Honghuang: Fire De Huaguang, I am the Horse King of Human Education

Hua Guang nodded slightly.

"Let's go, it must be important military business."

The two arrived at the main tent, where they saw Deng Jiugong examining a map with a solemn expression. Upon seeing them enter, Deng Jiugong immediately greeted them.

"We have just received news that Xiqi is mobilizing more troops, seemingly to retaliate for today's defeat."

Deng Chanyu frowned.

"They dare to come again? If Jiang Ziya hadn't run away so fast today..."

Deng Jiugong shook his head.

"In today's battle, the main force of Xiqi was not damaged."

Moreover, the Chan Sect is a powerful force; next time, there will likely be more than just these people coming.

Hua Guang spoke up.

"General Deng, there is no need to worry too much. We will meet force with force and water with water."

Deng Jiugong sighed.

"Immortal, you may not know this, but although I have commanded troops for many years, I am truly powerless against these cultivators. If it weren't for your intervention today, Sanshan Pass would probably have already fallen."

Deng Chanyu suddenly said.

“Father, why don’t we ask our benefactor to stay a few more days? With our benefactor here, those Taoist practitioners in Xiqi will certainly not dare to act rashly.”

Deng Jiugong's eyes lit up, and he looked at Hua Guang expectantly. Hua Guang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"In that case, I will stay for a few days."

Deng Chanyu was delighted to hear this, but she tried her best to suppress it, though the smile in her eyes and brows was impossible to hide.

Deng Jiugong saw it all and understood, but he didn't point it out. He just stroked his beard and smiled.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Suddenly, a soldier's exclamation came from outside the tent. The three of them walked out of the tent and saw a golden light streak across the sky, as if something was flying towards the direction of Sanshan Pass.

Hua Guang's gaze sharpened, and the Kongtong Imprint inside his sleeve trembled slightly.

A new storm seems to be brewing.

Hua Guang watched as Kong Xuan transformed into a colorful sunset and vanished, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"I appreciate your kind intentions, but we should not pursue a desperate enemy."

"With the Jade Void Apricot Yellow Banner protecting him, Jiang Ziya probably has other plans."

He turned to Deng Chanyu, his tone gentle.

"Miss Deng, please go back to your tent and rest. You've been frightened today."

Deng Chanyu hesitated, her gaze lingering on the direction where Hua Guang and Kong Xuan had disappeared, before finally letting out a soft sigh.

“If my benefactor needs anything, please call me anytime.”

She bowed slightly, and as she turned, her skirt swirled gently as she walked towards the tent with a hint of reluctance.

Huang Feihu strode over, his armor still stained with blood, but his face was filled with excitement.

"Master, this battle was a great victory! We killed nearly 100,000 enemies, and our army suffered no casualties!"

His voice was loud and clear, drawing the attention of the surrounding soldiers, whose eyes gleamed with excitement.

Hua Guang nodded.

"General Huang, you have worked hard. Let the soldiers rest well and continue the march tomorrow."

He gazed toward Xiqi, his eyes fixed on the distance.

"This battle should be won quickly to quell the rebellion in Xiqi as soon as possible."

Huang Feihu clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.

"This subordinate will make the arrangements immediately!"

As he turned away, he seemed to remember something and added.

"We just surveyed the battlefield and found countless supplies of grain and weapons, which will be just enough to replenish our army's needs."

Hundreds of miles away, a yellow light flashed, and Jiang Ziya appeared with the people of Xiqi.

The light of the Jade Void Apricot Yellow Banner gradually dimmed, revealing Ji Fa and a group of cultivators in a disheveled state beneath it.

"Quickly gather the remaining troops!"

Jiang Ziya gave the order urgently, and Nezha and Yang Jian immediately obeyed and left.

He turned to look at Ji Fa, whose face was pale, and spoke in a heavy tone.

"Your Highness, today's defeat was due to the fact that the opponent had the help of a master."

Ji Fa gritted his teeth.

"What exactly is the origin of that radiant light? And what about that Kongtong Seal?"

His eyes held greed, which was then replaced by fear.

Jiang Ziya shook his head.

"The most important thing right now is to regroup. Your Highness, please raise the white flag and temporarily avoid the enemy's advance. I will go to Yuxu Palace to seek help immediately."

He summoned the four-legged creature, climbed onto it, and gave it further instructions.

"Remember to retreat 300 li and set up camp, and avoid any further direct confrontation with the Shang army."

Although Ji Fa was unwilling, he could only nod when he thought of today's crushing defeat.

"Then we'll have to rely entirely on you, Father Prime Minister."

Jiang Ziya rode the Four-Unlikes into the air, transforming into a streak of light and heading straight for Kunlun Mountain.

He was preoccupied with worries the whole way. Hua Guang's strength today far exceeded his expectations, and what made him even more uneasy was that the Kongtong Seal had reappeared in the world.

Inside the Jade Void Palace, the Primordial Celestial Venerable sat in meditation with his eyes closed.

Jiang Ziya knelt on the ground and reported the details of the battle. When he heard about the Kongtong Seal, Yuanshi Tianzun slowly opened his eyes.

"This treasure has actually reappeared!"

He calculated with his fingers, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Such is our destiny. Since that is the case, let the Heavenly Court also lend a hand."

With that, he flicked his sleeve, and a golden light disappeared into the void.

Jiang Ziya was overjoyed and kowtowed again.

"Master, Hua Guang's cultivation is profound. Could we ask a fellow disciple for assistance?"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable nodded slightly.

"Then let the lamp go with you."

Before he finished speaking, an elderly man in a Taoist robe appeared silently in the hall; it was none other than the Taoist Ran Deng.

Jiang Ziya quickly paid his respects.

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle-Master."

Ran Deng smiled calmly.

"Nephew, there's no need for such formalities. Please lead the way."

The two left Yuxu Palace and rode on clouds towards Xiqi.

On the cloud, Jiang Ziya addressed Ran Deng.

"Many thanks to my martial uncle for his help this time. — Hua Guang"

The lamp was lit, and he waved his hand to interrupt.

“I am aware of this matter. The Kongtong Seal is a treasure of the human race, and it is indeed troublesome. However, everything has its counterpart, and there is always a way to deal with it.”

Jiang Ziya felt somewhat relieved, but then he heard Ran Deng say something.

Do you know the origin of that radiant light?

Jiang Ziya shook his head.

"All we know is that he appeared suddenly, and his cultivation is unfathomable."

The lamp's light shines far into the distance.

"The great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods is fraught with unpredictable changes. You'd better take care of yourself."

After saying that, he closed his eyes to rest and said no more.

On the other side, the Xiqi army retreated 300 li and temporarily set up camp.

Ji Fa sat in the commander's tent, his face grim. Today's defeat not only resulted in the loss of soldiers and generals, but also caused him to lose face completely.

The scene where Deng Chanyu protected Hua Guang in particular fueled his jealousy and resentment.

"Your Highness, the remnants of the army have been gathered together."

Yang Jian entered the tent to report.

"There are less than 50,000 men left, and the food supplies are only enough for three days."

Ji Fa slammed his hand on the table.

When will Prime Minister Jiang return?

Nezha said from the side.

"The Prime Minister went to Yuxu Palace to ask for help, and the round trip would take at least a day."

Just then, a startled cry came from outside the tent.

As everyone rushed out of the tent, they saw auspicious clouds in the sky and countless heavenly soldiers and generals marching in formation. At the forefront was a divine general in dazzling golden armor, who was none other than the Heavenly Court's reinforcements.

Ji Fa was overjoyed.

"God help me too!"

He quickly straightened his clothes to greet her.

After the divine general landed, he looked at Yang Jian first.

"Is True Lord Qingyuan Miaodao here? The Jade Emperor has decreed that we be sent here to assist you."

Yang Jian stepped forward to receive the imperial decree, but was secretly surprised.

The Heavenly Court has never directly intervened in the Investiture of the Gods war, but this time it has made an exception and sent reinforcements, which must have been at the behest of the Primordial Heavenly Lord.

At the same time, in the Shang army camp, Hua Guang suddenly opened his eyes.

"Has the Heavenly Court gotten involved too?"

He gently stroked the Kongtong Seal with his fingertips; the seal was slightly warm, as if it had sensed something.

Kong Xuan's figure quietly appeared.

"Should I go and investigate?"

Hua Guang shook his head.

"No need. We will proceed with the advance as usual tomorrow."

His gaze swept over Deng Chanyu's tent in the distance, and seeing her gazing out the window, he immediately transmitted his voice.

"Miss Deng, get some rest. There will be a fierce battle tomorrow."

Deng Chanyu was startled by the voice, then her cheeks flushed slightly, and she replied softly, "Please take care, my benefactor."

She closed the window, but couldn't hide the smile on her lips.

As night deepened, both armies' camps were brightly lit.

While Xiqi was busy receiving reinforcements from the Heavenly Court, the Shang army was reorganizing its troops in preparation for continuing its advance the next day.

A larger-scale battle is quietly brewing.

Hua Guang sat alone in the tent, the Kongtong Seal slowly rotating in his palm.

The black bird pattern on the body was sometimes clear and sometimes blurry, as if it were foreshadowing something.

He suddenly spoke.

"Now that we're here, why hide?"

A soft laugh came from outside the tent, and the figure of Daoist Duobao appeared.

"Fellow Daoist, your perception is keen; I admire you greatly."

Hua Guang looked up.

"The Jie Sect is also getting involved?"

Daoist Duobao waved his hand.

"Just here to watch the fun. But..."

He changed his tone.

"If you need assistance, Fellow Daoist, the Jie Sect can also provide some help."

Hua Guang said calmly.

"I appreciate your kind offer, but this is a matter between me and the human race."

Daoist Duobao did not insist and laughed.

"Then let's wait and see. But I'd like to remind you, fellow Daoist, that since the Primordial Celestial Venerable has instigated the Heavenly Court, he probably won't let this go easily."

After saying this, it turned into a blue light and disappeared.

Hua Guang stared at the Kongtong Seal, his eyes filled with a complex expression.

This great calamity of the Investiture of the Gods seems to be developing in an unexpected direction. And since he has chosen to intervene, he must protect those who deserve protection.

The following morning, the Shang army broke camp and marched forward. Huang Feihu led the way, and his 50,000-strong army advanced in a mighty march towards the new camp in Xiqi.

Hua Guang and Kong Xuan rode on clouds to accompany him, while Deng Chanyu rode on a clay unicorn beside her father, occasionally looking up at Hua Guang in the clouds.

Before they had marched more than a hundred li, a scout from the front reported the news.

"The Xiqi camp is only thirty miles away, but... but there seem to be heavenly soldiers arrayed in the sky!"

Huang Feihu's expression changed.

"The Heavenly Court has indeed intervened!"

He looked at Hua Guang.

"Immortal Master, what should we do?"

Hua Guang remained expressionless.

"Proceed as planned. Since the Heavenly Court dares to interfere in the war on Earth, it must pay the price."

The Kongtong Seal hummed in his palm, seemingly sensing its master's fighting spirit.

Deng Chanyu urged the earthen unicorn forward.

"My benefactor, those heavenly soldiers and generals will likely be difficult to deal with."

Hua Guang smiled slightly at her.

"It's alright. Just take care of yourself."

After saying that, it accelerated and flew forward.

Kong Xuan followed closely behind, his colorful rays tracing a magnificent path in the sky. Huang Feihu shouted upon seeing this.

"All troops, advance at full speed! Let those heavenly soldiers see the might of the soldiers of our Great Shang!"

Thirty miles away, the Xiqi camp was already in sight.

In the sky, auspicious clouds swirled, and tens of thousands of heavenly soldiers stood in formation, their golden armor gleaming in the sun, their banners waving in the wind.

Yang Jian and Nezha stood at the front of the formation, with several powerful divine generals beside them.

Ji Fa stood on the high platform at the camp gate, laughing triumphantly.

"Hua Guang! Today we'll see how you break my Heavenly Army Formation!"

Hua Guang stood in mid-air, and the Kongtong Seal slowly rose.

"Then let me show you the power of humanity's supreme treasure!"

The war is about to start.

Instead of heading straight for Xiqi as Jiang Ziya had predicted, Ran Deng rode a cloud and turned southeast.

The four creatures traveled through the air, and in the blink of an eye, they had traversed thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.

Jiang Ziya asked in confusion.

"Uncle-Master, are we heading towards Chen Tang Pass?"

Ran Deng nodded, his eyes gleaming.

"The predicament of Xiqi cannot be resolved by direct confrontation. It would be better to employ a hidden strategy to disrupt Chentang Pass and keep Huaguang preoccupied with his own problems."

Meanwhile, Huang Feihu's elite Shang cavalry was galloping across the open fields.

For two days, they pursued the remnants of Xiqi for over a thousand kilometers, leaving behind only abandoned armor, weapons, and provisions wherever they went.

Although Nezha and Yang Jian tried their best to gather the remaining troops, the Shang army would arrive as soon as they assembled a part of their forces, so they had to fight and retreat at the same time.

When they finally reunited with Ji Fa, the Xiqi army had dwindled to less than 80,000 men, all of them looking hungry and disheveled in their armor.

Ji Fa looked at the disheveled army, his face ashen.

"Where is the Prime Minister? Why hasn't he returned yet!"

Yang Jian said in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, the Shang army is pursuing us again. Perhaps we should retreat back to Xiqi and make further plans."

Ji Fa gritted his teeth and stared at the road they had come from, where dust and smoke billowed, clearly indicating that Huang Feihu had caught up with them again.

He suddenly flicked his sleeve.

"Withdraw! Abandon all cities and retreat to Xiqi!"

The Xiqi army fled westward in disarray, abandoning all the territories they had painstakingly conquered.

All of this was observed by the radiant light atop the distant clouds. Kong Xuan stood beside him and said softly.

"Should we cut off their retreat?"

Hua Guang shook his head.

"Don't pursue a desperate enemy. But something seems to have happened at Chentang Pass."

His gaze shifted to the southeast, and the Kongtong seal inside his sleeve trembled slightly.

On the city wall of Chentang Pass, the garrison suddenly spotted two streaks of light rushing towards them from the horizon and immediately sounded the alarm.

Dozens of replica Qiankun Bows were drawn simultaneously, and the Zhentian Arrows, gleaming coldly, were aimed at the approaching figures.

"He who comes is stopped!"

The garrison commander shouted loudly.

"This is the strategically important Chen Tang Pass. Anyone who trespasses will be killed without exception!"

As the light faded, the figures of Ran Deng and Jiang Ziya were revealed.

Just as Jiang Ziya was about to speak, a golden light suddenly rose from inside the pass, and Li Jing came stepping through the void, carrying a golden pagoda in his hand.

"Master!"

Upon seeing the lamp, Li Jing immediately knelt and bowed in the air.

"This disciple was unaware of Master's arrival and has failed to properly greet you!"

Ran Deng nodded slightly.

"Get up. It seems your cultivation has improved considerably; you're about to undergo your tribulation?"

Li Jing stood up and said respectfully.

"Under Master's guidance, I will undergo the tribulation of lightning in three days and break through to the Earth Immortal realm."

Only then did he notice Jiang Ziya standing to the side, and his expression changed slightly.

"Who is this"

Jiang Ziya cupped his hands in greeting.

"This humble Taoist priest, Jiang Ziya, greets General Li."

Li Jing looked surprised, but quickly regained his composure.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Jiang. Master, Fellow Daoist Jiang, please come into the manor for a chat."

Just as the three were about to descend from the clouds, a beam of green light suddenly shot out from the general's mansion, and Madam Yin stood in front of them, holding the Qingfeng sword.

She stared sharply at Jiang Ziya.

"My lord! This man is a traitorous prime minister of Xiqi, an enemy of the Shang Dynasty! How can you let a wolf into your house?"

Li Jing's face immediately turned ashen.

"Madam, stop talking nonsense! Get out of the way!"

Lady Yin's sword tip was pointed directly at Jiang Ziya.

"Though I am a woman, I know the meaning of loyalty and righteousness. If my husband wishes to join forces with rebels, he should first ask the sword in my hand!"

Upon seeing this, the soldiers guarding the city wall quickly turned their bows around, the arrows gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and the air was thick with the smell of swords about to be drawn.

Li Jing was so angry that he laughed instead.

"Fine! Fine! Even you dare to defy me!"

He suddenly unleashed his overwhelming power, and the golden pagoda shone brightly, forcing Lady Yin to retreat repeatedly.

Suddenly, Ran Deng spoke.

“My disciple, there is no need to be angry.”

With a flick of his sleeve, a gentle force dissolved the tense atmosphere in the arena.

"Madam Li is commendable for her loyalty and righteousness; there is no need to make things difficult for her."

Jiang Ziya also said.

"I have not come here to be an enemy; Madam Li, you are overthinking it."

Lady Yin, however, refused to budge. (End of Chapter)