Chapter 419: The Prelude to Counterattack (II)

Two hours later, Xiaomiao had completely covered the bed with blank sheets, arranged in a perfect circle.

Huai Jing, who had just gotten back from another trip into town, stood by the bed and stared until he felt dizzy and sick in his stomach. When Xiaomiao tossed down her pen, he hurriedly handed over the milk tea that he had bought, at least contributing a little to cooling off the mental storm's aftermath.

"Rest for a bit," Huai Jing advised.

"

Mm...

I'll review it again, see if I miscalculated," the girl replied as she took the milk tea. She gave the papers a quick look.

Huai Jing noticed that many arrows converged on the central sheet, which had an ancient sword. It hovered above several bold words.

Fourth Immortal Dao Conference.

Xiaomiao snapped her fingers. "That's it! Now vote. Those who want my brother back in five years, raise your hand."

Huai Jing immediately raised his left hand, though he did not understand what was happening.

"Those who want my brother to return now to save the world, raise your hand!" Xiaomiao raised both hands. She clinked her cup against Huai Jing's, "Two to one, motion carried. The counterattack begins!"

Huai Jing was speechless. "If he comes back now, he still can't beat those ancient cultivators."

"My brother doesn't have to fight," Wang Xiaomiao said. "He only has to appear at the Immortal Dao Conference. That alone will finish those ancient cultivators."

Huai Jing blinked, confused. "How so?"

"It's complicated. My brother appears to be an ordinary younger-generation cultivator, but he's actually a nexus—a very important link. Case in point, if he returns, the sword spirit of the Shu Sword Sect would be able to clear the corrupt cultivators without restraint.

"Moreover, Qin Yishen let slip that the Small Nether Realm's immortal is not an affiliate of the Hidden Earth Sect. The Heavenly Court left her behind to guard the realm. My master's influence over Lady Meng far exceeds that of the Hidden Earth Sect. If my brother returns, the Hidden Earth Sect's stance becomes irrelevant. It wouldn't matter even if they sealed or blasted their mountains apart.

"By the way, Buddhist Master, don't you also have that golden hand? Think of it as our reserve strength. With all three working together, we will definitely win!"

Huai Jing blinked. He felt as though something was off, but he still found no way to counter.

"That still isn't enough, though." Xiaomiao hopped to the side and stretched. "All the conspiracies those ancient cultivators have arranged revolve around having the moral high ground. They've even tricked countless cultivators into believing they're righteous. To break their manipulation, we have to expose their true colors to everyone and show them who's truly righteous."

Huai Jing felt his mouth go dry. "Why do we have to do that during the Immortal Dao Conference?"

"That was their choice, not ours," Xiaomiao replied firmly. "Those fifteen ancient cultivators will ride the aftermath of Qin Yishen's attempt to legitimize them and preside over the Immortal Dao Conference.

"In the past, Zhao Gao called a deer a horse, ultimately gaining power over the entire court[1]. It's already pretty obvious that the ancient cultivators now plan to legitimize themselves, establish authority, and build their reputation. They'll then use both persuasion and force to seize control of the Daoist sects.

"The Fourth Immortal Dao Conference is their best opportunity to do that, but it's also our best chance to counterattack! If they secure a foothold in the cultivation world, exposing their true colours later will be far more difficult."

Huai Jing smiled bitterly. "Counterattack? Just us?"

"Just us! We'll also split our forces into two. I will do everything to collect evidence of their crimes. I'm sure they still have cleanup work to finish."

"Isn't that too dangerous? What about me?" Huai Jing asked.

He then smiled ruefully, having just realized now that the girl had been leading her along again and that he had tacitly accepted her leadership.

Xiaomiao smiled faintly. "You'll send a letter to the Shu Sword Sect, then travel to the Moon Palace quickly. Call my brother back from the Small Immortal Realm using any means necessary. You're the only one who can do those tasks."

Thwap...

She placed her small hand on Huai Jing's shoulder.

"This mission seems simple, but it's actually pretty difficult. It'll be the deciding factor whether our counterattack succeeds or fails. The lives of countless righteous cultivators rest in your hands, Buddhist Master!"

"Th-that's... Alright..." Huai Jing sighed in resignation. "Hide here, Xiaomiao. We're in quite a rural area. I'll have the Buddhist cultivators of the Heavenly Dragon Temple protect you."

"No need. I have to gather enough evidence," Xiaomiao said. She stepped aside and tied up her long hair. "Do you have a sharp knife?"

Huai Jing took out a saber from his sleeve and handed it to her. Before he could ask what she intended, she swung it and swiftly cut the long hair that she had been growing since she began cultivating.

"I know some disguise techniques, so they won't be able to catch me easily. Just give me some money." She returned the saber and smoothed her new, ear-length cut. "I'll make those ancient cultivators understand that this era is not their feudal playground where they can do as they please! Let's roll, Dragon-Subduing Arhat!"

Huai Jing froze. Almost in tears, he stared at the short-haired girl as if she were a monster. "How the hell do you know about my identity? Seriously, who are you? Don't joke with me."

"I'm Xiaomiao," she replied. She then blinked and pointed at the saber. "You carved your title on it."

Huai Jing looked down and saw "Dragon-Subduing Arhat" on the blade, rendering him completely speechless and making his eyes sting. His Buddhist heart had never felt so challenged.

In a cold and deep tone full of resolve and fury, like a malevolent ghost or an asura, Xiaomiao declared, "I will send those ancient cultivators back where they came from for hurting Big Sister. I will repay them a hundredfold of what she suffered!"

1. Zhao Gao once brought a deer to court and deliberately called it a horse in front of Emperor Qin Er Shi. When some officials agreed it was a horse and others said it was a deer, Zhao Gao used it as a loyalty test. Those who contradicted him were executed or punished. The phrase means that those who manipulate truth can seize control through deceit. ☜