Chapter 198: The Cold Northern Path's Rising Talents
Chapter 198: The Cold Northern Path's Rising Talents
Yuzhou.
Seven Mysteries Sect.
In the courtyard behind the main hall.
Elder Qi Zhiyuan, the acting leader, sat beneath an ancient pine tree, a book in his hand.
Beside Qi Zhiyuan stood a middle-aged man in the Seven Mystic Defender's robe, attentively reporting various intelligence from the outer states.
"Furthermore, the remnants of the Vast Tranquility Sect and the Azure Lotus Sect's main force have been thoroughly defeated by the Northern Defense Army, and the Azure Lotus Sect has retreated from the Cold Province. As of now, the Northern Defense Governorate has annexed the Cold, Northern, and Shadow Provinces, governing the three states."
Listening to the Defender's narrative, Qi Zhiyuan set down his book and slowly spoke, "The Shadow Province has fallen, and the Northern Defense Governorate will unlikely initiate another military campaign in the short term. However, after this battle, the Northern Defense Governorate has strengthened by a third."
Northern Defense Governorate.
Nominally governing the eleven states of the Cold Northern Path, it also bears the responsibility of restraining the 'Northern Defense King' stationed at the border of the Northern State. But as the Great Xuan Dynasty gradually declined, the Northern Defense Governorate had long since become a mere name without actual power.
Today's Northern Defense Governorate has been reduced to a banner manipulated by the Northern Defense King. Under its banner, they launched military campaigns against various state governments. Within ten years, they consecutively defeated the Vast Tranquility Sect, the Cold Northern Sect, and the Azure Lotus Sect, now completely dominating the three states of the Cold Northern Path, becoming the most powerful force in the region.
"Elder Qi, that ambitious man's gaze likely extends beyond these three states..."
The Defender beside him expressed deep concern.
Although Yuzhou is not directly connected to the Northern, Cold, and Shadow Provinces, these three states are now under the governance of the Northern Defense Governorate. In the future, if there comes a day when Yuzhou becomes a battleground, it may also fall into the flames of war.
In reality, when the Northern Defense Governorate attacked the Shadow Province, the Azure Lotus Sect had sought aid from the Seven Mysteries Sect. However, the Seven Mysteries Sect considered the Shadow Province too distant, and even if the Northern Defense Governorate's conquest of the Shadow Province and acquisition of Yuzhou did not pose an immediate threat to Yuzhou. Despite the Northern Defense Governorate's ambitious and aggressive stance, the Seven Mysteries Sect should not have ventured thousands of miles to provide aid, especially without any apparent benefits.
Moreover, the Vast Tranquility Sect and the Azure Lotus Sect, as major sects, are not easily vanquished. Even the Vast Tranquility Sect, which was initially overwhelmed in the Northern Province, still maintains its organizational structure. It merely lost control of the Northern Province and had to relocate as a whole. Subsequently, they joined forces with the Azure Lotus Sect to resist the Northern Defense Governorate's military might.
Additionally, the neighboring states of Ku Province and Song Province, home to the 'Temple of Non-Birth' and the 'Horizon Sea Pavilion' respectively, have ambiguous attitudes. This is also one of the reasons why the Seven Mysteries Sect ultimately chose to remain neutral in the battle for the Shadow Province.
If the Horizon Sea Pavilion or the Temple of Non-Birth had secretly allied with the Northern Defense Governorate, then traveling thousands of miles to support the Azure Lotus Sect would be akin to walking into a trap. Although it's unlikely for the monks of the Temple of Non-Birth to do so, the Horizon Sea Pavilion is another matter.
Furthermore, the Seven Mysteries Sect is not a unified whole, as many of the elderly Peak Masters and Elders have no interest in the chaos of the Cold Northern Path's states and no desire to engage in conflict. Even the Sect Leader has been absent for years, neglecting sect affairs, leaving everything to Qi Zhiyuan, the acting leader. This is also why the Seven Mysteries Sect has remained secluded in its state for many years.
"The ambitions of the Northern Defense King are known to all, but what can be done about it?"
Qi Zhiyuan spoke with a hint of melancholy, "Unifying the Cold Northern Path is not something that can be achieved in a short time, nor is it a matter of brute force. During the Great Xuan Dynasty's heyday, there were still numerous sects across the realm. What is the Northern Defense Governorate compared to them? Moreover, even if we are forced to choose sides, can you clearly determine which side is the most correct?"
"This..."
The Defender's face showed hesitation.
Indeed, the realm is in chaos, with only the eleven states of the Central Path, where the capital is located, relatively stable. The rest of the realm is in disarray, some places even more chaotic than the Cold Northern Path.
The eleven states of the Cold Northern Path, including the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, each with their unique ideas. Some are aggressive, while others are conservative, all being major sects with significant influence over the eleven states. It's a tangled mess.
The Northern Defense Governorate's ambitions are clear, and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion is equally mysterious. The Heavenly Sword Sect focuses solely on martial arts, while the Joyful Union Sect and the Blood Concealment Tower are even harder to fathom. Currently, the Seven Mysteries Sect and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion seem to have opposing stances, and they indeed have no time for other concerns.
"When the enemy comes, we must adapt. Don't overthink it. In the current situation, the most we can expect is a return to the past, where all sects must obey the royal court's orders. What's the worst that could happen?"
Qi Zhiyuan shook his head as he spoke.
Sects like the Seven Mysteries Sect, standing at the pinnacle of a state, often have deep roots and top-tier martial arts experts. As long as their lineage remains unbroken, they are typically difficult to collapse in just one or two battles.
The Northern Defense Governorate has conquered the three states, but why didn't they eliminate the Vast Tranquility Sect and the Azure Lotus Sect completely? The Vast Tranquility Sect also has Blood Transformation Realm experts!
Killing ordinary disciples is easy, but slaying supreme masters is difficult. If one is thoroughly provoked, they may unleash their power without restraint, making it challenging even for the Northern Defense Governorate to handle. Instead, preserving the overall structure of sects like the Vast Tranquility Sect and the Azure Lotus Sect allows these supreme masters to reach an understanding, preventing them from acting recklessly.
Of course, if a sect doesn't possess a Blood Transformation Realm master at the pinnacle, there's always a chance of annihilation. But that's just a possibility... The Blood Concealment Tower has existed for hundreds of years, and has always been considered an illegal and forbidden demonic sect by the Great Xuan Dynasty, yet after centuries of suppression, it still hasn't been completely eradicated. Now, with the arrival of chaos, it has resurfaced.
Not only has the remnant of the Heavenly Corpse Sect, once an enemy of all under heaven, been discovered in Yu Prefecture, but according to recent intelligence, traces of the sect have been spotted in several counties.
The Ultimate Profound Peak's Zhou Hao, the Upper Mystic Peak's Ling Zecheng, and Lu Gong from the Sky Mystic Peak—these three names from the Seven Mysteries Sect are listed in the 'Cold Northern Path New Talent Register'. With such figures at the pinnacle of martial arts, the Seven Mysteries Sect has the confidence to stand firm in Yuzhou, and no one dares to challenge them to the death.
"Speaking of the Cold Northern Path situation, have you seen the 'Cold Northern Path New Talent Register' published by the Horizon Sea Pavilion?" Qi Zhiyuan asked, patting the book in his hand and smiling at the sect guardian.
The guardian, Qiao Yue, was slightly startled and hesitated, "I've seen it. It includes fifty people, but it seems like only three from our Seven Mysteries Sect made it onto the list: Zhou Hao from the Ultimate Profound Peak, Ling Zecheng from the Upper Mystic Peak, and Lu Gong from the Sky Mystic Peak."
"Hahaha!" Qi Zhiyuan laughed.
"The one from Yu Prefecture, although not a true disciple of our Seven Mysteries Sect, is still considered a part of our sect, right?" Qi Zhiyuan asked with a smile.
Qiao Yue suddenly realized, "Oh, I forgot about that."
Qiao Yue had also heard of Chen Mu, who was said to have defeated Gu Hong from the Sky Sword Sect and Hua Nongying from the Joyful Union Sect. It was rumored that two true disciples of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion might have fallen to Chen Mu. When he heard this news, he was shocked. He never expected that such a figure would appear in the remote Yu Prefecture.
Qi Zhiyuan smiled but remained silent.
For a peerless genius like Chen Mu, who could rival Zhou Hao from the Ultimate Profound Peak, the more of them the Seven Mysteries Sect had, the better. Qi Zhiyuan had already sent people to invite Chen Mu to join their sect. After Chen Mu's arrival, it wouldn't be long before he could match Zhou Hao in battle.
Before Chen Mu's arrival, Zhou Hao had been like a crane among chickens in the Seven Mysteries Sect, with no rivals in sight. This had led to some complacency in his cultivation. But after being surpassed by Zuo Qianqiu, he became more diligent. When Chen Mu joins the Seven Mysteries Sect, it will flourish with a new vitality.
...
Yu City.
The towering city walls, under the scorching sun, showed signs of erosion and scouring by water at their base. Piles of silt and sand accumulated at the bottom of the walls in various places.
Several figures could be seen slowly cleaning the sand along the walls. Their clothes were tattered, and they seemed to be forced laborers from the city. Among them were some elderly people, staggering under the weight of the sand they carried.
"Hurry up, you old fool! Move faster or you won't live to see another day!" A guard, dressed in coarse clothing and holding a whip, shouted from a distance.
Suddenly, the guard felt a heaviness on his shoulder as if someone had patted him from behind.
The guard turned around, cursing, "Who the... uh..."
Seeing the figure standing behind him, the guard almost wet himself in fear. He immediately knelt on the ground, saying, "My lord, I pay my respects to the Lord Director."
As a guard, recognizing the rank and title of an official's attire was a basic skill. Although he had never met Chen Mu before, he could instantly identify the purple robe of a governor from a high-ranking official's attire. To him, Chen Mu was an extremely important figure, even higher than his superior's superior. He would have immediately kowtowed, even more so since he actually knew Chen Mu.
He was a guard in Wutongli, and he had once served under Chen Mu. When Chen Mu left his post, he thought Chen Mu had offended the He family and would face a bleak future. But in the blink of an eye, not only did Chen Mu rise to become one of the top figures in Yu City, but he even single-handedly destroyed the entire He family! Every time he recalled serving under Chen Mu, it felt like an unbelievable dream.
"How were these laborers conscripted?" Chen Mu asked, glancing at the guard.
The guard hurriedly replied, "They are those who couldn't pay the head tax and were punished with labor..."
Chen Mu sighed inwardly. Then, with a calm tone, he said, "This silt and sand will eventually be cleaned up. Go and deliver my orders: don't treat them too harshly, and ensure their daily meals and silver money. Anyone who dares to withhold these will spend their time in jail."
"Yes... yes..."
The servant quickly responded, his voice trembling.
After the commotion died down, he slowly lifted his head, only to find that Chen Mu's figure had already disappeared. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and glanced at the laborers working in the distance, feeling a mix of emotions. Chen Mu had risen to such a high position, yet he remained as humble as he was back in Wutong Li.
The servant brushed off the dirt and sand from his uniform and hurried off to report the news.
...
Inner City.
Yu Family Residence.
In Chen Mu's courtyard, everything was as tidy as when he left.
In the eastern side room, Chen Yue and Yu Ru were huddled together, flipping through a book. Chen Yue struggled with some of the characters, so Yu Ru helped her read aloud.
Suddenly, Chen Yue whispered something in Yu Ru's ear, causing both girls to burst into giggles. Their joyful laughter filled the courtyard.
Just as their laughter subsided, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"What book are you reading that's so interesting?"
As the voice trailed off, Chen Yue and Yu Ru froze, then simultaneously turned towards the doorway, their faces filled with surprise. They stood up together.
"Big Brother!"
"Brother Mu!"
"When did you get back?!"
Chen Mu's face lit up with a warm smile. "I just returned. What are you two doing in my courtyard? I thought you, Yue'er, didn't like reading. How come you're reading with Little Ru?"
Chen Yue giggled and waved the book at Chen Mu, "Because you're in this book!"
"Oh?"
Intrigued, Chen Mu walked over and said, "When did I get into a book? Let me see... Hmm, the 'Cold Northern Path Newcomer Register'—where did this come from?"
Chen Yue explained, "It seems it just started selling yesterday. I heard that you're in this book, so Little Ru and I went to buy a copy. We even planned to tell you about it when you returned."
"Hmm."
Chen Mu nodded slightly and flipped through the book.
On the first page, he saw a name at the top.
'Zuo Qianqiu'!
The true disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the top-ranked among the disciples.
With a jade bone foundation, he is the only one in a century to follow the Heavenly Sword lineage. He has cultivated the second step of the Heavenly Sword Intent and possesses the Heavenly Sword's killing path. His skill is 'Heaven-Cleaving Seven Swords', and he is the only one among the current disciples who can match three of his swords. He once defeated Zhou Hao, the true disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect, with his fourth sword, and repelled Hua Nongyue of the Joyful Union Sect with his sixth sword...
Understanding Assessment: Top-tier.
Talent Assessment: Top-tier.
Strength Assessment: Top-tier, the strongest among the eleven states of the Cold Northern Path.
"Zuo Qianqiu..."
Chen Mu pondered as he read the page.
He recalled that there was a 'Gale Wind Rankings' in the Cold Northern Path, which recorded the most outstanding individuals below the Grandmasters of Bone Marrow Washing. Yan Jingqing, the Inspector of Jingyu County, was also on this list. It seemed that the Gale Wind Rankings originated from the Horizon Sea Pavilion.
This 'Cold Northern Path Newcomer Register' was also a creation of the Horizon Sea Pavilion, but it lacked personal portraits, missing a certain flair.
Flipping further, he reached the second page.
'Yuan Yingsong'!
The 13th son of the Northern Defense King, Yuan Hong, and the Eastern Gate Left Governor. He has mastered the Earthly Trigram Concept and the Fire Trigram Concept, both at the second step. He practices the 'Eight Directions Spear Technique' and has slain hundreds of foreign tribes beyond the pass, crushing their proud warriors. He once defeated four true disciples of the Vast Tranquility Sect single-handedly...
Understanding Assessment: Top-tier.
Talent Assessment: Top-tier.
Strength Assessment: Top-tier, almost on par with Zuo Qianqiu.
"Yuan Yingsong... I haven't heard of this person before. Yuzhou is indeed too far from the Northern Region, or rather, Yu Prefecture is too remote, and many news doesn't reach here. If we were in the state capital, we would surely have heard of him."
Chen Mu's thoughts trailed off as he continued reading.
As he flipped through, he came across more familiar names, such as the Joyful Union Sect's 'Twin Harmonious Joys', Hua Nongyue and Yu Ru; the Blood Hidden Tower's Si Kouzhi; and Zhou Hao of the Seven Mysteries Sect.
Finally, on the 22nd page, he found his own name.
'Chen Mu'!
From a humble background, he rose to prominence at a young age. With exceptional understanding, he cultivated the second step of the Gale Wind, Thunderclap, and Blaze Fire Concepts in just a few years. Additionally, he has a preliminary grasp of the Mountain Root Concept, and once defeated Gu Hong, the true disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect...
Understanding Assessment: Top-tier.
Talent Assessment: Top-tier.
Strength Assessment: Top-tier.
Additional Notes: Exceptional understanding and talent, a shame his humble origins prevented early discovery. Starting martial arts training later in life, his strength is not yet at its full potential, possibly rivaling the top ten on the Newcomer Register.
(End of Chapter)
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