Chapter 408: Chapter 126 The Art of Pie Drawing
Enemy or ally?
"At this point in time, for you to still discuss being enemies or allies, it truly invites ridicule," Zhang Daoyi said coldly.
Even though Yuan Zhen was killed by Jiang Li, despite Yuan Zhen being at fault, Zhang Daoyi had no thoughts of revenge, but to be friends? Better to forgo that thought.
Jiang Li didn’t find this surprising.
In this world, there are those who support justice over kinship, but there are exceedingly few who can still become friends with someone who has killed their kin. At least, Zhang Daoyi was not one of them.
However, this didn’t stop Jiang Li from continuing to speak.
"Fellow Daoist, your words are mistaken."
While Zhang Daoyi addressed him as "you," Jiang Li still called him "Fellow Daoist" very familiarly. He said, "There are no permanent enemies or friends in this world. Just like the Daode Sect is from the Three Pure Ones Sect and the Taiping Sect is from the Three Emperors Sect, they have cooperated tacitly in the past."
Of course, he was referring to Yuan Zhen’s help with Yang Ji’s creation of the drought.
"Fellow Daoist should also be aware that the Taiping Sect’s invitation to the various factions of Mystic Sect to discuss the Dao is, in reality, a preparation for rebellion. For your sect, this represents a splendid opportunity."
Jiang Li spoke eloquently, "The Taiping Sect has preached for many years, with followers spread across the Nine Provinces. Should they fall, there will be significant vacuums, which will be a chance for expansion for the Three Pure Ones Sect. I can promise on behalf of the court that if your sect helps the court quell the rebellion, the court will lift the ban on the Three Pure Ones Sect, allowing the members of your sect to travel and preach throughout the land."
"The court will be able to suppress the rebellion, and your sect will be able to preach across the world. To achieve two goals with one action, is that not wonderful?"
Upon hearing these words, even with Zhang Daoyi’s composure, his heart rippled.
It wasn’t the prospect of preaching across the world that he craved, but he was shocked by Jiang Li’s audacious claims.
The Three Pure Ones Sect had been suppressed for over eight hundred years, with all their Daoist temples in various provinces not adding up to a hundred—a testament to how wary the court was of the Three Pure Ones Sect.
Yet now, Jiang Li was suggesting opening this gap.
To be honest, after hearing this, Zhang Daoyi didn’t know whether he himself was moved or not, but he was aware that if these words reached the sect, someone would surely be tempted.
To be friends... or perhaps temporary allies based on mutual interest, it was indeed possible.
On Jiang Li’s side, seeing Zhang Daoyi not respond immediately, he knew this young Daoist was just too naive and didn’t understand the art of making grand promises.
Preaching across the world, while beautiful in thought, wouldn’t be easy for the Three Pure Ones Sect, which had been suppressed for over eight hundred years, especially under the current widespread devotion to the Three Emperors.
And, the court might well renege on its promises.
There are innumerable paths in this world, but in the end, all paths are built on the foundation of sufficient strength.
If, after everything ends, the Three Emperors Sect is weakened and the Three Pure Ones Sect strengthened, then even without this promise, the Three Pure Ones Sect would naturally take the initiative to strike. Conversely, if the Three Emperors Sect remains powerful, then even with this promise, the future the Three Pure Ones Sect desires might not materialize.
Jiang Li was bold enough to say such things not only here but even to the people of Buddha Country.
As long as they dared to confront the Taiping Sect, Jiang Li dared to make promises.
Allies—unless you strive to gain them, you risk others winning them over, and in the push and pull, the gaps widen. Moreover, having them remain neutral and detached is not appropriate; one must pull them into the fray, and everyone flounders together, for that is the proper course.
Jiang Li didn’t come to Liangzhou Province just to demonstrate Dao Fruit; he also intended to meddle in the affairs of the Taiping Sect.
Zhang Daoyi pondered for a moment before finally speaking, "As for this matter, I shall inform the Sect, and the Sect Master and my senior brother will make the decision."
"Then I, Jiang Li, shall await the good news."
Jiang Li chuckled as he spoke and was about to leave. But before he left, as if he suddenly remembered something, he said, "Oh right, there’s one thing I forgot to tell Fellow Daoist. Young Sect Leader Yang Ji of the Taiping Sect died in the Heavenly Prison, killed by Lawless Freedom."
Events were rapidly changing in the Divine Capital, and Yang Ji’s death could be seen as an inconsequential matter, not even publicly disclosed, with only a select few aware of it.
However, for Zhang Daoyi, the impact of this news was even greater than that of the previous promise.
Because Lawless Freedom was now Li Qinglian.
This meant that in Liangzhou Province, Li Qinglian now faced not only the Yin Law Department but also the Taiping Sect.
"Is this true?" Zhang Daoyi’s gaze fluctuated.
"Of course it is true."
Jiang Li smiled, giving Zhang Daoyi a meaningful look, "I, Jiang Li, have always treated people with sincerity and never lied."
After these words, he slowly stepped back, and a gentle breeze blew by, disappearing along with Jiang Li and his chair.
Less than two breaths after his departure, a figure quietly appeared beside Zhang Daoyi.
With a visage that looked past the prime of life, fine brows and eyebrows, and a long beard fluttering in the wind, wearing a double-bun and a robe with wide sleeves, and straw sandals, he exuded an air of transcendence—it was Daoist Wenxu of the Daode Sect.
"What a formidable young man."
Daoist Wenxu looked at where Jiang Li had been, his fingers flickering with divination, "With such a strong Qi Shu and profound karma, even I cannot divine it, and what’s most important is that he just now detected my presence."
That last glance was indeed aimed at Daoist Wenxu.
With the brewing storm in Liangzhou Province, even as the Daode Sect sought to temper their disciples, they wouldn’t leave Zhang Daoyi alone here; he naturally had protectors by his side.
"Senior Brother Wen Xu, what do you think of Jiang Li’s words?" asked Zhang Daoyi.
"What else is there to think? It’s all empty talk, no substantial promises. When it comes to quelling the Taiping Sect, who knows what will happen," Daoist Wenxu stopped his divination, expressing his annoyance, "This youngster is cut from the same cloth as his master; both are exceptionally cunning."
"Are you planning to continue on to the Taiping Sect?" Zhang Daoyi asked again.
"Go, of course we must go."
Daoist Wen Xu sighed, "We have no choice but to go. At the very least, we need to see if the Taiping Sect also recognizes Li Qinglian as Lawless Freedom. If they do, then..."
To have killed their direct disciple, there was no way to make amends now.
At that time, Daoist Wen Xu would have to take action to cause some trouble for the Taiping Sect, lest they join the pursuit as well.
Fortunately, the Daode Sect had originally planned to remain a spectator and had no intention of helping the Taiping Sect, so interfering covertly was not a problem.
The only big issue was that the Daode Sect, most likely, would not be able to join the Taiping Sect.
On the other hand, the court was not united as one; at least, based on the current situation, Lawless Freedom and Jiang Li seemed to have an understanding, collaborating on quite a few actions.
Although Daoist Wen Xu could not understand why Li Qinglian had become Lawless Freedom, nor why he did not deny being Lawless Freedom.
"The wind is rising and the clouds are churning in Divine Capital, with the Emperor moving to the West Garden, a woman acting as regent. Now with the Taiping Sect stirring, this world is indeed about to descend into chaos."
Daoist Wen Xu said, his eyes flickering with a subtle glint.
’Perhaps, the opportunity that the Sect Master has been anticipating is coming.’
...
A gentle breeze passed over the mountain range, and at the end of the perilous path, a wheelchair seemed to emerge from the void, appearing silently.
"Your Highness."
"Wang!"
Xiao Tian and the Bull-headed both appeared almost simultaneously, calling out to Jiang Li, who waved his hand and said, "Let’s go, next, we continue to clean up Devil Cultivators."
With the Daode Sect now at ease, thanks to the burden of assassinating Yang Ji falling on Lawless Freedom, two factions with existing grudges were even less likely to cooperate.
In contrast, the Daode Sect might actually stabilize the chaos in the world for Jiangshan Sheji.
’This point can be seen from the fact that the expert from the Daode Sect did not show himself—that is, if the Daode Sect was truly determined to rebel, the best choice would be to directly capture me. So, the Daode Sect does not want rebellion... Does that mean they, unlike the Upper Pure Sect, do not wish to be suppressed?’
Jiang Li pondered in his heart, ’But Yuan Zhen helped the Taiping Sect create a severe drought, so... Rebellion is not the goal; chaos, or rather, war is the goal.’
A flash of understanding crossed his mind, and Jiang Li immediately grasped a possibility.
—Promotion.
The Taibai True Monarch of the Daode Sect, he wants to ascend.
This was the only explanation for his actions.
’Promotion, truly an ever-recurring theme,’ Jiang Li thought to himself.
Such was the case with the Immortal Queen, with Taibai True Monarch, and even other third grades might harbor similar thoughts.
Though those attempting to ascend from the third grade would face joint opposition, who would willingly stop there? No one who had reached the third grade lacked the unwillingness to give up their Daoist heart.
The rebellion of the Taiping Sect was almost inevitable, because chaos serves as a ladder to progress.
Even without the desire to ascend through war, chaos could be used to cover the Promotional Ceremony.
Realizing this, Jiang Li had to admit the timing chosen by Sect Leader Zhang was impeccable. Although seeming solitary, he was in fact following the trend, rising with the wind, unstoppable.
Feeling this sentiment, he was about to let Xiao Tian pull the wheelchair away when something occurred to him, and he chose to travel along the path until its end.
This man-made dangerous path was carved into the cliffside, holes dug into the rock, wooden beams fitted into the holes, and then wooden planks laid on top of the beams.
More dangerous than the previous perilous paths, when the mountain wind blew, the planks trembled as if they might fall at any moment.
The wheelchair rolled across the planks, advancing and passing a high ridge. Around the next bend, the scenery changed, and a mist of moisture hit them in the face.
Ahead, a waterfall cascaded down a cliff, reaching the bottom and creating a roaring torrent—a spectacular sight. A clear and solitary figure stood not far on the plank path, hands behind the back, peacefully observing, gazing at the mountain and waterfall.
"I have said before that the next time we meet would be the moment for our confrontation."
The person spoke leisurely, "Are you ready?"
"That is what I should be asking you," Jiang Li replied with a light laugh, looking at the person, "Are you still able to fight me after being relentlessly pursued by the Yin Law Department?"
This person, dressed in simple azure clothes, with a sword at his waist, exuded an air of nonchalance—it was Li Qinglian, now miserably taking the blame on behalf of Jiang Li.
That Li Qinglian was being pursued by the Yin Law Department yet still had the leisure to seek out Jiang Li was unexpected.
"If Li Qinglian does not wish to enter Liangzhou Province, then no matter how the Yin Law Department chases, they could not force Li Qinglian into Liangzhou."
Li Qinglian slowly turned around, looking at Jiang Li, "If Li Qinglian has come to Liangzhou, then it can only mean I wished to come."
Liangzhou would be another land of strife following Divine Capital, so Li Qinglian came. Furthermore, he had predicted that Jiang Li would come, so while Jiang Li was seeking him, he too was waiting for Jiang Li.
Li Qinglian did not voice all of this, but his proud demeanor expressed all his sentiments perfectly.