Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 674 Inviting Lord Yunzhong

As a master from Mount Shu, he had participated in many demon-slaying operations. But this was the first time he had faced such a large-scale demon force. His divine sword was incomparably sharp, yet he couldn't find a place to strike. This sense of powerlessness made him extremely anxious.

“What worries us more now is that there is no fighting in Dongting Lake now; it’s completely calm.” Zhuge Yu sighed, somewhat panicked by the situation. “Although I have studied military strategy extensively, I have never actually been on a battlefield. This eerie calm is truly unsettling.”

He pointed to several key waterways on the sand table, saying, "It's like when two armies are facing off, the enemy suddenly retreats across the board, making people hesitant to make any rash moves."

I have absolutely no idea why the atmosphere of fighting would start as soon as we met was suddenly put on hold. Was there some external intervention, or was it an order from Yun Zhongjun? I have no idea.

It's understandable that the people at the front-line command were somewhat bewildered. After all, they weren't like Yu Gong, who had actually fought on the border. Theoretical strategizing and facing real battles are two completely different things.

A young rogue cultivator walked in and handed over the latest casualty statistics: "Master, this is the news we just received this morning. Although the demons have temporarily subsided, the chances of survival for the previously missing ships and personnel are now very slim."

"And here is a list of businesses affected in the past three months. In Wuchang alone, seventeen grain shops and nine silk shops are on the verge of bankruptcy. Not to mention the people who make a living by fishing."

Xu Xuan took the ledger, his fingers trembling slightly. Behind the cold numbers on the paper lay countless lives lost.

Staring at the dense markings on the geomantic map, he held the intelligence sent by Turtle Boss in his hand.

He sighed softly, "These demon kings are all lying low, gathering their strength, like a fully drawn bow, just one straw away from breaking the camel's back."

Xiaoqing leaned closer, her black hair falling onto the blueprint: "The Blood Vine Demon King was badly injured by the Turtle King and is now frantically devouring blood to recover his strength; the Crocodile Dragon King cut off his tail to survive and is hiding in the shadows licking his wounds; even the most composed Stone King is holding back." She suddenly sighed, "These ruthless characters who would fight to the death on sight are now so obedient, they must have a lot on their minds."

Xu Xuan nodded: "This shows that the allure of the opportunity to transform into a dragon is far greater than I expected. For these aquatic creatures, the dragon bloodline is not only a symbol of power, but also an evolutionary instinct etched into their very bones."

"Like moths drawn to a flame, knowing they will be burned, they cannot resist the allure of the light."

Then he looked at Xiaoqing.

She immediately understood, and pouted, "Don't look at me! That drop of dragon blood did confuse me for a while, but now..." She proudly raised her chin, "This young lady is going to become a demon saint!"

Everyone couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, and the tense atmosphere eased slightly.

“The problem is,” Xu Xuan drew a circle with his finger at Junshan, “that Yunzhongjun is like a sword hanging over Dongting Lake. As long as he is still here, these demon kings will not dare to act rashly.” He rubbed his temples in frustration, “but what we need is a controllable chaos, not this eerie calm.”

Zhuge Yu's eyes suddenly lit up: "Master, how about we—" He made a throwing motion, "send the seventh box in?"

Xu Xuan shook his head: "It's too obvious. Lord Yunzhong isn't blind. If I were to sail into Dongting Lake in a swaggering manner, I'm afraid I would be stopped before I even reach the confluence of the three rivers."

The umbrella given by Lady White Snake could shield His divine sense, but it couldn't block His gaze.

Silence fell in the room. Suddenly, Xiaoqing blinked: "How about... I go? I'm a good swimmer, and I'm familiar with the ways of the demon race."

"No!" Xu Xuan refused decisively. "The situation in Dongting is not something you can handle. It's fine for minor demons and monsters to go, but a powerful demon like you getting close will inevitably attract attention and even besiege."

and many more!

It doesn't seem impossible.

As he looked at the intelligence report, he suddenly remembered what Professor Shi Kuang had done back then, and a bold idea gradually took shape in his mind.

"Let's go burn incense first," Xu Xuan suddenly said, standing up.

what?
Xiaoqing's eyes widened upon hearing this: "Are you crazy? Isn't 'prophetship cannot be obtained from ghosts and gods' something you always say?"

Xu Xuan took the umbrella out of his bag: "I'm not here to pray to ghosts and gods, but to pay my respects at the temple gate."

"This is also the last stop for recruiting players."

That night, the two quietly abandoned the boat and went ashore. They jumped to the north bank of the Yangtze River, and Xu Xuan opened the oil-paper umbrella given to him by Bai Suzhen. A hazy mist rose from the umbrella, completely concealing their presence.

They avoided the directions of Dongting Lake and Junshan Mountain, heading directly from Wuchang County to Nan County. They traveled swiftly along the north bank, bypassing Dongting Lake and Junshan Mountain, and went straight to Yushan Mountain.

The mountain path was rugged, and strange noises could be heard from the woods from time to time. Suddenly, Xiaoqing tugged at Xu Xuan's sleeve and whispered, "There's something in the bushes on the left."

Xu Xuan made a hand seal without making a sound. A flash of white light appeared on the umbrella, and a scream came from not far away—a lurking fox demon revealed its true form and stared blankly at the two people who had suddenly appeared in front of it.

Then, all life force was taken away by the Victorious Evil Sword; even its bones turned to ashes, and not a trace of its soul remained. What a divine sword, so clean and hygienic!

Along the way, they encountered three groups of patrolling demons, all of whom were quietly dealt with by Shengxie Sword.

Xu Xuan sheathed his short sword and said, "We need to be careful."

Just as Xiaoqing raised many ashore demons in the Seventy-Two Peaks of Taihu Lake, similar small forces also attached themselves to Dongting Lake within its sphere of influence.

He continued to open the umbrella and, with Xiaoqing in tow, began to traverse the mountains, completing a perfect infiltration.

When we reached the halfway point of the mountain, a dilapidated Yuwang Temple came into view.

The vermilion paint on the temple gate has long since peeled off and is covered with vines. But the four large characters "Virtue Matches Heaven and Earth" on the lintel are still faintly discernible, exuding a sense of ancient solemnity.

Traces of this ancestor can be found at almost every important hydrological node within Kyushu.

According to the local chronicles of Huarong County, Yueyang, King Yu the Great once climbed Yushan Mountain by Dongting Lake to inspect the river in order to dredge the Yangtze River. After 13 years of hard work, he successfully made the Yangtze River flow eastward into the Five Lakes, which means he dredged the water system of the Yangtze River and Yunmeng Marsh.

Of course, this is most likely a legend embellished by later generations, but with the existence of this legend, coupled with thousands of years of incense offerings, then it is possible that "King Yu the Great" really did leave a trace of his divine will here. That would be enough.

Xu Xuan took a deep breath and pushed open the creaking temple door.

The hall was covered in dust and cobwebs. The statue of King Yu in the center had faded, but his bright eyes were still lifelike, as if they could see into people's hearts.

Although the axe in the statue's hand is just a wooden carving, it still gives people a sense of power to split mountains and cleave peaks.

Xu Xuan took out three sticks of specially made ambergris from his bosom and lit them in the incense burner.

The Holy Father lighting incense is the highest honor, which only those with great supernatural powers can receive.

Wisps of smoke rose and condensed in the air, gradually forming the shape of a small dragon that coiled and swirled within the hall.

"Junior Xu Xuan pays his respects to King Yu." He bowed respectfully, his voice solemn. "The aquatic creatures of Dongting Lake are causing chaos and the people are suffering. I have come to seek your guidance."

Suddenly, an unnamed wind swept through the hall, and as the candlelight flickered, the eyes of the statue seemed to blink.
The Father was overjoyed; could it be that the ever-smiling old man is really still alive?

A day later, Xiaoqing walked out with a serious expression, feeling somewhat angry as she sensed the enhanced water control power around her.

"Listen, there's no time for you to be angry right now." Xu Xuan's tone was extremely cold.

"The demon kings of this 800-li Dongting Lake are all in your hands. You are in charge of the dragon transformation." It can't even be called cold-hearted; it's cruel.

Xiaoqing, however, was somewhat unwilling to give up; she felt there were other ways.

"Time is running out for the people around Dongting Lake."

Then her tone softened.

"When a bird of prey is about to strike, it flies low and folds its wings; when a fierce beast is about to pounce, it lowers its ears and crouches down; when a sage is about to act, he will surely show a foolish expression."

"be careful."

Xu Xuan gave him many instructions and even stuffed a thick stack of tactical manuals into his hand; inside was his bold idea.

Finally, Xiaoqing, carrying the oil-paper umbrella, disappeared into the jungle alone.

Xu Xuan was left standing on the mountainside, his presence exposed and unhindered.

"Amitabha."

"Please welcome—Lord Yunzhong!"

On Mount Jun, clouds and mist surged.

(End of this chapter)