Bai Di City was shrouded in a fine drizzle.
A figure in a red dress walked through the alley. It was Cao Ying. She had taken a blow from Man Yuan’s staff, and half of her body was a bloody mess. Even when she flew back to Bai Di City on her sword, she was on the verge of collapse. She dragged her exhausted and severely injured body, not returning to Xiu Yi Xuan first, but instead heading to Prince Jinnan’s manor.
At this moment, Prince Jinnan’s manor had a guest.
The visitor was dressed in martial attire, a middle-aged Heavenly Origin realm cultivator, followed by a group of armored soldiers exuding a battle-hardened aura. It was the Grand Edict Officer Wen Hao. At this hour, neither Wen Hao nor Prince Jinnan had slept; they were in the pavilion, drinking tea and discussing reinforcing the northern border.
“The six commanders of the border garrisons are all Li Chunyang’s men.”
Prince Jinnan smiled faintly and said, “This battle at Snow Ridge, although it was the military strategist Huo Shengren and the Mohist patriarch who repelled the demon race, the final credit will undoubtedly go to Li Chunyang and the six commanders. Li Chunyang had already advised His Majesty about reforming the border army six months ago. If he speaks again this time, His Majesty might have no reason to refuse.”
Wen Hao said, “Li Chunyang holds significant military power, and he has achievements in the battle of Snow Ridge. The reform of the border army has a real possibility of success. However, Your Highness need not worry too much. With spring warming the land and grass growing lush, the southern barbarians’ warhorses, having eaten their fill and their provisions replenished, will surely march north. There have been reports of harassment in the counties of Furong and Yu states.”
“Alas…”
Prince Jinnan sighed and said, “Does the Grand Edict Officer wish to lead troops south again to confront the southern barbarians?”
“Yes.”
Wen Hao frowned, “Furong and Yu states are the granaries of the dynasty. The south cannot be lost.”
“But…”
Prince Jinnan let out a cold laugh, “Grand Edict Officer, do you not remember, in court, which merits more: repelling the demon race in the north, or suppressing the southern rebels? In the end, the southern barbarians are merely a minor ailment, what is there to fear? You, Wen Hao, are the adopted son of Marquis Wen, and furthermore, the sworn brother of that Lin Baiyi of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. After being the Grand Edict Officer for so many years, do you not have the courage to lead troops north and fight the demon race?”
“Wen Hao’s life is but a single one, what is there to cherish?”
Wen Hao rose and said in a deep voice, “But if the southern barbarians are not eliminated, I fear Your Highness will regret it when the rear is ablaze!”
“Grand Edict Officer, there is no need to be angry.”
Prince Jinnan raised his hand and pressed it down, smiling, “Please sit down. Everything can be discussed.”
Just then, a steward approached and said respectfully, “Reporting to Your Highness, Cao Ying requests an audience.”
“The Pavilion Master of Xiu Yi Xuan has returned?”
Prince Jinnan exclaimed in surprise, “Please invite her in!”
“Yes!”
Wen Hao stood up again and clasped his fists, “Since Your Highness has a guest, I shall take my leave. Whether it is south or north, I hope Your Highness will carefully consider. Naturally, as the Grand Edict Officer in charge of the imperial forces, if His Majesty gives the order, whether north or south, Wen Hao will brave the fire and water, even to death!”
“Good!”
Prince Jinnan rose, “Then I shall not see the Grand Edict Officer off.”
“Your Highness, please stay.”
Wen Hao led his armored soldiers out, coincidentally brushing past Cao Ying. He frowned, looking at Cao Ying’s dismal appearance, and was secretly astonished. Who could have injured a dignified Great Sword Immortal of the twelfth realm to such an extent? It seemed Cao Ying was close to falling in her cultivation. This setback was too severe; she likely wouldn’t recover her cultivation for at least a year or two.
Cao Ying also glanced at Wen Hao. She had always been indifferent to this Southern Commander. What potential could a Grand Edict Officer who only pacified rebellions in the south and defended against barbarians have? In all these years as Southern Commander, he had never clashed with the demon or devil races. In contrast, Northern Commander Li Chunyang, though his actions over the years increasingly resembled a powerful regional official, never slacked in his duties. He dispatched troops to destroy the Eastern Wu Kingdom, sent troops to confront the devil race’s Yu Feng division, and led the six border garrisons north to face ten demon race encampments!
To be fair, despite a string of defeats, Li Chunyang had at least dared to send troops against the demon and devil races. Such a person deserved the title of Grand General of Shang. Of course, in Cao Ying’s heart, the best Grand General of the human race was undoubtedly that Lin Baiyi. For centuries, that individual was the most perfect Grand General of the human race – loyal, valiant, decisive, and strategic.
She had heard that Lin Zhao on the mountain peak villa was a successor to Lin Baiyi, but after seeing him, Cao Ying felt the credibility was not very high.
…
In the small pavilion, Cao Ying knelt on one knee.
“Cao Ying, pays respects to Your Highness.”
“Rise.”
Prince Jinnan looked at her appearance and frowned, “How did you get into this state? Is the Ghost Realm truly that perilous?”
“How could it not be perilous?”
Cao Ying pursed her red lips and asked, “Did Huang Qingning return?”
“Yes.”
Prince Jinnan replied, “He returned to Bai Di City half a day before you and was also injured.”
“What did Huang Qingning tell Your Highness?”
“This…”
Prince Jinnan knitted his brows and said, “Huang Qingning claimed that shortly after he followed the dry pine river westward, he was ambushed by ten great demons, one of whom was a thirteenth-realm cultivator. He exerted all his strength, killed two twelfth-realm great demons, and was heavily injured, forcing him to leave the battlefield. After seeing me, he went to see His Majesty in the palace. His account was the same, and His Majesty rewarded him with a golden sword.”
“What a shameless wretch!”
Cao Ying’s delicate eyebrows furrowed, “In the battle at Ku Song River, a total of five great demons were killed. Two of them were killed by the combined efforts of Sword Immortals Su Qingjiu and Lin Wanhua. The other three twelfth-realm great demons were killed by Sword Immortal Xu Zhan of the Mohist school, who self-destructed his sword heart. What does he, Huang Qingning, have to do with it? He fled wounded shortly after entering Ku Song River, without even saying a word. Such a person actually has the gall to go to His Majesty to seek rewards?”
“So that’s how it is…”
Prince Jinnan’s brow was tightly furrowed, “Cao Ying, there is no need to make a fuss about this. His Majesty has already bestowed the golden sword upon Huang Qingning, so it cannot be recalled. Since the matter is settled, you need not concern yourself with it. Rest assured, I will remember this.”
“Yes.”
Cao Ying frowned and said, “Although Cao Ying did not contribute much, she did manage to tie down two twelfth-realm great demons. I dare not claim merit, but I certainly deserve acknowledgment for my efforts. Furthermore, the trip to Ku Song River, although it cost the life of Mohist Sword Immortal Xu Zhan, achieved the objective of the mission: to keep Liu Bai’s cultivation at the thirteenth realm, otherwise, it would have been even more troublesome.”
“Mm.”
Prince Jinnan nodded, “You have worked hard. Go back and recuperate quickly. Someone, bring the best healing medicine from the manor to Pavilion Master Cao.”
“Yes!”
Shortly after, Cao Ying, holding the medicinal herbs, returned to Xiu Yi Xuan to recuperate on her own.
…
Late at night.
Two beams of light departed from Xi Jian River. Man Yuan and Liu Bai, side-by-side, returned to the ancestral mountain of the demon race.
“Ah?!”
In the study of Tian Ran Ju, Lin Zhao’s heart suddenly ached. He hurriedly looked up in the direction of Xi Jian River and asked in his heart, “Aunt?”
However, this time, no one answered.
He quickly summoned his flying sword, Hong Ye, and then ascended into the air on his sword, heading to Xi Jian River!
“Brother Lin Zhao!”
Su Qingjiu walked out of her room and also followed Lin Zhao south on her sword.
Two beams of light streaked across the sky. After a while, Lin Zhao and Su Qingjiu landed at Xi Jian River, only to find the river broken and in disarray. The main current was crisscrossed with marks left by the Sun-Moon Water-Fire Staff, and Lin Xingchu’s River God Temple had been reduced to ashes. The temple priests, deities, and others had all disappeared.
“Aunt…”
Lin Zhao took a deep breath and plunged into the river.
Xiao Jiu’er’s delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she shook her head gently, remaining silent.
Lin Zhao slowly knelt on one knee in the mud of the riverbed, his five fingers spread and pressed into the mud. Suddenly, he felt a stirring in his heart. In the mud, it was as if someone was holding his hand. This feeling… was like when he was a child and first met his aunt, and she held his hand.
Aunt was still here, but he didn’t know where she was.
“Brother Lin Zhao.”
Su Qingjiu helped him up and said, “Don’t worry too much. Although I don’t know where Aunt Lin is, her aura has not disappeared. Moreover, Aunt Lin refined the entire Xi Jian River long ago. Although Man Yuan and Liu Bai are strong, to kill her, they would have to destroy the entire Xi Jian River. But how is that possible?”
“I understand.”
Lin Zhao stood up and clasped his hands in the direction of the river depths, “Aunt, Lin Zhao awaits your return!”
…
The Ancestral Court of the Military.
Before a large water vat, stood two figures.
One was the Scholar in Green, and the other was Huo Shengren, clad in white robes and silver armor. However, Huo Shengren currently looked as if he was recovering from a serious illness, his face pale and a trace of demonic energy flowing through his chest.
“Damn Man Yuan, damn Liu Bai! Two trash, so arrogant!”
The young Military Saint slammed his palm into the water, stirring up the Water Moon Gazing Heaven. His gaze was icy as he said, “If I could descend to the mortal realm, I’d cut them down with a single sword each!”
Huo Piaoyao smiled helplessly. This fiery temper was indeed like yours, Ding Muchi. It had been many years since he had heard this fellow curse. This Military Saint, enfeoffed by heaven and earth, when he curses, it usually means someone is about to meet their end.
“The demon race calculated that you do not have the strength to descend to the mortal realm.”
Huo Piaoyao said, “However, this Water-Fire predicament is indeed quite formidable. I suspect the appearance of Man Yuan and Liu Bai was to lure you down to the mortal realm. Coupled with a Demon Ancestor and a Devil Emperor, the possibility of killing you, Ding Muchi, would greatly increase.”
The Scholar in Green clasped his arms behind his back, “They wishful thinking! Do they really think I would confront them head-on? My junior brother’s words were well-spoken: fight if you can win, run if you cannot. I, Ding Muchi, am not a fool, and I won’t truly wait for them to set up their formation and fight me.”
“What about Lin Xingchu?”
“Lin Xingchu has her own destiny; we outsiders cannot interfere, nor do we have the freedom to do so.”
“Mm.”
Huo Piaoyao grinned and said, “If the Water-Fire predicament is not resolved within the next half-month, I think I will descend to the mortal realm again to meet them.”
“Oh~~~”
The Scholar in Green turned and patted his shoulder, smiling, “Listen to my junior brother’s wise counsel: fight if you can win, run if you cannot. Who would willingly walk into a trap like you, Brother Huo?”
Huo Piaoyao’s face went dark. If he could defeat the Scholar in Green, he really wanted to shoot him.