Arc 59Yanmen Pass Power Struggle
Qing Chen consolidated control of the Northwestern Circuit, exposed and subdued rival commanders, and secured imperial approval for his reforms. When the Carefree Marquis and his allies challenged Yanmen Pass, Qing Chen faced Dugu Yifang’s Soul Annihilation attack.
- Yue Ting gave Qing Chen the secret technique and materials needed to restore Xie Yu, then pledged his support, while Qing Chen subdued Yue Ting’s demon banners and strengthened his own eight banners with corpses and śarīras.
- Qing Chen issued sweeping property-registration and transport-tax decrees, then exposed Yue Ting, Luo Chong, and Qin Wujiang for secret dealings and ordered their arrest.
- Qing Chen defeated Qin Wujiang and Luo Chong, while Yue Ting escaped after a destructive talisman killed Yan Zhen and Zhaoshenzi and devastated the pursuing forces.
- Qing Chen condemned the officials who had failed to help the pursuit, rewarded Jia Daoyi, reshuffled army and provincial leadership, and brought one and a half million Dao soldiers under his influence.
- Emperor Jingtai approved most of Qing Chen’s reforms and appointments while imposing annual remittances and military requirements, and Qing Chen considered how the Loulan marriage mission could help Yue Ting find the Undying Wood Heart.
- The Carefree Marquis, Dugu Yifang, and Xue Wuming arrived at Yanmen Pass and demanded concessions, but Qing Chen confronted them outside the formation with his forces behind him.
- Dugu Yifang revealed his refined Ancient Bloodline and attacked Qing Chen with Soul Annihilation, while Qing Chen invoked Mystic Womb Wuxiang, Demon Lotus Soul Suppression within his sea of consciousness.