Chapter 149: Wu Emperor

The ox possessed abilities comparable to a demon king; it trod on water more steadily than on land and was skilled at manipulating wind and thunder, moving at an incredibly swift pace. At this speed, it could easily travel three thousand li a day.

Ba Shan Jijiu quickly scanned the scriptures chosen by Qin Mu and Ling Yuxiu. He had a headache holding the scrolls Qin Mu submitted. Ling Yuxiu’s chosen scriptures were either sword arts or spells. Apart from the Sunset Sword Art, which was relatively normal, the other two pieces submitted by Qin Mu truly stumped him.

One of these two pieces was called 'Soul Guiding Charm,' and the other was 'Spirit Summoning Talisman Script.'

Any sword art, divine ability, or spell has fundamental techniques to follow. With Ba Shan Jijiu's immensely profound knowledge, he could instruct them by analogy, inferring other things from one fact.

However, the two scrolls Qin Mu chose were obscure even among obscure subjects. Ordinarily, even when Ba Shan Jijiu entered the Heavenly Records Tower, he would glance at such rare spells and set them aside, paying no attention. Asking him to explain them was truly asking too much.

From the perspective of someone at his level, the Soul Guiding Charm and Spirit Summoning Talisman Script were not powerful enough, nor did they have any striking features. He truly couldn't understand Qin Mu's intention in choosing these two spells.

Ba Shan Jijiu sat on the ox's back, tossed the two scrolls to Qin Mu, telling him to study them himself. Then he began to explain the scriptures Ling Yuxiu had brought from the Heavenly Records Tower.

As a royal descendant, Ling Yuxiu could access the second floor of the Heavenly Records Tower. This time, she had brought out a profound Taoist technique called 'Azure Sky Thunder Inducement.'

This name alone sounded far more orthodox than Qin Mu's 'Soul Guiding Charm' and 'Spirit Summoning Talisman Script.'

The orthodox Taoist thunder spell lived up to its reputation. Ba Shan Jijiu's explanations were clear and logical, and many difficult concepts suddenly became clear to Ling Yuxiu after his guidance.

Qin Mu also listened intently. He suddenly realized that the Azure Sky Thunder Inducement could be cross-referenced with the Eight Forms of Thunder Sound, potentially yielding unexpected power.

His thoughts began to wander, and he didn't hear what Ba Shan Jijiu said next, absorbed in his own calculations.

Ling Yuxiu asked Ba Shan Jijiu for clarification on a few more points. She then immediately began to experiment, executing a series of incantations. Suddenly, a clear sky thunderclap struck the river surface with a crack, blasting several large river fish onto their backs!

Ling Yuxiu was both surprised and delighted, feeling very satisfied.

Ba Shan Jijiu shook his head and said, "Princess, your foundation is too weak; your basic skills aren't good enough. The true power of Azure Sky Thunder Inducement is far greater than this."

He sealed his divine treasures, retaining only the Spirit Embryo and Five Elements divine treasures, thus achieving the same cultivation realm as Ling Yuxiu. Then, he activated the incantations for Azure Sky Thunder Inducement, pressing his middle fingers together as if threading an invisible needle, with an unseen needle and thread before him.

The river surface immediately flashed with lightning and roared with thunder. Bolts of lightning crashed down, striking precisely where he pointed, incredibly fierce. In an instant, dozens of bolts of lightning struck!

The river surface turned white, covered everywhere with large fish blasted onto their backs.

Ling Yuxiu was utterly convinced by Ba Shan Jijiu. He had evidently cultivated this Azure Sky Thunder Inducement for the first time, yet his execution was incredibly masterful, leaving her no choice but to be amazed.

Ba Shan Jijiu chuckled, "Your royal family's cultivation method, the Nine Dragons Emperor's Art, is fierce and domineering. If your foundation were solid enough, the power of your Azure Sky Thunder Inducement would be even stronger than mine. Princess Seven, these days I won't teach you other cultivation methods; I will only help you solidify your foundation."

Ling Yuxiu hastily agreed.

Ba Shan Jijiu was already a sect master-level existence with vast knowledge and experience. Furthermore, having experienced the reforms of the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace and having studied the cultivation methods and divine abilities of various sects, schools, and aristocratic families in sacred places like the Imperial College over the years, his profound knowledge had already made him a top-tier expert in Eternal Peace.

The green ox continued its journey towards the border pass. Along the way, Ba Shan Jijiu lectured them on cultivation, explaining the scriptures they had brought from the Heavenly Records Tower. After two or three days, they finally arrived near Qingmen Pass.

Qingmen Pass was the border between Eternal Peace and the Barbarian Lands. It was also the border between the Great Ruins and the Barbarian Lands.

Here, over a hundred li separated Qingmen Pass from the border pass of the Barbarian Lands. However, in the middle of this hundred-li stretch, there was a mountain forest extending for over ten li. This forest stretched out from the Great Ruins and belonged to the Great Ruins. Every night, darkness encroached, separating the two mighty passes.

The Great Ruins thus became a natural barrier between the Barbarian Lands and Eternal Peace. Neither army could launch a night raid on the other, only attacking during the day, which resulted in a stalemate.

The soldiers on both sides vividly called this part of the Great Ruins "Duck's Tongue."

Qin Mu and the others entered Qingmen Pass. Ba Shan Jijiu handed over the border pass. The soldier counted the people, then suddenly caught sight of Qin Mu, paused in surprise, and quickly ran into the city.

Everyone was puzzled by his action. Ba Shan Jijiu wondered, "Did you commit a crime?"

The green ox gloated, "More than just committing a crime? Master, have you forgotten? Your junior brother is an abandoned person from the Great Ruins. The border soldiers received a divine decree to kill any abandoned people from the Great Ruins who dare to enter Eternal Peace. I estimate your junior brother will either be beheaded or sold into slavery."

Ba Shan Jijiu frowned slightly. A moment later, the clatter of armor resounded from within the city. A deep voice called out, "Divine Physician! Where is Divine Physician Qin?"

A group of over a hundred soldiers, surrounding a white-haired old general, emerged from the border pass. He surveyed the group and asked, "Which one is Divine Physician Qin?"

Qin Mu smiled, "I am here. I dare not claim the title of 'Divine Physician,' General..."

*Clatter—*

In front of him, the soldiers knelt one after another. The old general also knelt on one knee, clasping his hands and raising them above his head, saying, "Divine Physician Qin, your medicine saved the lives of countless soldiers at our border. I, Bian, am ordered to guard this border pass and have not been able to go to the capital to thank you. I never expected Divine Physician Qin to come in person. Please accept the reverence of Bian and all the soldiers!"

Qin Mu quickly raised his hand and said, "General, please rise. Is my Pure Yang Worm-Refining Pill effective?"

General Bian rose, his white hair swaying, and nodded, "It is effective! The great shamans of the Barbarian Lands can no longer harm our soldiers with their rituals. Divine Physician's kindness has left everyone at Qingmen Pass immensely grateful, with tears of gratitude!"

"You're overstating it, it was merely a small effort."

Qin Mu smiled, "General Bian, this is Ba Shan Jijiu from our Imperial College, and this is Princess Seven."

Bian Zhenyun chuckled, "I have long heard of Ba Shan Jijiu's name, and seeing him now, he is indeed extraordinary. As for Princess Seven..."

His expression subtly darkened, and he sneered, "Why has the Princess come to this impoverished, remote place? If anything were to go wrong, who would take responsibility?"

Ba Shan Jijiu chuckled, "I brought them here for experience. General Bian, please make an exception for us."

Bian Zhenyun's expression softened slightly, and he reluctantly said, "For the sake of the Divine Physician, I will make an exception for you. Is Jijiu here to gain experience at my Qingmen Pass this time?"

Ba Shan Jijiu shook his head, "The Barbarian Lands."

Bian Zhenyun was startled and exclaimed, "You want to enter the Barbarian Lands? Are you out of your minds? The two nations are at war; if you cross now, you'll surely be killed! And you're even taking the Princess! If anything happens, it will be enough for your entire Imperial College to be executed!"

Ba Shan Jijiu chuckled, "With me here, there won't be any problems. I also have my own informants in the Barbarian Lands."

Bian Zhenyun sneered, "What do I care? This is a matter for your Imperial College; if something happens, your Imperial College will bear the responsibility. Divine Physician Qin, please enter the pass."

Ling Yuxiu felt uneasy. Ba Shan Jijiu had told them that this trip was for experience beyond the Great Wall, and she had thought it merely meant going to the border pass, but she never expected him to go to the Barbarian Lands!

However, she had always been bold and reckless, having once followed Qin Feiyue deep into the Great Ruins. Now, hearing they were going to the Barbarian Lands, she felt a little apprehensive, but more so excited.

That night, a grand banquet was held in the general's mansion. Bian Zhenyun, leading his officers, invited Qin Mu to the feast. Ba Shan Jijiu and the others were also invited, but merely as companions.

The next morning, Bian Zhenyun saw them off at the pass. He presented a plate of gold ingots and said, "The Barbarian Lands do not recognize the Great Prosperity currency; they only accept gold. Divine Physician, please take these as your travel expenses."

Qin Mu thanked him.

Everyone mounted the ox's back, and the green ox walked out of the pass.

They passed through the Duck's Tongue region of the Great Ruins and arrived beyond the border. From afar, they saw dust rising. Amidst the dust, several monstrous beasts with bone spurs growing from their heads galloped towards them. On the backs of these beasts sat tall, burly foreign warriors, shouting loudly, "Yi Suo—"

Ba Shan Jijiu lifted his feet, stepping onto the green ox's huge head, standing with one foot on each of its horns. He then dramatically spread open his mink fur cloak.

The foreign warriors rushing towards them saw the tattoo on his chest and quickly reined in their beasts, stopping. They bowed from their beast's backs, then turned their mounts around and galloped away.

Ba Shan Jijiu closed his cloak and dismounted from the ox's head. Qin Mu and Ling Yuxiu were both puzzled, wondering why these barbarians would bow to him upon seeing him.

Upon reaching the border pass of the Barbarian Lands, they found another tall city with very strict defenses. Ba Shan Jijiu led everyone to the foot of the pass, and the city gates opened. Many barbarian soldiers lined up on both sides, respectfully welcoming them into the pass.

The two became even more perplexed.

Just then, a general guarding the Barbarian Lands border pass walked over, laughing heartily, "Peerless Martial Khan, King of our grasslands, it's been a long time! Ever since you became an official of Eternal Peace, the Martial Khan's reputation has become infamous!"

Ba Shan Jijiu laughed heartily, "I am not originally from the grasslands; I merely defeated your warriors here and was thus honored as the Martial Khan."

"Martial Khan?"

Qin Mu and the others exchanged bewildered glances. Fox Ling'er asked in puzzlement, "Jijiu, what is that tattoo on your chest? Why do they bow to you when they see you?"

Ba Shan Jijiu opened his cloak at the chest and chuckled, "See for yourselves."

Qin Mu looked and saw a bizarre, bone-spurred skull tattooed on his chest.

"This is the tattoo of the Barbarian Lands' Khan, blessed by the Witch Lord of their sacred land; not everyone has it."

Ba Shan Jijiu closed his cloak and said, "I was originally the Khan of the Barbarian Lands. Years ago, I traveled with my esteemed master and came to the Barbarian Lands. Hearing of their martial prowess, I challenged their strongest warriors on the grasslands, winning every single one of my hundred battles. Because of this, I was honored as the Martial Khan. In Eternal Peace, 'Martial Khan' means 'Martial Emperor.'"