There were no new faces at court; the old generals stepped forward as the vanguard.
These loyal and upright ministers of the court did not choose self-preservation in a time of crisis.
Even though the Jin Prince's new dynasty offered them generous treatment, many still exhausted every means to make their way to the capital from the prefectures occupied by the "rebel army."
Several days later,
the court's northern expedition strategy was finalized and, under strict secrecy, put into step-by-step execution.
"Lord Zhou."
Before parting, Shengyun Sect's Shan Liangcheng called out to the departing heir of the Qilin Pavilion's Twelve Upper Generals and said, "This campaign against Shouyang carries many dangers. Brother, please be sure to take great care."
"Immortal Master Dan need not worry for me."
Zhou Rong stopped at the threshold, slowly turned around, and lightly cupped his fists in salute. "The army of one million will be entrusted to Immortal Master Dan."
"Publicly, as a true disciple of my sect, I must relieve my sect's concerns. Privately, Chen Sanshi slew my fellow disciples and killed my Dao companions. If I do not avenge this, my heart realm will never be at peace."
Shan Liangcheng returned the salute. "Therefore, Young Lord Zhou may go at ease. Dan will exert every effort and will not fail the trust placed in me."
Zhou Rong said no more. He merely nodded lightly, then resolutely turned and stepped across the threshold, walking into the blazing sunlight, until he finally vanished once more into the shadows beneath the palace gates.
In the old calendar, late August of Longqing Year Seventy-Seven, the Sheng court appointed Zhou Rong as Chief Governor of the Supervising Military Office, with the Prince of Qi accompanying him as Supervising Commissioner. They led four hundred thousand troops advancing by both land and water, marching north to Lou Prefecture to attack Shouyang City. Shan Liangcheng of the Shengyun Sect held the rear, mobilizing one hundred fifty thousand troops to advance from the western Ancient Monastery Route, passing north of Lingfeng Mountain to attack Mao Prefecture, driving straight toward the northern heartland. Two routes advanced together, with a total force of five hundred fifty thousand troops, consuming immeasurable supplies and provisions.
Yulu State.
Youlan Capital City.
Taiji Hall.
"Reporting to Your Majesty!"
Minister of War Ming Qingfeng stepped forward. "The Chang'an rebels have already dispatched two armies northward. One advances by both land and water to attack Lou Prefecture. The other advances west to attack Mao Prefecture. In total, five hundred fifty thousand troops."
"The rebels dare to launch a northern expedition?!"
The Zhengtong Emperor Cao Huan clearly had not expected this. He hurriedly asked, "Beloved ministers, what countermeasures do you propose?"
"These two armies—Zhou Rong commands the larger force, but the troops under Shan Liangcheng on the western route include far more high-realm cultivators. Both routes strike at vital points."
Ming Qingfeng said with concern, "Especially Shouyang of Lou Prefecture. It is our dynasty's waterway hub, affecting the water control of half the realm. If it is lost, the consequences would be unimaginable."
The Luoxiao River,
the greatest river of the Central Plains in the Great Sheng Dynasty, runs north–south through countless cities. Canal transport is prosperous, with many docks.
When used to transport troops, it preserves soldiers' stamina, allowing long-distance movement without exhaustion.
When used to transport grain, it greatly reduces losses. Overland grain transport might begin with ten dan of grain and arrive at the front with only one dan remaining, but water transport does not suffer such enormous waste—especially crucial amid years of warfare, when provisions are precious.
When used for attacks, it enables swift strikes, surprise maneuvers, and seizing the enemy unprepared.
Therefore,
control of waterway hubs has always been fiercely contested by military strategists.
"In that case…"
Minister of Personnel, concurrently Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion, Fu Kejin, spoke. "We should naturally dispatch Northern Liang to guard Shouyang."
Fu Kejin, a native of Youzhou of Northern Liang, whose elders had close ties with Sun Xiangzong, had actively responded after the uprising in Liangzhou and played a crucial role in pacifying Youzhou and coordinating the rear.
At the beginning of the uprising,
it may have been enough for the Northern Liang army to rally the masses.
But after rising, the rear required reliable civil officials to maintain order.
And after Northern Liang pledged allegiance to the new dynasty,
the new court, to demonstrate sincerity, naturally appointed a number of civil officials formerly under Northern Liang's command to court positions. Of the eight members of the Grand Secretariat, two were from Northern Liang.
Another three were officials from aristocratic clans and sects.
The final three were the Zhengtong Emperor's confidants from the capital.
Northern Liang did not hold the largest number of officials at court, but it certainly had a strong voice—because it held military power.
Among the aristocratic clans and sects, there was also a special presence.
The Sima family.
They came from Heavenly Water Isle.
The clan head Sima Yao was a martial cultivator at the Early Stage of the True Force Realm. This time, he followed Guiyuan Sect cultivators to the Eastern Divine Continent, clearly intending to settle his family here, establish roots, and never leave.
At this moment, upon hearing Fu Kejin's proposal, Sima Yao immediately rejected it. "Improper. Northern Liang's troops have long been stationed along the western route of the Central Plains. The defense of Lou Prefecture should be entrusted to the court's own forces."
If Lou Prefecture were handed to Northern Liang again, then Northern Liang's troops would effectively grasp the lifeline of the Central Plains.
This was something Sima Yao and the many aristocratic clans and sects would absolutely not allow.
"Lord Sima,"
Fu Kejin rebutted, "Shouyang is of utmost importance. If any mishap occurs, the enemy will move unimpeded along the waterways and be impossible to stop. Only by having the King of Liang personally go can we rest easy."
"Yes, indeed."
Officials of the Northern Liang faction voiced their agreement.
"Gentlemen!"
Sima Yao emphasized, "Do not forget—although the western route army is smaller, it contains many high-realm cultivators. Only if the King of Liang personally goes can success be guaranteed!
"On the contrary,
"if Shouyang City is defended by me together with Seeking Immortals Tower and Guiyuan Sect, that will be sufficient to hold the city!"
"Lord Sima, why covet merit?"
Fu Kejin continued. "At a time of peril for the court, we should work with one heart, not harbor private motives and advance or retreat at odds!"
"This gentleman is speaking of me…"
Sima Yao cast him a sidelong glance. "Or of yourself?"
He did not say it outright.
But every official present understood.
This was a warning to Northern Liang—
to know restraint.
Factional strife.
Had begun once again.
Whether in times of prosperity or on the brink of a dynasty's collapse, the struggles upon the court were never-ending.
It was just that…
At this moment, within the court of the new dynasty, Northern Liang had also become one of the factions. Even though the White Robe gained no direct benefit, they were still seeking ways to fight for advantages for the Northern Liang army—and for themselves.
"Lord Sima, what do you mean by this?!" Fu Kejin said heavily. "I am acting entirely for the sake of the court. I ask Lord Sima not to judge a gentleman's heart with the mind of a petty man!"
For a time, the two sides argued without end.
"Your Majesty, may this humble minister speak?"
Among the assembled officials, a young official wearing a crimson robe, with a peacock rank badge embroidered on his chest, stepped forward and spoke.
Qi Cheng, a disciple of Wolong.
After the establishment of the new dynasty, he was appointed Left Vice Minister of War, Senior Third Rank, and conferred the Third-Rank Civil Merit Title of 'Administrator of State Affairs'.
At present, most of the Northern Liang army was stationed outside the capital. Among those remaining at court, he could be considered a core member of the Northern Liang faction, and his words carried a certain representative weight.
The Zhengtong Emperor Cao Huan said in a deep voice, "Beloved Minister Qi, speak freely."
"In this humble minister's opinion,"
Qi Cheng stepped forward two paces. "Lord Sima's proposed arrangement is more appropriate: let the Northern Liang army first guard the western route, while the capital troops are responsible for defending Shouyang and protecting the capital."
"Lord Qi?!"
Fu Kejin and the others looked at him, not expecting a Wolong disciple to side with the opposing view. Confused, they nevertheless found it difficult to continue insisting.
"This young Lord Qi truly understands the greater good,"
Sima Yao said approvingly. "Your Majesty, please issue the order."
"Very well. Beloved Minister Qi is a Wolong disciple. His words should represent part of Wolong's intent. Given the urgency of the situation, I shall make the appointment first. If the King of Northern Liang has any objections to this arrangement, he may inform me at any time, and adjustments can be made accordingly."
The Zhengtong Emperor rendered the final decision.
In the old calendar, early September of Longqing Year Seventy-Seven, Sheng Xianzong Cao Huan appointed Sima Yao as Governor-Inspector of Lou Prefecture, conferred upon him the title of Tiger-Dragon General, and ordered him to lead 70,000 troops to garrison Shouyang. At the same time, 150,000 Northern Liang troops were dispatched south to Mao Prefecture to resist the western-route army.
Taizhou.
The prefectural city.
Northern Liang army encampment.
Central command tent.
As the strange flame burned out, the array patterns on the alchemy furnace extinguished one by one. All movement came to an abrupt halt, returning to complete calm. Several Tier One pills—Clear Spirit Pills—were successfully refined, and the panel appeared once more.
Skill: Alchemy (Tier One)
Progress: 256/500
Through Chen Sanshi's unremitting efforts, his alchemy proficiency had finally passed the halfway mark. This was also aided by talisman drawing and studying formations. All these "skills" required the use of divine sense, and by reinforcing one another, the speed of cultivating each skill increased somewhat.
If he could quickly break through alchemy to Tier Two, it would be of tremendous help later—whether for martial cultivation resources or for refining Foundation Establishment Pills after cultivating the Swallowing Fire Art.
Skill: Talisman Drawing (Tier One)
Progress: 129/500
After finishing these two tasks,
Chen Sanshi took out several small flags, each only as long as a forearm, along with a round wooden disk. Holding an awl-like tool, he continuously carved runes into the disk—some so fine they were no thicker than a strand of hair.
During the carving process, spirit stones, spirit sand, mana, and various materials were also required.
Formations!
After consecutively scrapping four formation disks, Chen Sanshi finally succeeded when the fifth carving was completed. With a flick of his hand, the formation disk and flags flew several zhang away, radiating brilliant spiritual light in midair before suddenly descending—directly sinking into the ground without leaving any visible trace on the surface.
He formed hand seals and chanted incantations, controlling the formation from afar. Immediately, golden chains of light extended from the earth like giant pythons, coiling around the wooden training posts on the ground. Under the terrifying force, the posts shattered outright, exploding into countless wood fragments.
Earth Prison Formation.
Used to restrict an opponent's movement, a Tier One formation.
Skill: Formation (Tier One)
Progress: 0/500
Effect: Fluid Completion
After reaching Tier One in formations, the obtained trait was the same as talisman drawing—Fluid Completion. No matter how complex a formation might be, once it had been successfully set up once, it would never fail again.
At the early stage, the effect of Fluid Completion might appear ordinary. But as one's realm increased and the formations encountered grew ever more profound, its usefulness would become greater and greater.
According to records in ancient texts,
setting up high-tier formations was extremely complex. Even the most formidable formation masters could hardly guarantee a flawless setup every time. Many materials were exceedingly rare—one mistake could scrap the entire formation disk, resulting in incalculable losses.
Among the hundred arts of cultivation—alchemy, forging, talismans, and formations—each could connect to Heaven and Earth, and to the Great Dao.
Formations were especially so.
For example…
The Grand Heaven-and-Earth Formation of the Eastern Divine Continent!
It was said that someone once relied solely on formations to firmly seal an entire world. Even great powers of the cultivation world dared not cross half a step, thereby protecting the whole of the Eastern Divine Continent!
From this, one could see just how unfathomable the might of truly high-tier formations was.
After finishing his skill cultivation,
Chen Sanshi began cultivating spells once more.
He sat cross-legged on the ground, hands forming seals as he stilled his breath and focused his mind. One small sword after another condensed before him, surpassing the original limit of twenty swords, reaching thirty… fifty!
Spell: Ten Thousand Swords Descend · Limit Break Stage Two
Progress: 0/2000
Effect: Store Fifty Swords, Move at Will, Act Through the Blade
So-called "move at will, act through the blade" meant that the mode of using the Sword Qi Technique had changed.
Previously, sword qi was more like arrows—once released, there was no return, no adjustment.
Now, however, sword qi could be controlled "like one's own arms," following the heart's intent.
"Buzz!"
Chen Sanshi stood up, and fifty strands of purple sword qi unfurled behind him. He casually executed a set of boxing techniques, then threw a punch straight ahead. More than ten strands of sword qi shot forth explosively along the direction of the punch.
If viewed from afar, it looked as though he were releasing sword qi directly with his fists.
This was known as "following the blade as it moves." The same applied when using spear techniques, and it could be regarded as an additional enhancement method.
He dispersed all the sword qi.
In front of the White Robe, a cracked earthen wall that emitted dazzling spiritual light condensed instead. It collapsed, reformed, collapsed again, and was cast anew—repeating this cycle over and over. Until at a certain moment, the earthen wall completely split apart along its cracks into more than a dozen fragments. Yet they did not collapse further; instead, they floated scattered around him, resembling irregularly shaped small shields.
Spell: Thick Earth Art (Minor Achievement)
Progress: 0/2000
Effect: Thick Earth Protection
Thick Earth Protection!
Unlike before, when Chen Sanshi used the Thick Earth Art defensively, he needed to form hand seals and chant incantations, and afterward still had to maintain it continuously with hand signs. But after breaking through to Minor Achievement, once the spell was cast, it only required mana supply and no longer needed manual maintenance, making it far more effortless and free.
Sword Qi Technique and Thick Earth Art—these two spells had both developed remarkable effects by now.
Unfortunately, the power of spells was tied to cultivation realm. At present, he was still in the middle stage of Qi Refining.
Cultivation Method: Swallowing Fire Art · Qi Refining Fifth Layer
Progress: 588/1200
Fortunately, with the improvement of his spiritual root grade, coupled with the pills obtained through the Bai family trade, the cultivation speed of the Swallowing Fire Art had already far surpassed that of the Dragon Scripture. It was highly likely that by the Foundation Establishment stage, it would catch up to or even equal it.
The path of martial cultivation was arduous and fraught with uncertainty, with resources and inheritances both being extremely precious.
Thus, cultivating both martial and spell paths—using spells to support martial arts—was the best way to reduce difficulty.
After grinding through all of this.
Chen Sanshi's palm flashed with spiritual light as he grasped the Dragon-Gall Bright Silver Spear and began cultivating the Dragon Scripture. With spiritual qi irrigation, his meridians grew stronger day by day, and the dormant shrines within his body continued to awaken one after another.
Along the left side of his spine, five-colored spiritual light grew increasingly radiant until it merged into one.
Left Kidney Deity!
Name: Chun Yuan Zhen
Courtesy Name: Daoqing
Length: 3.7 inches
Attire: Five-colored impermanence!
Six of the Three Sections and Eight Scenic Deities!
Cultivation Method: Dragon Scripture (Early Stage True Force)
Progress: 377/500
Only two more scenic deities remained. Once they were opened, he would be able to break through to the middle stage of the True Force Realm.
The middle stage of True Force was equivalent to the early stage of Foundation Establishment for spell cultivators. In Heavenly Water Isle, possessing this level—if one also had a spiritual vein—was already enough to establish a family.
At the same time, this was also the highest realm that had so far appeared within Eastern Divine Continent.
From the current situation.
It was likely already too late to stop Emperor Longqing from reaching Foundation Establishment, so the only option was to compete in raw strength. If the opponent succeeded in Foundation Establishment, he would likewise reach the middle stage of True Force.
After finishing all of this cultivation, several days passed without him even noticing.
"Come in."
Chen Sanshi put away his spear and spoke toward the outside of the command tent.
He had already sensed someone waiting outside for half an hour, but they had not dared to enter and disturb him.
"Sir."
Xu Wencai entered holding a dispatch order and spoke calmly, "Not long ago, Chang'an launched a northern campaign, dividing their forces into two routes. One route advances by both land and water to attack Louzhou Prefecture, while the other moves west to attack Maozhou Prefecture."
As he spoke, he took out two letters. "Sir, please take a look. One is intelligence from the new dynasty, and the other is from Chang'an."
"An active northern campaign? There are actually people in the court with such courage."
Chen Sanshi accepted the letters and first examined the intelligence from Chang'an.
"It is the descendant of Zhou Tao, the first founding merit official of the Great Sheng Dynasty. His name is Zhou Rong. He is not much older than you, sir, but his attainments in military strategy are quite profound."
Xu Wencai explained, "According to our original plan, next month we would have advanced on eight routes simultaneously. We would only need to shatter two or three of them to reach the capital with ease.
"But with this single move, he has thrown both us and the new dynasty into an extremely passive position.
"Especially in terms of troop deployment.
"They mass large forces in Louzhou Prefecture, while stationing high-realm cultivators along the western route. This essentially forces you, sir, to attack the western route, while they take advantage of your absence to strike Shouyang.
"This is a stratagem to lure the tiger away from the mountain—no…
"It should be called forcing the tiger away from the mountain."
Among all stratagems under heaven, open schemes were the hardest to break.
A military strategist must understand how to amplify strengths and avoid weaknesses.
And Zhou Rong had taken this to the extreme.
By exploiting Chang'an's advantage in troop numbers, he launched an active offensive, turning passivity into initiative and firmly controlling the enemy's movements.
"This Zhou Rong…"
Chen Sanshi said, "Is there a possibility of recruiting him directly?"
In the past.
They had not been qualified to negotiate.
But now, holding half the realm, they were fully capable of inducing the surrender of many military officers and officials.
"I have already tried, offering him high office and generous rewards, but this man is loyal to the core and showed no sign of wavering."
Xu Wencai sighed. "Back then, when Zhou Tao followed Great Sheng Founding Emperor Cao Xie during his latent years, he once took more than ten arrows to his body and carried the gravely wounded Cao Xie out of the chaos of battle. Later, he even sold off all ancestral property to recruit three thousand troops to help Cao Xie rise again. After that, he repeatedly rendered extraordinary service and was absolutely the foremost founding merit official of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
"But after three generations, the Zhou family completely declined, surviving solely on the merit records left behind by their ancestors.
"Who would have thought that after three hundred years, such a worthy descendant would emerge again."
As he spoke, Chen Sanshi picked up the intelligence from the new dynasty's capital, Youlan Capital. It detailed the discussions among civil and military officials during the court session concerning this campaign.
"Absurd."
When he saw the words of the Minister of Personnel, Fu Kejin, a trace of anger surfaced in him.
In this battle.
Although Sima Yao indeed harbored ambitions for power and credit, what he said was correct. Chen Sanshi personally leading the Northern Liang army to swiftly resolve the western route was the optimal solution in every sense.
Yet Fu Kejin had stirred up trouble purely for the benefit of the Northern Liang army, attempting to use their advance into Louzhou Prefecture to seize control of the Central Plains' waterway hub. If things truly turned out that way and the western route lacked sufficient strength, once it collapsed, the consequences would be disastrous.
Unexpectedly.
Factional strife had come to involve him so quickly, and without any instruction from him whatsoever.
"Sir, things are different now."
Xu Wencai said in a low voice. "Along the way, too many people have cast their lot with our Northern Liang. They are even more afraid than we are that you might fall from power, sir, so naturally they will do everything they can to secure benefits for Northern Liang. As for this Fu Kejin, I will properly warn him later and make sure he does not take matters into his own hands again."
The situation forced their hand.
Once too many people were staking their lives on the outcome, there was no longer any room to retreat.
Chen Sanshi then asked, "How do you see this deployment?"
"At present," Xu Wencai said solemnly, "we probably have no choice but to follow Zhou Rong's strategy—clear out the western route first, then rush back to support Louzhou as quickly as possible. That said, Zhou Rong's 'forcing the tiger out of the mountains' scheme will certainly succeed, but does he truly have the confidence to take Shouyang before we finish dealing with the western front?
"Shouyang's walls are solid, its provisions ample. Sima Yao is a True Force martial artist, and with cultivators from Seeking Immortals Tower assisting, it won't be taken in a short time. Once we return to reinforce them, those 400,000 troops will be in serious danger. Of course, even so, their goal of buying time will already have been achieved. From that perspective, the plan is still reasonable."
"In that case, there's nothing more to discuss—only a swift decision and a swift battle," Chen Sanshi said.
"Pass the order down. The entire army is to prepare and march on Maozhou."
Louzhou.
Shouyang City.
Fifteen days earlier.
The court had assembled 400,000 troops, advancing north by both land and water. Along the way, prefectural cities fell one after another until they finally met effective resistance outside Shouyang. With the help of cultivators, the defenders inside the city held out for ten days before Sima Yao arrived, leading 80,000 reinforcements.
Zhou Rong's punitive army assaulted the city for forty consecutive days. Despite heavy losses, they failed to breach the walls, and both sides fell into a stalemate.
Inside Shouyang City.
Standing atop the city walls, Sima Yao gazed calmly at the enemy camp in the distance, his expression composed and his eyes deep.
"Father."
Two young men approached from behind. The slightly more inexperienced-looking one reported, "Zhou Rong's forces have ceased their advance. There's no sign of another assault. Presumably, after the heavy losses of the past few days, they know a forced attack would be useless."
"Yes," said the other, whose features were somewhat more mature. "If this continues, once the King of Northern Liang finishes resolving the western front and comes to support us, the besieging army outside the city will surely be broken!"
These two were Sima Chi and Sima Lan, both at the perfection stage of Mortal Shedding—that is, the Martial Saint realm.
"But Father…" Sima Lan asked in confusion, "why do we insist on remaining from Heavenly Water Isle and following Guiyuan Sect to this land where spiritual energy is so scarce, fighting to the death for others?"
Sima Yao did not answer.
It was the elder brother, Sima Chi, who spoke instead. "If we can hold Shouyang in this battle, we'll gradually digest and take full control of the 80,000 troops under our command, establish ourselves in Eastern Divine Continent, and then plan step by step to strengthen our clan."
An early-stage True Force realm cultivator might be unimpressive in Heavenly Water Isle, but in Eastern Divine Continent it was an exceedingly rare existence.
Since their clan could not establish itself in the cultivation world, they chose instead to follow Guiyuan Sect here. If they could help Guiyuan Sect seize the ancestral vein, they would certainly obtain vast resources, and in the future, under Guiyuan Sect's protection, even be allotted cultivation spirit veins.
"Although the new dynasty now has more than 200,000 troops, aside from Chen Sanshi there are no usable generals. That's why Father volunteered to guard Shouyang personally.
"As long as we prove our worth, the court and the forces behind it will use us to check Chen Sanshi. At that point, resources will naturally tilt in our favor.
"So this battle is of utmost importance."
"So the idea is to replace Chen Sanshi?" Sima Lan said, half understanding. "Father, is what my elder brother said correct?"
"Correct—and not entirely," Sima Yao replied.
He did not let them continue the discussion, only issuing an order: "Maintain vigilance day and night. Do not relax for a moment. At most, hold out another three months. If the enemy does not withdraw, they will perish."
"Yes, Father!" the two answered in unison.
Outside Shouyang City.
The court's military encampment.
Armored soldiers bearing sharp weapons patrolled back and forth. Battle reports arrived one after another beneath urgent hoofbeats. Amid this solemn atmosphere, however, raucous music and revelry rang out from within the central command tent.
A pipa was strummed, beauties danced.
Zhou Rong, newly risen to command the armies despite his lack of battlefield experience, was actually drinking and indulging himself inside the central tent.
"Zhou Rong!"
The Prince of Qi, personally accompanying the army as supervising commander, stormed into the tent in fury.
"Your Highness has arrived," Zhou Rong said. Despite the prince's presence, he did not rise or salute, remaining seated leisurely in the commander's place, wine cup raised, his tone frivolous. "Come, come—take a seat and enjoy the fine wine with this humble official!"
"Zhou Rong!"
The Prince of Qi glared, roaring, "You still have the mood to drink? How exactly do you intend to take this city?!
"It's been forty days! Heavy losses are one thing—Shouyang is hard to assault, everyone knows that—but you must come up with a plan! Instead, you spend every day here drinking and making merry!"
"Life is short—one must enjoy success while one can, and never let the golden cup face the moon empty," Zhou Rong replied indifferently. "The city will fall eventually. There's no need to rush."
"I'll make you drink!"
The Prince of Qi drove the dancers away, seized the wine cup, and splashed it directly into Zhou Rong's face. "Zhou Rong! If you don't attack the city, I'll report to the court, strip you of command, and then take your head!"
"Do as you please," Zhou Rong finally looked straight at him, fearless and resolute. "But until then, I am still the Grand Commander. Your Highness is only the supervising officer. You may impeach me, but you have no authority to interfere in military affairs."
"You—you just wait!"
The Prince of Qi kicked over the table and stormed out in rage.
At that very moment, thunder roared across the sky, followed by a torrential downpour. The storm only further inflamed the prince's fury. Not just him—many veteran generals participating in the campaign were growing increasingly anxious.
"This is armchair warfare!"
"He spoke so eloquently back in the capital!"
"And yet once he reached Shouyang, he can't advance a single step!"
"I just received a report—Chen Sanshi is winning battle after battle on the western front. He's about to force our court's troops into retreat and then turn back to support Shouyang!"
"Why can't we replace the commander?"
"Is there truly no one left in the court who can be used?!"
Maozhou.
Northern Liang army encampment.
Within one month.
Chen Sanshi and his forces appeared to be winning battle after battle, but in reality they had not annihilated many enemy troops at all.
This was already within his expectations.
The enemy's two-pronged advance had been designed from the outset as a scheme to force the tiger out of the mountains—it was never meant to turn this place into the true main battlefield.
Of course, if Chen Sanshi had not come, this feint would have become a genuine main offensive. High-realm cultivators had been stationed here all along; they were merely retreating and maneuvering continuously.
That was precisely why it was called an open scheme.
This was the advantage of having overwhelming numbers—no matter which direction the enemy advanced from, you were forced to commit real strength to respond.
What Chen Sanshi needed to do was use cultivators from Guiyuan Sect to leave sufficient defensive forces behind in the key cities they had captured, preventing the enemy from easily counterattacking. That way, he could buy enough time to return and reinforce Louzhou.
As he removed the talisman-reinforced iron armor from his body, he asked, "What's the situation in Shouyang City?"
"The latest battle report just arrived," Xu Wencai replied. "After Sima Yao led his troops into the city, they successfully held out for forty days. Both sides suffered losses, but recently Zhou Rong has stopped attacking altogether—lowering banners, halting advances. No one knows what he's planning. At most, we'll be able to return and kill our way back in another one and a half months. By then, they'll be caught in a pincer attack."
"Tap."
As the two spoke, heavy raindrops began falling from the sky.
Chen Sanshi extended his hand, watching the droplets land in his palm. "Xu Wencai, it's raining in Louzhou."
Xu Wencai froze for a moment, then suddenly realized the implication. "Every year from August to October, Louzhou is hit by torrential rains. The water level of the Luoxiao River inevitably surges. If they dig channels in advance to redirect the river, build dams to store water, and then destroy the dams at the peak water level, they can unleash a flood to inundate Shouyang City, which lies in low terrain!
"No wonder Zhou Rong attacked for a while, realized he couldn't take the city, and then simply surrounded it without assaulting—completely unconcerned about us!
"Fortunately, my lord discovered it in time. There's still time!"
He quickly calculated with his fingers. "Even if martial generals and cultivators personally dig the river and build dams, it's no easy task. It would normally take six months to one year. Even at the fastest, it'll still take one month to complete. We must notify Shouyang City immediately!"
"We can notify them, but it's useless," Chen Sanshi said, shaking his head.
"Heh… this Zhou Rong really does have methods," Xu Wencai said with understanding.
They had indeed seen through the scheme—and very early, at that, early enough that the other side had only just begun acting.
But it was useless.
Because Chen Sanshi was not there.
The upper reaches of the Luoxiao River were under the court's control. As long as the White Robe was absent, it meant no one could easily kill Qi Refining perfection cultivators. With insufficient combat strength, it was impossible to strike deep into the court's rear and destroy the dams.
So even if Sima Yao understood Zhou Rong's plan, there was nothing he could do. He could only stay inside the city… and wait for death.
"Once Shouyang falls, combined with the heavy rains, the Luoxiao River's water level will surge. That will be the perfect time for the court's navy to advance north," Chen Sanshi said calmly as he studied the map. "We should still seek a swift decision. Return in one month, then prepare to decide the outcome against four hundred thousand troops at Chibi."
Shouyang City.
Gale-force winds howled as torrential rain poured down.
Sima Yao stood beneath the curtain of rain, True Force protecting his body so that not a single drop touched him.
"Father!"
Sima Chi reported, "That Zhou Rong spends every day drinking and indulging himself in the military camp. The Prince of Qi and many of the generals are furious with him.
"I reviewed his records earlier. This man has never fought a real war. He's nothing more than a wastrel who knows only armchair tactics.
"In one month, the King of Northern Liang will return. By then, the court's four hundred thousand troops will all be buried here."
"It seems the Chang'an court truly has no one left to use," Sima Lan sneered. "They picked such a piece of trash to command the army. I heard he was called the 'Foremost of the Qilin Pavilion.' I thought he'd be something impressive."
"Chirp—!"
As they spoke, a clear, piercing cry rang out from the sky. A streak of azure light rapidly approached through the storm.
A blue bird arrived undeterred by wind and rain, delivering intelligence.
Sima Chi said, "That looks like the King of Northern Liang's gyrfalcon. Could it be that he's already returned early?"
The bird dropped the message and immediately turned around and flew away, not waiting for any reply.
Sima Chi frowned. "What's wrong with that feathered brute?"
Sima Yao took the message, tore open the letter. On the pale yellow paper were only two large characters:
Flood.
"Boom!"
Thunder exploded across the heavens.
His body shuddered violently. He immediately shouted, "Quick! Chi'er—go notify the immortals of Seeking Immortals Tower! Zhou Rong is very likely secretly excavating the river upstream!"
Central command tent of the punitive army.
"This is outrageous!"
"The court actually refused to remove Zhou Rong from his command! They say it was Shengyun Sect's Shan Liangcheng who forcibly kept him in place! Could it be that Shan Liangcheng is also an incompetent fool?!"
"This…"
"Why does this feel so strange?"
The generals erupted into an uproar.
"Exactly!"
"Zhou Rong drinks and revels every day in the camp, and the court still won't remove him?"
"Is it really that there's no one left to use?!"
"Why not transfer that military sage Shan Liangcheng from Shengyun Sect over here?! What are they scheming?"
"Could this be another case of the Yan faction stirring trouble?!"
"No, this absolutely can't continue!"
"Gentlemen!"
The Prince of Qi interrupted. "Why don't we act first and report later? Capture Zhou Rong immediately, and let this prince take command. What do you say?!"
"That's the only option!"
"If Your Highness takes command and still can't break the city, we should withdraw before Chen Sanshi arrives!"
"Excellent!"
"That Zhou Rong only recently broke through to the Profound Manifestation realm. I alone can subdue him!"
"Do it!"
"Clang—"
The sound of blades and swords leaving their scabbards rang out without end.
The Prince of Qi led a group of generals as they stormed into the central command tent in a flurry of motion.
The two dancers, seeing this scene, were instantly frightened out of their wits, their bodies trembling like flowers in the wind.
"Your Highness?"
Zhou Rong's hand holding the wine cup paused slightly. He then asked calmly, "What are you all doing?"
"What are we doing?!"
The Prince of Qi cursed angrily. "Zhou Rong, you brat! At a time of national crisis, the court entrusted you with great responsibility, yet you seize this opportunity to indulge in pleasure! As the supervising commander, I hereby order you to hand over the command seal immediately and await punishment. Otherwise—death without pardon!"
"Heh."
Hearing this, Zhou Rong neither panicked nor grew angry. He merely smiled faintly, drained the wine in his cup in one gulp, and then slowly opened his mouth to speak. But just as he was about to do so, a cultivator rushed into the tent, seemingly to report something. Upon seeing the people inside, he immediately fell silent and cast a puzzled glance around.
"Something happened?"
Zhou Rong looked at the cultivator and, after receiving a tacit confirmation, said, "Since the defenders inside Shouyang City already know, there's no need to hide it from everyone. Speak."
Only then did the cultivator say, "One hour ago, cultivators from Seeking Immortals Tower and Guiyuan Sect attacked the water-storage dam. We have already repelled them, so Brother Zhou can rest assured."
"The dam? What dam?!"
The Prince of Qi slowly lowered the longsword in his hand and demanded, "Zhou Rong, what are you plotting now? And you kept it hidden from us?"
"Brother Cao, you may have misunderstood."
The cultivator then revealed Zhou Rong's plan in full.
Flooding Shouyang!
"You—you…"
The Prince of Qi quietly hid the longsword behind his back. "Zhou Rong, why didn't you tell me in advance?"
"If a plan is not kept secret, it will inevitably leak. There are surely enemy spies within the army,"
Zhou Rong replied calmly with his hands clasped behind his back. "Although Chen Sanshi is not here and would find it difficult to sabotage my plan, it is still better to be cautious."
"So that means…"
The Prince of Qi looked at the dancers crouched in the corner. "You drinking and indulging yourself was also to conceal your capabilities and mislead those inside the city?"
"I, Zhou Rong, the foremost of the Qilin Pavilion—why would I need to hide my sharpness?!"
Zhou Rong shook his head lightly and said with a faint smile, "It's true that the army is dull, so I listened to music to pass the time. If Your Highness insists on holding me accountable, then please wait until after the battle is over."
It really was just for amusement…
He admitted it outright.
Yet the Prince of Qi and the others could find no fault with it.
As long as they could win the war to save the nation, forget two dancers—even two hundred would not be a problem!
"Gentlemen, prepare a banquet,"
Zhou Rong said. "The defenders inside the city are already turtles in a jar. We need only wait for the floodwaters to pour in and eradicate these tumors. Then we march north and strike straight at Meishan!"
The phrase "strike straight at Meishan" originated as an allusion from the Four Crossings of Hongze campaign in Mingzhou, achieved under Chen Sanshi's command.
Inside Shouyang City, chaos reigned.
"Father!"
"The immortals cannot destroy the dam!"
"The water level keeps rising!"
"It's already too late!"
"Attempt a breakout—ask the fellow Daoists to try again!"
All efforts were in vain.
Forty days later.
The dam upstream on the Luoxiao River collapsed. Cataclysmic floodwaters surged down the artificially dug channels, sweeping in with overwhelming force. Natural disasters were the hardest of all to withstand!
In the end,
Sima Yao and several cultivators abandoned the city and fled.
Countless soldiers inside the city drowned.
After the flood passed,
the thousand-year-old ancient city of Shouyang was completely destroyed, with innumerable farmlands and homes ruined.
From that day on,
including the Prince of Qi himself, not a single person in the punitive army dared to doubt Zhou Rong again!
"Lord Zhou truly lives up to being the successor of the foremost Qilin!"
"Jade Qilin! A true Jade Qilin!"
"This time, although Sima Yao was defeated, it can also be said that Lord Zhou calculated even the White Robe into his scheme!"
"Even if they knew what we intended, they were still powerless to stop it!"
"Great Sheng has Young Lord Zhou!"
"Unmatched in open schemes!"
The torrential rain continued without end.
Zhou Rong, clad in a long robe, stood in the downpour, spreading his arms to feel the rain from the heavens as he declared:
"Pass down the order!
"All four hundred thousand troops are to board the ships at once. The navy advances north—prepare to fight the enemy to the death at Chibi!
"Chen Sanshi's Five Elements are aligned with fire, while I, Zhou Rong, am aligned with water!
"Heavenly water overcomes flame!
"Chibi shall be the White Robe's burial ground!"