Clad in a cyan robe, Zhang Sheng sat in the lord's mansion of New City, taking tally of their military forces.
This year, the Xu family youths had bred another wave. Having devoured one another only twice, their numbers increased by three thousand in total. Although the earliest batch of children born were not very old, they already had the appearance of young adults, and their intellect was no different from ordinary eighteen-year-olds.
Counting the children who had yet to fully grow, the Xu family youths already numbered nearly seventy thousand, with usable soldiers totaling nearly fifty thousand. The warriors of sacrificial origin exceeded twenty thousand. Among the fifty thousand Xu family youths, there were already over four thousand Dao Foundations, which, together with a thousand Dao Foundations from the sacrificial warriors, brought New City's total to five thousand four hundred Dao Foundations—all combat cultivators.
The innate talent of the Xu family youths was enough to support even more Dao Foundations, but many of the children had grown too fast, with only a few years of actual cultivation, and still needed time to accumulate experience.
Zhang Sheng had gone without sleep for days on end, checking rosters while spot-checking the condition of the troops, readjusting equipment allocations, and stocking corresponding military supplies, all the way to finalizing the reorganization of the army.
Facing the dense thicket of numbers on the paper before him, Zhang Sheng felt a bit of a headache.
The soldiers of New City were absolute confidants, so Zhang Sheng naturally prioritized their equipment. However, the logistical supplies required for seventy thousand people were an astronomical figure compared to the past; on average, each person required over a thousand jin of supply provisions to see through a single war.
*It is time to establish a dedicated logistical transport unit...* Zhang Sheng spread out a fresh sheet of jade paper and began drafting an organizational plan for the new unit.
Just then, a general walked into the lord's mansion, placed a thick stack of official documents on the desk, and said, "The records you requested are all here."
Zhang Sheng hummed an acknowledgment. Just as he reached for the documents, something came to mind, and he asked in puzzlement, "Cui Yu? Why are you still here?"
"Where else would I be?"
"Didn't you return to your clan to receive the immortal inheritance? Why are you still in Qingming? And..." An inch-long cyan glow suddenly erupted from Zhang Sheng's eyes. In an instant, twelve heavenly soldiers manifested in full above Cui Yu's head.
Seeing the twelve heavenly soldiers, Zhang Sheng frowned slightly. "Your aptitude hasn't changed. I recall Wei Yuan telling me that when you went back this time, your clan's Immortal Ancestor would grant you an immortal medicine to enhance your dharma idol aptitude."
Cui Yu gave a wry smile. "Things changed a bit, so I returned early."
A sharp gleam flashed in Zhang Sheng's eyes. Putting down the jade paper, he said, "No hurry. Tell me in detail."
A moment later, Zhang Sheng said, "...So after returning, all you got were a few cultivation methods and several dharma artifacts, without even catching a glimpse of the body-tempering treasure medicine? Does Song Cui think that with the enclave already in hand, you are no longer so important, and thus withheld the most vital reward?"
Cui Yu said, "I didn't say that. But... the clan may have other considerations and arrangements."
Zhang Sheng said slowly, "Whatever the Cui family's considerations are is none of my concern, but our agreement to let the Cui family build a city in the Western Regions was only because they were willing to give you the immortal medicine to improve your aptitude. Wei Yuan has always held this close to heart. Since the Cui family went back on their word and withheld your immortal medicine, they can forget about building their city."
Cui Yu was taken aback. "Wouldn't that be taking things a bit too far? The Immortal Ancestor's dignity would suffer."
Zhang Sheng sneered. "Withholding immortal medicine from his own junior—how much face does that Immortal Ancestor of yours have left to speak of? To trade a single dose of immortal medicine for the right to build a city—where else could anyone find such a bargain! Were it not for you, how could a new city have ever fallen to Song Cui? Still, you are the lord of the Cui family's new city, which makes things a bit tricky. Let me think. We must prevent them from sidelining you..."
While pondering, Zhang Sheng noticed an odd look on Cui Yu's face. His heart stirred, and he asked, "You are still in Qingming... Has your position as city lord been taken away as well?"
Cui Yu could only smile bitterly. "The clan said I am still young and lack sufficient cultivation, so serving as city lord now might fail to command respect. They want me to gain experience for a few more years, serving as a deputy to the city lord first, and let me become city lord after some time."
"Who is the new city lord?"
"Elder Cui Chengxiao is holding the post concurrently for now."
Zhang Sheng's expression remained unmoved. Tapping lightly on the desk, he summoned several attendants and ordered, "Bring the latest reports on the Cui family's new city."
A moment later, a scribe hurried in and reported, "The site chosen for the Cui family's new city lies nine thousand li to the southwest, seemingly intended to take advantage of both the Mountain Folk and the Shamans. It is said the boundary stone placed by the Cui family is of exceptional quality, covering a radius of up to four thousand li. The Cui family guards that area very tightly; even our scouts have difficulty getting close.
"However, extrapolating from the cargo capacity of a flying boat every three days and verifying with several bribed laborers working on construction, we know that one hundred and fifty thousand people have already been transported to the new city, including twenty thousand elite garrison troops. Judging from the excavated foundations, their initial plan is to build an inner city five li across."
Zhang Sheng asked again, "How many supplies have they purchased from us?"
"Only grain, timber, and stone; nothing else. When purchasing, they requested no special discounts, conducting business entirely like an ordinary merchant caravan."
Zhang Sheng asked a few more questions before dismissing the attendants. He then said to Cui Yu, "It seems Song Cui of Qinghe does not wish to have too much entanglement with us. The more they try to hide it, the more obvious it becomes—they simply do not intend to give you your immortal medicine or the city lordship."
Cui Yu sighed. "Whether the Immortal Ancestor gives it or not, he has his reasons. But while withholding it from me may be fine, they must compensate Qingming in other ways for it to be fair."
Zhang Sheng said, "No matter. There is no need for them to compensate Qingming. Heh, nine thousand li... Back then, they were clearly told it had to be twelve thousand li away. Are they presuming upon your presence here to act without restraint, or are they simply accustomed to being overbearing? In any case, they can abandon all hope of building this new city."
Cui Yu was startled once more. "Is there really a need to force such a deadlock?"
Zhang Sheng rose and led Cui Yu over to a map. Circling his hand across the area west of Qingming, he said, "Wei Yuan's thinking aligns closely with mine. In the future, this entire region will belong to Qingming. Even if we cannot occupy it right away, we will not allow anyone else to take root here."
Seeing Zhang Sheng circle tens of thousands of li with a mere flick of his finger, Cui Yu was struck dumb.
Zhang Sheng returned to his seat, picked up the jade paper once more, and said calmly, "As for what to do specifically, just watch. There will be results within a few days."
***
At the border of Qingming, a large flying boat bearing the insignia of the Cui family crossed through the airspace above Qingming, flying slowly toward the west.
On the flying boat's deck, a beautiful woman in court dress stood beside a sickly youth with a pale complexion. Pointing into the distance, she said, "Lian'er, look. We will soon arrive at the new city in the Western Regions. That will be your domain from now on. Blessed by the karmic luck of an entire city, your body will gradually recover, and you will be able to cultivate normally."
"But..." The sickly youth wanted to say something, but suddenly turned deathly pale. An immense terror from out of nowhere locked onto his divine soul!
Before the court-dressed woman could erupt in anger, a crewman on lookout duty aboard the vessel yelled, "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Chaos instantly broke out aboard the flying boat. Just as the court-dressed woman rushed out of the cabin, a massive four-foot flying sword suddenly shot up from Qingming below!
The flying sword struck with astonishing speed, blasting into the stern in an instant. It blew away nearly half the stern and sent the entire flying boat plunging toward the ground, demonstrating terrifying power.
Down in the dense forest below, faint glints of light still flickered—evidently, there had been more than one flying sword just now. The court-dressed woman surveyed the surrounding skies and earth, knowing they were still within Qingming's territory. Bolstered by the domain, the enemy's attack was exceedingly potent. Gritting her teeth and forcing down her rage, she ordered a full-speed withdrawal.
At that moment, the giant flying sword was still wedged into the stern, shivering wildly in an attempt to escape. The court-dressed woman flew over, seized it in one grasp, and slapped a talisman onto it, instantly suppressing it.
The flying boat accelerated. The court-dressed woman struck out repeatedly to ward off several pursuing flying swords, finally dragging the damaged vessel back to the Cui family's new city.
Inside the lord's mansion, the court-dressed woman slammed the four-foot flying sword heavily before Cui Chengxiao, fuming, "Qingming actually attacked our flying boat and nearly harmed Lian'er! Utterly unhinged! This cannot be tolerated!"
Cui Chengxiao picked up the flying sword to examine it. Seeing Qingming's mark clearly engraved upon the blade, his face darkened instantly, and he said coldly, "We had an agreement with Qingming long ago, yet they dare attack our flying boat—have they gone mad? Rest assured, I will make them hand over the culprit! Not only the culprit, but the mastermind behind it will be executed on the spot!"
The court-dressed woman's expression turned sinister. "The Domain Lord of Qingming is away; it is currently leaderless. To prevent them from continuing to act recklessly, I believe it is necessary to plant some people inside and place them in key positions, lest something similar happen in the future!"
A sharp glint flashed in Cui Chengxiao's eyes. He said slowly, "That would be a major move. As for the Immortal Ancestor..."
The court-dressed woman said, "The Immortal Ancestor will surely feign ignorance, but if it succeeds, he will certainly be pleased to see it."
She stamped her foot and added, "How could this 'Mujia' compare to Qingming?"
A cold malice crossed Cui Chengxiao's face. "Too many eyes are on Qingming. This time, we will seize the chance to drive in a wedge first. As long as we gradually plant our confidants, the position of Domain Lord will be ours sooner or later."
The court-dressed woman said, "Since you know many eyes are watching, move quickly. And while you're at it, vent some anger for Lian'er."
Cui Chengxiao nodded, picked up the four-foot sword, and departed in haste toward Qingming.
The moment he stepped into Qingming, Cui Chengxiao released his aura without reservation, pressing down so hard that the Qingming officials coming to receive him could not even lift their heads.
Showing no restraint, Cui Chengxiao barked, "I have nothing to say to the likes of you! Bring out whoever can call the shots in Qingming right now! If you don't give me an explanation today, I might just uproot your boundary stone!"
Seeing that Cui Chengxiao was truly furious, the official hurriedly guided him to a border city and led him into a grand hall resembling a magistrate's court, saying, "Please wait a moment. The Domain Lord has already heard of this and will be here shortly."
The official then withdrew. Cui Chengxiao looked around the hall, which looked just like a yamen courtroom. He stood right in the center; not only were there no seats or tea arranged for him, but he felt like a criminal awaiting trial.
His eyes narrowed, and just as his temper was about to erupt, a contingent emerged from the back hall. Dozens of Qingming cultivator-officials lined up on the left and right, after which entered a cultivator built like a solid block. He was not particularly tall, but the moment he stood there, everything in the hall seemed to shift slightly toward him.
At the sight of this cultivator, Cui Chengxiao's bluster instantly diminished by a notch. This was an exceedingly terrifying body cultivator, close to the perfection of the Dharma Idol realm. Cui Chengxiao instinctively sensed that defeating him would require immense effort.
Yet this cultivator merely took up a stance behind the main central seat, standing like a guard.
Only then did a cyan-robed cultivator step out from the back hall. In Cui Chengxiao's eyes, he no longer appeared in human form at all, but rather as a mass of sword light condensed like a great orb!
Although this cyan-robed cultivator was only at the Dao Foundation realm, his aura was not inferior to Cui Chengxiao's in the slightest; any deliberate pressure Cui Chengxiao exerted was shredded by the sword light the moment it drew within three feet.
The cyan-robed cultivator made his way to the high seat and sat down behind the desk before asking with unhurried composure, "Who stands below bringing charges against this official?"
Chapter 919