Translator: Kazeyuki_ Editor: Jimmy_
The Stargaze did it?
Instantly, Shi Chenglong’s expression became complicated and he quickly thought about possibilities. What did Tan Zhongchi mean with his words? Was he joking, or showing his power indirectly?
Regarding personal strength or mental strength, Tan Zhongchi had the absolute advantage when he was facing Shi Chenglong. Thus, he appeared rather calm and watched him with a smile. Yet, he did not explain anything.
Shi Chenglong calmed himself down and smiled: “Palace Master Tan, I think that Archaic Mysteries sect is on the same level as the Stargaze and the Dragon sect. It’s not easy to destroy them in a few days. Are you sure you are not joking with me?”
Tan Zhongchi only smiled and shook his head. However, Qin Wushuang who was behind him said with ease: “Head Dragon Shi, that Archaic Mysteries sect lured the wolf into the den and attracted the Nine Palace. They intended to seize all eastern profits. The Stargaze only did it in the name of peace.”
To act in the name of peace? Stunned, Shi Chenlong looked at Qin Wushuang. Inwardly, many other thoughts arrived quickly. What was happening today? In the past, Tan Zhongchi was inferior to him in strength and position. He would never act with such ease before him.
And today, Tan Zhongchi’s expression and appearance appeared extremely graceful. He was free of any pressure and worries.
Most importantly, it seemed that these two young disciples did not put him, a head of a sect in the eyes, as they looked at him with their faint mischievous smiles on their faces.
Qin Wushuang’s words were the best proof.
After all, Shi Chenglong was a head of the sect. Before he learned the truth, of course, he had to conceal his emotions. He said with a smile: “Palace Master Tan, this way, the Archaic annihilation were truly done in by the Stargaze.”
“Yes, it’s true.” Tan Zhongchi nodded.
After a moment’s pause, Shi Chenglong asked again: “At the end of the last year, your honorable Head Zhuo had paid a visit to my sect. He talked about the invasion of the Nine Palace. I just didn’t know whether this is true or not.”
Tan Zhongchi laughed: “With the intelligence network of the Dragon and Tiger sect, I believe that you won’t need me to speak about the truth of it. Head Shi, our Head Palace Master initially wished we and you would protect the eastern territories together. Unfortunately, you evaded him and forced the Stargaze to stand alone. Luckily, the heavens took pity on us and the Stargaze did not fall like this. The one that collapsed was the Archaic sect, who lured the wolf into the den. Head Shi, don’t you think some things in this world is just too miraculous.”
Shi Chenglong smiled apologetically: “I am afraid that I don’t know what you mean.”
“The Archaic Mysteries sect truly intended to borrow the power of the Nine Palace and take over the east. They wanted to destroy the Stargaze, the spur in their foot. However, they didn’t expect that despite their perfect calculations, they were the ones that would be destroyed. Isn’t this the way the world works?”
Shi Chenglong sighed: “On this point, it’s truly regrettable how the giant Archaic sect has ceased to exist.”
Tan Zhongchi said with a smile: “Indeed, Head Shi is an emotional person. To the Stargaze, the destruction of the Archaic is not only not regrettable, but something we desired. This way, it would make the future of the eastern empires much brighter, wouldn’t it be a good thing?”
Shi Chenglong said: “For thousand of years, the east was governed by three empires. Once the situation becomes imbalanced, it’s not easy to predict the future. It would be much easier for the foreign powerhouses to invade when the three empires no longer govern together.”
Tan Zhongchi said: “Head Shi, you have the cause and effect reversed. Because the Archaic sect had lured the in foreign powerhouses, it led to their destruction. The foreign powerhouses did not come after their destruction.”
Shi Chenglong just shook his head silently with a bitter smile.
Suddenly, Qin Wushuang said: “I think that the situation in the east will not suffer a terrible future, instead it will become brighter.”
Tan Zhongchi agreed with it profoundly as he kept nodding.
Shi Chenglong said with surprise: “What do you mean?”
Tan Zhongchi said with a smile: “Head Shi only needs to watch and you will know when the time comes.”
Shi Chenglong was displeased: “Today, your words sound displeasing. I must ask, is Head Palace Master Zhuo at the Stargaze?”
Tan Zhongchi said with ease: “When I speak, I always speak nicely to the people who talk straightforwardly. And displeasing to people who do not. Do you think you talk directly?”
“Of course I do.”
Tan Zhongchi said: “I am afraid not! On that day, my Head Palace Master journeyed far to your Dragon sect. In that moment of life and death, your sect knew the situation and still you wanted to protect only yourself. You did not dare to join in an alliance to resist against the Nine Palace. Just this point alone speaks to your ‘straightforwardness.’ And since then, our relationship has become less honest.”
Shi Chenglong said angrily: “Did you speak these words according Head Palace Master Zhuo’s intention?”
“The Head Palace Master is in isolation training and he has no idea that you are visiting. However, I am afraid any other Palace Masters would have such intention.”
Shi Chenglong said with a cold smile: “I don’t believe that Head Palace Master Zhuo would not know how to judge the bigger picture.”
“What do you mean by judging the bigger picture?” Tan Zhongchi asked lightly.
“The thousand year relationship between our two sects is the bigger picture. The unpredictable future of the east requires we discuss it together, this is the bigger picture!”
Tan Zhongchi could not help but laugh and shook his head: “Head Dragon Shi, if you had remembered the relationship between the two of our sects during our request for aid against the Nine Palace, then that would be called seeing the bigger picture. However, today, it is too late. As for the future of the east, the Stargaze does not plan to discuss it with anyone. Head Shi, you only need to focus on your own internal affairs.”
When he said that, suddenly, Tan Zhongchi laughed: “Head Shi, allow me to ask an offensive question.”
“Sure.” Shi Chenglong’s expression darkened.
“If that Nine Palace invaded your Dragon and Tiger sect, how would you fend them off?”
Shi Chenglong said: “The Dragon and Tiger sect does not have a grudge with the Nine Palace, why would the they invade us?”
Tan Zhongchi said coldly: “This way, the Nine Palace holds a hatred of the Stargaze? Why would they invade us? Head Dragon Shi, you always thought that the Nine Palace invaded the Stargaze because of a personal grudge, and not because they were targeting the entire east. Thus, you felt that forming an alliance with the Stargaze Palace will make you suffer a loss, and drag you down into the deep water, right?”
These words left Shi Chenglong unable to respond.
This was Tan Zhongchi’s strategy as he intended to weaken Shi Chenglong’s temperament. By that time, when the Head Palace Master made the final call, the Dragon and Tiger sect would not be able to do anything and would cooperate them without resistance. Thus, the situation of three empires governance would end. The Stargaze Palace would take over the entire eastern territory.
Suddenly, Tan Zhongchi laughed: “Head Dragon Shi, I am stepping over of my bounds with my words, please forgive me. The gains and losses are all in the past. Let’s look forward. It will be as it is. Once the situation has passed, no human could reverse it.”
Shi Chenglong could not understand Tan Zhongchi’s words. He felt that vividly, Tan Zhongchi was hinting at him and making threats, or as if he was reminding him.
Indeed, he was feeling dreadful inwardly. The Stargaze Palace had declared themselves responsible for the destruction of the Archaic Mysteries sect. However, when did the Stargaze Palace have the ability to annihilate the Archaic so easily and quickly?
If they truly had such power, wouldn’t they also be able to annihilate the Dragon and Tiger sect?
When he thought here, just as he was about to speak, Tan Zhongchi said: “Head Shi, my Head Palace Master will come out of isolation training soon. How about staying here for a few days?”
Shi Chenglong still felt that Zhuo Buqun was the most trustworthy person in the Stargaze Palace. He immediately nodded: “Sure, I will wait until Head Zhuo comes out.”
Tan Zhongchi said with a smile: “Wei Yi, go instruct others to serve Head Shi well. You shall not neglect our important guests.”
Wei Yi laughed: “Of course, the Stargaze never neglect guests.”
“I will take my leave then.”
Tan Zhongchi cupped his hands toward Shi Chenglong and left with Qin Wushuang and Wei Yi. When he walked out the door, Tan Zhongchi could not help but smile.
Both Qin Wushuang and Wei Yi also revealed a smile. Today, Shi Chenglong no longer had the temperament as a head after their meeting. Apparently, the recent unpredictable and unstable eastern outlook was deeply tormenting the nerves of this Head.
Qin Wushuang walked out of the front palace and planned to return to the Green Cloud. Suddenly, a person rapidly approached them. Qin Wushuang fixed his gaze and saw that it was Emissary Liu.
This Emissary Liu was Qin Wushuang’s old acquaintance. Initially, when Old Devil Ji Yin had gone to cause a ruckus at the Bai Yue Country, Emissary Liu had offered him tremendous help. Thus, Qin Wushuang still felt grateful to Emissary Liu.
“Emissary Liu, why are you in a hurry?” Qin Wushuang greeted with a smile.
Emissary Liu was overjoyed when he saw Qin Wushuang: “Wushuang, I was just looking for you. I didn’t expect to find you here. There is a letter came from the imperial capital of the Great Luo Empire. They said it must be delivered to your hands.”
A letter?
Qin Wushuang took it and opened it. There was only one paper inside with a dozen graceful written words—An old Friend invites you to meet at the White Cloud Building of the Great Luo Empire, see you there.
This letter only had this single sentence and no signature or initials. Qin Wushuang was full of doubts when he held this letter in hand. The letters appeared graceful and should have been written by a girl. He had never made much friends with girls, who could it be?
“Emissary Liu, who delivered this letter?”
Emissary Liu smiled bitterly: “This letter arrived together with a large batch of letters from the imperial capital. Only this letter was somewhat special. There was a note attached to the letter that said Qin Wushuang must be the one to see it. I thought that it must be urgent and delivered it myself.”
“Thank you, Emissary Liu.” Qin Wushuang thanked him.
Since he had nothing to do, it would not hurt to see who had invited him. Qin Wushuang thought of many ideas and wondered: “Could it be that Miss Mu Rong? Besides her, who else could it be? However, Miss Mu Rong only saw the me with my mask on. And I did not tell her my true name. Could it be that she has already guessed my identity?”
With this doubt in mind, he wanted to learn the truth.
He immediately bid goodbye to Emissary Liu and informed Tan Zhongchi. Then, he headed to the imperial capital. The Stargaze Palace was located about a hundred miles to the southeast of the imperial capital. Thus, he arrived there in a moment.
With Qin Wushuang’s identity, he only needed to show his National Scholar Command Plate to enter and leave the imperial capital. After a moment, he found the White Cloud Building.
