Volume One: The Monarch’s Edict Chapter Seventy-Four: Releasing Fish into Troubled Waters

After more than half a year of brewing, the forces capable of contending for the final victory had emerged. The capital was firmly held by Prince Qin, while the Fourth Prince had left with the Old Thief, wandering the world with no news since, yet his foundation remained in the capital; so long as Prince Qin stayed motionless, none dared make a move. The Crown Prince had followed Chu Chunqiu back to Langya Sword Mountain, and his forces had vanished without a trace. Empress Xiao was far away in Westwater, making no appearance, as if all parties tacitly agreed to wait out the entire year.

Only the old Chancellor Xue Pan had been invincible since raising his army. With seven great generals under his command, he swept through Beiyi unopposed and now faced the Grand General of the East, Cui Ran, outside the gates of Changle City.

The city’s former prosperity was gone. No one dared open shop in such dire times, and those who could had long since fled. Remaining in Zhongzhou’s city was to court disaster. Many young men were forcibly conscripted; the streets were left to the elderly, women, and children.

“Minister Chang Qingsong of the Lezhou Ministry of War will arrive in two days, bringing an army of over two hundred thousand. Marquis Qi, Li Zai, has also mobilized—three hundred thousand cavalry setting out from Yongqing Prefecture—they will need a day to arrive.”

Within Xue Pan’s military tent, scouts continuously delivered news of the movements of various forces. Xue Pan did not sit in the main seat, instead leaning back in a soft leather chair, eyes half-closed, dozing lightly.

In the central seat sat his son, Xue Ren, commander of the armies, bearing a strong resemblance to his father—save for those hawk-like eyes, fierce and intimidating enough to make children cry in broad daylight. Since his birth, none had dared play with him.

Xue Ren pushed aside the dossier, stood, and asked the messenger, “The enemy’s two hundred thousand troops, are they all from Yanliang’s main force?”

By “the enemy,” he meant Cui Ran’s army. The two sides formed a tripartite standoff surrounding Changle City, camps set thirty miles apart, each side halting, building solid defenses, readying for a protracted war.

“Replying to the lord, judging by their attire, it seems there are also some volunteer militias recruited locally, and their banners are of every kind.”

“No cause for concern! A rabble like that—my lord, grant me twenty thousand troops, and I’ll break their camp in less than half a day!” A general rose to request battle, and the others joined in support.

Xue Ren raised his hand to quiet them. “Our true enemies are not Cui Ran, who is but an old border general. Any news from Heavenly King Dao or Langya?”

Just then, two more scouts entered. “My lord! Dao Xuzi, Master of the Heavenly King Dao, is leading a hundred thousand troops at full speed—they have already reached the vicinity of Flame City.”

“My lord! Five thousand sword disciples from Langya Sword Mountain descended three days ago—their whereabouts are now unknown.”

The myriad sects of the nine provinces were deeply entwined with officialdom; chaos in the world shook the martial orders as well. Xue Ren’s true adversaries were these pressing sects.

“If we can hold Flame City for ten days, Cui Ran will surely lose. You seven generals, take turns attacking their positions day and night. Within ten days, I want a decisive result!”

“Rest assured, my lord! Five days will suffice!”

Flame City was the gateway into Zhongzhou. Xue Ren was not able to flank Cui Ran’s forces, but winding mountain roads had brought many disciples from Mount Everlasting.

Mount Everlasting in Beiyi was as renowned as Heavenly King Dao. This time, they joined the campaign to repay an old favor to the Xue family, leading their disciples to preemptively take control of Flame City.

As its name suggested, Flame City was plagued by perpetual heat and drought, seldom seeing rain. In midsummer, fires would spontaneously break out in the streets—hence its name. The city was small; its moat had long since dried up and been filled in by merchants bringing in earth, leaving the drawbridge as a mere ornament.

At this moment, the flag of Mount Everlasting hung high on the city wall: a great blue banner painted with three linked peaks. Beneath it stood four elders, hair white as snow yet faces youthful.

Mount Everlasting differed from other sects; apart from the sect master, there was no hierarchy by seniority—only by martial skill, with all addressing one another as brothers.

These four were already famed throughout the martial world. As dust billowed outside Flame City, scarlet warhorses lined up, and Dao Xuzi pulled his reins to a halt in the center. Behind him, the seven mountain lords stood, eyes wide, gazing at the city. Seeing it already occupied, the four white-haired elders were prominent atop the wall.

The elders recognized the Heavenly King Dao contingent. One of them called out, “How did Heavenly King Dao fall to such mediocrity under Dao Xuzi?”

“And the Four Elders of Spring and Autumn come in person—is that not shameful?” Dao Xuzi’s voice was unyielding; though the four were his seniors, the authority of a sect master could not be challenged.

The Four Elders of Spring and Autumn—Spring Radiance Lian, Summer Cicada Song, Autumn Gale Swift, and Winter’s Snow—each practiced a unique and profound martial art, their abilities unfathomable. Having hurried from Beiyi overnight to Flame City, they remained vigorous despite their age.

“Do you truly mean to wade into Zhongzhou’s troubled waters with your disciples?”

“If the four elders will give way, we’ll see who can earn respect by force.”

“Respect must be earned. If you want to pass, show us your true skills!”

With no meeting of minds, the disciples of Mount Everlasting waved their banners, a team charging out from the city gate. Foremost was the fourth elder, Winter’s Snow, single-handedly hefting an iron staff as he advanced to the front. The Heavenly Authority Lord drew his blade, spurred his mount, and charged.

The rules of the martial world were clear: win and you take the city; lose, and you slink away. Heavenly Authority Lord’s initial move was ruthless—his blade tip thrust straight at the chest.

Spring Radiance Lian swung his iron staff, deflecting the blade, then pressed forward, the staff even faster, forcing his opponent back several steps.

His iron staff was no ordinary weapon, weighing thirty catties—hard enough for most to simply wield, let alone employ in combat.

Heavenly Authority Lord’s hands tingled from the shock, grip tightening, his balance lowering, inner energy surging. Suddenly, a gust swept past Spring Radiance Lian, shredding his robes. So fast! In his eyes, only a blur moved within the wind—Heavenly Authority Lord seemed motionless, save for the faint quiver of his blade.

“To be a mountain lord, you do have some skill. Boy, take this!” Spring Radiance Lian’s voice boomed like thunder as he spun the iron staff into an impenetrable defense. A dragon-shaped aura flew from the staff, lunging at Heavenly Authority Lord.

Heavenly Authority Lord tried to rely on his speed again, but found his feet pinned by two dragon claws, forced to withstand the blow.

Dragon’s Tail! The dragon twisted and lashed its tail at Heavenly Authority Lord.

A formation of blades erupted from the earth, blocking the dragon’s tail. No matter how it writhed, it could not break free.

The dragon was formed of true energy—how could it be trapped? Its form dissipated, re-forming above. Spring Radiance Lian wielded his iron staff, seeking to break through the blade formation.

Sweating profusely, Heavenly Authority Lord unleashed the blade seed he’d cultivated for years, forming an array that held the situation in check.

The ironclad defense forged by decades of training could not be swiftly broken, even by Spring Radiance Lian. As long as the dragon could not breach the formation, Heavenly Authority Lord remained safe.

The duel left the surrounding disciples awestruck, their cheers and flag-waving unceasing. Yet the other mountain lords frowned; it was only a matter of time before Heavenly Authority Lord fell—he could not threaten the dragon at all.

After half a stick of incense, Heavenly Authority Lord suddenly leapt back, blade formation smashed by the iron staff, shards slicing his sleeves. The dragon, roaring, opened its jaws to devour him.

At the critical moment, a spear flashed between them, bouncing the dragon aside. Spring Radiance Lian nearly lost his footing, the force driving his feet inches into the ground.

“A new challenger? Very well, let’s see the next!” Spring Radiance Lian’s eyes blazed; the dragon’s scales shone, strands of blue energy entwining the newcomer. This was Heavenly Jade Lord, the youngest of the seven mountain lords but possessed of the deepest cultivation.

Jade Balance Lord clenched his teeth; he had wanted to intervene earlier but, knowing he was no match, had hesitated. In that instant of uncertainty, he was too late—but luckily, someone else acted first, averting disaster.

A silver spear faced the azure glow, undaunted. Heavenly Jade Lord, elegant and valiant, wielded a textbook-perfect spear style, rigorously guarding himself.

Was this a defensive spear technique? No matter how Spring Radiance Lian attacked, his opponent retreated, never leaving the spear’s range.

Heavenly Jade Lord’s intent was simple: to stall for time. The four old masters, for all their skill, could not match the younger man’s stamina. Moreover, as men of honor, they would not resort to treachery.

Unable to break through, the dragon’s assaults slowed. Spring Radiance Lian’s staff grew sluggish, his techniques failing to breach the defense. Heavenly Jade Lord simply kept circling, never attacking, until a full round of the field had been completed.

“I’ve long heard of the Seven Star Lords of Heavenly King Dao. Meeting you today, you are indeed impressive. This spearwork is fine, but lacks in offense,” Spring Radiance Lian remarked, clicking his tongue.

“Spare me your flattery, elder. How is it that famed heroes become so fond of banter in their old age?”

Heavenly Jade Lord moved with measured steps, parrying and retreating, the dragon’s methods now completely familiar. The dragon’s shadow was tied to the staff technique; with each set, Heavenly Jade Lord committed the moves to memory.

“Then try this—let’s see how your turtle shell holds up!” Spring Radiance Lian grinned mischievously and launched another Dragon Surges to Sea, thrusting his staff.

Heavenly Jade Lord met it with his spear, but at the moment of impact, the iron spear suddenly split, releasing a dazzling golden light.

“Rain of Pear Blossom!” Dao Xuzi gasped, and from the ranks someone shouted as a shining silver disk arced through the sky, enveloping the two combatants.