Zhang Yuquan was startled: “Strike first to gain the advantage?”
He seemed never to have considered this approach, yet instinctively summoned wind and thunder to block any eavesdropping.
“Precisely. Rather than exhausting ourselves maneuvering against them and painstakingly investigating every clue to uncover the truth, why not take a simpler approach—go straight to the source, capture one of them, and interrogate directly?” Meng Qi, wearing the mask of the Primordial Unity, sat calmly, as if discussing something trivial.
Zhang Yuquan frowned deeply: “By doing so, even the slightest misstep could provoke the other governors into sympathy, giving them a reason to rebel and solidifying their resolve to unite against us… I can’t bear the responsibility for such a consequence.”
“We’ve been in Xinhai City for nearly a day now. Has any of the other governors sent anyone to subtly acknowledge the destruction of the previous two fleets? They’ve long been like grasshoppers on a single blade of grass—nothing we do will change that. And those who would dare obstruct imperial envoys and bury the navy with such methods must already be prepared for rebellion,” Meng Qi said calmly, making Zhang Yuquan’s heart race. “With the shipping route to be blocked for another month, if there is indeed a rebellion, would you prefer it to happen before the route is cut, or after we’re stranded?”
“Returning to the Venerable, naturally before the route is blocked,” Zhang Yuquan replied without hesitation.
What nonsense was this? If the rebellion broke out after the route was blocked, wouldn’t it mean he and this immortal from Biyou Palace would be facing the rebels alone for nine months?
Even more importantly, the “Primordial Unity” would be escorting the five governors back, leaving only himself and the next two imperial envoys behind, isolated overseas and in great danger!
But if the rebellion happened soon, with a relatively short voyage, there would be time for two waves of reinforcements, mobilizing many powerful experts!
With this reasoning, Zhang Yuquan’s expression grew increasingly solemn. He said gravely, “Venerable, this matter is highly suspicious. There may be other powerful figures around Fang Butong. Are you confident enough?”
“For the five governors, having the imperial envoy and fleet mysteriously perish at sea would be the best outcome. Internally, the aristocratic families and sects could use the excuse of a simple maritime disaster without solid evidence to prevent the emperor from dispatching enough capable experts, delaying time. Externally, the impending blockage of the shipping route would isolate both shores. Therefore, the person they sent to destroy the fleet may not be the strongest, but certainly close to it.” Meng Qi’s voice remained steady as he explained methodically.
At the same time, he thought to himself, this fellow was truly indecisive, possessing the realm of an external expert but lacking the corresponding mental cultivation.
Unlike those pseudo-external experts who had forcibly ascended through pills or other means, Zhang Yuquan had advanced normally. Perhaps due to the abundant primordial energy in this place, attaining the realm of an external expert was relatively easier, not necessarily requiring strong mental fortitude or willpower.
“That’s true,” Zhang Yuquan nodded. “But what if Fang Butong is not involved?”
He deliberately ignored the immortal’s slightly disrespectful way of addressing the emperor.
“If he is not involved, then he must be a loyal and capable minister of the court, and a sincere apology would suffice to pacify him.” Meng Qi felt his own self-cultivation was truly commendable, as he hadn’t shown the slightest impatience.
With the endorsement of Biyou Palace’s “Primordial Unity,” Zhang Yuquan finally made up his mind. He paced back and forth a few times, then opened the door and called to a servant: “Go invite Governor Fang. I wish to consult him on the livelihood of Qiaozhou.”
…
When Fang Butong arrived, the sky was completely dark, the cold moon already risen, casting a soft silvery glow over the sea waves, creating an atmosphere of boundless peace and tranquility.
He did not come alone; beside him was an elderly man dressed as a bodyguard. His white hair was sparse, his head mostly bald, his sunken cheeks giving him the look of an ancient corpse. Yet his eyes gleamed with a fiery brilliance, as if capable of illuminating darkness—clearly no ordinary man.
“Who is this?” Zhang Yuquan rose from his seat and greeted them at the door.
The banquet had just ended, and he had only arranged for the seating of host and guest, set out tea, and created the impression of a private conversation.
Fang Butong glanced at the motionless, imposing figure of the “Primordial Unity,” lowered his eyelids, and chuckled: “We are outsiders here. To the people of Andong, we are no different from wolves. If it weren’t for the help of deities like the Taiyi Immortal of Biyou Palace, who assisted imperial experts in destroying the Andong Holy Altar and eliminating most of their experts, Qiaozhou could never have been established. Even so, I have often been the target of assassins.”
“I, being an external expert, naturally fear nothing, but I can’t be everywhere at once. Many of my colleagues couldn’t withstand the cowardly assassinations of Andong’s evil factions. Fortunately, Mr. Chen Wendeng here is skilled in such matters. He not only reorganized the guard unit and arranged for my protection, but also made numerous secret deals and bribes, neutralizing many assassination attempts before they could occur.”
“Now that I am about to retire, Mr. Chen wishes to remain in Xinhai, so I humbly recommend him to the imperial envoy.”
A high-level expert… Zhang Yuquan, a genuine external expert himself, had a keen eye. He found that Mr. Chen’s aura was deeply restrained and unfathomable—clearly another external expert.
Should he still proceed with the plan? Zhang Yuquan hesitated slightly, glancing at Meng Qi. Yet the “Primordial Unity” remained calm and composed, breathing steadily with no change in emotion, as deep and unfathomable as the ocean, showing no sign of backing down.
Earlier, two terrifying external experts had already been dealt with by the “Primordial Unity”—what was there to fear now? Zhang Yuquan collected his thoughts and, with a smile, accepted Fang Butong’s request, inviting them to sit.
After some casual conversation, Zhang Yuquan steered the topic toward the affairs of Qiaozhou, inquiring about the people’s livelihood and the Andong people, adopting a genuinely consultative attitude to dispel Fang Butong’s suspicions and lower his guard.
Fang Butong held nothing back, speaking freely and eloquently.
Just as their conversation was flowing smoothly, Meng Qi suddenly spoke: “Governor Fang, I have a question for you.”
Fang Butong’s heart tightened slightly, a bit uneasy, as he bowed: “Venerable, please ask.”
His vision was filled with the solemn, ageless mask, always making him associate the figure before him with the statues in the Sanqing Temple.
Meng Qi’s hands remained hidden in his sleeves as he said: “Governor Fang, what exactly have you eaten?”
“Eaten?”
The relaxed tone suddenly rose sharply on the last four words, resonating like a thunderclap, reverberating in their ears, stunning Fang Butong and Chen Wendeng.
Eaten?
He knows!
Fang Butong’s ears buzzed, his mind slightly foggy, his inner world surging with waves. Then he saw the “Primordial Unity” step forward, rising from a seated position to stand upright, his body expanding, laws of reality intertwining, reaching two zhang in height, filling the entire hall, occupying his entire field of vision, as if the heavens and earth contained only this immortal deity, nothing else.
The “Primordial Unity” had a solemn face, neither old nor young, his robes adorned with patterns formed from cosmic laws, adding to his divine aura. He raised his right hand into a fist and struck Fang Butong with full force.
Fang Butong had barely regained his senses when he saw a jade-like fist coming toward him, surrounded by golden sparks, with black and white energies swirling, the void twisting and contracting, leaving him nowhere to escape.
Damn it! Fang Butong inwardly cursed, his face flashing with greenish hues as his aura surged. Behind him, a slightly ethereal colossal tree emerged, its lush green leaves casting shade, its roots plunging into the earth, brimming with vitality, nearly reaching the first heavenly threshold.
But just as he gently extended his hands, as if sprouting countless branches to block the attack, the colossal tree behind him seemed to sense something terrifying. It let out a sudden wail and dissolved into light, returning to his body.
What’s going on?
Fang Butong was shocked. Without the aid of his Dharmic Form, he lost the intertwining of cosmic laws and could only gather Wood-element energy, combining green qi with his techniques into dense branches, layer upon layer, attempting to dissipate the attack.
Puff!
Golden sparks condensed into lotuses, black and white energies shining like auroras. The jade-like fist silently pierced through layers of green wood, striking Fang Butong’s forehead.
At the moment of collision, Meng Qi transformed his fist into a claw, releasing his energy and channeling his immortal qi into Fang Butong’s body, completely sealing him.
Binding Heaven and Earth Technique!
Bang!
Zhang Yuquan, who had rushed forward to intercept Chen Wendeng, was sent flying backward, crashing through the wall, his chest torn open, flesh vaporized, his body engulfed in a bloody golden flame, crackling and hissing, his skin turning char-black. It was clear that with one more strike, he would either die or suffer grave injuries.
Behind the bald, white-haired Chen Wendeng, a blazing sun emerged, radiating heat and flames, shining with brilliant light. Unlike the golden or crimson sun of the sky, his Dharmic Form was tinged with blood, exuding a sinister, bloody aura amidst its immense yang energy.
“This is the ‘Solar Shaman’!”
“Chen Wendeng is the ‘Shaman Leader’ worshipped by the Andong people as the sun god!”
“Fang Butong and his men have actually colluded with the Andong people!”
These thoughts flashed through Zhang Yuquan’s mind as he saw the “Primordial Unity” step in front of him.
Chen Wendeng said nothing. From the brief clash between Meng Qi and Fang Butong, he had seen clearly that this immortal was not as powerful as imagined, not even having stepped onto the first heavenly threshold. Meng Qi had only subdued Fang Butong due to his strange and unpredictable techniques. With his own strength, as long as he remained vigilant beforehand, he believed he had a chance to defeat him.
The blood-red sun flew out, circling Meng Qi once. Suddenly, the flames surged, instantly burning through the roof and rising into the sky. Around Meng Qi, the ground turned into a viscous, glass-like liquid, endless flames burning. Compared to the terrifying power that could affect an area spanning dozens of miles, this controlled, concentrated heat and true fire within the room demonstrated exceptional mastery.
Yet through the blood-tinged golden flames, Chen Wendeng saw the “Primordial Unity” unmoved, his black robe fluttering, unaffected by the fire.
“Excellent robe!” Chen Wendeng shouted, his muscles bulging as he pounded his fists repeatedly. In the span of a single breath, he unleashed countless punches, each condensing golden fire into fist imprints that rained down on Meng Qi like miniature suns.
Hundred Yangs Melting Gold Fist!
Boom! Boom! The earth melted and cracked!
Meanwhile, on the other side, the subdued “Fang Butong” mumbled:
“Mercy, Master! I am the spirit of Kunlun!”
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