"Teacher, can we really stop the Taiping army of 100,000 with just a few of us?"

Near a not-too-narrow valley a few miles from the capital, Prime Minister Li Zhi, along with several scholars, set up a formation.

The one who just asked the question was Li Zhi's eldest disciple. Although they are capable, they also know how powerful their master is.

However, stopping an army of 100,000 sounds like something no human could possibly do...

"Don't worry, when have I ever lied? I'm not just going to stop an army of 100,000, but also the Taiping Heavenly King of the Taiping Army."

My formation is extraordinary; it can summon white mist that can make people lose their way and also evoke their memories.

The so-called maze is something that, with our strength, it's impossible for all 100,000 troops to fall into, but it shouldn't be a problem for 20,000 to 30,000.

However, I don't need all the Taiping Army to be trapped.

The loss of these twenty to thirty thousand men would be enough to make the remaining soldiers hesitate. Even the Taiping Heavenly King, not wanting his entire army to be wiped out, would inevitably have to enter.

This was his plan: trap a portion of the group, exploit people's fear, and prevent the rest from advancing, either to rescue or to observe cautiously.

Their strength, if sustained for a long period of time, should be enough to hold off this army for at least a day.

"At that time, the Taiping army was a step too slow, and the remaining three rebel groups were blocked by the Dragon Guard."

When His Majesty emerges from the pass, we mere ants will be insignificant; you and I will both be considered meritorious officials.

His plan was excellent, and theoretically it was almost impossible for it to be overturned.

"Note this: I can see the team now. Everyone, set up your formation as I instructed."

"Yes, teacher."

The scholars went to every corner of the valley, and with Prime Minister Li Zhi at the center, they all activated their Daoist innate forms at the same time.

Fox, snake, rabbit, wolf...

Li Zhi used his spiritual power to guide the others, and with the help of the terrain, he completed his formation.

"■..."

The valley, which was originally bathed in bright sunlight, was suddenly enveloped in white mist from all directions, creating a vast, desolate landscape where no one could be seen.

The thickness of this fog is such that, even without considering the effects of the formation, it makes it impossible to distinguish between humans and animals beyond ten meters, or between men and women beyond three meters, making people afraid to enter.

"Come on, Heavenly King of Taiping, let me see how you will deal with my formation."

He gazed at the approaching procession in the distance, watching Ye Li riding at the very front.

At that moment, he saw Ye Li move.

"■..."

Suddenly looking up, their eyes met in mid-air, and a bead of sweat appeared on Li Zhi's forehead.

"He saw me? How could that be? That look in his eyes just now, so cold, so full of murderous intent..."

Swallowing hard, Li Zhi was certain that his students hadn't noticed what had just happened.

He took a deep breath and steadied his wavering resolve; he would not back down now, no matter what.

"For His Majesty's sake, and to live up to the late Emperor's trust, even if it means breaking my old bones, I will not let you pass."

He, who is determined to defeat the eighth-generation prime minister Li Zhi, will win.

"Heavenly King, what happened just now?"

"Nothing, I just saw something disgusting that made me want to kill it right away."

Because of the sudden murderous aura that Ye Li had just revealed, Liu Yong, who was standing next to Ye Li, almost fell off his horse.

Just a thought from Ye Li, not even directed at him, gave him a feeling that he might die.

Aside from inwardly exclaiming that the master was too strong, invincible, and a god descended to earth, he had nothing else to say.

As for Ye Li, his gaze pierced through the white mist in front of him, looking directly at the bloodthirsty aura within.

"No, this time it's not bloodthirsty energy, it's pure resentment. It doesn't have a drop of blood on it, yet it's cursed by millions?"

Li Zhi was right; Ye Li had indeed seen him just now, but not with his own eyes.

What Ye Li saw was the black aura surrounding Li Zhi.

Because all the people in the world know that the current emperor Liu Jie and prime minister Li Zhi deserve much credit for their current predicament of barely surviving.