Chapter 339: Border General

If the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace knew the origins of these nine old individuals, he would understand why Qin Mu possesses a vision and breadth of mind uncommon among his peers.

The nine "elders" of Disabled Elder Village were not only Qin Mu's closest relatives but also his teachers. Among them were the current Buddha, the former Divine Spear, and the Mute—the world's foremost artifact refiner, though utterly wicked. There was also the once incomparably handsome but ruthless Jade-faced Poison King Apothecary, and the Saintess of the Heavenly Devil Cult, whose charm captivated both gods and devils across the land.

Also among them were the Deaf man, revered by the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace as the Saint of Painting; the Cripple, who could steal from anywhere without fail and escape even if a leg was chopped off; and the Butcher, renowned as the Heavenly Blade, who had once brandished his saber against the gods. And finally, the Human Emperor, who had brought glory to an entire era, and the Village Chief.

Some were broad-minded, others sentimental; some compassionate, others composed; some cunning, others adept at hiding their true feelings. Some were filled with heroic passion, some skilled at strategizing, and a few were ruthless. Yet, most of them maintained a pure and sincere heart, the heart of an innocent child.

It was precisely because of such a village and such individuals that Qin Mu could be cultivated into a person whom even a sage appearing once every five hundred years, like the Imperial Preceptor himself, would admire.

Qin Mu himself, however, didn't feel anything special. After leaving Disabled Elder Village, he didn't perceive himself as particularly powerful. To him, possessing the Hegemon Body meant any achievements were natural and not a cause for surprise. But in the eyes of others, he was practically a monstrous genius. At such a young age, whether it was poisoning or refining elixirs to save lives, or even forging, stealing, calligraphy, and painting, he was considered one of the most formidable experts in the world.

In contrast, Qin Mu's combat prowess was not particularly valued by others. What he himself worked hardest to cultivate was improving his strength with all his might, yet this aspect went unnoticed in the star-studded Eternal Peace. Nevertheless, even with his least impressive combat ability, he swept aside his peers; even Ban Gongcuo frequently suffered setbacks at his hands.

When Qin Mu left Disabled Elder Village, his mastery of mathematical arts was not high, but after leaving the Great Ruins, it advanced by leaps and bounds. Even among the Dao Sect, few could thoroughly comprehend the Taixuan Sutra of Calculation, yet Qin Mu, though not a member of the Dao Sect, thoroughly researched it. He achieved mastery despite a late start, and few in the world could surpass him in mathematical arts.

The more one interacted with him, the more extraordinary this young boy seemed.

"To quickly transform the content of this Golden Scroll into mathematical models," Qin Mu said, "we need someone proficient in mathematical arts to help." Qin Mu put away the Golden Scroll and said, "For the first cultivation method, the Magpie Bridge Art, I can complete the measurements and establish a mathematical model within a month. However, for the second method, the Mysterious Guidance Art, and the third, the Divine Crossing Art, there's simply too much to calculate. If I have to organize it by myself, it might take over a year, which would cause too much delay."

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace, the Village Chief, and the Cripple all showed grave expressions. To establish a mathematical model, every angle within the Golden Scroll's space needed to be measured, and numerical coordinates had to be used to reconstruct the spatial points of the three cultivation methods. This was crucial!

Once the mathematical model was established, then, using the proportion between the Divine Bridge in the Golden Scroll and one's own Divine Bridge as a scale, these spatial coordinates would be converted to determine the exact coordinates of the cultivation method's operation within one's own divine treasury. Only then could one learn the Magpie Bridge Art and construct the Magpie Bridge. The Magpie Bridge would repair and extend the Divine Bridge, allowing further cultivation of the Mysterious Guidance Art to forge another Mysterious Guidance Bridge from the Heavenly Court on the opposite side of the Divine Bridge. After mastering the Mysterious Guidance Art, one would then cultivate the Divine Crossing Art. If the calculations were even slightly off, the three bridges—Magpie Bridge, Mysterious Guidance Bridge, and Divine Crossing Bridge—would not align, rendering all efforts in vain and all previous achievements useless!

"Among the Dao Sect," Qin Mu continued his measurements and calculations, "the strongest in mathematical arts is the Old Dao Master. However, he has retired and his whereabouts are unknown. Next is the current Dao Master, the former Dao Child Lin Xuan. His mastery of mathematical arts is extremely high. I’ve seen him use Dao Sword; his mathematical skill is formidable."

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace's head throbbed, and he slowly said, "The relationship between the Dao Sect and Eternal Peace is not good, but we must ask them to come out of seclusion. Besides the Golden Scroll, the Sun-shooting Divine Cannon also requires their expertise! The Sun-shooting Divine Cannon is extremely important and must be forged. Relying solely on the Dao Sect's manpower might not be enough to accomplish both tasks. Therefore, we also need to go to Lesser Jade Capital. However..."

He looked towards the grasslands, and his headache intensified. Now that the Barbarian Kingdom had been defeated, it was the best time to annex the grasslands, and he absolutely could not let this opportunity slip away! Asking the Dao Sect to emerge from seclusion, going to Lesser Jade Capital, marching troops to the grasslands, and leveling the Loulan Golden Palace—all these matters were extremely important, but he couldn't be in multiple places at once. And to the north, the Wolf Juxu Kingdom was attacking Eternal Peace. The sheer number of tasks made his head feel like it would explode just thinking about them.

"I am very familiar with the Dao Master," Qin Mu smiled. "I can go to the Dao Sect and see if I can persuade Dao Master Lin Xuan." Qin Mu smiled, "I can also make a trip to Lesser Jade Capital on your behalf. We once met Wang Muran and his master, Immortal Zhen."

"I killed Immortal Zhen," the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace stated. "You are the Heavenly Devil Cult Master; Lesser Jade Capital may not treat you kindly."

Qin Mu looked at the Village Chief and the Cripple. The Village Chief said, "With nothing else to do, it's good to go out for a walk."

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace understood and said, "Alright, you go to Lesser Jade Capital. I will flatten the grasslands and destroy the Loulan Golden Palace!"

"The Loulan Golden Palace contains a hundred of my treasures!" Qin Mu quickly added, "You promised; I must be allowed to pick them!"

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace said solemnly, "Rest assured, my word is always my bond!"

Qin Mu felt relieved and smiled, "Village Chief, Cripple Grandpa, let's return to Qingmen Pass, pick up Xiong Xiyu and her daughter, and Fatty Dragon, then head to the Dao Sect and Lesser Jade Capital."

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace immediately set off towards Helan Pass, while Qin Mu and the others returned to Qingmen Pass, picked up Xiong Xiyu and her daughter, and carried the Village Chief in a medicine basket.

Qin Mu suddenly realized, "Oh no, I've never been to Lesser Jade Capital!"

The Village Chief said calmly, "I've been there. They're all stubborn old bones, rigid and set in their ways. You might not be able to persuade them at Lesser Jade Capital."

The Cripple excitedly rubbed his hands together. "Lesser Jade Capital! I haven't been there yet! My life won't be complete until I've stolen from that sacred place! It's a pity Old Grandpa Ma isn't here..."

Xiong Qier looked up at the Cripple, saying earnestly, "Cripple Grandpa, you'll be beaten to death if you steal things."

The Cripple, quite fond of the little girl, patted her head and said with a smile, "Qier, do you want to become the third greatest master of thievery in the world?"

"Yes!" the little girl replied loudly.

Inside Helan Pass, the various armies were reorganizing their equipment. The generals reported their casualties and losses to the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace. This time, with the turreted ships and cannon battleships leading the way, army casualties were not severe, less even than a previous minor battle. Losses of various spirit weapons and the required supplies of provisions and spirit medicines were not extensive.

The Hall Master of the Sword Hall and Yu Yuan Chuyun also came to report, saying, "Reporting to the Imperial Preceptor, the medicinal stones are gone."

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace exclaimed, "What?"

The Hall Master of the Sword Hall repeated, "The new army's medicinal stones are gone."

"Impossible!" The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace suddenly stood up. "The medicinal stones prepared on the turreted ships this time were a three-month supply! How could they be gone in just one day?"

The Hall Master of the Sword Hall, a man of few words, replied, "They were fired away."

Yu Yuan Chuyun explained, "Imperial Preceptor, the cannons improved by Doctor Qin consume a lot of energy, and the improved alchemy furnaces also require more medicinal stones. In the battle just now, each cannon fired a hundred times more light blasts than before, and the consumption was also a hundred times greater! That's why the medicinal stones were used up."

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace composed himself and said, "Then the task of pursuing the enemy cannot be entrusted to the new army. Let the cavalry and flying cavalry pursue them. You new army members rest first; you will have other tasks once the medicinal stones arrive."

Yu Yuan Chuyun said, "Imperial Preceptor, the new army doesn't have a name yet. Please bestow a name upon us."

"It is not according to regulations for me to bestow a name," the Imperial Preceptor replied. "You must ask the Emperor to grant one."

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace waved his hand, dismissing them. He thought to himself, "How could they be used up so quickly? The things Cult Master Qin improved seem to disregard cost, frantically stacking energy as if afraid of insufficient firepower..."

Just then, a flying cavalry rider suddenly arrived with a whoosh. A nine-headed Roc landed, rolled on the ground, and transformed into a divine arts practitioner. He knelt on one knee and shouted, "Report—Imperial Preceptor, General Bian requests Divine Physician Qin to immediately come to the front lines!"

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace's heart stirred slightly. This time, while all other armies were resting, only Bian Zhenyun led the Qingmen Pass army in close pursuit of the enemy, preparing to march directly to the Barbarian Kingdom's capital, Huanglong Prefecture. Bian Zhenyun had guarded Qingmen Pass for many years and was familiar with the grasslands. This time, leading elites directly to Huanglong Prefecture, speed was of the essence, and cutting off Huanglong Prefecture would be no problem.

"Divine Physician Qin has already gone to the Dao Sect and is not here," the Imperial Preceptor said. "What happened?"

"Voodoo poison!" The divine arts practitioner fiercely tore open his clothes, revealing his chest. Lividity marks appeared on his body, and large areas were festering. The divine arts practitioner hissed, "Our soldiers have all been poisoned by voodoo, and many brothers have already died! The military doctors from the Imperial College say a great shaman poisoned the water!"

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace's expression turned grim. He suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice, "Take me to see!" The divine arts practitioner cultivated physical divine arts. Just as he was about to transform into a nine-headed Roc and fly up, the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace circulated his magic power, immobilizing him and making him involuntarily follow him through the air. He said in a deep voice, "Do not use your magic power, or the voodoo poison will erupt faster. You only need to point the way."

His speed was extremely fast, like lightning. Space seemed to rapidly shrink beneath his feet. After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace had traversed a thousand miles and caught up with Bian Zhenyun's troops.

Before the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace had even descended from the sky, he froze. He looked out; the grasslands were covered in bodies—of both humans and animals. Not only were there bodies of Eternal Peace soldiers led by Bian Zhenyun, but more numerous were the corpses of grassland nomads and their livestock! The speed at which these bodies were decaying was astounding. Many green-headed flies swarmed chaotically across the sky, buzzing around countless corpses, but none dared to land. If a fly landed on a corpse, it would die too!

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace's eye twitched uncontrollably. Suddenly, the divine arts practitioner beside him groaned, and fresh blood, along with his internal organs, poured out of his mouth with a gurgling sound. He died a violent death, his body plummeting from beside him.

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace's heart sank deeper and deeper. Even if Divine Physician Qin were here now, it would be useless. The Golden Palace had poisoned the entire grasslands, and it was impossible for Qin Mu to counteract the voodoo poison everywhere!

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace clenched his fists, walking through the mountains and seas of corpses. Many soldiers around Bian Zhenyun were still alive, but their bodies were rapidly festering. The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace's eye twitched. He looked at Bian Zhenyun. Bian Zhenyun's cultivation was profound, and the voodoo poison had not reached him, but the old general sat blankly, his expression vacant, beside a young officer—his son, who had succumbed to the poison.

"General Bian..."

Bian Zhenyun numbly looked up, his eyes vacant. The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace turned and walked away, saying in a deep voice, "You stay here. Do not enter the pass."

Bian Zhenyun watched his retreating back. Suddenly, he cried out sharply, "Imperial Preceptor, there are still many Eternal Peace children here! You can't let them all die here—"

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace's body trembled, but he did not stop, continuing towards Helan Pass.

Inside the pass, the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace watched the divine arts practitioners of Eternal Peace, each carrying a green gourd. Not a single one made a sound.

"Begin," he said.

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace closed his eyes and waved his hand. "Flood the grasslands, wash away the voodoo poison."

The mouths of the gourds opened one by one, and dark clouds soared into the sky, covering the grasslands. Cracking thunder continuously struck, followed by heavy rain. The heavy rain continued, relentlessly washing the land. It gradually stopped after ten days, by which time the grasslands had been transformed into flooded lands.

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace re-entered the grasslands. Countless humans and animals had drowned. He found Bian Zhenyun, the sole survivor of the Qingmen Pass army; everyone else had died.

"General Bian, let's return to the pass," the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace said softly.

Bian Zhenyun stared blankly at him and said in a hoarse voice, "I led them out, but I couldn't bring them back. I have failed them... Imperial Preceptor, please take our bodies back to the nation... I have failed you all!"

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace opened his mouth. Bian Zhenyun drew his sword, severed his own head, and held it with both hands, presenting it before him. The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace cradled the gray-haired head in his hands as Bian Zhenyun's body fell to the ground.