Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 167 The Way of Heaven is Orderly and Cyclic

The rain didn't stop until late at night, and the sky remained overcast for the next two days.

A faint earthy smell filled the air, but the summer heat had subsided considerably.

Above Chengdu, a cuckoo falcon with blue-black crested feathers snatched a skink and flew past the dark clouds. Its pupils contracted to a cross, and the bustling city below made it extremely wary.

This cuckoo falcon flew from south to northwest, perhaps heading towards Mount Qingcheng.

As it traveled through the city, it saw a crowd far greater than ever before. As it approached the north of the city, an even bigger commotion startled it, causing it to flap its wings and fly into the depths of the dark clouds.

The large group of people trudged through the still-damp mud and water, heading straight for the north gate.

Three major powers controlled Bashu, yet retained the Sui system. Even when there was no war, the soldiers guarding the city would stay on the eight-zhang-high city tower every day.

Whether it's a dozen or a hundred riders.

These days, the guards had long been used to it. A few armed guards went down to question the man, and after he answered a few questions, they let him pass with smiles.

"Giddy up, giddy up!"

The burly man in the lead shouted and whipped his whip, then drove off.

The people behind him were not only tall, but also had a shrewd and restrained aura. Their eyes were as sharp as those of a hunting falcon, and it was easy to tell from a distance that they were masters of internal martial arts.

"Who is that?"

Near a blacksmith's shop close to the city gate, someone who hadn't heard the guard's words clearly hurriedly asked.

“An Xiuren.”

"The generals under Emperor Li Gui of Liang Province came from the An family, a wealthy merchant family of Sogdians in Liangzhou."

Many people suddenly realized that the An family possessed enormous wealth and tribal influence in Hexi. Originally a member of the Nine Sogdian Clans, they maintained good relations with the Turks and were one of the two largest powers in the Liang Kingdom.

The mixed Han and non-Han characteristics of Li Gui's subordinates were more pronounced than those of Xue Ju in Western Qin. The An brothers, as descendants of Sogdians, held military power and became a opposing force to the local strategist group of literati in Hexi.

Locals in Chengdu also know quite a bit about what's happening inside Duzun Fort.

For example, the person who led the Liang Kingdom delegation here before was Li Zhongyan, who was the son of the Liang Emperor.

Now that a capable general has arrived, he has also brought so many experts with him.

The timing, just before the three-way alliance meeting, makes Liang Kingdom's intentions quite intriguing.

Beside the blacksmith's shop, a man with his sleeves rolled up to his shoulders said, "It's nothing unusual for the Liang Kingdom to send a general. Yesterday, the Li Clan also sent several experts: Diao Ang from the Longxi Clan, the largest clan in Guanzhong; Qin Wutong, the Thunder Blade; and Qiu Tianjue, a subordinate of the eldest son of the Li Clan."

He mentioned many people with names and surnames, attracting the attention of many passersby.

For example, Xue Renyue, the son of Xue Ju, the Hegemon-King of Western Qin, and Zhang Gui, a general.
"With so many troublesome figures, the lord of the fortress has never revealed who he will support; that's what makes it so complicated."

"Don't worry, with so many experts in the martial arts holy land, who would dare to make a move? The fortress master probably also wants to take this opportunity to clarify the matter of the Evil Emperor Temple. For the sake of the Evil Emperor's relic, he has fought countless battles."

Many local Sichuanese江湖人 (jianghu people, often referring to people from the martial arts world) shook their heads:
"It's puzzling. Why doesn't the fortress lord directly support the Grand Commander of Jianghuai? The troubles of the Sichuan Gang can be resolved with a single sword strike by the Grand Commander. In this way, the alliance with the Sichuan Gang can also be restored. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"

"That makes sense!"

Things are different now; eight or nine out of ten people around are agreeing with this.

With the defeat of the Coffin Palace's master, the prestige of the Martial Arts Judge was severely damaged. After all, it was a fact that Duzun Fortress was unable to deal with the Coffin Palace.

In the past, even if Jie Hui went all in, people would think, even if they didn't understand, that perhaps the lord of the fortress had some brilliant insights that they couldn't comprehend.

Nowadays, the reputation of being the world's number one swordsman has spread throughout the city.

The Grand Commander's prestige soared to its peak almost in a short period of time.

He's already someone who can rival the Master of Swordsmanship, and he's so young. I really don't know what the Lord of the Fortress is hesitating about.

Jie Hui's fickle nature has already aroused the dissatisfaction of many people.

The public sentiment in the city is quite different from before.

Some even doubted Xie Hui's intentions.

Because people from the northern deserts entered Duzun Fortress, along with people from Western Qin and Liang, this wasn't what Jie Hui said when he established the Bashu Three Families Alliance to protect Bashu and await a wise ruler.

Near the blacksmith's shop, there were also people who supported Duzunbao.

Hearing the surrounding chatter, they no longer dared to argue as they usually did.

How do you explain the matter concerning the Sichuan clique?

Did the owner of the coffin palace give you any face?

Some people who had just arrived in Chengdu from other places were a little dizzy.

There were even people in the city who gathered to subtly mock Duzun Fortress, and even named and accused Jie Hui. Is this still Shu County?

Two more days passed.

The atmosphere in Chengdu grew increasingly heated, with representatives from various factions, including the He Yi Sect, Shen Quan Men, Wan An Gang, as well as the Sui Shan Sect and Long You Sect from Meishan County, all coming to witness the ceremony.

The three major powers of Bashu formed an alliance, and dozens of smaller forces from the surrounding area also came.

Behind this alliance are powerful figures vying for supremacy, as well as martial arts holy lands and evil sects.

In the peaceful and war-free martial arts world of Shu, such a grand occasion has not been seen for a long time.

Therefore, the eyes of the martial arts world were all fixed on the center of this intense atmosphere—Duzun Fortress.

This may not necessarily be a good thing, but it will definitely affect the landscape of Sichuan and Chongqing.
The weather was kind; the next day, the sky cleared up completely.

I hear cicadas chirping in the tall willows and frogs croaking in the new pond.

Not far in front of Duzun Fortress, there is a huge lotus pond, where the wind carries the fragrance of lotus, the leaves sway and flutter, a scene full of vitality.

The various forces of Shu Commandery are trampling through the sunlight, heading straight for the castle that lies prostrate within the capital like a black behemoth.

The main body of Duzun Fort is not built on flat ground, but cleverly built along the mountain.

Huge stone blocks were carved directly from the mountain, layer upon layer, blending into the rock, as if the entire mountain peak had been given a ferocious edge and an iron will by human hands.

The fortress tower is five zhang high. It is not a smooth wall, but is covered with sharp protrusions, deep arrow holes and lookout holes. From a distance, it looks like the jagged bone spikes standing on the body of a giant beast, exuding a cold and aloof feeling.

Just by looking at its exterior, one can feel the imposing presence of this most powerful force in Sichuan.

At this time, in Duzun Fortress, throwing a stone at random could very well hit a big shot in a county or city.

suddenly
The castle gates were opened wide, and a rugged-looking man emerged from the castle, burdened with worries. A young noblewoman beside him gave him a reassuring look.

Many people turned to look as they passed through the parted crowd to meet a procession of carriages approaching Duzunbao.

Xie Wenlong continued forward to greet them. When the people around saw the banner of the Sichuan Gang and Ba Alliance, they immediately guessed who had such a big face that the young master of the fortress would come out of the fortress to greet them.

A commotion and excited chatter arose from all around.

A group of Sichuan martial arts masters surrounded a luxurious carriage drawn by three fine horses, adorned with brocade canopies and fluttering banners.

Whether they had seen it before or not, whether they were casual spectators or famous figures from Sichuan, everyone turned to look.

A graceful and refined young man in white robes emerged from the carriage. He had no expression, yet he exuded an air of authority without anger. In a flash, his feet were already on the ground.

"Grand Governor."

Xie Wenlong and Song Yuhua greeted them together, and a large group of guards from Duzun Fort cleared the way.

This is already quite proper etiquette.

Zhou Yi asked with a smile, "Have Alliance Leader Feng and the others arrived yet?"

Xie Wenlong said solemnly, "We've arrived. They're already at Zhenchuan Tower in the fort. The Grand Commander's arrival is just in time. Now, let's enter the fort, have a few cups of Mengding Stone Flower tea, and then we'll get down to business."

"it is good."

Zhou Yi responded, and Song Yuhua gestured towards Duzun Fort, saying, "Grand Commander, please."

Following the young master and his wife, Zhou Yi walked ahead.

Hou Xibai and Shi Qingxuan were beside him, along with some elders from the Sichuan Gang and the Ba Alliance.

Fan Zhuo and Feng Zhen then led their men ahead.

They planned to take advantage of the current shift in the political climate before the alliance meeting officially began to test Xie Hui's attitude again and try to persuade him.

Although Zhou Yi knew there was no hope, he did not stop it.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the group entered Duzun Fortress.

This fortress is built against the mountain, but its interior is flat and spacious, revealing many masterpieces of craftsmanship at a glance.

However, I did get to see the wonderful place that is Pegasus Ranch.

In his eyes, Duzun Fort was just a larger, more spacious stone city full of rugged style.

Unfortunately, the lord's temperament was completely out of sync with the architectural style of this unique castle.

Pass through buildings such as Lifeng Hall, Panshi Forest, and Duzun Building.

At the end of the stone steps, a vast bluestone plaza suddenly opens up, its surface as smooth as a mirror, capable of accommodating thousands of people for martial arts practice. Directly in front of the plaza stands the core of Duzun Fortress—Zhenchuan Tower.

This building is not an ordinary carved beam and painted rafter, but is shaped like an inverted giant cauldron. It is also made of huge rock blocks as the main material, with hard lines and sharp edges.

The building is six stories high, with a spacious terrace on the outside of each floor. The rooftop has hook-shaped eaves decorated with the mouths of ferocious beasts. Now that we are near the top of the mountain, the building is often shrouded in clouds and mist, which makes it appear even more imposing and mysterious.

Song Yuhua introduced the stone tablet with knife carvings in front of the square, one side of which is inscribed with "Zhenchuan" and the other side with "Duzun".

They were carved by Jie Hui and Song Que, respectively.

Zhou Yi stared at the two characters "Zhenchuan" in a daze. Song Yuhua asked, "When will the Grand Commander descend to Lingnan? My father has praised you highly and is even more curious about the origins you mentioned."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Once this matter is settled, I will first write a letter and send it as a visiting card."

Song Yuhua nodded, then quickly asked, "Could the Grand Commander reveal anything?"

"Your father saw a sword, and perhaps he understood."

sword?
Xie Wenlong looked at Song Yuhua, who simply shook her head. Zhou Yi didn't say anything more, and as they approached Zhenchuan Tower, they lost interest in asking any further questions.

In the center of the bluestone square, an incense altar had already been set up.

There were also a few novice monks lighting incense.

There were many martial arts practitioners around, from different factions.

The way these people looked at Zhou Yi was naturally different, with many harboring hatred, fear, and hostility.

"Grand Governor."

Yan Chongxian, who was waiting downstairs at Zhenchuan Tower, immediately stepped forward. When Zhou Yi saw him shake his head at him, he knew that Feng Zhen and Fan Zhuo's persuasion had failed.

"Which other forces haven't arrived yet?"

Deputy Chief Yan said, "Without the Grand Commander, the alliance meeting naturally cannot be held. The other absent members are merely witnesses and are of no importance."

"You can't say that. This is a meeting of the three major powers in Sichuan and Chongqing. I'm just an observer."

Yan Chongxian grinned and didn't refute.

Zhou Yi glanced at Xie Wenlong; of all the people here, he was the one with the heaviest worries.

The second floor of Zhenchuan Tower is extremely spacious, easily accommodating a thousand people.

From the outside, it looks like a collection of large rocks, but inside it is exquisite and elegant. There are no bright reds or purples, only simple colors. There are landscape paintings, classical calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, and bookshelves with martial arts classics as well as Buddhist scriptures and Zen sayings on the shelves.

It is evident that Jie Hui understands Fan Qinghui's preferences very well.

When Zhou Yi arrived, he was greeted by an old butler named Xie Zhiling, who came up with Zheng Zong.

This person had white hair, a kind face, and looked very gentle.

With her big pregnant belly, she looked rather comical.

Zheng Zong was responsible for going out to do things, while Xie Zhiling managed the miscellaneous affairs inside the fort. Both of them were deeply trusted by Xie Hui.

At this point, he spoke up and invited, "Grand Commander, please take a seat."

Led by Jie Zhiling, Zhou Yi passed a lotus screen and saw that the main hall was adjacent to the terrace, where many people were gathered, some standing and some sitting.

To the left are several dignified old monks.

One of the long-browed old monks smiled kindly at Zhou Yi and raised an eyebrow at him.

The most unreliable one was naturally Master Daoxin.

While the martial prowess of a single holy monk may not reach the pinnacle, the combined strength of the four holy monks makes them virtually unmatched in the world.

Zhou Yi also had to be cautious.

Moreover, these four are not the ones in charge this time.

Above them was a beautiful nun, presumably Fan Qinghui, the favorite of the martial arts judge.

Further up, there was an elderly nun with a serious expression, who was at least eighty years old.

She came from the Jingzhai, yet she did not carry a sword; instead, she held a whisk, exuding a mysterious and otherworldly aura.

just
The moment Zhou Yi appeared, the old nun's gaze suddenly deepened, and her face revealed an unconcealed sternness.

It's as if they're using orthodox perspectives to look at things that are perverse or unorthodox.

Full of doubt, vigilance, and hostility.

There was even a hint of murderous intent that was being held back.

Slowly, Old Ni frowned, and Xie Hui, who was about to greet him from the main seat, suddenly paused.

He was a large, imposing man with broad shoulders and a black robe. He sat between two armed warriors, calmly facing a group of powerful figures, exuding the domineering aura of the number one person in Sichuan.

But at this moment, a look of doubt appeared on his dark, unusually shaped face.

Meanwhile, to the right, three young men of different temperaments, sitting next to Chief Fan and the four leaders of the Ba Alliance, were secretly sneering and looking on with amusement.

because
The renowned and feared Grand Commander of Jianghuai was walking towards the reclusive master of Cihang Jingzhai.

He ignored Jie Hui, which was very impolite.

But the more this is the case, the happier they are.

If a fight breaks out, that would be even better.

Li Yuanji, Li Zhongyan, and Xue Renyue, representatives of the Li clan, Liang Kingdom, and Western Qin respectively, all noticed that the old nun's expression grew increasingly fierce.

Shi Feixuan, who was sitting behind Fan Qinghui, had no time to react before she saw Zhou Yi walk up to her grandmaster, Yixin.

The distance between the two was less than half a zhang.

For experts, this is an extremely dangerous distance.

The old nun Cihang remained calm and quietly tightened her grip on her whisk.

The once noisy hall suddenly fell silent.

"Master, do you want to kill me?"

Zhou Yi smiled at her, and with a single word, he silenced the entire Zhenchuan Tower to the point where you could hear a pin drop!
Master Jiaxiang, Venerable Dixin, and Master Zhihui all turned to look at them; their gazes alone were something that ordinary people could not bear.

Master Daoxin shook his head inwardly, while another old monk beside him, with white hair and beard and an aura of peace, looked on with a hint of curiosity.

Master Yixin spoke up.

Her voice was dry, and her enunciation was like each word a hard pebble falling down:

"This humble nun has been meditating in the Jingxin Hall of Zhongnan Mountain for many years, specializing in the cultivation of the mind and spirit of her disciples. While I do not claim to have a mind as still as water, I would never harbor murderous intent towards someone I have just met. Why does the Grand Commander ask such a question?"

"I mean no offense, but anyone who has murderous intent toward me cannot hide it from me, such as these three."

Zhou Yi smiled and pointed to Li Yuanji, Li Zhongyan, and Xue Renyue.

Upon hearing this, a fierce glint appeared on Li Yuanji's arrogant face, which he quickly concealed.

His attempt to hide was completely unnecessary; Zhou Yi didn't even look at him.

“Master, you give me the same feeling as these three. If you think my perception is wrong, it means your martial arts are superior. Then why not discuss martial arts with me? If you can kill me, wouldn't this trip be perfect?”

The atmosphere in Zhenchuan Tower has changed again.

This was the first time representatives of various forces in Sichuan and Chongqing had met this Grand Commander, who was even more domineering than rumored.

But as expected of the number one swordsman, he was not afraid of the Cihang Sword Manual of this reclusive master of Zhongnan Mountain!

Master Yixin said, "Your martial arts skills are indeed very high, but I would like to ask, why does the Grand Commander practice martial arts?"

"If the nun herself wants to say it, why push it onto me?"

When Master Yixin was exposed, she was not angry. She simply said, "I practice martial arts to protect the Dao, to protect the lineage of the Dao, and even more so to protect the Dao of the world. I have cultivated my mind for many years, and I have no intention of killing anyone."

The murderous intent the Grand Commander sensed was merely the compassion of this humble nun for the world.

Zhou Yi was amused by her: "Master, do you think the affairs of the world are all under your control?"

Master Yixin softened her voice: "The way of Heaven is orderly, and all things return to the orthodox way."

"So, everything was predetermined?"

Zhou Yi asked with interest, "How do you know that? And who can become emperor?"

Master Yixin's voice suddenly became gentle: "Grand Commander, you may come to Emperor Ta Peak in Zhongnan Mountain. This humble nun will certainly give you a satisfactory answer."

"Not interested in."

Zhou Yi flicked his sleeve:
“Master, your wishful thinking won’t work on me. Trying to add these ideas to my mind is just wishful thinking on your part. Didn’t you ask me why I practice martial arts? This is one of the reasons.”

Seeing that Abbot Daoxin kept blinking, Zhou Yi, having lost the Holy Land's edge, decided to stop while he was ahead.

Master Yixin resumed her stern expression.

Zhou Yi glanced at the conflicted Shi Feixuan, while Fan Qinghui looked at Shi Qingxuan.

Shi Qingxuan smiled politely at Fan Qinghui and Shi Feixuan, but did not greet them, and followed closely behind Zhou Yi.

Fan Qinghui sighed inwardly.

Bi Xiuxin's daughter really does resemble Bi Xiuxin.

She glanced at her apprentice beside her, then calmed down.

But the moment Fan Qinghui looked away, the saintess's expression changed.

"Grand Governor."

The martial arts judge stood up from his seat, as if he hadn't seen what had just happened.

He was tall and had a polite smile on his face, but his dark skin made the smile less pronounced.

"Lord of the castle, I apologize for disturbing you."

"Not at all, the presence of the Grand Commander is an honor to our humble abode."

Xie Hui said politely, "Please sit down."

The people on the right-hand side of the main seat were all from the Sichuanese and Bameng groups. Of course, there were fewer people sitting and more standing.

According to custom, as a guest of honor, one should sit facing the back.

However, Fan Zhuo, Feng Mengzhu, and others completely disregarded the rules.

As soon as the old steward, Xie Zhiling, led the way, Fan Zhuo, Alliance Leader Feng, and the others all stood up and made room for the head seat.

Zhou Yi did not refuse, and sat down to face the old nun Yixin.

Shi Qingxuan and Hou Xibai sat behind Zhou Yi. As soon as the wealthy young master sat down, he patted Zhou Yi's back lightly.

Without him saying a word, Zhou Yi understood that he was going to talk about the Holy Maiden.

Seeing the attitudes of the Ba Alliance and the Sichuan Gang, the Li Clan, Liang State, and the Western Qin group all looked grim and lost their previous enthusiasm for watching the show.

These two companies are too determined.

However, the forces in Sichuan and Chongqing believed that both sides were right.

They were still basking in the powerful aura of the martial arts holy land, but they never expected the Grand Commander to be so domineering.

Many people only remembered this.

The Grand Commander was not only the greatest swordsman in the world, but also the greatest master of lightness skills.

Without absolute certainty, even the most sacred martial arts lands dare not make a move.

Everyone looked at Jie Hui again. Judging from his behavior just now, Jie Hui's attitude seemed to have changed.

If he also supports the Grand Commander, then there will be no more disputes in Sichuan and Chongqing.

As Zhou Yi took his seat, murmurs arose among the hundreds of people in the hall. Xie Zhiling led the servants from the fortress to serve tea to the spectators.

We've already had one round of drinks; this is the second.

After everyone had calmed down with tea, the room was almost full.

Once the main characters had all arrived, Fan Zhuo informed Fan Caiqi and then turned to look at Xie Hui: "Brother Xie, we can begin."

Jie Hui nodded to the two of them, glanced at Zhou Yi, and then looked at where Fan Qinghui was.

He took a deep breath and adopted a solemn expression.

His title as the judge of the martial arts world was well-deserved; with just a single expression, numerous forces in Sichuan and Chongqing fell silent.

On the Heyi Sect's side, the Tongtian Shenmu, who had originally kept her eyes closed, now slightly narrowed her eyes.

Jianhui stood between the two seats and raised his voice:
"My friends from Sichuan and Chongqing, since the alliance of the three families of Ziduzunbao, Bameng, and Chuanbang has been established, we will abide by the established rules, not usurp the title of king, not boast of our domineering name, and only let the people of Sichuan live in peace."

"From then on, we have lived up to expectations. Whether they are peddlers, commoners, merchants, various factions, or artisans, they have all been able to live and work in peace and contentment, and have been spared the scourge of war."

"However, after Yang Guang was assassinated in Jiangdu, the world was in turmoil, and powerful figures from all directions vied for control of Sichuan and Chongqing, which led to repeated disturbances and disrupted the peace and tranquility of the people of Sichuan."

"This time we reunite to reaffirm our oath and discuss a wise ruler to stabilize Sichuan and deter any covetous thoughts from other regions."

Jie Hui's words differed from what was agreed upon at the previous alliance meeting. The so-called selection of a wise ruler should wait until the general situation of the world is clear. At this moment, with everything in chaos, it was too hasty.

But considering the current situation, everyone nodded in agreement.

Their opinions are useless; once the three major powers make a decision, no one in Bashu can object.

Therefore, after Jie Hui finished speaking, the onlookers remained silent, except for Fan Zhuo and Alliance Leader Feng.

The two said in unison, "That's exactly what we were thinking."

Fan Zhuo stood up and continued, "Our Sichuan Gang has always been decisive in its actions. Since Lord Jie has also spoken and agreed on a wise leader, I, Fan, will not keep you in suspense any longer."

He preemptively said, "Our entire gang is of one mind: Sichuan and Chongqing should be incorporated into the Jianghuai region. We will follow the lead of Grand Commander Zhou."

"The leader is right!"

Many elders from the Sichuanese community echoed this sentiment.

Those forces with good relations with the Sichuan gang all voiced their support.

Feng Zhen stood up, his face solemn: "All members of the four major ethnic groups of Ba League—Yao, Qiang, Miao, and Yi—support Grand Commander Zhou."

The three leaders, Sina, Kakurofumi, and Kawase, all agreed.

Immediately, in the main hall on the second floor of Zhenchuan Tower, not only the people of Ba Alliance, but also the neutral forces stopped hesitating and voiced their support one after another.

Larger sects such as the Unity Sect, Dragon Wanderer Sect, Divine Spring Sect, and Wan'an Gang would also include their own sect's name when they voiced their support.

In the noisy hall, Li Yuanji, who bore a resemblance to Li Erfeng but was even more fierce and burly, revealed an uncontrollable sinister look.

He looked at Jie Hui again, his hopes now resting entirely on Duzun Fort.

Li Zhongyan and Xue Renyue, who were standing to the side, were different from him.

The two exchanged a glance, each with a subtle glint in their eyes.

Behind Li Zhongyan, Liang general An Xiuren glanced at the three leaders of the Chuan Gang, Ba Meng, and Duzunbao, then his gaze fell on a man who looked to be around thirty years old beside him.

He was as tall as a white crane, with a majestic appearance that exuded a free spirit.

They were just keeping a low profile at the time, otherwise they would have attracted a lot of attention.

"Brother Jie, what do you think?!"

Fan Zhuo stared at Xie Hui; more than 70% of the people in the hall had already given their approval.

Jie Hui went along with the situation, which brought everyone a happy ending.

Li Yuanji felt a little nervous. Qin Wutong, Diao Ang, Qiu Tianjue and other experts beside him also looked at Xie Hui nervously.

They were afraid that the lord of the fortress would not be able to withstand the pressure.

All eyes were on Jie Hui, the judge of the Sichuan martial arts world, who smiled and gave Feng Zhen and Fan Zhuo a slight bow.

"Brothers, I'm afraid my wish will not be fulfilled."

Feng Zhen said, "Please tell me, Lord Fortress Master."

Jie Hui's gaze swept over the leaders of the Ba Meng, then passed over Xue Renyue, the King of Jin of Western Qin, and Li Zhongyan, the King of Qi of Liang, before settling on Li Yuanji.

Li Yuanji was overjoyed.

"Jie wants to support the Li clan of Guanzhong."

A clear, melodious female voice suddenly came from behind Zhou Yi: "Does the Fortress Master intend to support Li Yuan?"

Fan Qinghui and the others all looked at Shi Qingxuan.

Xie Hui also turned his head. He hesitated for a moment, but still said, "Of course we support the Li Clan Chief."

Shi Qingxuan then asked, "Is it the future head of the Li clan or the current head of the Li clan?"

Li Yuanji gave a forced smile: "What's the difference?"

Hou Xibai glanced at Shi Feixuan across from him, then at Zhou Yi, and thought to himself, "I'm sorry, Miss Shi," before continuing Li Yuanji's words:

"The difference is that the fortress lord was instructed by Senior Cihang to support Li Yuan, which means that he is the orderly Heavenly Way that Abbess Yixin spoke of. Otherwise, he could be Li Yuan's son, or you, Li Yuanji."

Li Yuanji's smile deepened: "What's the point of all this?"

Hou Xibai laughed and said, "Judging from what Young Master Yuanji said, the Li clan doesn't care about Bashu at all."

“Currently, the vast majority of people support Grand Commander Zhou, and Lord Jie is suspected of acting unilaterally, which is inconsistent with his status. When the three families formed an alliance, it was for the stability of Bashu. Now, however, he is going back on his word and dragging Bashu into division.”

"I think that from the major powers in Sichuan to the common people, no one wants to accept this outcome."

Hou Xibai unfolded his folding fan and said politely:
"Of course, Lord Jie has his own reasons and difficulties. So please explain these reasons so that the people of Shu can clear up their misunderstandings about Lord Jie."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly, "Old Hou is a good friend."

Knowing there was a trick in those words, Xie Hui did not hesitate and said, "I naturally support Lord Li Yuan."

The old nun flicked her whisk and took over the conversation:
"Several hundred years ago, there was a Taoist priest in the Yan region named Lu Sheng. He was ordered by the First Emperor to go to sea to seek immortality. When he returned, he met the First Emperor and presented him with an ancient book. In the book was a sentence: 'The one who will destroy Qin is Hu.'"

"During the Western Han Dynasty, there was a willow tree in Shanglin that withered and then revived. Insects ate the leaves and formed the words: Gongsun Bingyi should be established. Later, Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Bingyi, did indeed become emperor."

“There was a prophecy in the world, and by the end of the Sui Dynasty, everyone heard it: ‘Willow catkins fall, plum blossoms bloom. Peach and plum fruits will bring the world.’”

"Therefore, the actions of the Lord of Jiebao were in accordance with the Way of Heaven."

Zhou Yi glanced at the old nun, concluding that she wasn't telling the truth.

A rebuttal is imminent.

Suddenly, a laugh came from behind the screen:
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Yixin, it turns out you are also skilled in divination."

As everyone pondered the mystery of the prophecy, they realized that there were many people in the world who believed in the ways of gods and ghosts.

My thoughts were interrupted, and I looked in the direction of the sound.

Then, an old Taoist priest with a slender figure and a spirited demeanor walked out, carrying a long sword on his back, stroking his beard and smiling.

It was Yuan Tiangang, a master of Taoism.

As soon as he arrived, he revealed the identity of Abbess Yixin.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan."

The old nun also greeted them. Yuan Tiangang exchanged only a glance with the others, nodded to Jie Hui, and continued:

"I have long studied the Book of Changes and have some knowledge of the mysteries of the universe. I can also understand some astronomy and calendar systems. When it comes to human facial features and bone structure, I have also learned about human relationships, the tortoise shell and divination, the qi and nerves, and bone structure. Today, I heard the wonderful prophecy of my fellow Daoist Yixin and realized that we are kindred spirits. I am overjoyed."

“I observed the celestial phenomena last night and saw that the Ziwei star was changing. I cast a tortoise shell to cast a divination and obtained a prophecy, which I am glad to share with you, fellow Daoist.”

"It's truly a stroke of luck, wonderful indeed."

The people of Sichuan and Chongqing showed surprise, naturally knowing the great name of Yuan Tiangang.

If we're talking about who can compare to him, who can?
Seeing him pacing into the hall, I listened intently, hoping to glean some secrets of heaven.

"The vast天地 (heaven and earth) have no end, the sun and moon cycle endlessly."

He finished reading slowly and glanced at Zhou Yi.

Shi Qingxuan felt a sense of familiarity.

That was exactly what Zhou Yi said when he met Yuan Tiangang.

Little did they know that this was the first image that Zhou Yi had extracted from the "Tui Bei Tu" (a Chinese prophetic text).

There was a brief silence in the main hall as people pondered those words.

The Tongtian Divine Mother of the Unity Sect, who had kept her eyes closed, opened them, radiating a sharp spiritual light.

She shook the jewels and jade covering her body, adopted the expression of a female zombie, and spoke in a low, hoarse voice that seemed to penetrate the very soul:

"When I communicated with the Netherworld, I also heard this prophecy, but I could not understand it clearly. Now, with Fellow Daoist Yuan's explanation, I feel that the Dao is natural and wonderful. Just as Fellow Daoist Yixin said, it is cyclical and endless. This is the orderly way of Heaven."

This is a big deal.

Even the Heavenly Goddess spoke.

Yuan Tiangang observed the stars and celestial phenomena and decreed that the Divine Mother was directly connected to the Netherworld, reaching the highest heavens and descending to the deepest hells. This prophecy was infinitely more reliable than the folk songs of the Eastern Capital.

The old nun Cihang frowned, and Fan Qinghui asked, "What do you mean?"

Hou Xibai really wanted to be the mouth double, and it would be even better if someone else said it at this moment.

There was a response in my heart, but it was still something missing.

But before he could even worry about it, Junior Sister Shi spoke up:

"In the past, King Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang, received the mandate of heaven, and established the Zhou dynasty, with the Zhou emperor as the ruler of the world. The vast天地 (heaven and earth) have no end. The sun and moon shine brightly, cycling for thousands of years, and now the time for the cycle to begin again has come."

"This week, naturally, refers to Grand Commander Zhou."

"King Zhou of Shang lost the hearts of the people, and so did Yang Guang. Of all the heroes of today, only the Grand Commander has the deepest support from the people."

Before Fan Qinghui could speak, Shi Qingxuan said:

"Back then, Guang Chengzi created the 'Longevity Formula' and entrusted it to the Yellow Emperor along with the relic of the Evil Emperor. Later, it was passed down to the Zhou Emperor. The Longevity Formula disappeared for many years, but when the Grand Commander came to Jiangdu, it was revealed to the world. Now that the relic has reappeared in Sichuan, isn't that proof?"

"Whether it's conflicts in the martial arts world or the pursuit of supremacy, it all aligns with Master Yuan's prophecy."

"Besides."

"The so-called willow catkins fall, plum blossoms bloom. There are many Lis: Li Gui, Li Mi, Li Yuan. Perhaps it is one of them."

The girl's voice was soft, yet powerful; she recounted everything she had heard and seen:
"But among these powerful rulers surnamed Li, Li Mi rebelled against his former master, Li Yuan was infatuated with women, and Li Gui colluded with foreign tribes."

"According to the nun's interpretation of prophecies, compared to these people, Grand Commander Zhou is loved by the people. He eliminated bandits and evil in Sichuan and Chongqing, cured the plague in the ancient village, drove away the foreign tribes that coveted Sichuan and Chongqing, and had a heart of compassion to ensure the long-term stability of Sichuan and Chongqing."

"Could it be that, just because of this far-fetched prophecy from the nun, Lord Jie is going to act on his own whims and disregard the earnest expectations of countless people from Shu?"

The old nun Cihang was speechless, filled with regret that she shouldn't have used this prophecy, but some things shouldn't be said in public.

Upon hearing this, the various forces in Sichuan and Chongqing felt a surge of patriotic fervor.

That's right, you're absolutely right!

The atmosphere inside the main hall changed drastically.

"Lord of the Fortress, please reconsider!"

Some people were indignant: "How can these people compare to the Grand Commander?!"

Someone hidden behind the crowd shouted, "Does the lord support Li Yuan because the Li clan promised him high-ranking positions and generous rewards?"

Fan Zhuo and the Alliance Leader advised at the opportune moment:

"Brother Jie, do you remember why we formed the three-family alliance in the first place?"

"The stability of Sichuan and Chongqing should be our top priority, Brother Jie!"

Looking at those who had originally supported him, he saw them now siding with the Trump faction and the Ba'an Alliance.

Xie Hui, who had made up his mind, was suddenly at a loss.
……

(End of this chapter)