Chapter 185: The Concept of Alluring Beauty

asked.Bai Lian turned back and tilted her head, looking at Jiang Wang: "Why would a mountain spider sleep inside"“Didn’t you say… this is the lair of the mountain spider”"Whatever I say is what it is...Si Jiao looked deeply into Yu Liyang's eyes.

This relatively young disciple of the Dao, who was strong in his own right, had grown up under his watchful eye.

When he was young, he was a notorious playboy. Even after he attained the status of a true immortal, he called himself "Peach Blossom Immortal". The name "Playboy Immortal" truly fit him. His unrestrained romanticism was famous throughout the entire Southern Region.

After Da Xia was once on the brink of national destruction, he seemed like a different person. He became composed, restrained, gentle, and polite. It wasn't until year seventeen of Emperor Shenwu that he reached the pinnacle of transcendence.

If it absolutely had to be one person guarding Jianfeng Mountain, then Si Jiao herself going would be the most stable and effective way to implement the strategic plan...

But he is the commander-in-chief of this national war, it is unwise to act rashly, and even more so to carelessly place him on the front line.

Given Xia Guo's current situation, it is absolutely impossible to just dismiss a contemporary great person like this.

After careful consideration, Yu Liyang seems to be the most suitable candidate.

But even though he was the renowned King Wu, he couldn't take the initiative to make that request.

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He cannot actively put a true monarch of equal standing at risk.

So if Yu Liyang had no other thoughts, he was prepared to fill another position as a Marquis and go with Jin Ling to Fengjie Mansion...

“In this battle, we are not aiming to conquer Qi. Though at the time of our mobilization, we swore to march into the Eastern territories and lay waste to Linzi… but you and I both know that is impossible. To simply repulse the Qi army would be our greatest victory.”

Si Jiao said: "But actually, we don't need to defeat the Qi army. What we need is time. The full-scale war has lasted for twenty-one days. Jing Guo is the hegemon of the world, unmatched in power. It's possible that at some point, the outcome will be decided. We just need to hold back the Qi army and wait until Jing Guo wins the Northern Territory War. Then, we will naturally win without fighting."

Yu Liyang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. He disliked this feeling of weakness, this "just hold on" and "just buy time". To transcend the present state is to grasp the essence within. The Xia Kingdom today lacked even the ambition to transcend its current state.

But he also knew very clearly in his heart what the facts were.

He asked, “Does King Wu still remember how long we held out after the former emperor died in battle”

"Thirty-three days."

Even though it happened thirty-two years ago, Si Jiao said that it felt as if it were just yesterday.

That kind of generous and grand feeling cannot be buried by time.

“Even after the main force was defeated and the former emperor died in battle, we held out for thirty-three days. For thirty-three days, every inch of land, every drop of blood, our entire nation fought to the death, delaying Qi's advance and building the Yitian Pavilion. This forced the Qi Emperor to retreat! This time, the Qi Emperor has not arrived, and Jiang Mengxiong is not here. Cao Jie has come instead. We do not aim for victory, we will hold steady for half a year, this is not a problem. Half a year's time is more than enough for Jing Mu to decide the outcome!”

"I think so too," Yu Liyang said. His tone was rather flat.

Si Jiao thought for a moment, then decided to give Yu Liyang a reassurance. She said, "Earlier in the world beyond the sky, I made friends with a small world's lord and the longevity deity of Nandou Palace. This time, I asked him to help us, and Nandou Palace will support our resistance against Qi!"

Yu Liyang couldn't help but be moved!

The long-living sovereign of Nandou Hall, that is an existence standing at the peak of transcendence.

He was once known as the Immortal Emperor of the South Pole, presiding over an ancient sect and considered a celestial emperor among mortals. His power and prestige were evident to all.

Later, the Chu emperor forcibly deprived him of his imperial title, so he was only called Changsheng Jun.

Si Jiao unexpectedly invited a true immortal to support her without making a sound

This is a very useful piece!

Used at a critical moment, it can turn the tide of battle!

But Yu Liyang also thought to himself, no wonder King Wu didn't take Jinkou's envoy from Chu seriously. Changshengjun would never join forces with the people of Chu. Since he had called upon Changshengjun, he hadn't expected anything from the state of Chu from the very beginning.

"Will the Nandou Hall go all out" Yu Liyang asked.

To know that Nandou Hall, as the largest sect in the world, still has seven great real people, all of whom are powerful figures. For today's Xia Kingdom, it is truly a force to be reckoned with in times of adversity.

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Si Jiao said: “At least Changsheng Jun will make a move once.”

Yu Liyang certainly understood.

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The so-called friendship between Si Jiao and Changsheng Jun is questionable. It should just be an agreement reached, which would lead to Changsheng Jun making a move once, perhaps even one or two real people from Nandou Hall.

It's impossible for Nandou Hall to give their full support... ancient sects have their own set of rules and traditions.

So what is the price paid

This question lingered in my mind, but I didn't voice it.

Yu Liyang finally just said, "As long as King Wu is here, heaven won't fall. I have nothing to worry about now!"

Si Jiao earnestly said, "Jianfeng Mountain can be defended if it must. If it can delay the Qi army for half a month, that would be best. But if not... then I implore King Min to put the country first and not be concerned with reputation. Please withdraw yourself for the sake of the nation. Our Great Xia has twenty-one prefectures; even without Fengjie Prefecture, we still have Xiangyou Prefecture. Every inch of land is worth fighting for. However, if we lose King Min, even with a vast expanse of mountains and rivers, there will be no one left to fight... Please do not leave me alone to face this!"

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I understand the gravity of the situation."

Yu Liyang cast one last glance at the busy army of soldiers, then at the Nine Dragons Inferno Formation taking shape in Zhongyuan City... and with a single step, he was gone.

Of course, Xia also had the Grand Guardian Array. It was once removed, but after the Qi army retreated, Empress Dowager Xia directly emptied the national treasury to rebuild the Grand Guardian Array. So much so that when Emperor Xia ascended the throne that year, his coronation ceremony was extraordinarily austere. Even the emperor's ceremonial robes were only one set. Empress Dowager Xia herself continued to wear the empress's clothes from that year for a long time.

The Great Guardian Formation, which the Summer Empress had rebuilt single-handedly in those days, was a crucial reason why Xia Kingdom could recover so quickly from the war and stabilize itself after facing national ruin.

Its power is certainly extraordinary.

For any country, national defense is fundamentally essential.

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But as the biggest card in Xia Guo's national defense, the Guoguo Great Formation absolutely cannot be used this early.

Not to mention anything else, the resources consumed by activating the National Protection Array are simply terrifying. Every day it's activated, a massive amount of Dao Yuan Stones are spent, making it impossible as a regular means.

Therefore, it is necessary to have a defense line similar to Jianfengshan to supplement national defense and defend against external aggression.

Now, the sword peak of Jianfeng Mountain is no longer something to rely on.

The Tong'an City defense line was the second line of defense built by the Xia army this time, and it was also the true defense line against the Qi army.

Fortify it with heavy troops and protect it with the Nine Dragons Dividing Fire Formation.

Every brick and tile, one person after another...

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As if the combined efforts of every single person in Xia Guo had converged into a mighty torrent, they were ready to carve an unbridgeable chasm within the shortest possible time.

The Fenjie Prefecture is located in the northeast of Xia Kingdom.

Jian Feng Shan is one of the most famous and imposing mountains in Xia Guo.

As stated in the "Grand Xia Annals", "The Northeast Gate, erected with a sword's edge," this is indeed the case.

In the days when the country of Yang stood tall in the east, the might of Emperor Yang did not reach beyond Jianfeng Mountain. It was for this reason that his reputation spread far and wide.

Until last year, they were defeated in a surprise attack by the enemy forces.

The young general of the State of Qi, Wang Yiwu, led the vanguard. His army was swift and unstoppable, forcing other states to scatter and flee in his path. He plunged into the territory of Xia under the cover of night, disregarding life and death, and launched a fierce attack on Jianfeng Mountain! He slew Hua Fangyu, the then-commander of Jianfeng Mountain, before the mountain's protective formation could even be deployed. The entire mountain's arsenal was hastily evacuated by Qi troops -

This should be the story that made Wang Yiwu famous throughout the land.

But later, Jiang Mengxiong ascended Jianfeng Mountain and challenged the Xia Emperor with his fists.

Everything before this pales in comparison and hardly anyone pays attention anymore...

After all, in the face of the name "Ginger Dream Bear," everything else, whether it's "Inner Palace Killing God" or "Top Ten Inner Palaces in the World," seems as childish as playing house.

Jiang Mengxiong once again dominated the world, displaying his overwhelming power. This was just another example among his countless brilliant victories in the past.

And becoming the background of that fist that struck a chasm a hundred li wide, directly causing the Xia Kingdom to submit and yield, Yu Liyang inevitably became looked down upon by people throughout the world.

Therefore, Yu Liyang who once again climbed Jianfeng Mountain, felt a complicated mood.

It's common knowledge that he's most suited to guarding Jianfeng Mountain, and he knows it too. That being said, the reason why he still had An Guohou proactively offer his death and Si Jiao subtly hint at it is not without a complex mix of emotions at play.

He really doesn't like being here.

Sword Peak Mountain resembles a giant sword piercing the sky, with its mountain body as the handle and its stony peak as the blade. It is extremely steep and sharp, standing guard on the only road leading into Fengjie Prefecture's heartland.

The cloud was as vast and awe-inspiring as a chasm in the heavens.

If this mountain were to fall, the northeastern gate of Xia would be wide open.

The defense construction of Jianfeng Mountain, built over decades, collapsed in a single night.

To be honest, someone surnamed Hua is truly a waste. He has the status of a noble family and is known for his powerful connections, yet he's just all talk. He claims to possess divine powers and learned martial arts, but it's all just book knowledge!

But one has to face the reality—the Xia court was clearly unprepared for that battle. No one at the time thought Qi would suddenly attack, because the Yi Tian Guan was still standing, and Jing Guo's influence was still strong. Many in Xia were still having blissful dreams, believing they wouldn't have to pay any price, hoping that a single equal state could stir up internal chaos in Qi, causing the hegemon to fall.

No one expected that Jiang Shu would be so domineering back then!

Yu Liyang saw even more —

The allied army was able to swiftly coordinate with various nations along its route, allowing the vanguard to advance rapidly. They sealed off information along the way, ensuring that intelligence dissemination could not keep pace with their marching speed.

This clearly shows the strength of the forces of Qi and also demonstrates that, from Qi to Xia, the smaller states caught between these two powers had long since adopted firm political leanings.

The gap between Qi and Xia, perhaps after the revival of Shenwu, many people in Xia might not see it clearly. But the attitude of surrounding small countries is clear enough...

Looking at the jagged rocks on the mountain, looking at the extensive fortifications that had at least been superficially repaired.

Yu Liyang couldn't help but think back to the bloody rain that day.

Thinking back on those fists that once dominated the world...

Thinking of Taiguan Zhenren's hopeless eyes!

At that time, one True Lord and five Real Humans ascended to Jianfeng Mountain together, forming the Seven Absolutes and Seven Kills Formation, besieging Jiang Mengxiong.

What is meant by "cutting off heaven, earth, and people, cutting off intention, situation, and heart, and cutting off the path"

This is a seven-line poem.

This is the killing formation used by Master Neita Hua when he attained enlightenment!

He mastered the path of the fundamental gate, Taihua's absolute sky gate and absolute earth gate...Seven gates of absolutes opened simultaneously, their killing power nearly capable of destroying heaven and earth, crushing the entire Jianfeng Mountain defense line.

>

But everything was shattered by the pair of knuckle dusters called "Overwhelming Army, Slashing General."

He was unable to withstand the attacks even with his formation, and Taihua True Person was killed with a single punch...

Perhaps the biggest good news in this national war is that Jiang Mengxiong did not participate.

However, Cao Jie had won the competition and become the commander of the Qi army this time. Could his troops really be less fearsome than Jiang Mengxiong's

But hopefully it's because Jiang Mengxiong's achievements were too great, and he was feared by the Son of Heaven, so he couldn't command the army!

Yu Liyang took one step onto Jian Feng Mountain and immediately assumed control, quickly establishing defenses in three or five moves.

But when he sat down on the mountaintop, waiting for the assembled army.

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He lost his meaningless "wish" again.

"How is that possible" he thought.

Who was that emperor of the Eastern country

"The Generalissimo, having great achievements and being envied by the Emperor of Qi, was unable to command the army that invaded Xia. Otherwise, how could he have lost to Cao Jie"

"When a cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dogs are cooked! Qi State has become the hegemon, and the War God is now useless. He's just draining national strength and may appear to be surpassing his superiors. It's not worth it!"

"Qi State had no Duke, with Jiang Mengxiong in command of the military affairs hall, standing on the peak of Yandao, his position increased to Generalissimo of Qi, known as the God of War of Great Qi. He was already at a point where there were no more titles to bestow and no further rewards to be given. How could he possibly be granted further reward for achievements against Xia What would the Son of Heaven offer in return Could it be the Dragon Court!"

War is never an isolated event. It's a battle of power, both internally and externally, decided by the clash of swords and axes, shaking the very foundations of government. Public opinion and national sentiment are just as much weapons as any blade.

>

Rumors spread quickly in Linzi.

Each one is more dangerous than the last.

It was like a spark falling into a pan of oil, immediately exploding.

Of course, it also reached the emperor's ears.

As a resting place before court sessions, it was also often used as a study. The furnishings of the Donghua Pavilion remained unchanged for fifty-six years.

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Last year, there was one more stone screen added.

It is painted with a picture of all beings.

At this time, the emperor of Qi stood with his hands behind his back in front of the stone screen, quietly watching and quietly listening.

The head eunuch, Han Ling, reported without adding or omitting a word. Then he stood there silently, as if immersed in the lamplight.

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The emperor suddenly laughed and said, "Cao's army marches much faster."

The speed of rumors is, naturally, faster than a million armies marching.

Since none of the scholars from Dong Hua Academy were present today, he spoke more freely.

Otherwise, if this gets out, it would easily make people think the Emperor is dissatisfied with Cao Jie's speed. If it spreads, it will put immense pressure on the front lines.

Han Ling remained silent, offering no opinion.

“I don't care how these voices reached me,” the Son of Heaven said slowly. “All that matters is, what about the people”

Rumors, they are the kind of thing where three people saying it makes it true, and a multitude of voices can wear down even gold. Repeated over and over again, even falsehoods become truth. When you hear something a hundred or a thousand times, it's hard not to wonder if there might be some truth to it.

Han bowed deeply and said, “I couldn't find anything useful. I fed it all to the beast.”

He then said, "To allow such rumors to reach the Emperor's ears is my dereliction of duty. I shall now set about rectifying this."

“Enough.” The emperor waved his hand. “We can’t kill them all.”

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“Loyal today, treacherous tomorrow. Reliable this year, not necessarily next. How can you kill them all Just wait until the Xia kingdom is gone, then they will naturally be obedient.”

Han Ling then silently retreated into the shadows.

"Some are deaf, some are mute, some are evil, some are foolish, some are sincere, some take advantage of situations, some are momentarily confused, and some are wise throughout their lives!"

The emperor looked at this painting of all beings, as if in the midst of this throng of people, he found what he saw. And yet, it seemed like he found nothing at all.

After all, that figure has forever remained in the autumn.

He could only sigh at last.

“What a wonderful painting!”

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Thanks to book friend "De Pu Zhen Kawaii" for becoming the chief supporter of this book! It's the 283rd chief supporter.

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Thank you for all the readers' support.

I should write more lately, but the War of the Summer really is too difficult to write about.

I felt as if I was standing on that battlefield, watching two mighty nations collide. But I was just an ordinary person who couldn't transcend the limits of human perception. My eyes could only see so much, and many things were beyond my comprehension, shapeshifting in ways my mind couldn't grasp.

I want to describe the painting before me, but I find it difficult to put into words. I don't know where to begin sketching.

Like you, I walk in the mists of that world.

> Proceed, proceed!le, understanding his expectation."You think you're strong, don't you"He closed his eyes, the sharpness from his earlier clash with Hai Zongming fading away: "This is why I'm desperate."Even a cultiva...