Chapter 1571: Not a Private Matter

Where footsteps fall, traces remain; where events unfold, signs are left.The vestiges of all things, possessing their own vitality, often stirred Ta Yin's heart.From a tender age, he could perceive their existence, manipulating the spirits of these traces. Thus, he was hailed as a genius of the array path, standing out among his peers, and was taken in by his Uncle-Grandmaster, True Lord Tai Hua, for personal instruction.The time of a True Lord of the contemporary age is precious indeed, especially one like Tai Hua, a veritable "repairman" of the entire Great Xia's defenses, indispensable in all aspects.Yet, despite this, Tai Hua never relaxed his tutelage.From childhood to adulthood, his performance in all areas was almost beyond reproach. As the foremost genius of Xia, he was consistently regarded as the successor to True Lord Tai Hua, the hope for the Tai clan to ascend as the paramount noble house of Great Xia.But in truth... he never wished to become a second Tai Hua...His ideals were the ideals people expected him to have. His path was the most optimal path designated by Uncle-Grandmaster Tai Hua.And he, naturally, believed he was walking on the most correct path in life.Until, in the Mountain and Sea Realm, he was struck down by a single spear thrust from that unfamiliar, arrogant man.Losing to Chong Xuanzun, he could face. He understood the fundamental disparity between Xia and Qi. He had indeed exerted his utmost strength, and indeed could not bridge the chasm of power.Xia's foremost talent, on the stage of the world, was truly nothing.Every country had its foremost, but on the River-Watching Platform, only one could stand until the end. The others, bearing so much expectation, walking in glory all the way... all must fall.He was merely unfortunate enough to be among them.He strived harder, fought harder.Losing to Jiang Wang, he could face. Jiang Wang's reputation was not self-proclaimed but forged through battles of life and death. Among the competing talents of the Mountain and Sea Realm, it was no disgrace to be surpassed by the Yellow River's champion from the Inner Mansion realm.Perhaps he still hadn't strived hard enough, fought hard enough.There was still much he could learn, a long road ahead. He could grit his teeth and catch up.But encountering someone who appeared out of nowhere, with such blatant confidence, striking with such a sharp spear... he wavered.From the end of the Mountain and Sea Realm until now, he had been wavering.At this moment, he walked in silence, calming himself.Calming his fingers, and calming his spirit.The rise and fall of the nation upon his shoulders, the prosperity and decline of his clan upon his back, the expectations of others, his own aspirations... he was stretched too thin!The head of the family and his uncle, a middle-aged man named Tai Xu, was approaching from the other side in haste. It seemed he had just finished his duties on the defense line, without even time to change his official robes.Upon seeing Tai Yin, he merely cast a glance and proceeded directly into the inner room.Tai Yin followed in silence.As the door closed and locked, a flash of brilliant yellow light flickered and vanished.The Five Elements Spirit Suppressing Array, which isolated all scrutiny, was familiar to Tai Yin, though he could not control it with such ease.What major event now?An inexplicable unease arose in his heart.The current head of the Tai clan, Tai Xu, had a gentle countenance, but a resolute nature.Otherwise, he would not have taken such a drastic measure, sending all the clan's able-bodied youth to the front lines."Wei has clarified its stance. They will not send troops," Tai Xu said, sitting down on a soft cushion.Tai Yin knelt opposite him, silent for a moment.Chu need not be mentioned again.Before Wei, Li and Yue had already refused their requests for aid.Liang?Liang had even massed troops on the border...Naturally, not to aid Xia, but restlessly stirring, seeking to bite off a piece of blood-soaked flesh in the chaotic situation.This forced Xia, at such a critical moment of national survival, to divert troops to guard the borders.Since Emperor Liang Min died in Guiyi City that year, the hatred between the two sides had been irreconcilable.Originally, if Liang had perished, it would have perished. The last ruler, few mourned him.But Kang Shao, of the Liang imperial clan, seized the opportunity of the Qi-Xia rivalry to restore the nation, and this blood debt was perpetuated, unable to be extinguished save by the demise of one side...Old debts, nothing more to be said.Sword Pavilion?Without the support of the Sword Pavilion in earlier years, how could Kang Shao have defended Later Liang!Three Punishment Palace?As a sacred ground of the Legalist school, the Three Punishment Palace's status was not far from that of the Academy of Literature, but the Three Punishment Palace was even less likely to intervene.Monks of the Three Punishment Palace were spread throughout the world, but the palace itself served only as a place for dispensing justice and for Legalist monks to study extensively, absolutely not supporting any side.If considering monks originating from the Three Punishment Palace, Qi's influence within the palace would only be stronger than Xia's, not weaker.Li was also once annexed by Xia and later restored. However, high-level exchanges between the two sides had been frequent in recent years, leading to a more relaxed diplomatic relationship. But Li itself did not possess the strength to interfere in the Qi-Xia war.Within the entire Southern Domain, the only nations truly capable of influencing the war and possibly sending troops were actually Wei and Yue.But now, they had successively declared failure.While it was still unknown what Qi had paid for this, it was undoubtedly clear... on the diplomatic front, Xia had also been locked down.Tai Yin once again deeply realized.This was an all-encompassing, multi-dimensional war, a true war of national annihilation!And the time this war began, was likely even earlier than he knew.Tai Xu looked at Tai Yin and said very directly, "You cannot die."Tai Yin placed his hands on his knees, momentarily at a loss. "Tai Yin... I... nephew..."After changing his self-address three times, he finally lowered his head slightly and said, "Tai Yin will live and die with the Tai clan."His words were clear, so of course, he had already thought it through very clearly."Of course," Tai Xu said. "If you live, the Tai clan lives. If you die, the Tai clan dies."Tai Yin wanted to say that wasn't what he meant.He wanted to say that he wasn't seeking this kind of living and dying together, not being isolated and tethering the clan's destiny.But Tai Xu did not give him a chance to speak, just as he had done in the past.Indeed, what was the need for words?It wasn't that Tai Xu didn't know, didn't clearly see his feelings. It was just that Tai Xu believed there was a better choice. Better for him, and better for the Tai clan.The Tai clan patriarch continued speaking to himself, "You have inherited your uncle-grandmaster's mantle, inheriting the most exquisite part of our Tai clan's array path. He valued you most dearly in his lifetime. And I too..."He did not wish to continue speaking of sentiment and changed direction. "The so-called array path is to draw upon the power of heaven and earth and utilize it, to interpret the heavenly dao through the human dao. If the heavenly dao wills Xia's demise, Xia will perish, and our Tai clan will merely offer sacrifice with blood. But uniquely for you, you must preserve the spark of our Tai clan."Tai Xu's eyes were so calm, a calm containing immense, suppressed pain. "I'm not telling you to leave now. Our Tai clan is a prominent house of Great Xia. To have you leave now would be tantamount to surrendering. It would be no different from betraying the nation. I mean, at the final moment..."Tai Yin gritted his teeth and said, "Victory or defeat is still unknown. Xia did not perish thirty-two years ago, nor will it perish this time!""Of course," Tai Xu said. "I believe our Great Xia still has an unfulfilled destiny. I am willing to dedicate everything to this and fight to the last... I am only speaking of the worst outcome. If..."He took a deep breath before continuing, "If it truly comes to that step, you are the only one of the Tai clan who cannot die."He took out a green array disk from his怀中, its precious light shimmering faintly, and placed it in Tai Yin's hand. "I cannot give you other things, because I still need to fight, and Great Xia still needs me to fight. This Azure Nether Shifting Disk has always been a life-saving treasure of the Tai clan patriarchs. It has been in my hands for twenty years. In necessary circumstances, it can help you escape. I give it to you now, hoping you will not forget your mission."Tai Xu had his own son, his own daughter, but this sole Azure Nether Shifting Disk, he gave to Tai Yin.He looked at Tai Yin and said earnestly, "If you live, the Tai clan is not extinguished. If you live, the array path is not extinguished."He closed Tai Yin's hand, clasped it with both his own, and pressed down heavily twice.Then, he rose and left the room.Tai Yin wanted to say, it won't happen, it won't come to that step.Tai Yin wanted to say, if everyone else is dead, why should I live? What meaning would there be in my life?He even wanted to say, no, the array path I envision is not as you say. Even if I survive, it will not be the ancient array path of the Tai clan. It will not be your dao.But he couldn't utter a single word.How could he speak a single word?In this quiet room, where there was no other sound.He knelt where he was, as lonely as his shadow.The affairs of the Tai family were not merely the affairs of one family.The Qi army's destruction of Sword Edge Mountain in a single day was like a heavy hammer blow, striking the foreheads of many.The far-reaching impact of this battle might only be seen clearly after post-war analysis.For now, seeking escape routes was no longer limited to just one family or surname...And the Qi army was still advancing.A million Qi troops, sweeping all before them.The entire Fengjie Prefecture's banner was replaced, completed within exactly three days.The "Violet Extreme Campaign" subsequently penetrated Fengjie, expanding supply lines while also helping the army control the occupied territory.The Qi army was not cruel to the Xia people, nor did it deliberately prevent the Xia populace from fleeing.Firstly, a reduction in the number of people with a strong desire to flee would lower the pressure of controlling the occupied areas.Secondly, as long as they were within Xia territory, no matter where they fled, the Qi army would reach them. Ultimately, they would all return to rule, so it was better to live off the enemy in the meantime!Thirdly, the fleeing Xia populace themselves were the most genuine source of panic.Sending a hundred spies into Xia territory to create panic was not as effective as one weeping, displaced Xia commoner.Cao Jie's military strategy, with its near-perfect control of details.At this very moment, a million-strong Qi army was assembled by the banks of the Lian River.Flag officers galloped through the air, raising their banners and shouting, "Deliver the Commander's order to cross the river!"Cultivators skilled in water-element dao arts lined up along the Lian River bank.Moving in unison, they almost simultaneously formed hand seals and activated the military array dao art.Crack, crack.Ice spread rapidly across the water's surface.This ice was not a layer of floating or thin ice on the river's surface, but ice thick enough to reach halfway up the riverbank, completely capable of allowing horses and carriages to pass over!After the art, the Lian River was frozen.The flowing Lian River, winding for hundreds of miles around the Jiangyin Plain, was solidified at this moment.Reflecting the sunlight, it unexpectedly displayed a rainbow at that moment.The Wind Chasing Army, every soldier on horseback, formed up as the vanguard, stepping across the river with great strides...Man submerged the river!Leaping one's gaze from this surging tide of strong troops, looking into the distance.One saw the sun setting over the plains, its light splitting. In that place that seemed like the edge of sight, there was the shadow of a majestic city.In this fertile Jiangyin Plain, Tongyang City stood firm.Xia's strongest Divine Might and Nation Guard armies were both stationed here.The Pillar of Great Xia, King Wu Si Jiao, personally commanded this city.Furthermore, a million prefectural troops had gathered, intending to establish a stable northeastern defense line centered around Tongyang City, firmly blocking the Qi army outside this line.Standing in the air, Chong Xuansheng narrowed his eyes, gazing into the distance. Within the shadow of that majestic city, he saw dust billowing, and large formations of cavalry surging forward like dark clouds."The Xia army dares to leave the city for a great battle?" Jiang Wang, who had ascended with him, asked in some surprise.In his view, the strength of the Qi army was undeniably strong. Sweeping through the world, only a hegemonic state could withstand its edge.Xia's only advantage lay in its terrain; holding the city was the only way to resist the Qi army.How could they choose to fight a great battle outside the city at this moment?Especially that military flag embroidered with the words "Nation Guard," indicating that this army was one of Xia's strongest elite forces. This was clearly not a probing attack. The Xia army was full of spirit, as if they intended to push the Qi army back to the east bank of the Lian River in a single wave!Chong Xuansheng calmly explained, "The dangers of mountains and rivers cannot secure a nation; only the will to die can defend its territory. Before defending the city, they must fight a battle. Without this battle, the Xia army will lose all spirit. Why did Commander Cao spare no expense to capture Sword Edge Mountain in one day and occupy the entire Fengjie Prefecture in three days? This is the reason!"If Yu Liyang had truly turned Fengjie Prefecture into a quagmire of blood and flesh, successfully delaying the Qi army, then the Xiangyou Prefecture would naturally be able to defend calmly, resting and waiting, defending until the end of time.But Sword Edge Mountain fell in a single battle, and Fengjie Prefecture changed banners in three days. The military and fighting spirit of the Xia people had been almost shattered.A national war fought to this point, if there were still no frontal clashes, if not even a shred of courage could be displayed, the city could not be defended. If a person's will has no anchor point, it will collapse sooner or later!The Autumn Killing Army was still on the east bank of the Lian River at this time and had not crossed. This battle was not for them.Therefore, Jiang Wang and Chong Xuansheng could still discuss a few things here."Which book says that?" Jiang Wang asked. "That line about the dangers of mountains and rivers.""Oh," Chong Xuansheng said casually. "Emperor Xia Xiang said it. It's recorded in the Book of Xia. This is also the origin of their Nation Guard army's designation."Though it was just such a casual sentence, it was enough to show how much preparation this胖子 had made for this war against Xia! Even though he was in the army this time, at most he could only be considered a mid-level military officer, only needing to focus on the three thousand men under his command. However, he did not relax his consideration for the overall situation at all!He was facing the competition with Chong Xuanzun with the stance of leading the war against Xia.How could others say that victory and defeat were already decided?Even if Chong Xuanzun had won the position of vanguard general with the momentum of Divine Arrival in the western suburbs of Linzi.Even if Chong Xuanzun was now sweeping through Xia territory, holding an almost overwhelming advantage in terms of merit.But this war had not yet ended.There were infinite possibilities.And both Chong Xuansheng and Jiang Wang were undoubtedly people who could grasp "possibilities."At this moment, Jiang Wang did not say anything else. He looked at the surging military tide ahead and only said, "Presumably, Commander Cao had already anticipated this.""Otherwise, what do you think, why did the Wind Chasing Army sharpen its edge first? Capturing twenty-three cities in three days, making the entire Fengjie Prefecture change banners, this is when the Wind Chasing Army's edge is sharpest! At this moment, bayonets meet blood, blades clash, it is precisely the right time!"When Chong Xuansheng said this, he couldn't help but sigh. "Every step of the opposition cannot escape Commander Cao's control. It's not that they lack intelligence, but that they have no other choice. This is a grand and righteous army!" Providing you with the fastest updates, free reading.