Chapter 20: The Final Battle!
Zhang Yang clearly understood what Heitu was getting at.
What must we do?
Of course, we must firmly protect the power we hold.
But!
Tapping his right index finger lightly on the table, Zhang Yang said, "I will make my own decision on this matter."
"How is the Jing Kingdom faring lately?"
Heitu replied, "In recent years, Jing Kingdom has been actively reaching out to other feudal states, gathering many supporters in the north."
"At the beginning of this year, sixty-nine feudal states came to pay tribute to Jing."
"Although Jing Kingdom has suffered several major defeats, its foundations remain strong, and to this day it is the only force in the realm capable of threatening us.""However, the Jing Kingdom is riddled with internal conflicts. The Gongsun Clan wields power with tyranny, clashing sharply with the Royal House of Jing and other high ministers."
"Two months ago, the Tian Clan of Jing was purged by the Gongsun Clan, with only a few surviving members managing to flee abroad."
Zhang Yang pondered this thoughtfully.
The Gongsun Clan was not originally a major family in Jing but nobles from the State of Chen.
Due to political turmoil in Chen, the Gongsun ancestors fled to Jing and were greatly favoured by Marquis Jing.
During Jing's expansion, the Gongsun Clan rose steadily because of their outstanding talents, eventually reaching positions among the high ministers and becoming Prince Liao's right-hand men.
Now, they effectively rule with an iron fist!
Zhang Yang considered, "By next year, or at the latest the year after, I will launch a northern campaign against Jing to eliminate this threat once and for all."
"In the meantime, you must devote yourself to training the troops."
Heitu responded resolutely, "Rest assured, Master. I will train the soldiers diligently.""At present, our Shang Kingdom has fifty thousand cavalry."
"Although the number still falls short of the Jing Kingdom’s one hundred thousand, thanks to the martial arts taught by Master, our Shang troops have many outstanding fighters."
"Over the years, many senior brothers have successively broken through to the Bones of Bronze realm. I am now just one step away from Vitality Like a Galloping Horse."
"I wonder if I will have the chance to break through to Vitality Like a Galloping Horse in this lifetime."
As he spoke, a hint of melancholy appeared on Heitu’s face.
He had been following Zhang Yang since the age of twenty-six.
Time flowed swiftly—sixteen years had passed, from his vigorous youth at twenty-six to middle age.
At forty-two, physical functions inevitably begin to decline; even a cultivator cannot defy this trend.
Once over the age of forty-five, breaking through to Vitality Like a Galloping Horse is almost impossible.
Zhang Yang patted Heitu on the shoulder reassuringly. "Recently, I have been researching the second realm of Tongmai and have made some progress."Heitu stood there, dumbfounded, and exclaimed, "Master has made another breakthrough in the Tongmai Realm!?"
"Master truly is a divine being."
After saying this, Heitu shook his head in admiration.
Ten years ago, Zhang Yang first demonstrated the power of the Tongmai Realm.
That godlike, almost demonic strength spread far and wide, captivating sorcerers across the land.
Since then, sorcerers from many nations journeyed thousands of miles to learn from him.
Zhang Yang did not withhold the method of breaking through.
He imparted the secrets of Tongmai to countless disciples.
Yet...
Ten years have passed, and not a single one has managed to reach the Tongmai Realm.
Only one person had barely managed to reach the threshold of the Tongmai Realm, but progressing any further was truly difficult.
The meridians and capillaries were far too fragile.
A slight mistake could cause a backlash of Qi and blood.
Zhang Yang smiled and said, "I have only taken a step ahead in the martial path."
"As long as you persevere, there is hope for you to break through the Tongmai Realm in the future."
"I genuinely hope you all achieve the Tongmai Realm sooner rather than later."
At this point, Zhang Yang sighed deeply.
His words came from the bottom of his heart.
But—
It was not out of kindness.
Just as scientific progress is the result of countless scientists' dedicated efforts—millions of scientists over hundreds or even thousands of years passing down and accumulating knowledge—so too does the advancement of martial arts require the scholars of the martial world. Zhang Yang alone could scarcely drive the true progress of martial arts throughout the entire world. He needed the whole world to develop the martial path in leaps and bounds, following his vision and approach. A hundred years. A thousand years. Ten thousand years from now. The martial arts of this world might well grow to the legendary heights spoken of in myth. Only by achieving this could he, with his power of infinite rebirth, harvest the knowledge and wisdom gained, transforming his boundless life into the greatest possible advantage.
Achieving this step~~~
Is very difficult.
But also not entirely impossible.
Cybernetics gave Zhang Yang a foundation!
How, through deliberate intervention, to reduce the range of possible futures so that the outcome moves in the direction you expect!
Heitu smiled sheepishly.
When it came to martial cultivation, they naturally knew just how Zhang Yang treated them.
Words like ‘wholehearted’ and ‘dedicated’ hardly captured the extent of his teaching.
But~~~
Heitu said apologetically, “It is our inadequacy that has let Master down.”
Zhang Yang laughed heartily, “The path of cultivation has always been a balance of talent and opportunity—neither can be missing.”
“You’ve already achieved a level I’m very satisfied with. As for the future…”
“Today is the third of August.”
Zhang Yang calculated, “Guan will return on the fifteenth. Since you’re all here, I’ll teach you the technique of Tongmai. It might help you break through to the Vitality Like a Galloping Horse realm sooner.”
Heitu was moved and said, “Thank you, Master.”
Zhang Yang laughed and teased, “You’re still so formal with me, even though I’m your Master.”
Heitu gave a sheepish grin, scratched his head, and said nothing.
The Seventeenth Year of the Marquis of Shang, summer.
A major event shook the world.
After seven years, since the battle at Nanyang, the Jing Kingdom declared war on the Shang Kingdom for the very first time.
Once again, the Jing Kingdom mobilised an army of one hundred thousand.However!
Unlike last time, this campaign included not only the Jing Kingdom’s own one hundred thousand cavalry but also the support of many other feudal states.
In total, forty-five feudal states were involved, allegedly fielding an army of two hundred thousand.
A force of three hundred thousand was set to attack the Shang Kingdom.
Such an undertaking was arguably the largest-scale feudal civil war in Great Heng’s history.
When the news reached the Shang Kingdom, it immediately sparked heated debate throughout the court and government.
At the Shang Royal Palace, the officials were vociferous with criticism.
“The Jing Kingdom really has no shame, forcing its allies to send troops.”
“Bah, if it were only the Jing Kingdom, our forces wouldn’t fear them in the slightest.”“But the Jing Kingdom has united the feudal states, mobilising three hundred thousand troops—this is—”
“The Jing Kingdom can call upon its allies; why can’t our Shang Kingdom do the same?”
“Jing has allies, and so do we.”
“Exactly. The number of our allies far exceeds theirs. There’s no reason to fear them.”
“More than that, I am puzzled why Jing is mobilising such a vast force—three hundred thousand soldiers—at this moment to invade?”
“Hmph, over the years the Gongsun Clan has been eliminating rivals, wiping out the Tian Clan and the Su Zhang Clan within Jing.”
“The internal strife in Jing has worsened to the point of open conflict.”
“The Gongsun Clan is probably using this campaign as an opportunity to seize the military authority of other families, to root out any remaining threats once and for all.”
“So that’s it.”
“The Gongsun Clan is truly arrogant—do they think our Shang Kingdom is an easy target to be bullied?”
Lady of Shang furrowed her brows, worry etched on her face as she said, “Chancellor, with the Jing Kingdom’s three hundred thousand-strong army advancing, how should we respond?”Zhang Yang's expression remained calm. "The priority is to reach out to our Shang Kingdom’s allies and request their military support."
"Internally, we must mobilise our entire national force to completely annihilate the Jing Kingdom and eliminate this threat."
"I volunteer to travel to the various states and persuade their sovereigns to assist us."
Zhang Yang clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
Upon hearing this, the Lady of Shang pondered briefly before sighing, "Time is pressing. Unless the Chancellor personally takes the lead, it’s unlikely the states will commit troops. The burden falls on you, Chancellor."
In the Seventeenth Year of the Marquis of Shang, in May, Zhang Yang led five thousand cavalry to Tang Mountain, where he convened a summit of the allied states.
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