Ming Yueshu stared at the mysterious airflow: "Is this the energy you used to help me and Yun Caiyao with that knife attack that day? Afterwards, Yun Caiyao and I analyzed it together. Although we determined that the knife was the Fire Lotus Knife of the Evil Lotus Sect, the energy in the knife was not entirely magic energy. It was mysterious and unpredictable, and we two couldn't figure it out.
"I never thought it was formed by the combination of Taoism and Demon. I now believe that you really went to Yuanshi Cave Heaven and met them. I just didn't expect that after three hundred years, Fairy Shengxuan and Emperor Mei are still alive."
Her eyes drooped and her voice was sad: "Fairy Shengxuan, you should be the only relative I have left."
Shi Hao was shocked: "Where are the other members of the Ye family?"
Ming Yueshu shook his head slowly: "They are all dead!"
Shi Hao was stunned for a moment, then sighed, "Sister Zi Yin doesn't know about this yet... Alas!"
After a pause, he said, "I only told her about the transformation of the Tianying Immortal Mansion into the Sanying Ghost Cave. Sister Ziyin said that the Ye family was originally an ancient witch family, and there is a mysterious magic circle left over from the pre-Qin period in the Tianying Immortal Mansion that suppresses unknown monsters underground."
"Now that the Immortal Palace has turned into a ghost cave, it must be that the magic array has been destroyed and the evil spirit has overflowed."
He turned his hand over again, and nine stars faintly appeared above his palm: "Sister Zi Yin asked me to bring this Nine Stars Locking Veins Formation back to the mortal world. She said that this Nine Stars Locking Veins Formation might be able to help you, senior."
Chapter 277: Demon Marshal Demon Knight, Invitation from Hengshan
Ming Yueshu's voice was light but full of surprise: "Nine Stars Locking Veins Formation? This is a peerless formation recorded in the 'Code' of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion, but the Taisu Immortal Pavilion is currently unable to create this formation. I heard Yun Caiyao mention this formation. Such a large formation requires a large amount of spiritual power from the heavens. Even in the Taisu Immortal Pavilion, only a few people have been able to do it since ancient times."
"If there is such a formation, it can seal the monsters in the Three-Tassel Ghost Cave and prevent them from escaping and hurting people."
Shi Hao said: "Sister Zi Yin asked me to use this formation to help you..."
“Don’t call me senior anymore.” Ming Yueshu saw that he actually brought such a strange formation as the Nine-Star Locking Veins Formation, so he believed it without a doubt. “In terms of seniority, I am much lower than Fairy Shengxuan. Since you regard her as your sister, there is no need to call me senior anymore.”
Shi Hao said: "But..."
Ming Yueshu said: "In fact, my age is not as old as everyone imagines. I just look like this when I appear in the martial arts world. Others don't know my exact age, so they can't help but guess too high.
"I don't travel around much, and when I appear outside, I don't want to attract too much attention. So you don't need to be so polite, just call me Yue'er."
Shi Hao thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I won't be polite! Yue'er, I still have some things to do in Dongting Lake. Can you stay here for a few days, and wait for me to deal with the things here. After that, I will go to the Three-Tassel Ghost Cave with you?"
Ming Yueshu nodded slightly: "The matter of the Three-Tassel Ghost Cave is not urgent at the moment, I will stay here first, and you can go and take care of your own things."
Shi Hao called Madam Taohua in and asked her to arrange a place for Yue'er to live.
Taoist Qimu is indeed worthy of being the military advisor specially invited by Xuanfeng Huanzhi to the young master, and he is quite talented in army building.
Shi Hao set up positions according to his suggestions and deployed troops around Dongting Lake. In just a few days, he had managed it from top to bottom with clear layers.
Following the advice of Taoist Qimu, Shi Hao called himself the Demon Marshal.
What Taoist Qimu meant was that no matter what, there would always be people who would hold on to his identity as a "demon", so it would be better to just use the name of the devil openly.
As long as the army does its best to help the people and does not harm anyone, and forms a completely different style from other groups, then the word "devil" will make it stand out.
In fact, ordinary people have no idea about the so-called "Demon Sect". The Demon Sect has always acted in secret. Most people in the martial arts world have only heard of the name of the Demon Sect and have not had much contact with it.
Of course, due to the existence of the Demon Sect's unique "rituals", and the fact that many of the Demon Sects are indeed insidious and strange, it is only natural that the Demon Sect has had a very bad reputation in the martial arts world over the years.
However, just like Taoism, there is also the Chongxian Sect which is hated by everyone in the martial arts world.
It is only natural that strange creatures appear in the Demonic Sect.
Although Shi Hao himself is known as a demon sect, he follows the advice of Taoist Qimu and tries to stay behind the scenes, appearing mysterious even in the army. At the same time, he infiltrates his influence into the army from top to bottom by establishing rules and strategies, and purging the army ideologically.
The specific matters were left to Xuanfeng Huanzhi and others.
This is exactly what Master Hao meant. While enforcing discipline, ideology, strategy, and rectifying the upper and lower levels, he also let go of specific tactics and arrangements, trusted people and used them, and did not easily interfere with the front line.
Let alone do things like "Someone in front, move the spear an inch to the left."
His own mystery also makes the entire Dongting Army mysterious. Coupled with his completely different style from other troops, he seems even more special in this chaotic world where dragons and snakes are rising.
On this morning, Shi Hao held a meeting in the main hall with Xuan Feng Huan Zhi, who went by the alias "Feng Zhi", Qi Mu Lao Dao, Li Luan Shan, Xiao Luan Cheng, Zhu Luan Jiang, two other military generals, and Long Niu, who was in charge of intelligence and was the only one in the army who had met these people.
After this meeting, Shi Hao will temporarily put aside the matters on this side and accompany Ming Yueshu to Lingnan first.
Long Niu reported the current situation to him. Generally speaking, as everyone expected, with the death of Lie Zunyi, more and more forces rose up to resist the barbarians. Among them were good and bad. There were also many so-called "righteous armies" who were not much better than the barbarian army. They plundered everywhere and made the people even more miserable.
The Manting is trying to put out fires everywhere, and now even the Daxing City has completely fallen into the hands of the Tiandi Gang.
However, the leader of the Tiandi Gang, Deng Haihan, was a well-known old fox and did not openly fall out with Man Ting.
South of the Yangtze River, as the barbarian army retreated, the "righteous armies" fought among themselves, and the people fled everywhere, creating a horrific scene.
As the cold winter is approaching, I don’t know how many people will die during this winter.
Although Shi Hao sighed, he couldn't care about others at this moment.
He could only try his best to make his Dongting Army not disturb the people and not kill people... Even so, it already stood out among the many chaotic armies.
The troubled times are more terrible than many people imagine!
As for food for the winter, there was no need to worry. Jingzhou and Xiangzhou were both big cities. When they entered the city, Xuanfeng Huanzhi made arrangements in advance to guard the granary and prevent the barbarian army from burning it down. At the same time, he also attacked those notorious gentry and evil gentry.
Shi Hao even had his subordinates hold a criticism and denunciation meeting, pulling out those wealthy people who had harmed the people in the past and killing them until a river of blood flowed... These people really made "indispensable contributions" to the arrival of the troubled times.
Since he calls himself the Demon Commander, let those wealthy and powerful families who always oppress the people be afraid of him and regard him as a "devil".
At this moment, Wuling Sanluan was reporting to him about the arrangement and construction of the warships. Suddenly, Lady Plum Blossom floated in and said, "Demon Commander! Wei Yuxin, the 'Liuguang Xianshu' of Chongxian Sect, and Bi Zongtao, the 'Bi Tao Wuya', are here to see you."
Xuanfeng Huanzhi snorted, "Two of the eight martial immortals from Chongxian Sect have arrived at once. It looks like they are serious about this."
Taoist Qimu said slowly: "The Chongxian Sect has great ambitions. In fact, they have long regarded the land of Jingxiang as theirs. They want to use it as their foundation to build a Taoist country, but they are hesitant to completely break away from the Barbarian Court. Instead, we took Jingxiang first. I believe they must be quite annoyed.
"In Chongxian Sect, there are six academies, eight martial immortals, and twelve complete masters. The six academies are responsible for the interior, and the eight martial immortals are responsible for the exterior. These eight martial immortals are all at the peak of the fourth rank. Generally speaking, they all rule one side, and it is rare for two martial immortals to appear at the same time."
"Two of the eight martial immortals have arrived at the same time. It seems they have come with ill intentions!
Shi Hao said: "Let them in and see what they say."
Madam Meihua retreated, and after a while, she led two Taoists into the hall.
One of the Taoists was wearing a white robe and holding a jade slip: "I am Wei Yuxin!"
Another Taoist with a thick waist and a strong body, raised his big hand and said, "I am Bi Zongtao, I am honored to meet you!"
Shi Hao sat on a big chair, the generals stood on both sides, and Xuan Feng Huan Zhi stood beside him.
Shi Hao said in a deep voice: "The two Taoist priests have suddenly come to Jingzhou. I wonder what advice you have for us?"
"Liu Guang Xian Shu" Wei Yuxin said in a soothing tone: "The head of my sect has arrived at the Qingyu Altar in Hengshan. I would like to invite the Demon Marshal to go to Hengshan to meet him tomorrow."
The generals and soldiers looked at each other and their faces changed.
Shi Hao sneered: "If I don't go, then what?"
"Bi Tao Wu Ya" Bi Zong Tao sneered, "The Demon General has started a war in Dongting Lake and has occupied the land of Jingxiang. He has many plans. The headmaster invited you to come because he is giving you face. He wants to have a good discussion with you. Don't refuse a toast and drink a forfeit."
Wei Yuxin said, "Senior Brother Bi has a bad temper and speaks too bluntly. Demon Marshal, please don't take it to heart. Hengshan is near Dongting Lake. The headmaster heard of your name and came to Hengshan to invite you for a while. He also doesn't want to have a conflict with your Dongting Army."
Bi Zongtao said gloomily: "If you are unwilling to go, then the master will have no choice but to bring us along."
He waved his sleeves and said, "Please accept the invitation!" Swish, an invitation came through the air, like a steel knife, flying towards Shi Hao.
Xuan Feng Huan Zhi took a step forward, pinched the invitation with her jade hand, and caught it. Her body shook, but Bi Zong Tao didn't move at all... Although both of them were fourth-grade, Bi Zong Tao, as one of the Eight Martial Immortals, had been famous for a long time and had reached the fourth grade, Xuan Feng Huan Zhi was still slightly inferior in terms of skill.
Taoist Qimu said leisurely, "They say that we started a war in Dongting Lake and occupied Jingxiang. But our Demon General did nothing. He just raised his arm and called, and the people responded spontaneously and followed him. What was the purpose?"
"Isn't it because the barbarian court is unjust that the people of Dongting Lake in 800 miles are living in misery? Before this, I didn't see what your Chongxian Sect did. Now that the barbarian army has withdrawn from Jingxiang, you suddenly come to attack. Could it be that you also want to get involved in Jingxiang?"
Wei Yuxin said, "Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding! People's livelihood is suffering, and the Immortal Sect aims to save the world. The headmaster asked you to go, just to discuss the people of Jingxiang, so as to avoid the war and suffering of the people."
Bi Zongtao sneered, "I am also worried that the demon disciples will be arrogant and ignorant, and get into trouble without knowing it."
Xuan Feng Huan Zhi sneered, "Don't play the good cop and the bad cop at the same time. The barbarian army still has a lot of cities. If you are really that powerful, go and grab them. Don't kneel down and act like a dog in front of the barbarians, but act arrogantly in front of the Chinese people."
Bi Zongtao looked grim, staring at Xuan Feng Huan Zhi. The generals were afraid that he would take action, so they were all on guard.
Shi Hao took the invitation, flipped through it casually, and said coldly: "I have something important to do, so I won't go to the appointment tomorrow. If your headmaster wants to come, then let him come!"
Wei Yuxin and Bi Zongtao didn't expect that he would dare to refuse openly.
Bi Zongtao snorted coldly: "It's up to you, as long as you don't regret it."
Wei Yuxin smiled and sighed: "Demon Marshal, you'd better reconsider. If you are willing to go to Hengshan, you are still a guest of the Immortal Sect. Otherwise, it will be difficult to say if the headmaster comes here personally to punish you. Goodbye!"
Chapter 278 Goddess Infant, Female Sleeping Dragon
The two Taoists ignored the guard of the soldiers and turned to walk out.
After leaving the hall, I saw a girl walking towards me. The girl was not very old, about twelve or thirteen years old, with long hair falling behind her shoulders. She didn't wear her hair in a bun, but tied it with a beautiful bow.
The two Taoists looked at the girl, their faces slightly changed. But the girl seemed to be completely oblivious to them, walking towards them nonchalantly.
The three of them were walking face to face and were about to collide. Wei Yuxin and Bi Zongtao quickly moved to the sides, turned around and looked at the girl's back.
The Demon Commander of the Dongting Army came out and said to the girl, "Yue'er, I've been busy these days and I'm sorry for neglecting you. I've almost finished the work at hand, and I can accompany you on the trip next time."
The girl nodded slightly and said, "It's okay, just do your thing." She turned around and glanced at the two Taoists: "What's the matter?"
The two Taoists looked unhappy, bowed hastily, and left in embarrassment.
That afternoon, the two rushed back to the Qingyun Altar on Mount Hengshan and reported to the headmaster, Venerable Yinyue. Venerable Yinyue frowned and said, "Did you two see clearly? Is it really her?"
Wei Yuxin from the "Flowing Light Immortal Book" said: "Three years ago, I saw her from a distance. In the past three years, her figure and appearance have not changed at all. I will never mistake her."
Bi Zongtao, the "Bi Tao Wu Ya" smiled bitterly: "Although I have never seen her in person before, but when we stood side by side and she came towards us, we both had a terrible feeling. We felt that if we didn't get out of the way, we would never be able to leave Jingzhou City again.
"She didn't do anything. Just standing in front of her, we were like weak creatures in front of an avalanche, completely powerless to resist. Apart from her, I can't think of anyone else who looks so young but has such amazing strength."
Wei Yuxin said: "Your Excellency, originally we thought that if Hao Xinghua dared to come, we would put him under house arrest. If he didn't dare to come, the Immortal Sect would have used courtesy first and then force. Your Excellency, with your supreme divine power, would personally capture him, and no one would be able to say anything. But if he also has a top-grade master..."
Venerable Yinyue pondered for a long while, and finally felt helpless, saying: "The Dongting Army has already become powerful, and with the goddess infant as a backer, it may be difficult to swallow it up for a while. It seems that it will be difficult to capture the land of Jingxiang in a short time. The original strategy of taking Jingxiang and occupying Dongting is no longer feasible. What do you think?"
Wei Yuxin clapped his hands and said, "I regret not listening to Mo Yuzi earlier. If I had taken Yuezhou first, or had taken Jingzhou before Hao Xinghua, I wouldn't be in this dilemma."
Venerable Yinyue shook his head and said, "The court is more wary of us than others. If we take Jingzhou early, it will inevitably lead to the court's full suppression. Weighing the pros and cons, there are both good and bad, and it is difficult to make a decision. As for Mo Yuzi, I have already called him here and asked for his opinion.
"He thinks that if we can't take Jingxiang, we might as well use Hengshan as our base, quickly occupy the cities around Xiangshui and Ganshui, and move westward to Chuyin. What do you think?"
The two martial immortals looked at each other. Wei Yuxin said, "In this case, I'm afraid we will inevitably become enemies with Hong Leichi in advance. Is this really feasible?"
Venerable Yinyue said: "Mo Yuzi believes that Sheng Menghui has messed up Chu Yin. For Hong Leichi, Chu Yin is already a chicken rib. It is useless to eat it, but it is more delicious to abandon it. We don't want to fight with Hong Leichi too early, and the same is true for Hong Leichi."
"Sheng Menghui obviously can't defend Chuyin anymore, and our sect's past reputation is not very good. If we rush in rashly, we will easily become the enemy of the martial arts world. But if we go to attack Chuyin, everyone will be happy to see it happen."
"As long as we can pacify Chuyin, appease the people, promote the teachings of Taoism, and show goodwill to the martial arts world and the people, we may be able to reverse our past image. Then we can stay in Chuyin, observe the war situation in the middle and south, wait for the opportunity, and then take Jingxiang..."
—
As the night deepened, Shi Hao unfolded the letter in his study and read it for a while before handing it to Xuan Feng Huan Zhi beside him: "This is a letter written by the head of Chongxian Sect. What do you think he means by this? He wants to borrow our boats and food
"The Chongxian Sect is very wealthy. I wonder how much money they have secretly accumulated over the years. They were so wealthy this morning, but suddenly they changed their mind and are even asking us to lend them grain ships?"
At this moment, Xuanfeng Huanzhi seemed to have just come out of the bath. She was wearing a light red dress with a collar, but she did not wear a wide belt. Her waist was loose, the collar was loose, and her calves were exposed. It was obvious that she was not wearing a jacket or trousers inside, and she didn't even have the lower garment that should have been lining her skirt.
Her hair was draped straight behind her. The light from the night-blooming grass on the table intertwined with the light from the tall candle next to her. She seemed unable to see the handwriting in the letter clearly. She bent down and read the letter in the light of the night-blooming grass in the glass ball.
When she bent down, the snow-white waves were half exposed between her collarbones, swaying unsteadily, which was refreshing and pleasant.
In fact, with her fourth-grade skill, she should be able to generate electricity even in pitch darkness. The light in the study was not dim, so why did she need to bend down like this to read the letter
But she looked solemn: "Young Master! There are resourceful people in Chongxian Sect!"
Shi Hao looked at her, swaying her delicate body, rising gracefully, her clothes rising and falling, her waist tightened, and her curves seductively.
He asked, "How do you say it?"
Xuan Feng Huan Zhi said: "In the morning, although the two martial immortals played the good cop and the bad cop respectively, their attitudes were clear. They used courtesy first and then force. They relied on their leader being a top-grade master and went straight for the young master regardless of everything to capture the king and the head."
"It must be because of the loss of Jingxiang that Chongxianmen was angry and humiliated. But the appearance of the female infant let Chongxianmen know that we also have top-grade masters on our side. In this case, they have to weigh their options."
"If we break through with our own strength, and the young master has a female infant goddess by his side, it is impossible for Venerable Yinyue to be completely worry-free and attack directly. We have already established a firm foothold in Dongting Lake and have completely taken over many warships left by the barbarian army. We are in high spirits, and they may not be able to capture us. If both sides suffer losses, it will only benefit others in vain."
"So, they decided to attack Chuyin, which has a very bad reputation and is in a mess. The people in the martial arts world have no good feelings towards Chongxian Sect. If Chongxian Sect forcefully makes us their enemy, many people will probably side with us even though they know we are related to the Demon Sect. But attacking Chuyin is different."
"Sheng Menghui's current actions can be described as brutal, and he even nominally accepted the surrender of the Barbarian Court. With Hong Leichi's backing, the Chuyin martial arts community has been suppressed to the point where it can hardly raise its head. The intervention of Chongxian Sect is equivalent to saving the Chuyin Baidao from danger. Venerable Yinyue was pointing directly at our side this morning, but suddenly turned to Chuyin. There must be many wise men advising him behind this."
Shi Hao sat on a big chair, his hands on the desk, looking at Xuan Feng Huan Zhi's tall and slender figure, and said thoughtfully: "Even if they want to attack Chu Yin, why do they want to borrow food and ships from us? Chongxian Sect's assets are much richer than ours."
Xuan Feng Huan Zhi said softly, "They don't really want to borrow ships or food. We only have enough food to survive the winter. As for ships, they will attack Chu Yin, so what use do they need them for? They are showing us their attitude and telling us that their current goal has nothing to do with us."
"This is a gesture of goodwill and wooing, or even a short-term alliance."
Shi Hao tilted his face and said, "Could it be that they are pretending to attack Guo, letting us relax first, but after gathering troops on the east bank of the Xiang River, they will suddenly go north and attack us?"
Xuanfeng Huanzhi said: "It is unlikely. Venerable Yinyue is such a person. How could he do such a shameful thing when he has a handwritten letter here? If he really wants to do such a thing, he should not do it in his capacity. Moreover, if he really wants to fight us, his troops should not be gathered at the Xiang River. Land battle is not allowed, let alone naval battle.
"To attack Yuezhou, they have to cross the Great Lake, not to mention Jingzhou and Xiangyang. If they want to attack us, their first step should be to take Ezhou."