Wu Hai nodded slightly and cleared his throat.
He stood on the high platform, waved his hands, and shouted loudly: "In this attack on Bijian Manor, we must be unstoppable and raze that manor to the ground, so that everyone will know the power of the Ming Cult!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers below were filled with righteous indignation. They raised their weapons and shouted in unison, "We are determined to take over Bijian Manor!"
The shouts were thunderous and deafening, shaking the entire area.
Just as everyone was getting excited, a solemn figure quietly appeared at the edge of the crowd.
The high priest walked slowly, wearing a gray robe and with a calm expression.
The surrounding soldiers spontaneously made way for him.
The high priest walked up to Wu Hai, bowed slightly, and said solemnly, "Master, I have something important to report."
Wu Hai waved for everyone to leave, then turned and asked, "High Priest, what is the matter that is so urgent?"
The high priest looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before whispering, "Master, now is not the right time to attack Jade Sword Manor."
His voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable weight.
Upon hearing this, Wu Hai frowned slightly and asked, "Why?"
The High Priest slowly said, "Does the Cult Leader still remember the upcoming marriage alliance with the Blood Sect? If the Blood Sect finds out, wouldn't they think that our Ming Cult doesn't care about this marriage alliance at all?"
Wu Hai seemed to be deep in thought, lost in contemplation.
A trusted confidant couldn't contain himself and interjected, "Master, High Priest, you are mistaken! We have a strong and well-equipped army; if we don't fight now, when will we?"
The high priest glanced at his confidant and continued calmly, "Master, this marriage alliance is crucial to the overall situation of our sect. If we can use this opportunity to win over the Blood Sect and have them fight alongside us, we can subdue them without a fight. Moreover, if this attack goes wrong, it may damage the prestige of our sect."
Upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed in Wu Hai's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
The high priest slowly said, "Master, think about it. Bijian Manor has been operating for many years, and its defenses must be very tight. If we attack rashly, we will suffer heavy losses. Moreover, the day of the Holy Maiden's marriage to the Blood Sect is just around the corner. This is a major event concerning the future of our sect."
The high priest spoke with even greater earnestness: "At this crucial moment, if an attack on Jade Sword Manor causes unnecessary turmoil and disrupts the marriage alliance, it would be a great loss."
Upon hearing this, Wu Hai's trusted confidant retorted, "High Priest, what are you saying! We have been preparing for this for a long time. If we don't attack now, when will we? Are we going to let our brothers' blood run cold?"
Upon hearing this, the high priest's lips curled up slightly, revealing a mysterious smile.
He said slowly, “Brother, I understand your eagerness to make a name for yourself. But fighting a war cannot be done with just passion; we must consider the bigger picture. A marriage alliance can bring many benefits to our sect. The Blood Sect is powerful, and if the marriage alliance is successful, our Ming Cult will be even stronger.”
The high priest looked directly at his confidant and said, "But if we cause trouble at this crucial moment by attacking the Azure Sword Manor, the Blood Sect will be dissatisfied, the marriage alliance will fall through, and we will lose this powerful ally. How will we stand in the future?"
These words were well-reasoned and powerful, leaving his confidants speechless and utterly defeated.
The confidant stammered for a long time, and finally could only lower his head in embarrassment.
After listening to the high priest's words, Wu Hai fell into deep thought.
His eyes flashed with hesitation, contemplation, and determination.
A moment later, he suddenly raised his head and said loudly, "The High Priest is absolutely right! Stop arguing and shut that confidant up. After the Holy Maiden's wedding tomorrow, we will discuss the attack on Jade Sword Manor in more detail."
Everyone obeyed the order and fell silent.
The next day.
The atmosphere inside and outside the Ming Cult's mountain gate was filled with joy.
Red ribbons fluttered in the breeze, drums and gongs resounded, and everywhere was filled with the joyful atmosphere of the festival.
The congregation was busy setting up the wedding venue, moving tables and chairs, and hanging lanterns and decorations.
A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen as chefs meticulously prepared a variety of dishes.
Su Xueqing sat in front of the dressing table, quietly gazing at herself in the bronze mirror.
She wore a bright red wedding dress, a phoenix crown, and had a face as beautiful as a peach blossom with exquisite features.
"Am I forced to marry into this wedding, whether I want to or not?"
Su Xueqing pondered to herself, her fingers trembling slightly.
"No, I absolutely cannot accept my fate like this. Today is the day I fight back!"
Just as Su Xueqing was lost in thought, a slight noise suddenly came from outside the window.
She looked up alertly and saw a figure flash in like a ghost, landing lightly – it was Xiao Feng.
"Xueqing." Xiao Feng stepped forward quickly and said in a low voice, "Time is of the essence. This is the bewitching powder I managed to get with great difficulty."
As he spoke, he took out a crystal-clear pill from his pocket and carefully handed it to Su Xueqing.
Su Xueqing took the pills and met Xiao Feng's eyes.
"Remember," Xiao Feng instructed, "When Wu Hai arrives, find an opportunity to crush the pill, and he will fall into a coma."
Su Xueqing nodded solemnly and hid the pill in her sleeve.
“I understand,” she said softly.
"Bang, bang, bang," came a sudden, urgent knocking sound.
Xiao Feng's expression changed, and he quickly dodged behind the screen.
"Miss, the Vice Master has arrived!" The maid's voice came from outside the door.
Su Xueqing took a deep breath and quickly adjusted her expression.
"Please come in," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.
The door opened, and Wu Hai strode in.
He was dressed in a magnificent wedding gown, exuding an air of grandeur, with piercing eyes.
"Xueqing," he said with a smile, "you look absolutely stunning today."
Su Xueqing lowered her head, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes.
"Master Wu," she said, choking back tears, "I'm about to get married, but my father hasn't shown up yet. I miss him so much..."
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible shadow crossed Wu Hai's face, but it was quickly replaced by a gentle smile.
"Xueqing," he comforted her softly, "Your father will be out of seclusion soon, and then you will definitely be reunited as father and daughter. Don't be too sad, today is your big day."
Su Xueqing raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at Wu Hai.
Her hand quietly reached into her sleeve and grasped the crucial pill.
She was terrified that Wu Hai would find out.
Just as Wu Hai turned to look out the window, she suddenly squeezed the pill.
However, Wu Hai seemed to sense something was amiss and reacted quickly, instantly reaching out to grab Su Xueqing's wrist.
A cold glint flashed in his eyes, his gaze widened in anger, and his entire body exuded a suffocating pressure.
"How dare you plot against me!" Wu Hai roared, his voice booming like thunder.
Seeing that her plan had been exposed, Su Xueqing stopped pretending.
She abruptly pulled her hand back, and at the same time, a sharp palm strike aimed at Wu Hai's face.
The palm strike whistled, carrying a chilling aura.
However, Su Xueqing's martial arts skills were far inferior to Wu Hai's.
Wu Hai sneered and casually waved his hand, sending Su Xueqing flying with a powerful force.
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