Chapter 325

The Nine-Colored Deer widened its eyes, and after a long while, it finally reacted.

It was not a dream, not an illusion—this human had truly contacted it. The divine deer rose, emitting nine-colored auspicious light, and asked directly: "What skill did you use to establish a connection with me?"

Li Guanyi thought for a moment, then raised the golden Wang Yin in his hand:

"This."

The Nine-Colored Deer sensed the object in Li Guanyi's palm, and its expression softened: "Hm? This is the Golden Tiger Wang Yin of Tu Gu Hun's child—how did it end up in your hands…?"

She paused, momentarily dazed, answering herself with a complex tone:

"Yes, Tu Gu Hun has been dead for nearly two hundred years."

"Human life is brief; bearing the qi of human destiny makes longevity even harder."

Li Guanyi's heart stirred slightly—this Nine-Colored Deer seemed to have known Tu Gu Hun. The Nine-Colored Deer said: "I sense the people behind you have grown from a thousand to tens of thousands. Did I just doze off, and years passed?"

Li Guanyi calculated the time and replied: "About half a month?"

The Nine-Colored Deer said: "... Half a month?"

Her tone carried unmistakable disbelief; she tilted her head:

"You mean, in half a month, you seized this place and gathered tens of thousands of people?"

Li Guanyi answered: "Luck."

The Nine-Colored Deer's expression grew serious: "This cannot be explained by luck. It seems, as the Ancient Taigu Chilong said, you truly possess many abilities."

The Nine-Colored Deer recalled the Ancient Taigu Chilong's words—urging her to aid Li Guanyi.

A faint hesitation stirred within her.

But she remembered how she had once aided Tu Gu Hun, who later became a tyrannical and cruel monarch—the child who fled to save this land returned bearing endless slaughter. The thought of helping faded slowly away.

Should she help—or not?

The Nine-Colored Deer fell silent for a long while, then said:

"Impressive."

"I won't explain why this Wang Yin has connected with me."

"But the Western Regions have been in chaos for so long, and many heroes have emerged. Your abilities, though formidable, are still not the most impressive."

"I once swore I would never again aid any human kingdom."

"Unless you are the greatest hero of the Western Regions."

Li Guanyi felt the shift in the Wang Yin's aura—he understood: the Nine-Colored Deer was wavering, yet still stubbornly held her ground.

The Nine-Colored Deer's stubbornness, the Ancient Taigu Chilong's pride, the Fire Qilin's greed.

Are ancient divine beasts all like this?

Li Guanyi thought, and asked inwardly: "Though I am not the kind of 'great one' you speak of, please tell me—what must I accomplish to be deemed the hero you seek, so you will aid me?"

The Nine-Colored Deer recalled Li Guanyi's claim of uniting the world under one state—she did not believe it. She should have refused outright, yet these two encounters had shaken her. So she raised the bar.

If he achieved it, she would help; if not, she could finally abandon the thought.

After thinking, the Nine-Colored Deer said:

"Unless you capture a city within the remaining half-month."

"And make your name resound throughout the Western Regions."

"Then I will recognize you as possessing the potential of the greatest hero of the age, and I will aid you as the Ancient Taigu Chilong said. But if you wish me to join you, you must accomplish the deeds of an ancient hero."

"Unite all the tribes of this land beneath your command."

"Let them all cry out your name."

This was an intentionally impossible demand.

Yet Li Guanyi merely smiled:

"Perhaps we truly have fate, Nine-Colored Deer."

"I accept your terms."

The Nine-Colored Deer blinked, then tilted her head seriously:

"You didn't mishear, did I? I said you must conquer a city within the remaining half-month—a true Dacheng, not this petty skirmishing. In other words, my demand is that you become a regional warlord within your first month in the Western Regions."

Li Guanyi asked: "Only then are you calling me a hero?"

She paused, then offered seriously: "In the Central Plains, there is a saying: haggling."

"Though it is inappropriate..."

"You may bargain."

The Nine-Colored Deer said: "Trusting others so easily will get you deceived."

Li Guanyi extended his hand and smiled: "Then it's a deal."

The Nine-Colored Deer gazed at the distant small town; only after Li Guanyi extended his hand did she realize—between them lay vast distance, connected only by the Tiger Wang Yin.

Li Guanyi smiled apologetically and withdrew his hand.

The Nine-Colored Deer seemed to sigh. The next moment, the Tiger Wang Yin shimmered with light; golden radiance rose and coalesced into a figure, then transformed into the Nine-Colored Deer's antlers.

Grand, magnificent, clear and translucent, like a priceless treasure.

It gently touched Li Guanyi's third eye.

The Tiger Wang Yin emitted a low, thunderous tiger roar; golden light flared brightly, then receded, becoming as pristine as the day it was forged, finally settling into Li Guanyi's palm.

In an instant, Li Guanyi understood.

The ability he had previously confirmed when attempting to cast the Cauldron—the power to quell storms—seemed now concentrated within this Tiger Wang Yin. Though its power paled beside the true, complete Two of the Nine Cauldrons, the capacity of such a state relic was undeniably tied to territory and the people's heart.

Yet now, this Wang Yin possessed such a unique ability.

As a temporary vessel for the Two of the Nine Cauldrons.

Li Guanyi was startled as the Nine-Colored Deer's voice slowly faded.

"If that's the case, then I shall grant you some assistance in advance."

"So you won't have come here in vain, and won't leave having accomplished nothing."

Li Guanyi realized that the Nine-Colored Deer had essentially concluded he could not fulfill his promise, which was why she had offered him benefits ahead of time; he couldn't help but say, "You're truly kind—no, good Deer."

A calm, gentle voice fell.

"No matter how much you praise me, I won't give you anything else."

Li Guanyi gripped the Wang Yin and replied, "It's enough. Please wait a little while—I will honor today's promise."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer finally became thoroughly curious.

She wanted to see how a mere outsider from the Central Plains could, within a single month amid the chaos of this era's Western Regions, become a local warlord and protect the people under his command.

If he could rise as swiftly as a dragon, helping him would be no trouble.

Li Guanyi took the Wang Yin and exhaled slowly.

"Mo Sect..."

He had agreed with Master Siming to meet at the city's edge seven days hence, but Bajun spent two days investigating the situation before finding Li Guanyi, his expression slightly solemn: "Lord, we must seize the Mo Sect's garrison."

"We lack troops."

"This is the ancient capital of a kingdom—vast in area, with satellite cities, towns, and villages scattered like stars. With only a few thousand men, entering such a vast territory would instantly scatter us."

Insufficient troops, insufficient gold, insufficient supplies.

Against small bands, a famed general's leadership and tactics could compensate.

But now we face a force the Mo Sect has cultivated for centuries.

Li Guanyi said, "Mr., do you have a strategy?"

Bajun smiled. "Then, what is your plan, Lord?"

Li Guanyi said, "…If we march against the Mo Sect, the people here will suffer war's devastation. I intend to take them with us and relocate them to safety."

Bajun clapped his hands and sighed. "Indeed, only you would make such a choice."

"It seems, Lord, that we truly are aligned."

"My strategy is not far from yours."

Bajun revealed a strategy.

It caused Li Guanyi's expression to shift; the young strategist smiled: "Lord, you have separated yourself from the legendary martial figure—but forgotten that true military doctrine recognizes two kinds of troops."

"One is the visible army."

"Such as the Tiance Prefecture, the Fire Qilin, heavy cavalry, archer cavalry."

"The other is the invisible army."

"The sun, moon, stars, the Shanhe and all phenomena, the tide of the world—these are the troops!"

Bajun proposed a strategy never before seen—

"Exchange towns for cities!"

"This Dacheng differs from other cities—it is not like those in the Central Plains, backed by reinforcements and supplies. It is an isolated city, built upon the backbone of the Mo Sect."

"Think—what happens when the legendary martial figure personally attacks the Mo Sect?"

Bajun's eyes gleamed; he spoke slowly, each word deliberate: "Every high-ranking official and noble who can flee will flee, taking their elite with them. What remains are the common folk—and the Mo Sect masters, pinned in place by the legendary figure's aura."

"It will become, in the strictest sense, an 【Empty City】."

"The legendary martial figure will shatter its gates and walls, then battle the Mo Sect masters—but even if he is invincible, he will eventually withdraw. He cannot slaughter the entire city by himself."

"So these people will return afterward."

Li Guanyi understood Bajun's meaning and said, "Mr. means…"

Bajun clasped his hands together, then brought them down sharply, and said:

"Use the legendary martial figure as our military force."

"When he breaches the city, strike in unison."

"A few thousand cannot seize this city. What if ten thousand? Or a hundred thousand?"

"Lord, you wish to take them to safety—but there is no safe place in this world. Lord, the safest place is this very Dacheng!"

"This town's foundation cannot support tens of thousands."

"Staying here will exhaust our provisions and grain, and eventually shatter morale."

"Lord, you have slain Xiao Dayin and captured the head of the Huyan clan—this place was already dangerous. The city is not strong. If you attack the Mo Sect, you will take most of your elite. What danger remains for the people left behind?"

"If I may suggest, gather all our forces and unite with the main body of the Tiele tribe—some hundred thousand souls."

Bajun licked his lips, his eyes bright.

"Take all supplies, all cattle and sheep. Lead with the Golden Crescent Cavalry, flank with young, agile hunters, shield the old and young at the center—march forward in grand procession, yet in truth, strike where they are unprepared."

"We strike in the gap when the legendary martial figure breaches the city, and the nobles and elite guards flee as they always have."

"We swallow their 【Empty City】 whole!"

"With a hundred thousand occupying the city, reveal the truth to the people, seize control, and defend against the enemy—while riding the wave of the Fishing Whale's fame in crushing the Mo Sect, we spread our own renown."

"Ascend upon the Mo Sect's name!"

"As for the Fishing Whale's anger—"

Bajun paused, his face unchanged, and said:

"Lord, you may unveil Yao Guang."

Bajun perfectly embodied the strategist's style of mobilizing every available element, and concluded calmly: "Staying in this town is no good choice—it is like boiling a frog slowly to death. Lord, you know we must leave."

"But if we leave, the Western Regions folk left behind will be slaughtered by other city-states. You would never allow that. So gather all our strength and execute this strategy."

"There will be danger."

"But indecisiveness is not the spirit of a chaotic age."

"The essence of military strategy lies in appearing where the enemy least expects it, in places they could never imagine."

"To utterly eradicate the Mo Sect, there is only one way: dig up their roots completely!"

"Fan Qing is the Mo Sect's nemesis!"

Li Guanyi pondered for a long time, then ordered Qibili to send a falcon message to the old Tiele clans, instructing them to relocate; Qibili accepted the order, and then Fan Qing and Changsun Wuchou began mobilizing the townspeople.

Li Guanyi walked alone along the town's road, hearing bursts of laughter ahead; he halted, gazing far off to see children laughing and chatting beneath a pomegranate tree, Sa Atandi among them, her face lit with smiles.

As if noticing Li Guanyi, the children's laughter abruptly ceased; they regarded him with reverence, but Sa Atandi, as before, waved at him, her face brimming with lively joy:

"Tengri, you're here?!"

Li Guanyi smiled and asked: "What are you doing?"

Sa Atandi confidently pulled out a polished ox horn and said: "We're making small trinkets to sell at markets in other towns, to trade for things like thread and needles, or a little bit of sugar."

The girl's cheeks had grown rosier, a result of the stable life she'd found in this town—well-nourished, far healthier than before; Fan Qing had taught them basic fist and foot exercises.

Li Guanyi watched them, sitting with the children for a while; Sa Atandi asked: "Tengri, are you thinking about something?"

Li Guanyi hummed in agreement: "We may have to move again."

Sa Atandi paused, the girl lifting her head warily to glance afar, then lowering her voice: "Is this place in danger?"

Li Guanyi said: "There will be danger."

He did not know how to tell the child that, according to the tide of events, the food here could not sustain so many people; if the Mo Sect were not dealt with, and they learned of this town's location, danger would come.

And if the Tiance Prefecture's main force marched to attack the Mo Sect, this town would also be in danger.

Danger came from scarcity of food, from the deeply entrenched Mo Sect, from noble warlords across the land.

In this chaotic age, danger lay everywhere.

Sa Atandi nodded firmly: "Then let's go!"

Li Guanyi hesitated slightly: "You've only just settled."

Sa Atandi stared wide-eyed at Li Guanyi: "Are you worried about this? What a strange question, Tengri—you led us across the desert, brought us here to settle, saved my life."

"Now you say you'll take us on the move again—it's just returning to how we were. We are a people who walk the earth."

"We will follow you, always."

Sa Atandi smiled, stood on tiptoe, and placed a flower wreath atop Li Guanyi's head; she clenched her fist, cheering him on:

"Tengri, you saved our lives, led us to settle for so long, defeated many enemies."

"I believe you will still lead us to new places."

"Though you say you're just a traveling merchant, in our eyes—you, Uncle Fan Qing, Sister Nangong, Old Stone, Grandpa Gongsun, Uncle Pan, Uncle Xu, and Sister Yao Guang—you are all heroes."

The girl smiled and said: "I've started learning writing—I'll learn the first characters the gods spread across the earth after creating the world, and I'll write down your stories."

"The legend of Tengri—perhaps after a very, very long time."

"When the gods' falcons have flown hundreds of times from here to there, when we are gone, those who find my book will surely say: Tengri, Tengri."

"The hero blessed by heaven, the great hero who halted all war on earth."

Sa Atandi spread her arms, walking on the bricks stacked before the pomegranate tree; Li Guanyi's expression grew calm, and he said: "Then, when that time comes, I will store your book in the place reserved for such things."

Sa Atandi froze, then beamed with joy: "Yes!"

Li Guanyi touched the flower wreath on his head, his expression serene.

That same afternoon, Li Guanyi gathered everyone and explained the strategy of further relocation; the ten thousand who had followed him here showed no hesitation—they felt no attachment to the town's quietness, no nostalgia for sleeping without fear of wolves.

They repacked their belongings, harnessed horses, oxen, and sheep.

As for the ten thousand captives from the Huyan clan, they had no right to object.

Only the original few thousand residents hesitated; at this moment, Li Guanyi became extraordinarily generous—he brought out all remaining merit coins and distributed them fully to the locals, warning them of the dangers ahead.

Under such generous rewards, and with Fan Qing's persuasion, most locals agreed to join them; perhaps because the garrison had been withdrawn, the remaining residents, seeing everyone depart, considered the current situation.

Some chose to take the money and head to join nearby kin.

Others joined half-heartedly.

None knew where they were going.

The brief stopover town became an empty shell.

Li Guanyi had spent every last bit of gold and silver, slaughtered sheep and oxen, and all feasted heartily!

Morale within the ranks surged.

Nangong Wumeng watched the young lord standing at the front, vigorous and fierce as a dragon or tiger; her cheeks flushed, she turned her gaze away and muttered: "Only now does he radiate an indescribable grandeur—no longer like a pauper at all."

Finally, all gathered outside.

Li Guanyi rode his warhorse, his cloak billowing behind him, gazing at the town; Yao Guang rode a small donkey beside him, Po Jun rode a warhorse to Li Guanyi's right; Po Jun drank from his water bag:

"Didn't expect to be partnering with you again."

"The Yao Guang line of the Guanxing sect can read celestial signs, know arcane arts—your talent and mastery are sufficient to guide a large force, avoiding cities ahead, evading sandstorms, even using sandstorms to conceal your movements, correct?"

The silver-haired girl spoke sparingly, merely nodding.

Po Jun touched his Fish-and-Water Sword, placing it conspicuously: "Besides that one time we left the city, your lordship's party never encountered sandstorms, never lost men to weather, and always found water—was that your doing?"

The silver-haired girl seemed displeased he'd spoken aloud; her brows furrowed slightly.

Po Jun laughed loudly: "It's been so long since the Po Jun and Yao Guang of the Guanxing sect last teamed up—eight hundred years ago, already."

As he spoke of that length of time, Po Jun sighed.

The silver-haired girl remained silent.

Li Guanyi gazed at the different tribes; each had folded their tribal banners, entrusted to the bravest youths to carry; his eyes swept over them, and he spoke slowly: "All of you—depart."

Warriors of the various tribes raised their weapons; the ground became a forest of blades.

They shouted: "Tengri!"

Li Guanyi paused, raised the divine weapon in his palm, and spoke slowly, each word deliberate as a hammer striking empty air:

I will charge at the forefront.

I will lead you to the victory I promised.

I will lead you to a future of universal peace!

The name of Tengri rose to the heavens.

He brought these wandering tribes to settle down, including even serfs and people who could no longer survive in the slums; his prestige among them was terrifyingly high.

On this day, tens of thousands departed the town that could no longer sustain them, guided by the most outstanding heir of the Guanxing lineage, avoiding the deadly sandstorms of this desert, heading toward Zhenxi Xiongcheng hundreds of li away.

Everyone could ride horses, even children were carried by elders with superb horsemanship.

This was the very foundation upon which the Pojun strategy could succeed—individual stamina would not hinder the rapid migration.

Two thousand Golden Curved Blade cavalry led the vanguard, slicing through the path like a blade; the strongest light cavalry in history spread out like a net, capturing anyone who spotted this moving "tribe."

This vast tribe moved silently, like a vast, desolate beast traversing the desert, swallowing all life that drew near. Li Guanyi rode his warhorse alongside the Tiance Prefecture at the very front, glancing back—he saw that among these forty thousand, every able-bodied man, even those with streaks of gray in their temples, held a blade.

Fan Qing, Changsun Wuchou, and even Batuer had donned heavy and light armor, grasped weapons, and followed behind him; the ten thousand captives were also swept into this column, dispersed and disarmed, incapable of any action.

Li Guanyi turned around.

He understood more deeply now.

A time of chaos, an age of fierce contention.

It is the moment for heroes to rise, the day for the people to seek survival.

Fight today!

Fight for this sliver of hope!

The world!

Li Guanyi wore the Chi Xiao Sword at his waist and galloped forward on horseback.

On the third day, the Nine Clans of the Tiele tribe sealed off their original gathering grounds and all rode forth—this was a people accustomed to slaughter and warfare across the desert; tens of thousands brought all their supplies, obeying the command of Khan Qibili.

At this moment, Yu Langwang and the Tangxi Kingdom were engaged in their final struggle.

Legends of the Jianghu surged grandly, building momentum; it was called the greatest Jianghu event since the Sword Madman retreated from the world—but few martial artists ventured to this remote western region, within Mo Sect territory, to witness it.

The Mo Sect's high-ranking leaders were locked onto by Diaojingke's qi, shocked and enraged as Diaojingke pressed down with overwhelming force; nobles began leaving as they always had—this great Jianghu affair, this struggle, rivalry, and deceit within the Jianghu.

Such Jianghu heroism, such grand events, had reached their peak.

Yet none had noticed that behind their own city, amid the celestial phenomena and sandstorms, a force nearly at full strength was slowly approaching.

Three thousand fully equipped Golden Curved Blade cavalry.

Tens of thousands of archer cavalry.

The Nine Clans of the Tiele converged in sequence, gathering until they totaled one hundred thousand.

Carrying only three days' rations.

Amid the surging chaos of this desert, they raced toward the heart of Mo Sect's largest stronghold.

At their head: the forty-seventh name on the List of Great Generals of the Realm.

Fire Qilin · Li Guanyi.

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