Chapter 803 - 560: Dividing Forces into Four Routes
A quiet room.
Chen Sheng sat cross-legged on the mat, eyes slightly closed, his demeanor calm, and his entire being breathing steadily and deeply.
His back was straight, his hands forming a simple Seal Technique, with an extremely rhythmic flow between breaths.
This was indeed the martial arts breathing technique offered by the assassin Xu Kun, who attempted to kill him. It seemed simple, yet it held mystery, allowing for the quickest circulation of internal energy.
At this moment, while practicing the breathing technique, he recalled Xu Kun’s words, as the complete martial arts framework emerged in his mind.
"In this realm, martial arts cultivation boils down to four words—True Strength of Blood Qi."
Chen Sheng clearly felt the surging blood within, like a slumbering beast, ready to awaken at any moment.
"Starting from Body Refining, tempering the muscles and bones, strengthening the blood qi. Once the blood qi is prosperous, the breathing technique can be used to grasp and refine it into True Strength."
"When True Strength erupts, the power is immense. A punch can kill an old ox, ordinary weapons can be shattered."
"Xu Kun is genuinely a master of True Strength, known as the Great Fist Master, a top-tier level, just below a Martial Arts Grandmaster."
Chen Sheng recalled Xu Kun’s form on the day of the assassination, the swift fist movement, with intense qi enhancing the sword, breaking through the Guardian Warrior’s defenses.
"However, even a Grandmaster remains trapped at the True Strength level."
"Their control over strength is more refined, controlling it at will, but facing the encirclement of dozens of soldiers, they can only flee awkwardly, unable to escape."
"If caught by a squad of mounted archers, a rain of arrows would leave them no room to resist."
"For martial arts experts, their greatest usefulness is within the military."
"Donning heavy Battle Armor, wielding sharp blades, they become fierce generals on the battlefield, capable of sweeping through, slaying generals, and capturing flags."
"The progenitor of martial arts in this realm is Tai-ancestor Gu Youming of the Great Li Dynasty."
"Nowadays, martial arts experts are mostly concentrated within the imperial palace and noble courts, monopolizing the best cultivation resources and martial arts heritage."
"As for martial artists among the populace, they are far more unfortunate."
"There are no significant martial arts sects, often just master-apprentice transmission, barely continuing a lineage with only two to three members."
Chen Sheng opened his eyes, a hint of understanding flashing:
"No wonder I’ve never heard of martial arts masters or tales of the Jianghu in the county town before."
Thinking of this, Chen Sheng felt motivated and no longer deliberately suppressed the qi within.
He slowly opened his eyes, a gleam in them, raising his right hand, palm stretched straight.
"Ha!"
He let out a low shout, lightly swinging his wrist, his palm like a blade, chopping towards an iron pillar roughly the size of an arm.
A sharp "clang" sounded, the strength erupted, and the iron pillar broke, its fracture smooth as if cut by a sharp blade.
The broken iron pillar fell heavily to the ground, emitting a dull thud, causing a slight tremor.
Chen Sheng glanced at his palm, a faint smile curling at the corners of his mouth:
"True Strength is achieved!"
"Xu Kun spent twenty years cultivating True Strength, certainly a talent rare even in a hundred years."
"Yet I achieved it in just three to five days, not much difficulty at all!"
Of course, Chen Sheng knew this wasn’t because of his exceptional talent, but due to the augmentation of Daoist Technique that his qi already far exceeded ordinary people.
"The True Strength I’ve cultivated is naturally countless times stronger than that of a common Martial Artist."
However, in his view, this strength was still lacking.
"Compared to the wonders of Daoist Technique, the effect of True Strength is ultimately minor."
"But for my Daoist Sect’s Guardian Warriors and Core Disciples, their qi is inherently like tigers and dragons, far surpassing others."
"If they were to cultivate this martial arts technique, refining their qi into True Strength, they could demonstrate immense power on the battlefield, charging through and conquering."
Chen Sheng resolved firmly in his heart, hesitated no longer, and immediately called out towards the door:
"Come, summon Xu Kun!"
Soon, Xu Kun, looking slightly weakened, walked in.
Initially, although Chen Sheng spared his life, he didn’t bestow him Talisman Water for recuperation, leaving him to recover gradually.
"Xu Kun, today I’ve summoned you to give you a chance to atone."
"My Daoist Sect’s apostles all possess extraordinary qi. You can teach them the martial arts technique, guiding them in Body Refining and Strength Cultivation."
"If you teach well and perform outstandingly, you may be allowed into my Daoist Sect, and drink the Talisman Water!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Kun’s eyes immediately gleamed with extraordinary brilliance, showing excitement and joy.
"Thank you, Daoist Master! Thank you, Daoist Master!"
"I will certainly give my all, imparting all knowledge, and will never disappoint the trust of the Daoist Master!"
Chen Sheng nodded slightly and waved his hand:
"Rise, this matter is entrusted to you now. From today on, you will be the martial arts instructor in my army. If there are any mistakes, you will bear the consequences."
"I abide by my command!"
Xu Kun quickly stood up, bowed, and retreated, his steps light and brisk.
After handling Xu Kun’s matters, Chen Sheng moved to the government office’s conference hall.
Inside the conference hall, the atmosphere was solemn. A large chair was placed at the top, with dozens of seats neatly arranged on both sides.
A simple map of Ning City hung on the wall, marked with ink indicating various town locations.
Chen Sheng walked to the top seat and sat down.
Soon, Wang Xuan, Li Shi, and several trusted aides walked in one after another, neatly dressed in Daoist Robes, with respectful expressions, and knelt in the hall, loudly saluting:
"Subordinates greet the Daoist Master, blessings to the Daoist Master!"
Chen Sheng nodded:
"Rise, today I’ve gathered you all to discuss the subsequent plans."
The group rose, standing respectfully on either side.
Chen Sheng looked at Wang Xuan beside him:
"Wang Xuan, tell us about the current situation within the Dao."
Wang Xuan bowed and said:
"Daoist Master, your divine strategy is remarkable. Since the issuance of the land redistribution order, people have been clamoring to join the sect, the will of the people is with us, and our momentum is unstoppable."
"As of today, our Dao sect has thirty-seven thousand, three hundred and forty-four peripheral followers, and the number is continually increasing."
Chen Sheng heard this, raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, with a tinge of astonishment in his tone:
"Oh? I remember the registry records state that Ning County only has a population of over thirty-nine thousand, correct?"
Wang Xuan hurriedly explained:
"The registered population indeed is only thirty-nine thousand."
"But under the past exploitation by those local gentry and powerful figures, many hidden households and servants—who didn’t have records—depended on the gentry."
"This time, upon hearing that they could get their own land, they all emerged and voluntarily registered to join the sect."
He paused, then continued:
"According to my subordinates’ predictions, the real population of Ning County should reach about fifty-five thousand."
"It’s just that our manpower is indeed insufficient, and we’ve only redistributed land near the county town; there are forty-nine villages, but half of them haven’t completed the land redistribution yet."
"We haven’t yet included those people into our Dao sect."
Chen Sheng nodded slowly, his expression calm.
He discreetly glanced at the panel visible only to him.
[Daoist, Level 5 (91899/100000)]
Looking at the fortune on the panel, he pondered silently:
"Previously, just those disaster victims, numbering around nine thousand, contributed nearly fifty thousand fortune."
"Now with nearly thirty thousand new followers, the fortune has only increased by sixty thousand, even with the stimulus of the Celestial Thunder breaching the city, public trials of powerful figures, and land redistribution to save the people."
"Indeed, it’s in the most desperate and helpless times that the most brilliant and pure faith arises."
"Those disaster victims were wandering, starving, and nearly in dire straits at the time, so their faith was most sincere, contributing the most fortune."
"And now, although these common people are oppressed, they still have some breathing room, and their faith lacks a few degrees of sincerity ultimately."
"Well, if quality falls short, let quantity prevail!"
After pondering for a moment, Chen Sheng raised his head and swept his gaze over the people in the hall, speaking with resolute tone:
"If manpower is insufficient, then increase the manpower!"
"Enroll all disaster victims who came to the city with us as ordinary disciples."
"Then, from the newly joining peripheral followers, pick those strong and healthy, with family concerns, to make up ten thousand ordinary disciples!"
"Land redistribution is urgent, it must be completed soon so that all people can receive land."
"Meanwhile, expedite the establishment of governance structures, set up propagation points in each town, cultivate new believers, and spread the teachings of our Dao sect throughout every corner of Ning City."
As soon as he finished speaking, he added:
"Oh, and the previous ordinary disciples, elevate all to core disciples, so we can make up three thousand Daoist Soldiers."
"For the Guardian Warriors, we won’t make adjustments for now."
The people in the hall heard this, all showed joyful expressions, their hearts immensely excited.
Three thousand Daoist Soldiers, this would be the first elite force of the Dao sect, with this army, they would have the capital to conquer the world.
Chen Sheng watched the expressions of the people, nodding slightly, then continued:
"Next, I’ll make the following deployments."
He stood up, walked to the map on the wall, pointing at several county towns on the map:
"Wang Xuan, lead ten Guardian Warriors, five hundred Daoist Soldiers, to capture Changning County;" "Li Shi, lead ten Guardian Warriors, five hundred Daoist Soldiers, to capture Pingchuan County..."
His finger moved slowly on the map, his tone firm:
"This time, divide into four paths, advancing simultaneously, attacking nearby county towns, saving the people from the water and fire, spreading the teachings of our Dao sect."
"Remember, after breaching each county town, swiftly conduct public trials — bring the local powerful gentry, corrupt officials to justice, and show it to the world."
"Then propagate and preach, spread the teachings of our Dao sect, gather people to join the sect."
"Finally, distribute land to the people, establish our organizational structure, firmly control the county town, transforming it into the foundation of our Dao sect."
After saying this, Chen Sheng took out a yellow brocade bag from his bosom, opened it, and inside were neatly placed four sheets of Celestial Thunder Talisman.
The talisman paper was yellowed, painted with complex runes in cinnabar, faintly emitting a faint thunderous aura.
He distributed the Celestial Thunder Talisman to Wang Xuan, Li Shi, and others, speaking solemnly:
"This is the Celestial Thunder Talisman, at critical moments, it can invoke the power of Celestial Thunder to help you breach the city!"
Everyone received the Celestial Thunder Talisman with both hands, carefully putting it away, kneeling on one knee and loudly accepting orders:
"Subordinates obey! We will not fail the mission, breach the county town, spread the Dao, and save the people from water and fire!"
Chen Sheng nodded slightly, gestured for everyone to rise:
"Go, prepare yourselves, three days later, we will dispatch troops on time, no delays allowed."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, bowed, and withdrew, their steps hurried, faces filled with an expression full of fighting spirit.
The council hall once again returned to calm.
Chen Sheng stood before the map, gazing deeply at the various county towns on the map, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Ning City had been taken, land redistributed, the initial accumulation was almost done.
Chen Sheng didn’t plan to do any ’build high walls, gather grain widely, and slowly declare kingship,’ what he wanted was rapid expansion, a snowballing growth in power, sweeping across the land.
"Establish a Dao Country in the human world!"
"Establish a governance system belonging to our Dao sect, making all the people in the world our sect followers, continuously harvesting the faith of the world."