Chapter 472: Accompanying Shuleng

Outside the collapsed Ministry of Justice in the Commandery Capital of Fenghai, Xu Qing emerged with a grim expression.

He looked up at the damaged capital city, then swiftly flew towards it, soon reaching the heart of the commandery and heading directly for the Eight Sect Alliance's compound. Along the way, dilapidated buildings continuously came into Xu Qing's view, a clear sign of the immense impact yesterday's upheaval had on this once bustling city.

The streets, usually teeming with people, were now much scarcer. Among the hurried, sparse pedestrians, Xu Qing saw bewilderment, confusion, tension, and fear. The mysterious death of the Commandery Governor was unsettling enough, but the collapse of the Ministry of Justice was even more alarming. Coupled with the spread of news about the Saintlan tribe's invasion, a huge pall of gloom had descended upon everyone's hearts. Even some cultivators among them could not hide their panic, for not everyone was a Sword Holder.

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze and hurried on. He soon arrived at the Eight Sect Alliance's compound.

With Immortal Zixuan present, the branch sect was still relatively intact, though most of the alliance disciples inside were packing their belongings, seemingly preparing for departure. Xu Qing's gaze swept over them without pausing, heading straight for Immortal Zixuan's residence, where he found Zixuan and her close friend, Li Shitao.

Both wore solemn expressions, discussing important matters. Upon seeing Xu Qing, a gentle look appeared on Zixuan's grim face. "Xu Qing, I was just about to look for you. I received an urgent summons from the sect and cannot stay here. I must teleport back today."

"The Corpse Ban has erupted," Zixuan said with a heavy voice. "The Sword-Holding Palace has ordered all human sects within Yinghuang Province to resist the calamity of the Corpse Ban at all costs."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's heart sank. He had been the first to discover the Corpse Ban incident and naturally knew what had transpired there.

"Actually, the Eight Sect Alliance and the Sword-Holding Court already knew that the Saintlan tribe was behind the Corpse Ban, and they had taken precautions, so you don't need to worry too much about your master. The Saintlan tribe's purpose in igniting the Corpse Ban is now clear: to tie up the forces of certain sub-provinces in Fenghai Commandery. Xu Qing, these are turbulent times. Being with the Palace Lord of the Sword-Holding Palace should currently be safer than being outside, which is why I didn't ask you to return with me this time. While you are here... be extra vigilant."

Zixuan's eyes showed concern as she took out three jade slips and handed them to Xu Qing. "One is for concealment, similar to the one I drew for you before. Another is a large-scale teleportation talisman; you can use it to escape danger in critical moments. The last one contains a wisp of my divine sense and can protect you from a fatal blow."

A ripple stirred in Xu Qing's heart. He silently accepted them and then took out some Ten-Intestine Tree Dao Fruits, offering them. This item had extraordinary effects in artifact refining and alchemy; while the Sword-Holding Palace had abundant resources and wasn't in urgent need, these Dao Fruits were quite useful for the Eight Sect Alliance.

Zixuan was also moved upon seeing them. She didn't stand on ceremony, accepted them, and then gave further instructions. An hour later, after the branch sect had finished packing, the Eight Sect Alliance branch sect departed, with Xu Qing watching them off. Before leaving, Zixuan looked back at Xu Qing multiple times. Their gazes met until, by the teleportation array, they exchanged one last look. As the light dispersed, Zixuan and the branch sect disciples vanished.

Li Shitao was clearly preoccupied. After Zixuan left, she nodded to Xu Qing and hurried away.

Gazing at the empty teleportation array, Xu Qing's expression slowly turned blank. He was familiar with this feeling, as if he had returned to his days alone in the slums.

"It's time to report to the Sword-Holding Palace," Xu Qing murmured. As he turned to leave, the twilight glow fell upon his Daoist robe, tinging it with a blood-like hue and casting a long shadow.

Twilight faded, and as night descended, Xu Qing arrived at the Sword-Holding Palace. Upon his arrival, Kong Xianglong, who had received his transmission, flew at full speed from within the palace. The moment he approached and saw Xu Qing, his eyes showed surprise. Clearly, Kong Xianglong had sensed the change in Xu Qing's cultivation. Compared to when he had left, Xu Qing's transformation was immense; it even gave Kong Xianglong the feeling of facing a Nascent Soul cultivator.

At any other time, Kong Xianglong would have certainly inquired curiously, but the recent upheaval in the commandery capital left him in no mood. He spoke in a low voice as he approached. "Xu Qing, news just arrived from the border: the power of the forbidden artifact cannot completely block the Saintlan army; it has only slightly slowed their advance. Let's go. The Sword Holders are returning one by one. Tonight, the Palace Lord will arrange battle plans for all Sword Holders in the commandery capital. Now... you are truly the Palace Lord's personal scribe," Kong Xianglong said, gazing at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing nodded calmly. He knew well that within his 'pawn' identity, his original position was indeed the Palace Lord's personal scribe. As Kong Xianglong said, shortly after Xu Qing entered the Sword-Holding Palace, he received a summons from the Palace Lord.

Deep within the Sword-Holding Palace, in the Grand Sword Hall, Xu Qing arrived without delay and saw the Palace Lord of the Sword-Holding Palace. The Palace Lord stood before a massive holographic map, his eyes bloodshot, his expression extremely solemn. The Palace Lord bore traces of blood and appeared profoundly exhausted; clearly, he had not rested at all since the commandery capital's upheaval.

Around him were seven or eight other Sword Holders, including the Four Great Stewards and the two Deputy Palace Lords. Each bore injuries of varying degrees, with the two Deputy Palace Lords having the most severe. These were wounds sustained yesterday when they, along with the Palace Lord, suppressed the deity in the Ministry of Justice. Now, with no time to recover, they were receiving the Palace Lord's instructions and assignments.

As the Palace Lord issued orders, the Four Great Stewards and two Deputy Palace Lords solemnly affirmed and successively departed. Passing by Xu Qing, most nodded to him, their eyes holding deep meaning. After a long while, when no one else remained in the hall, the Palace Lord's gaze withdrew from the holographic map. He turned and looked at Xu Qing with a stern expression.

"Sword Holder Xu Qing, report for duty here." Xu Qing's expression was solemn as he bowed with clasped fists.

"Xu Qing, compile a list of returning Sword Holders, identify those who haven't returned, ascertain the reasons, and arrange tonight's midnight assembly. Any issues?" the Palace Lord spoke in a deep voice.

"As you command," Xu Qing responded solemnly.

The Palace Lord nodded, no longer paying attention to Xu Qing. He had too many matters to handle. With internal strife and external threats, all the burdens of Fenghai Commandery had fallen upon him the moment the Commandery Governor perished.

Xu Qing understood his place. He bowed and departed. After leaving the hall, he took out his command token and began to work diligently according to the Palace Lord's instructions. His role as personal scribe now truly lived up to its name; he had permission to access any records, and all Sword Holders were required to cooperate. However, his own strength was somewhat insufficient, so after pondering, Xu Qing sent a transmission to Kong Xianglong.

Soon, Kong Xianglong, Shan Hezi, Wang Chen, and Ye Ling all arrived to assist Xu Qing. With their cooperation, Xu Qing quickly compiled the list of attendees and the reasons for non-return that the Palace Lord requested. Finally, an hour before the meeting, the midnight assembly was set, the venue prepared, and all Sword Holders were notified via his authority.

"By the Palace Lord's command, all Sword Holders are informed: tonight at midnight, assemble at the First Plaza in the Eastern District of the Sword-Holding Palace!" Xu Qing's voice echoed through the command tokens of all Sword Holders. This was the first time he, as a personal scribe, truly transmitted a command.

Soon, midnight approached.

At the First Plaza in the Eastern District, all Sword Holders arrived swiftly. There was no need to organize them; the Sword-Holding Palace was inherently disciplined. Nearly a hundred thousand Sword Holders stood there, densely packed yet orderly, forming long lines according to their cultivation levels. No one spoke. Only a chilling aura of resolute determination permeated everyone's hearts. Their eyes mostly contained anger, coupled with an unwavering resolve. The death of the Commandery Governor, the collapse of the Ministry of Justice, and the arrival of war—these events would not make the Sword Holders fearful; instead, they would only strengthen their murderous intent.

Their combined aura converged, filling all directions. Under this pull, a vortex formed in the sky, rumbling as it spun. Amidst this astonishing display of power, the Four Great Stewards and Deputy Palace Lords descended. Finally, appearing before all Sword Holders was the Palace Lord himself, his expression solemn, commanding respect without needing to show anger. Xu Qing followed behind the Palace Lord.

As the gazes of all Sword Holders converged, Xu Qing's figure also came into view. He remained expressionless, stopping approximately ten meters from the Palace Lord, standing silently and looking towards him. The Palace Lord's gaze swept over the crowd below. After a moment, his deep voice echoed in all directions.

"Sword Holders, war has arrived. The Saintlan tribe's ambition towards our human Fenghai Commandery has never ceased throughout countless years. The wars they've initiated are not the first, but without exception, they have all failed! And in the recent millennium, I, the departed Commandery Governor, and all Sword Holders have long prepared to face this battle. Even though the first wave of enemy forces from the Saintlan tribe, composed of the Crimson Spirit Dynasty and the Moonmist Dynasty, has already entered Fenghai Commandery, I myself am full of confidence. If everyone remains loyal to their duties, avoids any mishaps, and arranges everything meticulously, we can, like the martyrs of Fenghai Commandery throughout history, prove that we too can protect Fenghai Commandery, emerge victorious from the storm of war, and survive the threat of the Saintlan. Furthermore, with the assistance of the Obedience Palace, 379 allied tribes, including the Sacred Demon tribe, will also participate in this war. And this morning, through my personal communication, the Near-Immortal tribe chose to seal off their entire ancestral land, not stepping out even half a pace. Therefore, in this war, we are not actually vulnerable," the Palace Lord stated calmly, without any impassioned tone, but rather narrating slowly.

"However, there are also some things you need to know. Today, two events occurred in our Human Imperial Domain, extremely far from Fenghai Commandery. First, the new Commandery Governor appointed by the Human Emperor and the reinforcement army, who were supposed to arrive tomorrow via domain-realm teleportation, were intercepted by the Black Sky tribe on their way this afternoon. Their fate is unknown. Second, the Black Sky tribe's army is approaching the Human Imperial Domain, bringing a storm. Therefore, for a short period, Fenghai Commandery must face the external invasion on its own. So, this might be a protracted war. So, this might be a solitary fight. Regardless, this is the situation we face, but it does not diminish our determination to defend to the death, for we have no retreat. Of the thirteen provinces, three are now occupied by the Saintlan army, but Fenghai Commandery's forbidden artifact power has been fully activated to block them, creating a stalemate and buying us some time. During this time, we must resolve several issues. The Corpse Ban and the *Yi Jin* calamities in two locations, which disperse some of the provincial forces—this is the Saintlan tribe's objective. The collapse of the Ministry of Justice and the prison break—all this will undoubtedly bring chaos to Fenghai Commandery, causing us internal strife and external threats. This is also the Saintlan tribe's objective."

Heavy breathing sounds emanated from the hundred thousand Sword Holders. The Palace Lord's words made everyone, including Xu Qing, truly realize the critical, storm-like danger Fenghai Commandery now faced. Yet, the Palace Lord's calm voice, like a divine needle stabilizing the sea, slowly brought everyone's hearts to peace again. Only resolve and killing intent continued to surge.

Looking at the crowd, the Palace Lord paused, then spoke softly. "Do not fear. If the sky falls, I will bear it!"