doitstory Chapter 593 - 186: Nine Path Loyal Souls, Clashing Hands, Father and Son Reunited
Chapter 593 - 186: Nine Path Loyal Souls, Clashing Hands, Father and Son Reunited
The royal dynasty’s army was infiltrated by social world influences like a sieve.
The prefecture soldiers lived among the people, far from the emperor’s reach. Among them, many used false names, while others had long-standing connections within the social world.
Simply put: Prefecture soldiers were first disciples of various sects, then members of the Dynasty’s army. As for answering the call to arms, firstly it was due to the lingering power of the Royal Family, and secondly, there were benefits to be had.
Thus, the Great Zhou introduced reforms.
The role of Commander came into being.
The so-called Commanders were generals selected by the Dynasty, tasked with establishing local forces in a certain area, all self-sustained. The purpose was to guard against major forces within the social world and manage affairs on their own turf.
Initially, this system was difficult, but the Royal Family, being the strongest force in the land, supported them, and these nine Commanders gradually grew stronger.
In paths where social world forces were stronger, so too were the Commanders.
For a time, a new balance was formed between the social world and the court.
But over time, the role of the Commanders began to subtly change.
Simply put: The soldiers of a path knew only their Commander and not the Emperor.
This situation persisted until the Red Lotus Sect uprising, which stripped the Great Zhou bare.
While the Red Lotus Sect uprising was formidable, backed by the other three Lotus Sects, the nine Commanders were no pushovers, let alone with the Five Elements Forces to contend with.
However... the Red Lotus Sect directly advanced to Jade Capital, forcing the Emperor to seek external aid.
Why was this?
The reason was simple: None of the Commanders wanted to block the way, and none were foolish enough to deplete their resources fighting the Lotus Sects.
The current situation is that these Commanders persist in securing certain prefecture-level towns in each path, laying claim as kings. They order their troops not to venture out, while the Five Elements Forces and social world forces also exercise restraint in provoking them.
...
...
As many thoughts flashed through his mind, Li Yuan felt that his "eyes" outside had been thoroughly erased.
The last scene was that of the formidable Grand General tugging the reins, driving his troops’ crimson steeds to soar swiftly into the sky.
He led the charge like lightning through the air, birds along his path exploding in every direction.
With the Emperor’s approach, Lü Xuanxian naturally paved the way in advance.
Very soon, he created a gap with the Bear-Headed Iron Cavalry behind him, eliminating all of Li Yuan’s "eyes".
Li Yuan remained composed, moved his mind, mobilized his energy, contained his blood, and maneuvered.
Under the activation of the Great Perfection’s Illusion Technique, all sounds and light passed straight through his body, making him stand like an invisible person in the mountains over ten miles from the mass grave.
Surrounding him were the sounds of cicadas and frogs, with leaves rustling like waves.
Insects from the mountain crawled past him, and a snake slithered by his boot, yet nothing could detect his presence.
Li Yuan averted his gaze and started listening carefully.
The Grand General who had arrived on horseback wielded a long halberd, slashing wildly to clear the way... Trees fell with a rustle, rocks shattered, and the ground bore cracks with every strike.
However, despite scanning the area thoroughly, the Grand General couldn’t find Li Yuan.
Though the Illusion Technique isn’t invincible, under Li Yuan’s full concealment while remaining still, no one could discover him.
Lü Xuanxian circled around, frowning slightly, a rare seriousness appearing on his face.
Not long after, the Emperor and the Iron Cavalry arrived near the mass grave.
Lü Xuanxian returned to the ranks, raising his head said: "Your Majesty, I didn’t locate the observer."
He felt no sense of failure, nor did he lower his voice.
Failing to find the observer wasn’t due to his incompetence, but because the observer was exceptionally strong.
Recognizing the opponent’s strength was also a discovery.
The Emperor’s narrow eyes flashed with a sinister light, he coolly said: "You didn’t find him?"
Lü Xuanxian replied: "I did not!"
His voice remained arrogant and proud.
Beside him, Zhao Guyue suddenly cackled sharply before speaking in a revoltingly seductive tone: "Originally here for a ritual, who would’ve thought we’d end up playing hide and seek.
Well then... let’s play.
Your Majesty, I humbly request your permission to seek out that observer."
The Emperor coolly remarked: "Granted."
Saying that, the man dressed in blood-red funeral robes swept his sleeves, sending papermen flying out.
These papermen transformed into Sword Immortals flying through the air, both male and female, numbering over ten in total.
The dozen Paper Sword Immortals began patrolling the surroundings.
After scouting the area repeatedly, the Paper Sword Immortals returned and fell back into Zhao Guyue’s sleeves.
Zhao Guyue appeared momentarily solemn, then relaxed, before bowing slightly to the Emperor, speaking with a shrill voice: "Your Majesty, perhaps that person is not here at all."
"Hahaha!" Lü Xuanxian burst into laughter, enunciating each word, "He! Is here!"
The Emperor furrowed his brows.
The Iron Cavalry behind him immediately tensed.
Every long blade was raised, the overwhelming evil qi surging out, seemingly ready for battle at any moment.
This Iron Cavalry, named the "Flying Bear Army", numbered eight thousand, was directly under the Emperor’s control, now commanded by Lü Xuanxian.
With Lü Xuanxian and the Flying Bear Army, few dared to openly obstruct the Emperor’s path.
But when the Flying Bear Army rested, it was indeed the time when their weaknesses were most exposed.
Fortunately, with Lü Xuanxian, Zhao Guyue, and others present, the Flying Bear Army had enough "reaction time", otherwise, they might have been annihilated long ago on this journey.
"Lords, whom do you think that person might be?"
The Emperor inquired.
Zhao Guyue screeched softly: "At least it should be the Sect Leader of the Five Elements Forces, the Celestial Master of Daoism, or the heavenly figures of the Buddhist Sect. They are hiding motionless..."