Transforming Strength…
How could Transforming Strength possibly kill someone at the Meridian-Connecting stage?!
Yin Hanwen's expression froze as if he had seen a ghost.
But that wasn't even the worst of it.
From beginning to end, Chen Sanshi hadn't even moved his feet—he had only raised a finger, a single, light flick!
And then… Wei Gong died!
How?!
Immortal art!
Immortal art!!!
The realization struck Yin Hanwen like lightning.
Everyone in the Great Sheng Dynasty had heard the rumors—Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong possessed true immortal arts.
And now, it seemed the rumors were real!
Even worse—he had passed them on to Chen Sanshi!
Impossible!
He had only just begun learning under him—how could he have mastered it in just a few days?!
All thoughts of resistance vanished from Yin Hanwen's mind. Terrified, he turned to flee, stumbling in panic.
Chen Sanshi drew the Mountain-Suppressing Sword and closed in, one clean thrust piercing through Yin Hanwen's chest, ending the fight—or rather, the slaughter.
The spell his master had taught him was terrifying beyond words.
Even he was shaken by its power.
No wonder Miss Ningxiang, despite only being at the Tempering Organs realm, had once boasted she could kill Meridian-Connecting cultivators easily—this must have been the kind of method she meant.
Cultivators and martial artists… they weren't even playing the same game.
And this was only the lowest tier of immortal arts—techniques that could be cultivated by anyone with spiritual energy and a spiritual root, even without formally stepping onto the immortal path.
Still, Chen Sanshi wondered if the protective gang qi of a Profound Manifestation expert could withstand such an attack.
"Let's clean this up first."
He pulled the arrows out from each corpse, then picked up Wei Gong's Vajra Pestle and used it to smash the arrow wounds around each heart.
The Vajra Pestle left large, jagged wounds—enough to completely obscure the original arrow injuries.
Originally, he'd have had to dispose of the bodies one by one. With the Vajra Pestle, he could make it look like something else entirely—quick and efficient.
Only the storyteller, the coachman, had too many arrow wounds to fake. That one, he'd have to dump.
He hacked Wei Gong's brow wound into a mangled mess as well.
Once everything was done, Chen Sanshi slung his spear over his shoulder and swiftly returned to the Luotian Mountains.
Soon enough, travelers would discover the bodies and report them to the Liangzhou garrison.
He wasn't worried about being traced.
After all, most people still didn't know he had broken through to Transforming Strength. And even if they did, the idea that someone at that level could kill a Meridian-Connecting expert was unthinkable—no one would believe it.
As for the spell?
No one would even think to suspect that.
Not when even his master didn't seem to know it—those techniques had been kept hidden by Senior Brother Fang all along.
"Drained dry."
Chen Sanshi could feel his meridians utterly empty, hollow like a purse spent all at once after years of saving. The leftover spirit sand in his pouch was barely enough to restore his energy one more time.
Without a natural supply of spiritual energy in this world, true cultivation was like a hero with no battlefield to fight on.
Perhaps incense could serve as a substitute for spiritual energy, at least partially—but to obtain incense energy, one needed a proper incense furnace, and those were only found in temples where believers offered worship.
Back in his cave, Chen Sanshi sat down and began his closed-door cultivation again.
If Eunuch Hou's report was true, the army would soon march for Mingzhou. Every bit of progress mattered now. He needed to strengthen his body and gather enough spiritual grain ointment and medicinal treasures to sustain him on the journey. The road from Liangzhou to Mingzhou was long and unforgiving.
That so-called "Heavenly Book of Military Arts" sounded absurd… but after wielding true immortal arts himself, it no longer seemed so impossible.
Unnoticed, another day passed.
At dawn, Chen Sanshi ended his meditation. Instead of continuing cultivation, he went to work—cutting piles of firewood to brew a new batch of spiritual grain ointment.
Under the searing red flames, his Black-Iron Furnace Cauldron began to warp and groan.
Before long, a dark, sticky residue clung to the bottom of the cauldron.
Chen Sanshi carefully scraped it up, testing to see if it could be rolled into compact balls for easier use—but it was too viscous. With a sigh, he scooped it into porcelain bottles instead.
After tidying up his tools, he grabbed his bow and stepped out into the endless forest.
He'd be returning home that night. It wouldn't do to come back empty-handed—he needed at least two carcasses to carry home.
A rare beast would be ideal.
The iron-core bow gifted by Lü Ji still lacked a bowstring—perhaps he could find a suitable beast for materials. He'd also been studying how to attach Internal Force to arrows, experimenting with the methods described in old scrolls.
Chen Sanshi's senses were still extraordinary. With his [Qi Observation Technique], tracking prey no longer required tedious searching. Within his observation range, nothing alive could escape his perception.
He had barely taken a few steps when he spotted a creature radiating thick black miasma.
Killing aura.
Miss Ningxiang had once explained this kind of dark energy—it was killing aura, Foul Qi.
Such beasts were corrupted by it, twisted into poisonous abominations.
The Witch God Sect… killing aura…
It was hard not to connect the two.
Somewhere deep in the Luotian Mountains, there must be remnants of immortal traces.
'With my current strength… how far can I go?'
The thought stirred in Chen Sanshi's heart. Hunting these poisonous beasts would serve as training anyway—each battle would sharpen his spear skills. As long as he avoided recklessness, it was the perfect trial.
And with [Qi Observation Technique], he could sense danger well before it struck.
The women of the Seeking Immortals Tower had once said that only high-realm cultivators could reach the mountain's deepest region.
He couldn't help but wonder—what lay at the very end?
Since he was already hunting, why not venture deeper and see for himself?
Ignoring the beast before him, Chen Sanshi pushed forward into the dense woods.
If the Luotian Mountains were divided into layers, there would be about fourteen in total. He was currently in the fourth layer. The outbreak of killing aura had originated from the very last—the fourteenth layer.
Channeling his blood energy, his figure flickered through the forest like a ghost.
The deeper he went, the more beasts he encountered.
Wolves, leopards, tigers, and strange, never-before-seen creatures filled the forest.
He fought as he advanced, his body drenched in blood, until at last he reached the eighth layer.
There, within the shadows ahead, he saw it—an even denser, swirling mass of black aura, pulsing faintly between the trees.
Activating [Hiding and Concealment], Chen Sanshi slowed his pace, creeping forward cautiously.
Before him stood a monstrous beast—its form both magnificent and grotesque.
At a glance, it resembled a leopard, its body glowing crimson, more than ten feet long. Five tails swayed behind it, each tipped with spikes. A single horn jutted from its forehead, and its blood-red eyes gleamed with hunger.
It was devouring a tiger corpse, tearing the flesh apart with rows of thin, razor-sharp teeth. Its muzzle was drenched in blood, sticky threads hanging from its whiskers. The entire creature reeked of death and savagery.
This beast was called Zheng!
Chen Sanshi had read about it in Travels Among Mountains and Rivers. The word zheng itself came from this creature—its fearsome, grotesque face was the origin of the phrase "hideous in appearance."
There was even the saying "wolf and zheng working together in wickedness," both names referring to actual beasts.
Originally, the Zheng was a rare spirit beast.
But now, Chen Sanshi could clearly see the dense black killing aura swirling through its body—it had been corrupted into a poisonous beast.
Along his journey, many such rare beasts had fallen to the killing aura, turning into abominations and wasting their potential.
A pity—many of these spirit beasts, if eaten or refined, were more potent than any treasured medicine. Fortunately, though poisonous beasts couldn't be consumed, some of their parts still made fine materials for weapons or armor.
"This Zheng…"
He studied the heavy black miasma inside it. For a moment, even he doubted if he could kill it.
"Let's give it a try first."
"If that doesn't work, I'll run. And if I can't run…"
He still had the Immortal Flame Treasure up his sleeve.
Here in the deep forest, there was no fear of being discovered.
With his decision made, Chen Sanshi immediately took action.
He drew his bow, the string bending like a full moon. A tri-edged armor-piercing arrow shot forth with a sharp whistle, tearing through the air.
The Zheng's pointed ears twitched. Relying solely on the sound of the wind, it spun around and slashed downward—a single swipe of its claws shattered the arrow into several pieces midair!
Bang!
It roared, the sound like boulders crashing together. Its massive limbs bent slightly, then its entire body shot forward like a living arrow, moving faster than the eye could track.
That single leap covered nearly 100 steps!
Whoosh!
Even with Chen Sanshi positioned over 300 steps away, the beast closed the distance in an instant.
He swiftly stowed his bow and switched to his spear. The Five Tigers Soul-Severing Spear lunged out like a dragon breaking through waves, thrusting straight at the charging beast.
The Zheng twisted its body with unnatural agility, dodging the strike. Then its claws came crashing down.
Chen Sanshi flipped his spear around to parry, the clash ringing out like colliding steel. The sheer power behind it forced him to activate his Exploding Blood state and channel his Internal Force just to hold it off.
This creature's strength… it was at least Transforming Strength Major Achievement—possibly even Perfection!
And worse, it wasn't just a beast. Its movements showed clear intelligence—it dodged, countered, and reacted like a trained warrior, except its physical body was far stronger.
He had only meant to test it. Now realizing the danger, he didn't hesitate—he struck once more to buy space, then retreated swiftly.
Though the Zheng's speed was terrifying, its massive size made it clumsy among the dense trees.
It rampaged after him, toppling trunks and scattering birds and beasts in panic.
Chen Sanshi didn't look back. As he ran, he drew another arrow already coated with Immortal Flame Essence, but after some distance, the forest fell silent behind him.
The Zheng had stopped pursuing—he must have left its territory.
"Forget it."
Chen Sanshi sighed. He wouldn't risk circling back. Using Immortal Flame to kill it would reduce the body to ashes, leaving nothing of value.
He'd noticed how fast the beast was—its leaps alone were astonishing. If he could kill it intact, its tendons could make perfect bowstrings for his Iron-Core Bow. That kind of material was almost impossible to come by.
He was now deep within the Eighth Layer of the mountains.
For a first attempt, that was already remarkable. Going deeper would require reaching Transforming Strength Minor Achievement. [Hiding and Concealment] wasn't invisibility—under the influence of this pervasive killing aura, who knew what special senses these poisonous beasts had? He needed to ensure he could retreat safely if things went wrong.
He decided not to push forward. Turning back, he began searching for other prey on his way out.
Near the Sixth Layer, Chen Sanshi noticed a faint wisp of blue light within the bushes.
A spirit beast!
And uncorrupted!
He crept closer and found a rather adorable creature—an ear mouse. Despite the name, it was the size of a dog. It had the fur of a mouse, the head of a rabbit, and the body of a small deer. When it made noises, it sounded like a puppy.
With one arrow, Chen Sanshi pierced its skull clean through.
Not every spirit beast was dangerous—the ear mouse was harmless to humans and animals alike. But its body was priceless—it could neutralize all poisons and nourished vitality better than any treasure medicine. One of these was worth a dozen rare elixirs.
With spiritual grain ointment, treasured medicines, and now a spirit beast, his cultivation progress would surely skyrocket in the coming days.
The faint blue light intrigued him. The energy inside this beast was neither spiritual qi nor killing aura. He made a mental note to ask the people of the Seeking Immortals Tower someday—they would surely know its origin.
"Wait… there's more?"
As he hefted the ear mouse over his shoulder, ready to leave, something caught his eye among the thick grass—a small, distinct flower.
"Purple Frost Flower!"
An alien herb!
Just as spirit beasts differed from ordinary beasts, alien herbs were unique among plants—the foundation of all treasured medicines. They were exceedingly rare. This Purple Frost Flower, for instance, was indistinguishable from weeds before blooming. It only flowered once every 20 years, and the bloom lasted for a single day. Without sheer luck, it was impossible to find.
Sadly, it wasn't useful for cultivation, only for healing external wounds. Still, it was said to rejuvenate the skin and even slow aging.
Chen Sanshi personally had no use for it, but he wasn't about to leave it behind. He plucked it carefully and stored it away.
The depths of the Luotian Mountains truly brimmed with treasures.
Next time, when he returned to slay that poisonous Zheng and take its tendons, he'd finally be able to craft a Hundred-Stone Bow.
But pure draw strength alone wasn't enough. Against Transforming Strength Major Achievement experts and beyond, even that would lack killing power.
High-realm cultivators could easily wield tens of thousands—or even hundreds of thousands of catties—of strength. If they saw the arrow coming, they could block it effortlessly.
That was why so few continued pursuing archery at the higher realms—it simply became ineffective.
'If only there were some heavenly treasure that could store Internal Force,' he thought. 'Then every arrow fired could carry power equivalent to a true strike. The stronger the Internal Force, the deadlier the shot.'
He would need to study more—there had to be records somewhere.
"Time to head down."
On his way back, Chen Sanshi encountered several low-level poisonous beasts. He killed them all without hesitation. His constant training had clearly borne fruit.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression – Transforming Strength (Beginner)]
[Progress: 65/500]
His archery had also improved noticeably.
[Skill: Archery (Major Achievement)]
[Progress: 750/2000]
By the time Chen Sanshi finally left the Luotian Mountains, it was already dawn of the second day—he had stayed within the mountains for a full three days and three nights.
"Qianxun!"
Standing at the foot of the mountain, Chen Sanshi called out. In no time, the White Swan horse came galloping to him.
Carrying the massive ear mouse over his shoulder, he entered the city—only to see wanted posters plastered everywhere. The Witch God Sect had struck again in recent days, killing over fifty disciples from various sects. And on top of that, the incident involving Yin Hanwen had shaken the entire city.
No matter how vile Yin Hanwen had been, he was still someone born with the Innate Martial Saint Body. His father held immense power within the court as the Minister of Personnel—a Second-Rank official and cabinet member. His death was nothing short of a national-level scandal.
"Hanwen…"
Cao Fan knelt beside the pale corpse. He gently brushed his hand across the man's face and closed his eyes for him, voice low and cold. "Who did this?"
"Reporting to Your Highness," said the coroner, bowing respectfully. "All of their hearts were crushed to pulp. Judging from the wounds, the weapon used was a Vajra Pestle—the same kind favored by the Witch God Sect for extracting heart's blood. It can't be wrong."
"The Witch God Sect…"
Cao Fan's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. "General Sha, what do you think? Could it have been someone else?"
"It should be the Witch God Sect, without a doubt," said Sha Wenlong, frowning deeply. "From the condition of the bodies, both Wei Gong and Young Master Yin were killed instantly—no chance to fight back. In Liangzhou City, the only ones capable of that are the Witch God Sect's hidden assassins."
Cao Fan said nothing.
He had his doubts.
Chen Sanshi came to mind. The man had motive—but not the strength.
A Tempering Organs Major Achievement martial artist killing Meridian-Connecting experts instantly? Impossible.
By the looks of the corpses, the killer's cultivation had to be at least Profound Manifestation Realm. Only that level could crush Meridian-Connecting experts so easily.
"Hanwen, I'll avenge you."
Cao Fan's eyes darkened with cold fury.
"Your Highness, I too grieve deeply for Young Master Yin."
Sha Wenlong sighed. His family had served the Yin clan for generations. Even if they weren't close personally, they fought on the same front lines—this loss stirred anger in his heart.
"But now is not the time for mourning," he continued. "In a few days, we march for Mingzhou to suppress the rebels. This battle is both a chance to earn merit and to establish your prestige within the army."
"Rest assured, General Sha," said Cao Fan, his voice steady. "I won't let this incident shake my resolve. During the campaign, I'll be relying on your full support."
"Of course."
Sha Wenlong gave a calm nod. "Once we reach Mingzhou, I'll hold the command center and find a way to transfer control of the Heavenly Wolf Battalion to you. All the credit will be yours."
After all, earning military merit wasn't only about slaying enemy generals.
True accomplishment lay in strategic command. Killing enemies was merely the process—winning wars was the real goal.
"Thank you, General Sha."
"No need for formality, Your Highness. We stand together."
…
Covered in blood, Chen Sanshi carried the ear mouse back home.
"What a cute beast, my lord! What's it called?" Siqin asked, both startled and pitying.
"Ear mouse," Chen Sanshi replied, tossing it into the kitchen. "Skin it, then cook the heart half-done for me to eat tonight. Boil the rest of the meat too."
"Yes, my lord," said Siqin, grabbing a kitchen knife and getting to work.
"I was wondering what the noise was—turns out Little Junior Brother is back," came Rong Yanqiu's voice as she approached.
"Ninth Senior Sister," Chen Sanshi greeted, "thank you for looking after my wife these past days."
He pulled a flower from his robes. "I found this—"
"Hey!" Rong Yanqiu gave him a sharp look, then glanced toward the inner courtyard. "And who exactly were you planning to give that to?"
Chen Sanshi caught her meaning immediately. "Got it."
The Purple Frost Flower had a cold nature—it couldn't be used by pregnant women, or it could cause miscarriage.
He went to the second courtyard, where Sun Li was practicing her blade. "Senior Sister Sun, I brought you something."
"Oh?"
Sun Li paused, resting her blade on her shoulder.
"Purple Frost Flower," he said. "Grind it and mix with water—apply it directly to the skin. It helps preserve youth and slows aging."
Chen Sanshi smiled faintly. "You've looked after Lan jie'er all the way from Yunzhou. I never had the chance to thank you properly."
"I see."
Sun Li accepted the flower, brought it to her nose, and sniffed lightly. "Smells nice."
"As long as you like it," said Chen Sanshi.
He didn't linger. He told Siqin to fetch the chef from the Immortal Crane Pavilion to prepare a feast for his senior sisters, then ate the half-cooked heart of the ear mouse before resuming his cultivation—there was no time to waste.
At dawn the next day, the knock of a visitor echoed softly at the gate.
Chen Sanshi was just about to leave for duty, so he opened the door himself—and found a familiar face standing outside.
True Person Qiu Mingzi.
He had come in person.
"Fortune and life be boundless," Qiu Mingzi said warmly, smiling as he lifted his horsetail whisk. "It has been some time, benefactor."
"Indeed, True Person," Chen Sanshi replied calmly. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
"I've sent word several times inviting you to attend our Daoist lectures, but you've been occupied with military affairs," said Qiu Mingzi. "I don't mean to intrude today—I simply came to deliver a small gift."
He reached into his sleeve and drew out a delicate fragrance pouch. "You once made a generous incense donation to our temple. I never had the chance to thank you. I heard your wife is expecting, so I personally crafted this talisman—it nurtures the spirit and safeguards the fetus. Please accept it."
"Thank you."
Chen Sanshi accepted the pouch with a polite nod.
"Also," Qiu Mingzi added, "my junior brother, the current abbot of Ciyun Temple, recently returned from his travels enlightened. He plans to hold a teaching session soon. I think it could be beneficial for you. Of course, whether you attend or not is entirely your choice. I merely wished to inform you."
With that, the Daoist bowed formally, then turned to leave.
[Protective Talisman: Clear-Spirit Grass, Lan Youzi…]
[? : ??]
The ingredients inside that protective talisman—the incense and the herbs—did indeed have the effect of calming the spirit and protecting a pregnancy.
But hidden among them, Chen Sanshi detected something else, the same strange additive that had been mixed into the Spirit-Nourishing Soup!
A surge of fury rose in his chest.
He had already refused to attend that so-called Daoist lecture, yet now they dared target his own household—and even try to meddle with Lan jie'er, who was pregnant! This was beyond outrageous.
"Boom—!"
He hurled the talisman pouch straight into the kitchen fire, burning it to ashes.
He understood well enough—this talisman was likely just a test, meant to see whether he would notice something wrong. But even knowing that, he couldn't take any chances. Who knew what might happen if it was left behind?
Ciyun Temple!
He needed to find a way to uncover what was truly going on within that temple.
Sometimes, provoking the snake from the grass wasn't a mistake—it was a tactic.
Especially now that he knew the other side already had their eyes on him.
If he didn't deal with this now, once he set off for Mingzhou, he'd be gone for half a year at least. How could he leave his wife and unborn child unprotected?
Pushing aside the tangle of thoughts, Chen Sanshi returned to his room. Under Siqin's careful help, he donned his armor, mounted his White Swan horse, and rode toward the military camp to report for duty.
He had barely arrived when word came down—
In three days, the army would march to suppress the Red Brow Army in Mingzhou.
This campaign would see a total of 40,000 troops from Liangzhou mobilized—comprised of the Reserve Camp, the Heavenly Wolf Battalion, and 20,000 elite garrison soldiers.
Since both the generals of the Heavenly Wolf Battalion and the Reserve Camp had only recently taken office, the overall command of this expedition had been handed to General Zhao.
Meanwhile, Lü Ji and the other senior commanders would remain in Liangzhou to guard against any further incursions from the northern tribes.
"Assembly!"
The horns blared across the training ground.
Atop the field, the acting commander of the Reserve Camp—a man who was technically still its deputy—stood tall and composed as he delivered his pre-battle address.
His name was Yuan Dai, a recent transfer from Youzhou. He had already reached the Profound Manifestation beginner realm. A long, eight-foot serpent spear rested in his hand, gleaming under the light. Despite his scholarly air and calm demeanor, his stature and presence were commanding.
The Reserve Camp's role was to support. The Heavenly Wolf Battalion would bear the main offensive.
After the speech ended, officers distributed pay, uniforms, rations, and additional medicinal supplies to every soldier, while also instructing them to bid farewell to their families in advance.
"Xu Wencai, Wang Li, Xu Bin, Feng Yong… you four, come with me."
Chen Sanshi called them by name and entered his command tent.
As a Thousand-Commander, he naturally had his own tent—though modest in size, it was well-equipped.
Inside were maps, a sand table, and documents—meticulously prepared by Old Mister Fang.
"Let's talk," Chen Sanshi said. "What do you all make of the situation?"
Those he had called in were all men who could think for themselves.
Ever since hearing Eunuch Hou's report, Chen Sanshi had been studying the maps in his spare time. The Mingzhou situation was far more complicated than it appeared.
He wasn't in a position to command large-scale strategy, but he wanted to understand it clearly. If something unexpected happened, at least he could provide a rational analysis to General Zhao.
"My lord," Xu Wencai said, spreading open a feather fan and pointing to the sand table, "I discussed the situation of Mingzhou with Mister Fang when I first came to Liangzhou. I do have some insights. Allow me to explain the basic troop deployment first."
He gestured deftly across the miniature terrain. "Mingzhou lies beyond Yanzhou, at the westernmost border of the Great Sheng Dynasty. The imperial forces number around 80,000, while the rebel Red Brow Army began with 20,000 troops."
"General Dong An commands the western border, where he faces the armies of Western Qi—over 100,000 strong."
"The Red Brow Army rose in rebellion near Meishan, in the southernmost part of Yanzhou. They took advantage of the foreign threat at the border, when the homeland's defenses were thin. By the end of last month, they had already seized six cities, swelling their ranks to 30,000 men."
"They're currently stalled around Jinquan Prefecture, where the situation has stabilized for now."
"General Dong An can spare no more than 30,000 troops to suppress the rebellion, and with such limited numbers, the Ministry of War approved the mobilization of an additional 40,000 reinforcements from Liangzhou. The goal is to retake all lost territory and eliminate the rebel leader Liang Jinian."
When Xu Wencai finished, the others nodded—his overview was concise and thorough.
Ever since arriving in Liangzhou, Fang Qingyun had helped him broaden his horizons. His understanding of military structure across the realm had grown sharper than ever.
Chen Sanshi stood before the sand table, eyes narrowing. "Old Xu, stop holding back. I can tell you've got more to say."
Xu Wencai smiled sheepishly, shaking his head. He was careful not to outshine his superior—but Chen Sanshi saw right through it.
"You're too perceptive, my lord," Xu Wencai said, chuckling before continuing. "Yes, there's more. The rebels had only 20,000 men, yet within just two or three months they managed to seize six fortified cities. Even with Mingzhou's weakened defenses, that shouldn't be possible."
"My lord, I also heard something…"
Zhao Kang spoke up when Chen Sanshi gave permission. "This rebel leader, Liang Jinian, supposedly obtained some kind of divine artifact—what was it called again…"
"The Heavenly Book!"
Feng Yong interjected, his tone serious. "That's the rumor spreading everywhere. They say he's Heaven's chosen son, blessed by immortals, and that the book in his hands is a scroll of Divine Military Arts. With the Heavenly Book's power and the support of several major sects, it's no wonder his army has grown so fast."
"You're not wrong," Xu Wencai said, stroking his beard. "He does have the Heavenly Book. But if it's truly that powerful, then why was he stopped at Jinquan Prefecture? The local garrison only has 5,000 soldiers, and General Dong's 30,000 reinforcements haven't even arrived yet."
"Geography, perhaps?" said Zhao Kang. "Jinquan Prefecture is easy to defend and hard to attack—much like Henglong Prefecture in Yunzhou. Unless there's internal chaos, it's nearly impossible to take."
They had been studying strategy and tactics ever since arriving in Liangzhou, so their reasoning was grounded and confident.
"Good," Chen Sanshi said. "You're all thinking clearly. Which brings us to the biggest question—"
Xu Wencai narrowed his eyes. "If Yanzhou and Mingzhou are already this unstable, then why hasn't the Western Qi Kingdom launched a full-scale invasion? Why are they still holding back with only small probing attacks? Wang Li, what do you think?"
"This…" Wang Li hesitated.
Wang Li rubbed the hilt of his blade, brows furrowed as he said thoughtfully, "They haven't acted yet because they're waiting for the right moment."
"Waiting for what?"
Xu Bin muttered, "It doesn't make sense. Once our reinforcements arrive, wouldn't the Western Qi Kingdom lose their best chance to attack?"
As soon as he said that, everyone began to sense that something was off.
"My lord," Xu Wencai asked curiously, "after our Liangzhou troops enter Mingzhou, how are we planning to deploy? How will we encircle the enemy? Where will the supplies come from—will we rely on local resources or transport everything in?"
Chen Sanshi didn't answer.
These were not matters for his subordinates to know.
Strategic deployments were classified information.
Even fifth-rank generals didn't have full access. He could only listen in on meetings because of his third-rank noble title. No matter how much he trusted Xu Wencai, he couldn't reveal such details.
According to the plan, the Liangzhou army would march light and fast, crossing Yanzhou directly into Mingzhou's heartlands. Supplies and logistics would be handled by Mingzhou's forces. After all, "speed is the essence of war." On paper, it made sense.
But if something went wrong and Mingzhou failed to deliver supplies in time, Liangzhou's army would become an isolated force—deep in enemy territory, with not even a single city to rest and resupply.
If Chen Sanshi were in command, he would've chosen a far more cautious approach.
After mulling it over, he decided to visit General Zhao's command tent and offer his advice.
"Well, well—Commander Chen!"
General Zhao Wuji looked up from his sand table, smiling warmly. "How goes your training? Your men are among the best. This battle could be your time to shine!"
"General Zhao," Chen Sanshi said straightforwardly, "this humble officer has a suggestion regarding our troop deployment for the suppression campaign. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to speak."
"Speak freely," Zhao Wuji replied with a grin. "Rank for rank, you're nearly my equal in merit."
"My lord," Chen Sanshi said, pointing at the Mingzhou sand table, "I believe the current marching plan is risky. My suggestion is this: after entering Mingzhou, instead of rushing south, the army should first station itself in Guyu Prefecture—known for its fortress-like defenses. We can regroup and rest there while the Mingzhou forces on the western front advance forward. Then we unite our armies, consolidate our strength, and slowly wear the enemy down."
"Also," he continued, "I recommend transferring supplies from both Yanzhou and Liangzhou rather than relying entirely on Mingzhou. If their supply lines break, morale will crumble—and the consequences could be disastrous."
"Hmm. That's a cautious plan… but," Zhao Wuji said, tapping the sand table with a finger, "Commander Chen, you've never led an army of over ten thousand before, have you? Do you realize how much food and fodder it takes to move a force that size every day? Transporting grain from Liangzhou to Mingzhou means you'll lose nine-tenths of it to distance and attrition. Ten dan of grain will reach the front as barely one. Mingzhou already has ample reserves—why complicate matters?"
"As for combining forces," he continued, "it's steady, yes—but that would cost us our momentum. The Red Brow Army aren't fools. While you're consolidating, they'll fortify. Once they retreat behind city walls, you know what siege battles are like—bloody and costly.
"Still, if there's something specific you're worried about, speak plainly."
"I can't say for sure," Chen Sanshi admitted, bowing his head slightly. "It's just… Western Qi's continued inaction feels off. What if they're scheming something?"
"They're simply afraid to act."
Zhao Wuji's tone was confident. "General Dong An is stationed on the western front—a man who once rivaled General Fang Qingyun. Though he lost in reputation, he's still a master strategist. With him there, Western Qi wouldn't dare launch an all-out assault. They're just watching, waiting to see how much damage the Red Brow Army can do."
"But in the end," he added, "they're just a mob with no Martial Saint among them. So what if they have some so-called Heavenly Book? If it were truly that powerful, they wouldn't be stalled already."
"You're right, General Zhao," Chen Sanshi said, though his tone was uncertain. "Still, I can't shake the feeling—"
"Battles aren't won on feelings, Commander Chen!"
Zhao Wuji clapped him on the shoulder with a laugh. "You're talented, no doubt. One day, you'll be a great general—perhaps even reach the Martial Saint realm. But right now, you're still young. You need experience.
"This campaign's strategy was drawn up jointly by me, General Lü, and Eunuch Hou. It's too late to change—and there's no reason to.
"Treat this as your chance to observe how large-scale warfare is conducted.
"And don't worry—between Mingzhou's thirty thousand and our forty thousand from Liangzhou, that's seventy thousand men against thirty thousand rebels. The advantage is clearly ours!"
"…"
Chen Sanshi couldn't argue.
After all, he truly didn't know what Western Qi was waiting for.
A war of this scale couldn't be changed based on the instincts of one Thousand-Commander. The plan made sense in theory. All he could do was take things one step at a time.
"Then this humble officer will take his leave."
Chen Sanshi saluted and exited the tent.
As he looked at the soldiers bustling about the camp, he couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and melancholy. Another war loomed on the horizon.
The world truly was in chaos.
But before setting out, there was still one important matter he needed to handle—
The Daoists of Ciyun Temple.
He had to deal with them first, and maybe learn what secrets they were hiding.
…
The next day, at Ciyun Temple.
In the quiet courtyard pavilion, a middle-aged Daoist sat cross-legged, eyes closed, his long beard nearly touching his chest. The spring breeze fluttered through his wide sleeves and whiskers.
This was Yu Xuzi—the current abbot of Ciyun Temple.
True Person Qiu Mingzi appeared at the edge of the courtyard, breaking his meditation.
After a long silence, Yu Xuzi slowly opened his eyes. "Senior Brother, you've returned."
"Junior Brother," Qiu Mingzi said, his tone wary. "I delivered the item to that Chen boy. How did it go?"
"My gu didn't react," Yu Xuzi replied with a slight shake of his head. "Either he threw it away or destroyed it outright."
"No wonder he refused our invitations to the Daoist lectures again and again. Seems he really sensed something unusual."
Qiu Mingzi frowned. "But that's strange. The additive in the Spirit-Nourishing Soup isn't from this world. How could he have detected it? Don't tell me… Sun Xiangzong taught him something? Junior Brother, this could be serious. What should we do next?"
Yu Xuzi's expression turned cold. "Test him again. If that fails…" He paused, his tone icy. "Then we find a chance to kill him."
Yu Xuzi said calmly, "He's just a Tempering Organs cultivator. I've already reached Meridian-Connecting Realm. Killing him would be as easy as snapping a twig."
"Abbot, Overseer! Something terrible has happened!"
Before they could continue, a young Daoist stumbled into the courtyard, panic all over his face.
"Look at you—flustered like that! What kind of conduct is that for a Daoist?"
Qiu Mingzi scolded sharply, "Speak! What happened?"
"Liangzhou troops! Liangzhou troops!"
The young Daoist pointed downhill, gasping for breath. "That Lü Ji suddenly brought thousands of soldiers—surrounded the entire mountain! They say someone reported us for hiding Witch God Sect members, and now they're here to search!"
"What?"
Yu Xuzi immediately stood up and, together with his senior brother, hurried toward the mountain gate.
Outside, an army had already assembled.
At the forefront stood Lü Ji—his massive frame like a living mountain. Beside him was a young general carrying a Green Dragon Crescent Blade—Cao Fan.
His face was twisted with fury as he barked orders to his men. "Search! Dig up every inch of this mountain! Leave no corner unchecked!"
"Abbot," Qiu Mingzi whispered, "that's the Crown Prince's eldest son!"
Yu Xuzi stepped forward and saluted respectfully. "This poor Daoist greets Your Highness. May I ask why the army surrounds our humble temple?"
"I suspect you're colluding with the Witch God Sect!"
Cao Fan shouted, "Daoist! Where were you three days ago? Were you the one who slaughtered the convoy outside the city?!"
"Your Highness, we've been wronged!" Yu Xuzi protested, his voice trembling.
"Whether you're wronged or not—it's not for you to decide!"
Cao Fan signaled with his eyes.
In an instant, Sha Wenlong appeared. His broadsword roared through the air with murderous intent, cleaving down like a thunderbolt.
"Clang!"
Yu Xuzi's face turned pale. He drew his sword to block, but the impact sent him staggering backward several steps before collapsing onto the ground.
"You're in the Meridian-Connecting Realm?"
Lü Ji's tone was sharp. "According to the Great Sheng laws, all sect members must report their cultivation annually. Concealing one's breakthrough is a crime. Since you've already advanced to Meridian-Connecting, why didn't you report it?"
Yu Xuzi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stammered, "General Lü, this is a misunderstanding! I was traveling abroad and only just broke through. I was rushing back to report it—but hadn't yet had the chance…"
"You're sure?"
Lü Ji pressed his enormous palm forward like a descending mountain, pinning Yu Xuzi in place. Only after confirming that Yu Xuzi had no hidden power did he finally release him. "Take him away for questioning. The rest of you—search!"
At his command, hundreds of soldiers stormed through the temple gates.
"General Lü," Cao Fan asked quickly, "well?"
"Just early-stage Meridian-Connecting," Lü Ji replied.
"So it's not him?"
Cao Fan's eyes darkened. He had received word last night that Ciyun Temple was tied to the Witch God Sect. The moment he heard it, he thought of the murdered Yin Hanwen—and rushed here seeking revenge.
But to kill Wei Gong in an instant, the culprit had to be at least Profound Manifestation Realm.
This Daoist clearly didn't qualify.
Still, they had to check whether others were hiding inside.
"Search!"
"Turn every stone!"
"Move it!"
Amid the chaos, Chen Sanshi commanded his men calmly, while quietly searching through the main hall himself.
Of course, he was the one who'd secretly reported Ciyun Temple. He wanted to distance himself entirely—if trouble fell upon the temple later, no one could trace it back to him.
Cao Fan's fierce involvement confirmed something else—he truly cared for Yin Hanwen. His rage wasn't an act.
Still, this commotion gave Chen Sanshi exactly what he wanted: a chance to confirm whether Ciyun Temple was truly linked to the Witch God Sect.
Both Zhang Huaimin and Huang Tianrong had traces of baleful qi within their bodies—and the one thing they had in common was that they'd both visited Ciyun Temple and drunk the Spirit-Nourishing Soup.
At the same time, Chen Sanshi wanted to assess the abbot's true strength.
He would never have risked coming alone.
Now, seeing it with his own eyes—the abbot had indeed reached Meridian-Connecting Realm. But there was no trace of Azure Profound Qi or Purple Qi within him.
'He can be killed,' Chen Sanshi thought coldly.
'But I'll need to wait for the right moment.'
For now, he needed more time to recover his inner energy.
Using the search as cover, he picked up an incense burner glowing faintly with purple mist. The moment he touched it, an almost blissful energy flowed through him—smooth and alive, like a fish returning to water.
If he could bring this back home, he could easily advance his Sword Qi Technique to proficiency, maybe even minor mastery!
Of course, that was impossible right now.
If he carried a temple incense burner out in front of everyone, it would raise instant suspicion.
So he decided to leave it here, hidden in plain sight.
Once the Mingzhou campaign ended, he'd come back to retrieve it.
With that, he'd have both a proper alchemy cauldron and spiritual incense for cultivation—all in one stroke.
"We're innocent!"
The Daoists were still shouting.
But not long after, a soldier returned from the back mountain carrying a bloodstained Vajra Pestle.
Cao Fan's face darkened with fury. "Old fool! Still claim you've got nothing to do with the Witch God Sect?!"
"Your Highness, this is slander! Slander!" Yu Xuzi shouted, face ashen.
"Guards!"
Lü Ji's voice was cold as steel. "Take every Daoist from Ciyun Temple and lock them in the Liangzhou prison!"
As the brothers Yu Xuzi and Qiu Mingzi were dragged away in chains, Chen Sanshi finally let out a quiet breath.
Locked up in Liangzhou's dungeon, they'd be lucky to come out alive—and even if they did, it wouldn't be anytime soon.
Only then did he feel completely at ease.
Now he could march to war without any worries.
The new month had begun.