After Xu Longyun went to see Lin Bai, the movements of the Justice League became the top priority for Prince Zhen Guo's house.
Zhou Zhu and Monk Wu Wang had been driven away by Lin Bai in a rather ruthless manner.
To outsiders, it might have seemed like a victory for Lin Bai and the Justice League, but Duke Zhenguo was quite displeased with Lin Bai's methods.
In his heart, a direct confrontation was the righteous path; underhanded tactics were unacceptable. Though temporary victories might be achieved this way, the hidden dangers left behind would only grow. Once they accumulated to a certain point, they would burst forth like a breached dam, becoming utterly uncontrollable.
When the Beggar's Gang of Qiancheng was dismantled, Duke Zhenguo received the news immediately. However, before he could discuss it with his advisors, Justice Weekly suddenly exposed the function of the Magpie Bridge.
Almost immediately afterward, the Seven Orthodox Sects and Five Demonic Sects mobilized in full force to exterminate the Justice League…
Duke Zhenguo was stunned by this dizzying series of events. Without pausing to analyze the wider implications, his first instinct was to recall Xu Longyun and sever all ties with the Justice League.
Lin Bai is acting too immaturely, without considering the consequences! Although the Righteous Door backing him might be able to contend with the Seven Orthodox Sects, in these tumultuous times, my precious daughter, Xu Longyun, could be the first to suffer. After all, Xu Longyun is Lin Bai's nominal lover. Killing her would be like severing one of Lin Bai's Magpie Bridge paths.
At that moment, Duke Zhenguo even began to regret the series of measures he had taken to support the Justice League. What a terrible teammate! Lin Bai is an absolute liability, highly likely to drag both me and Taiyi Country into an inescapable abyss… His mind was a maelstrom of thoughts.
Suddenly, the Linglong Bead at his waist vibrated rapidly. His eyes lit up. Xu Longyun is returning to the estate! She truly is my wise daughter—noticing the unfavorable situation and making a quick retreat, just as I thought!
Duke Zhenguo's heart eased slightly. He poured himself a cup of tea, waiting for Xu Longyun to find him. But before the cup reached his lips, a sudden, panicked commotion erupted outside.
He instinctively glanced out. Just as he was about to ask what had happened, his hand trembled, and the freshly poured tea spilled all over his chest. He froze, dumbfounded.
Outside the window, a bridge formed of magpies pierced directly into his Prince Zhen Guo's house, completely bypassing its defensive formations.
Magpie Bridge? Lin Bai! So the description of the Magpie Bridge in Justice Weekly was real…
Duke Zhenguo swallowed hard and hastily rose, walking towards the entrance. Just as he reached the doorway, he saw his beautiful daughter hand-in-hand with a handsome young man, both beaming as they stood beneath the Magpie Bridge.
Around them, the guards and maids of the estate all wore similar, fixed smiles.
Xu Longyun and Lin Bai's smiles were genuine, making them look like a perfect couple. However, the smiles of those surrounding them were somewhat strange and strained. The entire group looked strikingly out of place together.
An inexplicable tightness gripped Duke Zhenguo's chest. He subconsciously clutched at it. It's over! My daughter hasn't returned to seek refuge from disaster; she's brought it right to our doorstep!
"Father," Xu Longyun said, turning to see Duke Zhenguo. She quickly released Lin Bai's hand and curtsied to him.
"Lin Bai of the Righteous Door greets Duke Zhenguo," Lin Bai said, hastily composing his smile as he saw the forced grin on the Duke's face, and cupped his fists.
Duke Zhenguo took a deep breath, glanced at the Magpie Bridge behind them, and snorted. "What are you all standing around for? Disperse! You two, come here."
Xu Longyun gave Lin Bai an encouraging look and followed her father.
Lin Bai nodded to her and surveyed his surroundings. Truly, Prince Zhen Guo's house is teeming with hidden masters. Ever since I stepped off the Magpie Bridge, dozens of divine senses have been locked onto me, each at least at the Hollow Realm. As for Duke Zhenguo walking ahead, I can't discern his true cultivation level at all with my abilities; he's definitely stronger than me.
Duke Zhenguo led the two into the study. He shot a resentful glare at Xu Longyun before turning to Lin Bai. "Alliance Hierarch Lin, your Magpie Bridge extending directly into my Prince Zhen Guo's house is truly a grand display of power."
"Duke, you misunderstand my intentions," Lin Bai said humbly, his gaze falling on the damp tea stain on Duke Zhenguo's robe. "I utilized the Magpie Bridge to demonstrate its practical applications to you, in preparation for our future cooperation."
"I have seen the Magpie Bridge's use. You can retract it now," Duke Zhenguo said, pointedly ignoring Lin Bai's gaze. "As for cooperation, that's off the table."
"The Duke has seen it, but the members of the Seven Orthodox Sects and the Five Demonic Sects have not, nor have the common people. Let it remain for a while longer; consider it advertising for the Magpie Bridge. Given the Duke's magnanimity, I'm sure you won't mind!" Lin Bai said with a familiar smile.
[Resentment from Xu Zhongsheng received; +1+1+1...]
Duke Zhenguo forced a smile, then frowned. "I've said it before: cooperation is unnecessary. Do not bring this up again. Also, stop smiling in my presence."
Ever since Lin Bai had entered the estate, Duke Zhenguo's negative emotions had been unceasing. Seeing the Duke's face grow increasingly dark, yet still forced into a smile by his own skill, Lin Bai sighed. He presented the box with both hands, saying, "Duke, I am immensely grateful for the Chaos Jade and Thousand Miles Talisman the Commandery Princess delivered last time. As this is my first visit, I have prepared some Spirit Condensing Fruit. Please accept them."
After all, this was his prospective father-in-law. Lin Bai didn't mind his negativity and still offered the gift.
Seeing her father's gloomy face, Xu Longyun huffed, took the box from Lin Bai, and quickly walked over to place it on Duke Zhenguo's desk. She casually opened the lid and, with her back to Lin Bai, shot her father a glare before saying sweetly, "Spirit Condensing Fruit helps with Soul Condensation. Father, you toil day and night. You can have one or two when you have a moment. The Spirit Condensing Fruit from the Righteous Door has no side effects…"
Seeing Xu Longyun like this, Duke Zhenguo's heart felt even more constricted. The box, full of richly aromatic Spirit Fruit potent enough to condense the Yin God to a tangible state, could not soothe the wound in his heart.
That damn brat charmed away my daughter, and when he finally meets me, a casual fist clasp is his greeting! He calls me 'Duke' this and 'Duke' that, his words laced with barbs, and he won't even retract the Magpie Bridge when I tell him to… And my own dear daughter is defending him so fiercely! How infuriating!
[Resentment from Xu Zhongsheng received; +1+1+1...]
Lin Bai ignored Xu Zhongsheng's thoughts and said, "Duke, since its establishment, the Justice League has faced constant obstruction from the Seven Orthodox Sects and the Five Demonic Sects, making every step a struggle. It is easy to add flowers to a brocade, but sending charcoal in snowy weather is truly difficult. When the world shunned the Justice League, only you, Duke, stepped forward to staunchly support our endeavors. Every time I recall this, my heart fills with gratitude for you."
[Resentment from Xu Zhongsheng received; +1+1+1...]
Mentioning this only fueled Duke Zhenguo's resentment. Sending charcoal in snowy weather? I practically sent my own daughter to them!
His face grew increasingly livid, and a flood of negative emotions washed over Lin Bai's mind. Lin Bai reckoned that if he talked with his old father-in-law a bit longer, the Spirit Condensing Fruit he had gifted would soon pay for themselves in resentment points.
"I must say, the Duke's foresight is truly beyond that of ordinary men," Lin Bai chuckled. "I presume the Duke is already aware that the Magpie Bridge can transport people and goods instantaneously. We need do nothing more than establish Magpie Bridges across the entire nation through loving couples, transforming natural barriers into thoroughfares. This will bring boundless benefits to the national economy with no drawbacks. With the aid of the Magpie Bridge, it won't take long for Taiyi Country to become the most powerful nation in the world…"
HUMPH!
A muffled snort.
Duke Zhenguo interrupted Lin Bai, "Alliance Hierarch Lin, as far as I know, ever since the Magpie Bridge was revealed, the Seven Orthodox Sects and the Five Demonic Sects have mobilized all their forces to wipe out the Justice League. And now you come to me to discuss cooperation? Are you treating me like a fool?"
"Father!" Xu Longyun frowned, chiding him.
"Silence! Stand aside and don't speak," Duke Zhenguo glared at Xu Longyun. "Xu Longyun, what did I teach you? The nation and family are paramount! Look at you now! What bewitching potion has he fed you that you can't see his malicious intentions? He wants to drag Taiyi Country to be buried alongside him! Do you want Taiyi Country to be ruined at your hands?"
"Father…" Xu Longyun's eyes widened as she tried to argue.
Duke Zhenguo cut her off again, his gaze icily fixed on her. "Say one more word, and I will sever our father-daughter relationship."
"The Duke's display of authority is far greater than mine!" Lin Bai suddenly sighed, looking at Duke Zhenguo with an expression of disappointment. "I thought Duke Zhenguo supported the Justice League with foresight, but it turns out he's merely an opportunist, afraid of death and seeking petty advantages. Alas, it seems I misjudged him."
"I was using reverse psychology when you were still in your mother's womb!" Duke Zhenguo retorted, settling back into his chair. "Don't think I don't know. If not for the Chaos Jade, you would have perished without a trace in the battle against Zhou Zhu outside Zhen City. Now, with all the major sects mobilized against you, what does your fledgling Righteous Door have to fight back with? Those Nine Ancestors of yours from beyond the Nine Heavens?"
"Repel the Great Cheng cultivators around Zhen City, and the Seven Orthodox Sects will naturally not dare to move against us," Lin Bai smiled. "The Way of Laws is vast and profound, its applications wondrous and limitless. Duke, why do you think they are so desperate to attack the Justice League? Isn't it because they fear me, fear my Way of Laws?"
"Fine. Go repel the Great Cheng cultivators around Zhen City yourself. Make the Seven Orthodox Sects afraid to confront you. Then, you can come back and discuss promoting the Magpie Bridge," Duke Zhenguo countered sharply.
"Duke, it's as I said: it's easy to add flowers to a brocade, but difficult to send charcoal in snowy weather," Lin Bai said, shaking his head as he looked at Duke Zhenguo. "If I manage to repel the Seven Orthodox Sects and establish a firm foothold in this world, do you think Taiyi Country will still have the opportunity to cooperate with me? Whether I choose to partner with the Seven Orthodox Sects or any of the Five Demonic Sects, promoting the Magpie Bridge would likely be effortless."
"..." Duke Zhenguo frowned, looking at the confidently speaking Lin Bai.
"By then, Taiyi Country will still be the same Taiyi Country, but the Justice League will no longer be the Justice League it is now," Lin Bai sighed. "The Duke is a wise man. Since you've already taken the first step, why not continue? Furthermore, even if the Justice League fails to stop the Seven Orthodox Sects, do you think they won't seek retribution later? Or does the Duke believe that without the Justice League to preoccupy the Seven Orthodox Sects and the Descenders, you'll have the time and resources to handle the catastrophe brought by these Descenders?"
"..." Duke Zhenguo was speechless.
"The Duke should not be a man of such shortsightedness!" Lin Bai frowned slightly. "Could it be that because Xiao Yun fancies me, the Duke is prejudiced against me?"
"This has nothing to do with Xu Longyun!" Duke Zhenguo snapped. "No single person is worth Taiyi Country staking its national destiny."
"With tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions of Descenders entering this world, what national destiny is there to speak of?" Lin Bai shook his head. "Duke, above, the Seven Orthodox Sects have suppressed imperial power for millennia. Below, an unknown number of Descenders eye this world like tigers, ready to plunge it into chaos at any moment. Catastrophe is imminent; what national destiny remains?
Do you believe that once the Descenders are dealt with, peace will return to the world?
Are you aware that in some hidden dimension lies the Continent of Gods and Demons, where Descenders also wreak havoc, and they could breach the dimensional barrier and invade this world at any time…
Now, only by striving, by venturing, by gambling, can we find a path through this chaos. Advance, and a smooth road lies ahead; retreat, and an abyss awaits. Duke, the Way of Laws is an opportunity for everyone. On this point, the Commandery Princess understands this better than you, Duke…"
"Do you know how many common people there are in Taiyi Country?" Duke Zhenguo's eyes were bloodshot. "If you lose, you can just walk away. But if Taiyi Country loses, its people will be devastated!"
"If I lose, Taiyi Country will be devastated regardless," Lin Bai said, looking at Duke Zhenguo. He took the Thousand Miles Talisman from his robes. "Recently, the Justice League has been thriving, so the Duke must have some understanding of me. I bear the mission of spreading the Way of Laws and will certainly not sit idly by awaiting death. If I truly cannot withstand the allied forces of the Seven Orthodox Sects, the Magpie Bridge and Thousand Miles Talisman will allow me to escape a thousand li in an instant. Then, perhaps a Dark Alliance, a Righteous Qi Alliance, or a Holy Alliance will emerge to promote the Way of Laws in the ensuing chaos. Why do you think I left the Magpie Bridge connected to Prince Zhen Guo's house? It's precisely so the Justice League has a retreat route should we be unable to defeat the Seven Orthodox Sects!"
"Are you threatening me?" Duke Zhenguo's expression changed drastically. With the Magpie Bridge connected here, he wouldn't be able to deny his association with Lin Bai no matter how many mouths he had!
"I am merely stating facts," Lin Bai said calmly. "The Righteous Door has researched the Way of Laws for ten thousand years. Duke, do you think the Righteous Door chose to emerge and promote the Way of Laws just as the Descenders arrived for no reason?"
"..." Duke Zhenguo was stunned.
"Heroes emerge in chaotic times. My master told me that promoting the Way of Laws in a peaceful world is exceedingly difficult. The more chaotic the world, the easier it is to promote the Way of Laws, because a chaotic world is rife with opportunities," Lin Bai said, looking out the window, his voice faint. "Duke, I have always wished to promote the Way of Laws peacefully, confining the chaos to the upper echelons as much as possible. If, one day, I truly have no path of retreat left, then I will plunge the world into chaos to make the propagation of the Way of Laws easier. In my heart, the Law surpasses all else. Heaven and Earth are ruthless, treating all of creation as straw dogs. After all, I am a man destined to become the Heavenly Dao!"
A madman! Lin Bai is an utter madman!
At that moment, from Lin Bai's calm tone, Duke Zhenguo discerned an extreme, unhinged fanaticism—a gleam in his eyes that showed utter disregard for all living beings. Even as a battle-hardened veteran, Duke Zhenguo couldn't help but feel a bone-deep chill.
He looked at Xu Longyun, as if asking, Is this the man you've chosen?
But in Xu Longyun's eyes, he saw only serenity and utter infatuation with Lin Bai…
Lin Bai turned back to Duke Zhenguo and smiled faintly. "Duke, take a gamble. If you win, Taiyi Country will break free from the Seven Orthodox Sects' control and finally master its own destiny."
"And if we lose?" Duke Zhenguo's eyes were red.
"We won't lose." Confidence radiated from Lin Bai's face. He looked at Xu Longyun and smiled. "No one understands the Laws better than I do. No one understands the way of survival better than I do."
"What should I do?" Duke Zhenguo asked hoarsely, his gaze shifting from Lin Bai to Xu Longyun, and finally settling on the Magpie Bridge outside.
Lin Bai looked at Duke Zhenguo and smiled slightly. "First, lend me troops. Accompany me through the Magpie Bridge to defend Zhen City. Second, before the Seven Orthodox Sects arrive, find more loving couples and establish more Magpie Bridges in advance, clearly stating your stance of resisting the rule of the Seven Orthodox Sects…"
What is negotiation? *This* is negotiation? Across the negotiating table, there are no fathers and sons, and certainly no fathers-in-law!