unfamiliar environment, not knowing how long it would be before she could see familiar people again, Chu Yuni couldn't help but burst into tears.

She hated her own weakness and incompetence, her inability to control her own destiny.

The so-called true disciples of the Natural School are nothing more than a facade to elevate their own status.

How much time do we have left to get to South Korea?

Upon hearing this, the waiter outside the door replied softly, "Miss, it will take about two more days to arrive in Korea. Would you like afternoon tea?"

"no need."

After leaving the room, Chu Yuni came to the corridor of the treasure ship, looked at the vast Gobi Desert, and wondered what she was thinking.

"Yu Ni, get some rest. We'll be in Korea soon."

A male cultivator dressed entirely in white walked over from a distance.

He looked at Chu Yuni, who was looking dejected, feeling a mix of emotions, yet helpless.

Chu Yu Ni shook her head, and when she turned around, her eyes were already blurry with tears. She looked at the white-robed male cultivator behind her.

"Senior brother, please take me with you."

Wei Wutong felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He took a deep breath, shook his head, sighed, and turned to leave.

"Junior sister, stop talking. It's impossible between us. You are marrying for the sake of Lu State, but the conquest of Qian State will never stop. For the sake of the inheritance of the Natural Sect, we must fight to the end with all our might."

I do not know how long it has been.

Sudden.

Several miles ahead, on the desolate land, beams of spiritual light suddenly rose, enveloping the treasure ship that was flying ahead, and vaguely forming an astonishing array of flags.

Immediately afterwards, a large number of cultivators took to the air and headed straight for the trapped treasure ship.

An astonishing spiritual pressure surged from the treasure ship, accompanied by an angry shout.

"Who are you, daring to attack the treasure ship of the Natural Gate!"

"I'm waiting for you!"

A golden halberd soared into the air, stirring up the surrounding spiritual energy. The power of the magical weapon even distorted the spiritual light of the entire flag formation, and a fierce battle ensued between the two sides.

Such a scene.

This immediately caused a stir among the people on the treasure ship behind.

"Don't panic! Stop the treasure ship immediately!"

After Wei Wutong shouted, the treasure ship gradually came to a stop.

Immediately, he and more than ten Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Natural Sect who had come to escort him took to the air and flew out of the treasure ship.

After everyone saw that the flag formation in front of them had completely closed in, and that the treasure ship carrying their Golden Core stage senior uncle was completely trapped inside, everyone looked at Wei Wutong.

Wei Wutong made a decisive decision.

"Have the treasure ship turn around and leave immediately. Transport Chu Yuni to South Korea at full speed. The rest of you, follow me and hold off the enemy!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, the treasure ship immediately began to change course.

At this time.

More than ten masked cultivators took to the air and immediately engaged in battle with the Natural Sect disciples.

As the leader of this mission, Li Mo was able to gather so many people in a short period of time according to the arrangements of the Road Guiding Office. This shows that the Road Guiding Office of the Great Qian Kingdom is not much less involved in the operations and infiltration of the State of Han than the State of Lu.

With this thought in mind, Li Mo looked at the leader of the Natural Sect, who had transformed into a tree-man, about thirty feet away.

This person had just given orders, and given his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he was clearly the leader of these Natural Sect disciples.

After transforming into a tree-man, his height increased to over three zhang (approximately 10 meters), and wielding a giant sword, he unleashed astonishing lightning power, sweeping wildly in all directions. For a time, his power was unparalleled, and the masked men nearby could not get close.

Occasional attacks landing on his bark are like scratching an itch through a boot.

(End of this chapter)