Chapter 468: Thoughts

Although the Four Symbols Sect was once a major sect, its fortune took a sharp downturn after encountering Wu Ming, the harbinger of misfortune.

Firstly, their founding ancestor, the Four Symbols Immortal, was directly killed by Wu Ming, causing their sacred cave heaven to shatter, leaving the entire Four Symbols Sect like stray dogs without a home.

Soon after, Tian Xiang Zhenren, without knowing the truth, recklessly attempted to seize Wu Zhi’s destiny and ran straight into Wu Ming’s hands. The remaining disciples were captured en masse, branded with a mark of eradication, their lives hanging in the balance at Wu Ming’s whim. They had no choice but to submit and serve under Wu Zhi as her henchmen.

Even now, they still don’t know that their master’s demise is connected to Wu Ming, and they are unknowingly serving the person responsible for their sect’s blood feud!

It’s truly a very tragic story.

Of course, as the protagonist of this story, Tian Xiang Zhenren was still quite pragmatic and conscientiously performed the duties expected of a loyal follower:

“Reporting to Immortal Lord… Jian Yuanzi has sent a magical message. Generals Wu Tiehu and Chen Jingzong have achieved consecutive victories, capturing Qingwu, Jiuzong, and Pinggu counties. It won’t be long before the cities of Zhuwu and Jiude fall into the hands of our Wuzhen!”

“In the state capital, this old Taoist personally infiltrated and examined the fate of the governor Xu Chun. The imperial power is collapsing, and this man will soon suffer the backlash, with his life likely ending within the next few months!”

Wu Ming listened calmly, occasionally nodding.

This situation was just like the campaign against Rinan Commandery—first eliminate the peripheral forces, then gradually target the core, relying on the chaos in the world where no other forces could interfere in Dingzhou affairs!

The advantage of using open and honest strategies was not having to worry about resistance; one could simply hold their ground and advance with overwhelming power, the path of righteous dominance.

“What about the situation in other provinces?”

He pondered for a moment before suddenly asking.

“There are dragons rising everywhere, warlords carving up the land, and rebellions caused by displaced people—it’s really not good!”

Tian Xiang sighed lightly. “There is rebellion by displaced people in Lingzhou, which has already devastated most of the area. In Qingzhou and Taizhou, several warlords are engaged in fierce battles of annexation. Currently, there is no military or political force in the world that can influence the aristocratic families of Dingzhou… but…”

As he spoke, his expression became hesitant.

“Speak freely!”

Wu Ming waved his hand.

“Understood!”

Tian Xiang bowed and then said, “Immortal Lord knows that although the Zhixuan Bureau is responsible for intelligence gathering, our main focus is still on supernatural beings and the cultivation world! I’ve heard rumors that several major sects may have intentions toward Wuzhen…”

Those sects that even Tian Xiang referred to as “major” must be of the calibre of blessed lands or sacred caves, or in other words, sects that at least have Earth Immortals, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they produced a sixth-level powerhouse.

“Oh? Do these blessed lands and sacred caves also have interest in the dragon energy of the mortal world?”

A mocking smile appeared on Wu Ming’s lips.

“Immortal Lord jokes…” Tian Xiang’s face turned slightly red. “We cultivators align ourselves with the will of heaven above and the wishes of the people below, acting in accordance with the times. Restoring order to a chaotic world naturally brings immeasurable merit, which can greatly strengthen the foundation of a sect’s sacred cave. However, competing for the dragon’s favor is dangerous, so these major sects dare not rashly enter the fray. Of course, if they do decide to act, having a sacred cave as a fallback option means their situation is still much better than that of minor sects and wandering cultivators…”

“And Wuzhen, rising to power as a woman, has already taken control of most of Dingzhou. The fall of the state capital is inevitable—it’s just a matter of time. By then, she will have secured one of the ancient nineteen provinces, practically laying the foundation for a kingdom! This is indeed most unusual!”

Wu Ming inwardly rolled his eyes.

In the Zhou Dynasty world, there had never been a female emperor, not even a princess who ruled, so this situation did seem quite shocking.

“Such an unusual shift in destiny will inevitably attract the attention of those powerful cultivators!”

Wu Ming sighed.

Those sixth-level Tianxian cultivators, though they might seem to hide in their sacred caves for centuries without appearing, would certainly be watching closely when the struggle for the dragon’s favor begins.

During the chaos of the Shang Dynasty, even though the Yüqing Daoist assisted Ji Yi in pacifying the world, it wasn’t solely the work of an Earth Immortal—it had the backing of a certain sacred cave.

Now, who knows how many hidden agents are lurking in this tangled mess of dragons and snakes.

Even if Wu Zhi tried to keep a low profile, she could no longer hide, immediately drawing the gaze of those who sought to exploit the situation.

“With E Xu’s destiny, it originally could only benefit her husband’s family. After I reversed her fate, transforming phoenix energy into dragon energy, she could be considered connected to the dragon vein of Dingzhou. However, being a woman, there is always a limitation. It’s still insufficient for her to seize control of an entire province…”

Wu Ming’s eyes flashed with sharp light as he began to ponder deeply: “If she had a clear background and were a man, with my Earth Immortal status, I could support her rise to become the ruler of the world, just as the Yüqing Daoist supported Ji Yi… Alas…”

Because there had never been a female emperor in this world, Wu Ming’s actions were overturning tradition, facing great resistance.

“Or perhaps… even with my current Earth Immortal status, I can barely suppress the chaos, especially while the war is still ongoing and the fate of Dingzhou remains uncertain…”

Suddenly, Wu Ming stood up, gazing toward the distant city: “The war must end as soon as possible!”

With a glance, Tian Xiang immediately felt a chill run through him, like a mouse seeing a cat, inwardly groaning: “Don’t tell me this Earth Immortal is going to send this old Taoist to take the fall!”

At the third level of Daoist cultivation, once one reaches the Zhenren stage, one can suppress military energy and cast spells on the battlefield, but in the chaos of ten thousand soldiers, it’s of little use.

A Celestial Master, however, can slightly alter the weather, and when combined with geographical advantages, can change the course of a war, even determining its outcome!

Of course, very few Celestial Masters dare to do this, as they must consider the resentment that accumulates and the heavenly punishment that may follow.

Even Earth Immortals and Tianxian cultivators have their concerns in this regard. Otherwise, if the accumulated resentment leads to more calamities, and one appears in the Zhou Dynasty world with lightning strikes already awaiting, one might have no choice but to remain hidden in the sacred cave for life.

Since Wu Ming began cultivating, he had only dared to kill indiscriminately in mission worlds, relying on the protection of the Main Shrine and the ability to escape to other worlds, where heavenly tribulations couldn’t follow.

In this world, he remained quite cautious.

In human affairs, immortals can at most offer slight guidance. To personally intervene and become entangled in karma is clearly not worth the cost.

“Of course… I have supreme treasures to suppress destiny, and the Main Shrine, which can withstand calamities even surpassing those of Tianxian and Jinxian cultivators… but still, it’s not worth it…”

Wu Ming looked at the Tian Xiang Daoist before him.

He actually had the idea of casually bestowing a supreme treasure of destiny upon him, ordering him to lead the charge and break through the city’s defenses.

However, this was a last resort, still involving karmic entanglements, second only to personally intervening himself. After all, Heaven’s will is no fool—although Tian Xiang personally acted, Wu Ming, as the mastermind behind it all, could not escape responsibility.

“It would still be better to seek some human assistance…”

Wu Ming gazed at the towering walls of Dingzhou: “Troops and provisions are the foundation of a force, something that cannot be hastily changed… We need to increase our strength from another angle… Civil officials, military generals, and siege equipment! How is the siege equipment?”

Having experienced the fall of the Shang Dynasty, his perspective on war far surpassed that of ordinary people. He quickly realized that although the southern army’s offensive was fierce, their siege tactics were still at a basic level.

The ingenious siege devices of the Mohist school were nowhere to be seen.

The Mohists, who imitated the heavens and crafted extraordinary machinery, had devices whose power, while not exaggerated to the point of destroying heaven and earth, were still extremely formidable.

Wu Ming immediately thought of the twelve golden warriors created by King Zhou of Shang.

As long as one of those artifacts displayed even a fraction of its power, the walls of Dingzhou would be as fragile as paper.

“Hmm… Most importantly, Mohist disciples don’t cultivate supernatural abilities and are still considered ordinary humans. If ordinary humans participate in the struggle for dominance, no one can say anything about it…”

Wu Ming stroked his chin:

“What a pity… If Gongsu Zhe were still alive, he would have been an excellent helper!”

As his status improved, so did his perspective. The former blood brother leader now seemed to Wu Ming no more than a capable subordinate.

Although he had learned a little about machinery, compared to a master like Gongsu Zhe, he was still far behind. Moreover, he wouldn’t stoop to mingling with craftsmen and building equipment.

“Among the older generation of Reincarnators, there are indeed a few who are skilled in mechanical puppetry, although they are slightly inferior to Gongsu Zhe. They would be barely sufficient… but how could I summon them without reason?”

In Wu Ming’s mind, there was always a clear boundary.

The Reincarnators of the Main Shrine belonged to the Main Shrine’s forces, while Wu Zhi was her own affair; these two forces could not be mixed.

This was not only a matter of principle but also for the benefit of both sides.

Otherwise, if intelligence were to leak, even a slightly imaginative person could guess the problem with Wuzhen, which would only bring self-inflicted trouble.

Besides, a few Mohist disciples alone couldn’t form any significant combat power in a short time.

“Tian Xiang Daoist!”

Wu Ming narrowed his eyes: “Do you know the whereabouts of the Mohists?”

“The Mohists?”

Tian Xiang was first startled, then his heart relaxed slightly: “Great, so that’s Immortal Lord’s plan. This old Taoist finally doesn’t have to risk his life on the battlefield!”

He immediately became alert: “Their leader, since the end of the Shang Dynasty, has disappeared without a trace, seemingly having already retired. Only in the past hundred years have a group of disciples skilled in mechanical arts appeared in the outside world, though it’s unknown whether they are connected to the Mohists.”

Wu Ming understood this well. The crafting of the twelve golden warriors, suffering from the backlash of malevolent energy, was enough to severely weaken the entire Mohist sect.

They must have been quietly recovering all this time, and only now, after a century, have they sent out their disciples, showing great caution.

After inquiring further details, Wu Ming waved his hand and dismissed Tian Xiang.

“As for the Mohists, if they won’t come, there’s always the Gongsu family… With the misfortune of Gongsu Zhe, my understanding of the Gongsu family is even deeper than that of the Mohists…”

After finishing his thoughts, Wu Ming immediately stood up and walked to the inner quarters.

“Has my husband returned?”

As the weather grew warmer, Wu Zhi wore a gauze dress, appearing very relaxed.

Seeing Wu Ming’s pensive expression, she slightly stirred: “Is there a change at the front line?”

“No! Everything is fine!”

Wu Ming smiled: “I was just thinking about whether I should bring you a group of helpers. If we can take over the entire Dingzhou within this year, it would be a pleasant matter!”