Chen Ping's Sword

Regarding Third Uncle Ancestor Cui Huchen’s "going against the grain and biting the hand that feeds you" behavior, some elders with actual power and exceptional juniors within the family secretly plotted to oppose him, but this Third Uncle Ancestor brutally suppressed them. With tears, he wielded the butcher’s knife and directly slaughtered them clean.

Why go to such lengths?

Isn’t it said that as a noble family, we should place bets on multiple fronts?

With the wealth and martial force of the Cui Family, why not wait a bit longer and observe the changes in situation? Is there really any harm in doing so, rather than acting so aggressively and placing all our hopes on one person?

"Bo Yu, do you think our Cui Family still has a chance to turn back?"

Cui Huchen looked at Cui Boyu beside him with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Once he thought, even if his lifespan ran out, with the support of the two tigers of the Cui Family, the family’s name would never fall.

As long as choices are not mistaken, and family talents are cultivated, the Cui Family could prolong its legacy for generations and grow even stronger.

However, these days it seems otherwise. Our juniors, maybe they are not lacking in resources and talent compared to others.

But due to many years of peace, there is no crisis or competition within the family, so these juniors only cultivate the superficial and not to the core.

"There are things I can’t say clearly; others might not understand, but Bo Yu, I hope you learn to think independently. See through appearances to the real crisis of the Cui Family. Crisis indicates danger, but also opportunity. If you understand, one day you might govern the Cui Family, and I can rest easy without worries."

Cui Huchen said earnestly.

This was his first time openly expressing his intention for Cui Lin, the current head of the Cui Family, to step down and for Cui Boyu to take on the role of the family head.

But it seems now the time is far from ripe.

Cui Boyu’s perspective is still too shallow.

"Third Uncle Ancestor!"

Cui Boyu felt defiant both outwardly and internally, though he refrained from saying anything harsh, his eyes betrayed him.

"You, ah, you, ah."

Cui Huchen couldn’t help but analyze closely, looking at this talented junior from his grandson’s generation.

"Not to mention all the heroes of the realm, just speaking of King Ping, the Cyan Bird delivered letters that I didn’t hide from you. You should know how the preceding battle went. What do you think of this battle?"

"Chen... King Ping advocated for a rescue, making bold advances with light troops. Initially, there were considerable victories, killing over twenty thousand Hu Cavalry, but later faced obstacles everywhere, retreating heavily wounded, clearly having suffered a great loss, unable to defeat Beizhou Hu Cavalry. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be letters asking for reinforcements."

Speaking of battle analysis, Cui Boyu was naturally adept.

He pointed at the road below the mountain, where overlapping mountain ridges seemed to hide thousands of troops, shaking his head: "Disguised as ordinary folk, betting everything on one throw, this person’s life is filled with risky undertakings. Perhaps he can win ten or a hundred times, but losing once means all is gone. Particularly besides the insurmountable enemy of Beizhou, there are also King Jinghai’s two hundred thousand troops. Where did he find the confidence to settle these two armies successfully?

He even hadn’t considered the retreat, hadn’t detected the Court’s suspicion and the possible backstabbing from two rebellious armies."

Cui Boyu reached out his right hand, circled the land from east to west, "Interlinked rings, and if any aspect goes wrong, this battle is doomed, our Cui Family will be buried alongside. Truly, what a hardship?"

Saying this, Cui Boyu’s expression started to sadden again.

He couldn’t see where the chance of victory lay.

Yet, the Cui Family members were aboard this vessel, about to sink.

"Do you know where Longchang Zhang Family, Shihai Yuan Family, and Jiangdong Noble Family Pei personnel in the Southwest have gone?"

Cui Huchen asked coldly, listening to the complaints of his grandson.

"Uh... I haven’t heard anything."

Cui Boyu, who has been busy dealing with family affairs, paid little attention to external matters, especially the wealthy families and merchants in the city, basically hasn’t heard of any movements. In his impression, Xingqing Prefecture seemed peaceful and flourishing, promoting culture, correcting official conduct with great zeal...

"All dead, families wiped out, property confiscated, and all investments turned to the common people."

"Think about it, think carefully..."

Cui Huchen spoke in a chilling tone that penetrated deeply.

"Indeed, in Xingqing Prefecture City, not a single wealthy family or noble door remains, all vanished, and yet he hasn’t caught any wind of this.

Even the formidable Hedong Pei Family’s branch in Xingqing Prefecture supposedly should be commanding with wealth and expertise... yet he hasn’t seen a single Pei Family member or heard a single citizen mention Pei Family.

It is as if within this county and its seven prefectures, these people never existed.

"Could it be, Third Uncle Ancestor, you’re saying..."

"Yes, just as you’re thinking, King Ping is truly extraordinary, possessing both a compassionate heart and thunderous means, acting like a spring breeze transforming rain, silently changing everything, to the extent that you and I can’t catch any wind. Imagine his control over his governed lands, how tight it must be.

Do you still think East Wood Army and Seven Fiends Army pose a threat to Xingqing Prefecture? Do you believe the Court and Youjing Vice Capital can regain control over Xingqing Prefecture?"

Cui Huchen finally raised his white eyebrows, looking at Cui Boyu, reminding him again: "Think again, Zhang Gu leads thirty thousand cavalry reinforcing the battle, all under Supervisor Sima Rou... Meanwhile, my Cui Family commands fifteen thousand cavalry, sixty thousand infantry, ambushes at Tiger Roar Ridge, why no arrangement for a Supervisor? Does Chen Ping trust me this much, fearing I might ruin his crucial plans? Have you noticed, Xingqing Prefecture essentially deployed all forces, yet a troop is missing."

"This..."

Cui Boyu sweated heavily, suddenly remembering: "It’s Han Wushang, yes, it’s those odd elders and disciples from Primordial Sect, recently heard they’re all in seclusion, focusing on cultivation. Over thirty of them broke through to Innate Secret Realm, Han Wushang and Sunx Yun have reached Innate Perfection, attempting to break through Unity Realm..."

Saying this, he slapped his thigh, face full of shock: "Could it be, this group already reached Hexi County?"

"What do you think?"

Cui Huchen shook his head, thinking his grandson still pales compared to Chen Ping.

White-haired confidants still grip swords; vigilance against others can’t be absent.

King Ping not only excels in battles but also deeply understands human psyche, leaving no chance for errors.

Thus, since the letter arrived in his hands, King Jinghai was already forced to come and inevitably fail.

Front lines target Beizhou Wolf Riders, while rear lines already calculated for Jinghai Army. Further, it even predicted the actions of Hexi Cui Family, leading Cui Huchen to suspect, a huge pit was dug for the Court’s spies within Xingqing, already starting to manipulate Youjing Vice Capital matters.

Troops move, bloom everywhere, one step planning ten.

Could this be something accomplished by someone under eighteen?

Faced with such a person as an enemy, how many heads would suffice for him to chop?