"Where did you learn to be so literary? Don't you even know how to speak properly? Just tell me!"

Heng Wenhao smiled and said, "I think you should be content, young marshal. Now that Da Jing is divided into East and West Jing, let's not talk about West Jing or the reclusive masters who haven't yet emerged from seclusion. Just look at the two masters in East Jing who are openly recognized, your sister and your brother. Aren't they both your people?"

"Yes!"

Zhao Cheng's mood instantly improved, and he smiled at Heng Wenhao, saying, "Ah Hao, you really know how to chat!"

Heng Wenhao said, "But to be honest, there's a high chance that Atao and I will never become Grandmasters in our lifetime."

Zhao Chengxin's heart sank, and she asked suspiciously, "Why?"

Heng Wenhao pursed his lips and said, "We've been hurt too many times since we were little."

Zhao Hu understood that feeling. He and A Tao both came from the Black Mountain mines. The torment they endured as children could mold them into the most powerful killing machines of time, but it also damaged their bodies.

To become a grandmaster, one needs to be full of energy and spirit, and then wait for the right opportunity when the time is right to soar to great heights.

Their bodies, covered in wounds, were like funnels; though powerful, they could not be fully filled.

Seemingly afraid of upsetting Zhao Cheng, Zhao Hu did not take this opportunity to follow up on Heng Wenhao's words about his own situation.

Zhao Cheng understood the gist of it and said solemnly, "Don't take what I just said to heart. Do your best in everything and leave the rest to fate."

Heng Wenhao nodded heavily.

Zhao Cheng opened his arms and said, "Look at me, I have no martial arts skills at all, I even have trouble killing a chicken, but I don't feel any regret."

Upon thinking about it, Zhao Cheng realized that it made sense.

If other transmigrators were to arrive in a world where martial arts exist, they would inevitably become the most powerful beings, perhaps even destroying the world and devouring planets.

In a world where martial arts exist, transmigrators who don't know martial arts are indeed very rare.

Of course, this may be related to the family he was born into.

If I were to transmigrate into the body of a beggar who couldn't even get enough to eat, I might be forced to hone my martial arts skills and compete with others for food.

And most importantly, he's lazy.

Practicing martial arts is so tiring!

It would be so much better to hire a bodyguard if I paid more!

At this moment, a soldier ran up quickly and said, "Young Marshal, General Xiao requests your presence."

"Enough with the small talk, let's go. It's time to prepare to teach Wang Ren a lesson."

Zhao Cheng patted Zhao Hu and Heng Wenhao on the arm at the same time, then turned and walked towards the soldier.

...

Late February of the first year of the Fuxing era.

The last snowfall was five days ago, and if nothing unexpected happens, that should be the last snowfall of the year.

The armies on both the east and west sides of Guliang County are moving, and both sides are converging on the central part of Guliang County.

Wang Ren's scouts kept a close eye on the movements in the east, daring to act before Zhao Cheng could send out his troops, thus confining Zhao Cheng's forces to a place not far from Chengqi town.

They proceeded simultaneously from the north and south, with Wang Ren leading a small group of men to bring up the rear.

Wang Ren assigned Xu Qingshan to Wang Yuluan, clearly showing his greater concern for Wang Yuluan's safety. Zhang Dalian understood this, but it didn't matter to him.

He's a general, and having an additional 30,000 men would be more meaningful to him.

Xu Qingshan followed beside Wang Yuluan, reading a book the whole way on horseback.

Seeing that he was watching so intently, Wang Yuluan felt too embarrassed to interrupt him, even though she wanted to talk to him.

Three poles in the sun.

Wang Yuluan put his hand on his eyelids to block the sunlight, and could vaguely see the outline of the buildings in front of him.

"That must be Chengqi Town, right?"

Xu Qingshan then looked up from his book, glanced ahead, and said, "Yes."

Wang Yuluan said, "We've come all this way and haven't met anyone yet. It seems Zhao Cheng chose to detour from the south. He's probably already engaged in battle with General Zhang."

Xu Qingshan asked, "Do you want me to go help them over there?"

"No need, we'll head straight for Zhao Cheng's base."

Wang Yuluan was full of fighting spirit. The situation before him ignited his ambition. He said, "After destroying their camp, if conditions permit, we don't need to go back to encircle Zhao Cheng. Instead, we can directly attack Changsui!"

Xu Qingshan was stunned for a moment, thinking to himself, "Young General, you have quite the ambition!"

Although it's a bit daring, it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Wang Yuluan spurred his horse and shouted, "Full speed ahead!!"

Just as the team picked up speed, a gust of wind suddenly blew up, and an agile figure flew towards Wang Yuluan.

Xu Qingshan's pupils contracted, and he quickly tucked the book into his belt, leaping forward to block Wang Yuluan's path.

As he leaped into the air, the Impermanent Sword was already in his hand.

Clang!

The two swords clashed.

Clang clang clang!!!

After one collision, there were several more, and in the blink of an eye, Xu Qingshan was hundreds of meters away from Wang Yuluan.

The person who suddenly appeared was none other than Yang Taozhi!

"I thought I was going to run into Luo Ying again, but I didn't expect it to be Mr. Xu."

Xu Qingshan said, "I knew Zhao Cheng couldn't possibly be without a Grandmaster by his side. Your battle with Luo Ying in Changsui City made you famous throughout the world with the swords of the entire city. It is my honor to fight you."

Yang Taozhi said, "How can we borrow all the swords in the city? It's just a corner of the city."

"You're being modest."

Xu Qingshan was a newly promoted grandmaster, but he was not intimidated by Yang Taozhi at all, and his usually calm face showed a hint of excitement.

The Impermanence Sword is neither a knife nor a blade, yet it is like one; each strike carries the force and determination of impermanence to claim one's life.

Yang Taozhi moved with incredible speed, and her sword strikes were even faster, completely unlike Xu Qingshan's style.

In an instant, sandstorms raged around the two, and sword energy filled the air.

Wang Yuluan glanced at the two of them, secretly alarmed.

Fortunately, Xu Qingshan was with them, otherwise they probably wouldn't have been able to stop Yang Taozhi's assassination attempt.

Father's arrangement was truly wise!

Once two grandmasters met, it was beyond his control. Wang Yuluan dared not slack off and continued to move forward at full speed.

Besides Yang Taozhi, Wang Yuluan finally saw other people.

In front of the town, Xiao Luofeng was leading his men toward them.

"Hmm? Could it be that Zhao Cheng also went north? But why did he only get here?"

Wang Yuluan was puzzled. Looking around, he noticed that there weren't many people behind Xiao Luofeng.

At most, there are only about 10,000 people.

"They've split up their forces?"

Wang Yuluan shook his head.

"wrong."

If the troops were to be divided, it would be impossible to send only 10,000 men.

Could it be that Zhao Cheng led the main force south, leaving Xiao Luofeng behind to guard the home?

Just as Wang Yuluan was completely baffled, Xiao Luofeng suddenly stopped, made a few hand gestures, and the group immediately turned around and ran back.

Upon seeing this, Wang Yuluan's eyes lit up.

I immediately made a judgment in my mind.

Xiao Luofeng hadn't anticipated that we would split our forces; he was retreating!

His 10,000 men are no match for us. The only way to hold them off is to return to our camp and rely on its fortifications!

What convinced Wang Yuluan of this idea even more was that he saw Xiao Luofeng leading his team directly into Chengqi Town.

In their desperate escape, they didn't even care about disturbing the peace!

Thinking of this, Wang Yuluan raised his arm and shouted, "Don't let them get away! Charge in!"

Upon seeing this, Xu Qingshan exclaimed in alarm, "This is bad!"