Chapter 134: Luring the Enemy Deep

Except for that, the sect elders also permit him to administer pills to large non‑spirit‑beast creatures at critical moments.

Regarding the latter suggestion, Hong Lie was both startled and frightened. He had done such a thing once before, but dared not do it a second time, because he did not want to relive that terrifying memory.

After hearing Elder Ba Tu's words, Hong Lie fixed his gaze on the distant, dark Xi camp, offering no reply.

Cultivators are not invincible, especially those below the Golden Core stage; their mortal bodies are their greatest weakness. Whether intentional or not, ordinary people can also hunt cultivators with powerful crossbows or similar ranged weapons, though the likelihood is extremely low.

Yet when prepared, cultivators are almost unbeatable compared to ordinary mortals; even if they are outmatched, they have many ways to escape.

At this moment, on the Qinglang border, there are thirty thousand mutated Qingwolf cavalry; aided by ice‑ball technique, they can easily slay tens of thousands of Xi infantry ahead, and even cultivators cannot alter this outcome.

But as long as the opposing cultivators are alive, such actions are meaningless.

What makes Hong Lie hesitate is not concern over victory or cavalry casualties, but fear that an attack would anger the enemy cultivators, who might come after him for revenge. Without sect elders present, he dares not take the risk.

Wei Yuning's letter not only failed to enrage Hong Lie, but instead filled him with vigilance.

"General Hong, issue the order!" Ba Tu urged again.

Hong Lie finally made up his mind, but it was not to attack.

"Retreat!" he commanded.

Ba Tu's complexion changed, shouting, "That's not allowed!"

"Hm?" Hong Lie's eyes flashed like lightning, startling Ba Tu so that his legs went weak and he nearly knelt.

Under Hong Zhi's and others' bewildered gazes, the enemy receded like a tide into the dark distance; after a short while they vanished completely, leaving no scouts behind.

"This is abnormal!" Qing Chou shouted.

"Just their luck!" Wei Yuning added.

Early the next morning, Wei Yuning led a group of soldiers to retrieve the plant seeds previously buried in the horse‑trap pit.

The Xi army pressed onward.

The road ahead led into Qinglang territory, and everyone heightened their vigilance.

The Xi light cavalry took turns to deploy; this time their task was no longer patrol but warning.

"Fellow Qinglang citizens, for your safety, keep at least a hundred zhang away from our troops; otherwise your lives are in danger!"

"……"

The cavalry's warning was no joke; some defiant herders, refusing to believe, approached the troops and were instantly cut down. Though they survived, they were certainly bedridden for three days.

The Xi army's brutality instantly provoked the Qinglang populace's anger, yet without an army, how could ordinary people possibly match professional soldiers?

Over a hundred Qinglang civilians were seriously injured, and more than a dozen were accidentally killed.

"Hmph, that's a bargain for them. How many civilians did the wolf cavalry kill in Xi? We only killed a few. Moreover, Xi civilians always flee from the wolf cavalry, never resisting, only being chased and slain!" Xi Shusheng said, his indignation uncontainable.

Another interval passed.

The Qinglang army vanished. After over a hundred casualties, Qinglang civilians became much more compliant; wherever the great army passed, Qinglang people retreated three houses.

Three days later, another dozen brave Qinglang civilians died, and the Qinglang army still did not appear. The Xi army's supplies were more than half depleted. Under the Xi prince's orders, they began local foraging.

They slaughtered cattle, butchered sheep, seized food, and plundered every village along the way. Qinglang civilians dared to be angry but not to speak; the suppressed fury nearly set their eyes ablaze.

At this point, the Xi army's thirty thousand troops had penetrated deep into Qinglang's heart, less than a hundred li from the royal capital Sanhe City. Compared with Xi's population of under three million, Qinglang—though not a kingdom—has over seven million people, most of whom are wolf‑riding herders capable of war.

The towering Qingwolf, only half a horse's height shorter than a mount, is a highly spirited animal, friendly to its master; its status in Qinglang surpasses that of the black horses in Xi.

Riyin returned once more, and the Xi troops set up camp again. This time they chose a valley as a night camp: low hills on both sides, the Black Water River at the back, and a mouth about thirty zhang wide opening outward.

Several cultivators still opted to rest on higher ground, atop the valley's opposite ridge.

"Uncle Zhi, had I known this trip would be so dull, I wouldn't have come. Killing mortals is meaningless, and there are no beasts or spirit beasts to slay; this is no training, just a waste of time!" Qing Fu complained. He practiced sword techniques on the ridge for a while, polishing several rocks into mirror‑like surfaces, providing each a place to meditate.

Qing Fu's words instantly resonated with the other two disciples of Badao Hall. Qing Li and Qing Ren felt the same; up to now they have never taken action. Their Dao techniques are all meant for killing, not auxiliary arts, and are wholly unsuitable for use.

"Since you want training, why not go to an out‑of‑realm battlefield?" Hong Zhi retorted bluntly.

"Can… that be the same?" Qing Fu asked.

"Cultivators seeking to advance must either face life and death, or have a steadfast Dao heart, or let things come naturally; otherwise, don't expect an easy breakthrough. Wanting a safe, natural path is fine, but remember to keep a calm mind, never be restless! Eating, drinking, walking, sitting, lying—everywhere is cultivation. Your roughness sets a poor example for junior brothers and sisters!" Hong Zhi scolded.

"Yes, understood! But my Sword‑Dominating style is already an unconventional technique; each step is harder than for others. I'm now in the late Foundation Establishment stage, which is already decent!" Qing Fu said helplessly.

"Qing Mo is already in the Heart‑Moving stage; he practices both divine sense and flesh cultivation, so is he any easier than you? Hmph, those who should become inner‑gate disciples can't, and the inner‑gate disciples themselves are ungrateful—it's infuriating!" Hong Zhi complained.

"Uncle, I beg you, don't compare me with junior brother Qing Mo; he is as talented as Uncle Hong Yun. As for me, a disciple like Qing Mo would be satisfied even with a direct lineage position, but alas, I'm not the sect head; otherwise I would change this rule!" Qing Fu said.

"Only after the Ninth Ancestor does one become direct lineage; what nonsense are you spouting!" Hong Zhi shouted.

Fairy Yun Yan softly said from the side, "Safety comes first in all matters; isn't the absence of danger a good thing?"

"Uncle Yun Yan is right; cultivation is for longevity, not for fighting and killing!" Qing Chou interjected.

"But where is a place to cultivate safely? Cultivation not only involves battling forces, but also battling people!" Feng Qi suddenly murmured.

"The Dao Ancestor is above; the perils of cultivation cannot compare to the treachery of human hearts!" Monk Cheng Xin began peddling poisonous chicken soup again.

"Everyone, stop sighing; we're likely in trouble!" Wei Yuning twitched his nose and said abruptly.