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Yi Huawei, leading Shan Wanjing, moved like an invisible ghost through layers of corridors and pavilions, finally stopping outside an elegant courtyard called "Cangqing Villa".

In stark contrast to the imposing grandeur of the mansion's front courtyard, this place features winding corridors, artificial hills and ponds, and clumps of green bamboo sheltering the refined residence, creating an exceptionally tranquil and serene atmosphere, reminiscent of finding peace amidst the hustle and bustle.

A deep, resonant laugh, tinged with a sense of superiority, echoed from within the hall:

"Haha, this Cangqing Villa is so quiet and elegant, like a paradise in the bustling city. Brother Qian, you really know how to enjoy life. It's rare, truly rare!"

Yi Huawei's heart skipped a beat, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He gently raised his hand, signaling Shan Wanjing behind him to stop. Shan Wanjing immediately understood, held her breath, and looked at her master with curiosity and wariness in her azure eyes. Her honey-colored cheeks appeared even more taut in the dim light.

Yi Huawei's divine sense, like an invisible tide, silently covered the entire hall.

Inside the elegant hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and the mahogany furniture gleamed like a mirror.

Seated at the head of the table was none other than Qian Duguan, the lord of Xiangyang. He was around forty years old, quite robust, and wore a deep purple brocade robe made of fine Shu brocade with floral patterns, a jade belt around his waist, and a large jade thumb ring on his finger, exuding an air of opulent wealth. However, in stark contrast to his lavish attire was the sinister and shrewd glint in his narrow eyes, like a venomous snake coiled atop a pile of jewels. At this moment, a warm smile graced his face, but deep within his eyes lay a barely perceptible caution and calculation.

Qian Duguan laughed heartily, his voice loud yet deliberately smooth and modest: "Master Mi, you flatter me! Master Mi's insight is truly remarkable, you've hit the nail on the head. I've never had any great ambitions since I was young, I only hope to live a long and peaceful life in this gentle land, and be content with that! Please, heroes, don't laugh at my humble ambitions." As he spoke, he gestured with his hand, adopting a very low posture.

Seated at the head of the table below Qian Duguan Pass, the most prestigious seat for a guest, was none other than Li Mi, the renowned leader of Wagang! He was around fifty years old, tall and imposing, not wearing armor but rather a simple black robe with subtle patterns, exuding a calm and reserved air. His face was square, with a straight nose and wide mouth, a short beard on his chin, and deep, unfathomable eyes that flashed with a sharp light. His every glance carried an air of quiet authority and domineering arrogance. He sat as still as a mountain, like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment; his mere presence made the atmosphere in the hall somewhat tense.

Beside Li Mi sat a scholar in his thirties, handsome with a refined yet shrewd air. A smile played on his lips, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's. He took the lead, his voice gentle and pleasant, yet his words were barbed: "Lord Qian is truly a gentleman. However, I've heard that you are incredibly diligent, handling countless affairs daily. You once worked tirelessly for seven days and seven nights without sleep, never even stepping outside the government office. Such boundless energy truly leaves us mere mortals in awe!"

These words, seemingly flattering, actually contained a hidden barb—they pointed out that Wagang's surveillance of Qian Duguan was omnipresent, and also implied a warning: We know everything you do!
Qian Duguan's smile froze slightly, a flash of malice crossing his eyes before turning into a perfectly timed look of surprise. He coughed lightly and said, "Ahem... Military Advisor Xu's information network is truly impressive! That... that was all old news when I first took over this mess in Xiangyang. There were so many trivial matters, I was overwhelmed and had no choice but to risk my life. It's nothing to mention, nothing to mention at all!"

Li Mi picked up the celadon teacup beside him and gently skimmed off the foam with the lid: "That's because we have extremely high expectations for Lord Qian. Naturally, we need to pay special attention to his situation."

These words struck Qian Duguan like a hammer blow. His forced smile crumbled, and he quickly chuckled to cover it up: "To be so highly regarded by Lord Mi, I am truly...overwhelmed with gratitude! I am deeply honored! I only hope that my humble abilities will not disappoint Lord Mi!"

He changed the subject: "But... Xiang Batian and those few good-for-nothings died too quickly and too suspiciously! My men still haven't found out what methods Pegasus Ranch used to wipe out three thousand iron cavalry overnight! It's really puzzling!"

Qian Duguan had barely finished speaking—

"Humph!"

"Humph!"

Two disdainful and arrogant snorts rang out almost simultaneously! One was shrill and piercing, like the cry of an owl; the other was low and hoarse, like rolling thunder. The snorts came from the shadows in the corner of the hall, where two strange guests who had remained silent until now sat.

Yi Huawei's divine sense clearly "saw" the two people:
The man was tall and thin, like a bamboo pole, with a sallow complexion, deep-set eyes, and a sharp, piercing gaze that exuded the coldness of a venomous snake. A long, narrow curved knife hung at his waist, its hilt inlaid with grotesque animal bones.

The other man was short and stocky, with a face full of fleshy muscles, a bushy beard, and a pair of fierce eyes. His large, fan-like hands were pressed on the table, with knuckles as thick as cast iron, clearly indicating that he had reached the pinnacle of external martial arts.

The two men wore fur robes that were completely different from those in the Central Plains, exuding a strong aura of menace and the wildness unique to the grasslands! The two disdainful snorts just now came from their mouths, clearly showing their contempt for Qian Duguan's "incompetence" and Xiang Batian and the others' "useless".

Qian Duguan's face darkened slightly at the two cold snorts, clearly displeased. However, due to the other party's status and Li Mi's presence, he suppressed his anger, his voice turning cold with a hint of deliberate admiration:

"Fortunately, with Master Mi himself here, and the two Grandmasters Fu Zhen and Fu Yan of the Changbai School, renowned throughout the northern deserts and the grasslands, overseeing things, the mere Pegasus Ranch is surely no longer a threat!"

Although Shan Wanjing couldn't hear the conversation inside the hall from outside the courtyard, she saw a knowing glint in her master Yi Huawei's eyes and knew that there must be an important person inside.

Inside the hall, Li Mi clearly didn't want to waste any more words on Xiang Batian's matter, nor did he want Qian Duguan to use the Turks' power to divert attention. He put down his teacup, the bottom of the cup making a crisp clinking sound against the saucer, directly changing the subject, his voice suddenly becoming serious:
"The Heavenly Alliance has already captured Jingling, revealing its full power. It's only a matter of time before its forces advance north along the Han River, heading straight for the heart of the Central Plains. But Xiangyang has become its only and biggest obstacle!"

Li Mi's gaze was sharp as lightning as he stared directly at Qian Duguan, his expression carrying a powerful sense of pressure: "Regarding this life-or-death situation, what are your plans, Lord Qian?"

"Heavenly Alliance... Jingling..."

Caught off guard by Li Mi's direct question, Qian Duguan's smile vanished completely, replaced by a deep sense of worry and helplessness. He sat motionless in the ornate rosewood chair, as if all his energy had been drained away, and after a long while, he managed a bitter laugh, his voice dry as he forced out the words:

"My lord, you are wise... With the power of my mere city of Xiangyang... facing the mighty Heavenly Alliance... life is... alas, naturally not easy."

The atmosphere in the hall became as heavy as solidified lead, making it hard to breathe. Sandalwood burned silently, its wisps of smoke twisting and rising in the stagnant air, seemingly symbolizing Qian Duguan's chaotic state of mind. His knuckles, gripping the wine glass, turned slightly white, the remaining wine reflecting his unpredictable expression.

Just as this suffocating silence was about to break Qian Duguan, Xu Shiji, who had been quietly observing the situation from Li Mi's side, finally put down the jade-shaped folding fan he had been playing with.

"hehe,"

Xu Shiji chuckled, instantly breaking the silence. A confident smile graced his face as his gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Qian Duguan, whose face was grim. "Why is the City Lord so worried? Although the Heavenly Dao Alliance is powerful, its strength is still emerging, its foundation unstable. Furthermore, its leader, 'Nameless,' is elusive and rarely seen. This situation, seemingly perilous, actually… holds great potential!"

His opening remarks were like throwing a rope to a drowning person.

Qian Duguan suddenly raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "Oh? What brilliant idea does Military Advisor Xu have? I am all ears!"

Xu Shiji slowly stood up and walked to the huge Xiangyang city defense map hanging in the hall. His slender fingers lightly traced several key nodes on the map.

"The Heavenly Alliance's advantage lies in its established power; Baling, Lingnan, and Jingling are connected, allowing for simultaneous land and water advances, making its military force formidable. However, its disadvantage also lies in this! A stretched battle line inevitably leads to a dispersed force. Its main elite troops are currently concentrated along the Jingling-Baling line, plotting a northward advance. As for Xiangyang..." He pointed heavily at the location of Xiangyang City, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "The Heavenly Alliance has not yet truly set foot there! Its so-called 'stumbling block' is merely due to its strategic importance, which necessitates its removal. However, if it were to launch a full-scale attack on Xiangyang, firstly, it would need to divide its forces; secondly, it would require time; and thirdly... it would inevitably suffer heavy losses!"

"Does Military Advisor Xu mean... to hold the line and wait for reinforcements?"

Qian Duguan couldn't help but ask, but his tone lacked confidence. Hold firm? With what can they hold firm? The Han River Faction's strength was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot against Wagang and the Heavenly Alliance.

"To hold firm? Not at all."

Xu Shiji smiled and shook his head, a smile that appeared somewhat unfathomable in the candlelight:

"It's about 'taking the initiative' and 'using offense as a form of defense'!"

"Take the initiative?"

Not only was Qian Duguan stunned, but even the Fu brothers, Fu Zhen and Fu Yan, cast astonished glances at him. With Xiangyang's limited resources, to launch a preemptive attack on the powerful Heavenly Dao Alliance? Wasn't that courting death?
"Not bad!"

Xu Shiji said decisively. He turned to look at the Fu brothers, Fu Zhen and Fu Yan, in the corner, and put on a warm and respectful smile: "This will require the help of the two grandmasters, and the powerful support behind them that can shake the heavens and the earth!"

Fu Zhen narrowed his cold, triangular eyes slightly, his shrill voice carrying a hint of scrutiny: "Oh? How does Military Advisor Xu want my brothers to 'take the initiative'? Although the disciples of Changbai are brave, it is not easy for us to penetrate deep into enemy territory and face the army of the Heavenly Dao Alliance."

"Master Fu has misunderstood."

Xu Shiji's smile remained unchanged, but he lowered his stance even further: "How could Shiji dare to let the two Grandmasters and their warriors confront the Heavenly Dao Alliance's army head-on? That would be like throwing an egg against a rock, something a wise man would not do. What Shiji is planning is a 'cutting off the fuel supply' strategy!"

He pointed again to the location of Jingling County on the map, his voice low and laced with a seductive allure: "According to reliable intelligence, the Heavenly Dao Alliance leader 'Nameless' and his disciple Shan Wanjing are very likely near Jingling right now! If we can gather top experts and launch a swift and decisive attack, before they can join forces with the main army, we can... behead them!"

"Beheading the nameless?!"

Qian Duguan gasped! This idea was too audacious, too insane!

Fu Yan's deep, hoarse voice rang out, tinged with a bloodthirsty excitement: "If we could kill that 'Nameless' guy, that would be great! But how can Military Advisor Xu pinpoint his whereabouts? And how can he guarantee a fatal blow? This man was able to subdue Song Que; he's no pushover!"

"Master Fu has asked the crucial question!"

A fierce glint flashed in Xu Shiji's eyes: "The Nameless One's whereabouts are elusive, and ordinary methods are naturally insufficient to track him. But... we have people!"

He looked at Qian Duguan: "Lord Qian, your newly acquired concubine, 'Madam Qing,' her identity... I'm sure you know it all too well, don't you?"

Qian Duguan's expression changed slightly, his eyes flickering, clearly his secret had been exposed by Xu Shiji. That "Madam Qing" was an important pawn that the Yin Gui Sect had planted beside him, responsible for transmitting intelligence and even influencing his decisions.

"The Yin Gui Sect has been operating in Jingling for many years and has many informants. As long as City Lord Qian, under the guise of 'assisting our allies,' asks Madam Qing to utilize the Yin Gui Sect's hidden agents in Jingling to search for Wuming and his disciples, we will surely find something!" Xu Shiji said confidently. "As for how to ensure a fatal blow..."

His gaze shifted to Fu Zhen and Fu Yan, a calculating smile appearing on his face:

"This will require the help of the two grandmasters, and... the truly elite experts under the command of the Turkic 'Martial Venerable' Bi Xuan! I've heard that Venerable Bi Xuan has 'Eighteen Wolf Riders' under his command, all of whom are grandmaster-level figures who can take on a hundred men each and are proficient in assassination and combined attacks! If we can mobilize a few wolf riders, and coordinate with the two grandmasters and the top assassins secretly dispatched by Wagang..."

Xu Shiji's voice carried a seductive power: "With the force of thunder, we will lay a net that can trap you from heaven to earth! No matter how powerful Wuming is, he will be caught off guard and die! Once Wuming is dead, the Heavenly Alliance will be leaderless and its power will collapse on its own! The siege of Xiangyang will be lifted without a fight! We can even take advantage of the situation to launch a counterattack and seize Jingling and Baling!"

"Good plan!"

Fu Zhen's shrill voice was filled with excitement: "If we can kill Wuming, we will surely severely damage the arrogance of the Han people! Venerable Bi Xuan will definitely agree! The Wolf Riders have never failed in their missions! My brother and I can make the contact on your behalf!"

If the brothers, who are allied with the Turks, can accomplish this feat, their status in Bi Xuan's eyes will surely rise significantly.

Fu Yan grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, and said in a deep voice, "As long as we can kill that damned alliance leader and stir up trouble in the Central Plains, my brothers and the Wolf Riders will do our utmost!"

A piercing light flashed in Li Mi's eyes, clearly indicating his extreme satisfaction with Xu Shiji's plan. He looked at Qian Duguan: "Lord Qian, what about the Yin Gui Sect..."

Qian Duguan was torn between two conflicting thoughts. Assassinating Wuming? This was like dancing on a knife's edge! Success would be a tremendous achievement, but failure… the consequences would be unimaginable! But looking at Li Mi's unwavering gaze, at Fu Zhen and Fu Yan's eager and fierce expressions, and then at the rosy prospects Xu Shiji had painted, and his own precarious position… he gritted his teeth, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes:
"Very well! For the survival of Xiangyang, for the joint resistance against the Heavenly Alliance! I, Qian... will do it! I'll personally speak to the lady!"

"Lord Qian is a man of great principle!"

Xu Shiji clapped his hands in praise, his smile widening like a venomous snake spitting its tongue: "Furthermore, to ensure absolute safety, we must strengthen the defenses of Xiangyang, adopting a defensive posture to mislead the Heavenly Alliance and create an opportunity for the assassination. Wagang can secretly dispatch an engineering battalion and some generals skilled in city defense to enter the city under the guise of 'assistance,' helping Lord Qian reinforce the defenses, integrate the garrison, and ensure Xiangyang is impregnable! At the same time, we can also monitor the city's movements to prevent anyone... from retreating in the face of battle!"

As he finished speaking, his gaze swept over Qian Duguan almost imperceptibly, the warning unmistakable.

Qian Duguan felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that this was inviting trouble, but there was no other choice but to bite the bullet and reply, "That's excellent! With the help of the capable men sent by Lord Mi and Military Advisor Xu, my chances of defending Xiangyang are even greater!"

Outside the courtyard, Yi Huawei, who had "listened" to the entire plan with his divine sense, transformed the indifferent curve of his face into a chilling, sarcastic sneer. He gently patted Shan Wanjing's tense shoulder beside him, his voice flat and emotionless:
"Looks like someone's tired of living. Let's go, let's give this Lord Qian a 'surprise'." (End of Chapter)