Not long after the news of True Person Xuyun's defeat and injury reached the Immortal Alliance, it was transmitted to Thousand-Ditch Prefecture via a talisman that self-immolated after being read.
The fleets of the Righteous Path Immortal Alliance hovered beyond the clouds, indifferent to the affairs of the ants on the ground, unaware of the secret underground passage connecting Hongfu and Thousand Canals.
Under the covert arrangements of Immortal Official Hongfu, messages between the two prefectures were transmitted without using Spirit Qi, ensuring they wouldn't alert the Immortal Alliance cultivators.
The message talisman passed from Wei Zhenyu's hands to Meng Heze's, burning to ashes the moment it was received.
Ji Chen craned his neck but failed to catch a glimpse of the joyous news, sighing with regret before chuckling, "Well, this is good. Even Xuyun couldn't stop Brother Song. Let's see what other tricks they have up their sleeves."
Wei Zhenyu frowned slightly, "But we don't know how difficult the battle was for Senior Brother Song, whether he was injured, or how severe it might be."
Meng Heze optimistically remarked, "Since the message didn't mention any injuries, it means he's fine. Let's spread the news first. Tonight, we'll take turns keeping watch and eating meat."
Wei Zhenyu sighed helplessly, "Eat then, eat. I'll have someone prepare the seasonings."
The academy instructor led the children in beating copper gongs and playing suona horns:
"Fellow villagers, Song Wang has defeated Xuyun on the snow plains! That scoundrel Xuyun has already hidden in his own sect, too afraid to show his face!"
"The battle isn't over yet, but victory will ultimately be ours!"
Amid the scorching summer heat, the people of Thousand Canals slept with their weapons at hand, honing their skills and preparing for battle.
The air carried the scent of earth, moisture, and the sulfurous smell of gunpowder.
Unharvested wheat in the fields grew wildly in the wind, stretching into a golden ocean in the distance.
With each beat of the copper gongs, the good news spread from mouth to mouth:
"Who is that Xuyun scoundrel?"
"He's the sect leader of Huawel Sect, the one who ordered the attack on our Thousand Canals."
"Ah, so it's him. Song Wang is mighty! Heaven bless Thousand Canals!"
By evening, people set down their firearms and gathered around bonfires, singing farming songs.
Though alcohol was forbidden during wartime celebrations, meat was permitted.
Marbled beast meat brushed with honey was roasted over grills, sprinkled with Thousand Canals' thirteen-spice seasoning.
Crispy skin enveloped tender meat, its aroma carried by the wind, making mouths water.
Amid the songs and meaty fragrance, long-tensed nerves finally relaxed, and accumulated fatigue melted away unnoticed.
Xu Kanshan and Qiu Dacheng were gambling with several disciples—some betting the war would end within a month, others wagering the Righteous Path Immortal Alliance would retreat the next day.
Ji Xing had a ravenous appetite, devouring half a roasted lamb, while Zhou Xiaoyun handed her sour plum soup, advising her to slow down.
Laughter echoed, and bonfires crackled.
Ji Chen mused, "Lately, I've been wondering why Green Cliff has been so quiet. What exactly was in the box Brother Song gave to Ziye Wenshu?"
The disciples of Green Cliff remained secluded in mourning for the Calligrapher Sage, so silent it was as if they'd vanished from the Cultivation World.
Wei Zhenyu agreed, "Why didn't we get that box, and he was the only one? If it's about explaining matters in Thousand Canals, it should've been given to us. Ziye Wenshu is far away in Green Cliff, and he's rigid—barely speaking ten words a day. What's the point of dealing with someone like that..."
It was the typical Wei Ping tone. Meng Heze's nose twitched, catching a faint, familiar tea scent amid the rich aroma of roasted meat. He abruptly cut in:
"Have you eaten too much? Full stomachs breed trouble. Senior Brother Song has his reasons for what he does. Don't ask too many questions, and don't interfere."Wei Zhenyu cast him a cool, sidelong glance. "Song Qianji isn't here, so why are you still pretending to be a gentleman in front of us? What's in that box? Don't tell me you're not curious."
"If we're talking about pretending, no one does it better than Manager Wei. What do you think, Wei Wang?" Meng Heze said coldly. "I am curious, but I won't make baseless assumptions!"
The topic was forcibly cut off. The three of them absentmindedly finished their roasted meat, feeling as restless as if they were holding three cats in their arms.
Ji Chen stroked his chin, feigning nonchalance. "I don't think Brother Song is the type to leave behind Spirit Stones or Magical Artifacts."
Wei Zhenyu said impassively, "Hmm, it probably isn't a Cultivation Method or secret manual either."
Meng Heze immediately refuted, "You two don't understand Senior Brother Song at all. If he put it in a box, it must be something he treasures—like potato flowers."
Wei Zhenyu exaggeratedly praised, "Wow, you know him so well!"
Then his tone shifted. "Who was it that just said they wouldn't make assumptions?"
Meng Heze's expression stiffened, and he fell silent.
Ji Chen lowered his head to hide a smirk, then looked up with a serious face. "It's fine to give bamboo shoots or potatoes normally, but sending potato flowers right before a major battle? It doesn't make sense. In my opinion, it definitely isn't..."
Before he could finish, his expression suddenly changed. "Enemy attack!"
Ji Chen controlled Thousand Canals' Protective Array. Without even asking, Wei Zhenyu immediately stood up and shouted, "Prepare for battle!"
Meng Heze had already grabbed his sword and was rallying the Song Courtyard disciples.
The singing abruptly ceased, replaced by the thunderous beat of war drums.
In an instant, the previously relaxed and laughing city defense squads, vanguard hunting teams, musket teams, and artillery units assembled with precision.
"Boom!"
An explosion roared like thunder.
In the blink of an eye, the sky above Thousand Canals rumbled with "thunder."
A dense barrage of Magical Artifacts and Talismans struck the Protective Array, triggering successive explosions that lit up half the night sky with colorful flashes.
Streaks of light shot out from the Immortal Alliance's Cloud Ship as cultivators mounted their Flying Swords, swarming toward Thousand Canals like a tidal wave.
Ji Chen rapidly adjusted the Array Disk, exerting full control over the array.
Meng Heze prepared to lead his team into battle.
"Be careful. This time is different—don't engage them head-on," Wei Zhenyu stopped him, his expression grave.
The Immortal Alliance cultivators had never shown such unified momentum before. It was likely provoked by Xu Yun's injury.
Something was wrong. Their cultivation levels had generally increased—how could they change so drastically overnight?
Wei Zhenyu made a swift decision and ordered the cannons to be activated.
The cannons, designed and invented by the Chief Engineer and as heavy as iron mountains, finally made their debut.
With the roar of the cannons, the earth shook, mountains trembled, and dust filled the air.
The enemy's assault temporarily slowed, and the pressure on Ji Chen's shoulders eased abruptly.
Seizing the opportunity, Meng Heze led the Song Courtyard disciples out of the Protective Array, aiming to catch the enemy off guard.
Just as they reached the front lines, a sudden melody of a zither echoed from above Hongfu County.
The music was urgent and mournful, like a funeral bell.
Upon hearing the zither, the Immortal Alliance cultivators retreated, leaving the people of Thousand Canals bewildered.
Why did it end before the battle even began?
Faced with the Immortal Alliance cultivators, whose cultivation had surged and who had arrived with overwhelming force, the people of Thousand Canals had steeled themselves for a bitter, all-night bloodbath.
Who would have thought it would be all thunder and no rain? From start to finish, the enemy had only attacked for half a quarter of an hour before hastily retreating.
Wei Zhenyu, Meng Heze, and Ji Chen stood on the city wall, not daring to relax in the slightest. They faced the direction of Hongfu, quietly observing and waiting for changes.It wasn't until late into the night that a secret message from Hongfu Tunnel provided answers—an assassin had infiltrated Huawel Sect. Xu Yun had been attacked and was now hanging by a thread. They urgently requested the current leader of Celestial Sound Sect, He Qingqing, to heal his injuries.
"Is it true?" Ji Chen couldn't believe it. "Assassination? That scoundrel stays in Huawel Sect like a thousand-year turtle clinging to its shell. Who could possibly assassinate him there? Are they insane? Do they have a death wish?"
Wei Zhenyu replied, "What's so strange about it? Assassination requires taking extreme risks. Don't forget, someone once attempted to assassinate the King of Thousand Canals right in Thousand Canals itself."
Assassins are a despicable trade—faceless, nameless, needing neither to be remembered nor thanked.
"I almost forgot, you used to be an assassin too," Meng Heze said. "Who do you think it is this time?"
Wei Zhenyu answered, "A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if Xu Yun was injured in the snow plains, not just anyone could assassinate him. Moreover, Huawel Sect's formations are tight. To infiltrate and wait for an opportunity until now... many might want to do such a thing, but only one could truly pull it off."
"Is it him?" Ji Chen asked.
"It's him," Meng Heze nodded.
They all had the same thought.
Suddenly, Wei Zhenyu shouted toward the night sky, "Hey!"
Meng Heze and Ji Chen jumped, staring at him in confusion.
Wei Zhenyu raised his hands like a megaphone and yelled, "If you want to come back, just come back! Why act so cool? Do you think you're impressive? You're an assassin—what hero are you trying to be?"
Meng Heze thought for a moment, then shouted, "Half the fabric in the storeroom has moldered, the other half has faded. Your cat eats too much, wasting food just like you. Don't expect anyone to feed it for you. You—" His voice suddenly dropped, as if embarrassed. "Your cat misses you."
Ji Chen yelled, "He means he misses you, we miss you, Song Courtyard misses—"
Meng Heze roared angrily, "I never said that!"
Wei Zhenyu laughed, "He said it—he says it every day—"
Meng Heze retorted, "Nonsense!"
The night in Thousand Canals was cool as water, stars twinkling like enormous gems. A refreshing western breeze chased colorful clouds after the bright moon.
The three took turns shouting into the vast night sky, laughing, scolding, and bantering, their voices soaring into the clouds and drifting toward some unknown distance.
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