Under One Person: My Inner Realm Connects to All Worlds!

Chapter 219 The Bad Commander's Order
The boy stared at him, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through the cold mask and reach the obsessive soul beneath it that had burned for the Tang Dynasty's foundation for three hundred years.

"What if I told you I have another path?" the boy said slowly, "A path that doesn't require you to die, and perhaps... can also lead you to the other side, a path to defy fate."

Yuan Tiangang remained silent for a moment, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger: "Your subject wishes to hear the details."

The boy shook his head: "The time is not right. The chessboard is not yet clear, and the demons and monsters have not yet made their appearance. It is too early to speak."

Li Xingyun walked to the table, picked up the teapot, filled two rough pottery teacups, and pushed one cup to the opposite side.

"There is something you need to do right now."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"Reassemble the Bad People. Summon as many as you can, except those who are lurking in the Xuanming Sect."

Yuan Tiangang did not respond immediately; his gaze beneath the mask was deep and unfathomable.

He knew better than anyone what summoning the Bad Guys meant. It would be like throwing a boulder into stagnant water, sure to alert all the lurking watchers.

Why were the Bad Guys disbanded in the first place?

Naturally, this was in preparation for the restoration of the Tang Dynasty.

But now that they've been reassembled, the Bad Guys will inevitably become the target of everyone's attacks if they fall into the eyes of those people.

Zhu Wen, the Underworld Emperor, the Tongwen Hall, the Huanyin Pavilion... are all the forces that have moved at the mere sound of the wind, and is Li Xingyun truly prepared for the consequences?
"Your Highness, are you aware that once I begin the summons..."

"I know."

The boy interrupted him, picked up his teacup, and looked at the shimmering tea. "I know what this will bring. That's why I have to do it."

"Hiding and hiding only prolongs our lives. Only by getting them moving and muddying the waters can we see who is human and who is a ghost."

He raised his eyes and looked at Yuan Tiangang, his gaze sharp as a drawn sword: "Or is it that after three hundred years of management, the Commander-in-Chief is no longer confident in controlling the situation?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Immediately, Yuan Tiangang let out a low laugh, a laugh that carried a long-lost, almost boiling quality.

"Your Majesty, take the order."

He cupped his hands and bowed slightly, his movements displaying a solemnity unseen in three hundred years.

"However, the Bad People have scattered throughout the land and have been hiding for a long time; it will take time for them to reunite. In the meantime, will Your Highness be safe?"

You don't need to worry about my safety.

"After that brief test, does the Commander still not trust my skills?"

Yuan Tiangang took a deep breath, and the blood that had been dormant in his chest for three hundred years seemed to begin to boil slightly. He cupped his hands and bowed, performing the rites of a subject with more solemnity than ever before.

"Sir, obey the order."

Then, his figure vanished like a ghost into the deepening twilight, appearing and disappearing without a trace.

Inside the sword hut, the young man stood alone, picked up the untouched cup of tea, and slowly poured it onto the ground.

The tea seeped into the soil silently.

He gazed in the direction where Yuan Tiangang had disappeared, his eyes deep and unfathomable. He muttered to himself, a half-smile playing on his lips, "Yuan Tiangang, this game of chess has only just begun. I hope that you and I... can both achieve our desires."

-----

Five days later, in the Kingdom of Qi, in Fengxiang.

Deep within the Illusionary Sound Pavilion, Empress Shuiyun Ji was reviewing the government affairs memorials of the Qi Kingdom. Her vermilion brush never stopped moving when a dark shadow silently appeared outside the window.

She didn't look up, but simply asked, "What is it?"

The dark figure knelt on the ground, his voice suppressed: "Your Majesty, many people from my Illusionary Sound Pavilion have recently gone missing."

Shuiyun Ji paused with her brush, and a drop of vermilion ink fell onto the memorial, slowly spreading.

"say clearly."

"According to the investigation, these people... are very likely to be spies planted by the Bad People in my Huanyin Pavilion."

The shadowy figure's voice was even lower, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, "They received the secret order at almost the same time, and then quietly withdrew, their methods clean and efficient, leaving no trace."

Shuiyun Ji slowly put down the vermilion brush, the vermilion dot on her fingertip as red as blood. She raised her eyes, her gaze icy and sharp.

"The Bad Guys... the former subordinates of the Bad Guy Commander?" Her voice was cold and clear. "After years of silence, why this sudden movement? Can you trace the source of the orders?"

"The situation has not yet been determined."

Shuiyun Ji frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "What news is there from Xuanjing Heaven and Miaocheng Heaven? Have Tongwen Hall and Xuanming Sect made any similar moves?"

"Li Siyuan of Tongwen Hall has been frequently convening secret meetings with the other sect leaders recently, and the Xuanming Sect headquarters is also heavily guarded with doubled patrols. However, our people have not been able to find out the specific reasons. Lord Xuanjingtian is trying to contact the people of Tongwen Hall, while Lord Miaochengtian is closely monitoring the movements of Zhu Wen's pseudo-dynasty in Bianzhou."

Shuiyun Ji stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the deep night.

"The Bad Guys have reunited... If this is truly the work of the Bad Guy Commander, his ambitions must be immense."

She muttered to herself, then turned around, her tone resolute, "Triple the manpower, keep a close watch, and report any suspicious activity immediately!"

"Yes!" The shadowy figure acknowledged the order and quietly disappeared.

-----

Meanwhile, deep within the Xuanming Sect in Bianzhou, Liang Dynasty.

The short figure of the Underworld Emperor Zhu Yougui stood in the shadows, listening to the report from his spies, his shrill voice carrying a hint of impatience and hostility.

"That's all? A bunch of cowardly rats gathering together, is that something to make a fuss about?" He scoffed, his fingernails scraping against the armrest, making a harsh sound.

The scout kneeling below lowered his head even further: "Your Majesty, the Bad People are no ordinary people; they were once the Bad Commander..."

"The Bad Guy Commander?" Zhu Yougui interrupted abruptly, his voice shrill. "Now that I have mastered my divine skills and have thousands of followers of the Xuanming Sect, why would I fear a mere Bad Guy?"

Although he said that, his slightly narrowed eyes betrayed his inner irritation.

"Does Father know about this?" he suddenly asked again.

"Your Majesty the Emperor should already know. The palace is under extra guard today, and Lady Meng Po has been summoned to the palace for questioning and has not come out for a long time."

A shadow crossed Zhu Yougui's eyes.

His father, though seemingly indulging in pleasure, never truly relaxed his grip on power, especially regarding matters related to the Li Tang dynasty, where he was extremely vigilant.

"Hmph, old man..." he muttered under his breath, then waved his hand, "Get out! Keep a close watch on things for me! Report back immediately if there's any news about the Bad Guys!"

"Yes!" The scout, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, quickly withdrew.

In the empty hall, Zhu Yougui paced back and forth, his short figure casting a distorted and swaying shadow in the candlelight.

"Bad Men, Bad Commander..."

He muttered to himself, a cruel and excited smile gradually appearing on his face, "Very well, let them all jump out. It'll be perfect for me to kill them all at once, saving me the trouble of searching for them again!"

-----

Tongwen Hall, Jinyang City.

The Holy Lord Li Siyuan held a scroll in his hand, seemingly reading leisurely, but Li Cunzhong, standing below, could sense the undercurrents surging beneath that calm surface.

"Ninth brother, what do you think?"

Li Siyuan suddenly spoke, his voice gentle, but his gaze remained fixed on the book. Li Cunzhong pondered for a moment, then cautiously said, "Brother, the sudden activity of the Bad Guys is no accident. I suspect it might be related to... the Longquan Treasure?"

"Longquan..."

Li Siyuan gently closed the book, his fingertips tracing the smooth pages. "When the Tang Dynasty fell, the Bad People also disbanded. Now, they are suddenly gathering their old members. Either they have found the key, or they have hope of restoring the Tang Dynasty."

He raised his eyes, his gaze deep: "No matter which one it is, we can no longer stand idly by in this game. Tell the other sect leaders that I need to know the exact location and number of people at each of the Bad People's gathering points. Also, keep an eye on Zifan's side."

Li Cunzhong's heart skipped a beat: "Big brother is worried about Zifan..."

"That child is too soft-hearted and easily manipulated," Li Siyuan said calmly. "In these extraordinary times, we must be extra vigilant. Go and take care of it."

"Yes!" Li Cunzhong bowed and withdrew.

Li Siyuan sat alone in the hall, a wisp of azure energy from the Supreme Divine Universe Technique gathering at his fingertips, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

-----

Raojiang, deep in the mountains of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

At this time, Chi Li and Chi Li had not yet turned against each other. Although Chi Li had planned to deal with Chi Li, he had not yet actually made a move.

Beside a secluded altar, the burly, dark-skinned rogues, Heavenly Lone Star Witch King Chi Li and Heavenly Wound Star Gu King Chi Li, simultaneously received a secret message.

After reading the contents of the secret letter, both of them showed expressions of shock and disbelief.

"The commander... he wants us to go back?" Chi Li's voice was hoarse as he looked at his brother.

Chi Li's eyes were sharp as he repeatedly examined the unique Bad Man Commander's token on the secret letter. Finally, he nodded heavily and said, "There's no mistake. This mark can't be faked."

"But why did the commander suddenly..." Chi Li still had doubts, "He disbanded the Bad People back then and ordered us to hide and wait for orders, so why is he doing this now?"

The two fell silent.

They had lived in seclusion in Raojiang for many years, far from the strife in the Central Plains, and had almost forgotten their identity as members of the Bad People. The commander-in-chief rarely contacted them either. This sudden Bad People's Order was really too unexpected.

"Shall we go?" Chi Li asked.

Chi Li pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Go. Can we object to the commander's orders?"

Thinking of that unfathomable commander, even though they have now reached the realm above the Great Celestial level, they find it difficult to muster the slightest resistance.

"Gather your old troops and infiltrate the Central Plains in batches. Destination: Hidden Soldiers Valley."

-----

Hidden Soldier Valley.

Yuan Tiangang stood with his hands behind his back on a high cliff, with clouds and mist swirling around the bottomless mountain below.

Unseen messages are spreading outwards from this valley through the unique channels of the Bad Guys, awakening one long-dormant name after another.

Tianqiao Star, Tianmo Star, Tianhui Star, Tianbao Star...

Countless hidden pieces began to quietly turn at this moment.

He knew that once this order from the Bad Commander was issued, it would be earth-shattering and attract the attention of all forces in the world.

The Illusionary Sound Pavilion, the Tongwen Hall, the Xuanming Sect, the Zhu Wen Pseudo-Dynasty... and even those hidden deep within who covet Longquan, will all be drawn by the news.

This undoubtedly puts His Highness in the eye of the storm.

But this is His Highness's choice.

Thinking of those calm yet sharp eyes in the Sword Pavilion, that all-knowing expression, that demeanor so different from his memory… Yuan Tiangang’s lips, hidden beneath his mask, seemed to twitch slightly.

It was an expression that mixed doubt, scrutiny, and a hint of almost impossible expectation.

"Your Highness..."

He murmured to himself into the void, his voice fading into the mountain wind, "Let me see how you intend to navigate this game through your so-called other path."

------

Outside the Hidden Soldiers Valley, there are mountains and forests stretching for a hundred miles.

Like streams flowing into the sea, shadowy figures silently approached from different directions.

They were dressed in various ways—farmers, merchants, beggars, and even soldiers—but their eyes were all equally sharp, and they moved in perfect unison.

In a secluded mountain valley, several people guarding the leader gathered together.

"A message from Tiansu Star: The Commander-in-Chief has ordered all units to assemble in areas A3, C7, and E9 according to plan, and to lie in wait. No action is permitted without orders," a deep voice said.

"Do you know why the Commander has summoned us this time?" another person asked, his voice filled with suppressed excitement. The Bad People had been silent for too long.

"It wasn't explicitly stated in the message, but the time has come." The man's voice became more serious.

Upon hearing this, the group of people were all startled, exchanged glances, and their eyes shone with astonishment.

"Could it be..."

"Watch your words!" the leader interrupted. "Just follow orders. Tell the brothers to cheer up; the years of waiting may finally be over!"

A silent excitement spread among them. They nodded heavily, then dispersed back into the forest, like drops of water merging into the ocean.

-----

Inside the Sword Pavilion.

Li Xingyun sat quietly on the futon, his aura perfectly balanced and restrained. Outside the window, the winds and clouds surged, but they seemed to have nothing to do with him.

On the ground in front of him lay a map of mountains and rivers roughly sketched with charcoal.

The fingertip moved slowly across the map, eventually stopping in the land of Qi.

Qi State was located to the west of Liang State. Although it seemed to be in a remote location, it bordered Jin State to the north and looked towards Shu State to the south.

Furthermore, with powerful martial arts sects like Huanyinfang and Empress Shuiyunji in charge, their strength is not to be underestimated. They are an important force in restraining Zhu Wen's false dynasty and an indispensable part of the future game.

Li Xingyun lightly touched the two characters "Fengxiang" with his fingertip, leaving a blurry charcoal mark.

"Suiyun-hime..."

He murmured the name, a complex and unfathomable light flashing in his eyes. This Empress of Qi, the owner of the Illusionary Sound Pavilion, was meticulous in her thinking and extraordinary in her methods; she was by no means someone to be trifled with.

Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that she herself is a woman's weakness, and in the original comic, she gradually fell in love with Li Xingyun after a few accidental physical intimacy.

In this respect, they are not qualified as those in power.

After all, she had only hastily taken over the position after the real Prince Qi, Li Maozhen, left. She had to try to learn everything and harden her heart.

The withdrawal of the Bad Guys' undercover agents must have already aroused her highest vigilance.

What will she do next?

He wasn't worried that Shuiyun Ji would immediately turn against the "Bad Marshal." A wise person knows how to assess the situation; before the situation becomes clear, the most likely course of action is to observe closely, or even... attempt to make contact.

This is exactly what he wants.

It made Shuiyun Ji move, made Li Siyuan suspicious, made Zhu Wen restless, and made the other warlords who controlled the separatist regions... fearful.

(End of this chapter)