Chapter 43: Setting the Formation at Tian Duan Cliff, The Human Realm as a Fortress

When Tian Duan Cliff appeared before Jiang Che again, it was no longer as lifeless as when he first arrived.

After the Sword Vein awakened, green light flowed across the cliff bottom like a long river spanning the earth.

On the cliff walls, the stone swords inscribed with the names of the Jiang Family ancestors were no longer dim.

They glowed faintly in the wind and snow, like pairs of eyes that had not yet closed.

Elder Jiang Ling was still alive.

The collateral branch member of the Jiang clan who had guarded the cliff for thirty years now had a body nearing the point where the oil was exhausted and the lamp was dying, yet he still persisted in sitting at the cliff's edge.

Seeing Jiang Che, he rose shakily.

"The Young Master has returned."

Jiang Che supported him: "Grandpa Jiang Ling."

Jiang Ling smiled: "To hear you call me that once more, this old man has already profited."

He looked at the vast crowd behind Jiang Che.

The Northern Garrison Army, the Sword Pavilion, the Wen Jun Army, sword cultivators from across the realm, merchant caravans, and the Scribe Camp.

The old man's eyes were filled with awe.

"Back when the Jiang Family guarded the cliff, it was just one family."

"But now..."

Jiang Che said: "Now the entire Human Realm guards it together."

The formation setup began.

Xie Wuya presided over the Ten Thousand Swords Great Formation.

Thirty thousand sword cultivators arranged nine layers of sword rings around Tian Duan Cliff, following the trajectory of the Sword Vein.

Xie Tingxue was responsible for the core Qingxue Sword Formation, preventing the Upper Realm from deploying poison or bringing down plagues.

Chen Shanhe led the Northern Garrison Army to set up camp on the perimeter, guarding against the Heavenly Gate mobilizing Demon Puppets or surprise attacks by Human Remnants.

Shen Wanjin was in charge of provisions.

The accountants he brought were nearly exhausted to the point of collapse, yet no one complained.

Lin Xiaoman and the History Camp set up wooden sheds by the cliff edge, recording daily defenses, sword formations, military orders, and names.

Jiang Che asked him: "Record these too?"

Lin Xiaoman replied: "Lord Gu said that victory cannot be summarized by just the words 'Great Victory'."

"Who delivered grain, who guarded the formation, and where someone died—all must be recorded."

Jiang Che nodded.

"Very good."

The thirty-day deadline drew ever closer.

The pressure of the Heavenly Punishment from the Upper Realm also became increasingly distinct.

At night, strange phantoms often floated above Tian Duan Cliff.

Sometimes it was a Golden Thunder Sea.

Sometimes it was a gigantic eye.

Sometimes it was countless blurred human figures standing behind the clouds, coldly gazing down at the cliff.

The first time ordinary soldiers saw this, they were so frightened their faces turned deathly pale.

The second time, their hands would still tremble.

By the third time, some would spit toward the sky.

Chen Shanhe scolded: "Save your spit; shout with all your might when we fight!"

The soldiers burst into laughter.

The fear had not disappeared.

It was merely suppressed by the laughter.

On the nineteenth day, the first draft from the Human Assembly Hall arrived from the Capital City.

Gu Chongming wrote in the letter:

"The New System is difficult, the Old Party is in chaos, and the people's hearts are unsettled."

"But the Council Hall has held its first meeting."

"An old charcoal seller asked the Ministry of Household why the Coal Tax was heavier than the Grain Tax."

"A widow from Luo'an asked the Ministry of Justice when those not yet brought to justice in the Sacrifice City case would be apprehended."

"A child representative from Pingyang asked the Ministry of Rites whether future textbooks could include the old Jiang Family case."

"This old man found it headache-inducing to listen to, yet I feel this is the new voice of the Human Realm."

After reading the letter, Jiang Che laughed for a long time.

Xie Tingxue asked: "What are you laughing at?"

Jiang Che replied: "I suddenly feel that guarding Tian Duan Cliff is worth it."

Xie Tingxue looked at the sword formations in the distance.

"Will you definitely win?"

Jiang Che shook his head.

"Not necessarily."

Xie Tingxue looked at him.

Jiang Che said: "But even if we lose, we must let those who come after know that we once stood here."

Xie Tingxue fell silent for a moment, then said: "You are becoming more and more like a leader lately."

Jiang Che helplessly said, "I'd rather be like a swordsman."

"A swordsman can also lead the way."

Jiang Che smiled.

On the night of the twenty-ninth day.

At Tian Duan Cliff, all sword weapons unsheathed themselves by half an inch simultaneously.

The wind and snow stopped.

Between Heaven and Earth, it became terrifyingly silent.

Standing at the cliff's peak, Jiang Che saw a huge crack slowly splitting open deep within the firmament.

Behind the fissure, there was no longer a Gate.

Instead, there was a vast Golden Sea.

Above the sea, countless palaces floated.

Xie Wuya's face turned pale.

"The Upper Realm Immortal Dynasty..."

Jiang Che tightened his grip on the Green Bamboo Sword.

From within the fissure, a majestic voice rang out:

"Thirty days have arrived."

"Human Realm, do you know your crimes?"

Jiang Che raised his head and calmly replied:

"I do not."