CHAPTER 407
A Masterful Hand
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Over an hour had passed since receiving the news. As expected, Xiaoqi arrived.
"Hmm? Did Xiaoqi come to play with Shiyu?"
Ever since meeting Li Shiyu, Xiaoqi couldn't forget those adorably innocent eyes~
Shiyao was adorable, pure, and kind—the perfect companion for the Lord!
A girl like that—who wouldn't like her, let alone Xiaoqi?
"Shiyao, I've come to discuss the matter of the Dead Ground with the elders."
Xiaoqi put on a serious face. She didn't want the Holy Maiden to think she was a cruel lord who treated the common folk like weeds!
What if Shiyu stopped being nice to her?
"Whoa, Xiaoqi, you're amazing! Keep it up!"
Shiyao wasn't in a rush. She still wanted to ask about Li Suyao, but not right now.
Shiyao figured that regardless of whether they'd come up with a solution, Xiaoqi would at least say goodbye before leaving, right?
After hearing Li Shiyu's words, Qi Huan felt his battle lust amplified infinitely, his entire body surging with fighting blood!
Shiyao called him formidable! She even cheered him on!
Could he let Shiyao down?
Absolutely not!
Three hours of meetings had passed since discovering the deadly trap, stretching to over four hours now.
Yet Shiyu remained silent, waiting for the Eastern Domain's greatest lord to seek her out. As expected, Qi Huan arrived shortly after.
"Little Seventh, wanna play chess with Shiyu?"
The latest news reported that three nearby villages had already been affected. Qi Huan wore a look of deep worry, but upon seeing the innocent and adorable Holy Maiden, he instinctively forced a smile.
"Hmm, let's play a game."
Li Shiyu feigned ignorance, casually asking, "Has something troubled you, Little Seventh?"
Qi Huan merely smiled indifferently, appearing utterly carefree.
"Nothing. Shiyao, you go first."
As expected, Shiyu narrowly won the game. Even if they played another round, even if Xiaoqi had time to adjust his state, he wouldn't be a match for Shiyu.
"Is Xiaoqi troubled?" Li Shiyu leaned over the board, her expression utterly innocent and harmless.
"A vast wasteland has appeared in the Eastern Region. Though villagers from surrounding settlements evacuated in time, some were still attacked during their escape."
Li Shiyu blinked her large eyes, seeming genuinely concerned for Xiaoqi.
"What do the elders say?"
"We discussed numerous solutions with the elders, but none proved effective."
"Is it difficult for Xiaoqi to reach those affected villagers?"
Qi Huan nodded. Regardless of whether this was a trial from the Holy Maiden, as the Eastern Domain's lord, he couldn't ignore the emergence of death zones within his territory.
"Yes. Both in reason and in compassion, I cannot stand idly by."
"Shiyao doesn't mind, but she wants Xiaoqi to recover soon so he can play chess with her!"
All the groundwork had been laid for this moment. Shiyu had to make it clear.
This wasn't the Holy Mountain helping him—it was Shiyu who helped him!
As for why? Firstly, Li Suyao still needed Xiaoqi's care. Secondly, Li Shiyu hoped Xiaoqi would understand that Shiyu was Shiyu, and the Holy Maiden was the Holy Maiden.
"Don't worry, Shiyu. I'll do everything in my power."
"Shiyao actually has a solution!" Li Shiyu suddenly seemed to recall a long-planned strategy, abruptly leaping to her feet so forcefully she nearly overturned the table!
Qi Huan sighed helplessly as he lowered the table from his back before speaking slowly.
"What plan?"
"Do you remember the Immortal Alliance I asked you to join, Xiaoqi? I heard Elder Cangjue is in charge of the Alliance's affairs on Ling Mountain and maintains close ties with all the immortal sects. Since you're part of the Alliance now, shouldn't they help you?"
Qi Huan sighed, seemingly resigned to Li Shiyu's naivety.
The so-called Immortal Alliance was nothing but a hollow title!
The various immortal sects only agreed superficially! Sharing in prosperity was one thing, but expecting their help? Hah! Sharing in hardship? Don't even think about it!
"Shiyao, you don't understand…" Mid-sentence, Qi Huan decided it was pointless to explain such matters to the pure-hearted Shiyao. "Never mind. Don't worry, Shiyao. I'll handle matters in the Eastern Realm."
First, Qi Huan didn't believe those old foxes would lend a hand. Second, he didn't want Shi Yao worrying about him. Though he knew Shi Yao only wanted to play chess with him, the mere fact that she cared enough to worry brought him genuine happiness!
Had anyone else suggested such a plan, he would likely have scolded them out. But coming from Shi Yao, he only felt her care for him, warming his heart…
Even if the idea itself was utterly pointless…
Seeing Qi Huan react this way, Li Shiyu seemed to adopt a little princess attitude.
"How could Shiyu not know? I'm kindly helping you, yet you speak so hesitantly. If you keep this up, I won't speak to you anymore!"
Qi Huan shed all pretense of being a Eastern Domain lord, instead helping Li Shiyu sit beside him and personally pouring her a cup of tea!
Were others to witness this, they'd likely be utterly dumbfounded!
Qi Huan was notorious as a tyrant, a terrifying lord who killed without batting an eye!
If anything displeased him or someone dared defy him, he'd order them dragged out and buried alive or beheaded without a second thought!
Yet before the Holy Maiden, he displayed such gentleness, even personally pouring tea for Shiyu!
"Shiyu, don't be upset. It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that the affairs of the Immortal Alliance aren't as simple and beautiful as you imagine. It's not just about you helping me, me helping you—it's far more complex than mutual assistance."
Li Shiyu's disbelief was written all over her pretty face, as if this were some utterly preposterous notion!
"Huh? That can't be! Senior Sister said the Immortal Alliance is about everyone banding together to fight villains—it's a good thing! Shiyu believes Senior Sister! That's why I urged Xiaoqi to join that day!"
"Shiyao, it's alright. Even without help, Xiaoqi won't let you down. Once Xiaoqi handles this deadly situation, I'll come back to play chess with you."
Feeling somewhat inadequate and embarrassed, Qi Huan now only wanted to leave.
He was the Lord of the Eastern Realm, yet here he was, revealing such vulnerability before a girl. Even he found it laughable.
But he knew Shiyu wouldn't laugh at him.
"No way! Shiyu will see for herself! If it's really like Xiaoqi says, Shiyu will tell Master and Senior Sister!"
"Huh?" Qi Huan was stunned!
"What 'ah'? Shiyu wants Xiaoqi to be happy. Shiyu and Xiaoqi are good friends, aren't we?"
Qi Huan didn't know whether to feel happy or sad at that moment…
Good friends… really?
Because of Li Shiyu's single statement, Qi Huan ignored the voices of opposition and resolved to join the Immortal Alliance. If this venture ended in failure, where would his reputation as a domain lord stand?
This was no child's play. The scale of the Eastern Domain's death zone was unprecedented. Those minor sects and clans joining the Immortal Alliance were merely seeking shelter—they couldn't offer any real help!
As for the major sects and clans, they'd likely seize the opportunity to jack up their prices and take a hefty bite. Expecting to get out of this without paying a heavy price? Forget it!
If he were in their shoes, he wouldn't send help lightly either!
"We are good friends, yes. That's precisely why I don't want Shiyu to see me looking so helpless."
Li Shiyu seemed slightly surprised, but quickly broke into a cheerful smile.
"Oh~ So you're just embarrassed! It's okay, it's okay! Shiyu won't laugh at you! We're good friends, after all!"
"Shiyao will take you to Ling Mountain to find Elder Cangjue. He'll definitely help!"
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