Si Wuya frowned; he had expected as much. He sat, motionless, on the chair as he stroked the patterns on the Peacock Plume, which he held in his left hand, with his thumb.
Yu Zhenghai glanced at Si Wuya and said, “You’ve already guessed it?”
“Yes.” Si Wuya’s reply was curt. He knew that this day would come from the day he began to keep the diary. This was why he had kept it hidden. He did not know if the others had managed to guess it, but there was no denying it was the truth.
Yu Zhenghai had been sold off to Lou Lan when he was a child. He went through countless hardships and bled to death at the hands of some aristocrats. His first death took 300 years from his life. His second death came after his battle with their master. Similarly, it took 300 years from his life. He cultivated in the Evil Sky Pavilion for 300 years. Based on his current age, even if he was a peak Eight-leaf elite, there was nothing he could do to defy the 1,000-year limit of one’s lifespan. It was just as he had said, he did not have much time left.
Yu Zhenghai shrugged slightly before he said, “It’s not a big deal… I’m satisfied with the way my life turned out.”
“Eldest Senior Brother, I’ve always been curious… You don’t have much time left, but why are you so intent on taking down the Divine Capital?” Si Wuya looked up and said, “Don’t give me those old heroic and valiant excuses. I wouldn’t have asked you this in the past. However, are you still going to keep it from me even at this juncture?” Si Wuya could not rationalize Yu Zhenghai’s action. Since Yu Zhenghai did not have long to live, was there any meaning in conquering the Divine Capital? Was it so he could hand it over to someone on a silver platter?
Yu Zhenghai took a seat before he said in a grave tone, “Indeed, I have other reasons, but I’ve never lied to you. Seventh Junior Brother, let’s not dwell on this anymore. I know what I’m doing.”
Si Wuya noticed Yu Zhenghai’s change in the way he addressed him. This indicated that Yu Zhenghai’s emotions were stirred. He chuckled lightly before he asked with a sigh, “Eldest Senior Brother, do you know why I’m helping you?”
“As a fellow disciple?”
“That’s partially true…” Si Wuya slowly said, “When I left the Evil Sky Pavilion, I was young and full of mettle. I wanted to accomplish many great feats to prove that I wasn’t weak. Hence, I entered the Divine Capital and became the Grand Tutor. Then… I realized those things couldn’t satisfy me. I started studying the Ten Terminal Formations, the source of the Imperial family’s confidence, the shackles of heaven and earth… Humans are insignificant. A person’s knowledge is like a circle. The larger the circle gets, the more it comes into contact with. The more knowledgeable one is, the more the fear of the unknown would only grow… I once thought that there was nothing in the world that I couldn’t solve. I know all about Great Yan’s nine provinces and how their cities work. I know about the rising and setting of the sun, the patterns of the transition between the warmer and colder periods… Yet, I don’t know what the shackle of heaven and earth is.”
Yu Zhenghai was slightly taken aback by Si Wuya’s outburst of emotions. “It’s good that you have something to strive for…”
“Eldest Senior Brother… We both have things that we’d work hard for… Is the Divine Capital all you want?” Si Wuya directed the conversation back to the previous topic.
Yu Zhenghai frowned. “You’ll find out soon enough. In any case, nobody can stop me from conquering the Divine Capital. When I die… return to the Evil Sky Pavilion and receive master’s punishment on my behalf,” Yu Zhenghai said.
“…” When Si Wuya saw Yu Zhenghai’s determination, he no longer pushed Yu Zhenghai.
At this moment, Hua Chongyang appeared outside the hall. “Sect master, an urgent report from Liang Province.”
“Come in.”
Hua Chongyang hurried into the hall.
Before Hua Chongyang could greet Yu Zhenghai and Si Wuya, Si Wuya noticed that his expression was off. He asked, “What is it?”
“Liang Province is in trouble,” Hua Chongyang took a deep breath before he said “Wei Zhuoyan has colluded with the Other Tribesmen from Rouli and has attacked Liang Province City by surprise. Yang Yan, Di Qing, and Bai Yuqing defended the city with all their might. Currently, all of them are grievously injured!”
The discussion hall fell silent.
Nonetheless, Si Wuya and Hua Chongyang could palpably feel Yu Zhenghai’s anger.
Yu Zhenghai’s expression changed slightly. He did not lose his temper despite his anger. “How serious are their injuries?”
“Bai Yuqing fares the best. His cultivation base is the most profound among them. He’ll need to recuperate for six months. As for Yang Yan and Di Qing…” Hua Chongyang shook his head. “I’m afraid that they’ll have a hard time trying to stand on their own feet in the future. It’s unknown if they could recover their cultivation bases.”
Yu Zhenghai clenched his fists tightly until his joints complained. “Bring them back.”
“Our men are already on their way. Although the three of them defended Liang Province to the bitter end, a more powerful follow-up attack will certainly ensue. What do we do?” Hua Chongyang appeared worried. “I request to be stationed at Liang Province to defend the city.”
Yu Zhenghai did not agree to this immediately. Even three of his Great Protectors were heavily wounded. Sending Hua Chongyang there alone would be tantamount to sending him to his death.
However, if Liang Province was not defended, the Other Tribesmen would only seize the opportunity and invade it. When that time comes, he would be condemned in history.
“Wise brother… do you have any wonderful plans?” Yu Zhenghai looked at Si Wuya.
Si Wuya did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked at Hua Chongyang and asked, “What’s the situation at Ji Province?”
“It’s been conquered… Only the Divine Capital is left.”
The battle of the Divine Capital was close at hand. The Nether Sect’s troops were preparing to storm the Divine Capital.
The invasion of the Other Tribesmen at this moment was no coincidence as well.
This could also be considered as a test for the Nether Sect.
“Contact the Penglai Sect, the Fiend Temple, the Blossom Faction, and the Ten Thousand Poison Sect… Request for their assistance. Mobilize half of our troops from Jing Province, Yu Province, and Yan Province to defend Liang Province and Yi Province,” Si Wuya ordered decisively. He turned to look at Yu Zhenghai. “I’ll mobilize some brethren from the Darknet as well…”
Hua Chongyang wondered out loud, “There’s no issue with mobilizing the Nether Sect members, and Penglai Sect’s brother Huang should have no qualms in helping us as well. However, will the Fiend Temple, the Blossom Faction, and the Ten Thousand Poison Sect help us?”
“Don’t worry… These organizations have been torn between the Imperial family and the Nether Sect all this while. They have always vacillated between the two. Now that Eldest Senior Brother is extending a hand to them, they definitely won’t let this chance slip past them.”
Those who were destined to do great things would certainly be capable of enduring what others could not.
“What if they decide to defect at the last moment?”
“Against the Other Tribes, I’m sure that even the Fiend Path is righteous!”
“Alright! Let’s do it, then!” Yu Zhenghai agreed right away.
…
Three days later.
A flying chariot traveled from Liang Province to Yan Province City.
Three stretchers were carried into a courtyard.
Yu Zhenghai, Hua Chongyang, and Si Wuya received them personally.
The three of them were ghastly pale. There did not seem to be any blood in their faces. Bai Yuqing was conscious while Yang Yan and Di Qing were out cold.
Yu Zhenghai frowned. As the master of the sect, when he saw his good comrades who had fought alongside him for many years in such a state, he could not help but feel flustered and helpless.
“S-Sect Master… W-we’re useless!” Bai Yuqing struggled and failed to get up. He was too heavily wounded. He only managed to raise his shoulder before he fell back down.
Yu Zhenghai stepped forward and lightly pressed Bai Yuqing’s shoulder. He dismissed the sense of helplessness he felt. He had to be as dependable as a rock. He waved his hand and said, “You’ve done a great job, all of you.”
Such was war. There was never a battle in which no blood was shed or nobody was hurt.
“Sect master… The Roulian General, Ka… Karol has re-cultivated… to the Seven-leaf stage! With the combined attacks of witchcraft… We were no match for him! Sect master, be careful of that man!” Bai Yuqing said haltingly.
