Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 768 Confrontation
Pei Ye waited for a while, but still no new members came in, so she turned her head and asked, "Is it just the two of us this time?"

“Unless there’s something important, we don’t get together often. When there are collaborative matters, the relevant members meet separately. That’s the usual practice.” Since there was no one else around, Da Li didn’t bother to hide his voice. “Last time at the Queen Mother’s banquet, it was you, me, and Lu Wu who shared ‘The Death of Yong Ji,’ so today it’s just the three of us.”

"Zhang Siche said that Lu Wu went to Ci'en Temple to see Yong Bei."

“Yes, that’s why we’re meeting today. Lu Wu will attend in another way.” Da Li glanced at him. “Don’t worry, as long as everyone does their part, ‘Yong Ji’s death’ will become a reality.”

"Hmm... I'm not that anxious or easily angered." Pei Ye smiled. "Shall we wait for him now?"

"When he gets there, he will let us hear everything."

"Oh, how amazing."

Pei Ye gazed at the sky for a while; the dream was quite peaceful.

"Have you returned to the palace?" Pei Ye asked.

"No, I just woke up up in the small building. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Pei Ye was just making conversation.

"Oh, you weren't really planning to sleep back at Xiuwen Hall last night, were you? That was just polite talk. I don't have any extra-large beds upstairs."

“…No.” Pei Ye said awkwardly.

“We didn’t talk much yesterday.” Da Li seemed to smile. “It’s just that Tianshan needs jade to make branches and vines, so I thought I’d hitch a ride with them. I hope it goes well for Headmaster Li. She’s virtuous and kind, and she has this connection, so she’s more reliable than others.”

"That's up to you to think about, I don't know either." Pei Ye didn't want to delve into the so-called "connection," and looked at her, "After the mirage blood disappeared, did you experience any discomfort?"

"I'm just a little unaccustomed to it, but I don't feel any discomfort," said Da Li. "I used to love cold and couldn't stand it, but now I'm much stronger and lighter. This is the first time in more than ten years that I've enjoyed the excellence of this Lin blood."

She smiled and said, "I feel that I can practice in my spare time, so it should be soon."

“Cultivation depends most on the foundation laid in childhood. You’re already twenty-three; it’s unlikely you’ll achieve much by continuing your cultivation,” Pei Ye said.

"Is that so? Li He only started practicing swordsmanship when he was almost thirty?"

"...That's true."

The dream remained quiet, with no sound coming from Lu Wu's seat.

Pei Ye thought for a moment: "Da Li, can you play the zither?"

"Ok?"

“I’m learning swordsmanship recently, but I need to learn the zither first,” Pei Ye said. “I’m actually looking for a master.”

“I don’t have time to teach you. You can just pick any girl around you, like Zhao Ye Changsun, or maybe Li Piaoqing can play too,” Da Li said casually. “Playing the zither isn’t anything special.”

"I want to learn three very advanced pieces of music that none of the eldest grandsons and the others know."

"Hmm." Da Li thought for a moment, "Then I'll find you a musician. There's no shortage in the capital. Whatever kind you like, there are men, women, young and old. Please come and teach you."

“Hmm…but that would cost quite a bit of money, so we can hold off for now,” Pei Ye said. Sometimes he actually felt sorry for the money women spent. “I’ll ask Miss Ming later if she’ll bring it up again.”

"..." The giant lily slowly turned its head. "Hmm?"

“Oh, that’s exactly what I was about to tell you.” Pei Ye hopped a couple of times on the branch. “Last night, Miss Ming sent me a message saying that she’s coming to the capital today and will come to see me.”

"To see you?"

"Hmm."

"Oh."

"..." Pei Ye thought for a moment, "Didn't you say you'd hold a sword banquet after the Lin Blood Test? I'll talk to Miss Ming, maybe we can invite her to preside over it. Then your sword banquet will definitely be the most prestigious in Shenjing this spring."

Da Li nodded: "That's true. Without Ming Qitian, probably no one would come to the sword banquet I hosted."

"...No, if no one comes, I will."

The griffin gave a faint, bird-like laugh: "Shall I find you a place?"

"Where?"

"The place we're meeting. The Master of the Glazed Sword is, after all, the best of this generation, renowned throughout the land. He's traveled all this way to the capital to find you, shouldn't you treat him well?" Da Li said, "You don't have much silver on you, do you?"

Pei Ye thought for a moment: "It doesn't really matter, we can meet anywhere... but you, but you can give me some money."

"How much."

"..." Pei Yeqingyu trembled twice, "Twenty...twenty taels?"

"Here are two hundred taels. Go to Xiuwen Hall to collect them after you leave Xianrentai," Da Li said. "Also, as long as it's not someone's home, you can go to most places in Shenjing. Some places may say they don't accept outsiders, but you can have Xianfang or Zhaohua make the appointments."

"..." Pei Ye bird silently moved closer to her.

"Tell me what you want," Da Li said. "Now that we have made an alliance, I will grant you whatever you desire."

Pei Ye jumped onto her branch: "Me too."

The gull didn't speak again. Instead, it turned its beak and preened his feathers. Pei Ye's heart skipped a beat. He quietly turned his head and gently pecked at his neck feathers.

The two birds stood quietly on the branch for a short while before a voice came from Lu Wu's seat.

"The Prince of Yan, after several years, has grown so old."

No figure appeared, only the old man's familiar voice echoed in the dream, and two pairs of jewel-like eyes looked over at the same time.

A moment later, another indifferent male voice rang out: "Li Jian, it's been a long time."

Pei Ye froze, his wings folded back, and his pupils burned like fire.

……

……

"The Prince of Yan, after several years, has grown so old."

As Yongbei walked into the quiet courtyard deep within Ci'en Temple, he saw an old man sitting cross-legged on a thin mat only after both feet had crossed the threshold.

A mat was laid out under an old Bodhi tree. General Chan sat to the side with his head down, holding a string of prayer beads in his hand. Li Jian was next to him, with only a pot of coarse tea between them.

Yongbei's face did not look old, but it was deep-set, and his temples were tinged with frost.

His face was expressionless: "Li Jian, it's been a long time."

Yong Bei sat cross-legged opposite Li Jian, the two of them very close and equally tall.

Li Jian folded his hands and said, "Does the Prince of Yan still remember what we discussed last time we met?"

Yongbei was silent for a moment: "A person's life."

“Back then, the Prince of Yan discussed the Empress’s life with me, and I did not agree, but he still took it. Only today have I discovered the Prince of Yan’s methods,” Li Jianping said calmly. “Today, I also demand the life of the Crown Prince from the Prince of Yan, and I imagine he will not agree either.” “If I had agreed, I would not have come to the capital,” Yong Bei said.

"How does the Prince of Yan intend to keep Yong Ji alive?"

"Now that I've entered the capital, no one can kill Yong Ji."

"The assassination of the imperial heir in Mirage City has been confirmed by a joint statement from various government departments, and the evidence is irrefutable. Today, I have come to request General Chan to provide a supplementary statement."

“Now that I am here, you cannot take anything away,” the King of Yan said indifferently.

"In fact, General Chan had already signed the agreement a few days ago, but the Prince of Yan was unaware of it."

"No matter what false testimony it may be, I will not admit it."

"Whether the Prince of Yan acknowledges it or not, Yong Ji is already guilty of a capital offense, and the marriage alliance with Lin Xue is hereby terminated."

"I am in the palace, the wedding will proceed as planned."

"Then all the government offices should jointly issue arrest warrants, advertise them throughout the country, and mobilize troops to attack the government."

"Then let's see how many Imperial Guards they have, and whether they can take down my three thousand elite soldiers."

"Then let's quell the rebellion."

"Then let's move our troops south and see what the five surnames are made of."

"Then the Tang Dynasty will be shattered."

"Then there will be widespread suffering and death."

"Alright. Please. Today, the two of you will try to leave Shenjing City," Li Jian said calmly.

“I’m also eager to see the depths of Master Li’s ‘abyss’,” Yong Bei said.

The courtyard was completely silent. The scalding hot tea was now ice-cold. General Chan lowered his head, rubbing his prayer beads. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "Amitabha, why must it come to this? I don't know if the Prince of Yan can leave Shenjing City, but this humble monk will certainly not be able to leave this courtyard. Master Li, please don't play games with me."

“Your words are precious, so I, a humble monk, will speak. Master Li, although the Prince of Yan has said he will protect you, the Crown Prince still needs to leave the palace at least twice. One is for the engagement, and the other is for the martial arts examination. This was the itinerary set before leaving the north. The Prince of Yan has come here, and I presume he does not want the Crown Prince to give up halfway.”

General Chan turned back and handed a cup of tea to Li Jian: "Lord Li spared my life. He is a kind man who cares about the country. He was just joking. The marriage is settled. There is no reason to break it. Otherwise, if the whole world knows that Northern Yan is at odds with the court, it will really harm the Tang Dynasty."

He said, "Since the marriage agreement and the martial arts examination will both take place, and this humble monk will also provide a truthful testimony, wouldn't it be better if we both compromised?"

Li Jianping said calmly, "Is that so? So the Prince of Yan had such high expectations for his heir. Winning the martial arts examination, yet only being appointed a minor general in the northern frontier—is that even worth the Prince of Yan's attention?"

Yong Beimo said, "I have spoken with His Majesty. This year, the Shenjing Military Examination will add three thousand elite soldiers and a city. The champion will be appointed to lead the examination."

"Compared to the Crown Prince's life, a city seems too insignificant."

"The name of this city is Yucheng in Wangzhou."

Li Jian raised an eyebrow slightly.

Yong Bei lowered his head and spread his sleeves, as if making a declaration: "I have come here today, and Yong Ji will be under my command. He will enter the manor in March and leave the capital in May. There are only two things to do in between: the marriage of the unicorn bloodline and the martial arts examination in the capital. After these two things are completed, I will take Yong Ji back to the north."

"This matter is settled. If Master Li has any objections, there is no need to speak to me. Whether it's official documents or a net of heaven and earth, we will use the Tang Dynasty as our chessboard and have a good showdown."

The man's cold brows were sharp as if still bearing the shards of ice from the North, and his deep, dark eyes stared intently at the old man before him. Even though he was in the capital, with no one to turn to and the five clans eyeing him, and the laws of the Great Dao and the laws of the world clinging to his cheek like an inescapable spiderweb, he seemed undaunted by anything.

Li Jian was tall and broad-minded, and his sharpness seemed to be completely submerged in his broad body, without stirring up the slightest wave.

"In that case, let us follow the Prince of Yan's wishes. I wish you a successful journey." Li Jian picked up the now-cold tea in front of him, drank it all, and said, "See the guest out. Grind the ink."

Yong Bei stood up and looked down at him: "Master Li, you should also hide that brat under your command. I will find an opportunity to kill him every day for the next month."

Li Jian remained silent, while Yong Bei turned and left.

Li Jian put down his teacup: "General Chan, will you give me a complete statement after the martial arts examination, or a fragmented one today?"

“Amitabha Buddha, Master Li said that the culprit is the prince, and I am willing to believe it. However, I have been through the Sword Realm of the Flying Light Sword Master and was indeed mentally and physically disturbed, but I dare not make a judgment. Today I can only record the facts.”

Li Jian nodded, and Yong Bei's figure disappeared outside the door. Yellow leaves covered the mat. General Chan looked up and sighed.

A Bodhi tree that had lived for 123 years was withered and dead, its branches and leaves gone.

……

……

"What does this mean? Is Yong Ji going to take the military examination?" Pei Ye asked.

“Indeed. It seems that Yong Ji’s entry into the capital was for these three matters: Lin’s Blood, Baishui, and Yucheng.” Da Li said, “All three matters are tied to him. No wonder Yong Bei traveled thousands of miles south to protect him.”

"I didn't quite understand what the current situation is."

“After we cleared out Mirage City, Yongji disappeared without a trace, and General Chan was unwilling to identify him easily. At that time, didn’t we say that the Prince of Yan’s Mansion seemed unwilling to admit defeat and wanted to wait for its next reaction?” Da Li said, “Now that reaction has arrived. Yongbei personally entered the Vermilion Bird Gate.”

“As soon as Yongbei entered the capital, Yongji appeared. Then General Chan’s confession became the decisive factor. Therefore, both Prince Yan and Li Jian went to Ci’en Temple. Prince Yan was determined to protect Yongji with his life. But Li Jian was equally determined to kill him.” Da Li said, “That’s what you saw.”

"I think they've reached an agreement again."

“Because General Chan said that the Prince of Yan wants Yong Ji to complete the remaining two things: the marriage and the military examination,” Da Li said. “It is obvious that Yong Ji can stay in the mansion forever, but to come out and complete the marriage of the bloodline, it is impossible to do so without the consent of the Immortal Platform, both in name and in fact.”

“In a way, Shenjing is Li Jian’s Shenjing,” she said.

"Li Jian agreed?"

“Li Jian agreed. Because in addition to the marriage agreement, he also has to take the martial arts examination,” Da Li said. “The martial arts examination is the place where this matter will be decided.”

Pei Ye remained silent.

“Yongbei is confident about this, and coincidentally, we are also confident about this,” Da Li said. “In this way, General Chan will be willing to write a ‘suitable’ confession. This confession will not be effective if Yongji wins, but it will become irrefutable evidence to take his life if Yongji loses.”

She said, "He was willing to write a confession because he was spared after being captured; he was unwilling to identify Yong Ji because he would rather die for him. In the end, all he asked for was 'one more chance for Yong Ji to resist.' The Prince of Yan's mansion was not qualified to ask for it before, but today that Yong Ji has arrived in the capital, we have obtained this opportunity."

Pei Ye understood: "We also got the chance to kill him."

“Indeed…after all, we can’t really let the Tang Dynasty suffer.” Da Li said, “Of course, in Yongbei’s view, this opportunity may be a sure thing for success. Let’s wait and see.”

Pei Ye remained silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Then let's wait and see."

Da Li turned his head, but his voice was serious: "Now that Ming Qitian has come, you should stay in Shenjing these days and talk to her about this matter. Don't leave her side. Li He and Li Tishui will also take turns protecting you in the shadows, but they may not be able to watch over you all the time. If the Prince of Yan wants to kill you, then it's no joke. You must be extremely careful."

Pei Ye looked at the banquet table: "He thought I heard him coming and was hiding and running away in a panic."

“Logically speaking, as Yue Muzhou’s successor, you should indeed hide and avoid the north before you are fully grown,” Da Li said. “A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years.”

Pei Ye tilted his head back; Shao Li's long neck and beak resembled a sword.

He did not answer, but only said, "I understand."

(End of this chapter)