The residence of “Bloodfang Divine Hunter.”
As Yuan Lihuo returned to his study, he saw Meng Qi dressed in a green robe, quietly standing before the bookshelf admiring his collection. A faint, barely perceptible smile appeared on Yuan’s stern face. He turned to close the door and activated the sealing technique.
“I thought you had already left the capital,” Yuan said, turning back.
After Meng Qi arranged for Zhao Heng to join the periphery of Immortal Traces and to comprehend the “Dao Spans the Universe,” he vanished, making Yuan believe Meng viewed the Nine Heavens Ruins matter as something perilous to be avoided like a flood.
Putting down the book in his hand, Meng joked, “I haven’t yet bid farewell to the senior. How dare I leave the Divine Capital directly?”
Knowing Meng’s playful and humorous nature, Yuan replied seriously, “I received another piece of news today.”
“Is it related to the Nine Heavens Ruins?” Meng picked up the purple clay teapot on the desk and poured tea for both of them.
Yuan did not stand on ceremony, sat on the chair, inspected the tea slightly, and took a sip. “What Bai Ning brought is not just half of the map to the Nine Heavens Ruins entrance, but the complete map!”
“What about the other half?” Meng seemed to understand what Sun Yuexiu and the others were competing for.
Yuan nodded slightly, as if appreciating Meng’s perceptiveness. “Bai Ning feared the Emperor and the court ministers would break their promises and attempt to kill him secretly. Thus, he entrusted the other half of the entrance map to his younger brother, Bai Chong.”
“Bai Chong is also an extraordinary expert. He once traveled through the Jin Dynasty, befriending many from the Three Teachings and Nine Streams. Now he hides in the Divine Capital, mingling among the common people, making him difficult to find. Only Bai Ning knows how to contact him.”
Meng held his teacup and removed the lid, his expression thoughtful. He had heard of Bai Chong before. More than twenty years ago, when Su Wuming stirred the world, Bai Chong had entered the Jin Dynasty, leaving a formidable reputation in the South and Central Provinces with his mysterious martial arts. Bai was known for his social skills and numerous friends, making him a celebrated figure of his time. However, now Su Wuming had already reached the threshold of a half-step far ahead, ranking first on the Earth List, and had advanced far along the path of Law Body cultivation, while Bai Ning remained stuck at the second Celestial Ladder, unable to be called a Grandmaster.
Sun Yuexiu and the others learned about the other half of the entrance map even earlier than the court ministers and Six Gates’ divine hunters?
Could it be that someone deliberately spread this information targeting specific powerful individuals?
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Meng Qi recalled Gu Xiaosang’s figure, as pure and refined as an orchid in a secluded valley.
Most likely, it was her!
“What is the stance of the Zhao Clan of Divine Capital and the court ministers?” Meng casually asked.
Yuan sneered, “Initially, it would have been best to negotiate directly under the name of the court, and then discuss details once the ‘entrance map’ was obtained. However, the court ministers belong to various top aristocratic families, with their own alliances and rivalries. They don’t want other families to gain enormous benefits, nor do they wish the Zhao Clan of Divine Capital to dominate the matter. Therefore, these seemingly brilliant experts are engaging in foolish and trivial games—negotiating publicly under the guise of righteousness while secretly forming alliances behind the scenes. Bai Ning, meanwhile, skillfully plays both sides without yielding.”
“Moreover, apart from the Langya Ruan Clan, which recently suffered setbacks and needs time to recover, and the Jiangdong Wang Clan, which follows ancestral teachings and remains neutral, other top aristocratic families likely have experts rushing to the capital, bringing treasures such as primary materials for divine weapons. As for whether ‘Purple Qi Abundant’ Cui Qinghe has secretly arrived, even I am unaware.”
If the top aristocratic families are divided into several factions and unable to unite, the Zhao Clan, possessing a half-step Law Body expert and a divine weapon within the Divine Capital Formation, would clearly hold the upper hand. Therefore, Yuan guessed Cui Qinghe might come.
At this point, Yuan stood up solemnly. “I have been stuck at the second Celestial Ladder for many years, with life and death uncertain. I must seize every opportunity. I now roughly know Bai Chong’s whereabouts and humbly request your assistance. After success, I will only take items that help me elevate my cultivation, and the rest will be at your discretion.”
Even if only half the entrance map could be obtained, making it impossible to enter the Nine Heavens, it could still be used to negotiate a high price.
Meng Qi dropped his joking and relaxed attitude, looking Yuan Lihuo straight in the eyes:
“Senior, this is a trap.”
Publicly, Bai Ning used half the entrance map to attract the attention of top aristocratic families, while secretly Bai Chong held the other half, hiding and attracting the pursuit of sects, Left Path practitioners, and wandering experts. Meng Qi could sense something was off even with his toes!
“A trap…” Yuan was clearly taken aback.
At present, Yuan might not match Meng Qi’s insight, but his experience was undoubtedly far superior. He had crossed more bridges than Meng had eaten meals. The reason he couldn’t see through it was simply because he was caught in the situation, blinded by greed.
Meng briefly explained Sun Yuexiu’s situation: “If they are indeed tracking Bai Chong, where did they get this information?”
Yuan calmed his mind and sensed something eerie: “Someone is secretly manipulating this to incite chaos and slaughter?”
If I could figure out what that witch is thinking, would I still be here chatting with you? Meng thought to himself, then smiled and said, “Senior, let’s observe the situation first.”
Bound by a contract, he couldn’t say much.
“Hmm?” Yuan frowned.
…
Spring breeze intoxicates travelers, and night has always stirred hearts.
The Jinshui River flowed quietly, its banks lined with bluestone streets, tall trees, ornate pavilions, and countless lanterns.
Meng Qi still maintained his altered appearance, wearing a green robe as he strolled along the riverside street toward the distant Jinshui Bridge. Many passersby bustled about—some chatting cheerfully, others lively and energetic, some in a hurry, and others selecting jewelry, silk, and sugar figurines from street vendors. A bustling scene full of worldly charm.
In the distance, the Jinshui Bridge came into view. Meng Qi remained highly vigilant, never underestimating the demoness for even a moment.
Suddenly, he stopped mid-step in the middle of the street. The lively scene ahead reflected in his mind, quickly zooming in, filtering out numerous ordinary people, and “leaving” behind seemingly normal figures:
An old woman selling crude jewelry, a sugarcane old man nearly bent over from age, a destitute middle-aged scholar painting calligraphy, a dark-faced Taoist priest holding a banner reading “Iron Mouth, Straight Prediction,” and two women in red and green dresses picking out embroidery…
“Indeed, it’s quite ‘lively’…” Meng Qi let his hands hang naturally, appearing relaxed and carefree.
Wooden-hairpin Taoist priest, Sun Yuexiu, Ren Jingsiu… common disguises that could fool others, but not himself, a master of perception and disguise!
Could it be that Bai Chong will pass through this street tonight?
Choosing Jinshui Bridge for the meeting—that witch must have ulterior motives!
At this moment, Ren Jingsiu and Sun Yuexiu also noticed Meng Qi among the crowd. Both women were quite surprised but were in the middle of disguising themselves and couldn’t ask questions. They could only send secret voice transmissions, warning of danger:
“Sir, I am Sun Yuexiu. There will be conflict on this street tonight. Please leave quickly!”
Meng Qi was momentarily stunned, then gave a slight grateful smile and nodded. He turned into another street, planning to take a detour before heading to Jinshui Bridge.
Seeing Meng Qi heed their warning, Sun and Ren silently exhaled in relief.
Passing Fangfang Street, Tongjin Road, and Fugui Alley, Meng Qi once again saw Jinshui Bridge.
Though named after Jinshui River, this bridge was no longer bustling—it was quiet, not as lively as Jiudong Bridge, with few pedestrians.
As Meng approached the riverside, a small boat emerged from under the bridge. A woman as beautiful as a painting sat inside, her white dress whiter than snow, accentuating her exquisite and charming face, truly both pure and enchanting.
Gu Xiaosang sat by the boat’s edge, as weightless as a spirit, drifting downstream. Her demeanor was ethereal, her eyes like flowing water, her pink lips half-open, appearing both delighted and pouting.
She leaned back slightly, supporting herself with both hands, her bare white feet gently rippling the water, exuding a mischievous charm.
“Little Su Gege, hurry over,” Gu Xiaosang looked like a naive girl in first love, her expression coquettish, her voice melodious, shy yet bold.
Meng Qi knew that the enchantress had long since lost all innocence. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, covering several zhang in a single leap before landing at the bow of the boat.
Gu Xiaosang didn’t stop washing her feet. She tilted her head sideways, examining Meng Qi: “My husband didn’t hesitate or suspect, just boarded the boat directly.”
“Since we’ve already made the contract, what must be done will be done.” Meng Qi’s mind was clear, his expression calm.
Gu Xiaosang suddenly laughed sweetly: “My husband is becoming more and more like a high monk.”
She pushed herself forward with both hands, gliding a few feet, suddenly approaching Meng Qi. Her feet still splashed in the water, her body slightly leaning, her breath sweet and warm, slightly heated: “My husband, I need your help?”
“The Nine Heavens matter?” Meng Qi instinctively pulled back.
Gu Xiaosang’s eyes sparkled like wine, her face, like an orchid, flushed with a breathtaking hue: “I just fought someone and was struck by the Yin-Yang Harmony Palm. If I cannot achieve Yin-Yang union and reach ultimate bliss together, I will immediately burn my spirit with desire and disperse my soul.”
She leaned back further, her white dress naturally falling, revealing enticing curves.
Meng Qi’s lips twitched. He averted his gaze and said sternly, “Don’t be silly.”
Gu Xiaosang immediately returned to her usual self, her laughter like silver bells. Supporting her cheek with one hand, she said, “I love seeing my husband flustered like this.”
“Hmph, be careful not to make it real!” Feeling humiliated, Meng Qi couldn’t help but retort.
Gu Xiaosang blinked her clear eyes, smiling: “My husband, if you really wanted to make it real, do you think I’d resist, or pretend to resist half-heartedly?”
“Indeed, I shouldn’t stoop to compete with this enchantress in shamelessness…” Meng Qi coughed lightly. “What exactly do you want from me?”
Gu Xiaosang smiled, turned her head, lifted her feet, and let water droplets slowly slide off, leaving no trace. She leisurely put on silk stockings and white boots, as if she were a lady at home doing her makeup, completely disregarding Meng Qi’s presence.
After finishing, she tucked her legs beside her and smiled sweetly: “Bai Ning and Bai Chong were both arranged by me through twists and turns.”
“I know,” Meng Qi’s expression became calm again.
Gu Xiaosang, who bore no resemblance to a scheming demoness of the Left Path, looked at Meng Qi and said, “The map to the entrance of the Nine Heavens was also drawn by me—it’s as authentic as it gets.”
“What are you trying to lure out?” Meng Qi felt a stirring in his heart, locking eyes with Gu Xiaosang.
Gu Xiaosang clapped playfully: “My husband and I truly share a telepathic connection. The Nine Heavens entrance fragment is monopolized by ‘Myth,’ serving as their foundation. Without diverting Han Guang, I can still use the Reincarnation Talisman to bypass the entrance, but you would have no way in.”
“You mean the Nine Heavens entrance fragment leads to ‘Myth’s’ foundation?” Meng Qi was quite shocked.
“Yes. I arranged for Bai Ning to appear, making Myth believe the ‘entrance map’ is genuine. They have only one choice: to eliminate at least half of the ‘entrance map’ with full effort, or else seek help from the Six Paths, paying an unimaginable price,” Gu Xiaosang said lightly, her demeanor ethereal and otherworldly.
“Why not try to contact various factions and directly attack ‘Myth’?” Meng Qi looked at Gu Xiaosang with confusion.
Gu Xiaosang smiled lightly: “Han Guang is no incompetent person; he must have some backup plans. I’m too lazy to take risks. Besides, with Myth stirring things up, the matter becomes more interesting.”
She gestured toward the long street of Jinshui Bridge: “The Heaven-Destroying Gate, Myth, and even the Green and Blue Rank assassins from the Benevolent Tower have been hired. They are determined to kill Bai Chong and destroy half of the entrance map. Under the surveillance of the Divine Capital Formation, where one cannot harness the power of heaven and earth, how many people in this world can rival you—someone with a formidable physique, supreme techniques, and even the ability to create your own moves?”
“Therefore, you must not let others succeed, thus forcing Han Guang to appear.”
“Once we see him, we’ll immediately leave and enter the Nine Heavens.”
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