Before long, led by the Li Clan steward, Huang Xiujin, the two arrived at the main hall to discuss matters with Li Xinnian.
Originally, Heavenly Monarch Jiang had been anxious. However, after a conversation with Li Xinnian, his heart felt at ease.
Li Xinnian's words were refreshing, like a gentle spring breeze; he appeared truly sincere—a veritable "True Gentleman."
Zhangsun Buhuo, however, remained secretly vigilant in her heart, simply because Li Xinnian resembled Li Chang'an too much.
"Regarding the matter of the alliance, this junior has already spoken with Elder Duanmu of the Eternal Immortal Sect and consulted with the elders of my clan," Li Xinnian said earnestly.
"To set up a separate Immortal Suppression Department would be to completely tear off all pretenses of civility with Wu Neng.
This junior has heard from my grandfather that Wu Neng is a man of extremely narrow-mindedness; however, he also understands how to weigh the pros and cons."
"We should leave him with a shred of dignity. We will let him know that from now on, we will 'heed the summons but ignore the orders,' while retaining our official positions within the Immortal Suppression Department."
"This junior can arrange for you all to travel to the Eastern Border to meet with Crown Prince Feiheng.
From now on, there will be no need to report to the Immortal Suppression Department; instead, you can take orders directly from the Crown Prince."
Hearing this, Zhangsun Buhuo and Jiang Tianjun were overjoyed.
What they sought was to achieve great merits akin to "founding fathers" during the Crown Prince's time, so that when the new Crown Prince ascended the throne, they would soar too.
Wasn't this recommendation from the Li Clan far better than obeying the Immortal Suppression Department?
"Then, This Seat will go find the Sword Pavilion and Elder Duanmu, so we may travel together." Jiang Tianjun laughed heartily.
Li Xinnian nodded.
The three continued to discuss the finer details of the arrangement. However, when the topic turned to the Sword Pavilion, Li Xinnian frowned repeatedly.
"Heavenly Monarch Jiang, are you saying that after the battle at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, a major event occurred within the Sword Pavilion?"
"Mn." Jiang Tianjun said,
"That Sword Master of the Sword Pavilion truly does not know what is good for him.
During the battle at the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, we went there specifically to rescue your two Li Clan friends, yet the Sword Master led his people away without a moment's hesitation.
Afterward, we paid a visit to the Sword Pavilion; while we cannot dictate the Sword Master's decisions, we ultimately need to cooperate with them. However, unexpectedly, the Sword Pavilion's mountain gates were sealed tight. It seems we will have to make another trip."
Zhangsun Buhuo smiled and asked, "Is His Excellency the Sword Venerable at home? The Sword Venerable is most familiar with the Sword Pavilion. If he is present, it would be easier to discuss matters with him."
"That would be best. I will notify my elder immediately."
As Li Xinnian's voice faded, Huang Xiujin arrived. Without shying away from the guests, he reported,
"Patriarch, the compensation from the Immortal Suppression Department has arrived. Zhao Guang delivered it personally; he left a storage ring and departed immediately."
"Compensation?!!"
Zhangsun Buhuo stood up abruptly. "What kind of compensation did Wu Neng give you?"
Li Xinnian blinked.
Jiang Tianjun was already frowning.
"My Heavenly Monarch Dao Sanctuary suffered disastrous casualties, yet Wu Neng only granted us two Region Prince titles and one official position at the Divinity Transformation realm.
As for Dharma Treasures, there was only a single Mid-grade treasure and a collection of spirit materials."
"My Zhangsun Clan fared no better." Zhangsun Buhuo wore a look of grief.
"The two who were sacrificed were in-laws of my Zhangsun Clan; I don't even know how to explain this to their families.
Wu Neng caused the deaths of my clan's kin, yet he dismisses us as if sending away beggars. It is bullying of the highest order!"
The two of them looked at Li Xinnian in unison.
Meeting their gaze, Li Xinnian found it difficult to empathize with them.
Seeing the faint smile on Huang Xiujin's face, he simply said, "Supreme-grade Dharma Treasures."
"What?!!"
In an instant, Zhangsun Buhuo and Jiang Tianjun narrowed their eyes. Having lost all mood for further discussion, they took their leave.
Li Xinnian stood side by side with Huang Xiujin, watching the two depart in a fit of rage.
Huang Xiujin remarked, "Patriarch, injustice breeds enmity. From now on, these two families will never trust Wu Neng again; it is hatred piled upon hatred."
Li Xinnian remained silent, a cold glint in his eyes. If not for his lack of strength, he would have wished for nothing more than to kill Wu Neng right then and there.
If the family did not possess the Old Ancestor—skilled as he was in concealment—and if they did not possess prior knowledge of the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, he feared they would have met the same fate as the other major powers.
Furthermore, if the family were truly weak and lacked these layers of connections in the background, he feared they wouldn't have received even a scrap of compensation.
Immediately, Li Xinnian stopped dwelling on the matter.
Suppressing his anger at the filth of the Imperial Court, he used the family teleportation formations to head towards the Thunder-Fire Devil Cave.
The Thunder-Fire Devil Cave had once again returned to its former state, overrun with devilish figures.
It had become a gathering place for Devil Cultivators and was also the location of the Li Clan's dungeon.
Whenever evildoers appeared in the Azure Cloud Prefecture, they were invariably sent here to be dealt with by the Devil Cultivators.
Deep within the Thunder-Fire Devil Cave...
The Li Clan elders were all present. However, there were also many strangers.
Most notably, a middle-aged man with an extraordinary bearing sat on the ground, his face filled with grief, sighing repeatedly.
There was also a woman dressed in white robes with high slits revealing the fair skin of her long legs; her face was filled with rage.
Lying beside her was a child whose body was shrouded in pervading black mist.
Hovering in the air was a monk with kind brows and benevolent eyes. His earlobes hung down to his cheeks, and thirteen ordination scars marked his head as he chanted Buddhist scriptures.
Over three hundred cultivators with impressive cultivation bases stood nearby, wearing various masks to conceal their auras.
Their expressions were filled with worry and doubt regarding their future prospects.
Li Xinnian bowed and paid his respects. "Greetings to all the elders: Holy Monk Yidian, Huan Gui, He Hao, and all seniors."
An old red tree appeared particularly dazzling within the dim interior of the Devil Cave.
Li Changyao leaned against the tree trunk, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Li Changsheng sat perched on a branch, chewing on a small twig, staying low-profile.
The fugitive, Imperial Concubine Ji, stood solemnly before Li Yaoqing.
"Medicine Master, the Dao Seed within my body has been removed. Please send me back to the Imperial Palace. I must personally denounce the Peerless Hall to His Majesty!"
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