186: The small universe unites the three parties to devise a plan, initially demonstrating the anti-Qing momentum.

Just as the chickens in the Zhuang family courtyard crowed for the first time, Shuanger brought the steamer to the table, the steam carrying the aroma of meat buns throughout the yard. Jianning squatted on the threshold, holding the small universe projection ring and turning it over and over: "Can this ring really enter that small universe you mentioned? Are there really houses inside just like on Earth?"

Xie Hui had just finished washing up and took the hot towel handed to him by Shuanger to wipe his face: "I'll take you in later and you'll see. I guarantee it's even more fun than the Imperial Garden in the palace." He glanced at AKe, who was helping set the table, "AKe, if you feel bored, I'll take you to see the orchard over there once we're in the small universe. It's full of fruits you've never seen before."

AKe's hand paused as she set down a bowl, her cheeks flushing slightly: "Thank you, Brother Hui. I... I want to help Miss Shuanger prepare supplies. I heard people from the Heaven and Earth Society are coming later, we must make sure they are well-fed."

Longer walked in from outside, clutching several secret letters: "There's a reply from the Divine Dragon Cult. Five branch masters from Yunnan and Guizhou are willing to submit. They said once we fix a time, they will lead their troops to the capital to rendezvous. Two other branch masters are hesitating; I've sent my subordinates to persuade them further. It should be fine."

Xie Hui nodded and stored the secret letters into his inner universe: "Thank you for your hard work. When the Heaven and Earth Society people arrive, we'll hold a meeting together in the small universe to finalize the alliance."

Before long, Wei Xiaobao's loud voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Brother Hui! I've brought the people! Brother Xu and three branch masters have all arrived!"

Xie Hui went out to see Wei Xiaobao followed by Xu Tianchuan and three men dressed in coarse cloth short-suits. Each had a dark complexion and sharp eyes, clearly experienced veterans who had spent years in the Jianghu. Leading them was an old man with a goatee named Chen Biao, the Jiangnan Branch master of the Heaven and Earth Society. He was the most senior and had the most stubborn temper.

"Little Brother Xie, Chief Wei," Chen Biao cupped his fists, his gaze sweeping over Longer and AKe in the courtyard as his brow furrowed, "When our Heaven and Earth Society discusses business, why are outsiders present? Especially this Saintess of the Divine Dragon Cult—we are mortal enemies with the Divine Dragon Cult!"

Longer's expression changed slightly. Just as she was about to speak, Xie Hui pressed her hand: "Branch Master Chen, don't be hasty. Miss Longer is on our side now. The Cult Leader of the Divine Dragon Cult is tyrannical, and she has long wanted to rebel. I called everyone here today to discuss uniting the Divine Dragon Cult's former members and Wu Sanguis Former Troops to wipe out the Divine Dragon Cult headquarters together—furthermore, the Emperor has agreed and even gave me a medallion to mobilize the Imperial Guards."

As he spoke, he pulled out the Protector General Medallion. The bright yellow medallion glinted in the sun, with the four characters for 'Protector General' particularly eye-catching. Chen Biao and the other branch masters were stunned. Xu Tianchuan quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Branch Master Chen, Little Brother Xie is one of us. Even the Emperor trusts him, so what do we have to worry about?"

Chen Biao stared at the medallion for a long time but still shook his head: "Our Heaven and Earth Society exists to 'Oppose the Qing and Restore the Ming.' Cooperating with the court—isn't that forgetting our roots? Even if it's to destroy the Divine Dragon Cult, we can't go hand-in-glove with the court!"

The Huguang Branch master, Li Gang, also chimed in: "Branch Master Chen is right. If the brothers below find out we're cooperating with the court, they will definitely have objections!"

Wei Xiaobao grew anxious and stepped forward: "What 'forgetting our roots'! Can't we destroy the Divine Dragon Cult first and then plan the anti-Qing matter? The Divine Dragon Cult is harming people everywhere now. If we don't unite, can we defeat them with just the strength of the Heaven and Earth Society?"

Xie Hui didn't let Wei Xiaobao continue, but said to Chen Biao: "Branch Master Chen, I know you're worried that cooperating with the court will lose the heart of the Heaven and Earth Society. But the situation is different now. The Divine Dragon Cult headquarters hides two volumes of the forty-two chapter sutra and they intend to assassinate the Emperor. If they succeed, the world will fall into chaos, and it's the common people who will suffer. By uniting with the court to destroy the Divine Dragon Cult first, we can not only get the sutras but also use the court's provisions and armaments to grow our strength—once the cult is gone, the court will owe us a favor that we can call in however we want. Won't it be easier to 'Oppose the Qing and Restore the Ming' then?"

As he spoke, he pulled a map from his inner universe and spread it on the table: "This is a map of the Divine Dragon Cult headquarters, showing their defenses. By uniting the Divine Dragon Cult's former members and Wu Sanguis Former Troops, we can attack from three sides and surely wipe them out in one go. Moreover, the Emperor said that after destroying the cult, the territories in Yunnan and Guizhou will be taken over by our Heaven and Earth Society. This is a great opportunity to expand our influence!"

Chen Biao looked at the map, then at the medallion, and after hesitating for a long time, he finally relented: "Fine! I'll trust Little Brother Xie this once! But if the court dares to play any tricks, we in the Heaven and Earth Society will fight them to the end even if it costs our lives!"

Seeing Chen Biao agree, the other branch masters also nodded: "We'll follow Little Brother Xie and Chief Wei!"

Xie Hui breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I won't let everyone down. Now let's go to the small universe. There are ready-made large houses and provisions inside. We can discuss the specific plan properly."

He had everyone put on a small universe projection ring and silently thought 'Enter the small universe'. The next second, everyone appeared in a wide open space. Before them were rows of neat red brick houses, next to a warehouse filled with grain and fodder, and in the distance were large tracts of farmland—exactly like a village in the real world, only without a single soul.

"This... what place is this?" Chen Biao's eyes widened. He reached out to touch the nearby house, and the texture was incredibly real, "It's just like the real thing! Little Brother Xie, do you know immortal arts?"

"You could say that," Xie Hui said with a smile, "This is my small universe. It's just like the real Earth, but without people. We can hold meetings and store supplies here in the future without fear of leaking information."

Jianning had already run off. Squatting in the farmland, she picked a tomato (grown from seeds Xie Hui brought from the real world) and took a bite: "Wow! This fruit is so sweet! Much better than the ones in the palace! Xie Hui, I want to plant flowers all over this place in the future!"

Shuanger walked to the warehouse door and opened it: "Inside are dry rations and water I prepared, as well as armaments transported from the capital. If everyone is hungry, eat something before we discuss business."

AKe followed Shuanger into the warehouse to help move the rations, while Longer pulled Xie Hui aside: "I just received news that Tiger Wang, the leader of Wu Sanguis Former Troops, sent someone. He said they are willing to cooperate with us on the condition that after destroying the Divine Dragon Cult, they get back the military power over Wu Sangui's old units."

Xie Hui nodded: "No problem. As long as they are willing to contribute, the military power can be given to them. Have the envoy wait at the capital's relay station. I'll meet him tomorrow to finalize the specific details of the cooperation."

Everyone held the meeting in a large house in the small universe. With the map of the Divine Dragon Cult headquarters spread on the table, Xie Hui pointed to the red dots: "Here is the entrance to the Divine Dragon Cult headquarters, heavily guarded. We'll attack in three routes: the brothers from the Heaven and Earth Society will attack from the front to draw fire; the former members of the Divine Dragon Cult will circle in from the back door to control the Cult Leader's bedchamber and prevent him from escaping; Wu Sanguis Former Troops will be responsible for intercepting cult members fleeing by sea—they have a naval force, which will come in handy."

Wei Xiaobao leaned in: "Then what about me? What do I do?"

"You are the Chief of the Heaven and Earth Society; lead the brothers on the front line with Brother Xu," Xie Hui patted his shoulder. "If you encounter a tough opponent, use the Nine Yin Manual introductory Mind-Cultivation Technique I taught you. If all else fails, throw a smoke bomb, and I'll come to help you."

Looking at the map, Chen Biao added: "There are five hundred guards at the front. Our Heaven and Earth Society can mobilize a thousand brothers, so it should be no problem. However, we need the court to send some Imperial Guards to coordinate, otherwise our provisions might not be enough."

"Don't worry," Xie Hui pulled out the medallion given by Kangxi Emperor. "I'll see the Emperor tomorrow and have him allocate five thousand dan of grain and two hundred muskets. With this medallion, he will surely agree."

The meeting lasted for four hours, and the departure time was set—three days later, they would rendezvous at the coast and take ships to the island where the Divine Dragon Cult headquarters was located. After the meeting, everyone stayed in the small universe to familiarize themselves with the environment. Chen Biao and Li Gang went to the warehouse to check the armaments, Xu Tianchuan discussed with Wei Xiaobao which brothers to take, and The female protagonists prepared supplies in the house.

Shuanger cooked a large pot of chicken soup in the kitchen, Jianning helped set the bowls, and AKe served the soup to everyone. Longer sat nearby, telling Xie Hui the specific numbers of the Divine Dragon Cult's former members: "The Yunnan branch has three hundred people, Guizhou has two hundred, and including other places, there are eight hundred in total. They are all capable brothers, and I've already had them prepare their weapons."

Xie Hui took a sip of chicken soup, his heart full of stability: "Good, the numbers are sufficient. After I meet Wu Sangui's envoy tomorrow, I'll go to the palace to ask Kangxi for provisions. We'll set out on time in three days."

Jianning put down her bowl and grabbed Xie Hui's arm: "I want to go too! I'll go to the Divine Dragon Cult headquarters with you. I can help you keep watch and bring you food!"

"No," Xie Hui rubbed her hair, "The Divine Dragon Cult headquarters is too dangerous. You stay in the small universe and prepare the follow-up supplies with Shuanger. Once we've destroyed the cult, I'll come back for you and take you to play on the island."

Jianning pouted but still nodded: "Then you must be careful. Don't get hurt. I'll wait here for you to come back."

AKe also put down her bowl and said softly: "Brother Hui, I... I want to go with you. I've been to the seaside with Zheng Keshuang before and know how to sail. I can help."

Xie Hui looked at her determined eyes and thought for a moment: "Alright, you come with me, but you must stay by my side and not run off."

Longer also said: "I'm definitely going. The people of the Divine Dragon Cult recognize me; I can help you sneak in."

Shuanger didn't speak, but just placed a piece of chicken in Xie Hui's bowl: "I've prepared first-aid kits and detoxification pills for you in the small universe. If you get hurt, remember to use them. I'll work with Jianning to get the provisions and armaments ready and wait for your return."

Looking at everyone before him, Xie Hui was full of drive—the united force had taken shape, and the destruction of the Divine Dragon Cult was imminent. Once they were gone, the next step would be to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and establish a New Dynasty. Then, he could lead everyone to live a stable life.

In the evening, everyone left the small universe and returned to the Zhuang family home. Chen Biao and the branch masters went back to mobilize the brothers, Wei Xiaobao went to the Heaven and Earth Society headquarters to arrange affairs, Longer went to meet Wu Sangui's envoy, and Xie Hui stayed at the Zhuang home to organize the items for the trip with Shuanger, Jianning, and AKe.

Jianning helped Xie Hui polish the black iron sword until it shone, Shuanger put the detoxification pills and first-aid kits into his backpack, and AKe handed him a compass (which Xie Hui had brought from the real world) needed for sea navigation: "Take this with you. It's easy to get lost at sea; with this, you won't have to worry."

Xie Hui took the compass and tucked it into his robe, looking at the sunset outside the window as he thought: Divine Dragon Cult headquarters, here I come. Once I've wiped you out, it will be time for this world to change.

He knew that setting out to sea in three days would be a crucial step on the road to opposing the Qing. As long as they successfully destroyed the Divine Dragon Cult headquarters, the united three-party alliance would become more stable. By then, overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and establishing his own New Dynasty would no Longer be a distant dream. For now, he just needed to be prepared to face the upcoming battle.