"Master, whether we can leave here safely depends on the outcome of the discussion between those two Taoist priests outside," Lanqin said.
"It seems you've already won over one of them?" Fourth Master said.
"How did you figure that out, Master?" Lanqin asked with a smile.
"I saw that the old Taoist priest in front of you was looking at you with a wary expression, while the one behind you was looking at you with a very determined gaze," Fourth Master said.
“Master, perhaps this time we can bring a surprise back to the old master at home,” Lanqin said.
"It seems that my concubine has completed her mission at Wudang Mountain." The Fourth Prince's cold face remained as stern as ever, but a smile played on his lips.
"Master, our chances of winning now depend entirely on the outcome of the discussion between those two Taoist priests outside. Ling Feng should be leading his troops back by now," Lan Qin said.
"Where did you send him to mobilize troops?" Fourth Master asked.
"In Xiangzhou, find Du Zhiqian. Also, one of my half-brothers happens to be a Jinshi this year and is serving as the registrar in Xiangzhou. If they join forces, they should be able to mobilize some troops to come to the rescue," Lanqin said. She then told the Fourth Master about how Ling Feng had been left out in Ezhou when he went to the local prefect to request troops.
"Hmph, it seems that the officials in these places are taking advantage of the fact that the emperor is far away and they hardly take the imperial court seriously," Fourth Master snorted.
"Master, we can talk about that later. What we need to do now is get away as soon as possible and take this fake Taoist priest back. I think all those stories about immortality are just something he made up," Lanqin said.
"It seems my concubine has almost resolved the issue, so Your Highness can stop doing anything now," said the Fourth Prince.
"Yes, I've resolved many things this time, but whether I can ultimately help Wudang restore order depends on whether you can help me win this war," Lanqin said earnestly. "After all, the old Taoist's two disciples, each with their own men, have betrayed the Quanzhen Sect and colluded with the fake leader. Now it's two against two, and we still don't know who the fake leader is or who he controls. If Ling Feng can't arrive with his men, how can we win?"
Fourth Master listened quietly as Lanqin analyzed the unequal battle, noting that the two Taoist priests outside hadn't entered yet, and their chances of winning were still unclear.
Just then, the door moved again, and Yuan Xinghui and Zhou Xingchuan walked in one after the other. No one knew what they had said outside, but Yuan Xinghui's expression didn't seem too bad at the moment.
Lanqin looked at Zhou Xingchuan, trying to glean some clues from his eyes, but he didn't look at her either. The two stood side by side in front of the cell, looking at Fourth Master.
Lanqin was unsure of their attitude, so she could only wait for them to speak.
"Who exactly are you?" Yuan Xinghui asked Fourth Master.
"The reason you asked this question is to find out if there are any other people besides the two of you who can help you," Fourth Master said.
“Indeed, even if my second junior brother and I join forces, we might not be a match for them in terms of numbers. Tomorrow’s Golden Cauldron Council will be a good opportunity. We can take them down in one fell swoop while they are off guard,” Yuan Xinghui said.
Lanqin breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that the old Taoist priest had agreed to Zhou Xingchuan's request, and that the two of them would join forces to deal with the fake sect leader and the traitorous junior brother. However, their quick agreement made Lanqin feel uneasy.
"Master, what a brilliant plan! Taking the enemy by surprise usually yields twice the result with half the effort. In fact, even without us, Master, by joining forces, you can still set things right, can't you?" Fourth Master said.
Lanqin was a little confused. She stared intently at the two Taoist priests, who were still looking at the Fourth Master, as if trying to figure out his identity.
"What exactly is your purpose in coming to Wudang Mountain? Without understanding your intentions, why should we cooperate with you?" he said.
"Master Yuan is indeed someone who doesn't do unprofitable deals. If I were to say that I could make Wudang Mountain the center of Taoism in the Qing Dynasty, your sect would also gain the attention of the imperial court. Tell me, does that carry any weight?" Fourth Master said coldly.
Yuan Xinghui and Zhou Xingchuan looked at Fourth Master, and finally exchanged a glance, seemingly trying to determine whether what Fourth Master said was true or false.
"What secrets lie hidden in Dumenpo?" Fourth Master asked.
"That's where he dug out a raw material for the Golden Elixir. Those glowing stones are because of that mineral on their surface. To make the Golden Elixir look sparkling, like a real elixir, he would coat the outside of the pill with a layer," Zhou Xingchuan said.
"So that's how it is! It was all a smokescreen!" Fourth Master said. "Originally, I wanted to wait for reinforcements, but Master Yuan's plan seems better. Let's take them by surprise and wipe them out quickly."
The two Taoist priests remained silent for a moment, then Yuan Xinghui personally opened the cell door and let Fourth Master out. They changed Fourth Master into a Taoist robe and had Lanqin help him back to Taizipo to rest.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xingchuan and his senior brother were discussing matters at Zixiao Palace, preparing for tomorrow's operation. The fact that their opponents were unaware of this gave them a significant advantage.
Meanwhile, Lanqin and Fourth Master returned to Taizipo.
"Master!" When Su Peisheng saw Fourth Master and Lanqin appear together at the entrance of the library, he could hardly believe his eyes and almost burst into tears.
"Master, Master!" Si Hua and Shui Ling called out.
"Su Peisheng, go ask those Taoist priests for some food. They haven't been eating properly," Lanqin instructed Su Peisheng.
So, Su Peisheng took Gesang to the kitchen to find something to eat.
Lanqin pulled Fourth Master to the room where Xiuzhu and she were resting. Sihua and Shuiling pulled Xiuzhu out so as not to disturb Fourth Master and Lanqin.
Lanqin looked at Fourth Master's much thinner face, his familiar eyes, and his scent, and couldn't help but throw herself into his arms.
Fourth Prince put his arm around Lanqin's waist, rested his chin on her shoulder, and said, "I never thought that my concubine would look so pretty in this ugly Taoist robe."
Lanqin blushed and said, "Master, you're sitting there so confidently, do you know these Taoist priests won't dare to touch you easily?"
"Yes, they must have some connection with certain people in the capital. The fact that they dare not touch me means that they may have known my identity all along," Fourth Master said.
“But judging from what I just saw, it seems that the Second Master and the First Master are unaware of this!” Lan Qin said.
"It's clear that the fake sect leader may not have told them the crucial part," Fourth Master said.
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