Chapter 1534: The World is a Sea of Bitterness, We are All Crossing It

The days of heavy rain had finally ceased.Clouds scattered across the horizon, unveiling a sliver of sunlight.Yet, the shadows of the mortal realm would not be so easily erased.The stench was a viscous thing, clinging to your nostrils,A constant reminder of what had transpired.Blood, on the ground, had wound itself into threads.Corpses lay everywhere, composing a grim tableau.All that was once vibrant and boisterous had fallen silent.Yi Shengfeng sheathed his sword and stepped away.Seventeen battles in seven days, nothing more than killing and moving.Though it was said that True Human Qi Sha and the Duke of Huai’s Mansion had reached some understanding,The Duke of Huai’s decree for pursuit naturally made no mention of any limitations. Anyone could kill Yi Shengfeng, anyone could claim the reward. Anyone who killed Yi Shengfeng would receive protection.As for the restriction on Divine Presence and above not intervening, this would be enforced by the deterrence of the Southern Dipper Palace.Should any Divine Presence or higher realm expert act against Yi Shengfeng, True Human Lu Shuanghe of Qi Sha would personally address them with his sword. Regardless of origin or background, the outcome would be death.“What dog-shit understanding, it’s entirely a unilateral compromise.”Yi Shengfeng thought silently.But this world was inherently one where the strong prey on the weak, and the victor was always right. He had long understood this and had nothing to complain about.Years ago, when he pushed Jiang Wang into the river, for many years he had not thought of this person again.By all accounts, he should have drowned. Even if he hadn't drowned, spending his days in a desolate place like Fenglin City's Phoenix Creek Town, Jiang Wang's greatest achievement would be inheriting his father's herbal shop, perhaps opening a few more branches at most.Years later, when he returned to his birthplace with his sword, looking down upon the mortal world with a state of mind soaring above the clouds, he might only smile at the events of that year, leave behind a hundred or a thousand taels of gold, and fondly recall childhood friendships.But as fate would have it, Jiang Wang did not die.Not only did Jiang Wang not die, he had even begun cultivating.After missing the celestial destiny of the Southern Dipper Palace, he had still embarked on the path of cultivation.Cultivation would have been one thing, if he had only tilled the small plot of land in Zhuang State, revolved within the small Daoist academy, and strived for a lifetime, at most becoming a leader of the Judicial Affairs Department later. Was it the Soaring Dragon realm or the Inner Mansion realm?Yet, Jiang Wang had somehow gone to the mighty Qi State in the East, and even represented Qi State to claim the title of Champion of the Yellow River.Therefore, he had seen a future far grander than that of Yi Shengfeng!Thus, the enmity from him pushing Jiang Wang into the small river, nearly drowning him, had become a real hatred.Thus, the coldness, the pressure, the suffocation in the water, the great terror between life and death, had become tangible!Jiang Wang was no longer a wisp in the faint memories of childhood, but had truly leaped out of that small river, into the world where he flew his sword in the azure sky, a figure he heard of, a figure he perceived.From a young age, he had a stubborn nature. When he dueled with Jiang Wang using wooden swords as a child, no matter how many times he lost, he would grit his teeth and try again, pulling Jiang Wang and refusing to let him leave, insisting on winning back.But Jiang Wang was actually the same. In those many sword duels, Jiang Wang had never yielded to him once.He understood that Jiang Wang would definitely not let him off, and therefore he would definitely not let Jiang Wang off either.It was that simple.At a certain moment, he suddenly felt something and couldn't help but look up at the sky. From the distant celestial sphere, there was a subtle resonance.His Star Tower, like wind rustling through leaves, stirred, but he knew not why.The heritage of the Southern Dipper Palace was ancient and did not adhere to the so-called Four Spirit Star Regions.The Star Towers established by Yi Shengfeng were all in the Killing Stars.They were called Fiery Star, Qi Sha, Po Jun, and… Greedy Wolf!The subtle resonance he suddenly felt came from the Greedy Wolf Star Tower, which also had a name called Heavenly Pivot, located in the Big Dipper.This feeling was like a breeze ruffling the surface of a lake.He focused his mind to seek it, but knew not where the wind came from, nor where it went, and the lake surface had already calmed.Just as he was about to manifest his spirit to observe this ripple with his Star Tower, a surge of blood suddenly flooded his heart!Danger had arrived.Yi Shengfeng turned around without hesitation, immediately abandoning his planned course of action and fleeing through the forest.If possible, he would not willingly place himself in peril to face death. But if he had to face it, he would surely draw his sword to seek his own life and let the opponent die.The world is like a bitter sea, and we all strive to cross.This great escape encompassing the entire Southern Region was naturally the attitude of the Duke of Huai's Mansion of Great Chu, and it was naturally the tempering journey that True Human Qi Sha tacitly allowed him.But it was also a good time for Yi Shengfeng to make a name for himself and validate his sword.He must not diminish the reputation of a true disciple of the Southern Dipper, personally taught by Lu Shuanghe.To the south of the Land of No Law was Zhuang State's Dai Mountain Commandery.Zhuang State had four commanderies: Hualin, Qinghe, Dai Mountain, and Yongchang. Setting aside the newly established Yongchang Commandery, among the traditional three commanderies, Dai Mountain Commandery had always been the most militarily prepared. It had the most beast lairs and the fiercest soldiers. The renowned Nine Rivers Black Armor originated from here.On this day, dust billowed on the road as a cavalry unit galloped rapidly.At the head, a large flag, fluttering in the wind, bore two large characters – "Huangfu."As Zhuang State's foremost military official, General Huangfu Duanming was a figure often overlooked.When people mentioned Zhuang State, they spoke of Zhuang Gaoxian and Du Ruhui.Then they would trace back to ancient times, recalling Zhuang Chenggan.Ask ten people in the Western Frontier, and nine would not know who Huangfu Duanming was.In the era when Zhuang Gaoxian lived in seclusion in the deep palace, he often clashed with Du Ruhui, and at that time he had some sense of presence, but unfortunately he was often suppressed by Du Ruhui.Of course, this drama of discord between general and prime minister was played out for many years, and at the end, they gained abundant harvest, allowing them to successfully seize the True Bone Pill, which enabled Zhuang Gaoxian to break through to the Realm of True Contemplation in one fell swoop.After Zhuang State ushered in its era of revitalization, Zhuang Gaoxian was called a heroic lord, and Du Ruhui was known as a virtuous prime minister. Huangfu Duanming, who held control of the military, seemed to have disappeared without a trace, rarely making any moves to highlight his existence.However, Zhuang State's ability to greatly defeat Yong State, and the Zhuang army's ability to capture Lock Dragon Pass, were not solely due to the efforts of Zhuang Gaoxian and Du Ruhui. Without a powerful army, no matter how grand the strategy or how excellent the tactics, they could not be implemented.Zhuang Gaoxian often said privately, "General Huangfu is my dragon backbone; pulling him out would cause the heavens to tilt."Although Huangfu Duanming was low-key, his weight in Zhuang State's political landscape had never diminished. His position in the military was even more unshakable.These years of campaigning in the south and north were all centered around him.After Lock Dragon Pass was captured, it was also he who personally sat there, guarding it unmoving and impregnable.Now he had quietly left Lock Dragon Pass and appeared in Dai Mountain Commandery. Personally leading the army and marching north, his intention was self-evident.The ruler and ministers of Zhuang State had expended immense effort to remove the nail that was Huang Jinmo, and now they would naturally enjoy the fruits.Compared to Yong State, their disadvantage lay in being able to only passively wait for the action of the Mohist powerhouses, so their movements would certainly be slower.But their advantage lay in being prepared earlier.Isn't it a coincidence?When the two great True Human level powerhouses of the Mohists leveled charges against Unredeemable City, Huangfu Duanming happened to be inspecting in Jiujiang.He didn't even have time to report to the Emperor, immediately leading the army north himself at the first possible moment, naturally the decisive action of a renowned general.The wind howled, horses neighed, and armor clashed, the sounds of the battlefield always offering a unique sense of relief to warriors.Huangfu Duanming rode his horse, silently pondering the Emperor's plan this time.When Zhuang Gaoxian was still in the Divine Presence realm, he hid in the deep palace under the guise of secluded cultivation to heal from his injuries, remaining hidden for many years. At that time, Yong State, separated by the Qichang Mountain Range, failed to discover this, and no one in the court or wilderness knew either.Having deceived the world for so many years, he naturally had his unique reliance.Now having achieved True Contemplation, he was even more different.Why was he able to deceive the Bone Evil God and precisely seize the True Bone Pill at the last moment?Why was he confident in publicly trying Jiang Wang on Jade Capital Mountain and presenting irrefutable evidence of colluding with demons?Why was he confident in framing Huang Jinmo, making it so that no one could uncover the truth for a time?Huangfu Duanming naturally knew the answers.But even knowing the answers, unease was still unavoidable.The Emperor's schemes were too perilous, ultimately not a grand and upright path.But then again...Mighty Qin dominated the Western Frontier, Yong State received support from the Mohist school, the greatest interests of Jade Capital Mountain were in Jing State and could not spare too much effort for Zhuang State, and the ruler and ministers of Zhuang State themselves did not want to be too deeply influenced by Jade Capital Mountain...In such a situation in the Western Frontier, without taking risks, what else could be done?The Emperor reached True Contemplation, captured the pass from Yong State, coming this far step by step by taking risks, the gains were not shallow, but he truly could not stop now.One day, breaking the deadlock, leaping outside the chessboard, and becoming a true player, perhaps then he would not need to be so...But to reach that day, how long was the road ahead?How many more corpses would be laid to pave it?Like Duan Li and He Ba Dao... how many more were there?Huangfu Duanming pondered silently, no trace showing on his face.In front, a scout on horseback galloped quickly, shouting, "Yong State's Duke of Ying, Bei Gongyu, has already imposed military rule on Unredeemable City! There are a large number of Yong troops blocking the way ahead!"A Duke of Yong State naturally did not hold the same weight as a Duke of a hegemonic state, but as Yong State's only Duke, the significance Bei Gongyu represented was naturally different from the ordinary.At the first moment the Yong army entered the Land of No Law, the upper echelons of Zhuang State had already reached a consensus on this battle. This was not a war to destroy the state, but a war to contend for territory and influence.That is to say, they would fight, and they would fight with all their might within a certain range, but they could not escalate it greatly.In the past, if Zhuang State wanted more support from Jade Capital Mountain, it had to accept more restrictions from the Daoist sect. Benefits and constraints were always reciprocal.But now it was different.The Mohist school had laid out its plan on the official road and chosen a place like Yong State.If the Daoist sect wanted to impose restrictions, they had no choice but Zhuang State.To curb the Mohist school's layout on the official road and to strengthen control over Zhuang State, Jade Capital Mountain would also have to weigh and make choices. And this was the space for maneuvering for the upper echelons of Zhuang State..."The old dog came quickly." Huangfu Duanming buried all his thoughts deep within, only pointing north with his horse whip, his spirit soaring to the heavens: "Let's go meet him!""Have you seen someone?"Outside the city gate, a man in ragged clothes with a dirty face was pulling people and asking questions.His tattered outer garment must have once been very bright, but now the red was very dull.Judging from the small braids in his hair, he must have once been very dashing, but now it was dirty and greasy, as if it had glued together.At this time, Unredeemable City had already entered a state of military control.The system of fate gold, and all freedom, had become history.The only thing that counted here was the military law of the Yong army.Two rows of Yong State soldiers in armor and swords guarded the city gate, their demeanor chilling."Get lost!" one of the soldiers said impatiently.But the man only asked, "Have you seen?"He gestured with both hands: "So short, so thin, very rich, a girl, with many toys."He asked, "Have you seen her?""Haven't seen, haven't seen, hurry and go, it's not worth getting chopped by a knife later," another soldier made a shooing gesture.The man shrunk his head and walked to the side, but muttered, "If you see her, drive her away, don't let her play here.""Who is this person?" the young general with two swords at his waist asked from the city gate tower. "I see he still has some cultivation; how did he fall to this state?""Lord Bei Gong, this person is said to be the former leader of the 죄卫 (zuì wèi - likely "guilty guards" or "convicted guards") here, named Lian Heng." The personal guard leader next to him replied, "When Miss Xi was manipulating the Reverse Five Elements Transfer Tower, he accepted a bag of Yuan Stones and was standing guard nearby. After True Human Tian Gong descended, he fainted on the spot. Jiang Wang picked him up and handed him over to the other 죄卫. Those 죄卫 also wanted to wait for him to wake up and preside over the overall situation, but they didn't expect that after he regained consciousness and learned that Zhu Weici's fate was unknown, and Huang Jinmo had been captured and charged, and Unredeemable City was destroyed... he just went crazy.""What about those 죄卫?" Bei Gongke asked."Some have been incorporated, and some are still hiding in the wilderness, but their morale has long since dissipated." The personal guard leader looked at the mad Lian Heng below the city tower and said, "Otherwise, he wouldn't be wandering here alone. In the past, no one managed this area, and these 죄卫 had more authority than anything else. Heh heh, he can be considered to have had his time."It was truly somewhat surprising that an extraordinary cultivator who had once been the leader of the 죄卫 in Unredeemable City had gone mad to this extent.But Bei Gongke could probably understand the reason for Lian Heng's madness.Lian Heng simply felt that it was he who had given the Mohist girl the opportunity to transmit a True Human over, that it was his lack of vigilance as the 죄卫 leader that caused the City Lord to miss the possibility of escaping. It was Lian Heng's greed that led the wolf into the house.He was already severely injured and not yet recovered, his body and mind were fragile, and he was temporarily unable to bear this impact, so his sanity directly collapsed.But the most cruel part was that the Mohist school wanted to capture Huang Jinmo, and no matter how perfectly Huang Jinmo responded, it was useless. People like Lian Heng, no matter what they did, couldn't even be considered as responding. Even if he had been glorious, even if he had been dashing... the high mountain collapses, and people are like dust motes.In a game played by important figures, the crisp sound of a chess piece hitting the board buried the wails of who knows how many people.Perhaps it would be difficult for him, Bei Gongke, to be an exception.At this moment, there was a commotion below the city gate tower."You won't get lost, will you?" The first impatient soldier drew his waist knife and walked towards the mad Lian Heng: "Keep yelling, keep yelling, you're annoying Grandpa to death!"Lian Heng was completely unaware, still shouting over there: "Don't let her play here, this is our home, this is my home!""Save the person and find a place to keep him." Bei Gongke said casually."Sir, the big battle is imminent, and the brothers have many things to do." The personal guard leader said somewhat reluctantly, "He's already gone mad like this...""Do as you're told." Bei Gongke only said this and walked to the other side, continuing to inspect the city defenses.The personal guard leader had no choice but to leap down from the city tower while enduring the mad sound of Lian Heng continuing—"Drive her away, drive her away, drive her away!"