SFS Chapter 152 Chess Game
Chapter 152 Chess Game
Chapter 152 Chess Game
"Tsk tsk tsk—" Zhao Wuyi couldn't help but click his tongue, "Young people are so ambitious. Wherever their swords point, everything is destroyed."
Such vigor is beyond my reach, and I, in my old age, cannot match it, nor can I withstand it.
With a wave of his hand, Zhao Wuyi restored the shattered chessboard to its original state.
Li Qingyi laughed and said, "Years ago, when I went to the Qin family, I was surrounded on Qingxin Peak by the Qingchi Immortal Sect."
My master wielded a sword that traversed ten thousand miles, severing the Qingchi Purple Mansion for me. Now, thinking back, I realize that sword cultivators should indeed be so spirited and vigorous.
Zhao Wuyi's heart pounded as he listened.
How could he not know about the Battle of Qingxin Peak?
The major event involving the fall of a Purple Mansion cultivator shocked all directions.
The Sword Dao True Lord of Youyue Kingdom unleashed his supreme swordsmanship, slaying a Purple Mansion True Person with a single strike, thus intimidating the Xuan Kingdom.
Little did I expect that the sword strike was actually to save the young man before me.
His wrinkles seemed to deepen, and after a moment of silence, he slowly said, "No wonder you have such ambition and courage, young friend. But there is one thing I don't understand."
"Young friend, as the young master of Tingyu Pavilion, you possess a noble status and a promising future. Why then are you so interested in the murky waters of my Zhao family?"
"Why ask such a question when you already know the answer? We cultivators seek nothing more than the opportunity to attain the Great Dao and climb to higher realms."
"What the younger generation seeks is only the virtue of gold. What the elder seeks is nothing more than the continued prosperity of the Zhao family."
"Although our goals differ, they can proceed in parallel without conflict. I will help you clear obstacles and stabilize the Zhao family, and in return, you will lend me a hand. Isn't this a win-win deal?"
Zhao Wuyi's eyes flickered slightly, but he suddenly changed the subject: "As far as I know, when you were in Xuan Ce City, you were quite close to that girl Ling'er."
I heard that you fought a fierce battle with Lu Zhenxuan of Zhenyang Tower and were seriously injured, your life hanging by a thread. It was Ling'er who searched everywhere for elixirs for you, running around for more than half a month, before finally pulling you back from the brink of death.
This friendship—does my young friend perhaps disregard it entirely?
The old fox is trying to test me by playing the emotional card.
Li Qingyi sneered inwardly.
He suddenly looked up and burst into laughter.
The laughter was clear and cheerful, echoing through the quiet bamboo forest, carrying an indescribable sense of freedom and unbridled spirit.
"With no woman in my heart, my sword moves with divine will! In this life, I dedicate myself solely to the sword and the Dao! Romantic feelings are but minor matters; how could they possibly disturb my resolve to pursue the Dao?"
Having said that, the sword aura emanating from him intensified.
Zhao Wuyi was deeply shaken.
He had seen countless sword cultivators, many of whom were exceptionally talented.
But never before has anyone possessed such a pure, unwavering, and obsessive heart for the way of the sword at the Qi Refining stage.
If this child doesn't die young, he will surely become a giant in the art of swordsmanship one day!
The last trace of doubt that had arisen in his heart because of Ling'er was somewhat shaken in the face of this pure will to seek the Dao.
"With such a mindset, it would not be surprising if he did something ungrateful, because in his eyes, there is probably only the Tao."
Zhao Wuyi suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his heart and said in a low voice, "Young friend, I admire your steadfastness in your Dao. Since this is a transaction, we must make the terms clear."
Young friend, you keep claiming you can help my Zhao family, but I wonder—what kind of help can you provide? Empty words won't earn you trust.
"Intelligence." Li Qingyi suppressed her outward aura and spoke succinctly: "Key intelligence you don't know. It concerns the royal family, the Zhengyang Immortal Sect, and the hidden power of the Tingyu Pavilion."
Li Qingyi's words were vague, but they moved Zhao Wuyi somewhat.
Over the years, both the royal family and other powerful clans have grown tired of Tingyu Pavilion.
They are impossible to catch, but they are like maggots clinging to bones, disgusting to the eye.
Suddenly, a thought popped into his head: what if he captured the young master of Tingyu Pavilion?
But the thought was quickly put aside.
The risk is too great. The sheer power of severing a Purple Mansion with a sword from afar is enough to make anyone with such an idea think twice about whether they can withstand the wrath of a Sword Dao True Lord.
Perhaps their arrival was at the behest of that pavilion master?
Zhao Wuyi found that he couldn't quite see through the young man's background, let alone the intentions of his master behind him.
If Li Qingyi knew what Zhao Wuyi was thinking, she would probably burst into laughter.
After thinking for a long time, Zhao Wuyi finally nodded, "Alright, then I wish us a successful cooperation and that we all get what we deserve."
Li Qingyi breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that the most crucial step had been taken.
He sat down again, his expression becoming serious, and began to elaborate on the information he had learned from the simulation regarding Zhao Jingci's schemes with the royal family, combining it with his own deductions.
He deliberately emphasized Zhao Jingci's extraordinary doting on Li Xuance, and the price the royal family paid for Li Xuance's meteoric rise to power.
The core concept of "sacrificing the Zhao family's fortune" has been changed to "sacrificing the entire Zhao family clan".
After a long silence, Zhao Wuyi finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "Are you sure he really dares to commit such a heinous act of annihilating his entire family? Just to ensure the success of someone else's offspring?"
Li Qingyi said in a deep voice, "You should know better than I do about his attitude towards Li Xuance. His obsession has long surpassed common sense."
For Li Xuance, he almost forgot his own surname, let alone his family.
Li Qingyi's words were nine parts truth and one part falsehood, making it hard for Zhao Wuyi not to believe them. Once the seed of doubt is planted, it will take root and sprout.
Seeing Zhao Wuyi's gloomy and uncertain expression, Li Qingyi spread her hands and said helplessly, "Whether it is or not, we'll know once we try."
Li Qingyi leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice: "Senior only needs to control Li Xuance. Then, create a fake one and accidentally kill him in front of Zhao Jingci."
A cold glint flashed in Li Qingyi's eyes: "At that time, see how Zhao Jingci reacts. If he is heartbroken but not loses his rationality, then there may still be room for maneuver."
If he goes berserk on the spot, willing to do anything to seek revenge, even resorting to forbidden techniques—then his true intentions will be immediately clear.
This way, we can test Zhao Jingci's true stance and bottom line.
Secondly, even if relations break down, you're only killing a fake. The royal family still has room to maneuver and smooth things over, so it won't lead to an immediate and complete breakdown in relations.
Zhao Wuyi seemed somewhat tempted. After a long silence, he finally nodded.
Li Qingyi felt a huge weight lifted from her heart, knowing that the most crucial part of the plan had been finalized.
He didn't linger any longer, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting: "In that case, this junior will not disturb your cultivation any longer, senior."
Before leaving, Li Qingyi said again, "Senior Zhao might try to find the Six Gates to restrain the Three Sects, after all, Zhang Zhiqing is also eyeing this Golden Nature."
With six sects watching, the Zhengyang Immortal Sect should behave itself. Then we'll only have to deal with the royal family, which will make things easier for us.
"Since you know this method, why don't you personally contact the Six Gates? As the young master of Tingyu Pavilion, it might be more convenient for you."
Li Qingyi gave a helpless smile: "Senior, you are wise. Gathering this intelligence and maneuvering among various forces has already consumed too much energy and time."
Having said that, he didn't linger any longer, turned around, and leisurely walked away along the bluestone path.
Zhao Wuyi remained seated at the stone table, his gaze lowered, fixed on the restored chessboard, and remained motionless for a long time.
The wooden house behind him opened silently.
A figure in pure white, as white as snow, quietly stepped out.
"Ancestor————"
Zhao Wuyi didn't turn around, but slowly asked, "Mengxi, you've had the most contact with this young man. In your opinion—what is Li Qingyi really like?"
"this----"
Zhao Mengxi was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.
She had overheard the entire conversation outside while she was inside the house.
Li Qingyi is Fang Yuan, and Fang Yuan is the young master of Tingyu Pavilion who stirred up a storm.
This incident deeply shocked her.
"He is cunning as a fox, treacherous and unpredictable, with a deep and unfathomable mind—he is really not as upright as an ordinary sword cultivator."
"Not like a sword cultivator?" Zhao Wuyi finally raised his eyes, his gaze falling into the depths of the bamboo forest, as if he could still see the departing figure in green robes.
"But the pure and righteous sword energy on his body cannot be faked. A person full of scheming and cunning could never cultivate such pure sword energy."
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He paused, his tone tinged with a sigh: "Perhaps it is precisely because he is single-minded, focused solely on the sword and the Dao, that he can regard calculation and strategy as sword moves as well."
In his eyes, perhaps there is no distinction between good and evil, only between useful and useless.
Zhao Mengxi remained silent. The old ancestor's words made her impression of Li Qingyi even more vague and complicated.
"What does Grandpa think about Great-grandfather's affairs?"
Zhao Wuyi's eyes narrowed. "Whether it is or not, we'll find out soon enough. If he truly dares to commit such a heinous act of exterminating his entire clan for someone else's offspring—"
The old man's voice was icy, "Then I don't mind cleaning up the house myself!"
"Ancestor, I think there is still room for maneuver in this matter."
Zhao Wuyi raised his hand to interrupt her, "Mengxi, you are too young. Some obsessions, once they become demonic, will lead to eternal damnation."
While Li Qingyi's words may not be entirely true, considering Zhao Jingci's recent actions and my understanding of the royal family—it's highly likely they are true.
"Then—what about the Zhengyang Immortal Sect?" she asked, turning her attention to the other topic.
Zhao Wuyi sighed, "It's probably true. Tingyu Pavilion is truly a terrifying force that sends chills down your spine."
Their intelligence is so precise and far-reaching that it far exceeds our imagination. Perhaps we are all living in their woven shadows without even realizing it.
Zhao Mengxi suddenly remembered something and immediately brought up the whole story of Li Qingyi and Cui Yao.
"Cui Yao?" Zhao Wuyi's brows furrowed suddenly. "A genius from the Xuanxiao lineage of the Dao Sect? How did he end up with Li Qingyi? And so close?"
He thought quickly, his expression shifting: "The Dao Sect is not a monolithic entity. The Xuanxiao lineage and the Tianshu lineage, which supports us, have always had differing ideologies and have been in constant competition."
Could Cui Yao be a spy sent by the Xuanxiao lineage to cause trouble? Or has Li Qingyi already secretly colluded with the Xuanxiao lineage?
This discovery has made the situation even more perplexing.
"But this may not necessarily be a bad thing."
"What does Grandpa mean?"
Zhao Wuyi's lips curled into a cold smile: "He thought he could use the Xuanxiao lineage to secretly restrain the Tianshu lineage and reap the benefits."
Little did they know that when it came to such a momentous matter as the Metal element, the Daoist sect was united as one.
If the Tian Shu lineage cannot obtain it, they will help the Xuan Xiao lineage; the only difference is that the Golden Core Dao has a different witness.
"
His gaze fell upon the restored chessboard, and he placed another piece.
"This game is getting more and more interesting. Who is the player, and who is the player on the board?"
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