The Primordial Law

Chapter 365 Exposed
The dim twilight, like a heavy veil hanging between heaven and earth.

Lanterns hung under the eaves, plunging the long street into an eerie silence.

Pairs of eyes followed Li Weiyi's gaze and fell on Zhuang Yue.

There was surprise, and disbelief.

The large number of female officials and eunuchs of the Luantai Palace, either forming ranks or activating magical artifacts, were originally there to hunt down a major enemy of the evil cult. They had even dispersed the crowd beforehand and carefully planned their operation. Little did they expect that they would make such a fool of themselves.

Yes, it's a joke.

The fact that a female official of the Imperial Palace was having a secret rendezvous with a man should have been kept secret, but now it has become common knowledge. What's more, this female official is the closest attendant of the famous Fairy Yu.

Catching cult leaders has turned into catching adulterers.

Jiang Ning looked at Zhuang Yue, her brows furrowing. Even with her composure and wisdom, she couldn't help but feel at a loss. Because, based on her understanding of Zhuang Yue, the fact that this girl hadn't immediately stepped forward to slash at Zuo Ning already spoke volumes.

Clearly, during the two years she spent at the Du'e Temple, everyone was experiencing their own story.

Jiang Ning suddenly realized that Zhuang Yue also had an independent personality, and was not her appendage; she could not live only for her forever.

The female officials of the Luantai were not always forbidden from having contact with men; this rule was only established more than a decade ago after the Oda Decree was promulgated.

Humans have seven emotions and six desires.

The more something is prohibited, the stronger the backlash will be.

Although many people present were filled with hatred, feeling that Zuo Ning and Zhuang Yue had disgraced Luantai, many more showed expressions of envy and admiration.

If Zuo Ning dared to come to Lingxiao City and tell this story in front of countless people, wouldn't it be because he was prepared to die?

This courage and boldness possess a unique romance, much like the poignant and tragic love stories told by storytellers, which are both shocking and evoke sympathy.

Li Weiyi knew very well that Lingxiao City might not be able to withstand the calamity three months from now. He could use this opportunity to rescue Zhuang Yue and send her away in advance. It was an undeniable fact that he had used her, but if he could use this to save her from the fire, he would feel better about it.

Li Weiyi walked towards Zhuang Yue.

The martial artists present exchanged glances, looking at Jiang Ning, unsure whether to intervene.

Even the two elderly women with extremely high cultivation levels were struggling with this problem.

If it were any other maid, they would definitely have become suspicious, but it was Zhuang Yue, with her straightforward and stubborn personality, and unwavering loyalty to the court and Jiang Ning. How could she possibly have any problems?
The formation of the seven female officials, including Zhuang Yue, had already dispersed.

Two of the younger ones had slightly reddened eyes, but showed no hostility towards Li Weiyi.

"Come with me."

Li Weiyi stretched out one hand, his eyes full of strength.

Zhuang Yue knew, of course, that Li Weiyi's previous words were a smokescreen to cover up the truth, but she was still somewhat dazed. Her eyes were red and swollen as she shook her head, saying, "I can't betray Miss... Whether what you said is true or not, I can't leave Luantai..."

Li Weiyi had a headache. He hadn't expected her to be so stubborn. So he said, "After what happened today, if you stay in Luantai, you're doomed. Your young lady can't protect you. Come with me. I swear, as long as I have a breath left, I will not let you die."

Zhuang Yue could hear the sincerity in his words and believed in his abilities. Even though she knew he wasn't referring to romantic love, tears still welled up in her eyes.

"Zheng!"

The Jingyu Sword flew out and landed in Jiang Ning's hand.

Jiang Ning's eyes were clear and cold; he was not fooled by appearances and absolutely did not believe that Zuo Ning was unrelated to the affairs of Nanyan Pass. The simple-minded Zhuang Yue was definitely being used by him.

However, Zhuang Yue had followed her for over a decade, and she not only had to protect Zhuang Yue's life but also her reputation, ensuring she still had a place to stay in Luantai. Therefore, Zuo Ning could neither be killed nor released.

We need to come up with a foolproof plan.

The female officials around Zhuang Yue were selected together to enter the Luantai when they were children, and they had a very deep friendship with each other.

When they saw Jiang Ning draw his sword, they all knelt down and begged for mercy.

"Lord Jiang, please spare their lives!"

"Zhuang Yue was just confused for a moment."

"Zuo Ning... at least he has some courage, he's not a coward..."

……

Jiang Ning secretly admired Zuo Ning's methods; he was a formidable manipulator of people's hearts and emotions.

She said, "When did I say I wanted to kill them? Zuo Ning, even if the matter of Nanyan Pass has nothing to do with you, your strength is enough to be included in the 'Jiazi Register,' and the Luantai has not yet recorded your information. People on the blacklist who enter Lingxiao City without reporting themselves are generally regarded by the court as traitors and spies. You don't want to harm Zhuang Yue, do you? Let's go to the Luantai."

Li Weiyi hadn't expected Jiang Ning to have this trick up her sleeve, and was pondering how to deal with it.

In the distance, the sound of wheels clattering and clanging forward could be heard. A magnificent beast-shaped carriage drew near, followed by two rows of guards.

Tai Shi Bai's voice rang out from inside the carriage: "Lord Jiang, Zuo Ning is a retainer of my Tai Shi family. I brought him to Lingxiao City from the General's Mansion. Since you can't produce any evidence to prove that he is related to the cult massacre at Nanyan Pass, I need to ask for a favor. As for the 'Jiazi Book' report, I will personally take him to Luantai tomorrow."

Taishi Bai transmitted his voice to Jiang Ning using his magical energy: "This favor was also requested by the West Sea King's Mansion, and I must take him there immediately. If I have offended anyone, please forgive me."

Li Weiyi wanted to take Zhuang Yue with her, but she was extremely stubborn and shook her head vigorously.

Inside the carriage, Taishi Bai raised his voice and said, "Zuo Ning, you don't need to worry about her. She is Lord Jiang's maid. If Lord Jiang can't even handle this small matter, I'm afraid no one in Luantai will truly follow her in the future."

The martial arts practitioners at Luantai retreated like a receding tide.

Li Weiyi climbed onto the vehicle frame, before he could speak.

Taishi Bai first rebuked: "Why didn't you discuss such a big matter with me? If I had known beforehand, there was a possibility that I could have resolved it privately with Luantai and Jiang Ning. Now that it's out in the open, everything can only be handled officially."

Li Weiyi couldn't tell him the truth, so she could only smile bitterly: "How can you talk about something like this in public?"

"It's a matter of love between a man and a woman. She is affectionate, and you are loyal. What can't be discussed openly? If you had told me beforehand, I would definitely have helped you."

Taishi Bai thought for a moment and then said, "If you had believed Jiang Ning's words just now, you would have been imprisoned if you had gone to Luantai. She wants to save Zhuang Yue, so she will definitely force you to take the blame. Don't be deceived by Jiang Ning's beautiful appearance. She is a very shrewd person and is by no means weak. Moreover, she has a great secret and is not simple. Even Taishi Yu doesn't dare to provoke her."

Li Weiyi knew, of course, that going to Luantai was a dead end.

But it wasn't Jiang Ning who killed him, but Yao Qian.

Although Li Wei had a way to avoid going, he was still very grateful for Tai Shi Bai's righteous help. This man truly considered him a friend, yet he had concealed too much from him, and he couldn't help but feel guilty.

Tai Shi Bai said, "The mysterious person who had that child deliver the letter to me at Nanyan Pass, was that you?"

Li Weiyi was slightly shaken, realizing that Taishi Bai only had a weakness in his emotions, but his mental strength was no weaker than Taishi Yu's.

Everyone has their own difficult hurdles to overcome.

The vehicle moved slowly.

After crossing that long street, the outside became lively and bustling.

Li Weiyi remained calm and admitted it: "How did you find out?"

Taishi Bai sighed, "Originally, I didn't suspect you, but if you entered Nanyan Pass long ago, then you are the most suspicious. Because, to deliver this letter, one must know in advance that I will return to the city that day. And you happen to be the one who knows this."

"You led me to rescue Zhou Bida's family, and Zhou Bida is a member of the Jiuli tribe. You are also a member of the Jiuli tribe, right? The Hidden Sect of Jiuli?"

"Isn't the Earth Wolf King's army under the command of your Jiuli tribe?"

Li Weiyi took a deep breath, met his gaze, and then slowly nodded: "The secret that Jiang Xin is an elder of the heretical cult was told to me by Deputy Commander Zhou. He found out a lot of things. Unfortunately, Jiang Xin found out in advance and took control of Deputy Commander Zhou's family, thus coercing him instead."

Taishi Bai said, "So he dared not report to the General's Office?"

“Nanyan Pass is full of spies and moles from the Attendant Hall. If we report to the General’s Office and ask them to investigate where his wife and daughters are being held, I’m afraid Jiang Xin will already know as soon as the General’s Office makes a move.”

Li Weiyi continued, "Young Master Bai should know this. Deputy Commander Zhou loves his wife and daughter very much and also has the responsibility of a human martial artist. He can neither abandon his wife and daughter nor betray the Commander's Mansion, so he can only rely on external forces to ask the Jiuli tribe for help and secretly investigate the whereabouts of his wife and daughter."

"Unfortunately... Jiang Xin was too cautious and cunning. Nothing in Nanyan Pass could escape his notice. Once again, he took the initiative, attracting the attention of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Deputy Commander Zhou was turned on by him, crying 'stop thief!' and ultimately died unjustly."

“That’s right! Deputy Commander Zhou is from the Jiuli tribe, but when has our Jiuli tribe ever been an enemy of the imperial court? During the more than ten years of war across the country, Lizhou has always been peaceful.”

"Within the imperial court, the number of scions from the four major families with tens of millions of members is countless, isn't it?"

"I swear on the honor of the God of Jiuli, Deputy Commander Zhou has fought countless battles and held a high position, but he has never provided the Jiuli tribe with any intelligence detrimental to the imperial court. Have you found any evidence of his treason?"

Li Wei deliberately only mentioned the Jiuli tribe, while downplaying the Jiuli Hidden Sect.

To outsiders, they appear to be the same.

but……

They are definitely different.

Taishi Bai said, "I didn't say that Deputy Commander Zhou betrayed the court, so don't get agitated!"

Li Weiyi asked, "Am I excited?"

Tai Shi Bai stared at him for a long time: "Actually, Deputy Commander Zhou did not hide from Father his origins as a member of the Jiuli tribe. He has been serving as Father's personal guard since he was twenty-five. If Father did not have absolute trust in him, how could he have promoted him to the position of Deputy Commander? How could Father have entrusted him with the entire defense of Nanyan Pass?"

Li Weiyi had anticipated this, because even after sacrificing his wife and daughters, Zhou Bida never considered betraying Taishi Qingcang, demonstrating the immense respect he held for him. Under such circumstances, how could too many secrets remain hidden?
Taishi Bai grasped Li Weiyi's shoulder and said sincerely, "I am forty-one years old this year, several years older than you. We can definitely be brothers. I have a few words to say from the bottom of my heart that I must get off my chest."

(End of this chapter)