Xu Qi An sat in the main seat of the council hall, a sword hilt protruding from his crown chakra. His position there wasn’t due to others respecting his prestige or fearing his cultivation level. Theoretically speaking, Xu Qi An’s current official position as the leader of the Night Watchmen Office was comparable to the court ministers. Even without real power, his official rank surpassed that of Yang Gong, a provincial governor.
“Please speak freely, this official is listening,” Xu Qi An said, looking around at the officials on both sides to start the discussion. When it came to military matters like troop movements, supply logistics, and maintaining the rear, he was completely out of his depth. In these areas, he could offer suggestions and point out shortcomings, but if he tried to coordinate and arrange things himself, he would only get in the way.
Yang Gong nodded and took over the conversation: “We have three matters to discuss in this meeting: finances, military recruitment, and defense lines. Among these, finances and recruitment are closely related. Although we managed to bring most of our military supplies when Qing Province fell, the shortage of funds and provisions continues to plague us. The supplies being transported from Zhang Province recently sank in the river, and the army escorting them was destroyed.”
Zhang Province was one of the Great Feng Dynasty’s granaries with the most abundant reserves. Ten days ago, during the peace talks, the fleet transporting supplies from Zhang Province was attacked. Not only did the provisions sink, but the entire escort army was annihilated. The Yun Province rebels were deliberately cutting off the supply lines from various provinces to Yong Province.
The Great Feng Dynasty’s territory was vast, and whether by water or land, the journey was extremely long. Encountering enemy ambushes during transport was an unavoidable risk. Of course, the Great Feng army also had elite experts infiltrating Yun and Qing Provinces to conduct their interception operations.
At times like these, victory depended on both sides’ material reserves and the number of experts they possessed. Compared to the Great Feng Dynasty, Yun Province’s biggest advantage was its lack of strategic depth. Yes, having a smaller territory had its benefits—it meant shorter transport routes, less complex terrain, and consequently, a lower probability of mishaps.
Li Mu Bai pondered: “Although Yong Province is wealthy, between stabilizing the disaster victims and supporting the army, we can last a month at most. After that, we’ll have to start ‘squeezing the people’s fat and marrow.'”
Second Young Master Xu interjected: “If we recruit soldiers from the refugees, we can greatly reduce our expenditure on provisions.” This would maximize resource utilization by incorporating the idle refugees into the army.
Li Mu Bai said gravely: “In that case, we could last three months…” He glanced at Mo Sang, the Force Tribe warrior beside Miao You Fang, and corrected himself: “Two months shouldn’t be a problem.”
The officials and generals fell silent, their brows furrowed. The issue of finances and provisions had always been Great Feng’s primary challenge—without money and food, how could they wage war?
*I could have the Flower Goddess accelerate the growth of some crops, but that would be a mere drop in the bucket…* Xu Qi An thought of the Flower Goddess’s spiritual essence. But he immediately realized this suggestion wasn’t feasible. The amount of crops Mu Nan Chi could accelerate was limited, while how much did the court need? How many mouths were there to feed? They weren’t even in the same league, though this method could be used for emergencies.
When the time came, the exhausted Flower Goddess would cry: “There’s nothing left, not a single drop!”
Xu Qi An’s lips curled slightly at this thought.
“Thump! Thump!”
He knocked on the table a few times to draw everyone’s attention and said: “Her Majesty will establish new market towns in Chu Province and Yu Province and open border markets. Great Feng will have money and provisions before long.” He then informed everyone of the policies from Huai Qing’s court assembly.
It took time for imperial edicts to reach various provinces, certainly slower than organizations like the “Celestial Repository’s Secret Agents” who relied on swift horses and transmission techniques to deliver messages. Of course, once Sun Xuan Ji completed the transmission arrays, the speed of information exchange with Yong Province would increase dramatically.
“Brilliant!”
Zhang Shen stroked his beard with a smile: “These two policies can solve Great Feng’s urgent needs and future concerns.”
Establishing market towns and opening border markets would replenish the national treasury, addressing the court’s empty coffers. Reclaiming abandoned farmland would give refugees land to cultivate after spring arrived. In these times, pacifying the common people was quite simple—give them a few acres of land, and the Yun Province rebels would find it much harder to recruit refugees as cannon fodder.
Li Mu Bai praised: “When Her Majesty studied at the Cloud Deer Academy, she already showed remarkable practical abilities. Her ascending to the throne is truly a blessing for Great Feng’s people.”
Everyone joined in the praise. Compared to Yong Xing, the Empress’s ascension gave them hope. Perhaps only Night Watchman Xu would have had the courage to support a woman’s ascension to the throne.
The officials and generals looked at Xu Qi An with admiring eyes, but upon seeing the sword hilt protruding from his head, they quickly lowered their gazes, trying not to laugh.
Guardian Yuan’s azure eyes swept across the crowd, and his lips moved as if to speak, but Sun Xuan Ji thrust a teacup in front of him and said expressionlessly: “Drink!”
Guardian Yuan hurriedly opened his mouth and took a sip, swallowing the words that had been about to emerge.
…The officials and military commanders inwardly broke out in cold sweat, casting grateful looks at Sun Xuan Ji. If Guardian Yuan had read their earlier thoughts aloud, they would now be either standing or kneeling during this meeting—either way, Night Watchman Xu wouldn’t have let them off easily.
Yang Gong cleared his throat and brought the topic back on track, his expression extremely serious: “The third issue is our defensive line! But before that, we need to estimate when the Yun Province army will launch their next attack.”
Zhou Mi, the former Qing Province Military Commander, contemplated before saying: “The Yun Province army suffered a major defeat. The battle at Xun City hurt them deeply—they won’t return so quickly. They’ll probably wait for the legendary White Emperor to return to the Nine Provinces continent.”
The existence of the White Emperor wasn’t a secret to the high-ranking officials present. During the operation to behead the Black Lotus, the White Emperor’s absence revealed that it wasn’t in the Nine Provinces.
“No, I think they will attack Yong Province in the coming days,” Li Mu Bai offered a different opinion. The great scholar from Cloud Deer Academy analyzed: “First, the Spring Festival approaches. They can sustain a war lasting six months to a year, but they’ll be worn down by a war of several years. Her Majesty’s two policies form the foundation for a protracted war. If the Yun Province rebels learn of this, they absolutely won’t delay and will attack immediately.”
Miao You Fang suddenly said: “They might also attack Yu Province to prevent the court’s strategies.” Yu Province bordered the Southern Frontier.
As soon as he finished speaking, Second Young Master Xu beside him rejected the idea: “Yun Province’s military strength isn’t sufficient to support a two-front war.”
This was why Yun Province had initially wanted peace talks to take Yu Province without bloodshed. Everyone realized that if the peace talks had succeeded then, with Yun Province’s army taking control of either Yu Province or Zhang Province, the situation would have truly been beyond salvage—the court’s destruction would have been just a matter of time.
Great Feng had already teetered on the brink of destruction once… the civil and military officials sighed inwardly.
Xu Yinluo’s coup changed the fate of the Great Feng Dynasty.
Yang Gong made his final summary:
“From regrouping to marching out, it won’t take more than half a month. Before the Spring Ceremony, there will be a fierce battle between Yun Province and us. Next, we need to establish our first line of defense and select commanders…”
In the Administrative Office of Qing Province.
On the same morning, the military high command of Yun Province was also holding a meeting.
After everyone had gathered, Ge Wenxuan looked around before beginning:
“The Temple of Divination just received news that the capital is preparing to establish trading posts in Jian Province and Yong Province. They plan to open trade with the northern demon barbarians, the southern Gu tribes, and the Myriad Beast Nation to replenish the national treasury. Additionally, there’s another decree to buy back land from the gentry and nobles at original prices, which will be used to pacify the refugees after the Spring Ceremony.”
“This doesn’t bode well—it strikes at all of Yun Province’s weaknesses.”
Hearing this, the assembled high-ranking commanders furrowed their brows, already aware of how these two policies would affect the situation.
Zhuo Haoran sneered:
“Trading posts? Dream on. I’ll lead my death squad to wipe them all out.”
Ge Wenxuan responded coolly:
“Very well, we’ll prepare Commander Zhuo’s funeral in advance.”
Before Zhuo Haoran could explode in anger, Yang Chuannan interjected gravely:
“The matter in Jian Province is too distant for us to interfere with. Yu Province borders Qing Province, so that’s within our reach. But have you considered that when the court opens these trading posts, the most delighted will be the Gu tribes, the Myriad Beast Nation, and the Central Plains merchant caravans?”
“The Central Plains have tea, porcelain, silk, salt, and iron that the Gu tribes desperately need. The newly established Myriad Beast Nation has nothing except herbs and food. Both the Gu tribes and beast clans will certainly station troops at the trading posts.”
“Moreover, the Southern Borderlands are rich in resources, enough to drive profit-seeking merchants mad. Previously, when the Gu tribes were at odds with Great Feng, and when the Buddhist sect controlled the Ten Thousand Mountains, they refused to trade with the Central Plains. They had no choice then.”
“Now that these concerns are gone, merchant caravans will surely flood into Yu Province. In these troubled times, they’ll hire substantial armed forces for protection. If you lead your death squad to eliminate them… heh, who exactly would be wiping out whom?”
It was well known that the martial world of the Central Plains was prosperous, with jianghu forces as numerous as cattle hairs.
These jianghu fighters wouldn’t care about Great Feng’s fate, but they could be driven by profit. There might even be merchant caravans formed by various jianghu factions heading to Yu Province.
Ge Wenxuan nodded, agreeing with Yang Chuannan’s analysis, and added:
“If we deploy troops to Yu Province, conducting a two-front war with our current forces and resources would be quite risky.”
Zhuo Haoran fell silent.
Qi Guangbo said flatly:
“Now you understand why Xu Qi’an wanted to put a woman on the throne? Supporting the Crown Princess’s ascension wasn’t just about securing the rear—it’s because this woman is unmatched in talent. It’s like adding wings to a tiger for Xu Qi’an.”
“From now on, our enemy won’t just be Xu Qi’an, but also this female emperor of Great Feng.”
A commander pondered for a moment before tentatively suggesting:
“With the Supervisor no longer in the capital, why doesn’t the State Preceptor simply storm the capital and eliminate this empress?”
Everyone’s eyes lit up, considering this a feasible strategy.
Qi Guangbo remained silent before sighing:
“That would be mutual destruction.”
Without further explanation, he glanced at the quiet, somewhat withdrawn Ji Xuan, and said:
“Attachment to emotion is not befitting of an emperor. If you don’t want to be looked down upon by the State Preceptor and His Majesty, erase the words ‘Ji Yuan’ from your heart.”
Ji Xuan nodded without speaking.
Qi Guangbo continued:
“We will strike Yu Province, but not now. Prepare first for the attack on Yong Province. I’m giving you only half a month. After that, we march on Yu Province.”
Yang Chuannan was startled:
“General, we’re not waiting for the White Emperor?”
Qi Guangbo shook his head:
“Great Feng can afford to wait, but we cannot. Moreover, Luo Yuhen’s tribulation is approaching, and Xu Qi’an remains an unstable factor. The more time we give them, the more unpredictable things become.”
“Besides, do you know when the White Emperor will return? The fate of Yun Province—our fate—cannot rest on an external ally.”
[One: The teleportation array in the palace must be in my bedchamber. If you’re worried about Lin’an, have Sun Xuanji build one in her Shaoyin Palace as well. If Xu Pingfeng and the Bodhi Tree attack the capital, only with the array in my chambers will I have a chance of survival.]
[Three: No problem, as long as Your Majesty doesn’t mind, I certainly won’t either.]
[One: What do you mean?]
[Three: I’ll need to keep a few of the directional teleportation talismans leading to the palace as well.]
Huai Qing remained silent for a long while but didn’t refuse.
Xu Qi’an continued writing: [Though if it comes to that, it would be truly devastating.]
The two were having a private conversation.
[One: During the late Zhou historical period, in the Yong Yu era, the Witch God Cult’s army reached the capital. Yong Yu fled the capital under military escort, abandoning the royal concubines and civilians in the city. The Witch God Cult’s army massacred for three days and nights, taking the imperial princesses and consorts captive back to the northeast.
[Emperor Yong Yu gathered troops at the frontier, and within six years, drove the Witch God Cult’s army out of the Central Plains.
[The capital has never been important—as long as I don’t die, Great Feng will not perish.]
Huai Qing’s message conveyed powerful, unparalleled confidence.
[One: Moreover, if Xu Pingfeng dares come to the capital, he won’t be able to return to Qing Province and Yun Province quickly. This is also our chance to eliminate the rebel headquarters in Yun Province in one stroke. Given Xu Pingfeng’s character, he won’t choose mutual destruction unless pushed to the absolute limit.
[You need to focus on two things now: First, help the State Preceptor through her tribulation. Second, figure out how to advance to First Rank.]
Help the State Preceptor advance to First Rank? Tsk tsk, this constable is following imperial orders for dual cultivation… Xu Qi’an responded:
[Understood.]
The conversation ended.
Xu Qi’an sat on the city walls of Xun Prefecture, gazing at the azure sky, lost in thought for a long while.
In all the major systems, there were no barriers after advancement.
As long as one accumulated qi and honed their physical body, improving “Jade Shatter,” they could slowly push their cultivation to the peak of Second Rank through time alone.
In other words, regardless of the system or rank, the most difficult part was breaking through the bottleneck.
When Xu Qi’an originally advanced to Third Rank Undying Body using Wei Yuan’s blood pill, there were no bottlenecks afterward. His qi steadily grew through continuous dual cultivation with the State Preceptor.
The real difficulty lay in breaking through to higher ranks.
Just like the old warrior who took several decades to advance from Third Rank to peak Third Rank.
But the bottleneck to Second Rank had kept him stuck for five hundred years.
“Advancing from Third Rank to Second Rank means achieving Unity with the Dao, completing one’s ‘Intent.’ Then what about advancing from Second Rank to First Rank?” Xu Qi’an furrowed his brows:
“First Rank warriors seem to have no title—there are deep waters here. I feel that the warrior system might be the most unique and profound among all systems.”
The warrior system had existed since ancient times, yet had never produced a Beyond-Rank expert.
First-rank warriors had no title.
These two points alone were enough to prove something was unusual about this system.
He closed his eyes, sat in meditation, and released the seal on Master Shen Shu.
At his current Second Rank power, sealing Shen Shu’s right arm wasn’t difficult. Although Master Shen Shu was a monk who didn’t mind matters between men and women, Xu Qi’an still refused to have observers during dual cultivation.
Luo Yuhen also refused to be an observer when confronted by the little constable.
Before his eyes appeared misty fog, swaying like gossamer silk. Deep within the clouds stood a dilapidated temple, and before its doors sat a handsome young monk.
“Master, I wish to ask a question,” Xu Qi’an pressed his palms together in greeting:
“How does one advance to First Rank as a warrior?”