Chapter 696 505 Overcoming the Pass

Li Xijun listened for a while and heard Kongheng say,

"Many years ago, a follower of the Mingyang Taoist Lineage joined our Buddhist Path and achieved the title of 'Brilliant All-Revealing King.' His mount was a one-horned kirin called 'Brilliant,' and he attained Divine Skills that could intoxicate his heart, bring him many sons and good fortune, and spread the fragrant influence of Buddhism... among other powers."

"At that time, when Wei Country perished, the Brilliant All-Revealing King supported King Liang. King Liang fell into the river, and the Brilliant All-Revealing King was killed. Since then, this path has declined and vanished without a trace."

Li Xijun lowered his head and Kongheng continued,

"I too know little, yet there is one thing I must remind you of."

"I would appreciate your guidance,"

Li Xijun hastily bowed, and Kongheng replied,

"When the Brilliant All-Revealing King was a secular disciple, he took a wife... In fact, he took four wives in succession, all of whom died abruptly. He could only find delight with his concubines until he met Jueyin and married, avoiding the same tragic fate."

"So it's like that..."

Li Xijun's brow furrowed slightly as he pondered. In fact, Li Zhouwei was nearly of age to be betrothed, but there was still no clear plan for his arrangements.

"If what Kongheng says is true, marrying off a legitimate daughter would be bringing calamity upon her..."

This was indeed a troublesome matter. Now was not the time to worry about it, so the issue had to be put aside for later. Li Xijun asked,

"In that case, how much danger does the Shanyue witchcraft pose to the Princely Heir?"

Kongheng smiled faintly and answered,

"With only these Shanyue near Wangyue Lake? They can't harm the Princely Heir. Even if the Northern Buddhism Mages made their move, I suspect they'd come up short."

"Good."

If witchcraft could injure Li Zhouwei, even if this expedition would greatly benefit his future, Li Xijun would never consent to let him go.

Now reassured, Li Xijun stepped down and saw a gust of gray wind emerge from a corner. It formed into a human shape at the steps and said gravely,

"Wushao pays his respects to the Young Master."

The person was Li Wushao, the faithful Hooked Serpent who attended him. Li Xijun nodded slightly in acknowledgment and said softly,

"Then let Minghuang make the first move. The master will watch over you, and I will hide in the sky, waiting for the Shanyue Foundation Establishment Cultivator to appear."

Li Ximing, who had been quietly by his side in the hall and had been silent all along, now responded in a low voice. He had been staring blankly at Li Zhouwei but finally realized the situation and silently followed Li Xijun out.

"I pay my respects to the Brilliant King."

With palms together, Kongheng took measured steps behind Li Zhouwei. The young man spoke to send the two off, propped his chin on his hand thoughtfully, his eyes already back to their dark brown hue, quietly watching ahead.

After pondering for a moment, Li Zhouwei called for someone and said,

"Send the orders to the generals."

The servant hastily departed, and the hall once again returned to its quiet emptiness. The lamplight flickered slightly as Li Zhouwei picked up the map on the desk and scrutinized it closely, up until Chen Yan and Dili Youjie and others arrived.

The Northern Shanyue didn't have many Cultivators, mainly because their Cultivation Techniques were truly poor, with not one in ten able to reach Qi Cultivation. And even those who did were merely cultivating impure Qi, who, upon a breakthrough, would be sent to serve at Witch Mountain as Servants.

After all, even though Jiao Zhongzi doesn't favor blood qi, he's still Shanyue. He wouldn't refuse free slaves, so even the leader of Northern Shanyue was only at the level of Fetal Breathing and didn't pose much threat.

'But caution is still necessary.'

As the men arrived, Li Zhouwei, facing away from everyone, looked at the map. Just a hundred miles north lay the Northern Shanyue stronghold of the Chan Pass, nestled between two mountains and equipped with Formations, undoubtedly a formidable barrier for any mortal. But with several Cultivators present, the Chan Pass actually seemed somewhat weak.

Chen Yan and the others had never taken the Northern Shanyue seriously, and not without reason: with the Li Family's power, even if Li Wushao were to show his true form and crouch in front of the pass, he could immediately scare the Guardian General into abandoning the stronghold. Why worry then?

Now having heard the seniors' opinions, Li Zhouwei quickly formulated a plan, softly gazing at the words "Chan Pass" on the map:

'Jiao Zhongzi, hiding in Witch Mountain, clearly understands our family's formidable strength. If we were to attack with the soldiers from Qingdu, it would undoubtedly be victorious. But what if Jiao Zhongzi risks everything because he has no fear of us? He could abandon the Northern Shanyue and flee, causing endless trouble!'

Li Zhouwei wasn't one to simply comply and be gentle. Li Xijun had left the matters below to him, surely not for him to act only upon direct orders. He immediately thought of ways to coordinate, asking,

"Dili Youjie, if we were to deploy troops tonight, how many could we muster?"

Gritting his teeth, Dili Youjie answered,

"Having just slaughtered various families, our awe is still felt. We can mobilize two thousand clan soldiers, three thousand Servants, and two thousand slaves... but they are yet to be organized, and their morale is low, they may not withstand a major battle."

'Li Zhouwei is planning to attack the Northern Shanyue tonight?'

Chen Yan was stunned and reminded him,

"Princely Heir! The city has just been pacified. If you transfer three thousand clan soldiers, there may be unforeseen consequences!"

While Chen Yan was still pondering, he saw Li Zhouwei whisper,

"We've just slaughtered the Great Jue Court, and the news hasn't leaked yet... muster three hundred clan soldiers, take the Dili Family's forces, and set out immediately! We only need the elite troops; the Servants and slaves are not needed to cause trouble."

'How many? Three hundred clan soldiers?'

With his thoughts clouded by doubts, Li Zhouwei had already put on his Armor and taken up his Long Halberd, softly saying,

"Raise the Dili Family's banners..."

Chen Yan hurriedly took Dili Youjie with him to withdraw, and Li Zhouwei, now armored, strode down with confidence, with Kongheng silently accompanying him, his presence as obscure as a common novice monk.

Leaving the hall, as the night grew deeper, Kongheng's feet stirred up a swirl of gray wind. Li Wushao materialized like a specter behind him, hissing like a snake: