The Earth Immortal muttered to himself for some time before asking, "Can you confirm where the Imperial Qi came from?"
"It's definitely from the dynasty. However, King Lu is a branch of the dynasty. Hence, we have no way of knowing where King Lu is from."
"Think of a way to verify this. This concerns the enemy's judgement. Oh yes, how's the investigation on Xie Yi and Xie Cheng Dong?" The Earth Immortal's expression was frightening.
An Elder was expressionless as he instructed a disciple, "Bring me the investigation report."
The disciple hurriedly brought the report up as the Elder received it, "Xu Ji Cheng, Li Yuan and Wu Jia Yong were all killed by Xie Yi."
"That's not all. We've sent people out to investigate and found out that the Xie father and son visit a monastery. It's the one that was destroyed by lightning. The strangest thing is that it's a small place with good Feng Shui."
"Although it's just a small branch of the Dragon Veins, the most important thing is that it's not in the sect's records."
"Even the patriarchs of the Paradise didn't notice it. That's terrifying."
The Earth Immortal's cheeks twitched. This was the crux of the matter. A mere place with good Feng Shui wasn't much. However, the Paradise was in control of a few hundred miles. All the branches of the Dragon Veins should be under their control and not in the records.
He then spoke out coldly, "A branch of Paradise in Dark Altar Mountain Range? The bigger the Dragon Veins are, the more branches there would be. But how did the Xie father and son find them? "
When an Elder heard this, his face turned gloomy, "We should summon Xie Cheng Dong and make him explain himself."
The Earth Immortal didn't speak as he looked at another Elder, "Yu Kan, you're the first Elder. What's your opinion?"
Yu Kan's eyes were dark as he replied, "I'm afraid Xie Cheng Dong might not return."
"If he returns and explains himself, everything will be fine. If not, I'm afraid there's a problem, and it's very serious."
"We can give it a try." Hearing Yu Kan's words, the Earth Immortal then instructed, "Now that these disciples are in serious trouble, we have to restrict them. Pass down my orders. Without my orders or the Elders' orders, nobody is to leave the mountain. Anyone who disobeys will be killed."
As the Earth Immortal spoke, he was clearly troubled. He then took a few steps forward before saying, "Also, those disciples who have fallen too deeply into the demonic path have lost their souls. Their flesh bodies are useless and can be used as a substitute for my incarnation. Bring all of them to the foot of the mountain. I wish to see Pei Zi Yun."
Yu Kan immediately understood the intention. When the Earth Immortal's incarnation seized the physical body, it would not be able to last long in battle. The reason for this was the lack of mana.
Even if an Earth Immortal could use the natural power of the world, the amount of magical power he had to use was quite large. Therefore, a complete Daoist body in the foundation stage could only fight for a quarter of an hour even if he burned all his blood essence.
If he met an expert, it would be even shorter.
Now that there were a few more, he immediately replied, "Yes!"
Prefect Mansion
Before the battle, the governor's mansion was heavily guarded, but there was a line of people waiting in line.
The guards within the mansion were patrolling the area. At this point, one of the guards looked at them with envy, "Those people over there are waiting for their rewards. Honestly speaking, these people are much better than us guards. They'll be promoted to nobility."
"Patrol properly, don't be envious." One of the guards spoke out.
At this point, a eunuch walked out and shouted out, "Jian Cheng, Guang Jun, Sang Tai, Di Zong Wu, Gu Qian Shan, His Highness has summoned you. Follow me."
The eunuch's voice was extremely sharp, and it caused one's entire body to go numb.
Jian Cheng and the other four entered the main hall. Although it was called a main hall, it was actually a hall within the Prefect's mansion. There were four basins filled with ice, and the moment they entered, they felt cool and refreshing.
The five of them kowtowed and bowed. King Lu was dressed in a silk robe and wore a golden crown. Although he looked tired, he was full of energy. It seemed like he had won the battle and was in a good mood. He smiled as he bowed and asked, "Who is Jian Cheng? You've done many good deeds recently. How many men do you have left? "
Jian Cheng was a cavalry officer and hurriedly replied, "There aren't many soldiers under my command. Originally, I had three hundred men. But after so many battles, I'm left with two hundred and seventeen men."
King Lu then looked at him carefully. He noticed that this man was very young, and didn't look more than eighteen or nineteen years of age. There was even a scratch on his face, and he looked very valiant. King Lu was very satisfied. He then spoke out, "The casualties aren't small either. However, you've fought valiantly. You've managed to get rid of Count Zhong Qin's rations. I'm very pleased with you. I shall promote you to be a cavalry officer."
"Thank you, your Majesty!" Jian Cheng shouted out loudly as he bowed down. The people around him revealed looks of envy. Although there were only five hundred cavalry officers, they were promoted to a fifth rank official. This was the privilege of being a cavalry officer.
"Guang Jun, you're a cavalry officer as well. You've also contributed greatly. You shall be promoted to a cavalry officer."
"As for the rest of you, Sang Tai, Di Zong Wu, Gu Qian Shan. Although you're a foot soldier, you've fought valiantly and killed the enemy's general. You shall also be promoted to a cavalry officer."
"I know that you don't have enough soldiers now. I'll give you ten days time. Choose your soldiers from the counties, and prepare to fight for me in battle." King Lu then looked at the five of them. At that moment, his eyes shone brightly. The five of them bowed down in unison, "Yes, we shall do our best to serve you."
"You may leave now." King Lu waved his hands as he turned around and smiled at Xie Cheng Dong, "Although Count Zhong Qin has hundreds of thousands of soldiers under his command, it's a large number. Furthermore, my army has produced many heroes, and has accumulated many merits. I'm very pleased."
Seeing that Xie Cheng Dong was deep in thought, and didn't seem to hear him, he laughed, "What's mister thinking about?"
Xie Cheng Dong looked at King Lu and felt uneasy. It was as though a threat was approaching him, "Why do I feel more and more uneasy?"
When he heard these words, he snapped out of his daze and bowed, "The heavens are on your Majesty's side, and there are many good generals around. However, aren't you promoting them too quickly?"
"Mister is prudent." King Lu took a sip of tea before he spoke, "It's just that we've been promoting more recently. Last night, I looked through the records of the newly promoted soldiers. There are thirty-seven of them. Nineteen of them were originally from my army, while ten of them were from the countryside. Eight of them were from the surrendered army. There aren't many problems with this list."
King Lu then spoke out plainly, "My army has King Lu's personal army as the core. Qin Prefecture and then the surrendered army. There are many soldiers stationed in the counties, but they're just sheep. We need a wolf to lead the army. These people come from all over the country, and their only distinguishing feature is that they're resolute and decisive. They can kill and fight.
Mister, you're worrying too much. "Xie Cheng Dong thought about it carefully, and realized that it was indeed the case. He then bowed and said," What King Lu said is true. I've been worrying too much. Count Zhong Qin's movements are getting more and more aggressive. We need elites to be prepared. "
"Yes, that's the logic …." King Lu then asked, "How's the situation in Hanzhong?"
"I've received news recently. Although they've been mobilized by our side, they've gathered twenty thousand soldiers in Hanzhong. Although General Han is good with his troops, it's reasonable that he hasn't been able to take them down. King Lu, you mustn't lose your composure. If you continue to supervise him, I believe there will be good news soon." Xie Cheng Dong advised.
North of Hanzhong was the Qinling Mountains, while the south was the Bingba Mountains. Since ancient times, Hanzhong has been known as the "Kingdom of Abundance". Not to mention the amount of food, the key thing was that their strategic focus was different.
After pausing for sometime, Xie Cheng Dong then spoke out, "But if King Lu is anxious, I can send some rations over to reassure the soldiers. At the same time, I can find out more about the situation."
"That's settled then. Go and do it." King Lu sighed, "It's not that I'm anxious, but this concerns the life and death of my army!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he ended the meeting. Xie Cheng Dong then left the room. When he reached the corridor, his face sank, but his thoughts weren't on Hanzhong.
The people he had just promoted were all from different places. It was impossible for them to be from the same organization. But even though that was the case, he still felt uneasy. What was the problem here?
Just as he was thinking, a Daoist walked over and spoke softly. Xie Cheng Dong was shocked, "My sect has sent someone? Then I shall go and welcome him. "
As he spoke, he walked out of the room. When he reached the door, he saw a Daoist. Surrounding him were three other Daoist soldiers who were dressed in robes.
This Daoist stepped forward and bowed when he saw Xie Cheng Dong, "Senior Brother Xie, the sect has summoned you. I hope that Senior Brother Xie can return first."
Xie Cheng Dong paused, "The sect wants me to return?"
For some reason, Xie Cheng Dong felt even more uneasy, as though a threat was approaching. He paced around and thought for some time before speaking out, "King Lu's situation is urgent, and I cannot leave. If not, all my efforts would be wasted. I just have to wait for some time, and help King Lu achieve victory before I return to the sect."
Hearing Xie Cheng Dong's words, the Daoist felt uneasy. Seeing that there was no one around, he spoke out softly, "Senior Brother Xie, Elder Yu has given orders for you to return immediately. It's not good to disobey."
"When a general is outside, he cannot obey his master's orders. Now that I've received an important mission from King Lu, and this is a crucial time for the war. If I were to leave suddenly, it would offend King Lu, and all my efforts would be wasted. Go back and report this to my master." Xie Cheng Dong spoke out in a heavy tone.
The Daoist looked at Xie Cheng Dong, as though he wanted to say something, but didn't. He sighed and turned around to leave.
Xie Cheng Dong's face was cold as he watched the Daoist leave. The Daoist who had been rejected reached a crossroad and turned around to look. He sighed and walked towards the ox-cart not too far away.
At this point, it was drizzling, and the entire city was shrouded in mist. The ox-cart looked neither new nor old, and there were several men dressed in raincoats standing around. The Daoist walked up to the ox-cart and reported softly, "True Sovereign, Xie Cheng Dong said that he wouldn't return to the sect because of the war."
The Daoist recounted everything that had happened, and didn't add anything to the story.
The Earth Immortal looked like he was around forty years old. His facial features were ordinary, but his soul seemed to have changed. His eyebrows were raised slightly, and he had a cold expression on his face. He listened to the Daoist speak, but didn't speak. His eyes stared at King Lu's residence, as though he was deep in thought.
After some time, he sighed, "Purple Qi descending? The Emperor's Qi is only so-so. Even if King Lu obtained Qin Prefecture, he wouldn't have such an appearance. It looks like the heavens have changed. "
The Earth Immortal sighed before he turned around and spoke to the Daoist, "Since Xie Cheng Dong isn't willing to return to the sect, and we can't find out what's going on. Let's contact Pei Zi Yun!"
"Yes!" The Daoist's heart turned cold, but he complied.
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