New Year's Eve.
...
Bai Di City was blanketed in white snow. Outside the city, vast quantities of grain, clothing, and other supplies were being transported into the capital. The Emperor had long ago issued an imperial decree that no citizen in the capital should starve or freeze to death. Therefore, the officials, led by Marquis Wen, prioritized ensuring everything within the imperial city remained normal. While the prefectures and counties could be plagued by famine and death, Bai Di City was an exception.
In another day, it would be the fourth winter of the year.
At Wang Bei Tower.
A strategist in purple robes ascended the stairs, holding a missive delivered by a flying fish courier. He respectfully presented the letter to Marquis Wen.
Marquis Wen, clad in a white fur robe, appeared somewhat frail and sickly. He asked, "Did this come from Xue Yu Tian Chi?"
"Yes."
After inhaling the chill air of the snow, Marquis Wen coughed violently. He unfolded the letter, glanced at it, and said, "It's from Chen Wan Li. Guess what the old marshal has proposed?"
"What?"
The purple-robed strategist frowned.
"To enfeoff Lin Zhao."
"Oh?" The strategist's expression sharpened slightly. "Enfeoff Lin Zhao as what?"
"Commander of the three armies."
Marquis Wen smiled faintly. "In this war, Chen Wan Li has only commanded from the front lines as the Grand Marshal, but without the true authority. He intends to pass on the command of the entire human race to a boy who is about to turn sixteen..."
The strategist frowned. "Is Old Marshal Chen too... too hasty?"
"Not necessarily."
Wen Shuo Yang narrowed his eyes, examining the letter again with great care. He smiled. "The old marshal's state of mind was extremely calm as he wrote this letter, indicating that his idea was not sudden. During this period of preparation for war, he must have recognized Lin Zhao's capability to command the three armies. That is why he has submitted this request to me."
"What do you think, My Lord?"
The strategist asked, "Will you truly approve it? A sixteen-year-old boy, can he bear the weight of being the commander of the human race?"
"Perhaps."
Wen Shuo Yang said, "Chen Wan Li trusts Lin Zhao, and I trust Chen Wan Li. Marshal Chen has always acted with public spirit, devoid of personal ambition. He has dedicated his life and aspirations to the court of the Great Shang. I will consider his recommendation."
"Have you made up your mind, My Lord?"
"I have. It is approved."
Wen Shuo Yang rose. "The sooner Lin Zhao obtains the military authority of the three armies, the better. This will aid him in truly planning and preparing his strategy. Let's go. We'll go to the palace to present this to His Majesty. Draft the imperial decree immediately, and while you're at it, fetch the Yuan Rong Sword and send it by swift horse to Xue Yu Tian Chi."
"My Lord..."
The strategist's brow furrowed deeply. "Are we truly placing the fate of the entire world on the shoulders of a sixteen-year-old boy?"
"Why not?"
Wen Shuo Yang smiled. "The dead ends you perceive are often the beginnings of life."
...
Evening.
At the camp of the Death-Defying Battalion, Lin Zhao was eating from a charcoal hot pot with Nu Zhi, Luo Yang, Mu Gua, and others. However, no one dared to drink alcohol. Since stationing troops at Bei Shan, a strict prohibition on alcohol had been enforced throughout the army. Apart from the cultivators, no one dared to touch alcohol.
Just as they were finishing their meal, a messenger entered. He respectfully said, "Commander, there is news from Tian Chi Ridge. They say you should return to the front street after you finish eating. Mr. Qin from the bookstore wishes to see you."
"Oh, I understand!"
Lin Zhao immediately put down his chopsticks and clapped his hands. "You all continue eating. I'll head back first."
"Understood!"
On New Year's Eve, the youth rode his horse at breakneck speed, arriving at Tian Chi Town late at night. Dusting himself off, he pushed open the courtyard gate of the bookstore. He saw Qin Sui Han standing there, smiling and cupping his fists in greeting.
Lin Zhao quickly returned the gesture, tethered his warhorse in the courtyard, and asked, "Mr. Qin, what is it you need me for?"
"Some matters you should know."
Qin Sui Han smiled. "Today, I want to take you on a journey back through time, to understand the full story, and then I will ask you one question to see how you choose."
"Oh..."
The youth was utterly bewildered.
"Shall we go now?"
Qin Sui Han stepped forward, placed a hand on the youth's shoulder, and gently pushed him forward. Instantly, light and shadows whizzed before Lin Zhao's eyes. When he regained his footing, he found himself facing a vast, boundless sea. In the center of the sea stood a towering ancient tree.
"What is this?"
"The World Tree."
Qin Sui Han said, "It is a spiritual entity that binds the primal spirit of the entire world."
Lin Zhao's eyes widened. He could immediately tell that this World Tree was composed of countless rules of all things, and the power it contained was far beyond his imagination. Just looking at it sent a strong sense of pressure through his heart.
At that moment, the World Tree's spiritual energy was depleted, and it was crumbling. Massive branches plunged into the sea.
Simultaneously, golden figures flickered into existence between heaven and earth, constantly fighting over the crumbling remnants of the World Tree. Some manifested immense forms stretching tens of thousands of meters between heaven and earth; others submerged into the sea, leaving only a giant hand. In the struggle, the World Tree was quickly reduced to a scene of devastation. On the scorched, withered wood, only one tender golden branch remained, firmly sealed by the roots.
...
Time sped forward, and another scene unfolded before him. On a mountaintop, two figures sat on either side of a chessboard. One was Qin Sui Han, standing beside Lin Zhao. The other was a man in a green robe, the Third Senior Brother, the legendary God of War.
"The Great War of the Sea of Heavens."
Qin Sui Han placed a stone. "Almost all the sages of the three thousand worlds participated. The Great Dao of the World Tree was annihilated and shattered. All the sages scrambled to seize it. Now, only the residual fortune of one branch remains. Should we not contend for it for the lower realms?"
The man in green frowned. "In the eyes of the heavenly sages and taboos, all beings are but ants. Almost all the supreme rulers believe that the remnants of the World Tree should remain in the upper realms. As for the lower realms, they can have whatever scraps are left. What right do they have to covet the last spiritual branch of the World Tree?"
Qin Sui Han shook his head and smiled. "Do you think so too?"
"Ha..."
The man in green smiled slightly. "Speak your mind, don't beat around the bush with me."
"Alright."
Qin Sui Han said, "You are most adept at fighting. Go to the Sea of Heavens and retrieve that spiritual branch of the World Tree from the heavenly rulers. I will take this spiritual branch to the mortal world and guard it for decades, leaving that precious wisp of fortune in the mortal realm, giving the common people a chance to continue living. What do you think?"
"Bringing the spiritual branch to the lower realm?"
The man in green chuckled. "Old Qin, don't say I didn't warn you. If you truly bring the spiritual branch to the lower realm and leave that immense fortune in the mortal world, not only the Confucian school, but likely the Mohist, Taoist, and Buddhist schools will have their grievances. You, a Confucian Sage, might not be able to continue being one."
"Does it matter whether I am a Confucian Sage or not?"
Qin Sui Han's smile was gentle. "I have been a Confucian Sage for so many years. I must do something for the world."
"Understood."
The man in green rose. "I will go and retrieve that spiritual branch, but you must agree to one condition."
"You say it."
"After retrieving the spiritual branch, you must plant it on Xue Yu Tian Chi, leaving some of the fortune for the Holy Land of the human race. Furthermore, our Dragon Language lineage's Dragon Slaying Sword is buried under Xue Yu Tian Chi awaiting a destined person. If someone obtains it, it means fate has willed it, and that person will be my junior brother or sister. I ask Mr. Qin to protect them a little."
"Agreed."
Qin Sui Han nodded. "It's a deal!"
"It's a deal!"
...
The next moment, another scene unfolded in the river of time: the Sea of Heavens.
In the sky, a figure descended with a sword, directly taking the last spiritual branch of the World Tree. He laughed, "Oh dear, my apologies, everyone. This one is mine..."
"Ding Mu Chen!"
Someone roared, "Does your Military Ancestral Court wish to incur the wrath of the masses?"
"Scoundrel!"
A colossal figure rose from the seabed. "Do you, Ding Mu Chen alone with your sword, intend to brave the Sea of Heavens and steal this spiritual branch?"
"Why not?!"
In the air, the man in green held the Fu Su Sword, pointing its blade forward. "If you supreme rulers wish to make a move, then do so. No matter how many supreme rulers stand against me today, I, Ding Mu Chen, will face them with one sword!"
Within the painting, blades and swords flashed.
In the end, the man in green emerged from the Sea of Heavens, battered and bleeding, holding a spiritual branch. Behind him, countless divine corpses floated on the surface of the sea!
(Note: Now you should understand why Ding Mu Chen was so formidable in the side story.)
...
"Ah..."
Lin Zhao watched the brutal scene in the painting, his heart trembling violently. Was that his Third Senior Brother's true power? Smiting gods and annihilating sages in the heavens, what an awe-inspiring spectacle!
The next moment, the scene shifted to the sky above Xue Yu Tian Chi.
A figure descended from the heavens, it was Qin Sui Han. He was enveloped in golden Confucian texts, protecting the tender branch in his arms. Behind him, sword lights, fist imprints, and palm strikes that shattered the void rained down from the sky, constantly striking Qin Sui Han's back. Yet, he endured them all. On his body, strands of golden imperial decree text began to disintegrate.
"Qin Sui Han!"
Someone from the upper realm sneered. "You are willing to abandon your heaven-bestowed Confucian Sage seal for this? To protect the lower realms? Is it worth it? Your actions as a Confucian are truly utterly foolish!"
Qin Sui Han drifted down into the recently constructed Tian Chi Town. Stepping onto a stone bridge, he looked up at the sky and smiled. "Do you, of all people, have the right to lecture me?"
"Hmph!"
Someone from the upper realm mocked. "Qin Sui Han, you have lost your heaven-bestowed title and are no longer a Confucian Sage. You, a demoted person, are truly without qualification. We will temporarily leave this World Tree spiritual branch with you. Just wait and see. When it matures, we will come to retrieve it. The Divine Realm itself is unstable, and yet you still think of the ants in the lower realms. Then perish with the ants!"
...
Within the painting, Qin Sui Han glanced at the sky, saying nothing more. Instead, he carried the World Tree spiritual branch into a dilapidated house. Not long after, a young general entered the courtyard. It was Chu Huai Xi, who cupped his fist and said, "Chu Huai Xi, pays respects to Sage Qin!"
"There's no need for formalities. I am no longer a Confucian Sage."
Qin Sui Han smiled faintly. "Chu Huai Xi, shall we make a deal?"
"Sage Qin, please speak."
"What I hold is a spiritual branch of the World Tree, carrying the immense fortune of heaven and earth. I wish to plant it on Xue Yu Tian Chi and open a bookstore here to guard it."
"Agreed."
Chu Huai Xi immediately agreed. "However, what benefits can you offer our Great Chen Dynasty?"
"The younger generation can pray to the spiritual branch for protection."
"It's a deal."
The much younger Chu Huai Xi had a face full of smiles and ambition.