Shi Ji Takes Command

Wen Zhong hadn't been seen for several days. One day, Gu Changqing arrived at Dragon Virtue Hall and saw the monarch and his ministers discussing state affairs, with all the officials looking troubled.

Gu Changqing asked, "Your Majesty, is there some difficulty?"

Teacher?

Di Xin's face lit up when he saw Gu Changqing. He said, "Greetings, Imperial Preceptor. King Wen has personally led 300,000 armored soldiers and has already reached Chong City. While Martial Accomplishment King is skilled in battle, the rebels have many sorcerers, so he's no match for them and has repeatedly requested aid from Chaoge."

Gu Changqing asked, "Where is the Grand Tutor?"

Di Xin replied, "The Grand Tutor has already departed for the southeast. There are no good generals left at court. Who can relieve Chong City's crisis?"

Gu Changqing pondered for a moment and replied, "Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji is still in Chaoge. Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji has reached the Peak Great Luo Golden Immortal cultivation level, and she has cultivated a Golden Body, making her unconquerable except by a Quasi-Sage. You can have Senior Apprentice Sister Shi Ji lead 100,000 armored soldiers to reinforce Chong City."

"Excellent!" Di Xin thought for a moment, then added, "When a large army moves out, it's bound to cause delays. Will it jeopardize the military operation?"

Gu Changqing replied, "King Wen is merely seeking a reputation; he won't launch a lightning-fast assault on Chong City. Even if the battle is currently stalemated, Martial Accomplishment King can hold out for some time."

According to the original plot, Chong Houhu's entire family died at Chong Heihu's hands. Now that Chong Heihu was dead, Jiang Ziya had no one left to turn. The battle for Chong City was bound to be protracted.

"Excellent!"

Di Xin then said, "Summon Shi Ji Zhenren to the hall!"

Although Shi Ji was a cultivation master, she was not a court official. After arriving in Chaoge, she had been cultivating at the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Before long, Shi Ji entered Dragon Virtue Hall.

"Shi Ji greets Your Majesty."

Shi Ji bowed to Di Xin. Even though her seniority was higher than Di Xin's, there was a clear distinction between monarch and minister at court.

"Martial Uncle Shi Ji, please dispense with the formalities."

In front of Shi Ji, Di Xin didn't dare to be presumptuous. He knew full well Shi Ji's standing in Gu Changqing's heart.

Di Xin continued, "Chong City is now in urgent need. The Imperial Preceptor has recommended Martial Uncle to lead the expedition to Chong City. What are Martial Uncle Shi Ji's thoughts?"

"I..." Shi Ji was about to agree, but then she remembered that she had no experience in military warfare, and she hesitated for a moment.

At this point, Gu Changqing said, "Senior Apprentice Sister, there's no need to worry. The army has its own skilled generals. You just need to take command. Once the royal army arrives at Chong City, you can transfer the armored soldiers to Martial Accomplishment King. Senior Apprentice Sister, you only need to focus on dealing with those from the immortal sects."

"The 100,000 armored soldiers are just to replenish Martial Accomplishment King's forces, so Senior Apprentice Sister doesn't need to worry. During the march, just follow the lead of the army's generals."

Seeing Gu Changqing say this, Shi Ji immediately felt confident and replied, "Shi Ji accepts the command!"

The next day, Shi Ji mustered her troops and set off on the expedition.

Gu Changqing glanced at the list in his hand but ultimately did not give it to Shi Ji.

Shi Ji was kind-hearted, and he feared she couldn't bear to see the disciples of the Jie Sect die in vain, which might implicate her instead.

Gu Changqing had to guard Chaoge and found it inconvenient to accompany the army.

He summoned Fei Lian, handed him the list, and said, "Fei Lian, give this list to Wen Zhong. Tell him that when dispatching generals, he should prioritize the experts on this list."

"Yes."

Fei Lian accepted the order and vanished from Chaoge in the blink of an eye.

Gu Changqing returned to the Grand Tutor's Mansion to continue his cultivation.

After Proving the Dao of Mixed Origin, cultivation became even more difficult. Half a month had passed, consuming hundreds of billions of merit, yet there was no discernible effect.

Meanwhile, after Shi Ji led the army out of Chaoge City, she was worried about the crisis in Chong City and did not march slowly. Instead, she brought out the Primordial Chaos World Piercing Shuttle.

As an Innate Supreme Treasure and a flying magical artifact, carrying 100,000 armored soldiers was nothing for the Primordial Chaos World Piercing Shuttle.

Upon arriving at Chong City, Shi Ji saw the rebel army like a surging tide, and her brows immediately furrowed.

How am I supposed to fight this battle?

If she threw her 100,000 armored soldiers into this, it would be like a clay ox entering the sea—they wouldn't even cause a ripple.

Who said the rebels only numbered 300,000?

This must be at least a million!

Below the city gates, Shi Ji called out.

"Shi Ji, vanguard of Great Shang, leading 100,000 armored soldiers, requests an audience with Martial Accomplishment King. Open the gates quickly."

Shi Ji?

Leading 100,000 armored soldiers?

The defending soldiers were almost dumbfounded when they saw Shi Ji below the city.

When did Great Shang get a vanguard named Shi Ji? Never heard of her.

Leading 100,000 armored soldiers? Where are your 100,000 troops?

"Rebel! How dare you try to trick your way in!"

"Fire!"

Arrows rained down instantly.

Shi Ji: What's going on?

I'm here to support you all, aren't I?

Why are we fighting amongst ourselves?

As a Peak Great Luo Golden Immortal, Shi Ji naturally didn't fear the rain of arrows, but she couldn't understand why she was being attacked.

Could Chong City have fallen already?

If so, why would the Zhou army still be besieging the city?

The city walls at each pass were guarded by formations, and a forceful breach would inevitably damage them.

Helpless, Shi Ji flew up to the battlements and shouted, "I have an imperial decree from Your Majesty! Who is the commanding officer? Open the gates at once!" As she spoke, she revealed Di Xin's imperial edict.

"I am Zhou Ji! I've been in the military for decades; how could I be fooled by you? You dare forge an imperial edict? Die, demoness!"

As Zhou Ji spoke, tens of thousands of arrows were unleashed again.

Shi Ji had intended to release her hundred thousand armored soldiers, but seeing the sky full of arrows, how could she dare let them out?

If they were to die at the hands of their own people before even engaging the rebels, wouldn't that be a terrible shame!

Shi Ji frowned slightly, realizing something must have gone wrong within Chong City.

A city's commanding officer couldn't possibly fail to recognize Di Xin's imperial edict, yet the other party was deliberately making things difficult, clearly indicating a hidden agenda.

Shi Ji was considering whether to force her way through when she suddenly heard a reprimand.

"Shi Ji, die!"

Shi Ji turned and saw a familiar face.

Taiyi Zhenren!

"You want my head, Taiyi? Let's see if you have what it takes."

Shi Ji and Taiyi already had a past grudge, and now, with two armies facing off, Shi Ji also cast aside her compassionate nature, ready to settle the score.

Without another word, Taiyi Zhenren directly conjured the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover and sent it towards Shi Ji.

Shi Ji extended one hand, summoned the God-Breaking Spear, and engaged Taiyi in battle.

The God-Breaking Spear was a replica of the God Slaying Spear, no less powerful than a Supreme-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure. Gu Changqing had specially given it to her for self-defense before her expedition.

Facing the menacing God-Breaking Spear, Taiyi Zhenren dared not be careless.

He never expected Gu Changqing to give Shi Ji even the God-Breaking Spear. It seems Shi Ji holds a significant position in Gu Changqing's heart.

Back then, at the foot of Kunlun Mountain, Gu Changqing, wielding the God-Breaking Spear, had even defeated his Senior Disciple Brother. This showed how formidable the God-Breaking Spear was.

However, my Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover has been re-refined by my Martial Uncle, and its power has greatly increased. I might not be afraid of the God-Breaking Spear after all.

Nine divine dragons flew out from the Divine Fire Cover, breathing true flames, and Shi Ji's heart instantly tightened.

She hadn't expected Taiyi Zhenren's cultivation to have improved so much after more than a decade, and even his magic treasure's power had increased significantly.

Shi Ji clenched her silver teeth, and the God-Breaking Spear swept out in a flourish, rushing towards Taiyi Zhenren.

An endless surge of killing intent rolled out, pushing Taiyi Zhenren's Samadhi True Fire far away.

With one successful strike, Shi Ji's confidence soared.

With a soft shout, she manifested her Golden Body, and boundless golden light illuminated the vast expanse.

The Invincible Golden Body was impervious to water and fire.

Even the Samadhi True Fire couldn't harm it in the slightest.

Seeing Shi Ji manifest her Invincible Golden Body, Taiyi Zhenren's anger intensified.

Shi Ji's Invincible Golden Body had been given to her by Ran Deng.

And Ran Deng had, as a result, met his demise.

How could he ever forgive this hatred?