All Heavens: A Role-Playing System Starting from Tianlong

Chapter 122 Dividing Forces to Meet the Change

Zhang Cheng found a secluded spot, put Murong Fu down, and first used the power of the One-Finger Divine Skill to stabilize his injuries. When Murong Fu slowly regained consciousness, Zhang Cheng immediately used "Soul Searching with Sound Transmission" to subdue him.

Murong Fu's gaze gradually became vacant, and he sat there blankly as if he had lost his soul.

Zhang Cheng began to interrogate him in detail. Murong Fu recounted his actions over the years one by one.

According to Murong Fu's confession, although the Murong family had questionable family discipline and, like the Wang family, did not value human life, they at least cherished their reputation and pretended to be good people in the martial arts world, and dared not go too far in their actions.

Later, he joined Yipintang. This elite army of Xixia carried out secret missions and mostly faced skilled fighters from other countries. Although they did not mind targeting civilians, they did not allow him to encounter them.

Therefore, upon closer examination, Murong Fu's past was mostly marked by battles and bloodshed, as well as feuds within the martial arts world, so it was possible to spare his life.

However, Murong Fu possessed considerable martial arts skills and was ambitious; keeping him alive would ultimately be a scourge to the world. Zhang Cheng was unwilling to leave such a hidden danger, so he immediately activated the Northern Darkness Divine Art to completely neutralize Murong Fu's power.

After dealing with Murong Fu, Zhang Cheng left the woods and rejoined the others.

As soon as they stepped out of the woods, Li Qiushui came to greet them with a solemn expression.

"Sect Leader, the situation has changed." She handed over a situation map. "This is the intelligence on the Song army's deployment that Yipintang obtained before Helian Tieshu left me."

Based on the enemy's advance route, Helian Tieshu deduced several places that might be used as scapegoats, including Tianlongdiya Valley.

He was unaware that the entire Deaf and Mute Valley was occupied by our people, and therefore hadn't reported it beforehand.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Cheng took the picture and began to look at it.

Li Qiushui continued, "I have temporarily halted the First-Class Hall's advance. Helian Tieshu's troops are all elites, plus the three of us and the maids under Senior Sister's command—"

Zhang Cheng raised his hand to interrupt her: "There's no need for that. We'll split up. Sister Wu and Boss Duan will take everyone to Tianlongdiya Valley to meet up with Xiao Yu and the others. Sister Li, you'll come with me from here."

Granny Tong was very displeased upon hearing this, and frowned, saying, "Why isn't it me going with you?"

Zhang Cheng patiently explained, "You are most familiar with the disciples of the Nine Heavens and Nine Departments of Lingjiu Palace. Even now, Sister Li and I only know a few leaders like Xiao Yu."

Furthermore, you might encounter enemy attacks along the way, so distributing the fighting forces between the two sides more evenly will help.

He paused, then softened his tone: "Alright, stop being childish. Wanqing and the others' safety is in your hands and Boss Duan's."

"After you go back, hold your positions. Sister Li and I will definitely return before the demon-slaying ceremony officially begins."

Three days later, in the Valley of Deafness and Muteness.

Tong Lao and Duan Yanqing were standing in an open space. On the ground in front of them, a map of Henan's topography was carved by the two of them using their internal strength.

Duan Yanqing pointed to the area marked with dense military forces in the northeast corner of the map and slowly said, "Judging from the intelligence brought back by the Haotian and Youtian tribes, the Song army's target this time is undoubtedly us."

He drew several routes on the ground with his fingers: "The Palace Guard, the Imperial Cavalry, and the Imperial Infantry will draw 20,000 men as the main force, and 30,000 men from the Jingxi North Road and the Jingji Road as the auxiliary force. A total of 50,000 troops, their momentum is not small."

The old woman crossed her arms, staring at the picture on the ground, her little face expressionless: "So?"

"Perhaps instead of staying here and waiting for Zhang Cheng to return, we should evacuate from here first," Duan Yanqing said slowly. "This Deaf-Mute Valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides, with only one way out. It is a typical dead end."

The old woman didn't care: "What's there to be afraid of? If they dare to make a move before Zhang Cheng returns, I'll go and scatter them myself." Her tone was disdainful, as if the 50,000-strong army was nothing more than a bunch of chickens and dogs.

Duan Yanqing shook his head: "Although the Imperial Guards of the capital region have enjoyed peace for a long time and lack combat experience, they are, after all, the emperor's personal guards, and their military discipline is far superior to that of ordinary troops."

"Senior Wu, it will likely take considerable effort to route them. And what if those two who kidnapped Murong Fu from us reappear? What will you do then?"

The old woman frowned.

Duan Yanqing continued, "The Tibetan national teacher must have gotten some kind of stroke of luck, because his martial arts skills have improved greatly in a short period of time."

I believe that you are not afraid, whether facing the army alone or those two. However, if you are weakened by the army and then face those two, your chances of survival will be slim.

"That damned little monk must have stolen the martial arts techniques that Grandma left on the stone carvings in Lingjiu Palace."

The old woman said resentfully, "I was so focused on my junior brother's matter that I forgot about this little monk."

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She stomped on the map, making a shallow dent in the location of "Gong County": "I didn't expect that he would dare to snatch food from Grandma's mouth before I even went to settle accounts with him. Once I have the time, I will definitely settle accounts with him properly."

Duan Yanqing remained silent. After spending some time with her, he had come to realize that although this Senior Wu was a martial arts master, she sometimes had the temper of a child, so he ignored her complaints.

Just then, Xiao Yu quickly ran to the two of them and handed the newly collected intelligence to Duan Yanqing.

After reading the intelligence report, Duan Yanqing said, "The martial arts practitioners who came to participate in the demon-slaying conference have begun their actions."

He handed the intelligence to the old woman, saying, "Senior, let's move to Leigu Mountain as soon as possible and defend it from there."

Granny Tong glanced at the intelligence report and nodded: "Alright. Xiao Yu, inform all the departments that we're heading up the mountain."

Before long, the two reached the summit and gazed into the distance.

"The Song army hasn't arrived yet; these are just some江湖人 (jianghu people)." Tong Lao turned her head and instructed, "Xiao Yu, notify the Haotian and Youtian tribes to use the Lingjiu for communication from now on and not to go back and forth."

Xiao Yu was about to leave when Duan Yanqing raised his hand to stop him: "Wait. Tell the people on the perimeter to stop contacting each other for now. If the other side has skilled archers, Lingjiu might not be able to fly in."

The old woman glanced at him and nodded to Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu understood and turned to convey the new instructions.

The mountain wind howled, causing their clothes to flutter.

As the crowd grew larger and larger below the mountain, the old woman suddenly asked, "What do we do now?"

Duan Yanqing pondered for a moment and said, "If it were just the two of us, we wouldn't be afraid of anything. But to break through safely with so many people is almost impossible."

"It would be better to hold the mountain and observe the situation. If things don't look good, we can lead them in circles in the mountains. Once Zhang Cheng and his men return, the threat from the shadows will be insignificant, and the predicament will resolve itself."

Granny Tong frowned: "So we're just going to sit here on this mountain and wait like idiots?"

"No need," Duan Yanqing shook his head. "You and I can go down and see what excuse these martial arts figures have for surrounding us. As long as we don't confront them head-on, we can escape even if we encounter an ambush by the Murong family."

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