In the early morning, Snow Domain Heavenly Lake was shrouded in mist.
Inside the large tent, Nuo Zhi and Mu Jia frowned in distress. This camp on Snow Domain Heavenly Lake had just been established, and everything was in its infancy. They lacked everything, making things incredibly difficult.
"Armor, weapons, provisions, and supplies—these are all in short supply right now."
Mu Jia said in a deep voice, "The supplies moved from the Unrivaled Fist Sect won't last long. Once this batch of grain is gone, we'll have to hunt for food around Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. But that's not a sustainable plan in the long run."
"More importantly..."
Nuo Zhi added, "We lack warhorses. When the Lord led twenty thousand human cavalry on an expedition to the Eastern Border back then, they routed the demon race with minimal losses. Why? Because human cavalry inherently countered the demon race. The demons had no cavalry and could never outrun human cavalry in terms of speed. Once we have a sizable cavalry force, we can control the initiative in war, attacking when and where we choose. Therefore, our immediate priority is to acquire two thousand warhorses; we need them more than ever."
"Warhorses have always been scarce."
Mu Jia furrowed his brows. "The Northern Region is a harsh and cold land. The primary source of warhorses is wild horses. However, it's now the dead of winter, and the wild horse herds have long since migrated south from the desolate forests of the Western Border. Moreover, even if wild horse herds appear, we have no horse tamers. The army is currently composed entirely of fist cultivators; we have no men capable of herding horses."
This was indeed a thorny issue.
Lin Zhao remained silent in contemplation. After a long while, he said, "There's no other way. Snow Domain Heavenly Lake is practically bankrupt. The Fusu Great Wall region is also lacking in resources; most of its inhabitants are sword cultivators and martial artists, so they won't have many horses. If we want to obtain horses, we'll have to travel south. Only when we reach Shanhaiguan will we likely have sufficient resources for warhorses."
"My Lord."
Nuo Zhi's expression turned serious. "Are you suggesting... we go into the territory of the Great Shang Dynasty to acquire warhorses?"
"Not acquire, but purchase."
Lin Zhao said, "I've met Han Yetang, the Commander of Shanhaiguan, before. She's a decent person... How about you accompany me, Nuo Zhi? We'll make a trip to Shanhaiguan, find Commander Han, and persuade her properly. She's a dignified Commander; at the very least, she should be able to procure 2,000 warhorses. You gave me so much Jin Zi Qian last time, and it should come in handy now."
"Yes, my Lord, your subordinate understands."
Nuo Zhi rose. "We'll leave now?"
"Mm, we'll leave now."
...
A ray of sword light ascended from Snow Domain Heavenly Lake. Nuo Zhi, with Lin Zhao in tow, flew on her sword. Her blade beneath her feet was incredibly stable. Lin Zhao sat near the sword sheath, arms crossed, having grown accustomed to being carried around by Nuo Zhi. He was now proficient at flying on a sword.
The flying sword streaked across Copper Mirror Lake and headed directly for Washing Sword River.
On Washing Sword River, a Jiang Shen Niangniang, clad in golden armor, looked up. Her golden eyes saw through everything. The person sitting on the sword was her little Zhao, and the one controlling the flying sword was a one-armed woman. An eleventh-realm sword cultivator, her sword dao luck was dense. This eleventh-realm sword cultivator was quite powerful, perhaps capable of defeating some weaker twelfth-realm cultivators.
Lin Xingchu's lips curved slightly. Who was this woman? She was beautiful with delicate features and a fine physique. As she flew on the sword against the wind, her curves were accentuated. Little Zhao had excellent taste. Although this woman was one-armed, her sword dao cultivation was profound, and she appeared to be fertile. Lin family descendants would be ensured.
Thus, this Jiang Shen Niangniang stepped onto the river waves, walking leisurely on the river. Normally, human sword cultivators flying over this area would dismount and pay their respects. After all, Lin Xingchu's status as the only thirteenth-realm mountain and river deity in human territory was undeniable, and one should not overstep. But this woman... since she was Little Zhao's person, forget it. Let her fly past. They were all family, after all.
...
Not long after, Nuo Zhi's flying sword passed over the Fusu Great Wall. The people within the Fusu Great Wall were much more open-minded. Sword cultivators flying over the city were a common sight. Great Sword Immortal Lin Wanhua was in her residence, drinking tea and nurturing her sword intent. Merely sensing that sharp, unbridled sword intent, Lin Wanhua's lips curved upward. Was the foremost eleventh-realm sword cultivator of the Northern Region not even bothering to restrain her sword intent while passing through Fusu Great Wall? Well, it was none of Lin Wanhua's business. As long as she wasn't here to challenge her to a duel, it didn't matter to her if she flew over Fusu Great Wall naked.
Some time later, Nuo Zhi's flying sword arrived at Shanhaiguan and entered human territory.
Shanhaiguan was no ordinary place. There were formations and barriers in the air that intercepted any unauthorized cultivators or martial artists crossing the border. Thus, Nuo Zhi landed with Lin Zhao and entered through the main gate of Shanhaiguan. Lin Zhao did not summon his mount and walked side-by-side with Nuo Zhi, proceeding directly to the rather grand and imposing Commander's Mansion. He then cupped his fists and said in a deep voice, "Please inform Commander Han Yetang. I am Bai Yi from Tianji City, seeking an audience!"
A sixth-realm sword cultivator guard frowned. He recognized this lower-fifth-realm sword cultivator. Han Yetang had once gifted him a golden token of Shanhaiguan, making him a distinguished guest of Shanhaiguan. The one-armed young woman beside him possessed a powerful sword intent that was almost blinding to behold. It was likely that this woman possessed a sword heart, and a very strong one at that; she might have already achieved Sword Heart Enlightenment.
"Please wait a moment!"
The guard returned shortly. "The Commander grants both of you an audience."
"Thank you!"
Lin Zhao and Nuo Zhi followed the guard directly into the Commander's Mansion. The mansion was not large, as Shanhaiguan was a harsh and cold region. In the rear garden, Han Yetang, clad in half-armor, was having breakfast. Her meal was simple: a plate of roasted chicken, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, a pot of fine wine, and a stack of white steamed buns. She was currently enjoying a chicken leg with gusto.
"My Lord, they have arrived!"
"Oh, I see."
Han Yetang stood up and wiped the grease from her hands with a handkerchief, displaying a touch of maidenly grace and composure. Her hand rested on her sword hilt as she smiled slightly. "Bai Yi, and this lady..."
"Nuo Zhi from Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, paying respects to the Commander!"
Nuo Zhi, being one-armed, could not perform the martial arts salute. She merely bowed her head in greeting.
"Nuo Zhi?"
Han Yetang was slightly taken aback. "Are you the one from the Ten Sages of the Summit?"
"Indeed."
Nuo Zhi nodded. "I survived the battle at Snow Domain Heavenly Lake and have lingered on until today. Please forgive my appearance, Commander."
"There's no need for apologies!"
Han Yetang's gaze softened slightly. "Those who could kill demons on Snow Domain Heavenly Lake back then were the backbone of humanity. Han Yetang thanks you, Sword Immortal Nuo Zhi, on behalf of all people."
Nuo Zhi smiled and nodded.
Lin Zhao felt a bit awkward, as if his presence was no longer needed.
Han Yetang's beautiful eyes turned to Lin Zhao. She had already suspected that this lower-fifth-realm sword cultivator was a reincarnation of that person. Nuo Zhi's appearance only further corroborated this. Nuo Zhi's peak eleventh-realm sword intent was undeniable. The only person who could command such respect from an eleventh-realm peak sword immortal was Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Lake.
Everyone was intelligent, and Han Yetang saw no need for pretense.
She walked up to Lin Zhao, her lips curved. "My name is Han Yetang, an eleventh-realm sword cultivator, the Commander of Shanhaiguan and the Vermillion Bird Camp. My maternal grandfather was Chen Wanli, the Commander of the Cangnan Iron Cavalry back then, a twelfth-realm Rebirth realm martial artist!"
Lin Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly and cupped his fists towards the young eleventh-realm sword cultivator. "My name is Lin Zhao, a lower-fifth-realm sword cultivator. Although I am not a formal disciple of Old Marshal Chen Wanli, I have a master-disciple relationship with him. He once guided my fist techniques on Snow Domain Heavenly Lake."
"I see..."
Han Yetang nodded. "Lin Baiyi of Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, how many people in this world knew you would descend upon this realm once more?"
Lin Zhao smiled. "Past affairs have all been severed. Starting anew, all past matters need not be mentioned."
"They need not be mentioned."
Han Yetang's gaze was gentle. "But you are my grandfather's disciple, and we are family. This matter cannot be bypassed."
Lin Zhao blinked and scratched his head. "Well, our relationship is indeed quite close."
Nuo Zhi narrowed her eyes. She hadn't expected things to proceed so smoothly. It seemed the matter of warhorses would likely be resolved without issue.
...
Snow Domain Heavenly Lake, the morning mist was exceptionally thick.
On Jiuzhang Plain, two figures appeared: Bai Ye, who was in charge of the Ninth Army Tent of the demon race, and a woman in a black robe with an exceptionally graceful figure, the strategist of the Ninth Army Tent, Shi Jungang.
"Sister Shi."
Bai Ye surveyed the activity on Snow Domain Heavenly Lake and smiled. "That eleventh-realm sword cultivator has already left. Now there is only a Celestial Realm martial artist and a ninth-realm martial artist. If we charge in now, we might even be able to annihilate them."
"Eager for merit already?"
Shi Jungang sneered. "Lord Bai Ye, please do not forget that many demon generals met their doom because they were too eager for merit. The human commanders are not ornamental. They are all cunning. The Heaven Furnace Strategy set by the human commander Lin Zhao back then killed millions of our elite demon race, and it took a hundred years for us to recover. Do you wish to repeat the same mistake?"
"I dare not, I dare not!"
Bai Ye's attitude was extremely deferential. "I will obey everything Sister Shi commands."
"Mm."
Shi Jungang said, "Steady your mind and follow our planned steps. The first step is to eliminate the exiled army led by Chu Yu, leaving the army on Snow Domain Heavenly Lake isolated and without aid. Then, the main army will advance, and we will decide the outcome in one battle."
"Yes!"
Bai Ye frowned. "But Chu Yu is also well-versed in military strategy and is extremely cunning. Every time she fights, she stops just short of victory, retreating after tasting a little sweetness. Getting Chu Yu to fall into our trap will likely not be easy."
"To deal with someone, you must first know their weakness."
Shi Jungang narrowed her eyes and smiled. "Chu Yu has always referred to herself as Commander Chu. It is said that she is the adopted daughter of Chu Huaixi. In her heart, Chu Huaixi is unique in the world. I previously reviewed the demon race's records of that great battle and discovered that Chu Huaixi was buried on Jiuzhang Plain after her death. Yes, right beneath our feet."
As she spoke, a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes, and she sneered. "If we were to excavate all the graves on Jiuzhang Plain and declare that we intend to find Chu Huaixi's tomb, exhume her remains, and whip her corpse under the sun for three years, do you think Chu Yu would stand by idly?"