Zhong E

So, how should this matter be handled?

Returning to his quarters, Li Su stroked his chin, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.

This was not merely a matter of preventing Western Xia's movements in advance; there was another issue at play: whether or not this would alter the plot.

If they remained oblivious here, only realizing the truth after Western Xia had already attacked and then rushing over, they would undoubtedly be late to some extent—which might, ironically, be safer.

Yet, if he went ahead of time and caught up to the war, things might become dangerous.

Of all things, one's own life is the most precious.

This was merely a World Fragment; once the plot of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils concluded, it would come to an end.

However, if he prevented it early, Western Xia might quickly retreat. After all, if they were discovered, the risk of being surrounded and cut off deep within enemy territory would be too great for them, and the war would naturally cease.

But how was he to pass on the information?

Li Su frowned, thinking it over and over, until he finally made a decision.

He would go find his master.

He had already exposed so much anyway; exposing this to his master was better than exposing it to an outsider, was it not?

Rising to his feet, Li Su went directly to the quarters of the monk Tianming.

"Xuankong? Is something the matter?"

Tianming, who had been chanting scriptures, opened his eyes. One had to know that among all his disciples, Xuankong was the least likely to seek him out, unless there was a problem with his cultivation or he had completed a stage of his training.

Wait?

He had only just mastered the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art not long ago; surely he hadn't already completed the first stage?

The Indestructible Diamond Divine Art consisted of nine stages in total.

Each stage was a brand-new height, and simultaneously, a brand-new level.

Although he had entered the gate, the first stage shouldn't be reached this quickly. Right, before leaving the mountain, the Shaolin Temple had issued a Great Restoration Pill to everyone... but this was still too fast! It was simply too fast! Not even a month had passed.

If this continued, he would truly lose heart and spirit!

Li Su paused, rubbing his cheek in slight embarrassment, and picked up a charcoal pencil to begin writing.

It was only the first stage, after all; it wasn't that fast.

He hadn't been training properly for the past few days, and although he was full, he felt he hadn't reached his maximum potential yet. A few more days of consolidation should be about right.

After consuming the Great Restoration Pill, the effects on his cultivation were unexpectedly rapid.

It wasn't the kind of situation where eating it instantly granted ten years of internal energy—after all, ten years of internal energy was no joke; that volume was absolutely massive. If it had increased so suddenly, even the Arhat Golden Body wouldn't have been able to withstand it.

Therefore, after digestion, the vast medicinal power remained largely dormant within his body, to be absorbed and transformed bit by bit through his day and night of cultivation.

Li Su estimated that it would take at least two to three years to fully digest those ten years of internal energy.

Before Li Su could finish writing, the monk Tianming sighed, feeling somewhat powerless, and said directly, "Forget it. Listen well, these are the incantations for the second stage."

To Li Su's astonishment, the monk Tianming recited a long passage of content.

"The third stage, the fourth stage, the fifth stage... very well. As for what follows, this master has not looked into it yet; we shall discuss that after returning to the Shaolin Temple. However, even if it is only the fifth stage, if one succeeds in its cultivation, aside from the seven orifices, the armpits, and the lower dantian, the entire body will be as iron and stone, impervious to blades and swords. Even if a first-rate expert cannot strike your vital points, you will have nothing to fear."

Having said this, the monk Tianming felt his heart cracking; it was just too heartbreaking. He didn't even dare to pass it on layer by layer anymore. He was genuinely afraid that if Li Su came to him again on the road, he wouldn't be able to bear it.

It was better to pass it all on now, and when they returned to the Shaolin Temple, he would let the Abbot suffer the heartache along with him.

Li Su was stunned; he clearly hadn't expected that by coming to find his master, the man would suddenly reveal the cultivation content for the first five levels of the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art. This was an unexpected surprise.

"Master, I did not come here because of a problem with my cultivation."

Tianming looked at what Li Su had written, startled, and then became somewhat 'happy'. "Hm? You haven't succeeded in cultivating the first stage yet?"

Li Su's mouth twitched. He decided not to pay any mind to this old monk. Why were you so happy that I hadn't succeeded?

"No, I came here because of matters regarding Western Xia."

"Western Xia?" The monk Tianming tightened his expression and became serious. "Does Xuankong have any findings?"

"It is like this, Master. At noon today..."

Li Su immediately wrote down the conclusions he had reached after listening to Murong Bo's analysis.

After reading the content, Tianming couldn't help but widen his eyes, drawing in a sharp breath.

As the saying goes, those involved are confused, while the bystanders see clearly.

In an instant, he understood.

A feint to the east to attack in the west?

It was actually a feint to the east to attack in the west?

If that were the case, it would make perfect sense. And if this were truly the case, Jingzhao Prefecture was in danger.

Unlike Yanan Prefecture, which had begun to strengthen its defenses and clear the fields, evacuating the populace the moment Western Xia began mobilizing, Jingzhao Prefecture had done no such thing. If it were truly breached by Western Xia, it would be a massive shock to the entire Song Dynasty.

Taking a breath, the monk Tianming rose immediately. Such a major event had to be discussed with Guan Tiannan and the others at once.

"Master!"

"Hmm?"

"It's just that after returning, I happened to think—if possible, please do not mention your disciple, is that alright?"

"Why." Tianming was startled. Although he was a monk, he was not slow-witted, and he quickly understood. A tall tree attracts the wind; the Western Xia's scheme could not be called anything but vicious, yet it had been seen through by a fourteen-year-old boy. Regardless of the reason, it would inevitably attract attention. While Li Su could now be considered a second-rate expert, he would likely struggle to contend with even a slightly stronger third-rate one.

"This master understands."

Tianming nodded, then suddenly remembered something and said earnestly, "Right, Xuankong, there is no need to be too anxious regarding the Indestructible Diamond Divine Art. Cultivating this art is inherently difficult; even after entering the door, the first stage alone requires a significant amount of time. Just take it one step at a time. Forget what I said just now."

Li Su's eyelids twitched, and a smile appeared on his face as he wrote, "Understood, Master. Although I feel the first stage is already complete, I will persist in practicing for a while longer to consolidate it."

Upon hearing this, Monk Tianming immediately stumbled, drawing in a sharp breath. "Hmm, good. Just manage it yourself. This master will be going now."

*********

Government residence.

Not long after Monk Tianming arrived, Guan Tiannan shut the door directly. While notifying True Person Xuanxin, he also summoned a young man.

Soon, following Monk Tianming's explanation, everyone present could not help but be shocked, especially the young man, whose expression shifted instantly.

Undoubtedly, the Western Xia's deployment of one hundred thousand troops along the four border prefectures of Yanan Prefecture created a terrifying pressure that made it hard to breathe. They had only been continuously increasing their forces and fortifying their positions in an attempt to resist.

Hearing of the "feint to the east, attack in the west" strategy, they were instantly enlightened.

Especially given the current situation, it could be basically determined that this was indeed the enemy's strategy.

After all, it made sense; given the military strength currently deployed by the Song Dynasty around Yanan Prefecture, for Western Xia to attack head-on would be asking for trouble.

It was not to say that the Song Dynasty would not suffer casualties; in fact, if it truly came to that, the Song would have a hard time gaining an advantage. However, the problem was that even at a casualty ratio of one to ten, the one losing out would be Western Xia, not the Song Dynasty.

After all, while the Song Dynasty bordered many nations, Western Xia was surrounded by them on almost all sides. Once their losses became too great, what awaited Li Yuanhao would not just be defeat and damage, but the potential for his nation to be destroyed and his family to perish.

"Master, thank you. If this conjecture is true, then this intelligence is of paramount importance to the Song Dynasty."

The young man leapt to his feet, his face filled with excitement. As no news had arrived yet, the Western Xia forces should still be in the process of maneuvering. If handled well, they might be able to wipe out the elite troops Western Xia had sent to invade in one fell swoop.

If they could achieve this, the Song Dynasty would have no worries regarding Western Xia for the next twenty or thirty years.

As his words fell, the young man immediately turned and left in a hurry.

Monk Tianming was stunned. After watching the young man depart, he could not help but turn his gaze toward Guan Tiannan.

True Person Xuanxin was the same; undoubtedly, this conjecture was intelligence of the utmost importance. Was it really alright to let this young man listen in?

Guan Tiannan smiled and said, "This youth is named Zhong E, the son of General Zhong Shiheng!"