"Explain in detail."
Li Qingqiu looked at Jiang Zhaoxia as he spoke, raising a hand to signal him to sit.
Jiang Zhaoxia sat down beside Li Qingqiu and began recounting what he had seen and heard.
He had noticed that the provincial capital's garrison was sparse, and every soldier wore a tense expression. The common people inside the city had tightly shut their doors. Once night fell, not a single lamp was lit—it resembled a dead city.
"The Northern Court's Son of Heaven was possessed by a demonic entity. Perhaps the same thing has happened again in Cangzhou's provincial capital," Jiang Zhaoxia said coldly.
For this mission, he had made up his mind—he had to achieve something even more dazzling than Xu Ning.
Of course, he would not act rashly for the sake of personal vanity. He could not interfere with the sect's plan, nor could he become a flaw for his senior brother.
After hearing him, Li Qingqiu felt that his speculation was very likely correct.
The Great Demon Luo had targets for revenge. To the north lay lands of demons and monsters; to the west, the Azure Dragon Domain; to the east, the boundless ocean. To him, the south was already the weakest region and the most suitable place to establish a ghost dynasty. He needed a powerful ghost army.
Judging from surface strength alone, the Great Demon Luo's side appeared stronger. Naturally, he possessed greater confidence and dared to take risks.
This battle would be unlike any before—it would be a true test for Qingxiao Sect.
No matter how strong Li Qingqiu was, it was impossible for him to intercept every malevolent ghost and ghost army alone. Qingxiao Sect had to participate in the war. This calamity was aimed at all under Heaven, and it was time for the True Disciples to bear the pressure.
After Jiang Zhaoxia finished speaking and saw that his senior brother remained silent, he could roughly guess what he was thinking.
"Senior Brother, not to mention compared with aristocratic clans or dynasties—even compared with martial sects, Qingxiao Sect has sacrificed very few disciples over these years. You've already done more than enough," Jiang Zhaoxia said earnestly.
He truly felt that Qingxiao Sect's development had been too smooth. Of course, he also knew that behind that smoothness were countless troubles his senior brother had resolved alone.
Li Qingqiu looked at him and said, "I'm not being sentimental. I'm thinking about how to fight."
Jiang Zhaoxia smiled and did not expose him.
He stopped disturbing Li Qingqiu and also began meditating to cultivate, restoring his vital energy.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, as if it sought to bury the entire mortal world.
…
Another evening arrived. Qin Ye finally led his 300,000-strong army to the gates of Cangzhou's provincial capital.
The provincial capital of Cangzhou was called Cloud Emperor City. A thousand years ago, Cangzhou had not been a province but a dynasty. Its ruler, the Cloud Emperor, had once marched north to strike the Northern Court and established illustrious military achievements.
Cloud Emperor City stood upon the wasteland. Outside its walls stretched endless land, barren of vegetation. Snow swirled through the air, unable to conceal this ancient city.
From afar, Qin Ye frowned. Above Cloud Emperor City, thick dark clouds churned and rolled, casting a suffocating gloom over the city.
"Great General, why have we stopped?" Jia Guang asked.
Along the way, they had been attacked by corpse ghosts multiple times. The strength Qin Ye displayed had left him in awe. In the past, he had only heard that Qin Ye was powerful. Now, marching alongside him, he had witnessed it firsthand. He finally understood what it meant to be an immortal cultivator.
Qin Ye said, "I feel that something is wrong with this city. Let's not rush in. Send someone to scout first."
Though confused, Jia Guang obeyed and turned to relay the order.
Soon, 2 generals urged their horses forward and galloped toward the towering city. Their figures disappeared into the vast snowfall.
The 300,000-strong army halted in place and began to rest.
The sky gradually darkened, and the snow grew heavier. Many soldiers felt the cold and huddled together tightly.
Jia Guang noticed this and said to Qin Ye, "The snow is too heavy tonight. If we do not enter the city, I'm afraid more soldiers will fall ill."
After months of marching during winter, many soldiers had already succumbed to sickness. This region had no forests and was too open, making the cold even harsher.
Qin Ye stared ahead and said, "If we rashly enter, I fear the casualties will be even greater."
As an immortal cultivator—though his cultivation was only at the 5th layer of the Nurturing Essence realm—he could sense that something about Cloud Emperor City was amiss.
Seeing the grave expression on his face, Jia Guang chose to trust his judgment.
Li Yuzhong dismounted and began swinging his halberd, using the motion to warm his body.
The army murmured in low voices. Some felt uneasy; others were dissatisfied. Yet no one dared stand up to oppose Qin Ye's command.
After the sky had completely darkened, the 2 generals still had not returned. Qin Ye's frown deepened.
Li Yuzhong walked over and asked, "Do you need me to go and take a look?"
Qin Ye shook his head. "No. You cannot go. Let's wait a little longer."
He had already formed certain suspicions about Li Yuzhong's identity. Aside from rumors, Li Yuzhong's facial features bore a few similarities to Li Qingqiu.
That was also why he dared not grow too close to Li Yuzhong—he feared overstepping boundaries.
Upon hearing this, Li Yuzhong frowned and was about to speak again when the sound of hooves came from ahead.
Of the 2 generals sent out earlier, 1 had returned. He appeared completely unharmed, even somewhat excited.
Riding swiftly up to Qin Ye, he clasped his fists in salute and said, "Reporting to the Great General—the Prefect has prepared a banquet and awaits your arrival at his residence. There is nothing unusual in the city. The city's troops have all gone north to reinforce the border."
"Reinforce the defenses?"
Qin Ye frowned, feeling that something was amiss. But since Cloud Emperor City had no troops guarding it, there was no longer any need for them to remain fearful.
"Give the order—enter the city!"
Qin Ye commanded, and Jia Guang immediately went to relay the order.
Under normal circumstances, an army was not permitted to enter a city. However, with the cold outside so severe, he had no choice but to consider the soldiers.
Thus, the 300,000-strong army continued forward like a long dragon winding toward Cloud Emperor City.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Qin Ye, Li Yuzhong, and Jia Guang were the first to arrive before the city gates. The main army trailed behind them at a distance of 100 zhang.
Only 2 city guards stood at the gate. They immediately saluted the three men, heads lowered.
Qin Ye's gaze swept into the city. Only a few houses were lit. Overall, it was dim and oppressive—like a ghost city.
He tilted his head toward the guard on the left and asked, "Have there been any unusual occurrences in Cloud Emperor City recently?"
The guard replied, "With the disturbances of malevolent entities in the northern lands, Cangzhou has also fallen into panic. There have been strange incidents in the city, but overall, it remains peaceful."
Hearing this, Qin Ye felt somewhat reassured.
If the answer had been too absolute, he would have grown suspicious instead.
He nodded and entered the city.
Li Yuzhong and Jia Guang followed closely behind. Soon, the 300,000-strong army reached the gates and entered in succession.
Amid the swirling snow and mist, Jiang Zhaoxia stood high in the sky upon a flying sword and witnessed this scene. He turned and disappeared into the vast snowfall.
Cloud Emperor City, Prefect's Residence.
Inside a grand hall, a hunched old man with disheveled hair sat cross-legged upon a treasure couch. His hands rested on his knees, palms facing upward. Wisps of ghostly qi coiled around him. The candlelight cast his shadow upon the wall—long and narrow like a malicious specter.
Within the hall stood another man, refined in bearing, appearing just over 30 years old. Handsome in appearance and dressed in white robes, his name was Li Changjie, a member of the Li clan of Linchuan.
Li Changjie looked at his father, now neither fully human nor ghost, and felt as though knives were carving his heart.
Through clenched teeth, he said, "Liu Jing's army is entering the city. I have done everything according to your demands. When will you leave my father's body?"
Upon hearing this, the old man on the couch slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were entirely black, with blood-red pupils—terrifying to behold.
The Great Demon Luo looked down at Li Changjie and said, "Once this seat assimilates that army, there will be plenty of bodies for this seat to choose from. Naturally, this seat will no longer trouble your father."
Li Changjie stared at him, his face filled with unwillingness.
If the Great Demon Luo succeeded, Li Changjie did not dare imagine the calamity that would follow. Yet he could not abandon his father.
A cold, eerie laugh emerged from the dark corner of the hall. The voice was sharp, impossible to discern as male or female. "Elder Brother, the blood and qi of that army are abundant. It will surely allow you to forge the ghost army you desire. The one leading them is even an immortal cultivator—you must not miss him."
Upon hearing that there was an immortal cultivator, a flicker of surprise appeared on the Great Demon Luo's aged face. It was not delight but calculation.
"Go outside the city and take a look. See if there are any other immortal cultivators."
"Yes!"
After the chilling voice fell silent, Li Changjie clearly felt a wave of cold depart.
Aside from the demonic entity occupying his father's body, there were other demonic entities rampaging within the prefecture. That was also why he could not escape.
Even after hearing that immortal cultivators had arrived, his heart remained steeped in despair. He did not know how to escape such a hopeless situation.
Even if Li Qingqiu, the Sect Master of Qingxiao Sect, were to arrive, he feared that he might still be no match for this evil ghost.
At that thought, Li Changjie clenched his fists within his sleeves.
"Go outside and watch the spectacle."
After saying this, the Great Demon Luo closed his eyes again.
Li Changjie hesitated for a moment but ultimately turned and left. He knew that among Liu Jing's forces were members of the Li clan serving as generals and ministers. If he encountered someone of the same clan, he could at least offer a warning.
…
As the provincial capital, Cloud Emperor City had broad streets. Snow lay unevenly piled along the roadside, and the rooftops were thickly covered in ice and frost, clearly neglected for a long time.
Qin Ye, Li Yuzhong, and Jia Guang rode side by side, torches in hand. Their expressions grew increasingly grave.
Having entered the city this far, even Jia Guang—who was not an immortal cultivator—realized something was wrong.
"Should we withdraw?" Li Yuzhong asked Qin Ye in a low voice.
Qin Ye replied, "The weather is too cold. If we order a retreat now, I fear morale will falter."
Li Yuzhong glanced back and saw some soldiers already breaking into buildings along both sides of the street. Before any orders could be given, many troops, unable to endure the cold, had already entered houses to rest.
"Why is it getting colder and colder? Could some ghost be casting a spell?" Jia Guang muttered, arms wrapped around himself as he shivered.
Upon hearing this, Qin Ye instinctively looked toward the night sky. Thick dark clouds churned slowly, as if ready to collapse at any moment.
Suddenly—
"Who's there?"
Li Yuzhong shouted sharply. He dismounted in one swift motion and was about to rush toward a nearby alley when Qin Ye blocked him with his golden staff.
Li Yuzhong turned to look at Qin Ye, who was staring intently in the direction he had intended to charge, his gaze cold and sharp.
"Do not act rashly. It seems tonight will bring a fierce battle."
Qin Ye said in a deep voice. He immediately turned and began issuing orders one by one, instructing the soldiers to seal off the surrounding streets and courtyards.