"Oh." Gong Shaoci slightly cupped his hands. "Willing to hear your wise opinion."
Lan Qiaoyan pointed out to the future son-in-law, "You may not know, but when it cos to survival in desperate situations, that guy Shi Chun has quite a knack for it. Logically speaking, he's not a muddle-headed person; it's impossible for him to back himself into a corner so easily. Could there be so hidden intricacies involved?"
Gong Shaoci sighed bitterly again, "There really is sothing to it. From the information I have, Shi Chun's use of a Secret Technique should never have been exposed. The mistake lies in his prior collaboration with Shudao Mountain. Worse yet, Refining Heaven Sect planted an undercover agent among Shudao Mountain's participants, and it was this agent who exposed the matter of the Secret Technique."
"Is that so?" Lan Qiaoyan appeared contemplative, yet still felt a lingering unease.
She couldn't shake the feeling that sothing was off. Based on her understanding of Shi Chun, he wasn't soone who would be easily tripped up by an undercover agent. In a harsh environnt like the Land of Exile, where loyalty was fleeting and traitors erged from East Nine Plain ti and ti again, Shi Chun had endured countless betrayals.
Of course, nothing is absolute. Only those directly involved would know the full picture, and it would be unwise for outsiders to jump to conclusions.
Just then, knocking ca from outside, accompanied by a shout, "Gong Shao."
Gong Shaoci frowned slightly but knew that anyone coming to disturb him now must have an urgent matter. Apologizing briefly, he went to open the door and stepped outside to speak.
Before long, he hurriedly re-entered, walking quickly to the mother and daughter, who both wore worried expressions. Smiling, he delivered the good news, "Aunt Lan, Lan Lan, it seems everything may be resolved. Qian She applied pressure on the Artifact Refining World, and it actually worked! The Artifact Refining World has given Qian She a response—they agreed to reverse the Divine Fire Spirit Gate. He can send people inside to oversee the situation. Soone will be there to assist Shi Chun from the inside, so he should be able to make it out without issue."
The youthful and radiant face of Miao Yilan instantly brightened, and her gloom was swept away, replaced with a dazzling smile.
Lan Qiaoyan rejoiced but remained sowhat puzzled, "Does Qian She really have that much influence?"
Gong Shaoci smiled and explained, "After all, the Qian Family has that Princess supporting them. Qian She going all out like this concerns the entire Qian Family's reputation. The Artifact Refining World may have had so concerns because of that."
"If that's the case... then it is indeed good news." Lan Qiaoyan nodded slowly, though not without so hesitation.
Truth be told, she still harbored doubts about Qian She's influence. Could Qian She alone truly compel the Artifact Refining World to relinquish such great interests?
But she also trusted the accuracy of Gong Shaoci's sources. He wouldn't deceive her with false reports.
After delivering the good news, Gong Shaoci apologized again and excused himself. With the situation unfolding as it had, he had to go et with Qian She to get a clearer understanding of the developnts.
At the mouth of Qi Yun Valley, Qian She stood with brows raised in delight, watching as Young Master Nan's assembled crew arrived one by one.
"Won, find a few more won," Young Master Nan suddenly demanded after surveying the personnel slated to enter the Divine Fire Domain, as if so idea had just struck him.
Qian She looked utterly baffled at this.
A subordinate of Young Master Nan was equally perplexed. "Sir, what kind of won are you looking for?"
Young Master Nan waved his hand dismissively. "Any won will do. Oh, and preferably younger monks—at least make it so their voices reflect that. Their cultivation level and appearance don't matter."
The bafflent that had just left Qian She's face returned once more.
The task was straightforward, so it was handled quickly. In no ti at all, Young Master Nan's subordinates presented five won—a motley assortnt, to say the least.
Clapping his hands decisively, Young Master Nan declared, "Alright, you'll do. Listen here: when I give the order to shout 'Prince,' you must yell it loud and clear using a magical technique. Your voices should be coquettish and sweet. Got it?"
One of the won appeared puzzled and asked, "Shout what?"
Young Master Nan elaborated, "The 'Prince' as in 'royalty' and 'grandfather combined—Prince!'."
The request was odd, and the won exchanged bewildered glances. However, the pay was generous, so what choice did they have but to comply?
Once he had the personnel organized, and after returning to Qian She's side, Young Master Nan could no longer evade the latter's question.
Qian She finally asked, "What's the point of having that group of won shout?"
Young Master Nan whispered his explanation, "Those sects searching for Shi Chun must have exhausted every avenue by now. If so many people couldn't find him before, it's unlikely a small group like ours will fare any better. Shi Chun didn't include any instructions in the ssage he sent, likely out of caution. He won't fall for traps or reveal himself frivolously. But if these won go in and shout 'Prince,' Shi Chun and his crew will undoubtedly recognize that it's and co forward."
This reasoning was far-fetched. Qian She was montarily stunned before voicing another doubt. "That guy has the audacity to call himself a prince?"
Young Master Nan dismissed his concern with a wave. "Oh, it's not like that. I'll explain the story to you later."
Fair enough. However, Qian She still felt uneasy. "Brother Nan, is it really worth it for you to personally make this trip? There's so degree of risk involved. I think you should reconsider."
After the Artifact Refining World gave its official approval, Young Master Nan volunteered to lead the team inside himself to retrieve Shi Chun.
Indeed, risks were present—a few anomalies had previously disrupted the passage into the Divine Fire Domain, resulting in significant losses. Otherwise, more experts would have tried their luck venturing in ages ago.
For those who had reached a certain standing, gambling with one's life on such uncertainties simply wasn't appealing.
With the Divine Fire Spirit Gate undergoing repeated reversals, the situation only grew more absurd, and the potential dangers increased. Wise n don't walk under crumbling walls. Entering the domain was never a consideration for Qian She, who had no intention of risking his life.
Young Master Nan explained, "Brother Qian, I'm aware of the risks. However, among the people here, I'm the closest to Shi Chun's group. Ti is limited, and sending strangers may only sow mistrust and complicate things. If I go personally, everything will beco much simpler."
Lowering his voice further, he added, "The stakes are this high. If I don't step up, it's hard to explain to my allies. It's my responsibility to turn the tides. If taking a personal risk ensures success, then so be it."
Since he'd made his case, Qian She could only relent. After all, it wouldn't be his own life on the line. At the sa ti, he felt touched. Raising his hand, he gave Young Master Nan's arm a firm pat. "Be careful. I'll assign two capable people to watch your back. If you need anything, don't hesitate to instruct them."
"Much appreciated, much appreciated." Young Master Nan cupped his hands in gratitude.
As he lowered his hands, sothing else crossed his mind. Apologizing to Qian She, he hurried off to find a trusted subordinate, asking, "There won't be any issues with the Heavenly Mirror, will there?"
The subordinate replied, "Definitely not. Once the passage between the two realms was shut, the interference ceased. Even the Mother-child Talismans work again now. The reflections in the Heavenly Mirror will undoubtedly be more stable."
Young Master Nan reminded, "Once people start erging from the domain, the Heavenly Mirror must align with the ones exiting. I tricked Shi Chun once during the Sky Rain teor Conference, and that lesson won't be forgotten. This ti, under the scrutiny of the Four Continents, along with all the enemies Shi Chun has offended, you must ensure the mirror operators avoid projecting images of Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang."
"Understood. I'll make sure they follow your instructions." The subordinate pledged earnestly.
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