The War Council

Han Li turned to the handsome young man and said with equal courtesy, "Sixth Senior Brother has come as well. I’m sorry to trouble you with my affairs."

Wu Xuan gave a faint "Mm" but said nothing else.

Han Li smiled, showing no unusual expression, but he understood clearly. Ever since the matter with Dong Xuan'er, this Sixth Senior Brother had not looked kindly upon him. Still, Han Li paid him little mind. A petty villain was far easier to handle than a hypocrite. Even so, he caught a flicker of shock in the man’s eyes.

The last time they had met, Han Li had been only at early Foundation Establishment. Now, in such a short time, he had reached the mid stage. How could Wu Xuan, still stuck at early Foundation Establishment, not feel stunned and envious?

"Please, come in,各位 Senior Brothers. I’ll brew some tea first." Han Li invited the four inside with a smile, then turned to leave.

"There's no rush for tea. Let's first hear what kind of experts the Black Fiend Cult really has. I've long wanted to have a proper battle with some Foundation Establishment cultivators. Unfortunately, when I was by Master's side, the old man never allowed me to freely hunt demonic path cultivators like Eighth Junior Brother. Maybe if I had, I could have broken through in the heat of battle, just like Brother Han." Song Meng, having barely entered the room and sat down with the others, could not suppress his curiosity and spoke impatiently.

This Fourth Senior Brother was usually cold and indifferent to others, but the moment fighting and killing were brought up, he transformed entirely, becoming excited and eager.

"Nonsense! Since when could breaking through a bottleneck rely on fighting and killing? The most important factor is still one's own cultivation foundation. If Junior Han's cultivation has advanced, it is because his daily painstaking practice has borne fruit naturally." Third Senior Brother Liu Jing frowned and spoke in a slightly reproachful tone after hearing Song Meng's words.

Han Li was quite surprised. He hadn't expected this Third Senior Brother to speak so bluntly. Given Song Meng's temper, Han Li thought he would immediately jump up and retort. But to his astonishment, Song Meng just let out a few foolish chuckles and fell silent.

While Han Li marveled at this, Third Senior Brother turned back to him and said in a gentle tone, "We learned a few things from Master, but quite some time has passed since then, so the situation must have changed. I hope Junior Han can give us a detailed account."

"Yes, I'm very curious too. What kind of people are in this邪教, daring to kidnap so many cultivators? Their audacity is unbelievable!" Seventh Senior Sister Zhong Weiniang seemed not much older than Han Li. She had a fair, round face, and whenever she smiled, two shallow dimples appeared, making her quite endearing.

Han Li, however, knew very well that this Senior Sister Zhong was a genuine cultivation prodigy. He had heard that she had successfully established her foundation at the mere age of sixteen and was now only a step away from mid Foundation Establishment. She was deeply cherished by Li Huayuan and his wife.

While thinking this, Han Li sighed and spoke slowly, "Senior Sister Zhong may not know this, but most of those kidnapped by the Black Fiend Cult were used for blood sacrifices in their cultivation practices. A few were coerced into becoming their accomplices. They are, by nature, a group of邪修 who cannot bear the light of day, so naturally, their audacity knows no bounds. Moreover, after so many years of development, their sect has accumulated a considerable number of Foundation Establishment experts. It's a very thorny situation."

"Blood sacrifice! Is that the evil technique that drains the essence and blood of other cultivators to increase one’s own cultivation?" Wu Xuan, upon hearing this, finally dropped his stiff expression and spoke with a changed countenance.

Song Meng and the others also showed looks of shock.

"Eighth Junior Brother, are you sure? Is it really that kind of bloody technique?" Liu Jing's scholarly face was now shrouded in a layer of killing intent, faintly revealing a terrifying green light.

Han Li’s heart tightened. He had long heard that this Third Senior Brother, while not the most powerful among Li Huayuan's disciples, was naturally intolerant of evil. He was famed among the younger generation of the Seven Sects as the "Blood Hand Reaper," having killed countless degenerate cultivators. This was probably why even a martial maniac like Song Meng held him in awe.

"Yes, it's that very technique that has been circulating for years." Han Li certainly had no reason to conceal anything for the Black Fiend Cult, and he nodded in affirmation.

"Junior Han, tell us the whole story." Third Senior Brother Liu said to Han Li with a grave expression.

"It began like this. That day, the head of the Qin Clan and I went to a banquet at the Prince of Xin's residence…"

Han Li recounted the events that had started that day at the Prince of Xin’s residence, glossing over matters that concerned his own secrets. But to his surprise, this Third Senior Brother was not so easily deceived. Several times, he interrupted Han Li's narration, probing for unclear details, nearly forcing Han Li to reveal his secrets. Han Li found himself breaking out in a cold sweat more than once.

For the first time, Han Li felt that making up a lie was no easy task.

After Liu Jing had clarified everything, the other three, who had been listening, changed expressions. A mere Black Fiend Cult actually boasted four so-called Blood Servants at the Foundation Establishment level, not to mention several Cult Masters of similar cultivation and their unfathomable Sect Leader. With just the five of them, they were no match for the enemy.

What was more troublesome was that their lair was in the Imperial Palace of Yuejing, which was forbidden ground for the Seven Sects disciples!

"Senior Brother Liu, shouldn't we report to Master and ask for more men from the sect? I'm afraid we can't capture the Black Fiend Cult Leader with just us." Wu Xuan hesitated for a moment before speaking hesitantly. It was clear he did not want to violate the Seven Sects' prohibition, nor was he confident in their own strength.

"What, Sixth Junior Brother is feeling a little timid?" Liu Jing's sword-like eyebrows shot up as he spoke with displeasure.

"Of course not. I just think it would be safer to proceed this way. According to Junior Brother Han, these people won't be fleeing anytime soon. It would be more appropriate to ask for Master's opinion first." Wu Xuan certainly didn't want to admit to that in front of everyone and quickly argued back.

"Oh, that's good then. I was overthinking it. But Junior Brother Wu need not worry about the higher-ups. When I came, Master gave me a private instruction. Several of Uncle-Master Hui Ming's disciples are in the nearby city of Nanwu, handling some sect affairs. If we run into difficulties, we can ask for their help. Given Master's and Uncle-Master Hui Ming's relationship, they will certainly lend a hand."

"As for violating the Seven Sects' prohibition by privately entering the Imperial Palace, now that we know the palace has become a den of iniquity, how can I stand by and do nothing? Everyone, follow my lead. If the higher-ups place any blame, I, Liu Jing, will bear it all alone!" Liu Jing said, his face cold as frost.

His words left the others in the room exchanging glances, while Seventh Senior Sister Zhong Weiniang even revealed an expression of infatuation, clearly having harbored feelings for this Third Senior Brother for a long time.

"Good! Since Third Senior Brother puts it that way, how can I miss out on this good show? I'll fight alongside you." Song Meng, seemingly stirred by Liu Jing's words, declared with great bravado.

"I won't leave you either, Senior Brother. I will storm the Imperial Capital with you!" Zhong Weiniang snapped out of her reverie and quickly added.

Hearing this, Liu Jing smiled gently and thanked them. Then he turned to Han Li and Wu Xuan and asked, "What about you two, Junior Brothers? If you think my plan is unwise and don't wish to join this battle, I will not force you."

As Liu Jing finished speaking, Han Li was weighing the pros and cons in his mind when Wu Xuan’s face flushed red and then turned pale. After a moment’s hesitation, he said through gritted teeth, "Unless Master explicitly gives his permission, I will not knowingly break the prohibition. If you truly mean to storm the Imperial Palace, Senior Brother, I will not take part. I must first report to Master!"

The reason he gave was indeed very solid.

"What do you mean by that!" Zhong Weiniang jumped up in anger, ready to say something, but Liu Jing pulled her back.

"Sixth Junior Brother has a point. Storming the Imperial Palace with me is indeed an ungrateful task. We should not blame him for withdrawing." This Third Senior Brother said with surprising calm.

"Then what about you, Junior Brother Han? Are you going to be like this one too? You're a mid Foundation Establishment cultivator; you can't be that cowardly!" Zhong Weiniang, eager to bring Han Li, a powerful ally, over to her beloved’s side, resorted to this shallow provocation. Han Li couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly.

Han Li did not answer immediately but lowered his head in thought.

Third Senior Brother Liu very considerately did not urge him on but sat quietly, waiting for his decision.

"Alright, I'll go. This matter was originally set in motion by me; it would be unreasonable not to. Besides, I'm quite curious to see this mysterious Lord of the Black Fiend Cult." After a long pause, Han Li looked up and suddenly said with a light smile.