“The momentum flows like rivers returning to the sea, and talents flock in. Indeed, this is a sign of great prosperity!”
In the evening, after returning to the palace mansion, Wu Ming climbed high to look into the distance and observe the signs, sighing softly.
He knew in his heart that this success was not only due to correct strategic choices, but also because of secret support from a certain entity, making everything proceed smoothly.
Fortunately, regardless of the other party’s schemes, by advancing first to the Golden Immortal stage, he had already gained the upper hand, at least ensuring he had sufficient leeway to protect himself in any situation.
With the ability to advance or retreat, he could calmly break through the deadlock.
Recalling how he had previously approached Zeng Yu and casually mentioned Xu Fu and the other three, he noted that Zeng Yu had clearly already heard about them and kept praising Wu Ming for his ability to recognize talent.
Yet the joy evident in Zeng Yu’s animated expressions wasn’t merely about finding a few capable individuals.
Wu Ming roughly understood the situation. This was because Zeng Yu’s plan regarding Lingzhou was nearing completion, and the resulting exhilaration was evident.
He had advised Wu Zhi to take control of Lingzhou, organize the refugee army, and wait for an opportunity to observe the imperial capital of Xuzhou, then under the banner of marching to the capital to protect the emperor, thus gaining significant strategic advantage by controlling the emperor to command the feudal lords.
Now that Wu Zhi had entered Lingzhou, she indeed advanced like an irresistible force, leaving only two lords, Ding Bao and Ma Meng, still resisting. However, they were like cicadas in late autumn, clearly on their last legs.
Seeing the grand plan about to succeed, how could he not feel excited and thrilled?
“Just what expression would Zeng Yu have if he knew that everything he did, even the entire evolution of Lingzhou, was merely a move within someone else’s game?”
A subtle curve formed at the corner of Wu Ming’s mouth.
After ascending to the Golden Immortal and obtaining the world’s status, his current strength alone was equal to that of the Celestial Emperor and Jue Tian, the Supreme Immortal. Viewing the struggle for the dragon throne from their perspective, many situations suddenly became clear.
“The matter of Lingzhou was the Celestial Emperor’s plan. If Jue Tian, the Supreme Immortal, learns of it, he will surely come to interfere…”
Wu Ming truly admired the Celestial Emperor’s subtle manipulation of yin and yang and his reversal of the universe. This enhancement of the dragon’s aura changed gradually, like a spring rain that silently nourishes all things.
But no matter how things stood, it was now time for the final move.
“The omen surrounding E Xu has changed repeatedly. Unless Jue Tian, the Supreme Immortal, is blind, he should have noticed by now… And the Celestial Emperor, if he wants to truly play his game according to his own strategy, must first communicate with me! I wonder who will come first…”
Wu Ming stroked his chin thoughtfully.
If these two major powers in this world suddenly discovered the existence of a third Golden Immortal, who had precisely positioned himself at the critical point of their life-and-death struggle, their expressions would certainly be extremely interesting.
“Now that it’s come to this, it’s time to meet them…”
…
At night.
Wu Ming was having dinner with Wu Zhi when a Fire Phoenix Guard hurried in: “Your Majesty, urgent news from the front line, it’s extremely urgent!”
“Extremely urgent?”
Wu Zhi smiled slightly, glancing at Wu Ming: “I suppose your general must have captured Golden Roc Pass and is coming to claim credit?”
But this was merely teasing. She also knew that Wu Tiehu’s letter probably meant the situation was not good. Immediately, her expression turned serious as she slowly unfolded the document, her delicate brows knitting together.
Wu Ming stepped forward and immediately saw the words “initial defeat,” “commander wounded,” and his heart stirred.
“Ding Bao has few troops and generals. Wu Tiehu, with our newly trained army, recklessly pursued glory and fell into an ambush… truly…”
Wu Zhi looked at Wu Ming beside her and stopped herself from saying more.
“Yes, this man indeed deserves a reprimand, but changing generals on the battlefield is also a major taboo. Let’s wait until after this campaign against Golden Roc Pass to discuss it…”
Wu Ming knew Wu Tiehu’s abilities well. To attack a dying opponent like Ding Bao was like a lion hunting a rabbit; there was no reason for such an outcome.
The only possibility was that some external force had intervened!
“Perfect, during this opportunity, I can send greetings to both of them!”
Upon hearing Wu Ming’s words, Wu Zhi immediately fixed him with a suspicious gaze, knowing that her husband probably was hiding something again.
However, she was ultimately a clever woman, so she asked no further questions, instead becoming even more tender and affectionate during the meal.
…
After the meal, it was already deep into the night outside. A silver moon like a hook scattered its glow, surrounded by twinkling stars and a brilliant Milky Way.
Wu Tiehu is born under the Sheep-Grabbing Star, a natural battlefield general. Of course, at this point, he can at most possess a deputy fate of a star, still far from truly possessing the Star’s True Destiny!
Wu Ming gazed at the stars, his eyes gleaming with an unusual light.
In the Zhou world, during every time of chaos, star generals fall, each vying for the heavenly mandate.
However, the True Destiny Star is unique; all other Sub-Destiny Stars, Manifested Stars, and those with starlight encircling their bodies must fight courageously, devour their peers, and gather the mandate to break through and ultimately achieve greatness.
Guided by Wu Ming and enjoying a smooth official career, Wu Tiehu was now likely at the level of Deputy Fate of a star. Although seemingly only a step away from True Destiny, in reality, the gap was vast.
“Since he has suffered defeat and his mandate and strength are insufficient, I shall add a bit more!”
Wu Ming looked at the sky, his hands making strange gestures.
Buzzing!
The stars in the sky seemed to suddenly dim their light, except for one star that emerged, shining brilliantly. It was none other than Wu Tiehu’s birth star—the Sheep-Grabbing Star!
“Heaven’s mandate is mine to change; the stars return to their positions. Go forth!”
Wu Ming pointed at the Sheep-Grabbing Star, commanding the stars. The Sheep-Grabbing Star trembled, its starlight scattered for a moment before condensing again, though its trajectory seemed to have changed slightly.
With a single command, the stars shifted, and the True Destiny transferred!
Such a significant change was sensed by all the Celestial Immortals in the Zhou world, and it could not escape the notice of the two Golden Immortals.
Previously, Wu Ming would never have dared to do this, but now he was fearless.
…
“This is…”
In a grass hut on a high mountain in a distant province, an old man dressed in coarse cloth, with white hair and a ruddy complexion, suddenly looked up. He stared at the sky, which seemed unchanged from before, his eyes filled with solemnity: “Heaven reveals its killing intent, shifting stars and changing constellations? Originally, with the world in chaos and the true dragon not yet appearing, everything was already in disarray. Now, with the heavenly mandate changing again, who can tell whether it is a good or bad omen?”
The astrologers and feng shui masters deceived by Wu Ming were not limited to just one.
Countless fortune tellers who observed the sky were extremely surprised, and some were even directly harmed and seriously injured.
The heavenly mandate is like a mighty river. At this moment, Wu Ming gently diverted one of its tributaries. Although it was only a minor change, such as the shift in the Sheep-Grabbing Star’s allegiance, it still brought enormous uncertainty to the already chaotic heavenly mandate, which was a fatal blow to many astrologers.
As for those generals who originally bore the Sheep-Grabbing Star’s destiny, this was an earth-shattering event.
…
In Qianzhou.
Inside a magnificent governor’s mansion.
“Ahh!”
The lamp shadows in the study flickered, suddenly followed by a cry.
“What happened, General?”
Many personal guards immediately rushed in, alertly sealing off all directions, ready to shoot their bows at the slightest sign of danger.
“My… my heart suddenly aches as if being torn apart!”
The middle-aged general, with a strong build, was obviously a fierce warrior on the battlefield. At this moment, however, his face was pale, as if he had suffered a serious illness.
“Quickly summon the physician!”
The subordinates immediately got busy, and soon a specialized doctor hurriedly arrived. After taking the general’s pulse, his expression changed: “Your Excellency’s blood and energy are greatly depleted, and external evils have entered your body. Have you recently suffered a serious injury and lost a lot of blood?”
“Where would that happen?”
The nearby guards glared angrily: “With us guarding you, and no major battles recently, how could the General have been injured?”
“I spoke out of turn!”
The doctor repeatedly apologized and then prescribed a warming tonic, gently saying: “Your Excellency is not seriously ill, but he needs proper rest and nourishment. With many old injuries in the past, this chronic ailment has recurred and must not be taken lightly…”
“This is sound advice. I will reward you with ten taels of silver. You may go now!”
The general was still clear-minded at this moment. His first thought was that someone might have tried to poison him, but after checking his body and recalling his previous experiences, and hearing the doctor’s explanation, he gradually dismissed this possibility. Thinking back to his youth, how he had fought bravely in every battle to earn his position, often leading the charge and never avoiding blades or arrows, enduring dozens of wounds without retreating from the battlefield, he gradually came to a realization.
Such an old soldier, having survived countless battles, was covered in scars. If he were to die suddenly from a recurrence of old injuries, it wouldn’t be too strange.
That he had lived this long and retired peacefully was already a great blessing.
Yet, for reasons unknown, he always felt an emptiness in his heart, as if he had lost something vitally important.
The next day, a fortune teller who had been supported within the general’s mansion secretly fled with some gold and silver, which greatly disheartened the general.
…
In Guzhou.
On the martial arts training ground, a young general was knocked to the ground, landing in an undignified dog-pile.
“Ha ha… this is the most outstanding general from Hongshan Town?”
The victorious general laughed loudly: “I see nothing special about him!”
Outside the training ground, two commanders—one delighted and the other gloomy—watched the scene.
“General Yang had an off day; it happens to everyone. But you still owe me the gambling debt, and you can’t dodge it!”
The delighted commander said to the general beside him.
“Don’t worry, who do you think I am? Would I really skip out on such a small debt?”
The gloomy commander rolled his eyes, secretly vowing in his heart: “This young Yang, who is known as the Spear God General and has always been fearless and invincible, could he have deliberately lost today?”
Unknown to him, the young general on the field stood up afterward, looking dazed and disoriented, and staggered away from the training ground. From that day on, he vanished without a trace.
…
Before Golden Roc Pass.
A brilliant stream of stellar energy descended directly, entering the military camp. In a large tent, Wu Tiehu, who had been lying on his sickbed, suddenly sat up, tearing off the bandages on his body. The wounds were already scabbed over, and his entire body was filled with energy, making him feel refreshed and exhilarated. He couldn’t help but let out a long, triumphant roar.
In the sky, numerous stars dimmed, leaving only the Sheep-Grabbing Star shining brightly, seemingly responding to him. The ominous star blazed with an extraordinary brilliance.
On a nearby barren mountain, an old Taoist priest was observing the sky. Witnessing this scene, he was so startled that he fell from his stone seat: “This is… the True Destiny of the Stars? Why would this person break through at this moment? Could it really be the will of Heaven?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage