Taking the Pass

Li Xijun listened from the side for a while, then saw Kongheng speak: “Many years ago, an heir of the Bright Sun lineage converted to our Shakya order and attained the title of Bright King Shengming Jin. His mount was a one-horned lin-beast named Shengming, and he realized divine abilities such as Enchanting Others' Hearts, Abundant Offspring and Fortune, Shakya Fragrance, and more... “At that time, the State of Wei fell, and Bright King Shengming Jin aided the King of Liang. When the King of Liang fell into the river and drowned, Bright King Shengming Jin was slain. From then on, this path suffered a devastating setback, and all word of it vanished completely.” Li Xijun lowered his head slightly. Kongheng said: “I do not know much either, save for one matter of reminder.” “Please enlighten me!” Li Xijun hurriedly clasped his hands. Kongheng answered, “When Bright King Shengming Jin was a lay disciple, he took wives... He wed four wives in succession, and all died sudden, violent deaths. He was forced to take pleasure only among his concubines, until he encountered Jueyin before he could truly wed... without causing sudden death.” “So that is how it was...” Li Xijun frowned slightly, turning the matter over in his mind. In truth, Li Zhouwei was nearing the age of betrothal, and they had long been at a loss as to how to arrange it. *If it is as Kongheng says, bringing in someone's di daughter as a wife would only be harming her...* *This is a troublesome matter, but now is not the time to fret over it; it can only be deferred.* Li Xijun asked, “In that case, how much danger does Shanyue sorcery pose to the Shizi?” Kongheng smiled faintly and answered, “With only the branch of Shanyue around Lake Wangyue, how could they possibly harm the Shizi? Even if a Northern Buddhism Master intervened, he would likely suffer a setback.” His family had past lessons to heed. If sorcery could harm Li Zhouwei, then even if this campaign were of immense benefit to his future, Li Xijun would still never allow him to set out. “Then let Minghuang test the waters first, while the Master watches over him. We shall conceal ourselves in the air and wait for that Shanyue Foundation Establishment cultivator to show himself.” “Good.” Li Ximing, standing to the side, quietly agreed. Ever since entering the hall, he had not spoken a word, staring blankly at Kongheng. Only now did he react after the fact, silently following Li Xijun out. Now assured, Li Xijun stepped down the stairs, only to see a gust of grey wind whip out from a corner, taking human form at the foot of the steps. In a deep voice, the figure said, “Wushao greets the Young Master.” The figure was none other than the hook snake Li Wushao, who guarded close by. Li Xijun nodded slightly in return and said softly, “Wushao, your strength has truly advanced by leaps and bounds.” Li Ximing narrowed his eyes with a smile, sensing that the beast's aura was clear and refined, its demonic power pure, its silhouette moving like wind and rain. Its Water Mansion foundation, Morning Cold Rain, even held a few touches of orthodox immortal wonder. He could not help but marvel. Li Wushao did not say a word. As a mere small hook snake, the immense growth in his cultivation over the years had certainly not come from his own efforts alone. A hook snake tossed about in the East Sea, he had been granted spiritual objects and fed precious herbs time and time again. What else could he say? He could only accept them in silence, not daring to speak much before the Li family, simply nodding. Ever since he agreed to stay with the Li family, Li Xijun had used the Three Weirs Life-Binding Art to extract and refine his true nature. The Three Weirs Life-Binding Art was by no means an easy immortal art to succeed with; everything depended on the quality of the life-bound spiritual objects used. *The spiritual items consumed for that life-binding... even three of me, Li Wushao, wouldn't be worth enough to cover the cost! All just so it could succeed on the first try without harming my life!* Li Wushao had originally prepared to risk his life, never expecting that the spiritual items Li Xijun used would be of such terrifyingly high grade. His strength had skyrocketed, leaving him so moved he was at a loss for words. *** In the dead of night, every door in the city of Dajueting was barred. The nobles had been slaughtered earlier, the blood had not yet been washed clean, and the city was as silent as a graveyard. Kongheng pressed his palms together and stepped quickly behind Li Zhouwei. Having seen the two elders off, the youth rested his chin in his hand, lost in thought. His eyes had already returned to their dark brownish hue, gazing quietly ahead. “Master, it has been many years since we last met!” “Master, I wonder how many people today still know the title 'Shengming Jin'?” Kongheng shook his head slightly and answered, “This name has been translated and re-translated through the Di language so many times that it has long been forgotten. Even if someone knows of Kongheng... they would not know how many times the title has been changed. It is merely how we in Liao River refer to it.” Li Zhouwei acknowledged this with a nod, keeping his thoughts to himself. *It seems the Bright Sun lineage has indeed been lost for many years, and all its descriptions have vanished completely... Which is actually a good thing.* *I just need to be cautious.* Li Zhouwei was not of a gentle, compliant temperament. Li Xijun wanted to lure the snake from its hole and had entrusted all matters beneath the mountain to him; he certainly hadn't done so for Li Zhouwei to just obey orders mechanically. Li Zhouwei immediately began planning his own coordination. He asked, “Dili Youjie, if we draw out troops tonight, how many men can you muster?” Dili Youjie gritted his teeth and answered, “We just slaughtered the noble clans, and the lingering terror remains. I can command two thousand clan warriors, three thousand levies, and two thousand slaves... It's just, it's just that they have not been organized yet, and morale is low. I fear they cannot withstand a major battle.” Chen Yang was taken aback and warned, “Bright King! The city has only just been suppressed. If three thousand clan soldiers are redeployed, I fear complications will arise!” Li Zhouwei decided at once: “We have just slaughtered Dajueting, and word has not yet leaked... Count out three hundred clan soldiers, take the troops of the Chen family, and depart immediately! We only need these elite forces; irregulars and slaves would only get in the way. “Dili Youjie! I order you to advance your troops slowly. Make no commotion, wait before Chan Pass, and hold your ground. When dawn arrives, await my command.” *How many?! Three hundred clan soldiers?* *Is the Shizi going to attack Northern Shanyue tonight?* Sweat poured down Dili Youjie's brow. His clan had once again been pushed to the crest of the wave. But glancing at Li Zhouwei and Li Wushao nearby, his heart quickly eased. Seeing Chen Yang step forward, Li Zhouwei smiled: “Let us rebel! “We also need a title. Dili Youjie is already my family's man, and Northern Shanyue will find out sooner or later, so keeping it vague won't work for long. Raise the banners of the Chen family...” Having finished voicing his ambition to Dili Youjie, the barbarian warriors standing below all opened their eyes wide in astonishment. “We follow the King through the pass! Once we breach the pass and head north, the King's royal title shall be proclaimed. When we crush the royal court of Northern Shanyue, you and I will be of noble blood!” The messenger quickly withdrew, and the great hall returned to hollow stillness, the lamplight flickering slightly. Li Zhouwei picked up the map on the desk and studied it carefully until Chen Yang, Dili Youjie, and the others came up. Now that he had heard the intentions of his elders, Li Zhouwei's thoughts formed rapidly. He looked down at the two characters for “Chan Pass” on the map: *The Northern Shanyue Foundation Establishment cultivator Mu Mili is hiding on Mount Wu. He knows my family's strength is formidable. If we attacked with the troops of Qingdu, we would naturally sweep through without resistance, but how would Mu Mili dare to leave the mountain recklessly? Even unprepared, he is no match for our family, but I fear he might abandon Northern Shanyue and flee, leaving endless trouble behind!* “Let us see how the lord of Northern Shanyue reacts. It would be best if we could directly alarm Mount Wu.” Chen Yang nodded, the entire strategic scheme already clear in his mind. He smiled and said, “Then let us go down and make the arrangements... Draw the troops, and before Beiting can react... advance north swiftly!” Seeing Li Zhouwei nod, Chen Yang hurriedly replied, “Good.” After all, though Jiao Zhongzi disliked bloodshed, he was still a Shanyue at heart; it was impossible for him to turn down free slaves. Thus, even the lord of Northern Shanyue was merely in the Embryonic Breathing realm and posed no great threat. There were few cultivators in Northern Shanyue, primarily because their cultivation arts were far too poor. Not one in ten could reach Qi Refinement, and even if someone did, it was merely miscellaneous qi; the moment they broke through, they would be ordered to Mount Wu to serve as menials. Chen Yang quickly withdrew with Dili Youjie. Li Zhouwei donned his armor and strode down with vigorous steps. Li Wushao followed silently behind him, his aura completely concealed, like an ordinary dark-clad attendant. In the pitch-black night, the elites among the clan soldiers and the Jade Court Guards were quietly detached, disguised in Shanyue attire, and rapidly assembled. By the time Dili Youjie's men filed out of the city, three hundred soldiers were already standing before the formation like phantoms. *** To the north. In the night, Li Zhouwei was clad in iron armor, the crimson Cloud Pearl at his waist softly glowing. He rested his long halberd against the ground. Beneath him, the spiritual horse Chongsuo, at the peak of Embryonic Breathing, had bright, lively eyes and stared straight into the distance. Li Zhouwei's mount galloped like a shooting star, while Chen Yang followed at a steady pace behind him. The youth tilted his head toward the rider beside him—a man with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and disheveled hair, who was Dili Youjie's younger brother serving as their guide. The man reined in his horse and bowed his head to listen as Li Zhouwei said softly: “Go call the gate. “Just say that Dajueting is slaughtering nobles, and we are remnants who fled to seek refuge with Northern Shanyue. This contingent consists of our main lineage. If they let us in, our clan's spiritual treasures will be offered in full.” The Northern Shanyue man nodded and sped forward. Li Zhouwei sat quietly on his horse, unconcerned. The strength and information of the two sides were not on the same level at all; playing tricks was merely to save time. Meanwhile, Chan Pass rapidly came into view. The blue stone, bleached pale grey by the night, loomed somber and bleak. Wedged between two mountains and reinforced with formations, it was undoubtedly an impassable natural barrier to mortals, but with so many cultivators present, Chan Pass was somewhat flimsy. Before long, a large basket was lowered from the pass wall above. The young Dili guide returned, knelt, and reported: “My lord, the pass commander says the troops must wait outside and only the leader may come forward.” Chen Yang snorted, and Li Zhouwei bantered in a low voice, “I see he's likely not after those spiritual treasures at all! Nine times out of ten, he wants to offer the heads of our 'remnants' to curry favor with Northern Shanyue!” Li Wushao behind them was clearly thinking along the same lines. After waiting a moment, he said sinisterly, “Bright King... why not let me shatter this pass, and we can charge in all at once?” Li Zhouwei shook his head gently. Chen Yang, leaning forward on his horse in the night, seemed to have grasped the situation and thought to himself: *It seems what he wants is an intact Chan Pass, pretending that Dajueting is invading northward... afraid of startling the snake?* In truth, Chen Yang and the others had never taken Northern Shanyue seriously, and for good reason: with the Li family's might, even if Li Wushao merely assumed his true form and crouched before the pass, he would instantly terrify the defending commander into abandoning the pass and fleeing. Why would they need to be so cautious? “He is reasonably cautious,” Li Zhouwei remarked. Then he said softly, “I trouble Senior Wushao. Leave the pass commander alive; I still have a use for him.” Li Wushao gave a slow nod, lightly stepped into the basket, and was hoisted up swayingly. The men above hauled him up in a frantic hurry, which appeared somewhat comical. After Li Wushao entered the formation, Li Zhouwei counted to eleven. The pass's defensive formation collapsed with a rumble, the gates swung wide, and a host of Shanyue knelt within. Li Zhouwei spurred his horse forward, the cultivators on both sides falling back, revealing the ground slick with crimson blood. A pile of heads rolled on the ground. The pass commander trembled all over, holding up a bone sword with both hands. Li Zhouwei did not take it; stepping past, he climbed the pass wall, where Dili Youjie's troops had already appeared in the distance. Only then did Li Zhouwei look down at the terror-stricken Shanyue man on the ground. He was merely at the second layer of Embryonic Breathing, terrified into limpness by Li Wushao's methods, kowtowing repeatedly: “Greetings, Great King! Greetings, Great King! Du Dou is willing to become the Great King's subject and recruit troops for the Great King!” Li Zhouwei said nothing, leaving Du Dou drenched in cold sweat. When Dili Youjie rushed up the pass, he saw the youth wave his hand and say softly: “Send word to draft a proclamation and circulate it to all tribes of Northern Shanyue, declaring that Du Dou received secret orders from Mount Wu to let Dili Youjie pass through the barrier and raise troops at Chan Pass.” Dili Youjie knelt steadily. Li Zhouwei spurred his horse forward, the clan soldiers sweeping past like the wind. As the Shanyue chieftain stood up, he heard the warriors below murmur in awe: “Jianixi...” Dili Youjie was shocked and turned pale, not daring to let them spread wild rumors, and snapped in a low voice: “What are you blabbering about! This is...” Yet Li Zhouwei had ordered him, so Dili Youjie did not dare call him the Bright King, and could only proclaim: “The Great King's radiance is like the sun! In the barbarian tongue, that is: [Dahe Mingfang]! We offer this as his royal title!” Li Zhouwei rested his long halberd against the ground. *Jiazi Soul-Smelting Halberd Art.* This halberd art had been brought back from the East Sea by Li Xuanfeng. Written by a general of the ancient State of Liang, the author's name had long been lost, but it was an ancient art—a mystical art, not merely mundane martial technique. As for its rank, like the ancient arts obtained in the past, it was impossible to judge, seemingly lying outside the Violet Palace Golden Core system, making evaluation even harder. Yet, as a halberd art born from battle arrays, it possessed extraordinary strengths in commanding troops. The core of this halberd art lay in smelting souls. With every army overthrown, every sect destroyed, and every formation shattered, its power grew stronger. Upon entering the threshold, dark shadows would seep into the halberd. Mastered to its peak, raging soul-phantoms would follow in its wake, wielding tremendous might. As the Shanyue slowly came to a halt before him, a red glow gradually flared upon Li Zhouwei's long halberd. The red light burned quietly in the night, making the Shanyue look up in dread. As more and more eyes fell upon him, the crimson gleam on Li Zhouwei's halberd intensified. He said in a deep voice: “Pass the order to all generals.” Li Zhouwei let Chen Yang and Dili Youjie handle the arrangements, gazing indifferently toward the sky, wondering where Li Xijun and the others were hiding, murmuring softly: “The *Jiazi Soul-Smelting Halberd Art*...”