Chapter 632: The One and Only

In times of chaos, stars descend.

The power of a great star often disperses among dozens or even hundreds of individuals, forming Star-Bearers.

To progress from having starlight encircling one’s body, manifesting one’s innate destiny, all the way to achieving the status of Vice-Destiny of the Star, and finally the ultimate True Destiny of the Star, the path is invariably soaked in blood. It is necessary to kill all competitors and reclaim the stellar power for oneself.

This is the bloody path every Star-Bearer must undergo.

But now, Wu Ming directly stripped other generals bearing the destiny of the Eldest Sheep Star of their fates and fortune, forcefully seizing the star’s power and bestowing it upon Wu Tiehu, effectively creating an “Eldest Sheep Star True Destiny” artificially.

When Heaven unleashes its killing intent, stars can shift their positions and constellations may change. What Wu Ming did now defies Heaven itself—accomplishing what only Heaven could achieve through human effort!

Such a transformation, even if a Celestial Immortal attempts to intervene, would be extremely complicated, causing widespread repercussions and inevitable future consequences.

Yet Wu Ming executed it with effortless ease. Anyone with insight would immediately recognize that only a Great Sage of Golden Immortality could accomplish such a feat.

By altering fate in this way, it would certainly not escape the notice of two great beings—Emperor of Heaven and Celestial Sovereign Jue Tian. This was essentially sending them a message.

“Bring Hong Zhu here!”

Wu Tiehu, fully recovered from his injuries, his eyes gleaming with sharpness, first ordered wine and meat to be brought while he attended to official matters. His recovery left him not only brimming with energy but also with heightened senses. Every complicated task he handled became effortless. Even the logistical accounts that would normally give any general a headache were now crystal clear to him.

Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he commanded aloud.

Two personal guards bowed and exited. Not long after, a young scholar in blue robes entered, bowing deeply: “I greet the General. Seeing Your Honor fully recovered, I would gladly sacrifice ten years of my life.”

Looking no older than twenty, with a handsome face, he now wept openly, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.

“Good… Hong Zhu, you are excellent indeed!”

Wu Tiehu gritted his teeth: “You were hired with great expense as my strategist, yet you devised treacherous schemes against me. My previous reckless advance was based on your advice. What do you have to say for yourself?”

His eyes flared with a chilling killing intent.

Hong Zhu was startled. He sensed that Wu Tiehu today was vastly different from usual. Just a glance from him sent a cold shiver down his spine, as if his very soul had been pierced through.

With no choice, he tried to defend himself: “My lord, if my strategies were flawed, I would willingly accept punishment, even execution by military law. But to accuse me of deliberate betrayal is sheer nonsense. While you were gravely injured, I prayed day and night to the Eight Lords, wishing I could take your place…”

“So according to you, I was mistaken in my accusations. Pity…”

Wu Tiehu shook his head: “Bring him in…”

A bloodied, barely human figure was dragged forward. Upon seeing it was his own servant, Hong Zhu’s face turned deathly pale.

He realized the general had long suspected him. While summoning him, he had also captured his servant, subjecting him to brutal interrogation. Although he had left no direct evidence, his suspicious behavior and oddities were impossible to hide from his own servant, who under torture, certainly wouldn’t keep his secrets.

With a bitter laugh, he said: “General Wu, since things have come to this, do with me as you please!”

“Are you one of Ding Bao’s men?”

Wu Tiehu’s eyes narrowed, murder flashing across his face.

“No… I have a personal vendetta with you. My real name is not Hong Zhu, but Yang Wen. I have a younger brother named Yang Wu. Does that ring a bell?”

As the guards approached, Yang Wen accepted his fate calmly, smirking as he asked.

“Yang Wu? That arrogant scholar?”

Wu Tiehu was momentarily stunned, a vivid image of a fiery young intellectual rising in his mind.

“He once challenged me with his clever schemes. Did you enjoy the ‘gift’ I gave him?”

Wu Tiehu scrutinized Yang Wen closely: “You two brothers really don’t look alike. I wonder how your mother managed that, hehe…”

“You despicable wretch!”

Yang Wen’s face flushed with rage: “Evil scoundrel, I only regret I couldn’t kill you completely. You drove my brother to drown himself. This crime must be accounted for!”

“Died?”

Wu Tiehu sneered: “He brought it upon himself. What does it have to do with me?”

But deep down, he knew Yang Wu’s death was indeed partially his doing.

Following Wu Ming and rising to the rank of general, he naturally gained wealth and power, attracting many dependents and followers needing land and housing.

Although Wu Ming’s rule was just and corrupt practices were restrained, there were still privileges. Coupled with his naturally domineering military background, he inevitably incurred some troubles.

That was when Yang Wu, the scholar, stepped in.

Eloquent and persuasive, he escalated the matter to court, where he publicly humiliated Wu Tiehu so thoroughly that even Wu Ming heard of it.

In the end, Wu Tiehu naturally suffered consequences.

Though he outwardly submitted, secretly he hired a desperate criminal to ambush Yang Wu, slashing his face and leaving a permanent scar.

This was extremely serious.

In those days, whether through recommendation or Wu Ming’s imperial examination system, the prerequisite for a scholar to attain office was an attractive appearance and dignified demeanor.

A scarred face meant failing the first screening, not only ending his career prospects but also subjecting him to discrimination, forever barring him from mainstream society—his entire future ruined.

Coming from a humble family, Yang Wu’s appeals were futile. As an ordinary citizen without official status, even reporting the crime to authorities would only result in a few months’ imprisonment and dozens of cane strokes for the assailant—an outcome a hardened criminal wouldn’t fear.

Thus, with no recourse and realizing his lifelong hopes were shattered, Yang Wu took his own life by drowning.

If Wu Ming had known about this, he would have sighed deeply, recognizing that sharp brilliance without caution often leads to misfortune.

Much like a protagonist in a historical novel from a past life—a nobody who hadn’t even passed the county-level imperial exams—yet he constantly challenged authority. No matter how great his advantages were, he remained completely oblivious to the rules of society. To deal with such an ordinary commoner, hiring a local ruffian to break his right hand or slash his face would be an absolutely ruthless and decisive move!

Back then, it was just a brawl. Breaking the hand of a scholar who wasn’t even a qualified candidate didn’t amount to anything serious.

However, if one were to be scarred in the face or left with a disability in the right hand, it would completely eliminate any possibility of entering officialdom. If a time traveler fails to keep a low profile and constantly rushes to the forefront, eagerly seeking out trouble, they would inevitably invite resentment sooner or later.

If we don’t seek revenge now, are we supposed to just stand by and watch them pass the imperial examinations, advancing from scholar to provincial graduate, only for them to eventually turn around and settle scores with us?

Wu Tiehu clearly understood this principle as well. Seeing that Yang Wu was exceptionally talented and might very well succeed, he immediately resorted to ruthless measures, completely cutting off any possibility of the latter pursuing an official career in the future.

Even in the chaotic era of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it was still a society that valued appearances.

A disfigured young scholar, lacking great renown or extraordinary talent, had no chance of distinguishing himself among the other feudal lords.

“So you seek revenge, to avenge your brother?”

Wu Tiehu narrowed his eyes and said, “Take him away. We will execute him as a sacrifice to our banner in the coming days.”

After Yang Wen was subdued, he immediately issued a secret order to his trusted guards nearby: “Keep the information within the camp confidential. Monitor this person’s tent and see who else goes to make contact!”

It’s entirely reasonable for this person to seek revenge, but to set up such an elaborate trap, there must be an inside collaborator—not just on the opposing side, but likely within his own camp as well.

This matter must be investigated thoroughly, no matter what it takes!

Wu Tiehu already had a vague list of suspects in mind. Now, he intended to use Yang Wen as bait to lure the snake out of its hole—better to kill by mistake than to let anyone go!

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint seeming to flash in his pupils…

……

Time slightly earlier.

In Xiangliu City, within the temporary palace of King Ding.

“Mission accomplished…”

Wu Ming gazed at the vast starry sky and the gleaming star of Qingyang, his expression caught between a smile and a smirk. “By reversing fate, I made Wu Tiehu the master of Qingyang. At the very least, he will face his personal tribulation without any issue… As for other external calamities, before the great powers even get a clear view of my capabilities, they wouldn’t dare make a move. The outcome of this battle is beyond doubt. Someone as insignificant as Ding Bao no longer has the power to turn the tide…”

But…

He showed a hint of concern and said, “True gold is forged through fire. I have eliminated all the trials Wu Tiehu should have endured, directly enabling him to attain the destiny of a star. Although his fortune surged for a time, he missed a crucial tempering of his character. Moreover, the accumulation of calamity may bring future tribulations. It’s hard to say whether this will ultimately be a blessing or a curse for him.”

He had also seen this servant’s original fate. To reach the rank of Deputy Star General, becoming an undefeated commander on the battlefield, was only possible by borrowing his master’s fortune. The servant’s own destiny was not particularly remarkable.

Now that they have suddenly awakened to their true destiny, forcing growth prematurely, it is truly hard to predict how their future will unfold.

The destiny of the stars is a great blessing and fortune, which only those with profound foundations can bear. Otherwise, one might be overwhelmed by such immense fortune… However, it is common for military generals to meet untimely or violent deaths. A general may fall in a hundred battles—if we truly consider it, without defying fate to change his destiny, he might very well perish at the hands of Ding Bao’s army this time…

At this moment, the courtyard was overgrown with lush vegetation under a starry sky with a bright moon, as magpies flew southward. Wu Ming walked straight to the center of the garden, sat down in a pavilion, and called out loudly, “Attendant!”

What are your orders, Master?

Two maids stepped forward, their voices soft and gentle, their faces delicate and charming.

How can we have such a bright moon without wine?

Wu Ming smiled faintly and asked the maid to bring a jar of fine wine, along with two cups.

Seeing their puzzled expressions, he waved his hand and said, “I need to entertain my guests and won’t require your service for now. You may leave.”

Yes, sir!

The two maids’ bright eyes showed a hint of disappointment as they withdrew.

The entire garden suddenly fell silent.

Wu Ming quietly poured himself a full glass and took a small sip.

“This wine is merely an earthly vintage, not comparable to the celestial brews of the heavens, yet it carries the simple joys of the mortal world. Since you, honored guest, have graced us with your presence, would you care to share a cup?”

He raised his glass and made a toast to somewhere.

That is exactly what I wish for!

A voice as clear as jade rang out, and soon a young man emerged slowly under the moonlight. Though dressed in ordinary attire, an air of utmost nobility was impossible to conceal.