Li Qiang had never expected Zhao Hao's foundations to be so poor. Seeing such a powerful thirst for knowledge in this elderly disciple, who was older than his own father, he could not bear to fob him off.
After questioning Zhao Hao closely about his cultivation, Li Qiang was astonished to discover that, with only a fragmentary understanding and martial arts as his foundation, he had sought teachers and friends everywhere, gathering cultivation methods from every possible source, and forced his way to the illumination stage. He could not help feeling deep admiration and being moved.
Li Qiang decided to guide him in continuing his cultivation.
Although Li Qiang had only just begun cultivating himself, his circumstances were exceptionally favorable. Not only had the Purple Flame Heart laid an excellent foundation for him, but he also had the jade eye slip Fu Shan had given him. It was equivalent to the scriptures of Fu Shan's sect and recorded a wide variety of cultivation methods. Compared with Zhao Hao's situation, the difference was heaven and earth.
Zhao Hao had gone astray at the very first step of cultivation, the revolving illumination stage. After more than thirty years of cultivation, he had forced his way into the illumination stage, which was already extremely dangerous.
Li Qiang could only have him start over from the revolving illumination stage and explain how to cultivate. Only then did Zhao Hao understand that his earlier efforts had essentially been wasted.
The revolving illumination stage was a cultivator's most fundamental means of foundation establishment and was crucial to later cultivation. During cultivation, one had to use cultivation stones of five attributes-metal, wood, water, fire, and earth-with the body as an array to form a "microcosm." By slowly absorbing from the outside inward, one could gradually transform the constitution, adapt to the use of refined force, and make it circulate proficiently.
As soon as Zhao Hao understood, he immediately asked to begin cultivating.
"Master, how about this disciple cultivates in the Kun position of the defensive array?" Zhao Hao was full of vigor.
Li Qiang smiled. "Go explain things to your family first. Once you sit down to cultivate, there's no telling when you'll wake up. I also need to finish refining the next few items."
Returning to refinement, Li Qiang could not help marveling at the ingenuity of Fu Shan's designs. This wrist crossbow was shaped like an eagle spreading its wings in flight. Only palm-sized, it could attach to the back of the hand. The attack array inside was so delicate and minute that Li Qiang barely knew where to begin.
Li Qiang understood now: the smaller the array, the higher the demands on the cultivator's cultivation. A small object left little room to work. A treasured sword, for instance, was among the hardest things to make. Designing a complete attack array within a blade only eight inches long, or even smaller, was absolutely beyond anyone but an expert.
Fortunately, Fu Shan had already completed the array. All it lacked was power. Li Qiang charged it, activated the array, and slightly modified the crossbow's appearance, completing the refinement of his second weapon.
Next, he refined the spear. It was rather unusual, about two meters long, with a one-meter blade formed from eight overlapping edges that could rotate like fan blades. This time, Li Qiang finished the refinement quickly, with little effort. He merely added barbs to each edge, purely for appearance.
The last thing to refine was the treasured saber he would give Zhao Hao. Li Qiang hesitated. There were several sabers in his bracelet, but Zhao Hao's cultivation was insufficient. A treasured saber required its owner to personally infuse it with power and refine it, or it could not be controlled at all. Without refinement, it would be no different from an ordinary steel saber.
After considering it for a long time, Li Qiang thought of a compromise. He took out a three-foot treasured saber, first replacing the attack array within its blade with a simple storage array, then embedding four earth- and water-attribute immortal stones as its foundation. So long as Zhao Hao channeled a little true essence power into it, the saber would cut through anything, though it posed little threat to cultivators.
Li Qiang discovered that after spending so long refining weapons, his cultivation seemed to have improved considerably, and his ability to control true essence had increased greatly as well. This excited him enormously.
At the sight of Zhao Hao, Li Qiang could not help laughing.
Zhao Hao lay spread-eagled on the floor, with five immortal stones slowly revolving above his body. The sight was rather amusing. Li Qiang extended a thread of true essence power and quietly examined him, feeling a slight shock. The microcosm within Zhao Hao had already taken initial shape, but his true essence power was extremely weak. Relying on these five low-grade immortal stones, who knew what year of the monkey or month of the horse it would be before he woke up?
Li Qiang had no patience to wait. He took out a high-grade Crimson Flame Stone and drove his true essence to pour the stone's power into Zhao Hao's body, making slight adjustments to the microcosm that had formed within him at the same time. This small effort on Li Qiang's part brought Zhao Hao tremendous benefits.
Zhao Hao opened his eyes, knowing clearly that everything had changed.
Having crossed the revolving illumination stage once more, Zhao Hao began his first transformation. His snow-white hair, eyebrows, and beard actually began turning black from the roots, while the wrinkles and age spots on his face rapidly disappeared.
Watching him rapidly transform from an old man into a middle-aged one, Li Qiang was astonished again. It seems no cultivator's age can be judged by appearances.
Beyond his astonishment, Zhao Hao's admiration for Li Qiang reached its utmost height. Kneeling on the floor, he kowtowed respectfully. "This disciple offers his deepest thanks, Master."
Li Qiang sighed. "Ah, having people kneel to me is what I dread most, yet you insist on doing it. Keep this up, and I'll-I'll expel you from my disciples! Get up. This treasured saber is for you."
Meticulously finishing his kowtows, Zhao Hao rose. "Master, propriety must not be abandoned!" Surprise and delight flashed through his eyes as he accepted the saber. "A fine saber! A fine saber!"
Li Qiang smiled. "Try channeling your true essence into it."
The treasured saber emitted a hazy blue-green glow. Something like quicksilver flowed within the blade, seeming both real and illusory as it moved. Zhao Hao marveled, "A divine weapon of the immortals truly is extraordinary."
"All right, let's leave the array. I wonder how long we've been cultivating?" Li Qiang withdrew the defensive array, and the two walked out of the room.
A clamor almost rushed into their faces.
"They're out! They're out! Hurry and fetch the head of the household! Lord Li and the old master have emerged from seclusion!"
Zhao Hao frowned. "What's all this fuss? Such poor manners. Fetch Degui."
Li Qiang sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere. "What happened?"
"Hanlin City is under siege!"
"The head of the household came here every day! We couldn't get into the room, and we shouted ourselves hoarse!"
"Yes, yes! Even the prefect came several times."
Amid the babble of voices, Zhao Degui came hurrying over.
"Father, Lord Li, wonderful! You've finally come out! The prefect nearly drove me mad. Huh?! Father, you've grown younger!"
Zhao Hao raised his hand and gave Zhao Degui a smack. "You're talking in a jumble, with neither head nor tail. What are you panicking for? We'll talk inside." Bowing to Li Qiang, he said, "Master, please come inside and sit first."
North of Hanlin City lay the Forest of Sighs, northwest lay the Red Rock Petrification Mountain Range, west lay a desolate Gobi wasteland, and southeast lay the famous Green Basin. Thus, Hanlin City was also an important military stronghold of the Gusong Kingdom.
In the desolate Gobi wasteland to the west, there was a vicious, ruthless army of bandits called the Black Banner Army. Their leader was En Gang, reportedly a cultivator as well, with formidable martial skills.
Under him were seven banner generals, each cruel and merciless. Each commanded two or three thousand men, all cavalry, who came and went like the wind, specializing in robbing passing caravans and sometimes harassing and plundering the border defenses.
This time, they had come to plunder Hanlin City, bringing four banner generals and over ten thousand men.
Zhao Degui had just finished explaining the situation when a servant boy rushed into the room in a panic, shouting, "Disaster! The city's defenses have fallen!"
Zhao Hao was, after all, the owner of the silver shop and had weathered many storms in over seventy years. Looking at Li Qiang, he said, "Master, forgive this disciple for overstepping." Li Qiang nodded.
Outwardly, Li Qiang remained composed, but inwardly, heaven and earth had already turned upside down. He had never experienced war. Though he had watched films and read novels, that had only been watching and reading. Now that he had to face it in person, he truly felt somewhat at a loss.
"Degui, gather the whole family, young and old, in the courtyard. Don't bring too much. Hide all the valuables. Everyone is to ready their own weapons. Hurry!" Zhao Hao then addressed a man who looked like a warrior. "Brother Yifeng, gather your men, prepare plenty of heavy crossbows, and ready three carriages. We'll withdraw through the east gate."
All of Hanlin City was in chaos. Thick smoke billowed into the sky, the streets rang with shouting, and warhorses neighed in the distance.
Uncertain, Li Qiang hastily began preparing as well, secretly thankful that he had not been lazy and had finished refining three weapons. Unfortunately, there was no time to refine his battle armor. Raising his hands, he put on the Crimson Flame Dragon Shield and fastened the Eagle Strike Crossbow, then held the Hundred-Blade Spear backward in his right hand. His mind immediately steadied.
Once armed, Li Qiang seemed an entirely different person. A powerful presence slowly spread from him with the rhythm of his breathing.
Zhao Hao felt a heavy pressure forcing him to retreat step after step, and his reverence for Li Qiang deepened further. "Master, when the Black Banner Army breaches a city, its usual practice is to massacre it. You must not show mercy."
Zhao Hao's decades of experience were no idle claim. He was an old fox. Seeing Li Qiang hurriedly equip his weapons, he knew that he must never have experienced combat and could not help offering a reminder. He was not worried about Li Qiang's safety, knowing that protecting himself would be no problem.
Before long, everyone had assembled. Zhao Hao issued orders calmly. "Brother Yifeng, take the saber-and-shield men to the front and clear the way. Degui, take the heavy crossbowmen and protect the carriages. Be ready to support your Uncle Yifeng with the heavy crossbows at any time. I'll take a squad of spearmen and cover the rear. Is that clear?" Apparently, this was not the first time the silver shop's people had experienced such a thing. They seemed to train regularly, which explained their composure.
"Father, you command the heavy crossbowmen. I'll cover the rear!" Zhao Degui grew anxious.
"You brat, are your skills better than mine? You'll cover the rear? It's not as if you don't know the force of the Black Banner Army's charges. Can you stop them? You fool!" Zhao Hao scolded.
"I'm just worried about you," Zhao Degui muttered.
"Hey, what do I do?" Li Qiang thought, I ought to count as an expert now. Although I've never learned martial arts, I have good weapons. Besides, my disciple's business is my business.
How could Zhao Hao let an expert like this go unused? "Master, please support us from the center. Wherever danger arises, you can go to the rescue. Would that suit you?"
"Good. We'll do that." Li Qiang was very satisfied.
Holding the Hundred-Blade Spear backward, Li Qiang stood atop the middle carriage's canopy. He thought he looked rather cool.
After they turned a street corner, thunderous hoofbeats came from the main road to the west. The Black Banner Army had arrived.
Zhao Hao loudly ordered the whole group to withdraw east while he led over twenty spearmen to hold the street entrance. He wanted to delay the Black Banner Army and buy time.
The carriages gradually drew farther away from Zhao Hao's spear squad. Li Qiang thought this was wrong. They were nearly out of sight-how could he support them? He leaped off the carriage and told Zhao Degui, "Go on ahead. I'll help your father."
Hurrying back to the street entrance, he could see Zhao Hao from afar, wielding his treasured saber and fighting desperately.
Two banner generals charged over. Every spearman's face turned ashen. Knowing things were going badly, Zhao Hao roared, "Hold steady!" Raising his saber, he charged forward.
The two banner generals from the Black Banner Army were Thunder Banner General Yuan Ba, ranked third among the banner generals, and Snow Banner General Han Jingtian, ranked sixth.
Thunder Banner General Yuan Ba roared like thunder. "Ha! Sixth Brother, there's actually a fool here who doesn't value his life. Watch me cut him down!" He spurred his mount forward and swung the thick-backed mountain-cleaving saber in his hand.
Neither Yuan Ba nor Han Jingtian had expected that they would slam into an iron plate this time-and an even larger iron plate was heading their way.
When Zhao Hao was young, he had earned the nickname "Mad Saber," fighting like a madman with no regard for his life. Watching Yuan Ba's thick-backed saber slash toward him, a cold smile surfaced on his face. "Well met!" Drawing on his newly cultivated true essence power, he abruptly raised his treasured saber. He deliberately intended to meet force with force and test his new saber's might.
Snow Banner General Han Jingtian saw the danger and shouted, "Yuan Ba, watch out! That's a treasured saber!" He sprang from horseback, drew his sword, and rushed forward to help.
A tremendous crash rang out, and forceful Qi scattered in all directions. Zhao Hao had never expected a single slash to knock a renowned Black Banner Army general from his horse and force Han Jingtian back as well. His confidence surged. Laughing loudly, he declared, "Ha! Halt! This road is closed!" Seeing their master display such might, the spearmen all rallied.
Yuan Ba was frightened out of his wits. Without Han Jingtian's warning, he would nearly have been finished. Damn it, where did this expert spring from? That treasured saber in his hand is incredible. Greed welled up within him.
Yuan Ba and Han Jingtian exchanged a glance and shouted in unison, "Men, attack together!"
Zhao Hao cursed aloud, inwardly groaning. He was not afraid for himself, but the spearmen he had brought would be finished. Furiously wielding his treasured saber, he plunged into the enemy ranks again.
How could the spearmen be a match for the battle-hardened Black Banner Army? At the first clash, seven or eight were killed or wounded. Just as they were falling into despair, an invisible pressure pushed toward them. Someone sharp-eyed shouted, "Don't panic! The great lord is here!"
The spearmen watched, dumbstruck, as palm-sized golden eagles flew one after another from Li Qiang's hand. After briefly circling in the air, they plunged swiftly downward, gave clear eagle cries, and burrowed into the Black Banner Army soldiers' bodies. Immediately afterward, the soldiers' bodies burst apart. In an instant, none of the Black Banner Army troops surrounding the spearmen survived.
"Hurry and catch up with the group ahead. Leave this to me," Li Qiang instructed, suppressing the distress of killing for the first time. He had never imagined the Eagle Strike Crossbow would be so powerful. He had merely tried it out and killed thirty-one Black Banner Army soldiers, without even time to stop.
Overjoyed, Zhao Hao said, "Master, guard the street entrance. This disciple will handle things here, haha!" The old man truly was brimming with youth again.
Thunder Banner General Yuan Ba's eyes reddened, and he raised his saber to fight Li Qiang to the death. Han Jingtian remained calm, grabbing him and urging, "Third Brother, don't be rash. This man is beyond either of us. Let's withdraw first and fetch the banner lord." He raised his voice. "Men, fall back! Hey, you two experts, dare you leave your names?"
Zhao Hao laughed heartily. "A true man changes neither his given name nor his surname! Remember it well: I am Mad Saber Zhao Hao! As for my master, you aren't worthy to ask! Hahaha!" Zhao Hao felt utterly exhilarated. Never before had he felt so triumphant and satisfied.
Watching the mass of Black Banner Army troops retreat like an ebbing tide, Li Qiang smiled wryly. "Let's catch up with the others."
By now, the Black Banner Army had begun wantonly plundering and slaughtering throughout the city.
Heading east along the main street, Li Qiang felt that the scenes along the way were nothing short of hell. Corpses lay everywhere, and many badly wounded people screamed wildly. After looting, the Black Banner Army soldiers set fires as well, filling every direction with smoke and flames.
Zhao Hao cut down a Black Banner Army soldier who emerged from a house carrying a large bundle. "Master, don't take it to heart. There's a major war here every ten years or so. This disciple is used to it."
Li Qiang thought with a bitter smile, You're used to it. I'm not used to it at all.
"Huh, isn't that Fatty Qi's clothing shop?" Li Qiang still remembered this shop. It was the first shop he had entered after arriving in Hanlin City. Passing the entrance, he spotted Black Banner Army soldiers inside at once.
"Sir, I beg you, stop killing! I'll give you whatever you want. Sob... sob... heavens! Have mercy!"
"Sob... sob... Father, they dragged Mother into the back. Please let my mother go... sob..."
"Haha, the captain's entered the bridal chamber! Any brothers want to be the first best man? Speak up!"
A piercing scream rang out, followed by furious curses. "You filthy bitch! You dare bite me? I'll hack you to death, damn it!"
"My wife... ah!"
Li Qiang had never personally experienced such a tragedy. A nameless fire of fury shot straight to his head, and he barged inside. Zhao Hao hurried after him.
Li Qiang was mad with rage. Countless spikes of power shot from the Hundred-Blade Spear, while the clear eagle cries were even more terrifying.
Zhao Hao shuddered. Even he, a veteran of countless battles, felt afraid. The Black Banner Army soldiers inside had been torn into countless pieces. Shattered bones and mangled flesh filled the room, and blood flowed everywhere.
"Great Lord Li..." Fatty Qi sat on the floor, holding an eight- or nine-year-old boy, and sobbed aloud.