The Northern Sea Campaign, The Bald Daoist

"Your subject, Kong Xuan, General of Sanshan Pass, pays his respects to the Great King!"

Above the nine-bay main hall, civil and military officials stood in neat rows, their gazes fixed on the middle-aged man standing tall between the two columns.

"So this is the Kong Xuan the Great King spoke of. His bearing is indeed extraordinary."

"What good is an extraordinary bearing? Outsiders are just like those brutes; in the end, it all comes down to strength!"

"Exactly, exactly. I wonder how his unique skills are? I heard Fei Zhong mention him yesterday with high praise, so he must have some tricks up his sleeve."

"Fei Zhong's mouth is full of lies! Can't trust him, can't trust him!"

Hearing the officials' hushed whispers, Di Xin merely smiled faintly.

Morning insects know not the cycles of the moon, cicadas know not the turning of the seasons.

These people have considerable knowledge, but it's limited to within the Human Race. In other words, they are completely ignorant of true power!

"I wish to establish the Star-Gathering Pavilion to command all the unique individuals in the realm. There is now a vacancy for the position of Pavilion Master, requiring a rare and extraordinary individual. Kong Xuan, are you willing to share my burden?"

"Your subject is willing!"

"Great King, wait! The Star-Gathering Pavilion is of great importance, and the position of Pavilion Master is an incredibly arduous task. Although General Kong Xuan is skilled in martial arts, there are no battle records or merits to his name. Appointing him as Pavilion Master out of the blue might cause some to be displeased."

"Oh? Then what is your suggestion, Fei Zhong? Should Kong Xuan show us what he can do?"

"Great King, shouldn't we at least have a chance to witness it?"

"Very well, General Kong Xuan, why don't you tell us what skills you possess? What makes you believe you are worthy of the position of Star-Gathering Pavilion Master?"

As Di Xin and Fei Zhong exchanged words, Kong Xuan's debut stage was set. Below, the officials exchanged glances:

Did we say anything? Do we dare to be displeased? Life is so hard!

"Great King, your subject will not boast!"

Kong Xuan smiled slightly, standing with his hands behind his back, an aura of disdain for the world emanating from him.

"Your subject can hold back a million soldiers alone!"

"What a bold claim."

"He can brag even more than Fei Zhong and You Hun!"

"From now on, when attending court, perhaps even King Wucheng wouldn't dare ride his Five-Colored Divine Ox here!"

"That's right, if those three teamed up and blew it away, the loss would be immense!"

The officials scoffed. If this wasn't boasting, what was?

Even Grand Tutor Wen Zhong wouldn't dare spout such nonsense. This mere general was making a mockery of the world!

"Kong Xuan, do you know that words spoken before the king are not to be taken lightly?"

Di Xin straightened himself, rising from his throne. His gaze swept over the steps below the jade platform, and silence fell upon the hall once more.

"Your Majesty, true gold fears no fire. Your subject has a clear understanding of himself."

Kong Xuan held his head high, showing no signs of fear.

"Great King, Yuan Futong of the Northern Sea has led the Seventy-two Vassals in rebellion. Grand Tutor Wen Zhong has been leading troops to quell the rebellion for over several years, yet there is no sign of his triumphant return. Since General Kong is so confident, why not let him go and prove himself first?"

Fei Zhong's words, spoken once again, drew the attention of all the officials, sparking their imaginations.

"How did Kong Xuan offend Fei Zhong to be roasted like this?"

"He probably only saw the bright future and didn't see the treacherous path beneath his feet. He's caught the eye of that scoundrel Fei Zhong, hehe."

"Oh my, oh my! I thought he was one of Fei Zhong and You Hun's kind, but it seems I was mistaken."

"Kong Xuan, what do you say?"

Seeing that the situation had developed sufficiently, Di Xin finally spoke.

Kong Xuan clasped his hands together and bowed slightly:

"As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit. Lord Fei Zhong's words are exactly what I intended!"

"Good! Guards, bring the wine!"

Di Xin laughed heartily, strode down the jade steps in a few steps, picked up the wine pot from a guard, poured a cup of wine, and offered it to Kong Xuan.

"How about we toast to your triumphant return with this cup of wine?"

"Thank you, Great King!"

Kong Xuan took the wine cup with both hands, tilted his head back, and drained it in one gulp. He then turned and walked out of the hall without any hesitation.

"Everyone, let us see what capabilities our Star-Gathering Pavilion Master truly possesses!"

"Yes!"

Hearing the voices from the hall, Kong Xuan's lips curved slightly. The moment he stepped out of the hall, he transformed into a streak of rainbow light and headed north!

A mere quelling of rebellion? How trivial!

North Sea

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

-- Wuwu!

On the battlefield, two armies faced each other. As the desolate and muffled horn sounded, the drums instantly erupted, shaking the heavens and earth!

Amidst desperate shouts of slaughter, the two armies fiercely clashed. For a moment, dark clouds shrouded the land, and the stench of blood rushed towards the sky. The world turned dim, and the sun, moon, stars, and constellations lost all their light!

-- Jinjin jin!

Warhorses screamed as flesh and bone flew; amidst flashing blades and sword light, rivers of blood flowed!

This is the battlefield!

This is war!

This is the greatest grinder of flesh and blood for the ancient Human Race!

"Kill them for me!"

In the midst of the army, a burly elder, enveloped in golden light, wielding the Male and Female Twin Whips, and riding an Ink Jade Qilin, led a contingent of troops, charging rampantly across the battlefield!

Wherever he went, the enemy trembled with fear, retreating for miles. Some even bled from all seven orifices, dying of fright!

Wen Zhong, Grand Tutor of Yin Shang, a trusted minister, and a disciple of the Intercepting Sect's Golden Spirit Holy Mother, the true pillar of Yin Shang!

Under his charge, leading from the front and fighting in blood, the enemy's defense lines were torn apart one after another. The Yin Shang army swarmed through the gaps, slaughtering the enemy wantonly, advancing like a broken bamboo!

In the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they had already reached Yuan Futong, the enemy's central camp!

"Mages, quickly attack!"

Seeing the one-sided situation, Yuan Futong was so terrified his soul nearly flew out of him. However, he saw the few bald old Daoists before him and forced himself to calm down, though his lips still trembled as he spoke.

"Quick, quick! They've reached our central camp!"

"Amitabha!"

"Amitabha!"

"Amitabha!"

As soon as Yuan Futong finished speaking, the four bald old Daoists surrounding him chanted spells in unison. Instantly, the wind and clouds changed!

A fierce gale rose from the southeast, kicking up sand and stones, obscuring the sky and the sun. Banners toppled, and men and horses were thrown about!

The entire battlefield was plunged into chaos, with visibility reduced to zero!

"Hah! You dare use demonic arts to block the Yin Shang army? Watch as I shatter your divine powers!"

Wen Zhong let out a great roar. The Ink Jade Qilin soared into the air, and the Male and Female Twin Whips in his hands transformed into two coiling dragons!

As Wen Zhong activated his Golden Radiant True Body, golden light erupted from him, illuminating several miles around like a bright lamp!

However, for a battlefield spanning dozens of miles, this was still far from enough.

"Amitabha! Ta-da-ga-ha-ye!"

"Amitabha! Ta-da-ga-ha-ye!"

"Amitabha! Ta-da-ga-ha-ye!"

As the chanting resumed, a thick fog rolled in from the west, instantly engulfing the entire battlefield.

Strangely, the gale could not disperse the fog; instead, it made the fog thicker and thicker, until all that could be heard on the battlefield was the sound of the wind.

"Damn it! It's happening again!"

Wen Zhong cursed angrily. The heavenly eye between his brows manifested, and gripping the Male and Female Twin Whips, he smashed them towards the four golden-robed bald cultivators who had stealthily approached him from all sides!

"Today, I will ensure you never return!"