Chapter 1153

The severely injured Prince of Nanhai finally recovered, which was undoubtedly a great piece of good news to boost morale.

Outside the camp, shadows were flickering, cheering and jumping, accompanied by the movement of vehicles and horses. Small water droplets on the leaves gathered into one, dropping onto the oilcloth of the canopy with a pitter-patter, as if another light rain was falling.

Gripping the spear shaft tightly with five fingers, Liang Qu looked toward Tattakai.

"What's the date today?"

Tattakai climbed up from the blanket, flipped out a yellowed calendar, and pointed its claws at the red circle.

"Phew, it's the end of the thirtieth month. February 4th is the Beginning of Spring, February 16th is New Year's Eve, February 17th is the New Year... Spring rain startles spring, clear valley days; summer fills the grain, summer heat connects... The first period is the east wind thawing, the second is the hibernating insects starting to move, the third is the fish climbing the ice. Truly full of vitality..."

"Reporting to Marquis Baron Xingyi, the Prince of Nanhai has recovered from his injuries and is coming by carriage, cooking cattle and slaughtering sheep, and comforting the front-line soldiers together with several prefects. General Xu invites Marquis Baron Xingyi to welcome them together. I don't know..."

The soldier outside the tent respectfully requested.

*Click. *

The weapon rack was empty. Liang Qu grabbed the Dragon Fubo, rotated it three times, shrank it to three feet with Size Ruyi, tucked it into his waist, and lifted the tent curtain.

"Take me there."

"Yes!"

"Great Shaman? Why have you arrived? You didn't send anyone to transmit the message..."

South bank of the Red River, Southern Frontier camp. The Southern Frontier was also surprised and uneasy about the Great Shaman's arrival. The Great General and the Five Gu and Nine Poisons gathered together, receiving them carefully.

The Centipede Great Shaman sat at the head, eyes closed and silent. Everyone looked at the steward on the side.

"Just in case." The steward was concise.

"Could it be..."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone understood, unconsciously gripping the weapons in their hands.

Zang Yunzhou and Ren Ye looked at each other, looking at the red fog on the opposite bank.

People are in the valley, not seeing the vastness of heaven and earth.

Only mountains can see mountains.

"The whole army is on alert!"

"The whole army is on alert."

Both banks of the Red River were lively for a while.

The ground was flat, trees were split, and wheels rolled.

Cart after cart of abundant supplies were sent into the camp, including live livestock, melons and fruits, and medicinal materials. The cooks cooked cattle and slaughtered sheep to treat the whole army, and there were thousands of precious fish, which were steamed and drizzled with oil according to their grade and sent to the tables of officers at all levels in turn.

Tattakai lifted the lid, and while the cook wasn't paying attention, its claws hooked, quietly stealing two fish from the fish basket.

"'The enemy invades my border, brave and swift like a flying ape. I exert my body to fight them, fighting one against a hundred.' Gong Qianqing, Prefect of Bai Shui Prefecture in Lingnan, meets all the soldiers today. Thank you for your bravery and fighting to the death. I, Gong, admire you! I toast you all!"

"The ancestral territory should be defended to the death; not an inch should be given to others. Prefect Gong is too polite."

"Thank you for the precious fish, Prefect Gong."

"Where, where, the soldiers just need to kill the enemy on the front line. Prefect Gong has a lot to consider. Where can we be without the help of Prefect Gong for stable logistics!"

Hearing these words, the wine in Gong Qianqing's mouth almost choked him.

He came to show his performance, not to make a fool of himself. Especially since he knew his own business, was this praising him or damaging him?

Looking at the person who spoke.

Gong Qianqing scanned him up and down, his heart startled.

What a tall person. Five feet five is considered tall for ordinary people, but this person is at least seven feet. Is this a person?

"This soldier is so burly. I don't know his ancestral home..."

Long Long Yanrui ate and drank without raising his head. The soldier on the side, fearing embarrassment, immediately introduced: "This is a Dragon-Man from Jianghuai, Long Long Yanrui, who follows Marquis Baron Xingyi and came from Pingyang to support us. If you talk about his ancestral home, he is from Nanzhili."

"Good, Nanzhili is good. It's the most fertile land under heaven. 'I am a child of the captives, I don't understand the songs of the Han children. The strong children need fast horses, and fast horses need strong children. Under the yellow dust, then distinguish the male and female!'

I have long heard of the great name of the Dragon-Man clan, gifted by heaven, handsome men and beautiful women. It's a pity I haven't been to Nanzhili. Seeing it today, it is indeed so. I, Gong, thank you for your help."

Long Long Yanrui didn't raise his head, still eating and drinking.

Gong Qianqing felt that this Dragon-Man was a silly big guy, perhaps he had lived in Jianghuai for a long time and rarely went ashore, didn't understand the basic etiquette of the human race, or was isolated from the world, hadn't attended a private school, and couldn't understand human speech. Immediately after, he remembered another thing.

The Dragon-Man followed Marquis Baron Xingyi, so...

The most romantic figure under heaven.

Gong Qianqing's spirit lifted, and he raised his wine glass high. "I don't know if Marquis Baron Xingyi is also here? Eighteen Hunting Tigers, twenty-two Perfected Forms, the Southern Frontier and Northern Court all respect him like a god. With his own strength, he retreated a million troops. I, Gong, have admired him for a long time..."

"Prefect, over here, this one is Marquis Baron Xingyi." The soldier pointed to Liang Qu on Long Long Yanrui's right.

"Good!" Gong Qianqing's eyes were visibly bright and shining. He picked up the wine pot and poured the wine himself. "'The head is jade-like, the eyebrows are like emeralds, Young Master Liang is a true man.' Seeing Marquis Baron Xingyi today, it is a great honor, a great honor."

The wine drifted.

Liang Qu hugged his hands. "I don't drink."

Gong Qianqing was stunned, his movements coherent, immediately splashing away the wine in the cup and replacing it with tea.

"I don't drink tea either."

Gong Qianqing realized something was wrong, and calmly said, "That's true. The south has good wood, and good tea has distinct seasons, tasting four kinds of flavors. It's in Jiangnan, not Lingnan. Lingnan has summer all year round. Marquis Baron Xingyi is from Pingyang, Jiangnan has good scenery, it's normal not to be used to drinking it. Then eat more vegetables, eat vegetables."

He originally wanted to get to know Liang Qu and get acquainted with the famous Marquis Baron Xingyi. If he could let Marquis Baron Xingyi say a few words for him, his own trouble wouldn't be a trouble at all. Now he didn't know what was going on, hot face sticking to a cold butt. Gong Qianqing said a polite word and hurriedly withdrew.

"Southern Frontier Mayfly Blood Collection, I don't even eat."

*Clang. *

The porcelain bowl rang. Long Long Yanrui wiped his hands, and the gnawed bones were thrown into the porcelain plate, crisp and sounding.

Xu Xu Yuelong and Wei Lin at the table behind looked up.

The scene was awkward for a while.

Gong Qianqing glanced at the precious fish head on the plate. How could he not understand that this was more than just a simple cold face, but deliberately making him look bad?

The Grandmasters around looked at each other.

What's going on? Did Gong Qianqing offend Marquis Baron Xingyi?

The locals in Lingnan had all heard of Gong Qianqing. It is rumored that he has some relationship with the Prince of Nanhai and is the youngest son of the Prince of Nanhai's sister.

Aunts and uncles are close, generation after generation, bones broken and tendons connected. His background is heaven-shaking. He came to comfort the front line, and they, as Grandmasters, all had to smile at this Prefect at the banquet. But the powerful one is the Prince of Nanhai, not Gong Qianqing.

The devil is one foot high, the Tao is one foot high. Wanting to touch Marquis Baron Xingyi, a legendary Grandmaster and a hero of the current age...

Not qualified enough.

If he really did something to offend Marquis Baron Xingyi, the Prince of Nanhai would grab Gong Qianqing by the ear and make him go to the door to apologize.

Gong Qianqing had a serious expression, put down his wine glass, brushed his sleeves, bowed with both hands, and bowed down.

"I, Gong, have admired Marquis Baron Xingyi for a long time. I have often taught my juniors to take Marquis Baron Xingyi as a model. Seeing you today, I fear some villain has made trouble, causing some misunderstandings. I, Gong, do not ask to resolve the misunderstanding immediately, only hoping that regardless of whether I am right or wrong, Marquis Baron Xingyi will not be unhappy because of me and delay the war."

The surrounding Grandmasters had strange expressions, even more curious.

First meeting? How did he offend him?

Could it be...

Someone couldn't help but turn their neck and look around.

Everyone under heaven knows him. He has a reputation in the four directions, in Nanzhili, Southern Frontier, and Northern Court. He also has a very powerful reputation in the west, Hantai Prefecture.

It is rumored that during a certain visit to Blue Lake, just because a junior of the White family, the number one local bully in Hantai, looked at Lady Long on the road and was infatuated, not even taking action, just showing greed, Liang Qu scattered the ashes of everyone from small to old. After the incident, the imperial court only gave a painless demotion and suspension of salary, but because of his war merits in the Northern Court, he was quickly promoted back.

Strange.

Looking around.

The fairy-like Lady Long didn't come to the banquet today. Gong Qianqing wanted to see her but had nowhere to look.

Liang Qu leaned back in his chair, and Gong Qianqing remained bowed.

Xu Xu Yuelong was happy, Wei Lin glanced sideways, understanding that he knew the inside story, and snorted coldly.

After a while.

Liang Qu waved his hand.

Gong Qianqing was like receiving an amnesty, his waist bent another three inches, and he didn't stand up immediately, retreating three steps while bowed, before turning and leaving.

Long Long Yanrui asked quietly, "Brother-in-law, just let him go like this?"

"He has this attitude, there's no other way." Liang Qu picked up his chopsticks to pick up vegetables, and immediately a Grandmaster opposite moved the vegetables to him.

He couldn't just press Gong Qianqing to death on the spot. Ling Xuan had finally misled the Prince of Nanhai into "recovering." Before the matter was truly done, teasing him was fine; there was no need to add more waves.

"Marquis Baron Xingyi, is there any misunderstanding between you and Gong Qianqing?" a Grandmaster on the side asked.

"Maybe."

Seeing that Liang Qu had no intention of explaining, no one came to ask again, fearing that they would offend him if they opened their mouths.

"Phew."

Leaving the big tent, Gong Qianqing took a deep breath. He didn't stay long, walked a hundred steps quickly, confirmed that his conversation wouldn't be easily heard, and smashed a big tree with a punch. "What exactly is going on? Where did I offend Marquis Baron Xingyi?"

The personal guard was ashamed. "This subordinate doesn't know. It is rumored that Marquis Baron Xingyi is kind-hearted and shouldn't be like this..."

"Now he 'is like this'!"

The personal guard racked his brains, and a flash of inspiration struck. "It is rumored that Marquis Baron Xingyi is from a poor background. Could it be that he heard some rumors?"

"Phew." Gong Qianqing took another breath and restrained his expression. "Go investigate!"

"Yes! This matter... should we tell the Prince of Nanhai?"

Gong Qianqing shook his head, waved his sleeves, and put his hands behind his back. "It's nothing more than a little unhappiness, giving a little embarrassment. It's not like a student in a school who cries and goes back to call his elders when he's wronged. Investigate! Investigate and tell me. If the matter can be solved, solve it. If it can't be investigated, or can't be solved, let this matter end here. Just pretend I never met Marquis Baron Xingyi."

"Obey orders."

Gong Qianqing twisted his beard.

After a while.

He shook his head, took the wine pot handed over by the personal guard, and stepped into the next big camp.

Both banks of the Red River were on alert.

The Prince of Nanhai didn't stay long, and to avoid suspicion, didn't show his face. For three days, it was mostly Gong Qianqing and several prefects who entertained and arranged things.

The fourth day.

The Prince of Nanhai and the Centipede Great Shaman successively moved away from the front line.

The patrolling soldiers breathed a sigh of relief one after another.

Martial Saints take action, and if they are not careful, they will be implicated.

No one knew if it would be the next moment, the two sides would fight, and they would die in the aftermath.

Perfected Form contracted. In the dense forest, Wolf Smoke and Hunting Tiger continued to surge in the dark, ambushing and assassinating each other, eliminating effective forces, inquiring about intelligence, and even fugitives in the three-no-man's-land received rewards and transformed, obtaining the other party's legal identity.

The tent curtain was lifted.

"General Xu."

"Marquis Baron Xingyi!" Xu Hai-tao stood up to welcome him. "Is there any important matter? I heard that yesterday you and Prefect Gong had a misunderstanding? It is better to resolve grievances than to tie them. If Marquis Baron Xingyi is willing, the old man is willing to be the host, building a bridge for you two to reconcile. Prefect Gong should apologize if he should apologize, how about it?"

"Talk about later matters later."

"Alright." Xu Hai-tao secretly thought it was a pity. Hearing this, he knew that reconciliation between the two was unlikely. "Does Marquis Baron Xingyi have other matters?"

Liang Qu looked at the sand table. "Has the Centipede Great Shaman left?"

"The Prince of Nanhai sent a message that the Centipede Great Shaman has already left."

Liang Qu got straight to the point. "I am preparing to raid the south bank of the Red River tonight! I need General Xu to coordinate and cooperate, organize Perfected Form to respond at any time, and expand the results."

Xu Hai-tao's pupils dilated. "Tonight? The Martial Saint arrived, three days of tension, tonight is the best time for a sneak attack..."

"Not tonight!"

"Still nothing?"

"Nothing..."

Inside the big tent, the Southern Frontier Grandmasters gathered together.

Bone Evil E Qirui frowned. "How is it possible? Could it be that Great Shun has a secret technique to crack Mayfly Blood Collection?"

"I heard Great Shun prepared herbal sachets. Could it be that the sachets slowed down the collection speed?"

"No, the Mayfly given to Liang Qu was personally cultivated by the Great Shaman, the only one, and can resist Great Shun's herbal formula." Zang Yunzhou shook his head.

Mayfly Blood Collection takes two to three months to collect the qi of a Grandmaster, chasing souls for a thousand miles. It is divided into four to five segments, meaning it can be collected once every half month or so. All of them can be collected to feel the orientation.

Great Shun used herbal medicine to extend the time to half a year, which is indeed effective. Currently, there are three Grandmasters supported by Nanzhili who have been collected in the first segment, but Liang Qu is a special case, and he is worth the Great Shaman specifically researching a special version, just to collect Liang Qu's qi as early as possible and grasp the orientation.

However...

One month, at least two segments should have been collected, but so far, nothing.

The first time was an accident, the second time...

Even heard from spies that Liang Qu hadn't deliberately avoided eating and drinking for a month, and would have a meal every few days.

"Did Great Shun really crack the Mayfly?"

"No, I'd rather believe Liang Qu is a special case." Ren Ye shook his head. "If Great Shun really cracked it, why were three others collected as support? It shows Liang Qu is special, and the means are likely not replicable."

"He controlled his own metabolism?"

Everyone was shocked.

People are metabolizing all the time. If they no longer metabolize, isn't that equivalent to eternal life?

Great Shun's number one Marquis.

Bone Evil E Qirui's eyes flashed again and again.

In addition, the Southern Frontier Grandmasters realized a more terrifying problem.

"What if we can't catch Liang Qu's qi? Are we just going to shrink back like this?"

"Not necessarily." Ren Ye pointed at the sand table. "We can deduce from others, such as his wife Long Long Eying, and the water beasts he keeps. These people are closely related."

"Too dangerous. As long as one orientation deduction is wrong, we will lose very miserably. He has the strength to destroy more than two digits of Grandmasters at once."

Silence.

Plague Evil spoke: "It's not bad that the battle line can be fought to here. Devouring most of Lingnan is already the most fruitful result since the founding of Great Shun. As long as we can hold..."

"National affairs have always depended on Martial Saints. When have they ever needed to look at the face of a Perfected Form?" Bone Evil E Qirui was furious.

*Pitter-patter... *

The oilcloth stretched on the top of the tent sounded muffled.

"It's raining?"

"Squeak!"

The black cicada screamed violently.

"Enemy attack!"

Everyone's thoughts were like electricity, kicking the ground and rushing out. The gale rolled, and the central big tent was torn apart.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh... *

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Run, run."

"Ah, my spirit weapon, my spirit weapon, save me."

Heavy rain poured down, noisy and clamorous.

The obstruction of vision and the black cicada's warning magnified the fear in people's hearts infinitely. Martial artist true qi flew horizontally, stirring the tent into ruins, collapsing into the mud.

The rain hit the ground, hit the oilcloth, and the heaven and earth were white.

Black Water Poison Ren Ye's clothes were completely soaked in the blink of an eye. He touched his body, surprised that nothing had happened. Looking at the soldiers like headless flies, he shouted violently: "Quiet!"

The soldiers' brains were blank for a moment. When they were refilled, besides the cicada chirping in their ears, there was no other abnormality.

"What's going on? Who can explain?" Red Water Poison Zang Yunzhou grabbed a Hunting Tiger collar.

"This subordinate doesn't know. I was patrolling, and the black cicada suddenly chirped..."

Looking at other Grandmasters, they were all the same.

No enemy attack?

"It's the rain!" Plague Evil spoke, rubbing his wet fingers. "This is not ordinary rain. It's man-made, triggering a ritual reaction, which in turn involved the black cicada!"

Man-made?

Everyone looked up. The bean-sized raindrops collided and shattered in the air, and the water foam fell on their faces.

Great Shun wants to paralyze them!

"How far does it cover? Investigate and report quickly!"

"Yes!"

The camp gradually restored order.

Hunting Tigers rode on big horses, running fast.

Waited for two quarters of an hour.

The horse's hooves slipped and knelt on the ground. The Hunting Tiger jumped off the horse's back.

"Reporting to the General, from the opposite bank of the Red River, it extends to more than 150 miles south of the north bank!"

More than 150 miles!

"How is it possible!" Plague Evil exclaimed.

"It's already possible!" Ren Ye shook off the water mist on his body. "The whole army is on alert!"

Black cicadas perched on the trees.

Three hours later.

"Is there any way to make this broken cicada stop chirping!" The soldier was irritable. He felt that his ears could no longer accept any other sounds.

"What kind of means is this? Can someone really make it rain all the time?"

Zang Yunzhou and Ren Ye looked at the Red River with rising water levels.

This is a rainstorm.

Three hours of rainstorm.

The soil in the camp completely collapsed and turned into a swamp.

The rain didn't stop for a moment, the cicadas didn't stop for a moment, and the spirit couldn't relax for a moment.

"Could it really rain for three days?"

Zang Yunzhou frowned.

Three days passed in a flash.

The rainstorm didn't stop.

(End of chapter)