Chen Ping's Sword

The river surged with turbulent waves, rolling eastward.

In the distance, the city resembled a giant beast lying quietly. Under the evening glow, it looked like a picturesque landscape, with the setting sun resembling blood.

Battalions of cavalry emerged from the city, rumbling towards the east.

Clearly, Yan Beifei’s Imperial Forest Brave Cavalry had subdued the city without a fight and met little resistance.

This was already the eighth city they had easily captured.

After quickly stabilizing the area, they could even reallocate large forces to attack the East Wood Army.

They crushed everything in their path.

"Sir, my subordinates have learned that after Yan Beifei killed Xiao Wenzhong and defeated the Seven Fiends Army, he immediately proceeded to East Sea County without a moment’s delay. If he is allowed to disrupt the lands of the Seven Prefectures and ally with Jiangnan Noble Families and faction forces, he might become our largest obstacle in advancing southward. Should we..."

On Cyan Blade Mountain, on the quiet, cool forest side leaning against the cliff, three people were standing in the wind, gazing into the distance.

The leading person, a bit ahead, had a tall figure and handsome features akin to a painting, with a long sword at his waist. His black robe fluttered lightly in the wind, exuding an aura of a noble young gentleman and a famous, charismatic sword.

On his left, the middle-aged scholar speaking still appeared elegant, with clear features, but next to the young gentleman, he seemed more like a schoolteacher.

Or rather, like the young man’s accounting clerk.

To his right was a woman with a fiery figure clad in red like blood, with dual sabers at her waist. Though beautiful and charming enough to draw admiration anywhere she went, standing by the young gentleman made her seem like a coarse maid.

Upon hearing the middle-aged scholar’s counsel, the young gentleman slowly shook his head, gazed distantly at the heroic cavalry leaving the city, watched them howl past, and smiled, "Brother Zixuan, what do you think of the Great Li Imperial Army’s strength? What does Yan Beifei intend?"

"Aside from the frontier troops near Soul-Breaking Pass, the rest of the county’s garrison and county soldiers are naturally undisciplined and not battle-ready. They are even inferior to the retainers of major noble families and the brave warriors of various factions.

However, those are just local troops. The Imperial Army is different, tasked with defending the capital, and Yan Beifei is adept at military management. Therefore, this cavalry’s combat power is formidable and can be compared to our Great Zhou Iron Cavalry."

Tang Jue deliberated, noting no change in the other’s expression, then continued, "Commanding such a large army, if not restrained and left to maneuver freely, they could be difficult to handle on the battlefield in the future."

"Brother Zixuan is too focused on the leaf and misses the great mountain," the young gentleman chuckled softly, without any sarcasm, but patiently explained.

"You only see Yan Beifei coming and going unchallenged, defeating the Seven Fiends Army and the East Wood Army, invincible wherever he marches. But you haven’t considered that he is doing it out of necessity."

"What do you mean?" The red-clad woman asked with a flicker in her eyes, slightly parting her red lips with curiosity, "For something to force Yan Beifei, there can’t be many. Since the Grand Commander doesn’t want to target him, it must be because he doesn’t want the Imperial Forest Brave Cavalry’s morale to be dampened..."

She was speaking, but dared not look too much at the young gentleman’s side profile.

Because she knew that whenever she looked, the face of the Black Dragon Platform Grand Commander would become the most desirable and loved visage.

One could easily fall for it, develop feelings.

And in Black Dragon Platform, one can move anything or anyone, except for emotions.

Especially for the Grand Commander, moving emotions means death.

"Indeed, you both only see the power of the Nanli Imperial Forest Brave Cavalry, and fear Yan Beifei having gained the Divine Martial True Intent inheritance, stepping halfway beyond, possessing formidable strength.

Yet you haven’t thought deeply that if he indeed were that strong, and confident, why didn’t he directly take Nanli’s Vice Capital, Liiyang, but instead maneuvered strategically, forming alliances?"

Sometimes, the elevation of one’s vision determines one’s course of action.

Tang Jue and Chi Mei’er, though Palace Chief Imperial Envoys of Black Dragon Platform and possessing extraordinary martial skills with unusual abilities, had long dwelt in the court, accustomed to schemes and intrigues, court accusations, mostly looking upwards, seldom downward.

In other words, they had immersed in the government and court, long divorced from the Jianghu and the common people, thus somewhat looking down on those of humble origins.

Even though they were aware that Chen Ping had defeated Yuwen Zao’s hundred thousand Wolf Riders, and slain Divine Master Duran...

And even beaten the nine Unity Realm Grandmasters such as the True Martial King into helplessness, they still didn’t take him too seriously.

The reason is quite simple.

Mainly because, in this world, Unity Realm Grandmasters largely fall into three categories.

The first type is those who have received the Divine Martial True Intent inheritance, comprehended the Spiritual Secret Technique, and when their cultivation deepens, can naturally break through to the Divine Martial Realm, refine their True Form, and forge a Flawless Dao Foundation, leading to a promising future.

Just as the Black Dragon Platform Grand Commander Shui Wuyan, the Woyan Monarch, who gained the Divine Martial True Intent inheritance, and his Divine Will Intent Cultivation had progressed to the point of influencing external objects, nearing the threshold of Gathering Primordial Qi and Condensing True Form.

Precisely because of such formidable tutelage and profound cultivation realm, even when facing a Venerable Divine Martial, he wouldn’t fear greatly.

If he couldn’t win, he could escape.

If escape wasn’t an option, he could rely on his backers, causing the opponents to show leniency.

Of course, with Shui Wuyan’s reputation, no one even could corner him to the point of being unable to escape.

It’s precisely this renown that made everyone in Black Dragon Platform dare not disobey his orders.

Even Emperor Yuwen Mu of Great Zhou trusted and valued him, treating him like a brother.