Chapter 169 Gong Yangyu's Decision
Chapter 169 Gong Yangyu's Decision
At night, the main hall of Shenbing Valley was brightly lit.
When Li Yuan walked into the hall, there was a lot of noise inside.
All the elders, guardians, and even many old soldiers and inner disciples in the valley were in the hall, and the scene was in chaos.
He saw Fang Yunxiu with a heavy face and Gao Gang who was yawning.
"What's all the noise like?"
Lei Jingchuan shouted loudly, suppressing the noise in the hall. As soon as he heard the news, he took Li Yuan back to the mountain gate.
"Elder Lei."
Feng Zhong was already standing at the top, his face as gloomy as water. Only when he saw him coming did his expression relax.
"How is the situation?"
Lei Jingchuan glanced inside the hall, and a disciple handed him a letter. He also handed a copy to Li Yuan.
Everyone in the hall has one.
Li Yuan sat down next to Lei Jingchuan and opened the letter, which only said three things.
One is that Duanmu Sheng had led his troops to deploy defenses many days ago, and the Sanyuan Army was blocked at "Kaiyue City" 700 miles away.
That is the southernmost side of Zhelong Mansion.
The second thing was that Qi Ying, the eldest disciple under the command of Sanyuanwu Sect Master Wan Ya, brought hundreds of elite soldiers to intercept Shi Hong in an attempt to prevent the rescue.
The last thing was that Jing Shuhu rode out of the city on horseback to rescue a few days ago.
Snapped!
Lei Jingchuan slammed the table and glanced coldly at the heavy-faced Supervisory Hall Master Wang Jingyun:
"Old Wang, hundreds of elite soldiers from Sanyuanwu are hiding outside the city. Doesn't the Supervisory Hall have any news at all?"
The hall was silent and everyone looked at Wang Jingyun.
The Divine Weapon Valley is divided into inner and outer areas, with five inner halls and eight outer halls. Wang Jingyun is one of the eight elders of the outer gate.
"This is my fault. I will apologize when the Valley Master returns to the mountain."
Wang Jingyun put down the letter in his hand and said in a hoarse voice:
"But now is not the time to raise an army to punish the culprit. This palace meeting is to discuss how to respond."
As he spoke, he glanced at Feng Zhongyi, who sighed and nodded:
"What Elder Wang said is very true. Now is not the time to question anyone."
There was fatigue in his voice, and it was obvious that even he was exhausted after all the running around.
Lei Jingchuan looked at Wang Jingyun coldly: "Is it Zhenwu Hall?"
"No evidence."
Wang Jingyun did not deny that the only force in Zhelong Prefecture that could be hidden so well under his nose was the government office and Zhenwu Hall.
"This account will be settled sooner or later!"
Lei Jingchuan asked again: "What's the situation outside the city?"
Wang Jingyun looked into the hall and saw a disciple with bloodstained clothes:
"You tell me."
"Yes."
The disciple bowed hurriedly and repeated what he had said before.
Nine days ago, Shi Hong led more than a thousand divine guards to return to the city to provide support. Because the large group of troops marched slowly, he sent a team of elite soldiers to travel light.
Unexpectedly, they were ambushed on the way. After a bloody battle, hundreds of people were killed and only a few disciples managed to escape.
The one who took action was Qi Ying, the greatest contemporary master of Sanyuanwu.
"Qi Ying led hundreds of people to ambush you. How did you escape?"
Lei Jingchuan frowned and called a halt.
Li Yuan's heart was also slightly moved. He had collected information about several other major sects in Huizhou.
He also had some impression of this Qi Ying.
A disciple of Sanyuanwu Sect Master Wan Ya, he is the best contemporary true disciple, has achieved Tongmai cultivation, is an expert in swordsmanship, and his martial arts talent is not inferior to Shi Hong.
"This……"
The disciple's face turned pale.
"and then?"
Lei Jingchuan asked subconsciously, then realized that his tone was not good, so he comforted him with a few words and motioned for him to continue.
When he finished speaking, he waved his hand and said, "Okay, go get a bottle of Yuan-boosting Pill and have a good rest."
"Thank you, elder."
The disciple withdrew respectfully.
"Since it's an ambush, no one will be left alive. I'm afraid Qi Ying wants to get us out of the city!"
At this time, Wang Jingyun spoke, and the others nodded in agreement.
Only Lei Jingchuan frowned:
"My senior brother has been out of town for several days!"
Feng Zhongyi nodded and looked over with some doubt:
"Before the news came, Elder Jing had already left the palace. I'm afraid he got the information in advance, but why didn't he inform us?"
Lei Jingchuan shook his head to indicate that he didn't know.
However, Li Yuan's heart was slightly moved. Seeing that Feng Zhong was looking at him, he told him the causes and consequences of the siege of the ruined temple that night.
He suspected that Jing Shuhu learned about this from Su Wanxiong, and knowing the urgency of the situation, he left in a hurry.
"You said that the elder suspected that there were followers of the evil god in the Remnant God Temple, so he took action directly?"
The elders and guardians in the hall were all a little surprised.
This doesn't seem like something Jing Shuhu would do...
"Yes."
Li Yuan did not want to take credit for himself, so he naturally removed himself from the list.
"Could it be that Sanyuanwu is also connected to the Evil God Cult?"
At this moment, Feng Zhongyi's brows furrowed even deeper, and the other elders and guardians also realized something and looked grim.
"First it was Qianjun Cave, then Sanyuanwu... Huizhou has a total of four major sects, two of which are linked to the Evil God Cult? No, I'm afraid there are more than two, that Liexue Mountain..."
Li Yuan was a little shocked, and figured out a lot of things.
"Perhaps the reason why Lao Han and his men wanted to destroy Qianjun Cave was because they realized that these major sects had already colluded with the Evil God Cult, and they wanted to defeat them one by one?"
As his thoughts turned, Li Yuan became more and more uneasy. This situation was much more dangerous than any of the sect wars in the past few hundred years.
Thinking back to the murder of the Palace Master a few years ago, the assassination of the Second Elder of the Weapon Casting Valley, the rebellions in various counties, and the blood sacrifice incidents that occurred...
Connecting all these things together, he felt vaguely that there was a big net covering him.
"The water is too deep!"
The elders and guardians in the hall were still discussing and arguing. Li Yuan held the letter in his hand. He felt a little ashamed that his first thought was to run away.
"I am Li Yuan, a true disciple of the Divine Weapon Valley, a genius in weapon forging, and the future master craftsman. My reputation, status, and wealth are all here...
No, I still want to run!"
Looking at the elders and guardians who had been arguing for a long time without any idea, Master Li Dao felt that a storm was coming and the building was about to collapse.
Anyone would be scared of this!
……
The argument lasted for an hour or two, and by late at night they had still not reached a conclusion.
Finally, it was Feng Zhongyi who spoke up and summoned all the disciples, including those who had already left the sect, to actively prepare for war.
At the same time, carrier pigeons were sent to various places to convey messages to the Valley Master, other inner sect elders, and other subordinate sects.
Shenbing Valley is the largest sect in Zhelong Mansion, but there are also many small and medium-sized sects under it, and Duanmu Sheng has already drawn troops from it once before.
"follow me."
After leaving the palace, Lei Jingchuan looked unhappy and was full of worries.
Li Yuan followed without saying a word along the way.
It was not until they reached the Cold Pond Cave that Lei Jingchuan spoke:
"Do you think that the so-called elders and guardians are just a bunch of rabble who don't deserve the name?"
"……No."
Li Yuan was almost choked and quickly waved his hands.
"I think so too."
Lei Jingchuan sneered: "When the Valley Master goes to war, he wants a quick victory. The battle will be decided in one go, so the elite troops will come out in full force, and those who are left behind..."
He paused and said, "Except for me and my senior brother, um, Lao Feng and Duanmu Sheng, the others are all good-for-nothings who are addicted to pleasure and have no ambition to make progress."
"Ah?" Li Yuan looked up. He actually saw a hint of wisdom on the face of this rough and uncouth man.
"The Valley Master had anticipated this turmoil five or six years ago, and has been recruiting guest officials and guardians from all over the country since then..."
Lei Jingchuan spoke in secret.
Li Yuan's heart moved slightly, as this was the kind of information that he had never been able to find out before.
"The turmoil in Huizhou this time was truly a natural disaster. The cause was unknown to me and others, but it was only when Wanchuan came here that he revealed some of it..."
Lei Jingchuan sighed, feeling that it was a disaster that came from the sky:
"It should be six years ago. In the East China Sea, a spirit turtle carrying a palace fell from the sky and crashed on the shore of the East China Sea..."
"The spirit turtle carrying the palace?"
Li Yuan was startled and remembered Wang Wenyuan's letter. The old man also mentioned this matter in the letter.
According to what he revealed in the letter, the one who targeted the Divine Weapon Valley, or the Sea-Splitting Mysterious Whale Hammer, was the Evil God Cult Leader...
"This is a disaster that came from the sky. It doesn't really matter whether you know the cause or not."
Lei Jingchuan rubbed his temples, feeling quite stressed.
"This is indeed a disaster from the sky."
Li Yuan maintained a look of shock on his face, but he couldn't help feeling a little heavy in his heart.
The Evil God Cult has a close relationship with the imperial court and is hostile to all the major sects in the four seas and five paths, but it has survived for thousands of years, which shows how powerful it is.
Being stared at by such a huge monster...
"The Valley Master has been planning for several years and has a way to deal with this turmoil. You don't have to worry too much."
Seeing that Li Yuan was worried, Lei Jingchuan comforted him.
"What's the solution?"
Li Yuan was a little surprised.
"What the Evil God Cult is eyeing is the legendary Divine Weapon of Heaven's Fortune, but in essence, it is just this cold pond in the Divine Weapon Valley."
Lei Jingchuan glanced at the deep, cold water at the bottom of the pit:
"The Valley Master said that the foundation laid by our ancestors must not be lost, but if it is really impossible, then we can just abandon it!"
Wow, so decisive?
After hearing this, Li Yuan's opinion of the Valley Master changed a lot. Not everyone has such courage.
Our ancestors’ legacy includes not only the Shenbing Mountain, but also Zhelong Prefecture, the most prosperous city in Huizhou!
and so……
Li Yuan responded quickly: "So, the Valley Master has come out in full force, determined to seize Qianjun Cave?"
"Not bad!"
Lei Jingchuan was very satisfied with his reaction. Who said that a blacksmith’s brain is useless?
This kid reacts very quickly!
Change home?
Having said this, all the doubts in Li Yuan's mind were immediately swept away. No wonder not even a single inner sect elder was left behind this time.
"No wonder..."
"But this is the last option."
Lei Jingchuan stood up and looked around the Hantan Cave: "This is the best place to forge weapons in Huizhou. The ancestors have passed down the mountain gate for 1,400 years..."
There was some reluctance in his eyes.
"As long as there are people, the mountain gate will be there."
Li Yuan comforted him, and his heart suddenly relaxed.
It turned out that not only he wanted to run away, but Old Han and the Valley Master also wanted to run away.
Well, great minds think alike?
"This matter is top secret. If it weren't for you, I would never reveal a single word."
Lei Jingchuan warned with a stern face.
He knew that the reason why the Valley Master left these elders and guardians in the mountains was not only because it would be too conspicuous if they came out in full force, but also because it might be a test.
But it would be fine for others, but he really didn't want to test Li Yuan.
You want a disciple who has only been with you for less than a year to live and die with you?
Even he, with such a hard heart, felt that it was too harsh.
"Disciple, please remember this!"
Li Yuan responded solemnly, with mixed thoughts surging in his mind.
This is the advantage of being a genius. If it were an ordinary disciple, it would be impossible for him to know such a top secret.
"During this period of time, I may also have to go down the mountain, but you, no matter what, do not go down the mountain!"
Lei Jingchuan looked serious.
Li Yuan nodded. He was already considering selling the weapon forging shop and preparing to escape. Of course, the sooner the better.
only……
After taking a look at the cold pond water, Li Yuan felt reluctant to leave. The Sea-Splitting Black Whale Hammer was still here, and he didn't want to run away unless it was absolutely necessary.
"If I really want to run, I have to try again, stack my hammer talent, and break into the Red Rong Cave..."
A thought flashed through Li Yuan's mind. He was really unwilling to accept this.
During the past six months, he had been working underground as a blacksmith and had endured so many days of hardship in the Chirong Cave, all for the sake of this Tianyun Xuanbing.
No matter what, he has to give it a try.
"Well, come with me."
After giving the warning, Lei Jingchuan thought for a while and then led Li Yuan to another secret tunnel.
"Behind this tunnel, there are thousands of different tunnels, leading to different parts of the Divine Weapon Mountains..."
Over the past 1,400 years, the Divine Weapon Valley has hollowed out more than just an inner island. There are now various tunnels throughout the Divine Weapon Mountain Gate.
This is the final guarantee for the sect’s survival.
Even a strong master like the Refining Organs Master could not possibly catch up with all the disciples of the Divine Weapon Valley in such a complicated tunnel.
"In the next few days, I will send you a map just in case."
Lei Jingchuan let out a long sigh. It was obvious that he had made this decision with great determination.
"Disciple will never reveal a single detail!"
Li Yuan bowed with his sleeves hanging to the ground. He was truly grateful.
This tunnel map may seem useless, but to some extent it is the last resort for all the disciples of the Divine Weapon Valley. If one does not truly trust it, he would never reveal it to anyone.
"Ah."
Lei Jingchuan waved his hands and didn't look back. He just stared at the criss-crossing deep tunnels in a daze.
"The disciple retire."
Li Yuan bowed and retreated.
After coming out of the cave, he did not waste a moment and went back to pack up under the cover of night, mainly taking the little mouse and the various iron materials and bedding that he had stored.
"call!"
After letting go of the little mouse that had been very active underground, Li Yuan shook his sleeves and walked towards Chirong Cave carrying various iron materials.
Prepare to bring out the third heavy hammer first.
……
……
Huhu~
It is more than 700 miles northwest of Zhelong City.
Roaring, neighing, screaming, the sound of swords clashing, and blood splashing...
On a snowy night, thousands of people were fighting fiercely. One side was holding swords, sticks and guns, while the other side was holding swords and sickles.
"Kill!"
"kill!"
Amid the sound of swords clashing, Long Sheng wielded his sword and stick and led his troops to charge towards the elite Sanyuan Army who were ambushed there.
Shi Hong rode his horse forward, and wherever his long sword went, there was a bloody storm.
His face was grim as he looked towards the edge of the dense forest, at the young man riding a white horse and holding a meter-long sickle:
"Qi Ying, you dare to ambush me alone, you really don't know how to live or die!"
"act recklessly?"
The young man glanced at him coldly, holding his sickle horizontally, with a cold light flashing:
"Shi Hong, I'm here to take you on your way!"
Zheng!
Shi Hong raised his sword, and the dragon horse neighed:
"My fellow disciples, follow me and fight!"
(End of this chapter)