Chapter 218 - 150: Born Killer

Chapter 218: Chapter 150: Born Killer

A spring breeze blew against his face, feeling wonderfully refreshing.

Ripples spread across the turquoise lake where a small boat drifted. Beyond this wide river lay the three border cities of the Glazed Dynasty.

The old boatman sighed. "War is coming to the border."

His voice seemed to circle over the lake’s surface.

"You know about the war at the border too, old timer?"

"Of course. How could I not? Plenty of people started gathering at the border half a month ago."

Lu Changyuan had taken the opportunity when the two Fairies weren’t looking to grab the National Preceptor and flee Miao Yu Palace. After several days of travel, they had finally arrived at a place not far from the border.

The National Preceptor of the Wei Kingdom was too old and needed to rest, so the two boarded the boat to catch their breath while crossing the river before resuming their journey.

The boatman spoke as if just making small talk. "The Emperor has only been on the throne for a year. He’s got some bad luck, running into something like this."

No Emperor wants to fight a war in his first year on the throne, before his power is consolidated—especially not one who wasn’t the direct heir.

"I also hear our Crown Prince is on the other side." The old man pushed his pole, and the boat drifted forward a little more. "I don’t know much about what’s happening in the Capital City, but it’s been some years since I’ve seen a war."

The Glazed Dynasty was wealthy and powerful. The late Emperor focused on building up the nation’s strength and prosperity, never once starting a war. Now, even twenty-year-olds have never seen battle.

The old man added, "I just don’t know if we can win. I hear the other side has an Immortal’s help."

As his words fell, the boatman felt the wind stop for an instant.

Lu Changyuan’s calm voice drifted over. "And where did you hear that?"

"Just hearsay. People are saying the Wei Army moves like walking corpses. They don’t fear pain. It’s terrifying."

"And where did this news come from?"

"They say it came from a scout team sent by the border general, when they returned to the city looking for a physician... Huh? Where did they go?"

The boatman looked at the empty passenger space, then at the coins left behind. A thought struck him and he gasped, "An Immortal?"

He hastily pulled back his pole and picked up the pouch of coins with trembling hands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

「Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.」

The clamor of hooves echoed from the distance.

The army of thirty thousand the scouts had reported appeared on the distant plain. Yet, to call it an army would be a misnomer; it was more like a moving graveyard.

All thirty thousand soldiers of the Wei Army were ashen-faced, utterly devoid of color, like long-buried corpses seeing the light of day once more.

Their eyes were hollow, and their movements were stiff, unnatural—not like living men at all.

From a distance, the sight was terrifying. The only sign of life was the military banner embroidered with the word "Wei," held high and fluttering in the wind.

Beside Prince Pingyang, his second-in-command unconsciously tightened his reins. His warhorse stamped its hooves, uneasy. He stared, transfixed, at the silent, pale tide pressing toward them, a chill shooting uncontrollably from the base of his spine to the crown of his head.

He swallowed hard, his voice dry. "Your Highness, the report from the advance party was right on the mark. These Wei soldiers... they’re like phantoms. I fear they’re not of this world."

Prince Pingyang’s brow furrowed. In half a lifetime of campaigning, he had never seen such a bizarre army. Still, he took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart.

"Relay my orders." Prince Pingyang’s voice was even calmer than usual. "No one is to retreat a single step without my command."

The Wei Army continued its approach, their steps uniform yet lifeless, advancing at a steady, unhurried pace.

"Prepare to fire!"

The creak and groan of taut bowstrings filled the air.

Prince Pingyang tightened his reins and raised his hand. The moment it fell, a sky-blotting rain of arrows would be unleashed.

But in the very instant before his hand could fall, a brilliant flash of sword light rolled out from the sun on the horizon.

RUMBLE!

The heavens trembled, and the earth roiled.

A single burst of Sword Qi shot out, streaking between the two armies. It tore a great gash in the earth, the heavy soil cracking and crumbling until a massive, deep trench was formed.

It was as if someone had drawn a line between the two armies.

A calm voice drifted over.

"Do not act rashly."

Then, something terrifying happened. Prince Pingyang’s eyes widened as he watched small shoots of green grass sprout up across the solemn battlefield. In an instant, the grass had spread to cover the entire landscape.

Not only that, but as the pale-faced Wei Army marched, the grass began to entangle their legs. It snaked up their trousers, wrapping around them completely.

A youth in a profound robe, holding a white-haired old man by the scruff, strolled out from the blinding light of the sun.

His profound robe cut through the sunlight as he walked.

An Immortal had descended upon the world.

Prince Pingyang suppressed the shock in his heart and steadied his voice. "Are you an Immortal? You should not be interfering in the conflicts of the Mortal World."

Lu Changyuan nodded.

’So mortals understand this principle now. It seems the Daoist Sect has done a good job.’

Prince Pingyang spoke again. "The Daoist Sect will hold you accountable. You should leave quickly."

He saw the old man Lu Changyuan was holding and recognized him as the National Preceptor of the Wei Kingdom.

’To be able to treat the National Preceptor of the Wei Kingdom like this... he must be from a True Immortal Family.’

Lu Changyuan said, "It doesn’t matter. If the Daoist Sect wants to hold someone accountable, I will bear the full responsibility."

Prince Pingyang considered this for a long moment before asking, "May I ask what has happened here?"

"Someone has taken control of the Wei Kingdom’s army. I have used my Swordsmanship to restrain them. Do not move recklessly, unless you wish to end up just like them."

The Dream Demon had already taken control of Su Minghan. Its original goal was the throne of the Glazed Dynasty, but it was forced to abandon this plan due to Luan Rumeng being active a year ago and the prior release of Su Wuxiang.

Lu Changyuan wiped away the golden script from his vision, then murmured, "A Dream Demon from the Upper Three Realms... It’s another Dream Demon."