Chapter 455: The Array Master's Methods
Rumble, rumble. The massive Jun City moved forward, with Qin Mu and He Yiyi standing side by side on the city wall. Even though he had already witnessed the spectacle of this city walking on its own, Qin Mu still found it hard to believe.
Although divine abilities in the Western Lands had not advanced for over ten thousand years, the concept that all things have spirits and all things have gods remained truly extraordinary.
He turned to look back, seeing the city streets bustling with people coming and going, and couldn't help but marvel.
After Array Master He Yiyi conceded defeat, she had summoned the residents of Jun City. The city had a population of about a hundred thousand, and now they had all returned to the city. Watching this great city carry so many people as it traveled, crossing mountains and ridges, was indeed an unbelievable sight—yet here it was, right before his eyes.
"Overthrowing Jade Palace Master of the True Heaven Palace won't be easy."
He Yiyi said, "Besides our He family, we need the support of other noble houses. In the Western Lands, we have the Jade family and the Xiong family as the two great houses, the most powerful. The Xiong family has already declined, with the Jade family seizing the position of True Heaven Palace Master. There's also the Mu family of Poison Master Mu Yingxue, the Luo family of Sword Master Luo Yinyu, the Fang family, the Liu family, the Gong family, the Xi family, and the Fu family—ten great houses in total. Beyond these, there are also the Geke, Maochi, Kaxiangka, and other families, all with considerable strength." Note ①
Qin Mu pondered, "Why was the Xiong family able to inherit the position of True Heaven Palace Master? Do the other families also have this qualification?"
"The Xiong family inherited the position of True Heaven Palace Master because of their ancestral legacy. The first True Heaven Palace Master was surnamed Xiong."
He Yiyi said, "After that, successive palace masters were almost always from the Xiong family. Although occasionally someone from another surname would become palace master, it wouldn't be long before the Xiong family returned to the position. It is said..."
She glanced at Xiong Qier beside Qin Mu and continued, "It is said that the Xiong family's ancestors had the support of a deity, which is why they could always hold the palace master's position. But this time is different. It is said that the deity was dissatisfied with the Xiong family's Naikui, and instead made contact with the Jade family. That's why the Jade family was able to so easily uproot the Xiong family's power."
"A deity? Could it be the master of the wooden carved statue I encountered in the Flame Desert?"
Qin Mu was quite puzzled. "Since this deity has always supported the Xiong family, why would it suddenly switch and support the Jade family?"
"This is where Bagou comes in." Note ②
He Yiyi said, "Bagou's origins are extraordinary. It is said he is a powerful figure who descended from the upper realm. It is rumored that he was the one who connected the Jade family with this deity."
"Bagou?"
Qin Mu blinked. Bagou and Naikui were both honorific titles. Naikui meant the mother of a princess, while Bagou meant the father of a princess. However, from what he understood, the princess of the True Heaven Palace was Xiong Qier, whose father had already died in battle. So the Bagou He Yiyi was referring to should be the husband of the Jade family's True Heaven Palace Master.
But the True Heaven Palace Master had not yet given birth to a daughter, so she probably didn't yet deserve the title of Bagou.
"This Bagou can contact that deity, so his status is extraordinary."
He Yiyi said, "He is extremely mysterious. It is said he comes from the upper realm, a visitor from the heavens. He married the True Heaven Palace Master, and it is said that she has already conceived, with a child in her womb. Bagou has spread word that the child in the True Heaven Palace Master's belly is definitely a girl—the princess of the True Heaven Palace!"
Qin Mu had never heard of such a rule where giving birth to a daughter could secure the position of True Heaven Palace Master, but the Western Lands revered women, and their customs were indeed very different from Yan Kang.
Moreover, as long as one cultivated a divine eye, determining the gender of a child in the womb was not difficult.
Since Bagou was certain that the child in the True Heaven Palace Master's belly was a girl, it couldn't be wrong. The True Heaven Palace Master would definitely give birth to a little princess and secure that position.
Qin Mu asked, "What is this Bagou's surname?"
"Surname Jade."
Qin Mu was startled. "Also surnamed Jade? What is his relationship with the Jade family?"
He Yiyi gave a faint, knowing smile. "We also want to know what relationship Bagou has with the Jade family. There are many rumors in the Western Lands. Some say Bagou is the ancestor of the Jade family, others say he is the son of the Heavenly Lord Jade from the upper realm, and the Jade family are descendants of Heavenly Lord Jade. There are too many rumors to tell truth from falsehood."
Qin Mu's expression turned strange.
He Yiyi said, "Some say that Xiong Xiyu lacked sufficient talent and virtue, which is why the Jade family seized the palace master's position. But in my view, although Palace Master Xiong indeed lacked both talent and virtue, the one truly manipulating the winds and clouds of the Western Lands is still this Bagou."
Qin Mu nodded.
Xiong Qier was right beside him, but he had to admit He Yiyi was not wrong. Whether in strategy or in means and schemes, Xiong Xiyu didn't seem like someone who should be the master of a sacred land.
She hadn't experienced many plots or intrigues, hadn't gone through much bloody slaughter or conflict. Ascending to the position of palace master at such a young age, it was only natural that she couldn't contend with the Jade family and Bagou.
Although Qin Mu had also ascended to the position of Sect Master of the demonic sacred land, the Heavenly Demon Sect, at a young age, he had been taught by the Nine Elders of the Crippled Village since childhood. He had been instilled with all kinds of schemes and cunning from a young age, yet the Nine Elders still thought he was too honest.
That was why Qin Mu could secure his position as Sect Master, with everyone in the sect completely obedient to him.
Jun City raced through the wilderness, heading westward, but not directly toward the True Heaven Palace.
Their destination this time was the He family's ancestral land, Sword River Valley, where the He family's headquarters were located.
As a noble house, the He family naturally had its own vast power. Although not as strong as the Jade or Xiong families, it was still a force not to be underestimated.
Jun City traveled for half a day and finally arrived at Sword River Valley as the sun was setting. Qin Mu looked into the distance and saw a great river as straight as a sword, with the He family's cities and tribes built at the position of the sword's hilt. Mountains on both sides were shaped like swords, with cities arranged in rows and the sword rivers guarding them on both sides.
The cities here were strange and peculiar. When Jun City arrived, Qin Mu was astonished to see great mountains standing up and making way, while in the water, stone bridges emerged from the riverbed—actually giant stone figures bending their backs to allow Jun City to step on them and cross the Sword River.
"How marvelous! The Western Lands are truly a place full of wonderful ideas." Qin Mu couldn't help but exclaim.
He Yiyi's eyes were like autumn water, her gaze sharp and clear. She chuckled softly, "If Lord Qin likes it here, there's no need to go back. You can stay here forever, with Yiyi by your side, traveling through mountains and waters, viewing the wonders of every place."
Qin Mu said cheerfully, "If it's with a beauty like Sister Yiyi, that would be one of life's great pleasures. But I have many trivial matters to attend to. After resolving the situation in the Western Lands, I'm afraid I'll have to deal with the upper realm and eliminate that threat. And there are still many things to do in Yan Kang... How about this!"
He said excitedly, "Let's spend some time playing in the Western Lands, and then you can come with me to Yan Kang. I'll take you around to see the extraordinary aspects of Yan Kang. Maybe you'll come to like Yan Kang!"
He Yiyi showed a look of temptation, but shook her head. "I'm afraid not. The He family needs me. I can't abandon them."
Jun City entered Sword River Valley and came to a stop.
At this moment, the various cities and towns of Sword River Valley were brightly lit, magnificent, illuminating the mountains and the Sword River as well.
"Let's go to the main hall."
A large stone beneath He Yiyi's feet floated into the air, carrying her and Xiong Qier toward the main hall in the city. She said, "The leaders of my He family will soon come to meet. I need to prepare."
Before long, many high-ranking figures of the He family arrived in Jun City. Men and women, though there were fewer men, mostly women, all entered the hall to pay respects to He Yiyi.
He Yiyi invited the many high-ranking members of the family to sit down and had Qin Mu accompany her. She said, "Everyone, this is the Sect Master of the sacred land of Yan Kang in the Central Lands, Lord Qin of the Heavenly Demon Sect."
The hall erupted in commotion. An old woman tremblingly praised, "The Array Master is truly extraordinary! You've captured this demon Sect Master! Now we can report to the True Heaven Palace and claim a reward!"
"Claim a reward?"
He Yiyi chuckled and shook her head. "The Jade Palace Master of the True Heaven Palace is nothing but a little wretch who usurped power through schemes. Does she even deserve to capture Lord Qin? Forgive my bluntness, but without Bagou's support, could she have sat on that palace master's throne? Her belly has been uncooperative all these years, only giving birth to sons, unable to produce a single daughter. What virtue or talent does she have?"
The people in the hall looked at each other in confusion.
He Yiyi looked at Qin Mu. Qin Mu smiled slightly, took Xiong Qier's hand, and said loudly, "Esteemed senior sisters of the He family, this is the true little princess of the True Heaven Palace!"
He Yiyi laughed, "The true little princess of the True Heaven Palace is right here, and Palace Master Xiong is not far away. If our He family can assist Palace Master Xiong, eliminate that little wretch from the Jade family, and help her reclaim the palace master's position, wouldn't that be a hundred times better than using Lord Qin to claim a reward? Everyone, you are all elders of the clan. What are your opinions?"
The hall fell silent for a moment. The men of the He family dared not speak, but the women were bold. Soon someone raised her voice in opposition: "Array Master, think twice! Array Master, the Jade family is at the height of their power now. How can our He family be a match for the Jade family? And on top of that, they have Bagou's support!"
"Well said."
He Yiyi said with a smile, "That's why we're joining forces with the Heavenly Demon Sect. With the Heavenly Demon Sect's help, why fear the Jade family? If you think that's still not enough, then we'll also ally with the Mu family and the Luo family. I imagine they also have a sense of honor and have long been dissatisfied with the Jade family!"
Another middle-aged woman suddenly stood up, furious. "The Jade family now controls the True Heaven Palace. How great is their power? Array Master, you may be the family head, but I truly think you've lost your mind!"
"Array Master, think twice before acting."
Another old woman stood up, leaning on her cane. "Do not stake the lives and fortunes of our He family on a gamble."
Another woman said with great righteousness, "Our He family's ten-thousand-year foundation must not be destroyed in one day! If the Array Master insists on going her own way, then she should step down as family head!"
"Exactly! Step down as family head!"
...
He Yiyi looked around, her expression gentle. She said, "Are there any other elders with opinions? Speak freely, speak boldly. After all, this is a family matter. You are all my aunts, sisters, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. I am the younger generation, so we can discuss it."
Several more clan elders stood up and sternly criticized her.
He Yiyi waited a moment. Seeing no one else stand up to oppose, she laughed. "It seems that you aunts, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers have forgotten how I became the Array Master and the family head."
The faces of those who had stood up changed dramatically. They were about to rush out of the hall when suddenly Jun City clanged loudly, and cages surged up from underground, capturing everyone who had spoken out. They were locked in the cages, which then sank back into the earth.
He Yiyi clapped her hands and laughed, "When I've dealt with the Jade family, I'll let you out to stretch your legs. Does anyone else have any objections?"
Everyone in the hall immediately stood up, bowed, and said in unison, "We will follow the Array Master's lead!"
He Yiyi looked at Qin Mu and smiled, "Lord Qin, what do you think of my methods?"
Qin Mu smiled, "Sister Yiyi is truly an extraordinary woman."
He Yiyi's gaze flickered, carrying a hint of shyness. She said softly, "Tonight, my window won't be closed. If you climb in, we can talk about formations all night long, and have some in-depth exchanges..."
Note ①: Geke, Maochi, and Kaxiangka are all Miao surnames. The Geke surname is quite ancient, not something the author typed randomly on the keyboard. Mu, Jade, Liu, He, Xiong, and other surnames are also major surnames among the Miao people.
Note ②: Bagou. In Miao culture, this is the title for the father of a princess. Naikui is the title for the mother of a princess. This really isn't the author being too lazy to come up with names and typing randomly on the keyboard.