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The Venerable Emperor did not comment, which was clearly an admission.

Master Zhihui then looked at Li Shimin and said gently, “Your Highness, this humble monk, along with my senior brother Liaokong and the four guardian Vajras, can focus on stabilizing the morale of the army, purifying the battlefield of any possible poisonous miasma and evil magic, and guarding against surprise attacks from other demonic sect masters. This division of labor may ensure the safety of our army’s high command, allowing Chief Steward Li to act with confidence.”

This arrangement was meticulously planned, assigning almost all of the Heavenly Alliance's known top combat forces to the task force. The Buddhist sect had indeed poured its last reserves of strength into this operation.

However, the atmosphere in the hall did not lighten up much as a result.

Because everyone knows that these arrangements are based on the fact that the other side already has known experts. And the most terrifying and unpredictable element of the Heavenly Alliance is its supreme and mysterious leader—Nameless!
Li Shimin's gaze swept over the crowd again, finally settling on Pei Ji, who had remained silent all along: "Prime Minister Pei, you have always been knowledgeable and well-versed in the secrets of the martial world. What are your thoughts on this 'Nameless'?"

Pei Ji slowly opened his eyes, stroked his beard and pondered, looking like a wise and experienced minister. He slowly said, "Your Highness, esteemed masters, I have indeed gathered much information about this person, but the results are still scarce. I only know that he suddenly rose to prominence in Xiangyang about five years ago, subduing the Song Clan and Yin Kui with swift and decisive means, and unifying the south. His martial arts style... is unpredictable and seems to have mastered several completely different supreme martial arts, all of which have reached an unbelievable level."

He paused, a hint of seriousness appearing in his eyes at just the right moment: "Five years ago, the free spirit Ning Daoqi fought him... and was defeated in ten moves."

Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped. Ning Daoqi was a universally acknowledged pillar of the martial arts world in the Central Plains. Even Liao Kong and the Fourth Ancestor, who were of the same path as him, knew his profound cultivation. How could he have been defeated within ten moves?

Pei Ji continued, "Three years ago, this man went alone to the grasslands and killed the Turkic Martial Venerable Bi Xuan amidst a vast army, and slaughtered his three thousand wolf riders... This event has shaken the world, and his martial arts are beyond human comprehension. Moreover, his forces are vast and well-organized, and he seems to have the ambition to conquer the world. This northern expedition shows his great ambition."

Master Liaokong stopped turning his prayer beads and opened his eyes: "Amitabha. I have also heard what Prime Minister Pei said. This benefactor is so ruthless and powerful that he is close to the peak of the demonic path. However, judging from his governance, the policies he has implemented in the south, although not entirely the same as Buddhist ideals, are not simply brutal. On the contrary, they have the effect of stabilizing people's lives. This person... is extremely contradictory and cannot be judged by common sense."

"It is precisely because of its contradictions that it is even more terrifying."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, “Neither Buddha nor demon, neither righteous nor evil, he acts entirely according to his own will, without any constraints. If his goal is truly to unify the world, then our Li Tang dynasty is his biggest stumbling block. When the two armies clash, he will never sit idly by. Masters, if... if this person personally goes to the battlefield, heads straight for our army's central command, or directly targets Li Yaoshi, what should we do?”

This is the core and most despairing point of tonight's discussion. If a monster who can defeat Ning Daoqi and kill Bi Xuan in ten moves were to disregard his status and directly participate in the war, who could withstand him?
Silence fell once more in the hall. Even the Fourth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism wore an extremely solemn expression.

Master Jiaxiang's withered face seemed to shrink even more as he slowly said, "If we accept what Prime Minister Pei said, this person's ability is probably close to... the legendary threshold of 'shattering the void.' In a one-on-one fight, no one in the world can stop him."

Master Daoxin's smile vanished, and he sighed, "Unless... we gather all the power of our Buddhist sect present and set up a great formation, we might be able to trap them for a while. But to defeat them, or even injure them... it's difficult, difficult, difficult."

Emperor Heart Venerable's gaze swept across the dark waves representing the Heavenly Dao Alliance on the sand table, and he said coldly, "Perhaps, only by borrowing the blood and qi of the army, combining it with the formation, and then gathering the strength of all of us, can we have a chance to force them back. However, this plan is extremely dangerous. If we are not careful, the formation will be destroyed and everyone will die."

The wise master frowned: "His actions are unpredictable. Whether he will take action personally, and when he will do so, are all uncertain. Our army must prepare for the worst."

Li Xiuning, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up: "Masters, my father and brother have analyzed that although this person is strong, his ambition is to unify the world, not simply to kill. He established the Heavenly Alliance and established laws, clearly intending to pursue a path of long-term stability. Such a person might... be more focused on the contest of 'power'? If our army can defeat Song Que on the main battlefield and thwart his northern expedition, will he then weigh the situation and postpone his personal intervention? After all, if he does everything personally, how is he different from a tyrant? Would his subordinates, such as Song Que and Zhu Yuyan, truly be convinced?"

The unique perspective was refreshing. Indeed, even a master has their pride and their own logic. If they were to withdraw too easily, how would they differ from a commoner? They might even deprive their subordinates of opportunities for training.

Pei Ji gave Li Xiuning a deep look, concealing a hint of unease in his eyes, and nodded in agreement: "Princess Pingyang's words are quite insightful. Wuming is indeed more like a chess player than a chess piece. His heavy reliance on Song Que, Zhu Yuyan, and others, and his promotion of young generals like Su Dingfang, while he himself remains hidden behind the scenes, is clear evidence of this. Perhaps our concerns can be eased. The most urgent task is still to help Chief Steward Li defeat Song Que on the main battlefield! Once Song Que is defeated, the Heavenly Alliance's northern expedition will be hampered, and whether Wuming intervenes will no longer be of great importance. At that time, there may still be room for maneuver."

These words were half sincere and half calculated.

His true intention was that he understood the terrifying nature of Wuming better than anyone else and absolutely did not want to confront him directly. He preferred to use the strength of a large army to deal with Song Que. His calculation was that Shi Zhixuan had his own purpose in infiltrating Li Tang, and he certainly did not want to see the Buddhist sect and Wuming fight to the death, allowing others to profit from the conflict. Guiding everyone to focus on dealing with Song Que suited his intentions perfectly.

Li Shimin pondered for a long time, then finally took a deep breath and made a decisive statement: "What Xiuning and Prime Minister Pei said is not without reason. However, as the art of war says, 'Before calculating victory, calculate defeat.' We cannot rely on the mercy or arrogance of our opponents."

With a piercing gaze, he looked at Liaokong and the Fourth Patriarch: "Zen Master Liaokong, esteemed monks, I have a request."

Liao Kong clasped his hands together and said, "Your Highness, please speak."

"Please remain in Luoyang for now, but be prepared to rush to the aid of the front lines in Zhixian at any time!"

Li Shimin's tone turned serious: "If that nameless one does not show himself, you all will be the pillars supporting the army's morale. If... if he truly disregards his status and recklessly attacks, carrying out decapitation and army-destroying actions—"

"Then I urge you all to follow the words of the Venerable Emperor's Heart, borrow the lifeblood of our mighty Tang army, and form an array to block them! We must spare no expense to stop them before our army! Buy time for me and for Li Yaoshi! If we win this battle, Buddhism will have achieved a great feat of rebuilding the Tang Dynasty and the world! I, Shimin, thank you in advance!"

After saying this, Li Shimin took a step back, bowed deeply to Liaokong and the Fourth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism.

Liaokong and the Fourth Patriarch exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes. This journey was no longer a simple act of assistance, but a life-or-death struggle concerning the survival of Buddhism and the fate of the world.

Liao Kong slowly rose to his feet, and the other four patriarchs followed suit.

"Amitabha." Liaokong cried out, "If I don't go to hell, who will? Since Your Highness has made this decision, we monks... will naturally obey. The survival of Buddhism depends on this battle. Let us use this frail body to try and stop the Heavenly Demon."

The four holy monks, Jiaxiang, Daoxin, Dixin, and Zhihui, also bowed with their palms together. Although they did not say much, their solemn and dignified demeanor spoke volumes.

Pei Ji lowered his eyelids, concealing the deep glint that flashed in his eyes. Looking at this scene of "harmony between ruler and subject" and "Buddhist protectors," a cold smile filled his heart.

'Nameless...will you come? This grand spectacle would be far too dull without you, the protagonist.'

He silently recited in his heart, as if he could feel again the terrifying sword intent that had almost destroyed his soul three years ago, and... the life and death mysteries contained in that sword intent that were of the same origin as his "Undying Seal Technique" but far surpassed it.

This time, perhaps it is his tribulation, or perhaps it is his...opportunity?
"In that case, I'll have to trouble you all."

Li Shimin straightened up: "Medicine Master Li has arrived in Zhi County, and his duel with Song Que is imminent. Tomorrow, I will also personally go to the front lines to oversee the battle. We'll see who emerges victorious in the coming days!"

...............

Leshou, Hebei.

The Xia King's Mansion, Chongde Hall.

Compared to the grandeur of the Ziwei City in Luoyang, the Xia King's Mansion in Leshou has a more rugged feel, reminiscent of the heroes of the north.

Chongde Hall is not as spacious as Xiande Hall, but its beams and pillars are thick, and the lights are bright. The charcoal brazier dispels the chill of the spring night and reflects the solemn, indignant, or hesitant faces inside the hall.

On the throne, King Dou Jiande of Xia wore a dark blue casual robe embroidered with gold trim, over which was a heavy black fox fur coat. He was about forty years old, with a square face, a wide mouth, and dark skin. His short beard was like a spear, and his eyes and brows naturally exuded the majesty of someone who had long held a high position. But at this moment, his brows were deeply furrowed, and there were fine lines of fatigue at the corners of his eyes. His fingers unconsciously caressed a warm jade pendant at his waist—a gift from his wife, Lady Cao, when he first became an outlaw.

Although he wasn't personally involved in the defeat at Zhangshui, Liu Heita's crushing defeat was like losing an arm, severely damaging the morale of the Great Xia army. The subsequent news of the Heavenly Alliance's large-scale northern expedition and the collapse of the Li Tang dynasty north of the Yangtze River weighed heavily on his heart.

To Dou Jiande's left sat Liu Heita, who had recently recovered from his injuries and whose face was still somewhat pale. This top general of the Great Xia Dynasty was as silent as a stone, a suppressed rage burning in his only remaining right eye (his left eye, wounded by a stray arrow in the Battle of Zhangshui, though not blinded, was now blurred). He was not wearing armor, only a black, close-fitting outfit, his thick arms wrapped in bandages, his fingers gripping a wine cup tightly, his knuckles white. His deputy, Zhuge Dewei, sat beside him, his face calm, but his eyes occasionally swept over the newly recruited "guest advisors" opposite him.

To Dou Jiande's right were a group of generals from the Great Xia. Cui Dong and Cao Zhan were both veteran generals of the Great Xia, and they looked worried. Gao Kaidao and Xu Yuanlang were originally leaders of rebel armies who each ruled their own territories. After being forced to submit, they had not been very peaceful. At this moment, their eyes were shifting, and it was unclear what they were thinking. Local generals such as Lu Jun'e looked even more uneasy.

The most eye-catching figures in the hall, however, were the several groups of people seated at the far end of the seats on both sides. Their clothing varied, and their auras were unique, making them stand out from the generals who came from military backgrounds.

The man at the far left was a man around fifty years old with a striking appearance, three long strands of beard, wearing a lotus crown and a wide white robe embroidered with gold patterns.

With a smile on his face and his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his chair, he was quite relaxed. This was Xu Kaishan, the chief religious leader of the Great Ming Sect in the Central Plains.

He appears refined and scholarly, but when he occasionally raises his eyes, a sharp glint flashes deep within them, as if he can see into the depths of people's hearts. His cultivation of the "Mastery of the Roots of All Laws" has reached a state of perfection, and his spiritual power is unfathomable.

Seated next to Xu Kaishan was a woman with a graceful figure and a face covered by a light veil. Only a pair of captivating eyes were visible, and in the flow of her gaze, it seemed to contain endless passion and sorrow, making one's heart flutter. This was none other than Sha Fang, the Good Mother of the Great Ming Sect.

Sha Fang's "Enchanting Beauty Technique" had reached its peak; every smile and frown could captivate hearts. Although she sat silently, her invisible allure subtly enveloped half of the hall, causing some generals with weaker willpower to look directly at her.

Behind Sha Fang stood several men and women of different temperaments. The most eye-catching among them was a young man with a handsome face and a cynical smile that always played on his lips. He was none other than Lie Xia, the leader of the Five Bright Masters, known as "Miao Kong Ming Zi". His gaze frequently swept over the people in the hall, especially lingering on Dou Jiande and Liu Heita.

Beside him stood a woman from the Western Regions with a cool and aloof demeanor, holding a peculiar stringed instrument; she was Xin Nana, the "Mysterious Bright Child." Jiu Lingzhi, the "Mysterious Wind Bright Child," was a tall, thin middle-aged man with shifty eyes. Kalu, the "Mysterious Water Bright Child," was robust and silent as a mountain. Several other sharp-witted young masters were also present; they were Duan Yucheng and his "atoms." A blonde, blue-eyed girl in a magnificent Persian dress, her face radiating a holy glow, stood quietly behind Sha Fang; she was the Persian saintess Cynthia, holding a jewel-encrusted scripture. Ignoring the solemnity of the generals, her eyes were ethereal, as if she were detached from worldly strife.

The right side mainly consists of martial arts masters from the Central Plains and Turkic envoys whom Dou Jiande won over with large sums of money and promises.

The tall, elderly man with long, gray hair, a chiseled face, a high nose and deep-set eyes, and dressed in a luxurious traditional Turkic fur robe was none other than the Turkic State Preceptor, Dunyugu.

Dunyugu was the junior brother of "Martial Venerable" Bi Xuan. Bi Xuan was killed by the Nameless Formation on the grasslands three years ago, a feud that was irreconcilable. He was sent south by the Turkic Khan Ashina She'er, ostensibly to assist Dou Jiande in restraining the Tang Dynasty, but in reality, he intended to spy on the strength of the Central Plains, seek an opportunity to avenge Bi Xuan, and seize profits. At this moment, he was toying with a jewel-inlaid short sword in his hand, his eyes sinister. Occasionally, when he glanced at the members of the Great Ming Venerable Sect, a barely perceptible hint of fear and disgust would flash in his eyes.

At the bottom of Dunyu Valley stood a Taoist priest, about forty years old, with a lean face, three long wisps of beard, wearing a blue Taoist robe and carrying a long sword. He was Li Xingyuan, the leader of the Longxi Sword Sect, whose "Longxi Swift Sword" was swift and ruthless, and was quite famous in the Northwest. His expression was calm, his eyes focused on his nose, and his nose focused on his heart, as if he were meditating.

Below him stood a handsome young man in a brocade robe, a long sword at his waist, exuding an air of arrogance. He was Qiu Tianjue, a rising star of the Qiu family of the Guanzhong Sword Sect. His gaze frequently drifted towards Xin Nana and the Persian saintess from the Great Ming Sect opposite him, filled with curiosity and a hint of burning desire. (End of Chapter)