bookbashuk Chapter 56 Shattered Legend
Chapter 56 Shattered Legend
Chapter 56 Shattered Legend
Wangquan Manor, ten miles away.
Before the grand wedding procession had fully descended, a figure stood silently waiting on the ground. It was a middle-aged man with a thin frame, wearing a slightly oversized, simple Taoist robe. However, what was most striking was his full head of white hair, not the silver of a sage, but a grayish-white that conveyed a sense of withering and vicissitude, creating a contradictory impression with his not overly aged face.
He stood there, his breath so faint it was almost indistinguishable from that of an ordinary person, yet he seemed to have an inexplicable harmony with the surrounding mountains and earth, like an ancient tree deeply rooted in this place.
It was Wang Quanshouzhuo who, after stepping down as leader of the alliance, lived a secluded life.
He personally went out to greet him ten miles away.
"Seeing is believing." Wang Quan Shouzhuo looked at the figure in black robes who was gracefully descending from the head of the cloud dragon, cupped his hands in a bow, and said in a gentle voice with a calmness that came from years of experience, "Wang Quan Shouzhuo greets the Alliance Leader."
"Senior Wang Quan," Zhou Yi lightly touched the clouds with his toes, and the enormous cloud dragon behind him let out a low groan before slowly dissipating and transforming back into a sky full of flowing clouds. He descended and finally hovered a few feet in the air in front of Wang Quan Shouzhuo, maintaining both politeness and his own transcendence, "Finally—I've decided to come out and move around."
Wang Quan Shouzhu smiled slightly, a smile that carried a hint of relief and appreciation, as well as a trace of barely perceptible weariness: "I'm old, my energy and blood are waning, unlike you young people who are so energetic and spirited."
He stepped aside and gestured for them to enter: "The manor is fully prepared, and distinguished guests from all sides have already gathered. Today is a joyous occasion, so please, Alliance Leader, follow me inside to witness the ceremony and share in this auspicious occasion."
"Thank you for your trouble, senior." Zhou Yi nodded.
The two walked side by side, slowly descending towards the majestic and ancient main hall of the Wangquan Manor, which stood not far away. Behind them, the grand wedding procession also descended in an orderly fashion, and the sound of drums and music rose again, filling the entire manor with a festive atmosphere as the procession moved forward.
Inside Wangquan Manor, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and guests filled the hall. Almost all the heads of the prominent families of the Dao Alliance were present in person. Even those families far away in the Northern Territory who were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances sent their most respected junior disciples as representatives, bringing lavish gifts to offer their congratulations. It could be said that at this moment, gathered at Wangquan Manor were the most elite and core forces of the Dao Alliance's human race.
The wedding ceremony proceeded solemnly and orderly. The couple bowed to Heaven and Earth, and paid respects to their elders. Zhou Yi, as the bride's elder, received the newlyweds' worship along with Wang Quan Shouzhuo, and the couple bowed to each other—all the procedures were completed in a solemn yet joyous atmosphere. During the banquet, guests from all sides toasted each other, exchanged laughter and pleasantries, and on the surface, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely.
Naturally, no one dared to act tactlessly or cause trouble in this setting, in front of these two people in charge.
After the auspicious hour had passed and the most important ceremony of the wedding was completed, some of the less important guests began to leave one after another.
Deep within the mountain villa, the main hall, which is more solemn and dignified and is usually used to discuss important matters of the clan and even the Dao Alliance, is now brightly lit.
Inside the hall, the seating arrangements had already been rearranged.
Zhou Yi sat in the head seat at the very top, while Wang Quan Shouzhuo sat in the first guest seat to his left, both in a composed manner.
Below them were the heads of various powerful families, arranged in order of family strength, prestige, and status within the Dao Alliance. Seats were limited, so those of slightly lower rank or seniority could only stand behind their family heads or on either side of the hall. At a glance, this main hall truly seemed to house almost all of the Dao Alliance's top combat power and decision-making core.
The atmosphere was completely different from the relaxed and joyous atmosphere of the wedding banquet. The air was heavy, and you could hear a pin drop. Everyone's eyes, whether openly or secretly, were focused on the young figure in black robes sitting at the head of the table. Each person had their own thoughts, and most were filled with unease.
Zhou Yi did not rush to speak. Instead, he picked up the tea that the maid had just served him, took a small sip, as if savoring it or organizing his thoughts. Then, he gently placed the exquisite white porcelain teacup back on the table, making a crisp, soft sound.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet hall, causing many people's hearts to skip a beat.
"Gentlemen," Zhou Yi began, his voice steady, his gaze slowly sweeping over every familiar and unfamiliar face in the hall, "taking advantage of the rare opportunity with everyone gathered here today, I have important matters to announce."
coming!
A chill ran through the crowd as they exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of seriousness and barely concealed fear in the other's eyes. They were already aware of the new alliance leader's ruthless and decisive style, and some had even witnessed the devastating destruction of the Xiao family. What kind of upheaval would he stir up this time? Was it targeting some ignorant and arrogant family within their ranks, or—was he about to implement some shocking new policy?
Many family heads had their palms slightly sweaty.
Zhou Yi took in everyone's reactions but paid them no heed. He simply stated his decision clearly: "I intend to—send troops to conquer the Southern Kingdom."
".————."
A brief, eerie silence fell over the hall.
Immediately, almost simultaneously, many people secretly, yet clearly, breathed a sigh of relief. Their tense shoulders relaxed slightly, their clenched fists quietly loosened, and some even subconsciously raised their hands to wipe non-existent cold sweat from their foreheads with their sleeves.
To conquer the Southern Kingdom?
Oh, so that's what it is.
Okay, this is certainly a momentous event that will shake the world, involve a vast number of people, require the mobilization of enormous resources, and could potentially result in bloodshed. But—
Compared to the "purges" and "rectifications" that this alliance leader might conduct internally, often involving confiscation of property, extermination of entire families, and overturning of tables—
Compared to the "Drum of Grievance" and the "Walking Officials of the World" hanging overhead, never to fall—
Conquering foreign enemies, even powerful demon kingdoms, seems to have become a relatively "simple" or even "acceptable" thing?
At the very least, this is a "legitimate matter" that aligns with the traditions of the Dao Alliance, the greater good of the human race, and even the expansionist ambitions of many powerful families. Moreover, given the deep-seated hatred this alliance leader has forged with the Southern Kingdom, especially with the Demon Emperor Huan Du Qingtian, after the battle of Nantian City, it is entirely reasonable, even expected, that he would seek revenge and completely crush the Southern Kingdom.
Furthermore, the One Qi Alliance has a history of thousands of years and is not without precedent of organizing large-scale conquests of demon kingdoms.
The tense atmosphere eased slightly due to this "relatively normal" topic. Many homeowners began to seriously consider the proposal itself, rather than simply fearing the person issuing the order.
In the hall, Zhou Yi remained calm, awaiting the reactions of the crowd.
Wang Quan Shouzhou, being the most respected person present besides Zhou Yi, spoke first, his voice gentle: "Since the Alliance Leader has this intention, he must have already considered the overall situation. May I ask the scale of this military campaign? How much force from within the alliance will need to be mobilized? What are the strategic objectives?"
The question hit the nail on the head and represented the concerns of most people present.
"Rest assured, everyone," Zhou Yi said calmly, clearly having already planned ahead. "This campaign will be personally commanded by me. In terms of troop strength, the main force will be the powerful families of the Southern Border. The Northern Border defense line is of paramount importance and should not be moved lightly; it can be maintained as usual. The royal families and the core forces of the Central Plains also do not need to be mobilized on a large scale; they need to guard the central government to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the representatives of the northern families: "Our enemies are not only the Southern Kingdom. Although the Northern Mountains have not made any major moves for the time being, Shi Kuan's attitude is unclear; even though Fan Yunfei has been missing for a thousand years in the Western Regions, we must not be complacent. Therefore, if any aristocratic families in the Central Plains are willing to join the army and make contributions, they may send some of their elite troops as appropriate, but the total number must not exceed half of the Southern border's military strength, so as to avoid leaving the rear vulnerable."
Upon hearing this, the heads of the various families in the Northern Territory visibly relaxed. Their biggest worry was that this alliance leader, young and impetuous, might forcibly withdraw troops from the Northern Territory to settle personal scores or seek military merit, leaving the defenses vulnerable and giving the Northern Mountain demons an opportunity to exploit the situation. Now that it was clear the Northern Territory would remain untouched, a great weight was lifted from their hearts.
"The Alliance Leader is thoughtful and mature in governing the country," a clan leader from the Northern Territory sincerely praised.
"In terms of combat strength, the Southern Territory, along with some reinforcements from the Central Plains, should be sufficient to deal with the Southern Kingdom after the devastation caused by Nantian City," Zhou Yi continued. "What we lack most right now is not warriors, but—"
His gaze shifted to several representatives of renowned families known for their alchemy and medical skills.
"—The Alchemist and the Pharmacist."
"Within the Southern Kingdom, poisonous miasma roams freely, and treacherous Gu worms abound. Their sorcery is also largely related to poisons. As you all know, in past battles with the Southern Kingdom, most of the Dao Alliance cultivators who perished did not die in direct combat, but from various insidious and unpredictable poisonous Gu techniques. Those with slightly lower cultivation levels die instantly upon contact; even you, if unprepared, once afflicted, will likely face the dissipation of your magical power and the annihilation of your life force."
These words drew nods of approval from many of the older generation in the hall who had participated in the war against the Southern Kingdom, their faces grave. The poison of the Southern Kingdom was indeed something to be feared.
"Therefore," Zhou Yi's voice turned stern, "I must draw at least 70% of the elite alchemists and pharmacists from within the Dao Alliance to accompany the army! We must ensure an ample supply of elixirs and timely detoxification and healing! This matter concerns the success or failure of the campaign and the lives of countless cultivators; there is absolutely no room for error!"
Upon hearing this, the group exchanged glances and whispered amongst themselves for a moment. While redeploying seventy percent of their alchemists and pharmacists would undoubtedly impact the internal operations of each organization, it was a more acceptable and pragmatic request compared to a large-scale redeployment of combat forces. After all, the poison from the Southern Kingdom was a real threat.
Soon, led by Wang Quan Shouzhuo, everyone expressed no objection and the resolution was passed unanimously.
"Since everyone has no objections, then it's settled." Zhou Yi made the final decision. "All families in the Southern Territory, I will give you one month to prepare. Personnel, supplies, and military preparedness must be complete. At that time, the army will assemble in Nantian City!"
His gaze suddenly sharpened, like an icicle piercing the face of every Southern Territory patriarch: "If anyone harbors wishful thinking, hesitates to advance in battle, or feigns compliance while secretly disobeying orders, thus delaying military operations—"
He didn't finish his sentence, but the chilling killing intent emanating from him sent shivers down everyone's spines.
"Get out of human territory as soon as possible, and you might still be able to leave with a whole corpse."
The hall was eerily silent.
"That's all for today. You may all go back and make your preparations." Zhou Yi waved his hand.
The crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon, rising to bow and take their leave, their expressions varied, their minds heavy with thoughts as they departed the hall. Conquering the Southern Kingdom was no small matter; a month was ample time for them to return, carefully plan, weigh the pros and cons, and make all the necessary arrangements.
After everyone had left, only Zhou Yi, Wang Quan Shouzhuo, and Steward Fei, who stood by like a shadow, remained in the hall.
Wang Quan Shouzhuo coughed twice, a sickly flush rising to his face. He looked at Zhou Yi and said gently, "Alliance Leader, if you don't mind the simplicity of my dwelling, may I move in and have a cup of tea?"
Zhou Yi glanced at him and nodded: "Since you have invited me, senior, I dare not refuse."
The two left the hall, which still retained the lingering warmth of the hustle and bustle and the solemn atmosphere, one after the other. They walked along the quiet corridor towards the secluded courtyard deep in the villa, which was almost isolated from the world.
Butler Fei followed silently a few steps behind, like the most loyal guard, or like a silent shadow in the twilight.
The tea room was quiet, with bamboo shadows swaying outside the window. The charcoal fire glowed faintly in the bronze stove, and the spring water in the clay pot was just beginning to boil. Wang Quan Shouzhuo poured tea with a gentle, slow motion, like plucking a string. Two wisps of tea smoke rose and lingered between the two men before dissipating.
"Alliance Leader," Wang Quan Shouzhuo pushed a cup of tea towards Zhou Yi, his voice low and slow, "in this campaign against the Southern Kingdom, do you have any clear guidelines in mind? And—to what extent do you intend to proceed?"
Zhou Yi ran his fingertips along the warm rim of the cup, then looked up and asked, "What do you mean, senior?"
"Stop right there, or there might be room for maneuver." Wang Quan Shouzhuo stared at him calmly.
"Oh?" A faint smile flickered across Zhou Yi's lips, as if he found it amusing. "Senior, who in the Southern Kingdom do you think can stop me now?"
Wang Quan Shouzhou did not answer directly, but slowly picked up his teacup and took a sip. The tea was bitter, but the aftertaste lingered in his throat.
"Perhaps not in the Southern Kingdom," he put down his teacup, a hint of seriousness creeping into his voice, "but Alliance Leader, do not forget that this world—there is more than one Southern Kingdom, and more than one Demon Emperor."
Zhou Yi remained unmoved, awaiting the next development.
"The northern mountains are wide and the southern capital is filled with joy, while the western regions are shrouded in the clouds of Brahma." Wang Quan Shouzhuo said, word by word, "With the current strength of the Dao Alliance, even if we give it our all, plus my crippled body, we can barely hold off these three. That's already our limit. What if—another Demon Emperor appears now? Or even—more than one?"
He raised his eyes, his gaze as deep as an ancient well: "At that time, how will the Alliance Leader respond?"
The only sound in the room was the soft hissing of boiling water. Zhou Yi tapped his knuckles silently on the table, as if pondering the deeper meaning of his words.
Wang Quan Shouzhuo sighed softly, as if lost in some distant memory: "Long ago, I naively believed that there were only three demon emperors in the world." He paused, "until—I met Dongfang Guyue."
He looked out the window at the deep night, as if he could see through time and see that fiery and dazzling figure from back then.
"The existence of my royal family is far older than that of the One Qi Alliance. The clan's archives contain many things—which may seem like absurd legends to the world." He spoke in a deep voice, recounting the story, "Among them is the Demon-Slaying Divine Fire, the Pure Yang Flame," and the Eastern Spirit Clan who wields this fire."
Zhou Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The name of the Demon-Slaying Divine Fire did not originate with Dongfang Guyue. Its legend is so ancient that it almost dates back to the same era as my Wangquan family," Wangquan Shouzhuo continued. "However, later, that clan suddenly disappeared without a trace, as if they had evaporated from the world. There are rumors that they retreated to a secluded 'paradise on earth,' never again concerning themselves with worldly affairs."
He chuckled self-deprecatingly: "At first, I thought it was just the imagination of our ancestors. Demon-slaying divine fire? A grotto-heaven that can hold countless living beings? How utterly delusional. Until I saw Dongfang Guyue with my own eyes, until I saw the pure Yang Flame that burned away all evil—I realized that he had appeared out of thin air for the past few decades, without any trace of his existence."
Wang Quan Shouzhuo looked at Zhou Yi with burning eyes: "Only then did I realize that the records in the clan were not unfounded. Since that's the case—the other record must be treated with utmost caution."
He paused briefly, as if considering his words, before slowly reciting: "The mist of Aolai, the fragrance of flowers and fruits, the Dinghai staff commands ten thousand demons. Beyond the East Sea, within the Water Curtain Pavilion, even the immortals bow before the Great Sage Equal to Heaven."
After the poem was recited, the tea room fell silent. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through the window, causing the bamboo shadows to sway wildly, like ghosts stealthily moving about.
Wang Quan Shouzhuo's voice was as soft as a whisper, yet every word carried immense weight: "East of the continent, beyond the vast ocean—there lies a demon kingdom named Aolai." This is not a legend; there are indeed scattered records of it in our clan's ancient scrolls. As for the "sea-stabilizing staff" and "standing taller than the heavens" mentioned in the poem, what do they refer to—the Alliance Leader, with his wisdom, should be able to fathom it."
He said nothing more, but picked up the slightly cooled teacup again and quietly looked at the Book of Changes.
The charcoal fire crackled softly, bursting into a few sparks that flickered for a moment in the dim light before going out, leaving only a faint, lingering aroma in the air.
The tea room fell into an even deeper silence.
After a long silence, Zhou Yi slowly raised his eyes, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as an ancient pool, reflecting the flickering candlelight without a trace of emotion. He picked up the slightly cool teacup before him, his fingertips tracing the delicate porcelain surface, his voice calm and undisturbed: "The one recorded in the Dao Alliance, the one who created the world, who stabilized the seas and held up the heavens—the Third Young Master of Aolai Kingdom?"
He paused, brought the teacup to his lips, took a small sip of the already lukewarm tea, and then continued, "I have also heard about it."
These four simple words caused Wang Quan Shouzhuo's hand holding the teapot to pause almost imperceptibly. He looked up at Zhou Yi, trying to read something from his calm face, but only saw a profound indifference.
"The Alliance Leader is indeed learned." Wang Quan Shouzhuo slowly put down the teapot, the porcelain pot touching the wooden saucer with a very soft, crisp sound. "But I wonder, what kind of 'hearing' did the Alliance Leader hear? Was it a few vague words in the Dao Alliance's classics, or—"
Before he could finish speaking, Zi Guang locked his eyes tightly on the Book of Changes.
Zhou Yi did not answer immediately. He put down his teacup, stood up, walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked out at the bamboo forest bathed in moonlight. The night breeze rustled through the bamboo, making a soft sound, like countless whispers.
"What is recorded in the classics is ultimately inanimate." Zhou Yi said with his back to Wang Quan Shouzhuo, his voice sounding somewhat ethereal in the night wind. "But there are some traces in the world that will never be completely erased, even after thousands or tens of thousands of years."
.
He slowly turned around, the candlelight casting a play of light and shadow on half of his face.
"On the shores of the East China Sea, a fishing village was once shrouded in mist overnight. Three days later, the mist dissipated, and all three hundred villagers were found in a deep sleep. Upon waking, they all said that they had seen a golden light in their dreams, and a towering figure came from the sea. Deep in the western desert, there are the ruins of an ancient city. On the massive rocks of the city walls, which are beyond human reach, there are traces of something that could not have been caused by weapons—stick-shaped chisel marks."
Zhou Yi walked back to the desk, sat down again, and met Wang Quan Shouzhuo's gaze: "Not to mention those scattered secrets among various families, about the ancient times when the world was in turmoil, and a golden light came from the east, settling the world with a single blow and dividing the boundary between humans and demons—the broken legends."
Wang Quan Shouzhu remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed softly, "So the Alliance Leader had already noticed this."
"Since you're in this position, you should have a broader perspective." Zhou Yi's tone was calm, yet carried immense weight. "But the fact that you specifically mentioned this today, senior, surely means more than just confirming these rumors."
Wang Quan Shouzhu straightened his expression, his aged face appearing particularly solemn in the candlelight: "I wish to remind the Alliance Leader that the matter of the Southern Kingdom can perhaps be dealt with gradually. Although Huan Du Qingtian is strong, he is ultimately only an open adversary. But there are some beings—"
He looked eastward, as if he could see through the layers of buildings and beyond the endless sea: "—Perhaps it has already transcended the chessboard of this world. If the conquest goes too far, stirring up the deep waters that should not be stirred, and awakening the beings that should not be awakened, the consequences will be beyond what the current Dao Alliance can bear."
The tea room fell silent once again.
Outside the window, the moonlight gradually shifted, a thin cloud drifted by, and the world flickered between light and shadow. The bamboo shadows swayed on the window paper, like some ancient and enormous being, breathing silently in its slumber.
Zhou Yi lowered his eyes to look at the tea leaves floating in the cup. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice so soft it almost blended into the night: "I know what I'm doing."
After saying this, he raised his cup, drank the remaining tea, and got up to take his leave.
Wang Quan Shouzhuo did not try to stop him, but simply watched the tall figure disappear into the shadows of the corridor outside the door, remaining motionless for a long time. He reached out and touched the now-cooled sand on the stove, his fingertips touching the icy ceramic wall, a chill spreading from his fingertips.
The night wind swept through the hall, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.
On the wall, two elongated shadows overlapped haphazardly, and in an instant, they seemed to transform into the pillar that separated the sky and the sea, as described in ancient books, and a pair of eyes that slowly opened from the abyss, indifferently looking down upon all living beings.
It was just a fleeting moment.
The candlelight stabilized, and the shadow returned to normal.
Wang Quan Shouzhuo slowly closed his eyes, letting out a barely audible sigh that dissipated into the chilly night air.
On the eastern horizon, the morning star quietly lit up, beneath which lay the boundless, unfathomable darkness of the ocean, from which two golden lights suddenly shone.
"Interesting...a completely different method of cultivation..."
'
Last day of double monthly passes! Please give me your monthly passes!!!
The fox demon's phase is about to end.
The next world will be about one person, or a world with similar power (sign up), at the mid-level of supernatural power, with a single person wielding nuclear weapons, and destroying a nation.
Because the next world begins simultaneously with the Fox Demon, the protagonist initially possesses only intermediate supernatural powers, but later becomes a great supernatural being.
I've read all the comments from the other guys.
Some people feel that the protagonist has been giving to the Dongfang sisters without receiving anything in return. Well... how should I put it? It's like repaying a small favor tenfold.
The protagonist is a swordsman, though he doesn't use a sword now, he still possesses a chivalrous spirit. Moreover, given his strength, status, and position, he doesn't need to ask the East for anything in return. Offering them help, moving them, and making them think, "Wow, Senior Brother Zhou, you're so kind!"—providing this emotional value is itself a form of reward, I feel.
laugh.
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