Chapter 125

Fang Xu nodded and walked forward along the river's direction with Old Monkey.

Azure Prefecture, Lu Family.

After receiving the Lu Family's invitation, the leaders of one major power after another and the heads of various great clans all rushed to the Lu Family.

Many of these powers and clans still did not know that Fang Xu had not emerged from the Huangzhou direction but had chosen to detour toward Azure Prefecture, and each had dispatched large numbers of martial artists to desperately search for Fang Xu's traces in the great mountains near Huangzhou.

Upon hearing that the Lu Family had discovered Fang Xu's trail and was willing to share it, the leaders of the major powers and the heads of the great clans all rushed to Azure Prefecture.

Inside the Lu Family's main hall, Sage Lu sat at the chief seat, while each terrifying Martial Sovereign powerhouse took a seat on either side.

Almost all of those who could enter the main hall were the heads of the various clans and the leaders of the powers, beings whose cultivation was no lower than the Fifth Level Martial Sovereign.

As for the leaders of the second-rate powers and second-rate clans, they were not qualified to sit together with these people.

"Brother Lu, everyone's pretty much here, stop hiding it and speak up quickly."

At that time, after slaughtering all the Earthfiend Demon Monkeys, if that brat happened to survive, it would be best for everyone to jointly interrogate him for the First-Rank Martial Technique; if he died, after the martial artists of those families and powers left, the Lu Family could slowly search for the Cosmic Bag.

Someone raised a doubt, and immediately someone spoke up: "I think this is certainly not false!"

Sage Lu said, then briefly recounted how the Lu Family had encountered Fang Xu in the mountains.

After glancing at the crowd, Sage Lu saw that aside from the head of the Huangzhou Yun Family who had not come, the Martial Sovereign powerhouses of all the other families and powers were already in the main hall, and he then slowly began to speak:

But as time passed, the other martial artists who had entered the Ruins had basically searched every passage of the Ruins' second stage, yet no one had seen those missing persons.

"Everyone, that brat is very clever; he will surely guess that we will soon join forces and march into the Earthfiend Demon Monkey's territory."

"Everyone!" Seeing the crowd about to leave, Sage Lu hastily shouted: "What if that brat isn't dead?"

Upon mentioning this, the faces of many present suddenly changed!

The various major powers and clans present had all sent many people into the Ruins to seize the First-Rank Martial Technique, among whom were not a few Martial Sovereign powerhouses.

"In that case, do you all still think the Earthfiend Demon Monkey will kill that brat?"

Afterwards, someone based on the strange phenomenon after Fang Xu's disappearance—where the man specters inside the Ruins frenziedly attacked any martial artist intending to enter the small plaza—deduced that Fang Xu must possess some ability akin to beast control.

The claim that Fang Xu could coexist peacefully with the Earthfiend Demon Monkey was fabricated by Sage Lu himself; his aim was to make those present believe that Fang Xu was still alive.

But so far, they have not found any corpses among the missing people, nor can they confirm that those people truly perished miserably in the Ruins.

Among the Martial Sovereign powerhouses, a stout man wearing half armor, his right shoulder bare, his head full of small braids, spoke up.

That likely means the nearly thousand martial artists and dozens of Martial Sovereigns who mysteriously disappeared have probably died under the joint effort of Fang Xu and the man specters.

But now, after such a long time since Fang Xu escaped the Ruins, the Martial Sovereigns and martial artists of the great families and powers have all mysteriously vanished.

"Lu believes you all already know the purpose of his inviting you here."

From this, some martial artists still speculated a shocking matter.

"If we look at it this way, that brat might actually still be alive!"

Sage Lu smiled faintly and said: "To be frank, I, the Lu Family, dispatched seven Martial Sovereigns to capture that brat."

……

They all wanted the First-Rank Martial Technique, so upon hearing the Lu Family say they had Fang Xu's whereabouts, they did not hesitate to rush to Azure Prefecture.

"Does that brat even have such ability?"

The others, after hearing this, also hurriedly sat back in their original seats.

"Lu's seven brothers chased that brat all the way to the Earthfiend Demon Monkey's territory, personally seeing that the brat could actually peacefully coexist with the Earthfiend Demon Monkey, and the two even joined forces to slaughter three Martial Sovereigns of my Lu Family."

"Lu believes we should immediately join forces and strike before he and the Earthfiend Demon Monkey clan can escape; otherwise, the depths of Ti Lan Mountain are too dangerous, and if he flees elsewhere, we will truly lose that First-Rank Martial Technique."

"According to Brother Lu's meaning, has that brat already fled to the Earthfiend Demon Monkey's territory?" The Tuoba Family Patriarch frowned and said, then angrily added: "Brother Lu, are you just messing with us?"

Only in this way will these people join forces with the Lu Family to attack the Earthfiend Demon Monkey's territory.

After the main hall fell into a silence, someone spoke up.

"Now, in front of you all, Lu will first say a few things, after which we can discuss the specific strategy and allocation plan."

Upon hearing his words, the Martial Sovereign powerhouses all halted their steps, some looking at Sage Lu in confusion.

At first, these people thought their subordinates might have gotten lost in the ever-changing terrain of the Ruins' second stage.

With that time, they might as well go to the Ruins' third stage to try their luck, perhaps they could find another First-Rank Martial Technique.

"Don't forget the news coming from the Ruins: that brat supposedly possesses beast-like abilities in the Ruins, and the Martial Sovereigns and martial artists of our great families and powers who have vanished are very likely to have been killed by him joining forces with the man specters inside the Ruins."

Who would have thought that Fang Xu has now been driven by the Lu Family into the depths of Ti Lan Mountain?

Once a person dies, the First-Rank Martial Technique is completely gone.

"Exactly, Brother Lu, this move of yours is a bit excessive!"

It is he who used this ability, when escaping the Ruins, to command the man specters to delay for him.

"If he falls into the hands of the Earthfiend Demon Monkey, that brat will surely die; with everyone dead, how can we interrogate for the First-Rank Martial Technique?"

"Disperse, disperse—if he falls into the monster's clutches, that brat is probably already turned into monster dung."

The Martial Sovereign powerhouses in the hall all rose, preparing to leave.

Sage Lu glanced at him and gave a faint smile: "Brother Tuoba is indeed impatient."

Sage Lu's face grew solemn as he spoke.

His words were indeed sincere; everyone had already seen Fang Xu's cleverness, and he clearly knew the Earthfiend Demon Monkey's strength was insufficient to protect him; Sage Lu now worries that once Fang Xu realizes this, he will lead the Earthfiend Demon Monkey clan to flee deeper into Ti Lan Mountain.

"Brother Lu is right, we cannot delay; let's set out immediately!" The Tuoba Family Patriarch, being impatient, upon hearing this, immediately rose and headed toward the exit.

"Brother Tuoba, don't be rash; this still needs a procedure."

"We need to prepare for the possibility that that brat has already escaped."

Among the many martial artists, a middle-aged man wearing a scholar's robe and sporting a short beard, who looked like a schoolteacher, stood up and said: "As everyone knows, the deeper one goes into Ti Lan Mountain, the more dangerous it gets. I reckon that kid definitely wouldn't dare go too deep."

"Not daring to go deep into Ti Lan Mountain, his goal is still the Immortal Ascension Assembly of Central Province."

"In that case, only two paths remain."

The scholar-robed man spoke at length, quite confident.

Brother Li, stop being cryptic, speak up! Seeing him pause, someone immediately urged him.

The scholar-clothed man spoke slowly and calmly: "First, continue north along Carry Blue Mountain, reach the junction of Carry Blue Mountain and Moon-viewing Mountain, exit the pass and detour across Dusk Cloud Grassland."

Second, from the junction of Carry Blue Mountain and Moon-viewing Mountain, proceed directly, pass through the junction of Azure State and Cool State, and head to Central State.

For these two routes, we all need to make preparations; don't let that brat find a loophole.

Upon hearing his words, everyone nodded and immediately began to speak:

In that case, we will immediately issue orders, mobilize personnel to set up defenses along the way, and absolutely not allow that brat to reach Central State!

Exactly! Post portraits, interrogate every person heading this way to Central State, and absolutely not let him find a loophole!

Also send some personnel to Moon-viewing Mountain; there are no demon beasts, only low-strength vicious beasts, to prevent that brat from entering Moon-viewing Mountain.

Also, Dusk Cloud Grassland is scattered with many remnants of the Dusk Cloud State; be careful that brat doesn't mix in with them!

Everyone chattered in turn, beginning to list the routes Fang Xu might possibly flee and the evasion methods he might choose.

Gentlemen! Gentlemen!

At this moment, the scholar-clothed man again interrupted the discussion, his face solemn: "Gentlemen, have you paid attention to the news from Central State?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present froze for a moment.

"Central State can——" The Tuoba Clan chief was about to say something, then suddenly frowned slightly: "Brother Li, are you referring to……the Imperial Clan?"

As soon as he said that, all the Martial Venerables instantly changed expression slightly.

Exactly!

Since Fang Xu's comprehension of a first-rank martial technique spread throughout the Yu State, the Central State Imperial Clan's only response seemed to be sending a large army to Carry Blue Mountain to exterminate the hidden stronghold of the Divine Expansion Sect in the mountains.

After that, there was no further movement.

Now, all forces of the Great Yu are loudly searching for Fang Xu's whereabouts, except the Imperial Clan and the Huangzhou Yun Clan, which have remained still.

As his subjects, they clearly understand the ambition of the current Yu Emperor; with his domineering nature, he will certainly not allow a first-rank martial technique to fall into the hands of people like us.

"If the Imperial Clan had no movement at all, that would be fine, but why is the Huangzhou Yun Clan also so low-key?"

"The Yun Clan's strength has been declining these years; logically, they should be even more concerned about a first-rank martial technique."

Someone raised a question.

"What the hell! Why bother with them?" The Tuoba Clan chief suddenly stood up: "It's better not to interfere!"

Hearing that, the scholar-clothed man turned his head to look at Chief Seat Saint Lü, wondering if he knew something.

Meeting his gaze, Saint Lü smiled faintly: "Brother Tuoba is right; if everyone obtained a first-rank martial technique, it would no longer be a first-rank martial technique."

Gentlemen, let's proceed as just discussed: our Martial Venerables will march into the Earth Fiend Demon Ape's territory, while the remaining Martial Masters and Practitioners should quickly set up defenses at the junction of Carry Blue Mountain and Moon-viewing Mountain, and also at all key passes on the route from Azure State to Central State.

As for Dusk Cloud Grassland, the prefectural troops of Azure State will go to the grassland to conduct inspections.

Regarding his arrangement, everyone had no objections, and they all instructed their attendants to follow the plan.

……

Central State, Imperial Palace.

The fact that Saint Lü and the Martial Venerables marched mightily deep into Carry Blue Mountain could not escape the notice of the Imperial Clan's eyes and ears.

The news quickly reached the ears of the Yu Emperor Li Cangwu.

Inside the hall, Li Cangwu looked at the Man-slayer Zhao Wuji and the Imperial Observatory Superintendent Qin Musen before him and sneered: "These fellows are increasingly disregarding me."

What do they intend to do?

Wuji, you speak!

Zhao Wuji clasped his hands and said nothing.

Old fogey, you speak!

Li Cangwu then looked at Qin Musen.

Qin Musen hastily clasped his hands: "Your Majesty, I… I… I don't know."

Seeing them like that, Li Cangwu flicked his sleeve and snorted coldly: "Is it that you don't know, or that you dare not speak?"

Then I will tell you!

They want to seize a first-rank martial technique, then kill me and divide my Yu State!

In the face of Li Cangwu's fury, Qin Musen and Zhao Wuji dared not speak.

Li Cangwu, barefoot, swung his wide sleeves as he paced back and forth on the platform.

After a long while, he drew a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and looked at Qin Musen: "How is the national fortune?"

Qin Musen's body trembled slightly as he clasped his hands: "The national fortune… the national fortune… is still declining; now… it has already shown a trend of six splendors."

Six splendors!?

Good, good! Another splendor of national fortune has been lost……

Li Cangwu, furious and laughing bitterly, stared at Qin Musen: "I recall correctly that when my father passed the Yu Emperor's throne to me, it was……"

Qin Musen dared not speak.

Since I ascended the throne, I have governed diligently, conquered the Feather Mountain Island State in the east, obliterated the Dusk Cloud Grassland in the west, and after about ten years raised our Yu State's national fortune to nine splendors.

Now, all those decades of effort have been wasted, and countless soldiers' blood has flowed in vain!

Old fogey, tell me, how do you resolve this right now!

Qin Musen's body trembled again, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

He well knew that if he failed to propose an effective method today, the enraged Li Cangwu would surely have him executed on the spot to vent his fury!

Your Majesty!

His thoughts raced; Qin Musen suddenly recalled something and immediately said: "As I mentioned before, the decline of the national fortune is related to the fall of our Yu State's martial practitioners."

I believe the relics of Carry Blue Mountain are too dangerous; many martial practitioners have perished there. If Your Majesty could order a temporary closure of the relics, perhaps the decline of the national fortune could be slowed.

"Impossible!" Qin Mu Shen's words had just fallen, Li Cangwu immediately denied: "This move will arouse the resentment of all martial artists under heaven; I cannot do that!"

Think of another way!

Qin Mu Shen was somewhat taken aback, finding it hard to understand when the formerly arrogant and domineering Yu emperor would ever care about these things.

The grudges of martial artists under heaven?

In his eyes, when had he ever placed the attitudes of martial artists under heaven in his view?

"Besides that, there's only…… only……" Setting aside the doubts in his heart, Qin Mu Shen glanced fearfully at Li Cangwu, who stammered, never daring to utter the second half.

Speak!

As long as it can stop the continued decline of the nation's fortune, feel free to speak!

Li Cangwu spoke.

Qin Mu Shen gritted his teeth and directly said: "Issue a self-reproach edict..."

Your Majesty, as the lord of Great Yu, the decline of Great Yu's national fortune, this old official dares to say this move is likely a warning from heaven; if Your Majesty can issue a self-reproach edict, then slaughter sacrificial livestock, offer sacrifice to the heavens, simultaneously grant amnesty to the world and reduce some taxes, the national fortune could be raised.

"Self-reproach edict……" Li Cangwu's eyes narrowed slightly, a twitch at the corner of his eye, a flash of struggle crossed his face, his gaze then turned resolute: "Good!"

I will issue the self-reproach edict!

The Bureau of Astronomy shall immediately set an auspicious date, prepare the grand sacrificial ceremony, and confirm this as soon as possible!

Seeing Li Cangwu so readily agree to the self-reproach edict, Qin Mu Shen was stunned.

He had thought mentioning the self-reproach edict would make this arrogant emperor fly into a rage, but he never expected the other party to merely hesitate before agreeing.

Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and prepare!

All of you, retreat!

Li Cangwu waved his hand abruptly, speaking somewhat impatiently.

In the hall, Zhao Wují and Qin Mu Shen hastily clasped their hands and quickly left the main hall.

At the Heaven's Blessing Gate of the imperial palace, Qin Mu Shen anxiously glanced at Zhao Wují beside him and couldn't help but clasp his hands, saying: "Grand General, could martial arts cultivation… refine the brain into problems?"

Zhao Wují stared for a moment, looking puzzled at Qin Mu Shen and said: "The Imperial Inspector himself is a Martial Venerable, why would he ask such a ridiculous question?"

Qin Mu Shen furrowed his brows slightly and said: "But… but Your Majesty he… sigh!"

Seeing Qin Mu Shen like that, Zhao Wují gave a faint smile and said: "As the Imperial Inspector, being a geomancer, you should be a smart person; how could you become muddled when facing this matter?"

Qin Mu Shen, not understanding, hastily clasped his hands and said: "Please, Grand General, instruct me."

Zhao Wují helplessly looked back at the imperial palace behind him, then lowered his voice and said: "After His Majesty destroyed the Dusk Cloud Kingdom, what is it that he most wants to do and most worries about?"

Qin Mu Shen stared for a moment, somewhat uncertain, and said: "The aristocratic clans?"

Seeing that he had guessed correctly, Zhao Wují also said nothing more, gave a slight clasped-hand salute, and said: "There are still matters in the Wují Army; I'll take my leave first."

Behind him, Qin Mu Shen watched Zhao Wují's retreating figure, his expression somewhat dazed.

What a grand scheme to slaughter the world, what a ruthless heart, what a deep calculation……

No wonder that even now, when facing a top-tier martial technique, the imperial family displays too much indifference……

Dusk Cloud Grassland.

Already early autumn, the vast and boundless grassland still has lush water and grass; everywhere one looks is a expanse of green.

Gazing at the grassland before him, the old monkey wearing a bamboo hat and clad in hemp clothing frequently paused, obviously curious about this exotic scenery different from the usual affairs.

Fang Xu also occasionally paused to look into the distance.

In his previous life, he had also been to the grassland and seen the scene of cattle and sheep as the wind blew the grass low.

But compared to the grassland before him, his previous life's grassland was obviously a mere novice facing a master.

Perhaps also because after the Dusk Cloud Kingdom fell, this grassland lost its herders, giving the wild grass a chance to grow luxuriantly, so that the two of them standing in the grassland seemed to be walking in a green‑green ocean, seeing not a speck of land.

A breeze blew, the distant grass rose and fell like ocean waves, making one feel refreshed and delighted.

"Old Monkey, what's the world beyond the mountains like?" Fang Xu laughed and said.

The old monkey walked around a blooming wild flower in front of him, slightly shook his head, and said: "If one day, demons and beasts could live in peace with humans, the young ones in our clan seeing this boundless grassland would surely happily frolic……"

Fang Xu said nothing.

Humans and demons living in peace?

Nowadays, people can't even live in peace with each other, let alone with demons and beasts.

After sighing, he took some dried meat and water from his cosmos bag, gave some to the old monkey; the two ate dried meat, drank water, and Fang Xu held a map in his hands.

According to the map, if we want to pass through the Dusk Cloud Grassland and reach the Northern Wasteland Cool Prefecture, we need to travel three thousand li.

The direction is easy to confirm…… Fang Xu said, looking into the distance at the Looking‑at‑Moon Mountain that lay like a giant dragon across heaven and earth: Follow the mountain's contour; reaching the end of Looking‑at‑Moon Mountain brings you to the Northern Wasteland.

Although the Dusk Cloud Kingdom has been destroyed, many of its survivors still live in this grassland.

The survivors of the Dusk Cloud Kingdom bear a great grudge against the Yu Kingdom; if we two walk across this grassland, we are likely to encounter some trouble.

The old monkey nodded and said: "The hatred of a fallen nation, the enmity between the peoples of the two countries, is not easily resolved."

Let's go; for this three‑thousand‑li journey we need to find two good mounts.

The two proceeded northward across the boundless grassland.

At the same time, somewhere on the grassland, a gigantic silver wolf was carrying a girl as it raced across the plain, with over a hundred smaller gray wolves closely following behind her.

"Little Silver, run faster, or we'll be caught!" the girl on the silver wolf's back said, turning her head to glance at the gray‑wolf pack behind her and laughing.

The silver wolf beneath her bared its mouth, increased its speed again, and gradually shook off the gray wolves behind.

The girl and wolf gradually ran to the foothills at the edge of the grassland before stopping.

The girl dismounted from the wolf's back, waited for the gray wolves to come up, and said: "All right, this will do; when you meet strangers, remember to give a timely warning."

The pack of gray wolves sat on the ground, quietly watching the girl.

If Fang Xu were present, he would surely recognize that this girl is exactly the beast‑taming girl Tong Tong whom he and Li Xun encountered after being ambushed on Lifting Basket Mountain that day.

After giving instructions to those gray wolves, Tong Tong mounted the silver wolf, patted its head, and said: "Little Silver, let's go home."

Silver Wolf nodded, its body suddenly leapt, rushing toward the Moon-watching Mountain ahead.

In the distance, Fang Xu and Laoyuan exchanged several sacks of dry rations and some gold with a herdsman for two fine horses; the two rode the horses, galloping all the way, and soon arrived at the place where Tongtong and the Silver Wolf had left.

Howl!

The sky grew dark, and the two were just about to find a place to rest when they suddenly heard a low wolf howl.

Immediately after, rising and falling wolf howls echoed around them.

Fang Xu and Laoyuan reined in their warhorses, watching as grey wolves slowly surrounded them from all sides, and they exchanged a glance.

"Old Ape, we've had dried meat for a few days—how about roasting wolf meat tonight?" Laoyuan nodded: "Killing one to give a lesson is enough."

Although these grey wolves are merely unintelligent beasts and not even primates, Laoyuan still could not bear to commit needless slaughter.

Fang Xu slightly nodded; these wild wolves aren't even fierce beasts—killing one to fill his belly would suffice, and there's really no need to wipe them all out.

Leaping suddenly from his warhorse, his body shot straight at the nearest grey wolf.

In midair, a flash of light appeared in his hand, and the long staff suddenly materialized!

Howl!

The grey wolf ahead seemed to sense danger, letting out a mournful howl before actually turning and trying to flee.

But facing a martial artist, how could it escape?

The long staff was like a venomous snake choosing its victim; it instantly neared the grey wolf's head, and in the next moment it crushed its skull.

Landing, Fang Xu put away his long staff, then lifted the grey wolf's corpse and walked over to Laoyuan.

At night, the wolf meat on the campfire sizzled with oil; Fang Xu had just taken a jar of wine from his Cosmic Bag when he suddenly recalled what the giant turtle had said about the "Heaven's Killer Lone Star," and immediately prepared to put the wine away.

"Kid, you're still hiding the wine?" Laoyuan saw this and reached out to snatch it.

Fang Xu quickly dodged, his expression solemn: "Old Ape, you can't drink this wine; drinking it will cost you your life."

Laoyuan's expression froze: "What, is there poison in the wine?"

Fang Xu shook his head: "Old Ape, believe me—I'm not refusing to give you the wine because I'm stingy."

Seeing his seriousness, Laoyuan smacked his lips and waved a hand: "Forget it, forget it—just don't drink it then."

"Eat meat!"

He tore off a piece of wolf meat, Laoyuan enjoyed sniffing it, then began to eat.

Fang Xu saw this, also tore off a piece preparing to enjoy it, when he suddenly smelled a faint foul smell on the breeze blowing toward him from the mountain cave.

"Kid, did you fart?" Laoyuan obviously also noticed the smell, covering his nose in disgust.

Fang Xu's expression hardened as he said solemnly: "Old Ape, it's the smell of a corpse."

(End of chapter)