Chapter 452: Unending Wind and Rain (3)

Chapter 452: The Endless Storm and Rain (Part 3)

"Who would have thought she did not perish on the path of completing her mission, but instead chose to betray her clan and submit to the Sang Yan Si."

In a lavishly decorated hall aglow with radiant lights, the towering and robust figure of Rang Shi Lie sat upon a grand master's chair.

Before him, a projection hovered, its image revealing the rigid silhouette of Zhang Qing Lu and a host of Jin Yi Wei warriors, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger.

It was not difficult to discern that the owner of the projection's perspective was one of the Long Hu Shan Dao Xu.

"It may not be betrayal at all. Rang Shi Dong Tong might have been converted. After all, Sang Yan Si's ability to transform female beings into devotees is unparalleled throughout the Great Ming Empire."

"Especially one of her ilk, a being of such intense desires, she could not possibly resist the suppression emanating from a superior Buddhist aristocrat."

A cold, austere voice echoed behind Rang Shi Lie, two pale hands gently caressing the rough skin mottled with malevolent ghostly visages.

Ming Zhi Qing Xiu, clad in the robes of a Wokou shrine official, knelt by the chair's edge, cradling a leg nearly as thick as her own body.

"But now, none of this matters, does it?"

The voice, mechanical and devoid of emotion, clashed starkly with the woman's subservient, almost obsessive gestures.

Rigid as a machine executing a preordained program.

Yet Rang Shi Lie seemed indifferent to the woman's peculiar demeanor at his feet, his palm, as large as a folding fan, gently stroking her head.

"Rang Shi Dong Tong commands nearly two-tenths of the humanoid hosts in Gao Tian Yuan. Shall I retrieve them?"

"No need. Such losses will not disrupt Gao Tian Yuan's operations."

Rang Shi Lie slightly lowered his gaze: "I fear that during the inspection at Qing Cheng Shan, they may use this as an excuse to trouble you."

"They care not for such trivialities."

Ming Zhi Qing Xiu replied indifferently: "What they truly seek is a 'legitimate' pretext, not a mere Gao Tian Yuan comparable to the fourth Daoist paradise. Instead, these hosts have drawn out so many jackals lurking in the shadows, buying us considerable time. It is a fair trade."

"Then shall I add fuel to the fire?"

Rang Shi Lie fixed his gaze on the flickering projection, sneering: "These cowardly, inept Ming people, even their own internal strife resembles a clumsy puppet show."

"The slower they die, the more opportunities for unexpected developments arise. That is a boon for us. Moreover..."

Ming Zhi Qing Xiu flicked her fingers, and another projection materialized.

"You have a more pressing matter to attend to now."

The backdrop of the image was the ancient ridge atop a towering structure.

Gray tiles and blue bricks, the ridge beasts snarling fiercely.

A great moon hung from the ceiling, drenching rain soaked through her jet-black hair, while the raging cold wind billowed her flowing sleeves.

The eagle-feather pattern representing the Toyotomi clan was embroidered on her back, her aged, hardened eyes resembling a lone wolf.

He knows where I am hiding!

At the moment their gazes met, Rang Shi Lie abruptly rose, a terrifying shadow cast beneath his feet.

He strode out into the courtyard, where countless silent figures stood in formation.

The foremost among them wore a black felt hat with wings, clad in a deep blue official robe, his head bowed, obscuring his features.

Beneath the eaves behind him, a plaque was illuminated by distant neon, its surface flickering like a short circuit, intermittently displaying bold, majestic golden characters.

Osaka Castle Propaganda Office.

"Who deduced my location? Who stands behind Toyotomi Yasuie?"

Ming Zhi Qing Xiu sat on the ground, embracing her curled legs, her expressionless, delicate face pressed against her knees.

"Is it the humiliated Bai Yu Jing? Or the disgraceful Dong Huang Gong?"

Ming Zhi Qing Xiu murmured to herself, her arms tightening around her legs, her hollow eyes, pupils dilated, gazing toward the figure in the rain-soaked official robe beyond the door.

"Or perhaps, you high and mighty Confucian aristocrats?"

"My lord, the matter concerning Lai Zhou Fu has reached a conclusion."

Gui Wang Da clasped his hands solemnly: "These 'self-castrated' bullies, surprisingly, acted with some semblance of masculinity this time."

Su Ce, hands clasped behind his back, still stared at the map of the Wokou region.

"Who lost?"

"It was Ge Zao Shan."

Even knowing the answer, Gui Wang Da's tone still betrayed surprise: "Were it not for Qing Cheng Shan Liang Jian Feng's last-minute intervention, the earth immortal seat in Bai Yu Jing would likely have been vacated."

"I am familiar with Qing Cheng Shan Liang's lineage; I once aided them in refining several inferior genes. However, this Liang Jian Feng is unknown to me."

Su Ce waved his hand dismissively: "Within the Daoist sect, there are countless practitioners who have long dwelled in the realm of illusory trials. Occasionally, a few obscure talents emerge—it is nothing unusual."

"Go inform this Liang Jian Feng; it is his first time in the Wokou region. Let him come to Jiang Ho City, and I shall personally welcome him."

Gui Wang Da laughed: "With the thousandth commander, others are in the midst of a critical juncture—surely they would not grant you such courtesy."

"To take something from another's domain, yet not seek the master's permission?"

Su Ce's gaze pierced through: "If he refuses this courtesy, let the Chih King send him swiftly back home."

Gui Wang Da nodded, then inquired: "What of the others from the Daoist sect?"

"They are guests, of course they must adhere to the rules."

Su Ce sneered coldly: "As for those Buddhist factions, hiding their heads while exposing their tails, save for the woman who clashed with Li Jun, all others have half a day to depart. Particularly Sang Yan Si's pack of shrews—when the martial aristocracy once welcomed them with open arms, their faces were all smiles. Now that the martial aristocracy has risen, they have yet to earn the right to don their robes in the Wokou region!"

His words dripped with vulgarity, his very presence exuding a bandit's aura.

Gui Wang Da laughed, revealing a grin of pearly white teeth—this was the thousandth commander he knew!

"Where are the members of the Confucian sect now?"

"I was about to report this to you. All the aristocratic families have boarded the Rokuichi, and they should arrive tomorrow."

Gui Wang Da furrowed his brow slightly, recalling the intelligence: "Yet I cannot shake the feeling that their subdued demeanor this time is rather unusual. These scions of noble houses do not seem the type to quietly board the Rokuichi."

"To be honest, the Confucian sect's mastery over genetic instincts is unparalleled. These scholars, regardless of how much they may disdain you, their facade is always impeccable. Among them are many from the Ming and Qing eras, but fools who court death are rare."

Su Ce replied calmly: "They simply do not wish to provide me with an excuse to trouble them."

As the words fell, the old man suddenly shifted his tone: "Yet if you do not provide it, can I not force it?"

"Notify Qian Feng Ting; have him devise a way to halt the Rokuichi, let these young masters spend a night adrift at sea."

Gui Wang Da's eyes widened: "How does one block it?"

"What need is there to ponder? A hawk assault, riots—these serve as pretexts well enough. Should Qian Feng Ting fail to find a solution, let him lie in the center of the iron tracks himself!"

Su Ce waved his sleeve and turned: "Since they wish to deal with us, they must first set their stance."