War through the ages begins with intelligence, even before troops and horses move.
When Jiang Dali erged from the underground Ice Vault of Unrivaled City, it was already midnight, during the third period of night.
At this mont, the outside world was undergoing a subtle transformation akin to an undercurrent beneath the earth, which only a handful of people could perceive.
Inside the camp outside Unrivaled City, Jiang Dali, having learned from Jianghu Forum about the events on the Mongolian Grassland and in Shu’s Wenrou Village, showed a face full of anger. He fixed his electric eyes on Sha Qian Deng, who ca to relay intelligence, and said sternly and authoritatively.
"So you’re saying that within just one day, not only did the Fist Tao God escape from the Divine Iron City’s prison after going mad, but Hero Xiao, Lu Xiaofeng, and others were also attacked?"
Resisting the intimidating pressure emanating from Jiang Dali, Sha Qian Deng responded calmly and respectfully, "Yes! According to the dicine King’s report, the Fist Tao God suddenly went mad upon hearing a special lody, recovering his power and escaping from prison. The intelligence from the Mongolian Grassland states that Hero Xiao and others were attacked by Three Venerable Dharma Body Puppets. Currently, the group is scattered and missing, and their fate is unknown.
The Mongolian Emperor has personally declared to us that the Dharma Body Puppets attacking Hero Xiao and others are suspected to be under the notorious Blood Transformation Divine Venerable, whom the Holy Dynasty seeks. The Mongolian side has dispatched experts to fully rescue Hero Xiao and others; village chief, please remain calm and rational about this matter."
"Heh heh heh..." Jiang Dali let out a cold laugh, carrying a disdainful smile at the corner of his mouth, said, "That Mongolian Emperor is worried that I would bla this matter on him. Hmph! Am I the kind of unreasonable person?"
Sha Qian Deng observed with silence, not speaking a word.
Jiang Dali paced with his hands behind his back coldly, "On the surface, it seems unreasonable to bla the Mongolian side, yet within Mongolia, there are three Dharma Body Puppets of Blood Transformation Divine Venerable hidden away. Even transporting such enormous creations from the Holy Dynasty wouldn’t be easy, and to have them covertly hidden in Mongolia without the knowledge of the Mongolian side is nigh impossible. I struggle to believe no one provided shelter; thus, the Mongolian side cannot avoid responsibility."
Upon hearing this, Sha Qian Deng understood that Jiang Dali intended to hold them accountable and imdiately listened alertly.
Jiang Dali said sternly, "Relay my Black Wind Order, warn the Mongolian Emperor to conduct a thorough investigation imdiately. I need a reasonable explanation! My friends must safely return from Mongolia without any exception."
Sha Qian Deng’s scalp tingled, as directly ordering the Mongolian Emperor could potentially anger him and worsen relations between both parties; however, with Jiang Dali’s command given, he could only reluctantly agree, observing Jiang Dali’s expression before hesitantly saying, "As for Hero Lu, it is suspected he was taken by people from the God-searching Palace. According to eyewitness reports, Hero Lu was carried away by two strong n, with another person wearing a hat, whose identity was unclear."
"Understood."
Jiang Dali, contemplating, waved his hand.
Sha Qian Deng wisely bowed before exiting the tent, also showing respect to Zhu Wushi, and Nie Renwang.
Nie Renwang imdiately rose from his chair, saying, "Old Jiang, it seems your adversaries are exacting revenge against you. But the timing of Blood Transformation Divine Venerable’s Dharma Body Puppets and those from God-searching Palace striking together seems too coincidental to be re chance."
Zhu Wushi nodded in thought and said, "Blood Transformation Divine Venerable’s Dharma Body Puppet is a costly object, containing part of his Divine Fragnt, a sinister weapon secretly accumulating Blood Food across various places, hardly ever exposed, and definitely not intended for combat. Yet its power is extrely formidable."
He turned his head, looking at Jiang Dali, with a smile, "Deploying three Dharma Body Puppets at once; Blood Transformation Divine Venerable seems serious against Brother Jiang."
Jiang Dali scoffed dismissively, "A heap of scrap tal, no matter how many, rely adds fuel to my Divine Iron City."
Though he said this, his brows furrowed.
Blood Transformation Divine Venerable’s Dharma Body Puppets are of little concern to him, Zhu Wushi, and Nie Renwang.
However, for soone like Xiao Feng and Xie Xiaofeng whose power hasn’t reached the Returning to Truth Realm, such puppets are formidable adversaries.
Deploying three at once indeed poses significant danger to Xiao Feng and others.
Yet knowing that he had sent Chamu Long earlier to join forces with Xiao Feng and others, Jiang Dali felt sowhat relieved.
His initial intention was to have Chamu Long, a future leader, represent him in negotiating with the Mongolian Emperor to inspect Guang Chengzi’s remains. Unexpectedly, Chamu Long stumbled onto this situation, supplented by the seven Dragon Balls in his possession, Xiao Feng and others might not face dire peril, otherwise the Mongolian side wouldn’t have found three scrapped Dharma Body Puppets.
"Now, the greatest concern is that there might be more Dharma Body Puppets or Blood Transformation Divine Venerable’s top disciple arriving in Mongolia," Nie Renwang expressed serious concern.
Zhu Wushi shook his head, "Dharma Body Puppets are exceedingly valuable, deploying three at once would likely be the limit. As for Blood Transformation Divine Venerable’s top disciple..."
He sighed softly, "Let’s hope the benevolent among them are blessed by providence!"
Ying Yuan, who had remained silent, chid in, "This cannot be re coincidence. From the looks of it, Senior Bai Xiao’s prophecy is starting to unfold. He foretold that the Immortal God General would find two evil allies and make trouble for your Black Wind Village, leading the Martial World into turmoil. It appears... Blood Transformation Divine Venerable is one of the Immortal God’s evil allies."
Nie Renwang exclaid in anger, "These criminals prosecuted by the Holy Dynasty are extrely brazen! Although strictly forbidden by the Holy Dynasty for its strong people to stir trouble within the vassal states, Blood Transformation Divine Venerable dares to act so recklessly; let us inform the Holy Dynasty for this person’s sanction."
"The Holy Dynasty..."
A flash of inspiration struck Jiang Dali’s mind as he recalled offending Divine Martial Country’s Wan Family mbers.
"What are you thinking?" Zhu Wushi asked perceptively, glancing at Jiang Dali.
Jiang Dali took a deep breath, crossed his arms, and shook his head slightly, "It’s nothing, maybe I’m overthinking."
Zhu Wushi explained, "Although the Holy Dynasty explicitly forbids its experts from causing chaos in the vassal states, over the years, it’s not been uncommon for Holy Dynasty experts to secretly influence the Martial World in vassal states, stirring up bloodshed. Even though the situation becos severe, and Holy Dynasty experts co to stop and arrest the perpetrators to calm things down, there are precedents.
Especially with a notorious wanted criminal like Blood Transformation Divine Venerable, who acts with no restrictions.
If he wishes, he certainly dares to cause trouble in the vassal states, otherwise, he wouldn’t have used Dharma Body Puppets to secretly plan and seize Blood Food all these years.
However, his true self certainly won’t easily co to the vassal states."
He looked pointedly at Jiang Dali, "You previously destroyed two of his Dharma Bodies and killed two of his disciples, yet he didn’t imdiately retaliate more strongly against you. Now suddenly he’s acting, deploying three Dharma Body Puppets, which is unlikely without so benefit driving him."
"Indeed, it’s unlikely!"
Jiang Dali ford more judgnts in his mind, smiled broadly, "But luckily, we’ve noticed this in ti; it seems the Undying God in the God-searching Palace couldn’t hold back any longer."
Ying Yuan said seriously, "The Undying God is inherently very powerful, and now he’s tead up with Blood Transformation Divine Venerable and has captured Hero Lu, certainly intending to use Hero Lu to coerce Brother Jiang.
Brother Jiang, you need to remain composed, as it’s not the right opportunity to confront the Undying God now."
"Does that an we let Lu Xiaofeng die?" Nie Renwang questioned.
Jiang Dali shook his head, "If I’m not mistaken, the Undying God’s capture of Lu Xiaofeng was sothing Lu Xiaofeng willingly fell for. I had already instructed him to investigate the God-searching Palace with Sikong Zhaixing. He’s been boldly appearing and visiting various venues in Shu, yet Sikong Zhaixing is nowhere to be seen, which implies there’s a plan.
Now that he’s been taken by the God-searching Palace, and Sikong Zhaixing hasn’t appeared, he must be following in secret closely. I suppose Sikong Zhaixing will contact soon, and the Undying God will also reach out to ..."
Zhu Wushi asked, "Do you know his purpose?"
Jiang Dali nodded, "He’s not after Lu Xiaofeng; he wants Bu Jingyun! He’ll definitely demand I send Bu Jingyun to the God-searching Palace, or he’ll kill Lu Xiaofeng."
Nie Renwang was stunned, "So this ti, Lu Xiaofeng is bringing trouble upon himself, willingly falling for a trap and complicating matters."
Ying Yuan said, "In terms of timing, it indeed complicates things now. But looking from another angle, since Blood Transformation Divine Venerable’s Dharma Body Puppets have already acted, Lu Xiaofeng voluntarily falling for the trap might not be a bad thing, at least he has a plan. Otherwise, if soone else were taken by the God-searching Palace experts, we’d be more passive."
Jiang Dali nodded, his eyes cold, "This intelligence was obtained early in the Mountain Village, and all those close to have taken ergency precautions. We were previously underground in Unrivaled City, and it’s only now that we’ve learned the information."
Nie Renwang asked, "Old Jiang, what do you plan to do now?"
Jiang Dali walked to the window with his hands behind his back, looked at the deep blue night sky and the moon with a halo, smiled with deep aning, "Wait!"
"Wait!?"
Nie Renwang and the others reacted differently, each pondering over that one word, each interpreting it differently.
Wait—
Is not the kind of waiting that sits idly by.
But rather strategizing and being prepared to battle over long distances.
This kind of waiting is like two chess players in a ga.
Though seated motionlessly, every movent and change plays out on the chessboard.
Jiang Dali sensed that the Undying God in the God-searching Palace, after all these years, has begun to play chess once more.
The opponent has already made an aggressive opening move, and now is his ti to respond; any misstep could lead to total loss, hence needs patience and composure.
At this tense and critical mont, waiting is harder than acting, requiring even more wisdom...
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