Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 259

Volume 3 - Chapter 21: The Chessboard of Emperor Yu - Part 2

The battle of Liangzhou had ended, but undercurrents surged across the land.

Five hundred thousand imperial troops remained stationed in Liangzhou, closely monitoring the situation beyond the River of Death.

After consulting with two imperial princes, Li Tiangang coordinated with the Liangzhou military to dispatch a force of two hundred thousand elite soldiers to Dragon City and the River of Death.

At the river’s outskirts, they established camp and formed military arrays, prepared to rescue Li Hao and Li Xiaoran should they emerge from the River of Death. At the same time, they stood ready to confront the Void Realm Dominator. If they could ambush their enemy, it would undoubtedly be a great boon.

Although a force of two hundred thousand soldiers alone posed little threat to those in the Dao Domain, the army's ranks concealed numerous formidable experts.

News of powerful figures either advancing toward or abstaining from the battlefield had already reached Li Tiangang and his allies, enabling them to make strategic preparations in advance.

However, as time passed...

No conflicts arose outside the River of Death. Instead, a great upheaval occurred in the Yanbei region.

Prince Qing led an army of a million troops, conquering the Sacred Palace, leveling its sacred mountain’s hidden grounds, destroying its gates, and slaughtering countless demons.

Now, the sacred mountain of the Sacred Palace was in ruins. Its spiritual springs were severed, its peaks destroyed, leaving devastation in their wake.

This news quickly reached the ears of the demon clans, including those gathered in Qingzhou.

“Damn it! That Qingdaoist is ruthless!”

“He personally led the campaign? I heard the Sacred Palace’s palace master was gravely injured and fled in defeat.”

“The other elders of the Sacred Palace may have returned, but they won’t make it in time.”

Within a hidden realm in Qingzhou, numerous ferocious figures were perched, all elders of the Dragon Gate.

When the tides turned in Liangzhou, some elders of the Sacred Palace realized their ambush plan in Qingzhou was bound to fail.

Once Liangzhou stabilized, the Li family elders would have no reason to remain confined to the Divine General Mansion, rendering the ambush meaningless.

However, just as the Sacred Palace elders retreated, devastating news arrived from Yanbei.

No one had expected that the Qingdaoist would seize this opportunity. Instead of assisting Liangzhou, he directed his forces straight at the Sacred Palace’s stronghold!

The news of this battle spread rapidly. The bird demon elder from Tianji Hall reported the events in person, leaving the Dragon Gate’s elders, and even its leader, both shocked and enraged.

At the same time, a sense of dread lingered.

The forces they had stationed at their mountain demon nests were already thin. If another prince were sent to besiege them, they too might face disaster.

After extensive deliberation, they reluctantly decided to withdraw.

The two elders of the Li family, who had remained in seclusion, had clearly anticipated their moves. Persisting with an ambush would be futile.

“Contact the Sacred Palace and move toward the River of Death. There is no retreat now. We must rescue the Candlefire God.”

“That worthless fool! Already half a step into the Dao Domain, yet he can’t handle a mere brat!”

“Have the Void Realm beings hidden away for so long that they’ve even forgotten how to devour?”

The elders of the Dragon Gate voiced their frustrations, their hearts filled with anger.

Not only had they failed to conquer Liangzhou, but they also hadn’t toppled the Li family in Qingzhou. Their plans had been an unmitigated disaster.

And when they reviewed the intelligence from Tianji Hall, examining the larger picture, they found the root cause of their failure—one pivotal figure: the young general named Haotian!

The boy hailed from the Li family. Once again, the Li family!

It wasn’t just the Dragon Gate; even the demon kings of the Sacred Palace were seething with hatred.

...

Within the Divine General Mansion.

Li Muxiu laughed heartily upon hearing of the Sacred Palace’s downfall in Yanbei.

He had always known that the emperor would never disappoint.

The Sacred Palace's sacred mountain stronghold had been destroyed, its palace master defeated in single combat by Prince Qing. Both had unleashed their powers at the Supreme Dao Realm, revealing their long-hidden strengths.

But Prince Qing had proven superior, defeating the palace master. Combined with the devastating might of a million elite imperial soldiers, they had trampled the entire sacred mountain into the dust.

This battle not only shook the demon realm but also showcased that this aging lion could still deliver a ferocious blow, tearing the enemy’s throat with its powerful jaws!

“Those fools in Qingzhou must be trembling now.”

“Just a little longer. In a few days, I’ll quietly leave and make my way to Liangzhou.”

Li Muxiu arrived at the ancestral shrine and shared his plan with Li Qingzheng. “You’re aware of the situation in Liangzhou. These enemies will not sit idly by while we ambush the Candlefire God. Their alliance will collapse if he is eliminated.”

“But the Candlefire God must die!”

A cold light flickered in Li Muxiu’s eyes. “Moreover, I need to bring Haor and our fourth brother back. Otherwise, they will remain in danger.”

“But the Candlefire God is half a step into the Dao Domain. Can you stop him?” Li Qingzheng asked, his expression tinged with worry.

Li Muxiu’s gaze narrowed. “Half a step into the Dao Domain? So what? Who isn’t?”

Li Qingzheng froze, stunned as he stared at him. “You... you’ve touched upon that level as well?”

Li Muxiu gave a slight nod, his expression softening into a trace of melancholy. “It was during these years spent fishing with Haor and chatting idly. An epiphany struck me... thinking back, I owe it to that child.”

Li Qingzheng grew excited but sighed as he thought of Li Hao, the boy who had accompanied him in countless games of chess over the past few years.

“It’s a pity Tiangang is so stubborn, and that child is just as headstrong. But now that you’ve reached this stage, you’ve finally caught up to our eldest brother.”

“Eldest brother...”

Li Muxiu clenched his fists as memories of his elder brother flooded back—ambushed and killed in Dragon City by the Dragon Gate’s leader and several demon kings.

At that time, Li Muxiu had been roaming the mountains and rivers, pursuing a woman who had captured his heart.

By the time the news reached him, it was too late. He returned to the Li family, taking over his younger brother’s duties at Tingyu Pavilion, and severed all ties with the woman.

Many had told him it wasn’t his fault. During the battle in Dragon City, their eldest brother, Li Tianzong, had personally commanded the troops, while others were stationed at their respective posts.

But Li Muxiu couldn’t shake the guilt.

He had never been favored by their father, leading a carefree and aimless life without responsibilities.

Because he had no obligations, he felt he bore the blame. This guilt had taken root in his heart and refused to let go.

“I hear Haor has reached the Three Immortals Realm and can even contend with demon kings. I wonder how he achieved such remarkable progress in cultivation.”

Li Qingzheng noticed his second brother’s momentary melancholy and quickly changed the subject with a smile. “If we bring him back now, there’s no longer any need for him to compete with Li Qianfeng. We can directly designate him as the True Dragon.”

“Tiangang likely won’t oppose it either. After this battle, Haor’s merits are undeniable—he’s bound to be titled marquis!”

Li Muxiu’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. He snorted coldly.

“Of course. His achievements rival those of Little Ninth back in the day. Haor is only fifteen and already a general destined for marquisdom. I’d like to see how Tiangang can still claim his son’s temperament is unworthy!”

“It was all a misunderstanding. I still can’t understand why Tiangang was so impulsive back then, cutting Haor off before he could explain himself. What a pity!” Li Qingzheng shook his head with a sigh.

Li Muxiu’s expression shifted slightly as he muttered, “The real question is whether Haor will even want to come back... or if he’ll even recognize me as his second uncle again.”

Li Qingzheng glanced at him and thought back to the snow-covered day when a lone youth walked out of the Divine General Mansion. The boy’s departing silhouette stirred a deep silence in his heart.

...

As time passed, attention shifted away from the now-pacified Liangzhou to the River of Death beyond the borders.

The region surrounding the River of Death had once been part of the Great Yu’s territory, but the river’s ominous presence had led to its eventual separation.

The sheer danger posed by the River of Death was evident—so severe that even the Great Yu Divine Dynasty, which placed immense value on its borders, had ceded land to avoid the area.

This was a feat even the top demonic forces hadn’t been able to achieve.

Li Tiangang held his position in the western territories of Liangzhou, closest to the River of Death, monitoring the area carefully.

...

Another month passed, and Li Tiangang could no longer suppress his restlessness. He sought out Li Xuanli and handed over control of the area to him.

“I need to make a trip to Tianmen Pass,” Li Tiangang said.

“You’re going to check on Haor? But I heard that’s only his martial avatar,” Li Xuanli replied, immediately grasping his intent.

During the campaign to reclaim Liangzhou, they had also sent scouts to investigate the situation at Tianmen Pass. Reports confirmed there were no signs of demonic invasion or activity.

This was understandable. After all, Li Hao’s war banners held immense deterrent power. Planted across Tianmen Pass, they likely left no demon bold enough to approach.

Moreover, during the reclamation of Liangzhou, intelligence gathered from a captured bird demon elder of Tianji Hall revealed shocking news about Li Hao.

He had swept through five thousand li of land beyond the pass, leaving no trace of demonic presence in his wake. No demon dared trespass!

Additionally, it became clear that the demonic forces invading Liangzhou had deliberately avoided Tianmen Pass.

These revelations left the Li family, their allied generals, and the reinforcements from various factions astounded.

None could fathom how a demonic army composed of three top-tier forces dared face a million-strong army on both the eastern and western fronts but avoided the southern border defended by a single youth.

One person capable of withstanding an army!

Li Hao’s battlefield strength stunned everyone, even his opponents, whose caution and reverence spoke volumes.

After all, it’s often the enemy, not your allies, who best understand your true power.

Likewise, the demons outside Tianmen Pass had already experienced the ferocity of this youth long before the Li family grasped the extent of his growth.

...

Aside from inquiring about the war banners, Li Tiangang was more concerned about whether Li Hao had the means to escape the River of Death.

Accompanied by their fourth uncle, who had spent over a decade strategizing against the River of Death in Dragon City, Li Hao should be safe...

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