Liver into a martial arts legend: starting with Embroidered Spring Blade

Chapter 117 Grandmaster Second Rank! Poisonous Invasion, Paradise Cave Takes Action!
into the night.

Corpses lay strewn about in Tang County, and blood flowed like a river.

The White Lotus Sect's core members, numbering one thousand, were completely wiped out inside the city; outside the city, two or three thousand members were routed after the Left Protector Zhao Wuji was shot and killed, leaving behind hundreds of corpses before fleeing into the mountains and disappearing.

After that, Jiang Xuan no longer participated in cleaning up the battlefield.

He led the Imperial Guards to occupy the Tang County government office, waiting for Lu Xiang-sheng to arrive.

Return to the room.

Jiang Xuan brought up the control panel.

Skills: Archery (Great Mastery)

【Progress: 644/3000】

After shooting and killing Zhao Wuji.

To avoid getting bloodied and dirty in close combat, he used bows and arrows to help his army defeat the enemy.

Therefore, the progress has been accelerated very quickly.

"Perhaps, after this annihilation of the White Lotus Sect, I can directly max out my archery skills, and then I can use them in future similar wars."

Jiang Xuan nodded to himself.

Then, with a slight thought, he switched to another panel.

Martial Arts: Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill (Beginner Level)

【Progress: 1995/2000】

He hasn't had a moment's rest during the month or so he's been away from Beijing.

I had already mastered the basics of the Absorption Technique ten days ago.

However, the basic absorption technique doesn't change much.

He simply mastered the trick of how to absorb energy.

In terms of strength, there has been almost no improvement.

To enhance one's energy and spirit.

It is still necessary to absorb the internal energy of others and refine and integrate it.

This is a method that steals the destiny of others.

The progress of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill is also not slow.

Moreover, one should cultivate both essence, energy, and spirit.

At this moment, Jiang Xuan felt that his strength had increased by at least 40%.

I should be able to master the basics tonight, try to open up my middle dantian, and advance to the second rank of Grandmaster.

Call ~
A gentle breeze blew.

A light rain began to fall in the room.

Seeing Jiang Xuan take off his shirt to prepare for his martial arts practice, Xi Yu's eyes flashed with a strange light. Pretending not to see it, she stepped forward and said, "'Black and White Impermanence' have arrived in Chenzhou and Yongzhou in Huguang."

"The core fighting force of the White Lotus Sect is almost entirely concentrated in these two places."

"That place is backed by the mountains of central Guizhou and Guangxi, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. They must be preparing to resist Lu Xiang-sheng there."

Jiang Xuan nodded calmly: "Any other news?"

"News has come from our undercover agents that 'Paradise Cave,' located in the Miao region of southern Xinjiang, has emerged from the mountains."

"Paradise Cave?"

Jiang Xuan frowned: "The Five Poison Child?"

"Correct."

Xi Yu nodded: "This person is famous in the martial arts world for his poison skills. He is a master of the Miao region, and his reputation is no less than that of Dongfang Bubai of the Sun Moon Cult."

"In addition, this person has a godmother, known as the 'Great Joyful Bodhisattva,' who is said to be a clan-protecting expert of the Miao people, and even the Sun Moon Divine Cult dares not provoke her."

Jiang Xuan's lips twitched.

Someone whose weight is measured in tons, and who can't even be killed by Li Xunhuan's throwing knives, must be a master of the clan, right?
"Unexpectedly, the White Lotus Sect has quite a foundation and a great reputation."

"It's one thing to join forces with the Sun Moon Cult, but they've even brought out the Five Poison Child."

"Is this preparing for a great war between the Miao people and the people of the Central Plains?"

Jiang Xuan murmured.

"The Miao people have been neglected by the imperial court for many years. To avoid persecution, they have been hiding in the deep mountains. Even those Miao people who have appeared outside the mountains have been oppressed by the people of the Central Plains."

"It's not surprising that they want to take advantage of the chaos to rise up and change the status of the Miao people."

The drizzle revealed the reason for the Miao people's rebellion.

Jiang Xuan nodded.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Go, continue to monitor the movements of the White Lotus Sect."

"The most urgent task is to deal with the White Lotus Sect."

"Whether they rebel or not is irrelevant, but if they continue to cause trouble like this, the people of Huguang will all die."

As a time traveler, he had no prejudice against the Miao people, or even the Yuan and Qing people from the north.

Fifty-six ethnic groups are one family.

But now that he is a wise man, and everyone has different positions, some of his views still need to be changed.

Moreover, the White Lotus Sect's actions were extremely heinous.

They robbed and killed wherever they went, and most of the survivors were turned into followers.

Ultimately, most of these people died at the hands of the Ming army.

This is what he doesn't want to see.

The light rain nodded and turned to leave.

But as she walked to the window, she paused and said, "There's something else you might be interested in..."

Jiang Xuan looked at her quietly.

Boring...

Xi Yu curled her lips and said, "I heard that Yan Shisan, the 'Northwest Swordsman' who has risen to prominence in recent years, has appeared in Kuhai Town in Yongzhou, which is the territory where the main force of the White Lotus Sect is currently stationed."

“Yan Shisan…”

Jiang Xuan was slightly taken aback.

The Sword Demon in "The Sword of the Third Young Master" is a figure who can rival Xie Xiaofeng, the "Third Young Master," in the later stages!
and……

Bitter Sea Town?
Isn't this the place where Xie Xiaofeng went into seclusion to escape the shackles of his identity and get rid of his identity?

That means 'Useless Aji' is also in Bitter Sea Town right now?
Wow, a real gathering of big shots!

However, given Yan Shisan and Xie Xiaofeng's personalities, they are unlikely to assist the White Lotus Sect.

Both of them were pure swordsmen.

One is obsessed with challenging Xie Xiaofeng and wants to become the best in the world;

Another, weary of killing, and to avoid the responsibility of revitalizing his family, transformed into 'useless Aji' and lived in seclusion in the city.

They probably won't pay any attention to the mess between the White Lotus Sect and the imperial court.

There's no need to worry about these two for now.

The three people we need to be wary of right now are the White Lotus Cult Leader, the Five Poisons Child, and Dongfang Bubai.

Once these three people are dealt with, given Lu Xiang-sheng's military capabilities, eradicating the White Lotus Cult should be virtually no problem.

Thought for a long time.

Jiang Xuan looked again, and the drizzle was gone.

They even thoughtfully closed the window for themselves...

He smiled silently.

Jiang Xuan shook his head and began to cultivate his inner energy.

……

Yongzhou, Kuhai Town.

The once peaceful and tranquil town has now been completely occupied by the followers of the White Lotus Sect.

Seven days ago.

The White Lotus Sect launched a sudden and massive attack, taking control of several prominent local gentry families, flattening Xiaoyue Tower, eliminating the "Heavenly Venerable's" influence there, and completely seizing control of Kuhai Town. They then began training troops in the town to prepare for the Ming army's attack.

The once bustling Xiaoyue Tower is now deserted and occupied by the core leaders of the White Lotus Sect.

Inside the main building.

Clad in a white lotus holy fire robe, obscuring his face, the White Lotus Cult Leader stood quietly in the room, examining a map of Hubei and Hunan.

The dozen or so elders and altar masters stood quietly to the side, none of them daring to make a sound to disturb them.

for a long time.

The White Lotus Saint Master asked, "Is there any news from the Ming army?"

"Reporting to the leader, there has been no news yet."

A master of the altar respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

The White Lotus Sect Leader shook his head and said, "Continue to investigate. Also, pay close attention to Guizhou and Guangxi."

"Lu Xiang-sheng is not to be underestimated."

"Since he dared to use this encirclement tactic the first time, he might as well use it a second time."

"Our current troop strength is no match for theirs."

"If he mobilizes his forces again to form an encirclement from Guizhou and Guangxi, we will fall into the same situation as last time."

"whee……"

As soon as the White Lotus Sect Leader finished speaking, a burst of childlike laughter suddenly came from Xiaoyue Tower.

Then, a similarly childish, playful laugh rang out:
"White Lotus Sect Leader, don't worry."

"The roads leading into this Kuhai Town from Guizhou and Guangxi are all mountain paths, and I've already blocked them all for you. I guarantee that not a single Ming soldier will be able to get in!"

The sound was accompanied by a surge of powerful internal energy, seemingly coming from all directions.

This greatly alarmed the elders and altar masters of the White Lotus Sect, who all became vigilant.

"who?!"

An elder shouted.

"Hehe... You invited me here, don't you recognize me?"

The voice continued to laugh.

The White Lotus Sect Leader waved his hand and said, "So you are the 'Lord of the Paradise Cave'. Please come in and have a chat."

"There's no need for catching up."

The Five Poisons Child laughed and said, "In my life, I have killed 384 people, but no one has ever seen me, or even seen my shadow. If this rule is broken, it won't be fun anymore."

"Besides, I am not familiar with the leader. I am only here to lend you a hand because the leader stood up for the Miao people."

"I have already taken care of the troubles in Bitter Sea Town for you."

"Now I'm going to take the children and go test the Ming army's capabilities on behalf of the leader."

"Now that we're here, we must let the world know that I, the 'Lord of the Paradise Cave,' am not just a figurehead!"

The White Lotus Sect Leader's eyes flickered slightly, and he cupped his hands, saying, "In that case, I'll have to trouble the Sect Master."

"No need to say thank you."

The Five Poisons Child chuckled and said, "I'll have my children bring you the materials you need to refine the poisonous corpse. I'll be going now."

As soon as he finished speaking, the powerful true energy that remained in the void gradually dissipated.

The members of Bai Lian exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat strange.

This master of the Paradise Cave truly behaves differently from ordinary people.

Just then, another burst of laughter came from downstairs.

Four people dressed in brightly colored clothes, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, looking fierce and menacing, yet deliberately dressed as children, skipped and hopped in, laughing and bowing:

"We four are here on the orders of the sect leader to deliver the poison needed to refine the poisonous corpse!"

Looking at the four people, Bai Lian and the others frowned slightly, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

They were clearly four normal men, but they dressed up like this.

Could it be that the Five Poison Child also pretends to be a child in such a disgusting way?
The White Lotus Sect Leader remained quite calm, cupping his hands and saying, "Thank you for your help, four young disciples."

"You're too kind, Master."

The four men laughed and joked as they stepped forward and each handed over a box.

The boy in yellow warned, "Master, you must be careful. This is filled with highly poisonous substances refined by our sect leader. Even a tiny bit of it will be fatal."

The White Lotus Sect Leader said calmly, "Thank you for reminding me, but I come from Miao territory and have some knowledge of Gu poison techniques. You are overthinking it."

After saying that, the White Lotus Sect Leader waved his hand lightly and put away the four boxes.

The exquisite control of their inner energy caused the four boys' expressions to change slightly, and their demeanor became more respectful. They cupped their hands and said, "We have completed our mission and will take our leave now."

"Please take care, all four of you."

The White Lotus Cult Leader watched the four laugh and leave before turning his gaze away.

He then threw four boxes containing poison onto the table and ordered, "Send them to the Grand Elder."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

The four altar masters stepped forward, carefully picked up the box, and walked towards the door.

Thud, thud...

Suddenly, a strange sound came from the sky.

One of the White Lotus Sect leaders hurriedly ran out, grabbed a carrier pigeon that had landed on a tower pole, took the letter from the pigeon's leg, opened it, and his expression changed slightly. He then quickly ran back into the building and handed the letter to the White Lotus Sect leader.

"Master, something has happened to the Second Elder and Protector Zhao!"

The White Lotus Sect Leader took the new slip of paper and glanced at it, his expression quickly changing: "The Second Elder is dead?!"

"Damn it!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the others also changed drastically.

The importance of the Second Elder to their White Lotus Sect is self-evident.

Not only is he the most senior and knowledgeable member of the White Lotus Sect, but he is also one of only two people who know how to create poisonous corpses.

The creation of a poisonous corpse is not as simple as imagined. Just the step of refining Gu worms to control the consciousness of the poisonous corpse is something that no one but the First Elder and the Second Elder can accomplish.

The death of the Second Elder will undoubtedly cause great losses to the White Lotus Sect!

"Master, what happened?!"

"How could something have happened to the Second Elder? Didn't we send the Left Protector to pick him up?!"

Everyone stared intently at the White Lotus Cult Leader.

The White Lotus Cult Leader's face was grim. He did not answer, but turned to look north, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

“Jiang Xuan…”

……

Buzz, buzz~

Inside the room, the pale golden true energy floating on Jiang Xuan's body flickered, as if a violent aura was flowing within him, about to erupt in the blink of an eye.

But it was ultimately tightly controlled and unable to break out of the body.

Rumble~
The blood and qi surge, the true qi flows like a river, constantly circulating through the Great Heavenly Circuit, nourishing and refining the physical body.

At the same time, consciousness seemed to merge with the physical body, and when looking inward at the body, all the changes and improvements were clearly visible.

As the true qi circulates, essence, energy, and spirit all gradually increase...

The 'middle dantian' is located 1.5 inches above the Tanzhong acupoint in the chest, and is the center of the 'form'.

When this orifice is opened, the mind and heart become open and expansive, the body becomes relaxed and relaxed, and the flow of Qi (vital energy) becomes unobstructed.

In short, it can greatly increase the speed of the circulation of true qi, which is extremely beneficial to the body and physique.

It's like impacting the upper dantian.

Jiang Xuan controlled his true energy and slowly opened up his middle dantian.

Although the opening process is still excruciatingly painful, like having your bones scraped with a knife, the presence of true qi can greatly reduce the pain.

They were opening up new areas while simultaneously repairing existing ones.

The acupoints and meridians, through these repeated impacts, are constantly damaged and reorganized, becoming more resilient...

Just like that, I don’t know how long it took.

sigh~
An indescribable feeling of comfort came from my chest and quickly spread throughout my body.

Jiang Xuan couldn't help but want to look up to the sky and roar, to express his true feelings.

But considering it was nighttime, I forced myself to endure it.

"call……"

He exhaled a long breath of fresh air, which almost no longer contained any foul air.

The body and bones have been polished and refined, becoming clean, flawless, and translucent, making it difficult for dirt to remain.

Zhongtian Dan has been established, reaching the second rank of Grandmaster!

Opening up the middle dantian doesn't significantly improve one's essence, energy, and spirit.

What is truly enhanced is the speed of the circulation of vital energy and spirit.

When facing an enemy, the faster your energy and spirit circulate, the faster you will be able to strike.

Taking the initiative will greatly increase your chances of winning.

Introspection.

Looking at the surging blood and true energy flowing within his body, Jiang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

Less than a month after his breakthrough, he advanced to the first rank.

At this rate, even if the speed is slow, one can reach the ninth rank of perfection within one or two years and begin to strive for the Grandmaster level.

A high-level internal cultivation technique is truly of paramount importance to a martial artist.

Talent, perseverance, and skill are all indispensable!

[Martial Arts: Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill (Beginner)]

【Progress: 0/5000】

Open the panel.

Looking at the progress display of the Invincible Vajra Divine Skill.

Jiang Xuan sighed with some emotion: "As expected of a Grandmaster-level martial art, even at the minor stage, the proficiency has increased by 2.5 times. I wonder how much proficiency it will take to reach perfection..."

However, with the system panel at your fingertips, hard work pays off.

With continuous effort and a step-by-step approach, you'll eventually reach mastery!
Jiang Xuan was not in a hurry.

Adjusting his mindset, Jiang Xuan immersed himself in the practice, cleared his mind, and began cultivating again.

……

The next day, the sun rose.

An army of tens of thousands slowly marched south and arrived at Tang County.

Several commanders from Tang County had already led their men to wait there.

Upon seeing the army arrive, the men stepped forward and saluted.

"This humble general pays his respects to the Commander-in-Chief!"

At the forefront of the army, Lu Xiang-sheng, clad in red and black armor with a sword at his waist, nodded slightly and asked, "How was the battle last night?"

He had already received news of what happened last night.

Therefore, after entrusting the disaster relief work in Kaifeng to Prefect Wu Shunan and others, he immediately led his troops to come here.

A commander immediately stepped forward to report on the battle situation.

After listening, Lu Xiang-sheng's expression darkened slightly: "The White Lotus traitors are truly well-hidden, managing to lie in wait right under our noses for so long without being exposed..."

A quarter of the population of Tang County are followers of the White Lotus Religion.

What a terrifying concept this is.

If this were to expand nationwide, it would be difficult to imagine how many White Lotus followers are hiding among the people.

Fortunately, apart from Shandong, Henan, Hubei and Hunan, only the Jiangnan region has traces of the White Lotus sect.

Otherwise, if the White Lotus sect were to spread throughout the country...

Once it breaks out, the Ming Dynasty will be in grave danger!

Where is Commander Jiang of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

Lu Xiang-sheng inquired.

Fortunately, Jiang Xuan arrived in time last night; otherwise, the troops in Tang County would have suffered heavy casualties.

One Grandmaster, two Grandmaster-level Poison Corpses, more than thirty ordinary Poison Corpses, and thousands of White Lotus Cult members.

Such a force is enough to destroy their army of tens of thousands!

While feeling fortunate, Lu Xiang-sheng also felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Jiang Xuan.

"Commander Jiang is at the county government office."

A commander responded.

Lu Xiang-sheng nodded and spurred his horse forward: "Enter the city."

Soon, the army entered the city.

Lu Xiang-sheng, accompanied by a group of military officers, arrived at the county government office to meet with Jiang Xuan.

"Master Jiang!"

"Commander Lu!"

The two exchanged greetings. Lu Xiang-sheng's expression was solemn as he said, "I have received news that the main force of the White Lotus Sect has gathered in Yongzhou and Chenzhou, probably intending to use the terrain to their advantage to maneuver against our army."

"I have ordered the mobilization of troops from the chieftains and military commanders of Guangxi and Qianzhong, and ordered them to attack from the southwest. Meanwhile, my troops will split into two routes, one heading towards Yongzhou and the other towards Chenzhou, to form an encirclement once again and wipe out the White Lotus sect in one fell swoop!"

"This time, I will have to trouble Lord Jiang."

"Your Excellency can make the decision."

Jiang Xuan did not express his opinion.

He didn't know much about military affairs, so there was no need for him to interfere and affect Lu Xiang-sheng's command.

His purpose in coming was simply to fend off the enemy's experts and protect the military commanders from assassination.

Lu Xiang-sheng felt a little relieved and nodded, saying, "In that case, let's not delay and set off immediately."

Soon, Lu Xiang-sheng began making arrangements.

They mobilized a total of 100,000 troops from nearby garrisons, dividing them into two routes, and successively marched towards Yongzhou and Chenzhou.

Jiang Xuan also divided his troops into two groups, dispersing them among the two armies to provide close protection for the generals of both armies.

An Jianqing had not yet returned from the capital, so Xu Longqing led a team alone, following the troops from Chenzhou.

As for Jiang Xuan, he naturally went to Yongzhou with Lu Xiang Sheng.

Lu Xiang-sheng only found out that the White Lotus sect split into two groups, gathering in Chenzhou and Yongzhou, but did not know where the White Lotus sect leader and other core members were located.

But Jiang Xuan had already investigated and found out.

He was determined to go to Yongzhou no matter what.

……

"Master!"

"The Ming army has moved! One hundred thousand troops have split into two groups and are heading towards Yongzhou and Chenzhou!"

Bitter Sea Town, Dawn Moon Pavilion.

A leader of the altar received the tip and immediately came to report it.

With an army of 100,000 men, the White Lotus Sect could not possibly have missed the news.

"It's exactly what I expected."

The White Lotus Sect Leader murmured softly, then asked, "Is there any news from the people of Bliss Cave?"

The altar master shook his head: "No, our spies didn't find any trace of them at all."

The White Lotus Cult Leader nodded slightly: "Ignore them, just defend the city according to plan."

"The 100,000-strong army has split into two routes. Lu Xiang-sheng probably still wants to mobilize more men to besiege us, but now the routes in Guizhou and Guangxi have been cut off by us, and they can't get in."

"By taking advantage of our strategic position, we have the upper hand, and he can't hold out against us for long."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

The altar master cupped his hands, then hesitated for a moment before asking, "What if Lu Xiang-sheng concentrates his forces and attacks one place first?"

The White Lotus Sect Leader smiled faintly: "Why do you think I would occupy both Yongzhou and Chenzhou instead of concentrating my forces in one place?"

The altar master's eyes lit up, and he said, "Is the sect leader deliberately diverting their forces?"

The White Lotus Sect Leader nodded, gazing at the map on the table, and said, "Both Yongzhou and Chenzhou are backed by mountains and are connected. Although the mountain roads are treacherous, they are also a way out for us."

"No matter which side they attack first, if we can't hold it, this mountain path will be our retreat route."

"If all else fails, we can retreat into the mountains."

“The mountains are our Miao people’s territory, filled with all kinds of poisonous insects and miasma. If they dare to come in, they will surely die.”

"In addition, the grain we have plundered during this period is enough to sustain us for a long time."

"We can afford to wait, but the Ming army cannot."

"If we can't take them down after a long siege, they'll retreat sooner or later."

"Then it will be time for us to gather our strength and launch another counterattack."

The White Lotus Cult Leader spoke calmly, yet with an overwhelming sense of confidence.

The reason he retreated to Yongzhou and Chenzhou was because of the special terrain of these two places.

Behind them was the settlement of their Miao people's tribe.

The mountain terrain is steep and unsuitable for large armies to travel.

Moreover, the mountain environment is harsh, and if the Ming army were to enter the mountains, they would surely be doomed.

On the other hand, the Miao people thrive in the mountains, taking advantage of the terrain and the miasma.

In addition, they broke through the Lu-Yu border and headed south, looting along the way and storing up enough food.

Even if the Ming army wanted to trap them in the mountains, it would be difficult to do so.

These are their biggest advantages.

Of course, if we can defend, we should still try to defend.

He would not easily give up Chenzhou and Yongzhou, which he had finally managed to occupy.

ponder for a moment.

The White Lotus Sect Leader looked at the altar master and instructed, "Go and invite the Eastern Sect Leader. Tell him I have something to discuss with him and ask him to meet at Xiaoyue Tower tonight."

"Yes, Sect Master!"

The altar master bowed respectfully, then turned and left.

The White Lotus Cult Leader thought for a moment, then turned and went downstairs to a secluded courtyard behind Xiaoyue Tower.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, a thick, poisonous miasma hit me.

If an ordinary person were to inhale this, they would likely die instantly.

But the White Lotus Cult Leader seemed used to it, a faint black aura emanating from his body, keeping the poisonous miasma at bay, and walked straight in.

Walk deeper into the courtyard.

In the center of the spacious courtyard, there were rows of naked corpses, their bodies covered with various colored liquids.

In the shadows, venomous insects crawled all over the corpses, a truly horrifying sight.

Beside the corpse stood an old figure, busy with something.

It was none other than the Grand Elder of the White Lotus Sect.

Hearing the commotion, the Grand Elder turned around and quickly stepped forward to bow, saying, "Sect Leader."

"No need to be polite."

The White Lotus Sect Leader nodded slightly, looked at the naked corpses, and asked, "How is the refining going?"

The Grand Elder's face lit up with joy, and he said, "The poisons sent by Bliss Cave are all of the highest quality, and the progress is going very smoothly."

"This batch will be ready for use in a month at most."

"very good."

The White Lotus Cult Leader nodded, quite satisfied: "If you need anything, just say the word."

He paused, a flash of anger and killing intent crossing his eyes, then took a deep breath to suppress his emotions and said, "With the Second Elder gone, we can only rely on the First Elder from now on."

Upon hearing this, a hint of ferocity appeared on the First Elder's face. He nodded and said, "Rest assured, Master, once I have refined this batch of poisonous corpses, I will personally go to the battlefield to avenge the Second Elder!"

The White Lotus Sect Leader waved his hand slightly: "Leave the matter of revenge to me. The Grand Elder can just focus on refining the poisonous corpse."

"Yes."

……

More than half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

However, the Ming army had only just entered the territory of Hengzhou.

From afar, tens of thousands of soldiers marched along the official road, densely packed, like a winding dragon stretching for more than ten miles.

"Drive! Drive!"

Just then, a fast horse came up from the rear of the group.

Everyone turned around and saw two men holding long swords. One looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, and the other was about seventeen or eighteen. Both of them were wearing flying fish robes, so they were obviously members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The soldiers dared not stop them and made way for them.

Soon, the two arrived at the front of the group and found Jiang Xuan.

"Captain!"

These two men were none other than Lin Pingzhi and Yue Mingke, who had gone to investigate a corruption case involving disaster relief funds.

Jiang Xuan nodded slightly and asked, "Has everything been investigated?"

Lin Pingzhi nodded: "I found some information, but the imperial court sent the Northern Garrison to take over the case. I handed over all the intelligence to the people in the Northern Garrison and then rushed over."

"In addition, Commander An has also arrived with his men."

Jiang Xuan nodded: "Then don't worry about it, go back to the team."

"Yes!"

The two bowed, slowed their pace, and joined the procession.

"grown ups!"

Just then, a lieutenant rode up on horseback, cupped his hands, and said, "The Grand Commander requests that you come forward to discuss important matters!"

Jiang Xuan nodded without thinking much and quickly came to Lu Xiang Sheng's side.

"Lord Jiang, something has happened to the teams in Guangxi and Guizhou!"

Lu Xiang-sheng looked grim and handed a letter to Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Xuan took a look and frowned slightly.

The troops in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces were attacked by White Lotus sect members, and the routes to Chenzhou and Yongzhou were cut off.

Many soldiers were poisoned.

"They must be from Paradise Cave!"

Jiang Xuan handed the letter back to Lu Xiang Sheng.

"Paradise Cave?" Lu Xiang-sheng's face showed a look of doubt.

Jiang Xuan nodded: "It's a martial arts sect from Miao territory. They are skilled in various poison techniques and use all kinds of poisons. They are very powerful."

"The White Lotus Sect's move is probably aimed at cutting off the routes of its troops in Guangxi and Guizhou provinces."

Lu Xiang-sheng's face was somewhat grim. He said, "If the troops from Guizhou and Guangxi provinces cannot enter Chenzhou and Yongzhou from behind, they will have to take a detour to join forces with our army. In that case, it would be better to directly mobilize the troops from Hubei and Hunan provinces to concentrate on the attack. Why should I go through the trouble of mobilizing troops from Guizhou and Guangxi provinces?"

Jiang Xuan nodded: "They saw through the commander's plan, which is why they blocked the advance routes of the Guizhou and Guangdong provinces in advance."

"Chenzhou and Yongzhou are located at the foot of the Qianguang Mountains and are areas where Miao people live."

"In terms of familiarity with routes, no one can compare with them."

A fierce glint flashed in Lu Xiang-sheng's eyes as he said, "Since that's the case, then I will gather my forces, divide and conquer them, force them into the mountains, and starve them out!"

"I refuse to believe that tens of thousands of them can stay in the mountains forever!"

Jiang Xuan shook his head, not optimistic about the plan: "The White Lotus Sect broke through the siege of the commander in Henan and went south all the way. They looted and plundered as they fled. Except for some larger prefectures, most of the other villages and towns were looted and a lot of supplies were seized. They must be preparing for this battle."

"They are probably not lacking in supplies right now."

"If we force them into the mountains, what will happen if they don't come out for a year or two?"

"They can afford to delay, but the commander-in-chief cannot."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng also fell silent.

He naturally understood Jiang Xuan's meaning.

Currently, the White Lotus Sect has sufficient food and supplies and is not lacking in survival resources.

Once inside the mountains, their only option was to encircle the area.

The mountain environment is complex and harsh, and it is also the territory of the Miao people. Fighting them in the mountains would be disadvantageous for them.

However, if the process drags on for too long, the daily food and fodder for 100,000 soldiers and horses will be astronomical.

The imperial court would never allow him to drag this out any longer.

Now it seems that the White Lotus Sect fled to Yongzhou and Chenzhou, probably with the idea of ​​defending their strongholds.

"Does Lord Jiang have any way to break this deadlock?"

Lu Xiang Sheng looked at Jiang Xuan.

Jiang Xuan shook his head and said, "There's no other way for now. Let's go to Yongzhou and see what the situation is like."

"If all else fails, I'll lead some men in to infiltrate and see if we can break the deadlock from within."

In a battle between two armies, if an attack on the outside fails to break through for a long time, then the only option left is to try to find a way out from within the enemy's ranks.

Although Jiang Xuan didn't understand military affairs, he still understood this simple principle.

Lu Xiang-sheng pondered for a moment and agreed with Jiang Xuan's suggestion.

Jiang Xuan then returned to his original position.

Thinking of the news he had just seen, his eyes flickered slightly. He summoned Lin Pingzhi and whispered something in his ear.

After listening, Lin Pingzhi's expression turned serious. He nodded and immediately rode away.

……

Three days later.

The army arrived in Hengzhou City and set up camp at the Hengzhou Prefecture Garrison, where they cooked their meals.

That's one of the advantages of fighting a war on home soil.

Wherever they went, there were local garrisons where they could be housed, so they didn't have to sleep in the open.

Lu Xiang-sheng has not yet mobilized the troops in Huguang.

In his words, these local garrisons were too weak in combat, and transferring them into the camp would only affect the overall combat strength.

Of course, the fact is also true.

A month ago, when the White Lotus sect fled to Huguang, Lu Xiang-sheng also mobilized Huguang troops to intercept them.

But the fact is that no guard could stop the White Lotus Sect. Instead, they suffered heavy casualties and could only watch helplessly as the White Lotus Sect members fled to Chenzhou and Yongzhou.

Over the years, the military garrisons have implemented a land reclamation system, resulting in a lack of training for the soldiers. Coupled with internal corruption, embezzlement and ghost-paying are common occurrences, and their combat effectiveness is no longer what it used to be.

When Lu Xiang-sheng first went to Lu-Yu to suppress the bandits, he also spent a long time training and refining his 100,000 troops before he could finally train them to be somewhat competent and defeat the White Lotus Sect.

With limited time available, he had no time to train the troops of the Huguang Garrison.

into the night.

Jiang Xuan returned to his tent and continued his cultivation.

At this moment, he is practicing a variety of martial arts, including internal energy cultivation, external skills, and movement techniques.

But the main focus is still on internal strength.

After all, once you reach a higher level, you can cultivate other martial arts much faster.

Jiang Xuan could still distinguish between what was more important and what was less important.

……

Before I knew it, it was late at night.

The entire camp was quiet.

Even the soldiers on duty were standing there, leaning on their weapons, seemingly dozing off.

At the beginning of Yin (3-5 AM), the body's organs enter a dormant state, which is also the time when people are most likely to feel sleepy.

There were no stars or moon in the sky, and the earth was completely silent. The autumn wind blew through the withered trees, making them seem like ghosts dancing in the wind.

Woohoo~

In the darkness of night, a strange flute melody suddenly appeared, carried faintly on the night breeze.

Along with that came a faint rustling sound, like insects crawling across the ground.

"what!"

Suddenly, a soldier awoke with a scream, his eyes widening as if he had seen a ghost. He staggered to the ground, screaming in terror, "Snake! There's a snake... Ugh!"

Before he could finish speaking, his face suddenly turned black, his lips turned purple, and he collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

Two small dentition holes were visible on his neck.

A small, black, venomous snake crawled out from its body.

The soldiers on duty around them were awakened one after another and were immediately terrified.

Suddenly, wriggling black shadows appeared all around the camp. They varied in size and length, and it was impossible to see what they were in the darkness. All that could be heard was a strong, pungent stench.

"Snake! It's a snake!"

"And centipedes!"

"What kind of insect is this?!"

"Damn it, where did this poison come from..."

Amidst screams, countless soldiers were awakened, accompanied by the sounds of them falling to the ground.

Many soldiers on duty were bitten by the poisonous creatures and collapsed.

sigh~
Inside the tent, Jiang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes and instantly leaped out of the tent.

Even under night vision, the sight of the dense swarms of poisonous creatures in the distance caused his expression to change.

"Damn it, they're here after all!"

Bliss Cave, Five Poison Child!

Seeing this scene, he could tell without even thinking who was behind it.

Despite all our precautions, we still couldn't stop these poisonous creatures...

Just then, the sounds of fighting came from afar, clearly indicating that they had encountered enemies.

"what happened?!"

Lu Xiang-sheng, wearing only his coat, stepped out. Upon seeing the writhing black shadows in the night, he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine: "This...this is..."

"go back!"

Jiang Xuan appeared in front of him, his expression grave: "The people from Bliss Cave have arrived!"

"Paradise Cave?!"

Lu Xiang-sheng's expression changed, and he immediately thought of the situation in Guizhou and Guangxi where troops were blocked and a large number of soldiers were poisoned.

Is this the method of the 'Paradise Cave'?!
"Protect the commander!"

Jiang Xuan ordered the Imperial Guards around him to guard Lu Xiang Sheng, then immediately leaped up and stood atop the tent, shouting, "Calm down! Everyone move towards the center! Don't panic!"

With the enhancement of true energy, the sound resounded throughout the entire camp.

Upon hearing this, the crowd calmed down somewhat and moved closer to the center, using torches, knives, and other tools to clear away the poisonous substances.

But a large number of poisonous insects still approached the center, as if drawn by some force, constantly crawling towards the center of the camp.

It's the sound of a flute!

Jiang Xuan focused his attention, listening intently to the source of the flute music.

But this flute music seemed to be enhanced by internal energy; if you listened carefully, it seemed to come from all directions, making it impossible to discern the direction.

Jiang Xuan frowned.

What a powerful skill!
Moreover, with such profound skill, he could even command poisonous creatures to attack, yet he himself did not appear.

In the entire martial arts world, only the master of the Miao Jiang Paradise Cave, the Five Poison Child, can act in this way!
Jiang Xuan confirmed his suspicions.

But with the Five Poison Child not showing up, he was temporarily at a loss as to how to resolve his current predicament...

"Master!"

Just then, Lin Pingzhi's anxious voice came from afar.

Jiang Xuan moved swiftly and rushed over in an instant.

As they drew closer, they saw Lin Pingzhi, Yue Mingke, and a few others engaged in a fierce battle with several brightly colored figures beside the well in the camp.

These brightly colored figures, each with thick eyebrows and large eyes, and strong physiques, were dressed in elaborate makeup and as children, making them look quite strange.

Clearly, they are under the command of the Five Poisons Child!
Jiang Xuan looked around, his gaze icy, and shouted, "Five Poison Boys, I know you're here. If you don't come out, I'll kill you disgusting boys first!"

sigh~
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Xuan moved and grabbed a green-clad boy. His true energy surged, instantly immobilizing the boy.

"Lord of the Cave, save me!"

Sensing the chilling killing intent emanating from Jiang Xuan, the green-clad boy cried out for help, his heart filled with anxiety.

They were ordered by the chieftain to poison the Ming army's food and water wells during the chaos, but they did not expect that the Ming army was prepared. These Jinyiwei guards had been stationed there and intercepted them as soon as they reached the well.

Now that Jiang Xuan has him by the throat, he can't even run away, so he can only shout for help.

As soon as the green-clad boy's cry for help faded, the surrounding flute music suddenly stopped, and the poisonous creatures around the camp seemed to have lost their target and began to wander around.

Jiang Xuan felt a slight sense of relief, but continued to shout, "Five Poison Boys, if you don't come out, I'll kill them first!"

After a slight silence.

A sinister voice drifted from the night wind: "If you dare harm even one of my children, I will wipe out your entire army!"

Jiang Xuan's ears twitched, and he instantly looked toward a dark place.

Bang!
The green-clad boy was crushed by him, and then his figure flashed, transforming into a streak of light and flying into the darkness.

"Damn it!"

In the darkness, a figure as short as a dwarf suddenly changed his expression.

He hadn't expected that Jiang Xuan's opening remarks were intended to lure him into revealing his location.

However, his voice was also enhanced by true energy, making it impossible to distinguish in the chaos, but even so, it was still detected.

What a keen insight!
Sensing the terrifying aura sweeping towards him, the Five Poison Child didn't hesitate; he immediately took to the air and turned to run.

Although his martial arts skills were not weak, he preferred to kill people with poison rather than in direct combat.

They are capable of killing silently and will never confront someone directly.

"Want to leave?!"

Jiang Xuan's gaze was icy. He circulated his true energy to its limit and immediately increased his speed, chasing after the other person like a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

Now that you're here, do you think you can escape?

Then I don't need to be the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard anymore!
(End of this chapter)