destiny eternal calamity

"I heard your conversation with that girl Yan Xueshang during the day."

Shang Xueyan said with a cold face.

Her technique can alter appearances, and although it allows her to manipulate people at will, it's not realistic and will leave flaws.

To make it more realistic, you have to change the people whose presence you've met and recorded.

Not only their appearance, but even their temperament and personality can be imitated.

She originally wanted to disguise herself as Bai Ranran, the Holy Lord of Ten Thousand Demons, but considering that Li Wei was the fiancé of this demoness's disciple, and the possibility of the two meeting was not small, she gave up the idea.

Her current appearance is that of Hua Yuedie, the leader of the Xuan Nu Sect.

This woman is different from Bai Ranran's bad friends; she's her mortal enemy.

Shang Xueyan transformed into her likeness for three reasons: firstly, out of a wicked sense of humor; secondly, because she felt it was unlikely that Li Wei would have any contact with the other person; and thirdly, to borrow this woman's personality.

Unlike Long Bilin, who avoided contact with men to maintain her chastity, this woman genuinely loathed men.

This may be due to the education provided by the Xuan Nu school.

However, it's quite interesting that such a sect that hates men opened a Moonlit Pavilion.

Li Wei felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing Shang Xueyan's words; this old woman was actually hiding in the shadows, spying on him.

"Are you an elder of the Kongsang Sect?"

"That's right, you can call me Yaoyue. Since Yan'er has already told you most of the situation, I don't need to repeat it."

I am Xueyan's senior martial uncle, and I truly couldn't bear to see her burdened by sect rules, forced to become a Daoist couple with her nominal disciple, and ridiculed by the world. Therefore, I took on the task she was supposed to do, which can be considered helping her complete the sect's mission.

Li Wei felt a chill run through him. His master's uncle, what kind of seniority was that? He must be over a hundred years old.

No, this is a supernatural world; I can't dwell on my age.

If Xie Youshan were still alive, she would be over ten thousand years old, and I didn't mind, did I?

"So, this dual cultivation is the reason why the holy son and holy daughter need to become Daoist partners?" Li Wei combined her words with what had happened before and easily came to a conclusion.

"Indeed, our sect's Holy Maiden needs to use the dual cultivation method to help the Holy Son cultivate, so that he can advance to the Void Realm and even the Eternal Tribulation as soon as possible, and suppress the Demon Tomb."

With your talent for cultivation, there was no need to rush this matter. However, the Demon Tomb erupted a few days ago, causing many disciples to fall into demonic possession, which has caused the sect leader to be very troubled.

After I learned of this, I volunteered to come in her place to help you improve as soon as possible and exorcise demons for our sect's disciples. That's the whole story.

Shang Xueyan said without batting an eye.

Li Wei, however, was filled with grief and indignation: How could you be so selfish! You replaced my dream wife, the third most beautiful woman in the world, with an old woman like you who is already who knows how many years old...

However, her looks and demeanor are probably no worse than the third best in the world...

"From now on, you should just be Xueyan's apprentice and not have any more improper thoughts!" Shang Xueyan warned.

"Yes, Elder Yaoyue!"

A wise man doesn't fight a losing battle, especially since this Elder Yaoyue isn't bad either... It's a pity we can't use the main entrance.

After confirming that Li Wei had accepted his fate, Shang Xueyan repeated the same actions she had taken the previous night.

However, Li Wei's vision was not blocked this time.

Although Shang Xueyan blew out the candle, Li Wei's perception was already so sharp that he could see in the dark as if it were daytime. Of course, he could see clearly the details of Shang Xueyan playing around with him in the shape of the Flower Moon Butterfly.

Li Wei could sense that the other party genuinely disliked him, even somewhat hated him, and that their current interactions were merely a pretense to complete a mission.

However, this behavior of giving it to him with a look of disgust even though he clearly didn't like it only excited him more.

It must be said that it was very moving, and he almost forgot to practice the dual cultivation technique.

Shang Xueyan pinched his waist before he realized what was happening.

Another whole night...

The next day, Li Wei still got up early, afraid that if he stayed by Long Bilin's side and waited for her to wake up, something would be discovered.

Today is the day the "Da Li Weekly" is published, and also the day he faces off against the Crown Prince.

Li Wei felt his divine sense increase significantly again and was quite satisfied with the effects of dual cultivation.

After waiting for about a morning, public opinion in Beijing exploded.

Everywhere you look, people are talking about the Crown Prince's despicable act of murdering Li Anguo in order to seize Li Wei's fiancée.

"So this young poet Li Wei only sought refuge with Princess Yuzhen to avenge his father."

"Yes, I thought he was Princess Yuzhen's lover..."

"Isn't that right?"

……

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Long Ming was immediately shocked.

The Li family's good-for-nothing, whom he regarded as an ant just three months ago, has actually pulled off a big surprise for him.

If I had known, I wouldn't have listened to the cunning strategist Jia Da and would have just killed him.

Long Ming was unaware that even at the beginning, Li Wei was under the protection left by Bai Ranran. Without sending out Heavenly Mandate-level combat power, it would be impossible to threaten Li Wei.

"Jada, what should we do now?" Long Ming summoned his most trusted strategist and asked.

"Your Highness, the most urgent task is to stop such remarks from spreading further."

"Isn't that obvious?! If I could stop it, would I need to ask you?!"

……

No matter how much Long Ming jumped around, the matter continued to escalate. Throughout the entire Da Li region, wherever one could buy the "Da Li Weekly," people were talking about this big news.

Li Wei waited quietly at the princess's residence.

Sure enough, by evening, a summons from the palace arrived.

Not only Li Wei, but also Long Bilin, Lan Yu, the editor-in-chief of "Da Li Weekly", and Boss Cheng of Wenhai Pavilion were all summoned.

I need to attend tomorrow's morning court session.

Elder Yaoyue seemed to have been spying on Li Wei's daily life. Knowing that he had to get up early the next day, she did not come to disturb him again that night.

Li Wei himself remained completely calm and even engaged in a routine activity with Long Bilin.

Early the next morning.

The princess's entourage arrived at the Golden Palace.

Crown Prince Long Ming had already arrived and was now glaring fiercely at Li Wei and Long Bilin, who was wearing a veil.

It was as if they wanted to devour the man and woman whole.

Li Wei didn't seem to care, simply looking straight ahead at the person opposite him with a calm expression that revealed no emotion.

A short while later, Long Yin emerged from behind, sat on the dragon throne, and announced the start of the morning court session.

The atmosphere in the court was strange. Everyone knew what the focus of today was, and all eyes were on the people from the Princess's residence and Long Ming.

"Father, I am innocent!" Long Ming was the first to speak.

"Speak," Long Yin said, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"The rumors circulating in the capital about me are purely fabricated by Viscount Mingyue Li Wei. His father, Li Anguo, died in an accidental attack by a demonic beast, and the disappearance of his fiancée, Lin Peiyao, has nothing to do with me. I did pursue Lin Peiyao, but at that time I was unaware that she was already engaged!"

Long Ming said, forcing himself to speak.

"Li Wei, what do you say?" Long Yin turned his head towards the people in the princess's residence and asked.

"Your Majesty, I am not speaking recklessly. The Crown Prince did indeed harass my fiancée repeatedly, and Uncle Lin can testify to this. This matter made me wonder if there were any hidden circumstances surrounding my father's death. After investigating for a long time, I determined that the Crown Prince was highly suspicious, but I did not have any concrete evidence."

"Li Wei! You dare to falsely accuse the Crown Prince without any evidence! This is utterly lawless!" Duke Meng Rang shouted.

"Lin Yishui, tell me what exactly happened?" Long Yin ignored Meng Rang's question and asked Lin Yishui directly.

As the Right Wing Commander of the Tiger-Swift Army, Lin Yishui naturally attended court in this hall, but at the back.

Lin Yishui stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, what Li Wei said is true. I informed the Crown Prince from the beginning that my daughter was engaged, but the Crown Prince still came to see her repeatedly. In the end, my daughter had no choice but to run away from home to avoid the Crown Prince."

"Lin Yishui, you!" Long Ming had sent someone to warn Lin Yishui yesterday, but he didn't expect him to be so ungrateful.

After Lin Yishui finished speaking, he stood with his hands in his sleeves, waiting for Long Yin's decision.

Although he is a bit straightforward, he is not stupid.

If I don't completely bring down Long Ming today, I'll be in big trouble for not obediently handing my daughter over to him back then.

"Your Majesty, why not use the Truth Test on His Highness the Crown Prince? We can find out whether he plotted against Li Anguo with a simple question."

Chancellor Gongsun Wen suddenly offered his advice.

"Absurd! If you want to use the Truth Test on me, where will that leave the royal family's reputation? Do you, Gongsun Wen, dare to accept the Truth Test and answer a few of my questions?" Long Ming rebuked angrily.

"Your Highness, this is the only way to clear your name," Gongsun Wen said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"All of this is Li Wei and Lin Yishui smearing me. Since he can falsely accuse me without any evidence, I will also accuse him of colluding with the Prime Minister's office, using a lot of money to win over officials at all levels, and forming a faction for the Prince of Jin."

Long Ming knew he could not accept the truth test no matter what, so he unleashed his ultimate move.

"I can accept the truth test, but Li Wei must accept the test first," Long Ming said, raising his chin.

Gongsun Wen did not accuse him, so he couldn't drag the other party into the mess.

Li Wei was different. If he wanted to falsely accuse the crown prince, he would first have to prove his innocence, right?

"I accept the truth test!" Just when everyone in the know thought the matter was going to fall apart, Li Wei stood up and said loudly.

The crown prince's face showed disbelief.

The Prime Minister and the Prince of Jin were also greatly alarmed.

"Li Wei, don't do anything stupid!" Long Bilin transmitted her voice.

She thought Li Wei wanted to expose the Prime Minister, so he took two people with him at once to pave the way for her.

Although this was indeed the best thing for her, after so much love and affection over the years, her heart was no longer filled with nothing but power and desire, but also with her husband, Li Wei.

If Li Wei sacrifices himself to help her ascend to the throne, then even if she becomes empress, it won't mean much.

"It's alright, trust me," Li Wei transmitted his voice, then walked to the center of the main hall and stood with his future father-in-law, Lin Yishui.

"Grand Tutor Zhang, I order you to conduct a truth test on Li Wei and the Crown Prince," Long Yin said indifferently.

As the emperor, he was naturally extremely displeased with Li Wei's actions.

This matter was out of his control.

The emperor disliked situations where he couldn't control the situation.

But the die was cast, and he had no choice but to go along with it.

In fact, he knew about the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Prince of Jin; rather than saying he was raising a poisonous insect.

However, in his mind, it should be the Crown Prince and the Prince of Jin vying for the throne. He did not expect that his eldest daughter, Long Bilin, would also want to get involved.

He knew that the Prime Minister might be secretly cultivating his own faction to support the Prince of Jin, but he didn't know that the Li family was related to the Prime Minister, or rather, he had never paid serious attention to the Li family before.

However, judging from Long Ming's tone and expression, this should be true.

I wonder how Li Wei should handle the truth test.

Grand Tutor Zhang was a Void Realm cultivator from the Feilai Mountain lineage. Feilai Mountain possessed a technique called "True Word Technique," which allowed people to speak only the truth.

Of course, this is ineffective for those above the Void Realm.

But neither Li Wei nor the Crown Prince could possibly be Void Realm cultivators.

"Li Wei, is there any connection between your Li family and the Prime Minister's residence?" The white-haired and white-bearded Grand Tutor walked up to Li Wei and asked, activating the 'True Word Technique'.

Li Wei suddenly felt compelled to tell the truth, but a flash of inspiration blocked out that feeling.

Although Li Wei did not know what realm the Queen Mother of the West was, he figured it must be at least Eternal Calamity, otherwise how could she teach martial arts to the human race?

Even the Queen Mother of the West's mind-controlling techniques could sway the mirage, let alone a mere Void Realm cultivator.

However, Li Wei remembered that his silence last time and failure to answer the question in time had led to the exposure of the mirage to the Queen Mother of the West, so he quickly composed himself and said:

"Reporting to the Grand Tutor, in my memory, the Li family and the Prime Minister's residence have no connection whatsoever. Even if they did, I would not know of it. After my father passed away, I did not find any items in my home related to the Prime Minister's residence, nor did the Prime Minister's residence ever contact me."

Li Wei had specifically asked Long Bilin beforehand and knew that this "Truth Word Technique" would allow someone to explain a matter in great detail, so what was originally just a sentence was explained in great detail.

This was to prevent people from discovering that he hadn't been infected.

The people in the Golden Palace reacted differently to Li Wei's answer.

Emperor Longyin's expression softened considerably, and although the Prime Minister and Prince Jin were surprised, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing that Li Wei did not self-destruct, Long Bilin breathed a sigh of relief.

Long Ming's face turned pale, and he trembled as if he had fallen into an ice cave, because Li Wei's passing of the Truth Test meant that he would have to undergo the Truth Test himself.

Without any pause, Grand Tutor Zhang walked up to Long Ming.

"Your Highness, are you involved in the death of Li Anguo?" The old Grand Tutor asked again, this time with the power of a mantra, but this time the question was directed at Crown Prince Longming.

He was loyal only to the emperor. If the crown prince was innocent, he would not only avoid offending him, but also prove his innocence. If the crown prince was indeed guilty, he would probably be deposed, and he was not afraid of offending him.

So of course he wouldn't let the water out.

"Yes...it's related. I sent people to drive demonic beasts to kill him. My purpose was not only to take away Li Wei's fiancée, Lin Peiyao, but also because I knew that the Li family had a deep connection with the Prime Minister's mansion. Doing so could weaken the power of the Prime Minister and the Prince of Jin, and also give Li Wei the opportunity to betray the Prime Minister."

Knowing he was powerless to resist the "Truth Spell," Long Ming simply revealed his true purpose all at once. During this time, he had been telling the absolute truth, and perhaps he could even drag Prince Jin down with him.

As soon as Long Ming finished speaking, a commotion broke out in the court.

"Your Majesty, this is all because His Highness the Crown Prince believed the slander of petty people! Li Wei has just proven that his Li family has no relation to me. I only once helped his father out of admiration. This matter may have been reported to His Highness by someone with ulterior motives, which led to today's mistake."

Gongsun Wen quickly stepped forward to explain.

Long Yin remained noncommittal.

He felt that Li Anguo was indeed related to the Prime Minister, but Li Wei was unaware of this.

However, Long Ming is definitely not going to be able to keep his position as crown prince. If he also removes the prime minister, the Jin Prince's faction will lose this hidden leader, and Long Bilin's family may become the only powerful force.

Although he liked his eldest daughter, Long Bilin, he hadn't decided whether to let her succeed him.

At least until today, I hadn't had this idea.

Therefore, we need to observe her more closely and at least prove that her abilities are no less than those of the Prince of Jin.

"What Minister Gongsun said makes sense. It must be that Longming made a wild guess and thought that Minister Gongsun's well-intentioned promotion was a form of forming cliques for personal gain."

Long Yin emphasized the words "forming cliques for personal gain," which sent a chill down Gongsun Wen's spine.

"Long Ming murdered a high-ranking official of the court and harbored fratricidal thoughts. He has already lost all virtue. Effective immediately, he is deposed from his position as crown prince, demoted to a commoner, and confined to his residence for three years."

"I deeply regret the death of Li Anguo. Considering that his son Li Wei sought justice for his father and was commendable for his filial piety, and that he had repeatedly rendered meritorious service to the country, I hereby bestow upon him 30,000 taels of silver as a form of compensation. In addition, I will also bestow a marriage upon Li Wei and Lin Peiyao to prevent others from coveting this daughter of the Lin family."