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

Chapter 1470 King Jingju of Chu
Liu Ji exclaimed in surprise, "How could the Left Wise King of the Xiongnu be so cowardly? Grand Tutor Yu only showed himself once, and without even fighting a battle, he directly abandoned the autumn offensive."

Upon returning to the Xiongnu royal court, how would he face his people and explain himself to the Great Chanyu?

Zhang Zifang reminded him: "The Left Guli King Xiuge, who was hacked to death by Grand Tutor Yu a few years ago, was the younger brother of Left Wise King Maodun."

“I know. But I heard from Master Fuqiu that Grand Tutor Yu is worried about getting involved in a lot of karma, so as long as you don’t provoke her, she won’t directly kill Qianlong. Maodun is much more noble than Qianlong; he is the Crown Prince!” Liu Ji said.

Zhang Zifang countered, "The Left Wise King Modu has been marching south to the Great Wall defense line since this spring."

Along the Great Wall defense line, from Yunzhong County in the west, all the way east, the journey continued until autumn. The entire borderland was filled with the sounds of war and panic. The Great Wall army was exhausted and suffered many casualties.

Does this count as provoking Grand Tutor Yu?

"A normal war between two countries shouldn't have offended her, right? Or is it that she hates the Xiongnu more?" Liu Ji guessed. "If it were me, I certainly wouldn't want the barbarians to disturb the Central Plains. Does Grand Tutor Yu think so too?"

Zhang Zifang sighed, "You can't be sure, and neither can I. Even Maodun probably wouldn't dare to be sure."

We're unsure, but we can imagine Maodun dragging out Grand Tutor Yu, thus distracting her from the Central Plains. If he flees to avoid battle, we'll laugh at him for being cowardly.

But for Maodun himself, he only had one life; if he lost the gamble, it was over.

Liu Ji said in a low voice, "I heard that the Xiongnu also have a powerful being who guides the destiny of heaven, and he is a demon god from Beiju Luzhou."

As the crown prince of the Xiongnu, Zuo Xianwang would surely have been surrounded by immortals or demons of the same caliber as Fuqiu Gong, right?

I have personally witnessed the power of Grand Tutor Yu, without you needing to tell me. I was almost scared to death at the time, and even now, thinking back on it still fills me with dread.

But since the Xiongnu have ambitions to move south, they should be prepared to face Grand Tutor Yu directly, right?

Even if we don't talk about an immediate life-or-death battle, we should at least test the waters.

Just like Master Fuqiu and his group, they remain confident that if Grand Tutor Yu dares to attack us without cause, they will surround and annihilate him.

"If you really want to test someone, you should do it when the Left Wise King isn't around, and have the Six-Horned King lead the Demon God to do so. How can the Crown Prince put himself under a dangerous wall?"

Zhang Zifang sighed, "After I assassinated Ying Zheng at Bolangsha, all the heroes of China praised me as 'the greatest assassin in the world today'."

Compared to Grand Tutor Yu, what am I?

She even killed the Deer Cauldron Immortal.

Grand Tutor Yu also had a precedent of assassinating Xiu Ge. It wasn't an accident; it was a direct attack on Xiu Ge.

If Grand Tutor Yu were to rejoin the Xiongnu army, who do you think she would target first?

I estimate that before making a public appearance, Grand Tutor Yu had already secretly infiltrated the Xiongnu camp.

Perhaps Maodun and his accompanying sage sensed something ominous.

Zhang Zifang was right after all.

In the Pangu world, an unfamiliar magical artifact or a newly created divine power could cause a powerful being to suffer a crushing defeat in a battle. Therefore, Grand Tutor Yu tries his best to know both himself and his enemy before a major battle.

Once the enemy triggers the Great Annihilation, Zi Fu will clearly list the enemy's skills and talents in a table, allowing her to confidently show herself and act cool.

Before she made her public appearance, Maodun was already uneasy and felt very uncomfortable when the Great Annihilation of Dad was triggered.

When Grand Tutor Yu appeared, Maodun immediately realized that he might have been cursed by "Old Demon Yu".

If you don't run away now, are you just waiting to be refined into a ball of demonic energy by Old Demon Yu?

Uh, Maodun also practiced demonic arts, the Demonic Martial Arts.

Liu Ji suddenly realized, "That's right, the task of testing Grand Tutor Yu's abilities can be delegated to someone else."

However, the dignified crown prince of the Xiongnu fled immediately upon seeing Grand Tutor Yu.

This clearly shows that Grand Tutor Yu's power was not limited to the Central Plains; even foreign barbarians revered her!

“You’re wrong. She made her name in the West first before coming to China.”

Thinking of Grand Tutor Yu's legendary stories in the West, Zhang Liang couldn't help but sigh, "When Yan Wushuang was publicly tried at the Bohai Prince's Mansion, Grand Tutor Yu wasn't exaggerating. She was the real expert in assassination."

I heard that she was a mortal martial artist, only at the Inner Strength Realm, yet she still managed to assassinate two powerful demons.

After years of seclusion, she reappeared in Western Shu and killed even the Ten Fiends of the West.

I had heard of the Ten Fiends of the West long ago. They were bloodthirsty and cruel, cannibals, and even the immortals of the Divine Land were wary of them and dared not use them for 'meritorious deeds'.

She killed the Ten Fiends of the West in disguise.

While powerful immortals are certainly terrifying, an immortal with such profound cultivation and expertise in assassination as her is even more frightening.

"Alas, Heaven clearly intended for Qin to perish, so why create such a person to uphold the Qin dynasty?"

After Grand Tutor Yu became famous, all her past deeds were dug up.

Based on the intelligence he had gathered, Zhang Liang secretly prepared a "Report on the Battle Records and Personality Analysis of Grand Tutor Yu".

The strategist certainly understands the principle of knowing yourself and your enemy, and that you will never be defeated.

“We can’t blame God,” Liu Ji shouted. “If we really have to blame someone, we can only blame Grand Tutor Meng for his stroke!”
Grand Tutor Mingyu was a barbarian from a foreign land, and also a heretical and evil cultivator with a bad reputation.

Grand Tutor Meng, a dignified immortal of the Xuanmen sect, actually chose her, who had just entered the Divine Continent, to be his Grand Tutor.

That old codger served as Grand Tutor in Xianyang for ten years, accomplishing nothing but mediocrity. When it was time to resign, he chose a monster as his successor, causing immense suffering to the Xuanmen cultivators and all the heroes of our land.

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Laosan suddenly felt a chill on the back of his head, as if he had been targeted by a "Slaying Immortal Crossbow".

Before he could turn around, Zhang Liang put down his wine jar, stood up, and said, "Master Qinghe, is it the King of Chu who is looking for us?"

Liu Laosan rolled over and got up, and saw a tall, thin old Taoist priest float across the rice field like a feather and land on the hillside.

The old Taoist priest wore a faded dark blue robe, had sparse white hair on his head, a face resembling a pumpkin, and two small eyes that glared at him menacingly.

"Master Qinghe, why are you looking at me like that?" Liu Laosan recognized him; he was an extraordinary retainer of the Jing family, skilled in feng shui and divination, and he often chatted with them, the heroes of China who had come to Jingju's aid.

He was a kind and talkative old Taoist priest.

"In order to keep the land of China from being tainted by the stench of the barbarians, Grand Tutor Meng endured great karmic consequences and painstaking efforts in Xianyang for ten years, and finally protected millions of people in the northern lands."

"How come it's become a useless old thing in your mouth?" the old Taoist priest of Qinghe said unhappily.

Well, "Qinghe Daoren" is the incarnation of Meng Laodao. He was from Qinghe and once used the name "Qinghe Sanren".

There was nothing they could do; Master Meng was famous enough that even Liu Laosan knew about her.

If he were to surrender to the hidden dragon of China in his true form, the whole world would surely be in uproar.

He had no interest in this great calamity; after cleansing himself of his karma, he immediately fled.

"You, a feng shui master, actually know a great master like Grand Master Meng?" Liu Ji asked in surprise.

“Regardless of whether I know Grand Tutor Meng or not, what is the reason for your unwarranted slander of Grand Tutor Meng?” said the old Taoist priest of Qinghe.

"No, you misheard me. I didn't slander Grand Tutor Meng. I admire him greatly. If you ever meet Grand Tutor Meng again, please introduce me to him."

"I want to bow down to him in person to thank him for his great kindness in protecting the northern border for ten years," Liu Laosan said earnestly.

The old Taoist priest from Qinghe was speechless. Zhang Liang, who had originally intended to mediate between the two, also twitched at the corner of his mouth and swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"The King of Chu is looking for you, hurry up and leave!" said the old Taoist priest from Qinghe.

Liu Laosan used his lightness skill to follow the old Taoist priest, floating past the golden rice stalks, and said, "Why is the King of Chu looking for us at this time? Is he only looking for me and Master Zifang, or has he summoned all the generals?"

"As before, we're going to the Rainstone Pavilion for a meeting to discuss the situation in the Central Plains. However, there are a few more distinguished guests today," said the old man from Qinghe.

"Meetings again, discussing the situation in the Central Plains." Liu Laosan looked disgusted. "What's the point of constantly studying the situation on the Central Plains battlefield without taking any military action?"

The old man from Qinghe glanced at him and said, "The King of Chu may have an important task for you this time."

Liu Laosan's expression immediately changed, and he instinctively began to make excuses: "Old Taoist, you know my situation. My family members have all been arrested by the imperial court."

If we make any big moves and anger the Xingyang court, my parents and brothers might lose their heads!

The old Taoist priest sneered, "I asked you to discuss the situation in the Central Plains, and you blame the King of Chu for not taking any action."

The King of Chu is really planning to take action, but you're making excuses again.

"If you're unwilling to do anything, why don't you go back to Mangdang Mountain? What are you doing coming to Dang County to seek refuge with the King of Chu?"

"Have we left Mangdang Mountain now?" Liu Ji asked.

Dang County is located on the outskirts of Mangdang Mountain. Surrounded by mountains and marshes, the terrain is complex, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it temporarily became the "temporary palace" of "King Jingju of Chu".

"You mean you didn't pledge allegiance to the King of Chu?" the old man asked.

“I am different from you. You are a minister of the King of Chu, while I acknowledge the King of Chu as my elder brother,” Liu Ji emphasized.

"How many soldiers do you have? You dare to dream of becoming a feudal lord?" The old man sneered again.

Liu Ji said, "I have a detachment of elite troops, almost as good as the King of Han."

"A bandit from the mountains, how dare you~~~" The old man glanced at Zhang Liang, then swallowed back his sarcastic words.

Zhang Liang's handsome face, as beautiful as a woman's, flushed slightly.

Liu Laosan brought more than 250 people to seek refuge with Jingju.

Zhang Liang, representing King Cheng of Han, brought only forty-odd strongmen.

After the devastating blow at Bolangsha, Zhang Liang fell into ruin. His house and land were confiscated by the court, his servants were dismissed prematurely, and all his retainers died.

He had lived in seclusion in Xiapi for decades, focusing solely on Taoist cultivation. He hadn't been active in the martial arts world for a long time, and his influence was not what it used to be.

He was rich and famous back then, but now he's penniless and his reputation isn't as good as that of the various rebel kings.

Those righteous people who wanted to overthrow the Qin dynasty had long since joined forces with "top figures" like Chen Sheng and Tian Rong.

He was able to prepare forty strongmen thanks to a dream from his ancestor last year, which gave him time to plan.

However, the forty strongmen he brought were all skilled martial artists, the lowest level of which was "half-step human immortal" (lacking resources to condense the core), making them far superior in quality to Liu Ji's "first detachment" of men.

Of the more than 250 people Liu Ji brought, half were elderly, weak, women and children.

His wife and children, as well as Lu Wan's wife and mother, were all included in the "one group of men".

There were many reasons why Liu Laosan sought refuge with Jingju, one of which was that by following Jingju, he could settle down this group of "burdens".

Only after settling his family in peace could he confidently go out to lead his troops into battle.

Although Jingju hastily proclaimed himself king, he lacked nothing in terms of royal attire, etiquette, and even ceremonial regalia.

Even the once ordinary viewing pavilion has been renovated, with a throne set up inside, and a red platform below the throne, making it resemble a small palace.

"Greetings, King of Chu!" Liu Ji and Zhang Liang had now truly joined "Western Chu," and upon seeing King Jingju of Chu, they both performed the proper courtesies without the slightest hesitation (ps).

“Lord Pei, Master Zifang, you may dispense with the formalities,” Jingju said.

Liu Laosan had not yet conquered Pei County, but at this time he had allied with King Jingju of Chu, so he could not be without a proper identity.

The only option was for Lu Wan, Fan Kuai, and others to "voluntarily" recommend him as the Duke of Pei.

After exchanging greetings, Liu Ji and Zhang Liang, following the custom, went to their respective seats and sat down.

As soon as he sat down, Liu Ji noticed a beautiful Taoist nun in a yellow monk's robe sitting opposite him.

The woman had a beautiful face, looked to be in her early thirties, wore a light yellow monk's robe, held prayer beads in her hand, and had long hair tied in a topknot.

Her attire was strange, yet her aura was powerful. Staring at her face, one felt a sharp, piercing intensity.

Jingju took the initiative to introduce them, saying, "The Divine Nun of the South Sea comes from the Wonderful Benevolence Sword Sect of the South Sea, and can be considered a celestial being from the Putuo Mountain lineage."

This Qinglian Daoist is no ordinary person; he is the Battle King of the Zongxuan Cave Heaven.

There were six new guests in total, some of whom were Dharma Kings or immortals, which sounded quite impressive.

Anyway, Liu Laosan was intimidated and quickly stood up.

Every time King Jingju introduced someone, he would step forward and bow respectfully.

Zhang Liang knew they were all "wandering immortals from the outer seas," and originally only intended to nod in acknowledgment. After all, he was also a Qi cultivator, and a true direct descendant of the Xuanmen sect, having attained the Heavenly Immortal status decades ago, making him far stronger than them.

Now that Liu Ji had shown him such great courtesy, he had no choice but to stand up, cup his hands in greeting, and introduce himself.

"So you're Huang Shigong's esteemed disciple, the 'Shoe Picker of Xiapi'! I've heard so much about you!"

The South Sea Divine Nun immediately abandoned her reserve and aloofness, and also ignored Liu Laosan's enthusiastic greetings. She took the initiative to get up and come to Zhang Liang's table, returning the greeting with a smile.

The other five wandering immortals from overseas, though not as enthusiastic as she was, also showed surprise and doubt, and bowed to Zhang Liang with solemn and respectful expressions.

After returning the greeting, Zhang Liang asked in surprise, "Does the nun know me? Could it be that the nun has met my teacher? Where is he now?"

The man who picked up the shoes in Xiapi was his true identity.

No more than three people knew about this. One was himself, another was Huang Shigong himself, and the third was Xiang Bo, a traitor from the Xiang family.

Zhang Liang and Xiang Bo were good friends.

The two met and fell in love in Xiapi, lived together for a long time, and even practiced swordsmanship and Taoist arts with each other.

Now that the South Sea Divine Nun has heard that he was a disciple of Huang Shigong, she immediately points out the story of how he obtained immortality by picking up a shoe in Xiapi, which could not have been told to her by Xiang Bo.

He never said that himself.

That leaves only one possibility: the South Sea Goddess met Huang Shigong and had a relatively close relationship with him.

The South Sea Goddess noticed the probing gazes of those around her, hesitated for a moment, and then explained, "In my early years, I served the senior Guiguzi."

This time I am going to enter the Divine Land's Dragon-Supporting Court, but I do not know much about the heroes of the Divine Land, so naturally I must first visit the seniors and ask for their guidance.

At that time, Huang Shigong was playing chess with the senior Guiguzi, and they talked about you.

The senior chuckled, saying he didn't know who the true dragon was and couldn't reveal my identity as the 'Master of the Southeast Emperor's Aura.' But if I could find you and follow you, I knew I wouldn't go wrong."

(End of this chapter)