Chapter 2038: Military Orders Like a Mountain

Chapter 2038: Military Orders Are as Unyielding as Mountains

In the dead of night, Zhu Xian Zhen was eerily silent, its former bustle long gone. The streets lay in disarray, as if ravaged by war. Every tavern and brothel had its doors firmly shut, the once-vibrant red lanterns hanging dark and unlit, and the usual cries of vendors had vanished completely. Indeed, most people had fled to safety, leaving only the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled behind. They lay in their homes, resigned to their fate, not wanting to burden others as they awaited the end.

"Surround Zhu Xian Zhen for me." The quiet of the night was shattered in an instant by that thunderous command. Dao Ba Jiangjun had arrived, leading an army of ten thousand soldiers. They formed a tight encirclement around Zhu Xian Zhen, sealing it off completely. The banners fluttered fiercely in the wind, stained with fresh blood.

"Wily me, good thing I got out fast." Watching the dense mass of troops from a distant hilltop, Yang Xuan couldn't help but click his tongue. He knew Dao Ba Jiangjun from Yan Wang's forces well—a truly ruthless figure who would never spare a place like Zhu Xian Zhen.

"You're no fool yourself!" A light laugh rang out as Ye Chen appeared, standing beside Yang Xuan and gazing toward Zhu Xian Zhen. Behind them followed Yang Ge Lao and Xia Lan. All three were experts with exceptional lightness skills, so they had escaped quickly. Xia Lan maintained her composure, feigning indifference, but Yang Ge Lao was another story—his hands wandered mischievously, sneaking a touch or a pinch whenever he could. Each time, Xia Lan shot him a murderous glare and stomped on his foot hard.

"In the martial world, this kind of back-and-forth is called flirtatious banter," Yang Xuan said meaningfully.

"In our parts, it's called flaunting affection," Ye Chen added with a serious tone. At their words, Xia Lan's cheeks flushed bright red in an instant. Yang Ge Lao, with his thick skin—honed from spending time with Ye Chen—didn't bat an eye.

"Ling Feng, you're something else! Saving people from all those experts plus ten thousand troops—it's impressive, Yang Ye admits it." Yang Xuan sighed in admiration, giving Ye Chen a thumbs-up. No wonder he was Du Gu Jian Sheng; no wonder he ranked first. Yang Xuan knew he couldn't pull off something like that.

"I am the best in the world," Ye Chen said deeply, straightening his back with an air of grandeur.

"We get it, you're the best—stop saying it every day," Yang Xuan grumbled.

"What's this about the best in the world?" Yang Ge Lao and Xia Lan looked utterly baffled. As people of the martial world, they knew all too well that the top of the rankings belonged to Du Gu Jian Sheng. What was he jumping in for?

Ye Chen coughed awkwardly. "I mean, their forces are quite formidable!" He quickly changed the subject, afraid Yang Xuan's loose tongue might spill something it shouldn't. After all, in Yang Ge Lao's eyes, he was just the disciple of Yin Shan Lao Dao. There was nothing wrong with that, but if it reached Yang Xuan's ears—the man ranked third and dead set on killing Yin Shan Lao Dao—it could complicate things badly. For now, his multiple identities were a perfect smokescreen.

Thankfully, the topic shift worked. Yang Xuan and the others furrowed their brows. Though the people of Zhu Xian Zhen had fled, the three were certain that some remained—mostly the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. If the army attacked, they would suffer terribly.

"I didn't think this through," Xia Lan said, full of regret.

"That's just how the world is; it's not your fault," Yang Ge Lao comforted her.

"This half-immortal, don't you have a plan?" Yang Xuan turned his gaze to Ye Chen.

"The direction is clear: Zhu Xian Zhen will be safe," Ye Chen said with a smile, stroking his beard. The other three looked at him skeptically. With troops at the gates, ready to strike at a moment's notice, was he expecting divine intervention?

Ye Chen just smiled without explaining. As a fortune-teller, he knew all. He had already foreseen many things. Of course, he had other options—like charging in himself. With his current skills, he could wipe out the ten thousand troops in an instant, as easily as sweeping leaves with a single Sword Rain move. But he wouldn't do that. Defeating this army was simple, yet it might draw tens of thousands more, turning it into a real mess. He wasn't afraid for himself; he could just walk away, as no one in the world could stop him. But the people of Zhu Xian Zhen would become collateral damage. He wasn't a savior, but he refused to be a villain. In the end, the common folk were innocent. As a cultivator among mortals, he couldn't afford to incur karma.

"Hey, they're really retreating!" Yang Xuan exclaimed in surprise.

"Why on earth are they withdrawing?" Yang Ge Lao and Xia Lan were equally astonished. Given Dao Ba Jiangjun's brutal nature, with his forces already at the ready, there was no reason to pull back.

Ye Chen smiled knowingly—this was exactly as he had predicted. As the four watched, the ten thousand troops marched away swiftly in one direction, abandoning their heavy supplies and traveling light.

"I'll be back to destroy Zhu Xian Zhen." At the front of the army, Dao Ba Jiangjun spurred his horse onward, glancing back with a ferocious expression even after traveling far. He had his reasons for retreating. Just as he was about to give the order, a command from Yan Wang arrived: The five warlords had joined forces in an attack, and the border conflicts were intensifying. He was ordered to return immediately for defense. Military orders were absolute; he couldn't disobey. If he delayed the war effort, the consequences would be dire.

"Zhu Xian Zhen will have some peace now." Watching the departing army, Yang Ge Lao let out a deep breath, though worry lingered. With Dao Ba Jiangjun's temperament, revenge was inevitable.

"With our combined strength, assassinating him wouldn't be hard," Yang Xuan said casually, his words aimed at Ye Chen. The two of them—one the best in the world, the other third in the martial rankings—could easily take a general's head amid ten thousand soldiers.

"Why bother us? He won't be coming back anyway." Ye Chen chuckled and turned to descend the hill.

"What do you mean—will he die on the battlefield?"

"I told you, his forehead is dark."

"That explanation is crystal clear." The three laughed. If Ye Chen said it, it was likely true. Dao Ba Jiangjun had been arrogant and cruel, committing countless evils; it was time for retribution.

The four returned to Zhu Xian Zhen one after another. Yang Xuan stretched lazily and headed back to the teahouse. Ye Chen yawned and returned to the tavern. Yang Ge Lao, ever the romantic, went to his room, took a hot bath, changed into clean clothes, combed his gray hair until it shone, and then hurried to Xia Lan's room. But she threw him out. The thrilling night passed quietly.

The next day, Ye Chen was up early, as always—nothing could stop him from setting up his fortune-telling stall. However, because of Dao Ba Jiangjun, Zhu Xian Zhen was still deserted that day, with hardly anyone in sight. Only a few elderly people shuffled along the streets with canes, scavenging for food. With no one to tell fortunes, Ye Chen enjoyed the leisure. Yang Ge Lao ventured out once, more battered than before. He kept trying to visit Xia Lan's room to discuss life's ideals, but she nearly beat him to death each time. Ye Chen watched with amusement, hands in his pockets, while Yang Xuan across from him snacked on sunflower seeds, thoroughly entertained.

The following days were much the same, with Zhu Xian Zhen in ruins.

On the ninth day, Yang Xuan left, leaving a note for Ye Chen saying he was off to settle scores with Yin Shan Lao Dao. With the warlords in chaos, it was the perfect time to strike. But awkwardly, after searching half of Yan Di, he couldn't find a trace of Yin Shan Lao Dao.

Three months later, he returned with news: The Yan army had suffered a major defeat. Dao Ba Jiangjun was struck by an enemy arrow through the head and died on the spot. Even his body was never recovered.

The news was a huge relief. The fleeing residents of Zhu Xian Zhen began returning one by one. Gradually, the town regained its former vibrancy. Yan Wang's forces had taken heavy losses in the battle, losing dozens of cities. He shifted his strategy from offense to defense. Already strained for military funds, the defeat only worsened the situation. Thus, capturing Yang Xuan became his top priority. Yan Wang needed Yang Xuan's head to lure Yin Shan Lao Dao out of hiding, to explore ancient tombs and unearth treasures for the war chest, so he could avenge the defeat. Wanted posters for Yang Xuan spread across every town, with the bounty raised to one hundred thousand taels. Yan Wang even promised that anyone who killed Yang Xuan would be credited with a first-class merit and, once he unified the realm, would be enfeoffed as a noble and appointed to high office.

That promise stirred the martial world into action. Experts formed alliances to hunt Yang Xuan together. This was precisely why Yang Xuan had returned to Zhu Xian Zhen—Yan Wang's moves made it too dangerous to wander elsewhere. The teahouse was safer, at least with Ye Chen around to watch his back.

The morning sunlight was gentle and warm. After the chaos of war, Zhu Xian Zhen's streets had returned to normal, filled with vendors' calls. At the tavern entrance, Ye Chen sat comfortably.

"That old Yin Shan dog—where the hell is he hiding?" Yang Xuan muttered, pacing with his hands behind his back, sitting next to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen was equally relaxed, one hand propping up his chin as he stared at a nearby poster. "Yan Wang's got guts—100,000 taels. That's a lifetime's worth." As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Yang Xuan. "You know, your forehead looks a bit dark to me."

"Do you believe I'll flip your table right now?" Yang Xuan snapped.

"Eventually, we're all going to die. Might as well let me benefit from it."

"Hey!"

"Oh, look who's here?" Just as Yang Xuan was about to argue with Ye Chen, Yang Ge Lao arrived, grinning from ear to ear. Today, Yang Ge Lao was radiating joy, as if something wonderful had happened. He looked years younger, his smile full of smug satisfaction.

"In three days, it's my wedding." Yang Ge Lao laughed, handing over two invitations—they were wedding cards, engraved with his and Xia Lan's names.

"You sly old fox!" Yang Xuan clapped him on the back, a bit too hard, nearly making Yang Ge Lao cough up blood.

"Let's all share in the good vibes." Ye Chen smiled.

"Make sure you come." Yang Ge Lao rubbed his hands together. "Whether you show up or not doesn't matter— just send the gift money."

"I say, that chubby kid over there walks like he owns the place."

"Yeah, and his forehead's a bit dark."

"Looks like a rich young master from some merchant family."

"Kidnapping him could fetch a nice ransom."

Ye Chen and Yang Xuan ignored Yang Ge Lao's words completely, chatting away as if he weren't there, thoroughly enjoying their conversation.