Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 232 The End
When the Northern Expedition was in full swing, an unexpected situation occurred.

That is, Zhou Su, who has always been in good spirits and even better health, suddenly became sick.

When he captured Luoyang, he only had a minor cold, but after he occupied Bianliang, he started to have a slight cough.

As he occupied more and more counties, his illness became more and more serious, as if the Northern Expedition was consuming not military resources but his life.

Maybe that's true.

Originally, Zhou Su's mission was not to march north. His default setting was to be a scholar and become a great scholar.

However, Zhao Yifu led him onto the Northern Expedition, a path that was completely contrary to Zhou Su's.

So with every step he took on this road, he became weaker.

Zhao Yifu knew this very well, but others did not understand and could only worry in vain.

The army gradually recovered the lost territory, and Zhou Su became visibly weaker.

Later, the Northern Expedition was actually commanded by Zhao Guhe. Zhou Su was just a symbol, but he stubbornly continued to follow the army.

"Jun Xin, am I going to die soon?"

Zhou Su asked weakly while lying in the tent.

Outside the tent was the Great Xu Northern Expedition Army, which was stationed outside Shengjing, the capital of the Liao State.

If Shengjing is destroyed, Yanyun will be completely recovered and China will be united!

Zhao Yifu did not hesitate any longer. He said, "Teacher, you will see the moment when Shengjing City falls."

Zhou Qingzhao, who was waiting beside him, asked with some trepidation, "Brother, with your great abilities, is there no way you can help father recover?"

Zhao Yifu lowered his head with a serious expression, looking very troubled.

Hui Gu advised, "Qing Zhao, please don't make things difficult for him. This is Lord Zhou's fate, and it cannot be reversed by human power."

During this period, Huigu's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. She had already seen that Zhou Su's life was over.

Zhou Qingzhao looked at Hui Gu in shock: "You are my friend...a good sister!"

It seemed as if he couldn't believe that she would say such cold words.

She looked at Zhao Yifu again: "You are my favorite and most trusted senior brother, and you are also my father's most trusted disciple! Do you also think that my father is beyond help?"

Zhao Yifu felt very embarrassed, because according to his idea, Zhou Su's death was inevitable, but Zhou Su's death was just a transformation into a mortal being, not a real death.

But what he neglected was that for Zhou Qingzhao, if Zhou Su died, she would lose her only relative in the world!
This……

Zhao Yifu was actually quite confused. He didn't know how to deal with this matter.

However, his silence had a different meaning in Zhou Qingzhao's eyes.

She said, "You can use all kinds of tricks to help the wounded in the camp, but why can't you do it with my father..."

She shed tears.

She said, "I trust your medical skills, that's why I never hired another famous doctor...but you...you betrayed me!"

She looked very sad and in pain.

After taking two breaths, Zhou Su finally gathered some strength and said, "Qingzhao, don't be like this. Junxin has been doing his best to make me feel better... Dad knows his condition well. I'm afraid his body is about to fail."

"Jun Xin, have the Black and White Impermanence arrived yet? If they have, then don't try to hinder them... Actually, as long as I can return to the old capital, I've already achieved my goal."

Zhou Qingzhao only felt that his old father was terminally ill and had started talking nonsense.

He quickly said, "Father, please stop talking and take a rest."

Zhao Yifu said, "Master, don't worry. The two gods are indeed on this battlefield, but they are working in Shengjing across the way. You are not under their control."

Zhou Su laughed and said, "I am already old and dying, how can I not ask those two to come and take me away?"

Zhao Yifu hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright, let the two of you come and see us off."

He still couldn't reveal the truth, because if he did, Zhou Su would die immediately, and he wouldn't feel complete.

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the tent suddenly became gloomy.

Black and White Impermanence stood quietly on both sides of Zhao Yifu, like minions...

Zhou Su smiled and said, "That's right. You two are the gods of the underworld after all. Jun Xin, please stop bullying them."

The Black and White Impermanence opened their mouths to speak, but Zhao Yifu immediately shut them up with a stern look.

It would be best to say nothing at this time. Wait until Zhou Su passes away, then there will be no taboos.

Zhou Qingzhao looked at Zhao Yifu and Zhou Su interacting with each other in the air with surprise, and she suddenly felt a creepy feeling.

He knew that Zhao Yifu had magical powers, and he also knew that Zhou Su seemed to be able to see things that ordinary people could not see. Could it be...

Hui Gu sighed and said, "Forget it, Qingzhao, if you drink this jade dew, you can temporarily open your Yin-Yang eyes."

Zhou Qingzhao looked at the wine gourd handed to him by Huigu, hesitated for a moment, then raised his head and said "Tun tun tun".

Hui Gu then spoke: "Just one bite..."

Zhou Qingzhao was in a bad mood and did it all.

Hui Gu was speechless. She said, "Never mind. In today's world, perhaps opening the Yin-Yang Eyes is not such a bad thing."

Zhou Qingzhao felt his eyes go cold, and then he looked around... and saw two people, one black and one white, standing behind Zhao Yifu like minions!
She was so frightened that her scalp went numb.

But the two of them forced a smile at her...

She took two steps back until Huigu supported her and she was able to stand firm.

Hui Gu said, "These two are the Impermanence Gods. They seem to have been nearby the whole time. They only came here when Jun Xin called them."

Zhou Qingzhao suddenly collapsed to the ground, crying, "Father, are you really going to leave your daughter?"

Zhou Su sighed and said, "Silly girl, it's not that your father wants you to go, but it's fate, so you have to go!"

Zhou Qingzhao burst into tears.

At this time, Zhou Su asked, "Two Divine Lords, how much longer do I have?"

"Just make it clear to me, don't look at Zhao Junxin's face, he still has to look at my face!"

The Black and White Impermanence looked at each other in bewilderment. Bai Wuchang said helplessly, "Your Excellency, I cannot speak without reason."

Zhou Su's expression turned stern and he asked, "Zhao Junxin, do my words still count?"

Zhao Yifu sighed. Why call his name at this time?
It seemed like he had all the answers to both life and death. Wouldn't this make Zhou Qingzhao even more upset with him?
Sure enough, Zhou Qingzhao looked over with a questioning look.

Zhao Yifu could only express his stance: "Two Divine Lords, now that things have come to this, please tell me the exact time."

As he said this, he winked at the Black and White Impermanence.

Hei Wuchang was in a dilemma. How could they calculate the exact time when the incarnations of the Demon-Subduing Emperor and Emperor Wenheng would pass away?

But Bai Wuchang was much smarter. He saw the look in Zhao Yifu's eyes as he looked outside, and he understood what he meant and said, "When Shengjing falls, that will be the moment of your death."

After saying that, he seized the opportunity, grabbed Hei Wuchang and ran away.

The air pressure here is terrible, so it’s better to leave early.

"Jun Xin..."

Zhou Su was like an old cow, his voice low and intermittent.

Zhao Yifu hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and injected his true energy.

These true qi are useless, but they can make Zhou Su feel better.

Sure enough, Zhou Su's expression became much better. He said, "Let's go. I want to personally lead this final battle."

Zhao Yifu nodded in agreement.

Zhou Qingzhao stopped him and said, "Father, you need to have a good rest!"

Zhou Su said, "The destiny is approaching, what is there to rest for?"

As he said that, he actually pushed the quilt away and sat up!
At this time, his movements were very smooth, but they seemed like a last burst of energy.

"Father, father!"

Zhou Qingzhao looked at Zhao Yifu and said, "I'm not asking you to save my father, but I'm asking you to persuade him to stop abusing himself, okay?"

Zhao Yifu could understand the feelings of a child, but...

He also knew that this time was related to the deeper perfection of Zhou Su or Emperor Wenheng.

So he sighed and said, "Master Xiaohui, please keep an eye on her for me... No, just let her watch quietly from the side. I think she will understand."

Zhou Su nodded heavily. This was also a regret he didn't want to leave behind.

So he stood up and walked to the outer room, where he beat the drum decisively to gather his troops.

The generals were very surprised. They didn't expect that Zhou Su, who had been bedridden for a long time, would appear in person.

Zhou Su looked at the generals who had arrived and said, "I will personally command this battle. Do you have any objections?"

Before the generals had time to hesitate, Zhao Guhe naturally stood up, clasped his fists, and knelt down, saying, "I am willing to obey the lord's orders."

The generals no longer hesitated and knelt down beside Zhao Guhe: "We are willing to obey the commander's orders!"

Zhou Su shouted happily: "Okay, follow me to fight!"

It was already afternoon, so it wasn't really the right time.

But Zhou Su couldn't wait any longer.

Zhao Yifu also understood this feeling, because Zhou Su was very weak and he might give up and lie down at any time.

If he lay down... perhaps he could still survive, but he would definitely not be able to fulfill his wish of personally commanding the battle.

Although the generals felt something was wrong, they still accepted the order and marched to the front of Shengjing City.

Shengjing is the capital of Liao State, so the city defense is naturally tight.

However, at this time, all the princes and nobles of Liao Kingdom had already withdrawn, and this place was just a military camp with a city full of civilians.

Zhou Su, supported by Zhao Yifu, came to the front of the battle. He looked at the towering city wall and said, "Jun Xin, do you know why I want to capture this city as quickly as possible?"

Zhao Yifu didn't say anything strange, but said seriously, "Because the teacher is kind, he doesn't want to see the people in the city suffer more from the war." "If the war is prolonged, no one can guarantee that the defenders in the city will do something extreme to the people in the city."

Zhou Su nodded and said, "Indeed, if there is anyone in this world who understands me, it is you."

Zhao Yifu lowered his head and remained silent.

Zhou Su then selected his generals to go into battle.

The first two people to be called upon were Wei Kang and Yang Zaixuan. He hoped to use their bravery to break the situation as soon as possible.

The siege began in full swing.

Zhou Su commanded the central army with confidence, and was able to exert pressure on each side of the city wall to test the reaction of the city.

However, the most pressing matter is to not rush the siege, because it requires a process, especially when facing such a powerful city, it is almost inevitable that it will be a protracted battle.

However, Zhou Su felt more and more tired.

He knew that the soldiers were indeed brave. Yang Zaixuan and Wei Kang had indeed met his expectations. They had climbed to the top of the wall twice but were driven down by the enemy at a desperate moment.

The two men who fell from the high wall actually dragged their injured bodies to climb up the wall again, and it was not until they were pushed down for the second time that they really could not climb anymore.

The Da Xu army also suffered heavy losses, and Zhou Su was heartbroken when he saw this.

He suddenly gave the order, "Call off the troops today. I was too impatient. Let Yun Guilai lead the battle tomorrow."

He bent down in frustration, and his once strong spirit collapsed visibly.

Zhou Qingzhao, who was standing next to her, bit her lips until they bled. She looked at Zhao Yifu without saying a word, her eyes asking, "Is this what you want?"

Zhao Yifu paused for a moment with a serious expression, then suddenly stood up and shouted, "Where are my Zhao family members?!"

The next moment, more than a dozen generals in the army, the surrounding guards, Zhao Xiangyu and even Zhao Guhe all clasped their fists and said, "Here!"

Zhao Yifu took a deep breath, looked at these clansmen who had already made a name for themselves, and said, "Back then, the Zhao family worshipped my teacher Zhou Su as their lord and master, and only then did they protect the family. Now that the lord is seriously ill, he has only one wish. What should you do?"

When Zhao Guhe heard this, a breath suddenly rushed into his chest, and his body seemed to have expanded.

He took a step forward, his eyes wide open, and shouted, "All of you, follow me up first!"

"promise!"

The Zhao clan members did not hesitate. Even those who had become generals joined the charge and siege without hesitation.

Zhao Yifu looked at this scene and bit his teeth lightly... He was also heartbroken.

But this is necessary, and it is actually their fate!

This is how he convinced himself, but it was actually a bit self-deception.

Perhaps they will have posthumous glory if they die in battle, but what about their living relatives?

How should Zhao Yifu face those people?

He was anxious.

Especially when the second uncle really rushed forward with three hundred Zhao men.

Zhao Yifu thought about taking action himself, but if he did so, could he afford the karma of interfering in humanitarian conquest?

The Zhao clan members went up. They didn't need a ladder at all. Instead, they used the crane claw skills they had practiced since childhood to climb up directly by clinging to the cracks in the bricks of the city wall.

If they hadn't been wearing armor, they might have climbed the wall long ago.

However, one person was hit by the rolling stone and fell into the corner of the wall and could not move.

Two more people had hot oil poured on their heads, scalding their flesh and bones until they melted.

Zhao Yifu's eyes were filled with tears.

A few more people climbed up the wall and were stabbed down with spears.

More and more members of the Zhao family died in this city, and Zhao Yifu felt very sad.

"It would be great if the White Tiger Flag was here at this time."

Zhao Yi Fu sighed, then his eyes fixed, he snatched the spear from the guard next to him, and then stood on the high platform where Zhou Su was commanding and suddenly threw the spear.

The arm swung down like a whip, even breaking the air.

His spear exploded a circle of white mist around it, and then suddenly pierced into the city wall.

Zhao Yifu shouted angrily, "Bring another spear!"

The soldiers around him did not dare to face this fierce aura like that of a giant spirit, and immediately handed over their spears.

Zhao Yifu followed suit and nailed spear after spear into the city wall.

This is a ladder made of spears!
He threw hundreds of spears in one breath, allowing many brave men to climb to the top of the city wall even without ladders.

And when he saw two more Liao soldiers on the wall holding a huge oil pan and preparing to pour it down... he could no longer hold back, grabbed the spear and threw it over there.

"boom!"

Even half of the parapet was shattered by this spear, and then the man holding the oil pan had his shoulder knocked off!

The oil pan naturally fell to the ground and overturned on the top of his own city.

"Go, capture the city!"

Zhao Guhe finally jumped up by stepping on the gun barrel and gained a firm foothold on the top of the city wall.

Then, behind him, members of the Zhao clan also followed, expanding their position on the top of the city wall.

Considering the fighting ability of the Zhao clan, as long as ten of them climb the wall, the battle will probably be secure.

Then more and more people climbed up the city wall, and even Yang Zaixuan and Wei Kang fought back.

Zhou Su's body, which had been limp, straightened up again. He shouted, "This opportunity cannot be missed. All forces must attack!"

He sent his entire army forward.

This battle can be won under his command!

The brave men under his command rushed out one after another, and more and more people climbed up the city wall.

Not long after, the city gate was opened from the inside... Zhao Yunhe was standing in the middle, covered in blood, and beside him was the tall figure of Zhao Xiangyu fighting hard.

The Zhao family did it!

The city gates were broken and the defenders in the city no longer held their ground...mainly because the city was broken too quickly for them, which made them lose their courage and fright.

They retreated in a panic without making a final stand.

As the sky gradually darkened, the former capital of the Liao Kingdom had almost completely changed hands.

Zhou Su stared at the flag of the Great Xu Dynasty rising above the city walls, then suddenly raised his head and said, "Jun Xin, thank you for your hard work."

Zhao Yifu said, "This is what a disciple should do."

Zhou Su slowly shook his head and said, "You must have taken a lot of responsibility this time."

Zhao Yifu said, "If you can't clear your mind, then you don't need to practice the immortal path."

Zhou Su said, "Okay, this is the Zhao Junxin I know... I still have to thank you for making my merit complete."

Zhao Yifu did not respond.

In fact, He is not the only one who is perfect.

Many people in Daxu actually achieved perfection at this moment.

Even Zhao Yifu's mood at this time was quite satisfactory.

At this moment, suddenly dark clouds gathered above my head.

Zhou Su said: "Your doom has come."

"Are you sure?"

Zhao Yifu said, "I haven't tried it, so I don't know."

Zhou Su smiled and said, "You must hold on. I'm going to leave my daughter in this life to you to take care of. She's the only one I'm worried about right now."

Zhao Yifu was choked. He thought it would be nice to be struck by thunder and then go to the Emperor of Dongyue to find some peace and quiet.

Helplessly, he could only agree: "Okay, I will take care of her for the rest of her life."

He made a lifetime promise.

Because if he could survive the heavenly tribulation, he probably wouldn't dare to go to heaven immediately.

He can be said to be full of karma now.

If one were to go to heaven with all his karma, he would probably suffer a lot.

It’s a good opportunity for me to stay in the mortal world for a while and see if there is any way to balance the karma on my body.

Zhou Su nodded and said, "I won't thank you."

At this moment, everything is unspeakable.

Zhao Yifu’s goal was also achieved.

At the same time, he also knew that Zhou Su should have awakened his true spirit at this time.

In other words, it’s time to die...

It was only at this time that Zhou Qingzhao came quietly in front of him.

Her face was covered with tears, but she seemed to have understood something and appeared much more sensible.

Zhou Su held her hand and said, "My daughter, your father is leaving. Don't quarrel with your brother. Listen to him and live a good life. We will be reunited in heaven in the future..."

The sound became softer and softer, and after a moment there was no sound.

At this point, a famous official of Daxu died at the time of complete victory in the Northern Expedition.

When he returned to the sky, a voice seemed to echo in the wind: [Prime Minister, I did it.]

(End of this chapter)