Jade Bamboo Forest.

Li Suqing sat alone, gently rubbing a jade piece in her hand, a trace of gravity flashing in her eyes. She did not believe Feng Jiuge's words.

She wanted to continue confining Li Suqing, forcing Chen Yuan to negotiate. Before Chen Yuan arrived at the Goddess Palace, she would not be released. As soon as he arrived, she would be freed immediately.

In the future, they would equally divide the power of the Goddess Palace, using it as a bridge with Chen Yuan.

However...

Li Suqing wasn't foolish. She instinctively felt there was something amiss. Is this how you negotiate benefits?

Why insist on inviting Chen Yuan to the Goddess Palace?

There was definitely an issue here.

After pondering for a long time, Li Suqing finally contacted Su Ziyue, telling her everything that had happened today, and shared her speculations.

She felt it was a plot against Chen Yuan, so it should be passed on to Chen Yuan through Su Ziyue, letting him decide whether to come or not.

...

Seven Killings Hall Mountain Gate Secret Realm.

The same grand hall, the same seats that seemed unchanged since the inception of the hall, the Seven Killings Hall Master sat in the center, the rest of the Yama next.

King Chujiang, Chen Huaiyi, sat on the left of the Seven Killings Hall Master, his expression indifferent.

The atmosphere in the entire hall was very quiet.

This was also a habit of everyone. They almost all climbed up from the lowest ranks of Seven Killings Hall killers, receiving the most rigorous training from a young age.

Though their personalities varied, they were generally quiet.

"How are the preparations in the hall?"

The Seven Killings Hall Master grasped the armrest and asked calmly.

"Reporting to the Hall Master, seventy percent of disciples have been dispatched, deployed everywhere..."

"Reporting to the Hall Master, eighty percent of the covert lines are safe."

"Reporting to the Hall Master..."

Matters concerning Seven Killings Hall were continuously narrated by various Yama. Although they were killers, becoming Yama meant they were in charge.

This was what they deserved.

"What about King Chujiang?"

"Half of the hall's resources have been divided and given to Liangshan, and... some covert lines have infiltrated therein." King Chujiang Chen Huaiyi replied.

"Dong... dong...."

The Seven Killings Hall Master tapped his fingers, crisp and clear, as if striking directly at one's heart. His gaze turned sharply, sweeping over everyone:

"Next, I have one more thing to arrange."

"Please command us, Hall Master!"

"Please command us, Hall Master!"

"Please command us..."

The other six Yama spoke in unison.

"First, allocate another twenty percent of resources to Liangshan. Second, scatter more covert lines to hide within the Yan Army. Third, and most importantly.

King Chujiang, King Zhuanlun, King Qinguang... accompany me to Yun State."

"Why go to Yun State? We should be dealing with Chen Yuan now." Chen Huaiyi frowned slightly.

The Seven Killings Hall Master smiled faintly, glanced at King Chujiang, and said:

"In time, you will naturally know."

Although Xiang Qianqiu told him to inform Chen Yuan about the ambush, it couldn't be stated outright as an ambush; that would be too obvious.

With Chen Yuan's intelligence, he couldn't miss such a blatant intention, as if openly informing him where the ambush was, so... it had to be subtle.

Moreso, regarding matters in Yun State, it's enough if Chen Yuan realizes there's an issue.

Their goal was merely to draw Chen Yuan to the Goddess Palace.

The more said, the more mistakes made.

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

"Understood..."

...

Back Mountain.

In a huge crevice, the ancient Bronze Divine Coffin stood, tethered by chains.

The Seven Killings Hall Master stepped closer to the Divine Coffin, bowing before the Qingtian Divine Coffin, speaking solemnly:

"Disciple meets the ancestor!"

On the Bronze Divine Coffin, mysterious runes slowly lit up, and a dry, raspy voice gradually sounded, like bones rubbing against each other.

"What... is it?"

"Reporting, Ancestor. Xiang Qianqiu seeks the disciple's help in inviting you to emerge and resolve some troubles."

"The... item?"

"He said the Divine Origin would be presented afterward."

"Good...."

...

Shuzhou City.

Recently, the atmosphere in Shuzhou City has been quite lively, due to two main reasons: the Yan Army repelling a million demon soldiers, safeguarding the Central Plains.

Secondly, the approaching New Year.

The spirit of the New Year here isn't overwhelming but neither is it light. Despite many families hanging white silk, more people pasted red paper, preparing to welcome the New Year.

Chen Yuan, in a white unadorned robe, his demeanor calm, was accompanied by Su Ziyue by his side, who also wore light makeup, yet her outstanding temperament remained notable.

As King Yan, Chen Yuan controlled the lands of two states, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops, a first-rate lord with great renown, widely circulated portraits.

No one recognized the white fish dragon attire in the bustling street.

The fundamental reason was that no one would expect the distinguished King Yan to travel so simply.

Of course, this was merely on the surface, while actually, Chen Yuan still had many elite guards secretly accompanying him.

Not to ensure safety; with his strength, he was practically unmatched below Moluo, no Yang God True Monarch within his power could compare.

They were merely clearing some nuisances.

Su Ziyue held Chen Yuan's hand, nestling close to him, like an ordinary newlywed couple strolling through Shuzhou City, occasionally pointing and laughing at the lanterns along the road.