Chapter 379: Senior Brother, Before the Fierce Battle
High in the sky, snow clouds gathered thickly, scattering goose feather snow onto the golden-scaled city below, yet failing to obscure its solemn brilliance.
Above the Hantian Immortal City, a floating stone in the shape of a crescent moon hovered, topped with rows of jade-tiled pavilions. Countless palace attendants clad in immortal silks bustled through the various chambers.
This was the Imperial Observatory of the Hantian Kingdom, responsible for astronomy and calendrics, and also the main base of the Northern Region’s Snow-clothed Guard.
Within the Star-gazing Platform at the very top, a man in white, appearing to be a mortal of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, stood with his hands behind his back before a floating sand map, calculating troop movements with his fingers.
— The man’s name was Chen Yin, a cultivator at the mid-stage Deity Transformation, the Imperial Preceptor of the Hantian Kingdom.
About a month ago, Li Longling, the Prefect of Chi Long Mansion, had sent an urgent letter warning the Hantian Kingdom that demonic cultivators might have infiltrated the Northern Region.
Due to the inefficiency of the Hantian Kingdom’s five departments and three hubs, this letter had languished in the Ministry of Letters for at least several months.
By the time Chen Yin saw the letter, reports of “witnessing demonic cultivators” had already arrived from the Snow-clothed Guard in various immortal cities across the Northern Region.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the Snow-clothed Guard, Chen Yin naturally had to arrange for them to be sent to eliminate the infiltrating demonic cultivators.
However, the current problem was that he didn’t know how many demonic cultivators had entered, what their cultivation levels were, or where they were located.
If he knew there was a Core Formation stage demonic cultivator in a certain place, he would send two Core Formation stage Snow-clothed Guards to eliminate them.
But if he sent two Core Formation stage Snow-clothed Guards, only to discover a Foundation Establishment stage demonic cultivator there, it would be a complete overkill.
The number of Snow-clothed Guards in the Northern Region was limited. In such a situation, even a slight waste of combat power would give the demonic cultivators an advantage.
Moreover, he was also unsure why the demonic sects were sending so many cultivators to infiltrate the Northern Region.
“…”
Chen Yin closed his eyes and sighed, attempting to deduce the matter using the Star Evolution Art. However, with his cultivation, he couldn’t comprehend the meaning of the stars as clearly as Dan, the Celestial High Immortal.
He asked the heavens, but the heavens did not answer.
He asked people, but there were not enough personnel to provide intelligence.
Just as he was deep in thought, a sudden rush of footsteps interrupted his musings.
A palace maid in a snow-white gauze dress, holding a parchment scroll, ascended the stairs to the Star-gazing Platform, bowed, and said,
“Imperial Preceptor, Xu Mulan, the Commander of the Snow-clothed Guard in Tianfeng Immortal City, has sent a Jade Slip.”
“Tianfeng Immortal City…”
Upon hearing this, Chen Yin’s gaze swept across the sand map before him, landing precisely on the location of Tianfeng Immortal City.
Then, with his hand forming a sword finger, he used his spiritual energy to lift a black flag beside him and placed it on the sand map at the location of Tianfeng Immortal City.
“Demonic cultivators have appeared in Tianfeng Immortal City too?”
“Yes, according to the Jade Slip, it’s a Nascent Soul stage demonic cultivator. Commander Xu requests that Hanyue City send Nascent Soul stage Snow-clothed Guards to eliminate them.”
Chen Yin’s brow furrowed slightly, and he stated directly,
“Denied.”
Now, all the immortal cities in the Northern Region wanted Hanyue City to send people, but how could Hanyue City mobilize so many troops?
There were a total of forty-six Nascent Soul cultivators among the Snow-clothed Guard. Excluding the seven stationed in Hanyue City, the rest had already been assigned to various immortal cities at important spirit脉 locations.
Although Tianfeng Immortal City occupied a spirit stone mine, its importance was far less than key points and spirit脉 locations like Linghe Immortal City.
The palace maid behind him also sounded somewhat helpless upon hearing this,
“Imperial Preceptor… How should I reply to Commander Xu?”
“What is Xu Mulan’s current cultivation level?”
“…Late Core Formation.”
“Then tell her to hold the city and last for at least four months. After four months, I will send the Snow-clothed Guard from Liuxue City to reinforce her.”
“Yes…” The palace maid nodded, but without leaving, she stepped forward and handed the parchment scroll in her hand, “Imperial Preceptor, this map was also sent by Commander Xu.”
“A map?”
Chen Yin’s brow furrowed again, and he turned to look, using his spiritual energy to take the map and unfurl it before him.
He was initially puzzled as to why a map was sent.
However, upon seeing the dense markings drawn on the map within the Northern Region, especially the several locations highlighted in red ink, Chen Yin’s usually calm face instantly showed a look of astonishment.
This map not only clearly marked twelve of the eighteen array eyes within the Northern Region’s protective array but also seemed to have marked all the demonic cultivators hidden within the Northern Region.
Chen Yin couldn’t believe it and quickly looked at the Northern Region sand map before him again, comparing its contents with the map.
The demonic cultivators marked on the sand map were also marked on this map.
Furthermore, the map also indicated locations for which he had not received any news…
However, this also increased the map’s credibility.
Chen Yin’s brow furrowed deeply. This map was undoubtedly a timely aid, but the problem also arose: where did Xu Mulan obtain this “aid”?
“Where did she get this map?”
“Reporting to the Imperial Preceptor, according to the Jade Slip, it was deduced based on intelligence from the black market. It also mentioned that the demonic cultivators’ target is likely the array eyes of the Northern Region’s protective array…”
Deducing from black market intelligence?
And deducing the locations of so many demonic cultivators, even the array eyes of the Northern Region’s protective array?
Chen Yin was somewhat disbelieving, but this map was the evidence, solid proof of Xu Mulan’s outstanding ability in collecting intelligence.
He looked at the palace maid and asked with a frown,
“Sigh… With such capability, why is she stationed in a small place like Tianfeng Immortal City? Xu Mulan… What is her background?”
“Reporting to the Imperial Preceptor, Commander Xu is not from a great family. She has a sister at the Qi Refining stage, named Xu Xiyue. The sisters grew up in Tianfeng Immortal City from a young age. Her scores in both the spear and written tests for the Snow-clothed Guard were only Grade B…”
Chen Yin became even more confused, but he didn’t dwell on it, saying,
“The reply remains unchanged. Tell her to defend Tianfeng Immortal City and not to engage the Nascent Soul demonic cultivator proactively.”
“Yes…”
After giving his orders, Chen Yin picked up the map, summoned his flying sword from his storage bag, stepped onto it, and then ascended towards the immortal palace suspended under the moon.
… …
Inside the immortal palace, music played resplendently. Before the hall with jade tiles, a woman wearing a double dragon crown sat in a rattan chair, lazily propping her cheek with her hand and yawning.
Before her, dozens of dancers performed with all their might, but they seemed to elicit no interest from her whatsoever.
Empress Sun Juehu’s gaze slowly shifted from the dancers to the bright full moon in the sky. For some reason, she suddenly thought of that old woman Si Xuanji, and gnashed her teeth in anger.
But then she suddenly remembered that during a meeting at the Taibai Sect, Si Xuanji had suddenly cursed “idiot!” mid-way through and then stormed out.
She didn’t know why Si Xuanji left, but it was the first time she had seen a hint of embarrassment and worry on that old woman’s face…
Why was she embarrassed?
Who was she worried about?
Who in this world could make her reveal such an expression? Make her lose her composure?
Who could it be?
Thousands of years ago, Si Xuanji spat on the moon and killed her master.
She had always been looking for a way to make Si Xuanji pay for her blood debt, but killing Si Xuanji was easier said than done.
However, after seeing Si Xuanji lose her composure at the Taibai Sect meeting before, she had a faint feeling that the person who made Si Xuanji lose her composure might be a way to make her pay her blood debt.
Sun Juehu’s thoughts deepened, but she became increasingly perplexed.
Just then, a golden flying sword glided into the immortal palace. Imperial Preceptor Chen Yin respectfully entered from the palace gate, came before Sun Juehu, knelt on both knees, and cupped his hands, saying,
“Chen Yin pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
Sun Juehu raised an eyebrow and looked at him, nodding slightly. She flicked her sleeve, dismissing the dancers before her, and asked,
“Imperial Preceptor, what is the important matter?”
“Just now, this subordinate received a map from the Commander of the Snow-clothed Guard in Tianfeng Immortal City. According to her, she deduced the locations of the current demonic cultivators in the Northern Region based on black market intelligence.”
Sun Juehu’s brows furrowed slightly. With a slight flick of her finger, the map in Chen Yin’s hand floated up and landed in hers.
She unfurled the map and immediately narrowed her eyes, asking,
“Oh? Did you add these Hantian array eye locations later?”
“This subordinate did not,” Chen Yin cupped his hands. “This was deduced by that Snow-clothed Guard, and it is the target of the demonic cultivators’ invasion of the Northern Region.”
“So, the demonic cultivators’ invasion of the Northern Region this time is to break the Northern Region’s protective array? Do they intend to attack the Northern Region?”
“According to that Snow-clothed Guard, that is the case.”
Sun Juehu’s brow furrowed deeply, and she scanned the map again, saying,
“So, you are here to…?”
“This subordinate merely wishes to inform Your Majesty of this matter and to credit that person. If this map is not mistaken, then that Snow-clothed Guard has made a great contribution. After this matter is resolved, this subordinate wishes to transfer her to Hanyue City.”
“…Granted.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty…”
Rumbling—!
The moment Chen Yin finished speaking, a beam of ice-blue light suddenly appeared in the northern sky, rising from below and piercing through the dark clouds, shooting vertically towards the heavens.
The gazes of both Sun Juehu and Chen Yin were instantly drawn to it.
They both immediately understood: one of the main array eyes of the Hantian Snow Array had been broken.
Chen Yin pinched his fingers slightly and said, “This is the Hantian array eye in Linghe Immortal City.”
Sun Juehu’s face remained calm. She dismissed the two maids beside her and stood up from her rattan chair, saying,
“Those demonic cultivators from the Eastern Domain… they are really serious this time? Do they think this Empress is as easy to bully as Nancheng City?”
“Your Majesty, this matter can be handled by this subordinate. There is no need for you to personally act.”
“Hmph!”
… …
————
At the same time, ten thousand miles away in Baiyue Town, on the second floor of Youzi Residence.
Ye Anping, dressed in white and carrying the Snow Jade Myriad Spirit Sword on his back, stood by the window, looking at the beam of light shooting into the sky to the southwest. He pursed his lips slightly,
“An array eye has already been broken…”
Beside him at a table, Feng Yu Die, who was gnawing on roasted chicken, tilted her head and asked,
“Eye broken, wooo…?”
Ye Anping’s face turned black as he turned to look at her. Seeing Feng Yu Die’s glib expression, he felt a pang of frustration.
For the past few days, his Junior Sister and Xiao Yunluo seemed to be preparing to deal with Jiang Mojiao, scouring Tianfeng Immortal City for pills and talismans.
Xu Mulan had also returned to Tianfeng Immortal City to rally all the Snow-clothed Guards she could mobilize.
Only Feng Yu Die…
This pest spent her days sneaking over to eat roasted chicken and had nothing else to do.
But Ye Anping gave up on lecturing her and simply took out the ten roasted chickens he had prepared the day before from his storage bag, throwing them onto the table,
“Here, roasted chicken.”
“Oh~~~”
Seeing so many of Young Master Ye’s special roasted chickens on the table, Feng Yu Die’s eyes lit up. But then, she twisted her brows and asked suspiciously,
“Why so many all of a sudden?”
Because you’re likely to encounter Gu, the Gu cultivator, and you’re likely to get a few more… and you probably won’t be able to eat roasted chicken properly for the next few months…
Ye Anping smiled slightly and said,
“Don’t want it? If you don’t want it, I’ll take it back…”
“Want, want, want!!” Feng Yu Die quickly scrambled onto the table, protectively covering the dozen or so roasted chickens wrapped in paper, and asked, “What do you want me to do now?”
“Nothing,” Ye Anping shrugged slightly. “Supplies are necessary before a fierce battle. These are your supplies.”
“En? Isn’t it just a Nascent Soul stage Gu cultivator?” Feng Yu Die asked doubtfully. “I might be able to handle it myself!”
Ye Anping shook his head, thought for a moment, and asked,
“…I asked you a question last time.”
“En?”
“If you were to encounter Gu alone, what would be your winning percentage?”
?!
“We’re going to encounter her?”
Feng Yu Die was startled and immediately shrank her head.
Ye Anping was speechless. Didn’t she tell him last time that her winning percentage was a hundred percent?
He sighed and said,
“I just have a premonition. It’s highly likely we will encounter Gu when we go to eliminate that Nascent Soul stage demonic cultivator.”
Feng Yu Die pouted, her brows furrowed,
“You say it’s highly likely, then it’s almost certain we’ll encounter her.”
But after glancing at Ye Anping, she wiped the troubled expression from her face.
“However… it’s fine. Didn’t I beat her soundly last time? It’ll be the same this time! And I’ll definitely cut her down this time.”
Ye Anping walked forward, picked up a roasted chicken from the table, and stuffed it into her mouth, saying,
“I won’t be by your side this time. Longling and I will handle the other demonic cultivators. Don’t underestimate your opponent.”
Hearing that Ye Anping wouldn’t be there this time, Feng Yu Die immediately lowered her head and twisted her brows,
“…You’re not going to help me?”
“I will help, but don’t rely on me too much. We won’t be able to get there for a while.”
“…Oh.”
At this moment, Xiao Yunluo’s voice came from outside the window,
“Second Fool!! Second Fool!! Stop eating your damned roasted chicken, come down! Commander Xu has sent someone to pick us up.”
Feng Yu Die paused, then shouted out the window,
“…Oh! Coming~~!”
Then she looked at the roasted chickens on the table, scooped them all up in her arms, and leaped out the window. She glanced back at Ye Anping, looking somewhat reluctant, but said nothing.
Ye Anping sighed and comforted her, “Don’t worry.”
“En!”
With these words, Feng Yu Die nodded and then dropped out the window.
The next moment, Xiao Yunluo’s voice reached Ye Anping’s ears again,
“Why did you buy so many? By the way, why do you keep coming here to eat roasted chicken these days? Isn’t the roasted chicken at Youren Pavilion different?”
“The roasted chicken here is tastier, and it’s just across the street…”
“Ai… Forget it, let’s go! We’ll meet Commander Xu in Tianfeng Immortal City later, and then we’ll head straight to that demonic cultivator’s cave dwelling.”
… …
Listening to their voices fade away, Ye Anping finally walked to the window and looked out at Youren Pavilion across the street.
At this moment, the creak of a door opening came from behind him again.
Li Longling had also changed into a velvet coat and was wearing a bracer on her wrist. Her Fire Phoenix stood on her shoulder, watching Ye Anping with its sharp phoenix eyes.
“Anping, Commander Xu has sent someone to pick us up to meet in Tianfeng Immortal City.”
Ye Anping was silent for a moment, then turned to look and saw an unfamiliar Snow-clothed Guard beside Li Longling.
“Greetings, Senior Ye.”
“No need for formalities. Please inform Commander Xu on your way back. We will meet at the demonic cultivator’s cave dwelling.”
“…Yes.”
Ye Anping let out a long breath, took down the Snow Jade Myriad Spirit Sword from his back, rewrapped it with bandages, and then, carrying Li Longling, flew north from the back door of Youzi Residence on his sword.
… …
