Dragon Canon

This round of heavenly tribulation had left Wei Yuan charred on the outside and tender on the inside. His entire body was exuding a fragrant aroma.

Fortunately, his physical body was formidable. Countless tiny parts of his body were already beginning to regenerate. In fact, the trial by lightning had caused much of his flesh and blood to be reborn with an entirely new level of strength. In a sense, it was like Wei Yuan had overcome an Avatar-level heavenly tribulation. After this tempering, the strength of his physical body would rank among the very best even among Avatars.

However, looking at Xu Wenwu, Wei Yuan suddenly felt he should wait a while longer before telling him about the benefits of overcoming a lightning tribulation—or even not tell him at all.

Otherwise, if this guy somehow got a wild idea and came up with some method that allowed one to temper their body without having to undergo a tribulation, then wouldn’t all his suffering today have been for nothing? If that happened, Wei Yuan would surely spit out a mouthful of old blood right then and there.

It was only now that the cultivators of the Palace of Absolute Beginning found a moment to speak with Wei Yuan. Cui Yu didn’t say a word, though—he simply came over and gave Wei Yuan a hug.

After they parted, Wei Yuan looked Cui Yu up and down and asked, “How do you look worse than me, the one who literally just went through a heavenly tribulation?”

Cui Yu retorted irritably, “I haven’t looked good since the day I met you!”

Wei Yuan had already learned what had happened in Qingming on his way back, as well as how everyone had joined hands to deal a second crushing defeat to the Xu Clan.

Wei Yuan wasn’t good at expressing himself, so he simply gripped Cui Yu’s arm tightly and said, “As soon as we’ve settled things in the realm, I’ll accompany you back to the Cui Clan to kick Cui Tianli’s ass!”

Cui Yu cracked a small smile and replied, “I’m not confident I can beat him though.”

“Don’t worry, we can’t lose!”

After Cui Yu came Sun Yu and Yu Zhizhuo, both of whom were his senior uncles. Wei Yuan greeted them respectfully. The two recognized Wei Yuan’s cultivation level and suddenly felt they should put cultivating their Avatar on the agenda.

The last person to greet him was Feng Tingyu. Without a word, the girl had rushed over and given him a bear hug, pressing him tightly against her chest and squeezing him hard. Then, she suddenly let go and bounced him away from her.

At the same time, 800 Dao Soldiers disembarked from the flying vessel and began unloading the supplies.

Over the next few days, Wei Yuan was kept incredibly busy as he re-counted the realm’s population and reorganized the troops. After the second crushing defeat of the Xu Clan, a steady stream of refugees began arriving in Qingming from all directions, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand a day. Combined with the 300,000 prisoners taken from the Xu Clan, Qingming’s total population now stood at 850,000.

Fortunately, another grain harvest had taken place within the realm during this period. Otherwise, they would truly be facing a food crisis. Although over 100,000 mu of farmland in the realm had been destroyed by the Great Karmic Curse, 400,000 mu remained harvestable. This round of harvesting had yielded a whopping 80 million catties of grain.

It looked like a lot of grain, but there were now 30,000 war horses in the realm that had been seized from the Xu Clan’s private army.

Although human warhorses did not need to eat meat like Liao horses did, they still consumed a great deal of food. A single warhorse consumed as many as 20 ordinary soldiers. In terms of grain, that was at least a dozen catties every day. Not only that, spirit horses needed to eat spirit rice, and even the most mundane spirit horse cost as much to feed as 10 Dao Foundation stage cultivators.

The prisoners had already undergone preliminary screening, and most of them were willing to stay—provided, of course, that Wei Yuan granted them the status of official troops in the future.

On the other hand, the several hundred Dao Foundation stage cultivators proved to be much more troublesome—most of them had chosen to redeem their freedom. This time, Wei Yuan made no concessions and raised the ransom to 7,000 taels of immortal silver per person. Moreover, he would not release anyone unless the immortal silver came first. Even if these people managed to return home, they would have to sell everything they owned. If they couldn’t pay, it didn’t matter—they would simply be held captive.

Processing the prisoners was a tedious and time-consuming task. It could only be done bit by bit. Wei Yuan delegated these duties to his subordinates, then reorganized the two towns of elites next, bringing each to a full strength of 5,000. He named the cavalry Dragon Wings, and the infantry Dragon Run.

Now that Qingming had an ample amount of warhorses, Wei Yuan equipped each Dragon Wings cavalryman with two horses. Even the Dragon Run infantryman was equipped with a warhorse for traveling purposes, with plans to update everyone’s equipment to flying-sword guns in the future.

The version Wei Yuan was currently using for himself was far too powerful and beyond the control of ordinary Dao Foundation stage cultivators. Moreover, the design was quite crude, relying entirely on Dao energy for propulsion. He would need to consult with Yu Zhizhuo to discuss how to improve it before it could be widely adopted.

To Wei Yuan’s surprise, Wang Yu had perished[1].

He had been gravely wounded that day by the Great Karmic Curse. Although he had survived at the time, his injuries grew increasingly severe as time passed. In the end, not even Sun Yu was able to overturn his fate. Just two days after Wei Yuan’s return, Wang Yu ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was reduced to ash by the pale flame.

The young masters and misses of the noble clans had also been severely injured by the Great Karmic Curse, including Hsu Yi.

On the other hand, the disciples of the Skyblue Hall and the Water Moon Hall only sustained minor injuries because they had only arrived at the realm of Qingming for a short time. It took them only a few days of rest to recover. However, this situation drew some criticisms from other Qingming cultivators, not to mention that none of the disciples from the two halls currently held important positions. Some people, unable to bear the gossip, had already returned to their sects. The Water Moon Hall alone saw five people returning to the sect. Fei Yutong had hit a cultivation bottleneck and needed to break through to the next level, so she was also summoned back by the Truemen of the Water Moon Hall.

Wei Yuan didn’t pay much attention to this. He simply set the matter aside after asking about it.

After a busy day, Wei Yuan took a stroll through the small courtyard where Zhang Sheng had once lived. It still looked exactly as it had before. The furnishings hadn’t changed a bit, and a history book she had read only halfway through was still sitting on the desk.

The four Dragon Blood Wood he had planted in the courtyard had vanished, leaving only four charred, deep pits. Wei Yuan couldn’t help but feel relieved that he had acted decisively at the time, planting four in one go. If even one had been missing, if that bit of fortune had been lacking, Zhang Sheng might have perished on the spot.

Wei Yuan walked around the room, then sat down at Zhang Sheng’s desk. He unfolded a piece of jade paper, dipped his brush in ink, and instinctively began to write, “To Junior Brother Xiao Yu....”

However, after writing the salutation, Wei Yuan realized he had a lot to say, things like “I’ve recently acquired a bundle of immortal plants,” or “I’ve been quite troubled lately by the never-ending influx of Heavenly Merits,” and so on.

In the end, Wei Yuan set the brush down. There was simply too much to write, and putting it all down at once would seem a bit pretentious. He would have to write them down one by one—that was how you ensured that a relationship lasted.

Suddenly, Wei Yuan sensed something and turned his chair. He saw a woman in red had appeared behind him, seated in the guest chair. He had no idea when she had arrived.

By this point, Zhu Yuanjin’s identity was no longer a secret. True Lord Xuan Yue had already told Wei Yuan about it back then at the northern mountain gate. He immediately stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, “I have yet to thank you for your rescue, Senior.”

Zhu Yuanjin replied indifferently, “No need. I don’t get along with those old fools upstairs, and we’ve had some unpleasant run-ins, including your founder, Old Scoundrel Chunqiu.”

Wei Yuan was completely baffled. He had no idea who Old Scoundrel Chunqiu was.

Zhu Yuanjin explained, “Before your founder joined the sect, his original name was Su Chunqiu. We’ve all gotten used to calling him Old Scoundrel Chunqiu.”

Since this concerned what little dignity remained of his founder, Wei Yuan had no choice but to pretend he hadn’t heard it[2].

“The fools have been insisting on defending the northern mountain gate to the death, claiming it’s the ancestral land formed from our Founder’s immortal body. And that not a single inch can be ceded, lest his sacred body be desecrated. Yet, we’ve already ceded over a thousand li of territory at this point. In bodily terms, one whole leg has already been desecrated, no?”

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Wei Yuan seriously didn’t know how to respond to this. He could only remain expressionless and pretend to be a piece of wood.

Zhu Yuanjin, seemingly oblivious to the fact that no one was responding to her, continued, “What’s the point of clinging to that worthless land! We’re just shouldering the brunt of the three states’ misfortunes for nothing! If you ask me, we should just abandon the northern mountain gate and ally ourselves with the enemies of the three states; especially the Xu Clan’s sworn enemies, the Lee Clan of Zhao. First, we’ll stand by and do nothing as the foreigners sweep through the three states. Only then will we come back and reclaim our lost territories.

“If they don’t lose at least a few families, these noble clans will really start to think that they’ll last forever!”

Wei Yuan mulled over her idea carefully and actually found the plan to be quite feasible. No one could stop a 10-million-strong Liao army marching south, and it was bound to trigger a major shake-up in the north. However, if that happened, then the number of ordinary people who would die along the million-li border in the north would likely run into the billions.

“What do you think?” Zhu Yuanjin asked.

Wei Yuan did not answer directly. Instead, he said, “A few days ago, this disciple’s words triggered a heavenly tribulation. That is what I think.”

“Hmph, another stubborn little one. Forget it, you people may be a bit foolish, but it is also why you often manage to accomplish certain things that others simply cannot.” Zhu Yuanjin suddenly sighed, as if recalling something.

After a moment of silence, she continued, “For the time being, I’ll continue to stand guard here. I’ve wounded the Xu Clan’s Qiu Niu and Tao Tie, and it’ll take some time for them to recover. They don’t have many True Lords left who can still act, and the Lü Clan in the north is also watching closely, so things should remain calm for now. Still, don’t let your guard down. Speaking of which, do you know how I’m deterring the Xu Clan’s True Lords?”

“Please enlighten me, Senior.”

A faint smile played at the corners of Zhu Yuanjin’s mouth as she said, “First, I lie in wait in the shadows. Only after a Xu Clan True Lord has made a move will I launch a surprise attack. This way, I am guaranteed to land a hit. Therefore, if you were to die from the very first blow, then I won’t be able to save you. All I can do is to make sure I cut as deep as possible and slice off as many of their shameful, vital parts as I can to avenge you.”

Wei Yuan broke out in a cold sweat. Was his senior really not using him as a bait to lure her enemies?

Zhu Yuanjin continued, “One more thing: Bao Yun’s karma with you has run its course—I’m not the one who said this; it was Bao Manshan. He also said that you should visit the Bao Clan as quickly as possible if you wish to renew your bond.”

Wei Yuan grew tense. “What do you mean, her karma with me has run its course?”

Zhu Yuanjin explained, “From what I understand, she may be heading to the Exquisite Blossom Pure Land to receive an Avatar. I’ve heard that an important figure has recently passed away, leaving the Dharma of the Immovable Tathāgata[3] vacant. Bao Yun is the best candidate for it.”

“What happens after she receives this Dharma?” Wei Yuan asked.

“Nothing much. Once she becomes a World Ruler and her Imaginary World transforms into a Pure Land, she’ll completely become the reincarnation of the Immovable Tathāgata, and the Bao Yun of the past will be as good as dead. Given her talent and her affinity with this Dharma, it may take her less than a decade to become a World Ruler.”

“When should I go, then?” Wei Yuan asked.

“It’s not the right time yet; you’ll simply be wasting your time if you go now. Your immediate priority is to cultivate an aura of Invincibility so that you can continuously elevate the spirituality of your Dao Foundation until it reaches its absolute limit. Only then will the time be right for you to ascend and become an Avatar. Before that, just pay a visit to the Bao Clan.”

“But how do I cultivate this so-called ‘aura of Invincibility’?” Wei Yuan asked.

“There’s no one better at this than that lass, your shifu. Just learn from her. Sometimes when I hear her talk, even I feel like I’m about to explode.”

“But Master isn’t here right now. I’d appreciate some further guidance from you, Senior.” With Zhu Yuanjin present, Wei Yuan naturally wanted to listen and ask as much as possible.

Zhu Yuanjin replied, “Isn’t it simple? Just tell everyone you meet this: ‘I’ve observed your Avatars, and it is my humble opinion that it is utter garbage!’ I guarantee you won’t be lacking in opponents. After that, just defeat them all, and you’ll naturally own an aura of invincibility.

“Of course, you can even take it one step further and say: ‘All Avatars under Heaven are trash.’”

Wei Yuan quietly wiped away a bead of cold sweat. He felt that saying the latter might be inviting himself to an untimely end to his life and Dao.

Seeing Zhu Yuanjin’s expectant gaze, Wei Yuan could only say, “If I say that, wouldn’t I be insulting Grandmaster Fen Hai as well?”

“So what? You may already have surpassed Lil Fen Hai as you are now. Why be afraid of him?”

Wei Yuan silently wiped another bead of sweat. This wasn’t a matter of whether he could beat Grandmaster Fen Hai or not, it was a matter of disrespecting his elders and betraying his lineage.

Suddenly, he recalled that he had done something far worse in this regard and felt restless.

Zhu Yuanjin got up and said, “I’m going now.”

Suddenly, Wei Yuan asked, “Senior, what exactly did you do in your youth?”

Zhu Yuanjin smiled faintly and replied, “You’re quite perceptive. Back in the day, I was an assassin. When I was at your level, I had taken out quite a few garbage Avatars. Later, in order to assassinate an important target, I concealed my identity and joined the Palace of Absolute Beginning to get close to them. However, I came to realize that life in the Palace of Absolute Beginning wasn’t so bad, and I’ve remained there ever since—even working my way up to the position of deputy abbess.”

Wei Yuan opened his mouth, but wisely refrained from asking whether the assassination had been successful. Knowing too much could easily get him silenced.

After Zhu Yuanjin left, Wei Yuan composed himself and went to find Cui Yu to discuss the details of a military campaign. The two discussed for quite some time when Cui Yu finally recalled an important question. “Wait, where are we going to attack?”

Wei Yuan pointed to a spot on the map and said, “Here. Let’s collect some interest first.”

The spot Wei Yuan was pointing to was none other than Hanyang Pass.

1. No, my dearest voyeur.... ☜

2. Fucking author, he’s talking about Xuan Yue but accidentally inverted his title. I was thinking there’s no way it can be Fenhai.... ☜

3. Reminder that Dharma is the Buddhist equivalent of Avatar. I’ll try to make it so that you’ll automatically associate the two but until then apologies. ☜