The expression on Zhang Shi’s face as he spoke was one the generals knew all too well. Back on the grasslands, General Zhang Shi often wore that exact look.
And whenever it appeared, the entire army would erupt in excitement.
Because it meant that a massive purge of the tribes across the grasslands was about to begin.
But the grasslands had already been pacified, and they had already claimed all the credit they were going to get. So why had that same expression appeared on General Zhang Shi’s face here in Yunjing?
The generals could only feel a strange sense of unease.
“General Zhang Shi, are you planning to punch a hole straight through Yunjing?”
“Only…”
“Using a different method this time?”
The proclamation Zhang Shi had issued earlier involuntarily resurfaced in their minds.
“‘I, Zhang Shi, respectfully obey the Duke’s command and shall be solely responsible for rectifying the scourge of love-addled fools. Anyone who has suffered injustice because of another person’s romantic foolishness may come forward and lodge a complaint.’
“‘No matter whether the foolish culprit flees to the ends of the earth, some remote wilderness, or the grasslands beyond the frontier, I will personally lead troops to track them down and punish them severely. Those who have been wronged will receive my full protection.’”
Now, it was time to escalate things!
It would no longer be limited to those who had suffered injustice because of someone else’s romantic foolishness. Instead, it would include… everyone trapped by such foolishness!
“General Zhang Shi…”
“He’s really going all out now!”
That was what every general was thinking, but not a single one dared to say it aloud.
Seeing the entire hall fall silent, Zhang Shi waved his hand grandly and said, “Good. Since no one has any objections, then… we’ll proceed according to this plan.”
“Three days. At most three days…”
“I believe we’ll definitely see results!”
Zhang Shi’s voice was firm and decisive.
Yet inwardly, he was somewhat distracted.
Three days. Could it really be done?
…
Zhenjiang City!
As the primary command center of the Jiangbei fortress network, it was a medium-sized city built against the mountains. Its position offered a broad view of the surrounding terrain, allowing its garrison to survey the entire Jiangbei battlefield.
Within the city stood beacon towers linked to the signal platforms at the various strongholds along the river. Through them, the commanders could control Iron Gate Pass, Wolfsmoke Fort, Hengjiang Anchorage, Linjiang Ferry, and the other fortifications.
At this moment, the gates of Zhenjiang City stood wide open.
The city’s commander, Lu Chaosheng, had led his men to wait at the gates to welcome Marquis Jingyi Pei Wugou, who was traveling from Yunjing. They had waited for quite some time, yet there was still no sign of him.
Lu Chaosheng was not in a hurry, but the soldiers under his command grew restless first.
“General, what does that Marquis Jingyi amount to that he dares make you wait this long?”
“Exactly, General. Who in the entire Jiangbei fortress network doesn’t know that you are the true commander? You’ve guarded the Jiangbei fortresses so securely that even the Grand Commander of the navy across the Yangtze has praised you to no end. Yet the court in Yunjing has sent someone here to command you. Isn’t that a sign they don’t trust you?”
“General, we’re all indignant on your behalf. In my opinion, you might as well pledge yourself to the Duke. With your abilities, you’d certainly secure the top position among the Duke’s naval commanders!”
“Yes, General. It’s worth considering!”
…
Lu Chaosheng’s expression changed, and he said, “Do not speak nonsense. I was born here and raised here. If I surrendered before Ren Tianye’s army even reached us, wouldn’t that earn me the reputation of a treacherous and faithless wretch?”
“None of you are to entertain such thoughts again. You may say such things to me, and I will not hold it against you, but if Marquis Jingyi hears of it, he will not let you off lightly.”
After reprimanding them, Lu Chaosheng continued craning his neck and waiting.
At last, he saw the vast army approaching—and at its head, riding a white horse and clad in gilded, jade-inlaid scale armor, was Pei Wugou, Marquis Jingyi.
Not a speck of dust marred his immaculate appearance. He looked flamboyant to the point of being almost ridiculous.
Lu Chaosheng felt relieved and hurried forward to greet him.
He had only one objective: to establish a connection with the newly arrived Marquis Jingyi. If he could win the marquis’s favor and receive his support, perhaps the man might even recommend and promote him.
His wedding was fast approaching, and he was only waiting for this campaign to end before getting married. If he could rise another rank afterward, his beloved would surely be even more satisfied.
Then his future would be full of promise.
As he thought this, he had already reached Pei Wugou. Lowering his gaze respectfully, he said, “The commander of Zhenjiang City pays his respects to Marquis Jingyi!”
“Please enter Zhenjiang City, Marquis Jingyi, and take command of the overall situation!”
Pei Wugou looked him up and down before saying coolly, “You’re Lu Chaosheng?”
“Yes, yes. This subordinate is Lu Chaosheng.”
“Mm.” Pei Wugou nodded. “On the way here, I saw that you’ve managed the entire Jiangbei fortress network quite well. The military discipline is strict, and the defenses are arranged in an orderly fashion. From this, it’s clear that you are a capable man.”
Lu Chaosheng was overjoyed.
He had spent so many years studying naval warfare, and it felt as though all that effort had finally paid off. He was only one step away from making Pei Wugou the great opportunity of his life.
Then Pei Wugou continued, “You’ve built the Jiangbei fortress network into such a perfect defensive system. I owe you my thanks.”
“Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll be taking command of Zhenjiang City from now on.”
“With me stationed here, you’ll have far less to worry about. I hear that you’ve exhausted yourself over the years, laboring tirelessly for the Jiangbei fortress network without ever getting much rest…”
“So go home and rest for a while.”
“As for your official position…”
“Let’s leave that aside for now.”
The smile on Lu Chaosheng’s face froze.
“M-Marquis, what did you say?”
“You mean… you’re suspending me from my post?”
Pei Wugou did not answer him directly. He merely said, “I’m telling you to take some time to recuperate. Go home and rest. When I need you, I’ll naturally send someone to summon you.”
With that, Pei Wugou rode straight past Lu Chaosheng and led the army toward Zhenjiang City.
Deputy General Chen Song, who had heard what happened, hurried over at once, his face filled with alarm.
Riding up beside Pei Wugou, he said, “Marquis, you mustn’t! Absolutely not!”
“How could you suspend Lu Chaosheng from his post?”
“Lu Chaosheng is the heart of the entire Jiangbei fortress network. With him here, the whole network can unleash its full power.”
“If you remove him, I’m afraid the Jiangbei fortress network will run into trouble!”
After a pause, Deputy General Chen Song added, “Marquis, did Lu Chaosheng offend Miss Wen He somehow? If you tell me what happened, I’ll go find him and make him apologize to Miss Wen He!”
“But please, don’t break his spirit!”
Pei Wugou shot Deputy General Chen Song an unhappy look and said, “What? Do you take me for someone who would disregard the overall military situation for Little He?”
Deputy General Chen Song fell silent.
What he was thinking was: Isn’t that exactly what you are?
Pei Wugou said, “What I’ve done is merely a light suppression of Lu Chaosheng. At a critical moment, I’ll then make use of him heavily. By then, Lu Chaosheng will be utterly loyal to me. This is the art of employing men. Understand?”
Deputy General Chen Song understood a little about the art of employing men.
He had heard of methods like this before. Their success largely depended on the precision of one’s execution.
As for whether Pei Wugou could use his skill at micromanagement to make Lu Chaosheng willingly submit and serve him, Deputy General Chen Song no longer cared.
He was simply greatly relieved inwardly.
As long as this wasn’t being done for a woman, then whatever happened next… at worst, it would only mean that Pei Wugou’s methods had failed.
He nodded and said, “So the marquis had already made arrangements. This subordinate was overthinking things.”
“Still, I cannot help but add one more thing. Lu Chaosheng is no ordinary man. I ask that you exercise the utmost caution when dealing with him, Marquis.”
“Otherwise, should any irreparable damage be done, it could lead to serious trouble!”
Pei Wugou grew even more displeased. “When I act, even Prince Yunjing treats me with the utmost respect. Do I need you to lecture me?”
Deputy General Chen Song hurriedly said that he would never presume to do so. Still, he instinctively glanced at Lu Chaosheng, hoping that Lu Chaosheng would not harbor resentment over this minor setback or anything of the sort.
At that moment, Lu Chaosheng’s mood was exactly as Chen Song had anticipated—not resentful, but… overwhelmingly depressed!
Utterly depressed!
“I was counting on following the newly appointed marquis into battle, making a name for myself, and earning his favor so I could rise another rank. But now…”
“Instead, I’ve been placed on inactive duty at home?”
“Oh, what am I going to do?”
“How am I supposed to explain this to Qin’er?”
Lu Chaosheng returned home with a deeply troubled expression, his mood growing more agitated and gloomy by the moment.
He and Ning Wanqin had been childhood sweethearts for more than twenty years. Their feelings had long since blossomed into something natural and profound, and they had been preparing to marry. Unfortunately, the impending war had forced them to delay the wedding.
At first, he had thought it was for the best.
He could use his abilities to distinguish himself in the war, win meritorious service, and rise one or even two ranks. That way, Ning Wanqin would be even more impressed with him.
After all, Ning Wanqin had always dreamed of becoming the wife of a high-ranking official!
Yet he had never expected to be placed on inactive duty at home.
Now that he had been sent home, how was he supposed to explain it to Qin’er?
Preparations for their wedding were already underway!
The more Lu Chaosheng thought about it, the more devastated he became. Then, when he turned his head, he suddenly discovered that the house was completely empty—his Qin’er was nowhere to be seen!
After questioning the maids, he learned that Qin’er had not returned home for several days!
“Several days?”
“Then where has Qin’er gone?”
…
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
s the Eldest Princess, renowned for her cold and aloof detachment, became the most docile of lambs, obeying his every command without question. But when the final move was played on the chessboard, as Gu Chenghan seized everything and ascended on the verge of apotheosis, that very Princess suddenly embraced him from behind, her tone carrying a dependence never heard before: "Wait... you haven't yet... commanded me to love you forever." Gu Chenghan froze abruptly. She... hadn't been hypnotized?! ... [The Eldest Princess's Diary] [When my soul was extracted, becoming the sole spectator outside my own shell] [At first, there was overwhelming fury, until I saw] [How he used my sword to effortlessly shatter my inescapable doom] [How he wielded my authority to eradicate fatal conspiracies I had never even detected] [Like a deity, he rescued me from the deep mire I was trapped in] [If not for those annoying vixens, he and I would be a match made in heaven] [I think I am ill, gravely ill] [My deity should belong to me alone] ... "Hypnosis? Oh, it succeeded, my dear Master." "Only this time, it's my turn to hypnotize you."
villain is the number one simp for the book's leading female protagonist, Shen Wan'er. As expected, he later becomes a tool for the main character to show off and slap faces, ultimately meeting a tragic end with his family ruined and his life in shambles. Fortunately, he awakens the [Universal Pure Love System], which allows him to earn points by performing acts of pure love. To change his fate, Gu Yan makes a decisive choice to seek warmth and companionship with the book's biggest villain—Cold Qingqiu. ........... My name is Leng Qingqiu. To find the murderer who killed my parents years ago, I deliberately blinded myself so that everyone would lower their guard around me. Just as I was secretly accumulating power and capital according to my initial plan, a man walked into my world. "Lengleng, Qingqing, Qiuqiu, which nickname do you prefer?" I don't like any of them. You'd better leave quickly! "Why aren't you saying anything? How about I call you my baby wife?" Leng Qingqiu thinks to herself, this man is truly annoying! (Stubborn pure love warrior + single female lead + true pure love + 1v1)
e vast world of cultivation, where he becomes the master of the Heavenly Ruins Sacred Hall, a dying old man with barely a tenth of his former cultivation remaining. He is immediately confronted with a deadly crisis: his subordinates have rebelled, and his protectors are forcing him to abdicate. At the critical moment, the system descends from the heavens: [Ding! The host has been detected facing a life-or-death crisis. The system is now officially activated!] [As a gift, you have received the Supreme Beginner’s Pack and awakened the ultimate cheat: ten thousand years of pure cultivation essence every second!] Yin Tianjue: “Wait… ten thousand years of cultivation every second? That’s six hundred thousand years a minute, and in one day… I can’t even calculate it. Either way, I’m already invincible!” You’re a peerless prodigy rarely seen in ten thousand years? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re an undying ancestor who has guarded a sacred land for countless ages? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. You’re the strongest chosen one, blessed with heaven-defying destiny? Sorry, I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. From this day forth, I have only one thing to say: “I gain ten thousand years of cultivation every second. Now, how exactly are you supposed to deal with that?”
