nyslfriends Chapter 70 The Show Begins
Chapter 70 The Show Begins
"What kind of opportunity?" Zhou Li asked curiously.
Yangyang smiled slightly: "An inner disciple of Lingtai Peak was once allowed to cultivate in the Netherworld Cave in the Netherworld Cloud Realm. He has been missing for five years. We can use this as an excuse to investigate him openly and secretly."
"If the Situ family had this opportunity, why would they have waited until today?" Zhou Li asked, puzzled.
A hint of smugness flashed in Yangyang's eyes: "Fortunately, this person's senior brother warned the Discipline Hall yesterday, which is how I learned about this matter. And this fairy has another identity, namely the Discipline Hall's Enforcement Officer."
Having said that, Yangyang lifted the sash of her ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), revealing a delicate and exquisite bronze ruler hanging from it.
"The quality of the Xuanming Pill is a minor matter for the Situ family, but the disappearance of a disciple is a major matter for the sect. Investigating the disappearance of a disciple is the responsibility of the Discipline Hall."
"Under the Elder of Discipline, the Discipline Hall is divided into three ranks according to their authority, from highest to lowest: the Punisher, the Enforcer, and the Inspector. With the position of Enforcer, I can use my disciple's disappearance as a pretext to find out what the Liu family is up to behind the scenes!"
Zhou Li immediately understood her plan: "You want me to go to this Netherworld Realm with you?"
“That’s right,” Yangyang nodded. “Senior brother, would you be willing? If we can find out the truth and make contributions to the family, it will be much easier to ask our ancestors for the method of obtaining the Xuan Yin Qi.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Li felt there was something strange about the matter, so he asked, "When did you say that senior brother warned the Discipline Hall?"
"Yesterday," Yangyang recalled for a moment, "uh... yesterday afternoon."
Zhou Li thought to himself, "I only sought advice from Wu Liang yesterday morning, and this afternoon someone alerted me and presented me with this opportunity. Is there really such a coincidence in the world?"
After a moment of contemplation, he made up his mind: since he had this opportunity, he would brave any danger, even mountains of knives and seas of fire.
"Okay, I agree."
"Great! With my senior brother here, I don't have to stay cooped up in the valley all the time!" Yangyang happily tugged at Zhou Li's sleeve and swayed back and forth, her eyes narrowing into slits.
Zhou Li found Yang Yang to be straightforward and frank, and quite relaxed around him. He clasped his hands in a fist and jokingly asked, "Your Excellency, what brilliant plan do you have for this trip?"
Yangyang also feigned an air of superiority, putting on an affected tone: "Hmm... the Liu family has been operating in the Mingxia Realm for many years, their roots are deep. We need to split into two groups, one open and one covert. Senior Brother, listen to my command!"
Zhou Li smiled and replied, "Your humble servant is here!"
She explained in detail: "My senior brother will temporarily take over as the law enforcement officer of the Discipline Hall. He will openly and publicly investigate the missing disciples. My senior brother has an extraordinary demeanor, so he is the most suitable person to play this law enforcement officer role."
"As for me," Yangyang patted herself, "I will pretend to be my senior brother's servant and act secretly as the situation warrants."
Zhou Li nodded slightly upon hearing this: "This plan is feasible. But if the Liu family resorts to desperate measures, do we have a way to deal with it?"
"Senior brother, you may not know this, but in order to control all the smaller realms, the sect has set up a 'Qian Yuan Mother-Child Sword Formation' outside, which operates year-round. This sword formation consists of a mother and a child sword. When a disciple enters a realm, he can use the 'Qian Yuan Child Sword' to search for and leave a mark on the enemy, which can then trigger the 'Qian Yuan Sword' outside the realm to strike from a distance."
As Yangyang spoke, she took out a three-inch sword from her sleeve. It was no longer than a palm's length, as thin as a cicada's wing, and had a thin line of blood running along its spine, making it look like a pool of red water.
"Senior Brother Zhou, the Situ family only has this one Qian Yuanzi Sword. You should take it. Under the Qian Yuanzi Sword, no matter how powerful someone is, they will have to obediently submit to death."
Zhou Li took the Qian Yuanzi sword, glanced at it, but did not accept it. Instead, he returned it to Yang Yang.
Under Yang Yang's astonished gaze, Zhou Li explained, "The situation in the Netherworld is unclear and fraught with danger. I am in the open, so the Liu family doesn't dare to make a move against me easily. You are in the shadows, which is even more dangerous. You should take the Qian Yuanzi Sword in case of any unforeseen circumstances."
Yangyang was taken aback, looking at the Qian Yuanzi sword that Zhou Li handed her, a complicated look flashing in her eyes, before she laughed and said, "Hey, Senior Brother is being so nice to me, you don't really want to take me as your disciple, do you?"
Zhou Li smiled but didn't reply, continuing to hold up the Qian Yuanzi sword.
Yangyang reluctantly accepted it: "Then I won't be polite. Don't worry, senior brother, I will definitely protect you."
She then took off the ruler from her waist and handed it to Zhou Li: "This bronze ruler is for you. It is not only a token of the Enforcer, but when activated by a magic technique, it can also unleash the power of a Golden Core cultivator's attack."
The two discussed and finalized many details. Yangyang stood up, stretched, and said, "Then it's settled."
Her eyes gleamed with excitement: "The spiritual energy in the Netherworld Realm is thin, making cultivation extremely difficult; the highest one can reach is Foundation Establishment. Those people from the Liu family have gotten used to throwing their weight around there, and they've probably long forgotten the meaning of respect. This time, they should be taught a lesson!"
Zhou Li held the bronze ruler in his hand, feeling the faint spiritual pressure emanating from it. He knew that this journey would be no easy task, but since it concerned his own path, no matter how great the risk, it was worth the try.
"When do we depart?"
"Without further ado, let's set it for noon three days from now." Situ Yangyang smiled. "The show is about to begin."
…………
The Realm of Dark Clouds.
Unlike the snow and wind outside the border, this small border is warm and spring-like all year round.
The afternoon mist and rain, like an impenetrable veil, enveloped this royal villa in Jingnan.
The winding corridor leads to a stream of fresh water that flows gently beneath it. A few koi carp sway in the water, their scales occasionally flashing and breaking the tranquility.
Liu Xixi leaned against the railing by the water, wearing a rouge-colored silk dress.
Her eyebrows and eyes were long and narrow, with slightly upturned corners. Even when she wasn't smiling, her eyes held a hint of affection. At this moment, a faint smile played on her lips, making her even more alluring.
But those dark, black eyes held not spring water, but icy coldness.
She stretched out her slender fingers and casually scattered a handful of fish food. Watching the koi carp thrashing about for the food, she parted her red lips slightly and asked, "Xiao Huan, I heard that someone from the upper sect came today?"
A timid maid stood beside her and whispered, "Yes, Miss, I heard that this time it was Senior Brother Shangzong, who holds great power, who went down to the mortal realm to investigate. The palace is taking it very seriously."
"Heh...men," she chuckled, her voice laced with a sweet malice, "These disciples of the upper sects, priding themselves on righteousness, are actually just hot-blooded young men. If I were to feign a little politeness, invite them to this secluded courtyard for a chat, and subtly manipulate their drinks to make them lose their senses, would I have any fear of them not obediently following my orders?"
"The little brat is very wicked, but unfortunately her plan is too crude..." A lazy voice came from the artificial hill outside the corridor. A shadow swayed and changed, gradually transforming into a masked Taoist in a black robe, who appeared in front of everyone.
"Who?" Liu Xixi was startled. This masked Taoist priest who suddenly appeared had an evil aura about him and was obviously not a respectable person.
Besides, this is a royal palace villa, not a place where just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come in.
The masked Taoist bowed respectfully, sizing up Liu Xixi's fair neck and high breasts, and said with a smile, "Little novice, don't be afraid. I am the 'Hundred Gu Hermit.' It is fate that I have met you two young ladies here today. It is a marriage arranged by heaven. Why don't we bow to heaven and earth here and become Taoist partners?"