Chapter 102: The Fate at Victory Pass (1/3) – Seeking Your Support

His Majesty has issued orders, so naturally the Fourth Princess departed the city immediately. However, it would still take several days to travel from Luyang to Desheng Pass. During this time, she fervently hoped that nothing untoward would happen to Little Qi.

There was also another matter that deeply concerned the Fourth Princess.

She did not understand the two cryptic phrases left by the heir of Xiaoyuan Mountain. At her level, progress in cultivation often depended on fate and insight.

Thus, when the "Three Men Make a Tiger" riddle arose, she refrained from asking the Xiaoyuan Mountain disciple what it meant.

Most of the other great beings chose similarly; only that young immortal girl dared to ask what the phrase truly signified.

The rest kept their thoughts to themselves, believing that once spoken aloud, the effect would diminish.

For the Fourth Princess, the phrase “The way of Heaven lessens the surplus to supply the deficient; the way of man lessens the deficient to serve the surplus” was even more profound.

Upon first hearing it, she regarded it as a precious treasure, for the Great Way generally divided into harmonizing with the Heavenly Way, the Earthly Way, or the Human Way. Naturally, aligning with the Heavenly Way was the most formidable—just as that fellow Seventeen was.

The Fourth Princess also harbored such ambition.

Yet, while Gu Yi lived, she chose not to inquire further; but if Gu Yi were to perish, this enigma might haunt her for a lifetime.

She did not want to be like the old matriarch of the Daoist sect, forever trapped at the Return-to-Simplicity realm.

Determined to uncover what truly transpired and to save her seventh sister swiftly, her pace quickened considerably.

Meanwhile, as she left Luyang, the city welcomed new visitors.

If one paid attention, they would notice a young man holding a folding fan, always squinting slightly with a faint smile. Even when a rude ruffian accidentally bumped into him, he paid no mind and continued smiling serenely.

“The Fourth Princess’s departure from the capital is somewhat peculiar,” the young man remarked to a tall figure clad in black robes beside him.

“What’s peculiar?” came a hoarse voice in reply.

“Because Desheng Pass is naturally easier to defend than to assault. Even if the defenders are weaker, they should hold out for some time. Compared to that, Luyang City is far more important.”

“General Left is stationed at Xiaoyuan Mountain; General Right at Xingyuan City. The deputy head of Luyang Institute has also brought three chief talents to reinforce. Such a vast city as Luyang now is held only by Seventeen, the tower master. What exactly does His Majesty intend by dispatching such a key force as the Fourth Princess to Desheng Pass?”

The smiling youth spoke with an air of amusement, yet he laid out the situation in Luyang with crystal clarity.

Together with the black-robed figure, they slipped past the guards at the city gate with ease and soon found themselves on a high wooden bridge spanning two streets, beneath which ordinary citizens bustled back and forth.

“Even if the pavilion master is gone, Luyang Institute still has the Daoist Master and the Sword Master. Qingfeng, don’t get too arrogant.”

The youth brought his fist to his lips and smiled faintly. “That may be so, but perhaps even the Daoist Master could not best me. The Sword Master, after all, is lame. Luyang City has never been this weak before, which is why the Peak Master dares to bring me in, isn’t that right?”

A gentle breeze stirred the hem of his black robe, lifting his mask to reveal eyes burning with ecstatic fervor.

“It’s been so long since I last came here, truly too long! We’re going… to Fuxian Lake!”

“This is my first time too. We must find out exactly where Fuxian Lake is.”

Fuxian Lake was famed for producing embroidered perch.

Ye Xiaoniang fell ill, and many in the capital believed it was due to a fall into Fuxian Lake.

The lake was home to various spiritual creatures, and the spiritual energy could hardly come from nowhere…

“Where shall we inquire?”

“Follow me, Peak Master,” Qingfeng said, flashing away. “Since childhood, I’ve heard of Luyang’s Four Wonders; the names Yuzhen Pavilion and Fuxian Lake are known throughout the land. I also know that the live fish served at Yuzhen Pavilion come from Fuxian Lake. Peak Master, how about treating me to some embroidered perch?”

“I didn’t bring any money; I don’t need money.”

“Ah? Then what? That’s a rip-off!” Qingfeng exclaimed dramatically.

…

…

Desheng Pass.

Caiye applied medicine to Wu Gang one last time. She was amazed at how swiftly he recovered; truly, those admitted to Luyang Institute possessed some extraordinary qualities.

Wu Gang sat upright, his back straight like a guardian deity, for he believed that if he appeared weak and spiritless, it would damage the morale of Luyang Institute—a grave matter indeed.

“Miss Caiye.”

“Hm? Sir, you called?”

Wu Gang avoided her gaze. “I have learned swordsmanship, cultivation methods, and techniques within the Institute, but this is my first time participating in a war. I want to understand—how does one fight in battle?”

An elder of Luyang Institute actually sought her counsel?

This was something Caiye had never imagined in her life.

She chuckled softly before replying, “I am a soldier, unfamiliar with the art of war. But since you ask, to me, fighting a war means killing the enemy—slaying all foes before you, using the most effortless means to do so.”

“And how does one survive on the battlefield?”

“You must be ready to die to live.”

“Could you be more specific?”

Caiye smiled again, as if seeing through something. “Sir… are you feeling uneasy?”

According to their style of soldiers, they would usually bluntly ask if one was afraid, but since he was from Luyang Institute, she chose her words carefully.

Wu Gang blushed and retorted, “Defending the homeland is a man's duty! What is there to be uneasy about? I am merely learning! Do not underestimate those from Luyang Institute!”

He spoke thus, yet their statuses were different.

Still, Caiye knew no one ever grew accustomed to their first battle. They said General Ji Lan was drenched in blood after her first kill, her hands trembling upon return.

“Sir, these words were told to me by our general…” Caiye lowered her head. “She said there are many ways to serve the nation. For a soldier, it is naturally killing the enemy. The most passionate way is to risk one’s life to kill the foe, but the most effective way to serve is to stay alive.”

The war between the Xu and Li nations was far from over.

Every cultivator was a treasure of Xu.

Even a tough man like Wu Gang found his iron heart tremble ever so slightly at such words.

“To live…”

“Yes, to live. Like your lost left arm—you don’t feel its absence in daily life, but once gone, you realize its value. Life is the same.”

In recent days, the situation along the Guqing River had been uneasy. The Li nation’s momentum felt off, as if reinforcements were coming.

Caiye was accustomed to battle formations and death, but never had she witnessed such tension. General He Jiang personally oversaw the defense of Desheng Pass, constantly patrolling to prevent any errors.

Caiye was not particularly beautiful, even somewhat plain, with dark skin and a slender frame, yet Wu Gang found her warmth deeply comforting.

Those simple words seemed to carry a special significance in this place and time.

“Wu Gang!”

Suddenly, outside the courtyard, Chen Mingguang’s loud voice rang out. He entered with a grave expression.

“There’s a situation. Come with me!”

Without hesitation, Wu Gang rose, sword still unbandaged, and strode forward.

His towering frame dwarfed Caiye’s, easily twice her size.

“Sir.”

Wu Gang ignored her.

“Survive at all costs.”

The sturdy youth paused briefly, then muttered gloomily, “Understood.”