Dao Jian Zhenren and Qi Xiao’s Plan

Reaching this conclusion sent chills down the spines of both Qi Xiao and True Master Dao Sword.

What kind of place was the Heavenly Dao Sect?
Within the righteous factions, it was an absolute pillar, a foundational force.
Within such a sect, even if there were spies from demonic sects, they absolutely should not hold high positions…
It was a simple principle: if you could attain a high position within a righteous sect, what you could obtain would far surpass what you could get from a high position in a demonic sect.

Yet, as far back as five years ago, her master had already been ensnared in a plot.

“If this was a conspiracy targeting me, then what kind of reaction, what kind of outcome did the mastermind behind this plot anticipate five years ago?”
True Master Dao Sword couldn’t help but ponder.

Qi Xiao also began to consider this question.

“Suppose, just suppose, that the move against Junior Brother back then was solely to force you, Master, to take a stance?”
Qi Xiao couldn’t help but ask.
“If back then, you, Master, had sensed something was wrong and decided to protect Junior Brother, wouldn’t there have been a series of follow-up measures?”
“What do you mean?”
“Master, you are at mid-Nascent Soul.
Even among the various Peak Lords, you are among the top-tier powerful ones.
Even the Sect Leader has to give you some face.
If at that time, you had realized this was some sort of conspiracy and felt that targeting your disciple was an affront to your dignity, and decided to protect Junior Brother…?”

Actually, this matter didn’t require much thought.
Normally, True Master Dao Sword should have protected her junior brother, protected Li Wangyan.
This was also the reason why Li Wangyan, when facing True Master Prison Law’s accusations back then, had said with utter disbelief, “Does my Master know about this?”
Because even if Junior Brother had truly colluded with demons, it should have been True Master Dao Sword handling the matter behind closed doors.
Whether she killed him or crippled his cultivation, it should have been her internal affair.

To directly involve the sect administration, letting the sect handle it, was essentially a blatant disrespect to True Master Dao Sword, a slap in the face to this Nascent Soul grand cultivator who even bore the title of “Sword Immortal.”
It was practically announcing to the entire sect that her disciple had colluded with demons.

This was a very humiliating matter.
Back then, if it had been any other Peak Lord, they would have absolutely refused to admit fault, claiming there was a misunderstanding, doing everything to rescue their disciple first.
How to handle it afterward would be a matter for later.

However, at that time, True Master Dao Sword acted very abnormally—she agreed to the sect’s handling of Li Wangyan.
She didn’t even go to see Li Wangyan again.
She never showed her face, even when Li Wangyan was expelled.

This was a highly irregular occurrence.
It was also probably the main reason Junior Brother harbored resentment towards True Master Dao Sword—he hated that his master didn’t believe him, hated that his master didn’t even question him before passing judgment.

Hence Junior Brother’s desire for revenge…

Regardless of that.

But Qi Xiao knew: at that time, True Master Dao Sword felt she was close to breaking through to late Nascent Soul and intended to contend for the Sect Leader position.
She couldn’t afford any blemish.
And Li Wangyan had been taken as a disciple less than a year prior; there wasn’t much sentiment involved.
Abandoning him was abandoning him.
So, True Master Dao Sword swallowed this humiliating blow.
She thought that as long as she broke through to late Nascent Soul, all face and dignity would be restored.

Qi Xiao vaguely felt she had found a plausible conjecture, but she didn’t dare voice it.
After all, wouldn’t that be saying: “Master, it was your own cold and detached nature that saved your life!”
Wasn’t that asking for trouble?

As for why no action had been taken against the three of them in these years—the other party spent several years meticulously erasing those fifty false witnesses…
Such cautious maneuvering suggested they wouldn’t act easily without sufficient preparation.

But then again, it truly was her master’s cold and detached nature that had saved her.
If she hadn’t expelled Junior Brother back then, she likely would have been finished.
She would have died outside, unable to return.
After all—she herself said she had nearly perished.
If not for encountering Junior Brother, who was with the demonic sects, she would have been done for.
Although she was transformed into a woman as a result, Junior Brother clearly had no intention of killing her.
This evidently marked the failure of the second scheme by that unknown entity.

The other party likely wouldn’t act again in the short term.

“Regardless, Master, if you follow the trail of those who knew about your travel plans this time, you might find some clues.
However, I suggest you refrain from doing so for now.”
“Oh?”
“It could alert the enemy.
Their scheme is deep and far-reaching; they strike to kill…
We need more planning to draw them out…
Besides, we have another source of intelligence.”

True Master Dao Sword was no fool.
She immediately understood.
“You mean… your junior brother.”
“Yes.
Junior Brother is also connected to the demonic sects.
Although Master brought him back, I assume he counts as a genuine demonic sect spy?”
“…Yes.”
“In that case, I think if Junior Brother’s status within the demonic sects rises, he should learn about many of their plans.
And since Junior Brother has infiltrated our Heavenly Dao Sect, wouldn’t the demonic sect spy within cooperate with him?
We can extract some intelligence from Junior Brother—”

True Master Dao Sword understood Qi Xiao’s meaning, but she was somewhat worried.
“But if your junior brother truly collaborates with that traitor, then we, master and disciple…”
“Master, Junior Brother cannot be killed, but that doesn’t mean the traitor cannot.
Once we have the relevant intelligence, we can suddenly eliminate the traitor!
Wouldn’t that cast suspicion on Junior Brother for betraying the demonic sects?
At that point, to protect his own life, Junior Brother would probably have to genuinely defect to our side.
This could be an opportunity to guide him back to the righteous path.
Regardless of whether he harbors true righteousness, we share a common fate with him.
We can then speak on his behalf.”

Qi Xiao spoke unhurriedly.
“And it must be done early, swiftly, completed while he cannot yet truly control the Mystic Maiden Mirror, eliminating any possibility of him siding with the demonic sects.
It would be best if he ends up on the demonic sects’追杀令.
By then, Junior Brother can only be a righteous figure, can only be a Paragon of the Righteous Path!
Even if he becomes a hypocrite, it would still be to our advantage.”

A glint of thoughtful inspiration flashed in the young woman’s eyes.
She continued, “Therefore, Master, the only thing we need to do now…
is help Junior Brother improve his status within the demonic sects.
Then, find a way to obtain intelligence about the traitor from him.
Then eliminate the traitor, forcing Junior Brother to turn from evil to righteousness!”

True Master Dao Sword felt Qi Xiao made a lot of sense.
Mainly because she herself had no better ideas, and Qi Xiao’s method seemed feasible.
Although Qi Xiao didn’t know about the relationship between her and Li Wangyan, that didn’t affect anything.

After further plotting between master and disciple, Qi Xiao finally left her master’s cave abode.

She organized her thoughts, then once again went to Li Wangyan’s cave abode.

“Junior Brother, regarding what I mentioned yesterday about investigating the past incident…
there have been some results.”
Li Wangyan’s eyes flickered.
“Oh?
What did Senior Sister uncover?”
“Those fifty individuals who gave false testimony back then… are probably all dead.”
She shared the intelligence gathered by the three factions with Li Wangyan.
“The matter concerning you back then was definitely fishy.”
Li Wangyan showed an understanding expression.
“No wonder I haven’t run into a single person involved these past few days while strolling around the peak.
So, the evidence was destroyed.
In that case, what does Senior Sister think we should do?”
“True Master Prison Law.”

Qi Xiao gave this answer.
“True Master Prison Law definitely has major problems.
Back then, he insisted on punishing you.
But what I don’t understand is, why didn’t he kill you?
Logically, killing you would have been the simpler course of action.”
“But, Senior Sister, True Master Prison Law is a Nascent Soul grand cultivator.
How do we investigate that?”
“Master owes you a life debt.
If we ask Master, perhaps…”
“That won’t be necessary.
Master is unreliable.”
Li Wangyan smiled disdainfully.
“Senior Sister managing to uncover this much is already more than enough for this junior brother to be grateful for.
I will handle the rest of the investigation myself.
None of the perpetrators from that incident will escape.
Senior Sister need not trouble yourself overly.
It’s just a bit of wind and frost; a shrug of the shoulders, and it falls away.”

So, stop with those lines! Last time I mentioned the Spring-Autumn Cicana, but you’re the Yin-Yang Rebirth Gu!
Too terrifying.

“Since Junior Brother already has arrangements, this senior sister won’t pry further…
By the way, the sect’s disciple recruitment period is approaching.”
“Oh, I know.”
“This senior sister would like to entrust this matter to you.
To seek out sufficiently talented individuals for our Dao Sword Peak.
How about it?”

Li Wangyan looked at Qi Xiao with some surprise.
“Such an important matter, entrusted to me by Senior Sister, will likely cause dissent.
After all, I am merely an external steward.”
“Precisely because of that, we must do it.
You cannot remain just a steward.
You need to make yourself known again in front of everyone in the sect, gain their recognition.
Only then, with Master’s maneuvering, can you attain sufficient status within the sect.”

Of course, Qi Xiao was doing this deliberately.
She was giving Li Wangyan an opportunity to introduce demonic sect personnel into Dao Sword Peak.
That would allow them to be rounded up later, forcing Junior Brother to sever ties with the demonic sects.
After all, losing credibility on the demonic side would be a terrible thing.

Li Wangyan seemed to notice nothing.
He also said to Qi Xiao, “In that case, I accept.
Thank you for your nurturing, Senior Sister.
As always, you are the one who treats me best.”
“Since I am your senior sister, I must fulfill my responsibilities as such.”

“Speaking of which, Senior Sister, where are my esteemed Eldest Senior Brother, Lin Wushuang, and Second Senior Brother, Chu Jiao, now?”

Qi Xiao’s heart skipped a beat.
She had been afraid Li Wangyan would ask this.
“Junior Brother, you…”
“Senior Sister, you wouldn’t want to hide it from me, would you?”
“Your Eldest Senior Brother’s Ruthless Sword Dao has encountered a bottleneck.
He has gone out to train, seeking his one true love so he can sever the ties of affection to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.
Your Second Senior Brother is visiting another sect, fostering relations…”
Li Wangyan chuckled lightly.
“They stride forward with great steps!”
“Junior Brother…”
“Senior Sister need not say more.
This junior brother understands.”

What do you understand?
What are you planning to do?