Morning.
A completion ceremony was held on Xueyu Tianchi. A brand-new Mohist teleportation array stood at the southern end of Xueyu Tianchi, guarded by at least 200 Xueyu cavalry. For Xueyu Tianchi, this teleportation array was now of utmost importance and had to be heavily protected.
"We're really leaving."
Liu Xingshu, dressed in the official attire of a fifth-rank civil official of the Great Shang Dynasty, walked alongside Lin Zhao towards the teleportation array. "The teleportation array is complete, and we officials will be the first to use it. After going to Shanhai Pass, we will return to Baidi City from Shanhai Pass. By the way, this teleportation array is not large in scale, but it still consumes spirit stones each time it's used. So, if Xueyu Tianchi wants to continue using the teleportation array, it must purchase more spirit stones."
"I understand, thank you!"
Lin Zhao cupped his fists and smiled, saying, "I won't see you off."
"Mm."
Liu Xingshu smiled, "The people from the Mohist school will return to Baidi City with us to report. However, I will leave the construction team here to continue building the mountain peak villa and the academy for you. The design blueprints have already been left, and the construction period has been set. You just need to provide them with food and lodging."
"Good."
The next moment, Liu Xingshu and the other officials of the Great Shang Dynasty mounted their horses. Under the protection of a group of Vermilion Bird cavalry, they stepped into the teleportation array. In the next instant, their bodies turned into countless beams of light, and the entire space seemed to be torn apart. In a flash, they disappeared without a trace. Following them, a group of Vermilion Bird cavalry also stepped into the teleportation array, heading for Shanhai Pass.
...
After seeing off Liu Xingshu and the others, Lin Zhao convened a meeting.
In the command tent, Xi'e, Muwa, Chu Yu, Xiang Ji, and others were present. Even Chen Ben had arrived. A ninth-realm martial artist was indeed qualified to attend meetings in the command tent.
"Tell me about the recent situation of the Xueyu Legion," Lin Zhao said.
"Yes!"
Muwa cupped his fists and said in a deep voice, "Reporting to Commander Lin, recently, many refugees from the Northern Territory have been gathering at Xueyu Tianchi. After verifying their identities, we have accepted most of them, providing them with land and housing, and allowing them to settle in Xueyu Tianchi. Many of the young and strong among these refugees have joined the Xueyu Legion, so we now have over 2,400 people. However, we are severely lacking in warhorses, armor, and weapons. Many of the Xueyu Legion's armored soldiers do not even have complete sets of armor."
"I understand," Lin Zhao nodded.
Xiang Ji added in a deep voice, "My lord, it's not just a shortage of supplies, but we also lack properly configured siege weapons, such as ballistae, catapults, and cannons. These weapons played a significant role in the Battle of Xueyu Tianchi years ago. Now that we are stationed at Xueyu Tianchi, having these weapons would be much more convenient if the demon race attacks the mountain."
Muwa said, "Also, the current food and fodder for the Xueyu Legion cannot last much longer, at most... about ten days."
"I know, I know."
Lin Zhao took a deep breath. In the end, it all came down to needing money. But where would the money come from? He had to find a way from the Great Shang Dynasty. There was no other option. Everyone around Lin Zhao was poor. Although his aunt, Lin Xingchu, was the foremost deity in the human realm, a deity was a deity and did not interfere much in secular political affairs. His aunt might have some reserves of magical artifacts, but she certainly wouldn't have much money. As for Lin Wanhua, that was even more out of the question. Fusu Great Wall had always been a harsh and cold land. Lin Wanhua herself struggled to even forge swords, let alone fund Lin Zhao's army.
Xi'e's earlier contribution of Jin Zi coins had about 100 left, which would have to suffice for now.
Lin Zhao stood up. He needed to go to Shanhai Pass.
...
Meanwhile, at Guyao Pass.
The snow fell heavily. The eastern border where Guyao Pass was located had been experiencing continuous snowfall for half a month, with drifts reaching half a person's depth. But amidst the heavy snow, figures of iron cavalry appeared north of Guyao Pass. They rode robust northern horses, their steeds fully equipped with horse armor, while the riders on their backs were clad in armor and armed. Each person revealed only a handsome face beneath their helmet.
Demons.
A hundred years ago, Marquis Wen Wen Shuyang ordered the reconstruction of Guyao Pass and built a city wall tens of meters high. However, Guyao Pass was ultimately located in a remote area. The cold weather made it too difficult for the human race to transport supplies from the south to support a border army. Therefore, the garrison of Guyao Pass was eventually withdrawn, leaving this imposing pass once again unguarded.
Among the crowd, a demon general in golden armor slowly rode out. He was an exceptionally handsome man, radiating a majestic aura of the eleventh realm. Looking up at the hastily built Guyao Pass, he couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "Was it here, under this city, that the last tens of thousands of Yunzhou cavalry died?"
"Indeed!"
A demon middle-aged cavalry commander chuckled, "My lord, Wen Shuyang ordered Li Chunyang to rebuild this formidable pass and block the return path of the Yunzhou cavalry. The military governors of the three northern prefectures of Ren, Lin Wuyang, Li Xuanji, and Ning Ze, all died without exception!"
"Hmph, the human realm is adept at internal strife!"
The young demon commander called "Young Master," named Yu Feng, smiled faintly. He was of noble birth among the demons, the legitimate heir of the Feathered Dynasty. He had studied military strategy since childhood and had already entered the Upper Five Realms at a young age. He had been appointed one of the ten Divine Cavalry Captains by the Demon Emperor. Now, with the demons contemplating a southward raid, this heir of the Feathered Dynasty led his contingent of fifty thousand elite cavalry to Guyao Pass, preparing to test the current state of the human race a century later and whether they still possessed the strength to fight the four northern tribes.
"Give the order, flatten Guyao Pass."
Yu Feng raised his eyebrows and said in a deep voice, "After exiting the pass, advance south along the east coast. Upon reaching the area of Dongwu Kingdom, find an opportunity to engage the human army and test their capabilities."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Among the demon iron cavalry, countless cultivators galloped out, wielding their weapons and fiercely attacking Guyao Pass. In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the once imposing Guyao Pass collapsed like a giant.
...
"Swish, swish~~~"
Two figures appeared in the Shanhai Pass teleportation array. It was Lin Zhao and Xi'e again. They walked side-by-side into the Shanhai Pass command office, not even needing to announce themselves before going to see Han Yetang.
In the courtyard behind the command office, Han Yetang was preparing tea for guests.
Lin Zhao and Xi'e knelt side-by-side in front of Han Yetang.
Looking at Xi'e's complexion and cultivation level, Han Yetang frowned and said, "It seems the legends are true. Sword Immortal Xi'e challenged the Qingliang Sect, defeating two eleventh-realm experts and one twelfth-realm expert, only to be struck down by the thirteenth-realm ancestor of the Qingliang Sect, shattering her sword heart and causing her to fall to the Star River Realm."
Xi'e pursed her red lips, "It was my own impulsiveness."
"It's alright."
Han Yetang smiled slightly and said, "Everyone here is one of us, so speak freely. In fact, I also find the Qingliang Sect extremely displeasing, but there's nothing I can do about it. My cultivation level is too low. If I were a thirteenth-realm Sword Immortal, I would have already taken off my court armor and challenged the Qingliang Sect. In my eyes, that old dog from the Qingliang Sect is more disgusting than the demon race!"
Lin Zhao smiled, "Let's talk about business. We've come to discuss other matters."
"Mm."
Han Yetang nodded and smiled, "Speak."
Lin Zhao said seriously, "These days, we have been recruiting soldiers and horses at Xueyu Tianchi, and our ranks are growing. The Xueyu Legion now has over 2,400 officers and soldiers. However, we are severely lacking in various supplies, especially warhorses, armor, and weapons, as well as food and fodder. Furthermore, we are short on arrows, cannons, and other siege weapons. Without these, we will ultimately be fighting the demons with mere flesh and blood, and we will suffer greatly in the end."
"This..."
Han Yetang frowned, "Lin Zhao, are you looking for a solution from me?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao said, "The current Great Shang Dynasty is different from before. In the past, I at least knew Wen Shuyang, Chen Wanli, Shao Shiyu, and others. Now, it is said that Wen Shuyang has dissipated his soul and passed away. I no longer know anyone in the court of the Great Shang Dynasty. Xueyu Tianchi is ultimately a remote and harsh region, and it requires support from the Great Shang Dynasty in terms of supplies. My intention is that the Great Shang Dynasty can convert the cost of food and equipment into Jin Zi coins, and I will pay to purchase them. Currently, we lack a purchasing channel."
Han Yetang pursed her red lips and said, "Warhorses, armor, weapons, cannons, and the like are all restricted goods strictly prohibited by the Ministry of War of the Great Shang Dynasty. Merchants are not allowed to trade these goods. For example, regarding armor, there are many people who have been beheaded for privately trading a set of armor within the Great Shang Dynasty. As for cannons and other similar items, only the Ministry of War has the authority to allocate them."
Lin Zhao frowned, "But these supplies are essential for Xueyu Tianchi. I believe that if Xueyu Tianchi is destroyed by the demon race, it will not be a good thing for the Great Shang Dynasty, right?"
"Mm."
Han Yetang nodded, "I will discuss this matter with the Grand Supervisor Li Chunyang and will do my best to mediate and facilitate it. Rest assured, return to Xueyu Tianchi and await news."
"Alright!"
...
Lanxi City.
In the command office, a group of generals stood in attendance. When Han Yetang arrived, she discovered that another beautiful commander was also present. The person was clad in military armor and a deep blue battle robe. It was Chen Xi, the commander of the Cangnan Iron Cavalry and the lord of Tianji City. She had grown up with Han Yetang. Chen Xi was the granddaughter of Chen Wanli, and Han Yetang was the granddaughter of Chen Wanli. Both were 28 years old and eleventh-realm cultivators. Neither was willing to call the other "sister," so they had always been competitive, and eventually decided to just call each other by name.
After nodding and smiling at Chen Xi, Han Yetang explained the issue of the material shortages at Xueyu Tianchi.
"Gentlemen?"
Li Chunyang, dressed in fiery red armor, sat in the commander's seat. "What do you think?"
"No."
Yu Rang, the deputy commander of the Lin Lu Legion, stood up and frowned. "The banners of the Xueyu Legion are the Chen banner and the Lin banner. The people they revere are the former Great Chen Dynasty and the deceased Lin Baiyi. What does this have to do with our Great Shang Dynasty? If we provide them with food and equipment, this army will grow stronger and stronger in Xueyu Tianchi, and eventually become too powerful to control. Who will bear the responsibility for that?"
Han Yetang frowned, "Yu Rang, your words are too shortsighted."
Chen Xi also smiled and nodded, "Isn't it a good thing to have an army stationed in Xueyu Tianchi to restrain the demon race? If we are unwilling to give even a little bit of food and equipment, and Xueyu Tianchi falls, the next one will be Fusu Great Wall. Are we going to stand by and watch when the demon race and demon race attack Fusu Great Wall?"