Li Guanqi summoned his most important aides into his study.
With a solemn look, he turned to Yu Hua and spoke in a heavy voice. "Yu Hua, now that both pavilions have completely shed all pretense, the intelligence department under your charge will play a crucial role!
"I want you to spare no effort in infiltrating the middle and lower tiers of Tianji Pavilion's intelligence network, embedding your people into their various organizations and intercepting their intelligence!"
Yu Hua's expression hardened. She had not expected to be entrusted with such a heavy responsibility right from the start.
From another perspective, it showed that Li Guanqi placed immense trust in her.
Bowing, Yu Hua said in a resolute voice, "Understood! I will set the arrangements in motion shortly."
Her voice fell, and her eyes grew contemplative. After a brief pause, she murmured, "However, Pavilion Master, if we have thought of this, Tianji Pavilion will certainly do the same!
"Now that the conflict between both sides has reached this stage, each will bring their formidable intelligence capabilities to bear.
"Moreover... just as we infiltrate their organizations with spies, they will do likewise. There may even be attempts to turn our people, buy them off, and so forth!"
The corner of Li Guanqi's mouth curled into a slight smile as he cast an appreciative glance at Yu Hua.
He had not anticipated that, in such a short span, she could take over the intelligence division and offer such incisive suggestions tailored to the current situation.
Li Guanqi nodded and said softly, "Indeed. Not only will we do it, but they will certainly do the same!
"Besides... Gu Yong understands very well that even if they approach people like you, bribery will not work.
"Therefore, effective immediately, something extra will be placed inside the Guanyun Jade Pendants. Even if someone is bought off, it won't matter."
Yu Hua's eyes narrowed slightly as she caught his meaning.
"Surveillance!"
In other words, from this moment on, almost anyone using a Guanyun Jade Pendant would be monitored.
Li Guanqi said softly, "Only the few of you know about this.
"Yu Hua, you may go and arrange these matters. In addition... keep an eye on any angles where Tianji Pavilion might strike at us, just in case.
"I will go over the specifics with you privately."
Yu Hua bowed and withdrew from the room. As she stepped outside, she felt an immense weight settle upon her shoulders.
At the same time, a veiled sorrow flickered in her eyes.
Xiaoxiang Palace had been her life's work, yet it had been completely ruined at the hands of Lu Tian.
This bitter grudge had left her unable to eat or sleep peacefully.
Perhaps only by staying by Li Guanqi's side would she have the chance to avenge it!
A common enemy made them allies!
Having lost the entirety of Xiaoxiang Palace, how could she not grieve?
Watching the elders and disciples of her sect become demonized—the agony she endured was something perhaps only she herself knew.
Yet Yu Hua always felt that whenever Li Guanqi looked at her, his eyes inadvertently revealed a glimmer of understanding.
This was why she was willing to align herself with Li Guanqi.
Because Li Guanqi did not truly treat her as a tool or a mere vassal.
In the Great Xia Sword Sect, she, Yu Hua, might only be a powerful consecrated elder.
Yet in Guanyun Pavilion, Li Guanqi gave her ample respect.
Once Yu Hua had departed, Qianqiusui could not help marveling, "She is truly worthy of being a former sect master. In just three days, she brought that unruly lot in the intelligence division completely into line.
"Yu Hua is indeed capable."
Even Xi Yunhuai nodded repeatedly at this praise. But right after, the elder noticed Li Guanqi narrowing his eyes, his gaze drifting into a strange distance.
Li Guanqi turned to Xi Yunhuai and murmured softly, "What is Su You in charge of these days?"
Qianqiusui and Xi Yunhuai exchanged a glance, a sharp glint flashing across their eyes.
Then the elder said in a deep voice, "Su You is exceptionally capable, and his position in Guanyun Pavilion is somewhat unique right now.
"Regardless of the division, nearly all involve Su You's coordination and leadership.
"However, he still roams outside, doing work akin to a Lantern Lighter."
Hearing this, Li Guanqi narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them as he murmured softly, "I have returned so many times, yet every single time, he just happens not to be in the pavilion.
"Something is off...
"Keep a close watch on Su You's movements for me. I suspect there is something wrong with that kid."
Xi Yunhuai, aware of many underlying matters, frowned and said, "Su You surely wouldn't, would he? After all..."
Li Guanqi gave a cold sneer. "Indeed, his life appears to be in my hands. But do not forget...
"The means to control Su You's life... was given to me by Gu Yong!"
The moment these words left his lips, Xi Yunhuai's pupils shrank, and he fell silent, having guessed the implication.
Li Guanqi waved his hand and said softly, "No matter. When the time comes, I will assign some tasks to Su You regarding this, and you two just keep an eye on him for me."
Hearing that, both nodded in agreement.
Next, Li Guanqi turned to Qianqiusui.
"Starting now, the Cloud Shadow Guards will assist you. Analyze the most lucrative components of Tianji Pavilion's commercial domain and monopolize those resources!
"While disrupting Tianji Pavilion's trade, we must also guard against their retaliation targeting the quality of our goods. Pill-type items are prone to sabotage, so take precautions early!"
With that, Li Guanqi flipped his hand and retrieved a medicinal pill from his storage ring.
Qianqiusui's eyes lit up. Looking at the pill in Li Guanqi's hand—radiant with shifting light and densely covered with pill markings—he asked in disbelief, "Is... is this the Profound Origin Sacred Soul Pill?"
Li Guanqi chuckled softly. "Indeed, the Profound Origin Sacred Soul Pill!
"Only something like this can drive everyone into a frenzy and propel Guanyun Pavilion's prestige to its absolute peak!
"Therefore, I need you to host an unprecedented grand auction within the territory under Great Xia Sword Sect's influence!"
Qianqiusui took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Indeed!
"Because we remained silent recently, many have already turned toward Tianji Pavilion.
"Although we did our best to spread word of the three eighth-grade grand alchemists joining Guanyun Pavilion, Tianji Pavilion seems to have eighth-grade alchemists of their own.
"Perhaps only something of this caliber can utterly crush their prestige!"
Li Guanqi said in a heavy voice, "Then go make the arrangements. Build up the momentum for this as grandly as possible.
"Tianji Pavilion won't be able to sit still. When the time comes, we must be extra vigilant."
Qianqiusui felt an unspoken pressure. Commercial warfare drew no blood, yet the perils within were no less lethal than a clash between cultivators.
Bowing, Qianqiusui departed to swiftly attend to the matter.
Now, only Xi Yunhuai remained in the study.
The old man stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, quietly waiting for what came next.
Li Guanqi turned to him and spoke with utter sincerity.
"Elder Xi, guard against assassinations from Tianji Pavilion's Red Tower division!"
Chapter 1040