Chapter 1162: Father and Brother in the Hall (1+1/2)

Jingzhao, the Imperial Palace of Great Zhao.

Throughout history, northern dynasties rose and fell. This central location, almost always an imperial capital, was known as Fenghao by the Zhou and Changyang by the Wei. The Qi, after burning the Wei Que, dared not settle here, establishing their capital in the east. During the Liang dynasty, the Tuoba clan re-entered and founded their capital here. Emperor Zhaowu of Zhao then claimed the Liang palace as his own, a practice continued for generations.

Within the palace complex, layers of courtyards surrounded golden halls where snow fell. A cold crow perched on a beam, cawing loudly, its calls echoing through the grand hall. From a distant gate, the sharp crack of a whip cutting through the air could be heard:

"Report..."

"Decisive defeat at Xianhu! Daoist Qi has fallen!"

"The false Song has seized... Jianghuai!"

The cries reverberated through the layers of pavilions, relayed upwards by one purple-robed eunuch after another, until they reached the lofty main hall.

Inside the hall, majestic golden pillars, carved with suppressed phoenixes, qilin, and dragons at their bases, should have given off a bright, golden aura. Instead, it was inexplicably dark, almost pitch black. On either side, seven high-backed lotus platforms supported towering pavilions, their surfaces intricately carved with various Pure Land lotuses, and beneath them, an array of immortal and demonic beings were depicted as suppressed. The highest point of the pavilions flickered with light, serving as the sole illumination in the place.

However, only six of these lotus treasure pavilions were lit, and only five had monks seated cross-legged beneath them, some drinking and eating meat, others chanting sutras with clasped hands. Beyond these towering structures, at the foot of the steps, stood the hundreds of officials, their dark official hats almost touching the ground, blending into the darkness. On the main dais, the Great Zhao Emperor, splendidly dressed and awe-inspiring, sat motionless, his face obscured by heavy curtains. To his left and right were two small tables, one occupied by a monk, the other by a Daoist.

The eunuch's reports ascended, reaching the ears of the purple-robed True Person, who let out a chuckle from her throat and said, "So, even Zhi Xuanxie can make a mistake."

The monks below exchanged varied glances. Jiang Toushou, seated on the Emperor's other side, raised an eyebrow and coldly swept his gaze across the Dàyù Path monk who was still eating and drinking below. He said, "Tianlang Zhi is truly capable! What, does he think the Lingbao lineage is full of dead people? Knowing his surname is Liu, why insist on testing him?"

The loss of Dayuan Guangyin Mountain years ago was due to Tianlang Zhi's schemes and betrayal of Jiang Toushou. This Maha still harbored resentment, his eyes full of cold anger. Unexpectedly, the monk below chuckled, "Oh? It seems Lord thinks all of us from the Dàyù Path are dead. Since we knew Cheng Xun had passed the Canzi realm and the Yang clan strongly protected him, which of our disciples could go south without facing a life-or-death tribulation? If Lord Tianlang Zhi went personally, who knows what earth-shattering battle might erupt, completely derailing the situation in Jianghuai... Who would bear the blame then? Isn't sacrificing one slave enough?"

"Since the Yang clan has already laid out the bait, their attitude is clear. What's the harm in trying to hold our ground at Tangdao Mountain? If we could convert them, even failing to hold it would still yield great benefits! It's just that the Lingbao lineage is too stingy, unwilling to lose even a little face!"

He possessed some eloquence, rendering Jiang Toushou speechless. Jiang Toushou looked at him with some distaste and said, "This is a great defeat; Zhi Xuan should be held accountable!"

As soon as he spoke, from Zong Chang at the top to the monks below, no one would agree with him. Zong Chang even started to laugh, "Accountability? Do you think Wei Xuan will pay any attention to you?"

The cultivators scoffed, but the Emperor on the main dais dared not ignore him. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "The south is full of stratagems, and the State Preceptor is busy with myriad affairs, making it difficult to oversee everything... This should not be held against him..." His words were timid and submissive, but Jiang Toushou ignored him. Having probed the general attitude, he turned to face those below and said indifferently, "Since Jianghuai has fallen, the false Song's vanguard has reached Chengyun, directly threatening the Central Plains. We should select a highly respected individual to integrate both immortal and Buddhist paths, and lead forces south to prevent a sudden northern advance from the south."

As soon as he finished speaking, silence fell over the great hall. 'Qi Lanyan fell here in one breath, who else would dare to go and obstruct them?' Seeing no one respond, Jiang Toushou seemed to have anticipated it and said, "King Bolie Gao Fu, known for his wisdom and having surpassed the Canzi realm, should be summoned. And Lotus Temple, being adjacent to Chengyun, should also take action... responding and preparing defenses." He pointed out the two most unpopular choices, causing the cultivators to nod in agreement. Only Ming Meng Maha, from beneath the pavilion glowing with pink lotus light, raised his head, but was immediately silenced.

"As for Dayuan Guangyin Mountain..." This majestic mountain, overlooking and directly threatening Luoxia Plain, was clearly extraordinary. The expressions of several monks changed as they listened to Jiang Toushou say, "The Dàyù Path and Damu Dharma Realm have made arrangements to control this area... and the aristocratic families of Luoxia and surrounding regions... cannot stand by idly either." He turned and looked at Zong Chang, saying, "This will require much effort from Lord Zong!" Upon hearing that she would have to deal with those aristocratic families, Zong Chang's expression soured. This task should have fallen to Gongsun Bei, but since that True Person was now gravely injured, it naturally fell to her. Despite her immense reluctance, she could only give a faint assent.

Only then did the Damu Dharma Realm pavilion flicker slightly, and the monk below clasped his hands together, "The Song Kingdom has also lost many True Persons, all of significant standing. They no longer have the energy to continue fighting. If we maintain our stance, they won't advance further north. But... that Wei 'scourge'..." As soon as he uttered these words, the entire court fell silent. Each faction bore a complex expression, and for a moment, no one spoke. Only Ming Meng feigned a sigh, then bitterly interjected, "Are you all still calling him the Wei 'scourge'? Wouldn't 'King Wei' be better? My senior brother was gravely injured just now, and I'm about to go up and block the enemy. Whose turn will be next?! It's better to accumulate some good karma with your words!"

These words choked the hall with both anger and silence. The Emperor on the dais was at a loss, looking first east, then west. After a long pause, Jiang Toushou finally rose with a grim expression and cursed, "You, you, you... Your Lotus Temple has the worst mouth-karma, daring to mock us here!" Ming Meng sighed and said, "How can it be called mockery? It's King Wei..." "It's the Wei 'scourge'!" Jiang Toushou, furious, cut him off with a roar, startling the Emperor behind the heavy curtains, making him tremble. Ming Meng merely sighed towards the heavens, "Lord's determination to curb Ming Yang is something this junior deeply admires!" Jiang Toushou had no intention of becoming Ming Yang's enemy! It was as if he'd been doused with a bucket of cold water; his expression changed dramatically. "Slandering!" Ming Meng shrugged, "Then let's just call him King Wei!"

The darkness in the sky quickly receded. Densely packed troops were arrayed on the ground, the surrounding mountains and forests stained with blood. A young man, stepping forward on true qi light, had a complex look in his eyes: 'The land of Baiye is also severely depleted.'

The land of Xu, anciently known as Jianghuai, is now also called Sanjiang and Sanxi. The upheaval at Zhuosha Mausoleum back then destroyed Baijiang. Now, after three changes of hands between Zhao and Song over Baiye, six or seven out of ten people have been lost. Surprisingly, only the last recovered area, Baihai, still has some population. 'Jianghuai finally has an owner... but the land of the former kingdom is covered in ruins.'

Li Jiangliang walked through the air, hurrying along, and soon reached the ruined mountain. His two elder brothers were already seated there amidst raging water and fire; one was bandaging a wound on his abdomen, the other wiping blood from his sword, appearing remarkably harmonious. All the divine abilities had conquered various mountain gates, and their troops had entered Baiye. With Jianghuai fallen, even the Mahas could not protect themselves, let alone those deserving of pity. They had naturally fled completely, leaving everything to be swept away. In this Battle of Xianhu, the two brothers not only sustained no serious injuries but also gained spoils using their water and fire arts, and conquered various territories. Resting their troops here now, they inevitably exuded a sense of self-satisfaction.

"My two elder brothers!" Seeing Li Jiangliang, Li Jiangxia stood up, smiling, and said, "Fourth brother, do you have good news?" Li Jiangliang smiled and said, "Tangdao has been secured!" Both were generals who had led troops for years, naturally understanding the importance of Tangdao Mountain. Smiles appeared on their faces, but Li Jiangliang, still heavy with worry, raised an eyebrow and said, "How are Father's injuries?" At his words, both were startled. Li Jianglong gathered his thoughts and said, "I heard King Wei slew another Maha in Chengyun; he should be fine." Li Jiangliang breathed a sigh of relief, then heard his brother press on, "What orders came from the palace?" Li Jiangliang nodded to his two brothers, a joyful expression on his face, and said, "Tangdao has been secured, Baihai is pacified, and places like Chengyun and Baixiang, witnessing King Wei's might, surrendered at his approach. Only Shanji is still putting up a stubborn resistance. I've received orders to gather all forces in Baihai, reorganize the troops, and dispatch them to various locations... By now, Father should also have arrived at Baihai; we can go together." He paused briefly, then stated solemnly, "Stabilizing Jianghuai is the top priority, and Shanji... the Great General will return to personally take it."

Li Jianglong naturally nodded. Shanji was originally a place Yang Ruiyi had temporarily set aside for the sake of the overall situation. Even if not, as the supreme leader of the southern campaign, it was only fitting that he should claim this most important victory. Yet, a hint of regret still lingered on his face as he said, "It's just a pity... that the Shu army occupied Baijiang, leaving the Sanjiang region incomplete..." Li Jiangliang smiled faintly without speaking, simply gesturing for them to follow. The three then rode on their true qi towards Baihai. As they approached Xuanyao Temple, the Xuan Envoy of the Privy Council—second only to the Song Emperor and above all others—finally raised his eyebrow and said, "The land of the former kingdom, Song will surely take it. Our military might is now at its peak, and the north is powerless to restrain us. Baijiang... if it can be negotiated, then negotiate; if not... then fight." His eyes gleamed, his demeanor clearly transformed. Hearing these words, the two elder brothers exchanged glances, their hands itching for action, each harboring their own thoughts. They fell silent together as the Xuanyao Gate appeared before them!

This Daoist temple, originally perched on a dangerous cliff, was now in complete disarray. The most striking sight was not anything else, but a colossal mountain and river, descended from the sky and now suppressing the sea. A mountain-like Black Tiger, its body shattered into pieces, was alive but pinned down in Baihai Stream, bound by heavy chains, unable to move! This Black Tiger had its limbs broken, all its teeth shattered, and was dragged all the way back from the north. Unable to live or die, it was submerged in Baihai Stream by King Wei, as if displaying a war trophy.

The three felt various emotions in their hearts as they descended with the wind. The one who arrived riding the wind was a man clad in bronze armor, wielding thunder and lightning, with large bronze bells tied to his waist, his face beaming with hearty laughter: "Three Lords! Please!" This greeting startled the three considerably. Li Jiangliang quickly stepped forward and said, "Clan Uncle... you're too polite!" The one stationed here was none other than Li Zhouda, and the armored soldiers covering the mountain were also from Tingzhou! Li Zhouda was clearly in excellent spirits. He laughed heartily and said, "You now wield Xuan power; you are either Founding Dukes or True Envoys. You are worthy of being called 'Lord'." The three exchanged a couple of polite words and followed him up the mountain. Passing through the temporary grand formation, their vision suddenly cleared. The original pristine white mountain gate lay ruined amidst the debris, a scene of desolation. The brown characters for "Xuanyao" were shattered to pieces, trampled beneath a pair of spiritual boots.

Situ Huo. Sand flew everywhere, and pink lotuses covered the ground. The battle at Xuanyao Temple had raged for so long, yet the old man stood there with his hands behind his back, his expression grim. Clearly, he had not managed to detain the Zhuokong Liangli Maha. On the other side, a blue-robed youth, his face full of smiles, was conversing with a True Person in white and gold Daoist robes beside him. Although Li Ximing appeared calm and composed, his slightly pale face and eyes were still looking south, evidently growing a little anxious from waiting.

Upon seeing the three, Li Ximing visibly relaxed slightly. He quickly stepped forward, a hint of urgency in his voice: "Have any orders arrived?" Li Jiangliang quickly returned the greeting and said, "We have received the Emperor's command; we request an audience with King Wei!" Li Ximing quickly said, "He just returned from Chengyun and is resting in the main hall. His injuries are severe, so you should relay the orders as soon as possible." Li Jiangliang's heart tightened upon hearing this. Disregarding formalities, he nodded and stepped forward. But as he represented the Song Emperor, Li Jiangxia and Li Jianglong reacted swiftly; one stood to the side, the other stepped forward to push the door open for him.

The darkness within the hall was suddenly illuminated. This was originally the main hall of Xuanyao Temple, where various sizes of dharma lamps stood. However, all lights were extinguished at this moment, leaving only the dark bronze lampstands in the darkness. A black robe with gold patterns, shattered during battle, hung draped over the high seat at the head of the hall, billowing as if breathing. King Wei, uncharacteristically dressed in white, sat leaning to the left on the main seat, eyes closed, long eyebrows furrowed. One hand rested on his forehead, the other on his side, his chest rising and falling powerfully, as if he were asleep. Yet, the half of his face turned towards the hall entrance was covered in dense, shattered-like colorful patterns, flickering with his breath, resembling an old, sick suanni dozing in pain. This white qilin, normally the center of attention wherever he went, now seemed to fade into a part of the hall. The invisible, ambitious Mingyang sovereign power that usually enveloped him was gone. The hall was extremely quiet, filled with a profound sense of security.

But Li Jiangliang, after a single glance, suddenly stood rigid in place. In this peace and serenity, silently, like a ghost, a figure stood on the steps below the main seat. This person wore crimson-gold Daoist robes, his dark hair unbound, presenting a free and unrestrained appearance. His long eyebrows extended to his temples, and his narrow eyes held a hint of malevolence, making his calm smile seem ruthless. He was like a venomous snake, blending into the atmosphere of the entire hall. Yet, his similarly golden eyes gazed straight ahead, devoid of emotion, bearing a cruel, reddish hue, like the only terror in this peaceful scene. Li Jiangliang, of course, knew who he was, as did his two elder brothers behind him.

The burly, imposing armored general suddenly tightened his grip on the waist saber, his expression stiff. The steady general, robed and feathered, with a gentle face, lowered his head like lightning, his eyes filled with disbelief. 'Elder brother.' In the murky sky, only this crimson glow seemed to flicker. The composure of one who single-handedly dominated court and field, governed the nation, and established rites, was gone. The imperiousness of one who pacified lands and galloped through Baiye had vanished. These three Xuan wielders simultaneously lost their composure, reverting to their original selves, as if transported back to the golden hall on the lake, where this eldest brother stood rightfully before their father, and they stood below.

But now, things were vastly different. Before, Li Jiangqian stood before them, facing their father, presenting his back, which they could freely gaze upon. Now, with their father injured and ill, Li Jiangqian had turned, guarding the couch, his back to their father, standing squarely in the center, quietly observing them. This gaze, lacking Li Zhouwei's protective presence, inexplicably filled Li Jiangliang with an uncontrollable fear. The weaker their father behind the elder brother became, and the more he blended with the hall's serenity, the stronger that fear grew, causing Li Jiangliang, who had never felt a guilty conscience, to become terrified. 'What's going on?' Even more unsettled were his two elder brothers behind him. Third Brother Li Jiangxia's courage began to tremble, his five fingers clutching the hilt of his saber tightened, turning red and then white. Second Brother Li Jianglong closed his eyes tightly, as if trying to bury his head in his chest — this was not about courage; even if a Great True Person stood before them, the two brothers would not easily bow their heads... yet at this moment, it was exceptionally strange.

Li Jiangliang stood there blankly, until the ailing suanni on the couch slowly opened his colorful eyes: "Cough..." Li Jiangqian flicked his sleeves, turned, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Father... my younger brothers have arrived." As the eldest brother turned, the oppressive terror in the hall suddenly vanished. Everything just now seemed like an illusion. The sounds of wind and human voices returned, and Li Jiangxia then realized the hall was not silent. He loosened his grip on the saber hilt.

King Wei's eyes brimmed with color, showing no emotional fluctuations. His voice was steady: "Are there any imperial decrees?" Li Jiangliang stepped forward and said respectfully, "There is an imperial oral decree: regarding Jianghuai affairs, King Wei may act independently. If you have surplus strength, you may deploy Tingzhou troops to besiege Xuanyue as a show of power. Should your illness worsen, it is hoped that King Wei will rest well and return soon to oversee the state." He paused briefly, then half-knelt, taking out a golden jade box from his sleeve, and said, "The Emperor, hearing that King Wei sustained a Wutu injury and considering the difficulty of treating 'no-leakage' wounds, personally bestowed a Zhuchun Xuanmu, hoping for Your Majesty's swift recovery, so you may again campaign against Zhao and Shu."

Clearly, the Song Emperor had not gone back on his word, even granting him great autonomy and considering aiding him. This brought a hint of stability to Li Zhouwei's brow. He said politely, "Jianghuai is not yet pacified; it would be presumptuous to accept such imperial grace. For now, I await the Great General's return to pacify Shanji together." Li Jiangqian lifted his sleeve, took the jade box from Li Jiangliang's hand, and presented it to his father. Only then did Li Jiangliang remind him, "Your son also has imperial edicts for bestowing titles upon the surrendered officials. Father, shall we review them together...?" Seeing King Wei wave his hand, Li Jiangqian nodded and stepped forward, saying, "Father is unwell; I shall observe the ceremony on his behalf." Li Jiangliang nodded as expected, bringing a slight smile to Li Jiangqian's face. Yet, he saw his fourth brother raise his head and hesitate before saying, "Congratulations, elder brother... on achieving divine abilities!" Li Jiangqian's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then shifted to his other two brothers. Both simultaneously cupped their hands: "Congratulations, elder brother!" "Haha." Li Jiangqian chuckled twice, offering no further expression, and then asked them to leave. He closed the hall doors tightly, leaving only Li Zhouwei seated in the great hall, his eyes once again closed.

A mysterious Daoist resonance echoed in his heart. Illuminating the sun and moon! The gains from this victory were simply too immense. He had been resting here for almost half a day, still caught in the dizzying, profound Daoist resonance, forcing him to keep his eyes closed! 'Qi Lanyan, a direct descendant of the Guanhua Heavenly Tower Path and master of three divine abilities... Helian Wujiang, the ruler of Tiefo and master of three divine abilities... Just these two alone represent unprecedented gains. Compared to them, 'pulling mountains' is merely a bonus.'

Although the levels Chen had defined back then were not standard, with differences between each level as vast as heaven and earth, and even becoming exaggerated later, it simply couldn't withstand the sheer magnitude of this gain! His cultivation had long surpassed the Canzi realm, which in the eyes of ordinary people was like an insurmountable chasm, exceeding the level of common Great True Persons. By Li Zhouwei's own estimation, he far surpassed most cultivators on the lake; figures like Tuoba Ci and Gongsun Bei were left far behind. Even based on his brief estimations during combat, disciples from the Guanhua lineage like Qi Lanyan were a step below him! At this point, the cultivators in Jiangnan whose cultivation surpassed his could be counted on one's fingers. Those who could compare with him should be Great True Persons who had obtained Golden Core Daoist traditions, like Chang Xiao and Chi Buzi, or individuals from lineages like Penglai!

'Great True Persons are nothing more than this... But I've encountered too few Great True Persons in battle. I haven't fought Chi Buzi or Chang Xiao, whom Chen cited as examples, and they wouldn't just stand still. It's hard to estimate the exact gap between us...' What was immediately evident was that the power of his various spells had increased considerably, and the operation of his spiritual artifacts had become more natural. And, of course, his divine abilities! The Chongyang Axis Star Treasure Disk between his eyebrows glowed faintly, and the light of the Scarlet Breaking Arrow circulated continuously, brighter and more freely. Although the dark heaven and earth emerged, it did not expand, instead tightly enveloping him within three inches of his body. A setting sun hung behind him, brilliant yellow and fiery red. The alleviation provided by the Scarlet Breaking Arrow became more effective and subtle. Li Zhouwei breathed a sigh of relief again, slowly closing his eyes, feeling the mysterious Daoist resonance continuously emerging in his mind. The world before his eyes seemed to slowly unveil a veil, becoming increasingly clear. Yet, upon re-examining himself, the calamity within his body appeared even more complex in his perception.

Li Zhouwei traveled all the way here. Li Ximing, hearing of his injury, rushed over early. Logically, with Li Ximing's alchemy cultivation, as long as there was still breath in the body, most injuries could be resolved. Yet, in the face of this calamity, he was utterly helpless. At its root, this wasn't like an injury at all; it was more like a pervasive sensation, a calamity shrouding his body, continuously generating Wuguang to cause destruction, seemingly endless. 'There's still more than a day's time. He had pacified the north and then rushed back here. As long as he stabilized his body and suppressed the calamity within, he could temporarily alleviate the increase in the calamity's power... Thus, I only need to suppress my injuries here, wait for Yang Ruiyi to set up the northern defenses, and then we can return triumphantly. There should be plenty of time...'

Li Zhouwei exhaled, opened the jade box, and looked at the glowing cornerwood settled within. A strange feeling arose in his heart: 'As expected of a No-Leakage Wutu, the recalcitrance of this calamity is renowned throughout the land. Even the esteemed Song Emperor could not find a truly effective solution, only choosing the best among poor options, hence this single piece of cornerwood.' Still, something was better than nothing. A piece of cornerwood spiritual artifact was a precious item. This object would achieve its maximum effect if given to Li Ximing. He put it away for now, then subtly raised his eyebrows, looking towards the hall's window lattices. In the distant, dim colors, he could still see the continuously falling jade-white light, reflecting the colorful light in his eyes. King Wei moved his lips. 'Birds of a feather.'