Chapter 371

After the Battle of Hong Pass, at least seventy or eighty thousand Earth-Digging Realm soldiers died, and the remaining nearly one hundred thousand were all captured by the Great Awakening Temple; it is unknown what will happen to them next.

Distributing these 180,000 people among the eight towns was basically of no consequence and didn't count for much. After all, these were just people from the village-level camps under their jurisdiction. Even if there were many Frigid-Resistant level soldiers among them, they didn't feel the slightest bit of heartache.

But for those village-level camps that provided the people, it was a different story.

Not to mention the Frigid-Resistant level, of these 180,000 Earth-Digging Realm soldiers, which one was not the pillar of their respective families?

To put it broadly, these were 180,000 shattered families. Because the Eight Towns had drawn personnel extremely evenly this time, covering almost all village-level camps within their borders, it is no exaggeration to say that once the news spreads completely, it will inevitably be an extremely heavy blow to all village-level camps under the Jiuzhen.

It is just that this blow still needs time to brew.

However, no matter how the Jiuzhen and the Great Awakening Temple fight on the east side of Hong Pass, even if they kill each other until the sky turns dark, it will not have the slightest impact on Great Xia.

This point is still beyond doubt.

The eighth year of Great Xia, the fifteenth day of the first month, the last day of the Cold Origin Festival.

"Big brother, Yu Yao wishes you a happy birthday."

"Big brother, Yu Sheng also wishes you a happy birthday."

"Yu Ning also wishes big brother a happy birthday; I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"

In the main hall of the Star-Plucking Palace, four little ones, whose average age was not even five and who were not even as tall as the chairs when standing, were sitting around a small round table.

The three younger ones held small wine cups in both hands, pretending to be adults, and toasted Xia Yu Zong, who was the oldest and sat in the main seat.

The wine cups were clearly filled with milky white fruit pulp, but the three little ones imitated the posture of adults drinking, raised their cups and drank them in one gulp, and even closed their eyes and smacked their lips as if they were truly savoring the wine.

"Mm..."

"Giggle giggle..."

Behind the round table, Hanyue, Hearing Han Shuang, and the other maids saw the three little ones possessed by acting spirits, their shoulders shaking as they all covered their mouths to giggle. A few who couldn't hold it back let out soft laughter.

"Ahem, ahem..."

Unlike his younger siblings, Xia Yu Zong, who had just turned five today, seemed very precocious compared to them. He likely noticed that the maids were all laughing at him, his cheeks slightly flushed. After coughing a few times, he whispered to the three younger ones: "A-Yao, A-Sheng, A-Ning, Great Aunt is coming out soon. Hurry up and put down your cups and sit properly; don't let her see you."

The three little ones were clearly hit where it hurt, especially Xia Yu Yao and Xia Yu Sheng. Hearing that their mother was coming out soon, they immediately put down their wine cups and assumed a posture of sitting upright. Then they turned to look at the entrance to the Star-Plucking Platform behind the main hall, and finding no one there, they all looked at Xia Yu Zong with puffed-up cheeks.

"Big brother, you big liar, hmph!"

Xia Yu Yao had quite a temper; she crossed her arms fiercely, her little mouth pouting high.

"A-Yao, you are being disrespectful to big brother again!"

But just as she finished speaking, a cold female voice came from behind her.

Hearing the voice, Xia Yu Yao quickly lowered her crossed arms, laid them flat on the table, immediately restored her expression, and transformed into a well-behaved girl.

Xia Yu Sheng was the same, and even Xia Yu Ning's posture became much more upright. Clearly, Great Aunt also held great majesty in their hearts.

"These four little ones, only you, sister-in-law, can keep them in check, haha."

Li Ying Xuan Ling had just walked down from the Star-Plucking Platform, and Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu had also just arrived at the entrance of the main hall. Seeing the four little ones being kept in check, they couldn't help but laugh.

"They are at a naughty age; if they aren't disciplined well now, they will cause trouble in the future."

Li Ying Xuan Ling clearly had her own way of raising children. However, although she spoke strictly, when she walked to the table, she still picked up Xia Yu Yao and placed her on her lap before smiling at her two sisters-in-law: "Come over and sit down; your big brother and Xia Chuan will be here soon."

Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu nodded and took their seats.

"This year's Cold Origin Festival passed so quickly! It was gone in the blink of an eye. If it weren't for Yuzong's birthday, your big brother and Xia Chuan would probably still be staying in Wuyuan and not coming back."

Li Ying Xuan Ling first signaled for Hanyue and the other maids to bring the dishes, then turned to talk to Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu.

Xiao Ning smiled and said: "Great Xia has just increased its aquatic products, and the Wuyuan waters are related to the production of many important medicinal pills, so naturally, we have to spend a lot of effort on management. Big brother and my husband are worried, so they can only watch over it personally."

"It's not just that, sister-in-law. I heard that the war between the Jiuzhen and the Great Awakening Temple is unusually deadlocked, and new news comes every day. Big brother and my husband have to go there to watch over it personally from time to time, so staying in Wuyuan is naturally more convenient."

Li Ying Xuan Ling nodded. Xia Hong and Xia Chuan had been sitting in Wuyuan during this period, and she had been responsible for many things in Xia City, so she also knew a lot about the situation between the Jiuzhen and the Great Awakening Temple.

However, it was clearly not the time to discuss these things. She turned to look at the protagonist of the day, Xia Yu Zong, who looked like a little adult, and couldn't help but reach out to touch his head, smiling: "Yuzong is five years old today. After next year's Cold Origin Festival, you can start eating beast meat and begin formal cultivation. How is it? Are you feeling a bit impatient in your heart?"

Hearing the eight words "eating beast meat" and "formal cultivation," Xia Yu Zong's small face immediately revealed a flash of excitement. Clearly, Li Ying Xuan Ling had guessed right.

"Then Great Aunt asks you, after you start cultivating next year, do you have the confidence to break the record for breaking through to the Earth-Digging Realm in the Martial Arts Pavilion?"

"Yes!"

Xia Yu Zong gave the answer almost without hesitation, his face full of confidence.

Li Ying Xuan Ling smiled and reached out to touch his head.

The answer to this question could actually be seen now.

Xia Yu Zong, who just turned five this year, had already increased his strength by more than four thousand jin just by eating supplementary food. If things continue like this, he will definitely be able to break through to the Woodcutting Realm before he turns six next year.

Xia Yu Zong and Xia Yu Ning, the brother and sister, were both born with holy patterns, so their cultivation talent would definitely not be low. Once they start cultivating next year, their speed will definitely advance by leaps and bounds; there is no need to even think about it.

The current record for the youngest person to break through to the Earth-Digging Realm in the Great Xia Martial Arts Pavilion is nine years and one month. With the talent Xia Yu Zong has shown, breaking this record is basically a certainty.

"Mother, I can also break the record!"

Xia Yu Sheng seemed to feel a bit left out and spoke up to his mother, unconvinced, that he could also break this record.

Hearing her younger son's words, Li Ying Xuan Ling's expression suddenly became a bit strange.

The two aunts, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu, subconsciously looked at Xia Yu Sheng, and their expressions also became a bit strange.

Xia Yu Sheng's basic strength was already over eight thousand jin. According to the current trend, he would probably break through to the Earth-Digging Realm before August next year. Putting this record in the Martial Arts Pavilion would be too much of a bully.

"Yuzong, Great Uncle will test you: why must we in Great Xia wait until we are six years old to eat beast meat and formally begin cultivation?"

Suddenly, a voice came from the entrance of the main hall.

"Greetings, Lord; greetings, Minister!"

Hanyue, Hearing Han Shuang, and the other maids heard the voice and immediately turned to salute the entrance.

Li Ying Xuan Ling, Xiao Ning, and Xiao Yu also stood up. Seeing Xia Hong wave his hand to signal them, they sat back down.

"Father!"

"Dad!"

Xia Yu Yao and Xia Yu Sheng had not seen their father for too long. One jumped out of her mother's arms, and the other hopped down from his chair, both rushing toward Xia Hong at the same time.

Hearing Great Uncle's voice, Xia Yu Zong also stood up excitedly, but being slightly older, he had a bit of the burden of being the eldest brother. Remembering Xia Hong's question, he thought for a moment and answered loudly: "In reply to Great Uncle, the Xia Rites Cultivation Chapter says that only after turning six are the five internal organs and meridians considered completely formed, allowing them to absorb the energy in beast meat and use this energy to strengthen the physique. Therefore, everyone in Great Xia must be at least six years old to formally cultivate."

Xia Hong had already walked to the table holding his son and daughter. Hearing his eldest nephew's meticulous answer, besides a look of satisfaction, a faint glimmer that was hard to detect flashed in his eyes.

Xia Chuan, who followed behind him, also showed a smile on his face upon hearing his son's answer, and he did not forget to give Xiao Ning an approving look, clearly praising her for teaching their son well.

"Yuzong's answer is good. When you can formally practice martial arts next year, Great Uncle will teach you personally as a reward for your correct answer. How about it?"

Hearing this, Xia Yu Zong looked at Xia Hong in surprise and nodded heavily.

Although he was only five, he clearly knew that the strongest person in all of Great Xia was the Great Uncle before him. Being taught martial arts personally by Great Uncle was such an honor; if the other little friends knew, they would probably be envious to death.

"Big brother, a six-year-old child starting to learn martial arts, why use..."

"Alright, alright, that's it. Let's start the banquet; I'm hungry."

Xia Hong directly interrupted Xia Chuan and invited everyone to start the banquet.

Since returning to Wuyuan on the first day of the twelfth month, Xia Hong and Xia Chuan had not returned to Xia City. This year, even the Cold Origin Banquet was hosted by Li Ying Xuan Ling, so today's family banquet was not only to celebrate Xia Yu Zong's birthday but also to make up for the Cold Origin Festival for the family.

After a bout of feasting, the four little ones couldn't sit still and went to the side hall's martial arts arena to play together. Seeing that only the adults were left at the table, Xia Hong began to ask Li Ying Xuan Ling about serious matters.

"How many soldiers in the Yunjiao and Long Wu armies have yet to break through to the Frigid-Resistant level?"

"The Yunjiao Army is still short 421, and the Long Wu Army is still short 409."

Hearing this, Xia Hong's brow furrowed first, and only after thinking for a moment did it relax.

If he remembered correctly, the last time these two numbers were 587 and 562 respectively.

He had instructed Xia Chuan in early October to clear out the cultivation quotas of the Martial Arts Pavilion and give priority to the soldiers of the Yunjiao and Long Wu armies who had not yet broken through to the Frigid-Resistant level. Today is the fifteenth of the first month; counting it up, more than seventy days have actually passed. With one hundred and fifty or sixty people from each army breaking through, it is already not bad.

Li Ying Xuan Ling saw what he was thinking and said softly: "Breaking through to the Frigid-Resistant level is not like the Earth-Digging Realm. Enduring the pain of skin-membrane remodeling is one aspect, and on the other hand, many soldiers want to obtain a higher-level battle body, so they deliberately hold back. They want to break through in an extreme way, and there is no way around this. Being able to have four to five people break through every day is already the limit. I have observed in the Martial Arts Pavilion that it will take at least another four months for the remaining eight hundred-plus people to all break through."

Four months!

Xia Hong's brow, which had just relaxed, immediately furrowed again.

Even Xia Chuan, who was on the side, put down his chopsticks and lowered his head into deep thought.

Seeing the two's reactions, Li Ying Xuan Ling immediately realized something, a flash of curiosity appearing on her face as she asked: "What, has there been a change in the Jiuzhen war?"

Both were clearly complaining that the soldiers' breakthrough speed was too slow. Combining this with the fact that they had been sitting in Wuyuan, Li Ying Xuan Ling could easily guess the reason.

Seeing Li Ying Xuan Ling's curiosity, and thinking that she would continue to govern Xia City for a period of time in the future, Xia Hong did not intend to hide it from her. He gave Xia Chuan a look, signaling him to tell Li Ying Xuan Ling about the situation.

Xia Chuan understood and nodded: "At the end of the eleventh month, after the Battle of Hong Pass ended, the Great Awakening Temple only rested for five days. On the fifth of last month, the Great Awakening Temple led its army to attack the Fengshan Camp. The Eight Towns didn't send a single reinforcement, and Jiangxia Town only resisted symbolically before retreating.

After occupying the Fengshan Camp, the Great Awakening Temple advanced triumphantly, capturing eighteen village-level camps in Jiangxia in a row. Adding the previous three, half of the entire Jiangxia territory has already been occupied by the Great Awakening Temple."

Hearing these words, a flash of astonishment rose on Li Ying Xuan Ling's face, and she said in disbelief: "Forty-five days, half the territory occupied? Isn't this Jiangxia a town-level camp? The Battle of Hong Pass only cost them two thousand town garrison troops; they still have five thousand people, so they shouldn't have been defeated so miserably, right?"

"The Great Awakening Temple's means of winning people's hearts are too strong!"

After Xia Chuan said this, his expression became somewhat solemn, and he continued: "The Great Awakening Temple released all the Jiuzhen Earth-Digging Realm captives from the Battle of Hong Pass, including a large number of people from Jiangxia's village-level camps. After these people returned to their respective villages, when they encountered the Great Awakening Temple attacking again, basically no one resisted. Some even gathered crowds to revolt, helping the Great Awakening Temple occupy the villages; they all acted as if they were possessed."

It can't be said they were possessed!

Anyone who experienced the Battle of Hong Pass and saw those people become invulnerable would probably find it hard to forget, not to mention that the news of the Jinbi Village Earth-Digging Realm soldiers fighting in the daytime has now spread everywhere.

Appearing under the cold sun and being fine, and being able to become invulnerable—these two methods of the Great Awakening Temple are simply too attractive to the Earth-Digging Realm soldiers in those village-level camps. Who wouldn't be tempted after seeing that?

"Those village-level camps were no exception. Once captured by the Great Awakening Temple, they would immediately defect within two days. Many Earth-Digging Realm soldiers directly threw themselves into the ranks of the Great Awakening Temple's army, acting as their vanguard.

As of five days ago, the number of Earth-Digging Realm soldiers under the Great Awakening Temple had reached as high as 150,000, and it is still growing continuously. I heard from Xiang Liang's letter that there are now over five hundred Frigid-Resistant level soldiers."

Hearing this, Li Ying Xuan Ling's expression instantly became much more solemn.

"The more they fight, the more people they have; how can this war continue? Are the other eight towns completely ignoring Jiangxia? If they let the Great Awakening Temple continue to develop and grow like this, they will also be in trouble in the end. The Eight Towns can't be unaware of this, right?"

"Of course they are aware!"

A smile appeared on Xia Hong's face as he continued: "But the three northern towns are far away, and the Great Awakening Temple's fire is currently only burning on Jiangxia Town's head. Even if Jiangxia is truly gone, there are still the five southern towns in front to take the brunt. It won't threaten them for a long time to come. Do you think they will care?"

A general map of the Jiuzhen appeared in Li Ying Xuan Ling's mind, and she immediately understood.

"In early December, Jiangxia invited the Eight Towns' town leaders to discuss matters at the Fengshan Camp, but not a single family extended a helping hand. Jiangxia probably also saw the Eight Towns' intentions, so they simply retreated all the way. For the past forty-plus days, they basically haven't organized any decent resistance, only shrinking their defensive lines and transferring everything they could to the town city. They actually gave up half their territory just like that..."

Xia Chuan shook his head while speaking, clearly disapproving of Jiangxia's actions.

Xia Hong smiled and said: "The Eight Towns refused to help, so they were also at their wit's end. They couldn't win even if they resisted, so they could only retreat. I reckon they are all thinking that the Great Awakening Temple ultimately wants people, so they simply let the Great Awakening Temple have the village-level camps. As long as they hold the town city, Jiangxia will not perish."

Carrying firewood to save from fire!

These four words instantly appeared in Li Ying Xuan Ling's mind.

Giving up village-level camps to the Great Awakening Temple seems like abandoning the chariot to save the commander, but in reality, it is a proper act of aiding the enemy. The Great Awakening Temple's strength is already so strong; if they are allowed to continue to develop and grow, who will have a way to survive?

"Do you think Jiangxia doesn't know?"

Xia Hong instantly saw Li Ying Xuan Ling's thoughts and asked in return. After a slight flash in his eyes, he continued: "Jiangxia is using this move to tell the other eight towns that if we are to die, we die together. Unless the Great Awakening Temple directly attacks Jiangxia City—then they will have no choice—otherwise, it is impossible to make Jiangxia fight the Great Awakening Temple to the death alone first."

Li Ying Xuan Ling was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to evaluate Jiangxia's behavior.

"Although it's a bit rogue, this method is indeed effective!"

Hearing Xia Chuan's words, Li Ying Xuan Ling looked at him in confusion.

"The Great Awakening Temple started mobilizing troops again three days ago. If nothing goes wrong, the target should be the Binjiang Camp. In the past month and a half, they have already lost three camps: Hong Pass, Fengshan, and Long Zhou. Now they only have Binjiang and Xu Yang left. The Binjiang Camp is located on the east bank of the Ying River and is related to the water territory, which can be considered an important lifeline for Jiangxia. If it is taken by the Great Awakening Temple, it will hurt their foundation, so Xia Houzhang and Jiang Yinglong are unwilling to lose it and have sent people to seek help from the five southern towns again."

Xia Chuan paused here before continuing: "According to the news brought back by the scouts, this time it was Jiang Yinglong's son, Jiangxia Town leader Jiang Xinfan, who personally ran to each of the five towns. It should have some effect; perhaps they really can pull in reinforcements."

"The three northern towns have strong strength and are far away, so watching from the sidelines is understandable, but these five southern towns shouldn't be so stupid, right? If the Great Awakening Temple takes Jiangxia Town, won't their next target be them?"

Xia Chuan suddenly asked in a low voice, his face full of confusion.

Li Ying Xuan Ling also guessed with a puzzled face: "Wishful thinking?"

"Both, perhaps! It just depends on whether the five towns help this time. Jiangxia has already lost half its territory; if they lose Binjiang again, the remaining Xu Yang Camp won't be able to play any role, and in the end, they will really have to shrink into the town city to protect themselves!"

"Then big brother, when will we make a move?"

Xia Chuan finally couldn't help but ask the most critical question.

This question had clearly been suppressed in his heart for a long time. After asking it, his expression was a bit relaxed at first, and then he looked at Xia Hong with full anticipation.

"It's still very early; don't be so anxious. If the three northern towns don't move, we won't move either. I can give you a bottom line: the Great Awakening Temple's fire will never burn to Great Xia!"

Hearing Xia Hong's last sentence, Li Ying Xuan Ling and Xia Chuan were both stunned, but they quickly understood the meaning, their eyes filled with both surprise and curiosity.

"In the past forty-plus days, Jiangxia has sought help from the five towns twice, and both times they were rejected. They say things don't happen three times; if Jiangxia can't get reinforcements this time, they should be disheartened. I reckon that in the end, they will most likely seek peace with the Great Awakening Temple."

"Seek peace?"

Xia Chuan shook his head and said: "Jiangxia is isolated and helpless, and the Great Awakening Temple's situation is excellent. How could they easily stop the war?"

Xia Hong smiled and said: "There are many ways to seek peace; it just depends on the conditions. Doesn't Jiangxia still have half its territory in its hands? Destroying Jiangxia Town is not the Great Awakening Temple's core goal. What they want is ultimately just population. Moreover, truly destroying Jiangxia Town would definitely do more harm than good!"

Destroying Jiangxia Town would certainly allow the Great Awakening Temple to harvest a huge batch of population, but it would also inevitably arouse greater apprehension from the other eight towns. If the Eight Towns really formed a coalition army to attack, the Great Awakening Temple would have to weigh it carefully, no matter how strong their strength is.

Li Ying Xuan Ling and Xia Chuan instantly reacted and nodded gently.

Xia Chuan suddenly thought of something and said: "The Great Awakening Temple's mobilization of troops to the Binjiang Camp this time is unhurried throughout, completely different from the previous army. It is clear that they are deliberately slowing down the speed of their advance. I feel that they are deliberately giving time for Jiangxia to seek reinforcements."