Heaven have mercy!
Even though Qiao Da was a Grand Master of martial arts, he could only feel despair when assigned to the previous mission!
It was precisely because of this despair that he acted recklessly. Otherwise, how could Huang Ying and the other girl, both being reincarnators of the same faction and allies, provoke him? Even if the Sanxiong of Lianshan had vile dispositions and desired to commit further violence, they would have waited until the mission was completed.
But now, what had he witnessed? Someone capable of forcibly altering the mission of the Main Temple! Could it be the Primarch himself?!
Capture him! No matter the cost, capture him!!!
Qiao Da’s heart was filled with countless thoughts and emotions. In the end, he confirmed only one thing!
If he missed this opportunity, he would surely regret it for the rest of his life!
Therefore, he roared directly, “Let me go, great existence! I am willing to pledge my loyalty to you and offer you everything! You can ask me to do anything!”
“You can still speak? No wonder you’re a Grand Master. Even ten times the ‘Soul-Draining Powder’ couldn’t completely knock you down. Too bad… you’re just being overly presumptuous!”
With a wave of his hand, Wu Ming summoned a white skull that appeared with a cackling laugh.
“Kill him!”
“No! No! I refuse to accept this! I refuse!!!”
Qiao Da’s furious roar came from behind, soon turning into a scream of agony and the horrifying sound of gnashing teeth.
Are you kidding!
What was Qiao Da anyway, to even think of becoming Wu Ming’s henchman?
Besides, Wu Ming was not yet a true Primarch and had few means to control reincarnators. The Sanxiong of Lianshan were already despicable villains with deceitful and treacherous natures. Not to mention Wu Ming had previously killed two of their brothers. If he really accepted them, being double-crossed would be truly devastating.
“As for Lixiu Yun and Huang Ying’s side, I still need to find an excuse… or perhaps just avoid showing up altogether…”
Wu Ming walked out of the tent and summoned two soldiers: “Bring the corpses from the two tents before to the Holy Mother and the Holy Maiden!”
If he got to eat the meat, these two women should at least get some soup, after all, they hadn’t completely fallen out yet, right?
Besides, it could serve as compensation for the previous expenses.
Although Wu Ming was always fair in dealings, honest and trustworthy regardless of age or status.
Although Qiao Er and Qiao San were not Grand Masters, both were Masters themselves, their flesh, blood, and bones extraordinary enough to forge several excellent evil artifacts.
As for their souls? Absolutely not to be given to others. There were also soul-searching techniques among the dark sects. If the foundation was revealed, it would be unpleasant.
…
More than ten days passed in a flash.
The red-faced Holy Mother and Bai Yulian were slightly dissatisfied with receiving only the two Masters’ physical bodies without their souls, but they had no major complaints.
As for Wu Ming, from the entire camp and the frequent deployment of troops, he sensed a tense atmosphere.
“Come to think of it, that Qibing Zhenren previously mentioned an army coming to attack Hanhulin. Even though I killed him, the mobilization of a large army is no small matter?”
Although the Shang Dynasty was in chaos, with fires of rebellion breaking out everywhere, and even the Shijue Pass had been captured, there were still local powers remaining.
Just like during the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty in Wu Ming’s previous life, even though Dong Zhuo deposed and installed emperors, the empire was on its last legs, but local governors like Liu Biao, Liu Yan, and the Yuans, Caos, and Suns still held power, secretly stockpiling weapons and food in preparation for seizing the throne.
“This time, the general leading the expedition seems to be General Meng Kuo of Zhenyuan, backed by the School of Military Strategists… Although there is also a righteous cause, I can’t help but feel it’s more for personal reasons…”
Sitting in his tent, Wu Ming suddenly formed a spell seal: “Where is my apprentice?”
“Master!”
Moments later, Huang Ying and Li Xiu Yun, dressed in Taoist robes, entered and bowed reluctantly.
This was Wu Ming’s deliberate doing, making the two address him as Master. Naturally, Huang Ying and Li Xiu Yun were unwilling, but under his oppressive might, they had no choice but to comply.
“Oh? Yun’er has already entered the path? That’s truly commendable!”
With a flash of his Celestial Eye, Wu Ming saw that Li Xiu Yun’s aura was subtly shifting, her spiritual orifice opening, clearly showing signs of having truly embarked on the Tao.
Although her foundation was still shallow, not even reaching the level of an ordained Taoist priest, she was no longer the weak and helpless woman she once was.
“As for you, Ying’er… your attachment to martial arts will inevitably affect your cultivation of the Tao…”
Wu Ming offered some guidance.
Observing the two dressed as Taoist priests, wearing wide robes and exuding a serene aura, he couldn’t help but nod approvingly in his heart: “Mmm… excellent! Truly excellent! Taking two beautiful female apprentices not only pleases the eye but also ensures that one has disciples to carry out tasks. And having them make the bed and tidy up afterward is only natural…”
“This Taoist priest captured us, gave us cultivation techniques to practice, and even truly accepted us as apprentices… What could his true intentions be?”
It must be said, Wu Ming’s actions left Huang Ying quite bewildered. However, she had more experience than Li Xiu Yun and realized this was a rare opportunity, so she silently memorized Wu Ming’s teachings.
Suddenly, she noticed that the Taoist priest’s gaze changed, scanning between her and Li Xiu Yun with a familiar expression, prompting her to inwardly curse again: “Lecher!”
“Cough… We Taoist cultivators must understand the grand trends, recognize the big picture, follow the heavens, and respond to people’s needs to gain merit and enhance our cultivation…”
Wu Ming lectured for a while before suddenly shifting the topic.
“So, Master, where do you think the Mandate of Heaven lies?”
Huang Ying asked sweetly, secretly feeling proud, since for them Zhou natives who had crossed over, possessing historical knowledge was the ultimate trump card.
“What a shame that this bastard Primarch chose a rebel lord destined for great misfortune and a short life… Otherwise, with my abilities, where couldn’t I thrive?”
While looking down on the historical natives, Huang Ying was also secretly thinking.
“Haha… The Shang Dynasty has lasted a thousand years, blessed with long prosperity. Several generations of ancestors were heroic and wise. Even though its fate is exhausted, it can last for another three generations. Alas, Emperor Jie is blinded by greed and desires immortality, even going so far as to forge the twelve bronze giants, thus exhausting the blessings of his ancestors… Now only the imperial aura supports him. Once the foundation is damaged, calamity will strike instantly!”
Wu Ming shook his head and spoke.
“According to Master, then, the Mandate of Heaven lies with the First-Brow King?”
Huang Ying inwardly chuckled but feigned innocence as she asked.
“This… cannot be said! Cannot be said!”
Wu Ming’s face took on a mysterious expression: “Still, the great chaos in Shang has given rise to dozens of rebellious heroes. They raise their banners, and ten thousand follow. In an instant, they gather tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of troops and armor. Yet none of them seem destined for great achievements… Among the thirteen rebel kings, Xu Zongwu has the strongest military force and has even captured the Shijue Pass, becoming famous throughout the land…”
“If I could just devise a minor scheme, could I make this evil Taoist priest die without a grave?”
Huang Ying secretly mused, feigning alarm on her face: “What should we do then? Master, are you planning to join Xu Zongwu?”
She knew that the Jinchi Conference before the Shijue Pass was a massive trap. If this evil Taoist went there, he would certainly never return.
“Haha… Is my female apprentice worried that your Master will abandon you?”
Wu Ming patted Huang Ying’s face: “Such a lovely girl, your Master will take you wherever he goes. Don’t worry (Don’t worry)!”
“I’d rather you didn’t take me!”
Huang Ying was deeply annoyed but could only pretend to be delighted, secretly trying to extract more information.
Seeing this, a glint of sharpness flashed in Wu Ming’s eyes: “My cultivation method explores the ultimate mysteries of heaven and earth. Recently, I have observed celestial phenomena at night, examined earthly veins, and combined human path calculations with the movement of the dragon’s aura, gaining some insights…”
He feigned a mysterious air: “The future fortune lies in the two words ‘Cease Hostilities’!”
“Cease Hostilities?”
Huang Ying was first startled, then began to sweat: “Aren’t ancient people supposed to be easy to deceive? How come these people are so slippery and cunning, and their innate divine calculations are this powerful, directly pinpointing the true dragon’s key points?”
“Ceasing hostilities is martial valor!”
Wu Ming stroked his chin, as if troubled: “In today’s world, the only two people related to the concept of ‘martial’ with good personal fortune and foundation are the Heaven-Covering King Xu Zongwu and King Wu Ji Yi. It’s quite difficult for your Master to decide between them…”
To be honest, the current Heaven-Covering King Xu Zongwu commanded over a hundred thousand troops and thousands of capable generals, his reputation resounding. He had captured the Shijue Pass, shaking the entire land.
An astute observer could easily see that if he successfully united the rebel kings and feudal lords, and followed up his victory by capturing the capital, the Shang Dynasty would be completely destroyed. Who in the entire realm could then oppose him?
Currently, even though King Wu Ji Yi controlled two provinces and governed diligently, his reputation still slightly lagged.
“Is this Taoist priest deliberately deceiving me?”
Huang Ying’s mind jolted, but she kept her eyes lowered and remained silent.
“Jiejie… It seems my obedient apprentice still harbors some resentment towards your Master…”
Wu Ming laughed heartily: “Do you really think your Master is after your Yin essence? Even for refining magical artifacts, I don’t need you two…”
“Then why…?”
Li Xiu Yun asked in surprise.
“On that day, my two senior female apprentices were present. Without doing this, it would have been hard to cover things up…”
Wu Ming cackled: “If your Master wanted beauty, I could have any woman, even those whose beauty could topple nations and outshine fish and geese. Why specifically you two, and why cultivate you as apprentices? Haven’t you ever wondered?”
“Please, Master, enlighten us!”
Huang Ying gritted her teeth and bowed deeply, this time with more sincerity.
In Li Xiu Yun’s heart, the image of Zhaixingzi was becoming increasingly unfathomable.
“Do you know that the heavenly secrets of this world are like cascading waterfalls and flowing springs, continuous and unbroken… everything is connected to them, each with its own destiny. This is the will of heaven!”
Wu Ming’s voice was cold: “But you few not only carry the aura of calamity but are also precisely the ones overlooked by the heavenly secrets!”
Thunderclap!
These few short sentences exploded like thunder in Huang Ying’s ears, making her legs tremble as if her identity as a reincarnator had been exposed.
“You… you… what exactly do you want?”
She struggled to speak, her mind screaming: “F***! Whoever dares to say ancient people are easy to fool again, I’ll never forgive them!!!”
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