The Empress’s dispatch of forces to surround the Prince’s Mansion was carried out in great secrecy.
But despite this, the news inevitably leaked. In less than an hour, spies from various factions had gathered outside the Prince’s Mansion, trying to ascertain what had happened.
This came as no surprise to either the Empress or Li Chang’an.
After all, the timing was far too critical, and the roles the Grand Elder and Second Elder played were far too unique. Countless people in the Imperial Palace were waiting for news about them.
No matter how secretly they acted, the matter would quickly become known to the outside world.
The two of them had never intended to keep it hidden for long. Their only goal was to prevent the Demon Sect and the Buddhist Sect from learning the specifics.
...
「Outside Kyoto’s city walls.」
Within the encampment of the allied Buddhist and Demon Sect armies.
The Demon Sect’s Grand Elder was drinking with several other Demon Sect Elders. After a few rounds, the Grand Elder’s expression turned grim. "I just received word," he said. "The Empress sent troops to surround the homes of those two old fools, Su Nanxun and Su Nanye!"
Hearing this, a slightly portly Demon Sect Elder at his side frowned, displeased. "What are those two old fools playing at? Weren’t they supposed to have the Imperial Palace under control? They said they could force that little Empress to abdicate tomorrow!"
The men took a sip of their wine.
Another Elder savored the fiery taste of the liquor before speaking. "I’d wager those two old fools are putting on a show. They’re trying to leverage a better deal out of us."
"That little girl only has the third master of the Su Family to rely on, and he went into death seclusion half a year ago. Without that old geezer backing her, she’s just a little girl. She can’t make any waves!"
After a brief discussion, the men unanimously concluded that the so-called siege was just a fabrication by Su Nanxun and Su Nanye, a ploy to gain a better bargaining position.
Having reached this conclusion, the Demon Sect’s Grand Elder snorted. "Have those bald monks gotten the news yet? Get them over here. We need to discuss this in detail."
The portly middle-aged man was just about to agree.
But just then, a Blood Gourd, still dripping a steaming liquid, suddenly appeared on the table.
The men’s faces all changed in shock. When they got a clear look at the "Blood Gourd’s" true form, they couldn’t help but gasp.
The portly Demon Sect Elder stammered, "Th-th-this... Is this the head of that bald monk?"
Every Demon Sect Elder present was a Grandmaster.
Even so, the sudden appearance of a bloody head on their table—a head that belonged to the Buddhist Sect’s strongest Dharma Guardian Vajra—made them turn pale with utter horror.
Their faces were filled with utter horror.
Li Chang’an appeared silently beside the table. "Gentlemen," he said calmly, "I just advised the Buddhist Sect to withdraw its troops. They’ve already agreed. I wonder what the Demon Sect plans to do?"
At that moment, Li Chang’an was suffused with the thick stench of blood.
Combined with the head of the Buddhist Sect’s Dharma Guardian Vajra he had just tossed on the table, he seemed even more menacing, radiating an indomitable and unstoppable might.
In the Jianghu, these Demon Sect Grandmasters were all infamously lawless figures. But now, standing before Li Chang’an, none of them dared to make the slightest move.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down the Demon Sect Grand Elder’s forehead. "Young man," he said, looking at Li Chang’an, "I don’t believe the Demon Sect has done anything to offend you?"
He could tell Li Chang’an was dangerous.
’Anyone who could walk into the Buddhist Sect’s territory, take the head of their Dharma Guardian Vajra, and leave unscathed was not someone he could afford to offend.’
Li Chang’an showed no intention of attacking. "Does the Demon Sect have to offend me personally before I can make a move against you?" he asked coolly. "I’ve never known you to be so concerned with etiquette."
’The Grand Elder and Second Elder had to die; those two old fools were a menace that couldn’t be left alive. But Li Chang’an didn’t want to kill the others so readily.’
’After all, in his view, every high-realm Martial Artist in the Jianghu was a potential ally he needed to win over. He had only killed the Buddhist Sect’s Dharma Guardian Vajra because the man had been stubborn and insisted on a fight to the death.’
At his reply, more sweat beaded on the Demon Sect Grand Elder’s face.
Wiping his brow, he fought to keep the fear out of his voice. "Do you know that our Sect Leader is already an expert of the Mythical Realm? He is fully aware of the order to march on Li Yang..."
’He was trying to warn Li Chang’an, hoping he would back down in the face of a superior foe.’
But before he could finish, Li Chang’an cut him off.
Li Chang’an blinked, his expression earnest. "You don’t need to tell me all that. Li Yang is under my protection now. If the Demon Sect has a problem with that, you can have your Sect Leader come find me at the Imperial Palace. I’ll be waiting..."
He paused, and the previously restrained killing intent radiating from him suddenly erupted. His tone turned bone-chilling. "I only have one question for you now. The Buddhist Sect has withdrawn. Is the Demon Sect withdrawing, or not?"
Under Li Chang’an’s gaze, beads of sweat the size of soybeans began to roll down the faces of the Demon Sect Elders.
’The two Major Sects had gone to so much trouble to form an alliance and gather so many disciples.’
’And they hadn’t gained a single thing from it yet.’
’Naturally, they didn’t want to retreat just like that.’
But looking at the man before them, not one of them dared to say a word.
’Their instincts as Grandmasters screamed a constant warning: if they dared to utter the word ’no,’ their heads would be instantly separated from their necks!’