Dili Youjie quietly raised his head. As the cold glints of blades around him withdrew one after another, he finally had the chance to slowly stand up, catching a hazy glimpse of the Shizi's countenance.
Li Zhouwei turned his mount and rode away, leaving Dili Youjie standing where he was. The Jade Court Guards tasked with close protection filed out of the stockade, leaving behind only clan soldiers lining both sides. The sullen youth remained standing with arms crossed, eyeing him coldly.
*A lucky barbarian...*
Chen Yang belonged to the Chen clan, the foremost prominent surname among the eastern towns, and carried Li blood in his veins. Though he served Li Zhouwei dutifully, back in the towns he was an esteemed young lord who prided himself on immortal descent, looking down on this barbarian from the bottom of his heart.
Li Zhouwei could see through human hearts, so Chen Yang naturally tucked away his claws and behaved with complete subservience before him. Now that Li Zhouwei had departed, Chen Yang relapsed into his old ways. His grayish-black eyes scrutinized the barbarian from head to toe. Taking a step forward, he helped Dili Youjie up, his expression shifting faster than turning a page as he smiled.
"Brother Dili! I am Chen Yang. Now that you and I are working together, I look forward to your guidance."
Dili Youjie hurriedly bowed his head, assuming a humble posture as he said softly, "I shall rely entirely on Senior's instruction!"
Chen Yang nodded, the smile on his face warm and cordial, as if greeting a dear old friend. He chuckled. "The twenty-one families in the city have bullied the common folk for years. The Shizi means to leave none of them alive. I shall lead the troops over. As for gathering the tribesmen, recording their crimes, organizing the clan soldiers, and planting confidants... surely I do not need to teach the chieftain how to handle that?"
Chen Yang warmly took his hand, only releasing it after they mounted their horses together, and whispered, "Not a single person or horse must be allowed to slip away... The Shizi has lived upon immortal mountains for generations and fears no retaliation, but you and I have families and clans to look after. We cannot afford to play games with surviving heirs seeking vengeance!"
His words carried a bone-chilling coldness. Dili Youjie understood instantly. Unhooking the horn at his waist, he brought it beneath his mustache and blew into it with a low, resonant wail.
Spurring his horse forward, Dili Youjie looked at the terror on the fleshy faces of the city's nobles as his own clan soldiers filed in one after another. A searing lust for domination surged within him, intoxicating him like a cup of fine wine that sent his spirit soaring.
The stockades around Dajueting were shuttered tight, not a single soul daring to venture outside. Beneath the ancient city walls, every household remained bolted shut, while blood flowed freely across the streets.
This ancient city had been captured countless times before, but it had always been slaves and tribesmen sacrificed to honor new masters. Slaughtering nobles and shamans was a novel experience, and the resistance proved exceptionally fierce.
Cultivators filled the sky, letting those below mount their desperate struggles. Several nobles and shamans tried to take flight, only to be struck down from above and dashed into mangled paste.
Chen Yang led his men out of a courtyard. Severed heads, bone ornaments, and feathers lay scattered all across the ground as dozens of clan soldiers hauled severed heads into the yard. Stepping over the gore, Chen Yang wiped the blood from his right hand and grinned. "The Yedun clan raided yours the year before last, so we slaughtered theirs first."
Dili Youjie understood that he had no choice but to shoulder the blame for throwing in his lot with the easterners and massacring the various clans and shamans. Hardening his voice, he replied, "Leave it to me."
The surrounding soldiers of the Dili clan did not look well at all. Chen Yang had personally hacked the people in the courtyard into pieces with his sword, striking terror even into the onlookers. Naturally, none dared answer him. Chen Yang raised an eyebrow. "Should they not have been killed?"
Dili Youjie hastily waved his hands and replied, "They should... of course they should!"
Chen Yang had intended to frighten him. Looking rather pleased with himself, he chuckled. "That fellow was lustful indeed—he actually kept twenty-one concubines and over a hundred male slaves. After so many years of severe drought, he still hoarded this much grain... Gather all those goods and transport them to the army."
With that, Chen Yang kicked a beauty's severed head beside his feet as if kicking a gourd. Drawing Dili Youjie close, he said warmly, "It is all thanks to General providing the list of crimes and helping me wipe them out clean! I have already dispatched men to spread word to every household in the city to proclaim General's might!"
Dili Youjie gave an affirmative murmur. His impression of this youth had completely shifted. He had thought the young man was merely sullen and gloomy, never expecting him to be truly ruthless and venomous. Silently, he raised his guard.
Having killed alongside him all the way here, listening to his laughter throughout, how could Dili Youjie still believe the expression on his face? Knowing Chen Yang was a smiling viper, fear took root in his heart. He cupped his hands repeatedly and followed behind.
Calculating according to the roster, Dili Youjie realized the nobility of Dajueting had been slaughtered clean. With the bloodlines that had cultivated for generations severed, there would be no Qi Refinement cultivators here for at least several decades. The Li family naturally did not care, as it made the territory far easier to govern. Even so, Dili Youjie felt his scalp tingle, secretly feeling fortunate.
The sun dipped in the west, painting the sky a hazy crimson beneath drifting clouds of red. The cries in the city gradually subsided into a quiet gloom.
Dili Youjie squinted and nodded. As the two walked toward the city center, taking in the weapons gleaming coldly everywhere, Chen Yang smiled. "Brother Dili, these twenty-one noble families have quite a few tribesmen under them. Please ensure the rosters are thoroughly checked..."
Chen Yang looked at the troops lining both sides and commanded, "Send men to open the granaries in both locations... Wait." He instructed, "Reorganize the clan soldiers and settle the shaken morale of the people. Within fourteen days, organize the tribesmen well. We march on Northern Shanyue."
Dili Youjie bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Chen, rest assured! With these spirit materials and grain, within just ten days the tribesmen and clans in this city will turn toward the upper clan, and I can raise five thousand troops!"
Chen Yang said, "Brother Dili... heh! General Dili, please present these things and follow me to see the Shizi!"
Chen Yang nodded and strode up the steps. The expression on his face snapped into a display of humble deference, his head lowered and eyes cast down. The speed of the change left Dili Youjie greatly shaken. Then he heard the youth warn him in a low voice, "When attending upon the Shizi, General had best not harbor any crooked thoughts in your heart."
Assuming a comical look of trepidation, the black-clad youth whispered beside him, "The Shizi..."
Chen Yang slowly raised his head, meeting his gaze. The youth said softly, "Your subordinate has purged the city!"
Dili Youjie nodded repeatedly. Stepping forward several paces in the spacious hall, he knelt beside Chen Yang. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of several cultivators in eastern garb standing on the other side of the hall.
Above them, Li Zhouwei stepped down lightly. Sizing up Dili Youjie with two glances, he said softly, "Dili Youjie... you have done well. Rise."
Dili Youjie hurriedly stood up. Seeing Chen Yang remaining on his knees beside him, a chill gripped him. He lowered his gaze to watch a pair of brocade boots approach before the Shizi accepted the thick pile of scrolls and silk held in his hands.
*The hatred is borne by the Dili clan, the crime of slaughter falls on me, Chen Yang, and the favor must be bestowed by the masters. If anything is amiss, Li Zhouwei will sneer at my incompetence,* Chen Yang thought.
Dili Youjie silently nodded and slowly retreated outside. Watching Li Zhouwei hold the jade slip in his hand, Chen Yang felt as though a mountain were crumbling within him, horrified: *A jade slip... spiritual sense! He has broken through to the fifth layer of Embryonic Breathing, the Yujing Wheel!*
Though he had long anticipated being surpassed, he had never imagined this day would come so soon. Keeping his face impassive, he saw Li Zhouwei give him an ambiguous glance before turning to the cultivators at his side.
Standing to one side were two figures, both possessing Qi Refinement cultivation—one man and one woman. The man wore Daoist robes and looked to be in his twenties; he was none other than Li Chenghuai. The woman was slightly older, being Li Minggong, the eldest sister of the eldest branch.
The talent of the Chengming generation was somewhat ordinary, but after twenty to thirty years, most had successfully refined qi and gradually assumed managerial duties across the peaks. Having undergone rigorous training from childhood, most of them proved capable when called upon.
"The task of winning over and placating the common folk and securing the rear shall be entrusted to the two elders," Li Zhouwei said.
Li Chenghuai resembled his mother Yang Xiao'er, appearing somewhat plain. He replied calmly, "Naturally, there will be no issue."
Both were in the late stage of Qi Refinement, making it effortless to keep this place under control. Cupping their hands slightly, they took their leave.
Li Zhouwei watched the two depart before finally turning his gaze to Chen Yang. Pacing over to stand before him, he said softly, "Good! Cultivating alongside Clan Elder Donghe has brought you great progress. When we return from the northern expedition, come see me at Yuting Peak, and I shall teach you some sword techniques!"
Mingled joy and dread filled Chen Yang's heart. He coveted the sword techniques, yet being around Li Zhouwei felt like thorns against his back. Still, how could he utter any refusal? Nodding as though granted an immense pardon, he swiftly withdrew.
Greatly invigorated, Chen Yang strode out of the hall, straightened his posture, and walked forward with an imposing air, one hand resting on the sword at his waist. The clanking of his black armor reflected his excitement.
Yet just as he arrived before the main hall, three figures stood quietly before his eyes. The youth at the head possessed an extraordinary bearing, like one who drank the wind and bathed in snow, with sword-like brows and starry eyes—Li Xijun, nodding as he looked down at him.
Beside him, Li Ximing had likewise arrived on a ray of light, brilliant all over, exuding the majestic aura of the mid Foundation Establishment stage, his fluttering Daoist robes carrying a distinct immortal flair. His lips were slightly pale, his brows relaxed with a faint smile, and golden light rippled around him.
Last was a narrow-eyed monk, his brows lowered and eyes cast down, his expression unreadable. Cold sweat broke out across Chen Yang's back. He dropped to his knees with a crisp thud, pressing his head firmly to the ground as he said humbly, "Greetings to the three Ancestors!"
Li Xijun bade Chen Yang rise, yet he kept a discreet eye on him. Introducing him to the monk, he said softly, "This is Guest Elder Chen Yang."
"Greetings, Guest Elder!" Kongheng replied.
Li Xijun acknowledged the monk, then suddenly recalled an entry recorded in his clan's history. He thought to himself: *If such a figure were of the direct Zhouxing generation line, there would be little cause for concern for the Shizi! A Chen... can only be used with reluctance.*
Li Xijun looked at Chen Yang quietly, his jade-white fingers tightening slightly against the hilt of his sword, thinking: *This person... over the past few years, his cunning and gloominess have hidden even deeper, shedding childish impulsiveness. He is hard to manage. Fortunately, half his blood belongs to the Zhong lineage; it is only a pity he does not bear the Li surname.*
The three entered the main hall. The surroundings were empty, save for Li Zhouwei sitting upright as if awaiting their arrival. Rising, he stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Greetings, Ancestors."
Li Xijun gently raised a hand to bid him rise, saying warmly, "Wei'er, there is no need for such ceremony. Our arrival today is first and foremost to have the Master take a look at you."
"Wei'er, there is no need to conceal it. Let the Master observe."
Li Zhouwei's eyes flared brightly. The talisman seed within his qi sea shifted gently, swiftly turning dark gold as layers of golden brilliance linked together.
Kongheng glanced up casually, but the sight burned his eyes like a red-hot iron plate. Clenching his fists tightly within his sleeves, he averted his gaze.
Kongheng's narrow eyes were already small, and now they squinted nearly shut. He lowered his voice, trembling.
Li Xijun frowned, noticing that Kongheng looked somewhat pale. Only after calming himself for several breaths did the monk say, "This humble monk pays respects to Bright King Shengming Jin! There is no need for such courtesy; it shames this humble monk!"
"Bright King Shengming Jin?" Li Xijun asked, raising his brows, while Li Ximing stepped forward with his hands clasped behind his back, appearing unsurprised as he asked softly, "Master, how is this child?"
Kongheng waved his hands hurriedly, closing his eyes and answering in a low voice, "I dare not say much, but he should be an intelligent child."
Li Xijun said, "Please explain clearly, Master."
"The Shizi ought to possess the Bright Sun Physique... yet it is not entirely identical. This humble monk dares not speak excessively. The inheritance of the Bright Sun Path... among our Shakya cultivators, is known as Bright King Shengming Jin. Hence... I spoke in such terms."
He looked up and sighed. "In my eyes, the Shizi... appears virtually like the reincarnation of Bright King Shengming Jin! Yet his mind and resolve are so peaceful and balanced... Truly, this defies common sense! It must be due to his bloodline being exceptionally concentrated! Furthermore, his aura is obscure and difficult to describe... Had my ancient cultivation lineage not preserved such records, and had Bright King Shengming Jin not possessed a doctrinal lineage in our Liao River, it would have been impossible to tell!"
"Let us set this matter aside for now," Li Xijun said, shaking his head slightly. "Right now, there is only one matter... Though Jiao Zhongzi has disappeared, his subordinate Mu Mili and that Foundation Establishment mount remain in Northern Shanyue. We must first encircle and slay these two."
Northern Shanyue bordered Dajueting, separated by a mountain range. Beyond it lay two plains with a considerable population. Li Xijun and Kongheng rode the wind, coming to a halt atop this great mountain.
According to Fei Luoya, Jiao Zhongzi was proud and arrogant, yet the cultivation method he practiced was quite ordinary and did not require much blood qi. Consequently, Northern Shanyue was densely populated; the plain beneath their feet alone held over ten thousand people, dotted with stockades of various sizes.
"According to Fei Luoya, Mu Mili practices Ting Xingchen, an ancient cultivation method capable of detecting hostile speech within a hundred li. We must not approach Mount Wu too closely, lest he overhear us."
Li Ximing heard his words and replied, "I have heard that inside the demon cavern of Mount Dali resides a great demon capable of hearing matters across a thousand li... It likely shares the same lineage as Ting Xingchen!"
Kongheng added, "This Shanyue art Ting Xingchen bears quite a resemblance to a certain divine ability of others' minds in our Shakya cultivation. If we make any gains this time, I would like to look over this method."
The three did not need to guess much; eight or nine times out of ten, the man was on Mount Wu. They merely did not know whether Mount Wu had any hidden measures prepared, still hoping to lure him out.
"If Mu Mili is truly loyal, how could he sit by and watch Northern Shanyue fall to our family? A single trip to the royal court will naturally force Mu Mili out," Li Xijun said.
"Then let us make our move."
"Xijun need only give the word. I have eaten the bread of idleness for too long, and my heart is already filled with guilt," Kongheng answered.
Li Xijun withdrew his gaze from the distance, looking into his eyes as he said softly, "Shanyue witchcraft is bizarre and treacherous. My family has already suffered at its hands once. This time, I must trouble the Master to look after our family's Shizi."
"Naturally, there will be no issue."
...
Xiandu's army banners emerged from Beiting, marching south all the way. The emaciated man sat quietly in his carriage, his expression far from pleasant.
Shanyue authority had always been decentralized. Only during Jianixi's rule did all under heaven follow him, with Shanyue from the western foothills of Mount Li crossing the mountains to seek allegiance. Aside from that, all Shanyue royal houses, large and small, governed alongside the nobility, requiring power to be shared...
Chapter 504