Phoenix Destiny-Chapter 399 - Secret meeting

Regardless of whether her methods are unconventional, she at least maintained the situation.

“In that case, the Zhou Family is indeed destined to fall into Junior Lu’s hands,” Shao Zhengyang said with a faint smile on his face.

“Zhou Miaoru plays tricks and schemes; she doesn’t engage at all.

Just like she said, no matter how high the mountain, a single sword strike splits it.”

Speaking of which, Yu Wen Shi seemed a bit worried.

“She showed her strength too early!

I’m afraid the Zhou Family, with their preparations, will find it hard to defeat her in one move.”

Unexpectedly, Shao Zhengyang replied, “Master, I think it’s better that Junior Lu did so.”

“How so?”

“Senior Uncle Kuai succeeded in Entering Harmonization, and it has stirred the minds of the various branches.

With people’s minds unsettled, Junior Lu revealing her power now, firstly, prevents those fence-sitters from casually leaning towards the Zhou Family, sparing us additional trouble.

Secondly, it forces the Zhou Family to make a quick response—only when they act can we find their flaws.”

Yu Wen Shi looked at his disciple in amazement.

Shao Zhengyang was nervous under his gaze.

“Master, did I speak incorrectly?”

“Not at all,” Yu Wen Shi thought for a moment and then burst into laughter.

“Indeed, it’s a young person’s world!

With such vigor, it seems I can step back now.”

Regardless of the turmoil it caused in the Nine Jade Palace, Lu Mingshu went back and continued arranging the mystic force of Green Jade Valley as if nothing had happened.

Four earth spirits, the largest guarding the centre, the others distributed amongst the three wings.

Once the barrier was activated, the mystic force in Green Jade Valley flowed, brimming with vitality.

With these four earth spirits, it wouldn’t take many years to transform into a spiritual land.

A few days later, the Tai Fu lineage indeed sent an invitation to celebrate Kuai Xin’s entry into the Spirit Realm.

Lu Mingshu excused herself, claiming she was in closed-door cultivation and did not attend, but she sent a generous congratulatory gift.

Kuai Xin, feeling her support, personally made a trip to Green Jade Valley.

For a while, visitors to Green Jade Valley were incessant, related or not, all came seeking an audience, or at least left gifts if they could not meet her.

These affairs were beyond Hui Niang and Ah Sheng’s capabilities.

Eventually, An Tongchen sent a servant over to manage them for her.

Lu Mingshu, undistracted, finished setting up the barrier and continued her meditation.

One day, upon receiving news from Qing Mu, she hurriedly entered the Market.

“Miss Lu,” Daoist priest Hao said eagerly upon seeing her, “have you not received your winter-summer stone yet?”

Lu Mingshu shook her head.

“It will still take some time.”

“And the winter-summer stone liquid?

How much do you have?”

Initially, she had been trapped in the Supreme Sacred secret place for six years, accumulating quite a bit of winter-summer stone liquid, some of which Gentleman Lianzhen had used for testing drugs.

The rest was still with her.

Lu Mingshu took out a small bottle, about three inches tall.

“I still have this much.”

Daoist priest Hao grabbed it eagerly, opened it and looked inside, and his anxious expression finally relaxed.

“Miss Lu, the person I need to save is in urgent condition, and I’m afraid he can’t wait much longer.

To be honest, I have already concocted one of the pills you are looking for.

If you can find the winter-summer stone or bone blossom within ten days, I will give you both the recipe and the medicine.”

Lu Mingshu’s eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, “Really?”

Daoist Priest Hao nodded.

“With Qing Mu as a witness, I shall never go back on my word.”

“What if I can’t make it on time?”

Daoist Priest Hao remained silent for a while before he spoke softly, “Then there’s no need to go through with this deal.”

Lu Mingshu understood.

The person he needed to save could only last ten days; after ten days, if the person was dead, what use would the medicine be?

“Alright, if there is any news, I will inform you immediately.”

She had sent a letter to Gentleman Lian Zhen half a month ago.

From Lu family to Zhongzhou, it was a great distance, and at the fastest, it would take ten days to reach him.

If he could depart immediately, he would likely arrive in a few days.

If something held him back, it was uncertain if he could arrive within the deadline.

—Right, the New Year was approaching.

If the queen asked him to stay for the celebration before leaving, then one could practically forget about it.

Unfortunately, she had no other strategies to think of.

It was already too late to send another letter to urge him; whether he could arrive on time depended on when Gentleman Lian Zhen set off.

…

In a secluded tower within the Jasper Jade Palace, a secret meeting was currently taking place.

If any disciples were there, they would be astonished by the high standard of this secret meeting.

Courtyard Leader Wen, Courtyard Leader Qi, many Zhou faction elders, all were present, and seated in the chief position was none other than Zhou Miaoru, the Sect Leader’s wife.

“Lady, the Heavenly Wheel Ritual is just a few days away; what matter is so urgent that you have gathered us all?” spoke Courtyard Leader Qi.

Although he still bore his usual smiling expression, Zhou Miaoru detected the underlying implication.

She thought he found her bothersome!

Indeed, after that incident, there were shifts in people’s sentiments.

“It’s precisely because of the Heavenly Wheel Ritual,” Zhou Miaoru held onto her hand warmer, speaking indifferently, “I presume the elders can see that this Heavenly Wheel Ritual is vastly different from previous ones.”

Hearing this, everyone, having their own thoughts, turned their attention to Zhou Miaoru.

“Lady, may I ask for your profound insight?” Courtyard Leader Wen inquired.

“It should rather be I who asks the elders for their profound insights,” Zhou Miaoru’s gaze swept across everyone slowly starting to speak, “I and the elders here have known each other for many years and hold deep bonds.

Given the current unfavorable situation, I shall speak frankly.”

Seeing her serious demeanor, the gathered elders put away their careless attitudes and focused intently.

“The incident a few days ago, I presume each of you has been pondering it.

The one from Green Jade Valley…

with her participating this Heavenly Wheel Ritual, things may not go well.

What do you think?”

Courtyard Leader Wen answered cautiously, “Haven’t we discussed this matter before?”

“Indeed,” Zhou Miaoru responded.

“But does Courtyard Leader Wen think the original plan is still of any use against her?”

Of course, it was useless now.

They had previously counted on three people attacking Lu Mingshu together, ensuring she would not escape, but after seeing her wield that sword at Quintessence Courtyard, those three would likely be lambs to the slaughter.

“Lady, forgive my directness,” Courtyard Leader Qi started, “With her strength, if we continue to besiege her, the loss would be too great.

Since it cannot be done, we should not force it.”

Zhou Miaoru looked at him coldly, “Does Courtyard Leader Qi mean to suggest we abandon this plan?”

“Exactly,” Courtyard Leader Qi’s expression earnest, “Knowing the loss exceeds the gain, why continue?”

A faint smile appeared on Zhou Miaoru’s face, “Martial Brother Qi, that girl holds grudges deeply; you’ve deceived her once, don’t expect any favors from her hand again.”

Courtyard Leader Qi’s smile remained unchanged, “What are you saying, Lady?

What favor could I possibly request from her?”

Zhou Miaoru continued regardless, “Everyone here is already irreconcilably opposed to her; wanting any benefit from her hand is outright impossible.

Since it is so, why should we curry favor with her?

Wouldn’t it be better to just seize what we want directly?”