Chapter 18: Letter from the Sword Pavilion, Winds Rise Across the Human Realm

When Wei Chong left Han Zhou, his face was whiter than a corpse's.

He dared not display his ceremonial retinue again, but fled south by night and returned.

Half a day later, news spread across the Northern Border that Jiang Che had severed the Imperial Edict, refused entry to the Capital City, and kept the Tiger Tally.

Three days later, it reached the Capital City.

On the seventh day, it spread across the Human Realm.

Thus, the Human Realm erupted in uproar.

Some cursed Jiang Che as a rebel and traitor.

Others said his merit shook the sovereign and he would surely face Heaven's punishment.

Yet others slammed their tables in taverns, cheering that the Jiang Family had guarded the Northern Border for three generations; if such meritorious servants were to have their swords and armies stripped away, then this court should long ago have been asked a question with the sword.

Inside Hanzhou City, Jiang Che paid no heed to the outside winds of rumor.

He was recovering from his wounds.

In the battle at Tian Duan Cliff, he shattered the Heavenly Gate, severed the Golden Lock, and borrowed the Human World One Sword, nearly exhausting his foundation.

Had it not been for the Green Bamboo Sword and the Northern Border Sword Vein giving back to him, he would long since have become a cripple.

Xie Tingxue sorted his Sword Qi for him every day.

Her Sword Intent was clear and cold, just enough to suppress the wild, rampaging sharpness within Jiang Che's body.

On this day, Xie Tingxue brought a letter.

"A letter from the Sword Pavilion."

Jiang Che sat under the corridor and took the letter.

The letter contained only a few lines of text.

"The Heavenly Gate is shattered; the Human Realm awakens."

"The Sword Pavilion will open its mountain gates and summon all Sword Cultivators of the Human Realm to travel north to Han Zhou."

"Additionally: the court has secretly contacted the three Feudal Kings and intends to attack Jiang."

The signature was from Xie Wuya, the Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion.

After reading it, Jiang Che handed it to Chen Shanhe.

Chen Shanhe's face was grave.

"If the three Feudal Kings truly send troops, the pressure on Han Zhou will be immense."

Although Han Zhou possessed the natural fortress of White Bone Pass, its southern gateway was not as secure as the northern one.

If the court moved troops from the south, the three Feudal Kings encircled them, and martial sects of the Jianghu added their weight to the sinking boat, Han Zhou, having just endured a great battle, would likely not hold.

Jiang Che asked, "Who are the three Feudal Kings?"

Chen Shanhe said, "Prince of Dongling Zhao Yin, who commands a hundred thousand naval and land troops; Prince of Xichuan Meng Qing, whose mountain troops excel at siege warfare; and Prince of Nanyue Han Jin, who has thirty thousand Black Armored Iron Pagodas under his command."

Xie Tingxue added, "They were all secretly supported by the Heavenly Gate."

Jiang Che's eyes shifted slightly.

"The Heavenly Gate is shattered; do they still dare to move?"

Xie Tingxue said, "Precisely because the Heavenly Gate is shattered, they are in a hurry."

"Why?"

Xie Tingxue said, "While the Heavenly Gate existed, they relied on it to suppress the Human Realm's Qi Refining. Now that the Gate is shattered, all old accounts across the Human Realm will be brought up."

"They fear you will become the first blade."

Chen Shanhe said in a deep voice, "Young Master, we must organize the army and prepare for war."

Jiang Che nodded.

"How many troops does Han Zhou have?"

"The remnants of the old Northern Garrison Army number less than a thousand, but since returning to White Bone Pass, many border residents have enlisted; within seven days, twelve thousand new recruits have been raised."

"Can they fight?"

Chen Shanhe shook his head. "They need training."

Jiang Che pondered for a moment.

"Then train them."

"Follow the old system of the Northern Garrison Army: a small comparison every ten days, a grand comparison every thirty days. Double the rations and pay, and erect steles for the fallen immediately."

Chen Shanhe clasped his fist. "Yes!"

Xie Tingxue said, "There is also the Jianghu."

Jiang Che looked at her.

Xie Tingxue continued, "If the court charges you with treason, many sects of the Jianghu will take the opportunity to strike. You need a legitimate standing in the Jianghu."

Jiang Che smiled. "What standing?"

Xie Tingxue said, "Hold a Sword Assembly."

Jiang Che raised an eyebrow.

"In Han Zhou?"

"Yes."

Xie Tingxue's eyes were bright.

"After the Heavenly Gate shattered, all Sword Cultivators of the Human Realm are seeking a path. You have awakened the Northern Border Sword Vein, so you have the qualification to invite Sword Cultivators from across the Human Realm to come to Han Zhou to ask with the sword."

Chen Shanhe hesitated. "What if those who come are not well-intentioned?"

Xie Tingxue said, "Then fight until they are."

Jiang Che fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Good."

He rose and walked into the courtyard.

The Green Bamboo Sword drew itself from its sheath, hovering before him.

Jiang Che gripped the sword and thrust a strike toward Heaven.

The sword's cry echoed out from Han Zhou, swept across the Northern Border, and scattered throughout the world.

Afterwards, Han Zhou released an announcement:

"On the first day of the tenth month, Han Zhou will hold the Sword Assembly."

"All Sword Cultivators under Heaven may come."

"To ask with the Sword, to ask the Dao, and to settle old accounts with the Heavenly Gate."