The Great Sheng Dynasty.
In the eastern frontier, after the burning of Wucheng and the crushing defeat of Western Qi, the army of Eastern Qing had no choice but to begin a gradual retreat.
As the orthodox ruler of the Central Plains, Great Sheng was surrounded by hungry wolves on all sides. Even a single drop of blood would drive them into a frenzy, and the moment weakness was shown, they would pounce without hesitation.
Fortunately, though the great beast known as the "Central Plains" was wounded and bleeding, it still retained its fangs. That alone forced the others to back down.
Martial Saint Qin Xiuhai led his 15,000 troops in retreat.
When they reached the canyon, a vanguard scout suddenly galloped back, pale-faced. "General! Bad news! Lü Ji has led 5,000 of his Blood Oath Soldiers around to the front of the canyon — they've blocked the path!"
"What?!"
Qin Xiuhai's eyes went wide.
To circle ahead of the canyon meant plunging deep into Eastern Qing's territory. Were they not afraid of being encircled and wiped out entirely?
No — they had calculated everything perfectly. They knew the Great Qing troops were retreating.
It looked like recklessness, but it was a move of terrifying precision.
As expected of the Grand Commander's Office — not a single fool among them.
"Immortal Masters!" Qin Xiuhai turned toward the few cultivators traveling with the army, his voice urgent. "That Lü Ji practices demonic arts. He's been sacrificing day and night — if we clash head-on, we'll be slaughtered! What should we do?"
But before he could even finish, the cultivators exchanged glances—then fled, riding their swords skyward.
Within moments, they vanished into the sky beyond the canyon.
A breath later, a surge of violet qi erupted from the mountain peaks. The fleeing cultivators were struck down one after another, crashing into the forests below. A few short bursts of spellfire followed—then silence.
Moments later, a colossal figure rose into the sky, stepping on a flame-incense flying artifact.
One hand held a Fangtian Halberd, the other gripped a severed head. Violet light shimmered within his eyes—divine, cold, and terrifying.
"You rabble—why haven't you surrendered yet?"
It was Third Senior Brother Nie Yuan, charging into the canyon astride his warhorse, his shout shaking the heavens.
By that point, Qin Xiuhai and his men were completely surrounded. There was no way out.
After a long silence, the only sound was the scraping of metal as blades left their sheaths. Qin Xiuhai slowly drew his long saber.
"Brothers, those are heretics! Surrender, and we die anyway. With me—break through!"
As the sun dipped below the horizon, violet qi surged skyward.
A sacrificial altar emerged from a storage bag. When the battle ended, a blood ritual began.
Lü Ji sat cross-legged atop the altar.
Above his head, a faint shrine-like apparition hovered. His seven orifices became seven swirling vortices, sucking in all the blood qi from the altar into his body.
Only when the last wisp of blood qi vanished did the visions fade.
Lü Ji opened his eyes slowly—his cultivation had once again advanced.
He looked at the flickering shrine and listened to the eerie, distorted whispers that slithered out from it. Then he sneered and crushed the phantom into dust with one hand.
"Senior Brother."
Third Senior Brother Nie Yuan approached. "Are you alright? The evil spirits' demands for sacrifices have been getting more frequent lately."
"It's nothing," Lü Ji said flatly. He stood up and changed the subject. "How's the army's route? Can we still find another ambush point?"
"If we move any farther, we'll be surrounded for sure," Nie Yuan said, shaking his head. "Besides, an imperial order just arrived from the Ministry of War—the Northern Liang Army is to withdraw fully to the northern three provinces. And also…"
"Also what?" Lü Ji frowned slightly.
"And also, there's a separate order for you," Nie Yuan continued. "You're to personally 'escort' our Little Junior Brother to the capital for recuperation. No mistakes permitted."
"Junior Brother…"
Lü Ji's voice lowered as he fell into thought.
They had only recently learned what had happened at Wucheng.
That "Little Junior Brother" had once again shocked the world—breaking through the limit of the Martial Saint Realm even while trapped in despair.
They said…
He was like a Fire God incarnate.
"The Dragon Scripture," Lü Ji muttered softly, eyes dark and deep. After a moment, he steadied his thoughts and said calmly, "Junior Brother must sense that something is about to happen in Liangzhou."
"The mourning period has ended," Nie Yuan said, taking out the imperial decree. "They've run out of excuses to refuse entering the capital. The court's calling all of us back—and making you go with him personally. It's not really 'escort' they mean. It's 'supervision.'
"What worries me," he sighed, "is our Junior Brother's temper. If he snaps, it could get ugly fast.
"Senior Brother, you should go back and keep an eye on him. Don't let him cause trouble."
"In that case…"
Lü Ji summoned his fire-breathing horse, the creature that fed on incense qi. "Then we'll move out at once—back to Liangzhou."
The Northern Garrison Battalion and the Zhenbiao Battalion—both were personal elite units of Mister Wolong.
Assisted by Martial Saint Fan Hailing, the two of them jointly commanded these forces.
At this time, both battalions were stationed along the eastern frontier.
In the central command tent, Xu Wencai, feather fan in hand and composure unshaken, sat at his desk beneath the flickering candlelight, working late into the night on military documents.
By his side stood a respectful young man, neat and attentive.
Sometimes he ground ink, sometimes he passed reports—quietly aiding with official duties, competent and reliable.
His name was Qi Cheng. About two to three years ago, he had been taken in by Mister Wolong as a disciple. Now, as his closest attendant, he was both student and trusted aide.
"Boy," Xu Wencai said suddenly, setting down his brush, "a man must learn when not to care about saving face.
"Take Yu Wentai, for example—humiliated once, forced to crawl between a man's legs, and yet he became a 'War Immortal' in his time.
"And look at me—if I hadn't been shameless enough to beg and scrounge back then, I'd have been dead long ago. Without that, I'd never have survived to meet a wise ruler, and there'd be no me today."
"Sir's words—I will remember them well," Qi Cheng replied, bowing deeply.
"Good!" Xu Wencai smiled. "A teachable student indeed."
But his expression soon darkened with a sigh. "These last few campaigns have nearly drained the nation's grain supplies dry. If General Chen hadn't won at Guandu, we'd have collapsed completely.
"Even so, the Northern Liang Army's food stores are running short. Within ten days, the Ministry of War will surely order us to pull back.
"Grain and supplies… such a headache."
"After so many years of war, it's no wonder the empire's running dry," Qi Cheng said. "And with the new decree from last year, every province has to plant an extra half-percent of spiritual grain starting this year. That's causing unrest everywhere—small uprisings here and there. Not major yet, but still troublesome."
"Little Cheng," Xu Wencai said, turning toward the wall where a massive map hung. His tone shifted, eyes sharp. "Remember the question I left you last time? How's your answer coming along?"
"Sir… I don't dare to speak recklessly," Qi Cheng said nervously, bowing his head.
That "question" was no small thing — it had been: If you were to start a rebellion in Liangzhou, how would you take the world?
"What's there to be afraid of!" Xu Wencai laughed lightly.
Xu Wencai scolded sternly, "A true strategist must dare to think boldly. Only those who dare to think can refine their command and improve their art of war. If you cower like this, how can you ever become great?"
"Then… this disciple will risk speaking recklessly," Qi Cheng said, stepping before the map. But just as he was about to begin, a sharp cry rang out from outside the tent.
"Imperial decree!"
"Xu Wencai, receive the decree!"
"An imperial decree?"
Qi Cheng immediately said, "Sir, quickly—go!"
Master and disciple stepped outside. Before them stood a eunuch, holding an orange-yellow scroll with both hands. Four or five imperial guards stood silently behind him.
"Your servant, Xu Wencai."
"Your servant, Qi Cheng."
"Receive the decree."
Both men lifted their robes and knelt down together.
Then, the supervising eunuch opened the scroll, his sharp voice rising clearly in the night air:
"By the will of Heaven and decree of the Emperor: Mister Wolong, Xu Wencai, has fought in countless campaigns, rendering great merit and showing tireless devotion. He is a pillar of the Great Sheng court. Thus, he is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Wuxiang."
A Marquis!
Qi Cheng's eyes lit up, looking at his teacher with genuine joy.
Indeed, Xu Wencai's campaign that destroyed the State of Wei had been a world-shaking feat. At the time, he had only been newly appointed, so the court had not over-rewarded him. But after several years of steady service, small achievements had accumulated into a mountain. A marquisate was well-earned.
But the decree was not finished.
The eunuch continued reading, his tone growing even louder:
"Additionally, Xu Wencai is promoted to Senior First Rank – Grand Master of Glorious Merit, and appointed as Commandant of the Liangzhou Regional Command, with authority over the Zhenbiao Battalion, Northern Garrison, and Hongze Battalion, to assist Marquis of Martial Valor Lü Ji in the governance of Liangzhou."
Commander of the Hongze Battalion?!
"Your servant, Xu Wencai, thanks His Majesty for this boundless grace!"
"Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live!"
Xu Wencai bowed repeatedly, his face bright with excitement.
After the formalities were complete, he straightened up, as if just remembering something. "Eunuch Liu, a moment, please. The Hongze Battalion, if I recall, is under Grand Commander Chen Sanshi. Why is it being handed to me to command?"
"Oh, that," Eunuch Liu said with a smile. "You needn't overthink it. Grand Commander Chen remains in his post, but he's been ordered to the capital for recuperation. Most likely, he'll become a court official after that—an advancement, wouldn't you say?"
He didn't linger. After a brief explanation, he turned and departed with his guards.
"Sir," Qi Cheng said cautiously, "if the Grand Commander is entering the capital, that likely means he won't return to the frontier. Perhaps he'll only be summoned to lead when war breaks out again.
"In my humble view, the court… is targeting the Grand Commander.
"And now they've decreed that you take over the Hongze Battalion—it's obviously meant to stir up conflict between you two. Whoever planned this move in court is truly malicious."
As Xu Wencai's most trusted disciple, Qi Cheng knew what few others did—there was no hatred between Mister Wolong and the White Robe. On the contrary, there was deep mutual respect.
The court's move was a clear attempt to sow discord.
"Sir, what should we do?" Qi Cheng asked, his face tense.
But when he turned, what he saw in Xu Wencai's expression was not concern—but a strange mix of excitement, resolve, and fierce determination.
"Transmit my orders!"
Even though Xu Wencai tried to sound calm, his voice trembled slightly. "Our army will move into Liangzhou!"
"Sir?" Qi Cheng blinked. "You really intend to follow this order?"
"Little Cheng," Xu Wencai said slowly, his eyes fixed toward Liangzhou. "We are about to do something great."
He didn't answer directly. "Go, withdraw the troops as I instructed. Before we depart, I need to prepare… one thing."
"Oh?" Qi Cheng asked curiously. "May I know what it is?"
"The silks of Eastern Qing," Xu Wencai said with a faint smile, hands clasped behind his back, "are spun from the cocoons of the White Jade Silkworm—smooth, delicate, and lighter than air. Truly the finest silk in the world."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Before departing, how could I not purchase a few bolts?"
"Silk? Sir, you're making clothes?" Qi Cheng was completely confused. What could silk have to do with "something great"?
But before he could ask further, Xu Wencai was already gone.
After the Eastern Qing troops fully withdrew from the border, the Northern Liang Army in the east also began its orderly return. Including Xu Wencai's two battalions, there were fourteen battalions in total—over 200,000 soldiers—spread across Youzhou, Liangzhou, and Yanzhou.
Each of the fourteen battalion commanders received different orders from the Ministry of War, forming a pattern of encirclement around Liangzhou—blocking its borders from Youzhou to Yanzhou.
These fourteen battalions were:
1. Black Turtle Battalion
2. Vermilion Bird Battalion
3. White Tiger Battalion
4. Azure Dragon Battalion
5. Heavenly Lion Battalion
6. Heavenly Wolf Battalion
7. Zhenbiao Battalion
8. Northern Garrison
9. Flying Bear Battalion
10. Heavenly Strategy Battalion
11. Tiger-Leopard Battalion
12. Great Halberd Battalion
13. Anshan Battalion
14. Hongze Battalion
After Sun Xiangzong's death, the structure of the Northern Liang Army had largely remained unchanged, maintaining its expanded formation.
The Heavenly Strategy Battalion was led by Yu Linxing, a Central Plains general from a long line of military men.
The Black Turtle, White Tiger, and Heavenly Lion Battalions were commanded by Lü Ji, Nie Yuan, and Dou Jiachuan respectively, with Lü Ji as supreme commander.
The Heavenly Wolf Battalion was under Guan Xin, a capital-born general and son of a former Grand Secretary.
The Flying Bear Battalion's commander, Gu Yongzhou, hailed from the Central Plains and was a former Top Scholar of the Martial Examinations.
The Tiger-Leopard Battalion was led by Lou Zizheng, once a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the capital.
The Great Halberd Battalion's commander, Pan Luo, came from the Central Plains as well—he was the son-in-law of the Cao royal clan.
The Anshan Battalion's general, Shi Yukuan, was a southerner who once served under the Prince of Zhen'nan.
The Azure Dragon Battalion had once been jointly commanded by Fang Qingyun and Meng Guangxin, but after Fang was recalled to the capital, a new general, Yu Heqing, from an influential eastern family, had been appointed.
The Vermilion Bird Battalion still had Rong Yanqiu and Ye Fengxiu as its leading generals.
Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei still held a nominal position in the Liangzhou Regional Command, though with little actual power.
As the army passed through Youzhou, preparing to enter Liangzhou, an imperial envoy suddenly arrived, blocking their path.
"By order of the Ministry of War!"
"The Azure Dragon Battalion and Vermilion Bird Battalion are to halt and rest where they stand! All commanding officers—enter Liangzhou and await further orders!"
"What did you say?!"
Meng Guangxin roared in fury, storming forward to seize the eunuch by the collar. "My Azure Dragon Battalion has always been stationed in Liangzhou! What the hell do you mean by not letting us through the border?"
"General Meng, th-this is a direct order from the Ministry of War—it has nothing to do with me!"
The eunuch was terrified, waving his hands frantically. "If you've got complaints, you should write a memorial to the court! Killing me won't change a thing!"
"Monk, let him go."
Rong Yanqiu's calm voice cut in.
Meng Guangxin glared coldly but finally snorted, throwing the eunuch to the ground.
The group proceeded alone into Liangzhou territory.
"What the hell is going on?!" Meng Guangxin nearly crushed the prayer beads in his hand. "The Northern Liang Army has fourteen battalions. And we only control a few of them. Are they really trying to grind the millstone and kill the donkey now that the work's done?"
"Old Fifth, calm down."
Cheng Wei calculated quietly. "The mourning period is over. With the court arranging things this way, eight or nine out of ten chances—they're preparing to summon us to the capital."
"The capital? I'd rather die than go!" Meng Guangxin bellowed. "Live next to that damned Cao family? Just the thought of hearing those bells makes me sick!"
He gritted his teeth. "If the court dares to force me into the capital, I'll fight them to the end!"
"Let's return to Liangzhou first," Rong Yanqiu interjected. "By the time we get back, Little Junior Brother should've returned from Mang Mountain. If the summons is real, we'll need to plan together—watch each other's backs."
Liangzhou.
Out in the wilderness.
The Hongze Battalion hadn't hurried on its march back from Guandu. Instead, they traveled slowly, resting often—it took them more than two months to return.
After five months of continuous cultivation, Chen Sanshi had finally reached the bottleneck of opening his next Divine Sight Point.
He stood in the forest beside a rushing stream, the Dragon-Gall Silver Spear spinning in his hands. Flames flared skyward with every thrust. When the blazing qi struck the water, steam hissed up in thick clouds, shrouding the forest for hundreds of feet around like a mortal paradise.
The human body holds Three Sections, Eight Realms, and Twenty-Four True Spirits.
Now, the upper section of the Divine Sights had been fully opened. It was time to begin unlocking the middle section.
Spiritual energy from the spirit pearls flowed steadily into his body, circulating through his breathing and cultivation methods, feeding strength back into flesh and bone.
At his throat, a faint glimmer of light flickered into view. He didn't stop—he pushed deeper into his breathing rhythm, mind empty of all but spear and flame.
After half an hour of relentless practice, the light at his throat burst forth—brilliant, dazzling, glowing in nine colors.
Throat Spirit — "Voice of the Hundred Currents."
Name: Bai Liufang, styled Daotong.
Length: eight inches, robe of nine colors.
Technique: Dragon Scripture (True Force Realm, Early Stage)
Progress: 62/500
It had taken so long just to open the next Divine Sight Point. Who knew how many years it would take to reach the middle stage of the True Force Realm? At this rate, even the Swallowing Fire Art might soon catch up in progress.
When his cultivation ended, Chen Sanshi called for Qianxun, mounted up, and caught up with the main army.
Outside the city gates.
A little girl, about eight or nine years old, stood holding a fluffy white beast cub in her arms. Her other hand clasped that of a three-year-old boy. Standing at the edge of the crowd, she tiptoed repeatedly, trying to see farther down the road.
A carriage rolled slowly to a stop behind them.
The driver jumped down, and Siqin and Mohua quickly approached, setting down a footstool and lifting the curtain. "Ladies, we've arrived."
The first to step out was Sun Li, dressed in striking crimson robes. Then she reached back and helped Gu Xinlan, graceful and composed in a long gown, down from the carriage.
"Xixi greets Mother and Second Mother," the little girl said, bowing properly with the small beast still in her arms.
"My sweet Xixi," Gu Xinlan smiled, pinching her daughter's soft, fair cheek. "You're getting prettier every day."
The girl blushed and lowered her head shyly.
"Mother, I want to see Aunt!"
The little boy tugged at Gu Xinlan's dress. "I want to go home!"
And by "home," of course, he meant the Great Qing Palace.
"This is our home now," Gu Xinlan said softly. "You'll see your father soon."
But little Chen Duhe burst into tears on the spot, plopping down on the ground. "I want my Aunt!"
"You little rascal," Gu Xinlan sighed helplessly.
Ever since returning to Liangzhou, the boy had cried every night to go back to the Great Qing.
She had no choice but to coax him with gentle lies. "Don't cry anymore, Duhe. Tomorrow—tomorrow Mother will take you to see your Aunt, alright?"
But no matter what she said, the boy kept sobbing endlessly.
"Little Brother, don't cry," Chen Yunxi said, patting his head. "Big Sister will take you up the mountain later, okay?"
At last, Duhe hiccuped and stopped crying, though his nose was still running.
Just then, a stir rippled through the crowd.
"They're back!"
From within Liangzhou City, the families of the Hongze Battalion craned their necks to look. The Chen character battle flag came into view first—followed by a white-clad rider on a white horse at the head of the column.
"Father! We're over here!"
Chen Yunxi waved with all her strength.
Chen Sanshi spotted them instantly. He gestured for the families to return home first—the crowd was far too dense for conversation.
After seeing to his troops' arrangements, he hurried home. Naturally, the first thing he did was greet his two wives warmly.
"Duhe, come now, call your father," Gu Xinlan said softly, holding the child close.
"Dad," the boy mumbled uncertainly, then, in the next breath, began to cry again. "Dad, I want to go home…"
Gu Xinlan quickly explained from the side, "This child got used to life in the Great Qing palace. Ever since we came back, he's been fussy. But he's still little—after staying home for a while, he'll get used to it."
"Boy, this is your home."
Chen Sanshi lifted his son into his arms. "Don't cry anymore. Whatever you want, Father will get it for you."
"I… I…"
Chen Duhe sobbed loudly between words. "I want to be the Crown Prince!"
The room fell silent.
Even Chen Sanshi didn't know how to respond to that.
From the letters he'd exchanged, he already knew what Shen Guiyi had done—actually naming Duhe the Crown Prince of the Great Qing. Clearly, this little brat had grown used to being served by a palace full of attendants.
He already thought of himself as above everyone else. That wasn't a good sign.
Still, he was young. There was time to correct it.
Thinking this, Chen Sanshi handed the child to Lan jie'er, then gave orders. "Siqin, Mohua—go prepare a feast. We'll have many guests coming home tonight."
The Grand Commander's Residence was built along the mountainside.
There were over one hundred courtyards of various sizes, enough to rival a small sect's estate. Each senior and junior brother had a courtyard of their own. Normally, they stayed empty—but whenever they returned to Liangzhou, they'd always come back to stay for a time.
By dusk, Meng Guangxin was the first to stride through the residence gates, muttering a string of curses under his breath—"ancestor this, grandmother that"—and finishing each with an "Amitabha." The rhythm was almost musical.
The feast had already been prepared.
When everyone was seated, Cheng Wei spoke first. "Should we wait for Eldest and Third Senior? I heard they're back too."
"Wait for what?" Meng Guangxin snapped. "He's already gone mad, haven't you heard?!"
Lü Ji's descent into the Evil God Path was no longer a secret.
"Little Junior Brother, you still don't know, do you?" Meng Guangxin said angrily. "Back in the eastern front, after every battle, he'd set up altars, sacrifice prisoners, and use their blood to fuel his wicked arts! And he still dares claim he hasn't fallen into demonic ways!
"Today he slaughters the enemy for sacrifice—who knows if tomorrow he'll butcher civilians? Or even turn on his own brothers?!
"He's no different from Cao Kai—a beast in human skin, waiting to happen!"
"Little Junior Brother."
Rong Yanqiu's red lips curled into a cold smile, tinged with killing intent. "We got word from Old Fourth after Guandu. That treacherous bastard must've felt guilty—he stripped us of command before even entering Liangzhou. Tomorrow, he's ordering us to report to camp and 'receive new instructions.' I'd like to see what trick he plays next."
"There are only two possibilities."
Chen Sanshi's voice was calm, but his tone cut like steel. "First—rewards. To announce the victory across the empire.
Second—division. This trip to the capital, they'll call only me. The rest of you, Senior Brothers and Sisters, will be kept here in Liangzhou."
"Ha! What a joke!"
Meng Guangxin slammed his hand on the table. "Does the court really think we're that easy to fool? Do they think we can't see through such cheap tricks?"
"You're right."
Even the usually quiet Ye Fengxiu spoke up, his voice sharp. "Once you enter the capital, they'll use Sun Li and her family to hold you hostage. After that, even if they order us to jump into an alchemy furnace, who among us would dare to refuse?"
"Exactly."
Cheng Wei sighed deeply. "Little Junior Brother, rest assured—we're not stupid. We came from the same master. Whatever happens to one of us, we can't wash our hands of it.
"But… if things go as you say, what should we do?"
For a long moment, silence filled the hall.
Every gaze turned to the man in the white robe.
Candlelight flickered, shadows danced across his face, hiding his expression. Then came his steady voice—four simple words:
"Plan first. Then act."
The meaning struck them all immediately.
Slap!
Meng Guangxin slammed the table so hard it cracked. "Good! Junior Brother, you do the planning—just give the word, and I'll follow your lead!"
"That's right," Rong Yanqiu said, nodding. "Our brains can't match yours or Old Fourth's anyway. You two handle the schemes. When the time comes, just let me know."
"Junior Brother," Ye Fengxiu added firmly, "we'll wait for your signal."
"Yes," Cheng Wei said with a bitter smile. "Same for me. Our cultivation may not compare to yours now, but we're still worth something."
The laughter faded quickly.
They all fell quiet again—an unspoken heaviness between them.
Somewhere along the way, the once-youngest Junior Brother had far outstripped them all.
The difference was now too great to ignore.
And with cultivators everywhere rising in power, their Profound Manifestation Realm (Perfection Stage) strength suddenly seemed inadequate.
To truly stand beside Chen Sanshi, they'd have to break through to the Martial Saint Realm—only then could they contend with immortal cultivators on equal ground.
"Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters," Chen Sanshi said, breaking the silence, "I've already prepared something for you."
He reached into his sleeve and took out several jade bottles—the True Martial Pills he'd refined on his way back to Liangzhou. "These are pills from the cultivation world. After taking them, you'll have a chance to break through from Profound Manifestation to Martial Saint. Whether it succeeds, though—that depends on you."
He had made extra for this exact purpose.
"This…"
Even those long used to calm meditation couldn't hide their excitement.
They'd each been stuck at the same bottleneck for years. Hearing there was something that could help them ascend—how could they not feel their hearts race?
"Good!"
"Then we'll go into seclusion at once!"
"Eat first," Chen Sanshi said, glancing at the feast spread before them. "Don't waste the food."
Outside, the empire starved.
Many had nothing to eat. Most of the meat on their table came from game hunted in the mountains—but even so, waste was a sin.
After the meal, the senior brothers and sisters gradually dispersed.
Only Chen Sanshi remained—expression calm, eyes deep as still water.
Plan first. Then act.
For the past two months, Chen Sanshi had exchanged letters frequently with his Fourth Senior Brother.
Now, all that remained was to wait for the winds to rise in the capital.
This time, the chessboard—would be his to command.
Capital City.
Residence of Marquis Wu'an.
In a small pavilion, beside a chessboard—
"Your Highness, I trust you've been well."
Fang Qingyun toyed with a piece, eyes never leaving the board.
"Master Fang."
Cao Zhi sat down directly across from him, showing little restraint. He grabbed a piece of pastry and shoved it into his mouth, speaking between hurried bites. "You really can't persuade my elder brother to come to the capital? Just this once?"
"What's the point of persuading him?"
Fang Qingyun's tone was faint, almost indifferent. "He won't come."
"Without my brother, our chances drop by at least one level."
Cao Zhi leaned in and whispered, "Master Fang, I have to remind you—the ancestral vein beneath Mang Mountain has already been secured. Shengyun Sect has sent the Foundation-Building Pills to the Palace of Longevity. Soon, my imperial father will go into seclusion at Kunlun Mountain. If he really succeeds in building his foundation, he'll live forever!"
"Your Highness speaks so plainly today?"
Fang Qingyun gave a faint, wry smile. "Aren't you worried someone might overhear?"
"At a time of life and death, what does it matter?"
Cao Zhi's voice hardened. "Master Fang, once my father reaches Foundation Building, no one in the entire Eastern Divine Continent will be his match. When that happens—you, me, all of us—we'll never rise again!"
"Your Highness."
Fang Qingyun rolled a black piece between his fingers, eyes still on the board as though playing against himself. "Then tell me—what's your plan?"
"Fine. I'll speak openly today."
Cao Zhi reached out, scattering the pieces across the board. He began using them to mark positions. "Before every Kunlun seclusion, my father always holds a Grand Sacrificial Ceremony outside the capital. The guards that day—will all be my men.
"That includes my uncle, and the entire Seeking Immortals Tower.
"Plus, a number of cultivators from the Immortal Realm."
Fang Qingyun's brows twitched slightly. "For someone so young, Your Highness has gathered quite the power base. Not only controlling the Seeking Immortals Tower, but also connecting with cultivators beyond the Emperor's reach?"
"The current master of the tower is my teacher. I am its young master. As for the other cultivators—naturally, many sects covet the ancestral vein. Shengyun Sect may have taken it first, but they can't possibly keep it to themselves."
Cao Zhi paused briefly before continuing. "In short, on the day of the Grand Sacrifice, there will be no other cultivators at my father's side. We'll strike all at once. When it's done, the throne will be mine."
"You won't win," Fang Qingyun said flatly, shattering his momentum like a bucket of cold water.
"That's exactly why I want General Chen to come to the capital!"
Cao Zhi's tone turned desperate. "Things aren't like before. My elder brother has already reached beyond the Martial Saint Realm. Within the same realm, no one can rival him. If he's here, our odds will soar."
"When faced with death, and the Dragon Abyss Sword is drawn—what will you do then?"
At that, Cao Zhi fell silent.
After a long pause, he spoke through clenched teeth. "This is the last chance. I'll take the gamble."
Fang Qingyun slowly shook his head. He moved the pieces Cao Zhi had displaced, setting them into a new formation. His voice was calm, deliberate.
"Instead of gambling everything on a desperate strike, why not take a safer path? Leave yourself a retreat. Even if you fail, you can still regroup later.
"Right now, Your Highness hasn't gained the support of Prince Jin, has he?"
Cao Zhi frowned. "No."
"In that case," Fang said, lowering another piece onto the board, "why not turn against Yan instead?"
"I originally planned to," Cao Zhi admitted with a helpless sigh. "To work with my Sixth Brother to kill that treacherous Yan clan, then force my father to abdicate. But plans never keep up with change. Who could've expected my brother to burn Wucheng, crush Western Qi, and get the Foundation-Building Pills so fast?"
"No," Fang Qingyun said quietly. "I said turn against Yan—not kill Yan. The Yan father and son—they're your legitimate fallback."
As he spoke, he produced a small silk pouch from his sleeve.
"So Master Fang had this planned all along," Cao Zhi said, unfolding the pouch.
When he read the note inside, realization dawned. "So this is your plan—to drag my Sixth Brother into the mud. With him on board, even if we fail, we can retreat, rally troops, and start again. It seems Northern Liang truly intends to side with me."
Fang Qingyun gave no verbal reply—but his silence was confirmation enough.
"Good!"
Cao Zhi folded the silk pouch and tucked it away. "If one day we succeed, I'll keep my word. My brother shall be King of Northern Liang, free to command but beyond imperial authority. There will be no suspicion between us."
"One last question."
Fang Qingyun finally looked up. "Your Highness, you and His Majesty are father and son. Do you truly intend to go this far?"
"Father and son?"
Cao Zhi suddenly burst into laughter—wild, bitter laughter that twisted into something close to madness. Only when the laughter ran out of breath did he finally speak, his eyes bloodshot with hatred.
"Master Fang, you really have to ask? You and your sect should know best what kind of man he is. In his eyes, there are no brothers, no sons—only kindling for the delusion burning in his heart!
"Master Fang!
"This world has no spiritual energy.
"Even the Immortal-Seeking Method left by my great ancestor at Ziwei Mountain requires jade talismans to send disciples to Tianshui Continent for cultivation.
"Then tell me—how could he have begun cultivating years ago?
"And now—why is he already at the peak of Qi Refining, about to build his foundation?!"
Fang Qingyun hesitated for a moment, then said, "The Emperor proclaimed it himself long ago: 'An immortal laid a hand upon my crown, and I received the fate of longevity.' He said he gained a fateful encounter on Kunlun Mountain, and thus entered the immortal path."
Upon hearing this, Cao Zhi's laughter turned sharper, crueler. His hatred and contempt were laid bare. He laughed until his voice broke, then suddenly leaned forward, pressing his bloodshot eyes inches from Fang Qingyun's calm face.
"Immortal encounter? Him?
"At the beginning, those cultivators treated him like a dog—collecting their spiritual grain tax, tossing him a few pitifully small spirit stones as a reward!"
"Just with those few spirit stones, even if he cultivated for a lifetime, he'd never achieve anything significant!
His real rise began after Longqing Year 49!
Master Fang, do you still remember Consort Xian?"
"Consort Xian?"
Fang Qingyun frowned slightly, recalling the name. "Affairs of the harem aren't my concern, Your Highness. You might as well explain."
"Consort Xian was my mother."
Cao Zhi clenched his fists tightly. "The Seeking Immortals Tower is formed from two great noble families and one cultivation sect. My mother—she was the previous master of the tower. Everything he has, every bit of it, came from her!"
At that point, the Prince of Yan stopped speaking. He turned, flicked his sleeve, and strode away. Within moments, his figure was swallowed by the bamboo grove beyond the courtyard, vanishing from sight.
"Interesting."
Not long after he left, Fu Yuanjia, the hidden operative of the Embroidered Guards embedded within the Commander's residence, stepped out from the shadows. Watching the prince's departing figure, he smirked. "First time I've ever seen a son hate his father that much."
"Old Fu," Fang Qingyun coughed twice, his voice weak but steady. "I know about the Seeking Immortals Tower. What's this Consort Xian's story?"
"Consort Xian, hmm… let me think."
Fu Yuanjia, who specialized in intelligence and gossip from every corner of the empire, chuckled as he recounted, "Consort Xian was the last woman Cao Kai ever took into his harem. But she wasn't selected through the imperial drafts. Word is, he picked her up during his so-called 'cultivation travels.'
"She brought the young Prince of Yan, Cao Zhi, to the capital to acknowledge his father. Not long after, she conveniently died. After that, Cao Zhi was adopted by Noble Consort Zhangsun, who had no children of her own.
"That was in Longqing Year 49—Cao Kai must've been over seventy by then.
"When I first gathered that intel, I found it strange. He'd supposedly been abstinent for over thirty years for the sake of his cultivation. So how'd he suddenly father a son out of nowhere?
"Looking at it now—it clearly wasn't so simple!
"Does the old Grand Commander know about this?"
"Who cares?" Fu Yuanjia said, waving a hand. "Either way, this works in our favor now."
"Kh—khh!"
A cold wind swept through the courtyard. Fang Qingyun's cough worsened before he finally caught his breath again. Then, gripping a black chess piece between trembling fingers, he set it down heavily on the board. His voice was quiet, but each word was like steel.
"We can begin."
"Good!" Fu Yuanjia's eyes lit up. "I'll issue orders to our agents across every province—spread the truth about the 'Ten Days of Yunzhou' and the 'Three Prefectures Rebellion.' Once the Grand Sacrifice begins in the capital, we'll ignite the flames of chaos.
"When Cao Zhi and Cao Huan, the two brothers, leave the capital according to our plan…
"That's when the Little Commander can act in Liangzhou—with a righteous cause!"
He grinned sharply. "And when that happens, you should flee as well. Once Liangzhou starts moving, the capital will surely take you hostage to threaten him."
"Righteous cause…"
Fang Qingyun murmured to himself, his gaze distant. "Junior Brother… this is all your senior brother can do for you."
"There's still one more thing."
Fu Yuanjia frowned. "What about your eldest senior brother?
"That one's ambitious to the core. He was already bitter over not inheriting the old Grand Commander's mantle. His loyalty toward the court differs from yours—and I'm worried he'll interfere.
"I've heard that after Lü Ji began cultivating the Evil God Path, he broke through rapidly. Now he commands three full battalions. That's not a small threat."
"That's our sect's matter."
Fang Qingyun gripped the wheel of his chair, gesturing for Fu Yuanjia to help him back to his quarters. "Let the little junior handle it himself."
Thousands of miles away.
Deep within a lush green forest, Cao Zhi knelt before a tombstone.
"Mother, your son has come to see you."
Behind him stood Cui Zichen, the current master of the Seeking Immortals Tower.
"Are the preparations complete?" Cui asked.
"Fang Qingyun will help us gather the evidence of the Three Prefectures Rebellion. We'll follow his plan."
Cao Zhi placed a wildflower before the grave, bowing three times. Then he rose, brushing the dust from his robes. "On the day of the Grand Sacrifice, we'll drag my Sixth Brother into the fire. If it succeeds, perfect. If not—we'll retreat southeast and raise troops. Liangzhou will answer our call.
"Master, are you sure about this?
"We may have a fallback, but if we fail… we'll die in the capital."
Cui Zichen stared at the gravestone, his gaze resting on the carved words—'Nangong Bifan.' His tone was calm, yet heavy with emotion.
"Back then, if not for Senior Sister Nangong, I would've starved to death. She took me in, brought me into the Nangong family, and introduced me to the Seeking Immortals Tower. Without her, I'd be nothing.
"And all I've done these years—has been for this very day.
"If I can avenge her… what's death to me?"
Nangong Bifan.
Once the pride of the Nangong clan, blessed with a Heaven-grade Wood Spiritual Root. She was destined to inherit the Tower's mantle and ascend to the immortal path.
Given the weakening of the realm's seals, in just a few years, she could have entered the cultivation world and established her own immortal legacy.
But fate twisted cruelly.
Years ago, she met a young cultivator from beyond the realm—and fell in love.
The man gained her trust, then stole the Tower's sacred treasure and vanished without a trace.
Branded a traitor by her clan and the sect, Nangong Bifan was cast out.
Two years later, destitute and desperate, she discovered the truth. That "young cultivator" was none other than the Emperor himself—Cao Kai—disguised.
By then, she had already given birth to Cao Zhi. Hoping to return the stolen treasure and clear her name, she entered the palace.
But instead of forgiveness, she was imprisoned—used as bait in a failed attempt to lure and wipe out the Seeking Immortals Tower.
Betrayed, humiliated, and broken, she withered away within two years, dying in grief.
"Begin the operation," Cui Zichen said quietly.