Free Web NovelChapter 172: Chapter 162: Escaping the Wedding
The Water Mirror rippled faintly, the scene within freezing on the bodies strewn across the ground.
"A True Man!"
Yun Zhiyu’s expression was complex. "Kongli, I never imagined you knew such a young True Man."
Only a True Man could kill a Great Mage in the middle of the street while he was protected by over a hundred personal guards.
"..." Situ Kongli swallowed, her own face showing surprise.
"It seems Brother Zhu was hiding some of his strength, or perhaps he only recently became a True Man."
"In any case, this is a good thing for us." Yun Zhiyu’s beautiful eyes flashed, and she clapped her pale hands lightly.
"Guards!"
TAP, TAP, TAP...
Footsteps echoed from downstairs as several Mansion Soldiers hurried to the top floor and knelt before the two women.
"Ruan Tai is dead. Send men to take over the Commander’s Mansion!"
Yun Zhiyu’s face was cold and stern.
"Tell Young Master Bai Qianjue to have the men from Baiyun Temple go with them. If they encounter anyone who dares to resist, they are to be killed without mercy!"
"Yes, ma’am."
The Mansion Soldiers acknowledged the order and hastily withdrew.
From start to finish, no one asked for Situ Kongli’s opinion, as if Yun Zhiyu were the true Patriarch of the Situ Family and master of the City Lord’s Mansion.
"Auntie."
Situ Kongli gazed into the distance and said,
"I’m afraid the Meng Family from Celestial Star City has men planted in the Commander’s Mansion. To be safe, why don’t you go with them?"
"Very well." Yun Zhiyu thought for a moment, then nodded. "You stay here and hold down the City Lord’s Mansion. Don’t wander off. Once we secure the military authority, the situation in Yidu will improve."
"Thank you for your trouble, Auntie."
"We’re family. There’s no need for such formalities."
Watching Yun Zhiyu’s back recede into the distance, Situ Kongli pursed her lips, then quickly formed a Seal Technique with one hand.
SWISH!
Her body flickered, leaving a stationary afterimage in her place as her real self slipped silently out of the mansion.
「A short while later.」
「A secluded courtyard in South City.」
Situ Kongli vaulted over the wall and landed softly. A figure was already waiting quietly inside the courtyard.
"Brother Zhu!"
"Miss Kongli."
Zhu Ju turned to face her.
"Ruan Tai is dead. My promise to the Situ Family is fulfilled. Why have you summoned me here?"
"How heartless of you, Brother Zhu." Situ Kongli gave a bitter smile.
"After all the time we’ve spent together, after facing life and death side-by-side, was it all just a simple transaction to you?"
"Miss Kongli," Zhu Ju reminded her,
"I was the one who saved you multiple times. I have never owed the Situ Family anything. Our accounts are settled."
"..." Situ Kongli was left speechless. After a moment, she sighed in resignation and said slowly,
"I need you to help me one last time, Brother Zhu."
Before Zhu Ju could answer, she flipped her wrist and produced an object.
"This is your payment!"
The Jile Spirit House!
This item was originally Xing Suanzi’s signature Magical Artifact. It had been shattered by Zhu Ju but was later reforged by the Situ Family.
Now,
its appearance was completely different.
Its power was also far greater than when it was in Xing Suanzi’s possession.
"Brother Zhu, are you aware that the Celestial Capital Sect Leader possesses three treasures? The Paper Skin Workshop, the Celestial Craft Furnace, and The Investiture of the Gods."
Situ Kongli continued,
"There is only one Investiture of the Gods, but the Paper Skin Workshop and Celestial Craft Furnace are Acquired items that can be crafted and bestowed upon the sect’s Dharma Transmission Elders."
"Although the Paper Skin Workshop is the weakest of the three, it is still a core part of the sect’s heritage, originating from the same source."
Zhu Ju stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"Go on."
"The Paper Skin Workshop and the Celestial Craft Furnace are largely responsible for the Celestial Capital Sect becoming the greatest of the Daoist Sects, number one in the world," Situ Kongli said.
"These two items can endlessly generate Papermen and Celestial Soldiers, possessing the wondrous ability of Transforming Illusion into Reality. With enough resources, a single person can become an army."
"In the entire world..."
"Only the Celestial Capital Sect is capable of this!"
As she spoke, she handed the Jile Spirit House to him.
Zhu Ju hesitated for a moment before taking it. He channeled a stream of Magical Power inside and immediately sensed the item’s extraordinary nature.
Universal Creation!
Qiankun,
the manipulation of space.
This Jile Spirit House was somewhat similar to a Qiankun Bag.
Back in Xing Suanzi’s hands, it could transform into a real courtyard and set of rooms for guests to seek their pleasures.
And Creation,
the wonder of Spirituality.
This Spirit House could generate Spirituality. By feeding it Spirit Paper and Beast Hide, it could automatically cut them into Papermen and Skin Puppets.
Of course,
this process consumed a Cultivator’s Divine Soul Power, and the resulting creations were far weaker than those made by hand.
The consumption was negligible.
Divine Soul Power was like stamina—it was always being consumed. As long as the rate of consumption was managed, the impact was minimal.
’As expected of a core part of the Celestial Capital Sect’s heritage. It truly is extraordinary.’
"Magic..."
"It’s truly wondrous!"
Zhu Ju said, his voice filled with admiration.
Although the power of this Magic wasn’t particularly strong, its application of Spirituality far surpassed that of Martial Arts.
Many of the Methods in this world were things that only Dao Foundation Cultivators could attempt in the Main World.
"A fine item!"
Zhu Ju looked at her.
"What do you want?"
"The Situ Family is currently facing threats from both within and without. I hope you can help me resolve them, Brother Zhu," said Situ Kongli.
"Once the Situ Family regains control of Yidu City, there will be another generous reward for you in addition to this Jile Spirit House."
"Hah..." Zhu Ju couldn’t help but laugh.
"Miss Kongli, do you really think that’s possible?"
Never mind whether he was capable of such a feat; even if he were, it wouldn’t be something he’d do for a mere Jile Spirit House.
"Stop with the mind games."
He paused.
"Just tell me what you really want."
"..." Situ Kongli gave a dry laugh.
"I knew I couldn’t hide it from you, Brother Zhu."
She took a deep breath and said in a solemn tone,
"I once heard someone say: ’So long as the people remain, the land can be retaken. But if the people are lost to save the land, both will be lost forever.’"
"The Situ Family is a shadow of its former self. Externally, we are coveted by Celestial Star City and Silk Ridge. Internally, the Commander’s Mansion is in revolt, and we’ve let a wolf into our house with Baiyun Temple. If the Situ Family remains in Yidu City under these conditions, we will be devoured, leaving nothing behind."
"Therefore..."
"I plan to leave!"
"Oh?" Zhu Ju’s expression shifted slightly.
"How bold!"
To see the situation so clearly and be willing to abandon a foundation her family had built over centuries—this woman possessed extraordinary courage.
’But what a pity...’
’In this world, strength is what matters.’
’Without sufficient strength, all schemes and courage are useless. They would just become strays with no home to return to.’
"Brother Zhu!"
Situ Kongli looked him straight in the eye and said,
"In the coming days, I will throw the city into chaos, but I fear there are those who will not allow the Situ Family to leave."
"When that time comes..."
"I hope you will lend me your aid, Brother Zhu."
"The Situ Family has numerous clansmen. Between the main and branch families, there must be several hundred people. How many do you plan to take with you?" Zhu Ju asked.
"If it’s too many, I won’t be able to help."
The key issue was,
with so many people, word was bound to get out. Once the news leaked, no one would be able to escape.
"Hah..." Situ Kongli gave a bitter smile.
"A dozen or so will be more than enough."
"Here."
She took out a slip of paper, on which was drawn a map of the terrain near Yidu. A dotted line was marked on it.
She pointed to a mountain path.
"In half a month, I need you to be here to intercept any pursuers for me. Just for one hour."
’One hour?’
Zhu Ju studied the "map," and after a long moment, he nodded.
"Alright."
*
*
*
Commander Ruan Tai’s rebellion was suppressed by the Situ Family with unbelievable speed, and all his trusted followers were executed.
The City Lord’s Mansion took control of Yidu’s military authority.
This clearly provoked Celestial Star City and Silk Ridge.
At this moment, the Situ Family was like a ship caught in a storm. They were barely managing to stay afloat, but everyone knew it was only a matter of time before they capsized.
Their only solution was to align with one of the factions, but doing so would inevitably offend the other two.
"Kongli."
Bai Qianjue arrived at the rear garden and stopped beside Situ Kongli.
"You needn’t worry so much. The Temple Master has already dispatched two Great Mages to help us stabilize the situation."
"The Temple Master is also a True Man. He has no fear of Celestial Star City or Silk Ridge."
"Once we are married, none of this will be a problem."
"Mm." Situ Kongli nodded, then turned to him with a radiant smile.
"Brother Bai, after we marry, all that I have will be yours. You must never fail me!"
"Of course!" Gazing at the enchanting beauty before him, Bai Qianjue’s heart stirred. He subconsciously stepped forward to take her arm and said,
"I swear to the heavens, I will never fail you, Kongli."
"Don’t."
Situ Kongli took a step back, dodging his grasp. Seeing a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, she quickly said,
"I’ll take you to see the Magic Altar."
A Magic Altar was a tool used by those who cultivated Magic to borrow the Power of Heaven and Earth.
It was similar to the Arrays found in the Main World.
The higher the grade of the Magic Altar, the greater the Power of Heaven and Earth a Cultivator could borrow while standing upon it.
The Magic Altar in Yidu City had taken the Situ Family several hundred years to construct.
A Great Mage using this Magic Altar could unleash power and Cultivation on par with a True Man.
When the General’s Mansion had first rebelled, they had dared to make their move only after damaging the Magic Altar.
Now that the Magic Altar was repaired, Celestial Star City and Silk Ridge dared not use force.
Bai Qianjue’s face flushed with excitement.
Showing him the Magic Altar meant that Situ Kongli had completely submitted to him. All that was left was for them to grow closer.
「Before the Magic Altar.」
Bai Qianjue spoke with a serious expression.
"Kongli, let’s get married!"
"Ah!"
Situ Kongli froze for a moment, a shy blush spreading across her face. She lowered her head and said coyly,
"Isn’t this a little too rushed?"
"Not at all!"
Bai Qianjue said hastily.
"We love each other, and with Yidu in its current state, only our marriage can calm the people’s hearts."
"Well then..." Situ Kongli thought for a moment.
"I’ll check for an auspicious date first."
"Excellent!" A smile spread across Bai Qianjue’s face.
"See which day in the coming few is most auspicious."
Situ Kongli beamed, her face a picture of sweetness, but beneath her long sleeves, her hands were clenched tightly around an embroidered handkerchief.
...
「Half a month after Ruan Tai’s assassination.」
The City Lord’s Mansion was festooned with lanterns and streamers as the sound of firecrackers filled the air.
Marriage was a momentous occasion, and of course, one must first pay respects to one’s parents.
Holding her Phoenix Crown and Wedding Dress, Situ Kongli dismissed the attendants and went to the room where her father, Situ Sheng, was recuperating.
"COUGH, COUGH..."
Situ Sheng coughed up blood, his eyes fixed on his daughter with a complex expression.
"It seems you have made your decision."
"Yes."
Situ Kongli lowered her gaze.
"Father, today you will see your daughter get married in splendor."
"..." Situ Sheng gasped for breath. After a long moment, he slowly nodded.
"Good."
"You may go now."
"Yes, Father." Situ Kongli knelt, kowtowed deeply, and then backed out of the room step by step.
「Behind the screen.」
Yun Zhiyu slowly walked out.
"Well, isn’t this nice? Though you failed to marry me all those years ago, my disciple is now marrying your daughter."
"It fulfills your old wish, in a way."
GASP... GASP... Situ Sheng heaved for breath, his eyes fixed on Yun Zhiyu.
"Don’t... Don’t you dare harm Kongli!"
"Don’t worry." Yun Zhiyu gave a radiant smile.
"As long as Kongli is content to be Qianjue’s wife and continue the Bai Family bloodline, nothing will happen to her."
"Of course..."
"To ensure the stability of Yidu City, the other members of the Situ Family cannot be allowed to become a source of trouble."
"And Kongli must stop her Cultivation of Magic!"
Situ Sheng’s body tensed, his arm trembling slightly. After a long moment, he exhaled sharply and collapsed back onto the bed, his face ashen like a corpse.
"What’s wrong?"
"Do you regret calling me here?"
Yun Zhiyu laughed.
"Even without Baiyun Temple, the Situ Family would not have been able to control Yidu. You would have had to make a choice eventually."
"Come now."
"Let me feed you your medicine."
「A short while later.」
BANG!
The door was slammed open. Bai Qianjue, dressed in his groom’s attire, burst in, his face panicked and covered in sweat as he yelled into the room,
"Situ Kongli has disappeared!"
"How could that be?" Yun Zhiyu shot to her feet.
"Didn’t I order you to have someone watching her at all times?"
"Today is our wedding day! She said she wanted to bathe and dress alone. Was I supposed to forbid her?" Bai Qianjue gritted his teeth. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"That bitch..."
"She also took the core of the Magic Altar!"
The guests were all arriving tonight, and both Celestial Star City and Silk Ridge were making moves. Without the Magic Altar in hand...
The consequences would be unimaginable!
SMASH! Yun Zhiyu threw the medicine bowl to the floor, spun around, and glared furiously at the dying Situ Sheng on the bed.
"Did you put her up to this?"
"..." Situ Sheng’s expression was complex. He let out a low, weak chuckle.
"Truly... truly my daughter. She can even abandon her own father. What is there she cannot do?"
"Kongli... would never resign herself to being a Puppet of the Bai Family."
"Hmph!" Yun Zhiyu gritted her teeth.
"Do you really think she can escape?"
