Chapter 664

The moonlight is very good.

There are few stars.

In the military city, traveling palaces are scattered among the mountains and forests, and the void is filled with the strong ripples unique to the space-sealing prohibitions, constantly flashing.

Since Wu Tie used the Void Great Shift Divine Talisman to scheme against a divine old ancestor, the many clans of Wei have been wary of the Void Great Shift Divine Talisman. The places where the old ancestors reside have had the void completely sealed, specifically to guard against this shameless tactic.

Under a large banyan tree, a chessboard was set on a blue stone; Kong Cheng xi and Meng Bu yan sat on opposite sides, slowly placing the black and white pieces.

"People's hearts in this world are still good…… just like those children, they are uncarved jade; with carving, they become outstanding talents." Kong Cheng xi held a black piece, speaking leisurely: "So, old Meng, don't let your temper flare so much. Those who suffered losses during the day are the people of Qingqiu; don't let your temper flare so much."

He lifted the teacup beside him and took a sip. Kong Cheng xi said softly: "So, don't shout about launching an all-out attack, deciding life and death in one battle—that's no good, no good…… We've barely lived to this age; to die in a chaotic mess, how could you bear it?"

Meng Bu yan let out a cold snort: "Old Kong, don't talk to me about people's hearts; I understand this better than you."

Shaking his head, Meng Bu yan coldly laughed: "If we don't take the initiative, just wait and see. Heh, Linghu Zan is the second paternal uncle of Linghu Qingqing's direct line; he has fallen, and Linghu Qingqing has shown no reaction at all…… just wait, this will happen in three to five days."

Kong Cheng xi said in a deep voice: "I still believe in overcoming movement with stillness."

Meng Bu yan raised his brows, a flash of fiery red-dust killing intent in his eyes: "I, on the contrary, believe that seizing the initiative is the way to victory."

Their gazes crossed; a small patch of void on the chessboard twisted, collapsed, forming a tiny vortex, and dozens of chess pieces 'crack crack crack' shattered into wisps of smoke, swallowed whole by that little vortex.

The two, who had known, understood, and clashed with each other since childhood, looked at each other, smiled simultaneously, and with a sweep of their sleeves smoothed out that void vortex.

"What either of us says doesn't count." Kong Cheng xi said calmly: "After all, we still need everyone to work out a set of rules. Doing things through discussion is good, good—it prevents you from making hot-headed decisions that pit the clan's youth."

"Consultation, discussion—in peaceful times this is naturally fine; lower efficiency in state affairs is no problem." Meng Bu yan said coldly: "But at a critical juncture of war, we need neither consultation nor discussion; a single will, a firm and absolute will, is enough."

Meng Bu yan shook his head: "Xiahou Lu ming, I look down on him. Since a great clan has handed over supreme decision-making authority to him, he should now make an absolute decision… his wavering, I look down on him."

He lightly tapped the chessboard with his finger, and Meng Bu yan said in a deep voice: "After this battle, I will propose to impeach Xiahou Lu ming and let him retire into old age. What do you think?"

Kong Cheng xi was silent for a moment: "Forget it, Xiahou Lu ming is too indecisive… this matter… well, that ruthless kid has made a move."

Kong Cheng xi, Meng Bu yan, and Xiahou Ru long, among the top-tier old ancestors of the Wei divine state in both strength and status, all raised their heads and looked toward a cluster of traveling palaces atop the mountain.

Dao Xiao ke stood ramrod straight at the entrance of this palace complex, coldly gazing at Gong sun Xiu niang standing inside the gate.

"I've told you before: swords are for killing people, not for performing at banquets. Only a sword that has slaughtered countless is a qualified sword." Dao Xiao ke pointed at Gong sun Xiu niang: "You don't accept my understanding of the sword Dao, and you forcibly removed me from the position of head of the Sword Discussion Hall."

Shaking his head, Dao Xiao ke gave a mocking smile: "But over these years I've grown stronger while you've stagnated, proving I'm right."

Gong sun Xiu niang said coldly: "The sword Dao is not merely for slaughter."

Dao Xiao ke burst into laughter: "Only a sword that kills is the strongest…… or rather, only a sword that kills is useful. You and your clansmen are all trash. And trash has no worth to exist."

Dao Xiao ke turned away arrogantly; a series of piercing sword clinks rang out, and his gaze shattered thousands of strands of divine soul power spying here, cleaving the divine soul power of many Wei divine old ancestors into fragments.

Kong Cheng xi, Meng Bu yan, and the others all cursed under their voices, each rubbing their eyes and withdrawing their gazes.

Dao Xiao ke pointed at Gong sun Xiu niang and laughed: "Duo Wu shu lost not because my sword Dao is wrong, but because he isn't strong enough and hasn't killed enough people. Everyone knows what I intend to do to your Gong sun clan; some oppose, some support, but I believe that after tonight, many more will support me, while few will support you."

Gong sun Xiu niang's beautiful face suddenly twisted.

Dao Xiao ke was like a snarling evil wolf, gritting his teeth, slightly lowering his body forward, and whispered: "I'm not afraid to tell you—you already know—how your husband died back then, and how the several sons-in-law you brought in, who wanted to continue the bloodline, died…… all were done by me."

"Your title of ten-thousand-year-old widow is my gift…… I won't allow any other man to touch you; you are mine." Dao Xiao ke's face twisted into a vicious grin: "I will crush you in every aspect you pride yourself on, then you will be mine, and your Gong sun clan will be mine, heh……"

Gong sun Xiu niang finally let out a sharp, long whistle; around her, countless layers of petals blossomed outward, and numerous beautiful flowers and strange herbs quickly shrouded the void for miles around, each petal composed of countless fine sword auras, madly engulfing Dao Xiao ke.

Amid the sky-filling sword auras, a jet-black, straight, fierce and murderous sword light, carrying a frenzied demon-like killing intent, shot straight into the heavens.

Just one sword, and the sky-full of flower rain shattered.

Just one sword, and Gong sun Xiu niang's clothes exploded into fragments all over her body.

Just one sword, and the long sword in Gong sun Xiu niang's hand flew free, turning into a cold light that shot out a hundred li.

Just one sword, Gong sun Xiu niang spat out mouthfuls of blood, her fair body covered with dozens of deep wounds reaching the bone, bloody and muddy as she flew backward, crashing headfirst into the gate of the rear hall.

Dozens of Gong sun clan women cried out and surged forth; a splendid floral sword formation instantly formed, a band of sword aura condensing into a vast scroll like azure sky and hoary moon, carrying a dreamlike beautiful conception as it crushed down upon Dao Xiao ke.

"Clay chickens and tile dogs—not worth a blow." Dao Xiao ke laughed loudly: "Everyone, look well—what use is the Gong sun clan to the state? Hand them over to me; I won't need ten thousand years, I will add to Wei a batch of truly useful iron-blooded swordsmen."

Where the black sword aura rose, the sword shattered the azure sky, cut the hoary moon; dozens of Gong sun clan women of extremely high cultivation vomited blood and collapsed, being cleaved by Dao Xiao ke's sword until their five viscera were about to burn, nearly dying on the spot.

"If it weren't for thinking that you little girls could later bear Old Master a big litter of lively brats…… I would have cut you down now." Dao Xiao ke bared his teeth in a grin: "I have no pity for fragrance and jade; what I value is effectiveness."

With a long laugh, Dao Xiao ke vanished silently into thin air.

"Is this alright?" Kong Cheng xi pinched a white piece, lightly tapping the chessboard.

"Perhaps, very good." Meng Bu yan said in a deep voice: "Over these years I have witnessed countless worldly affairs; weakness is the path to death, and sometimes, regardless of good or evil, right or wrong, ultimately it is the strength differential that makes the final decision."

"Gong sun Xiu niang might be innocent…… but what Dao Xiao ke has done is, as he said, greatly beneficial to the state." Meng Bu yan slipped a black piece into the board: "As long as Dao Xiao ke does not infringe upon Meng clan interests, I will not intervene."

Kong Cheng xi's face showed a hint of worry; he let out a soft sigh and placed a white piece as well: "I feel uneasy, it's awful…… why did a war of this level suddenly break out? How did a war to annihilate a nation come to this point? Have you not seriously investigated just what triggered it?"

Xiahou Ru long appeared soundlessly under the banyan tree, sat beside the blue stone, and let out a heavy sigh.

"We've looked, but there's no result yet. I'm worried too…… but what's the use of worrying? Rather than sit and discuss, let's rise up and annihilate Qingqiu, so Wei can keep peace." Xiahou Ru long looked at the chessboard, then suddenly laughed and pointed at it: "How about, old Meng, you place a piece here?"

Kong Cheng xi frowned slightly: "A true gentleman watches the game without speaking!"

Xiahou Ru long laughed: "I am a true petty man…… I am preparing offerings to sacrifice to the gods, to exchange for a treaty with Wu on their side and our Wei. If Wei smoothly conquers Qingqiu, Wu will not provoke or attack Wei."

Meng Bu yan stared, then, following the flow, placed a piece where Xiahou Ru long pointed: "This move is great goodness. Well, if we could hire some barbarian gods as muscle guards, that would be even more appropriate. The required expenses, we each chip in a bit, and that's that."

Xiahou Ru long nodded with a smile, then began to point and direct, indicating how the two should place their pieces.

Shortly afterward, Xiahou Ru long was punched dozens of times by the combined forces of Kong Cheng xi and Meng Bu yan, causing him to clutch his head and flee.

Several dozen li from the banyan tree, in another traveling palace, inside a dimly lit hall, an old man clad in yin-yang taiji robes solemnly scattered a few copper coins onto the ground; with a 'ding ding' sound, the coins landed, spun a while, then came to rest.

The old man squatted, left hand holding a candle, furrowed his brows as he looked at the copper coins on the ground.

"Hmm, great misfortune?"

The old man's surname is Li, given name Xuan gui, the supreme elder of the Wei Li clan.

The Li clan, generals of Qingqiu divine state, are famed for archery; whereas the Wei Li clan are known for divination. However, the Wei Li clan's divination arts are said to be envied by heaven, often damaging lifespan at the slightest use, so they rarely practice it lightly.

Li Xuan gui hasn't personally cast divination for many years.

Six oily, gleaming ancient copper coins in his hand hold the boundless mysteries of encompassing the universe and peering into heaven and earth.

He lightly traced his finger over the six copper coins; Li Xuan gui pursed his lips and smiled: "Indeed, great misfortune…… but my Li clan has a sliver of life. So, great goodness…… heh, the sea of suffering is boundless; the vessel that can escape suffering cannot hold too many people."

I, the Li clan, preserving oneself is already rare and precious. However, this letter of allegiance, right?

He raised his head, Li Xuangui narrowed his eyes, slowly nodded, and smiled: "The letter of allegiance is definitely needed. Hmm, Lao Ba, you sneak off for a trip, take the children, go to that place we prepared back then to hide."

"The children's lives are important; as for external possessions, take what you can carry, leave what you can't."

"Save the person, lose the land—both person and land remain; the ancients' saying, hearing it brings no loss."

In the dim hall, a slender yin wind swirled and slipped out through the door crack.

Li Xuangui rose to his feet; the six copper coins that had fallen to the ground vanished silently. He pointed with his right hand, and an ancient, mottled three-foot bronze sword silently appeared, which he casually slipped into his right sleeve.

The hall's great doors opened silently; Li Xuangui staggered, left hand holding that candle, took a step forward and arrived beneath the great banyan tree.

"You two, what refined taste, playing what chess in the middle of the night? How about going for a drink?"

Li Xuangui slapped the chessboard of Kong Chengxi and Meng Buyan flying.

Kong Chengxi and Meng Buyan's pupils contracted…… they both gave Li Xuangui a deep look.

The Great Wei Li clan is the most low-key; normally, clan members each keep their heads down, studying in their own courtyards, rarely interacting with the outside world.

Li Xuangui finds it hard to open their mouth to ask someone to do something, but whenever they do, something major is sure to happen.

Even someone behind them gave Li Xuangui the nickname "Li Wuya," meaning that just hearing Li Xuangui's voice brings disaster.

Kong Chengxi laughed as they stood up: "It's just a game of chess, not interesting at all—come on, come on, come on, drinking is what matters."

Meng Buyan also laughed as they stood up: "In these years, I've also cultivated a good capacity for drink—hehe, I have good wine where I am."

Li Xuangui turned their head, and with a whoosh blew out the candle in their left hand.

The surrounding light suddenly dimmed, and the three figures vanished just like that.

Outside the military city where Linghu Qingqing's headquarters is located, the light pillar left by Linghu Shen's fallen remains shoots up into the sky, illuminating half the city brightly.

Linghu Qingqing stood with hands behind back, alone in midair, gazing at that light pillar.

What fell from that light pillar were the core members of the Linghu clan, and moreover, they were the elders especially close to Linghu Qingqing.

Just like that, they're gone.

Linghu Qingqing's heart aches greatly.

Even those ant-like foot soldiers, even if they suffer millions of casualties, in Linghu Qingqing's eyes they are merely a number on a military statistics chart—black on white, glanced at and then forgotten.

But Linghu Shen's death makes Linghu Qingqing's heart ache as if being twisted.

"Great Wei… hehe." Linghu Qingqing clenched the right hand into a fist, then suddenly asked in a low voice: "You Ruo, do these fallen divine-realm elders count as our offerings? If we use them to exchange for some aid… how much could we get?"

No one was beside Linghu Qingqing; You Ruo's voice came directly from the air.

"Hmm, is it a person or an object? Hehe, if counted as an offering… then of course, it's very valuable!"

"Looks like you've finally made up your mind—this is great, very good."

Outside the military city, Dao Xiao Ke silently emerged from the darkness, wearing a sneering look as they gazed at the thin light curtain shrouding the city above.