The Mirror Legacy-Chapter 1420: Strategic Calculations (I)
Since the Dao lineage of the Northern Sea refused to lend the spirit artifact, Li Ximing did not press the matter further or ask after Kuiqi's whereabouts. Instead, he mentioned Master Dingyang and headed up the mountain together with the others.
"Master Dingyang, whom Senior Kuiqi invited, has already come to the lake. The matter has been discussed and settled. He left a pill formula, Serpent Water Suspension Powder, and asked me to refine it."
The great hall atop Mount Tangdao had long since been repaired. Tinglan looked fully recovered from her injuries and led everyone into the hall. As she listened to the mention of Master Dingyang, Houfu shook his head and said, "He can be somewhat lacking in tact. If he caused any offense, please forgive him, Zhaojing."
Li Ximing understood the implication. When he saw Tinglan secretly glance at his expression, seemingly worried that Master Dingyang might have had some dispute with Kuiqi, he simply said, "That fellow does have ties to the Supreme Yang, but he has never been known for a gentle temperament. After being disappointed with Changhuai for so long, it is only natural he has become somewhat blunt. Yet when Senior Kuiqi wrote to him, he immediately agreed, which shows his heart still leans toward our side. Just overlook his sour expression."
Though the two spoke as if it were serious, Li Ximing had spent some time with Master Dingyang and found that the man did possess some social graces. There had been no particularly harsh words or unpleasant attitude, so he said, "Master Dingyang is a straightforward man. He handles matters efficiently and with great energy. He sorted everything out in just a few moves."
When they entered the hall, they saw a jade table set at the main seat with seats arranged on both sides. There were no dancers or fine wine, just an ordinary hall. The man seated at the head looked fairly relaxed and nodded at them.
"Senior Kuiqi!"
Kan Ziyu's breakthrough was undoubtedly like a dose of medicine. Even Kuiqi's expression looked much better. After everyone took their seats, Kuiqi spoke up first to offer congratulations. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist."
Tinglan returned the courtesy with a smile. Li Ximing watched him turn and calmly say, "I originally went to the Northern Sea. The Tuoba Family borrowed the formation plate of the Xie Family's Magnet-Controlled Multilight Spirit Formation thirty years ago. That thing cannot be obtained now."
These words left everyone somewhat silent. The Tuoba Family was not particularly close with the Buddhist cultivators, yet being in the north, they interacted frequently. Meanwhile, the Supreme Yang Dao lineage and the Tuoba Family had never seen eye to eye, so there was naturally no possibility of borrowing it from them.
Kuiqi paused before continuing, "After returning from the Northern Sea, I went to the Peacock Sea. This time it was a formal visit, so it was conducted with some ceremony. Now that I have returned, I at least received the good news of Ziyu."
Li Ximing had been to the Peacock Sea before, so he knew that the visit was to the Grand Daoist Master of the Nine Mounds Dao Lineage, who maintained close ties with the Supreme Yang Dao lineage.
Tinglan spoke up, "Several Merciful Ones and Master Monks have already arrived outside the mountain in recent days. Though no Mahas have appeared, there are quite a few lesser figures, and they do not lack the courage to provoke us."
"The Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators below fight every day. Casualties are inevitable, but for now they remain within acceptable limits. None of the direct descendants from the various families have suffered major losses. The enemy's Merciful Ones have acted three times in total, each time sending three or four of them to lead the formation. They withdraw as soon as they probe, clearly testing the manpower within the formation.
"Judging from the golden bodies, at least Daisi and Nuzi have been driven here like hounds and horses. I see no sign of other Dao lineages, but there were traces of a Buddha-land contained within the body. It is most likely the Compassion Dao."
As the dominant power of Yan State and the most active Dao among the northern Buddhists, the appearance of the Compassion Dao was clearly not good news. It made Li Ximing frown, yet the others showed little surprise, as if it were only to be expected.
The last conflict between north and south was also led by the Compassion Dao...
Tinglan looked seriously at Li Ximing and said, "There is no sense in waiting day after day for them to come knocking at our door. Since Zhaojing has come out of seclusion and senior have returned, we should lead a force ourselves and test their strength."
The two-year deadline was approaching, and everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the sword immortal Daoist Master Louxing.
Although the sword immortal's deterrence had not yet fully faded, Daoist Master Louxing had already ascended Luoxia and perished there. The north would be well aware of this, meaning the supposed deterrence no longer existed. Therefore, before that moment arrived, it would be best to probe the enemy's strength.
Purple Smoke Gate had gained Kan Ziyu, which meant an additional trump card, but the Buddhist cultivators of the north were not blind. Their abilities in deduction were stronger than most immortal cultivators, and they surely already knew about it. Once matters broke out, it was possible that the north would arrive before Mount Tangdao even moved.
In truth, it would have been best if Louxing had hung on to one last breath and remained like a withered bone in a tomb, keeping news of his death concealed. Yet the old man has already given everything in this life. He fulfilled his wish and slew a Maha before dying, which was already a great effort. How could he be troubled further for the sake of Xiukui Dao Gate...
Kuiqi's expression gradually darkened. "I have long made preparations for this..."
Before he could finish, a white-robed cultivator passed through the formation. A sword was strapped to his back, and he wore the attire of a Daoist. Handsome and imposing, his aura surged powerfully. It was none other than Daoist Master Zhusheng, the Jade True sword cultivator from the southern border!
After entering the formation, he bowed to the group and said with a smile, "Greetings, Fellow Daoists."
Li Ximing returned the salute and nodded silently, understanding dawning in his heart as he thought, So that is how it is. The Supreme Yang Dao lineage had already discussed matters beforehand and was simply waiting for the right moment to act. However, Kuiqi is a proud man who would never allow others to act for nothing. He brought up the matter of the spirit embryo and specifically invited Master Dingyang, making him set aside the spirit artifacts in his furnace and agree to my matter before anything else.
Originally, he should have had another three to five days. Ning Wan would have returned from the south; all the helpers would have gathered; and then they would formally invite me up the mountain. But Kan Ziyu suddenly broke through. Since everyone has already met, they invited me over directly, which is why Ning Wan is nowhere to be seen.
His heart tightened as he thought, They even invited Daoist Master Zhusheng from the distant southern border. If they are willing to lower their pride this much, how could the closer Chunyi Dao Gate not come? Chen Yin of the Chen Family of Yuyang Prefecture is even easier to call upon. Southern Shun Raksha is harder to say. If Ning Wan sets aside Dao lineage considerations for a moment, how could Daoist Master Luo refuse to come?
Kuiqi is a man of great resolve. Once he seized Mount Tangdao, he committed himself with full force. Unless the Buddhist cultivators are struck hard, he will never withdraw his blade. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
The Jade True Daoist Master then asked, "May I ask where Daoist Master Zhugong is now?"
Tinglan replied with some embarrassment, "It is hard to say. I asked several times but found no trace of her. She has probably entered seclusion."
That was not particularly strange. Li Ximing pondered inwardly. It was unlikely that Daoist Master Zhugong remained unaware of the situation in Jiangnan. Perhaps she was seizing the opportunity to slip away. In any case, her mountain gate lay near Purple Smoke Gate, with the Capital Immortal Dao bearing the brunt before her. Hardening her heart and not returning would be the wisest course.
Even if she did come, it would not be easy to reveal it. If Chunyi Dao Gate were present, Zhugong's origins in the Eastern Sea could never truly be washed clean. It would be one thing if she were still at full strength, but if she bore injuries, how could she dare to reveal herself?
Li Ximing now understood Ning Wan's purpose in traveling to the Southern Sea. He watched as Kuiqi rose with his hands behind his back and said, "Mount Tangdao lies between two regions. To the north stretch the Lower Luo[1] Plains, backed by the fertile lands of White River Stream. It is truly a strategic gate between north and south. To the west it connects to Xiaoshi, to the east to Chengyun.
“We hold the terrain advantage, reinforced by a great formation and commanding the heights. The Buddhist cultivators' forces are scattered across the north and cannot easily concentrate. The mountain itself divides northward into three ridges, which alone will trouble them greatly.
"Lotus Temple has not intervened yet. The nearest Buddhist sect lies at Qinling Mountain, which is far from here. Thus they have established temples in the regions of Xiaoshi, Lower Luo, and Timber Mountain, corresponding respectively to the west, north, and east."
Kuiqi finished gravely, "The three locations must each be guarded. Timber Mountain connects with Chengyun, so Zhaojing will go there. Mount Xiaoshi will be left to Tinglan. As for us, we will strike straight in from the north and begin with a battle."
Kuiqi's plan contained little elaborate calculation. After all, distance meant almost nothing to Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. Without another Purple Mansion Realm cultivator holding them back, crossing the great void would take hardly any time.
Li Ximing, who possessed the Heaven-Venerating Gate, and Tinglan, who held the Purple Throne Serene Spirit Pavilion, were naturally the most suitable for such tasks. One would go west and the other east, tying down the Buddhist cultivators' forces, while Kuiqi and the others pushed deep inside to destroy the northern Buddhist forces of considerable scale.
After considering the matter, Li Ximing replied, "If you have instructions, simply summon me with a jade talisman. I obtained some Buddhist cultivator implements earlier. I may be able to make a trip to Chengyun with them."
Kuiqi smiled and said, "Of course. I was just about to mention it. Someone should inform the Chengyun side. Given Timber Mountain's position, if the situation turns unfavorable, we may need to trouble them to provide you with support.
"As for the Glazed Radiance Kasaya in your hand, it is no ordinary item. Lotus Temple has already mentioned it and even sent someone to inquire. Their people are also around Chengyun Gate, so it should naturally be possible to exchange it for something good."
1. 洛 (Luò) is a Chinese character commonly associated with the Luo River, a tributary of the Yellow River in northern China. It often appears in place names such as Luoyang (洛阳) and regional terms like 洛下 ("the lands downstream of the Luo River"). In classical and literary usage, it can broadly refer to regions connected with the Luo River valley. ☜
