Fate's Choice: Livestream at the Start Summoning Billions of Ravens

Meanwhile, on the other side of the earth, in Yuzhang, Longhu Mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, several black SUVs with special license plates formed a silent straight line, parked in front of the ancient stone steps where tourists are prohibited.

The car door slid open silently.

Jiang Mingjing No. 1 got off the second vehicle. He was wearing the dark civilian clothes issued by the Ninth Bureau and looked no different from the other field personnel accompanying him.

Several alert and capable Ninth Bureau agents quickly dispersed to conduct a final safety check of the surrounding environment.

On the stone steps, a young Taoist priest dressed in a blue robe was already standing quietly waiting.

He held a whisk in his hand, his face calm, as if he had been waiting there for a long time.

Upon seeing the convoy arrive, the young Taoist priest nodded slightly, his clear voice carrying through the mountain breeze.

"You have come from afar, and my master has been waiting for you on the mountain for a long time."

Several field agents from the Ninth Bureau exchanged glances instinctively.

Their intelligence indicated that the target, "Saber Li Bai," had been elusive since his appearance.

In the ninth inning, a great deal of resources were used to barely pinpoint the general area.

The other party's initiative was completely unexpected.

Ignoring his subordinates' astonishment, Jiang Mingjing No. 1 walked forward alone.

He took out an unsealed official letter from his pocket. The paper was specially made by the Ninth Bureau, and it contained only a few words.

Jiang Ming Mirror No. 1 handed over the official letter.

The young Taoist priest did not reach out to take it, but merely glanced at it with his eyes down.

He only looked up again when his gaze fell on the red seal and signature at the bottom of the official letter.

"My master has ordered that only Consultant Jiang be invited up the mountain."

He turned to the side and made a "please" gesture. The long stone steps leading to the top of the mountain stretched out behind him, disappearing into the night and mist.

The on-site supervisor of this operation from the Ninth Bureau, a middle-aged man codenamed "Lynx," immediately contacted Jiang Ming's Mirror 1 via an encrypted communication headset.

"Sir, the situation has changed. Should we implement Plan B and engage in forceful negotiations?"

A faint electrical hum came through the headset.

"Need not."

Jiang Ming's Mirror No. 1's reply was simple and calm.

Without even glancing back at the convoy behind him, he strode forward, following the young Taoist priest, and stepped onto the ancient stone steps leading deep into Longhu Mountain.

Ancient trees, some over a thousand years old, line the stone steps. The night breeze wafts through the woods, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees and the scent of earth.

The higher you go, the more completely you are isolated from the hustle and bustle of the world below.

The young Taoist priest led the way without uttering a word.

Jiang Ming Mirror No. 1 followed behind, walking with ease.

After passing through several halls that were not open to outsiders and bypassing the main hall where incense was burning brightly, the two finally arrived at an extremely quiet, secluded courtyard.

The courtyard is not large, but a huge ginkgo tree of unknown age occupies half of it.

Under the tree, there was a simple stone table and two stone stools.

An old Taoist priest with white hair and beard sat upright beside a stone table. He wore the simplest gray Taoist robe, yet his demeanor blended seamlessly with the entire Longhu Mountain.

He was Zhang Ruoxu, the 65th Celestial Master of the Zhengyi School of Taoism.

Behind Zhang Ruoxu, a man dressed in white stood with his hands behind his back.

He stood tall and straight, his eyes closed, yet a sharp aura emanated from him, so much so that even the moonlight falling upon him seemed to be cleaved in two.

Li Bai, the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.

The young Taoist priest led Jiang Ming's mirror image number 1 to the courtyard gate, then bowed and withdrew without stepping into the courtyard.

Zhang Ruoxu slowly opened his eyes, raised his hand, and pointed to the empty stone bench opposite him.

"sit."

His voice was calm, like an invitation to an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time.

Jiang Ming, mirror image number 1, took his seat as instructed.

"The nation's representative has arrived today. What instructions does he have?" Zhang Ruoxu asked directly, skipping all pleasantries.

Jiang Ming, mirroring number 1, leaned forward slightly, placed his hands on the stone table, and got straight to the point.

"I am here not on my own behalf, but to convey two things."

"First, the nation has recognized the reality of the 'Holy Grail War' and, to a certain extent, has tacitly accepted its existence."

Zhang Ruoxu listened quietly without making any comment.

Jiang Ming Mirror 1 continued, "But the country has a bottom line. No battle in the Holy Grail War can be fought in densely populated areas within China. The tragedy in Tokyo must not be allowed to repeat itself on this land. Maintaining social order is the highest principle."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Bai, who had been standing quietly with his eyes closed, suddenly let out a very soft sneer.

"We swordsmen are not like Berserkers who indiscriminately kill innocent people."

His voice was clear and melodious, with an undisguised air of aloofness.

"This is unnecessary."

Zhang Ruoxu raised his hand to stop Li Bai, then looked at Jiang Ming Mirror Image 1 and slowly nodded.

"I am also a citizen of China and a disciple of the Daoist sect. I will not stand idly by and watch people suffer. I accept this condition."

"Very good." Jiang Ming Mirror No. 1 received a satisfactory answer and then made a second offer.

"The second matter concerns the ownership of the Holy Grail. The nation hopes that the one who will ultimately win this war is China, one of the participants."

Jiang Ming's mirror image number 1 paused for a moment, observing Zhang Ruoxu's reaction.

"To this end, the nation is willing to provide all necessary support at the conventional level, whether it be intelligence, supplies, or... removing certain obstacles."

These words already carry considerable weight as a promise.

However, Zhang Ruoxu simply shook his head.

"This is a matter beyond the mundane world, a struggle between immortals and gods, which cannot be controlled by ordinary forces."

The old master's answer remained calm and composed.

"What I ask for is not worldly assistance, but only that the country keep its promise and not interfere unnecessarily with our actions."

The implication is that your greatest support is to neither help nor cause trouble.

Jiang Ming's mirror image 1 stared at Zhang Ruoxu for a few seconds.

He understood what the other person meant.

"Can."

At this point, all official negotiations, or rather, notifications, have concluded.

Both sides reached the most basic consensus.

The atmosphere in the courtyard seemed to have eased.

Jiang Ming Mirror No. 1 stood up from the stone bench.

Zhang Ruoxu thought he was about to take his leave.

However, Jiang Ming's Mirror Image 1 did not turn away. Instead, he turned in another direction, facing the white-robed sword immortal.

His gaze shifted from the otherworldly Zhang Ruoxu to the sharp and aloof Li Bai.

"Business is done."

Jiang Mingjing spoke, his voice not loud, but it echoed clearly in the quiet courtyard.

"Next, it's a personal matter."

He looked at Li Bai, a smile playing on his lips that was completely different from his previous official persona.

"Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, may I offer you some guidance?"

The moment the challenging words were uttered, the atmosphere in the courtyard, which had just eased, froze instantly.

Zhang Ruoxu, who had always been calm and composed, suddenly raised his head, and for the first time, his eyes, which seemed to have seen through the world, revealed scrutiny and astonishment.

He looked at the "national representative" in front of him again, as if trying to see through the true nature beneath this mortal exterior.

But he didn't say anything to stop it.

Li Bai slowly turned around, and his eyes, which had been tightly closed, finally opened.

What kind of eyes were those? They seemed to hold the moonlight of the Tang Dynasty and endless sword light.

His response was just one word.

"Can."