Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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When Li Yuebai looked up from the case file again, it was already past noon.
“Host,” the system’s voice sounded again, “Because you successfully completed the first two tasks and performed excellently, the system is giving you an extra section of the original plot introduction.”
Every minute and second during the preparation phase was precious, so Li Yuebai asked first, “Is this plot important?”
“It’s related to Peak Master Wan,” the system replied.
Wan Guangliu, a key figure, was certainly not to be ignored, so Li Yuebai immediately agreed to spend time watching the original plot.
The system quickly played the video.
The video was an improvement over the last one, now a three-dimensional holographic one, giving viewers an immersive experience.
The video showed Yu Tianji and the original owner, Mu Qingning, inspecting the various mountain gates before the battle.
Mu Qingning looked as tired as he did now, but his demeanor and temperament remained unchanged. His gaze was gentle, taking in everything. He carefully examined the guards at each location, finding every flaw, and issuing every order at just the right time.
Yu Tianji was also forcing himself to maintain his composure, trying his best to project the aura befitting a Celestial Lord, and his cooperation with Mu Qingning was quite tacit.
Soon, they patrolled the two southern mountain gates— guarded by cultivators from Azure Dragon Peak.
Unexpectedly, just as they reached the gates, an unexpected change occurred.
Azure Dragon Peak Master Wan Guangliu, with a long sword at his waist and a furious expression, strode straight towards Mu Qingning.
“Peak Master Wan, what is it?” Mu Qingning remained composed and gentle.
“High Priest, your tactical arrangement must be flawed, isn’t it?” Wan Guangliu sneered, “Why did you order Peak Master Qiu Ming to guard the main gate, while I was ordered to guard the secondary gate?”
The two southern mountain gates, one the main gate and one the secondary gate, with the main gate being slightly larger and the secondary gate slightly smaller, were considered more important by the cultivators, who believed that guarding the main gate would bring greater merit.
Wan Guangliu and Qiu Ming had always been mortal enemies due to various conflicting interests. Wan Guangliu’s Azure Dragon Peak was stronger, so he had always looked down on Qiu Ming.
But this time, Mu Qingning assigned Qiu Ming to guard the main gate, while he himself was assigned to guard the secondary gate. Wan Guangliu was naturally dissatisfied and directly questioned him in front of everyone.
“Peak Master Wan, my arrangement is well-thought-out and has no intention of disrespecting you,” Mu Qingning smiled. “Everyone, don’t assume that the main gate is always the main gate and the secondary gate is always the secondary gate.”
“Oh? I’d like to hear your reasons!” Wan Guangliu said.
Mu Qingning then explained the reasons for this arrangement in a logical and methodical manner. He spoke quickly and clearly, and everyone was convinced by his explanation.
It turned out that the Demonic Sect was likely to focus their attacks on the secondary gate, and Azure Dragon Peak’s fighting style was more suited to a smaller opening. Therefore, this arrangement was perfectly appropriate.
Wan Guangliu blushed and had no choice but to lower his head, saying, “The High Priest is indeed very thoughtful; I admire him!”
He then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and turned to leave.
Next, the system played another video.
It showed Wan Guangliu in his study on Azure Dragon Peak, discussing matters with several trusted subordinates.
“Peak Master, Mu Qingning really showed you no respect regarding the gatekeeper arrangement!” a female cultivator said. “He clearly knew this arrangement made sense all along, but he deliberately didn’t inform you beforehand, causing a misunderstanding!”
“This subordinate believes that Mu Qingning intentionally suppressed you,” another cultivator added. “He deliberately provoked your displeasure, causing you to argue with him in front of everyone, and then slowly explained his reasons. Everyone in Kunlun must think you were being unreasonable while he was considering the bigger picture.”
“Yes, Mu Qingning has malicious intentions; he must have other motives,” someone else said. “Not to mention that he later pretended to send someone to appease the Peak Master; he’s truly shrewd and opportunistic!”
“Don’t say things like that again.” Wan Guangliu, seeing they had gone too far, feigned anger, saying, “He’s the High Priest of Kunlun, I’m just a Peak Master. How dare you speak ill of him behind his back? You need to follow the rules!”
Although he said this, Li Yuebai could still see that Wan Guangliu, like his subordinates, was very dissatisfied with Mu Qingning.
After the video finished playing, Li Yuebai sighed.
The scene where Mu Qingning persuaded Wan Guangliu looked very familiar, a common plot in various entertainment works in the real world— the supporting character is unreasonable, the protagonist is reasonable and well-founded, and everyone is convinced by the protagonist’s words.
However, given Wan Guangliu’s personality, this scene actually sowed the seeds of trouble; his resentment towards Mu Qingning would only grow stronger.
Logically speaking, this matter really couldn’t be blamed on Mu Qingning. He had been considerate enough. Even the most considerate person couldn’t cater to everyone’s psychological state perfectly; there will always be people who get offended.
Moreover, Mu Qingning was extremely busy during that period; how could he have had time to explain things to Wan Guangliu beforehand?
Li Yuebai glanced at his case file. He remembered it clearly— the order to send Wan Guangliu to guard the secondary gate and Qiu Ming to guard the main gate was something he had already issued a day ago. This decision was exactly the same as the original owner’s.
Well, since the system had already reminded him, he should heed the advice. No matter how busy he was, he had to explain.
At this moment, Yu Tianji entered with several subordinates.
Li Yuebai’s current work location was in the Auspicious Hall. To provide him with a quiet environment, Yu Tianji had specially prepared a study for him in the Auspicious Hall, rarely disturbing him.
“Immortal Master Mu, accompany me to inspect the mountain gate.” Yu Tianji was unusually dressed in clothes that didn’t reveal his chest; at first glance, he was unrecognizable.
It was a sturdy black robe, made of very durable material, devoid of any luxurious or extravagant air. The collar and cuffs were tightened, clearly prepared for battle. Yu Tianji’s hairstyle had also changed; his previously casually loose long hair was now neatly tied up with an ebony hair crown, looking quite professional.
Only the smile on his lips remained unchanged.
Inspecting the mountain gate?
The scene in the video occurred during the inspection of the mountain gate.
Fortunately, there was still time.
Li Yuebai’s pen flew across the paper, quickly completing a letter. He folded it and handed it to a reliable cultivator, instructing him to deliver it to Wan Guangliu immediately.
The letter was naturally for Wan Guangliu, and its content was a patient explanation of why he had been assigned to guard the secondary gate.
However, Li Yuebai had put some thought into the writing style, applying his experience of dealing with difficult parents at parent-teacher conferences. The language was sincere and considerate of the recipient’s feelings, leaving no room for criticism even for the most demanding person.
He couldn’t expect Wan Guangliu to develop any positive feelings towards him after reading the letter; he could only ensure that Wan Guangliu wouldn’t jump out and criticize him later.
Only after the messenger cultivator had flown away on his sword did Li Yuebai leave the Auspicious Hall with Yu Tianji.
Yu Tianji had difficulty walking, and the mountain gate was far away, so it was impossible for him to walk there. Therefore, he still flew there by sword. This time, considering the impact, he didn’t pester Li Yuebai, but instead travelled alone with his sword.
It was midday, the sky was clear and the air crisp, everything was perfectly visible.
In Kunlun, cultivators were usually either playing chess and admiring flowers in small groups, or gathering in their rooms to discuss Daoist arts— a scene of leisurely activity. But now, there were no more small groups; each cultivator had been assigned to a team, each with their own duties, disciplined and tense. Everyone had a long sword at their waist, moving quickly yet in perfect unison to complete their tasks. At the mountain gate, the number of cultivators had increased, and they were already lined up in the formation arranged by Li Yuebai, practicing repeatedly.
Upon seeing Yu Tianji arrive, the cultivators bowed.
Yu Tianji waved his hand: “No need, no need. With a formidable enemy at hand, you can all focus on your practice.”
With that, he flew upwards on his sword.
The cultivators secretly marveled behind him.
Who didn’t know that this second young master’s Daoist arts were utterly incompetent, and that he had even caused a ruckus at the old immortal master’s funeral, throwing his sword down in the process? Unexpectedly, today he appeared surprisingly agile and skilled in swordsmanship.
Li Yuebai, of course, noticed everyone’s expressions and smiled, “You’ve all been busy practicing formations, so you probably haven’t seen the Immortal Lord’s ‘Letter of Self-Reproach,’ have you?”
Just the other day, Yu Tianji had someone draft a “Letter of Self-Reproach” for him and posted it out.
This was somewhat similar to emperors in the real world. In ancient times, whenever natural disasters or man-made calamities occurred, emperors would issue an “edict of self-reproach” to reflect on their mistakes. Given Yu Tianji’s dissolute image from childhood, even ten letters of self-reproach wouldn’t be enough to convince others that he had changed his ways. Therefore, he simply turned his letter of self-reproach into a declaration of war, vehemently criticizing the Demonic Sect and refuting its combat capabilities point by point. With Li Yuebai’s help, the letter was written with grand style and sound reasoning. The Kunlun cultivators, after reading it, couldn’t help but feel more confident, and their impression of the new Immortal Lord also improved.
Some even whispered among themselves: perhaps the more a new immortal leader disregarded ancestral rules and etiquette, the more likely he was to defeat the Demonic Sect, since the Demonic Sect couldn’t fathom his intentions…
After inspecting all the mountain gates, each one was impeccably disciplined. Finally, they arrived at the two southern mountain gates.
From afar, Li Yuebai spotted Wan Guangliu, with the messenger cultivator standing beside him. Clearly, Wan Guangliu had already read his letter.
Sure enough, Wan Guangliu merely nodded from a distance before busily leading the Azure Dragon Peak cultivators in practicing formations. He didn’t come forward to argue with him.
Seeing this plot twist, Li Yuebai breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon it was night, and in the darkness, the two inspected the southern mountain gate, exchanging words of encouragement. Suddenly, a crack appeared in a certain spot on the mountain gate.
Soon, the gate was briefly opened, the entire process taking less than two seconds, during which several black-clad cultivators leaped in.
“Who goes there?” The cultivators gripped their swords tightly, their voices sharp and urgent.
“Don’t panic, everyone. They are scouts I sent out,” Li Yuebai said.
In battle, scouts were essential, and Kunlun’s advantage was that they could secretly open their gates at any time to let people out and then secretly open them again to let people in.
The cultivators who entered didn’t have time to say anything else and hurriedly reported, “Judging from the situation on the Demonic Sect’s side, they will begin their attack tomorrow!”
“Tomorrow…” Li Yuebai pondered for a moment and said, “Quickly notify everyone to prepare for battle.”
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