The Three Teachings Converge into One: The Path of the Mortal and the Saintly is the Same

Poetry:

The barbarian cavalry swept across the pass, their iron armor frosted with the chill of the northern north.

Clad in green robes, wielding a battle-axe, he secures the borderlands; a demonic shadow lurks deep within, stirring the universe.

It is said that Su Qingxuan secretly left the capital, taking only a red-tasseled hat and twenty trusted loyalists, all disguised as merchants, and traveled day and night to Yanmen Pass in the northern frontier. It was late winter, and while the Central Plains had just cleared after a snowfall, the north was a completely different world. The winter wind howled, whipping up thousands of piles of snowflakes that stung the face like knives. Looking around, all that could be seen was a vast expanse of white, the world draped in silver. The withered branches of the trees along the roadside were covered with solid ice, standing frozen in the wind. The wilderness was devoid of human habitation or bird tracks, with only the mournful sound of the wind, a scene of desolate cold.

All of them possessed superb internal strength and were not afraid of the cold. They rode at full speed, their hooves breaking through the frozen soil and ice. They traveled day and night without dismounting. In just three days and three nights, the outline of the majestic pass appeared on the horizon like a prehistoric beast lying among the mountains.

This Yanmen Pass truly lives up to its reputation as the foremost of the nine strategic passes under heaven, the key to the northern gate of the Great Xia Dynasty. To its left lies the towering cliffs of the Lüliang Mountains, and to its right, the perilous peaks of the Daibei Mountains. A mighty pass stretches across the crucial valley, truly a place where one man can hold off ten thousand. The pass itself is built of massive stone blocks, over ten zhang high, their battlements sharp and jagged, gleaming with a cold, bluish-black light under the bleak winter sun. On the city tower, the four large, ancient characters "Yanmen Tianxian" (meaning "Yanmen Natural Barrier"), weathered and worn by years of wind and snow, appear even more powerful and majestic, exuding an aura of overwhelming force. The walls are heavily fortified with watchtowers and watchtowers, and armored soldiers with halberds stand guard in the cold wind, their armor frosted with white, their eyes sharp as lightning, fixed on the vast snow-covered plain beyond the pass. The air is thick with the tension and metallic aura of an impending battle.

At this time, the person in charge within the pass was General Zhou Cang, the General Who Guards the North. This man was over fifty years old and came from a military background. He had been stationed on the frontier since he joined the army as a young man, and had experienced more than a hundred battles, large and small. His body was covered with scars, all of which were testaments to his merits. He was highly respected in the border army. After receiving a secret report from the capital that the King of Heluo had failed and that the Northern Di might make a move, he ordered the entire army to be on martial law and patrol day and night.

That day, while he was inspecting the watchtower, he suddenly received an urgent report from his personal guard that the Grand Secretary Su had arrived at the pass in disguise. Zhou Cang was greatly surprised to hear this, never expecting that this young prime minister, who was famous throughout the land, would personally come to this harsh and dangerous place. He quickly prepared his armor, led a group of generals and officers down the pass, and went to the city gate to greet him.

The city gates swung open, letting in a blizzard. Zhou Cang saw a dozen or so riders arrive, covered in dust. Leading them was a young man in a blue cotton robe with a black cloak. His face was handsome and scholarly, but his eyes were clear and bright, and his demeanor exuded a profound and imposing presence. Who else could it be but Su Qingxuan? Zhou Cang's eyes lit up. He rushed forward and knelt on one knee as if a mountain had been overturned, his voice booming like a bell: "This humble general, Zhou Cang, pays his respects to the Grand Secretary! Your Excellency has ventured into this perilous place, and I have failed to protect you. I deserve death!" Behind him, the armor of the officers and soldiers clanged as they all knelt down in unison.

Su Qingxuan stepped forward and helped Zhou Cang up, saying gently, "General Zhou, please rise. All generals, please rise. You have guarded the borders year after year, enduring wind and snow, protecting our land. You are the true pillars of our nation. I have come not for inspection, but by His Majesty's secret decree to concurrently serve as the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces, to join you generals in resisting the barbarians and pacifying the northern frontier." With that, a red-tasseled figure beside him presented the golden marshal's axe, the black iron seal of the Grand Marshal, and the bright yellow imperial edict. Zhou Cang and the others bowed again to receive the edict and respectfully invited Su Qingxuan to enter the pass and take his seat in the command tent.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the pass. The border troops, initially somewhat bewildered by the approaching 500,000 Di cavalry, were greatly encouraged upon hearing that the young prime minister, who had repeatedly performed miracles and was known as a "sage," had personally come to the front lines and taken command of the army. Cheers resounded like thunder. Su Qingxuan's legendary achievements in controlling floods in Jiangnan, quelling rebellions in the court, and promoting the new policies of the three religions were already deeply ingrained in the hearts of the soldiers. In their minds, he was almost a god; with him in command, what were a million barbarian cavalry worth?

Inside the command tent, the charcoal fire blazed, yet it couldn't dispel the bone-chilling cold of the north. A large banner bearing the four characters "Protect the Nation, Pacify the Barbarians" hung high above the tent, and a detailed map of the northern frontier's mountains and terrain was spread out on the table. Zhou Cang pointed, his face grave, and reported the military situation: "Reporting to the Marshal, the Di Khan personally commands nine tribes of his royal court, along with dozens of tribes large and small from the grasslands, boasting 500,000 iron cavalry. They have now crossed the southern desert, and their vanguard scouts have appeared twenty miles outside the pass to spy. This Di army is vastly different from previous years..." He hesitated slightly, then continued, "The soldiers are like madmen, their eyes bloodshot, charging fearlessly, seemingly oblivious to pain. Moreover, the land outside the pass is often permeated with a cold, foul aura. I have sent scouts to investigate extensively, but to no avail; they only sense something extremely sinister."

Su Qingxuan listened quietly, then slowly walked to the tent flap and lifted the heavy felt curtain. A biting, knife-like gust of wind swept in, whipping his hair and blue robe. He seemed oblivious, standing alone in the wind and snow, gazing northwards. His aura flowed naturally: the righteous spirit of Confucianism warmed like the sun, the pure spirit of Taoism blended with the wind and snow, and the compassion of Buddhism soothed the invisible restlessness in the air. He closed his eyes slightly, no longer observing with his physical eyes, but instead merging the Confucian spiritual cultivation's connection to heaven and earth, the Taoist "heart-to-all-things" spiritual awareness, and the Buddhist "seeing the universe" wisdom into a unified whole, transforming them into intangible ripples of his mind that stretched infinitely towards the vast northern grasslands.

In an instant, the grandeur of the vast ice plains was reflected in the lake of my heart.

He "saw" it. It was a writhing, boundless black tide—five hundred thousand Di barbarian cavalry, men and horses like ants, covering the snow-covered plains, their trampling churning up mud and the sound of their hooves reverberating like thunder through the earth's veins.

He "saw" the face of the Di Man Khan within the golden tent, twisted with greed, his violent aura almost tangible. However, what truly shook him was that beneath this black military formation, deep within the frozen grasslands, a vast, ancient, chilling, and utterly filthy aura, like a colossal beast awakening from the depths of hell, slowly writhed. It was as black as the deepest night, as viscous as millennia-old blood, transforming into countless invisible tendrils that emerged from cracks in the earth, coiling around the bodies of every Di Man soldier like living creatures, burrowing into their seven orifices, and corroding their souls!

This was neither the killing intent of a human nor the ferocity of a barbarian. It was a kind of... an extremely evil aura that he had never directly encountered before, yet it caused both the bronze holy seal and the spiritual tree seed a thousand miles away to experience intense tremors and repulsion! The "ancient" and "profound" nature of this aura far exceeded what he had known before, as if it originated from the dark upper reaches of the river of time, subtly opposing some ancient "mark" carried by the spiritual tree and the holy seal.

In that instant when his mind was shaken and the Holy Seal Spirit Wood reacted violently, a long-sealed, vague yet shocking dream deep in Su Qingxuan's mind suddenly surged like a raging torrent after a boulder was thrown into a deep pool!

Countless fragments of memory surged forth: the chaotic, shattered ancient battlefield… the boundless black shadow devouring heaven and earth… that majestic figure standing before the shadow, surrounded by the pure light of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism… the three flawless, radiant treasures in the figure's hands—a scroll, a great seal, and a spirit wood! That aura, that outline, how similar they were to the tattered scroll, the bronze seal, and the spirit wood of Luoyang now held in his arms, yet countless times more vast and complete! And then there was the shadow's ferocious howl, the ancestral phantom's sorrowful sigh, and finally, the three treasures merging into a pillar of primordial light to suppress the shadow, before the treasures shattered and scattered across the mortal realm…

"The three religions unite as one, solely for the sake of protecting life..."

"The people are in distress, and the world is in peril..."

The words from the dream, accompanied by the overwhelming scene that suppressed heaven and earth, echoed clearly in Su Qingxuan's heart. Su Qingxuan's blood seemed to freeze, a chill and enlightenment from the depths of his bloodline, mixed with immense horror, swept over his entire body.

So... it wasn't just a dream! It was very likely an ancient memory deeply buried in his bloodline, or brought to light by the pull of the Holy Seal Buddha Seed! A memory about the true source of the inheritance he received!

Could it be that the extremely evil energy surging from the depths of the earth, which the Holy Seal Spirit Wood instinctively resisted, was left behind by the "boundless black shadow" that devoured heaven and earth in the dream? Or was it something of the same origin? And the Holy Seal, the Spirit Wood, and even the incomplete cultivation method that had always accompanied him were the fragments scattered after the three complete treasures in the dream shattered?

The gray-robed Taoist's warning, the eerie presence of the demonic shadows at the Temple of Heaven in Luoyang, Di Man's unusual tyranny, and the almost instinctive, intense reaction of the Holy Seal Spirit Wood...

All these clues, suddenly pieced together with the fragments of the ancient catastrophe in the dream, though still incomplete, point to a chilling possibility: the troubles in the northern frontier and the rebellion of the Di barbarians may not be rooted in simple border disputes, but rather in an ancient grudge buried by time, concerning the survival of heaven and earth! That evil energy from the earth must have a very deep connection with the "shadow" suppressed by the ancestors in the dream!

Su Qingxuan stood before the snow-covered tent, his figure as straight as a pine tree, letting the cold wind whip his robes around, yet his heart was churning with turbulent waves. What had previously been mere guesses and intuition had now been confirmed by the recurring dream, almost to the point of being seven or eight parts correct! An unprecedented sense of heaviness, a sense of destiny, and an intense desire to investigate intertwined and swept over his mind.

From a young age, he was well-versed in the classics, aspiring to "establish a heart for heaven and earth, and a destiny for the people." As a youth, he studied diligently, acquiring the essence of Confucianism, an ancient bronze seal, and the seeds of ancient Buddhism. His journey led him from humble beginnings to becoming the Grand Secretary, integrating the three teachings, establishing order in the court, and bringing peace to the people. He believed his mission was this: to cultivate himself, govern the country, and bring peace to the world through the principles of inner sagehood and outer kingship, protecting the people of Great Xia and ushering in a golden age. This was an unimaginable feat for ordinary people.

However, it was only at this moment, when his mind touched the terrifying and boundless ancient evil energy beneath the grassland, sensed the unprecedentedly intense reaction of the Holy Seal Spirit Wood, and was shocked by the sudden reappearance of that dream memory, that he suddenly realized that behind the inheritance he had received was not a simple legacy of his ancestors, but possibly an unfinished matter that spanned a long period of time and concerned the cataclysm of heaven and earth!

Looking back on the path I've walked, the secret protection, enlightenment, and guidance of the guardians of the three religions... perhaps from the very moment I received the inheritance, I was already quietly connected to this ancient destiny slumbering in the shadows of history. The evil energy beneath the northern frontier is the first crack to open the fog of this destiny!

"Marshal?" Zhou Cang saw that Su Qingxuan remained silent for a long time, his face as still as water, but his aura as deep and unyielding as a mountain, sometimes solemn and sometimes dazed. He couldn't help but take a step forward and ask with concern.

Chi Ying couldn't contain herself any longer. In a flash, the woman in red was beside him, her eyes filled with urgency: "Brother Qingxuan, what did you see? Is there a powerful demon causing trouble in the Di barbarian army?"

Su Qingxuan slowly withdrew his gaze from the north, the divine light in his eyes fading, returning to calm, but beneath that calmness lay a firmness born of enlightenment.

He turned and returned to his tent, walking to the map. His fingertip landed on the location of Yanmen Pass, and he spoke in a deep voice, not loud, but clearly reaching the ears of every general in the tent: "General Zhou, Chi Ying, and all of you. This battle in the northern frontier is likely no ordinary border threat. The Di barbarian army has mostly been corrupted by an ancient and extremely evil energy originating from the earth, turning them into puppets who only know how to kill. This energy is far more bizarre and powerful than ordinary sorcery, and its origin... probably involves a great deal of ancient secrets."

He paused, recalling the scene in his dream, and continued, "We have come here for two reasons. First, to protect our territory and people, and to repel the barbarian cavalry. Second, we must find out the source of this evil energy. I suspect that this energy is related to some ancient calamities buried by time, or perhaps a karmic connection that we cultivators must clarify. Therefore, this battle should not prioritize killing, but rather focus on converting, containing, and investigating. If we can clarify its source, we may be able to fundamentally eliminate the threat to the northern frontier, and even gain insight into deeper heavenly secrets."

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the tent paled in shock. They were all fierce warriors who had fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, their faith resting on their swords, spears, and horses. They had never heard of any "ancient secrets" or "ancient calamities." They found it all too mysterious and unbelievable. Seeing Su Qingxuan's solemn expression and profound aura, and recalling his past extraordinary abilities, they dared not voice their doubts. They simply exchanged bewildered glances, and the atmosphere in the tent froze.

Knowing the crowd's doubts, Su Qingxuan offered no explanation, but simply raised his hand and gestured in the air. The bronze holy seal, seemingly possessing sentience, flew out of his robes and hovered above the commander's desk.

The next moment, a gentle yet vast, radiant white light poured down from the sacred seal. Within that light, faint, fragmented images and ancient patterns flowed, far less clear than in the dream, yet still exuding an indescribable aura of vicissitude and dignified grandeur, a stark contrast to the sinister aura emanating from beyond the pass, their mutual hostility clearly evident. Though indistinct and specific, the light itself possessed an undeniable power to calm the mind and dispel all distractions, deeply touching every general.

"This is the sacred seal that follows me. It has a natural affinity with the evil energy outside the pass, and the two forces counteract each other, like ice and charcoal in the same furnace." Su Qingxuan withdrew the sacred seal, and the light faded, but the tent remained silent for a long time.

Although the generals were unaware of the ancient events, they personally experienced the stark contrast and intense conflict between the righteous and the sinister aura. They began to believe Su Qingxuan's words to a great extent, and realized that this battle was no small matter. They all bowed deeply, saying, "We are ignorant and will humbly obey the Marshal's instructions! We are willing to follow your orders!"

"The original strategy of luring the enemy deep into our territory and then annihilating them in a concentrated attack needs to be adjusted." Su Qingxuan picked up his command pen and slowly sketched on the map. His eyes were bright, and the image of his ancestor merging the origins of the three religions and transforming into a pillar of light to suppress demons flashed through his mind, giving him great inspiration. He was confident and deployed his forces: "Our army should be divided into three routes, using the methods of the three religions to deal with the enemy, both to block them from entering the country and to purify the evil atmosphere. We should also try to force out the thing behind the manipulation of the evil energy and find its root."

"General Zhou Cang, heed my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhou Cang stepped forward, his armor clanging.

"I hereby appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the central army, stationed at Yanmen Pass, to oversee the entire situation. I will instruct you in the methods to set up the 'Confucian Righteousness Formation' at the pass. After the formation is completed, you must select literate and resolute soldiers to guide them at various key points. Every day, all soldiers must recite passages from the *Great Learning* and the *Ode to Righteousness* in unison, using their resounding voices to gather the righteous spirit of the army and cleanse the evil atmosphere before the pass. This formation is not for killing, but for defense. Your troops only need to hold the fortified positions, using bows, crossbows, and rolling logs to blunt the enemy's advance, stabilize morale, and prevent the evil from infiltrating even a step of the pass walls. That would be a great achievement! Furthermore, with the commander's flag here, you must firmly guard the central position and be ready to support the left and right flanks at any time."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Zhou Canghong responded loudly, now having complete faith in Su Qingxuan.

"Red-tasseled hat, heed my command!"

"Red Tassel is here!" The girl in red, with a heroic air, clasped her hands in response.

"I hereby order you to lead all the righteous warriors accompanying you, as well as the capable disciples of the three religions within the pass, and to dispatch three thousand elite infantrymen with you. Immediately, secretly proceed to 'Fallen Eagle Valley' in the Lüliang Mountains to set up an ambush." ​​Su Qingxuan pointed his pen to a treacherous valley on the western side of the pass. "In this valley, set up the Taoist 'Purification and Purification Array.' This array uses the true words of the *Tao Te Ching* and the *Purification and Purification Scripture* as its guide, gathering the pure and spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers. It is specifically designed to soothe the mind, cleanse the violent spirit, and dispel madness. If the Di barbarians come, their vanguard or flanks will inevitably pass through this valley. You will lie in ambush on the cliffs on both sides, and once the enemy has penetrated deep into the valley, immediately activate the array. The goal is to restore the enemy's senses and make them surrender, rather than to kill them. If the enemy force is too strong, do not linger in battle; focus on harassment and division. After the deed is done, retreat quickly and do not be greedy for merit."

"Chiying understands!" A look of understanding and fighting spirit flashed in the girl's eyes.

"The third route is a feint on the right flank, also to probe the location of the main force. Lieutenant Zhao Feng, listen to my command!" Su Qingxuan's gaze turned to a young general with a resolute face and a sharp aura. This man was a capable subordinate of Zhou Cang, meticulous in his thinking and brave in battle.

"Your subordinate is here!" Zhao Feng stepped forward.

"I order you to muster five thousand of your most elite light cavalry, prepare plenty of banners, horns, and war drums, and set off immediately with me, hiding in the dense forests of Dailing." Su Qingxuan then turned his attention to the mountains to the east of the pass, "Spread out your feints here, raise many banners during the day, light many torches at night, and frequently beat drums and sound horns, making it appear as if a large army is gathering and intends to outflank and encircle them from the flanks, attracting and restraining some of the Di army. Pay special attention to any unusual movements among the Di army."

I will set up the "Buddhist Enlightenment Formation" high in the forest. This formation does not rely on brute force, but on spiritual perception. I will use the compassionate power of Buddhism, combined with the power of the sacred seal, to observe the entire battlefield, especially to trace the root of the evil energy's flow, and to try to lure out the mastermind behind this energy hidden in the Di army. If we can capture its leader, we may be able to force him to reveal the origin and source of this evil energy, confirming my thoughts. Your cavalry must protect the formation, conceal their movements, and if they encounter any small groups of scouts, they must be completely annihilated to prevent the enemy from revealing our strength. Once the central route is stabilized, the left flank is effective, and the enemy leader is revealed, then we will act according to my orders.”

"Your subordinate obeys! I will protect the Marshal and live up to your trust!" Zhao Feng solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute.

This deployment was ingenious, seamlessly blending military strategy with the mystical arts of the three religions, subtly echoing the combined power of the three religions in the dream to suppress the demon. It did not seek complete victory through a single, bloody battle, but rather focused on containment, purification, and investigation, proceeding step by step with righteous indignation. Upon hearing this, the generals in the tent felt a sudden clarity; their previous fear of the unknown evil energy vanished, replaced by soaring fighting spirit, and they shouted in unison, "We obey the Marshal's orders!"

As night deepened, the north wind grew stronger. Su Qingxuan and Zhao Feng led five thousand elite cavalry, men gagged and horses hoof-bound, stealthily leaving the pass. Under the cover of darkness and the complex terrain, they infiltrated the vast forests of Dailing undetected. Chi Ying also led his troops westward silently, disappearing into the Lüliang Mountains. At Yanmen Pass, Zhou Cang urged his soldiers to set up the "Zhengxin Grand Formation" overnight. A solemn and cultured aura began to circulate and gather throughout the pass.

Su Qingxuan sat quietly on a cliff in Dailing with a wide view and sheltered from the wind, holding the bronze holy seal in his arms. His mind and spirit merged with the holy seal, and his thoughts flowed like invisible water, overflowing the wall and probing into the depths of the northern grasslands where evil energy surged.

The senses were even clearer than during the day. The evil energy beneath the earth, like a living black swamp, was slowly and terrifyingly "breathing" and "expanding." Tiny cracks spread into the unknowable depths, and with each crack's extension, more evil energy seeped into this world. It wasn't just the Di barbarian army that was affected; the pikas, insects, and even some ignorant spirits beneath the grasslands became restless and showed signs of going berserk.

Just as his mind came into contact with that immense evil energy, carefully observing its characteristics, the ancient, chilling, chaotic, and devouring intent bore a faint resemblance to the aura of the "boundless black shadow" in his dream! The holy seal in his arms pulsated and repelled him even more intensely. On the holy seal, the ancient cloud patterns that were usually obscure and difficult to understand faintly glowed. A fragment of a proverb, seemingly familiar yet incomprehensible, accompanied by some blurry images from his dream, swept through his mind:

"In the end times, strange phenomena arise, and the Dao hides in the dust. The three teachings return to their true nature, and the seal guards the Xuanmen. The spiritual root continues its lineage... The mortal and the holy are of one mind... A great calamity... Righteousness..."

The following words were still blurry, but the interplay between this fragment and the dream had stirred his emotions, making him almost certain. "The Seal Suppresses the Mysterious Gate"? "The Spiritual Root Continues the Lineage"? This clearly pointed to the duties of the Holy Seal and the Spiritual Wood! And "The End of Dharma and the Rise of Extraordinary Things" and "Cataclysm" perfectly matched the signs of the resurgence of evil and the rampage of the barbarians before his eyes!

"When mortals and saints are of one mind... the calamity can be averted, and righteousness will endure..." he murmured to himself, his eyes shining brightly. The revelations of the dream, the maxims of the holy seal, and the crisis before him intertwined at this moment to form a faintly visible path.

"This ancient evil cannot be uncovered and resolved by my own efforts alone, nor can empty words of the Great Way save the corrupted beings. It requires cultivation to verify the principles of the mortal and the sacred, to unite all beings, and to ignite righteousness. Perhaps only then can we reach the root of the problem and confront the 'catastrophe' that may originate from ancient times. Perhaps this is the meaning of my path of 'the mortal and the sacred sharing the same path,' and also the expectation entrusted to me by my ancestors in my dreams?"

His path, in this time and place, is inextricably linked to the evil spirits of the northern frontier and the ancient mysteries revealed by the dream. What he must do is not only repel the enemy army, but also unveil this fog, verify the dream, and see clearly what his own inheritance truly carries.

"Waaaaah—waaaah—"

A deep, desolate bugle call suddenly came from the depths of the northern grasslands, tearing through the deepest darkness before dawn. Immediately following was a rumbling sound like muffled thunder, which was initially faint but gradually grew louder and denser until it became a continuous chorus, making the mountains beneath our feet seem to tremble slightly.

The Di barbarian army has arrived!

Su Qingxuan opened his eyes from his meditation on the cliff and gazed into the distance. Where heaven and earth met, a constantly writhing and expanding black line emerged, quickly transforming into rolling dark clouds that devoured the pristine white of the snowfield. A torrent of 500,000 iron cavalry, carrying an aura of annihilation, surged forth. Banners fluttered like a forest, and curved blades reflected the snow's light, radiating a chilling aura of death. Even more chilling was the fact that within that soaring murderous aura, there was a dense, ominous dark red and a murky black—signs of being deeply corrupted by evil.

The army slowly halted five miles outside the pass, forming ranks. At the center of the formation, beneath a massive golden wolf-head banner, the Di Man Khan, clad in golden armor, rode a magnificent black horse, wielding a massive spiked club. His ferocious gaze swept across the formidable Yanmen Pass, then he abruptly pointed his club at the pass, his maniacal laughter carried on the wind, utterly arrogant: "Listen, you southerners above the pass! I have led 500,000 heavenly troops from the grasslands here! Those who know what's good for them, open the gates and surrender immediately, or I will spare your lives! Otherwise, on the day the pass falls, not a single chicken or dog will be spared; I will slaughter the entire city!"

Behind them, countless Di barbarian soldiers howled like wild beasts. Their eyes were bloodshot, drool dripped from their mouths, and their muscles bulged, as if they had lost their minds and were driven only by the most primal desire to kill. Within the army formation, there were also more than a dozen blurry, twisted black shadows, like reflections in water, drifting erratically and exuding a cold and sinister aura. These were the demonic shadows that drove the evil energy and controlled the army.

Following Su Qingxuan's prior instructions, Zhou Cang did not reply, but instead gave a deep order: "Beat the drums! Recite the scriptures!"

On the fortified walls, the war drums did not sound with the rhythm of a charge, but rather struck with a steady, deep, and rhythmic beat. Immediately afterwards, 30,000 border troops, led by their officers and the commanders at the heart of the formation, chanted in unison, their voices converging and soaring to the heavens: "Heaven and earth possess righteous energy, which manifests in myriad forms. Below, it becomes rivers and mountains; above, it becomes the sun and stars. In man, it is called the vast and righteous spirit, filling the boundless sky..."

This is the "Ode to Righteousness" by the Sage of Literature! The boundless and righteous spirit, along with the unified recitation of the text, rose from the bodies of every soldier who cherished their country and family, gathered in the sky above Yanmen Pass, and combined with the "Great Array of Righteous Mind" set up by Su Qingxuan, transforming into an invisible yet substantial pale golden light shield that enveloped the entire pass.

The surging evil energy crashed against the pale golden light shield, and like boiling water splashed on snow, it hissed and dissipated rapidly. Di Man's vanguard, who was at the forefront, most deeply corrupted by the evil energy, and seemingly insane, was struck by this righteous energy. For a moment, his crimson eyes showed confusion and struggle, and his momentum faltered.

Meanwhile, from the direction of Dailing, drums suddenly thundered, horns blared, and banners fluttered in the woods, dust billowed, as if tens of thousands of troops were being mobilized and assembled. Upon hearing the report of unusual activity on his flank, Di Man Khan was alarmed, fearing his retreat would be cut off or he would be caught in a pincer attack. He quickly dispatched a force of about 20,000 men to guard Dailing, daring not to launch a full-scale assault on the fortified walls. This was precisely the effect of the diversionary force led by Su Qingxuan and Zhao Feng, which diverted some of the enemy's strength and attention.

Di Man Khan was both shocked and enraged upon seeing this. Although he was influenced by the evil energy and his nature was violent, he was not entirely ignorant. He could see that there was something strange about this "chanting," and the threat from his flank was also distracting him. He cursed, "Playing tricks! Men, charge! Flatten Yanmen Pass, and the wealth and women are yours to take!"

Driven by desire and evil, the vanguard of over ten thousand cavalry roared once more and surged toward the pass like a flood bursting its banks. One group of about three thousand cavalry, tasked with probing the flanks, charged straight into the Lüliang Mountain pass and headed toward "Fallen Eagle Valley".

At that very moment, a sudden change occurred in the direction of "Fallen Eagle Valley" in the Lüliang Mountains!

Suddenly, a misty, pure vapor rose from the seemingly deserted valley, like the morning fog of early spring, quickly spreading outwards. Within the mist, dozens of figures dressed in Taoist robes, holding whisks, could be vaguely seen standing at various points on the mountain rocks, chanting in unison: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. Nameless, it is the origin of heaven and earth; named, it is the mother of all things… Tranquility is the foundation of order in the world…"

The Taoist mantras, each word clear and melodious, possess a wondrous power to soothe the mind and cleanse the soul of worldly cares. They blend with the pure and spiritual energy of the valley's own veins, forming the "Purification and Demon-Cleansing Array" set up by Su Qingxuan.

The ambush troops led by Chi Ying did not appear to charge, but instead remained hidden behind the cliff, observing the situation. The three thousand Di barbarian cavalrymen plunged into the increasingly dense aura, and a bizarre scene unfolded: the faint black evil energy surrounding them fluctuated violently and dissipated as if encountering its nemesis; the terrifying crimson in the soldiers' eyes quickly faded, replaced by deep confusion, exhaustion, and even fear. Their frenzied fighting spirit receded like a tide; many reined in their horses, looking blankly at their swords, at their comrades, and then at the imposing pass in the distance.

"What...what are we doing?"

"Mom...I want to go home..."

"Let's stop fighting! This war is too vicious!"

The sounds of weapons being discarded, sobs, and shouts filled the air. In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the three thousand men who had initially appeared so fiercely had crumbled on their own before the battle lines. Most of them had thrown off their armor and knelt on the ground, having lost all will to fight. Seeing that the formation had worked, Chi Ying revealed himself and led his men to quickly collect the weapons. He then led the surrendered soldiers to a safe place for temporary custody, thus eliminating a threat to their flank without bloodshed.

"Useless! All useless!" Seeing his vanguard crumble at the first contact, his flank probing forces nowhere to be found, and the drums and bugles from the direction of Dailing growing more urgent, Di Man Khan was filled with impatience and rage. He killed several fleeing soldiers, but the tide of battle continued to turn. He turned to the flickering black shadows in the army and roared, "Shadow Venerables! What are you waiting for? Break this sorcery!"

Within the military formation, the dozen or so black shadows emitted eerie, cackling laughs. One of them, its black energy churning and surging, instantly transformed into a towering, several-zhang-tall, faceless demonic figure radiating a terrifying and immense aura—the leader of this group of demonic shadows. This demonic figure was far more solid and powerful than the one at the Heavenly Altar in Luoyang, clearly having recovered considerable strength under the nourishment of the evil energy here.

"Su Qingxuan, I know you're here! Come out!" The demonic figure let out a sharp, piercing howl, inhuman and capable of penetrating several miles, reaching all the way to Dailing. "With your meager skills from the three religions, you dare to obstruct the Demon Lord's resurrection? In this world, the righteous path is in decline, which is precisely the time for my demonic path to rise again! The shackles imposed by your ancestors have long since loosened! When the Demon Lord descends, all three realms will bow down! You brat who has obtained a meager inheritance, today I will use you as a sacrifice!"

"The constraints imposed by our ancestors!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt, precisely hitting Su Qingxuan's suspicions and perfectly matching the scene in his dream! The "Demon Lord" mentioned by the demonic figure was most likely the "boundless black shadow" in the dream! And the "binding" was naturally the seal imposed by the ancestor in the dream using the three supreme treasures of the three religions!

Su Qingxuan stood up on the cliff of Dailing Mountain, no longer hiding. The appearance of the Demon Shadow leader was a perfect opportunity to force him to reveal himself and investigate his origins. He turned to Zhao Feng and said, "Captain Zhao, proceed according to plan, hold this position, and continue to feign strength. If anything changes at the pass, we can use a small force of elite troops to harass their flanks and rear to bolster our morale."

"Your subordinate obeys! Marshal, please be careful!" Zhao Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Su Qingxuan nodded, and with a swift movement, he streaked out of the forest like a blue rainbow. In a few leaps, he approached the battlefield before the pass, facing the enormous demonic shadow from afar.

The demonic figure laughed wildly, and with a wave of his arms, an even denser black evil energy was extracted from the Di Man army formation below, transforming into a huge black torrent churning with countless painful faces, like an evil demonic dragon, rushing towards Su Qingxuan with terrifying momentum.

Su Qingxuan stood calmly, holding the bronze holy seal, suspended in mid-air. The holy seal shone brightly, no longer a gentle, luminous white, but bursting forth with a dazzling brilliance like the blazing sun. The uprightness of Confucianism, the naturalness of Taoism, and the compassion of Buddhism intertwined and flowed, vaguely resembling a miniature scene of the fusion of the three fundamental lights of the three religions in a dream. Before him, it transformed into an incomparably solid seven-colored light shield, engraved with countless profound runes.

"How dare you, you heretics and demons, confuse the common people and utter such wild words!"

The sound was like thunder from the heavens, containing incomparably pure and righteous energy and awe-inspiring power. The seven-colored light shield collided head-on with the torrent of black demonic dragons!

"boom--!!!"

There was no deafening crash of physical objects colliding, yet an invisible, violent tremor swept across all directions. The snow piled up in front of the pass was suddenly lifted into the air, and a gale swept backward. The black demonic dragon and the seven-colored light shield were locked in a stalemate in mid-air, their evil aura roaring and eroding each other, while the righteous light flowed and purified them, consuming each other and emitting a teeth-grinding "sizzling" sound.

Su Qingxuan maintained the light shield with one hand, while the other hand, fingers joined like a sword, was held upright in front of his chest. His eyes shone with a warm yet all-seeing clear light as he murmured, each word clear yet containing supreme power that pointed directly to the source: "If one desires to know all Buddhas of the three worlds, one should observe the nature of the Dharma realm, for everything is created by the mind..."

The Buddhist mantra for "Breaking Through Hell"! This sound is not an ordinary recitation, but a powerful shout fused with the Buddhist "Lion's Roar" supernatural power and the mental cultivation method of "enlightening the mind and seeing one's true nature." The sound waves condense into a beam of pure light that is invisible to the naked eye. Ignoring the stalemate between the evil energy and the light of the Tao, it penetrates all obstacles like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, illuminating the core of that enormous demonic shadow!

"ah--!!!"

The demonic shadow let out a piercing shriek filled with pain and terror. The supreme wisdom of Buddhism was the absolute nemesis of such evil and malevolent thoughts. Under the illumination of this light of "enlightenment," the churning black energy surrounding the demonic shadow melted away rapidly, like ice and snow under the sun, and its form became thinner and more illusory at a visible speed. It instinctively tried to struggle, resist, and escape, but Su Qingxuan locked it in from afar with the power of the Holy Seal, and the seven-colored light shield firmly resisted its demonic output.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Su Qingxuan completely merged his mind and spirit with the Holy Seal, transforming it into a wisp of the purest probing intent. Along the "channel" opened by the Buddha's light, he fiercely pierced into the core consciousness of the demonic shadow that was about to collapse!

In an instant, countless chaotic, fragmented images and information filled with evil and madness rushed into Su Qingxuan's senses:

An endless abyss of darkness… a cold, massive barrier covered in strange patterns, cracks spreading across its surface… fragments of an ancient, desolate battlefield, light clashing with darkness… the texture of that light, so similar to the serene light of the Three Religions in his dream, and the power he was currently wielding! A deep, alluring yet destructive thought echoed among the countless fragments: “Seal… cracks… a thousand years… at most a thousand years…”… more than that, were fragments of schemes about how to lure the various Di and Man tribes, spread evil energy, and disrupt the Central Plains…

"Demon Lord...splitting soul...suppressed...in the far north...abyss...the seal is long...almost there..." Under the power of Buddha's light and holy seal, the remaining consciousness of the demonic shadow was forced to utter some fragmented, blurry, and chaotic but crucial information.

"Boom!" The last wisp of black energy dissipated, and the demonic shadow was completely purified, vanishing into nothingness. Without the control and support of its leader, the remaining torrent of black demonic dragons before the pass also collapsed. And without the support and guidance of its demonic core, the evil energy permeating the Di Man army began to rapidly become chaotic and dissipate.

Su Qingxuan gracefully landed back on the ground in front of the gate, his body swaying slightly, his face a little pale. The seemingly easy confrontation and investigation just now had actually exhausted his mental and physical strength. But the light in his eyes grew brighter and more solemn.

Although the information obtained from the investigation was fragmented and vague, it remarkably coincided with his previous intuitions, the revelations of his dreams, and the proverbs of the sacred seal, corroborating each other and piecing together a chilling picture:

Deep in the far north, a so-called "Demon Lord" is sealed away. The seal is old and cracked. The "one thousand years" mentioned by the demonic figure seems like a dangerous countdown. Evil energy from the earth seeps out from these cracks, corrupting the grasslands and controlling the Di barbarians.

The holy seal, spirit wood, and mental cultivation method he obtained were the remnants of the three complete treasures that were used to apply and maintain this seal after they were shattered! The people that King Heluo colluded with were nothing more than henchmen nurtured by the scattered demonic energy, who intended to destroy the seal and welcome the return of the "Demon Lord".

The troubles in the northern frontier and the chaos caused by the Di and Man tribes all stem from this! This is no longer a simple border conflict, but the aftermath of that ancient catastrophe, an ancient crisis that has been slowly recovering over a long period of time!

All his previous spiritual practice and experiences were finally clearly linked to an ancient mission concerning the survival of heaven and earth that lay dormant in the shadows of history.

Pacifying the northern frontier, bringing peace to the world, integrating the three religions, and enlightening all living beings... all of this seems to have become necessary preparations for dealing with the "one thousand years" countdown, for clarifying and resolving the hidden danger of the "Demon Lord," and for completing the unfinished business of our ancestors.

The direction ahead, shrouded in mist, suddenly became clear thanks to the key of dreams and the proof of real combat, but it also revealed the abyss and the immense burden that lay ahead.

At this moment, the Di barbarian army beyond the pass, due to the collapse of its vanguard, the slaying of the demonic figure, and the continuous cleansing effect of the righteous energy emanating from Zhou Cang and his garrison through chanting scriptures, lost its core guidance and began to dissipate. Countless Di barbarian soldiers, previously controlled by the evil energy, gradually regained their senses. Facing the formidable pass and the tragic state of their comrades (trampling each other), their will to fight vanished, and fear spread like a plague. Someone shouted first, and the massive army formation began to loosen and then collapse. The soldiers discarded their armor and fled for their lives towards the northern grasslands.

Di Man Khan could not stop the decline even after killing several fleeing soldiers. Seeing the terrifying method of the figure in green purifying the demonic shadow, he was finally seized by boundless fear. He could no longer care about his grand ambitions and, under the desperate protection of his personal guards, turned his horse around and fled madly towards his old lair in the northern desert.

When Zhao Feng saw the enemy army collapse at Dailing, he waved his command flag to signal them to retreat. He then led his elite cavalry out of the mountains and forests, pursued and attacked them for a while, capturing a great deal of supplies. He then followed orders to retreat, without being greedy for merit and going too far into enemy territory.

"Marshal! This humble general requests permission to lead the iron cavalry out of the pass to pursue them! We will surely capture that Di chieftain!" Zhou Cang came to Su Qingxuan's side from the pass, excitedly requesting to fight.

"No need." Su Qingxuan gazed at the fleeing Hu cavalry, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable force. "Let them flee. This defeat has temporarily dispelled the evil influence, severely weakened the Di barbarians, and tarnished the Khan's prestige. The various tribes of the grasslands will naturally be embroiled in their own conflicts, and they should be unable to launch a large-scale invasion southward within the next ten years. The lives of our soldiers are precious; there's no need to needlessly increase casualties by venturing into the barren lands. As for those routed soldiers, most of them were pitiful people controlled by the evil influence. Now that they have regained their senses, let them go."

"Pass down the order to properly house and resettle the prisoners who surrendered at the pass, distribute some food, educate them with the principles of the three religions, and then send them home. Let them take back what they have seen and heard today, and the principle that righteousness can ward off evil spirits, to the grasslands."

Zhou Cang was slightly taken aback, then bowed deeply: "Marshal's benevolence and virtue benefit all people; this humble general admires you! I will obey your orders!"

That night, Yanmen Pass was brightly lit, but not for a victory celebration. Instead, it was a time for the orderly resettlement of surrendered soldiers, the distribution of porridge and clothing, and the preaching of principles. Many Di and Man soldiers who had suddenly realized their mistakes knelt down and wept bitterly, bowing repeatedly in the direction of the pass.

Su Qingxuan once again ascended the silent gate tower alone. The northern grasslands were shrouded in darkness; the dissipated demonic energy hadn't completely vanished, merely retreating back into the earth. But the shadows of the "Demon Lord," the "Ancient Seal," and the "Thousand Years" hung like an extremely sharp sword over his head, and over the heads of all living beings in this world. The bronze holy seal in his arms pulsated warmly, as if carrying a sense of mission, while the spirit wood of Luoyang resonated with a soothing yet firm, symbiotic connection.

He touched the ancient patterns on the sacred seal, sensing the vitality of the sapling of the spiritual wood Buddha seed. The tragic scene in his dream, where his ancestors vanished as clear light and the supreme treasure shattered in all directions, flashed through his mind once more. There was no joy in the face of a great battle or the defeat of the enemy, only an increasingly heavy and crystal-clear sense of responsibility and path ahead.

Anbei Frontier is merely the first step in his grand journey. He will unite the three religions, enlighten the world, gather righteous energy from the hearts of men, and ultimately… confront the ancient seal and the "Demon Lord," unravel the destiny left by his ancestors, and face the impending calamity of the "thousand-year mark." This is the true, inescapable direction revealed by Su Qingxuan, the bloodline descendant and inheritor of the figure in his dreams, on the path of "mortals and saints sharing the same path."

The road ahead is long and shrouded in mist, but the spark has already appeared, so we only need to move forward resolutely.

The night was deep, and the north wind blew relentlessly. But atop the gate tower, the figure in the blue robe seemed more resolute than the imposing pass beneath his feet, becoming a clear beacon pointing north, towards the abyss of destiny, in this darkness and snowstorm.

It is:

The battle at the formidable pass quelled the dust of the barbarians, and the shadow of the demons was first glimpsed, yet the calamity had not yet ended.

Not through war, but through the benevolence of the three teachings, Kunlun is established.