Chapter 1275: Discussion (II)

Li Jiangqian shifted slightly and let him sit to the side, then introduced, "This is Jianglong, my younger brother."

Guan Gongxiao shook his head and said, "I have long heard of your brother's reputation. When Wang He governed Hidden East, he came complaining every few days, and later even made quite a fool of himself."

Neither of the brothers responded to that. Guan Gongxiao stood up and said, "I came here because there are matters I must make clear to your esteemed family."

His expression grew solemn. "Our Daoist Master has never held ill intent toward your esteemed family. During the Changxiao affair, he did everything he could to mediate and secretly assist, hoping only to preserve your esteemed family as much as possible. Perhaps your family head may find this absurd, but to speak bluntly...

"Even if your esteemed family ended up hating him for no reason, our Daoist Master still wished for Changxiao to have one more blood feud rather than see your father die. Even though another held the fatal leverage at that time, he risked much to secretly warn you. That was the reason."

He finished softly, "No matter the relationship between our two houses, in the matter of Changxiao Gate, our Daoist Master earnestly hoped we would stand on the same side."

Li Jiangqian remained silent for a moment. He was not Li Ximing and knew nothing of what had happened back then. The best course was to take no stance at all, so he only said, "This is not something I can bring up. It must wait for the Daoist Master to speak. What matters now is the immediate situation."

Guan Gongxiao sat back down with a nod, and Li Jiangqian said, "Your gate will give up Hidden East, but with so many factions there, it will not end smoothly. First, there must be a leader so everything falls to him. Second, there must be a demon or fiend for the higher powers to vent themselves on so they do not have to look elsewhere. Third... both your side and ours need a proper reason to withdraw, so the beginning and end remain tidy and do not arouse suspicion."

Guan Gongxiao nodded and answered, "The demonic creatures are not urgent. Leave a territory empty for a year or two and they will emerge on their own. The Brahma Cloud region still has plenty of demon generals to deal with. A leader is easy to find, for the world has no shortage of the greedy. However, the third point is indeed troublesome. The families of Hidden East are not fools. If both our sides withdraw together, they will sense something amiss immediately."

Li Jiangqian thought briefly and said quietly, "This is not without solutions. We only need a suitable excuse."

He used a formation to transmit an order. Qu Buzhi immediately entered from outside. When he saw Guan Gongxiao seated calmly at the side, all three appearing harmonious with faint smiles, he felt only shock in his heart and bowed, "I greet the family head, young master, and gate master."

Guan Gongxiao sipped his tea and said, "What gate master? I am merely Gong Xiao of Jiangbei."

Guan Gongxiao had not even changed out of his gate master attire, yet when Qu Buzhi saw the three smiling together, he nodded repeatedly and began apologizing.

Li Jiangqian interjected, "Daoist Guan has brought word. There is said to be a Mifan direct decree in Jiangbei, with a high cultivator's favor attached. Whoever possesses it may establish a Dao lineage here, and it involves a Purple Mansion Realm spirit storage. Neither we nor the Capital Immortal Dao have the right to obstruct. Send someone immediately. Even if you must dig three feet into the earth, you must find it."

Qu Buzhi wiped sweat away while nodding. Guan Gongxiao smiled faintly and added, "I heard this rumor has spread like the wind after being revealed by a Capital Immortal Dao direct disciple while drunk. That disciple has already been confined. There is not a single person in the three streams region who has not heard it. The lakeside is already considered late. Make haste."

Qu Buzhi was an old hand in Jiangbei and had never heard of such a thing. But together with Li Jiangqian's prior hints, he understood and replied, "This old servant will see it done thoroughly!"

He hurried off. Li Jiangqian said, "Your gate will first stage a battle with our family in Floating South. We will then withdraw our people and leave the territory empty. On the other front, cross the river and fight again, forcing your esteemed family's forces to rush over. The two sides will stand in a standoff, feigning a great battle.

"We will have already abandoned Floating South by that point. What we need here is an ambitious Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator from the Eastern Sea. Give him some sort of Mifan Dao lineage command token, how could he not be tempted with the Purple Mansion Dao before him?

"If he dares to try... our family will immediately send congratulations, and your gate will have the Hidden East families come south to offer land. Everything will fit together perfectly."

Guan Gongxiao nodded repeatedly and replied, "Excellent idea, excellent idea. Our gate has deep connections in the Eastern Sea, making information gathering easy. We already have several suitable candidates."

Li Jiangqian nodded with a slight smile, finding him more agreeable now. "Attracting ambitious individuals will depend on your gate."

As for spreading rumors and the matter of the Capital Immortal Dao disciple being confined, nothing more needed to be said. Guan Gongxiao would handle it. Li Jianglong considered for a moment and still felt uneasy.

He looked to his elder brother and asked, "But with the Daoist Master absent, things may not unfold as we expect. If someone obtains the command token and acts with even a little caution, the delay could become troublesome."

Li Jiangqian shook his head and said quietly, "We do not need to worry about that. Others will ensure things proceed. Rumors will always seem truer than the truth itself. One scapegoat, two scapegoats, even more. Everyone will welcome it."

The two brothers nodded one after the other. Guan Gongxiao said, "In any case, in my humble opinion, we may still need to deal with the North Brocade River King."

Both men frowned at the mention of this follower of the Dragon Clan. Li Jiangqian wore a thoughtful look and said, "He likely intends to make a move as well. He must not remain in this area. Leave this demon king matter to us."

"Good!" Guan Gongxiao raised his cup toward them with a bright smile. In the eyes of the outside world, these two Dao lineages were mortal enemies, yet here they sat drinking tea like long time friends. He said softly, "We will need frequent communication in the future. I may not be able to come often, as it risks exposing myself. I will send gate members disguised, bearing a token, to deliver my words. The same will apply at the lake."

Li Jiangqian nodded. They dispensed with the formalities of farewell and simply cupped their hands. Guan Gongxiao stepped out, his appearance already transformed, and the servants led him away.

Li Jianglong watched him leave, his expression unsettled. Li Jiangqian also grew doubtful,

The Capital Immortal Dao truly did restrain themselves noticeably during the turmoil on the eastern shore years ago. Later they even sent someone to ease tensions and returned Dharma Protector An. Who knows how much of this is true and how much false?

His gaze landed on the map of the shore, and he suddenly recalled,

When Zhang Duanyan spoke, she hid something. When listing the subordinate relations, she did not mention the Capital Immortal Dao. She followed the order but skipped over it entirely. The Capital Immortal Dao lineage also does not begin with the character Xuan...