As the other party told him, Li heard about his master... or mother's past for the first time.
She was once the most promising Qingjian in the Privy Council. Unless something unexpected happened, it would only take two or three years for her to be promoted to Yuyi. Until the Wanjinglou Incident happened, everything came to an abrupt end.
The emperor set up a bureau in the building and decided to kill the alchemists who did not belong to his own faction and had a vague tendency to become independent. In order to improve his chances of winning, he also used threats, inducements and other means to bind a group of neutral alchemists to his ship, including Qingjian Li Mengyun.
It is difficult to control alchemists above the third level by ordinary means because they are already strong enough, but Li Mengyun happened to give birth to a child at that time.
This weakness forced her to stand on the opposite side of the Privy Council.
What followed was the bloodiest battle in the Privy Council. The high-level alchemists on both sides suffered heavy losses. It can be said that Yan Qing, Yu Linglong and others stood out from this battle and took over the seats vacated by their predecessors.
The final result ended with the emperor's failure.
Just because he ignored two points.
First, the Seven Star Project has been launched, and there are far more alchemists who are unwilling to side with the royal family than he thought. Moreover, these insiders are of high rank, have strong beliefs, and have a much stronger fighting will than those who are being coerced.
The second is that he has to face not only the Privy Council of Qi State, but also the alchemists from other countries who are hidden in Shangyuan, quietly waiting for opportunities.
After this battle, the emperor not only failed to achieve his goal, but also lost the power of those who were loyal to him. He became seriously ill due to anger and never regained his original arrogance.
The Gyeonggi Privy Council was also severely damaged by this battle, resulting in a sharp reduction in its control over the local Privy Council.
"Do you want to say...my master also died in this incident?" Li said solemnly.
"She was one of the few Loyalists to survive - although she was seriously injured, she did not die on the spot."
"You just said she was being coerced!"
"But she did kill several alchemists. What can I do? Ask others to let her go!" Yan Qing's voice also became a little excited.
"What happened to Li Mengyun after that?" Only Xia Fan remained calm.
"In fact... the Privy Council is also very hesitant. Because these alchemists are very capable, but at the same time they are not really loyal to the emperor. It's just a fact that they are helping the emperor. If they are let go lightly, I am afraid it will chill the heart of the alchemists who support the Seven Stars." Yan Qing pursed her lips and said, "The final result is that they will be taken to Xuzhou and judged by Yu Heng, the leader of the Seven Stars. It's a pity..."
"What's a pity?"
"None of them reached Xuzhou. The escort convoy was attacked by evil spirits shortly after entering the territory of Gao Kingdom. It is said that no one survived."
"Evil spirits?" Xia Fan frowned sensitively, "Didn't this thing only become rampant in the first ten years of the founding of the People's Republic of China? When you mentioned the Wanjinglou Incident, all countries had already stabilized."
"What you said is not wrong, but it is not right either." Yan Qing said with some annoyance, "Even now, there are still evil spirits entrenched in some remote areas and battlefield areas of Qi State. Of course, we also doubted whether things would turn out well. It was such a coincidence that we sent people to Gaoguo to search, and indeed found the remains of the convoy. However, it was more than two months ago, and apart from the traces of evil spirits found at the scene, there were not many other effective clues. "
She breathed out slightly, "It has been so many years now, and the power of Seven Stars is no longer what it used to be. Even if she comes back, she probably won't be punished too much... But the problem is, Li Mengyun has never appeared again, which can only mean that, She is indeed no longer alive."
"I-I don't believe it." Li said hard to accept.
"You don't believe it, is it easy for me to believe it? A child who should have died long ago can still appear in front of me!" Yan Qing was silent for a moment, and her tone softened a bit when she spoke again, as if she wanted to try He comforted Li Bianjun, "But blood does not lie. Li Mengyun's blood is flowing in your body, so you should also accept the reality."
"I don't understand," Xia Fan interrupted, "Why do you think her child is dead?"
"This is a matter of course. The emperor has always been ruthless in his actions, and will never give his subordinates a chance to turn back. In addition, if the action fails, whether it is to vent his anger or weaken the Privy Council, he will never let the child return to our hands. Then the only choice is to get rid of them." Regarding Xia Fan's question, Qing Jian's tone was obviously not so patient, "In fact, we have also secretly searched for places inside and outside the palace where people can hide, but found nothing. In the end, this It’s all caused by Li Mengyun being too stubborn and stupid.”
"The most promising Qingjian... stupid?"
"Isn't it? She obviously has several ways to avoid such a thing from happening. She can obviously turn to the Privy Council for help. She can obviously - trust me more!" After speaking, Yan Qing couldn't help clenching her fists, "Even if the child Under the control of the emperor, will Tangtang Qingjian be at the mercy of others? As long as she speaks out, the Privy Council can secretly plan a rescue, and they can also stage a rescue when the incident happens, but she didn't say anything until the end! This What is it if it’s not stupidity?”
"No... you don't know her at all." Li shook his head.
"I have fought side by side with her for so many years. What don't I understand? She would rather give me this hairpin before being escorted than ask me to intercede on her behalf. She is simply stupid!" Yan Qing paused. , "Of course, I was equally stupid and didn't notice her abnormality."
Then she looked at the fox demon, "Although I don't know how you escaped, you not only survived, but you also became a Qi senser. This may be another kind of fate. Be my apprentice, I I never accept disciples, but you are an exception - I will teach you everything I know, including the techniques your mother masters."
"I refuse." Li said without hesitation.
"Why?" Yan Qing was greatly surprised. Qingjian took the initiative to ask for a disciple, but other alchemists couldn't ask for it, and there were still people who refused to agree.
"The Privy Council House is not my home. I have found the place I want to stay."
"Stop joking, as an alchemist, is there any more suitable place than the Privy Council's Office?" Yan Qing asked eagerly, "Are you worried that Li Mengyun has been an enemy of the Privy Council's Office? Don't worry, we don't have the habit of sinning against future generations. I promise that you will not be treated unfairly. If anyone dares to bully you, I will make him regret it for the rest of his life." She even glanced at Xia Fan when she said this.
"What if it was the Privy Council itself that insulted me?" Li said unmoved.
"What's the meaning?"
She raised her hand and pinched the outer edge of her cloth hat.
Xia Fan was shocked. Just as he was about to dissuade him, he saw the other party giving him a look that said there was no need to worry.
Then she gave it a gentle tug.
The cloth hat fell, and Li's soft and beautiful black hair immediately fell down. At the same time, his long, furry ears slowly stood up, exposed in front of the two of them.
Yan Qing couldn't help but widen her eyes.
The orphan of a deceased friend turned out to be a monster