77: The old celestial master was dumbfounded. How dare you, a mere mortal, hit Li Bai?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Earth, in Yuzhang, Longhu Mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, several black SUVs with special license plates formed a silent line, stopping before the ancient stone steps forbidden to tourists.

The car doors slid open silently.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 stepped out of the second car, dressed in the dark casual attire issued by the Ninth Bureau, looking no different from the other field agents accompanying him.

Several vigilant and well-built Ninth Bureau agents quickly fanned out, conducting a final security check of the surroundings.

Above the stone steps, a young Daoist priest in a blue Daoist robe had already been standing in wait.

He held a whisk, his face calm, as if he had been waiting there for a long time.

Seeing the convoy arrive, the young Daoist priest nodded slightly, his voice clear as he spoke, cutting through the mountain breeze.

"You have traveled a long way; my master has been waiting on the mountain for some time."

Several Ninth Bureau field agents instinctively exchanged glances.

Their intelligence indicated that target "Saber Li Bai" had been elusive since his appearance.

The Ninth Bureau had expended significant resources just to lock down a general area.

The other party being so proactive was completely unexpected.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 paid no mind to his subordinates' surprise; he walked forward alone.

He took an unsealed official letter from his懷, the paper specially made by the Ninth Bureau, with only a few words written on it.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 handed over the official letter.

The young Daoist priest did not reach out to take it, merely casting his eyes downward.

Only when his gaze fell upon the red seal and signature at the bottom of the official letter did he look up again.

"My master has ordered that only Consultant Jiang is invited up the mountain."

He turned sideways, making a 'please' gesture, and the long stone steps leading to the mountain peak stretched behind him, disappearing into the night and mist.

The on-site commander of this Ninth Bureau operation, a middle-aged man codenamed "Lynx," immediately contacted Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 via encrypted communication headset.

"Consultant, the situation has changed. Do we need to execute Plan B and engage in forceful negotiation?"

A faint static sound came from the earpiece.

"No."

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1's reply was simple and calm.

He didn't even glance back at the convoy behind him before stepping forward, following the young Daoist priest, and ascending the ancient stone steps leading into the depths of Longhu Mountain.

On both sides of the stone steps were ancient trees thousands of years old; the night wind passed through the forest, bringing the fragrance of grass and trees and the scent of earth.

The higher they went, the more thoroughly the worldly clamor from below the mountain was cut off.

The young Daoist priest led the way, not uttering a word.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 followed behind, his steps unhurried.

Passing through several halls not open to outsiders and bypassing the bustling main hall, the two finally arrived at a very secluded independent courtyard.

The courtyard was not large; a massive ginkgo tree of unknown age occupied half of it.

Under the tree, there was a simple stone table and two stone stools.

An old Daoist priest with white hair and beard sat by the stone table. He wore the simplest gray Daoist robe, yet his demeanor seemed to merge with the entire Longhu Mountain.

It was none other than Zhang Ruoxu, the Sixty-fifth Generation Celestial Master of the Orthodox Unity Sect of Daoism.

Behind Zhang Ruoxu, a man in white stood with his hands behind his back.

His figure was tall and straight, his eyes closed, yet an aura of sharp keenness soared into the sky, seemingly even cleaving the moonlight that fell upon him.

Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, Li Bai.

The young Daoist priest led Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 to the courtyard gate, then bowed and retreated, not stepping half a pace into the courtyard.

Zhang Ruoxu slowly opened his eyes. He raised a hand, pointing to the empty stone stool opposite him.

"Sit."

His voice was calm, like an invitation extended to an old friend not seen for a long time.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 took his seat as instructed.

"The nation's representative visits today; what instructions do you have?" Zhang Ruoxu spoke directly, skipping all pleasantries.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 leaned slightly forward, placing his hands on the stone table, and also got straight to the point.

"I have come here not on my own behalf, but to convey two matters."

"First, the nation has recognized the reality of the Holy Grail War and, to a certain extent, tacitly acknowledged its existence."

Zhang Ruoxu listened quietly, showing no reaction.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 continued, "But the nation has a bottom line: any battles in the Holy Grail War absolutely cannot take place in densely populated areas within China. The tragedy in Tokyo must not be repeated on this land. Maintaining social order and stability is the highest principle."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Bai, who had been standing with his eyes closed, suddenly let out a very soft scoff.

"We swordsmen are not the likes of Berserkers who indiscriminately slaughter the innocent."

His voice was clear and resonant, carrying a hint of undisguised arrogance.

"This action is superfluous."

Zhang Ruoxu raised his hand, stopping Li Bai. He looked at Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 and slowly nodded.

"This humble Daoist is also a citizen of China and a Disciple of the Daoist Sect; I would never sit idly by and watch lives be ruined. I accept this condition."

"Very good." Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 received a satisfactory reply, then brought up the second intention.

"The second matter concerns the ownership of the Holy Grail. The nation hopes that the ultimate winner of this war will be a participant from China."

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 paused, observing Zhang Ruoxu's reaction.

"To this end, the nation is willing to provide all necessary support at the conventional level, whether it be intelligence, supplies, or... clearing certain obstacles."

These words were a very significant promise.

However, Zhang Ruoxu merely shook his head.

"This is an extra-mundane affair, a struggle between immortals and deities, not something that Mortal power can influence."

The Old Celestial Master's reply was as calm as an ancient well.

"What this humble Daoist seeks is not worldly assistance, but only that the nation keeps its promise not to unnecessarily interfere with our actions."

The implication was: don't come to help, and don't cause trouble; that would be the greatest support.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 and Zhang Ruoxu looked at each other for several seconds.

He understood the other party's meaning.

"Understood."

At this point, all official negotiations, or rather, notifications, were concluded.

Both sides reached a basic consensus.

The atmosphere in the courtyard seemed to ease.

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 stood up from the stone stool.

Zhang Ruoxu thought he was preparing to leave.

However, Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 did not turn to leave; his body turned in another direction, facing the White-robed Sword Immortal.

His gaze shifted from the ethereal Zhang Ruoxu to the sharp and aloof Li Bai.

"Official business is concluded."

Jiang Ming Mirror Image No. 1 spoke, his voice not loud, but it clearly echoed in the silent courtyard.

"Next, it's personal business."

He looked at Li Bai, a curve forming at the corner of his mouth that was distinctly different from his previous official demeanor.

"Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, would you care to offer some guidance?"

As the challenge left his lips, the recently eased atmosphere in the courtyard instantly solidified.

Zhang Ruoxu, who had always been as calm as an ancient well, suddenly looked up, and for the first time, his eyes, which seemed to have seen through the ways of the world, showed scrutiny and astonishment.

He re-examined this 'nation's representative,' as if trying to see through the Mortal skin to the truth beneath.

But he did not speak to stop him.

Li Bai slowly turned around, and those eyes that had been tightly closed finally opened.

What kind of eyes were they? They seemed to contain the moonlight of the Prosperous Tang Dynasty and endless sword light.

His response was a single word.

"Yes."