If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1322 Monkey King’s Immortal Mansion
"Madam, at the banquet earlier, I tried several times to ask Master Wuyazi about the 'Zhou Tian Xing Dou Da Zhen' (Great Array of the Celestial Stars), but he seemed to dislike me. Why is that?"

After walking for a while, staring at the stars in the sky and not looking at the road, Han Xin suddenly asked a question.

When he arrived at the Lü family's residence today, he was still engrossed in reading military strategy books.

However, it was no longer the ninth-rate military treatise written by the "anonymous" author, but rather the "Secret Method of the Celestial Stars" compiled by Liu Ji.

Liu Ji disliked reading and writing, so he certainly wouldn't have taken the initiative to compile a military treatise.

After learning about the principles of the celestial sphere from him, Han Xin kept pestering him with questions and even wanted to sleep in the same bed with him and talk to him hand in hand. Helpless, Liu Ji could only draw the celestial constellation he had in mind on paper and let Han Xin see it for himself.

Han Xin collected Liu Ji's manuscripts, organized and revised them, added his own insights and understanding, and finally sewed them together to create a "high-level military strategy".

Knowing that Liu Ji's Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array was passed down from the old Taoist Wu Ya Zi, Han Xin, who was sitting next to the old Taoist at the previous banquet, took the initiative to ask him a few difficult questions that he had never been able to answer.

The old Taoist priest ignored him.

Earlier in Huaiyin, when she faced Han Xin disguised as the Old Mother of Qiushan, she developed a fondness for his talent and wanted to pass on "Wei Liao Zi" and "Bai Qi's Military Treatise" to him.

She held back, because Han Xin was destined to rebel against Qin.

Ignoring him today is for the same reason. Han Xin has studied the "Zhou Tian Xing Dou Da Zhen" (a powerful formation) too deeply.

When she met Liu Ji and others last year, she wasn't the Grand Tutor of Qin, and she couldn't just come and go as she pleased.

She has to be careful now.

"The Taoist priest clearly admires you. He keeps talking to you and publicly praises your outstanding talent. How could he not like you?"

However, the immortals of the Xuanmen sect have their own rules, and the Taoist priest is unwilling to discuss immortal techniques and arts in public.

You see, when he passed on his teachings to me and Xu'er, it was always done privately in his study.

My second brother wanted to seek a connection with the immortals, but he had to wait until he was outside the city and there were no outsiders before he could speak up.

The next time you meet him, be sure to take the initiative to find an opportunity to spend time alone with him.

"Even if you directly ask for a chance at immortality, he won't ignore you," Lü Zhi said.

In fact, Wu Yazi left Lü Shizhi's fate to the next life because he was mindful of their current identities and positions.

Lü Xu and Lü Zhi will not go to the battlefield.

If Empress Lü and Liu Ji truly achieve great feats as emperors, it will surely be after the Han Dynasty unifies the world, and then it will be irrelevant.

"Is that right?"

Han Xin was still depressed, but he didn't ask any more questions. He just looked up at the stars in the sky, as if he was in a daze.

Lu Zhi became curious and asked, "Didn't you already use the village children to set up the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array?"

Even a snotty kid in the village can set up an array; if you were given hundreds of elite soldiers, it would only be smoother and easier.

Now that the formation has been set up, what else is there to ask the Taoist priest for guidance on?

Han Xin shook his head and said, "I could have set up the formation completely long ago. I used the village children to set it up, only transforming the immortal formation into a military formation."

I used 108 children to form a military formation. If I replaced them with obedient soldiers, I could form a military formation of ten thousand men.

But 10,000 people is far from the limit of the Zhou Tian Star Array; I feel it can accommodate an endless number of elite soldiers and fierce generals.

No matter how many troops you have, you can cram them in.

"An army of hundreds of thousands, even millions, forming a single battle formation—only in this way can one sweep across the world, causing even immortals and gods to flee in terror!"

Lü Zhi didn't understand formations, but she saw the confidence in his eyes and the fervor on his face, and she was captivated, feeling that he could do it.

—As expected of the "Military Genius" specially recommended by the Old Mother of Qiushan! If Liu Ji wants to succeed, and if I want to become the "County Magistrate's Wife," "Prefect's Wife," or even higher, I cannot do without this person's help!
"But I still have a few questions that I can't resolve. Currently, I can only deduce the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array up to a scale of 50,000 people. If I expand it to 100,000 or even 1 million, the operation of the star power will immediately encounter problems."

Han Xin spoke eloquently, recounting the difficulties he had encountered.

Empress Lü was naturally completely confused.

However, she could at least tell that Han Xin's words had substance.

Moreover, a force of 50,000 men should be enough to sweep across the land, right?
“Brother Han, I heard from Cao Can that 3,000 men is the limit for a military formation. You can assemble a large army of 50,000 men, which is remarkable and more than enough.”

Han Xin shook his head and said with a contemptuous tone, "Cao Can is mediocre and can only command an army of 30,000."

For him, a force of 50,000 men was certainly the limit.

However, if one wants to dominate the world, one will inevitably encounter large-scale battles involving hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of troops.

"What use is a troop formation of three thousand soldiers on a battlefield where millions clash?"

Lü Zhi stammered, "Cao Can is already the most knowledgeable person in Pei County when it comes to military strategy. In the past, at the fireside banquets, only he could talk fluently with you, and the others couldn't keep up with the conversation."

In fact, Liu Ji was the one who could talk eloquently with Han Xin the most.

Among the heroes of Pei County, Liu Ji was the most talented. Even looking at the whole country, Liu Ji could be considered the third most talented: only after Xiang Yu and Han Xin.

Han Xin sighed, "Not the best, but better than the worst! Cao Can is at least much better than Fan Kuai and Lu Wan."

Lu Zhi asked curiously, "Fan Kuai and Lu Wan also learned the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Formation. How many troops can they command, and what level of generals are they?"

Upon hearing this, Han Xin couldn't help but show a look of disdain in his eyes again, "Lu Wan and Fan Kuai are simply not fit to be generals; they have no ability to lead troops."

"Is it really that bad? Fan Kuai has the strength of a human immortal, and he was once a centurion in the county garrison." Lü Zhi said doubtfully.

"He can serve as a general of a hundred men, all thanks to his personal bravery. If he were to lead troops into battle, a thousand men would be just right. Three thousand men would be his limit."

"Give him ten thousand men, and he will still be less capable than when he commanded three thousand." Han Xin said.

—My father has already married my third sister to him. If he doesn't live up to expectations, won't my father have to pay a loss? But my father never does anything that doesn't make him lose money.

Lu Zhi muttered to herself, then asked, "Brother Han, the Central Plains are in chaos now, with heroes rising up everywhere. Chen Sheng's Great Chu and the King of Wei's Great Wei both have countless elite troops and fierce generals."

Who among them is the real 'general'?

Han Xin pondered and said, "The information we have at present is not detailed enough. Judging from the current results, Zhou Shi under Chen Sheng is worthy of being a great general, while the others are probably not as good as Cao Can."

"I heard that Wu Guang is leading an army of 300,000 and is approaching Xingyang. Is he not as good as Zhou Shi or Cao Can?" Lü Zhi was both surprised and delighted.

—Chen Sheng's strongest general, Zhou Shi, was inferior to Han Xin, and Wu Guang was inferior to Cao Can, so...
Just thinking about it is exciting!

Han Xin sneered, "Madam, have you forgotten the Battle of Chengfu County earlier?"
Wu Guang, despite outnumbering the enemy, was nearly killed by the county magistrate of Chengfu County.

Now that Wu Guang is able to lead hundreds of thousands of troops to approach Xingyang, it's hard to say how much credit goes to the powerful figures behind him.

“Immortals.” Lü Zhi paused, her excitement waning considerably, and sighed, “Indeed, we cannot contend for supremacy in the Central Plains without the help of immortals.”

"Even immortals are not invincible; formations can gather the power of the masses to slay immortals and destroy gods."

After saying this, Han Xin stared blankly at the stars in the sky again.

Lü Zhi did not disturb him. Even though she was carrying the load and her forehead was covered in sweat, she did not remind him that it was time for him to carry the load.

She had seen similar situations far too many times.

Earlier, when Liu Ji was wealthy, he tried to help Han Xin purchase property in Pei County to solidify Han Xin's determination to stay by his side as a retainer.

At this time, Han Xin was a Taoist priest and even had a certificate of ordination. Liu Ji then built a Taoist temple at the entrance of the village, which was cleaner and more spacious than his own home, and also had more than 20 acres of "temple fields".

But Han Xin never managed it properly. Every time he went to see him, he would find him sitting outside the Taoist temple, "in a daze".

Thus, Han Xin also earned the nickname "Foolish Taoist" around Fengyi.

The villagers originally wanted to call him "Lazy Taoist," but Liu Ji scolded and stopped them, so they kept the less insulting "Dull Taoist."

On the other side, Jin Xunu had just parted ways with Lü Shizhi at Sanliting outside Pei County when he asked impatiently, "Master, can I now transform back into my original form as a 'person of the Celestial Empire'?"

"I'm still 'Wu Yazi,' what's the rush?" Old Taoist Wu Yazi walked eastward unhurriedly, taking a step that seemed small but covered a hundred feet in an instant.

This is the magical ability of "shrinking the earth to an inch".

Jinxunu had to run at full speed to barely keep up.

As he ran, he asked, "Master, didn't you meet the Lü family and fulfill your promise from back then? What do you still need the identity of 'Wu Yazi' for?"

The old Taoist Wuyazi laughed and said, "Didn't I tell you that 'Wuyazi' also has a disciple who is the most outstanding talent in the world?"

Xi Juan's hometown, Teng County in Xue Prefecture, is separated from Pei County only by a large lake, Zhaoyang Lake.

In the time it took to say a few words, the two of them had already arrived at the lakeside.

Wu Yazi stood by the lake, silently sensing the aura of Liu Jilong in the Xuzhou Cauldron at the bottom of the lake.

The land of Sishui County had long since undergone the reconstruction of its geological and water systems, and the land rights were already in her hands.

Therefore, when sensing Liu Jilong's aura, it is no longer necessary to delve into the depths of the Chixiao Palace's water veins as before.

"The dragon vein has expanded, and signs of its burgeoning power are already evident. I fear that in a few days, the dragon energy will leave Zhaoyang Lake, first entering Liu Ao's tomb, and then... wait, before the dragon energy enters the Mangdang Mountains and truly forms a dragon vein, it still needs to break through a barrier, which seems to be related to me. Is it to complete a karmic connection with me?"

Suddenly, Wu Yazi had a sudden inspiration. He stretched out his right hand and quickly calculated for a moment, his expression constantly changing.

"I originally planned to witness the 'Emperor Gaozu slaying the snake' with my own eyes, but I never expected to be the one watching the drama unfold."

The one who will take Liu Laosan's "Crimson Sky Slash" is me, not the Crimson Sky Dragon Lord of Zhaoyang Lake as I previously thought.

It even formed an inescapable destiny; there's no way you can dodge this sword strike, you dog stab!"

Feeling so frustrated, she couldn't help but curse out loud.

"What?" Jin Xunu only heard the last sentence, "You dog!" and stared at his master with a bewildered look. "Where are we going? Where is your talented and handsome disciple, Master?"

Suddenly I lost interest. Oh well, I'm already at the door, how can I just walk past it and not go in?

With a gloomy expression, the old Taoist Wuyazi waved his sleeve and, with Jinxunu by his side, floated across Zhaoyang Lake, landing outside a wooden house on the lakeshore.

The wooden house is not in a remote location, only two hundred steps from the dock. The dock has a straight road built by the imperial court, which leads smoothly to Teng County.

Although the log cabin is made of wood, it is not shabby. It occupies an area of ​​sixty or seventy square meters, with a spacious main room, a bedroom on the east and west sides, a small warehouse in the back, and a stable and kitchen in the front yard.

If a family can afford to keep a glossy, rouge-colored horse, they must not be too poor.

"Sir, there's something wrong with this horse! It seems to have become a spirit."

Wu Yazi stared at the wooden house, while Jin Xunu's attention was immediately drawn to the stables.

“It’s just a spirited tigress, what’s so strange about that?” Wu Yazi said.

Jin Xunu said solemnly, "Master, you probably don't know that when I was still a mortal, one of the two great demon gods I killed was a horse spirit."

The horse had become a spirit; it not only ate people but also had a particular fondness for promiscuous women.

He pulled a thick, long iron whip from his waist and said, "Master, let me go and kill it, lest—"

Before the words were finished, a dark figure appeared in front of the two of them in an instant. Just as the bright blade was about to strike Jin Xunu's forehead, it suddenly stopped.

"Teacher Wuyazi?!"

"Thump!" The knife-wielding youth threw away the iron knife, his knees slamming heavily to the ground, his eyes reddening, and he kept kowtowing to the old Taoist Wuyazi.

"I am guilty and have offended my teacher."

"Oh, Juan'er, get up quickly! My newly accepted Taoist disciple discovered that there is a horse spirit in your house. It showed a bit of murderous intent, which is why you misunderstood."

The smile on Wu Yazi's face was far more genuine and intense than when he was at the Lü family.

"This horse is called 'Rouge Tiger.' I traded it for a two-legged dragonfish from a horse merchant from the Eastern Hu," Xi Juan explained.

“This is a small matter.” Wu Yazi pointed at Jin Xunu’s face. “Look at him, a barbarian servant who has never seen the world and likes to make a fuss over nothing.”

Jin Xunu gritted his teeth inwardly.

"Teacher, please come inside."

Xi Juan got up from the ground and reached out to invite him, saying, "My mother has been talking about it for half a year now, saying that she has been separated from the Taoist priest for more than a year and has not heard from him since."

Wu Yazi said, "It's freezing cold, and your mother is already asleep, so don't wake her. Anyway, you can see her tomorrow morning."

Xi Juan was both happy that her teacher would at least stay until tomorrow morning, but also troubled by not knowing how to entertain him.

This wooden house is more than enough for the mother and son. If they were to entertain guests, it would inevitably make quite a commotion, waking the old woman who was resting in the bedroom.

Wu Yazi pointed to the lakeside and said, "Change your clothes, and let's go for a walk by the lake."

Xi Juan sensed the murderous aura outside and was awakened. She rushed out of the window with a steel knife in hand, naturally without time to change her clothes. At this moment, she was wearing a short jacket that exposed her shoulders and a pair of shorts with a crotch.

"Please wait a moment, teacher." Actually, he wasn't afraid of the cold, but dressing like this was too inappropriate.

A moment later, Xi Juan changed into a white tiger-skin coat and walked out, looking majestic and spirited.

"Teacher, thank goodness you came to see me tonight. If you had come a day later, you would have missed me."

Walking along the lake, Xi Juan looked relieved. "I packed my bags this afternoon and talked to my mother. I'll go to Mangdang Mountain to find Brother Ji first thing tomorrow morning."

He glanced at Wuyazi and laughed, "Teacher knows Brother Ji, right? He even claims to be Teacher's disciple and insists that other disciples call him 'Senior Brother'! I clearly met Teacher before him, hehehe."

Wu Yazi raised an eyebrow. "If you go and seek refuge with him now, what will happen to your mother?"

Xi Juan was taken aback. "Why would I seek refuge with him? The legendary 'Ape King's Immortal Abode' of Baiyun Mountain is about to appear in Mangdang Marshland. I'm going to Mangdang Mountain to search for immortal opportunities with Brother Ji."

Whether or not I find my destiny with the immortals, I will definitely come back.

(End of this chapter)