Chapter 1040: The Forgotten Lantern Keeper

Li Guanqi summoned the Guanyun Pavilion’s most important members to his study. He turned to Yu Hua with a grave expression.

“Yu Hua, now that the two pavilions have openly broken with each other, your intelligence division will play a crucial role. Put everything you have into infiltrating the lower and middle levels of the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion’s intelligence network. Get into each of their organizations and intercept their intelligence!”

Yu Hua’s expression grew serious. She had not expected such a heavy responsibility so soon, but it also showed how much Li Guanqi trusted her. She bowed and said firmly, “Understood! I’ll make the arrangements shortly.”

She thought for a moment before continuing softly, “But Pavilion Master, if we’ve thought of these methods, the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion surely has too! With the conflict at this stage, both sides will be making full use of their intelligence networks. And… if we plant spies in their organizations, they’ll do the same to us. They may even try to turn our own people into spies or buy them off!”

Li Guanqi gave Yu Hua a faint smile of approval. She had only just taken over the intelligence division, yet she already had several suggestions that fit their circumstances.

He nodded. “That’s right. They’ll do the same! Gu Yong must also know that even if they approach any of you, bribery won’t work. So from now on, the Guanyun jade pendants will have a few additions. Even if someone does get bought off, it won’t matter.”

Yu Hua’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re going to listen in?”

In other words, virtually everyone who used a Guanyun jade pendant would be monitored from then on.

“Only those in this room are to know about this,” Li Guanqi said softly. “Yu Hua, make the necessary arrangements. Also… keep an eye on every possible avenue the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion might use against us, just in case. I’ll explain the specifics to you privately.”

Yu Hua bowed and left the study. As she stepped outside, she felt the weight of one more responsibility on her shoulders. A trace of sorrow appeared in her eyes. The Xiaoxiang Palace had been her life’s work, and Lu Tian had destroyed it all. She hated him so much that she could neither eat nor sleep in peace.

How could she not grieve the loss of her entire sect? She had watched all its elders and disciples succumb to demonic corruption. Perhaps only she knew just how much she had suffered.

Her only hope of revenge lay in staying beside Li Guanqi. The enemy of her enemy was her friend.

Still, she sensed something more whenever he looked at her—a hint of understanding. That was what made her willing to follow him. He would never see her as merely a tool or an underling. In the Daxia Sword Sect, she might have been valued only as a powerful guest elder. In contrast, here in the Guanyun Pavilion, Li Guanqi showed her genuine respect.

After Yu Hua left, Qian Qiusui said admiringly, “You can tell she used to lead a sect. In just three days, she’s brought everyone in the intelligence division into line. She’s a capable woman.”

Even Xi Yunhuai nodded in agreement. Then he noticed Li Guanqi’s eyes narrowing and his gaze drifting into the distance, as though something had occurred to him.

Li Guanqi turned toward Xi Yunhuai and murmured, “What is Su You responsible for nowadays?”

Qian Qiusui and Xi Yunhuai exchanged a glance, a sharp glint flashing in their eyes.

“Su You is very capable, and his position in the Guanyun Pavilion is rather unusual,” Xi Yunhuai replied gravely. “Nearly every division needs him involved. However, he’s still out traveling, carrying out duties much like those of a Lantern Keeper.”

Li Guanqi narrowed his eyes, a cold gleam in his gaze. “I’ve come back so many times, and he just happens to be away every time. Something’s not right. Keep a closer eye on Su You’s movements. I think there’s something wrong with him.”

Xi Yunhuai knew a fair amount about the situation. He frowned. “Su You wouldn’t, would he? After all…”

Li Guanqi sneered. “Exactly. On the surface, I hold his life in my hands. But remember… the thing that controls Su You’s life came from Gu Yong!”

Xi Yunhuai’s eyes widened, and he fell silent.

Li Guanqi waved a hand. “It’s fine. I’ll give Su You some tasks when the time comes. Just help me keep an eye on him.”

The two of them nodded.

Li Guanqi turned to Qian Qiusui. “From now on, the Cloud Shadow Guard will help you. Determine which commodities are most profitable for the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion and secure a monopoly on those resources! As you disrupt their trade, account for the strengths and weaknesses of our own goods when anticipating their response. Take preventive measures early for products prone to problems, especially pills!”

Li Guanqi retrieved a pill from his storage ring. Qian Qiusui’s eyes lit up at the sight of the radiant pill, its surface covered in pill patterns.

“Is… is that the Profound Origin Sacred Soul Pill?” she asked uncertainly.

Li Guanqi smiled. “That’s right. The Profound Origin Sacred Soul Pill! This is the only thing that can send everyone into a frenzy and bring the Guanyun Pavilion’s reputation to new heights! I want you to organize an auction bigger than any we’ve held before, within the Daxia Sword Sect’s sphere of influence.”

Qian Qiusui took a deep breath. “I see. Our silence lately has already driven many people to the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion. We’ve done all we can to publicize the arrival of our three tier-eight alchemists, but they seem to have their own tier-eight alchemists. Perhaps only something like this can put our reputation firmly above theirs!”

“Then go make the arrangements,” Li Guanqi said gravely. “Generate as much publicity as you can. The Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion is bound to respond. We’ll have to be especially careful.”

Qian Qiusui also felt an inexplicable pressure weighing on her. Commercial warfare shed no blood, but it was every bit as dangerous as a battle between cultivators. She bowed and left to begin the arrangements.

Only Xi Yunhuai and Li Guanqi remained in the study. The old man stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, quietly waiting for Li Guanqi to continue.

Li Guanqi turned toward him and spoke with complete sincerity. “Old Xi, watch out for assassination attempts by the Heavenly Intelligence Pavilion’s Red Tower.”