Chen Sanshi studied the parchment carefully.
On the sheepskin scroll, two cultivation methods were recorded.
One belonged to the Path of the Righteous God.
The other—Path of the Evil God.
The so-called Path of the Righteous God gained power through the worship of orthodox deities. As one's cultivation deepened, the believer would continue to receive divine spells and supernatural abilities, advancing ever closer to godhood—and might even ascend to become a god themselves.
But the drawback—one must serve the god they worship, carrying out its will and tending to its followers.
That black-robed monk had cultivated this very path.
As for the Path of the Evil God—unlike the Righteous God Path, which required decades, even centuries of devotion, this path offered a shortcut. In merely ten years, or even a few, a mortal could strike a deal with an evil deity.
There were two methods. One was self-cultivation; the other was to invite the god's spirit into one's body, borrowing its power temporarily.
Clearly, the Crown Prince had chosen the latter.
But the flaws of the Evil God Path were countless.
Everything that plagued the Righteous God Path plagued it as well—and far more besides.
For example, one had to satisfy the deity's appetite and whims.
That earlier Tongtian River sacrifice had been exactly such a ritual.
Unless one pleased the god perfectly, the Evil God Path offered no increase in lifespan at all.
"Lifespan…"
"So cultivation in the immortal path truly can extend one's life."
Chen Sanshi finished reading quickly.
Still, this incense-based divine cultivation wasn't something worth practicing.
From the looks of it, even at the peak, one merely became a servant—a laborer for the gods.
'Better to wait until this is all over,' he thought, 'and then study the inheritance the Founding Emperor Cao Xie left behind.'
That would surely contain the true Immortal Arts.
He tucked the parchment away, cleaned up the corpses, and swiftly left the scene.
The chaos that had engulfed the palace lasted until dawn—then finally, peace returned.
Most of the high-ranking military officials under the Crown Prince's faction were killed that same night. Civil officials were detained to await trial. A few managed to flee, and by morning, the entire city had been locked down in search of them.
At dawn, the Grand Chamberlain of the Directorate of Ceremonial Supervision issued a public decree, officially defining the incident:
"The Incense God Sect used demonic sorcery to control the Crown Prince, disrupting the court and attempting rebellion to overthrow the Great Sheng Dynasty.
By the divine hand of His Majesty, the Eternal Sovereign Emperor, wielding the Nation-Suppressing Dragon Abyss Sword, the demons were vanquished and the evil purged. The empire now stands in peace. A date shall soon be chosen for the Heaven-Sealing Ceremony to offer sacrifice to Heaven and Earth."
"The Crown Prince, corrupted by demonic arts, has suffered permanent damage to his spirit. Henceforth, he shall no longer partake in governance and will reside in the Western Tranquility Palace for long-term convalescence."
"Minister of War Gao Bo conspired with heretics and sought to betray the empire. His entire clan of nine generations shall be executed."
"Other military officers will be dealt with case by case, depending on their degree of involvement and knowledge."
A full political purge had begun.
From the court to the martial world, countless people would be swept up in the aftermath.
No one yet knew which faction would rise next.
"Your Majesty."
Assassins and eunuchs cleared the path ahead.
Emperor Longqing personally came to the banks of the Deep Pool.
Several death-servants dove into the waters.
After two hours, they finally emerged with findings.
"Your Majesty!"
"We found it! Beneath the pool lies a massive fissure blasted open by the Dragon Abyss Sword. Following the crack leads into an underground cavern!"
The emperor immediately descended into the water.
By now, the stone gate within the cavern had already collapsed.
He stepped over the rubble and took in the sight of the ruined chamber.
"Founding Emperor truly watches over his descendants," he murmured, eyes gleaming. "To think he left such a secret chamber behind."
"Your Majesty," one of the death-servants reported after a thorough search, "there's nothing left here."
"According to the captured members of the Incense God Sect…"
"There was a man named Zhang Laizitou—he took everything and escaped."
At that, Emperor Longqing's expression froze, but a vein twitched at the corner of his eye.
"Find this Zhang Laizitou! The method to ascend to the Immortal Realm was left by our ancestor for me! It's mine—all of it is mine!"
"Your Majesty, please calm yourself! We're already searching!"
The emperor stepped forward and ran his hand slowly across the stone altar, checking every crevice.
Nothing. Every treasure had been taken.
"If I cannot enter the Immortal Realm," he muttered darkly, "then I'll forever remain bound by those immortals' whims!
"They say spiritual grain wastes labor and treasure—does anyone think I don't know that?
"But if it were food instead, would it not still belong to me?
"When the Immortal Treasures were lost, spiritual grain became useless.
"And now, even the ancestral relics are gone.
"What are all of you good for?"
"Your Majesty!"
The emperor's fury boomed like thunder, shaking the chamber.
Everyone dropped to their knees.
"This servant is useless!"
"This subordinate is guilty!"
"Please forgive us, Your Majesty!"
"I've borne too much for this empire," Emperor Longqing sighed. "Go. Leave me. I'll remain here in seclusion for the next few days. Prepare the Heaven-Sealing Ceremony carefully. There must be no mistakes this time."
The eunuchs and death-servants withdrew.
Soon, only Chief Eunuch Huang Hong remained.
He produced his feather duster and began gently sweeping dust and fragments off the stone platform as he reported, "Your Majesty, we lost two Martial Saints last night.
"Fan Tianfa was executed. Meng Quji is missing. The loss is heavy."
"I know."
The emperor closed his eyes. "From among the twelve death-servants, pick two with the best aptitude and highest cultivation. Give them the relics we recovered from the ruins. I want them to break through to Martial Saint as soon as possible. And what of Marquis Pei Tiannan?"
"Lord Pei pretended to join the rebels. After reaching the Eastern Territory, he made an excuse to head to the Incense God Sect headquarters—intending to destroy the sect for Your Majesty. But we've received no word from him since."
Huang Hong paused. "This servant will find a way to contact him. If that fails, we'll summon him back."
"Very well."
The emperor nodded slightly. "Go tend to your injuries."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Huang Hong finished cleaning, placed the meditation mat in order, then respectfully withdrew.
By the time dusk fell the next day, Chen Sanshi finally returned from Mount Ziwei to his senior brother's residence.
"Sanshi!"
Wang Zhi and Fang Qingyun had been waiting at the door for a long time.
"How did it go?"
Wang Zhi glanced at his junior brother's bloodstained clothes. Knowing better than to fuss over it, he asked straight away, "I heard the rebellion last night was the doing of that Incense God Sect? I was on the rooftop—I thought Mount Ziwei was going to collapse!"
"Let's talk inside."
Inside the room, Chen Sanshi sat bare-chested, wrapping his own wounds while applying medicine. As he worked, he briefly recounted what had happened the night before.
"The Crown Prince… was the Sect Master of the Incense God Sect?!"
Wang Zhi muttered, "That dog really hid deep. And our eldest brother—he's capable of anything. There's bound to be a huge shake-up in court after this. Fourth Brother, what do you think?"
"The Crown Prince's rebellion had been brewing for a long time. It's not really surprising that it came to this."
Fang Qingyun held a scroll in his hands. "After this incident, if my guess is right, the one who'll rise in court next will be the Sixth Prince's faction."
"The Sixth Prince?"
Chen Sanshi frowned, unfamiliar with the name.
"He's taken the Regent's place twice in the past," Fang Qingyun explained. "His mother, Consort Xian, comes from a powerful noble family—one of the most prestigious in the empire. In court, he was second only to the Crown Prince. But after losing the political struggle, he was confined for life."
Fang Qingyun continued, "Now, I expect he'll be released. Knowing His Majesty's temperament, he'll continue cultivating and won't fully involve himself in government. But he also won't allow Grand Secretary Yan's faction to dominate. So bringing out the Sixth Prince will restore the old balance—and make it easier to control things overall."
He paused, then said, "Speaking of which—the Dragon Abyss Sword is interesting. From your description, the power sealed within it doesn't seem like spiritual energy, but rather some kind of unique force left behind by the Founding Emperor Cao Xie."
"Good heavens," Wang Zhi said, intrigued. "Fourth Brother, you're playing with some mystical stuff now. Think you can teach me a trick or two?"
"You can't," Fang Qingyun said bluntly. "Forget about the immortal path. Focus on your martial cultivation instead. You have a real chance of reaching Martial Saint, and that's no weaker than an immortal cultivator. Little Junior Brother, you're already close to the Profound Manifestation Realm. Work harder—try to reach Martial Saint within one and a half years."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I'll do my best."
"Right," Fang Qingyun said suddenly. "A few letters arrived for you while you were gone. I left them in your room. Go take a look."
"Got it."
Chen Sanshi stood and went to his quarters.
Sure enough—three letters were waiting for him.
One from Lan jie'er, one from Sun Buqi, and one from Sun Li.
They hadn't written long ago—barely half a month—but all three mentioned the same thing.
There was a new female guest at home.
Lan jie'er called her "an old acquaintance."
Sun Li described her as "a strange woman."
Sun Buqi said she was "an uninvited guest."
All urged him to come home soon.
A female guest?
Chen Sanshi frowned. He hadn't provoked any women recently—so who could this be?
At least from Lan jie'er's tone, it didn't sound dangerous.
'Once the Heaven-Sealing Ceremony is done,' he thought, 'I'll head home and see what's going on.'
He put the letters away and took out the relic he'd obtained from the Founding Emperor.
"Five Elements Formula."
Those three words were boldly written on the booklet's cover.
He opened it.
Chen Sanshi's eyes gradually brightened.
This looked like—a true cultivation method of the immortal path!
It described the initial realms after stepping onto the immortal road: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core.
The Five Elements Formula was a Qi Refining stage technique—an entry-level method for cultivating immortality.
But not everyone could cultivate the immortal path.
Only those with spiritual roots could.
The five basic types corresponded to the Five Elements: gold, wood, water, fire, and earth.
Beyond that were special ones—lightning, sound, and others—unique to prodigies.
Each root type had its own corresponding cultivation method.
Founding Emperor Cao Xie's own handwriting explained that since he couldn't predict what kind of roots future generations might have, he left behind only this Five Elements Formula, suitable for all root types. Once one's roots were identified later, one could switch to a more specific method without consequence.
As for the martial path—
Founding Emperor had written much about that, too.
Power above the Martial Saint Realm, he noted, was comparable to the late or perfected stages of Qi Refining. Even if such a person entered the Immortal Realm, they would be recognized as strong and wouldn't be easily killed or suppressed.
Thus, he advised, the best path is to enter Dao through martial arts—using martial might to protect one's cultivation.
Of course, that depended on fate.
One needed both a spiritual root and peerless martial talent—a combination almost impossible to find.
So, he concluded, if one possessed spiritual roots, it was better to directly practice immortal cultivation.
Cultivating immortality required spiritual energy from Heaven and Earth to cleanse the mortal body.
But—
There was no spiritual energy left in this world.
The accompanying letter, written in the Founding Emperor's own hand, explained why.
In ancient times, this land had been overflowing with spiritual energy—everyone could cultivate. Until one great war changed everything.
After that, the world's spiritual energy rapidly dried up, and this continent became severed from the others—isolated, cut off from the rest of existence.
The legends of the Three Ancient Emperors were true. But they also marked the golden age of cultivation. Afterward, the world entered the Age of Decline, and by a thousand years ago, immortal cultivation had completely vanished.
Thus—
Anyone who wished to cultivate now must either find surviving spirit stones, or use a transmission jade token to travel to the Immortal Realm when Heaven and Earth momentarily connect.
That was where both opportunity and danger awaited.
The Immortal Realm restricted this world in only one direction. Once a person entered successfully, they could freely travel between the two realms thereafter.
That was how Cao Xie had succeeded—he found the Immortal Realm, achieved great power there, and returned to found the Great Sheng Dynasty.
"To the southeast," the letter read, "beyond the edge of the sea, lies great fortune."
There, the gateway to the Immortal Realm opened once every fifty years. Those wishing to enter should go while still young, when their lifespan remained long.
Finally, he emphasized—the jade token was priceless.
Across all the continents of this world, countless seekers wandered the distant coasts in search of the Heaven-and-Earth passage, desperate for a chance to ascend. It was vital never to expose the jade's existence.
Chen Sanshi held the token up and examined it carefully.
The pale jade surface was covered in intricate carvings of ancient runes. It resembled the item Cao Fan had once given him, but this one couldn't store power—it had a completely different function.
Once every fifty years.
He checked the inscription date Founding Emperor had left, then compared it with the current calendar.
The next opening… was coming very soon.
If he missed it this time—
Then when the gate to the Immortal Realm opened again, he'd already be an old man of seventy or eighty.
And besides—
The martial path was one that defied Heaven—it was walking against the natural order, using human strength to transcend mortality. Before breaking through to the Martial Saint Realm, one would never gain additional lifespan.
Chen Sanshi understood this deeply.
Every breakthrough he achieved came with immense pain and destruction of the body—rebuilt stronger each time. The power gained was hard-won; to simply not shorten his life in the process was already considered fortunate.
But with so little time left…
He feared he wouldn't be able to break through to Martial Saint before the opportunity passed.
He sighed inwardly. 'One step at a time.'
"Sanshi!"
Wang Zhi's voice came from outside. "Deng Feng's here to see you!"
"Him?"
Chen Sanshi put his things away and went to the front gate.
"Commander Chen!"
Deng Feng clasped his hands. "I have something urgent to report. Please, come with me."
Chen Sanshi followed him to a secluded courtyard.
As the door opened, he saw a familiar figure standing there—a man in coarse linen clothes, full of patches.
Using his Qi Observation Technique, Chen Sanshi could see the thick, vigorous energy swirling inside him.
A Martial Saint.
"You are…?"
Chen Sanshi frowned. The man's face looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Lord Chen—it's me."
The man wiped a hand across his face, revealing his true features.
"General Meng Quji?"
Chen Sanshi was startled.
The man's disguise was extraordinary. Without his Qi Observation, Chen might not have recognized him at all.
Deng Feng quickly summarized the situation.
"Lord Chen," Meng Quji said solemnly, "this matter happened so suddenly, you may not yet know. If you're willing to take me in, from this day forward, my life will belong to you. If not, I'll leave immediately—I will never bring you any trouble."
Chen Sanshi hadn't expected this development.
Just what were his men trying to do?
Xu Wencai was already out recruiting troops, and now Deng Feng had even brought back a Martial Saint…
"Commander Chen," Deng Feng advised, "our strength is still too thin. With General Meng joining us, we'll gain another powerful hand."
The chaos at Mount Ziwei had shown Chen Sanshi firsthand the value of a Martial Saint.
If he had one under his command, many things would indeed become far easier. But still—
"Commander Chen," Deng Feng said firmly, "I may not be his friend, but I've dealt with him for many years. He's reliable."
Chen Sanshi nodded slightly.
He wasn't too worried about that.
Meng Quji had offended both the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Unless he fled to a foreign land, he had nowhere else to go. Following Chen Sanshi sincerely was his best choice—otherwise, there'd be no need for all this trouble.
Seeing that Chen Sanshi didn't refuse, Meng Quji immediately dropped to one knee.
"Commander Chen! From this day forth, whatever you command, I will obey without hesitation. As long as you don't cast me aside, I, Meng Quji, will serve you with all my strength."
"Deng Feng," Chen Sanshi said, "arrange things for him. After the Heaven-Sealing Ceremony, he'll secretly join our group heading back to Liangzhou. I'll find a way to ensure his family's safety."
Meng Quji had recently earned great merit in the Eastern Campaign, and though he hadn't personally struck at the Emperor, the blame for the rebellion had been laid entirely on the Incense God Sect. With the right petitions, his death sentence could be reduced—but exile and confiscation were unavoidable.
Still, as long as he lived, it was enough.
After giving his orders, Chen Sanshi returned to his quarters and began spear training.
There was still time before the Ziwei Heaven-Sealing Ceremony, and he couldn't let his cultivation slacken.
For seven consecutive days, he secluded himself in training.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Profound Manifestation (Uninitiated)]
[Progress: 16/100]
[Effect: None yet.]
"Huuh…"
After another night of grueling practice, Chen Sanshi finally stopped when the dawn light crept into the sky.
"Watch the blade!"
Before he could even relax, a roar came from behind, followed by the sound of air splitting. Chen instantly picked up his spear and swung it toward the source.
"Boom!"
A massive saber, filled with savage Internal Force, crashed against his weapon.
"So fast?"
Chen Sanshi twisted his body, pouring more power into his spear and forcing his opponent back. "Senior Brother—you've already reached the Meridian-Connecting Realm? It's only been a few days!"
"Damn brat!" Wang Zhi staggered back, finally steadying himself, then grinned. "Your body's monstrous—Vajra Body, True Dragon Force, everything! But I'm catching up fast. Every three to five days I break through a minor stage. At this rate, I'll reach Profound Manifestation Perfection soon enough. When that happens, I'll make sure to 'instruct' you properly!"
At that moment, Fang Qingyun rolled out from his room in a crimson official robe, his wheelchair creaking across the floor. The gust from their clash blew his hat clean off. He sighed helplessly.
"Enough already. Clean up and head up the mountain. After today's grand ceremony, there'll be a court session for rewards. Once it's over, we can finally go home."
"Alright, alright!"
Wang Zhi was in high spirits. He picked up Fang Qingyun's hat and set it back on his head. "We'll get ready right now."
The three brothers dressed properly in their formal robes.
Mount Ziwei, after days of restoration, now showed little trace of the great battle.
That day—
Bells and drums resounded through the heavens, crowds flooded the mountain.
Hundreds of officials bowed in unison as the Emperor ascended the altar.
The Heaven-Sealing Ceremony was magnificent—millions of taels of silver spent, countless oxen and sheep sacrificed, and manpower and supplies beyond all measure. The prosperity of the Great Sheng Dynasty was on full display.
The ceremony lasted for several days.
Only after it concluded did the imperial court convene.
Inside the Hall of Nurtured Heart, officials stood neatly arranged—civil on the east, military on the west.
When His Majesty entered and took the throne, solemn music rose from both sides.
This time, the Emperor wore a full dragon robe, the golden embroidery gleaming under the lantern light.
All ministers knelt in salute.
After the customary formalities, the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Supervision began to read aloud the imperial commendations.
"Marquis of Martial Valor, Lü Ji—ever since joining the army, he has repeatedly achieved great victories, making the steppe barbarians tremble in fear. For six years, he guarded the northern frontier with tireless service.
"In the seventy-second year of Longqing, during the Mingzhou Rebellion, he crushed the Western Qi general Zhong Wuxin's forces, killing 40,000 enemies, capturing 20,000, quelling the rebellion, and stabilizing the borders.
"Furthermore, during the evil god's disturbance at Mount Ziwei, he risked his life to uncover the traitors' plot and later protected His Majesty with unwavering loyalty. Truly, he is among the finest generals and ministers of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
"In recognition, Marquis Lü Ji is hereby promoted to Upper First-Rank Grand Master of Glorious Merit, with command over three battalions of troops."
Three battalions!
The assembled officials silently calculated in their minds.
At this rate, even if the northern army expanded to twelve battalions, Lü Ji alone would control one-fourth of them.
The eunuch's voice continued to echo across the grand hall as he read the imperial decrees.
Several other generals were also named and rewarded for their merits.
Until finally—
"Former Xuanwu Battalion Commander Tang Ruoshan—gravely injured after the Battle of Lingchuan, he hid his identity and willingly served humbly as a Hundred Commander in Poyang County, toiling in obscurity. His loyalty and dedication are beyond doubt. During the Battle of Hulao, he infiltrated enemy lines at great personal risk, assisting the main commander to achieve a decisive victory. His past faults are thus erased. He is restored to the Second-Rank Military Merit Title of Senior Protector General, and promoted to Fourth-Rank Bright Might General."
Tang Ruoshan!
The court erupted in hushed murmurs.
So the man was still alive?!
Though the military honor was high, the rank of Fourth Rank clearly meant he had fallen in cultivation—perhaps even lost part of his former strength.
Then came the next name.
"Deputy General of the Left Army Reserve Battalion—Chen Sanshi!"
The moment his name was read aloud, everyone's attention sharpened.
The name Chen Sanshi had resounded through the court for only about two years, but every time it appeared, it came with thunderous renown and astonishing feats.
Having just returned from the eastern campaign, one after another, his victories were unmatched. In their eyes, there was no doubt he would soon be named a Pillar of the State (Upper First Rank).
The clear, powerful voice of Huang Hong rang throughout the hall:
"During the Mingzhou Rebellion, General of Distant Loyalty, Chen Sanshi, crossed the Hongze River four times, struck directly into Meishan Prefecture, and caused the rebel general Dong An to die of rage—one of the greatest achievements of the campaign.
"In the Eastern Campaign at Laizhou, clad in white robes upon a white horse, he swept through the land, winning battle after battle without bloodshed. Wherever he went, the people rejoiced and surrendered willingly—his name bringing unity and faith to the Great Sheng Dynasty.
"At the Battle of Hulao, he led three thousand men to crush one hundred thousand, capturing two enemy kings in a single day—an unprecedented feat in all military history. The strategies he employed across these three campaigns have already been compiled into the Military Classics, to be studied by all future generations of generals.
"These three heavenly feats are each worthy of eternal glory—his name shall live on for all ages.
"During the rebellion of the Incense God Sect, Chen Sanshi risked his life to protect His Majesty, fighting to the death without retreat.
"For all these merits—he is the pillar of the Great Sheng, a loyal and unmatched general of the realm.
"Therefore, he is hereby conferred the title of Earl of Martial Valor."
An Earl?!
Whispers rippled through the ranks.
Wasn't the rumor that he would be promoted to Upper First-Rank Pillar of the State? How had it turned into an earldom?
But still—he was only twenty years old.
Across all five nations under Heaven, who else so young had ever been granted a noble title?
"Furthermore—"
Huang Hong continued, his tone rising in volume.
"Chen Sanshi is also promoted to Deputy Second-Rank General of Nation-Suppression, appointed as Commander of the Elite Battalion, and ordered to found the Hongze Battalion!"
A new battalion!
From that moment onward, among the four new divisions being established in Northern Liang, one already had its name—
The Hongze Battalion.
"Additionally, a reward of ten thousand taels of gold, one hundred thousand taels of silver, eight thousand bolts of silk, and an inscribed plaque reading 'Earl of Martial Valor' shall be bestowed!"
More generals followed with their rewards.
Most were of high rank—Thousand Commanders and above. Those below, being too numerous, would have their rewards announced separately after the session.
Among them, as a gesture of goodwill—
The surrendered general of the Qing Kingdom, Deng Feng, was allowed to retain his marquisate and his First-Rank martial status. He would first report to the capital, then be reassigned—either to the northern frontier or to any of the thirty-six prefectures across the realm.
Finally came the sentencing of the traitorous officials.
Most were executed along with their families, their nine clans eradicated. Only a few who had once rendered great service were allowed a clean death; some of their relatives were spared. To show imperial mercy, the Emperor even gave three thousand soldiers of the rebellious Eastern Garrison a chance to redeem themselves by dying on the front lines.
As for Meng Quji, once one of the Eastern Campaign's foremost heroes—he was now a wanted man. His family was stripped of property and exiled.
And with that, the Eastern Campaign officially came to an end.
When the court session adjourned, the Emperor withdrew to the back of the Hall of Nurtured Heart, where a private chamber awaited.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Lü Ji bowed respectfully.
"Lü Ji, you did well this time," the Emperor said approvingly. "If you hadn't warned me first, I might have remained in the dark a while longer and been caught unprepared."
"It was all thanks to Your Majesty's divine foresight," Lü Ji replied humbly. "I merely did my duty as your servant."
The Emperor chuckled. "You're certainly more level-headed than your master ever was. Since you're the senior disciple, it's fitting for you to oversee the Eight Northern Battalions in the future. I trust you completely. Now tell me—what reward do you want?"
"Your Majesty," Lü Ji said, bowing deeply, "I wish to request a marriage decree."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, amused. "You, Lü Ji? Even several noble families within the royal clan are eager to marry their daughters to you. Is there any woman you can't have, that you need me to grant your marriage personally? Come, out with it—who is she?"
"Sun Li."
At those two words, the Emperor's smile froze. His lips curled faintly, somewhere between a sneer and a sigh.
"This matter," he said coldly, "shouldn't you first ask your master whether he agrees?"
Lü Ji was silent.
Of course, he had already asked.
His master's only answer had been: "Ask your junior sister yourself."
So he bowed again, his tone firmer. "I still humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant the marriage."
"Sun Xiangzong has only one daughter," the Emperor said icily. "Let him decide her marriage. If it's a princess or duchess you want—anyone, even from a rival kingdom—I can arrange it. But not her."
Lü Ji lowered his head and said nothing more.
"Alright, that's enough. You don't truly like Sun Li that much. You just want the world to see you as the one who inherits your master's legacy. There's no need to force this—matters of men and women should be based on mutual will."
The Longqing Emperor leaned back in his chair. "You already command three battalions. The other commanders are your junior brothers and sisters. Once the expansion is complete, even the new generals I'll send will all hold you in high regard. You've already inherited your master's mantle in all but name. Unless, of course, you'd prefer I make it official—promote your title and give you the Grand Marshal's seal right now?"
"Your subject wouldn't dare!"
Lü Ji hurriedly dropped to one knee.
"Lü Ji," the Emperor said softly, "you don't need to obsess over such things. In both the army and the court, reputation is what truly matters. Titles can sometimes become a burden. Take me and your master, for example."
He smiled faintly. "Back then, I was the most powerless prince—couldn't even get a title of my own. Your master, meanwhile, was a servant-born general with just four thousand troops under his command. And yet, the two of us—one civil, one martial—still carved out an empire that all under Heaven bowed to."
The Emperor's tone grew solemn. "When you earn merit on the northern steppes, no one will dare question you. The honors you desire will come sooner or later. You are Sun Xiangzong's disciple, and among the younger generation, you are also my favorite minister."
"I shall remember Your Majesty's words," Lü Ji said in a deep voice.
"As for the marriage decree I can't grant you," the Emperor said, tapping the armrest of his chair, "I'll compensate you in another way."
"General Lü," the eunuch Huang Hong said as he stepped forward, holding a lacquered tray. "These are now yours."
"This is…"
Lü Ji looked up. Upon the orange silk lay several sheepskin scrolls and fragments of a shattered incense burner.
He recognized them immediately.
These were the very ritual tools the Crown Prince had used that night!
"I know you've long sought to take another step forward," the Emperor said. "Your master refuses to teach you—but if he won't, then I will."
The Emperor's gaze deepened. "From now on, the northern temples are at your disposal. But you are forbidden to use sacrificial rites to harm my people. Do you understand?"
"Your subject understands!"
Lü Ji accepted the tray with both hands, unable to hide the tremor of excitement in his eyes.
"Oh, one more thing," the Emperor asked. "Your master refused to teach you—but has he taught Chen Sanshi?"
"I believe not," Lü Ji replied seriously. "He only joined recently, and his cultivation level is still relatively low."
"Good." The Emperor waved his hand. "As long as you understand. Now go. Rest and recover. Next year, prepare for the northern expedition. I won't give those steppe barbarians another chance to rebuild. No matter the cost, we must make them pay."
"Your subject will not fail Your Majesty!"
Lü Ji bowed deeply, clutching the tray.
—
On the warship's stern, Chen Sanshi stood at the deck's edge, aiming at a straw dummy tied to a small boat drifting behind them.
After the court session ended, they had set sail that same night, heading back toward Liangzhou.
The wars in the east were long concluded.
Zhan Taiming's rebellion had turned out to be a sham—he'd been taken hostage, and it was his subordinates who had revolted. Their intent had only been to lure part of the army away. When they realized it was the Tiger Guards who had responded, the rebellion quickly subsided.
The defense of the three provinces—Ling, Lai, and others—was once again entrusted to the Eastern Garrison, though a new governor had been appointed.
Rumor had it the man was a martial prodigy among the Emperor's secret guards—already on the verge of breaking through to Martial Saint.
Deng Feng had also been reassigned elsewhere.
For Chen Sanshi, this trip's greatest gain wasn't wealth or fame—it was Meng Quji and three thousand Xuanjia soldiers. They'd fought through real war, hardened by blood and fire—true wolves of the battlefield. Even placed among the eight great battalions of Liangzhou, they'd still be considered elite. The only weak link was the commander—Meng Quji was still merely at late Meridian-Connecting Realm.
With nothing better to do aboard the ship, Chen Sanshi practiced both spear and bow.
The familiar [panel] flickered before his eyes:
[Skill: Archery · Perfected (Second Limit Break)]
[Progress: (0/2000)]
[Effect: Instant Dual Shot—hits accurately at 600 paces every time.]
Breaking the second limit mostly enhanced his draw speed and effective range.
Instant Dual Shot—he could now loose five arrows per second, compared to three before. A full quiver emptied in moments.
Six hundred paces—nearly eight hundred meters. At that distance, a human target was barely a black dot.
In truth, his archery had already reached the peak of the mortal world.
At Hulao Pass, even with special arrow packs strapped to Qianxun's sides and Deng Feng's green stallion carrying more, plus his own back quiver, the total still barely reached one thousand arrows—and even that wasn't enough.
So, increasing raw arrow power mattered more now—especially since his attacks were practically unavoidable.
'When I get back,' he thought, 'I'll harvest some Ghostvein Wood and ask Seeking Immortals Tower to forge some iron for me.'
After a while, he stowed his bow and went below deck, chatting with Fang Qingyun about the Edge of the World.
"To the southeast lies the edge of the world," Fang Qingyun murmured, smiling faintly. "That's where I lost my legs. Never thought what Emperor Cao Xie left behind for his descendants would be connected to that place."
"You've been there before, Senior Brother?" Chen Sanshi asked curiously.
"Been there? More than that. I once had a jade token just like yours."
Fang Qingyun sighed. "You're thinking of going, aren't you? Makes sense—wait another fifty years, and not only would I be long gone, but you'd be an old man yourself. Still, that journey is perilous. And with Master missing…"
"Senior Brother," Chen Sanshi asked, "can you at least tell me where Master went?"
"This… I really don't know." Fang Qingyun smiled bitterly. "I only know it's related to the strange phenomena within the Luotian Mountain Range, and somehow, it concerns you as well. He could be anywhere between the great rivers of the south and north. It may take a long time before he returns. I can try to contact him for you."
"The Luotian Mountain Range…"
As expected.
It was just as Chen Sanshi had guessed.
The strange venomous beast incident there was too obvious—everyone in Liangzhou had heard of it. There was no way his master wouldn't have known.
That was also why he hadn't bothered asking any more questions back then.
"Let's go home first," Chen Sanshi said quietly.
In the blink of an eye, another month passed.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Profound Manifestation (Uninitiated)]
[Progress: 46/100]
He was now not far from reaching the Profound Manifestation Realm.
The warship finally docked at the harbor.
Chen Sanshi and his group switched to horses and continued by land.
When they had departed, there had been only twenty-some riders.
But now, they returned with a grand force of three thousand iron cavalry!
Just transporting those three thousand Black Armored soldiers, along with more than three thousand warhorses, required several dozen massive warships. The grain and supplies consumed along the way were beyond counting.
Throughout the journey, the horses had only been able to move freely when the ships anchored. After being confined for so long, they were restless. Now, finally "free again," they thundered across the open plains, kicking up clouds of yellow dust and a deafening rumble of hooves.
Liangzhou.
At the city gate, Sun Li, Sun Buqi, and Madam Tong, along with other family members, had long been waiting after hearing the news.
"Sanshi's too ruthless!"
Sun Buqi's face was full of excitement. "Three thousand against one hundred thousand—how is that even possible? If any storyteller dared to make that up, people would beat his mouth swollen!"
"Tell me about it."
Rong Yanqiu, who happened to be resting in Liangzhou, sighed. "That little junior brother of ours is truly something. Only nineteen, and already an earl. Even if he does nothing more, he'll at least end up a marquis someday.
"But what really stands out… is his talent for war.
"I'm afraid even Master and Old Fourth wouldn't match him in that regard."
"I've decided!"
Sun Buqi clenched his fist. "From now on, I'm joining the army too! I'll lead troops into battle myself!"
"No, no, no!"
Rong Yanqiu was startled. "My dear young master, please, just stay home peacefully! Don't make us worry ourselves sick."
"What? You don't believe in my ability?"
Sun Buqi turned to those beside him. "Sister, what do you think? I could start as a Hundred Commander—higher rank than Sanshi started with! My archery's learned from him too! I've even picked my nickname. From now on, I'll be 'Little White Robe' Sun Buqi. How about that?"
As he spoke, he got more and more carried away with himself.
"Ha! So dashing! White robe, long spear, great bow—I'm practically Chen Sanshi himself!"
"Xixi!"
Sun Buqi cleared his throat and struck a pose with his spear before the little girl beside him. "Well? What do you think? Do I have the talent for this?"
"Wow!"
Chen Yunxi looked up with shining eyes and clapped eagerly. "Uncle, you look so cool!"
"Hahaha!"
Sun Buqi laughed heartily. "Good girl! When you grow up, if you want to learn martial arts or archery, I'll teach you myself!"
Sun Li's expression showed open disdain. She pulled Yunxi aside and instinctively took a few steps away from him.
"They're back!"
Not far away, Lu Shuhua and Wen Zhi, who had also come to welcome their families, pointed ahead.
"Rumble—"
The ground began to quake violently.
A surge of yellow sand rose high into the air, rolling forward like a storm swallowing heaven and earth.
As it came closer, people could finally see—
It wasn't a sandstorm at all, but a column of armored cavalry charging through the dust.
At the front rode a young general in white robes upon a white horse, a long spear in hand, a great bow slung across his back.
"Oh my."
Rong Yanqiu stepped forward, bowed deeply, and teased, "This humble servant greets the Earl of Martial Valor."
"Senior Sister, don't make fun of me," Chen Sanshi said with a small smile.
He pulled his reins and signaled for the Xuanjia soldiers to enter the city in formation. Then he dismounted and went forward to greet everyone.
"Senior Sister Sun."
"Buqi, you—"
He paused, momentarily speechless, seeing Sun Buqi dressed nearly identical to himself.
"Father!"
Chen Yunxi ran forward and leapt into his arms.
Chen Sanshi lifted her up, and she nuzzled his cheek affectionately.
He smiled. "How about it, little one? Did you miss me?"
"I missed you every single day, Father."
Her soft voice melted his heart.
"Good girl."
Seeing how lively and bright she'd become, he could tell she'd been well cared for during these months.
"Hey, Chen!"
Wen Zhi strode up, giving him a sharp look. "Have you reached the Profound Manifestation Realm yet?"
"Almost," Chen Sanshi replied calmly without turning around. "Be patient, Master Wen. No need to rush."
"Hmph!"
Wen Zhi snorted, flicked his sleeve, and stalked off.
Meanwhile, the rest of the brothers-in-arms who had departed from Liangzhou began reuniting joyfully with their families at the gate.
"Where's Sister Lan?"
Holding Yunxi in his arms, Chen Sanshi looked around, but the person he most wanted to see was nowhere in sight. "Why isn't she here? Is she unwell?"
"Lan-jie, she…"
Sun Li began to speak, but Rong Yanqiu quickly interrupted. "Little Junior Brother, you'd better go home and see for yourself. You've got a guest at your house—a woman. Very formidable one, too. She's been giving everyone a hard time and refuses to leave.
"Today, she even stopped your wife from coming out to greet you."