Chapter 335: The Old and Young Master Thieves
The cripple and Qin Mu walked out of Qingmen Pass, and many of the great generals in the pass furrowed their brows. Bian Zhenyun quickly asked the Yankang Imperial Preceptor for instructions. The Imperial Preceptor shook his head and said, "No need to help them. With that cripple around, no one can kill Sect Master Qin."
"Cripple?" Everyone looked at the old man. This old fellow had all four limbs intact and walked very quickly—where was he crippled?
"Crippled in the heart."
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. "Crippled in virtue, crippled in conduct, a crooked shadow from a crooked body, a twisted mind. Never mind him. Shan Youxin, how many Divine Thunder Rings have the Ministry of Works and the Grand Academy refined?"
"Fourteen thousand rings have been refined."
Shan Youxin said, "They've already been mounted on the True Essence Cannons. In another day, we can refine the remaining few thousand, and then we can attack the enemy camp."
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor looked toward the majestic pass opposite and said calmly, "No need to wait another day. Pass the order to all armies: prepare to move out immediately. The tower ships will open formation and push straight across! General Bian, Grand Commandant, Supporting Nation General, Swift Cavalry General, Pillar of State, Duke Who Protects the Realm, Pillar State General, Champion General, Huaihua General!"
He called out names one by one, and the many generals of Yankang stepped forward one after another, awaiting orders.
After the rebellion of the former Crown Prince Ling Yuxia, the officials of Ling Yuxia's faction had been purged clean, but Yankang was after all a land of outstanding talents. The Emperor had promoted many new officials to fill the vacancies, and there was no gap in succession.
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor said in a deep voice, "Deploy the troops behind the pass. With the tower ships opening formation at the front, the main army will sweep up from behind. As for you all, keep a close watch on their Divine Bridge and Life-Death realm experts, and be ready to strike them down at any moment!"
The generals felt a chill in their hearts. The Duke Who Protects the Realm said, "Imperial Preceptor, Sect Master Qin is still at the front lines. If we attack rashly, I fear they might make a move against Sect Master Qin."
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor revealed a smile. "The moment he retreats is the moment we attack. No need to worry about his safety. And with that cripple around, the number of people in this world who can harm him can be counted on one hand."
Bian Zhenyun said, "Who will command the tower ships?"
The tower ships had originally been dispersed among the various armies, commanded by their respective generals. Now that the Imperial Preceptor was changing tactics, using all the tower ships to clear the path, a new army needed to be established. A strong expert skilled in offensive warfare was needed to command each tower ship, in order to handle the ever-changing battlefield situation.
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor's eyes flickered, and he said in a deep voice, "Summon the mid-level officers of each army! Also, have all the Grand Academy scholars from the Imperial Academy come over as well!"
A moment later, several hundred mid-level officers and many Grand Academy scholars arrived.
"Two hundred and forty-five tower ships are equivalent to two hundred and forty-five flying swords."
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor swept his gaze across the crowd and said in a deep voice, "Those proficient in sword techniques who can simultaneously control two hundred and forty-five flying swords, step forward."
More than fifty people from among the mid-level officers and Grand Academy scholars stepped forward.
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor's primordial energy erupted, transforming into flying swords that circled around him. "Attack me. Whoever breaks through my sword formation and strikes my body will be the commander of the new army!"
Hearing this, the fifty-plus experts each displayed their sword techniques and attacked the Imperial Preceptor. In an instant, countless sword lights whirled rapidly, and the clanging sounds of collision were dense beyond measure!
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor stood there without moving, his mind controlling the countless sword lights to block all attacks from the fifty-plus generals and scholars.
Suddenly, a general was struck in the chest, though the Imperial Preceptor's sword light did not wound him. The general immediately withdrew.
After a moment, people kept getting struck and withdrawing, until only a dozen or so sword experts remained attacking.
The Duke Who Protects the Realm, Bian Zhenyun, and the others watched this scene, silently admiring. The remaining dozen or so were the most outstanding sword experts, all at master level in their sword arts. The only thing they lacked was cultivation.
Yankang truly produced talented people in abundance—it was gratifying.
After another moment, only three of the dozen remained, still attacking the Imperial Preceptor. Suddenly, a sun of swords erupted, red as fire, illuminating everything around with dazzling brightness. A sword light stabbed out from within the red sun, pierced through the Imperial Preceptor's sword defense, and punched a small hole in the hem of his robe.
The Imperial Preceptor raised his hand, stopping the three, and looked at the one who had pierced his robe. "Han Guang Hall scholar?"
The one who had pierced his robe was the Sword Hall Master, who bowed and said, "Han Guang Hall, Jian Sansheng."
The Imperial Preceptor nodded, then looked at the general who had unleashed the red sun. It was his Sunset Sword Technique that had allowed the Sword Hall Master to succeed. "Guide Virtue General, Yuanyuan Chuyun?"
Yuanyuan Chuyun bowed. "Imperial Preceptor."
The Imperial Preceptor revealed a smile. "Jian Sansheng, you will be the commander of the new army. Yuanyuan Chuyun, you will be the deputy commander. I give you half an hour to familiarize yourselves with the names of each ship's captains and the ship numbers. Memorize them all. Remember—when commanding the tower ships, don't think of them as tower ships, but as your flying swords!"
The Sword Hall Master's eyes flashed with sword light, and he said in a deep voice, "What does the Imperial Preceptor want us to do?"
The Imperial Preceptor pointed at the majestic pass opposite. "Level the Helan Pass across from us!"
The Sword Hall Master's mighty frame trembled. He turned to look at the majestic pass opposite, and heroic spirit surged in his chest.
At this moment, Qin Mu and the cripple had already arrived at the Duck Tongue zone.
"Ban Gongcuo, you're still well, I trust?" Qin Mu called out with a laugh.
Ban Gongcuo smiled slightly and looked around, saying, "Luan Di Khan, this is the Demon Cult Sect Master. He doesn't look like someone who can unleash a sword technique like an ocean, does he?"
Behind him, Luan Di Khan's eyes shot toward Qin Mu like lightning, and he said in a deep voice, "It's this youth. When he came to the battlefield, that terrifying sword technique erupted and left people breathless."
Qin Mu looked behind Ban Gongcuo and was momentarily startled.
Behind Ban Gongcuo followed the various khans of the grasslands, along with the shaman kings of the Loulan Golden Palace. But one person among them was the most eye-catching.
He was tall and burly, several inches taller than even the Sword Hall Master and the Medicine Master. Though it was the end of summer, he wore a thick coat of raccoon fur, with a golden saber and a quiver of arrows at his waist.
"The mighty lord of the grasslands, Luan Di Khan!" Qin Mu felt the fire-like aggression in Luan Di Khan's eyes and immediately guessed this person's identity.
Back then, the Witch Venerable had personally bestowed the title of Khan upon this man. Luan Di Khan meant "the greatest archer under heaven," and his tribe was also skilled in horseback archery. From that time on, Luan Di Khan had risen from the grasslands, his power growing greater and greater.
Luan Di Khan's martial prowess was absolutely top-tier. He was not merely an archer. Back when Qin Mu and Bashan Sacrificial Wine had seen the not-yet-possessed Ban Gongcuo on the watchtower of this majestic pass, Ban Gongcuo's boxing technique had earned the admiration of both Qin Mu and Bashan Sacrificial Wine.
And Ban Gongcuo's boxing technique at that time had originated from Luan Di Khan, showing that his combat power was not limited to bows and arrows.
People often compared Luan Di Khan to Emperor Yanfeng. Both were mighty lords who carried out sweeping reforms. Luan Di Khan was more like an imitator of Emperor Yanfeng, learning from his actions, reforming the chaotic state of the grasslands where every tribe ruled itself, annexing other tribes, and eliminating the various shamanic cults large and small across the grasslands. The experts of those cults were all absorbed into his army.
If not for the Loulan Golden Palace's deliberate obstruction, he might have unified the grasslands long ago.
At that time, the Loulan Golden Palace was also worried that after Luan Di Khan unified the grasslands, he would imitate the Yankang Imperial Preceptor and Emperor Yanfeng, suppressing the Golden Palace. So they had not given him their full support. It was not until the Great Venerable reincarnated as Ban Gongcuo and Ban Gongcuo regained control of the Golden Palace that they gave him their full support in his great cause of unifying the grasslands.
"Luan Di Khan's strength is probably not much weaker than Emperor Yanfeng's."
Qin Mu smiled slightly and walked ahead of the cripple, calling out loudly, "Ban Gongcuo, is the one behind you your father Luan Di Khan?"
Ban Gongcuo was unmoved and laughed. "Little wretch, are you trying to provoke me?"
"Senior Brother Luan Di!"
Qin Mu's face was full of smiles as he greeted Luan Di Khan with a bow. "The Sect Master of the Heavenly Sage Cult greets the Khan of the grasslands."
Luan Di Khan frowned, somewhat at a loss. Qin Mu was clearly trying to take advantage of Ban Gongcuo. If Luan Di Khan returned the greeting, that would make Ban Gongcuo a generation lower than Qin Mu, and the next moment Qin Mu would have Ban Gongcuo call him uncle. If he didn't return the greeting, that would be a breach of etiquette, and in the future, when they conquered Yankang, Qin Mu would certainly lead the Demon Cult to make trouble for him.
Ban Gongcuo knew what he was thinking and laughed. "Luan Di Khan, this little brat surnamed Qin is just like that—infuriating. One sentence from him can choke you to death, making you want to grab him and tear him to pieces. Now that you've seen him, you know his skills are all in his mouth. Nothing more."
Luan Di Khan said, "Then was it the old man behind him who unleashed that ocean-like sword light?"
Ban Gongcuo didn't recognize the cripple either and shook his head. "No, it wasn't him. It was an old undying wretch without hands or feet. Don't worry—this old undying won't act lightly. He has too many rules that restrict himself. And in a few more days, people from the Heavens Above will come here to eliminate him."
He smiled. "After he dies, you can flatten this Qingmen Pass, drive straight in, and become the master of the Central Plains!"
Luan Di Khan quickly said, "Then the Golden Palace will be the only sacred land under heaven!"
Ban Gongcuo laughed heartily. "You don't need to be so cautious. My goal is not to be the first sacred land or the only sacred land. My ambitions are far higher than you can imagine."
He thought of the golden scripture scroll hidden on his person, and his heart burned with fervor. His fists clenched involuntarily.
At that moment, Qin Mu strode over, face full of smiles, and said, "Luan Di Khan is quite rude. I greet you and you don't return the courtesy. Your family upbringing is truly lacking. No wonder Ban Gongcuo, that little bastard, was raised to be like this."
Ban Gongcuo's expression darkened. He was about to speak when Qin Mu suddenly quickened his pace and charged toward him, shouting loudly, "Ban Gongcuo, get out here and call me uncle! Uncle is going to spank your bottom!"
Ban Gongcuo was furious. He glanced and saw that the old man was still standing there smiling in place, very far away. His vicious nature surged, and he charged forward to meet Qin Mu, sneering, "Surnamed Qin, last time on the ship I couldn't kill you. This time, I'll make sure you die on this battlefield!"
The two collided with a boom, their magical power erupting, their divine abilities erupting, shaking the surrounding air into spiraling currents that expanded outward!
Ban Gongcuo felt his arms go numb, and his heart trembled slightly. "I'm already at the peak of the Six Harmonies realm, yet this brat's magical power is still not weaker than mine!"
Qin Mu pressed his hands together, and countless sword lights shot up from the Glutton Bag on his back, attacking Ban Gongcuo!
Ban Gongcuo hurriedly defended. Suddenly, the countless sword lights contracted, forming a huge silver-gleaming sphere that pressed down. Ban Gongcuo raised both hands to hold up this enormous sword orb, letting out a muffled grunt as he was pressed down into the ground.
Luan Di Khan and the others, along with the shaman kings of the Golden Palace, rushed forward to rescue him, charging in to attack. Qin Mu quickly opened his Glutton Bag and withdrew the sword orb. Meanwhile, the smiling old man in the distance suddenly vanished like a ghost, flickering among the crowd. The group fell into chaos, feeling as though everyone was being attacked by the old man at the same time!
At the same time, Ban Gongcuo appeared in the distance, rising from beneath the earth, and called out, "No need to fight him here! We'll settle this on the battlefield..."
But Qin Mu and the old man did not linger. Suddenly they turned and ran, like two columns of smoke racing straight toward Qingmen Pass.
The kind-faced old man held high above his head a mountain of clothes and spiritual weapons. Luan Di Khan and the others' clothes and ornaments and spiritual weapons had been stripped clean off them. They stood there stark naked, at a complete loss.
And in Qin Mu's hand was a golden scripture scroll, with a pair of underpants beneath the scroll, as he fled madly toward Qingmen Pass.
Ban Gongcuo was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly lifted his clothes and let out a heaven-shaking scream of anguish.
The golden scripture scroll he had hidden on his person was gone without a trace. Also missing was his underpants!
"Catch them!" Ban Gongcuo shouted fiercely.
At that moment, the gates of Qingmen Pass burst open, and countless troops poured out from within. Behind the city walls, tower ship after tower ship rose into the air, their bows pointing toward Helan Pass.
Mighty giant warriors stood at the prows, hammering the war drums mounted there again and again, the drumbeats thundering like rolling thunder.
The Yankang Imperial Preceptor's voice spread throughout the city: "Soldiers, level the Helan Pass for me!"
—Wrote six hundred extra words, arrived ten minutes late~