Chapter 466 - 296: Marquis Chengyang Rebels, Elder Celestial Master Descends the Mountain
Yunzhou, Celestial Decree Pass.
As the center of the Cloud County battlegrounds, Celestial Decree Pass has endured nearly three years of warfare. It has transformed from Cloud County’s most formidable pass into a dead fortress, with its mottled walls turning a faint red, filled with lifelessness.
Outside the city, when the wind stirs the sand, white bones appear and disappear from sight. At night, as the wind rises, it howls fiercely and mournfully, it’s hard to tell how many souls are wailing.
Torches stand on the city walls.
Rows of patrolling soldiers come and go, their faces devoid of any expression, showing only indifference and confusion.
The city itself is as desolate as a dead fortress.
Inside the central army camp tent,
Marquis Chengyang, Ling Hao, is standing in front of a map.
His armor is stained with blood, his hair slightly disheveled, strands of white peeking through, and his dark face is remarkably rough.
"Yunxi, Gu Zhan, Qin You!"
Ling Hao sighed lightly and turned to sit down.
A report lay on the table in front of him, with the name Gu Zhan catching his eye.
Ling Hao stared blankly at the name, momentarily dazed,
He recalled the first time he heard that name,
It was in the Winter of the Fifth Year of Qingli,
Back then, he heard about a reckless young man who dared to kill his son, someone he could have easily crushed without a second thought.
Yet, since last year,
This name has continually appeared in his ears,
And now, it has become synonymous with the world’s Supreme Grandmaster.
"What kind of legacy has this boy received? He should have been obliterated without hesitation back then. Who would have thought that a moment’s carelessness would result in such repercussions!"
Ling Hao frowned deeply as he looked at the intelligence report.
At this moment, an elder clad in a brown robe appeared in the tent, chuckling softly, "Marquis, don’t you see that this man has created an unprecedented opportunity for you?"
Ling Hao glanced at the elder and said coldly, "Your White Lotus Sect grows bolder by the day. This is the army’s camp, yet you dare to appear so openly!"
The elder was Xu Qingping, the East Protector of the four great Protectors of the White Lotus Sect, well-known in the Martial World, a Supreme Grandmaster of renown.
Xu Qingping chuckled slightly, bowing, "Marquis, you have received the intelligence. Qin You, along with the elite of the Astronomical Bureau, has already secretly moved to Yunxi. Now, with Yundong completely under your control, why should you worry?"
Ling Hao replied somberly, "Qin You is not a simple character; do not underestimate him."
"Rest assured, Marquis," Xu Qingping said softly, "The turmoil in Yunxi presents an unprecedented opportunity for the Astronomical Bureau. Qin You cannot resist. We have received confirmed news that Qin You and Yang Ge have taken a dozen or so Grandmasters there, and with Gu Zhan’s astounding battle, Qin You discreetly dispatched seventy percent of the Astronomical Bureau’s elite. He is quite pleased now!"
Ling Hao took a deep breath and said, "Still, we must remain vigilant."
"Marquis," Xu Qingping bowed, "In order to assist you in deceiving the Astronomical Bureau and the Court, our White Lotus Sect has fought alongside you for nearly three years. The opportunity has come; you cannot hesitate. Once missed, it will be challenging to regain.
Marquis, this chance is truly rare. Who could have predicted Gu Zhan to be so formidable? Qin You was caught off guard; otherwise, he wouldn’t have dispatched reinforcements so hastily. Now, Yunzhou is at its weakest.
You just need to seize this moment, kill Marquis Liu, and orchestrate an army mutiny to openly ally with our White Lotus Sect and swiftly seize Yunzhou. In Qingzhou and Liangzhou, the Dugu Faction and the Ling Family are ready to assist. In just three months, you can sweep across the Three States, Marquis. If not now, then when?"
Ling Hao frowned deeply, pondering for a while before saying, "Go back and notify your Celestial Maiden to be ready; I will inform you when to act."
Xu Qingping said no more, bowed, then said: "I take my leave!"
After Xu Qingping departed,
A scholar stepped out from behind the screen, chuckling, "Marquis, although the White Lotus Sect is often unruly and impetuous, this time, as they say, it’s an unparalleled opportunity."
Ling Hao said in a low voice, "Have you investigated thoroughly?"
The scholar nodded, "No issues whatsoever. Qin You indeed remains guarded against you, Marquis, but this upheaval in Yunxi caught him by surprise, disrupting his strategies."
"What about Yang Yuzhi?" Ling Hao inquired.
"Still in Linjiang City," the scholar replied. "Yunxi has long been a thorn for the Astronomical Bureau, which the White Lotus Sect couldn’t conquer. Qin You also seeks to use Yunxi to constrain the White Lotus Sect, making this endeavor imperative. Although the Astronomical Bureau hasn’t moved openly, they have secretly mobilized most of their elites."
Ling Hao said in a low voice, "This is indeed our best chance, and the last chance. The Court has begun to mobilize forces, and now they’ve granted Gu Zhan the title of Grand General. Once Yunxi is stabilized, they will inevitably launch an offensive against the White Lotus Sect."
The scholar nodded, "Indeed, decisive action is needed now, but there is a ninety percent chance of success."
"How are Qingzhou and Liangzhou?" Ling Hao asked.
"Already prepared," the scholar said. "In Liangzhou, the Dugu Faction controls Prince Yongchang, while in Qingzhou, the Qingzhou Prefect Ling Xu’an has secretly seized control of the Qingzhou Government Office, dispersing the military. They are simply waiting for your move, Marquis. Once you swiftly take control of Cloud County, the other Two States can be pacified in three months, as Xu Qingping mentioned!"