Chapter 360: The Order of Qin Wu Hou

The old Master Siming's gaze grew distant.

The Divine General List, twenty-seventh—these two things were linked.

It struck the old Master Siming with immense force; the top thirty of the Divine General List, the top ten, the top five—each carried vastly different weight. This rank had already surpassed General Yue Qianfeng.

Those below thirty on the Divine General List could be called distinguished generals.

Those within the top thirty could already be called Divine Generals.

All possessed Wu Gong at the Patriarch level, the ability to command ten thousand troops, and unmatched martial valor.

Li Guanyi—that boy.

I've only been away from the Western Regions for a short while—what has happened?

How is this disguised identity's rank higher than his true one?

Thoughts surged through the old Master Siming's mind; he sat frozen for a long while, then his gaze dropped to the latter part of the Juan Sect record, where Li Guanyi's battle achievements were listed—he drew in two sharp breaths.

"Slaughtered generals in ten thousand troops."

"And fought a battle with Yu Langwang."

"That brat Yu Langwang planned to circle around and swallow him?"

The old Master Siming's cheeks twitched.

He felt that all the things he had boasted to Elder Murong—the embellishments, the exaggerations—now seemed timid and restrained before reality.

Elder Murong said:

"I never expected even you, Senior, would ever hold back in speech."

The old Master Siming grimaced, unsure what to say, and finally muttered:

"I have always been honest."

"Never lied!"

Elder Murong chuckled, studying the battle achievements listed after the Divine General List, and said: "I am merely a swordsman; I do not understand the grand currents of the world. Please, both of you, explain what these achievements signify."

Thus, Wen Lingjun detailed the situation in the Western Regions: "Currently, the core powers of the Western Regions are: Yu Langwang first, the Thirty-Six Tribes second, and our Lord lies hidden among them. Yu Langwang clashed with our Lord, then turned aside, swallowed the remnants of the Tangxi, and seized the core territories."

"Yu Langwang already knows our Lord's identity and regards him as an adversary."

"He has not yet swallowed our Lord's troops because he fears being surrounded by enemies across the entire Western Regions, stretching his lines too thin, his foundations too weak to withstand the strain—but once he crushes the Tangxi state and the Thirty-Six Tribes, this concern will vanish."

"Then a decisive battle will come."

"Yu Langwang is gathering past generals to rebuild the Azure Wolf Cavalry, while we remain here."

Elder Murong raised his hand slightly.

The old Master Siming's eyelid twitched; he spoke up voluntarily: "What do you intend to do?"

Master Yan Daiqing said solemnly: "We heard you returned from the Western Regions and know the terrain. We plan to reinforce our Lord according to the situation, and wish to learn from you the precise state of affairs there."

……………………

In the great desert.

Li Guanyi led his troops in swift charge.

Previously, he had traveled to Xiyicheng disguised as a merchant, a journey taking considerable time; now, leading a vast army thundering like a dragon, he no longer concealed speed or might, returning to Anxi City in only five days.

He filled the empty treasury with the gold and silver received from Lord Li, then met with Po Jun, summoned the generals of Tiance Prefecture, and laid out Yu Langwang's strength—every face grew solemn.

This top-tier Divine General of the last era stood before them as the greatest, nearly insurmountable enemy. Po Jun tapped his brow and said: "The Western Regions abound in soldiers and fierce warriors, but ten thousand troops are easy to gather; a single general is hard to find."

"Yu Langwang Chen Fubai has spent years accumulating reputation, hidden assets, commanders, and officers—we cannot match him in such a short time. If we could, Yu Langwang would not deserve the title of a dominant and formidable warlord."

"If so, Lord, why not summon the generals of Tiance Prefecture?"

Fan Qing and Qi Bi Li froze.

Fan Qing said gravely: "If we summon them hastily, won't our Lord's true identity be fully exposed?"

Po Jun shrugged: "Let it be exposed."

Fan Qing blinked.

Po Jun explained: "Previously, our Lord could not reveal his identity because it was sensitive—exposure would inevitably provoke Yu Langwang's attack."

"It has been proven that Yu Langwang indeed would do so."

"But now, Yu Langwang already knows our Lord's identity."

"Lord Li also knows our identity."

"Yet, based on their own interests and strategy, both have silently concealed this fact."

Qi Bi Li listened in silence.

Fan Qing pondered deeply, carefully weighing the implications.

Po Jun spread his hands: "So the balance of offense and defense has shifted—the initiative now lies in our hands. In this region of the Western Regions, the emergence of men under Qin Wu Hou's banner will not fully expose our identity."

"Even if Yu Langwang and Lord Li are displeased, they must still cover for us."

"The Western Regions are vast, teeming with fierce warriors, like a pack of wolves."

"What they lack are top-tier generals and strategists to lead these grassland wolves."

"As for identity—"

Po Jun rose, bowed slightly to Li Guanyi, and proposed his strategy: "Lord, since your identity is already known to both major powers in the Western Regions, why hide it further?"

"You should, at the right moment, openly declare your identity—the top general Tian Ge'er, and Qin Wu Hou, the ruler of the Jiangnan region. When these two identities merge, the effect will be terrifying, greatly amplifying your prestige."

"It will elevate your renown to a far higher level!"

"Imagine this: Tian Ge'er, who terrifies the Western Regions, is none other than Qin Wu Hou, who rules Jiangnan. The fusion of these two equally weighty identities—what impact would it have on the people of this world, on all living beings?"

"It would be a vast, overwhelming tide!"

"The only question is—"

Po Jun's gaze swept the room, and he whispered:

"Exactly when should I reveal my identity?"

"A general ranked among the top twenty-seven in the land, or a warlord who controls over forty cities in the Western Regions—revealing one's identity from either position would produce entirely different effects."

"The higher your prestige in the Western Regions, the stronger the impact when you reveal yourself as Qin Wu Hou; if pushed to its extreme, even surpassing your father Tai Ping Gong's renown and earning the title of 'Gong' across the land is not impossible."

When Po Jun raised this strategy, his eyes glowed with an unusual purple hue.

Within him burned an indescribable fervor.

This is the path of a warlord!

Li Guanyi said: "I rely on Master Siming for all strategic matters."

"Yet, I also wish to contact the generals of Jiangnan."

Po Jun's lips curled slightly in a restrained smile.

"Then you and I are truly ruler and minister in perfect harmony!"

"Far beyond any others."

"I shall write letters to Changfeng Lady immediately."

Li Guanyi said: "No need… I recall Master Siming returned to Jiangnan, didn't he?"

Po Jun affirmed.

Li Guanyi smiled: "Then I have a better method."

"Gentlemen, Yu Langwang has risen. We will inevitably face him in battle. Last time, it seemed he withdrew—but in truth, he merely saw a more valuable prey."

"There will never be a second Dangxiang King to die at that moment."

"Next time we meet, it will be direct, total war—against the Fourth Divine General of the land, against his elite cavalry. Then it will be a fight to the death. We will no longer have the smooth, decisive battles we once had, nor the easy victories we enjoyed when we first arrived in the Western Regions."

Fan Qing stood rigidly straight; Khan Qibili clenched his lips.

Both were capable generals, and at this moment, they both felt an indescribable pressure. Li Guanyi smiled calmly: "The great tide of the world is merely struggle. One day, we must meet him."

"When that day comes, I will fight alongside you all."

After facing Yu Langwang, Li Guanyi's demeanor rapidly steadied, shedding the lingering youthfulness he once carried; like tempered steel, he now bore the true bearing of a seasoned general. He rose, gently tapped his chest, and smiled:

"Who says we have no armor? I share your robe."

"If we win decisively, that is best."

"But if we fall."

"To die alongside you all is not a bad end."

Fan Qing and Khan Qibili bowed their heads in silence.

Only Fan Qing's upright posture tightened, his hands on his knees instinctively clenching.

Khan Qibili lowered his gaze, his right hand gripping the hilt of his waist blade tightly.

……………………

Outside the capital of the Dangxiang Kingdom—

Within Yu Langwang's encampment.

Chen Wenmian, clad in white, gazed at the ruined capital of the Dangxiang Kingdom. His father, Yu Langwang, sat quietly reading military texts. Chen Wenmian turned back and whispered: "Father."

Chen Fubi said: "On the battlefield, there are no father and son."

Chen Wenmian paused, then said: "Commander."

Chen Fubi nodded with a smile: "What is it?"

Chen Wenmian whispered: "Father has executed the nobles of the Dangxiang capital, yet forcibly relocated the common people—your methods are too brutal. Resistance among the Dangxiang populace grows fiercer. Though their remaining strength is small, their resolve is extraordinary."

"General Xiao Wuliang now holds the western stronghold, blocking the allied forces of the Western Regions. He commands only one force—his pressure must be immense."

Chen Fubi looked at his son: "Because we have come to conquer them. Compromise, even if it builds an empire, will plant hidden dangers that may erupt at any moment."

"You have a compassionate heart—but now, this is how it must be."

Chen Wenmian remained silent for a long while, then said: "Yes."

Yu Langwang rose, walking without regard for his disability, slightly unsteady, and said: "I know you have a benevolent heart, but showing mercy to enemies on the battlefield is the foolishness of Confucian scholars."

"Go train on the battlefield."

Chen Wenmian still said: "Facing both the Dangxiang people's fury and the assault of the Western Regions' allied armies, even if our forces can hold, our logistics cannot keep pace."

Chen Fubi smiled: "I have my own solution for this."

Seeing his father would not be swayed, Chen Wenmian turned and left.

Chen Fubi watched his son's back and sighed: "Li Wanli, you have a fine son. Will it be he who seizes the world—or Jiang Wanshang?"

"But that depends on whether he can defeat me in the Western Regions."

"Once I've dealt with these people, I will personally lead my army to crush his Anxi City, bring him back, and let him become Tai Ping Gong!"

"And restore peace to the world with a Tai Ping Gong once more!"

This general, whose martial art carried grave cultivation risks and whose hair and beard had turned white, seemed to harbor a deep, hidden obsession with the words "Tai Ping Gong"—an obsession even he had never recognized.

Under Yu Langwang's command, the entire kingdom's counterattack could not shake his army.

Unfortunately, Chen Wenmian's prestige within the army was far inferior to his.

A situation Yu Langwang could hold firm would unravel if Chen Wenmian took command.

Yu Langwang had no choice but to remain stationed here.

Like a warlord seated at the center, awaiting enemies from all directions to come to battle.

………………

Li Guanyi left that place and climbed to the heights of Anxi City, gazing at the growing, bustling city. It was late September, the autumn chill biting sharply—he had arrived in spring, and now, with his foundation established, winter was nearly upon him.

Li Guanyi gazed quietly at the city as warm light fell gently upon it.

A gentle voice asked: "What are you thinking of?"

Li Guanyi turned his head and saw a beautiful deer approaching; its ears twitched, then it lay down beside Li Guanyi, tilting its head as its eyes fixed on him, saying, "You seem troubled."

Li Guanyi said, "I encountered the one who injured you."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer paused.

Li Guanyi said, "I am no match for him."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer said, with perfect reasonableness and great gentleness, "After all, you are still very young."

Li Guanyi said, "I'm not that young—after the New Year, I'll be eighteen."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer tilted its head. "Then isn't that still very, very young?"

Li Guanyi chuckled, realizing that in the lifespan of this Nine-Colored Divine Deer, an eighteen-year-old human was still a child. He tossed the stone from his hand and lazily said, "Still, I must fight him. Divine Deer, you've arrived just in time—could you help me? I want to reestablish contact with Jiangnan."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer gazed at him, nodded slightly, and once again unleashed its Nine-Colored Divine Light. Inside Li Guanyi, the Nine Tripods rang out in a howl—after defeating the Seven Western Tribes and devouring the national destiny of the Tangxi Kingdom, the Bai Di, the Nine Tripods had already absorbed a vast tide of destiny.

Now, harnessing the power of the Nine-Colored Divine Deer, he once again sensed the Nine Tripods of Jiangnan.

Li Guanyi felt that the destiny within the Nine Tripods had grown far grander and more vast than when he last tried to connect with Jiangnan's Nine Tripods; he naturally linked his aura with that of Jiangnan's Nine Tripods.

Boom!!

Within the Nine Tripods, destiny surged wildly.

On the path of the Master, practicing the Dao, Li Guanyi defeated the Seven Tribes and slew the Bai Di of Tangxi; within the Nine Tripods, destiny roared ceaselessly, and Li Guanyi faintly felt his foundation growing more solid.

It was similar to Jiang Su's path—achieving the Master Realm by harnessing the might of a conquered kingdom.

Li Guanyi had already chosen his path toward unifying the Nine Tripods; thus, he rode this great Dao, conquering and pacifying the Four Directions, just as Sword Mad Murong Longtu once challenged all under heaven with his sword, or as Jiang Su destroyed kingdoms and shattered enemies.

The further he advanced, the more complete his essence, energy, and spirit became.

The more destiny flowed, the more steadily he advanced on the path of the Master.

Li Guanyi's Heavy Heaven Realm took a great leap forward, then stabilized; he felt his Spiritual Form grow more active and restless, and he paused in thought—

The path of the Master centers on the Spiritual Form.

When Li Guanyi slew the White Snake of Tangxi's national destiny, and Bai Hu devoured the snake, undergoing transformation and faintly acquiring the aura of the Bai Di, his Master Realm had already advanced.

The Nine Tripods seamlessly assimilated the fear, battle aura, and martial energy of the Seven Tribes—including Dàyuán—into destiny, returning it to him.

Li Guanyi clenched his fist, feeling his realm rise rapidly.

He faintly understood why military generals underwent radical transformations in realm after conquering kingdoms—commanding troops and charging across battlefields was itself the cultivation method of the military sect.

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer's voice held a hint of astonishment: "Your aura?!!"

Li Guanyi replied, "Just a slight breakthrough."

The Nine-Colored Divine Deer fell silent.

Li Guanyi, harnessing the power of the Nine-Colored Divine Deer and the connection of the Nine Tripods, could not transmit his voice to Jiangnan—only strengthen his perception through the link.

Search—search—search—

Found it!

Li Guanyi keenly sensed the aura of Master Siming.

He flipped his hand, pulled out his Black Tortoise Spiritual Form, turned it over, blew on his fingers, and directly wrote on the tortoise's carapace. In Jiangnan, Master Siming was sighing heavily.

Before him were Yan Daiqing, Wen Lingjun, and that young man Wen He, whose presence made his heart tremble—each questioned him about the situation in the Western Regions; he gave vague answers, yet these men deduced the general state of the West.

Master Siming was about to break free—when he realized his Black Tortoise Spiritual Form had frozen.

Master Siming saw words appearing on the tortoise's shell.

They were Li Guanyi's message.

Master Siming and the old Black Tortoise's eyes widened instantly.

So far?!

"Ten thousand li from the Western Regions to here—how could that boy possibly achieve this?"

Master Siming and the Black Tortoise exchanged glances; Master Siming saw the characters on the shell, their divine aura fluctuating. Li Guanyi had written: "Elder, the distance is vast. I use the Nine-Colored Divine Deer's power to send you this message. Please relay it to Lingjun, Daiqing, and others."

Master Siming blinked, raised his head, and looked at the strategists of the Tiance Prefecture before him.

For a moment, he was speechless.

Suddenly, the Tiance Prefecture strategists rose, surging forward in a rush—someone had shoved Master Siming aside, and now a crowd surrounded the Black Tortoise Spiritual Form. The tortoise, startled, instinctively shrank its neck.

The vast Spiritual Form now showed only its shell.

Master Siming tiptoed, peering over the crowd but unable to squeeze in; he was curious—what command would Li Guanyi write? Would it be like before, when he dealt with the noble clans? Something like "Edict of Qin Wu Hou," bold and majestic?

Far away, ten thousand li distant, Li Guanyi, uniting the Nine-Colored Divine Deer, the Nine Tripods, and the Black Tortoise Spiritual Form, had only this chance to send a message. He lifted his finger, paused, thinking what to write.

Should he describe the situation in the Western Regions?

Should he speak of the great aspiration of the world, or issue a formulaic order?

Li Guanyi paused, then finally wrote his message.

Wen He, Wen Lingjun, and others saw the golden characters on the tortoise shell shimmer with radiant light, then stabilize. Suddenly, the strategists froze—as if pierced by something. Yet at the same time, the aura around them began to shift, faintly stirring with a scorching heat.

Master Siming shivered.

Where did such immense martial energy come from?!

His interest surged—he squeezed in and saw the golden characters on the shell. He paused, for they were not an order or edict, but a simple, plain, even humble sentence.

Yet it struck the hearts of these strategists who had gathered because of him.

【Li Guanyi needs you】

After a long silence, Wen Lingjun lowered his gaze; the sage of statecraft bowed gently and said:

"We obey the Lord's command."

He rose, his sleeves falling, his eyes sweeping over his comrades, smiling:

"Comrades, Jiangnan has known no war for over a year."

"The Tiance Prefecture must move."

Yan Daiqing, Yuan Zhi, Wen He, Xiao Zhi, Feng Xiao, Wei Xuancheng, Fang Ziqiao, and Du Keming all bowed their heads, their voices either deep and slow or clear and resonant, their brows either grim or indifferent, all saying:

"Yes!"

The aura of slaughter flowed calmly.

It is not only warriors who possess killing intent.

In turbulent times, scholars too harbor three parts of malevolence.

They rose, took their leave, and departed in silent stillness; the old Master Siming watched their retreating backs and murmured in wonder: "That boy Li Guanyi never imagined these lads had been right beside him."

"The situation in the Western Regions has changed."

"The moment his name appeared atop the Divine General List."

"These fellows had already guessed it."

The old Master Siming crouched down, curled his fingers, and tapped once on the tortoise shell, saying: "Come out, you cowardly fool—the boys have already left."

The Black Tortoise said: "Really?"

The old Master Siming said: "Ha, in three hundred years, when have I ever lied to you?"

The Black Tortoise's manifestation answered without hesitation: "Frequently!"

The old Master Siming's smile froze.

The Grand Master of Yin-Yang nearly broke under those two unhesitating, forceful words; he barely held himself back and said: "Come out!" Just as he reached to seize the tortoise's head, golden characters reappeared upon its shell.

"If you meet my aunt and great-grandfather, please deliver a message for me."

Li Guanyi, in the Western Regions, let his finger fall upon the Black Tortoise's manifestation:

"In Jiangnan, autumn's damp chill bites—Auntie, don't keep using cold water. Even if you're not as beautiful as before, wrap up warm. Great-grandfather too—the winter is coming, rivers freeze, fishing's hard, but when autumn leaves drift down and float far away on the current, it's still a beautiful sight."

"Tell them I'm well, in no danger, don't worry."

"When I return, we can buy half a roasted goose from the market and roast it together by the fire."

The golden characters flickered a few times, then slowly shattered—distance was too great; even with the Nine-Colored Divine Deer's aid, this was the limit. The old Master Siming gazed at these words.

The vast, turbulent, and deadly currents of the world were diluted by these trivial words.

After a long while, the Master Siming smiled:

"Thus, Qin Wu Hou, Tian Ge Er, is still just an ordinary man."

He paused, then added:

"Good."

That day, the Tiance Prefecture convened its assembly; this place was far from the Western Regions, so large forces could not march—instead, the Xue Family Merchant Guild could be used as cover, with minimal troop movements. Thus, many strategists assessed the situation and decided on the personnel to send to the Western Regions.

Master-level General of the Realm of the Seventh Tier—Crown Dragon King Kou Yulie.

Eighth-Tier Heaven Realm, Master-level Warrior—Motian Sect Sect Leader Ximen Hengrong.

The young generation's foremost cavalry commander, having broken into the Sixth-Tier Heaven Realm—Generals Ling Pingyang.

The young generation's foremost strategist, expert in the Eight Gates Golden Lock Array—Yuan Zhi.

And skeleton officers of the Fire Qilin Army.

And.

The foremost in logistics and finance—Yan Daiqing.

The chief strategist—Wen He!

The world shifted, winds rose and clouds surged; the Yu Langwang first seized dominance in the Western Regions, gripping its throat, swallowing the remnants of the Tangxi, his power grand; yet he also exposed himself—the allied forces of the Western Regions were held back by Xiao Wuliang, and the situation seemed settled.

The Fire Qilin's claws and eyes rushed toward the Western Regions to join under the Fire Qilin's command.

The situation in the Western Regions was like a taut rope—inevitably, a final battle loomed; and at this moment, one of the forty-two Western Regions cities, under a former vassal of Xiyicheng, reported:

"Report—!!!"

"My lord."

"Anxi City's Tian Ge Er has led thirty thousand troops to attack our city!!"

The city lord, who had been reclining in a beauty's lap, turned pale and cried:

"What?!"

"Why aren't you mobilizing troops at once to fight them?!"

Then came the second sentence, utterly shattering his composure.

The man raised his head, drove his blade into the city lord's heart, and said: "All captains within the city have opened the gates and surrendered."

"Please lend me your head!"

Just as General Pojun had planned, the scattered armies previously let go had infiltrated these cities, spreading tales of Li Guanyi's deeds—resistance against him in every city had grown exceedingly weak.

Whether the Yu Langwang, Lord Li, or Xia Hou Duan, all believed Li Guanyi would need to capture each of the forty-two cities one by one, requiring considerable time; unlike the earlier surprise attacks, each city was now on guard and prepared.

It would take forty or fifty battles, prolonged and repeated, exhausting immense strength.

Yet in later histories, this entire chain of battles and surrenders was described in simple words:

Late September: Campaign against the disloyal.

Late October: Fifty-seven cities were secured; the people all came to submit.

■Thus, he shook the Western Regions with awe.

——————The Tian ■■ Biography · Sa Atandi

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