Chapter 71 After he delivers the white jade phoenix seal to Dai Dai…

Ji and Jing captured the six cities almost effortlessly.

When he began to disobey imperial edicts, his ambition became known to the world. Coupled with the missing Tiger Tally of the Western Garrison, all the major powers would carefully weigh the consequences of confronting Ji and Jing.

Submitting to him and preserving their own strength was a perfectly reasonable decision. Encountering resistance was not exactly easy for the Ningdong Army, which had come from Lingdong with hatred in their hearts; they were neither easily defeated nor particularly strenuous.

Taking these six cities also means that Ji Yujing's confrontation with Guyun City can no longer be considered a battle fought in foreign territory. He has plenty of time to wear him down, and his troops and supplies are increasing.

However, Ji and Jing did not choose to waste time and continued their aggressive approach.

After setting up camp and resting briefly, the army pressed forward.

Yu Yong, an elderly man, challenged him to a battle.

Yu Yong had been waiting for this day for far too long, and he had made ample preparations for this attack on Guyun City, participating in everything from weapon modification to siege strategies.

"Huo Weijiang, do you regret slaughtering my Li family out of fear?"

"Huo Weijiang, you lack personal strength and can only rely on your children's marriages to enhance the Huo family's prestige. What face will you have to meet the Huo family ancestors after you die, and what will you rely on to win over the people?"

“Lonely Cloud City has become a joke in your hands, and you’re still smugly thinking you’re someone important.”

"Huo Weijiang, Li Canyong has come to seek revenge on you. Do you dare to fight? If you don't, then don't be surnamed Huo, change your surname to Gui. No, Gui is probably stronger than you, at least his shell is hard."

Each sound was an old man's desperate effort. It was also a belated, hard-won catharsis. The pent-up frustration and pain gradually dissipated with the cold wind.

However, Lonely Cloud City did not respond.

Having reached his current position, Huo Weijiang no longer cares about the curses and insults others may have against him. He only wants to win all the way to the supreme throne.

Ji Yujing had clearly anticipated this; his face remained impassive despite the long, fruitless challenge. After Elder Yuyong finished speaking, his low, cold voice commanded the space.

"Huo Weijiang, hand over the Zhenshanhe map, and I will preserve a bloodline for your Huo family. I'll give you fifteen minutes to make a decision. Once this battle begins, you will have no chance to surrender."

They didn't even give them a chance to lower their prices.

When these words echoed throughout Lonely Cloud City, the first reaction of everyone in the city was that Ji Yujing was too arrogant. No matter how powerful the Ningdong Army was, fighting in a foreign land against a powerful warlord would make a complete massacre incredibly difficult.

Upon learning of this, Huo Weijiang's lips twitched slightly, his smile tinged with sarcasm.

Clearly, up to this moment, he had great confidence in the strength of Guyun City. The city had ample troops, food, and medicine reserves; with the weather so cold, how long could the Ningdong Army hold out?

This time, not fighting is the best course of action.

However, he underestimated Ji Yujing's desire to crush the Song Dynasty. He was eager to obtain the section of the Zhenshanhe Yutu map in the hands of the Huo family.

And Yu-yong's current strength.

After waiting for a full quarter of an hour, there was still no movement from within Lonely Cloud City.

Ji Yujing chuckled, then said nothing more. With a wave of his hand, the vanguard split into two groups.

One group consisted of dozens of archers, each with two arrows, whose aim was impeccable, and they landed precisely where the arrows were intended.

One group was the Divine Eagle Team, renowned for their incredible agility and skill in surprise attacks. They swiftly approached the city walls, dropped off medicine packets, and then set them on fire.

How much damage can a hundred arrows cause?

As for the impregnable Lonely Cloud City, it was utterly insignificant. General Wei Xin, who was defending the city, was still observing when the unexpected happened.

Arrows struck the floor tiles violently, or perhaps they pierced the cracks in the wall, and began to smoke. Thick smoke billowed from the medicine packets beneath the city wall, forming a net in mid-air that completely enveloped the entire city tower.

Wei Xin looked surprised and said, "Cover your nose and hold your breath."

The soldiers on the city wall did as instructed, but it was too late.

This drug's smoke is potent; it can soften bones and displace a person's strength in a very short time. Although its effects don't last long, it was enough for the Ningdong army, renowned for its strong offensive tactics, to breach the gates of Guyun City.

Who could have imagined that with the arrival of Miss Lin Er in Lingdong, this barren land in the eyes of the world would become a treasure trove? The herbs covering the mountains and fields were transformed into hundreds of wonderful uses by her and other old doctors like Master Lu, and even the bone-softening medicinal smoke was nothing special among them.

Gazing at the pure white medicinal smoke that had pierced through the scorching cold, Ji Yujing's lips curled into a slight smile.

Lingdong is not poor.

In the past, it simply hadn't waited for someone capable of unlocking its potential.

Now it has finally arrived.

Once he delivers the white jade phoenix seal to Dai Dai, Lingdong will become a piece of land personally protected and cultivated by the current empress.

"Attack the city!"

"rush!"

"kill!"

Chen Sinian and two generals led their troops in a frontal assault on Guyun City. Ladders were erected one after another, and breaching boards crashed into the sturdy city gate with deafening noise.

A wolf-like team, excited at the prospect of battle, ready to make their mark.

In contrast, the area near the city gate was in a state of utter despair. Some were struggling, but the more they struggled, the stronger the drug became, and their strength was completely drained.

"Report! Report!"

"Young Master, Young Master... Ning Dongjun used bone-softening drugs and smoke. Now the people and soldiers near the city gate have been weakened and are powerless to resist the enemy."

"The Ningdong Army is attacking the city!"

The Huo family received an urgent report, and the silence inside the room was broken in an instant.

"What did you say? What kind of cartilage-inducing drug is so potent?"

Huo Yanhan was the first to shout, looking completely bewildered.

The soldier who reported it shook his head. "I don't know, but the drug is very potent. People lose their strength very quickly after inhaling it."

Huo Weijiang remained calm. "The Hidden Dragon Team is going to provide support. The city gates must not be breached."

"That medicinal smoke..."

"Wear a gas mask."

The Hidden Dragons are the most elite team in Lonely Cloud City.

Huo Weijiang appeared calm, but in reality, he was revealing his trump card.

He knew that ordinary troops would be no match for the fierce attack of the Ningdong Army. Ji and Jing had personally led the campaigns, and so far, they had never suffered a defeat.

"Yanhan, you go there personally to oversee the battle and boost the morale of the soldiers."

"promise."

After Huo Yanhan left, the hall became a cold and desolate place.

After a while, someone asked Huo Weijiang.

"Master, Ji Yujing, he..."

Perhaps anticipating that he would say something that would damage his own prestige, Huo Wei didn't let him finish, and said with a cold expression, "Ji Yujing's undefeated record will end in Guyun City."

...

Having been in the south for over half a month, Song Qingyan hadn't had a moment's rest. Of course, he wasn't the only one who hadn't been idle; Lin Qingyu and the two young masters of the Zhuo family weren't much better off either.

To implement Lin Qingdai's strategy of "hiding soldiers among the people," they dealt with the heirs and even former heads of powerful families every day. Each of them was cunning and calculating, making their bodies and minds exhausted.

Fortunately, they could see the turmoil in the current situation. In order to protect themselves and to curry favor with the Fourth Prince and the two powerful families of Lin and Zhuo, the selection competition for the Four Generals of the South was finally held. The dust of the Hyde Street fighting arena, which had been silent for nearly a hundred years, was washed away and looked brand new.

According to Lin Qingdai's plan, the selection method should be modeled after the Ningdong Army. Regardless of background or gender, those with ability could rise to power. This news caused an uproar in the south.

Not only the poor and lowly, but even women had the opportunity to become generals.

Furthermore, as long as recruits are diligent, of good character, and genuinely need the opportunity, they can obtain job opportunities from various prestigious families. In addition, they receive a fixed monthly stipend.

During wartime, they defend their homeland; during peacetime, they have stable jobs and fixed subsidies.

Many are interested.

Those with superior abilities turned their attention to the martial arts arena where generals were being selected, including scions of prominent families like Song Yunyan and Lin Qingyu.

If they win, they will be the next generation, forever free from the label of "just someone who was born into the right family."

December 28th is an auspicious day.

The weather was clear and dry, a rare treat.

Song Yunyan and Lin Qingyu took Mingqian to the martial arts arena. After leaving Lin Qingdai and Mingyue, Mingqian became much quieter, practicing swordsmanship and strength silently every day, sometimes even practicing late into the night.

Zhuo Shuming and the others saw it all and it would be a lie to say they didn't feel sorry for her, but no one tried to persuade her because they knew they couldn't.

In Mingqian's eyes, Lin Qingdai and Mingyue were her family, and wherever they were was her home. Leaving them felt like leaving home. A child who leaves home always has to fight on their own.

But leaving home doesn't mean you've lost your home.

Mingqian's confidence remains.

So she remained silent, without panic.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the arena, she leaped forward, her sword clutched to her chest. The girl was slender, but her gaze was calm and resolute.

Song Yunyan and Lin Qingyu were taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Song Yunyan: "The person Dai Dai chose is indeed extraordinary."

Lin Qingyu: "I think even my grandfather never imagined that among the group of orphans he helped back then, there would be such a genius."

As the battle neared, murmurs of discussion gradually spread.

"Is there really a woman who wants to fight for the rank of general?"

"He seems to have a high level of martial arts skill, and his lightness skill is also top-notch."

"She doesn't look like she's even 20 yet, she might not even be married."

"Look at your ignorant attitude! Xun Kingdom is so big, what kind of geniuses don't we have?"

Do you think she could be ranked among the four generals?

"Whether she can or not doesn't matter anymore; she's already won just by stepping onto the battlefield."

Compared to figures like Ji Yujing and Liu Tong'an, who earned their reputations through sheer force, the Southern Prodigies seem somewhat weaker. However, their apparent weakness doesn't mean they are truly weak.

A prestigious family will do everything in its power to nurture a child; unless the child is a good-for-nothing, it's hard for them to be weak.

Under such circumstances, a girl who was not yet twenty years old was the first to step forward. Her strength was unknown since she hadn't fought anyone, but she certainly had guts.

"interesting."

Chen Ran, the fourth son of the Chen family, a prominent silk-producing family in the south, laughed upon seeing this.

"Where did this little sister come from? She's so arrogant."

Someone replied to Chen Ran, "Someone close to Miss Lin."

"Lin Qingdai?"

"Um."

"Does she really think her maid can crush the pride of the south?"

No one answered.

Because Lin Qingdai's answer had already been clearly revealed to everyone through her slender figure on the battlefield.

The silence was broken by Chen Ran's cold laugh.

He then sped towards the arena, thinking, "I'm going to meet her."

Even before the selection competition began, Tianjiao's fighting spirit had already been ignited.

Landing steadily on the battlefield, Chen Ran waved his hand, his demeanor bright and clear: "Chen Ran, the fourth son of the Huitai Chen family, invites you to a battle, young lady."

Mingqian thought for a moment and replied, "My young lady is the second daughter of the Lin family, and my masters are He Ke and Mu Jing."

When the three names were announced, Chen Ran was stunned, and the murmurs around the battlefield fell silent. With three imposing figures behind him, it would be difficult not to remain calm.

"I agree to fight you."

"If you don't have a weapon, then I won't use one either."

Mingqian placed the sword on the ground.

Chen Ran snapped out of his reverie at her words, "Then let's begin."

In combat, fists and feet are used to test physical strength, which is the foundation of martial arts. Conventionally, the difference in physical strength between men and women is enormous. Given the frail physique of a woman on the battlefield, her chances of winning seem slim by all accounts.

However, the reality was quite different. Ming Qian launched a fierce attack from the very beginning, each move powerful and forceful. Her hands were clenched into fists, and the veins beneath her thin skin stood out clearly.

Despite being a skill-based player, he chose to fight head-on in his first match.

It's simply because the important people in her life have always shown her through their actions that...

Break down prejudices; crying and making a fuss won't help.

Only strength matters.

one two three……

But when Ming Qian silently counted to forty-eight, she grabbed Chen Ran's arm and used brute force to knock him down.

"Young Master Chen, you've lost."

Mingqian said calmly, but Chen Ran saw it; a smile flashed across her eyes.

Mingqian was indeed happy.

She will keep winning, and when she sees Miss and Sister Mingyue, she can proudly say, "The Southern Prodigies are no match for her."

After this battle, there was still a quarter of an hour before the agreed-upon time for the next fight, but no one cared anymore. People kept flying into the arena to fight with all their might.

After this battle, no one looked down on Mingqian because she was a woman; she was a worthy opponent.

Half an hour later, Song Yunyan went to the battlefield.

His opponent is Qin Yining, the undefeated son of the governor of Ganning Prefecture...

...

Lingdong Lin Residence

Lin Qingdai woke up from her afternoon nap and was watched by Mingyue as she drank a bowl of hot soup. Her drowsiness vanished, and she felt warm all over.

Just as she was about to take a look at some account books, Mu Jing suddenly entered the courtyard and said to her, "Miss, Ming Qian has won 30 out of 36 battles in the arena, ranking second in win rate."

Lin Qingdai paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Our Qianqian is quite capable of fighting."

After saying that, he looked at the bright moon and said, "Can you rest assured now?"

Mingyue's face beamed with a bright smile. "I'm relieved."

Lin Qingdai then asked Mu Jing, "Who are the top four?"

Mu Jing: "Qin Yining, son of the governor of Ganning Prefecture; Ming Qian; the fourth prince; Wu Xingwang."

"This Wu Xingwang is a butcher who has never practiced martial arts. Yet he still managed to make it into the top four. That's incredible."

With Mu Jing's martial arts skills, she believed that true strength was brute force, without any exaggeration.

This result was exactly what Lin Qingdai had expected.

Even the most powerful families, with their absolute power, could not suppress the intense light that burst forth from the masses.

“Mingyue, send someone to deliver a letter and some fun and delicious things to Mingqian in the south, so that she doesn’t think we’ve forgotten her and secretly cry.”

Mingyue laughed out loud, "This servant will take care of it right away."

In an old teahouse on the outskirts of Tianyun City, a storyteller is telling tales. Today's story is about the selection of generals in the south. Young heroes clash, a prince humbles himself to fight, and a proud young woman emerges out of nowhere to become one of the four generals…

At the end of his narration, he said, "Our Xun Kingdom is a great and prosperous nation, with many outstanding talents emerging. However, the only true god is Wu Tingshan."

"General Wu is the only true god."

"If only the general could hear what happened today, he would be so pleased."

...

No one knew that the one true god they spoke of was sitting in a corner of the teahouse, having heard the whole story.

Just as they said, he was very pleased.

He alone could not change the situation, but with the addition of Ji Yujing, Lin Qingdai, Liu Tong'an... and the constant emergence of various heroes, the outcome might be very different.

He was old, worn down by reality year after year, and had long since lost his spirit. But now he was rekindled, and it was his honor to fight alongside heroes from all walks of life.

He also made peace with his past self.

Every effort leaves a trace.

Despite the astonishment of the crowd, he remains the only true god in the hearts of the people of the West.