Chapter 569: Go to the Flying Cloud Country
Ning Zhuo turned back, gave a slight smile, and cupped his hands in greeting. “Lord Zhu.”
Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily. “I must congratulate you as well, Ning Zhuo. In this campaign where the Liangzhu Kingdom attacked the Thousand Peaks Forest, you truly made a name for yourself.”
“First there was the prophetic poem, then the infiltration battle into Thousand Peaks Forest, and you even forced back the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts. In the grand battle just now, you slew countless enemies and captured many prisoners, achieving remarkable military merit. Most notably, you killed the Nascent Soul cultivator Heart Demon Cave Lord and even angrily slapped Xiang Yue across the face.”
“After this battle, your name will spread throughout the lands surrounding Liangzhu Kingdom. Your Ning Family will also gain much attention because of you!”
This time, when Ning Zhuo joined the army, he used his real surname and real name. The reputation he earned also benefited the Ning Family.
However, Ning Zhuo frowned slightly. “Thank you for the reminder, Lord Zhu.”
“I am only at the Foundation Establishment stage. This time, because I saved Xiang Yue, I offended Du Tiechuan. I fear it will be difficult for me to receive any rewards.”
“Indeed, I have drawn quite a bit of attention. When I continue traveling the world next, I will likely have to hide my identity for a period of time.”
Zhu Xuanji smiled again and immediately understood that Ning Zhuo was asking for credit.
He walked up to Ning Zhuo, patted his shoulder, and said warmly, “Don’t worry. Even though you offended Du Tiechuan, you are still the son-in-law of Grand General Mu’s Mansion. No one will dare to deduct your battle achievements.”
“You helped me this time and indirectly saved Xiang Yue. Naturally, I will not treat a meritorious person unfairly. I will give you a reward to settle this cause and effect.”
“After this, you may leave Thousand Peaks Forest and continue traveling the world.”
Ning Zhuo stared at Zhu Xuanji. “Is Lord Zhu afraid that I might launch a surprise attack against the Six Cave Sect?”
Zhu Xuanji sighed inwardly. “As expected of Ning Zhuo—so perceptive.”
He spoke frankly, “That’s right. Lu Hongtu of the Six Cave Sect has long had secret contact with our Southern Dou Country. However, he is extremely cunning and merely treats us as a backup path, never truly placing his bet or submitting.”
“Although he is ambitious, someone like him who sways between sides is still someone our Southern Dou Country must strive to win over.”
“You have a grudge with him, but for now you must let it go.”
Ning Zhuo immediately frowned deeply and shook his head. “How can a family vendetta simply be let go? Lord Zhu is asking too much.”
When Ning Zhuo had previously left Southern Dou Country, he had already received Zhu Xuanji’s guidance.
At that time, Zhu Xuanji analyzed the situation and told Ning Zhuo that Southern Dou Country had arrangements within Thousand Peaks Forest.
But Ning Zhuo deliberately did not ask further. His main purpose was to leave himself room for maneuver—if the Six Cave Sect turned out to be a piece of Southern Dou Country’s chessboard, then once he knew the truth, it would become difficult for him to make a move.
After learning the relevant intelligence, Ning Zhuo had already guessed that Lu Hongtu likely had connections with Southern Dou Country.
This was not difficult to deduce.
The reason was simple.
The cave lords of the Six Cave Sect were divided between the demonic path and the righteous path. Under Lu Hongtu’s leadership, the sect presented a righteous face when interacting with the outside world, while within Thousand Peaks Forest it used demonic methods to enforce intimidation.
Thousand Peaks Forest bordered Southern Dou Country. If the Six Cave Sect could maintain contact with the Ning Family of the Northern Wind Country, how could it possibly have no dealings with Southern Dou Country?
Ning Zhuo had a close relationship with Zhu Xuanji, and the Ning Family was allied with the royal Zhu Family of Southern Dou Country. But that did not mean their interests were completely aligned.
At least in this matter, the Ning Family and Ning Zhuo leaned toward revenge. However, the Zhu Family needed the Six Cave Sect and Lu Hongtu to continue existing.
Especially after this battle—once the Liangzhu Kingdom withdrew its troops, Lu Hongtu and the Six Cave Sect’s influence within Thousand Peaks Forest would surge dramatically, making him the foremost figure among human cultivators there.
This would give Lu Hongtu enormous strategic value, allowing Southern Dou Country to court him with greater effort.
Ning Zhuo firmly rejected Zhu Xuanji’s request and expressed his position. Just as he was about to seriously debate the matter with Zhu Xuanji, the latter suddenly threw back his head and burst into laughter.
“Hahaha…”
Ning Zhuo looked puzzled. “Lord Zhu, why are you laughing?”
Zhu Xuanji stopped laughing and pointed at Ning Zhuo. “Ning Zhuo, you’ve changed a lot. That’s a good thing.”
Ning Zhuo was slightly startled.
Zhu Xuanji turned around and stood beside him, gazing toward the sunset over the mountains.
“I still clearly remember what you were like in Huoshi Immortal City.”
“You endured silently, humble and unwilling to yield. Deep in your bones was resentment toward fate, along with quite a bit of stubbornness.”
“If it had been the you from back then, you would never have ‘talked back’ to me like you just did.”
“And yet, how long has it been?”
“As the saying goes, it isn’t age that makes a person mature, but experience.”
“And another saying goes that jade must be carved to become a vessel. After experiencing this battle and receiving the baptism of blood and fire, you have grown a great deal.”
“Listen to the poem you just composed—
‘After a hundred battles, I would not shrink though my body turned to ashes;
Through a thousand tribulations, my spirit remains boundless as the sea.
A true man must spill blood upon the battlefield;
Drunk, he raises his green blade and pierces the sun’s radiance.’
“There is a bold ambition in it—a longing for battle, fearless of sacrifice! It makes me look forward greatly to your future, Ning Zhuo.”
Ning Zhuo had not expected such praise from Zhu Xuanji and was momentarily stunned.
Inside the Puppet Dragon, Sun Lingtong grinned broadly upon hearing the compliments.
Hearing someone praise Ning Zhuo made him far happier than hearing praise directed at himself.
Ning Zhuo had practically been raised by Sun Lingtong. Whenever someone praised Ning Zhuo, Sun Lingtong felt an instinctive sense of accomplishment.
“Didn’t expect Old Zhu to have changed quite a bit too. His words sound much nicer now.”
“If they sound this nice, he might as well say even more!”
Regarding Zhu Xuanji’s praise, Sun Lingtong wholeheartedly agreed.
“Exactly. I spend every day with Little Zhuo and didn’t even notice how much he’s changed.”
“Now that Old Zhu pointed it out, it’s like waking from a dream.”
“Little Zhuo is much more manly than before! His eyes shine with spirit, battle intent surges within him, and his presence is sharp and formidable. Back in Huoshi Immortal City, such a bearing was extremely rare.”
After receiving such praise, Ning Zhuo blinked. Yet the sharpness in his gaze quickly receded, and his demeanor returned to gentle calm.
“Thank you for the reminder, Lord Zhu.”
“I have just come down from the battlefield and have not yet adjusted to the change. The will to fight still fills my heart.”
“Moreover, throughout the battle I achieved my initial objective, killed many enemies, and gained considerable rewards. Naturally, I feel somewhat proud.”
“But upon reflection, much of it was luck. Killing a Nascent Soul cultivator relied almost entirely on my comrades. There was also Sect Master Lin Bufan and your secret support, Lord Zhu, which made these achievements possible.”
“In truth, I am merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”
“Although I can rely on military strategy to enhance myself and temporarily reach Golden Core combat power, that method is only suitable on the battlefield. In single combat, it is quite limited.”
“As my reputation spreads, others will inevitably target me.”
“To say nothing else, once the army withdraws, my military roster position will surely be canceled. After leaving Liangzhu Kingdom, I will also lose the national power enhancement of the country. In the short term, it will be nearly impossible for me to gather military strength again.”
Building an army was not something that could be done merely by saying so. The reason Ning Zhuo could release a batch of mechanical puppets and have them recognized as an army was because he had taken advantage of Liangzhu Kingdom’s national system.
Starting from nothing to build an army required enormous costs and tremendous effort to maintain.
Since Ning Zhuo traveled the world and rarely stayed in one place for long, he had no intention of doing such a thing for now.
At this point, he looked at Zhu Xuanji. “May I ask if Lord Zhu could grant me a nominal military position?”
Zhu Xuanji’s expression immediately turned serious, and he slowly shook his head.
“How could there be idle positions in the army? Furthermore, Ning Zhuo, you have no merit toward our country. If I were to privately grant you such a position, where would that leave the laws of the state? I am also a member of the royal family—if I showed favoritism to you, how could I convince the public?”
Ning Zhuo smiled faintly. He had only tried his luck; it was fine if nothing came of it.
Zhu Xuanji’s refusal was within his expectations.
But Zhu Xuanji himself was actually quite nervous.
“That was close! I almost agreed just now.”
He had watched the entire battle and was quite surprised and pleased by the combat power Ning Zhuo displayed.
There was no doubt Ning Zhuo was a great talent. When Ning Zhuo asked to join Southern Dou Country’s army, Zhu Xuanji’s instinct had been to welcome him.
But then he remembered Ning Zhuo’s identity as the Child of Calamity.
Heavens!
If Ning Zhuo carried a military title from Southern Dou Country while wandering the world, causing disasters wherever he went, Southern Dou Country would suffer terribly!
“Ever since Ning Zhuo left Huoshi Immortal City, wherever he went—Mist-Hidden Mountain, Myriad Medicines Sect, Thousand Peaks Forest—didn’t each place experience major upheaval?”
“This fellow brings calamity wherever he goes, creating cause and effect everywhere!”
“If he becomes entangled with our country and things escalate, it might even lead to a national disaster!”
Thinking this, Zhu Xuanji nearly broke into a cold sweat.
Ning Zhuo then asked, “Lord Zhu, earlier you said you had important intelligence about my mother. What exactly is it?”
Zhu Xuanji took out a letter and handed it to him.
Ning Zhuo scanned it with his spiritual sense and immediately changed expression.
“What? The origin of the Mist-Hidden Mountain God… is actually a Cloud Fox cultivated by my mother?!”
Zhu Xuanji nodded. “I discovered it accidentally during my investigation.”
“It was a cloud beast cultivated by your mother during the Ning Family’s migration.”
“When it arrived at Mist-Hidden Mountain, your mother arranged matters there and made it one of the mountain gods.”
Ning Zhuo blinked repeatedly and suddenly understood.
“So that’s how it is.”
“No wonder it directly gifted me something as precious as the Lingyin Willow.”
“To be honest, I was a little puzzled before.”
His confusion had also been shared by Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu. They had once suspected that Ning Zhuo used the Divine Ability—Life Hanging by a Thread to control the Fox God, but their investigation revealed that the Fox God already had deep ties to Ning Zhuo.
“The Fox God was cultivated by my mother, so gifting the Lingyin Willow to me was likely its way of repaying the favor and settling karmic ties.”
“In that case… it could also be burned to complete my mother’s spirituality.”
At this thought, Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes and licked his dry lips.
Zhu Xuanji observed his expression carefully and immediately said, “Don’t forget—the Fox God has already been officially appointed by our royal family. It is now the legitimate mountain god of Mist-Hidden Mountain.”
Ning Zhuo thought to himself, Trouble.
On the surface, he cupped his hands. “Of course, I understand.”
Zhu Xuanji patted his shoulder again. “If you want to search for relics left by your mother, you may go to the Flying Cloud Country.”
“According to the Fox God, your mother was originally from the Flying Cloud Country. There must be more clues there.”
Ning Zhuo pondered. “The Flying Cloud Country is vast. I have no connections there. Searching for clues about my mother would be like looking for a needle in the ocean.”
Zhu Xuanji took out a token and handed it to him.
“I’ve already arranged things for you.”
“This is a token for Funeral Music Nether Performer. Go find her. With this token, request a divination from her—you will surely obtain an important clue.”
Ning Zhuo examined the token and saw that it was a white jade candle. He accepted it.
The white jade candle emitted an indescribable cold and eerie aura. Although it was not bone-chilling, it still made the hairs on Ning Zhuo’s body stand on end.
After storing the token, Ning Zhuo looked up at Zhu Xuanji.
“Please forgive my ignorance, but who exactly is Funeral Music Nether Performer?”
Zhu Xuanji explained, “She is a soul cultivator. She usually keeps a low profile, and White Paper Immortal City does not belong to any cultivation nation. It is normal that you have never heard her name.”
“She carries the title Candle-Cutter of Chaotic Fate. With this token in hand, travel to White Paper City on Black Water Mountain. She will sense it, contact you, and grant you an audience.”
Ning Zhuo memorized this carefully and cupped his hands. “Many thanks, Lord Zhu.”
Then he looked at Zhu Xuanji expectantly.
Zhu Xuanji laughed and took out two treasure boxes.
“I know you asked Lin Bufan to bring back Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essence and to purchase Ten-Thousand-Year Wood Essence if possible.”
“These are from Southern Dou Country’s collection. They are exactly what you need and serve as your reward for helping me.”
Ning Zhuo was overjoyed and immediately accepted them.
Zhu Xuanji added, “I will inform Lin Bufan that he no longer needs to act.”
“Hurry and leave.”
“Don’t forget the Heaven and Earth Twin Ghosts. Staying here for long brings no benefit.”
Ning Zhuo nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Lord Zhu.”
“However, I still have some unresolved matters in Liangzhu Kingdom.”
“For instance, the misunderstanding between Du Tiechuan and me, and my engagement with Mu Lan. Can Southern Dou Country mediate and resolve these?”
Zhu Xuanji shook his head.
“Your relationship with Mu Lan is your personal affair. It would be inappropriate for me to interfere.”
“As for your conflict with Du Tiechuan, do not think of it too seriously. He may not hate you as much as you imagine.”
Ning Zhuo was puzzled by this reassurance. “Why is that?”
Zhu Xuanji smiled meaningfully. “Do you truly wish to know?”
Ning Zhuo immediately felt a chill in his heart. He understood that this was a national secret. If he learned the truth, he might be placed in an awkward position.
He immediately shook his head.
Zhu Xuanji waved him away. “Go, go.”
Ning Zhuo bowed once more, then pulled open his “belt,” entered the Wanli Dragon, and immediately used void escape to leave the battlefield without hesitation.
Watching him depart, Zhu Xuanji let out a long breath and relaxed.
“That disaster star has finally left.”
“This time he’s heading to the Flying Cloud Country. Surely he won’t drag me into trouble again… right?”
Meanwhile, the Liangzhu Kingdom army stretched across the mountain paths as they marched away.
Du Tiechuan sat alone in his war chariot.
Yet his expression was not as gloomy as he had shown others. Instead, he drank wine leisurely, appearing calm and even somewhat content.
After setting down his cup, he began writing a memorial to the throne, taking nearly all the blame for the army’s retreat upon himself.
Once finished, he tossed the memorial onto the corner of his desk and gazed toward the direction of Liangzhu Kingdom’s royal capital with a cold smile.
Clearly, the hidden struggles behind the war between Liangzhu Kingdom and Thousand Peaks Forest were far more complex and treacherous than Ning Zhuo had observed.