Chapter 17: Personally Engage, Within Hulao Pass

Along the way, the grief you had accumulated like autumn leaves piled into mountains, hard to disperse.

The people suffer when the state prospers; the people suffer when the state falls—this is the nature of the world.

Since childhood, cultivation has always been your heart’s desire, though you never knew why from the moment you were born; transcending this world has always been your ultimate goal.

Yet now, an unprecedented emotion surged within you—a fire in your heart, a desire to end this chaotic strife and restore peace to the world.

Outside Hulao Pass, some cavalry of the Northern Wind Xuan Kingdom still caused trouble.

You rode atop your horse, gazing at this mighty pass of the world, its air heavy with sorrow.

Because of your identity as a Daoist and your origin as a disciple of Sanzhen, the guards readily let you in.

You noticed that upon hearing “Sanzhen disciple,” the guards bowed in solemn respect, as if Sanzhen disciples held exalted status within Hulao Pass.

Yet the morale inside Hulao Pass was abnormally low. Compared to the hundred thousand iron cavalry of the Northern Wind Xuan Kingdom outside, the defenders here seemed fragile and powerless; an inexplicable unease welled up within you.

Within Hulao Pass, Wang Yang’s Daqing defenders still numbered thirty thousand elite troops, while the remaining twenty thousand or so were volunteer armies gathered from all corners—some from the countryside, others from the martial world.

Within Hulao Pass’s camp, a single inquiry revealed the whereabouts of your father and younger brother.

The Lu Family Army was renowned throughout Hulao Pass, inside and out.

Though numbering only four thousand, they displayed astonishing combat prowess in every battle, ranking among the top of the volunteer forces.

Lu Yu’s name had repeatedly broken through enemy lines single-handedly on the battlefield, making him a celebrated figure in Hulao Pass.

After revealing your identity, you were respectfully led into the Lu Family Army’s camp.

Inside the military tent, father and sons reunited; your father, Lu Jiaxuan, gripped your hand in excitement and said, “Elder son, you shouldn’t have come.”

You replied firmly: “When father is in peril, how can a son dare not come?”

Gazing at your father’s white-haired figure, emotion overwhelmed you; tears spilled uncontrollably from your eyes, while Lu Yu stood beside you, choked with sobs.

Your father looked at you two brothers and said, “With sons like you, what more could a father ask?”

Yet when the topic turned to the current situation, a flicker of worry crossed his face. He told you the Northern Wind Xuan Kingdom’s army was fully prepared and would launch its assault within half a month.

If they held out, the only outcome would be the fall of the city and death of all within.

Observing your father’s expression, your heart sank. You understood—he had already embraced death, resolved to perish with Hulao Pass.

Lu Yu, no longer the optimistic youth he was before descending the mountain, had shed his former frivolity and gained a measure of steadiness.

Lu Yu told you the Northern Wind Xuan Kingdom’s military strength was formidable, far surpassing that of Daqing.

They possessed heavy infantry and light cavalry, especially the Iron Cavalry—impregnable and terrifying Daqing’s troops.

Their soldiers were fearless, often capable of holding off ten against one.

In contrast, Daqing’s imperial troops were demoralized and hesitant, while the volunteer armies were scattered like sand, lacking systematic training—their combat effectiveness deeply worrying.

Before your arrival, Lu Yu had repeatedly argued with your father; Lu Yu refused to sit idle and advocated a surprise strike to turn the tide.

Yet your father, seasoned by countless battles, knew well the ferocity of the Northern nomads; past engagements had seen more defeats than victories. He firmly believed only steadfast defense could buy precious time for refugees fleeing south. Their arguments had long become routine.

Now, as you stepped onto this ground, your father and brother fixed their gazes upon you, awaiting your decision.

You walked silently to the map of Hulao Pass, your eyes sharp as torchlight, studying every winding defensive line—your mind already forming a plan.

So you decided…

1. Personally engage, understand the situation’s direction, then make a wise choice. (0/3)

2. Follow your father’s advice and choose to hold the line.

3. Fight alongside Lu Yu to confront the enemy together.

Yu Ke stared at the options, lost in thought; he was uncertain about the latter two.

Ambush or defense? Each had advantages and drawbacks.

The Lu Family Army had only four thousand troops—they couldn’t withstand such risks. Lose them, and you’d contribute nothing to this war.

It would render your descent from the mountain meaningless.

Yu Ke wrestled with indecision for a while.

He decided to personally engage—after all, he had never tried.

Trying would mean he was no longer a “child.”

Choice 1: Personally engage, understand the situation.

With Yu Ke’s choice…

【Kunxu Ding】 now awoke as if from slumber, violently trembling, its patterns glowing brilliantly, emitting a chaotic aura.

An invisible ding shadow, like a profound vortex, quietly expanded, slowly drawing Yu Ke into itself.

Yu Ke felt as if stepping into a void of chaos; space spun wildly, stars shifted, heaven and earth overturned.

The indescribable dizziness unsettled his spirit; the world before him twisted into disorder.

A sudden massive black vertical eye fixed upon him, drenching him in sweat.

The illusory 【Kunxu Ding】 trembled again.

The eye vanished instantly, as if it had never existed.

Facing the chaotic vortex, Yu Ke clenched his teeth, focusing his will.

Only moments passed when Yu Ke opened his eyes again.

He realized!

He stood inside a solemn, dignified military tent.

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

A voice, tinged with anxiety, jolted him awake.

Yu Ke slowly stirred, his vision gradually focusing on the boy beside him.

He looked at the youth—hair tied in a Daoist topknot, clad in a “battle-damaged” armor that could not hide the heroic spirit within.

A fair-lipped, white-toothed youth, brows bold and full of martial vigor.

Yu Ke understood.

“This must be Lu Yu—Lu Chen’s younger brother.”

The heroic aura was overwhelming—no wonder so many Sanzhen disciples admired him in the simulation.

At that moment, Lu Yu gently nudged his shoulder, his eyes filled with concern.

Just now, Lu Chen had suddenly collapsed, staggering back several steps before steadying himself.

Lu Yu assumed his elder brother, fresh from the mountains, was suffering from unfamiliar terrain.

After all, epidemics ran rampant in the camp, affecting both refugees and soldiers.

Nearby, a middle-aged man with white hair hurried over—his steps steady, his bearing vigorous, his gaze sharp and resolute.

His eyes brimmed with concern for Yu Ke.

“Elder son, are you alright?” the man asked.

Yu Ke recalled instantly—he was Lu Chen’s father, not yet fifty but already snow-white-haired.

He shook his head slightly and replied, “I’m fine.”

Yu Ke’s gaze swept the tent—torches still smoldered, their faint light flickering under moonlight, illuminating a large wooden table and weapons glinting coldly beside it.

He stepped closer to one weapon, gently grasping it—coldness seeped through his palm.

“This is the feeling of personal involvement—truly dreamlike,” Yu Ke mused.

The marvel of 【Kunxu Ding】 surpassed even his imagination.

This was far more immersive than any “game.”

(End of Chapter)