Chapter 419: Visiting Kong Xuan at Golden Chicken Ridge

The land of Western Qi.

Golden Chicken Ridge.

Inside the military tent.

Kong Xuan is handling military affairs.

He is very concerned about the feeling from the day before yesterday that someone was watching him.

Since that day, the unease in his heart has not faded.

While he is processing matters, a faint light flies in from outside, and Kong Xuan raises his eyes to look.

He then sees a human figure formed from a projection of consciousness appear before him.

The phantom before him is naturally transformed from the consciousness separated by Gu Xiu.

Seeing the consciousness phantom appear and enter silently, Kong Xuan perceives that the person behind it is not simple.

His brows furrow slightly.

"Who are you?"

The phantom transformed by Gu Xiu's consciousness speaks slowly: "Fellow Daoist, no need to be nervous; I am here to help you."

"Help me?" Kong Xuan sneers: "A person who hides their head and shows their tail, not even daring to use their true form—do you think I would believe you?"

Gu Xiu had long anticipated Kong Xuan's reaction; the phantom slightly raises its chin, thin lips parting to emit a cold snort.

"Fellow Daoist need not make a decision so quickly. Why not listen to what I have to say first, and then decide for yourself? It won't be too late."

Kong Xuan has a proud disposition; his powerful strength makes him look down on everything, his eyes filled with disdain. He does not trust people of unknown origin.

"Then I shall listen to what tricks you want to play. If you were sent by the Chan Sect, don't blame me for being impolite."

The corners of Gu Xiu's mouth lift slightly: "Very well, then let us get to the point. As I said above, I have come this time to help you, but in truth, it is also to save you."

"Interesting. I need you to save me?" Kong Xuan is unimpressed.

He has great confidence in his own strength.

Seeing Kong Xuan's unruly appearance, Gu Xiu thinks to himself that it seems he will have to let Kong Xuan suffer a bit later to properly dampen this arrogance, letting him understand that there is a heaven beyond heaven, and stronger people beyond the strong.

However, for now, it is better to let Kong Xuan go to the Wa Palace to avoid the limelight.

He remains indifferent.

"I know that you, Fellow Daoist, possess the Five-Colored Divine Light, which can brush away anything. The Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect and the Daoist Randeng are all helpless against you, but what if a Saint takes action?"

"A Saint takes action?" Kong Xuan's brows furrow tightly.

He suddenly recalls the unease in his heart these past few days, but his words remain extremely tough.

"Saints are high and lofty; would they lower their status to make things difficult for me? Do you think Saints have no shame?"

Looking at Kong Xuan, who is feigning composure but is already slightly moved.

Gu Xiu shook his head: "Fellow Daoist, although the Saints are high above, it does not mean they are not shameless."

"Moreover, you may not know the inside story of the Investiture of the Gods. The Chan Sect pushes for the Investiture because the Twelve Golden Immortals of Jade Void are burdened by the killing tribulation, yet they refused the imperial decree of the Heavenly Emperor Haotian demanding they ascend to heaven to bow and submit."

"They even fought their way to heaven and humiliated Haotian, leading Haotian to go to the Zixiao Palace to lodge a complaint. That is why the Dao Ancestor formulated the Investiture of the Gods, requiring disciples of the Ren, Chan, and Jie Sects to enter the tribulation."

Seeing that Kong Xuan is listening, Gu Xiu continues.

"You have repeatedly defeated the people of the Chan Sect at Golden Chicken Ridge, already becoming a variable on the road to the Investiture. If the progress of the Investiture is hindered because of you, and the Chan Sect cannot complete it, they will be unable to eliminate the killing tribulation on the Twelve Golden Immortals."

"The Golden Immortals of Jade Void are the face of the Chan Sect. Do you think the Saint will watch helplessly as the Chan Sect Golden Immortals fall into madness due to the worsening killing tribulation and eventually die, or will they intervene to clear you away? Which of the two is more likely?"

Hearing this, Kong Xuan's expression sinks.

He did not expect that this war of regime change in the human world would have such an inside story.

He has always relied on his powerful strength to be arrogant, blocking Golden Chicken Ridge, merely to retaliate against the Chan Sect for using the name of the Phoenix Clan to pull off some "Phoenix Crying at Qishan" trick.

Previously, he had been blinded by anger, wanting only to thwart the Chan Sect's plan to support Western Qi in overthrowing the Yin-Shang.

Only now, after Gu Xiu's mention, does he realize he has been targeted by the Chan Sect.

That unease hidden deep in his heart becomes increasingly intense. He says in a deep voice: "Who are you, and why did you specifically come to tell me this?"

Seeing that Kong Xuan can finally speak properly, the phantom of Gu Xiu's consciousness is very gratified.

"I am an immortal of the Jie Sect. I came to tell you because my Jie Sect was groundlessly dragged into this Great Calamity by the Chan Sect. The enemy of an enemy is a friend; I did not want to see you fall into the Chan Sect's schemes, so I came to inform you."

Having said that, Gu Xiu's phantom takes out a fiery red feather burning with flames given by Jin Ning.

Seeing this feather, Kong Xuan's brows furrow tightly: "This is..."

Gu Xiu says indifferently: "This is a feather of the Profound Heaven Fire Phoenix. Knowing that it might be difficult to persuade you on this trip, I specifically asked the current Vice Clan Leader of the Phoenix Clan, the Profound Heaven Fire Phoenix, to give a token that could gain your trust before I came, so that we could talk properly."

Kong Xuan naturally knows Jin Ning, only he has not been in contact with the Phoenix Clan for a long time.

After a moment of silence, he speaks slowly: "I wonder which Saint intends to take action against me?"

Gu Xiu informs him truthfully: "The Western Sect, Saint Zhunti."

Seeing Kong Xuan's confusion, Gu Xiu explained: "The Chan Sect has already joined forces with the Western Sect. If you fall into the hands of Zhunti and are taken to the West, you will be forcibly converted. Zhunti has not yet made a move; he is merely waiting for the right moment. I have come here this time to point out a path of survival for you, Fellow Daoist."

Kong Xuan falls into deep thought, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

"What should I do at this time?"

Gu Xiu says indifferently: "I have already talked with the Vice Clan Leader of the Phoenix Clan; she wants you to go to the Wa Palace to find her. You can just avoid the limelight at the Wa Palace then."

"I can withdraw and leave at any time, but once I leave, there will be no one to stop the Western Qi army."

Although Kong Xuan is proud by nature, he has somewhat adapted to the life of a mortal military general during this period.

He really does not want the soldiers he has led during this time to suffer a crushing defeat because of his departure.

Gu Xiu did not expect Kong Xuan to really consider himself a Yin-Shang general, which is somewhat unexpected. He speaks up:

"If you don't leave, Saint Zhunti will definitely take action. Therefore, whether you leave or not, Golden Chicken Ridge is destined not to be held. Rather than being captured and taken to the West for forced conversion, it is better to leave first and secretly look for opportunities to deal the Chan Sect a painful blow."

Kong Xuan does not answer immediately, and for a time, the tent falls into silence.

After a moment, Kong Xuan took a deep breath and said slowly: "I will trust you for now, but to leave just like this... I feel uneasy. I must make some arrangements."

"That is fine. Just remember to head to the Wa Palace after you have finished everything, Fellow Daoist. However, you must be quick. When Jiang Ziya comes to attack you again, it will mean that Saint Zhunti has taken action to suppress you."

Having finished speaking, the phantom transformed by Gu Xiu's consciousness gradually dissipates, disappearing between heaven and earth.

And Kong Xuan immediately calls Huang Feihu over.

Huang Feihu is a bit confused at being suddenly called over.

"General Kong, is there something you need by calling me here so suddenly?"

"King Wucheng, because I am blocking Golden Chicken Ridge, Jiang Ziya has been unable to advance. The Chan Sect has already targeted me, and a Saint may take the field personally, so I need to leave for now. After I leave, you can order the army to retreat to Si Shui Pass. With Han Rong and the others assisting, Jiang Ziya won't be able to stir up any trouble for a while."

Huang Feihu is slightly stunned, not expecting to hear such shocking news.

During this time, Kong Xuan has assisted the Yin-Shang in guarding Golden Chicken Ridge, repeatedly thwarting Jiang Ziya's attacks.

Huang Feihu is grateful from the bottom of his heart. Learning that Kong Xuan is in danger, he no longer hesitates and says: "General Kong, go ahead and avoid the limelight. I, King Wucheng, have been fighting on the battlefield for many years, after all. A mere Western Qi is not enough to leave me at my wit's end. I will withdraw the army to Si Shui Pass first and wait for Grand Master Wen to return."

General Kong bows slightly, his eyes showing respect, and then transforms into a stream of light and disappears from the spot. ===== CHAPTER 420 =====