Chapter 413

The Western Regions—

Over several consecutive days, Li Guanyi was occupied with numerous affairs; after the Stick Monk Thirteen informed him of the old Living Buddha's passing, he politely declined Li Guanyi's invitation to stay and set off once more on his journey.

"Each man has his own path, Master Li has his own world; I, a humble monk, seek my own inner Dharma. Perhaps one day, when I understand my inner confusion, I will return to the Academy, and then we may chat again, Master Li."

Li Guanyi asked: "Where are you going, Monk?"

The Stick Monk Thirteen had once said that the human world is a sea of suffering, with no departure and no return; but after witnessing the Living Buddha's passing, his answer now differed from that day. He clasped his hands together and simply said: "At first, my ancestor told me to let go, and I said I would not."

"So he ordered me down the mountain, yet I still wished to see the Buddha."

"The old Living Buddha said the Buddha is in the human world."

"Then I must go into the human world."

"Walk one hundred and eight thousand li, witness all living beings in their joys and sorrows—perhaps then I will find the answer. If the Buddha truly exists, then wherever he may be, I will find him."

The Stick Monk Thirteen clasped his hands together; this simple-minded yet wise monk revealed a stubborn determination, his gaze resolute and admirable—but at that moment, his eyes sparkled with mischief as he slapped the bulging object at his waist.

"Thanks to Mr. Chen Wenmian's gift."

"I have seventy-two varieties of mixed Ma Fei San, and a rope of Treasure-grade quality."

"Once I have traveled every corner of this world and found the Buddha, I will bind him with rope and Ma Fei San and drag him back to the Academy."

"Take the Buddha to meet my ancestor!"

"Hahaha."

The Stick Monk laughed loudly, slung his staff over his shoulder, and walked away with effortless grace, vanishing into the dust of the mortal world, no one knowing where he went. Li Guanyi could only wish him well and watch him depart before returning to Anxi City.

His injuries had not yet fully healed; he still needed to consume large quantities of medicinal decoctions daily. As the Changfeng Lady's intelligence network recovered, changes within Chen and Ying states rapidly flowed back into Anxi City in the Western Regions, and Li Guanyi spent each day poring over countless Juan Sect documents.

Because of his injuries, he could not escape.

Master Yan Daiqing sat to his left, Xiahou Duan sat to his right, watching him. The world's current situation was slowly rebuilding itself before their eyes: Chen and Ying states had begun war in the seventh month of Tianqi 11, and now it was the fifth month of Tianqi 13.

Nearly two years of fighting had left both nations severely weakened; even the great Central Plains powers required considerable time to recuperate. Yet Xiahou Duan argued that at this moment, the Anxi Protectorate could not rest.

"When great states move, the repercussions are vast. If they choose to continue fighting, they can still sustain themselves for a long while. But if they choose to recuperate, the tension holding them together will instantly slacken."

"Once slackened, it will not be easy to snap back into a war-ready state."

"Not at all."

"But we are the same now."

"Ah, I'd forgotten—we've started having these problems too. How ironic…"

As Xiahou Duan spoke, he coughed once, tilted his chin slightly upward; though he was stating a problem, he somehow conveyed a sense of quiet pride. He handed Li Guanyi a Juan Sect document: "The development of the Xiang Kingdom's Wang Cheng and the task of gathering silver and gold have been entrusted to General Fan Qing."

"To prevent nobles from hiding silver in their cellars, General Nangong Wumeng has been assigned as assistant. Though his command rank is slightly lower, his fortune more than compensates for this shortcoming."

"Additionally, following Mr. Chen Wenmian's advice,"

"Prince Hao Yuan Xia of Xiang Kingdom has personally traveled to Wang Cheng to pay respects to the deceased nobles, in an effort to soothe public sentiment and win over the aristocracy."

"Of course, this is actually bait—to see who dares weep for the dead noble slave-masters. Though even I think it's laughable that Mr. Chen Wenmian himself would go to Wang Cheng to mourn the dead nobles."

"But laughing would risk having the Buddha deduct my merit."

Master Yan Daiqing suddenly said: "The merit deduction is Chen Wenmian's problem."

Xiahou Duan laughed: "Isn't it yours, Yan Daiqing of the Western Regions?"

Master Yan Daiqing's temple twitched.

Xiahou Duan laughed heartily but ceased idle talk, showing Li Guanyi a few more Juan Sect documents before pausing and saying: "Also, Generals Yuwen Hua, Yuwen Tianxian, and Qin Yulong have requested to return to their homeland."

"They hope to meet with you in person."

"If you are willing, you may designate a time within three days."

Li Guanyi nodded in agreement.

Xiahou Duan handed him another Juan Sect document: "The caravans have resumed normal operations; all Western Region cities are functioning smoothly. Additionally, Yu Langwang's former subordinates have been largely gathered; some arrogant generals and commanders have turned to banditry, and Chen Wenmian has personally led the campaign against them."

Li Guanyi lifted his hand, took the Anxi Protectorate seal, breathed on it, and pressed it down with a crisp *kābā*.

Xiahou Duan pulled the document away and produced the next one.

Li Guanyi's eye twitched.

He would rather don armor, mount his horse, and fight Jiang Su for three hundred rounds than be dragged into this pile of paperwork—but he knew its importance, so he reluctantly turned to the documents.

After a while, Xiahou Duan pulled out another Juan Sect document: "The front lines report that Lu Youxian's fortress construction has accelerated, and he has begun reassigning internal personnel, disrupting the ranks and positions of officers within Zhenxi Xiongguan."

"Our moles have suffered some losses."

"Moreover, Lu Youxian has begun constructing forward outposts at ten, thirty, and fifty li beyond the city walls, slowly encroaching on Western Region territory. Chen's heavy-armored, heavy-shield battalions have advanced and clashed with Western Region cavalry."

"Chen's side, especially Lu Youxian, has not relaxed its vigilance against us."

"No surprise—he's Lu Youxian."

Li Guanyi's brow throbbed: "Lu Youxian…"

Lu Youxian, famed general of Chen, was a challenge he must inevitably face.

Li Guanyi's best opportunity was to seize the moment while both Ying and Chen were still stunned, surge down the waterways, link the Western Regions, Southwest, and Jiangnan, and rise utterly.

Li Guanyi's name had already shaken the world.

Neither Chen nor Ying would treat him as a mere pawn.

The vigilance against him now was leagues beyond what it had been at the start. If he failed to ride this wave of Western Region pacification and rise to prominence now, once Chen and Ying recovered, the difficulty would skyrocket.

Li Guanyi said: "The Southwest…"

Xiahou Duan unfolded a map: "The Southwest, though small in territory among all regions, has complex terrain, frequent mists, and oppressive heat. Central Plains soldiers fall ill easily there, and Western Region soldiers also feel discomfort upon arrival."

"The Central Plains call them tribal clans, but in truth, they are already major city-states."

"Rich in resources, their unique troops specialize in vine armor, poison, and rapid mobility. Historically, they fielded at least a hundred thousand troops—though their quality and combat capability pale compared to the Central Plains' three centuries of warfare."

"Yet from all dynasties' campaigns against the Southwest,"

"their greatest enemy has never been their armies, but the unsuitable climate and treacherous terrain. Frankly, direct assault is ill-advised—especially for the Western Region's massive heavy cavalry, whose charges would be crippled there."

"If we launch a direct assault, we'll likely suffer heavy losses."

Li Guanyi said: "I don't want to launch a direct assault either."

Po Jun said: "As I mentioned earlier, Tai Ping Gong enjoys immense popularity in the southwest. If you're willing, securing that region will be far easier—especially if we can take it without a single drop of blood spilled..."

Po Jun paused. "Then, with the momentum of our great victory in the western lands, and the entire southwest coming over to you, my lord, you'll be like a coiled dragon diving into the sea—your rise will be unstoppable!"

Li Guanyi said: "But how easy is that to achieve?"

"Moreover."

His voice trailed off as he gazed at the map; between the western lands and the southwest lay a territory belonging to Chen, and blocking the way was Lu Youxian. Po Jun said: "Once your injuries have healed somewhat, you must act against Lu Youxian."

"Otherwise, given his tactics, the longer we wait, the more difficult he becomes."

Li Guanyi nodded slightly.

After handling the Juan, he practiced Wu Gong to slowly restore his strength, then went to meet Yuwen Hua, Yuwen Tianxian, and Qin Yulong. The three generals rose at once to bow, but Li Guanyi stopped them and invited them to sit.

After a brief exchange, Yuwen Tianxian fell silent for a long while, then said: "Master Jiang defeated Yu Langwang. In battle, killing one another is common—it's all for country and home. But desecrating corpses... "

He paused, then said: "The three of us have no face left to remain here."

"Moreover, the situation is now stabilizing. We three, neither enemy nor ally, were once promised by Crown Prince that when order was restored, we could leave. May we be permitted to go?"

Li Guanyi said softly: "Teacher, I made a promise to Jiang Gao."

"But now, the Eastern Palace has changed. Is it safe for you three to return?"

Yuwen Tianxian replied calmly: "When the nation is in peril, it is precisely the time to call upon capable men. Even if it means death, should we, for the sake of our own safety, abandon the rise and fall of our country? If even we act thus, then Great Ying is no longer Great Ying."

"We beg Your Majesty to grant us leave."

Li Guanyi sighed. He knew Yuwen Tianxian's nature was upright and unyielding—no one could sway him easily. He agreed, and the next day sent them off with horses, dried rations, silver, and freedom to journey to Xiyicheng, from which they would return to Ying.

Within Ying, the situation stabilized. Master Jiang Su, through his victory over Yu Langwang, restored the nation's dignity and his own supreme authority. On this day, as he entered the palace, the guards, maids, and eunuchs all bowed their heads, daring not to look upon the Master.

Wherever Master Jiang Su walked, the air grew icy.

Master Jiang arrived at Zhaixing Tower, reported to Jiang Wanxiang, and was granted entry. Step by step, he ascended the tower, and at the summit, he saw the king who, two years ago, had still possessed a majestic aura when debating the world with Li Guanyi—now, he showed clear signs of age.

With his back to Jiang Su, he held wine, gazing at the realm; his white hair fluttered, faintly losing its luster.

The wind stirred his robe, billowing and falling, yet carried an inexplicable sense of desolation.

Like withered grass in winter, filled only with death. Jiang Su bowed and said: "Your Majesty..."

Jiang Wanxiang said: "Master Jiang, it is nearly summer, when all things sprout and grow—yet why do I see only decay? I see willow leaves dried by the blazing sun, I see the mud in the lotus pond."

"Am I truly so old that I am about to die?"

Jiang Su said: "Your Majesty is still in your prime. The world has not yet been settled. Great Ying's territory is vast, and we have countless armored warriors. How can you speak such words?"

Jiang Wanxiang laughed. "Even you have learned to speak pretty words. Alas, alas—I know my own body well. Great Ying still has deep roots and enduring strength, but I am no longer the same."

"I will grow old. I will die..."

"Heroes fade. How many chances does a man get in his lifetime?"

"One defeat in the western lands. One charge by Yu Langwang."

"I will never unify the world while I still live."

"He shattered, with his own ambition, both my dream and Chen's dream of seizing the realm. Truly, reckless! That old fool Chen Fubì, Chen Dingye's twin-dragon strategy, my plan to sit north and swallow the south—all destroyed by this man."

Jiang Wanxiang lowered his gaze. He spoke of this for a long while, then simply smiled. "Hahahaha! What a reckless, reckless thing! What a dashing thing! And truly... enviable..."

"I wish we could share a cup of wine together!"

"My whole life, I plotted for the world—this one battle, shattered and glorious!"

"The death of a hero, the shattering of a king's dream—isn't that the very best thing to drink to?"

"Truly... glorious!"

He turned, wine in hand, his loose robe flowing, white strands of hair falling at his temples, swaying in the wind. He looked at the old Master Jiang, clad in black, as still as a mountain, and saw the eye patch over the Master's left eye.

"Alas, Master Jiang, you've borne too much."

Jiang Su replied calmly: "The final antidote to the Fei poison was taken by Elder Murong, refined into medicine, and given to Yue Pengwu. Yue Pengwu's poison came from Dan Tai Xianming, and Dan Tai Xianming's poison was given by us. It's all cause and effect—no one to blame."

"Yet I used Chen Fubì's corpse to lure out that old monk from the western lands—he is now dead in Anxi. Though his Wu Gong is merely average, his body is hardened like adamantine, skilled in breaking formations—he had to be removed in advance."

Jiang Su had always been calm.

Jiang Wanxiang looked at Jiang Su: "Why must you go to such lengths...?"

Jiang Su replied calmly: "His hero is my enemy. To an enemy, vengeance is the only path."

"He is an enemy. A mortal enemy. Even his corpse can be a weapon. He invaded our land—he was marked for death. And now that he is dead... it is merely building a kenguan."

"I owe Your Majesty great grace—I shall use this sword's edge to tear the world apart."

"My reputation is but an illusion."

Jiang Wanxiang looked at the Master before him and said: "Enough."

Jiang Su said: "Your Majesty, which of your two Imperial Princes do you favor?"

Jiang Wanxiang sighed, gazing out at the realm: "The eldest is suited to rule after conquest, to let the people rest and recover. The second is ruthless. If I cannot seize the world in these final years, let the second ascend."

Jiang Su nodded in silence. He drank with Jiang Wanxiang. After several cups, he took all the wine away, preventing Jiang Wanxiang from drinking further. As the towering divine general walked out, all bowed their heads, not daring to look at the missing eye.

Except for the one who had just arrived.

His steps were calm, his aura icy. He wore black armor, a cloak embroidered with white Bai Hu patterns, stood still, sword at his waist, before Jiang Su. The Divine General Yuwen Lie had returned. His narrow, blade-like eyes regarded the Master with calm stillness.

"Teacher."

Yuwen Lie had once studied military strategy under Jiang Su.

Though he had only used the Master's prestige to gain a high starting point upon entering court, for a long time afterward, Yuwen Lie had always honored him with the respect of a disciple.

His voice was cool and sharp; his brow furrowed as he spoke directly:

"Why did you desecrate Chen Fubì's corpse?"

Jiang Su, shrouded in black robes, replied coldly: "An enemy must be opposed at any cost. Did I not teach you well? Have you forgotten even the basic truth of the battlefield—that there is no mercy, no good or evil?"

Yuwen Lie said coldly: "On the battlefield, there is no mercy, no good or evil."

"Any enemy must be defeated and killed by any means necessary."

"It is all because country and home lie behind us—but if the enemy has already been defeated, why decapitate, display corpses, and defile their reputation?"

"I am asking about this."

Jiang Su looked at this general in his thirties and spoke slowly:

"The military seeks victory and defeat; sometimes, the dead can be my troops, anger can be my troops, everything can pave the way for ultimate victory."

Yuwen Lie said: "Yet the military is a deadly weapon."

"It can do such things."

"Naturally."

"Just as a man can kill, human flesh is still flesh—it can feed."

"But when a man kills, it is chaos; one sighs, 'What a merciless age!' Yet after killing, he still says, 'This flesh is still warm—cut it for wine'—yet he calls it nothing but beast."

"All things have utility, but to pursue benefit by following only life, death, victory, and defeat is to be no better than an animal; to refrain from doing what would bring greater gain—that is what makes one human."

"A true man refrains from some things, and must do others."

The two contemporary generals stood facing each other; the eunuchs, ministers, and maids around them all bowed their heads, pale with fear, wishing they could stab out their own ears—Grand Preceptor Jiang Su was, of course, the supreme general of the realm, his aura overwhelming.

But General Yuwen Lie, since his debut, had suffered almost no major defeat except when he lost to the peak-era Tai Ping Gong and Yu Langwang; he was swift, strong, cold, and aloof—even before the Grand Preceptor, his cold arrogance remained unchanged.

He turned his gaze away, walked past Jiang Su, his cloak sweeping up and falling, his tone cold:

"Jiang Su."

"You are unworthy to be a war general."

Yuwen Lie strode away, his cloak swaying; this great general's eyes were narrow as blades, his voice crisp and cold:

"It is hateful that we serve the same nation as generals."

"Otherwise, my blade would have severed your head."

These words left everyone speechless; only this aloof general departed, leaving Grand Preceptor Jiang Su standing alone, his black robe hanging, smiling faintly, walking away calmly: "Young."

He looked at his own palm, lowered his gaze, and thought of his younger self.

Jiang Su closed his eyes, clenched his fist, and said calmly:

"The realm unified."

"What does it matter what happens before me, or my name after death?"

"Still caring whether your methods are upright and honorable—Yuwen Lie, you are not yet mature. One day, your pride will kill you in this chaotic age..."

On this day, an irreparable rift silently formed between the two greatest generals of the Ying state.

………………

In the southwest, the King of the Southwest and others agreed with Xue Shuangtao's words; so the young lady lord personally took out a letter, asked all the city lords present to affix their seals, then wrote with a sweeping brush: she wished to invite Li Guanyi here.

The King of the Southwest grew uneasy: "But our people—though not few—are hardly many. Will Qin Wu Hou truly come here? What if he thinks we've set a trap to lure him in and capture him?"

The young lady lord replied calmly:

"Then I shall deliver this letter to him myself."

Tai Bo Yong regarded her thoughtfully; though the lady lord disguised herself with the grace of jade, he was old and experienced—he saw at a glance she was an unparalleled beauty, disguised as a man, and teased:

"Oh? It seems the Qin Wu Hou trusts you deeply."

Xue Shuangtao answered with composure:

"Mm."

"Probably."

Tai Bo Yong raised an eyebrow, thoughtful.

The King of the Southwest looked at Xue Shuangtao, delighted: "Ha! Then this is perfect! I'd love to see my dear nephew again! Ha ha ha! The fifth greatest general of the realm!"

Xue Shuangtao smiled and nodded, then took her leave; there was a banquet, and all the southwest city lords held great affection for this Lady Xue, offering her gifts—some laughed, saying there was a bird with emerald feathers here, whose feathers made the unmatched biqing hairpin.

A treasure indeed; they had some on hand and wished to give them to her as a greeting gift.

The young lady smiled and politely refused.

The city lord flattered: "But with your grace, such a simple wooden hairpin is far too plain."

Xue Shuangtao replied calmly:

"Thank you for your kindness, but this wooden hairpin was carved by his own hands."

"In this world, there is no second him, no second hairpin."

Someone laughed: "Ah, so it's sentiment for an old thing—ha ha."

Xue Shuangtao answered: "It is not sentiment for the hairpin."

"The hairpin is but an inanimate object; the sentiment is for the person."

"How can human affection for the past be easily changed?"

All the southwest city lords and commanders, seeing her bearing—neither humble nor arrogant—felt deep respect.

After the banquet, she stepped out of the revelry, stood in the green bamboo grove, listening to the wind sigh, her sleeves fluttering; even in male attire, she carried an indescribable grace and aura, inhaling deeply the bamboo-laden air, her expression serene.

A woman with streaks of white at her temples held a sword and looked at her: "Shuangtao."

Xue Shuangtao said: "Auntie Chen Qingyan."

The woman with white temples looked at the young girl before her, her expression gentle, yet her tone as cold as ever: "Your Wu Gong is ordinary; the miasma here is thick, utterly unlike the Central Plains. Staying long will cause your body to suffer from water and soil sickness."

"You must leave soon."

Xue Shuangtao said: "Mm."

After a while, Chen Qingyan murmured to herself: "What do you think the King of the Southwest and the others will choose?"

Xue Shuangtao said: "I don't know."

But at least now they have this thought in their minds.

Xue Shuangtao extended her hand, pinching a bamboo leaf, gently twisting it; due to the damp miasma, she coughed softly, pressing the back of her hand to her lips, coughing for a while, then said:

"Cough, cough, cough."

"This alone makes my journey worthwhile."

"Avoiding further bloodshed is a good thing."

From her waist, she removed a rolled-up scroll and slowly unrolled it; upon the scroll was painted the grandeur of the Fifth Divine General of the World, rendered with divine precision by some mysterious artist from the First Tower of Heaven.

On the scroll, dark clouds loomed over the city; a young warlord rode a Fire Qilin, the Qilin roaring, and upon its back the divine general wore black armor, a crimson robe with Fire Qilin patterns on the sleeves, gripping a battle halberd in both hands, his bearing majestic.

His black hair was not bound in the usual helmet of a warrior.

Instead, it was pinned with an ancient, simple jade hairpin, exuding a clear and refined aura.

Xue Shuangtao lightly brushed her finger over the jade hairpin, rolled up the scroll, then personally composed a report from the Changfeng Lady to Anxi City in the Western Regions, lifted her brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote:

"Long time no see—how have you been lately?"

"My great guest minister, Mr."

……………………

Meanwhile, as nations across the world reined in their ambitions and gradually turned toward recuperation, news spread swiftly throughout the land; this battle report from the Western Regions naturally reached the heartlands of the Central Plains, arriving in Zhongzhou City.

The officials of Zhongzhou City, especially those of the Ministry of Rites, erupted in excitement.

They endlessly debated the shifting tides of the world, discussing the deeds of the powerful minister who had ridden his horse over the imperial avenue and slain men within the palace, feeling a shared pride with the 【Controller of All Military Forces, Great Marshal of the Red Emperor】.

And this debate ultimately reached its peak.

The title of Qin Wu Hou no longer matched his merits.

Thus, the officials presented themselves before the Emperor, pleading earnestly.

Ding—

Grant an additional title!

Elevate his rank!

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