"Master!"
"Bang—!"
All nine disciples fell to their knees at once and kowtowed heavily.
After that, following the steward's signal, none of them dared to linger. They quietly rose, saluted again, and began to leave one after another.
Lü Ji was the last to go.
"Eldest Brother!"
Nie Yuan, the Third Senior Brother, caught up with him. "Well? Don't tell me…"
"Master gave everything to our junior."
Lü Ji's expression darkened as he walked forward slowly. "The Dragon Gall Silver Spear, and the techniques beyond the Martial Saint realm—all to him."
"This…"
Nie Yuan frowned, thinking. "Then that means… he's passing on his full legacy to the Little Junior Brother. But why? I mean, sure, the kid's got potential, but he's only been under Master's tutelage for just over two years. Isn't that a bit hasty?"
"Yeah," Lü Ji muttered coldly. "Why?"
He suddenly stopped, grabbed his junior brother by the collar, and shouted, "Tell me, why! In cultivation and talent, I'm the best. In military merit and reputation, I'm the highest. In brotherhood—have I ever treated you any less than my own blood brothers?!
"All this, just because of a few meaningless people—he denies me completely? Is that really necessary?!
"I don't understand. I truly don't!
"What did those people have to do with me—or with him?!"
His voice trembled toward the end, and he finally released his grip, slamming his fist into the ground to hold himself back.
"Ah…"
Nie Yuan sighed softly. "To be honest, Master's always been… a strange man. Maybe that's exactly why he favors Little Junior Brother more—because he joined late. Master probably feels he owes him extra care."
"When Master's gone," Lü Ji said in a deep voice, "the position of Grand Commander will be vacant. Only if I take that seat can I protect all of you."
"That shouldn't be a problem," Nie Yuan analyzed calmly. "Even if Little Junior Brother inherited the Dragon Gall Silver Spear and… marries Senior Sister, he only commands one battalion. In seniority and experience, he's still beneath you. Besides, His Majesty will definitely lean toward you."
"This battle must be fought well."
Lü Ji clenched his fist and pulled it from the cracked flagstones beneath his hand. His tone grew firm, almost icy. "We'll fight for the northern frontier—for the whole world to see! I, Lü Ji, am Grand Commander Sun Xiangzong's true eldest disciple, and the future heart and pillar of the Northern Liang Army!"
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The next morning.
Villagers hired from the countryside arrived at the Grand Commander's residence, unloading crates of gold, silver, jewels, and fine silks into the courtyard. Shortly after, the most famous matchmaker in Liangzhou City came to speak formally—marking the official betrothal.
The wedding was set for after the great battle on the grasslands.
But before that—winning this war came first.
As for the Luotian Mountain Range, since Master hadn't said a word about it, Chen Sanshi knew he must have other plans. His task now was clear: focus on the army.
And of course, he still needed to inform Lan jie'er about marrying Senior Sister Sun.
Gu Xinlan definitely wouldn't mind.
But… their house was starting to feel a bit cramped.
Their current home had three courtyards. The first was for the maids, the second for Lan jie'er, and the back courtyard was where he cultivated—living with Ning Xiang and the others. With Senior Sister Sun moving in, they'd need at least one more courtyard.
Not to mention—Chen Yunxi was growing fast, and Chen Duhe would need his own room someday.
Yes, it was time to move to a larger residence.
Of course, for Chen Sanshi, that wasn't a problem. He had plenty of money.
"Master's home!"
Siqin and Mohua greeted him at the gate.
Chen Sanshi didn't waste time.
In just a few days, he'd need to head to Tiger Hill Mountain for reconnaissance. Before that, breaking through to Profound Manifestation—Major Achievement would be ideal.
He'd already used up all his Meridian-Nourishing Pills. Plain cultivation alone wouldn't cut it in time.
But if he could refine a few more pills—paired with the heart of the Zouwu beast—a few days would be enough!
"You're making me do it again?"
Zhaozhao groaned as he started chopping wood and fetching water for the pill furnace.
"She's the apprentice," said Ning Xiang, knocking lightly on the side of the furnace. "In the cultivation world, people have to pay spirit stones just for this privilege."
"Boom—!"
A surge of crimson fire roared upward.
The alchemy furnace's formation lines flared to life, absorbing the strange fire and channeling its energy inward.
Chen Sanshi stood beside it, timing each phase precisely as he added one heavenly material or earthly treasure after another.
Spirit grain was the most basic ingredient.
Under the furnace's augmented power, the spiritual grains melted as soon as they touched water, dyeing the entire brew a vibrant emerald hue. The process required constant, heavy additions in multiple batches.
Then came the rarer ingredients: Cold Gold Grass, Treasure Ganoderma Wood, Soothing Vein Flower…
Each one was a top-grade material he'd purchased from Daze Market. Every herb could only grow in lands rich with spiritual energy after countless years—each one priceless beyond measure in the mortal realm.
The Meridian-Nourishing Pill contained 36 major transformations and 63 minor transformations, far more complex than the Fasting Pill.
"Boom!"
"Rumble—!"
When most of the materials were added, the furnace began to shake violently, as if a raging ocean were trapped inside. Chen Sanshi poured his internal force into the furnace, placing both hands on its surface, merging his own spiritual sense with the array within to control its balance.
Even though this wasn't his first time refining pills, he couldn't help but marvel again at the mystery of the alchemy furnace.
Materials, formations, the evolving shapes—none of it could be mastered overnight.
Inside the furnace, the heavenly treasures grew massive under the combined power of flame and mana. They clashed against one another, releasing bursts of change—each collision echoing faintly with the truths of the Dao.
Unsurprisingly, his first attempt failed.
The materials wasted this time exceeded even what he'd spent on Fasting Pills. It took seven or eight full attempts before he finally produced a single inferior-grade pill.
By the ninth attempt, he'd completely grasped the rhythm—mastering all 96 transformations both great and small.
"Buzz!"
Right then, the Golden Smoke Wood fuel burned out. The array lines on the furnace dimmed one by one, and with a soft click, the lid opened—revealing a single jade-green pill within.
Meridian-Nourishing Pill—Good Quality.
Chen Sanshi let out a long breath.
At least he hadn't wasted everything.
Still, it had cost him dearly.
Even with his above-average talent for alchemy, his early refinements were a complete money pit.
The Hundred Arts of Cultivation truly aren't easy.
They said most alchemists could only ever refine one or two kinds of pills with guaranteed profit. Very few dared to learn multiple formulas—too time-consuming, too risky, and often a loss instead of gain.
Chen Sanshi was clearly one of those exceptions.
[Skill: Alchemy · Progress: 50/100]
[Effect: None—Progress halfway achieved.]
Chen Sanshi estimated that once he successfully refined the True Martial Pill, he'd be able to fully step into the next realm. After that, pill refinement should no longer be this exhausting.
When the task was done, he waved his sleeve lightly, storing all the items into his storage bag.
"Oh right, I almost forgot something. Ning Xiang, come here for a moment."
Chen Sanshi took out a parchment scroll from his chest.
It was the contract binding the two of them.
Last night, after the feast ended, Fourth Senior Brother had returned it to him.
He asked, "How do I break this?"
"Break it?"
Ning Xiang came closer, her clear autumn-water eyes trembling slightly. "Is the General serious?"
"Hurry up," Chen Sanshi urged. "I still need to cultivate."
"First, recite the spell. Then perform the seal technique. Finally, tear the contract apart."
Ning Xiang sat down beside him. "General, allow me to guide you."
Hand over hand, she taught him each movement patiently.
Chen Sanshi followed step by step. In the end, before her eyes, he summoned his strange fire and burned the parchment to ash.
He said, "From now on, you're free. If you wish to leave, you may go now. If you wish to stay, I'll take Master's place and protect both of you."
"General is so righteous. This humble woman will never betray such kindness."
Ning Xiang's sleeve fluttered as she raised her hand toward the heavens, her expression solemn. "Today, Ning Xiang swears before Heaven itself. In this life and the next, I shall be Chen Sanshi's protector, serving by his side. If I ever go against this vow, may five thunderbolts strike me down, severing my soul from reincarnation!"
"Master? Y-you…"
Zhaozhao stammered, eyes wide. "You just swore an oath to Heaven! Doesn't that mean you really can't change your mind anymore?"
Chen Sanshi frowned slightly, puzzled. "An oath to Heaven?"
"The Heavenly Oath isn't like a contract," Zhaozhao explained proudly, slipping into lecture mode. "With a contract, the master controls life and death. If you'd wanted, you could've torn that contract earlier and instantly killed a low-level cultivator bound by it.
"But an oath to Heaven doesn't work that way.
"You can't use it to harm my master. Instead, it binds my master herself. If she breaks her vow, she'll face inner demons or Heaven's punishment every time she tries to advance—until she dies and her Dao is destroyed.
"The biggest difference is that contracts can be annulled, but a Heavenly Oath lasts a lifetime.
"Master, why would you do this to yourself?"
"It's only a token of sincerity."
Ning Xiang bowed seriously, then said softly, "General, I've had no family since I was a child. Now that I've turned against Seeking Immortals Tower, I truly have nowhere to go. From this day forward, I'll follow you."
"Do as you like."
Chen Sanshi understood enough. He couldn't stop her anyway—and it was her own choice.
Besides…
Ever since returning from The Edge of the World, this woman was one of the few he could genuinely trust.
"You two, leave for now."
After sending them away, Chen Sanshi swallowed the Meridian-Nourishing Pill in a single gulp and began his final breakthrough.
The pill melted in his stomach. Spiritual energy surged through his body, nourishing his flesh and strengthening his meridians.
He raised the Liquan Spear, its tip flashing as protective gang qi coiled around him like a dragon encircling a tiger. The spear qi erupted outward—space within several zhang distorted from its intensity.
When gang qi takes form, that is the Profound Manifestation Realm!
Profound Manifestation—Major Achievement.
This stage required embodying one's cultivation "intent," condensing that "intent" into a tangible manifestation through gang qi—a higher form of external energy that carried the will of the martial path.
Only after reaching Major Achievement could one temper gang qi to its limit, preparing the foundation for the next realm—the transformation of gang qi into true qi, the mark of a Martial Saint.
Thunderous booms echoed through the courtyard.
The more immersed he became, the more violent the aura grew.
The spear in Chen Sanshi's hands seemed alive—a raging Azure Dragon dancing through the air. He gripped its tail and directed its movements with absolute control, his gang qi taking the shape of the dragon around him.
Azure Dragon Form!
Next came—White Tiger Form!
Then—Black Tortoise Form!
And finally—Vermilion Bird Form!
Four forms of gang qi, shifting freely, obeying his will—each move flowing seamlessly into the next.
Profound Manifestation—Major Achievement!
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Profound Manifestation]
[Progress: 0]
[Effect: Four Symbols Heavenly Gang — Trembles the mortal world, encompasses all things.]
Simply put, under the blessing of the Four Symbols, Chen Sanshi's spear techniques now combined the strengths of nearly every ordinary Profound Manifestation cultivator. He could be called the King of Myriad Manifestations—unmatched among peers.
One step further—
And he would reach Martial Saint.
Before the 57th year of the Longqing Era, there were so few Martial Saints in the world that one could count them on a single hand.
Later, in the Far Northern Lands, the Imperial Court somehow obtained a mysterious treasure. From then on, Martial Saints began to appear in droves—and according to Fourth Senior Brother, that treasure still hadn't been completely used up.
But no matter what, once someone became a Martial Saint, they stood at the very pinnacle of the mortal world.
A single Martial Saint could guard an entire region. Unless they willingly bowed to others, they never needed to bend their knee to anyone.
Even in the Immortal Realm, a Martial Saint's strength equaled that of a mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator. Those beyond Martial Saint could match the late stage—even perfection.
And yet, a Martial Saint was only the peak of the First Martial Realm, not even the true Second Realm.
It showed that the martial path's power was in no way inferior to the immortal path.
If both were cultivated together, one could truly guard the road to immortality.
That was exactly what Chen Sanshi planned to do.
He would walk the path of immortality.
He would perfect the way of martial strength.
As a Profound Manifestation cultivator who had already practiced immortal techniques, he no longer feared early-stage Qi Refining cultivators. After breaking through to Martial Saint, even mid-stage cultivators wouldn't be a threat.
After the breakthrough, Chen Sanshi didn't rest. He immediately began studying the techniques for the Martial Saint realm.
Even for him, after reading through them, his heart trembled slightly.
The training alone contained over a thousand stances, and the spear forms were innumerable—merging the strengths of hundreds of long-weapon techniques from the world. All combined into one—the Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression.
What was a Martial Saint?
A Saint of the Mortal World—one who had perfected a single path, transcending their human limits. Any Martial Saint, if they wished, could establish a sect that would last for hundreds of years.
Though the foundation work was vast and complex, Chen Sanshi never forgot a thing.
The forms were intricate, the movements endless, but he had already mastered hundreds of martial arts before.
After just two days, he fully comprehended and mastered the entire Martial Saint-level technique.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Martial Saint]
[Progress: 5/100]
[Effect: None]
The next step looked simple—just crossing a single threshold.
But this very threshold had trapped countless martial geniuses throughout the mortal world.
Even among Chen Sanshi's senior brothers and sisters, many possessed Martial Saint Bodies, yet they had been stuck at Profound Manifestation – Major Achievement for years, unable to advance further. That alone showed how incredibly difficult it was.
He wouldn't be trapped like them, but time was still necessary.
Ideally, he'd refine the True Martial Pill, which could greatly accelerate the process. But there wasn't enough time—refining even one batch would take several days. Tomorrow morning, he had to report to the army camp, muster the troops, and head north beyond the Great Wall to Tiger Hill Mountain for reconnaissance.
If nothing unexpected happened, war would break out immediately afterward.
And this battle would be massive—likely lasting half a year to a full year.
Fortunately, he now had a storage bag. The alchemy furnace and all materials could be carried with him, so he could refine pills during lulls between battles.
"Before I go, I still need to visit the Grand Commander's residence."
Chen Sanshi glanced at the hour—it was already midnight.
He took out two spiritual herbs from his storage bag, mixed them with a few precious medicines, and produced a simple protective salve. Then, without delay, he went straight to the Grand Commander's estate.
"Here to see the young lady?"
The steward immediately blocked him. "According to custom, once the engagement is set, you and the young lady may not meet again before the wedding. Please return at once."
"It's fine. I just need to say a few words."
Chen Sanshi's figure blurred. In a flash, he slipped past the steward and vanished into the inner courtyard.
"Hey—you brat!"
The steward, himself a Profound Manifestation cultivator, tried to pursue him—only to realize he couldn't catch up. "This kid… broke through again?!"
"Tap, tap."
Chen Sanshi found his way to his senior sister's room and gently tapped on the window.
"Who is it?"
Sun Li's cold voice sounded from within.
Chen Sanshi leaned close to the window. "It's me, your junior brother."
"Junior brother?"
Sun Li's voice softened slightly. "Why are you here at this hour?"
"Nothing much."
Chen Sanshi spoke softly. "I know the rules—I won't look at you. But I'm heading to battle tomorrow, so I came to give you something. Open the window just a little."
After a few breaths, the window opened a narrow crack.
"Pour this into your bath water," he said, placing a porcelain bottle on the windowsill. "It'll protect your body."
He turned to leave.
"Wait—hold on."
Under the pale moonlight, a delicate hand extended through the gap, holding out a talisman. "This is for you."
"Another talisman?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I just want to see if your craftsmanship's improved."
Chen Sanshi took her soft hand, examining the talisman resting in her palm.
"Hey—you…"
Sun Li froze slightly but didn't pull away.
Chen Sanshi hadn't expected a martial woman's hands to be so delicate. Clearly, she'd been using precious medicines to maintain them.
Silence lingered.
Neither spoke for a long time.
They stood like that for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Then—
Cough, cough, cough!
A deliberate cough echoed from a nearby courtyard.
"Senior Sister, I'll go!"
Chen Sanshi quickly let go, pocketed the talisman, and dashed off into the night.
Inside Falling Leaves Courtyard, in the bedroom—
Sun Xiangzong slammed the table in irritation. "That little brat! He gets every advantage to himself!"
"Heh," Emperor Cao Kai said faintly. "Young and promising. My niece could've done far worse."
"Speak," Sun Xiangzong said, casting him a sharp glance. "What are you here for this time?"
"After you returned from The Edge of the World, I saw how badly you were injured. So I brought you some immortal medicines."
The Longqing Emperor waved his sleeve, and a pile of bottles and jars appeared on the table.
"Cao Kai, oh Cao Kai…"
Sun Xiangzong sneered. "Have you been sitting on that dragon throne so long you've forgotten how to be sincere? Everywhere you go, you have to put on a show.
"Don't play the benevolent emperor here. You didn't go to The Edge of the World to find me out of concern, and these healing pills—don't pretend they're charity. You're just afraid that once I die, no one will be left to handle the Luotian Mountain Range affair.
"You're cunning, Cao Kai. So cunning it frightens even me.
"Two years ago—after the Yunzhou Ten-Day Incident—I started wondering. You colluded with the Witch God Sect and the barbarians, yet you never worried they'd grow too strong and turn on you… or on the Cao family's dynasty.
"But then it hit me."
He leaned forward, eyes sharp. "You're not worried at all. Because you know—no matter what chaos comes—Liangzhou and this dying old man will clean up your mess.
"Hah! Truly, using everyone to their fullest and every resource to its limit.
"Cao Kai, you are indeed a qualified emperor. In your eyes, every person is just a chess piece."
The Longqing Emperor's expression darkened.
He spoke slowly, voice low and heavy. "Sun Xiangzong, I've always regarded you as a brother…"
"Brother?"
Sun Xiangzong laughed coldly. "Do you really think I don't know how the Fourth Prince died back then? You sent him to escort the Crown Prince back to the capital—then both died mysteriously.
"It was you!
"You ordered Wang Yonggui to tell your brother to kill the Crown Prince!
"Then, to erase suspicion, you made your brother kill himself!
"Brotherly affection? What a joke.
"Today, you come to my home pretending to care—but all you really want is to remind me that with what little life I've got left, I'd better handle the Luotian Mountain Range for you. Otherwise, my whole Sun family will be exterminated. Isn't that right?"
Cao Kai fell silent.
After a long pause, his gaze hardened, and imperial majesty filled the room. "Sun Xiangzong, as Grand Commander of the Northern Liang Army, this is your duty. And as a subject of the Great Sheng Dynasty—it's your obligation."
"No need for reminders," Sun Xiangzong said coolly. "For the people of Liangzhou, I'll see it done properly."
Sun Xiangzong said coldly, "At dawn tomorrow, you'll enter the mountain with me. There are still strange things there that haven't been figured out. You should at least contribute a little effort."
"I'll go," replied the Longqing Emperor.
Sun Xiangzong didn't bother to stay in the same room with him any longer. With his hands clasped behind his back, he pushed open the door and walked out. "Sometimes, I wonder if that dragon throne hides vengeful spirits. Everyone who sits on it gets possessed, turning into someone unrecognizable.
"So from now on, there's no need to pretend to be my brother. The brother named Cao Kai that I once knew—died long ago."
By mao hour (around 5 a.m.), Chen Sanshi entered his chamber and took out the white robe Lan jie'er had prepared for him in advance. After dressing neatly, he tucked the talisman into his chest, slung his bow and quiver across his back, grabbed his spear, fastened the Mountain-Suppressing Sword at his waist, and finally checked the mystic pearl inside his storage bag.
After accumulating qi these past days, the white mystic qi within the pearl had already replenished itself to the level it was at during the Hulao Pass battle—perhaps even stronger. When needed, it could power the Heavenly Soldiers Formation, an invaluable aid in battle.
Before his return, Fourth Senior Brother had already practiced various formations in secret coordination with him.
Chen Sanshi himself had drilled repeatedly, ensuring he could deploy them at any time.
Inside the pearl also remained a trace of Mister Mei's pure qi, still dormant, impossible to activate. He hadn't yet found a way to use it.
"I'm leaving now!"
At the gates of the Grand Commander's residence, Chen Sanshi lifted his little daughter from the horse, patted her head gently, then mounted again and galloped away.
At the army camp, the soldiers of the Hongze Battalion were already assembled on the training grounds, lined up in perfect formation.
After roll call, Chen Sanshi began assigning tasks. "Chu Shixiong, Xia Cong, Meng Dingxin—you three will each select 800 light cavalry. After nightfall, follow me into Mobei. We'll head for Tiger Hill Mountain and probe the enemy's strength and formation!"
"Yes, sir!"
That night, eight hundred Hongze cavalry gathered at the northern exit of the Great Wall, fully armed and ready.
The Sixth Prince Cao Huan, Supervisor Eunuch Hou, General Lü Ji, and Fourth Senior Brother Fang Qingyun personally came to see them off.
"General Chen!"
Cao Huan spoke solemnly, "Your mission this time is reconnaissance—find out the enemy's true deployment so we can plan our next strategy. Remember, the main goal is scouting. Don't linger in battle no matter what happens. You are one of the Great Sheng Dynasty's most formidable generals. If something happens to you, it would be a huge loss for the Northern Liang Army."
"This gyrfalcon was recently raised and trained. From now on, it's yours."
He extended his arm, handing over a fully grown gyrfalcon.
Its feathers shimmered in a vivid mountain-green, while its eyes shone a deep sapphire blue—magnificent and sharp.
Chen Sanshi finally had his own means of "communication." No need to borrow others' birds anymore.
He pricked his finger with the tip of his spear.
The falcon opened its beak and swallowed the drop of blood.
This was blood-recognition of ownership.
The training had been completed before it reached maturity. Once it became an adult, the Gyrfalcon would recognize its master by blood.
If its master died, it would immediately carry the death report and last message to the nearest general, completing its final mission before starving itself to death.
"From now on, I'll call you Bluebird," Chen Sanshi said casually.
The falcon tilted its head, as if memorizing its master's scent and face, then spread its wings and gave two powerful flaps, signaling the bond was sealed.
"Move out!"
"Hyah!"
The eight hundred light cavalry rode out under the cover of darkness, passing through the Great Wall gate and vanishing into the endless grasslands and desert beyond.
For several days, they conducted reconnaissance, mapping out the enemy's positions.
The war to come wasn't just a single front—it was a full-scale five-province campaign.
The three northwestern provinces, plus two northern ones—including Yunzhou—were all engaged. Fourteen battalions in total would adapt their strategies according to enemy movements.
Thus, Chen Sanshi wasn't the only one scouting. Commanders from other provinces were doing the same.
In Liangzhou, their assigned opponent was the Yu Wen tribe. The enemy camp outside the borders numbered around 40,000, not a large force. They had built defensive camps instead of advancing, showing no signs of rushing into battle.
"So steady and cautious? Not in a hurry?"
On a low ridge, Chen Sanshi sat cross-legged, spreading out a military map before him.
From their observations, the barbarian forces outside Liangzhou weren't overwhelming.
Historically, wars between the Great Sheng Dynasty and the northern tribes had always centered around Liangzhou City, due to its terrain and geography. The other provinces mainly provided support.
Currently, five battalions garrisoned Liangzhou City. Including the garrison troops, their combined strength exceeded 100,000 soldiers. Among them were Martial Saint Lü Ji, General Pei Tiannan—who survived the Crown Prince's Rebellion—and, of course, his master Sun Xiangzong.
His master might be old, his lifespan nearing its end—but he wasn't dead yet.
Judging from what happened at The Edge of the World, Chen Sanshi firmly believed that as long as the old man still drew breath, no mortal could harm him.
Which meant—Luotian Mountain Range.
Suddenly, Chen Sanshi realized that his master likely chose not to command at the front because he planned to personally deal with the Luotian Mountain matter.
But still—only 40,000 barbarian troops outside Liangzhou was far too few.
And stranger yet, their formations looked calm, orderly, and completely confident—as if they weren't here to fight a war, but merely to wait for the spoils.
Only forty thousand… and they act like they've already won?
Of course, it was also possible that the tribes were simply camping ahead of time, waiting for the main army to arrive.
Either way, they needed to see the situation across all provinces to be sure.
"By now, reports from the other four provinces should be arriving soon."
Thinking this, Chen Sanshi ordered his men to stay put and wait.
"It's snowing," one of the soldiers murmured.
Indeed—it was now mid-October.
Snow wasn't rare in Northern Liang, but this one felt different.
The flakes were large, heavy—and falling fast.
The cold wind howled across the plains. Above them, dark clouds gathered without warning, and thick snowflakes drifted lazily from the heavens. The snow landed on the soldiers' armor but did not melt for a long time. In moments, every man looked like a walking snowman. Fortunately, these were all trained martial warriors—elite soldiers who could easily endure this kind of cold.
"Feels like the depth of winter came overnight."
"Yeah."
"And hasn't it been years since we've had snow this heavy in Liangzhou?"
Chen Sanshi stretched out his palm, catching a snowflake. It took a long while before it finally melted into water.
This snow… felt wrong.
He looked instinctively toward the distant Luotian Mountain Range.
Just then, Bluebird returned, circling down with a sharp cry.
Chen Sanshi forced his thoughts back to the present and took the message from its leg. It contained intelligence reports on the barbarian troop deployments in other regions.
After reading through it carefully, he handed it over to Chu Shixiong and the others.
"What?!"
Chu Shixiong's body stiffened. "The barbarians have deployed 150,000 troops in Youzhou, concentrating most of their Martial Saints there! They began their siege ten days ago?!"
The empire's territory was vast, and information delays were common.
"That can't be right."
Xia Cong frowned deeply. "They're not attacking Liangzhou, but going for Youzhou instead? Are they suicidal?"
"Exactly!"
Meng Dingxin was baffled. "Liangzhou City has more than 100,000 troops stationed inside. If we transfer reinforcements within a month, we can surround them from both sides and wipe them out completely!"
"No, it's not that simple."
Xiao Zheng shook his head. "The barbarians aren't fools. If they're doing this, there must be a reason."
"General!"
"What do you think the barbarians are after?"
All eyes turned toward Chen Sanshi, the commander of the Hongze Battalion.
He didn't answer immediately. His gaze was fixed on the open map before him, expression dark and thoughtful.
Youzhou.
If his memory served, there were two battalions stationed there under Xu Wencai's command. Even if their numbers weren't large, they could hold for some time. Once reinforcements arrived, the barbarians would be crushed.
If the enemy was deliberately striking there, it made no sense—it was suicide.
The situation was becoming increasingly strange.
He had seen something like this before.
The Ten Days of Yunzhou.
Back then, the barbarians ignored Liangzhou and Youzhou, choosing instead to attack weak, insignificant Yunzhou. When the truth was revealed, it turned out they hadn't been after territory at all—they were conducting a mass blood sacrifice, slaughtering the populace to fuel their dark ritual.
And now, they were doing it again.
Ignoring Liangzhou, choosing to assault Youzhou—sending over a hundred thousand troops at once.
Another blood sacrifice?
Unlikely.
Even that old emperor wouldn't dare collaborate with the barbarians for another ritual so soon. To him, perhaps the people were nothing but cattle and sheep for the gods—but even cattle and sheep cost silver.
Yunzhou still hadn't recovered. Nearly 40% of its land remained desolate and barren. If Youzhou suffered the same fate, the northern frontier would collapse completely—only Liangzhou would be left standing.
And after the last disaster, his master would never be deceived a second time. That possibility could be ruled out.
Then what was the real goal?
Why would the barbarians rush to attack Youzhou so recklessly? Were they truly unafraid that the 100,000 soldiers of Liangzhou would strike from behind and annihilate them?
Chen Sanshi's eyes dropped to the map.
Luotian Mountain Range.
It was drawn clearly—Youzhou bordered the mountains to the east, while Liangzhou lay on the western side. The Luotian Mountains split the two regions apart like a massive scar across the land.
The barbarians and the Witch God Sect were indeed using the mountain range as their foundation—building a grand formation hidden deep within!
Perhaps even his master didn't fully understand the scale of it.
"Move out!"
Chen Sanshi gave the order. "Head to Tiger Hill Mountain. We'll finish our scouting mission first, then return to report and discuss the next move."
Their task was to determine the exact strength of the barbarian forces in Liangzhou—they couldn't abandon it midway just because of news from Youzhou.
Tiger Hill Mountain.
In the Yu Wen Tribe's barbarian encampment, inside the central command tent—
"General Tengger, come, come! Drink!"
Prime Minister Yu Wen Chengzhao raised his cup and drank with two of his subordinate generals. "Soon enough, Liangzhou will be nothing but bones and ashes. Then it will be our Tian people's turn to claim the Central Plains!"
He held both the rank of prime minister and royal kin—his power within the Yu Wen Tribe was second only to the chieftain himself.
"Hahaha!"
General Tengger downed his wine in one gulp. "Those Sheng people have no idea! The long defensive line we built outside Liangzhou City was only a diversion! Our real target is Youzhou. As long as we hold there for a few months, once the ancestral vein awakens and the Blood Sacrifice Array is completed, the millions of Sheng people in Liangzhou will all become our nourishment!"
"Sun Xiangzong, Lü Ji, and that white-robed Chen Sanshi—no matter how powerful they are, they won't even know how they died!"
Daricha burst into laughter.
"Indeed! But we must still be cautious."
Yu Wen Chengzhao stroked his braided beard. "I heard a small group of cavalry has been roaming near our camp recently. The leader might be someone important. Don't let them cause trouble."
"Just a few hundred riders!"
Tengger slammed down his bowl, face dark. "Buzzing around like flies—I've been itching to crush them!"
Outside the camp—
Schk!
After interrogation, Chu Shixiong drew his blade and beheaded the captured barbarian scout.
"General!"
"We've confirmed it. Tiger Hill Mountain is garrisoned with about 20,000 elite troops—all hardened warriors."
"The one in command is Prime Minister Yu Wen Chengzhao of the Yu Wen Tribe," the scout reported. "He's backed by two deputy generals—three total experts at the Grand Completion stage of the Profound Manifestation Realm."
"Not easy to deal with."
After hearing the report, Chen Sanshi repeated, "You're saying there are 20,000 troops stationed at Tiger Hill Mountain, and three Grand Completion Profound Manifestation cultivators?"
"That's right," said Chu Shixiong firmly. "Three of them, all at full completion. Their fighting strength is terrifying. If you count the nearby camps, total numbers reach around 30,000."
He frowned deeply. "Since we've confirmed their strength, we should leave immediately. We've captured several of their patrolmen already. They'll soon notice something's wrong. If their heavy cavalry surrounds us, we'll be in real trouble."
Even as he spoke, distant torchlight flared in the snow-drenched darkness—clearly, the alarm had been raised.
The men readied their horses, waiting for their commander's order to retreat.
But instead, they saw their general mount his white horse in one smooth motion. His aura surged outward, killing intent rolling like thunder as his eyes locked onto the enemy camp's main tent. His voice rang out like a war drum:
"No Martial Saint—and you dare set up camp before me with only 20,000 troops?!
"All eight hundred light cavalry, listen up!
"Follow me! Charge straight into the barbarian main camp! Slay their generals and capture Yu Wen Chengzhao alive!"
"What?!"
Chu Shixiong was stunned. "General, they have twenty thousand men!"
"I can take a commander's head amidst a host of ten thousand!"
Chen Sanshi slowly lifted his spear, his tone calm but sharp as steel. "All of you, charge with me! Also, write a message for Bluebird. Have her carry orders to the Hongze Battalion within the Great Wall—full mobilization! I want them marching here before dawn to take over Tiger Hill Mountain!"
He still didn't fully understand the barbarians' motives.
But one thing was certain—he could not sit idle behind the city walls waiting for death.
If they seized Tiger Hill Mountain first, they could fortify the area and ensure Liangzhou's safety before marching east to support Youzhou.
Chen Sanshi had scouted Tiger Hill Mountain for nearly two months.
He had assumed that with someone like Yu Wen Chengzhao present, there would at least be a Martial Saint guarding the camp—but there wasn't.
Three Grand Completion Profound Manifestation cultivators sounded intimidating on paper.
But Chen Sanshi…
…was no longer the same junior officer who once had to hide and plan for days to exploit an enemy's weakness.
Below the Martial Saint Realm—none could stand against him.
Unless they trapped him in a formation, no number of troops could stop him.
Exhaustion?
He had just swallowed a Fasting Pill—he could fight for days without rest.
"Hyah!"
Before his men could react, the white-robed general spurred his steed forward, vanishing into the swirling snow, galloping straight toward the glow of the enemy's campfires.
That was where the enemy's command tent stood.
"General!"
Chu Shixiong froze in disbelief.
Twenty thousand soldiers!
Rushing in alone was suicide!
Even for a Grand Completion cultivator, killing a thousand would drain their strength. Against others of equal realm, perhaps a few hundred at most.
And the enemy had three Grand Completion warriors—plus twenty thousand men!
Even if all eight hundred riders charged together, they wouldn't fill the gaps between the enemy's teeth!
Before coming to Liangzhou, Chu Shixiong had imagined the Marquis of Wuyi as a strategist—a calculating mind who commanded from behind the lines. Never had he expected this level of ferocity.
No, this wasn't just bravery. This was madness.
Even an ordinary Martial Saint wouldn't dare charge recklessly into a camp guarded by three Profound Manifestation masters.
"General, what should we do?"
"Follow him!"
"Damn right!"
"The general said they're nothing but crap—then even if there are 100,000 of them, they're still crap!"
"Kill!"
They didn't understand his reasoning.
But they didn't need to.
They had seen it enough times before—following his orders always meant victory.
That was the power of reputation.
Unshakable morale.
Even with only eight hundred men, they formed ranks and thundered forward, their killing aura rising like a storm, hooves pounding like rolling thunder across the snow-covered plains.
Eight hundred light cavalry—charging through a snowstorm into the enemy camp!
Back at the Great Wall of Liangzhou, the Sixth Prince Cao Huan personally monitored the situation daily, waiting for news from Tiger Hill Mountain to determine their next move.
"Your Highness!"
A soldier burst in, panting. "Bad news! The Gyrfalcon just returned with urgent information!"
"General Chen…"
"…led his eight hundred riders and charged straight into the barbarian camp! He intends to take Tiger Hill Mountain tonight to secure the way for our army's advance and to support Youzhou!"
"What did you say?!"
Cao Huan snatched the report, reading it twice just to be sure.
Eight hundred men.
He felt his pulse spike.
"I told him to scout, not to exterminate the enemy!"