klisemfg Chapter 464 Thunderbolt Hall and Thunder Gate Receive Imperial Decree, Dali Temple's Eastern Lo
Chapter 464 Thunderbolt Hall and Thunder Gate Receive Imperial Decree, Dali Temple's Eastern Lo
At the same time, in Jiangnan Road, at the Thunderbolt Hall.
Lei Family Fort is located on the shore of Taihu Lake, covering an area of thousands of acres, with high walls, deep courtyards, and flying eaves and brackets.
Two stone lions stand fiercely at the gate, their mouths holding pearls with faint lightning patterns—these are the unique "lightning-attracting stones" of the Thunder Gate, which can be tempered by heavenly lightning and remain intact for hundreds of years.
Inside the main hall, the "Thunderclap Hall," Lei Luoshi sat in the main seat.
The current head of the Lei family was about sixty years old. He had a square face, a wide mouth, thick eyebrows, and wore a purple robe embroidered with thunder patterns. He exuded an imposing presence even without anger.
He held the bright yellow imperial edict in his hands and had read it at least three times.
Below the hall, the elders and direct descendants of the Lei Clan stood on both sides, each with a solemn expression.
“Master,” Lei Yunhe, the leader of the Four Heroes of Leimen, said in a deep voice, “This imperial decree… comes suspiciously.”
"Our Lei Clan has remained detached from court politics for a century, yet now we are suddenly being granted titles and rewards, and are even being asked to march north to assist in the war. I'm afraid... they have ulterior motives."
Lei Hong, sitting below, nodded in agreement: "That's right! Meng Sha is already in the Tianqi Army and has now been promoted to Silver-Clad Army Marquis."
If the imperial court truly needs the assistance of thunder magic, it can simply send Meng Sha to help; why go through the unnecessary trouble of recruiting the entire Thunder Sect?
“Unless,” the patriarch Lei Luoshi stroked his beard and said coldly, “the court doesn’t trust Meng Sha, or… doesn’t trust the Prince of Langya.”
These words made the atmosphere in the hall even more somber.
Lei Hong stepped forward, took the imperial edict, glanced at it, and slowly spoke:
“Yibu visited me yesterday and told me about the medicine man.”
The Wen family of Lingnan has created three thousand medicinal humanoids. With the Langya Prince's army marching south, they fear for their lives. The imperial court believes that our Thunder Sect's thunder magic, being extremely yang and powerful, is the perfect nemesis of these medicinal humanoids.
He paused, then looked around at everyone: "As for the title... Yi Bu said that this is His Majesty's reward for Lei Men's century-long defense of Jiangnan. As long as they make meritorious contributions in this battle, Lei Men can shed their江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) identity and join the ranks of nobles."
"A cloak of martial arts?" Lei Yunhe scoffed. "My Lei Clan has roamed the martial arts world for three hundred years. Why do we need imperial recognition to glorify our lineage?"
Patriarch, this title is poison coated with honey! If you accept it, Leimen will become the court's weapon!
"If we don't accept... I'm afraid the imperial court won't let the Lei Sect off so easily."
Lei Luoshi fell silent upon hearing this.
He was well aware of the implications. Yet, Ib's words from yesterday still echoed in his ears:
"Sect Leader Lei, His Majesty has shown great favor to Lei Sect. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Though the martial world is vast, it is ultimately under the rule of the imperial court. If the Lei Clan wishes to prosper for generations, it needs someone to rely on. The Prince of Langya may be virtuous, but he is ultimately a subject, while His Majesty… is the sovereign.”
The words were veiled, but the meaning was clear—choose the right side; it's better to side with the emperor than with a minister.
What alarmed Lei Luoshi even more was Yi Bu's seemingly unintentional remark before he left:
"By the way, Meng Sha is inseparable from the Prince of Langya in the army, which pleases His Majesty greatly. However... his close relationship with this high-ranking prince is not always a good thing. Sect Master Lei is a smart man and should know how to avoid suspicion."
avoid arousing suspicion……
Lei Luoshi's wrinkles deepened as he clenched his fists.
He knew that Raimon had reached a critical juncture.
Receiving the imperial decree meant binding oneself to the imperial court and creating a subtle rift with the Prince of Langya—or rather, with Lei Mengsha's choice.
Refusing the imperial decree would be tantamount to openly defying orders, and the century-old foundation of Leimen might face utter destruction.
“Patriarch,” a young disciple in the hall suddenly spoke up, “Brother Meng Sha served in the Tianqi Army precisely to bring glory to the Lei Clan. Now that the imperial court has offered him a title, it is an honor that Brother Meng Sha earned. Why should we refuse it?”
The speaker was Lei Xiaoyu, Lei Mengsha's cousin, seventeen years old and full of youthful vigor.
Lei Zhentian glared at him: "What do you know? Are the titles of nobility in the imperial court so easy to obtain?"
Today you accept the title, tomorrow you'll be charging into battle. How dangerous are these medicine-wielding men? How many second and third-generation disciples of the Thunder Clan possess the cultivation to contend with them?
To be honest, no matter how many of us go, we'll all die. This title... it's purely earned with blood and flesh!
"So what?" Lei Xiaoyu retorted, "Men of Lei Clan, what is there to fear in battle? Besides, Brother Meng Sha is already in the army. If we don't go, are we going to let him fight alone?"
A debate immediately broke out in the hall.
The younger generation mostly advocated for war, seeing it as an opportunity for Lei Men to make a name for themselves; the older generation, however, were more cautious, fearing that Lei Men would be drawn into the political turmoil of the court and suffer irreparable consequences.
As Lei Luoshi listened to the argument, he gradually made up his mind.
He raised his hand, and the hall immediately fell silent.
"The imperial decree has been issued; both thunder and rain are expressions of the emperor's grace." Lei Luoshi slowly rose, his voice deep and resonant, "Lei Sect...receive the decree."
"Patriarch!" Lei Yunhe exclaimed urgently.
"No need to say more." Lei Hong waved his hand. "Yun He, you should select the elite disciples from the second and third generations of the Lei Clan as soon as possible, and lead them to the north in three days. Lei Hong, Qian Hu... you should lead the remaining disciples to guard Lei Family Fortress in case of any unforeseen circumstances."
He paused, then looked at Lei Xiaoyu: "Xiaoyu, you go with Yunhe."
Once you're in the army, you'll be at Meng Sha's command. Remember—Lei Men is going to fight for the country, not for any particular person. Fight when it's time to fight, retreat when it's time to retreat; preserving your strength is paramount.
These words were spoken subtly, but the seasoned veterans present understood—Raimon could contribute, but not risk his life; he could assist in battle, but not be loyal to the death.
Lei Xiaoyu clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Nephew understands!"
Lei Luoshi nodded, looking north, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes:
'Dream Killer, oh Dream Killer, Uncle's choice... I don't know if it's right or wrong. I only hope that you, in the army, can quickly see the situation clearly and not... be too stubborn!'
……
Tianqi City, outside the Dali Temple.
The night was as dark as ink, and the lights of every household in Tianqi City gradually went out. Only the sound of the night patrol's clapper echoed through the streets and alleys, making the silence even more profound.
Three dark figures swept across the rooftops like ghosts, silently landing in a dark alley not far from the Dali Temple.
It was Baili Dongjun, Luo Nianse, and Luo Fengzhong. After seeing off the thirty-six members of the Hu family in the evening, Baili Dongjun had no more scruples.
Baili Dongjun's face still wore the "Gu Yuebai" disguise, but his eyes shone brightly in the darkness.
He glanced at the imposing building not far away and whispered, "Seniors, proceed according to plan. Swiftly resolve the matter, rescue the people, and leave."
Luo Nianse and Luo Fengzhong nodded silently. The three of them concealed their auras and, with a sway of their bodies, drifted towards the high wall of Dali Temple like a wisp of smoke.
The Heavenly Prison is located on the second underground level deep within the Dali Temple, and its guards are extremely strict.
But whether it was an open sentry or a hidden spy, they were all useless in front of two experts at the Free and Unfettered Realm and one expert at the Top Ranking.
The Luo brothers were skilled and experienced. They used pressure point techniques or light palm strikes to cause prison guards and guards to collapse silently in their wake, without even having time to issue a warning.
The three of them went straight down the second set of stone steps, and a cold, damp, musty smell mixed with rust and some indescribable foul odor hit them.
This was a death row cell, dimly lit, illuminated only by a few oil lamps on the walls. A deathly silence of despair filled the air.
Baili Dongjun's gaze swept over the narrow cells, finally settling on the one in the deepest part.
A disheveled figure, dressed in tattered prison clothes, stood with his back to the fence, huddled on a pile of hay in the corner—it was Hu Bufei.
Compared to the former Censorate official who, though somewhat lazy, still possessed considerable charm, he now appeared so destitute that it was heartbreaking.
"Qiang!"
With a soft hum, Baili Dongjun drew his longsword half an inch from its sheath. The sword flashed like autumn water, and the prison door, about the thickness of a bowl and secured with two iron locks, snapped in two, leaving a smooth, mirror-like cut.
The noise startled the people inside. Hu Bufei trembled and slowly turned around.
His face was covered in grime, and his eyes were bloodshot. When he saw the three strangers standing outside the door, he was initially bewildered, but then a self-deprecating bitter smile appeared on his face.
"What? His Majesty can't even wait a few days and wants to send me on my way ahead of schedule? He actually sent three experts. He really thinks highly of me!"
……