Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 448 - 398: Sacrificial Ritual, Assassination

Chapter 448: Chapter 398: Sacrificial Ritual, Assassination

"Senior Brother Zhang Zhongshu, born into the Zhang Family of Hengtang, has an aloof and arrogant disposition. I’m afraid he won’t feel any kinship with fellow sect members. Master Ming, it would be wise to plan ahead for this..."

Xiao Chengfeng said this and glanced at Zhan Shanhe and Wu Junsong.

In matters of interpersonal relationships, this peripheral member of the Royal Family truly had a talent. Soon after Zhou Ping’an arrived in Pinghu City, Xiao had already figured out his past and even clarified the fact that he once sought apprenticeship in the Cloud Water Sect.

Of course, he also knew that Zhou Ping’an, Zhan Shanhe, Wu Junsong, and even Zhang Zhongshu were all from the same sect.

Zhan Shanhe nodded.

Though reluctant to admit it, she felt Xiao Chengfeng’s judgment was fundamentally without fault.

As for Governor of Huangze County, Zhang Zhongshu’s character, the two of them were most qualified to comment, having seen him in the mountains.

"That’s right, Senior Brother Zhang is indeed very proud. In the sect, he naturally had no regard for us Inner Sect Disciples. What’s more, in these tumultuous times with war looming on every front, everyone has their own plans. Senior Brother Zhang probably won’t care about the camaraderie among fellow sect members and will most likely issue a summons, ordering us to surrender the city and submit to him."

Zhan Shanhe thought for a moment and still gave her candid opinion.

Originally, when they were dispatched to Qingyang City, those Inner Sect Disciples on the mountain had been as averse as if avoiding snakes or scorpions. Essentially, no one wanted to come to assist Zhou Ping’an.

The reason was quite simple.

Because the Three Counties of Liyou bordered Huangze County. The True Disciples controlled Huangze County, and they were training their troops and preparing to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Without a doubt, these three counties were their target.

Once they took the Three Counties of Liyou, they could directly point their blades towards Guangyun, making it very convenient to deploy troops.

One should not think he wouldn’t wage war for no reason.

Under the current circumstances, with the Imperial Court aggressively suppressing rebellions, the powers of the Province and Prefecture were covertly snatching up land and population from each other.

And with bandit armies rising everywhere.

In any case, it was a complete mess...

If not for this, those major sects would not send out their members to walk the world and support various forces.

Because they, too, saw an opportunity.

"Perhaps, at this very moment, Senior Brother Zhang has already dispatched his generals, leading troops to keep watch. To be cautious, Master Ming should quickly send out forces to defend Yunjin Ferry Crossing to prevent a sneak attack by the thieves."

Xiao Chengfeng clenched his teeth in secrecy as he spoke about this.

Initially, he had hoped to lead the people of the city across the Li River and into Yunjin Ferry, fleeing from the pursuit of the Red Lotus Bandits.

However, they were blocked at the ferry crossing by the fierce commander Su Ming, who ordered a barrage of arrows that fell like rain, preventing them and their army of civilians from crossing, turning the river red with blood and clogged with bodies.

The pursuing Red Lotus Bandits soon caught up and slaughtered with abandon.

Thus, Xiao Chengfeng found himself attacked from both sides and had to abandon the city’s civilians, taking his family and some elite soldiers; they cried all the way to Pinghu City, where they were finally taken in by the previous County Magistrate Wang Jin.

From the battle at the ferry crossing, it was clear.

Su Ming was as unfeeling as iron, with little humanity to speak of.

If he had deployed troops to block the Red Lotus Bandits, he certainly could have done so. But the consequence would have been an increase in refugees in Huangze County and the possibility of some Red Lotus Bandits breaching the ferry...

Now, discussing who is right or wrong is meaningless.

After all, mercy does not lead an army.

Perhaps Su Ming has his own philosophy when it comes to commanding troops.

But for the victim Xiao Chengfeng, it is a grudge felt in the teeth.

"We must guard against this. Changlie, take three thousand soldiers and rush to Ping Mountain Ridge, set up camp there, and depart at Chen Hour three days later."

"Yes..." Yu Changlie replied, his eyes sparkling with sharpness as he bowed.

If he were sent elsewhere to lead troops into battle, perhaps he wouldn’t be this keen.

But to defend Ping Mountain Ridge and protect against the Huangze Sub-rudder Red Lotus Bandits or confront Su Ming’s troops from Yunjin Ferry, he couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.

Not long ago, he was driven to Pinghu like a chased rabbit, helplessly watching while his kinsmen fell one after another in pools of blood. That feeling was deeply etched in his heart.

Zhou Ping’an nodded and turned to look at Xiao Chengfeng: "If we miss this time, it will affect the harvest. Next, mobilize the people to clear the land and sow seeds; I have some grain here, which should be distributed. Chengfeng, you should focus solely on this matter from now on, and must not neglect it..."

"Elder Sister, later you will lead our forces to distribute money and grain, recruit soldiers, and remember to carefully explain all of our generous conditions to all the civilians."

"Alright!"

When Zhan Shanhe first arrived in Qingyang City, she did so under orders she couldn’t refuse.

Deep down, she really didn’t see what kind of prospects she’d have following the newly joined junior brother Zhou Ping’an.

She just thought that if her junior brother failed and couldn’t hold on, then she’d take her fellow disciples and retreat to the mountains to cultivate in peace, thus completing her mission.

As long as she could save her life, the future held hope.

However, it didn’t take long after arriving in Qingyang City.

She soon saw the benefits.

Directly in charge of ten thousand soldiers, all she needed to do was to supervise their daily training, with plenty of funds and grain, without even a battle to fight, let alone danger.

Such a commanding role suited her perfectly.

What was more astonishing, she discovered that her cultivation speed, previously as slow as a snail, suddenly increased tenfold. Not only did she step through the True Qi Great Heavenly Circuit, but in just over ten days, she also managed to develop her Inner Strength.

Now she was changing from the inside out, condensing her Gang Qi for external release.

If she were still on the mountain, even her master might try to secure a True Disciple position for her after seeing such a cultivation speed.

Zhan Shanhe was stunned.

’How can such a small territory, with a population that doesn’t seem too large, have such an effect?’

She couldn’t figure it out or understand it.

But she treasured this hard-earned prime cultivation environment all the more.

While she practiced diligently, she handled her duties with even greater care...

Her ten thousand spear soldiers had already been trained to resemble a proper army, lacking only a trial by blood.

"Let’s first equip them with weapons. These five thousand long spears, though not enough to fully arm your Shanhe Army, should suffice for now."

Zhou Ping’an opened the newly-built storehouse by the river, where piles of neatly arrayed long spears were already stored.

The hollow spear shafts with their threads and spear tips shimmered in the silver light, emanating a bone-chilling aura.

Zhan Shanhe stood agape as she followed Zhou Ping’an into the storehouse, randomly picking up an alloy long spear and weighed it, even more surprised.

"A spear of twelve feet in length, yet it’s so light!"

She could hardly believe it and drew the short knife from her waist, attempting a casual cut on the spear shaft.

"As for..."

A crack the thickness of a toothpick appeared on the shiny black spear shaft.

Such a crack would require seven or eight, perhaps ten consecutive strikes at the exact same spot to sever this spear shaft.

Zhan Shanhe’s eyes were full of disbelief.

Although she typically used a broadsword, the short sword she carried was not ordinary merchandise. It wasn’t just capable of trimming hairs, but was also made of refined steel, extremely sharp to its core.

Even when struck with the full force of a regular soldier, about three hundred jin in strength, this head-on blow barely damaged the spear shaft.

From this, it was evident that the spear was no mere facade; albeit light, it was incredibly sturdy.

Indeed, this new type of special alloy was designed in the modern era to be made into cold weapons, used for combating genetically-modified ferocious beasts under extreme conditions.

Too heavy and ordinary people simply couldn’t wield it.

Therefore, despite the fierce appearance of this alloy long spear, the shaft and blade together weighed only eighteen jin.

"Five thousand shafts?"

It was not clear with what emotions Zhan Shanhe summoned her subordinates to carry away and distribute the long spears.

Following Zhou Ping’an, she moved to the second warehouse.

"The issue of food is of the utmost importance. The distribution of the rice and flour here should be coordinated with County Magistrate Xiao. Treat these special times accordingly, and don’t worry about the commoners eating too much. Anyone who sincerely contributes should be allowed to eat their fill..."

"Remember to shout out our slogan for the Three Counties of Liyou: ’Let not one commoner starve.’ Ensure that every single person, from the elderly to the young, even those who are disabled and immobile, is well-fed. If anyone hoards goods, sets exorbitant prices, or extorts, execute them immediately without reporting to me..."

"Yes!"

Zhan Shanhe had become numb.

First, a vast array of refined weapons appeared.

Then came the food, piled up like a mountain.

She didn’t know where these things came from, nor did she want to ask. She only felt more hopeful for the future.

With fine equipment and ample provisions, if all are united as one, what does it matter if we lack the support of the scholars’ great clans?

Generally, the reason for courting the noble clans’ offspring and gentry scholars is to covet their family wealth, grain, and the talent to assist in governance.

Plainly speaking, it’s all about handling the exchange of various interests and also about demanding resources from the surrounding provinces and prefectures.

Without these noble sons, forget important resources – even securing a single grain of rice or a bolt of silk would be impossible; they wouldn’t pay any attention to mere peasants.

Lowly peasants lack the stature to engage in affairs; they’re hampered at every turn outside their home.

This is where the real power of the scholars’ great clans lies.

The classes are like a galaxy, cutting off the lower classes’ channels of advancement, an insurmountable barrier forever.

But if everything is self-sufficient, if there is no need to depend on others, if people are well-fed and warm, then the impact of the scholars’ great clans can be minimized.

"Let’s stop here for today. Tomorrow we will hold a ceremony, no, to worship Hou Tu."

In a nation’s major events, both sacrifices and military affairs are paramount!

3/3

With abundant money and grain, the soldiers had become increasingly disciplined and skilled.

Now, it was time to unify their thoughts.

First, we need to boost the confidence of the people, let them know whom they are fighting for and why.

Now, it’s time for the sacrifice.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, the official object of worship was Hou Tu.

Zhou Ping’an, naturally following local customs, did the same.

He had thought of many methods and realized that in this societal environment, the typical rhetorics like seeking the world’s savior were ineffective.

The commoners didn’t even understand them.

But mention a ceremony, and even the most illiterate and poorest commoners would light up with enthusiasm.

They were closely familiar with the vast kindness of Hou Tu.

Thus, Zhou Ping’an decided to call upon the military and civilians to hold a ceremony in Pinghu County.

He felt the peaceful times might not last long.

It was essential to gather the will of the people.

...

The following day.

In Pinghu County, by the Li River bank, a high mound of earth was piled up as an altar.

Zhou Ping’an was dressed in ceremonial attire.

He offered incense and prayers.

Below the altar, thirty thousand warriors stood in formation, chanting thunderously for victory.

Though they had not yet experienced a bloody battle, these soldiers could still stand in neat squares, their spirit and momentum palpable.

With weapons raised and shouts resounding, their presence was full of vigor.

Further away, countless commoners stretched out like ants for miles, moved by the sounds and the grand scene of the ceremony.

"...Jiuhua Jade Palace, the Seven Treasures Imperial Chamber, entrusted by the heavens, wielder of Yin and Yang, whose noble way embraces vast and grand benevolence, whose virtue is as nurturing as compliance, loyalty, and chastity. Advocate of the Mother Dao that fosters all things, Hou Tu, sovereign ruler of the earth, whom we pledge allegiance to and emulate, following the heavens’ example..."

Whether or not the crowd understood was not the concern.

Zhou Ping’an recited the solemn prayer with an imposing tone, inwardly feeling its pointlessness. Yet, at that moment, he truly sensed a tidal wave of Wish Power Threads converging into a roaring flood into his mind, amassing tens of thousands of Wish-Power Incense in just a short while.

"Feeding them well and keeping them worry-free is not as effective as a grand display..."

Zhou Ping’an was bemused.

Yet his face remained impassive, meticulously completing the ceremony, acutely aware of the world’s absurdities.

As the ceremony drew to a close and Zhou Ping’an was about to order the soldiers to disperse, he heard a thunderous roar.

"Zhou Ping’an, meet your death."

Above, the bright sun had shined, a gentle breeze by his side.

With the explosive roar, like a thunderclap, dark clouds suddenly gathered, and a violent wind swept up, kicking up dust and stones...

...