Martial Arts: My achievements in Beiliang were so great that they threatened the lord's positio

As for Nangong Pushe's nineteen techniques, although he had not personally practiced them, he could roughly use them simply by observing their form and spirit.

At most, it's just a few more levels of cultivation, which are related to the development of one's state of mind and must be understood by the individual.

The state of mind cannot be expressed in words, cannot be explained, is ethereal and intangible, and cannot be taught or explained.

Ultimately, it's a matter of different levels. Lin Xuan might think that he can dispel some people's confusion with just a few simple words, but to the other person, it's just vague and hard to understand.

From now on

In the Zhenbei General's mansion, a woman who loved to wear white clothes and had two swords hanging at her waist appeared. Every day, she would either read in the sword-sharpening hall or practice swordsmanship in the courtyard.

Perhaps seeing how hard Nangong Pushe was working, Pojun was unwilling to fall behind, so he got up before dawn and didn't rest until late at night.

The heavy snow had not yet stopped, and there were not many affairs in the general's mansion, so he stayed in the Sharpening Hall every day to cultivate his internal strength and study the Hell Path.

Occasionally, he would offer some pointers to Nangong Pushe and a few others.

Every few days, skilled knife users would come to the Sharpening Hall to ask for advice, but unfortunately, no one could withstand a single blow from Lin Xuan.

If any of them had good potential, they were kept and trained as sword slaves, and so a few were recruited.

Some people also took this opportunity to pledge allegiance to him, the General Who Guards the North; testing his sword was a pretense, but their true intention was to submit.

Even in the depths of winter, heavy snow continues.

The world was a vast expanse of white.

In the room

The silver charcoal in the stove was burning brightly, radiating warmth, while outside, the wind and snow howled, mixed with some low, clanging sounds.

"Po Jun and Sister Nangong are sparring again."

Mu Qing'er listened for a while, then chuckled softly, "You're really very diligent."

"Both of them are exceptionally talented."

Lin Xuan picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and slowly said, "Given enough time, I will definitely be able to step into the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, and even reaching the Land Immortal Realm is not impossible."

"Qing'er, your aptitude is not bad either."

He continued, "It's just that in recent years, I've devoted most of my energy to managing the family business, which has slowed down the progress."

"Young master has no shortage of skilled warriors under his command."

She shook her head: "One more of me makes no difference, one less of me makes no difference either."

"I find managing the family business for you, young master, far more interesting than practicing martial arts."

"That's true."

Lin Xuan said, "With me here, you don't need to bring your sword."

"Yesterday, the Secret Service sent word that the Northern Pythons are very likely to invade Yan County next spring."

Mu Qing'er said, "The various sects in the Northern Python martial arts world have been frequently interacting lately, which is probably related to the Northern Python army's southward march next year."

"Your young master has offended everyone in the Northern Python martial arts world, both the righteous and the demonic factions."

He put down his teacup, propped his feet on the table, and put his hands behind his head: "Come on, bring it all on."

"Any movement from Beiliang?"

"Not at the moment."

Mu Qing'er replied, "That young prince has been assassinated several times in Youzhou and has almost lost his life. Xu Xiao is furious about this, and with the Northern Python about to march south, he has no time to care about us."

"Perhaps the Northern Python wants to kill two birds with one stone, attacking both Northern Liang and Yan County at the same time."

"I will draft a memorial tomorrow and send it to the capital by express courier."

Lin Xuan said, "I want some silver, provisions, weapons, armor, and warhorses."

"If we don't ask, they definitely won't give it to us."

"As long as you ask, I'll give you something, even a little bit. Every little bit counts, and I won't mind."

"Covering the sun."

He called out.

"Young master."

A figure dressed in black robes silently entered the room.

"Right now is the time when the martial arts world of the Northern Python is most relaxed. You and Liu** should take a trip and capture as many martial arts masters as possible."

He yawned: "Keep your eyes open and pick the easy targets."

I will have the Secret Service fully cooperate with you.

"Yes, ma'am."

Yan Ri nodded, a bloodthirsty smile flashing across his cold face.

He had been staying in the mansion for several months and was already feeling bored and weary, but he still hadn't received any orders.

"Oh, right, bring Po Jun with you."

"This kid has been practicing with a knife for so long, it's time he saw some blood."

That night, Yan Ri, along with Po Jun and Liu **, quietly left the mansion under the cover of snow and wind...

December 20

The entire Yan County was filled with a festive atmosphere, and men, women, and children went out to buy New Year's goods and food to store.

Inside the General's Mansion

The servants and servants were also busy going out to buy items needed for the New Year.

As the General Who Guards the North and the Prefect of Yan Commandery, he also had to distribute many New Year's gifts to his civil and military officials.

He was busy traveling back and forth, and also took time to inspect various counties and garrisons. Before he knew it, it was already the end of the twelfth lunar month.

The maids in the mansion swept away the accumulated snow and fallen leaves, and then hung up colorful lanterns to decorate the courtyard.

indoor

Lin Xuan, wrapped in a thick sheepskin coat, leaned back in his chair, listening to the music played by Da Pan and Xiao Pan, looking quite relaxed.

The sound of the zither and lute is clear, far-reaching, and lingering.

December 29

Lin Xuan entered the Sharpening Hall.

Nangong Pushe was still dressed in white, concentrating on practicing his sword amidst the swirling snow.

He carried a pot of yellow wine and casually sat down on the stone steps in front of the hall.

have to say

Nangong Pushe's sword-wielding posture was indeed like a fairy dancing, his aloof temperament perfectly complementing the snowy scenery of Yan County.

Yoshihisa

She stopped her attack and ceased slashing.

Lin Xuan reached out and took the three-inch blunt knife handed to him by Nangong Pushe. His fingertips brushed against the blade, and a chilling aura emanated from it.

Flick

The blade vibrated slightly, emitting a low, resonant sound.

"It's a good knife."

He nodded.

"Your mastery of the Eight Stops is sufficient, but you lack flexibility."

Lin Xuan put down the wine pot, stood up, brushed the snow off his clothes, and stepped into the courtyard.

Look closely.

After speaking, he swung his three-foot-long sword, the same move he used was completely different from the one Nangong Pushe used.

Her swordsmanship was skillful but somewhat restrained and lacked variation; while Lin Xuan's swordsmanship was dynamic and static, sharp and intimidating, with every move concealing danger, causing Nangong Pu She to frown and concentrate.

She stepped forward with her two-foot-long sword, but after only two moves, the white-clad man struck her forehead with a three-foot-long blunt knife.

"If I score even one more point, you will be dead."

Lin Xuan said calmly.

"A thousand people, a thousand faces; the same is true of swordsmanship."

The same move, executed by different people, will have different emphases.

"My Eight Stops technique may not be superior to yours, but martial arts are like the sea; we should embrace all styles and learn from each other's strengths to make up for our weaknesses."

He smiled slightly: "One must recognize one's own shortcomings and correct them in order to make progress."

"Otherwise, even if one reads all the classics, one will still find it difficult to escape stagnation."

Having said that, he threw the embroidered winter knife back, picked up the wine pot, and walked into the knife-sharpening hall.

these days

Yan Ri and Liu Sha are active in the Northern Python Jianghu, wantonly annihilating sects and capturing masters.

In just over a month, the once empty dungeon was full again.

Such ruthless methods have caused widespread panic in the Northern Python martial arts world, even forcing both the righteous and evil factions to join forces to hunt down Yan Ri and Liu Sha.

However, it ultimately failed.

Seeing that the situation was becoming increasingly tense, Lin Xuan summoned everyone back to Yan County.

Overnight

Dozens of Northern Python experts in the dungeon were all turned into Lin Xuan's killing points, and he finally completed his final accumulation.

We are about to delve into the realm of celestial phenomena.

The door to the knife-sharpening hall was closed.

Yan Ri stood with his sword in his arms, glancing at Nangong Pu She, who was stunned in the snow, before silently standing guard at the door.

Lin Xuan was about to break through.

Inside the main hall of the General's Mansion,

Wang Qing and Meng Jiao were planning the spring campaign with their staff.

Deducing the Northern Python's advance route, arranging the defenses of Yan County, deploying generals, and procuring provisions—all these require pre-planning strategies and even multiple plans.

If the Northern Python were to circle the grasslands or pass through the Northern Liang region, how should we respond?

The saying goes, "An army marches on its stomach," but in reality, the preparations required go far beyond that.

Previously, the general's mansion only had two staff members, Wang Qing and Mu Qing'er, and many decisions were often made by Lin Xuan together with Tian Hu, Meng Jiao and others on the spot.

Now that the number of staff members has increased to seven or eight, such matters are naturally entrusted to them.

After much discussion, the group finally clarified all possible advances of the Northern Python army and the corresponding deployments in Yan County on the eve of the Lantern Festival.

After Mu Qing'er reviewed and approved the document, she affixed the seal of the General of the Northern Garrison and sent it to various military units and government offices.

Local government offices sprang into action, mobilizing provisions and rushing to produce weapons and armor; cavalry and infantry soldiers were frequently mobilized to prepare for battle.

"Miss Qing'er, how many troops can you muster from the Qianniu, Tieyang, and Fulong Guards?"

On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Zhuge Qing, Zhu Duanhe, Luo Wentong, and Meng Jiao came to the small courtyard together and met Mu Qing'er.

"Twenty thousand elite cavalry can be mobilized in a single day."

Mu Qing'er answered after a moment's thought.

"What if something unexpected happens?"

Zhuge Qing asked.

"Won't."

She shook her head.

"That's good."

Luo Wentong continued, "After discussing it, we believe that the most likely course of action for the Northern Python is to launch a feint attack on the front of Duanlong Pass to tie down the main force of Yan County, while simultaneously sending out a light cavalry unit."

"First, we will bypass Beiliang, advance lightly and swiftly, break through Tianxian Pass, and go straight into the heart of Yan County."

If that's the case, the situation the General has built up over many years could be destroyed in an instant.

"Secondly, we will feign an attack on Duanlong Pass, while sending troops to pass through the grasslands and join forces with the three Doyan tribes to attack Yan County from the Misang River."

"There is a third possibility."

Zhuge Qing's expression was serious. "The Northern Python may also choose to launch a frontal assault, while simultaneously advancing from two directions: one from the Northern Liang and the other from the Doyan."

"If we take this step, the Northern Python will need to mobilize at least 100,000 troops."

"The three tribes of Duoyan have always worked together. If they send out their main force, they will have 100,000 iron cavalry."

"The entire military force of Yan Commandery, including cavalry and infantry, totals less than 60,000."

"The most dire situation is that with less than 60,000 men, we have to face a total of 200,000 iron cavalry from the Northern Python and the Doyan tribes."

Zhuge Qing analyzed it this way.

"Moreover, Yan County is isolated and without support in this battle, and we must be wary of Beiliang taking the opportunity to launch an attack."

Luo Wentong said, "This is only the worst-case scenario. Unless the Northern Python is determined to completely annex Yan County, it won't come to this."

"But crises also contain opportunities."

Zhuge Qing unfolded a map of Yan County and pointed to the pass between Beiliang and Yan County. "Tianxian Pass originally belonged to Yan County, but after the General entered Yan territory, it was assigned to Beiliang. It is now garrisoned by three thousand elite soldiers."

"Tianxian Pass is to Beiliang what Duanlong Pass is to Yan County."

With this pass in the hands of Beiliang, the Yan cavalry would find it difficult to enter Beiliang, while Beiliang cavalry could freely enter Yan territory.

"This is the last bargaining chip that the King of Beiliang is using to restrain the Grand General."

Luo Wentong smiled slightly, "After discussing it, we believe that we can take this opportunity to reclaim Tianxian Pass."

"At that time, with Duanlong Pass to the north, Luanshi City to the east, Tianxian Pass to the west, and Qingyou Pass to the south, the Yan region will be as solid as a rock, and will be suitable for both advance and retreat."

"To the north, one can strike the Northern Python; to the west, one can advance into Northern Liang; to the east, one can cross the Misang River and roam the grasslands; and to the south, one can enter Qingzhou in the blink of an eye."

"Brilliant plan!"

Meng Jiao clapped his hands in praise, then frowned, "But the three thousand defenders of Tianxian Pass would be difficult to capture without tens of thousands of troops."

Moreover, the Grand General had instructed that we cannot openly oppose Northern Liang at this time.

"There's no need for a direct assault."

Zhuge Qing remained calm. "The key lies in how the King of Beiliang chooses to act."

If he intends to allow the Northern Python army to enter Yan, the Northern Python cavalry will surely be able to capture Tianxian Pass.

"At that time, our 20,000 elite cavalry ambushed in the Three Guards can serve as a backup plan. While the Northern Python is still establishing its foothold, we can recapture Tianxian Pass, both to close the gate and annihilate the enemy, and to take back the pass in the process."

"That depends on the father-son relationship between the General and the King of Beiliang."

Zhu Duanhe stroked his long beard and said, "If the King of Beiliang does not take advantage of the chaos, we will not take Tianxian Pass; if he does make any moves, then don't blame us for taking action."

"I'll leave everything to you all."

Mu Qing'er bowed slightly in greeting.

"Miss Qing'er, there's no need for such formalities."

Zhuge Qing and the other two quickly stepped aside to avoid them.

"We came here to make a name for ourselves and achieve great things."

"As the saying goes, one who receives a salary from others must be loyal to the ruler."

Luo Wentong laughed and said, "The general is not satisfied with us. Although we cannot fight on the battlefield, we will still do our best to offer advice and strategies."

"I've heard that there's a highly skilled person in the Northern Liang King's Palace."

Zhuge Qing said, "I am taking the liberty of asking how skilled this person truly is."