Chapter 301: Li Shimin, Destiny is Supreme

The river water drifted, continuous and ceaseless.

The covered boat did not even need a helmsman, traveling against the river current.

Yu Liancheng fetched the "Longevity Formula" and continued to observe those seven diagrams.

Wanwan's beautiful eyes were like polished lacquer, agile and cunning, like an elf in the dark night. Her gaze shifted, looking from time to time at the "Longevity Formula" in Yu Liancheng's palm, clearly quite interested in it.

Not knowing how much time had passed, Yu Liancheng stretched, yawned, and placed the "Longevity Formula" aside at will. He lay back, resting his head on Wanwan's round, slender, and resilient jade legs, a faint fragrance lingering in his nose.

A shy expression appeared on Wanwan's exquisite jade face. She used her jade hand to gently push Yu Liancheng's head, but could not move it, and said timidly, "Uncle Yu, Wanwan is your niece. If you rest your head on Wanwan's legs and an outsider sees it, there will inevitably be gossip. How will Wanwan be able to live after this?"

This little girl was really getting into the roleplay.

Yu Liancheng's eyes were half-open and half-closed. He shifted his head further inward on Wanwan's thighs to lie in a more comfortable position and said indifferently, "What I am doing conforms to the words of the Confucian sages; there is not the slightest bit of impropriety."

Doubt appeared in Wanwan's beautiful eyes: "Please explain in detail, Uncle Yu, Wanwan does not understand."

"If a sister-in-law is drowning, a brother-in-law should pull her out with his hand—you should have heard this saying," Yu Liancheng said indifferently. "I am somewhat tired, and your thighs, Wanwan, are the best pillows. I rest on them to get better rest; naturally, it is perfectly in accordance with reason."

Wanwan bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, looking timid yet afraid to resist or protest: "What Uncle Yu says is truly reasonable; Wanwan does not know how to refute it."

"Niece Wan, do you want to see the 'Longevity Formula'?" Yu Liancheng changed the subject and reached out a hand, playing with a strand of dark hair that hung down from Wanwan's fragrant shoulder.

Wanwan's heart stirred, but she still maintained a shy expression: "The 'Longevity Formula' is a treasure of Daoism. Wanwan is a demon girl of the Yin Gui Sect; what virtue or ability do I have to view it?"

Yu Liancheng laughed: "The 'Longevity Formula' is only obtained by the capable, and now it has fallen into my hands. If you serve me comfortably, it is not impossible to let you catch a glimpse of its contents."

"Is what Uncle Yu says true?" Wanwan's beautiful eyes flashed, and she could not help but be moved.

"Believe it or not, it is up to you." Yu Liancheng yawned.

"Fine, Wanwan will certainly satisfy Uncle Yu." Wanwan stretched out her slender jade hands and massaged Yu Liancheng's forehead. Her technique was gentle, and she injected a trace of Heavenly Demon Energy, making one's whole body feel comfortable.

At the same time, a trace of murderous intent arose in Wanwan's heart. The forehead is a vital point of the human body; if she used force, she had an eighty percent certainty of killing the other party.

But thinking about it from another angle, since the other party exposed his flaws and vital points to her without any scruples, he must have been prepared. To strike rashly would very likely result in failing to catch the chicken and losing the rice instead.

Furthermore, the "Life and Death Talisman" that Yu Liancheng had struck into her body had not yet been undone. If the other party died, the Life and Death Talisman could not be undone, and once it erupted...

The miserable state of Bian Bufu could not help but surface in Wanwan's mind, and her delicate body trembled.

"You girl, your massage has no sense of proportion. Stop kneading my head; you had better pound my shoulders and knead my legs for me." Yu Liancheng's voice rang out, interrupting Wanwan's thoughts.

"I know, Uncle Yu only knows how to order people around." Wanwan pouted, acting like a little girl. She immediately fetched a porcelain pillow, placed it under Yu Liancheng, and then began to pound his shoulders and knead his legs.

"Lighter, are you trying to pound your uncle to death?"

"Tsk, heavier, didn't you eat?"

"Move up a bit, yes, right there."

Yu Liancheng rested on the pillow with his eyes closed, ordering Wanwan around at will, making the little demon girl grit her teeth and even harbor the thought of risking everything to perish together with Yu Liancheng.

But just as this thought arose, Yu Liancheng casually slapped her shapely buttocks. She let out a soft cry, and the thought vanished like smoke.

After serving Yu Liancheng for nearly half an hour and seeing that the other party was so comfortable he was almost asleep, Wanwan gritted her teeth, gave the other party a heavy push, and stretched her own sore jade hands, saying hatefully: "Uncle Yu, have I served you well now? Can I look at the 'Longevity Formula'?"

"Still far from it. I really don't understand. You, a demon girl of the Yin Gui Sect, how is your ability to serve people so poor?" Yu Liancheng opened his sleepy eyes and shook his head in disappointment.

"You really treat Wanwan as a maid." Wanwan said indignantly: "It has always been others serving Wanwan; how could Wanwan go to serve others? You are the first, even my master does not have this treatment."

Although Wanwan is a demon girl of the Yin Gui Sect, her intelligence, martial arts, and arts of seduction are all top-notch.

But she tends more toward the martial arts faction; that unfathomable Heavenly Demon Great Art is her greatest reliance, and her ability to serve people is far inferior to her junior sister Bai Qing'er.

That Bai Qing'er practices the Young Maiden Great Art and is skilled at seducing people's hearts; her martial arts are far inferior to Wanwan's, but she is adept at social maneuvering, and her ability to win people over is much stronger than Wanwan's.

In the original timeline, after Zhu Yuyan passed away, Bai Qing'er used the Elders of the Yin Gui Sect to force a coup, attempting to sit in the position of Sect Leader.

"So I have such an honor." Yu Liancheng chuckled and waved his hand: "Since that is the case, then Wanwan, you may browse the 'Longevity Formula' to your heart's content."

"Hee hee, Uncle Yu, you are truly a very good person." Wanwan's face immediately blossomed into a smile, bright and radiant.

She took the "Longevity Formula" into her hands, her beautiful eyes flashing with light, and began to look at it carefully.

Soon, Wanwan's delicate brows furrowed slightly; she discovered that she could not understand the oracle bone script at all, and the seven diagrams were mysterious and inexplicable, making it impossible to understand their meaning.

But having gone through so much trouble to get the "Longevity Formula," she was naturally unwilling to give up easily.

Wanwan pondered for a moment, using the red lines and markings on one of the diagrams to circulate her True Qi, but soon a strange flush passed over her jade-like cheeks, and her Qi and Blood surged. She hurriedly stopped this foolish act and regulated her True Qi.

Although Yu Liancheng had his eyes closed, he seemed to know everything Wanwan was doing like the back of his hand, and chuckled: "Niece Wan, the 'Longevity Formula' has circulated for thousands of years; only those two brats, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, managed to practice two of the diagrams by chance. If you practice like this, you must be careful of suffering a Qi deviation."

Wanwan finally regulated her breathing and gave a soft snort: "Wanwan was wondering why Uncle Yu was so generous; it turns out you were plotting against me."

Yu Liancheng laughed: "Little girl, drifting on the river is quite boring. Do you know how to sing? Sing one for me to listen to."

Wanwan said angrily: "I don't want to! Uncle Yu, do you think Wanwan is a singing girl from a brothel?"

"As a demon girl of the Demon Sect, to not even know how to sing is truly shameful." Yu Liancheng shook his head and said: "Shall I teach you?"

"Not interested. Wanwan is tired and wants to rest." Wanwan closed her beautiful eyes, appearing to want a short nap.

Yu Liancheng said indifferently: "Niece Wan is not lively enough. Why don't I activate the 'Life and Death Talisman' to try? I guarantee it will make you jump around."

Wanwan opened her eyes at once, and a forced smile appeared on her exquisite face: "Uncle Yu, don't. You teach Wanwan to sing, and Wanwan will follow and learn."

Yu Liancheng chuckled: "Good. You listen to me sing it once first, then I will sing a line, and you follow along. With your cleverness, I think you will be able to learn it very quickly."

A giant ship was sailing on the river surface.

On the deck at the bow of the ship stood four people from the Li Clan.

The leader was a handsome youth slightly older than Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, with a square face and large ears, a majestic appearance, and eyes like polished lacquer, full of spirit. At this moment, he stood proudly, his demeanor calm and composed, with an air of profound depth that made people admire him.

Beside the square-faced youth was a beautiful young girl with a graceful and refined appearance. Her eyes were agile and spirited. Although her whole body revealed a noble True Qi, she did not have an overbearing attitude, making people involuntarily feel admiration and longing.

These two were Li Shimin and Li Xiuning of the Li Clan.

Behind these two were also a handsome youth and a scholarly man of about forty, tall, thin, and elegant. They were Li Xiuning's fiancé, Chai Shao, and Pei Ji, known as the "Forgetful Fan."

Pei Ji shook the folding fan in his hand and gazed into the distance at the scenery on both banks: "A great change has occurred in the Dongming Sect. It is said that a youth named Yu Liancheng has taken power. This person has high martial arts and a mysterious background. I wonder if our trip will go smoothly?"

Chai Shao raised his eyebrows: "The Dongming Sect is a combination of Lady Dongming and over ten forces on the Island; it is absolutely difficult for outsiders to intervene. In my opinion, the so-called Yu Liancheng is merely a front put forward by Lady Dongming after she completely seized power."

Li Xiuning shook her head: "Xiuning and Wanjing have been close friends for many years and have exchanged letters. According to the news from her letters, the Dongming Sect has indeed submitted to Yu Liancheng, and in Wanjing's words, there is nothing but reverence for this person."

Pei Ji frowned and said, "Lady Dongming's resourcefulness and martial arts are both unfathomable, and she has four great protectors and generals under her command. Furthermore, she has intricate ties with the Yin Gui Sect. What kind of methods could that Yu Liancheng possibly have to subdue the Dongming Sect?"

Li Xiuning's beautiful eyes flashed as she said, "It is said that this person's martial arts have reached the realm of perfection; even a hegemon of this generation like Du Fuwei died at his hands, so he truly cannot be underestimated. In the letter from Wanjing, it is even stated bluntly that this person is absolutely not inferior to the Three Great Grandmasters."

"How is that possible?" Chai Shao said incredulously, "That Yu Liancheng is only twenty-some years old, while the Three Great Grandmasters have been famous for decades. I suspect that Miss Shan has already set her heart on Yu Liancheng, which is why her words are full of praise."

Pei Ji nodded and said, "That is also possible."

Li Xiuning suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, her beautiful eyes turning to Li Shimin: "Second Young Master, originally Wanjing had special feelings for you; now that she has had a change of heart, do you feel sad?"

"Xiuning, don't talk nonsense. Wanjing only treats me as her older brother, and I only treat her as my younger sister. If she finds a good home, I will only be very happy."

Li Shimin, who had not spoken until now, finally spoke, a trace of worry appearing between his brows: "If we can steal the account books while purchasing weapons from the Dongming Sect this time, that would be best. Alas, I only hope Father will not be stubborn; otherwise, my Li Clan will sooner or later be implicated by that foolish monarch."

When he said the last sentence, Li Shimin could not help but sigh lightly, revealing a look of distress.

Anyone in the world could see that the Great Sui was about to perish, and the entire Central Plains would enter a situation of rival warlords vying for the Central Plains. If the major forces had not already rebelled, they were preparing to do so.

But as it happened, Li Yuan was unable to make up his mind to rebel against the Sui, causing the Li Clan to not only be unable to utilize the advantage of occupying Taiyuan with its many soldiers and generals, but also risking being crushed by the wheels of history.

Pei Ji added, "A few days ago, Yu Liancheng slapped Xiang Gui and his son Xiang Yushan to death, severely wounded the 'Pretty Strategist' Shen Luoyan, and killed Du Fuwei of Jianghuai. More importantly, this person seems to have obtained the secret of the Yang Gong Treasury from Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling."

Chai Shao raised his eyebrows and said, "The Yang Gong Treasury was secretly built by Yang Su, who collected his lifelong wealth there. If anyone can obtain the treasury, they will immediately become the richest person in the world."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "If Yu Liancheng has obtained the Yang Gong Treasury, plus the weapons from the Dongming Sect, he indeed has the capital to carve out a territory and vie for the Central Plains. In that case, our Li Clan has gained one more enemy."

Pei Ji said, "It is precisely because he killed Du Fuwei and mastered the secret of the Yang Gong Treasury that Yu Liancheng's reputation as the 'Supreme Brilliance' has thoroughly resounded throughout the world, rising like a comet."

"It is said that Yu Liancheng's original nickname was 'Supreme Emperor', a generation older than the Supreme Emperor, counting as Yang Guang's grandfather. But the world today is still the Sui's empire, and for most people, imperial power is supreme and they dare not offend it lightly."

Li Xiuning covered her mouth and laughed: "Thus, 'Supreme Emperor' became 'Supreme Brilliance', implying that this person's emergence will surely sweep across the world, bringing endless, incomparable terror and panic to the living beings of the Central Plains."

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back and said, "If possible, I would like to meet the 'Supreme Brilliance' Yu Liancheng and see what he intends to do."

Pei Ji fanned himself and smiled: "Second Young Master, it is said that Yu Liancheng is also traveling along this river route; perhaps we might really run into him."

His words had just fallen when suddenly a burst of singing drifted up from the river surface.

"Who begs whom, the Spring and Autumn only obeys the orders of Heaven. Heavenly Mandate. Who is without whom, the chaotic situation enters stillness just the same..."

The sound was like a dragon's roar and a tiger's howl, carrying a vast, boundless momentum. Although there was no accompaniment, it echoed through the clouds, stunning the four people present and leaving them completely immersed in the singing.

It is unknown how much time passed, but the sound gradually lowered, and the singing reached its end.

"Do not gamble, the Heavenly Mandate is Supreme."

"... The Heavenly Mandate is Supreme."

The last four words seemed to be repeated in a low chant, the lingering sound echoing, never-ending.

As the sound stopped, a charming and soft female voice rang out: "Young Master, what is the name of this song?"

Another clear and bright male voice rang out: "Heavenly Mandate is Supreme!"

That soft female voice said again: "Young Master said he would teach Wanwan to sing, but this one is really not suitable for a weak woman like Wanwan to sing."

That male voice laughed: "You naughty girl, you won't sing this, you won't sing that; if you don't sing next time, you'll get a spanking. However, this one is indeed not meant for you to sing."

"Oh? Then who is it meant for?"

A black-awning boat came head-on up the river, and a man in black stepped out, laughing heartily: "Second Young Master Li, why not come down and sit for a while?"