Brocade Robe Unparalleled

Chapter 125 Doubt

Longya Mountain is located ten miles west of Bozhou City. It is surrounded by rivers on three sides, and its terrain is treacherous, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

For hundreds of years, the Yang family has lived in Longya Fort on the mountaintop.

The Longya Army, the private army of the Yang family, guarded the various passes of Longya Mountain.

At noon, a horse-drawn carriage departed from the Bozhou government office and sped all the way to the foot of Longya Mountain.

Several figures jumped down from the carriage.

A middle-aged man dressed in fine clothes with the character "Yang" printed on his chest glanced at the others and said, "Come with me."

A long stone staircase stretches from the foot of the mountain to the top.

Several people followed behind him, climbing the stone steps up the mountain.

As soon as they stepped onto the stone steps, they noticed something was wrong.

"Have you sensed a strange power?"

"It's like someone is preventing me from going up the mountain!"

"Could this be the spirit pattern array of the Jiuli tribe?"

……

The steward of the Yang family glanced back at the new recruits about to join the Dragon Cliff Army, his gaze lingering for a moment on the last one to speak, and said, "You do have some knowledge. Indeed, this is the Nine Li Clan's spirit pattern array..."

Lin Xuan, who had been silent, looked down at the stone steps beneath his feet. As soon as he stepped onto the first step, he sensed the aura of the spirit runes.

I never expected that there would be a spirit pattern array of the Jiuli tribe on Dragon Cliff Mountain.

He also sensed that the spirit pattern array was not fully activated, not even one percent of its power.

Lin Xuan turned his head and looked around. No wonder that over the years, whether it was the struggle between the chieftains or the siege by the imperial court, the Yang family was able to sit firmly in Longya Fort.

The Jiuli tribe expert who set up the spirit pattern array was clearly a highly skilled spirit pattern master. He gathered all the power of the surrounding mountains here. Once the array is fully activated, the gravity of this stone step will increase a hundredfold, and those below the sixth rank will probably find it difficult to move an inch.

The Yang family steward proudly stated, "Hundreds of years ago, a holy maiden from the Jiuli tribe married our Yang family's ancestor. This spirit pattern array was set up by her. There are eight layers on top of this array. With all the arrays fully activated, even an army of 100,000 wouldn't be able to breach it..."

Longya Mountain is inherently easy to defend and difficult to attack. The only road leading up the mountain has nine passes, each guarded by a large number of Longya soldiers and equipped with a spirit pattern array. As long as Longya Mountain is not breached, the Yang family will remain invincible.

The group followed the Yang family steward and slowly ascended the stone steps.

The formation was not fully activated. Although there were some obstacles on the way up the mountain, they could be easily resisted by circulating one's true energy slightly.

Lin Xuan walked at the back, remaining silent throughout and never uttering a word.

He was carefully sensing the aura of the spirit runes.

There was nothing on the stone steps; the spirit patterns must have been engraved inside the mountain. The Jiuli tribe only had one type of spirit pattern that applied gravity, and it hadn't changed much in hundreds of years.

After a moment of recollection, a spiritual rune quickly appeared in Lin Xuan's mind.

While spirit patterns that can draw upon the power of heaven and earth are indeed powerful, they are not without ways to break them.

Destroying the spirit runes is the most direct and quickest way.

However, the saintess had considered the Yang family's situation very thoroughly. She hid all the spiritual runes deep within the mountain, making them impossible to destroy from the outside.

Besides destroying the spirit runes, there is another way.

That is to use spirit patterns to counter spirit patterns.

Simply engrave this spirit pattern on the silver mirror and carry the mirror with you to eliminate the effects of the gravity spirit pattern.

However, reverse engraving of spirit patterns is quite difficult, and it is basically only mastered by high-level spirit pattern masters of the Jiuli tribe.

Although Lin Xuan possessed sufficient theoretical knowledge, his practical skills were still lacking.

Joining the Dragon Cliff Army was undoubtedly the right choice.

Given some time to practice, Lin Xuan will be able to break through this formation on his own.

After walking about two hundred steps, the group finally stepped onto a wide platform.

Beyond the platform lies a massive pass built along the mountainside.

The towering black stone walls blend seamlessly with the mountainside, and a troop of armored soldiers wielding long spears can be seen between the battlements, their sharp eyes scanning the area below.

Above the city gate, a huge plaque bears three powerful characters.

【Qianjun Pass】.

A tall man walked out from behind the city gate and said with a smile, "Seventh Steward has come to send off the new bride again."

The middle-aged man who led Lin Xuan and the others up the mountain nodded and said, "Commander Wang, these are five new brothers. They will be temporarily placed under your command. Please settle them in properly."

Commander Wang nodded and replied, "Don't worry, Seventh Steward, I will take good care of them."

The middle-aged man waved his hand: "Okay, you go ahead and get busy, I'm going back to the city."

After the middle-aged steward left, Commander Wang looked at the group and said calmly, "Although you all possess seventh-rank strength, since you're new to the Dragon Cliff Army, you'll all start as banner officers. If you have the ability, you might very well be able to become captains or even centurions..."

He then explained his responsibilities to the group.

The most important task of the Longya Army is to guard Qianjun Pass.

When foreign enemies invade, they must hold them back at this pass.

However, over the centuries, foreign enemies have rarely reached the foot of Longya Mountain; most of the time, they have been assigned other tasks.

These days, the Yang family and the An and Song families are constantly at odds, and the Longya Army is also frequently required to go out to fight.

Since Lin Xuan and his group had just arrived, they were only assigned the task of patrolling the passes.

This gave Lin Xuan the opportunity to observe.

He soon discovered that there were also traces of spirit patterns on the city walls inside Qianjun Pass.

If an enemy invades, the Dragon Cliff Army inside the pass can use these spirit patterns to continuously transmit true energy to the core spirit patterns inside the mountain, thereby enhancing the power of the spirit pattern array below.

With the help of this formation, 10,000 Longya soldiers can hold off enemies several times or even ten times their size.

This is just one pass; above Qianjun Pass, there are eight more passes.

If he could figure out the details of these eight passes, his undercover mission to the Yang family could end sooner.

No amount of intelligence can compare to the credit for breaking through these nine barriers.

Unfortunately, his activities were limited to the area within Qianjun Pass.

He didn't even know what kind of formation the next level would be.

He couldn't ask anyone for no reason.

Moreover, the matter was of great importance, and he could only be certain of the solution by experiencing it firsthand.

After inspecting the passes for several days, Lin Xuan received his first mission outside the pass.

On the edge of the Yang family's sphere of influence, a minor chieftain who was loyal to the Yang family had his family's iron mine seized by a chieftain under the Song family.

In order to stand up for their chieftain and to prevent the strategically important iron mine from falling into enemy hands, the Yang family ordered one commander of a thousand and three commanders of a hundred to lead three hundred Longya soldiers to the chieftain's fiefdom to help them reclaim the mine. Lin Xuan was also selected to join the mission.

A small chieftain shouldn't need to make such a fuss.

However, the Song family was very likely involved in this matter, and the Yang family did not take it lightly.

At Qianjun Pass, Commander Wang was giving his final pep talk.

He stood at the forefront, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and said in a deep voice, "Although the southwest has been rather turbulent lately, it has also presented a rare opportunity. The patriarch rewards meritorious soldiers every month. You should all perform well and strive to earn more merits. Once you catch the patriarch's eye, promotions and wealth will be within your grasp..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he abruptly waved his sleeve: "Let's go!"

……

Three days later.

Longya Mountain.

Qianjun Pass.

The three hundred Longya soldiers have just returned victorious.

This operation not only successfully reclaimed the mine belonging to the minor chieftain, but also severely damaged the rival chieftain. It is unlikely that the other side will be able to stir up any trouble in the short term.

One hundred Longya soldiers were stationed there to prevent the Song family from making a comeback, while the rest returned to Longya Mountain.

As soon as the group entered the pass, Lin Xuan was surrounded by people.

"Commander Chen, I'll treat you to drinks in a couple of days!"

"Step back a little. If it weren't for Commander Chen, I would have lost my life there. This drink is on me."

"Commander Chen has saved you more than once. If he wants to treat you, you'll have to wait in line!"

Although this mission was particularly easy, some casualties were still inevitable among them.

Only the ten Dragon Cliff soldiers under Chen Yu's command did not suffer even minor injuries.

As a banner officer, he always charged ahead, and when his men were in danger, he would even use his body to shield them from harm.

He cultivates defensive techniques, making his body as hard as a rock. At most, he would only suffer minor injuries from attacks that would be fatal to an ordinary seventh-rank martial artist.

There are many flag officers who can practice defensive techniques, but he is the only one who can shield his subordinates from a blow.

All the banner officers who acted with him also received his help.

On the battlefield, you can confidently entrust your back to such a person.

Because of his outstanding performance, he was promoted to captain by the commander on the spot.

Commander Wang patted Lin Xuan on the shoulder with satisfaction and said, "The Yang family is in dire straits and needs brave men like you. Your performance this time was particularly outstanding. I will report this truthfully, and you will certainly be rewarded..."

Lin Xuan clasped his hands slightly and said, "Thank you, Commander Qianhu."

Commander Wang's eyes showed appreciation. Although Chen Yu's cultivation was only at the seventh rank, his fighting spirit and ruthlessness on the battlefield were something that many centurions did not possess.

He investigated Chen Yu's background.

He truly lived up to his reputation as a ruthless man who, in a fit of rage, killed a high-ranking official of the imperial court.

He was ruthless to his enemies, and he was ruthless to himself.

With such people around, the cohesion within the military will be greatly enhanced.

He looked at Lin Xuan and the others and said, "You've had a tough mission. I'll grant you three days off. Go down the mountain and have some fun."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately cheered.

"Thank you, Master Qianhu!"

"Commander Chen, let's go for a drink!"

"No, no, you have to give your brother this chance!" ...

Streets of Bozhou.

A Luo and Tian Qingluan had just returned from the new shop when their gazes lingered briefly on the courtyard at the alley entrance.

That person hasn't come back for several days.

She still suspected that the deaths of the Yang brothers, Yang Yu and Yang Sen, were related to him.

Although it would be difficult for him to do this given his abilities.

But she just had an inexplicable intuition.

In the past few days, she had subtly inquired with Wenren Yue and learned that the Yang family members were not killed by the Yongguo Jingye Division.

The identity of the fourth-rank sorcerer who saved her remains a mystery to this day.

She originally wanted to keep a closer eye on this person, but unexpectedly, he disappeared completely after that.

Just then, a figure turned into the alleyway.

What followed was a strong smell of alcohol, mixed with a jumble of feminine fragrances.

A Luo glanced at the guard, Chen.

It turns out he didn't like men.

Judging from the scent on him, he was with at least three women on his left and right while he was drinking.

Tian Qingluan also saw Lin Xuan. After all, they were neighbors and she had seen each other many times. She nodded politely in acknowledgment.

Lin Xuan felt inexplicably guilty after being glanced at by Qingluan and A'luo.

General Zhao just said he was inviting me for drinks, but who knew it would turn into a drinking party with prostitutes.

The women who were there to drink with him kept trying to get into his arms, and he could only pretend to be friendly with them.

After drinking, the others stayed overnight at the brothel, while he returned alone.

I didn't expect to bump into them at the alley entrance.

He nodded to Qingluan, took out the key, opened the courtyard gate, and silently walked in.

……

night.

A figure slipped out of the alley without a sound.

Not long after, inside the Drunken Cloud Pavilion.

A'Luo looked at Hei Lian and pleaded, "Sister Hei Lian, please let me go with you!"

Hei Lian glanced at her and asked, "If you're going to work with us, how are you going to explain things to Miss Tian?"

A Luo said, "I told her I was going back to my hometown to visit relatives, and that I would leave with the Tian family's caravan and then secretly come back. She won't suspect anything."

Hei Lian thought for a moment and said, "You should stay by the side of the female centurion of the Jingbian Division and continue to gather intelligence. The Secret Service has enough manpower this time, so you don't need to come with us."

A'Luo clung to her arm, pleading, "Sister Black Lotus, please, just let me go. I've gathered all the information I needed to, and I want to go with you all..."

Helpless against her persistence, Hei Lian could only say, "Alright then, but you're not allowed to act on your own. You have to listen to me in everything."

She knew that A Luo wanted to avenge Junzizhu.

Aro nodded repeatedly: "I promise!"

Black Lotus looked at her and suddenly asked, "What are your plans after this mission is over?"

A'Luo lowered her head and said, "I'll go back to Nanzhao with you."

Bozhou has become a place of heartbreak for her.

After this mission, she will never come back again in her life...

Not long after, she quietly left Zuiyun Tower.

Lin Xuan followed behind her and returned to his residence.

The Nanzhao secret service was clearly about to launch an operation, and the waters of Bozhou were becoming increasingly murky.

The mission was successfully completed, and Commander Wang gave them a three-day leave.

The next day, officials from the Bozhou government delivered one hundred taels of silver as a reward from the Yang family for his heroic performance during the mission.

As the largest chieftain in the southwest, their generosity far surpassed that of the imperial court.

Judging from the atmosphere in the Longya army, the Yang family doesn't seem to realize that this struggle between the three chieftains is fundamentally different from the past.

Behind the An family lies the secret intelligence agency of the Nanzhao Kingdom.

The Song family was directly supported by the Dayong court.

Their goal was to completely wipe the Yang family out of the southwest.

One can imagine the fierce conflicts that will erupt in Bozhou, the old stronghold of the Yang family, in the near future.

At that time, the Longya Army, as the Yang family's private army, will surely be the first to bear the brunt.

He needs to complete the task as soon as possible and then extricate himself from the situation promptly.

When the Yang family falls, Mandala will also leave with the Nanzhao secret service.

Then he can appear openly and legitimately in front of Qingluan.

As Lin Xuan had predicted, the Longya Army would have more and more missions to undertake in the next two weeks.

In most cases, it was the minor chieftains who were loyal to the Yang family who encountered trouble.

A large part of the Yang family's influence in the southwest was manifested through the various chieftains, large and small, who were loyal to the Yang family.

Now, the An and Song families are joining forces and are constantly eroding the Yang family's power.

The Song family is backed by the Dayong Dynasty, the An family by the Nanzhao Secret Service, and the Yang family is simultaneously fighting against four major forces.

Lin Xuan received confirmation from Commander Wang that the Yang family had already sought help from the Western Barbarians.

At that time, the waters of Bozhou will become even more turbid.

Qianjun Pass.

Commander Wang entered a guardhouse, handed Lin Xuan an invitation, and said with a smile, "Commander Chen, good news! The patriarch is hosting a banquet at Longya Fort tonight, and you are on the invitation list."

Lin Xuan was stunned: "Me?"

Commander Wang smiled slightly and said, "The patriarch rewards meritorious soldiers every month. You are the only one to be promoted from banner officer to centurion in less than a month. I have put your name on the list. This is a great opportunity to shine. Make the most of it tonight..."

Hearing what Commander Wang said, Lin Xuan's heart stirred slightly.

He was not interested in the banquet.

What he cares about is the road from the foot of the mountain to the top.

If one could traverse all nine passes of Longya Mountain and understand the intricacies of each pass, the natural barrier of Longya Mountain would cease to exist for the imperial court, and the strength of the Yang family would be greatly diminished.

This achievement should be enough.

Longya Mountain is heavily guarded, and everyone can only move within a designated area.

To this day, he has not visited any other passes.

Tonight's banquet is a rare opportunity.

Lin Xuan accepted the invitation, clasped his hands in thanks, and said, "Thank you for your recommendation, sir."

Commander Wang laughed and said, "No need to thank me, you earned this all through your own hard work..."

The soldiers of Qianjun Pass all admired Chen Yu.

In every battle, he always took the lead and charged ahead.

His soldiers have always suffered the fewest casualties.

On one occasion, when his men were captured, he sneaked into the enemy camp at night, assassinated several guards, and rescued his captured subordinates.

Chen Baihu was known for his courage, a fact acknowledged by all the soldiers of Qianjun Pass.

Many soldiers approached him privately, hoping he would transfer them to Chen Yu's command.

Having such a fierce general under his command brings him pride in front of the patriarch.

Commander Wang patted Lin Xuan on the shoulder and said, "Get ready, we'll go up the mountain together later."

at this time.

The top of Longya Mountain.

Inside a grand hall.

Yang Yingtian held a piece of paper in his hand, on which was the guest list for tonight's banquet.

He hosted a banquet for outstanding members of the Longya Army every month, firstly to encourage them, and secondly to set an example for others.

In the past two months, the external situation of the family has been severe. The Longya Army has lost a lot of manpower and also gained many new faces. There is simply no time to verify the background of many people.

Tonight's banquet guest list is mostly filled with names he knows.

However, there were also a few that I had never seen before.

His gaze lingered on those names.

Although these individuals had only recently joined the Dragon Cliff Army, they had all made significant contributions, with the deeds of two of them being particularly outstanding.

One man had only been in the Dragon Cliff Army for half a month when he killed more than a hundred enemies and was known as the "God of Slaughter".

The other person's achievements were not as outstanding, but he always charged ahead in every mission, was fearless, cared deeply for his subordinates, and had a highly cohesive morale. He successfully completed many difficult missions and was a rare talent.

If such a talent truly emerges from the Longya Army, it would certainly be a good thing.

The fear is that they have ulterior motives.

After all, even among the chieftain families who have served the Yang family for generations, there are very few who are so loyal and brave. In fact, the performance of most of the Yang family members is not as good as theirs.

New recruits who have just joined the Longya Army are usually afraid of death and tend to back down when faced with danger.

The more attention they draw, the more suspicious they become.

While it cannot be ruled out that they are genuinely working for the Yang family, the family is currently in a sensitive period and must be on guard, absolutely not giving the Song family any opportunity to settle down or the Yong Kingdom court to take advantage of the situation.

He picked up a pen, circled a few names, handed it to someone behind him, and said, "Investigate these people carefully, don't overlook any suspicious points. Also, go to Fifth Master's place and get two 'Heart-Searching Mirrors'..."

(End of this chapter)