Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

Chapter 109: Let the Holy War Begin!

Lin Daiyu's beautiful eyes widened in surprise. At Jia Tang's prompting, she picked up a jade bottle, gently poured out a Body Tempering Pill, and held it to her nose to sniff. A rich medicinal fragrance wafted over, much better than the somewhat fishy-smelling pills and medicines in the mansion.

Under Jia Tang's gentle gaze, Lin Daiyu swallowed the Body Tempering Pill without the slightest hesitation. Instantly, the rich and intense medicinal power began to emanate and was slowly absorbed by her martial body.

A moment later, Lin Daiyu's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her beautiful eyes. A look of joy flashed in her eyes, and she said softly, "With the help of pills, I can cultivate faster, and then I will be able to share some of the burden with my brother."

"Don't worry about sharing the burden, just focus on your cultivation."

Jia Tang was quite satisfied with He Shengjia's words and Lin Daiyu's performance.

Although Jia Wangshi escaped a calamity because of this, it didn't matter, as it was within Jia Tang's expectations.

Knowing their intentions, they would definitely be eyeing the banner in Lin Daiyu's hand. They might think there's nothing wrong with it, but if they dare to make a move, they would wipe out the Wang family as well.

Jia Tang then handed over a ring, saying, "This is a spatial ring, about ten feet in size in all directions. I've put some cultivation pills inside for you. This ring requires divine sense to use, so keep it with Xiaoqian. If you need anything, have her retrieve it for you."

"Also, Xiaoqian is a spirit and is somewhat afraid of sunlight. If you want to take her with you when you go out, use an oil-paper umbrella so that she blends into your shadow. Otherwise, just stay indoors."

Lin Daiyu took the ring and handed it to Xiaoqian, nodding emphatically!

The next few days passed quickly, and due to the funeral, the New Year celebrations at both mansions were hastily concluded.

However, since the doors were opened to welcome guests, people from all walks of life have come to pay their respects to Jia Jing and Jia Zhen, making the place even busier.

The third day of the Lunar New Year is an auspicious day for funerals and burials!

Just as noon approached, Jia Tang, dressed in mourning clothes, stood with Jia Lan to one side. The two of them were breaking basins and holding banners for Jia Jing and Jia Zhen respectively. As for Jia Rong, he stood aside and silently followed them into the ground.

As soon as the group left Ningrong Street, they saw that the streets in Jinchengfang were lined with long sacrificial tents, all set up by the old relatives of the Jia family.

Along the way, white flowers hung like curtains, suonas and gongs resounded, and even monks flew through the air to send souls to heaven, with paper money flying everywhere, creating a grand and noisy spectacle.

After a flurry of activity until mid-afternoon, they returned to the Ning residence and saw off the guests before the matter was finally settled.

In the days that followed, Jia Tang resumed his previous routine, either training soldiers or cultivating himself, except that he also went to the military headquarters to discuss military matters.

Since the return to China on the 26th of last year, half a month has passed. Every day, battle reports from Liaodong have arrived. Yesterday, a garrison fortress was recaptured, but today two have been lost. As the number of battle reports increases, the mood of the civil and military officials and ordinary people in Xianjing City is like a kite, rising and falling, unpredictable.

:

Jia Tang also frequently traveled between the northern camp and the ministry headquarters, reconstructing the battle process on the map and sand table based on the battle reports as soon as possible.

Just as the vast majority of the people in Xianjing had surrendered to Liaodong, devastating news came from Huguang: the army sent to quell the rebellion had suffered a crushing defeat.

Because the sorcerer led the people to charge the army, the soldiers had no choice but to turn their swords on the people, which caused the common people in the five prefectures of Yunyang, Xiangyang, De'an, Huangzhou and Chengtian in the back of Huguang to riot.

Furthermore, many demonic cultivators at the first and second levels of the path to godhood hid among the rioters and launched surprise attacks, resulting in the deaths of Gong Xiangchao and Zhang Xinbo, and the escape of He Yun and Ji Mo with severed arms. Only Liu Tingyuan, seeing the situation was not good, was the first to flee and gathered more than two thousand remaining soldiers to garrison in Xinye, Nanyang Prefecture, Henan.

Jia Tang and the others, who were conducting military exercises at the Left Army Headquarters, showed no change in expression upon hearing the news. In their view, this was inevitable. With a third-level demon in charge, the Chongwu lineage could not quell the rebellion without deploying a third-level demon.

As for deploying Tier 3 fighters, they are unlikely to have any. The founding lineage only reached Tier 3 fighters in the last two or three decades, while the Chongwu lineage was four or five decades later and lacks sufficient foundation.

Just then, Ji Wenqing of the Chongwu lineage, Xia Jinnian, Marquis of Yiyang, Shen Huai, Marquis of Changji, Lu Chongshan, Earl of Le'an, Lin Feng, Earl of Anding, Ren Changque, Earl of Qinghe, Ye Chengfeng, Fang Weixun, Xiao Eyuan, and others, all came to visit.

The two major military factions arrived before the map. Looking at the prefectures of Huguang that had been marked with black flags, Ji Wenqing's face turned ashen. Huguang was the territory of the former military government, their own territory. If trouble broke out, the local garrisons would certainly suffer.

After examining the map for a while, Ji Wenqing stared at Jia Tang and the others and asked, "Any news? How should we exchange them?"

Jia Tang sighed. As he continued his inspection, everyone felt their bodies enveloped by an invisible yet substantial pressure, and their expressions changed slightly. Jia Tang said, "The Holy Cult has resurfaced in the Huguang region. Someone has lured out a demon to break through to the third level in broad daylight, but the news has been suppressed."

"Now the prefectures of Huguang and even the surrounding areas are probably rotten. It is likely that someone is using Liaodong and the great changes in the world as bait to harvest the people's trust and the court's high-end military force."

Upon hearing this, the Chongwu lineage gasped in unison, and Ji Wenqing pressed, "When was this news received?"

"It's been almost a month. If we don't have a third-tier leader now, we'll probably have to exchange for a second-tier one."

Xia Jinnian exhaled a breath of stale air and asked, "Could we work together to force the third-tier royal family to mobilize?"

Jia Tang and Ji Wenqing exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Difficult."

Jia Tang continued, "The third tier is the foundation of the royal family's power to suppress the world. Even if Huguang is ruined, they can simply send troops to grind it down. But if the third tier falls into a trap, the chaos will be even greater. Moreover, the royal family's cultivators are all in his hands. I'm afraid the current situation is..."

The remaining members of the Chongwu lineage exchanged glances, and Lu Chongshan said to Jia Tang, "Lord, let's cooperate once again."

""

Jia Tang frowned slightly, displeased, and said, "You should know that our founding lineage gathers daily at the military headquarters to discuss the Liaodong campaign. Wouldn't speaking like this put both sides in a difficult position?"

Ignoring Ji Wenqing's glare, Lu Chongshan said to Jia Tang, "Lord, you are born with a golden body and have reached the limit of mortal cultivation step by step. Your martial arts are unparalleled. We only need you to accompany us to Huguang. Whether you help or not, you will receive a generous gift. If you do help, that will be a separate matter."

This scheme made Lao Niu and the others' faces turn cold.

Niu Jizong immediately shouted, "Ji Wenqing, what do you mean?"

Hou Xiaokang squinted at Lu Chongshan and said, "To be honest, we old guys wouldn't say anything if you invited us, but you can't send our backbone into the mire. If we get attacked, you can't bear the consequences."

"Don't forget the third-tier assassination attempt a while ago. Only a few third-tier figures showed up in Huguang. How dare we send Yu Yin there?"

Ji Wenqing's expression immediately changed, and he bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "I'm sorry, everyone. I lost my composure in my haste. As you know, Nanyang Prefecture, which is north of Xiangyang Prefecture, is my hometown. I'm truly sorry."

Jia Tang waved his hand and sighed, "I understand. I'll give you a suggestion: go to Shandong and use righteousness to persuade them. They have the support of scholars and the worship of the people, so they certainly won't refuse. Then we can just watch them fight it out."

"As soon as someone from the Kong family dies, they rush back to Shandong to invite them back."

The surrounding crowd had subtle expressions. Good heavens, isn't this the kind of trick scholars often use? They're really ruthless.

Lu Chongshan quickly clasped his hands and said, "I'm sorry, Lord. I was in a hurry just now. I will definitely make amends later."

Jia Tang smiled and said, "It's alright, I understand. We're all in the same boat. It's not appropriate for us to take the lead now, but we can still cheer and offer suggestions."

Although this lineage is known as Chongwu, they only rose to power during the reign of Emperor Chongwu. Their success was based on genuine military achievements and had little to do with Emperor Chongwu.

Ji Wenqing nodded and said to the Chongwu faction, "Immediately transfer people from Hubei to Shandong, along with some civilians."

Then the group began to discuss the matter, and soon the officers below got up and left the military headquarters.

Just then, Jia Tang spotted the figure of the red-clad eunuch in the palace, immediately withdrew his divine sense, and made an expression by putting his finger to his lips.

As soon as the eunuch in red stepped into the main hall of the former military headquarters, he saw the assembled valiant generals of the dynasty and said anxiously, "Oh dear, gentlemen, His Majesty requests your presence. It's extremely urgent!"

The group hurriedly left the military headquarters and ran into the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet. The two groups entered the palace together and began to discuss matters.

0

Three days later, the Ming Dynasty Ancient City in Qufu, Shandong.

A ragged, pale-faced commoner and some soldiers with blood-stained robes entered through the Yangsheng Gate in the south of the city and knelt before the statue of Confucius, praying loudly.

On one side of the pavilion, several scholars dressed in brocade robes had grim expressions and their eyes were filled with murderous intent.

The middle-aged scholar with a long beard, who was at the head of the group, said indifferently to the people behind him, "It's often said that seeking imperial judgment is a double-edged sword. I never expected that even we would fall into this trap. There are indeed wise men in the capital."

"Master, is it absolutely necessary to go?"

Kong Yao, the current patriarch of the Kong clan, said calmly, "Now we either have to abandon the previous agreement with the other two sects, or openly fight the demons to the death."

"Damn pigs and dogs, a bunch of troublemakers."

"At worst, we can slaughter all the prefectures in Huguang and create more Tier 3 monsters."

"No, then the accumulation of our ancestors over two thousand years would be destroyed in an instant."

Kong Yao grew impatient and frowned slightly, saying, "Alright, send one second-rank official from each of the three upper branches and five first-rank officials from each of the three lower branches. Let them go to Huguang to hold them off for now. Now we'll see how things go in Liaodong."

The clan elder, Kong Keji, dressed in a light blue scholar's robe and wearing a Confucian cap, asked, "Should we recall the young clan leader?"

"He has some trivial matters to attend to in Yingtian; the second branch of the family can lead the team there."

"Yes."

"Do we still need to inform them of the division of the family?"

"Ha, no need. Let's see which of the two schools, North and South, truly deserves the authentic title!"

On the other side, in Guangning City, Liaodong.

The former important town of the Great Zhao Dynasty has changed hands to the Later Jin. At this moment, the city is surrounded by flags of eight different colors and camps stretching for miles.

The former General's Mansion in the city has been set up as the Imperial Tent. At this moment, the old servant sits high on the dragon throne, with the banner lords of the Eight Banners lined up below him: the Plain Red Banner lord, the Bordered Red Banner lord, Daishan; the Plain White Banner lord, Huang Taiji; the Bordered White Banner lord, Dudu; the Plain Blue Banner lord, Mangultai; and the Bordered Blue Banner lord, Amin. The other princes and ministers surround him, and everyone discusses the military strategy together.

Just then, Sun Kuagong, Zhang Yan, Huang Shijin, Shi Ting, and others rushed in with mournful faces, sliding to their knees and weeping, "Master, please do justice for us! Our families have been wiped out by the Emperor of Da Zhao!"

The old servant's eyes remained calm, but he sighed and said, "I know that you, my beloved ministers, have sacrificed a great deal for the cause of the nation. Rest assured, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

"I hereby order the establishment of a new Han Chinese banner, with a dark blue flag. Sun Kuagong is promoted to Gushan Ejen of the Dark Blue Banner, and Zhang Yan, Huang Shijin, and Shi Ting are promoted to Jiala Ejen, under the jurisdiction of the Plain White Banner. After the conquest of Liaodong of the Great Zhao, I will reward you handsomely. I hope you will not fail my expectations."

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

...

After receiving their reward and expressing their gratitude, the group joined the ranks behind the smiling Huang Taiji, and said nothing more.

The old servant looked at the assembled princes and ministers below, nodded in satisfaction, and said, "We have received a secret letter from within the Great Zhao Pass. The Great Zhao royal family is unpopular, and there are currently cultivators causing chaos within its borders, wreaking havoc. In addition, the northwestern tribes of Great Zhao are also stirring up trouble. Therefore, from now on, all second-tier cultivators will be mobilized. As long as we conquer Jinzhou and show our allies that Great Zhao's power is merely a facade, they will surely be like wolves devouring tigers, and the great cause of the dynasty will be within our grasp."

Huang Taiji had some doubts, so he stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Father, if all the cultivators of our Great Jin come out, and then many cultivators from the Great Zhao come to our aid, the situation will become somewhat..."

The eldest prince, Daishan, snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "If any cultivators from the Great Zhao dare to come, I will make sure they die and their cultivation is extinguished. My brother, do not be cowardly and disrupt Father's military plans."

The old servant smiled and said loudly, "Fourth Prince, there's no need to worry. People inside the pass say that the Marquis of Wuying of Great Zhao once proposed this, but he was blocked by a group of self-serving civil officials. Even if reinforcements come, they will only be military cultivators from Great Zhao. How can they compare to the mighty Great Jin?"

Having said that, he looked at Huduntu, the leader of the Chahar, and Oba, the leader of the Khorchin, on the east side and asked, "Lindan Khan and Oba Khan, are you two Khans willing to send troops together?"

The two men exchanged a glance and said, "We are willing to obey the decree of the Great Jin Emperor."

The old servant nodded slightly, and wherever his majestic gaze fell, all the ministers knelt and bowed their heads. He then said, "Issue my order: immediately, the Manchu Eight Banners and their subordinate Mongol and Han Banners, along with the allied Chahar and Khorchin tribes, shall set out to attack Jinzhou. The cultivators shall lead the way, followed by the soldiers. We must win this battle in one fell swoop."

"A concubine's son!"

On January 12th, at the hour of Si (9-11 AM), a biting winter wind swept across the sky, and a blizzard raged across the entire northern land.

The vast city of Xianjing was already covered in silver, and the people, dressed in thick cotton-padded clothes, strolled from house to house through the streets and alleys. But the warm hearts nurtured by the cotton-padded clothes turned cold with the shouts of the military cavalry chasing them away, colder than the winter snow.

Military reports that don't boast of victories and parade through the streets can only indicate defeat, with countless soldiers dying on the frontier.

"At 11:00 PM on the sixth day of the first month, a total of twenty-three second-tier cultivators from the three factions of Lao Nu, Hu Dun Tu, and Ao Ba launched a surprise attack on Jinzhou. Half an hour later, the defensive formation was breached, and the Jurchen Eight Banners soldiers, along with their servants, attacked Jinzhou from the east and the north and south, respectively."

"The cultivators suffered a defeat in battle, and the soldiers suffered a crushing defeat on the battlefield. In this battle, our side lost seven second-tier cultivators, sixty-three first-tier cultivators, and over thirty thousand soldiers. We killed three second-tier enemy cultivators and several first-tier enemy cultivators, and the rest are impossible to count."

"The Liaodong army has now retreated to Ningyuan City and is fighting desperately to stop the enemy."