The First Sage of Military Strategists

Wow!
Accompanied by a series of heavy footsteps, a large number of soldiers arrived at the long street, and the air was filled with the smell of blood.

At the same moment, an extremely fierce aura erupted from multiple locations within the city, and magical energy swept back and forth along the long street.

Han Qing ignored these people. With a thought, the Seven Killings Stele appeared in his mind, and a point of soul light appeared before the stele, within which the old man's face was faintly visible.
With a thought, Han Qing immediately absorbed the soul light.

He wanted to see what this old man was, what this black umbrella was, and who had sent this old man to ambush him.

The scene flashed before my eyes, and memories from the old man's entire life rushed by like a revolving lantern.

Han Qing quickly found the information he wanted from it.

"The Thousand-Tricked Old Man?" He frowned.

This person is an assassin from the Black Sparrow Alliance. He travels extensively and is incredibly audacious. As long as the money is enough, he dares to mess with or kill anyone.

The person who hired this old ghost to assassinate him was none other than the Dayu Nian family, one of the thousand-year-old aristocratic families, but second only to the Han and Luo families, and a follower of the Luo family.

The magic weapon in the old ghost's hand was also provided by the Nian family. It is a supreme treasure of the Mo family called the Spirit-Slaying Umbrella. When activated by the power of magic, it can release 9999 silver needles with great penetrating power. It also carries the power of resentment and evil. Once it pierces the human body, it can cause great damage to the body and soul.

The old ghost had heard of his own name before, so he initially refused, but upon hearing about the Spirit-Slaying Umbrella, he began to have designs on it.

The Black Sparrow Alliance had a secret technique to conceal their aura, but unfortunately, they underestimated Han Qing's strength. The moment they stepped onto the street, they were already in Han Qing's sight.

Han Qing could sense his immense strength, but he didn't make a move until the man released a wisp of killing intent when he opened his umbrella, at which point Han Qing decided to attack.

"It's a pity that this Spirit-Slaying Umbrella can only be used once, otherwise, I would have another powerful magic weapon."

Han Qing murmured to himself.

Just then, a figure dressed in a green robe descended from the sky and landed right in front of Han Qing and the other person; it was Meng Qingxi.

Her gaze swept across the scene, and she saw corpses everywhere. Her expression turned quite grim.

"what happened?"

“Someone is trying to assassinate my husband,” Yan Qiuling said.

Meng Qingxi glanced at the old ghost's corpse on the ground, then her gaze fell on Han Qing, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

She discovered that Han Qing's strength had increased again, and he was emanating an even more terrifying and dreadful aura.

Less than a month later, Han Qing's strength had improved again, and her rapid growth made Han Qing extremely jealous.

"Young Master Han, you must be careful. Countless eyes are watching you now. The experts from the Great Vajra Temple will definitely try to kill you!"

Han Qing nodded slightly: "Then let them bring it on. I want to see how they'll kill me!"

He said this, but he knew perfectly well what was going on. It was the Nian family who had done it, and the culprit had a grievance to settle. He would definitely take revenge if he had the chance.

"Commander Cao, seal off this street and dispose of these corpses and bloodstains as soon as possible," Meng Qingxi ordered.

"Yes," a burly, dark-faced man replied loudly.

Meng Qingxi's gaze swept across the room again, landing on Han Qing beside her.

"Meng Chong has arrived in Guiqiu City and has gathered top experts from all over Dayu. Young Master Han, please come with me to the palace."

"Alright." Han Qing nodded slightly, then used his magic to transmit his thoughts, "Has something major happened?"

Meng Qingxi nodded: "That's right. Accurate intelligence indicates that the Holy Desert Empire is amassing a large army to launch a new offensive against the border cities of the desert. This meeting is to prepare for this war."

"So that's how it is. A large-scale war is finally coming." Han Qing had been waiting for a long time. His Seven Killings Stele hadn't been replenished with a large amount of soul points for a long time, and this time he was determined to take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune.

The three then arrived at the palace in the center of the inner city, where no fewer than a hundred people had already gathered, each emanating an aura of varying strength. Among them were many martial saints and saints.

Meng Chong sat in the head seat. When he saw Han Qing arrive, he nodded slightly and transmitted his voice from afar, saying, "Han Qing, it seems that your strength has improved since we last met."

Han Qing immediately replied telepathically, "General Meng is joking; it was just a chance encounter."

Meng Chong didn't say anything more. He stood tall and straight, his eyes fixed straight ahead, his gaze deep and unfathomable, revealing no emotion.

Before long, more people arrived outside, until the number approached 150. Meng Chong then said in a deep voice, “You are all top experts appointed by the imperial court to help my Divine Might Army fight against the powerful enemy, the Holy Desert Empire. Now I have intelligence indicating that this month, a large number of Holy Desert Empire troops will launch a fierce attack on my border and nearby cities. I need to divide you into twelve teams, each guarding a city.”

However, considering that you are all proud and arrogant people, I will distribute twelve general's tokens here. Whoever holds the token will be the champion. Anyone who is not satisfied may challenge me here. I will act as the judge and will be fair and just.

"Once you leave this palace, anyone who disobeys orders will face my ruthless treatment."

Meng Chong's gaze was deep and his demeanor dignified as he swept his eyes over everyone present.

Strong people are often proud and arrogant; how to manage them is a big problem.

If a leader isn't appointed, internal strife will lead to endless troubles.

The vast majority of people nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"As you say, sir."

"That's right, strength reigns supreme, and fists speak."

"The one who commands the general is respected, so as to avoid internal strife in the future."

...

With everyone chiming in, a consensus was quickly reached.

"Very well, then I will select twelve leaders based on their strength."

With a wave of his hand, Meng Chong sent twelve tokens flying out as streaks of light, which landed in the hands of the twelve people present.

One of them hovered in front of Han Qing. Then, Meng Chong announced loudly, "Next, I will announce the personnel list for the first to twelfth teams."

"Team One, Captain Han Qing, members Nian Fenglai, Wang Xingchen, Chen Xiu, Ji Beifeng... Wan Tianlou!"

"Fifteen people in total!"

"Anyone who disagrees may challenge us. If you know you are not strong enough, you may also give up your token," Meng Chong said in a deep voice.

The fifteen people whose names were called all stepped out from the crowd. Han Qing remained calm, while the other fourteen people sized him up, their eyes scanning him back and forth, each making their own calculations.

Han Qing said calmly, "Now that the order has fallen into my hands, there is no reason for me to give it up voluntarily. Everyone, whoever wants to make a move, do so as soon as possible!"

As he spoke, a surging aura and oppressive force emanated from him, spreading throughout the fortress.

Many people's expressions changed. Although many of them had heard of Han Qing's name, none of them had actually met him or experienced his strength.

Originally, many people were arrogant and wanted to make a move, both to compete for the command and to climb the ranks by stepping on Han Qing's name.

Unexpectedly, Han Qing unleashed such a formidable aura, instantly dispelling their doubts. "Such a powerful aura... he must be a Saint of the Golden Body Realm!"

"Truly worthy of being the most talented martial artist in our Great Yu!"

"Forget it, there's no need to suffer for a mere general's token!"

...

Among the remaining fourteen people, there were acquaintances who communicated with each other in secret.

“Since no one is going to make a move, the first command token shall belong to Han Qing,” Meng Chong declared loudly.

"Wait, sir, I'd like to see what Young Master Han is capable of."

Suddenly someone shouted.

All eyes were drawn to him, a young man in a brown robe, waving a fan and wearing a playful smile.

"This person is the strongest in the Nian family this generation. Apart from the Nian family patriarch, he is the strongest."

"The Nian family?" Han Qing was pondering how to take revenge on the Nian family when Nian Wanlou unexpectedly came to him. He certainly couldn't let him go. "Then let's have a fight. I've been wanting to see just how capable the top experts trained by this thousand-year-old family really are."

"Gentlemen, I possess a spatial treasure called the Myriad Wheels Mirror. The palace is small; why not enter the mirror and fight?"

"it is good!"

With a wave of his hand, Meng Chong sent a precious mirror with a reddish-copper luster flying out of his palm. In a flash, it hung high in the sky, radiating a bright light.

Two beams of light shot out from the mirror, one to the left and one to the right, landing on Han Qing and Nian Wanlou respectively. Summoned, the two immediately took flight and entered the mirror.

The mirror did not disappear; it remained suspended in the air, like a bright moon or a great sun. Anyone who focused their spiritual energy into it could see the battle unfolding within.

Meng Chong did this to win everyone's respect.

"The Nian family is a Taoist school with a history of thousands of years. Its main practice is the art of beast taming. It is said that the family has a small world where a large number of rare and exotic beasts are kept."

"Indeed, few members of the Nian family have made a move in the past century. I've only heard that Nian Wanlou is strong, but I wonder how he compares to Han Qing? Who is stronger and who is weaker?"

“I think Nian Wanlou is stronger. Although Han Qing has risen to prominence and become famous in recent years, the Nian family has a deep foundation. Moreover, Nian Wanlou is not a fool. He must have information about Han Qing. He must have something to rely on to make a move!”

...

The many martial artists present were constantly discussing and assessing the progress of the battle.

Inside the Wanlun Mirror.

Han Qing and Nian Wanlou stood facing each other. Han Qing's expression was indifferent, while Nian Wanlou still had a hint of amusement and contempt in his eyes.

He came from a prestigious family with a thousand-year history and always looked down on people from poor backgrounds. Even if someone was very strong, in his eyes, if their foundation was insufficient, their strength would be limited.

"I've heard that this young man is the number one young talent in the Great Yu Dynasty. If I defeat him in front of so many people with overwhelming force, I will surely become famous throughout the world. Firstly, I can gain the appreciation of Lord Han Yi, and secondly, I can use this opportunity to expand the influence of my Nian family and announce to the whole world that my Nian family has gained another top expert!"

“As for losing? According to the intelligence I received before, this kid is at the Golden Body Realm, and his combat strength is equal to mine. There is no way I can lose!” Nian Wanlou’s eyes were deep.

"The Nian family hired someone to kill me. Regardless of whether you have anything to do with this, since the Nian family did this, I certainly can't swallow this insult. If you have anyone to blame, it's just bad luck!"

Han Qing was also pondering the matter. Without hesitation, he made a sudden move. A ray of colorful light shot out from between his eyebrows and transformed into a huge palm print, which slammed fiercely towards Nian Wanlou.

"Tenfold Yin-Yang Curse Seal? This move is indeed powerful." Nian Wanlou was not surprised. Han Qing had the Yin-Yang Curse Seal, which had been mentioned in the intelligence reports. However, he had never personally experienced the power of this move. Now, facing this Yin-Yang Curse Seal, he could feel a powerful binding force descending upon him, and a terrifying force surging within this giant palm print.

Surprised, he felt a surge of heat in his heart, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind as he tried to seize the seal.

"Such a divine seal should never have fallen into Han Qing's hands!"

The thought flashed through his mind, but Nian Wanlou didn't stop moving and made a fierce move.

As soon as he had a thought, a giant beast suddenly appeared beside him.

Roar!
This behemoth was as large as a mountain. It suddenly let out a roar, its sound like waves rolling between heaven and earth, which actually made the Yin-Yang Curse Seal flying in the sky suddenly stop.

Looking at its physique, one can see that it has four arms, is covered with white hair, has a blue face and fangs, and is extremely ferocious.

"This is an ancient mythical beast, the Four-Armed Demon-Suppressing Ape!"

"This beast is powerful because its roar can extinguish magical intent and render all spells ineffective!"

"I've heard that this beast was extinct in ancient times. I never imagined that I could still see it today. The Nian family truly lives up to its reputation as a thousand-year-old family renowned for its beast taming!"

...

Han Qing immediately recognized the giant ape's identity.

The moment it roared, the Yin-Yang Curse Seal suddenly felt an immense resistance, and the connection between it and its main body was rapidly weakening.

Han Qing hurriedly withdrew the Yin-Yang curse seal, while Nian Wanlou waved his fan, his eyes revealing a confident and composed look.

He dared to challenge Han Qing because he was well-prepared. Knowing that Han Qing possessed the Yin-Yang Curse Seal, he specially carried the Four-Armed Demon-Suppressing Ape with him to counter this spell.

The next instant, the four-armed Demon-Suppressing Ape soared into the air, its four arms outstretched like a mountain, and crashed fiercely into Han Qing.

The Eight Directions Puppet suddenly flew out and punched the giant ape, while the giant ape also threw a punch at the same time.

The bronze fist and the white ape fist collided in mid-air. With a muffled thud, the white ape's right fist, along with its entire arm, suddenly exploded, turning into a cloud of scarlet blood mist that drifted between heaven and earth.

"Hmm? What a terrifying Eight Directions Puppet!" Nian Wanlou was shocked. He thought the Four-Armed Giant Ape could handle it, but he had underestimated the terror of the Eight Directions Puppet.

"return!"

Nian Wanlou was heartbroken. This was the only four-armed giant ape left in the Nian family. How could he not feel pain after losing an arm?

The four-armed demon-suppressing ape heard his call and turned to fly towards him.

However, as he leaped, Han Qing struck first.

With the surge of Dharma power, a Dharma lotus, interwoven with shimmering black and gold, appeared out of thin air and suddenly sealed the white ape.

The connection between Nian Wanlou and the white ape was suddenly severed. He stared intently at the lotus flower, quite shocked.

"This is the Yin-Yang True Realm!"

"You actually mastered this ancient secret technique?"

Nian Wanlou was astonished. The Yin-Yang True Realm was an extremely difficult secret technique in ancient times. He had tried to learn the Taiyin True Realm before, but it was too difficult and he had not been able to learn it even after studying hard for several years. Now, Han Qing was able to learn the Yin-Yang True Realm, which was even more difficult than the Taiyin True Realm. He was naturally shocked and felt extremely jealous.

This jealousy even morphed into a strong killing intent, but he quickly suppressed it. He knew the Yin-Yang True Realm could extinguish a person's life force, so he couldn't delay. Thus, he loudly proclaimed, "Han Qing, quickly break the seal! The military order is yours; this young master will not contest it!" (End of Chapter)