Initially, after Li Mu finally made the decision to return with his army to Jiankang, the biggest problem he immediately faced was choosing where to cross the river and return south.

Chang’an and Jiankang, geographically one northwest and one southeast—even before the court’s southern crossing when the Jianghuai region was unobstructed, the shortest postal route between the two places still stretched over two thousand li.

Moreover, now those regions were all under Beixia control.

The route he could take was the military road opened when he had advanced north from Yi Cheng to attack Chang’an.

The stretch from Chang’an to Yi Cheng posed no problems, but beyond Yi Cheng, bordering the Jing-Xiang region, he faced the choice of where to cross the river.

He had two possible routes.

First was to bypass Xu Mi’s sphere of influence in Jing-Xiang, take the route north of the river, travel east along the river, cross at Caistone Ford in Liyang, and head directly for downstream Jiankang.

Second was to directly confront Jing-Xiang, crossing the river immediately at upstream Jiangling Ford, then following the river eastward.

Each had advantages and disadvantages.

The former might initially avoid battle and seemingly shorten the journey to reach Jiankang quickly. But Caistone Ford had been, since ancient times, another major crossing in the lower Yangtze besides Jingkou Crossing. Choosing to cross there with a large army after long marching could never escape Xu Mi’s reconnaissance network. He would certainly control the crossing early, destroy or hide ferries, and deploy heavy forces on the south bank to prevent a smooth river crossing.

At that point, unable to procure sufficient vessels and falling into prolonged standoff warfare across the river with Xu Mi’s well-rested forces would violate the military taboo of relief campaigns.

Moreover, if Xu Mi truly intended to rebel using the Celestial Master sect chaos as opportunity, before his rebellion, he couldn’t fail to consider the variable of Li Mu’s existence and would very likely obstruct him the moment he moved his army south.

A battle en route was inevitable.

Rather than fighting from a disadvantageous position downstream in prolonged river-crossing warfare, better to strike unexpectedly, fight directly at Jing-Xiang, break Xiangyang, take Wuning, and cross at Jiangling Ford.

So that night, after brief consultation with Jiang Tao, he quickly made this decision, then summoned his subordinates, explained the situation, left garrison forces, entrusted all rear affairs to Jiang Tao, Sun Fangzhi and others, then led his army south.

Indeed, as he predicted, just two days after the army passed Yi Cheng and completed provisioning, before even entering Jing-Xiang territory, they encountered pincer attacks from Jingzhou forces and Beixia forces from Nanyang.

The Jingzhou forces naturally came on Xu Mi’s orders to block his southward advance and trap him there.

Xu Mi was thorough and ruthless in his methods. Knowing Li Mu was difficult to handle, for security’s sake, he had also sent word to the Jie people that he now opposed the court and Li Mu might head south any day.

As he expected, Beixia also feared Li Mu, knowing that after pacifying Guanzhong, he would next emerge from Tongguan Pass and target Luoyang. Receiving this news, how could they pass up this opportunity to eliminate him?

Thus, these two armies that had previously fought each other to the death now, facing a common enemy, abandoned their former opposition and reached understanding—one from the south, one from the east—attacking in coordination, firmly restraining Li Mu’s continued southward advance, temporarily unable to break free.

This Jie army stationed at Nanyang was led by a royal clan member highly trusted by the Beixia Emperor. Since Nanyang bordered Jing-Xiang and had once fallen to the Southern Dynasties, after recapture, the Beixia Emperor highly valued it, sending this man to garrison there. Regularly, messengers carrying official documents traveled between Luoyang and Nanyang.

Li Mu first sent spies into Nanyang to spread news everywhere that Yan Emperor Murong Xi had launched a major offensive against Luoyang for revenge, then had men ambush postal stations to intercept documents from Luoyang to Nanyang. After obtaining wax seal patterns and official stamps, he forged transfer orders claiming the Yan army pressed the border, Luoyang was in crisis, and the Emperor summoned him to return immediately to discuss military affairs.

Since Murong Xi proclaimed himself emperor in Yan Commandery and restored the Yan state, Beixia had been preparing for Murong clan revenge. This royal member was already disturbed by rumors he’d heard and had sent men to Luoyang for verification, but due to distance hadn’t received reply. Suddenly receiving such transfer orders, anxious and worried, how could he suspect this was Li Mu’s strategy of luring the tiger from the mountain? He immediately withdrew forces, left men to garrison Nanyang, and hurried to Luoyang.

Once Beixia forces withdrew, Li Mu divided his army—one part remaining in place to continue the standoff and confuse the Jingzhou army, another secretly circling by night to reach behind the Jingzhou army. After completing troop deployment, he immediately launched attack.

The Jingzhou general left in command was named Xu Kong, Xu Mi’s clan brother. Completely unaware that Beixia had withdrawn, when suddenly facing frontal attack from Li Mu, how could he withstand it?

Li Mu’s reputation as War God—who in the entire Jingzhou military headquarters didn’t know it?

Already fearing Li Mu, seeing defeat approaching, he recalled that his greatest mission was defending Xiangyang, keeping Li Mu firmly blocked north of the river, preventing him from crossing at Jiangling. To reach Jiangling Crossing, one had to pass through Xiangyang.

Seeing the situation deteriorating, he immediately planned to withdraw into the city, using city defenses to block Li Mu’s southward march.

Given Xiangyang’s solid fortifications plus sufficient garrison forces, even with Li Mu’s supernatural prowess, breaking through quickly would be no easy task.

Just as Xu Kong hurriedly directed retreat intending to withdraw into the city, an army emerged from behind, cutting off the Jingzhou forces’ retreat.

Under front and rear attack, the battle ended without surprise.

Unlike high-ranking generals willing to serve Xu Mi loyally, many mid and lower-level officers and soldiers in the Jingzhou military were already dissatisfied with Xu Mi’s rebellion. Today’s defeat left them with no escape route. Without Li Mu needing to make any overtures, they surrendered en masse, killed Xu Kong, and turned to follow Li Mu toward Xiangyang.

Xu Kong had previously left only two thousand to defend the city. When city garrison saw Li Mu’s army arrive at the walls and Xu Kong was already dead, what will remained to defend the city?

Soon, this city that had once made Xu Mi so proud with its title of “Premier Upstream Fortress” opened its gates wide.

Li Mu cleanly captured Xiangyang, three days later took Wuning, and his army reached Jiangling Crossing on the Yangtze’s north bank.

Jiangling Crossing was Xu Mi’s forces’ north-south transit point, with ferries for troop movements maintained year-round. Li Mu smoothly crossed the river, immediately led his army eastward along the river, and finally several days ago caught up with Yang Xuan’s rebel forces at Dangtu.

The two sides engaged. The rebel army’s morale was scattered, being routed in all directions. Li Mu didn’t pursue, seeing the path cleared, continued his march.

Finally today, leading this army that had traveled far over long distances, he arrived at Jiankang.

Northwest of Jiankang, in the military camp outside Jiangcheng County, a military physician was currently changing the medicine on Xu Mi’s chest arrow wound.

Though wounded and nearly killed, Xu Mi was beaming, lying there chatting cheerfully with surrounding officers, in excellent spirits.

He had just received news from a scout’s urgent horseback report—on the road less than dozens of li from Jiankang’s south gate, a large army had been spotted rushing toward Jiankang.

Due to distance, the banners couldn’t be seen clearly, but it must be Yang Xuan arriving with his army. The scout, knowing Xu Mi had been anxiously awaiting news of Yang Xuan’s army these days, eager to report back, had a companion continue forward while he raced back first to deliver this good news immediately.

Xu Mi had laughed heartily at the time, immediately sending a deputy general to welcome Yang Xuan on his behalf. Once his wound was bandaged, unable to sit still, he rose and strode with his entourage to the camp gate, personally awaiting Yang Xuan’s arrival.

Everyone following beside him smiled broadly, competing to show loyalty, saying the next battle would not only capture Jiankang but also take Gao Qiao alive to avenge this arrow wound.

Just as they were laughing cheerfully, the deputy general sent out earlier was already racing back on horseback.

The smile on Xu Mi’s face slowly vanished. He stared at the deputy’s approaching figure, a sense of foreboding suddenly crossing his mind.

The deputy, seeing Xu Mi from afar, tumbled from his horse and let out a heart-rending cry.

“My lord! Disaster! Li Mu has returned with his army! Court forces are attacking here—they’ll arrive soon!”

The last trace of smile completely froze on Xu Mi’s face.

He stared fixedly toward the direction behind that deputy, his expression instantly becoming rigid.

Like a thunderbolt from clear sky, those generals who moments before had been competing to boast were all shocked speechless by this unexpected news.

Faintly, the sound of distant battle cries carried on the wind seemed to reach their ears.

Everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Xu Mi suddenly turned around.

“Give orders—form battle lines immediately and prepare to meet the enemy!”

From within the camp gate suddenly erupted an extremely sharp roar.

This sound, filled with shock and rage, shook the entire camp and startled a flock of birds pecking grass seeds in a distant field, sending them fluttering away with beating wings.

Li Mu entered Jiankang and immediately took command of the court army that had been following Gao Qiao’s orders.

From top to bottom, not a single person objected.

The battle on this northwestern battlefield outside Jiankang quickly ended.

The rebels seemed dreamlike, routed with abandoned helmets and armor, throwing down spears and kneeling to surrender everywhere. Xu Mi’s chest arrow wound burst open with continuous bleeding. Protected by loyal followers fleeing toward Xuan City, halfway along the road, seeing pursuit forces catching up with no escape route, Yang Xuan arrived with his army to cut off the rear, allowing Xu Mi to finally escape, fleeing wretchedly toward Xuan City.

The dark clouds that had shrouded Jiankang’s skies for days finally dispersed. The exhausted faces of soldiers covered in blood and grime finally showed traces of rare relief.

But at that same moment, hundreds of li away at Qu’e, gloom and misery prevailed with everyone in danger.

Several days ago, after Piling fell to the Celestial Master sect, misfortune also descended upon this city originally considered safe.

Gao Yin and Lu Jianzhi each led garrison forces, establishing flanking positions on the Celestial Master sect’s route to Qu’e to intercept them, blocking the sect members halfway.

The interception battle was still raging fiercely, but the entire city had already fallen into great panic.

Rumors spread that these hundred thousand sect soldiers were personally led by Sect Leader Wu Cang, and once Wu Cang chanted incantations, each became invulnerable to weapons.

Not only were the civilians sheltering there terrified by this news, but the accompanying ministers were also fearful and restless. Many urged the Emperor and Empress to flee before the sect forces arrived.

Liu Hui claimed that coming here originally relied on the triangular defense line formed by Jurong, Piling, and this place, considered unbreachable. Now that the line was broken, this place was also precarious. Moreover, the defending forces were far fewer than the Celestial Master sect’s rebels. Though Gao Yin and Lu Jianzhi were currently resisting, they probably couldn’t hold long. Within a hundred li was Yun County, which bordered the sea with islands of all sizes scattered like stars. Having once served as magistrate there, he knew the terrain. Better to quickly and quietly leave the city for Yun County and hide on islands—that was the safest method.

He was willing to lead troops protecting the Emperor and Empress to the islands.

This proposal was opposed by Feng Wei remaining in the city, who argued that the sea offered no support and the journey was extremely dangerous. Those Celestial Master sect forces were everywhere and could track and attack at any time. Better to defend within the city and quickly report to Lord Gao, who would certainly make arrangements upon learning.

Liu Hui sneered at the time, saying the Jingzhou rebels were coming fiercely and Lord Gao was probably barely protecting himself now. Waiting for his rescue, this city might already be broken. Better to leave first while Gao Yin and Lu Jianzhi could still hold and there was a route available. If delayed and surrounded, there would be no chance to leave when they wanted to.

The Emperor was frightened by his words and immediately decided to leave. That evening, changing to common clothes and bringing the Empress and Crown Prince, under escort of numerous officials, they quietly abandoned the city full of people and fled in the night.

Unexpectedly, having traveled only dozens of li, they encountered several thousand Celestial Master sect disciples heading to Qu’e to join the battle.

The Emperor was so frightened he fell from his carriage.

After fierce fighting, Liu Hui couldn’t resist and could only protect the Emperor, Empress, and officials fleeing into nearby mountains, struggling until midnight when Gao Yin arrived with reinforcements after receiving news.

Gao Yin cut a bloody path but unfortunately was struck by a poisoned arrow from Celestial Master sect disciples in the darkness and confusion. After struggling to escort the pale-faced Emperor back to the city, the poison attacked his heart and he collapsed.

The entire burden of defending the city fell on Lu Jianzhi’s shoulders. Facing increasingly numerous Celestial Master sect rebels surrounding them, he was forced to withdraw into the city and rely on walls to resist.

Qu’e became a besieged city.

The siege entered its fourth day.

Before each assault, Wu Cang would perform magic and chant incantations, then distribute divine pills to sect members selected by heaven’s mandate as vanguards.

These disciples who consumed the pills would quickly become fearless of death with amazing combat effectiveness.

Lu Jianzhi led soldiers firmly defending the city walls, repelling wave after wave of frenzied attacks from the Celestial Master sect.

This evening, the setting sun was blood-red, illuminating the vast gentle hills and fields outside the city.

Lu Jianzhi had led the garrison continuously defending the walls for an entire day.

Wu Cang also seemed to grow impatient. Since early morning, the Celestial Master sect’s offensive had been like tides, wave after wave without moment’s rest.

When one wave of disciples driven to assault the city died, a second wave quickly replaced them.

When the second wave died, the third wave immediately followed. Covering mountains and fields endlessly with no hope of conclusion.

The garrison on the walls, these warriors of mere flesh and blood, relying on fighting spirit to persist to this moment, had nearly reached their limit.

But no one retreated.

From Lu Jianzhi to the most ordinary soldier carrying rolling stones, everyone’s eyes were red with killing.

As long as they hadn’t fallen, no one retreated a step.

Gao Yin, unconscious for days and awakening only this morning, also climbed the walls and alongside surrounding soldiers wielded his blade, killing one after another Celestial Master sect soldiers climbing the walls.

Even the originally terrified civilians in the city were finally moved by this apocalyptic tragic siege battle, no longer afraid, shouting as they surged up the walls to fight alongside soldiers.

Below the walls several zhang high, after a day of fighting, corpses piled like mountains, gradually nearly level with the walls.

Another wave of sect members, amid battle cries, climbed up on piled corpses, swarming like ants. Those on the walls used knives, swords, stones—every available weapon—to strike at the dense black heads constantly emerging.

The sounds of killing and shouting from the Celestial Master sect outside the city floated continuously into the Qu’e Magistrate’s office serving as temporary palace throughout the day.

The Emperor and officials huddled in the hall, trembling with fear.

All news brought was bad.

When messengers brought the latest report that corpses below the walls had piled almost level with the walls and Celestial Master sect members were about to climb up the corpse mountain, all officials changed color. Those pampered daily who couldn’t even ride horses lost control, teeth chattering and legs too weak to stand.

The Emperor’s face was pale as he covered his face weeping: “Where is Lord Gao? Is he truly trapped at Jiankang? Otherwise, why hasn’t he come to rescue Us?”

Officials looked at each other, silent for moments, then gradually, led by someone unknown, people began weeping along with the Emperor.

Just as crying rose and fell in the hall, suddenly from the distant indeterminate direction outside the city came another round of killing shouts.

That sound like thunder seemed to carry thousands of troops with earth-shaking power, omnipresent from all directions, rolling toward this city.

Gao Yongrong had been sitting silently beside the Emperor. During the monarch and ministers’ weeping, she frowned tightly without speaking.

Suddenly hearing this unusual commotion from outside, her complexion also turned pale.

These days, Celestial Master sect disciples had continuously arrived at Qu’e from elsewhere to join the Sect Leader’s siege battle.

This was the most terrifying aspect of the Celestial Master sect.

Initially, when even high court officials and aristocratic scholars competed to worship the Celestial Master sect, who could have imagined today’s situation would arise?

The weeping of monarch and ministers in the hall was startled silent by this strange sound, then stopped abruptly.

After a brief silence, crying resumed.

The aged Crown Prince’s Tutor, tears streaming, used his gray-haired head to violently strike the hall pillars. His forehead quickly bled, but he seemed unaware, weeping in grief and anger: “Heaven above! Our Great Yu was founded by Emperor Wu, the dynasty lasting one hundred fifty years to now—must it truly end today in the hands of this rebellious cult?”

As his words fell, surrounding ministers wept even more bitterly, kneeling and covering their faces in anguished tears.

“Your Majesty—Your Majesty—”

Moments later, amid rising and falling sobs, Feng Wei rushed in from outside, face joyful, pushing aside a wailing minister blocking him and running before the Emperor.

“Li Mu has arrived with his army and is fighting the rebels outside the city! General Gao and Young Master Lu have also left the city to join battle!”

“Your Majesty, Qu’e is saved!”

At dawn, the night-long battle finally concluded.

After Wu Cang realized he couldn’t defeat Li Mu here, he fled in panic with remaining disciples and followers.

On the fields outside Qu’e city, morning mist drifted everywhere over corpses of dead Celestial Master sect disciples. The closer to the city gate, the more shocking the sight.

Corpse after corpse lay piled like insects, dense and countless. Near the city gate, not even a place to step could be found.

The intensity of last night’s fierce battle was unimaginable.

Under officers’ direction, soldiers began clearing the battlefield.

Li Mu entered the city in stern battle robes with bloodied sword and boots. Coming before that office building, under countless nearly awestruck gazes from the shaken officials, he walked through the hall to the Emperor, bowed to the seated ruler, saying: “Your subject Li Mu arrives late for rescue and deserves ten thousand deaths.”

Before he finished speaking, the Emperor stood and walked forward on unsteady steps, his cold fingers grasping Li Mu’s arm.

“Jingchen, I am fortunate to have you! You rescued Me from peril—such loyal virtue and transcendent merit can only be recognized with the title of Grand Marshal!”