From the Carp that Brings Children to the Celestial Officials

Chapter 436 Conquering Yuanling Mountain

Peng Kuo rode on a chestnut horse he had stolen, his gaze cold, his face bearing a terrifying centipede-like scar.

As his killings increased, he felt his physique becoming stronger and stronger, and his height, which was originally only a little over five feet, was now approaching eight feet.

He can now pull a bull backwards at a speed faster than a galloping horse. Although his body cannot be described as invulnerable, ordinary wounds can heal in a few days.

Behind him was a somewhat disorganized cavalry force, numbering less than three hundred; the rest were on foot.

These horses were all stolen along the way; very few of the nearly 10,000 people in the group knew how to ride.

After all, most people were just ordinary people before, and they had no opportunity to learn to ride horses.

Even so, after several major battles, his troops were slowly transforming. Although most of them were still in tattered armor, their fierce and valiant spirit was evident, and they looked more elite than the local troops of the imperial court.

"Is Yuanling County just ahead?"

Peng Kuo had heard that Yuanling County was one of the most prosperous places in Bingzhou.

The area is located near the Feng River, making it a hub of commerce. Yuanling Mountain boasts stunning scenery, unparalleled in Bingzhou. Furthermore, the temple dedicated to the Goddess of Fertility is said to be incredibly efficacious, drawing many visitors from far and wide.

Even many wealthy and powerful people have purchased houses here.

If they can capture Yuanling County, they will probably have enough food and supplies before winter this year.

They could even use Yuanling County as a base to establish their own independent regime, which would be crucial for both accumulating power and laying the groundwork for future expansion.

As his power grew, Peng Kuo's ambitions also swelled.

"Pong."

Suddenly, a ball of flame appeared before his eyes, the blood-red flame burning in the void, startling him.

However, he soon discovered that within the flames, there was a creature that vaguely resembled a pangolin.

His expression immediately became respectful, and he lowered his head.

"Your Majesty."

Despite his arrogance, Peng Kuo knew that his current success was not due to his own talent, but rather because the Venerable One had chosen him.

"Very good, you're making rapid progress."

The pangolin gazed at Peng Kuo with a deep and calm look.

Peng Kuo was about to be polite when he was interrupted.

"Since that's the case, I will pass on the bloodline to you. You will be the master of the bloodline. You can choose some trusted confidants and send the bloodline into their bodies."

"The excess blood energy you gain can be transferred to them."

"If you want to achieve great things, one person alone is far from enough."

"All those whose bloodline you have planted will be forever loyal to you."

The pangolin spoke slowly, its form appearing more solid than when it last appeared.

"Thank you, Venerable One!"

Upon hearing this, Peng Kuo was overjoyed.

This bloodline has finally solved his immediate problem.

Although he was followed by an army of ten thousand men, he was well aware that this army was merely something he had forcibly assembled based on his personal prestige.

The army collapses immediately if it suffers even one defeat.

Only by extending his control over every unit and squad can he truly build an invincible army.

……

He was less than twenty miles from Yuanling County, and from where he stood, he could even see the towering Yuanling Mountain in the distance.

He had heard a legend before: in earlier years, this Yuanling Mountain was only a hundred feet tall, just a small mountain in the Bingzhou area. But it was said that there was a deity in the mountain who, with his own magical power, raised Yuanling Mountain to a height of a thousand feet, and the scenery became so beautiful that it was known as the most beautiful place in Bingzhou.

The line "Viewed from the side, it's a ridge; viewed from the front, it's a peak; its appearance varies depending on distance and elevation" is widely known, and even he, a rough and uncultured man, had heard of it.

This legend is probably false, but that doesn't stop Peng Kuo from liking Yuanling Mountain more and more.

The south side of Yuanling Mountain is steep and difficult to traverse, with cliffs and precipices everywhere, but it also guards the vital passage to the north.

As long as this place is held, it will be easy to defend and difficult to attack.

As for the north, it is said that a thousand-mile-long territory has been opened up into the Yin Mountains, enough to support hundreds of thousands or even millions of people.

It can be said that occupying this place lays the foundation for contending for hegemony.

Even if we suffer a temporary setback, we can always retreat to this place.

Peng Kuo sat in his tent, looking at a geomantic map on the table. The more he looked at it, the more he felt that this place was excellent.

Although he didn't understand the military strategy of "golden corner, silver edge, grass belly," it didn't hinder his naturally sharp strategic vision.

"Tiehu, Shiyong, Luoxiu... come in."

A glint of light flashed in Peng Kuo's eyes, and then he gave a soft shout to the outside.

Immediately, ten men walked in from outside.

The tents were not large to begin with, and once these people entered, they immediately became much more crowded.

These men exuded a fierce and valiant aura, their eyes like those of wild wolves. Most of them were Peng Kuo's fellow villagers and among his most trusted confidants.

"I'm sure you've all noticed it too."

"Recently, my body has become increasingly stronger. Aren't you... curious?"

Peng Kuo was short and stocky, and although he was strong, he was at a disadvantage against others on the battlefield.

In just the last two months, he grew nearly three feet, which seemed almost mythical to many, and was a major reason why many of his earliest followers were devoted to him.

"Don't dare."

A hint of awe flashed across everyone's faces. They had been fellow villagers and brothers before, but now there was a clear distinction between superiors and inferiors.

Especially since Peng Kuo has recently become like a demon god, everyone harbors a sense of fear.

"Hahaha, don't panic."

"Actually, it's nothing. I just received an opportunity bestowed by an immortal."

"The dynasty's fate is sealed, and I have obtained the opportunity of an immortal, so I should take its place."

"However, now I am willing to share my destiny with you brothers. If I ascend to the throne in the future, you will all become dukes and marquises."

Peng Kuo's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and only after seeing that everyone was in a panic did a smile appear on his face.

He reached out and flipped his hand, revealing a drop of dark red blood.

It floats silently without any support.

Everyone's eyes widened at the sight. A divine connection between immortals and immortals—nothing could be more convincing.

The drop of blood seemed to possess a strange, alluring power, making it impossible to look away.

Peng Kuo lightly touched the drop of blood, and in an instant, the drop of blood split into ten streams, each a fine thread that instantly entered the center of each person's forehead.

The blood vessels instantly seeped in, and everyone felt a surge of heat spreading through their bodies, as if all the blood in their bodies had been ignited.

A powerful force began to erupt within their bodies, each person's muscles instantly became more solid, and their entire being seemed to be surging with boundless energy ready to be released.

(End of this chapter)