"The discussion ends here. I have matters to attend to, so I will not keep you all. Head down the mountain to the camp, and soone will make arrangents later."
The Seven Heroes of Sichuan, including Gongsun Wuji, seeing this, solemnly saluted,
"Thank you, sir."
"We take our leave."
Gongsun Yang lowered the hand that was stroking his beard and nodded.
However, his gaze lingered on Gongsun Wuji for a few seconds, his mouth slightly moving.
Then Gongsun Wuji and the seven bade farewell and left the Ninth Mountain Colonel Hall. As they descended the mountain guided by the armored soldiers, unable to contain themselves any longer, everyone’s eyes naturally ended up fixed on Gongsun Wuji, surrounding him, beginning the "post-event questioning",
"Brother Wuji, you really aren’t straightforward, keeping such a significant matter from us, not revealing a single bit of news. The shock nearly stupefied your foolish brother earlier." A friend with the surna Zhao punched Gongsun Wuji’s shoulder,
"With such connections, you surely could have soared to great heights long ago, no need to wait with us for an opportunity."
"Indeed, you were acquainted with General Chen during humble tis. If it were , everyone under the heavens would surely know." Another friend chuckled.
"No teasing, Brother Wuji has already explained his reasons, which I must admire," said an elder friend with the surna Yue, smiling.
And as the person involved in the incident, Gongsun Wuji understood his friends were joking, and not wanting to dwell on the topic, said, "Please, don’t tease anymore. Since Mr. Gongsun has given important instructions, brothers, you must focus your spirits."
With these words, the Seven Heroes of Sichuan each beca solemn and serious,
"Certainly! I couldn’t have imagined we’d have the chance to lead troops one day—truthfully, while it’s exciting, it’s also nerve-wracking. Now that the day has co, the responsibility feels heavy on our shoulders."
"Being held in such high regard, we must devote ourselves completely—just do it!"
"However, speaking of this, we must thank Brother Gongsun for such hospitality. Otherwise, even if we crossed the Three Gates, we wouldn’t receive such prominent roles."
In truth, they all understood well that without their qualifications, they wouldn’t have gained an audience with soone like Mr. Gongsun.
"That’s why I say, everyone perk up—we’ve benefited from Wuji’s favor, and surely, General Chen will learn of this and look our way. If we don’t display all our abilities and prove worthy of our roles, we’d surely be embarrassed."
"Go go go, quickly down the mountain."
"...."
anwhile, as the Seven Heroes of Sichuan descended the mountain with vigor, in the Colonel Hall earlier, Gongsun Yang was listening to the armored soldiers’ report from outside the door.
"Yun Piaoqi and Lu Piaoqi have returned from Qingshan County, passed through White Emperor City, and should soon arrive at Jingguan City."
"Liu Piaoqi is leading his troops southeast from Qingshan County towards the Ten Thousand Mountains, scouting enemy movents. He requests this side to relay the current southern front scouts’ positions there and asks the sir to write a letter to the Dragon Guard Army general stationed at Chuanzhong Pass for cooperation!"
"As for the general, he remains in Qingshan County."
The armored soldier reported these updates.
Gongsun Yang stood at the hall’s front, his gaze profound, waving his hand, "Understood, you may go!"
"Yes!" The armored soldier retreated.
In the grand hall, Gongsun Yang was left alone, dusting the scroll in his hand, his eyes briefly flashing with golden light, looking out the door, his vision traversing mountain clouds, reaching down the mountain, observing the lively crowd signing up to enlist.
Soon, his gaze returned, the gleam of golden light receding into his eyes, bringing him so comfort.
This scene relieved his intense pressure, giving him more confidence to report to the General.
He thought for a mont, then commanded towards the door:
"I have matters to report. If soone cos, let them wait outside."
"Yes!" The guard outside replied.
Gongsun Yang then raised his hand towards the entrance, a "bang" echoed as the door closed.
With the door shut, Gongsun Yang proceeded from the front to the rear of the hall, arriving at a quiet room behind.
Next, he activated a prohibition, sealing the quiet room, then sat cross-legged, performing manipulations.
A burst of golden light emanated from him, tadpole-sized golden characters flew out, swirling around him.
After a brief mont, these tadpole-like golden characters transford into a band of light, eagerly moving into his forehead, causing his eyes to gently close.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself amidst an expansive sea of clouds.
Before him was a Dao Green Lotus erging from the clouds!
Above the Green Lotus, there was his General’s Yang God gazing down at him.
"General!"
Gongsun Yang saluted with joined hands.
"Mr. Gongsun calls at this ti, for what purpose?" On the Green Lotus, Chen Yuan rose, descending from above, stepping into the sea of clouds, approaching Gongsun Yang, his tone slightly casual.
"General, recruitnt has begun!" Gongsun Yang stated.
Chen Yuan perked up, "The swiftness of your actions indeed surprised ."
With that, his glance shifted, "How is it?"
Gongsun Yang bore a slight smile, "At present, beneath the Ninth Mountain, many aspiring individuals compete to enlist. The scene is lively and utterly different from the previous two tis."
Saying this, a glow emitted from his pupils, projecting the scene from earlier—throngs of people animating the previously solemn and desolate Ninth Mountain.
"The General shall not be disappointed!"
Seeing the projected scene, Chen Yuan’s eyelids slightly lifted in genuine surprise, recalling his previous attempts at recruitnt and army expansion. At that ti, demons broke through defenses, and the Mountain-cutting Army’s twelve troops suffered significant casualties, with Ninth Mountain’s forces dwindled, desperately needing reinforcents. He threw all efforts into action—when announcents failed, he forcibly conscripted from various families, threatening and enticing coercion; when Jingguan City failed, he sent letters to nearby prefectures for conscription. Those tis were truly difficult.
The current scene showed how truly different Ninth Mountain had beco!
"Not bad!" Chen Yuan affird, a smile erging.
Where there are people, there is foundation—it is confidence.
"I trust Mr. Gongsun’s actions,"
"The General should refrain from praising too much; I hardly deserve it. The renown of Ninth Mountain has attracted nurous aspiring youths to co. Speaking of which, today I t an old acquaintance of the General from Qingshan County, nad Gongsun Wuji....."
Gongsun Yang recounted his accidental encounter while inspecting the recruitnt assessnt beneath the mountain, eting Gongsun Wuji and summoning him along with six others to the hall for a discussion with Chen Yuan.
Chen Yuan, upon hearing the recollection, gradually rembered this old acquaintance.
Though only a few years passed, it felt like ages; this Gongsun Wuji, along with Fang Qingzhu and an elderly Zen master, were acquaintances from the Night Navigation Ship, journeying through the gates together. Vaguely, he recalled the other’s reserved and proud nature.
Later, becoming the Ninth Mountain Colonel, they t once more on the road to Tianxiong Pass, where he aided the other out of a predicant. Listening to Gongsun Yang recount recent events, he nodded inwardly, acknowledging the other’s pride and unwavering determination.
"Since these individuals share ambitions, your decision to entrust them with responsibilities was correct. When I return to the mountain, I look forward to seeing this old friend."
Gongsun Yang smoothly continued, "When does the General plan to return to the mountain to oversee the situation?"
"Soon, I plan to first journey close to Ten Thousand Mountains to assess the regional situation." Chen Yuan turned, his gaze gradually deepening.
"That place is most complex! The Lower Realm’s path has Court’s Martial Saints guarding; the demons of Ten Thousand Mountains prepare to resurge; its periter is guarded by the White Bone City’s seven Undying Kings."
"A web of three factions intertwined, each with grievances—the General needs to visit, to establish deterrence."
The words were indeed correct—as he described, these three factions carried the grievances from when Daqian was founded, originally in a delicate balance. Now the demons within Ten Thousand Mountains show signs of disruption, aiming to shatter this balance, uncertain what chaos will ensue, particularly concerning the Lower Realm path.
Involvent is necessary.
However, amidst complexity, Chen Yuan must proceed ticulously.
That is the situation.
"The General should proceed with caution!" Gongsun Yang advised.
Chen Yuan’s gaze was deep as he nodded.
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