Chapter 504: Victory and Fame Clear King

Dili Youjie slowly raised his head. The cold glint of weapons around him receded, finally allowing him to slowly stand up and vaguely discern the prince's face.

Li Zhouwei turned his horse and left, leaving Dili Youjie standing there. The Yuting Guards, who had been protecting him closely, withdrew from the camp one by one, leaving only the clan soldiers lined up on either side. The grim young man remained standing with his arms crossed, watching him coldly.

“Lucky barbarian…”

Chen Yang’s own family, the Chen clan, was a first-rate prominent family among the Eastern Towns, and he also possessed Li family blood. Though he seemed to serve Li Zhouwei diligently, he was still a noble scion upon returning to the towns, proud of his "immortal descendant" status, and deeply looked down upon these "barbarians."

Li Zhouwei could see through people's hearts, so in front of him, Chen Yang naturally concealed his true nature and pretended to be submissive. The moment Li Zhouwei left, however, Chen Yang reverted to his old ways. His grayish-black eyes meticulously scrutinized Dili Youjie. He stepped forward, helped Dili Youjie up, and his expression changed faster than turning a page, as he chuckled:

“Brother Dili! I am Chen Yang. We will be working together now, and I hope for your guidance.”

Dili Youjie quickly lowered his head, displaying a humble demeanor, and murmured:

“I will follow all your instructions, Senior!”

Chen Yang nodded, his smile warm, as if they were truly close friends. He chuckled:

“There are twenty-one families in the city who have long oppressed the common people. The Prince means that none of them need to be spared. I will lead the troops there. As for gathering their retainers, documenting their crimes, organizing clan soldiers, and installing trusted confidants… I presume I don’t need to instruct the clan head on these matters, do I?”

Dili Youjie respectfully said:

“This humble one will ensure everything is handled cleanly.”

Chen Yang enthusiastically took his hand, releasing it only when they had both mounted their horses. He said softly:

“Brother Dili, these twenty-one noble families have quite a lot of followers. Please ensure you have a complete roster of them…”

The young man in black feigned a playful expression of apprehension, whispering beside him:

“Don’t miss a single person or horse… The Prince permanently resides in the Immortal Mountain and fears no retribution, but you and I have families to consider, and we can’t afford to play the game of vengeance from heirs!”

“I understand!”

Dili Youjie squinted and nodded. As they gradually approached the city, seeing weapons gleaming with cold light everywhere, Chen Yang chuckled:

“Then please, let’s begin.”

His words were chilling. Dili Youjie immediately understood, unhooked the horn from his waist, put it to his lips beneath his two mustaches, and began to blow a mournful sound.

Riding forward, Dili Youjie saw expressions of shock on the plump faces of the city's nobles. As his own clan soldiers filed in, a burning desire for dominance surged within him, as if he were intoxicated by fine wine, making him feel utterly ecstatic.

“The Yedun family robbed mine the year before last,” Dili Youjie thought. “Let’s slaughter their family first.”

While blades and chaos erupted in Da Jueting, Beishanyue remained silent.

Beishanyue, adjacent to Da Jueting, had a mountain range on its border. Beyond it lay two plains, and its population was considered sizable. Li Xijun and Kong Heng arrived, riding the wind, and stopped on this large mountain.

According to Feiluo Ya, Jiaozhong Zi was arrogant and his cultivation method was very difficult, not requiring much vital essence, which explained Beishanyue's large population. The plain below alone had over ten thousand people, with numerous large and small strongholds.

Li Xijun observed carefully. Li Ximing also arrived, riding a beam of light, radiant and majestic with his mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation. His Daoist robe fluttered, giving him an ethereal quality.

Li Xijun whispered:

“There’s only one matter at hand… Although Jiaozhong Zi is missing, his subordinate Mumu Li and his Foundation Establishment mount are in Beishanyue. We must first corner and kill these two.”

“According to Feiluo Ya, Mumu Li cultivates Listening to the Morning Star, an ancient technique that allows him to detect unfavorable remarks within a hundred li. We shouldn’t get too close to Wushan, lest he overhear us.”

All three didn't need to guess much; chances were, this person was in Wushan. They just didn't know if Wushan had any hidden defenses, or if they hoped to lure him out.

Li Ximing listened to him and replied:

“If Mumu Li is truly loyal, how could he stand by while our family conquers Beishanyue? We only need to visit the Beishanyue Royal Court, and Mumu Li will naturally be forced out.”

“Let’s postpone this matter for now.”

Li Xijun gently shook his head, looked at Kong Heng, and whispered:

“The witch arts of Shanyue are strange. Our family has suffered a loss once already. This time, we must ask the Dharma Master to look after our Prince.”

Kong Heng quickly waved his hand, closing his eyes as he murmured:

“Xijun, please give your commands without hesitation. I feel extremely ashamed of holding my position without contributing.”

Li Xijun withdrew his gaze from afar, gently looking into Kong Heng’s eyes, and replied:

“This time, before anything else, I would like to ask the Dharma Master to examine our Prince.”

The group returned together, riding the wind. Kong Heng, deep in thought, asked:

“This Shanyue’s Listening to the Morning Star technique is quite similar to a certain mind-reading divine ability in our Buddhist cultivation. If we gain something this time, I hope to examine this cultivation method.”

“That’s certainly not a problem.”

Li Xijun assented, then suddenly remembered something recorded in his family’s history, thinking to himself:

“I heard there’s a great demon in the demon cave of Dali Mountain that can even hear things within a thousand li… It’s likely from the same lineage as Listening to the Morning Star!”

The sun set in the west, the sky a hazy red. A crimson cloud floated by, and the shouts from the city gradually faded, replaced by a quiet gloom.

The strongholds around Da Jueting were tightly shut, no one daring to step out. Under the ancient city walls, every household was sealed, and blood flowed freely in the streets.

This ancient city had been occupied countless times throughout history, always by sacrificing slaves and retainers to new lords. This was the first time nobles and shamans were being massacred, lending a fresh, grim novelty to the event. The resistance was particularly fierce.

The sky was filled with cultivators, allowing the resistance to futilely cling on. Several nobles and shamans attempted to fly, only to be struck down from the air and splattered into meat paste.

Chen Yang led his men out of the courtyard. Heads, bone ornaments, and feathers lay scattered everywhere. Dozens of clan soldiers carried heads into the courtyard. Chen Yang stepped over the bloodstains, wiped the blood from his left hand, and chuckled:

“This man was lecherous; he had twenty-seven concubines and over a hundred female slaves. After years of great drought, he still had so much grain…”

The Dili clan soldiers around him looked displeased. Chen Yang had personally hacked people down in the courtyard with his sword, and even these men felt a chill of fear. Naturally, no one dared to respond to him. Chen Yang raised an eyebrow:

“Shouldn’t they be killed?”

“They should… of course they should!”

Dili Youjie assented, his opinion of this man having drastically changed. He had thought him merely a grim youth, but never expected him to be so ruthless. He silently began to guard against him.

Dili Youjie calculated according to the list: the nobles of Da Jueting had been completely slaughtered. These bloodlines, which had cultivated for generations, were severed. There wouldn't be any Qi Condensation cultivators for at least several decades. The Li family naturally didn't care; in fact, it made governance easier. Dili Youjie, however, felt his scalp tingle and secretly rejoiced.

Chen Yang looked at the troops on both sides and ordered:

“Send men to empty the granaries in both locations… Wait.”

Chen Yang’s eyes were grim, deep in thought:

‘The hatred falls upon the Dili family, the sin of killing is mine, Chen Yang. But this benevolence must be shown by the main family. If there’s any oversight, Li Zhouwei will scoff at my incompetence.’

He gazed admiringly at the pool of blood before him, and softly said:

“Gather all these things properly and transport them to the army.”

After speaking, Chen Yang, like kicking a gourd, nudged the beautiful woman’s head at his feet, then enthusiastically pulled Dili Youjie along, saying:

“Brother Dili… hey! General Dili, please present these items and accompany me to see the Prince!”

Dili Youjie had followed him all the way through the slaughter, listening to his laughter. How could he still trust the expression on his face? Realizing Chen Yang was a smiling viper, he felt fear, repeatedly bowed, and followed behind.

Chen Yang wanted him to be afraid, and with a triumphant expression, he chuckled:

“Thanks to your contributions, General, for supplying the list of crimes and assisting me in a clean slaughter. I’ve already sent people to every household in the city to spread word and enhance your prestige!”

Dili Youjie understood that the blame for siding with the Easterners and massacring the various clans and shamans was a burden he had to bear. He only said fiercely:

“Lord Chen, rest assured! With these spiritual items and provisions, in just ten days, the clans and retainers in this city will all side with the superior clan, and we’ll be able to raise five thousand troops!”

Chen Yang nodded and stepped across the threshold. His expression instantly softened, becoming humble and downcast, the speed of which greatly astonished Dili Youjie. Then, the young man reminded him:

“When serving by the Prince’s side, General, it’s best not to harbor any improper thoughts.”

Dili Youjie nodded repeatedly, advanced several steps into the spacious hall, and bowed with Chen Yang. From the corner of his eye, he noticed several cultivators dressed in Eastern attire standing on the other side of the hall.

Chen Yang bowed, saying:

“Your subordinate has already purged the city!”

Li Zhouwei, from his elevated position, took a small step forward, glanced at Dili Youjie, and softly said:

“Dili Youjie… well done. Rise.”

Dili Youjie quickly stood up, his heart chilled as he saw Chen Yang still kneeling motionless beside him. He lowered his gaze to a pair of brocade boots that stopped before him. The Prince took the thick scrolls Dili Youjie held in both hands, and said:

“Organize your retainers within twelve days, then lead your troops to Beishanyue.”

Dili Youjie silently nodded and slowly retreated. Li Zhouwei held the jade slip in his hand. Chen Yang’s heart felt as if mountains were collapsing and the earth splitting, and he gasped in horror:

‘A jade slip… divine sense! He’s broken through to the Jade Capital Wheel, the fifth layer of Fetal Respiration!’

Although he had long anticipated being surpassed, he never expected it to happen so soon. His expression remained unperturbed. Li Zhouwei, seemingly inadvertently, glanced at Chen Yang, then turned to the young man beside him and softly said:

“The matters of winning over and pacifying the common people and stabilizing the rear will be entrusted to the two elders.”

Two people stood nearby, both at the Qi Condensation stage, a man and a woman. The man, dressed in a Daoist robe and appearing to be in his twenties, was Li Chenghuai. The woman was slightly older, the eldest sister of the senior lineage, Li Minggong.

Li Chenghuai, whose appearance resembled his mother Yang Xiao’er and was somewhat ordinary, calmly said:

“Leave it to me.”

Both were in the early Qi Condensation stage, making it very easy for them to suppress this area. They bowed slightly and then withdrew.

The talents of the Chengming generation were somewhat ordinary, but after two or three decades, most had successfully cultivated to Qi Condensation and gradually became responsible for various peaks. After all, their strict upbringing from childhood meant that most of them were capable.

Li Zhouwei waited for the others to depart, then finally looked at Chen Yang. He strolled in front of him and softly said:

“Reorganize the clan soldiers and stabilize the agitated populace.”

Chen Yang slowly raised his head, meeting his gaze. The young man softly said:

“According to news from home, Guest Elder Kong Heng has arrived in Qingdu, and soon troops will be dispatched to Beishanyue.”

Chen Yang was greatly invigorated. He quickly exited the main hall, straightening his posture and striding out with an imposing air, one hand resting on the precious sword at his waist. His black armor clanged, betraying his excitement.

Yet, just as he reached the front of the hall, three figures stood quietly before him. The leading young man possessed an extraordinary demeanor, as if he had drunk the wind and bathed in snow, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, nodding as he looked at Chen Yang.

The Daoist-robed youth behind him had slightly paler lips and gentle features, seemingly holding a faint smile, with golden light rippling around him.

The last was a narrow-eyed monk, with lowered brows and eyes, his expression unreadable. Chen Yang broke into a cold sweat and immediately dropped to his knees with a thud, his head pressed firmly to the ground, humbly saying:

“Greetings to the three Ancestors!”

“Chen Yang…”

Li Xijun quietly watched him, his five jade-white fingers on the sword hilt subtly tightening. He thought:

‘This person… in the past few years, his cunning and grimness have deepened… he’s shed his childish impulsiveness… difficult to control. Thankfully, half his blood is from the Zhong lineage, though it’s a pity he’s not named Li.’

‘A character like this, if he were a direct descendant of the Zhouxing generation, the Prince would have almost no worries! Chen… he can be grudgingly used.’

Li Xijun gently offered his hand, helping him up, and said softly:

“Good! Following Patriarch Donghe’s cultivation, you’ve made significant progress. When you return from the northern expedition, come to Yuting Peak to see me, and I’ll teach you some sword techniques!”

Chen Yang felt mixed emotions, half eager for the sword techniques, half feeling as if a thorn were in his back when with Li Xijun. But he couldn't refuse. He nodded profusely as if greatly blessed and quickly retreated.

Li Xijun stepped onto the stone steps, asking Kong Heng:

“Dharma Master, what do you make of this child?”

Kong Heng quickly waved his hand, replying:

“I dare not say much. He seems to be an intelligent child.”

The three then entered the main hall. It was empty save for themselves. Li Zhouwei sat upright, seemingly waiting for the three to arrive. He rose and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting:

“Greetings to all Ancestors.”

Li Xijun, seeing no reaction from Kong Heng at first, said to Li Zhouwei:

“Wei’er, no need to conceal it. Let the Dharma Master take a look.”

Li Zhouwei’s eyes suddenly lit up. The rune seed in his Qi Sea subtly shifted, quickly turning dark gold, with layers of golden yellow intertwining.

Kong Heng casually raised his eyes, but his gaze seemed to be seared by a red-hot iron plate. His hands clenched tightly within his sleeves, and he turned his head away.

Li Xijun motioned for Li Zhouwei to rise, but secretly continued to observe Kong Heng. Seeing his narrow eyes tremble twice, as if he was forcibly restraining something, Li Xijun introduced:

“This is Guest Elder Kong Heng.”

“Greetings, Guest Elder!”

Li Zhouwei asked softly. Kong Heng quickly returned the bow and replied:

“This humble monk has seen the Victorious King of All Names. There is no need for such formalities; you flatter this humble monk!”

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow. Li Xijun, however, stepped forward with his hands clasped behind his back, showing no surprise, and softly said:

“Please, Dharma Master, explain clearly.”

Kong Heng’s narrow eyes were already small; now they almost squinted shut. He murmured:

“The Prince should possess a Bright Yang Body… but it’s not quite like it. This humble monk dare not say too much. The legacy of the Bright Yang Dao… in our Buddhist cultivation, it is the Victorious King of All Names, thus… I speak of it in this manner.”

“Victorious King of All Names?”

Li Xijun frowned, but saw that Kong Heng looked somewhat pale. He composed himself for several breaths before speaking:

“I see the Prince… as almost the reincarnation of the Victorious King of All Names! Yet his mind is peaceful… It truly is… against common sense! It must be due to an excessively concentrated bloodline!”

He raised his head and sighed:

“Moreover, his aura is profound and indescribable… If not for our ancient cultivators having this legacy, and the Victorious King of All Names having a lineage in our Liaohe region, it would be impossible to discern!”

(End of Chapter)