Chapter 819: Crimson Voyager (II)
Kongheng had served alone under Yu Su, without any other members of the Li Family nearby, so he couldn’t confirm Mount Yan Pass’s exact status. Li Ximing stayed silent for a moment before finally speaking, "We can’t head north into the demonic mist. All we can do is await word... The two elders are powerful and should be safe... but I fear for Xizhi and Wushao... Brother Xizhi was injured earlier, and he could be in danger now."
Kongheng thought for a moment, then gently consoled, "Although Mount Yan Pass has fallen, the situation at Chengshui Tomb may not be as bad as it seems."
As a buddhist cultivator of an ancient lineage, Kongheng had clearly deduced Tang Shedu’s intentions from the clues at hand. He explained, "Tang Shedu simply wishes to join the Northern Buddhists. The North-South conflict is a matter of Dao lineage and great destiny. With his deep foundations and high status, he may become the next Merciful One if he joins the North. This means his future prospects are boundless.
"If he intends to undertake the karmic transformation ritual, he would surely submit under a Maha. Upon success, the heavens would shine with divine light, lotus flowers would descend, and all of us who cultivate the Buddhist Dao would sense it..."
He shook his head and said, "I was close enough to Chengshui Tomb, yet I sensed nothing, not even upon reaching Baixiang Valley. Something must have gone wrong. Perhaps the ritual was interrupted by someone in the Purple Mansion Realm."
The expressions of the Li Family members eased slightly at that. But Li Xuanxuan remained uneasy and began asking for details. Li Ximing sat quietly at the table, folding Yu Fuzi's intelligence with care. Outside, the snowfall had lessened. A man rushed up from below, hurried and anxious, arriving quickly before the hall.
His face pale, he spoke quickly, "Your Highness! Lady Xu is in labor..."
Li Zhouwei’s gaze snapped to him. He strode swiftly out of the main hall, and leaped onto the wind. He pierced through the clouds and across the frozen lake, landing directly in front of the central hall.
Though anxious, he masked it well. He strode through the corridor and neared the palace gate of the rear hall. The scent of blood had already reached his nose. Li Zhouwei’s ears twitched at the sound of panicked cries. His expression darkened as he pushed the door open, and his breath caught.