Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 249 A Vengeful Little Woman

"Imperial Preceptor, please wait a moment."

Ye Tinglan turned around, only to hear the old man from the Gu family calling out from behind: "Imperial Preceptor... let's speak in private."

Ye Tinglan nodded, signaling Si Han to enter the hall by himself, and followed the old man to the corner outside the hall.

The old man said in a deep voice, "Does the Imperial Advisor know what he is doing?"

Ye Tinglan said calmly, "Does the Prince of Dingxi know what he is doing?"

The old man was none other than Gu Shaoli, the great-great-uncle of Gu Zhanting, the Prince of Dingxi of the Great Qian Dynasty. Back then, he failed to break through the barrier and almost died. He barely managed to prolong his life by relying on rare and precious materials to reach the Super Grade. However, perhaps because of the forced breakthrough, he remained at the initial stage and could not advance even half a stage no matter how many rare and precious materials he consumed.

The Imperial Supreme Scripture is a very special cultivation method, possessing boundless power, grandeur, and domineering strength. However, it has no advantage in terms of health preservation, and its lifespan extension is much shorter than that of other cultivation methods. Generally, if one can achieve a superior level in a cultivation method, one can gain several hundred or even nearly a thousand years of lifespan, and if one is skilled in health preservation techniques, this lifespan can be doubled. However, the Imperial Supreme Scripture reduces this by half compared to ordinary methods.

It can be said that every gain has its loss.

Many more years have passed, and Gu Shaoli's lifespan, which he had forcibly broken through to a meager one, is nearing its end. He usually cultivates in seclusion in the royal family's secret realm, avoiding worldly affairs. If it weren't for the so-called "bone dragon that is still alive from ancient times" luring him out this time, he would have been the type who doesn't care about anything and doesn't want to be bothered by anyone.

Hearing Ye Tinglan's question, he coldly replied, "Of course I know. By abolishing Si Han and supporting a puppet regime, we can control Tian Shuang."

"and then?"

"And then what? This is how the Great Qian Dynasty gained control of the Tian Shuang Kingdom at minimal cost, without bloodshed! What else is needed?"

"Does the Prince of Dingxi mean that he will be stationed here permanently to control Tianshuang?"

Gu Shaoli choked for a moment. He knew he couldn't possibly waste his energy on the cause of the Great Qian Dynasty. He didn't have many years left to live. Instead of pursuing longevity, why would he devote himself to the Great Qian Dynasty? The country wasn't his. Why didn't Gu Zhanting pass the throne to his descendants? He might be able to keep his distance then.

But he still had to say, "It's not that I can't stay here."

Ye Tinglan revealed a mocking smile: "How many years can you stay?"

Gu Shaoli: "..."

It seemed like she'd been scolded. Especially with Ye Tinglan's mocking gaze, it was incredibly difficult to maintain her composure.

"Even if the King of Dingxi is willing to stay, he may be overestimating his own power," Ye Tinglan said coldly. "The Tian Shuang Kingdom is full of sects and its people are fierce. To think that a useless puppet can control this land is far too naive... Look at how the Shadow Moon Sect's higher-ups dared to form an array to resist with the power of a mere sect today. Even if the King of Dingxi suppresses them in this battle, the troubles in the future will be endless. I think that even if the King of Dingxi puts in all his effort, he can at most control the Shadow Moon Sect, and that's only by suppressing the Shadow Moon Sect, which is full of rebellious intentions. What is there to talk about in terms of controlling Tian Shuang?"

Gu Shaoli said, "Does the Grand Preceptor mean to support Si Han instead? Wouldn't it be better to help him unify Tianshuang? What a joke! You're making enemies for the Great Qian Dynasty. Don't you even consider yourself the Grand Preceptor of the Great Qian Dynasty?"

Ye Tinglan smiled slightly.

Cultivation holy lands are detached from worldly affairs, and they truly have little regard for national distinctions. The reason they are so deeply involved with the Great Qian Dynasty is twofold. First, their founding patriarchs were partners in establishing the dynasty and the state, working together to eradicate evil from the world—one establishing a dynasty, the other a cultivation sect—a truly remarkable story. Second, and more importantly, the Great Qian Dynasty is the main force in the fight against the demon race, which is why the two have maintained this partnership for so long. The Great Qian Dynasty needs the Heavenly Yao Holy Land, and the Heavenly Yao Holy Land also needs the Great Qian Dynasty.

Therefore, a large number of disciples of the Tianyao Holy Land are deployed in the army, also for the purpose of fighting demons. Few sect leaders throughout history have personally gone to serve as national advisors, as it would be beneath their dignity and would also hinder their cultivation.

Ye Tinglan took on the role personally, firstly to better coordinate with the battle ten years ago, and later because she realized that Gu Zhanting was somewhat incompetent. She wanted to keep a close watch on him and keep a close eye on the pulse of the world, not to protect his Gu family dynasty.

In the midst of their power struggle, the two sides were in a relationship of both cooperation and opposition, initially feeling awkward and uncertain about their future. Lu Xingzhou's statement, "We're not just going to make this a holy land for the Great Qian Kingdom," was like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, opening up a whole new world.

Gu Shaoli's question, "Do you still consider yourself the Grand Preceptor of the Great Qian Dynasty?" had no effect on Ye Tinglan.

Do you really think I'm some kind of loyal subject of your Gu family?
"Isn't it His Majesty himself who made enemies for the Great Qian?" Ye Tinglan said coldly. "Isn't it Gu Zhanting who helped Si Han obtain the Bone Dragon and helped him unify Tianshuang?"

Gu Shaoli was also a little annoyed by this, but still said, "The Grand Preceptor has no evidence. How can he say that His Majesty helped Si Han obtain the Bone Dragon? Perhaps Si Han obtained it on his own, and His Majesty's series of arrangements were precisely to seize the Bone Dragon."

"Ha..." Ye Tinglan sneered: "So, the Prince of Dingxi attacked me because he harbors a grudge against me in private?"

Gu Shaoli had already prepared an explanation for this matter, and hurriedly said, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! At that time, I was targeting the Demon Emperor, but the situation was chaotic, which may have caused the Imperial Advisor to misunderstand."

Because of Lu Xingzhou's reminder, Ye Tinglan dodged ahead of time. That attack didn't even graz Ye Tinglan's side. The entire collision was between Gu Shaoli, Long Qinghuang, and Si Han Gulong. At this point, it's really hard to say who that attack was aimed at.

Ye Tinglan said calmly, "If I had really been injured at that time, His Majesty would have said later that it was because the Prince of Dingxi attacked indiscriminately in order to seize the Bone Dragon, and that he knew nothing about it."

Gu Shaoli paused, his expression changing slightly.

Ye Tinglan, having already sown discord, didn't pursue the topic further. Gu Zhanting distanced himself completely, acting as if it had nothing to do with him; there was no point in trying to argue, and it wasn't the right time to force a falling out.

He then changed the subject and said, “The main purpose of my coming out of seclusion is to deal with the demon race. In matters concerning the demon race, a Tian Shuang Kingdom that can maintain the strength of the sect alliance of the past is far more useful than a Tian Shuang Kingdom that supports a puppet and has become a disorganized mess. This is the big picture.”

Gu Shaoli said, "But this poses a threat to the Great Qian Dynasty..."

"As for the so-called threat posed by the Tianshuang Kingdom to the Great Qian... the Tianshuang Kingdom is far weaker than the Great Qian, and it is also remote and desolate. Sihan has been established for so many years without any conflict with the Great Qian. How come there is now? Don't you know why there is?" Gu Shaoli remained silent.

Ye Tinglan said coldly, "Tian Shuang Kingdom is not peaceful either. Yingyue Sect is not the only dominant sect. Tingxue Pavilion and other sects are eyeing it covetously. It's one thing if Si Han only organizes anti-demon resistance, but if he organizes to deal with Da Qian, Da Qian has countless ways to turn other sects against him. What threat could he pose? Why doesn't the Prince of Dingxi enjoy his remaining years? Why bother toiling in this bitter and cold land?"

Gu Shaoli remained silent for a long time before finally bowing and saying, "I don't usually get involved in court affairs, so I'm not very clear about these matters. Since the Grand Preceptor has made a decision, let's do as he says. I'll take my leave first."

Seeing Gu Shaoli turn to leave, Ye Tinglan suddenly said, "Wait a minute."

Gu Shaoli stopped: "Is there anything else, Grand Preceptor?"

Ye Tinglan looked up at the sky and said, "I will also make a move against the Demon Emperor."

Gu Shaoli: "?"

Before he could react, Ye Tinglan suddenly thrust his palm forward, aiming straight for Gu Shaoli's chest.

Gu Shaoli never expected Ye Tinglan to suddenly attack him. Caught off guard, he tried to defend himself, but he was no match for Ye Tinglan's long-prepared attack.

With a loud bang, Gu Shaoli coughed up a mouthful of blood, his whole body flying up as if riding the clouds, crashing into the rocks behind him and falling into a deep pit.

"You...you..." Gu Shaoli barely managed to climb out of the pit, pointing tremblingly at Ye Tinglan: "You..."

Ye Tinglan calmly said, "I did indeed witness the Demon Emperor descend just now. If I hadn't intervened, the King of Dingxi would already be injured by the Demon Emperor. No need to thank me."

Gu Shaoli was injured and in pain, feeling that his lifespan, which was only a few years away, had been reduced by half by this blow, and he was so angry that he vomited blood again.

Everyone says that the Imperial Advisor is very tolerant for the sake of the greater good, so what's with this petty, vengeful woman-like behavior?

Ultimately, he was the one who launched the sneak attack on the glacier first, so he could only swallow this bitter pill and couldn't even utter a harsh word. He angrily took to the clouds and disappeared without a trace in an instant.

Lu Xingzhou emerged from behind the hall and smiled at Ye Tinglan.

Ye Tinglan's indifferent expression quickly crumbled, and she rolled her eyes: "What are you laughing at!"

"It's nothing. I'm just glad to see you were willing to beat him up."

Do you take me for some submissive, submissive wife?

"I almost thought you were you."

Ye Tinglan remained silent for a long time, then sighed: "I just... don't want to fight with Emperor Qian and let the demon race take advantage of me. But since he's already plotting against me, how can I swallow my anger?"

"But in fact, there is no evidence. Even that traitor from your Tianyao Holy Land may not have any direct evidence to prove that Gu Zhanting ordered it. It's all my analysis and speculation. What if I'm wrong?"

Ye Tinglan looked at him for a while, then smiled slightly: "You predicted everything that happened correctly, and the root cause can't be wrong either. Besides..."

"Ok?"

Ye Tinglan tilted her head slightly: "I believe you."

Lu Xingzhou blinked.

Ye Tinglan said somewhat irritably, "What are you standing there for? Let's go inside and talk."

Lu Xingzhou sighed: "What's the rush? We haven't even cleaned up the mess yet."

Ye Tinglan: "?"

"You made a good point earlier: the Shadow Moon Sect is not the only dominant force. Sects like the Listening Snow Pavilion are eyeing it covetously. Is that why you're so confident in controlling Si Han?"

"Is not it?"

"That's true, but what if Tingxue Pavilion is gone?"

Ye Tinglan was stunned for a moment: "How is that possible? I've been here the whole time and didn't notice any Shadow Moon Sect members chasing after me."

“Si Han is the ruler of the kingdom, not just the sect leader of Yingyue Sect. He has been running this business for so many years, and the power he can mobilize is definitely not limited to his own... If things go wrong, there might even be the demonic path involved.” Lu Xingzhou said, “If you can travel in your spirit, you should try to rescue the Listening Snow Pavilion Master and his party. If you want to become a holy land of Tianshuang Kingdom, it’s not enough to just bestow favors on the ruler; there is much more you need to do.”

(End of this chapter)