Chapter 1134: Onion Prefecture
What exactly is war?
Many disciples of Li Mountain had served on the front lines and participated in battles against the demon race.
But when it came to understanding war, no one present could compare to Zhe Xiu.
Guan Feibai and the others looked toward Qiu Shan Jun.
Whether in cultivation or in life, when encountering difficult puzzles that were hard to solve, they would seek guidance from the senior brother—this had been a habit for many years.
Qiu Shan Jun said, "Don't look at me. I don't know either, and I don't plan to know."
Guan Feibai and the others were somewhat surprised, but Gou Han Shi was shocked, because he understood the hidden meaning in those words.
Before leaving, Nanke had said that everyone would meet again there.
Could it be that you, senior brother… don't plan to go there?
…
…
The morning light grew stronger, revealing the true face of the grassland. The wounds carved into it by the mountain range stretched for dozens of miles, looking rather spectacular.
A huge paper kite rode the morning breeze into the distance. No one knew where the kite had been hidden last night, or how he had managed to retrieve it. The white crane was very curious, flapping its wings and soaring into the air, following the kite for over ten miles. Only when Xiao Zhang, tied beneath the kite, could no longer bear being stared at and started cursing loudly did Xu Yourong call it back.
Wang Po was also preparing to leave. He didn't exchange much small talk with Chen Changsheng, being as straightforward as Xiao Zhang, because everyone knew they would meet again soon.
He left behind the Fire Cloud Qilin, without specifying whether it was his idea or that of the person in Luoyang. Chen Changsheng guessed it was the latter.
The spring warmth made the grass grow very quickly. Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong walked deeper into the grassland and discovered some traces left by the Xiu Ling tribe.
Back then in the Zhou Garden, he had thought she was a Xiu Ling tribe girl bent on restoring her kingdom. Later, when he returned the swords of the Zhou Garden to the world's sects, the Pope asked him what reward he wanted. One of the conditions he raised was to have this grassland, with the intention of fulfilling her last wish.
Only later did he realize this was a misunderstanding, and that the Xiu Ling tribe had migrated far to the Great Western Continent, with no intention of returning to the Eastern Lands.
This grassland became the property of him and Xu Yourong.
In a sense, this grassland was a token of love, or could be understood as a bride price.
Arriving at the depths of the grassland, Chen Changsheng spread his left hand under the sunlight. In his palm lay a black stone bead.
Accompanied by howling gales, rumbling thunder, and a faint fishy smell, the spring sun was obscured, and heaven and earth turned dark.
Tens of thousands of demonic beasts appeared on the grassland, a dark mass like a tidal wave.
These beasts, known for their ferocity and love of fighting, surprisingly did not move recklessly. They obediently lay on the ground, not even daring to breathe too loudly.
These beasts came from the Zhou Garden.
According to the agreement Chen Changsheng had made with the beasts back then, those willing to leave the Zhou Garden were now all sent to the grassland of the Xiu Ling tribe.
The number of beasts willing to leave accounted for about one-third of the beasts in the Zhou Garden.
The Jian Beast and the Dao Shan Hao did not come out; they had grown accustomed to life on the Never-Setting Sun Grassland and had seen plenty of the cruelty of the real world hundreds of years ago, so they were not curious.
The Tu Sun came out again, kneeling at the very front of the beast horde, closest to Chen Changsheng, incessantly kissing the dirt before his feet.
"Remember not to leave this grassland."
Chen Changsheng said to the Tu Sun.
This was also one of the terms of the agreement.
This grassland, once belonging to the Xiu Ling tribe, was extremely vast, with two long mountain ranges at its edges. If not for the harsh winters and the heavy blood-killing aura, it would never have been as desolate as it was now. But for these beasts, these were difficulties they could overcome.
"Have you ever thought about what kind of trouble will arise as these beasts breed and their numbers keep increasing?"
Xu Yourong looked at the beasts scattering across the grassland, her gaze somewhat complex.
"That's a matter for several thousand years from now. Why bother thinking about such distant problems?"
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment, then added, "I probably won't live that long."
Xu Yourong said, "Precisely because you'll be dead by then, you need to consider this. Apart from you, these beasts won't obey any human's commands."
Chen Changsheng sighed, "That statement is far too reasonable."
Xu Yourong added, "These beasts would be excellent for fighting against the demon wolf cavalry."
Regarding the earlier question, Chen Changsheng had no reply and felt somewhat emotional, but he wanted to answer this question seriously.
"This is our war with the demons. There's no reason to make them participate. It's too dangerous."
Xu Yourong said, "Shouldn't we use all our strength in the war against the demons?"
Chen Changsheng said, "I don't think so. As long as we do our best, that's enough."
Last night, the man from Yan Zhi Mountain had stopped the people from Jing Bo Mountain and Yi Chun Mountain from seeking revenge for him, letting them leave on their own, and then said a few words.
He had done his best for the demon race, and after death, he would have the face to meet his teacher, so there was no need to do more.
Chen Changsheng hadn't thought about whether he would have the face to meet his uncle or Archbishop Melisandre after death. He only needed to consider whether his actions could convince himself.
Because he cultivated the Way of Following the Heart.
In the end, his conclusion was very similar to that of the man from Yan Zhi Mountain: just do your best, and if you truly give your all, you can be at peace.
What does it mean to give your all? To sacrifice your life for it, but not to sacrifice more than that.
For example, changing the way you interact with this world.
This is more important than living.
Xu Yourong thought for a while and said, "Even if you really think that way, you shouldn't say it."
He was the Human Race Pope. Every word and action would greatly influence his fervent followers, and might even affect the course of this war.
Chen Changsheng understood her meaning and said with emotion, "I only say this in front of you all."
As his status grew more revered and his reputation higher, there were now many things he couldn't conveniently do. For instance, he could no longer sit shoulder to shoulder with Tang Thirty-Six on the big banyan tree, peel off bark to knock unconscious the fat carp in the lake, and have Xuan Yuan Po add plenty of old ginger and green peppers to stew for half an hour, then throw in ten blue lobsters for a feast.
The rules of the National Academy clearly stated that fishing, netting, stoning, or any form of harm to fish was strictly prohibited. Su Mo Yu enforced this particularly strictly, and the key was that so many instructors and students were watching. Ten blue lobsters were far too extravagant; Tang Thirty-Six could eat them, but he, as the Pope, could not.
Xu Yourong knew who the "you all" in his words referred to.
Besides her, it was those few people in the National Academy.
Even if some of them had already left the National Academy and returned to White Emperor City or gone to Li Mountain.
They were still the ones Chen Changsheng trusted and was closest to.
"Tang Thirty-Six would probably just think it's a pity not to make full use of these beasts, but Zhe Xiu would definitely be very angry. In that wolf cub's eyes, anything that helps kill the enemy should be done. Your behavior here, seemingly merciful, magnanimous, and broad-minded, is actually just foolishness."
Xu Yourong's eyes and brows were full of mockery.
Still as picturesque as ever.
"Maybe."
Chen Changsheng smiled bitterly and said, "I feel like you think the same way."
Xu Yourong ignored him and turned to walk away.
Chen Changsheng suddenly thought of something and called the Tu Sun back, giving a few instructions.
Now the wolf tribe lived in the northeastern corner of this grassland. Although they were still far apart, he was worried they might encounter each other in the future, so he offered a few reminders.
That piece of grassland was bought from him by Zhe Xiu with money.
Three years ago, when everyone was spending the New Year at Li Mountain, Zhe Xiu suddenly made this request, which was truly surprising.
Chen Changsheng naturally refused to take the money, but Zhe Xiu was very insistent.
He took out all the money he had saved over the years. Although it might not have been enough to buy a grassland, the amount was still considerable, and even Tang Thirty-Six clicked his tongue in wonder.
Only then did everyone learn that Zhe Xiu had been expelled from his tribe by the Council of Elders when he was very young, but many women and childhood friends in the tribe had secretly helped him.
He wanted to repay their kindness and move the tribe from the bitter cold snowfields to a better place.
Over the years, he had lived very frugally, desperately killing enemies to earn military merits, all to save up enough silver.
Now he had finally achieved it. And those old men on the Council of Elders—how could they dare show him any disrespect?
Back during the Grand Examination, Tang Thirty-Six had bribed Zhe Xiu with half a roast chicken. In the subsequent battle, Zhe Xiu fought against Gou Han Shi, who was a whole realm above him, until the sky went dark and the earth dimmed, playing the most crucial role in Chen Changsheng's final victory. But he also paid a terrible price, being carried out covered in blood.
Yet when everyone was deeply moved, he was only thinking about one thing—adding more money.
Thinking of those old scenes, Chen Changsheng felt deeply moved, wondering how he was doing at Li Mountain. The war between humans and demons was about to begin; he would surely head north. But Nanke… the smile on his face gradually faded.
He was very clear about Nanke's condition.
For many reasons, he hadn't liked staying in the capital much in recent years. He often traveled around and visited Li Mountain many times.
Besides the people in the National Academy, only those fellows in the Li Mountain Sword Sect dared not treat him as the Pope, which made him feel at ease.
Every year, his senior brother would go to Luoyang for the New Year. Except for one year in Wenshui, Chen Changsheng would always go to Li Mountain with Xu Yourong.
Over the years, he had visited Li Mountain no fewer than thirty times.
But every time Nanke saw him, her innocent face would show the most sincere smile, and she would grab his sleeve and refuse to let go.
Even when sleeping at night, she insisted on staying in his room, even if it meant sleeping on the floor, even if Xu Yourong's expression was cold.
This was a habit formed back in the Ban Ya Horse Farm, and Qiu Shan Jun was very familiar with this past.
Nanke was still somewhat dazed, but she trusted Chen Changsheng deeply and was attached to him.
She knew very well who was kindest to her.
Chen Changsheng was indeed very good to her.
The two were like real siblings.
Chen Changsheng was very clear about her condition. Leaving her at Li Mountain was in the hope that the head of the Li Mountain Sword Sect could cure her.
He had always been very concerned about her progress. During the New Year this year, he knew that her illness was about to get better.
This meant she was about to wake up.
When that time came, what would she do? What should he do?
After a long period of thought, he left a letter for Gou Han Shi, saying that if Nanke showed signs of waking up, he should open that letter.
He wondered if that letter was still intact at this moment.
…
…
The Fire Cloud Qilin could travel thousands of miles a day, and the white crane was the fastest immortal bird. If they wished, Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong could have flown straight back to the capital. But they stopped midway, perhaps because a crimson flame appeared in the sky ahead.
That flame was not a real entity but the condensation of countless blood auras and killing intent, visible only to those who had broken through to the Sacred Domain.
Chen Changsheng and Xu Yourong were still some distance from that threshold, but their identities were special. They were already saints, and they carried the Heavenly Book Monuments with them, so they sensed it.
The wilderness was filled with people. Seen from high above, they were dense black dots, looking like ants, but that was far from the truth.
The white crane showed fear in its eyes at the sight of the invisible flame, but the Fire Cloud Qilin became excited, flapping its wings faster.
Gathered on the wilderness was the great army of the Onion Prefecture Military Command, currently engaged in intense drills. From time to time, powerful auras surged up from the military formations. Some were clearly the work of formation masters, others were from cultivators skilled in sword control. Chen Changsheng even spotted the Blazing Fire Shield of the Tian Nan Three Yang Sect in the southwestern corner of the formation.
Such a formation was indeed terrifying. Even he and Xu Yourong could not face it head-on.
Finally, Chen Changsheng saw the general at the very front.
That general's aura was extremely powerful, actually a strong cultivator at the Star-Gathering Upper Realm. He should be the divine general of the Onion Prefecture Military Command.
The wind swept across the wilderness, making the Zhou Dynasty military banners flap loudly and stirring the soldiers' clothes.
That general's sleeve fluttered in the wind, revealing that he had lost an arm.
He was Xue He.
Back during the incident at the Heavenly Book Mausoleum, his elder brother, Divine General Xue Xingchuan, was poisoned to death by Zhou Tong. Subsequently, the court and the military carried out a ruthless purge. He naturally could not escape, was stripped of his military post, and imprisoned in the underground of the Northern Horse Administration Bureau alley. It was not until the day Chen Changsheng, Mo Yu, and Zhe Xiu killed Zhou Tong that he saw the light of day again.
Later, due to the intervention of the Li Palace, he was released but was not allowed to stay in the capital, nor was he allowed to return to Onion Prefecture. The court demoted him to Huangzhou to serve as a deputy regimental commander. Fortunately, he met a good superior there. Every day, he would boat on the river, climb mountains, and compose poems. Though not exactly joyful, he lived a peaceful life.
It wasn't until that year when the storm suddenly arrived, the master-disciple battle in the National Academy, and Maple Pavilion turned to ruins, that the situation finally changed.
Afterward, His Majesty implemented new policies and reinstated a number of former officials. Xue He was among them and was sent to the Star-Plucking Academy to serve as an instructor.
During his three years at the Star-Plucking Academy, Xue He studied military strategy diligently and also made great breakthroughs in cultivation, unknowingly reaching the Star-Gathering Upper Realm.
The Emperor transferred him to Onion Prefecture to take over his elder brother's position, becoming the divine general of the Onion Prefecture Military Command.
…
…
With a muffled thud.
Xue He knelt to the ground, his knees shattering the bluestone slab.
His eyes were slightly red, and his body trembled slightly.
The calm and commanding presence he had shown while directing tens of thousands of troops outside the city earlier was nowhere to be found.
Little Lady Xue knelt behind him with their two sons, who were eight or nine years old.
The Xue family's household rules were very strict. The two young masters didn't understand why their father was so out of control, but they dared not say anything.
Little Lady Xue, however, guessed the identities of this young man and woman. She knelt willingly, only worried that she wasn't showing enough respect.