ragginovel Chapter 156 Black Heart
Chapter 156 Black Heart
Chapter 156 Black Heart
The ancestral home of the Zhao family, beside a stone table deep in a bamboo forest.
Jiang Yanxu and Zhao Wuyi have been playing chess for two days.
Black and white pieces covered most of the chessboard; it was an endgame game, and the outcome was still undecided.
A gentle evening breeze carrying the fresh scent of bamboo leaves wafted through the gaps in the woods, and Zhao Wuyi finally pressed down the chess piece between his fingers with a "tap".
"Sect Leader Jiang," he raised his eyes, his voice steady, "what is the meaning of this?"
Jiang Yanxu, who was looking down at a tangled corner of the chessboard, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Didn't Brother Zhao invite me here to discuss important matters?"
"Even so." Zhao Wuyi's gaze swept around.
The bamboo forest remained, but an invisible barrier enveloped the space. "Shouldn't Sect Leader Jiang have quietly set up this concealment array, completely isolating this place from the outside world?"
"Brother Zhao, please forgive me." Jiang Yanxu sighed, looking quite sincere. "This matter is of great importance, and I must be cautious."
"But this is the Zhao family!" Zhao Wuyi's voice deepened. "It's protected by its own formation!"
"The Zhao family's formation?"
Jiang Yanxu raised his eyes and looked directly at the other person. "Is it possible to block the divine sense of a Golden Core True Monarch?"
Zhao Wuyi frowned and remained silent for a moment: "No."
"This formation was personally crafted by the patriarch of my Sanyi Sect, reaching the Golden Core level," Jiang Yanxu said calmly. "Even a single moment of operation consumes a massive amount of spiritual materials. Therefore, Brother Zhao—"
What could be so important as to warrant such a grand display? Please explain quickly so that I, Jiang, can withdraw my troops sooner and conserve resources.
As he spoke, a hint of heartache appeared on his face at just the right moment.
Zhao Wuyi's eyes flickered slightly.
When he saw the formation rise, his first reaction was that the other party had ill intentions.
But this current explanation seems to make sense.
"My Zhao family has its own secret methods to ensure that our conversation remains confidential." He still remained somewhat wary.
"No matter how profound the secret technique, can it withstand the mere thought of a Golden Core True Monarch?"
Zhao Wuyi remained silent.
The Purple Mansion and the Golden Elixir differ by only one word, yet they are worlds apart.
He was aware of this gap better than anyone else.
Seeing that the other party's expression relaxed, Jiang Yanxu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Sure enough, coming from a humble background narrows one's perspective.
He showed no emotion on his face, and simply waited quietly.
When I said it was at the Golden Core level, I was just trying to bluff Zhao Wuyi.
In the end, Zhao Wuyi suppressed his doubts and slowly revealed the royal family's secret plans, the covetousness of the Zhengyang Immortal Sect, and even his speculation about Li Qingyi of the Tingyu Pavilion's involvement.
Speak cautiously, blending truth and falsehood, seven parts truth and three parts concealment.
Jiang Yanxu listened quietly, the black jade chess piece between his fingers spinning round and round.
After Zhao Wuyi finished speaking, he slowly asked, "So, how does Patriarch Zhao plan to break this deadlock?"
"We must eliminate Li Qingyi first." Zhao Wuyi said decisively, "This boy's talent is too terrifying. If he obtains the metal element, the consequences will be endless. As for the Zhengyang Immortal Sect, Sect Master Jiang still needs to find a way to deal with and restrain him."
As for the royal family—once the first two issues are resolved, you and I can join forces and proceed gradually. Afterwards, I will gladly offer up the gold!
Jiang Yanxu pondered for a long time before finally nodding: "Agreed."
He appeared calm, but inwardly he was sneering.
If it weren't for my young friend Li having already informed me of your dealings with the Daoist sect, I might have truly believed your impassioned words today.
Compared to that old fox, he naturally trusted the young man who dared to reveal his entire plan more.
After the agreement was reached, Jiang Yanxu waved his sleeve.
The invisible sense of stagnation all around receded like the tide.
The sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo forest and the faint sound of a stream in the distance returned to my ears.
Zhao Wuyi almost immediately spread out his divine sense, instantly scanning the entire Zhao family.
Business as usual.
His tense emotions relaxed almost imperceptibly.
He had previously suspected that Jiang Yanxu would be detrimental to the Zhao family, but now it seems he was overthinking it.
Just then, a secret voice entered his ears.
Zhao Wuyi was taken aback at first, then his expression became extremely interesting, turning red and blue.
He flickered and disappeared from the spot.
Jiang Yanxu's eyebrows twitched slightly as he followed at a leisurely pace.
The two appeared one after the other outside Zhao Mengxi's boudoir.
The door was open, and the situation inside was immediately apparent—
Li Qingyi was standing behind Zhao Mengxi, holding a wooden comb in her hand, gently combing her long hair.
Zhao Mengxi sat upright in front of the mirror, her back straight, her lips pursed, and her face looking very unpleasant.
Zhao Wuyi stood at the door, momentarily at a loss for words.
Jiang Yanxu followed behind and caught a glimpse of this scene. His lips twitched violently, and he quickly lowered his eyes, desperately trying to suppress his smile.
Having lived for hundreds of years, such a "joyful" thing is truly rare.
In someone else's home, they "confined" their eldest daughter, leaving her helpless.
"Young Master," Zhao Wuyi's voice finally rang out, suppressing his anger, "what exactly is your intention in spreading such rumors?"
Li Qingyi stopped what she was doing, turned around, and calmly bowed: "Senior, please calm down. I was truly concerned for Mengxi and could not control myself, which is why I resorted to this desperate measure."
As he spoke, a faint light flashed from the storage ring on his fingertip, and an ancient manual appeared in his hand, which he presented with both hands.
On the jade slip, faint purplish-black Dao patterns flowed.
"This is a secret technique at the Purple Mansion level, presented as a betrothal gift from a junior to express sincerity."
Zhao Wuyi's pupils contracted slightly when his gaze fell upon the manual.
The secret techniques and Daoist principles at the Purple Mansion level cannot be faked.
The anger surging within him was instantly suppressed.
Reaching out to take the manual, the seven ancient seal characters of "Nine Netherworld Supreme Corpse Refining Method" came into view.
Jiang Yanxu, who was standing to the side, pinched his palm hard to swallow back the laughter that was about to burst out.
All he wanted to do now was leave this place as soon as possible and find a secluded corner to burst into laughter.
He secretly transmitted his voice to Li Qingyi: "Good lad—you dare to use that old devil Youhuang's rubbish as a betrothal gift to deceive other people's daughters!"
It's so dark!
Li Qingyi remained expressionless and transmitted her voice back:
Senior, please be careful with your words. This is an ancient secret technique, perfectly suited to the Zhao family's heritage.
Jiang Yanxu was too lazy to expose him, and just watched Zhao Wuyi's reaction with great interest.
Zhao Wuyi's eyes were filled with joy.
The Zhao family has only been a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan for two hundred years. The clan possesses only one Purple Mansion-level secret technique, which is a foundational inheritance and cannot be easily passed on to anyone other than the direct descendants.
This addition is a great supplement to the family.
Jiang Yanxu silently shook his head in his heart: "The limitation of one's perspective is truly terrifying."
However, upon further reflection, it's understandable that the Youhuang Sect's activities occurred four hundred years ago, and the Zhao family's rise to power was relatively recent, so it's normal that they were unaware of the details of this secret technique.
Even Zhao Mengxi was secretly surprised.
The Purple Mansion Secret Technique, given away so easily? Could it be that he—really has feelings for me?
Zhao Wuyi had carefully put away the manual, cleared his throat, and his expression softened considerably: "I have seen the young master's sincerity. May I ask—when do you plan to set the wedding date?"
Li Qingyi smiled and said, "It will be fine in a month."
One month later, exactly two days before Ling'er's birthday.
This way, it wouldn't drag on until the Jin Xing incident broke out, and it would also make it easier for him to keep a close eye on Zhao Mengxi.
As expected, Zhao Wuyi hesitated: "Isn't this marriage too hasty? We should choose an auspicious day."
"I lost my father at a young age and was raised by my master. This wedding date was personally set by my master."
Upon hearing the name of the Listening Rain Pavilion Master, Zhao Wuyi immediately fell silent.
"In that case, we will do as you say, young friend."
In just a few words, Zhao Mengxi's marriage was settled.
For some reason, she felt like she had been sold off cheaply.
Zhao Wuyi exchanged a glance with her, then stood up: "I suddenly remembered an urgent matter and need to go out. Sect Leader Jiang, please excuse me."
After saying this, he hurriedly instructed his servants to treat Jiang Yanxu well, and then transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the distance.
Jiang Yanxu smiled and agreed, then turned and left.
He needs to find a secluded place to have a good laugh.
After the two figures had faded into the distance, Li Qingyi asked telepathically:
"Senior, he's in such a hurry to leave; perhaps he's going to contact the Dao Sect?"
Jiang Yanxu's voice transmission carried a smile: Don't worry, I've already made arrangements.
Li Qingyi made up her mind.
The leader of the Sanyi Sect is indeed reliable.
Only two people remained inside the room.
Li Qingyi walked up to Zhao Mengxi, looked down at her, and said, "My wife, we will be married in a month. Are you happy?"
Zhao Mengxi's lips twitched, she opened her mouth, but ultimately kept it tightly shut.
She finally understood that responding to him would only make her furious.
When Zhao Wuyi completely disappeared from the outskirts of the Zhao family.
The Green Puppet, which had been silently lurking in the shadows, suddenly moved.
He drifted away towards Ling'er's courtyard.