Chapter 196: Invincible and Lonely
Silence fell over the temple.
"National Teacher Yan Kang arrives with overwhelming force. He has brought four of the eight Pillar States, along with Champion General and General Who Embraces Transformation, plus Duke Weiguo, and several first-rank officials are likely among them as well. Their momentum is fierce. A head-on confrontation is definitely not an option."
Grand Secretary of the Mobile Secretariat Ma Lianshan said, "Forgive my bluntness, everyone. In the arena of Jianghu struggles, our sects are sure to win. But on the battlefield of war, the Yan Kang nation has the upper hand. Since that's the case, why should we use our weakness to attack their strength? Why not use our strength to attack their weakness?"
The crowd nodded in agreement.
Palace Master Li Qing suddenly spoke, "This reminds me of that battle over two hundred years ago. Back then, there were still many experts in the Combat Techniques School. A hundred flowers bloomed, enough to contend with the Sword Control School and the Spell Techniques School. At that time, the Combat Techniques School and the Sword Control School fought to the death every day, and they fought to the death with the Spell Techniques School too—utterly arrogant. But now, look at the Combat Techniques School. What experts remain? Where have they gone?"
The crowd fell silent.
Most of the experts from the Combat Techniques School had died in a single debate—a debate with National Teacher Yan Kang.
From then on, the Combat Techniques School never recovered. In recent years, it had begun merging with other schools, and very few people practiced pure combat techniques anymore.
In that debate, the Combat Techniques School was crippled by National Teacher Yan Kang alone.
Palace Master Li Qing said calmly, "How similar is the current situation to that one? Back then, the Combat Techniques School thought they were the best under heaven, that they would completely crush the Sword Control School in that debate. Many experts from the Combat Techniques School entered the capital to challenge National Teacher Yan Kang. And then what?"
She looked around the room: "If we follow Jianghu rules with National Teacher Yan Kang this time, won't we end up the same way?"
The bronze-masked man was silent for a moment, then said, "Palace Master Qiu, what is your esteemed opinion?"
Palace Master Li Qing raised her hand and said, "National Teacher Yan Kang expects us to follow Jianghu rules with him. So we simply won't follow Jianghu rules with him. First, we set a location for him. When he arrives, we swarm him all at once and beat him to death!"
She chopped her hand down, saying coldly, "The Yan Kang nation, from a tiny little country to what it is today, owes more than half of its achievements to National Teacher Yan Kang. He has become a myth, revered by the civil and military officials at court. If he wanted to rebel, with just a wave of his hand, the emperor would have to abdicate! If the emperor didn't abdicate, it would mean death and the extermination of his entire clan! If National Teacher Yan Kang dies, the dragon will have no head, and the Yan Kang nation will no longer be hard to deal with. Therefore, we must use any means necessary. We cannot follow Jianghu rules."
"This... Palace Master Qiu is right."
The various sect leaders in Luo Guang Temple expressed their agreement one after another. Only a few felt that this act violated Jianghu rules and felt somewhat uncomfortable, but they didn't voice any opposition.
Surrounding National Teacher Yan Kang was different from the time the Three Elders ambushed him. When the Three Elders ambushed National Teacher Yan Kang, he was in the midst of ten thousand troops, surrounded by countless experts. So the Three Elders' attack that time didn't break Jianghu rules.
This time, however, was a real tearing up of Jianghu rules, trampling them underfoot.
"Once this move is made, the rules are broken, and the disaster will last for ten thousand years."
Dao Quan Zhenren shook his head inwardly: "They are bringing the court's rule-breaking tactics into the Jianghu. The Jianghu of the past... I'm afraid it can never return."
In Yun City, Qin Mu again followed the same method, "treating" National Teacher Yan Kang's illness. In Shan City, he "treated" it again. The various armies advanced in unison, already before Da Xiang, conquering cities and territories along the way, sweeping all before them.
The south had many mountains and rivers, but without the Yong River as a natural moat, it was difficult to stop the Yan Kang army.
Qin Mu had summoned the Heavenly Demon King and broken Tianbo City, a military stronghold built on that natural moat, which had indeed been a great help to the Yan Kang nation. Unfortunately, he couldn't claim credit for this achievement.
On the fifth day, Qin Mu and the others arrived at Yue City, which had also been captured.
As they were just entering the city, they saw an old beggar in tattered clothes covered in patches, holding a broken bowl and leaning on a staff, walking up to them. Monk Yun Que quickly searched himself to see if he had any spare change. Fox Ling'er took out a Da Feng coin and handed it to Yun Que, who thanked her and placed it in the old beggar's bowl.
The old beggar shook his broken bowl, making a clattering sound, grinned, and said, "You are all great benefactors, may you have many children and grandchildren, much fortune and honor. National Teacher, please trouble yourself to come to Da Xiang City. In Da Xiang City, on the second road, the heroes of the world will gather to welcome you!"
National Teacher Yan Kang glanced at him and said calmly, "Why can't you wait a few more days? In a few more days, my army can march on Dali, and in Dali, I will meet these so-called heroes of the world, throw their corpses into the South Sea to feed the fish, saving the trouble of burying them. Wouldn't that be a pleasure?"
The old beggar laughed heartily. From within his body came the sound of gates opening, ringing seven times in succession. His aura surged, his cultivation base incredibly profound, his bearing like that of a lofty god looking down on all living beings. It was as if he wasn't someone who survived on alms, but a god who bestowed alms and received the worship of all beings!
"National Teacher, your boldness is as always. In Da Xiang City, we await your arrival!"
He was about to leave when suddenly a voice said, "Wait a moment."
The old beggar paused, turned back, and looked at Qin Mu with confusion.
Qin Mu's expression was as calm as an ancient well, and he said softly, "Ling'er, take the money back. He's much richer than we are."
Fox Ling'er quickly stepped forward and picked out the Da Feng coin from the broken bowl. The old beggar said angrily, "You have the nerve to take back money given to a beggar? Unworthy of being an eighth-generation grandson! Unworthy of being an eighth-generation grandson!"
"Stinky beggar, and you curse people too!"
Fox Ling'er turned back and asked, "Young master, what does 'unworthy of being an eighth-generation grandson' mean?"
Qin Mu said, "Ren is the eighth generation grandson. 'Unworthy of being an eighth-generation grandson' means you're not even worthy of being his eighth-generation grandson."
"He really is cursing me!"
Fox Ling'er was furious and spat in the old beggar's face. The old beggar didn't dodge, just chuckled and said, "A little fox provoking a beggar... you're dead." With that, he stamped his foot and vanished into the air.
Fox Ling'er spat again, "Trying to cheat me out of my money and cursing me too! Unworthy of being an eighth-generation grandson!"
National Teacher Yan Kang said, "You need to be careful. That was Qi Dayou, the sect leader of the Beggar Sect. The Beggar Sect has always been petty and skilled in evil arts. If you don't give them money, they'll make trouble at your shop door, or use filthy magic to harm people, ruin your business, curse you behind your back, and even steal people's children to sell. The Heavenly Demon Sect has a Beggar Hall, which has clashed with the Beggar Sect several times. But the Beggar Hall mostly just begs for food and does fewer evil deeds. Still, the Beggar Sect has pinned a lot of blame on them."
Qin Mu blinked and smiled, "National Teacher, we're not too far from Da Xiang now. Delivering you here is enough. We should go back to the Imperial Academy."
National Teacher Yan Kang's expression was unreadable: "No. You must come with me to Da Xiang."
Qin Mu felt his head swelling. After everyone had settled down, he immediately went out alone to a gambling house in Yue City. He found the owner and said, "Pass my order: have the three hundred and sixty hall masters of my Sacred Sect bring their teleportation flags and come here..."
"Wait a moment!"
Behind Qin Mu came Si Yunxiang's voice. Qin Mu turned around and saw Si Yunxiang walking over, her former shyness gone, replaced by a cold expression. "Sacred Lord, if you do this, you will put my Sacred Sect in danger too. If something happens to my Sacred Sect, who will take responsibility?"
Qin Mu turned around and said calmly, "Holy Maiden, I am the sect leader."
Si Yunxiang smiled sweetly and said, "Holy Maiden Si Yunxiang greets the Sacred Lord."
Her face turned cold: "If the Sacred Lord makes my Sacred Sect help National Teacher Yan Kang, then regardless of whether National Teacher Yan Kang wins or loses, my Sacred Sect will lose all face in the Jianghu, be ridiculed and hated by other sects, and have no place to stand!"
Qin Mu shook his head and said, "The Sacred Sect was originally the Heavenly Demon Sect. What reputation do we have? Others won't give you any place to stand. A place to stand has always been something you fight for yourself. This is a rare opportunity. If the Sacred Sect doesn't participate, then it truly will have no place to stand."
Si Yunxiang retorted, "What if, after National Teacher Yan Kang pacifies the world's sects, he turns on my Heavenly Sacred Sect? Can you bear that responsibility?"
Qin Mu glanced at her. "I'll bear it."
Si Yunxiang's expression changed again. Suddenly, she smiled lightly and said, "You are the Sacred Lord, so naturally you make the decisions. Yunxiang won't say more. But if the Sacred Lord makes a mistake and plunges my Sacred Sect into danger, then perhaps the Sacred Lord will become the second Sacred Lord to be killed by a Holy Maiden."
Qin Mu frowned. The position of Sacred Lord of the Heavenly Demon Sect was indeed a dangerous one. It was all too easy to be beaten to death for losing virtue.
Si Yunxiang said shyly, "The previous Sacred Lord died because of lust. This generation's Sacred Lord will be beaten to death by the Holy Maiden. Neither reputation is very good."
Qin Mu shook his head, waved his hand, and said, "Holy Maiden, you may withdraw. Pass my order: have the three hundred and sixty hall masters bring their teleportation flags here immediately! Also, invite the two Protector Envoys!"
The gambling house owner bowed and said, "As the Sacred Lord commands!"
Qin Mu walked out of the gambling house. Si Yunxiang stood outside, and when she saw him come out, she whispered with a smile, "Beaten to death..."
Qin Mu glared at her and walked forward. "Are you coming or not?"
Si Yunxiang quickly followed him, her eyes darting around. "Sacred Lord, wouldn't it be better to leave the Great Cultivation Heavenly Demon Sutra in the sect first, so that it doesn't go missing after the Sacred Lord dies?"
Qin Mu stopped, turned around, and said seriously, "Little sister, you are not my match yet. If I really make a wrong judgment and you come to kill me, you'll only end up being killed by me. You..."
He used his Yuan Qi to draw a triangle in the air, then drew a straight line through the middle, and said, "This is you."
He drew another straight line in the air. "This is me! No matter how big your angle is, it's not as long as mine!"
Behind Si Yunxiang, the sword case stirred restlessly, emitting a tinkling sound. She smiled sweetly and said, "How do you know without trying?"
Qin Mu walked forward with his hands behind his back. "No need to try. At the same cultivation level, no one can be my match. Not you, not the National Teacher."
He stopped, looked up at the sky, and said with melancholy, "I am the Overlord Body."
Qin Mu lowered his head and sighed. "The only Overlord Body in the world..."
Si Yunxiang was stunned for a moment. She wanted to strike, but was somewhat intimidated by his aura.
It was the aura of invincibility and loneliness.
"Overlord Body? What kind of physique is that? Is it more powerful than the Four Great Spiritual Bodies?"
She thought to herself, "Could it be that the founder chose him as the Sacred Lord instead of me because he is the Overlord Body?"