Bright and spotless was the grand hall.
Shangguan Yunyue sat in a chair, her fingers lightly tapping on the armrest, a look of hesitation on her face. "Nangong Qi, do you think... secretly supporting bandits... is the right thing to do?"
"Eh?" Nangong Qi was stunned. "Palace Master, you..."
Sighing softly, Shangguan Yunyue said, "These days, I've been pondering whether our initial choice to secretly back bandits in opposition to the officials was right or wrong."
"It was definitely right," Nangong Qi nodded with certainty. "Over the years, if it weren't for the entanglents with the bandits, the officials' power would have definitely surged multiple tis. By then, our days would have been difficult."
"Our days have been better, but the common people's days have beco harder."
"Palace Master... why are you so sentintal today?"
"As one grows older, one's thoughts also gradually change."
Nangong Qi looked at Shangguan Yunyue, who was sighing repeatedly, filled with confusion. What exactly was going on with her?
"I've made my decision." Shangguan Yunyue stood up, her tone decisive. "Starting today, Piaomiao Palace will no longer support the bandits. We'll draw a clear line, no further dealings." Having said that, Shangguan Yunyue added, "If necessary, Piaomiao Palace might even aid the officials in dealing with the bandits."
"Ah?" Nangong Qi's eyes widened. "Palace Master, you can't do this! You just can't!"
"Why can't I?" Shangguan Yunyue said indifferently. "I am the Palace Master. What I say goes."
"You are the Palace Master, it's true, but you can't just act recklessly." Nangong Qi urgently said, "Secretly supporting the bandits was a strategy set by the previous Palace Master and was supported by many elders. If you cut ties with the bandits now, you are questioning the forr Palace Master's decisions. Those elders will definitely not agree... And... If the previous Palace Master in closed-door cultivation finds out... He will surely be angry..." The aning Nangong Qi wanted to express was simple: the forr Palace Master was still alive, and he held high prestige in Piaomiao Palace. If Shangguan Yunyue acted rashly, the forr Palace Master would surely intervene, leaving Shangguan Yunyue in a difficult situation.
Although Shangguan Yunyue was the Palace Master, she couldn't just do as she pleased.
In this world, no matter who it was, everyone faced restrictions. The only difference was that so people had more restrictions and others had fewer.
"The forr Palace Master has been in closed-door cultivation for a life-and-death trial for many years now." Shangguan Yunyue spoke expressionlessly. "Centuries have passed, and he has never erged." The ssage Shangguan Yunyue wanted to convey was also simple: if the forr Palace Master had been in closed-door cultivation for centuries without erging, the likelihood of his demise was very high. If the forr Palace Master was dead, how could he stop Shangguan Yunyue?
Nangong Qi's face twitched. "The forr Palace Master Hong Fu has boundless fortune. He will never perish."
"I don't wish to discuss the forr Palace Master's life or death with you," Shangguan Yunyue frowned slightly. "Right now, I only want to discuss the matter of the bandits with you. Over the years, the bandits have acted with unrestrained violence, killing how many common people? If this continues unchecked, it will eventually lead to disaster."
"Palace Master, you weren't like this before, why now..."
"I've already said that people's thoughts change with ti."
"But..."
"There are no buts. My mind is made up. Don't try to persuade further."
"Palace Master, have you considered what the other Sects and families will think if Piaomiao Palace severs ties with the bandits? Don't forget, we once had an agreent with them..."
"Even if they have opinions, what of it? Am I supposed to be afraid of them?"
"Palace Master, actions like this could bring major trouble to Piaomiao Palace, and if handled poorly, could plunge our sect into a calamity from which it might never recover."
"You're being alarmist," Shangguan Yunyue snorted. "Piaomiao Palace is the foremost sect in the Human Territory, with unparalleled strength; we fear no challenges." At this point, Shangguan Yunyue added another sentence, "We make a clear distinction between ourselves and bandits, and by helping the officials combat them, we'll surely earn the governnt's recognition and favor. When that ti cos, the governnt will beco our ally and backer. If other sects and families dare to trouble Piaomiao Palace, the officials will certainly not stand idly by. With the governnt supporting us, what is there to fear?"
Nangong Qi blinked his eyes, "Palace Master, are you doing this to forge an alliance with the governnt?"
"That's only one aspect of it."
"What about the others...?"
"Enough, don't ask anymore. What you need to know, I will naturally tell you. What I don't want you to know is useless to ask about."
"Palace Master, have you really decided? Are you going to go through with this?"
"I've decided!" Shangguan Yunyue nodded emphatically. "I'm entrusting this matter to you. Don't ss it up."
Nangong Qi opened his mouth wanting to say more, but seeing Shangguan Yunyue's indifferent expression, he swallowed his words and left the great hall with a helpless sigh.
Upon exiting the great hall, Nangong Qi furrowed his brow, his face a picture of distress. What on earth had happened to Shangguan Yunyue? Why had her temperant changed so drastically? Sothing must have occurred! Over the years, Nangong Qi had been pursuing Shangguan Yunyue but had never succeeded. Previously, Shangguan Yunyue had been quite polite to him, occasionally dining and chatting together. Though they could not be lovers, they might still be friends, but now... her attitude towards him had grown much colder.
"I must figure this out!" A fierce light glinted in Nangong Qi's eyes.
Under Shangguan Yunyue's insistent demands, Piaomiao Palace made a clear break with the bandits. This ti, it was no joke, but a serious move! Piaomiao Palace's actions infuriated other sects and families, many of whom sent envoys to question what the Palace ant by this. Why betray an agreent?
At first, Piaomiao Palace treated these "guests" with courteous hospitality. Later... Piaomiao Palace directly closed its mountain gate, refusing to see anyone.
If polite overtures didn't work, they would resort to force!
Dozens of sects and families united to send experts to "visit" Piaomiao Palace. It was called a visit, but in reality, it was troublemaking. Decidedly, these sects and families wouldn't rest until Piaomiao Palace provided a satisfactory response.
The Human Territory, having just enjoyed several months of peace, was once again bustling with activity.
Several months ago, Piaomiao Palace had faced a siege by the authorities; now, months later, it was under siege by various major sects and families. Living peacefully was becoming increasingly difficult.
...
While Piaomiao Palace was facing a crisis, Gao Fei had already infiltrated the Demon Realm.
"This is the Demon Realm?" Gao Fei surveyed his surroundings with surprise and admiration. "It really is different from the Human Territory, very different. The Demon Territory seems sowhat desolate compared to the Human Territory."
"Don't jump to conclusions so quickly," Immortal Master Huang stroked his little mustache. "This is the fringe of Demon Territory where the climate is cold and inhospitable to humans, which is why it appears desolate. Once we enter the heartland, you'll see the prosperity of Demon Territory."
"Oh? Is that so!" Gao Fei beca interested. "Then I'll be watching with eager anticipation."
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