Chapter 804 - 561: Invincible Everywhere
In Ning City, cooking smoke mingles with Daoist incense.
The morning mist has not cleared, yet disciples of the Supreme Dao, dressed in gray Daoist robes, can be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys.
Some hold wooden placards and preach doctrines along the street; some lean over tables, carefully registering households...
An orderly scene, yet full of vitality.
White Guangming stands at the temporary registration point at the city gate, his wolf-hair brush rises and falls continuously, the ink steady, and the list of people on the paper neatly organized.
"Brother Bai, check this household count again, let’s not make any mistakes."
The young Daoist disciple beside him holds a thick register of households, his tone full of respect.
White Guangming lifts his head with a smile, gently tapping the paper:
"Rest assured, it has been checked three times. Zhang the Third’s family includes three sons and two daughters, and the elderly mother is bedridden, all details clearly noted."
He sets down the brush, joins his hands, lowers his gaze, and prays softly:
"Celestial King, protect the masses. May all people enjoy the blessing of shared land, free from hunger and cold."
His prayer is sincere, beads of sweat slide down his cheeks, yet he does not bother to wipe them.
All of this falls into the eyes of Wang Xuan beneath the old locust tree not far away.
Wang Xuan, attired in a cloud-patterned protective Daoist robe, stands with a straight posture, his gaze contemplative.
He quietly watches White Guangming’s busy figure, a barely noticeable approving curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
...
The sun dips westward, and the registration task finally concludes.
Wang Xuan waves him over: "Guangming, come here."
White Guangming’s heart tightens, and he quickly walks forward, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Protector Wang."
Wang Xuan raises his hand in a gesture of support, his tone gentle yet carrying an indisputable authority:
"No need for excessive courtesy."
"These days, you’ve been counting the population, preaching doctrines, thoroughly diligent in everything. Indeed a scholar by background, meticulous and efficient in your work."
White Guangming promptly lowers his head, speaking with sincere humility:
"Protector overpraises me, I am merely fulfilling my duties, hardly worth mentioning."
"I am originally from a farming family and deeply understand the hardships of the people. To contribute to the Dao brethren is my fortune."
He deliberately lowers his stature, downplaying his scholarly identity.
He understands well that most devotees of the Supreme Dao come from humble backgrounds; only by lowering his stance can he truly integrate and be trusted.
Wang Xuan’s eyes show deeper approval, as he pats him on the shoulder:
"You have this heart, which is commendable. Now, the Supreme Dao urgently needs people, and I have decided to recommend you. In the coming days, arrangements will be made for your initiation, to formally register with the Dao, becoming a disciple of our Supreme Dao."
These words strike like thunder in White Guangming’s ears.
He raises his head sharply, first in disbelief, then joy surges on his face, and he bends his knees to kneel.
Wang Xuan firmly holds him again.
"Protector! Thank you for your guidance!" White Guangming’s voice trembles, his eyes slightly reddened, "Guangming shall indeed give his all, loyal to the Celestial King, and not fail the Protector’s trust!"
There had been rumors in the city these days that the Supreme Dao would select formal disciples from the peripheral followers.
White Guangming had long been hopeful, yet anxious.
He was not among the earliest followers of the Daoist Master, lacking the credentials of those who joined from the disaster relief tents all the way into the city, fearing he wouldn’t be chosen.
Now his wish is fulfilled, all unease dissipates like smoke, leaving only gratitude and anticipation.
Wang Xuan nods solemnly:
"No need for such reaction; this is your own achievement. After registration, I’ll give you a heavier responsibility—dispatching you to preside over land distribution in a village."
"Village affairs are complex, human hearts vary. You must be fair and just, reassure the people, and perform well, not disappointing the Dao Master and myself."
"Subordinate obeys!"
White Guangming straightens his back, his gaze suddenly firm:
"Subordinate will indeed fulfill his duties and handle the land distribution appropriately, ensuring the people gratefully remember the blessings of the Supreme Dao!"
Wang Xuan nods with satisfaction, then waves a dismissal.
He turns to look outside the city, his gaze suddenly sharp as a knife.
...
A few days later.
The horns of the expedition have sounded.
Outside Ning City, the four routes of Daoist Soldiers are ready to charge.
The flags flutter, embroidered with the words "Supreme" on the Dao banners, unfolding and billowing in the wind, making an impressive sight.
Chen Sheng, donned in a profound Daoist robe, holds a nine-section staff, standing on a high platform, his gaze sweeping over the thousands of soldiers, ordering in a deep voice:
"Depart!"
Two words spoken with conviction.
The four armies descend like tigers, with shouts shaking the heavens, rushing towards the surrounding county towns.
...
Permille City.
The soldiers on the city wall have long been on high alert, rocks, arrows, swords, and spears in abundance.
Simple cloud ladders are set up one by one against the city wall, Li Shi leads the charge, with other Protector Warriors close behind.
Each with flushed faces, their eyes frenzied.
They wear profound protective Daoist robes, surrounded by a layer of glistening white profound light.
That light is as warm as white jade and as clear as glass, yet carries an unyielding, heavy feel.
This is the Protective Profound Light of the Warriors, common blades can hardly harm them at all.
The militia on the city wall see the figures on the ladders, terrified, frantically swinging knives to hack away.
As the blades fall upon the profound light, a crisp sound of "clang" rings out, sparks fly, and the edge of the knife is chipped instantly.
Yet the Warriors remain unmoved, showing no sign of pain.
That layer of profound light is like an invisible iron wall, unharmed by knives and spears.
"Sorcery! They use sorcery!"
Someone cries out in fear, their hands and feet going limp.
A moment later, the Warriors storm the city wall.
"Kill!"
Li Shi shouts with a powerful voice, the earth trembling slightly.
A long knife swings out, a flash of cold light, with momentum like thunder.
Over ten militia members hurriedly lift spears in response, only to hear a crisp "clang", over a dozen spears breaking into two pieces.
Giant Strength sweeps across, sending a group of militia flying off the city wall, each with a horrified look, their faces ashen.
The rest of the Daoist Soldiers quickly flood the city wall, the defense line instantly collapsing.
...
Lake City!
Wang Xuan stands at the front of the formation, shouting loudly:
"Celestial King’s protection! Breach the city!"
Several Warriors step forward, lifting the heavy battering pillars with steady, iron-like steps.
What usually takes dozens of people to move, the massive wood in their hands becomes as light as a stalk of grass.
On the city wall, the Defender General’s heart pounds, shouting orders:
"Release the arrows! Quickly release the arrows! Roll stones! Boiling oil! Throw everything down!"
However—
Arrows strike the Warriors’ profound light, bouncing off and scattering like ants trying to move a tree.
Rolling stones fall, smashing onto the warriors, only to hear a dull thud, the rocks shattering, with people unwaveringly advancing.
Boiling oil pours down, just nearing the profound light it turns to white smoke, evaporating away, not touching even a corner of the clothing.
These profound robe Warriors are like immortal war gods, their glistening white profound light the most formidable armor.
The remaining green-robed Daoist Soldiers each with immense strength, fearless to death.
"Impossible! This is impossible!"
The Defender General quakes with fear, filled with dread.
The militia are already terrified, some dropping weapons to surrender, others turning to flee.
The city wall defense line collapses instantly.
"Ram!"
The Protector Warriors shout in unison.
Dozens of battering pillars crash against the city gate simultaneously.
Bang—
A thunderous boom echoes, dust flies.
The heavy city gate breaks with a sound, splinters fly.
Daoist Soldiers swarm in, shouting:
"Celestial King of the Supreme Dao, deliver all souls!"
The weapons swing, with militia unable to resist, either surrendering or being swiftly crushed.
The entire battle, the Supreme Dao army is invincible.