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

Poetry:

The dust of the barbarians has temporarily settled, and the clouds over the borderlands have thinned; the returning riders gallop like stars towards Luoyang.

Do not say that the flames of war have faded away, for in the dark abyss, demonic shadows lurk and lurk.

At Yanmen Pass, Su Qingxuan purified the leader of the Demon Shadow with his righteous energy, forcing back 500,000 Di barbarian cavalry. The flames of war temporarily subsided across the thousand miles of northern lands, and the snowy plains beyond the pass returned to their deathly silence. However, there was no trace of triumphant joy on his brow; instead, his heart was heavy with the secrets of the "Demon Lord" and the "Millennial Calamity," as if he were shrouded in icy ice. The Di barbarians' retreat was only due to the Demon Shadow's defeat and the temporary suppression of its evil aura; the dark shadows lurking beneath the permafrost had never truly vanished, but had merely temporarily retreated, waiting for their chance to rise again. Thinking of this, he felt an even greater urgency, realizing that not a single second could be wasted.

That night, the Yanmen Commander's tent was brightly lit. Su Qingxuan worked through the night to handle the aftermath and summoned General Zhou Cang, the General Who Guards the North. His blue robe reflected the flickering candlelight, his face calm as still water. He lightly tapped the map of the northern frontier on the table with his fingertips and said in a deep voice, "General Zhou, the reason why the Di barbarians retreated this time is because the Demon Shadow was killed, the evil aura dissipated, and the soldiers were able to regain their senses. From now on, in our defense, we must not only guard against the barbarian horses and swords, but also be vigilant against unusual changes in the earth's energy and the fickleness of people's hearts. Whenever we see a foul aura spreading, livestock panicking, or soldiers becoming inexplicably agitated, we must immediately light the beacon fires and send a message over six hundred li with urgent speed. Do not treat this with ordinary reasoning."

Having said that, he cast his gaze upon the dark sky outside the tent, as if piercing through countless mountains and reaching the unfathomable far north. "The surrendered soldiers must be properly settled. I have already passed on a simple breathing technique and the 'Ode to Righteousness' to them, instructing them to recite and practice it every morning and evening, using their righteous spirit to cleanse their remaining evil thoughts. Once their minds are stable and their resentment has completely dissipated, then distribute provisions and send them back to the grasslands. Let them bring back the principles of 'righteousness wards off evil, benevolence brings peace' to their tribes, subtly influencing them; its effect far surpasses that of ten thousand soldiers."

Zhou Cang bowed deeply, his eyes filled with a mixture of respect and solemnity. He had guarded the border for thirty years, fighting countless battles, yet he had never witnessed such a military strategy—not emphasizing bloodshed, but fighting on morale; not relying on brute force, but on righteousness; not seeking momentary victory, but striving for lasting peace. He straightened his chest and replied loudly, "This humble general will obey the Marshal's orders! I will defend the mighty Yanmen Pass and pacify the border people. If there is even the slightest mishap, I will gladly accept military punishment!"

Su Qingxuan nodded slightly and then explained in detail all the rules and regulations, including the allocation of grain and fodder, the scout patrol routes, and the reinforcement of camps and fortifications. Outside the window, the north wind howled, and inside the tent, the candlelight flickered red. It wasn't until dawn and frost seeped through the window that all the arrangements were finally made.

He was eager to return home. His reasons for returning to the capital were threefold: first, to present the perilous situation to the Emperor; second, to interrogate the remnant soul to confirm his suspicions; and third, to request permission to be stationed permanently at the border to deal with this catastrophe that threatened the very survival of the world. He took only Chi Ying and twenty chivalrous warriors with him, removed his marshal's crown, donned only an ordinary blue robe, bid farewell to Zhou Cang and the border soldiers, and set off for Luoyang under the starlight, braving the biting frost before dawn.

In the northern winter, the north wind is like a knife, cutting into your face as if sliced ​​by ice blades. Along the way, all you see is a vast expanse of snow, a seamless blend of heaven and earth, devoid of any human habitation, with only the crisp sound of horses' hooves breaking through the solid ice, intertwined with the mournful howl of the cold wind.

Su Qingxuan galloped on his horse, the bronze seal in his arms remaining warm and smooth. As he rode, he closed his eyes and focused his mind, connecting with the sacred seal in his arms and the spiritual wood of Luoyang. He repeatedly deduced the fragments of memories left by the demonic shadow, corroborating them with the majestic figure in his childhood dreams and the hazy image of the Three Treasures suppressing the demon. Numerous clues intertwined like a tangled mess; although the general outline was clear, many mysteries remained—where exactly was the ancient seal? The Demon Lord? A divided soul? What did it mean? Had his ancestors left other clues or treasures? Why had the Three Teachings declined to such an extent, even entering the "End of Dharma" era? These questions haunted him, making him wish he could immediately fly to Luoyang to seek answers and resolve his doubts.

Crimson tassels, clad in vibrant red, shone like a blazing flame against the boundless white snow, like an inextinguishable beacon on the snowfield. She rode close beside him, her heart aching for Su Qingxuan, whose brows were furrowed in silent contemplation, his worries unwavering. She gently lifted the reins, keeping pace with him, her voice soft yet resolute: "Brother Qingxuan, no matter how perilous the road ahead, whether it be a bottomless abyss or a raging torrent, I, Chiying, will always be by your side. Our friends in the martial world have also sent word that we will not retreat, even amidst mountains of knives and seas of fire."

Su Qingxuan opened his eyes upon hearing the sound and turned to look at the girl beside him. Since their reunion during the bandit suppression campaign, she had followed him every step of the way, protecting the court, quelling rebellions, and fighting on the northern frontier, always charging ahead without the slightest hesitation or retreat. He had long since etched this sincere devotion and unwavering loyalty into his very being.

Hearing her gentle words of comfort, a warm current surged in his heart, and he said softly, "With you by my side, I feel very at ease. However, this calamity involves ancient secrets and is probably incomparable to ordinary storms in the martial world or court struggles. It is far more dangerous and unpredictable than ever before. You must always take care of yourself and not rush forward recklessly as you have in the past."

Seeing his response, Chi Ying's eyes lit up with a smile, like a warm sun suddenly rising in the snow, dispelling the worry between her brows. She nodded heavily, "Yes! I know what's important! I will definitely protect myself, and... and protect Brother Qingxuan!" The last sentence, though spoken softly, was clear and resolute.

The group traveled at breakneck speed, day and night, only changing horses and resting briefly at post stations along the way. In just three days, they could see the majestic city of Luoyang. By this time, news of the great victory at Yanmen Pass had already spread throughout Luoyang, and the people were overjoyed. The streets were deserted as everyone rallied, praising Chief Minister Su as a divinely appointed sage who had defeated the enemy with benevolence and righteousness, a true blessing to the nation. Su Qingxuan, unwilling to disturb the people or accept such clamor and praise, led his entourage quietly through a side gate, while he went directly to the palace to meet the Emperor.

Emperor Jinghe immediately summoned Su Qingxuan to a side hall of the Taiji Palace. Before Su could even perform the full curtsy, Emperor Jinghe quickly descended the steps, personally helping him up. His face was filled with relief and excitement: "Minister Su! I have been anxiously awaiting your arrival day and night, and finally, I have received the good news! I heard that at Yanmen Pass, you defeated 500,000 barbarian cavalry without losing a single soldier of our Great Xia, and even annihilated the evil spirits causing trouble. This is truly a blessing for the nation and a boon for the people! I am greatly pleased and have prepared a grand celebration banquet. Tomorrow, I will host a welcome feast for my beloved minister!"

Su Qingxuan showed no joy at his triumphant return; instead, his expression grew increasingly solemn.

He took a half step back, bowed deeply, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty's kindness is too much for me to bear. However, although we have won this battle, we should not celebrate, nor should we be complacent. The troubles in the northern border have not been eradicated, and the disaster is not far off. My swift return to the capital is precisely to explain the perilous situation, which concerns the fate of the nation and even the well-being of all people."

Seeing his solemn expression, Emperor Jinghe's heart tightened. He waved his sleeve to dismiss the attendants around him, leaving only two trusted eunuchs in the corner of the hall, and said urgently, "Why do you say such a thing, my dear minister? Tell me quickly!"

Su Qingxuan took a deep breath and laid out his worries in a calm and clear tone: "Your Majesty, this time the Di barbarians have launched a full-scale invasion, not only for the sake of the wealth and land of the Divine Land, but also because they have been corrupted by the demonic energy emanating from the far north abyss, turning them into puppets who only know how to kill."

He then meticulously explained the secrets of the filth and evil energy gushing from the ground, the demonic shadows and wild words, his own purification process with the righteous energy of the three religions, and even the dreams he had during his quest for the Dao and the vague memories inherited in his bloodline.

Finally, he asserted: "I can ascertain that at the end of ancient times, there must have been a great predecessor who integrated the essence of the orthodox teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and combined the power of the righteous path of the world to seal a terrifying demon somewhere. However, as time passed and ten thousand years went by, the three teachings separated, sectarianism deepened, the orthodox lineage was incompletely inherited, and gradually declined, entering the so-called 'end of Dharma' era. The power of the seal must have relied on the righteous energy of heaven and earth and the lineage of the three teachings to maintain it. When the orthodox path weakened, the seal loosened. As one thing declined and the other grew, demonic energy continuously seeped out from the cracks, infecting the creatures of the grasslands, controlling the Di and Man tribes, and driving them south. Firstly, to devour living beings; secondly, to test the Great Xia; and thirdly... in an attempt to destroy the very foundation of the seal."

He paused briefly, his eyes filled with worry, like dark clouds gathering: "I was fortunate enough to slay this demonic shadow, but only by cutting off its tentacles and temporarily halting its advance. However, the trend of the seal weakening is unlikely to be reversed, and the seeping demonic energy will only intensify. It's not just the Di barbarians who are being corrupted. According to my calculations, it will take at most several hundred years, and at least… perhaps only a few decades, for the seal to weaken to its critical point. At that point, the sealed demonic creature may be in danger of breaking free and returning!"

"At that time, it will not be merely a border trouble, but a catastrophe that will sweep across the world, causing immense suffering and the collapse of the land. Therefore, the victory at Yanmen Pass is merely a chance for this glorious world to catch its breath. The flames of war in the northern frontier could rise again at any moment, and the next ones that come may not be the barbarians, but... the demons themselves, or an even more terrifying demonized army."

Emperor Jinghe's face gradually paled as he listened, cold sweat beading on his palms as he involuntarily gripped the armrests of his throne. He had been well-versed in classics and history since childhood, and considered himself knowledgeable about the rise and fall of dynasties throughout history. How could he have ever heard of such mysterious and bizarre events, which resembled myths and strange tales? Seals, demons, ten-thousand-year calamities... every word challenged his established understanding.

However, looking into Su Qingxuan's eyes, clear as an ancient pool yet brimming with undeniable solemnity and fear, and recalling his many incredible deeds since entering the court—stabilizing the court with a single word, possessing extraordinary skills, educating all beings, and even now repelling an army of 500,000 without a fight—one knew that the man before him was no ordinary person who was merely exaggerating. This unbelievable event was probably… the cruel truth.

After a long silence, Emperor Jinghe finally found his voice, which trembled slightly: "It...it has come to this? What about my Great Xia Dynasty, and the hundreds of millions of people under heaven..."

"Your Majesty, do not worry," Su Qingxuan reassured him in a deep voice, his tone resolute. "Although the calamity was foreshadowed, it is not an insurmountable situation. I am fortunate to have inherited the legacy of my ancestors and hold the torch of the three religions in my hands. I will do my utmost to find a way to resolve it. However, this matter involves demonic energy, seals, and the fortune of the righteous path, and it is beyond the reach of ordinary military and political strategies."

"The most urgent task is for me to personally go to the border, to thoroughly reorganize the border troops based on the three teachings, and to stabilize the northern defense line. At the same time, I must use the power of the sacred seal and the sacred tree to find the exact location of the seal in the far north, so as to find a way out. Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to allow me to return to Yanmen and be stationed at the border to train the troops and prepare for the demonic calamity in order to deal with any unforeseen events."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jinghe's heart churned like boiling water, torn and unable to find peace. Su Qingxuan was a pillar of the court, a prime minister of exceptional talent, capable of governing the world. The Hongwen Academy was newly established, attracting scholars from all over the land; the new policies were just beginning, and everything needed to be rebuilt. How could the court do without him? To keep him stationed in the harsh borderlands was tantamount to breaking the main beam to support a thatched hut. Yet, the words "devastation of the people" and "the sinking of the land" struck his conscience like a heavy hammer. As the emperor, how could he disregard the safety of the nation for his own sake? Under heaven, besides Su Qingxuan, who else could handle such a calamity that transcended the mundane?

After struggling for a long time, Emperor Jinghe sighed deeply, a sigh filled with helplessness and reluctance, which ultimately turned into a decision. He rose, walked to Su Qingxuan, grasped his hand, and said with complex emotions in his eyes, "My dear minister, you care deeply for the common people and bravely face the national crisis. Although I am extremely reluctant, how can I let personal feelings interfere with public duty and hinder your desire to save the world? I grant your request!"

He released his grip, turned to his desk, picked up his brush, and wrote rapidly, saying as he wrote: "I still appoint you as the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces of the Realm, overseeing all military and political affairs in the Northern Frontier, stationed permanently at Yanmen. You are granted the authority to act as you see fit, and in case of emergency, you may execute first and report later! I will do everything in my power to supply the court with provisions, weapons, and personnel, ensuring that the soldiers on the border suffer from hunger and cold or lack of weapons. I will select another capable person to supervise the Hongwen Academy in Luoyang, ensuring that your efforts will not be in vain."

After writing it, he affixed the imperial seal and solemnly handed the edict to Su Qingxuan. Finally, he gazed at him intently, each word earnest: "I only hope that my beloved minister... will take good care of your precious life. I am in Luoyang, burning incense day and night, hoping that you will soon overcome the demonic tribulation and return safely."

"Your subject, Su Qingxuan, thanks Your Majesty for your trust!" Su Qingxuan accepted the imperial edict with both hands and bowed deeply. He was grateful for the mutual understanding between the emperor and his subject, but also felt an immense weight on his shoulders, as the fate of the world was at stake and could not be compromised.

After bidding farewell to Emperor Jinghe, Su Qingxuan did not return to the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence, nor did he even change out of his dusty blue robe. He went straight to a secret chamber within the residence. His mind was preoccupied with the lingering shadowy soul that had been sealed in a brocade box since the Luoyang mutiny. He had not had time to investigate it deeply during the Yanmen Campaign, but now, with his return to the border imminent, he needed to verify more of his conjectures and clarify the root of the demonic calamity.

The secluded chamber was quiet and furnished in an ancient style. In the center sat a simple, antique brocade box, its surface gleaming warmly in the dim light. This box was crafted from the heartwood of an unknown-year-old spirit wood, its body engraved with subtle cloud patterns representing the three religions. Su Qingxuan, whose cultivation had improved in recent years, had come to realize that this object was extraordinary; not only could it nurture spiritual beings and suppress evil spirits, but it also held a deep connection to his family's heritage. His father, Su Wenyuan, had used this box to store fragments of his cultivation manual, a small bronze seal, and withered branches of spirit wood, offering incense and prayers on sacrificial days to ensure the continued existence of this last spark of their lineage.

Inside the brocade box, which had been firmly suppressed by the power of the Holy Seal, lies the remnant soul of the shadow that was stripped from the demon general and contains important information.

Su Qingxuan walked to the box, his fingertips gently stroking the warm wood, sensing the subtle fluctuations within, before slowly opening it. Inside, a wisp of extremely faint black mist curled up in a corner, constantly twisting and changing—it was that remnant soul. It was already extremely weak, only occasionally emitting a faint hissing sound like the chirping of insects, filled with resentment, fear, and unwillingness.

"You are a shadow of the demonic path, aiding and abetting evil, bringing calamity to the world. Today I ask you, and you must answer truthfully. If you utter even a single falsehood, or dare to deceive me with demonic thoughts, I will immediately annihilate you, body and soul, and condemn you to eternal nothingness." Su Qingxuan stood before the box, his expression calm, yet his aura subtly shifted. The righteousness of Confucianism, the purity of Taoism, and the compassion of Buddhism blended seamlessly, transforming into an invisible pressure, like the collapse of the heavens, enveloping that wisp of remnant soul.

The remnant soul trembled violently, and the black mist flickered, repeatedly conveying humble thoughts of begging for mercy and surrender.

Su Qingxuan said no more, closed his eyes, concentrated, and activated his supernatural powers—Buddhist telepathy to see the origin of the soul's consciousness, Taoist tracing of origins to trace the root of its memories, and Confucian mind-rectification techniques to guard the spiritual platform and expel evil thoughts. The three methods combined, his divine sense like an invisible tentacle, or a clear, sharp sword, directly probing into the deepest recesses of the remnant soul's consciousness. In an instant, countless fragmented, chaotic images, filled with filth and madness, surged forth, assaulting his mind:

It was an endless darkness and chaos, not the night of the human world, but the void unique to the demon realm, devouring all light; an indescribable, enormous shadow, seemingly formed from countless negative emotions and destructive desires, sat high in the depths of the darkness, and everything within its gaze withered; a huge, bottomless rift in the far north, from which viscous, liquid-like filthy demonic energy constantly surged; countless demonic shadows quietly seeped out from the rift, lurking in the dark corners of the human world, either bewitching the leaders of the Di barbarian tribes, inciting darkness in people's hearts, or directly corrupting living beings.

Their core mission is to seek every opportunity to break the increasingly loose ancient seal and welcome the Demon Lord's arrival; some even older fragments show that at the end of ancient times, there was an earth-shattering battle where a majestic figure, fused with the radiance of cyan, gold, and white, used supreme power and three supreme treasures to suppress the Demon Lord in the abyss. The aura of those three-colored radiances faintly shared the same origin as the cultivation method, holy seal, and spiritual wood that Su Qingxuan inherited...

He held his breath, meticulously sorting through and verifying the chaotic fragments of memory. Although the fragments were blurry and indistinct, and he couldn't directly pinpoint the exact location of the seal or find any other clues about treasures left by his ancestors, all his key conjectures were further confirmed:

There was indeed a peerless master in ancient times who integrated the orthodox teachings of the three religions. His bloodline descendant was very likely Su Qingxuan. This ancestor of the Su family gathered the essence of the three religions and used his own extraordinary cultivation and three supreme treasures as a guide to set up an unparalleled seal, suppressing the Demon Lord in a certain place.

However, since our ancestors, the three religions have gradually drifted apart due to differences in their philosophies or lineages. Their sectarianism has become rigid, and no one has been able to integrate them. This has led to the gradual decline of the orthodox teachings and the beginning of the "Dharma-ending Age".

The power of the seal relies on the righteous energy of heaven and earth and the legal system of the three religions to maintain it. When the righteous law declines, the seal loosens. As one thing rises and the other falls, demonic energy continuously seeps out from the cracks, infecting the world and manipulating border tribes such as the Di and Man, attempting to further erode the seal with the negative energy generated by war and slaughter, and finally break the seal and return to the world.

In the final moments of the remnant soul's memories, the Demon Lord's grand will, full of temptation and destruction, echoed repeatedly, like a curse, or a prophecy: the three religions will decline, the seal will decay, and within a thousand years, the demon will descend upon the world, and all things will return to the abyss!

Beyond that, there are no further details. This remnant soul was not a high-ranking demon, and its memories were incomplete, only knowing the core mission and some secrets.

Su Qingxuan slowly withdrew his supernatural powers. When he opened his eyes, the last trace of mist in them completely dissipated, and his thoughts became clear, as if a lamp had been lit in a dark room. His ancestor was a great demon-suppressing being, and the Confucian mental cultivation method, the bronze sacred seal, and the sacred wood he inherited were fragments or inheritances of the "Three Treasures" from back then. The root of the ten-thousand-year demonic calamity lay in the decline of the orthodox teachings of the three religions, which led to the loosening of the seal. The way to resolve this was fundamentally to integrate the three religions, revitalize the righteous energy of heaven and earth, and use the power of the "Three Treasures" he inherited as the core to strengthen and even repair the seal, ultimately eliminating the calamity completely. The road ahead was treacherous, but the direction was clear.

Having understood this, he felt no more hesitation, only unwavering determination. With a wave of his hand, the Holy Seal rose from his bosom, casting a warm, clear light that sealed the withered remnant soul back into the depths of the brocade box—he would keep it for now, perhaps it would be useful in the future.

He closed the box and put it away, then placed the small bronze seal and the vibrant piece of spirit wood into his bosom. With numerous disciples of the Hongwen Academy in Luoyang maintaining order and the political situation stable, it was better to take the spirit wood to the border rather than leave it in the capital. Its pure and vibrant life force could help him temper his military spirit with the orthodox teachings of the three religions, resist demonic influences, and search for traces of the seal.

With everything prepared, Su Qingxuan did not linger. He immediately sent out a message to summon the chivalrous warriors who had followed him from Jiangnan and Luoyang to gather outside Luoyang. Chi Ying and his men were already waiting. These warriors, having experienced the turmoil of the court and the bloody battles on the border, were already deeply impressed by Su Qingxuan's character and ambition, regarding him as their leader and vowing to follow him to the death.

"Fellow brothers and friends," Su Qingxuan stood before the crowd, his blue robe bathed in the pale sunlight of a winter morning, his tone earnest and solemn, "The calamity of the Northern Frontier is no ordinary matter. Its roots are deeply embedded, connected to ancient times, and its dangers are unpredictable, potentially threatening the very heavens. The borderlands are bitterly cold, and the future is uncertain; it is certainly not a place for carefree wandering in the martial world."

"I, Su, ask you once more: are you willing to relinquish your carefree lives in the martial world, register in the military, and follow me to the distant borderlands, not only to protect the country and its people with your martial arts, but also to use your righteous spirit to resist the invisible and intangible evil energy?"

"We are willing to follow the Grand Secretary, even unto death!" Without hesitation, all the heroes echoed in unison, their voices shaking the remaining snow off the branches.

What shone in their eyes was no longer just simple chivalry, but also a more profound sense of responsibility for their country and its people.

Chi Ying stepped forward, her bright red robes replaced by a more practical dark red outfit. Her long black hair was tied up high, accentuating her tall and imposing figure, exuding a commanding presence. Her eyes burned with unwavering sincerity, and she declared clearly and resolutely, "Brother Qingxuan, I, Chi Ying, am willing to lead all my fellow martial arts enthusiasts in formally enlisting in the army! From this day forward, we will be border soldiers, rightfully protecting you, advancing and retreating with you, sharing life and death, and never betraying you!"

She had long awaited this day. Previously, they had accompanied each other as friends from the martial world; though close, there always felt a distance, an unequal relationship. Now, enlisted in the military, they could be together day and night, sharing meals and lodging, shouldering military duties, truly bound by fate, facing hardships together. In her eyes, gazing at Su Qingxuan, the deep affection burned fiercely, a resolute and unwavering determination born from trials of life and death.

Looking at the faces before him, etched with the resilience of time yet still radiating sincerity, Su Qingxuan's gaze finally settled on Chi Ying's strikingly bright eyes. A surge of warmth welled up within him, filling him with boundless courage. Without another word, he nodded and said, "Very well! From this day forward, Chi Ying shall be the Commander of my personal guard, leading all you heroes, responsible for protecting the central army, patrolling the camp, and delivering confidential messages. All you heroes shall be incorporated into the elite personal guard battalion, serving as the vanguard of our border troops, sharing joys and sorrows, and fighting together against the demonic threat!"

Chi Ying's eyes gleamed with joy. He clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed, his former dashing spirit even more pronounced. The other heroes cheered thunderously, their blood boiling with excitement. From that moment on, the carefree spirit of the martial world was transformed into the strict discipline of the military; chivalrous hearts and loyal souls were forged into the steadfast spirits of the frontier.

Without further delay, Su Qingxuan immediately led the Red-Tassel Guard and the newly reorganized elite personal guards out of the capital once more, heading towards Yanmen. This time, his plan for the north was clear: since the rise and fall of the three righteous teachings directly affected the survival of the ancient seal, he would use the righteous path of the three teachings as the foundation to thoroughly reorganize the border troops and rebuild their spirit. He aimed to create not only a powerful army capable of defending against the barbarian cavalry, but also a "Daoist army" imbued with righteousness, loyalty, and compassion, capable of resisting and purifying the demonic atmosphere with the glorious righteous path. This would serve as the cornerstone for guarding the northern frontier, exploring the seal, and ultimately confronting the demonic calamity.

Upon arriving at Yanmen, Su Qingxuan immediately began implementing his well-thought-out military reorganization plan. He first abolished many harsh old military laws, eliminating long-standing problems such as unreasonable collective punishment, cruel corporal punishment, and mistreatment of soldiers. Instead, he established entirely new military regulations based on the principles of the three religions (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism).

The Confucian principles of loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, and propriety were used to establish the foundation of the army's morale. Every morning, soldiers were required to recite passages from the *Analects* and *Mencius*, explained by literate soldiers to understand their duty to be loyal to the emperor, love their country, protect the people, and defend their homeland, and to know propriety, integrity, and trustworthiness. A "Loyalty and Righteousness Board" was established in the camp to commend those with outstanding achievements and high moral character; a "Hall of Reflection" was set up to allow those who violated the principles of benevolence and forgiveness to reflect on their mistakes and read the classics.

Based on the Taoist principles of tranquility, non-action, and following nature, the military discipline was simplified, and unnecessary formalities and tedious tasks were eliminated. A balance between work and rest was advocated, avoiding the overuse of manpower, showing compassion for the soldiers' hardships, and ensuring their peace of mind, preventing unwarranted restlessness and violence. Simple exercises were promoted within the camps to help soldiers strengthen their bodies and calm their minds.

With the Buddhist principles of compassion and equality for all beings, regulations were established for the treatment of surrendered prisoners and border residents. It was explicitly decreed that surrendered prisoners should not be killed, civilians should not be plundered, and prisoners should not be mistreated. All those who surrendered their weapons were guided towards goodness through the "Marrow Cleansing Classic" and basic breathing techniques, with compassion in mind, in order to resolve enmity and protect the long-term peace of the border.

More importantly, Su Qingxuan simplified and improved the basic Confucian methods of cultivating inner energy, personally and meticulously teaching them to loyal, brave, resolute, and virtuous soldiers. Every morning, on the vast training ground before Yanmen Pass, Su Qingxuan sat upright on a high platform, holding a small bronze seal. The seal, without needing to be activated, emitted a warm, clear light, like moonlight cascading down, enveloping the entire area; like a spirit tree entering the earth, its branches radiating vibrant life, nourishing the body and mind of every soldier below. Thousands of soldiers stood still according to the instructions, regulating their breathing, drawing in the righteous energy of heaven and earth. Initially, there might be discomfort, but after persisting for several days, they felt a warm current gradually flowing in their dantian, their limbs and bones subtly increasing in strength, and their hearing and vision becoming clearer. Not only did their physique grow stronger, but their temperament also became more stable and resilient under the nourishment of righteous energy. The violence and gloom tainted by past battles and killings were gradually cleansed, and the army's demeanor was renewed, revealing an indescribable purity and fortitude amidst the solemnity.

These measures not only nurtured the military spirit but also enabled them to keenly sense evil influences. Whenever demonic energy attempted to approach the pass, regardless of its density, the small seal would spontaneously emit a bright light, illuminating the camp and dispelling and purifying the invisible filth. This caused the scattered Di and Man soldiers, corrupted by demonic energy and restless in the distance, to often feel their minds clear before reaching even dozens of miles from the pass, their fighting spirit vanished, and after looking around in bewilderment, they would retreat on their own. Under this influence, the border troops, while possessing high fighting spirit, also retained benevolence, were disciplined yet compassionate, gradually becoming a truly "benevolent and righteous army," an "army of righteousness"... also known as the "Daoist army."

As the commander of the personal guards, Chi Ying was dutiful and conscientious, concealing her tender feelings and transforming them into competence and protection. By day, she patrolled the various camps, instructing newly recruited warriors on how to adapt to military life, leading by example. On long, cold nights, she stood guard, and seeing that Su Qingxuan's tent was always lit late into the night, she would silently fetch a thick fur cloak for him or bring him a bowl of hot soup. She was thoughtful and perceptive, often generously helping soldiers in need or pleading with Su Qingxuan on their behalf, winning the hearts of the soldiers. In their daily interactions, their bond of life and death deepened like a still, profound stream, needing no words, yet growing stronger with every glance and every tacit understanding. She had already made a vow in her heart: no matter how fierce the calamities or how perilous the future, she would follow him to the death, protecting him and accompanying him on this long journey until peace returned and the demonic forces were dispelled.

Su Qingxuan was stationed at Yanmen Pass, where he focused on both strengthening the army and reinforcing the defenses, while also using his mind to sense the fluctuations of demonic energy in the far north every day. The Holy Seal and the Spirit Wood occasionally resonated faintly, connecting with his aura and subtly conveying a sense of "protecting its master."

All of this foreshadowed a fact he was unwilling to face, yet had to: the seal was loosening at an accelerating pace. The countdown to the millennium calamity had mercilessly begun. The shadows of the demon realm would not give up so easily; they were certainly still lurking in the shadows of the mortal world, plotting even greater destruction, but they were extremely well hidden and had not yet revealed their presence.

Without making a sound, he continued to temper the border troops with the righteous energy of the three religions, reinforcing this first line of defense. At the same time, he used the subtle connection between the sacred seal, the spiritual wood, and his own bloodline to quietly expand the scope of his mental perception. In meditation, he silently explored the location of the mysterious seal in the far north, accumulating the righteous energy of the three religions, and waiting for the inevitable final showdown.

On the frontier, the righteous spirit of the three religions gradually coalesces, like the rising sun, its light shining brightly. The army's bearing is impeccable, its morale soaring. Though the north wind is fierce, it cannot shatter the loyalty and righteousness of the three armies; though the cold night is long, it cannot extinguish the passion in the soldiers' hearts. Though the demonic forces are dark and lurking, they cannot extinguish the ever-shining light of righteousness on this majestic northern pass.

Su Qingxuan often stood alone atop Yanmen Pass, gazing at the vast, endless snow-covered plains to the north, his eyes as deep and still as an ancient abyss, his heart as steadfast as an unyielding rock. He knew that the victory at Yanmen, the journey to Luoyang, and even the current preparations for defense, were merely another crucial stop on this long journey. The road ahead was long and arduous, fraught with peril and demonic calamities, yet he was not alone. Only by upholding the original aspiration of the unity of the three religions and maintaining this indomitable spirit could he suppress the demonic shadows of the Netherworld, protect this picturesque land, and safeguard the countless lives of all people.

It is:

The army was organized and the three cardinal principles were established on the border, and the righteous spirit of the army was united to guard the northern frontier.

Do not say that the calamity of the abyss is near; with a loyal heart, guard the righteous path and await the heavens.