Borrowing a Knife to Kill

P. S.: The second part of Legend of Star Peak in the Cultivation World, has begun. The second part is full of upheavals and magnificent Wind Rises Cloud Surges, featuring immortal pills, spirit beasts, holy lands of cultivation, and the most desperate situations in the world... there's nothing you can't find! Immortal Emperors, Demon Lords... countless masters! How it turns out is for everyone to judge!

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Zhu Li already had a bad feeling, but he still hoped that it wouldn't actually happen. But what he feared most came to pass.

Zhu Li looked at the urgent document in his hand, a helpless bitter smile appearing on his lips, "Sigh, I was just happy about the great victory at Wind and Rain Pass, but now the Liao Kingdom has already started to take action."

All the ministers looked at Zhu Li, and they had a bad feeling. Suddenly, the atmosphere under the pavilion became oppressive. Zhang Xingfeng did not care about this. Instead, he looked at Lang Feng, who was grinning foolishly. Lang Feng was immersed in happiness. The emperor had granted him a marriage in court, so he didn't have to worry anymore.

"Alas!" Zhu Li suddenly sighed.

An old man with a white beard immediately asked anxiously, "Why is Your Majesty sighing? Is it because of the Liao Kingdom...?" The other ministers remained silent; they all already knew what had happened.

Zhang Xingfeng glanced at Zhu Li, smiled faintly, and poured the wine in his cup into his mouth. A refreshing coolness immediately entered his heart, making him feel extremely comfortable.

Seeing Zhang Xingfeng drinking alone, seemingly enjoying himself, Zhu Li was secretly annoyed. "Zhang Xingfeng, can't you see that I'm troubled right now? You should at least show some concern, why haven't you shown any sign of concern?"

Zhu Li realized with dismay that Zhang Xingfeng was unlikely to pay attention to him, so he had no choice but to take the initiative. Zhu Li placed the urgent document on the table and sighed, "Now the Liao Kingdom has also begun to take action. According to our spies, the Liao Kingdom has mobilized 1.2 million troops to advance towards Qingzhou Prefecture and Yuzhou prefectures. Our Great Ming is fighting on three fronts. Although our Great Ming has won the Battle of Wind and Rain Pass quickly, the people around Wind and Rain Pass have also suffered great losses. Post-war reconstruction and other matters need to begin immediately."

As Zhu Li spoke, he began to sigh.

"The Jin Kingdom is still attacking relentlessly, and Deng'er is also trying his best to deal with the Jin Kingdom, but it's still a bit of a stretch to the Jin Kingdom with just the strength of the three prefectures. Now that the Liao Kingdom is attacking, it's indeed a bit tricky!"

Hong Zhu suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty need not worry. The casualties of our Ming Army in the Battle of Wind and Rain Pass were not heavy. The armies of Jizhou Prefecture, Youzhou Prefecture, and Bingzhou Prefecture are still basically intact. Now, as long as the armies of Bingzhou Prefecture, together with the armies of Yuzhou and Qingzhou Prefecture, resist together, it should not be a big problem to deal with the Liao Kingdom!"

Zhu Li nodded in agreement. "Yes, the troops in the three northern prefectures have suffered relatively few losses. We can mobilize troops from one prefecture and the two prefectures of Yuzhou and Qingzhou to jointly resist them."

Zhu Li suddenly looked at Zhang Xingfeng and thought to himself, "Zhang Xingfeng, Earl Zhang, I have treated your brother very well. Now that I'm asking you to do something, don't refuse!" Zhu Li was very clear about how terrifying Zhang Xingfeng was. He even guessed that the deaths of 700,000 Yuan Mongolia troops Inner City were caused by Zhang Xingfeng. If Zhang Xingfeng were to lead a large army, as long as Zhang Xingfeng showed a little power, the Liao Kingdom army would probably be in for a rough time.

Everyone would be happy to minimize their army's losses.

"Earl Zhang, what do you think should be done regarding the Liao Kingdom?" Zhu Li asked Zhang Xingfeng with a smile, displaying no air of superiority whatsoever. Zhu Li had long regarded Zhang Xingfeng as someone far above ordinary people. Perhaps in Zhu Li's mind, Zhang Xingfeng was beyond the reach of them.

However, for the sake of the Ming Army, Zhu Li had no choice but to launch an offensive against Zhang Xingfeng.

All the ministers looked at Zhang Xingfeng, only to be met with Zhang Xingfeng leisurely sipping of the wine. They were all taken aback, for they were all preoccupied with matters of state, yet Zhang Xingfeng was still able to drink it.

Zhang Xingfeng seemed to notice the ministers' gazes, smiled slightly, slowly finished his wine, and then put the cup down. Zhang Xingfeng seemed to notice that many ministers' eyes had turned red.

"You, Earl Zhang, are just an earl? What's with your arrogance? His Majesty has spoken to you, yet you treat him with such disrespect. What kind of decorum is this!" Most of the ministers thought this way, but Old General Wang vaguely guessed why Zhu Li had said such things to Zhang Xingfeng. Old General Wang looked at Zhang Xingfeng, then at Zhu Li, whose smile remained unchanged, and thought to himself, "Your Majesty, do you hope that the tragedy of the Yuan Mongolia will happen to the Liao Kingdom again?"

"What does Your Majesty think? Didn't General Hong Zhu say that with the armies of the three prefectures attacking together, dealing with the Liao Kingdom shouldn't be a problem?" Zhang Xingfeng smiled slightly, looking at Zhu Li. He knew what Zhu Li was referring to. Ever since Zhu Li treated Lang Feng so well in the Golden Palace, Zhang Xingfeng knew that Zhu Li must have some demands of him. At the same time, Zhang Xingfeng also sighed inwardly; Zhu Li was truly remarkable, even able to guess that the Liao Kingdom was going to attack.

Zhu Li had long been worried about a simultaneous attack from the three kingdoms. He treated Lang Feng so well in order to cultivate a good relationship with Zhang Xingfeng. Even if he didn't need anything from Zhang Xingfeng, it was still good to have a good relationship with Zhang Xingfeng.

Zhu Li suddenly laughed loudly, "Earl Zhang, you are right. The three prefectures can resist the Liao Kingdom army, but the pressure on the army of the three prefectures is still very great. If, I mean if, the army of the three prefectures fails to defend, what will be in front of the Liao Kingdom army will be civilians who have no power to resist? What will we do then!"

Zhu Li continued, "Looking at my ministers now, there are very few who are capable of being commanders-in-chief. General Hong Zhu is young and promising, but he is still inexperienced. Old General Wang is getting old, and I have just announced that he should enjoy Old General Wang retirement. How can I let him take up arms again? Earl Zhang, tell me, am I right?"

Zhang Xingfeng looked at Zhu Li and smiled mockingly, thinking to himself, "You're not trying to tell me indirectly, ' Earl Zhang, I don't have any capable people on my side right now. I've been so good to your brother, so you'll lend a hand!' But getting me to lend a hand isn't that easy."

"Your Majesty is absolutely right." Zhang Xingfeng's reply was very concise and to the point, which surprised Zhu Li. However, Zhu Li was indeed the emperor, and his reaction was extremely quick.

He immediately smiled and said, "Earl Zhang's skills are astonishing. At such a young age, he has brought the Star Peak Family to such a high position. As the head of the family, would anyone believe that Earl Zhang doesn't have the ability to lead a family?"

As soon as Zhu Li uttered those words, everyone immediately understood what Zhu Li's true intentions were.

Isn't that right? Zhu Li just kept saying that he didn't have any commanders under his command, but now he's saying that Earl Zhang is a commander. What he wants is quite clear.

But all the ministers immediately thought, "That's right, Earl Zhang founded the Star Peak Family at the age of six, which shows his leadership ability. Managing such a large Lineage and making Lineage so prosperous must be much more difficult than leading an army! It seems that Earl Zhang is indeed a military genius!"

For a moment, all the ministers looked at Zhang Xingfeng with burning eyes, as if Zhang Xingfeng were the savior of the Ming Dynasty and the hero of the future.

Zhang Xingfeng was also taken aback. He glanced at Zhu Li, whose eyes flashed with cunning but whose face remained serious, and sighed inwardly, "Zhu Li, you're too good at talking. The Star Peak Family has fallen to this state, and it really isn't because of my management!" Zhang Xingfeng had been in seclusion for ten years, and the Lineage's operations had been handled entirely by Brother Wang and the others.

"Therefore, I hope that Earl Zhang can consider the interests of the people of my Great Ming and take on the role of commander-in-chief in this battle against the Liao Kingdom army. What do you think, Earl Zhang?" Zhu Li finally revealed his purpose.

Everyone was looking at Zhang Xingfeng.

Lang Feng, standing behind Zhang Xingfeng, quietly tugged at his clothes and whispered, "Second brother, just go for a bit. His Majesty will be my father-in-law soon."

Zhang Xingfeng was taken aback. He glanced at Lang Feng, but then remembered that Lang Feng had lost his martial arts skills. It was because he hadn't given him the Biling Pill that Lang Feng had fallen to this state. A wave of guilt washed over him. He looked at Lang Feng's pleading eyes, then at Zhu Li, and sighed deeply. "It's all for my elder brother's sake!"

"Serving the country and its people is indeed what every man of the Ming Dynasty should do. I am willing to take command!" Zhang Xingfeng was also secretly annoyed. "What kind of situation is this? A cultivator becoming a commander-in-chief?"

Zhu Li smiled with satisfaction, and the ministers around him laughed.

Zhu Li loudly proclaimed, "Very well, I hereby issue the order to appoint Earl Zhang Xingfeng as the commander-in-chief of this army and General Hong Zhu as the deputy commander-in-chief! We shall depart tomorrow!" As if remembering something, Zhu Li added, "To express my gratitude to Earl Zhang Xingfeng, from this day forward, Earl Zhang shall not kneel before me."

Everyone was stunned. No, they had to kneel down. This was a privilege reserved only for the heads of the Four Great Families!

Zhang Xingfeng smiled but didn't say anything.

However, the way all the ministers looked at Zhang Xingfeng had changed; it was now one of respect. These ministers were all shrewd and capable individuals.

Zhang Xingfeng, formerly the Third Young Master Zhang Family of the Zhang family, is now the head of the Earl's Lineage. He possesses astonishing martial arts skills, and it is said that the power behind him is terrifying, with his master being a deity. He has gained the upper hand in numerous battles with the Li Family.

When the ministers thought of everything about Zhang Xingfeng, they couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "His Majesty is truly wise. Earl Zhang has achieved so much at such a young age. I wonder how amazing Earl Zhang achievements will be in ten years."

Zhang Xingfeng suddenly said, "Your Majesty, Brother Lang Feng is seriously injured. I will send him back to recuperate first." Zhang Xingfeng's tone changed immediately. I've already come out, but Zhu Li didn't care.

"Alright, Earl Lang Feng, you'd better take good care of your health, or my precious daughter will be heartbroken!" Zhu Li joked, clearly in a much better mood.

Zhang Xingfeng bowed slightly to Zhu Li, then had someone carry a sedan chair to take Lang Feng out of the palace.

Star Peak Manor was now in sight, and the large, gilded characters "Star Peak Manor" gave Zhang Xingfeng a sense of familiarity.

"This is my root!" Zhang Xingfeng felt a surge of emotion for some reason. Returning to the Star Peak Manor had calmed him down considerably. When he was away from home, he always felt like a wanderer, but only here did he feel like he had roots.

"Be careful!" Zhang Xingfeng reminded the four guards. The four guards carrying the sedan chair knew this and carefully stepped over the threshold into the manor.

"Young Master, you're back!" Qiu Zhi's voice rang out from afar.

Zhang Xingfeng smiled and waited for Qiu Zhi to approach before saying, "Qiu Zhi, quickly arrange for someone to let Brother Lang Feng rest. Brother Lang Feng's injuries this time are quite serious."

Qiu Zhi was taken aback. She didn't know that Lang Feng was injured. Upon hearing this, she immediately asked anxiously, "How exactly did Brother Lang Feng get injured? How could anyone hurt Brother Lang Feng!" In Qiu Zhi's eyes, Lang Feng's kung fu was invincible, and Zhang Xingfeng, in Qiu Zhi eyes, was probably beyond the reach of ordinary people. Others were simply not on the same level as Zhang Xingfeng.

Zhang Xingfeng's face immediately darkened, and he said, "Don't ask so many questions, quickly arrange for someone to let Big Brother get some rest."

Zhang Xingfeng felt very upset when he thought about Lang Feng's injury, and his tone immediately became much harsher.

Qiu Zhi grunted in agreement, said nothing, and immediately arranged for Lang Feng to rest. Zhang Xingfeng knew he had spoken too harshly, but looking at Qiu Zhi as she left to make arrangements, he sighed and went back to his room.

A gentle night breeze, cool and refreshing!

Zhang Xingfeng stood outside Lang Feng's room for a long time without moving. After a while, he finally stepped inside and waved to the servant who was taking care of Lang Feng. The servant immediately left.

"Second brother, you've arrived! You're leaving tomorrow!" Lang Feng said to Zhang Xingfeng, leaning against his pillow, in high spirits.

Zhang Xingfeng nodded, forcing a smile, though it was a little forced, and said, "Brother, I'm going to Qingzhou Prefecture tomorrow, so I came to chat with you today!"

"Brother, how are you feeling right now?" Zhang Xingfeng was still very concerned about Lang Feng's health.

Lang Feng was overjoyed today. Ever since Zhu Li bestowed the marriage upon him, he had been living in a dream, filled with immense happiness. Upon hearing Zhang Xingfeng's words, he immediately smiled and said, "My health is excellent, very good, hehe!" He then laughed again.

Zhang Xingfeng glanced at the many tonics on the table and said, "These were all gifts from Li Da and the others!"

Lang Feng laughed and said, "Yes, Li Da and Zhang Yu are just too enthusiastic. They chatted with me for almost three hours! Haha!"

Zhang Xingfeng nodded, walked to the bedside and said, "Brother, give me a check-up and see if I'm feeling much better."

Lang Feng nodded and extended his hand. Zhang Xingfeng immediately channeled his Chaos Power into Lang Feng 'Lang Feng body, beginning a careful examination of his recovery.

As the examination progressed, Zhang Xingfeng's smile widened. Lang Feng's recovery was truly astonishing. Back in Wind and Rain Pass, Lang Feng's health was in such poor condition, but now he was almost fully recovered. It would normally take at least ten days for an ordinary person to recover to this extent.

Suddenly, Zhang Xingfeng's smile froze, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Ah!"

"Good, good, good, good..." Zhang Xingfeng's face suddenly broke into a smile, and he said "good" four times in a row. He looked at Lang Feng with a strange glow on his face.

"Big brother, big brother, your kung fu hasn't been ruined, it hasn't been ruined! You can still cultivate quickly!" Zhang Xingfeng was obviously overjoyed, speaking with great excitement.

Lang Feng Fang was stunned for a moment, and then a surge of joy began to well up in his heart. Although he was no longer so sad about losing his martial arts now that he had Leyue Lang Feng, losing his martial arts was still a very painful thing. Now that he had discovered that his martial arts had not been destroyed, this was undoubtedly a great joy!

"Second brother, what exactly happened? My golden core shattered, didn't it? Even if I wanted to cultivate, I could only do it step by step, just like an ordinary person. You said my martial arts weren't crippled, so what happened?" Lang Feng still wanted to find out the truth. He knew perfectly well that his golden core had shattered.

Zhang Xingfeng laughed and said, "Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; that's true. Back then, I was saddened by my elder brother's Human-Weapon Dual Cultivation, but now I've discovered it's actually a wonderful thing!"

Looking at the puzzled Lang Feng, Zhang Xingfeng continued, "Other cultivators lose all their power once their Golden Core shatters. But for Human-Weapon Dual Cultivation, losing their power means losing everything when their Law Artifact shatters! For Human-Weapon Dual Cultivation, their Law Artifact is not just Law Artifact; it also possesses traces of the characteristics of the Golden Core."

"Because you Human-Weapon Dual Cultivation, and your Law Artifact was not damaged, it is now guiding the True Primordial Energy within Law Artifact body to recover. I believe that soon you will be able to cultivate and recover on your own. I estimate that in less than half a year, your power will be fully restored!" Zhang Xingfeng's face glowed, clearly showing that he was very happy.

Lang Feng was taken aback. He finally understood; it seemed to be all thanks to the Jade Blood Blade. He couldn't help but chuckle. He was overjoyed. Today was truly a wonderful day—first, the arranged marriage, and now, the prospect of regaining his power.

Zhang Xingfeng was also all smiles. He had been troubled and guilty about Lang Feng's matter for some time, and now the huge weight on his heart had finally been lifted, and he felt a great sense of relief.

"Second brother, are you confident in this expedition?" Although Lang Feng trusted his second brother completely, he knew that Zhang Xingfeng had never led any troops before. Now that Zhang Xingfeng was leading a million-strong army, Lang Feng was genuinely a little worried for his second brother.

Zhang Xingfeng smiled and said, "Brother, don't be nervous. It's just leading troops. We still have General Hong Zhu, right? If there really is a problem, we can just set up a maze to trap the Liao Kingdom army and then attack with arrows. Isn't that simple? I have plenty of ways to deal with them!"

Lang Feng couldn't help but worry about the Liao Kingdom army. Faced with his second brother's magical Law Technique, what could those mortals do? But Lang Feng felt that doing this seemed a bit like bullying them.

"Second brother, this battle will take place in Qingzhou Prefecture. You've been there once before, so I'm sure you know the terrain well. This will make future battle arrangements easier."

Zhang Xingfeng suddenly paused, "Taihang Mountains!"

Yes, the Taihang Mountains, the Taihang Mountains with extraordinary strength!

They had a million-strong army, and the Liao Kingdom had an army of 1.2 million. Although the Taihang Mountains only had 300,000 people, their fighting strength alone was one million (excluding 50,000 Innate Masters )!

A thought suddenly popped into Zhang Xingfeng's mind.

Zhu Li, you want to use my knife to kill the Liao Kingdom. Can't I use someone else to do the same?

Thinking of this, a mysterious look appeared on Zhang Xingfeng's face.

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