"Da da da--"
A scrawny little donkey, pulling a donkey cart that looked like it could fall apart at any moment, appeared within everyone's field of view.
As for this so-called second-tier formation master, he was dressed in coarse linen clothes covered in patches. His withered, sallow old face was full of gullies and wrinkles, and he smiled honestly, revealing a mouthful of sparse old teeth. There was not the slightest trace of an immortal's bearing about him. He looked more like an old farmer grabbed at random from the fields.
On the training ground.
At this moment, there were more than ten cultivators from the Guiyuan Sect.
But as they looked at the old farmer in front of them, all of them wore confused expressions, as if they did not recognize him.
Most crucially, Chen Sanshi's Qi Observation Technique could not see through this person's cultivation.
In Chen Sanshi's eyes, this man was no different from an ordinary person.
Perhaps this formation master possessed some special method for concealing his cultivation.
This region of Heaven and Earth was suppressed by the Great Dao; cultivators above Qi Refining perfection stage were not permitted to enter.
Therefore, spell cultivators were basically at late-stage Qi Refining or perfection, and no one would exceed that scope.
So in theory, there should have been no need to hide anything.
Perhaps the technique this person cultivated was special, or perhaps he simply had a habitual tendency to conceal his cultivation.
Of course, special circumstances could not be ruled out either.
The donkey cart slowly came to a stop in front of everyone.
The old farmer clambered down with sluggish movements, showing blackened front teeth. He bowed with clasped hands to each person in turn, and in a hoarse voice said, "This little old man is Huang Laojiu. Greetings to all fellow sect brothers and Dao friends!"
"Huang Laojiu?"
The Guiyuan Sect cultivators looked at one another, asking around among themselves, but came up with no answer.
In the end, they could not help but speak up first and ask, "Senior Brother, which peak of the Guiyuan Sect are you a disciple of?"
Within the sect.
Second-tier formation masters were few in number.
Yet they had never seen this old farmer before.
Huang Laojiu introduced himself: "This little old man is a spirit farmer of Golden Feather Peak. My surname is Huang, my given name is Laojiu. On ordinary days I am responsible for helping the senior brothers on the peak manage the herb gardens. I do not often go out to carry out missions, so all fellow sect brothers and Dao friends may not recognize this little old man."
"Golden Feather Peak?"
The Guiyuan Sect cultivators' expressions turned to realization.
Golden Feather Peak.
It was not among the nine great peaks; that place was basically full of old-timers of the sect.
After Huang Laojiu finished introducing himself, he continued, "This little old man is not skilled in combat arts. If unexpected situations arise in this campaign, I ask all fellow sect brothers to give more assistance."
"Certainly, certainly!"
"And since Senior Brother Huang is a second-tier formation master, it should be we who rely on Senior Brother Huang."
None of the cultivators dared to look down on him.
The old-timers within Golden Feather Peak, although quite a portion of them had no hope of breaking through, that did not mean their strength and status were low. Not to mention, no matter what, he was still a second-tier formation master.
"Hiss."
Seeking Immortals Tower's master Cui Zichen, the Prince of Yan, Qian Qiren, and the others still looked somewhat puzzled.
Cui Zichen could not help asking, "Senior Huang, is it just you alone?"
"Yes, yes."
Huang Laojiu nodded. "Just me alone."
Cui Zichen and the others still wore puzzled looks, but they did not continue pressing the matter in public.
"Immortal Master Huang."
Zhengtong Emperor Cao Huan changed the subject and introduced, "This is the Grand Marshal of the Three Armies of my Great Sheng Dynasty, and also the only person in the entire Eastern Divine Continent who comes from our native land yet has surpassed Martial Saint!"
"I have heard of him, I have heard of him."
Huang Laojiu specifically cupped his fists toward the man in white robes, showing teeth with gaps that leaked air as he said, "This little old man admires Lord Chen greatly."
"Senior Huang, do not say such things; you flatter me."
Chen Sanshi said without changing expression, "Senior has traveled long and hard. Would you like to go rest first?"
"Do not call me Senior. I am just a useless piece of trash who happens to be older. If you think well of this little old man, everyone can just call me 'Old Huang'."
Huang Laojiu tugged the donkey's reins, his figure slightly stooped. "This little old man also does not need rest. We cannot delay military affairs. If His Majesty the Emperor and Lord Chen have anything that needs deciding, just continue."
"Perfect timing."
Zhengtong Emperor Cao Huan said, "There is dispute in court over whether to send troops. Why not listen to Immortal Master Huang's opinion."
Inside the side hall.
As many as 7 or 8 sand tables were laid out, along with more than 10 maps of various sizes, including those of every prefecture and region as well as the entire realm.
The Emperor first dispatched people to review the war from the beginning, then opened his mouth and said:
"Minister Chen.
"Now that we have Immortal Master Huang and you, and later the upper sect Guiyuan Sect will continue dispatching immortal masters over, I feel there is no need to be as anxious as before. We can nourish our strength and proceed slowly.
"Even if the former Emperor leaves seclusion, it is not as though we cannot resist."
So confident that they could deal with Cao Kai wielding the Dragon Abyss Sword, merely because of a second-tier formation master?
That was probably not enough.
The other side also had a second-tier formation master, plus the Ling family's old ancestor who had not yet shown his face.
Why be so assured?
Unless...
Huang Laojiu's strength was enough to intimidate the realm!
This also explained why the Qi Observation Technique could not see through the other party's realm, making it even more likely that the gap in realms was too great.
A similar situation.
Had also appeared with Mister Mei.
But if it was truly like that...
Then what was the Heaven and Earth seal supposed to be?
And if his strength was sufficient, why did Huang Laojiu not simply kill his way to the capital? Why drag out time here instead?
There must be hidden secrets within.
For the moment, Chen Sanshi could not figure out the truth behind it.
But he could be certain of one thing.
If they continued dragging things out, it benefited that old Emperor, and it benefited the Prince of Jin, Cao Huan.
But only...
It would not do him—nor Northern Liang—any good.
"Your Majesty."
Xu Wencai insisted, "This minister still believes we cannot delay."
Zhengtong Emperor Cao Huan did not respond to him, instead turning his gaze to the old farmer and asking respectfully, "Immortal Master Huang, why not share your thoughts?"
"Hehe."
Huang Laojiu smiled in a simple, honest way. "This little old man is merely a cultivator from the mountains and wilds—how would I understand such great affairs of state?"
He paused, then said something no one expected.
"Since this Lord Chen says we should press the attack while victorious, then we do that, shouldn't we?"
"This…"
Zhengtong Emperor was visibly startled. "Immortal Master Huang means… you agree to sending troops?"
He looked toward the Prince of Yan and the others beside him.
"Fine."
Prince of Yan — Cao Zhi took up the conversation and said, "Even Senior Huang agrees, so there's nothing left to discuss. Then let the people of Northern Liang make the decision—how we fight next."
"Xu Wencai."
Chen Sanshi called out.
"Everyone, please look."
Xu Wencai answered and stepped forward, pointing his feather fan at the sand table before them. "At present, our Zhengtong court seems to hold vast territory, but if we wish to continue marching south and strike straight at the capital, there are only 2 shortest routes.
"First, cross the Fei River and go south from Kunyang City.
"Second, Ziwu Valley.
"However, the Ziwu Ancient Road is narrow and hard to travel. Transporting grain and fodder would be extremely difficult—at most, it can only accommodate 5,000 cavalry passing through.
"So in truth, there is only one road to take: crossing the Fei River.
"Moreover, according to intelligence, the Chang'an side has already mobilized 1 million troops, rushing straight toward Kunyang.
"The Fei River and Kunyang—that is where our decisive battle will be fought.
"In this minister's opinion.
"We should immediately redeploy all forces to Kunyang and prepare to decide Heaven and Earth in a single battle."
"Redeploy troops directly?"
Zhengtong Emperor said, half believing and half doubting, "Minister Xu, do you not intend to speak of the strategy of employing troops?"
"Your Majesty, there is no strategy—at least not right now."
Xu Wencai shook his head. "The only strategy is a fight to the death."
A fight to the death!
"One last time—do any of you ministers have objections?"
Zhengtong Emperor Cao Huan swept his gaze over the assembled officials. Only after waiting and still hearing no one speak did he have no choice but to make the decision. "Draft the edict. Redeploy 200,000 troops, including the Northern Liang army. King of Northern Liang — Chen Sanshi will remain Grand Commander of the Three Armies, with Prince of Yan as the supervising commander. Prepare to set out for the Fei River—
"Unify the realm!"
Inside and out.
Everything began to operate meticulously, like a delicate mechanism.
Before long, the side hall was emptied of people.
Only Huang Laojiu—still looking like an old farmer—along with Prince of Yan, Cui Zichen, the Emperor, and a few others remained.
"Senior Huang!"
Cui Zichen grew even more respectful than before. He clasped his fists and lowered his head, finally voicing the confusion in his heart. "Didn't the upper sect originally say they were preparing to invite Elder Deng to come? How did it become Senior Huang instead?"
Deng Xiang.
Seeking Immortals Tower's 18th generation Tower Master!
400 years ago, by a stroke of fortune, he entered Heavenly Water Isle.
Now…
He was already a Golden Core cultivator!
Around a few years ago, when the single line between Heaven and Earth reopened, Seeking Immortals Tower reestablished contact with Deng Xiang.
And it was precisely because of that.
That the Prince of Jin was able to rely on the Guiyuan Sect and gain a foothold amid the chaos of the age.
This time, to seize the ancestral vein and execute Cao Kai.
It had originally been Deng Xiang who was coming.
It was only just now that Cui Zichen learned—without any notification—that the candidate had been changed.
The 9 peaks of Guiyuan—one Golden Core elder per peak.
Yet among those nine peaks.
There was no Elder Huang.
That was why he found it strange.
"Hehe."
Huang Laojiu used his left hand to grab the mottled, ancient wine gourd at his waist, while his right hand—fingers like withered branches—pointed toward the sky beyond.
"What Senior Huang means," Prince of Yan — Cao Zhi said, rubbing his chin, "is that because there is a seal in place, there's no need to invite Elder Deng?"
"But…"
Cui Zichen was worried, but before he could speak, he was interrupted.
"Fellow Daoist Cui, rest assured."
Huang Laojiu opened the wine gourd. Smelling the aroma of the wine, he revealed an intoxicated smile and said without even lifting his head, "Although this little old man is not skilled at fighting techniques, this bit of cultivation is still enough, enough."
"Senior Huang misunderstands. This junior absolutely has no intention of disrespecting Senior."
Cui Zichen explained in panic. After a brief pause, he added, "It's just that since Senior has come, are we really not going to wait? Are we going to fight them decisively right now?"
"Matters of war, this little old man truly does not understand."
Huang Laojiu raised the gourd and took a mouthful, then said leisurely, "Since the Guardian Envoy's disciple wants to fight, let him fight. If he truly cannot win, then at worst it's just that the wind is tight, so we pull out."
After speaking, he smacked his lips, savoring it as he sighed, "Authentic yellow wine. I haven't had this for so many years."
On the eve of the decisive battle.
All sides entered the final preparations.
Grain and fodder were transported from the northwest, northeast, and southeast regions to beyond Yuzhou, prepared to be sent along the large and small rivers of the Luoxiao River to the Fei River basin.
Troop strength was also being redeployed again.
The Northern Liang army totaled 150,000, but because their territory was also growing larger and larger and required large numbers of elite troops to hold it, in the end only 5 battalions went on campaign, about 75,000 men.
The remaining 120,000 troops were all to be allocated by the court.
During the preparation period.
Chen Sanshi made the final preparations at the front.
Meanwhile, Zhengtong Emperor Cao Huan rode a cultivator's flying boat and went everywhere "incognito to investigate the people" or "arriving to conduct inspections," putting on a show of the dragon touring the realm. It was said he executed countless corrupt officials, and the spiritual grain he uprooted was even beyond counting.
"He's really shameless!"
Wang Zhi cursed loudly. "We're fighting for our lives at the front, and the Cao family is winning people's hearts in the rear! Now no matter what Northern Liang does, outsiders think the Cao family ordered it, and they praise him for benevolence and righteousness!"
"There's nothing we can do about it. After all, in name we're still subjects of the Cao family."
Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei fiddled with an abacus, checking the accounts in scroll after scroll of registers. "And this time, grain and fodder, as well as troops, all rely on them to provide. It's not good to tear our faces. Just let them do it for now."
Inside the central army command tent.
After the generals finished discussing important matters, they got busy with their own tasks on the spot. Only Xu Wencai was extremely quiet. He sat cross-legged on the muddy ground in front of the entrance, with specially arranged tree branches set beside him. He stared up at the star-filled night sky, his right-hand fingers constantly shifting back and forth. It looked like calculating, yet also like a cultivator forming hand seals.
"Old Xu, are you damn well fortune-telling?"
Wang Zhi walked over and sat down beside him, asking boldly, "Is this thing accurate or not?"
"Xu is not fortune-telling."
Xu Wencai stared at the night sky. "I am observing the celestial phenomena, to see the overall trend."
"Isn't it the same thing?"
Wang Zhi asked. "So how is it? Is our chance of winning big or not?"
No matter what.
The other side had a full 1 million men. The number was truly somewhat exaggerated.
In all of history, wars on such a massive scale had not happened many times.
"Hiss."
Xu Wencai said with some worry, "This sky full of stars can be used to glimpse a bit of heavenly secrets through the 'Three Enclosures and Twenty-Eight Lodges.'
"The so-called Twenty-Eight Star Lodges are the 7 lodges of the Azure Dragon of the East, the 7 lodges of the Black Tortoise of the North, the 7 lodges of the White Tiger of the West, and the 7 lodges of the Vermilion Bird of the South.
"And as for the Three Enclosures.
"The Upper Enclosure refers to the Taiwei Enclosure, the Middle Enclosure refers to the Ziwei Enclosure, and the Lower Enclosure refers to the Tianshi Enclosure.
"Among them, the Taiwei Enclosure represents where the reigning Son of Heaven resides.
"General Wang, please look.
"The Five Emperors Seat is the center of the Taiwei Enclosure. The Five Emperors Seat has 5 stars: at the center is the Yellow Emperor's Pivot; to the east is the Azure Emperor Ling Weiyang; to the south is the Red Emperor Chi Biaonu; to the west is the White Emperor Bai Zhaoju; to the north is the Black Emperor Ye Guangji.
"If the Five Emperors Seat is bright and shining, then the Son of Heaven gains the spiritual heart of Heaven and Earth; if not, then the Son of Heaven will lose his seat.
"Now.
"Not only is the Five Emperors Seat dim and wavering, in the near future a 'broom star' will even strike into it!
"This so-called 'broom star' is a meteor from beyond the heavens.
"A broom star attacking the Five Emperors Seat means a change of dynasty!"
"Isn't that a huge good thing?!"
Wang Zhi became interested as he listened. "Then look again. Which dynasty is being replaced, and which dynasty is taking over?"
Xu Wencai did not answer again. Instead, he frowned tightly and pondered in secret.
The Five Emperors Seat of the Taiwei Enclosure being dim should originally have been a good thing.
But the Ziwei Enclosure still had light, which meant...
The Great Sheng Dynasty's fate had not yet run out, and it might even be possible for Great Sheng to rise again!
Either there were still variables and Longqing would not perish, or it would be like the former Great Yan Dynasty: a national fate of over 300 years, yet in truth, around 180 years in, the state had already been destroyed once, and it was the royal clan's descendants who revived Great Yan for a second rise.
If that was the case, then the new emperor star would have to continue to be covered in dust.
The method to break this...
Just as Xu Wencai was racking his brain, a figure in white robes, carrying a long spear, walked toward the central army command tent.
Chen Sanshi looked at them and asked solemnly, "Xu Wencai, I just heard you say that in the near future there will be a 'broom star,' that is, an otherworldly meteor descending upon the Eastern Divine Continent?"