Hundreds of warriors rushed down from upstream in boats, shooting arrows and whistling rockets on the river.
Shi Hao said: "These are the heroes of Lieshuitang. The fire arrows they use are specially made by the craftsmen and swordsmiths of Bengleihui. They can burn in the wettest weather and the strongest wind."
Bai Yao said happily, "I heard that Lieshui Hall and Benglei Society have always been at odds in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and have been fighting each other for many years. But it was Master Chongyun who went there and talked with Lieshui Hall Master Xiang Changjian, the Cold River Bear, and Benglei Society Master Guan Hua, the Fire Monkey, and got them drunk before convincing them to join forces to fight against the barbarians."
Shi Hao said, "It's because these two are originally brave and heroic men. Otherwise, even if it was Shi Chongyun, how could he persuade them so easily?"
Bai Yao said: "Even so, I heard that these two have completely different personalities. 'Cold River Bear' Xiang Changjian has a cold personality and is difficult to get along with, while 'Fire Monkey' Guan Hua is irritable and has a fiery temper. It is definitely not an easy task to convince both of them.
"What's more, these two have been enemies for many years. Asking them to cooperate with each other is like forcing water and fire to mix together. It is extremely difficult."
Shi Hao said: "Since we know their personalities are like this, it would be much easier to deal with them as long as we target their personalities. Although their personalities are different, they all have a chivalrous heart and are willing to fight to protect the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Perhaps Shi Chongyun didn't say much, but just gave them an opportunity to cooperate, that's all."
Bai Yao said: "In this war, the more you plan, the more you win, the less you plan, the less you lose. In the end, it is about constantly increasing your chances of winning and reducing the chances of the other side. Every detail may be a detail, and the continuous accumulation of details together will be the cornerstone of victory.
“Perhaps each of what Master Chongyun did is not enough to determine the outcome of the entire battlefield, but when combined, it is like the confluence of hundreds of rivers, eventually forming a mighty and unrivaled force.”
Shi Hao smiled and said, "It seems that you are more confident than Shi Chongyun."
Bai Yao smiled and said, "This Hidden Dragon Master Chongyun is my idol. Although I have never met him, I have been collecting information about him and inquiring about his deeds these days. I know that he has done a lot for the rise and fall of China, so I admire him very much."
Shi Hao said: "Is that so? It's a pity that I'm not Shi Chongyun, otherwise I would definitely be deeply moved by your admiration, Brother Bai."
Glancing at the battlefield, he said, "In this battle, the Barbarian Army went all out, and the Huangtian Army and many heroes from Jiangsu and Zhejiang also fought to the death. Although the battlefield on this side of the Wusong River is related to the overall situation, both sides have tried their best, and reinforcements are constantly coming. I'm afraid the war will not end so soon."
Bai Yao continued pointing: "There's nothing else to do. Why don't we go to the other side of the mountain and take another look?"
The two wandered away. It had snowed in this area a few days ago, but this was not the north, and even on the top of the mountain, there was only a small amount of snow left on the branches.
The chilly air and the roars at the foot of the mountain intertwined into a sad song that filled the sky and the earth.
Although the weather is cold, the blood that flows out is always hot, and the bloody smell is pervasive, and even such high mountains cannot block it.
Bai Yao said: "If we lose this battle, it goes without saying. If the Huang Tian army and these heroes from Jiangsu and Zhejiang win, how do you think the whole situation will evolve?"
Shi Hao said: "If we can win this battle, Guangling, an important city, will surely fall into the hands of Huang Tian's army. Jiangzhou and Guangling are each other's elite opponents. For the barbarian army, neither city can be lost.
"If we lose Guangling, Jiangzhou will lose the support of the Grand Canal. The barbarian army stationed in Jiangzhou will be cut off from the rear, so they will inevitably withdraw from the south bank of the Yangtze River. The Dongting Army occupies the upper end of the Yangtze River. Next, if the Dongting Army can cooperate with the Dragon and Phoenix Association and the Huangtian Army and take the initiative to attack, the next battle will be for the control of the Huai River.
"The northwest, Han River, Bashan, Daxing City, etc., if they take advantage of the opportunity to start a rebellion, the barbarian army will be defeated."
Bai Yao said: "I heard that Master Chongyun of 'Qianlong' had a secret meeting with the Demon Commander of Dongting Army and asked the Demon Commander Hao Xinghua to send his core experts to Jiangsu and Zhejiang to assist Huang Tian Army. I wonder what you think of that Demon Commander
"After all, if the Dongting Army takes the initiative to attack the Huai River, although it can gain the upper hand for the anti-barbarian forces in the world and change the offensive and defensive situation, at that moment, the Dongting Army will inevitably face the full-scale attack of the Barbarian Court. He is a man of the demonic way. Does he have the awareness to share the worries of China?"
Shi Hao smiled and said, "The people of the Demon Sect are strange and unpredictable. How can I guess his intentions? However, since the Demon Marshal is a member of the Demon Sect, the word 'demon' alone has caused the people in the martial arts world to worry. It is only because he has clearly raised the banner of resisting the barbarians that he has been able to slowly recruit heroes from all directions.
"In this case, sending troops to the Huai River is a test for him. Moreover, I heard that he once participated in the battle between the Overlord Underground Palace and the Barbarian Court's Grand Emperor Lie Zunyi with the strength of a mid-level warrior, assisting the goddess Infant and the fairy Yuncaiyao of the Taisu Immortal Pavilion.
"Compared to the head of Chongxian Sect, Venerable Yinyue, who obviously has the strength of a top-grade warrior but only wants to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, this person is also brave and knowledgeable. I am still willing to believe him."
Bai Yao pondered for a moment and nodded slightly: "Brother, what you said does make sense."
Shi Hao asked back: "Brother Bai doesn't trust him?"
Bai Yao said: "In fact, a long time ago, Taoism and Demonism had no other meanings. It's just that over time, Taoism and Demonism gradually became the distinction between good and evil. Although there are evil people in Taoism and good people in Demonism, in general, Taoism represents tranquility and inaction, while Demonism represents insidiousness and cunningness.
"This reputation accumulated over a long period of history is not just due to the propaganda of the Taoist sect. Even if there are hypocrites in the Taoist sect, as long as the ritual of advancing to the Demon Sect does not change, the Demon Sect is an evil and evil path!"
Shi Hao nodded and said, "Many rituals in the Demon Sect are indeed harmful to the world and disregard human ethics. They are not like the Taoist Sect, which is busy looking for immortal materials and practicing external elixirs without competing with the world. Even though the words Taoism and Demonism did not have the meaning of good or evil at the beginning, they were just two different ways of cultivation. But over time, it is natural that Taoism represents good and Demon represents evil.
"But is there a possibility that whether it is Taoism or Demonism, their cultivation methods are all flawed?"
Chapter 378: Taoism and Demonism coexist, and imagination runs wild
Bai Yao looked slightly surprised.
His delicate face was not frozen by the cold wind blowing towards him on the top of the mountain, but instead looked even rosier.
He said, "I don't know what you mean by the defect?"
Shi Hao said, "It is said that immortals have the magic of immortality and the miraculous feat of ascending to heaven in broad daylight. However, no matter how hard the Taoists or the Demon Sects practice, they cannot do it. Even the powerful Fairy Shengxuan of Taisu Immortal Pavilion and the Demon Sect's Charm Emperor three hundred years ago could not be reborn and become a saint. Doesn't this mean that the Taoist and Demon Sects' methods of practice are all inadequate?"
Bai Yao said softly, "But we need to prove that the art of immortality and the method of ascending to heaven in broad daylight do exist before we can pursue them. If such immortals do not exist at all, then no matter how we practice, it would be like trying to catch fish in a tree or the moon in the water."
Shi Hao said: "Then, is there a possibility that if we can practice the magic and Tao skills at the same time, there will be unexpected results?"
Bai Yao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Taoism and Devilism cannot coexist. This doesn't just refer to the way the Taoists and Demons deal with things, but also the means of cultivation. Since ancient times, there have been countless extraordinary people. It's not that no one has ever tried to cultivate Taoism and Devilism together, but they all ended up badly, so no one dared to try again."
Shi Hao nodded: "That's true!"
Bai Yao asked in confusion: "Brother, you seem to be a knowledgeable person. You should know this truth. Why do you come up with such a guess out of thin air?"
Shi Hao smiled and said, "Brother Bai, you think highly of me. I am just an ordinary person, not a person with extensive knowledge. Since I am an ordinary person, I can't help but make wild guesses. Brother Bai, do you think it is possible that the immortals in ancient times also cultivated both internal and external cultivation
"The immortals at that time also needed inner and outer elixirs, but their outer elixirs were more special?"
Bai Yao asked: "How is it special?"
Shi Hao said: "For example, the Taoist inner alchemy method, combined with the magic source in the Demon Realm, is the orthodox way of cultivating immortals? And now the external elixirs refined with various immortal materials can only be regarded as 'imitations' of the real external elixirs?"
Bai Yao's eyes flashed with surprise: "This... I have never made such a guess. But the source of magic can only be obtained by the Yin Demon in the Demon Realm. It is a demon. This idea is probably unreasonable!"
Shi Hao smiled and said, "I am just guessing, sometimes I think, maybe the source of magic is not owned by those Yin demons at all. Long ago, the heaven and the human world were originally one, and the heaven had its own immortal gods to look after it, and these immortal gods controlled the external pills.
"After the Taoists cultivate the inner elixir to a certain level, the gods in heaven will bestow the outer elixir, and then they can continue to advance. Therefore, the ninth-grade immortal recipe is not just a 'immortal recipe' as it is now, but a real means to become an immortal. However, this means is actually in the hands of the gods.
"But later, something happened in the heavens, and the Taoists on earth could not get the real external elixir, so they tried every means to find medicinal materials in the human world and refine the 'external elixir'. This external elixir can only be regarded as an imitation of ordinary products on earth, not a real immortal recipe, so it cannot make people transcend the ordinary and become saints.
“The real external elixir may be the fruit of the immortal tree planted by the immortal gods in the sky. However, after the incident in the heaven, the place where it was located turned into a demonic domain and fell into the hands of those evil spirits. It was contaminated to a certain extent, and the fruit on the immortal tree became the ‘source of demons’.
"As for the various demon sect rituals to obtain the magic source, it is purely because mortals cannot enter the demon realm and have to make deals with those Yin demons. It has nothing to do with the magic source itself."
Bai Yao's eyes shone with light, and he spoke with surprise: "Although it's just a guess, it's surprisingly reasonable. It's just that Taoism and demons didn't coexist in the past, so no one dared to guess in this direction.
"But you not only know that there is a heaven, but you also know that it has already collapsed. You are definitely not an ordinary person."
Shi Hao smiled and said, "I am just a scholar. I have read a lot of books, so I know more than others. Similarly, if you read too many books, you will inevitably have wild thoughts. What I said is just my wild thoughts. Brother Bai, please don't take it seriously."
Bai Yao smiled slightly and said, "Although it's just a guess, it makes me feel like I've suddenly realized something. I even feel that perhaps the ancient secrets are really like this. But any guess must be supported by empirical evidence. If I have some free time in the future, I might try to see if I can find empirical evidence in this regard.
Shi Hao said: "I am just talking casually, relying on wild and unrestrained guesses and fantasies. Brother Bai not only did not laugh at me, but instead sought evidence in this regard. It seems that Brother Bai is a truly extraordinary person."
Bai Yao said: "Brother, you are joking. You are truly unfathomable. I just can't understand you at all."
Shi Hao said: "I agree! I agree!"
When we reached this end of the mountain and looked down, we could see that the fighting was becoming more and more intense.
Like flowing waters crashing into each other, both sides were using all their strength.
While Huang Tian's army was advancing in a goose formation, another group of elite barbarian soldiers on war horses attacked from the side, shooting arrows from the forest and into the barbarian cavalry with the help of the wind.
The barbarian cavalry had bright armor and were not much affected by the volley of arrows. From behind, cavalrymen riding on Yingzhao charged out.
There are very few Yingzhao, even on the battlefield. Most of those who ride on Yingzhao are the best warriors in the army. It can be seen that the real elite of the barbarian army has been dispatched.
Bai Yao said: "This is the Baiyang Army. Once the Baiyang Army is deployed, it is often unstoppable. I wonder if the Huangtian Army can hold it off? If the Baiyang Army breaks through this barrier and the flanks are completely defeated, the Wusong River will be impossible to defend."
Shi Hao said: "Just as Brother Bai said before, more planning means victory, less planning means no victory! Although the Baiyang Army is strong, they are well-known among the barbarian armies. The Huangtian Army must have some countermeasures. Even if the Huangtian Army has not thought of it, I think the 'Hidden Dragon' will most likely be prepared."
As they were talking, the Huangtian Army's wild goose formation separated, and a group of warriors fought hard to meet the Baiyang Army.
Bai Yao looked down from a high position and said in surprise, "This army is not only well-trained and fearless, but everyone knows their position. Three people form a squad, ten people form a battalion, and five battalions form a regiment.
"It's fine if everyone is a martial artist, and some are brave and fearless. They can do this, and everyone knows where they are. Even if they are caught in a fierce battle, they are not confused at all. This is absolutely extraordinary. The Huangtian Army cannot train such elite soldiers."
Shi Hao said: "These are the elite troops of the Dongting Army who came from thousands of miles away to support the Huangtian Army. The two leading them are Li Ximing and Gui Xiaoren who recently joined the Dongting Army. I heard that these two were originally from the Guiji Sect, but due to bad luck, they had to betray the Guiji Sect and join the Dongting Army.
"Well, speaking of the Ghost Sect, the Ghost Sect was originally the largest sect of the Demon Sect. I heard that they once tried to build a ghost town in Daxing City, but were stopped by Fairy Yuncaiyao of the Taisu Fairy Pavilion. Fortunately, otherwise, the hundreds of thousands of people in Daxing City would have met with misfortune.
"I wonder if Brother Bai has ever seen the Fairy Yuncaiyao?"
Bai Yao said, "A person like him is like the mysterious Shi Chongyun who is hard to find. How can I have the chance to meet him?"
After a pause, he said, "Li Ximing and Gui Xiaoren are certainly strong generals, but on the battlefield, their personal bravery can only be exerted to a limited extent. The elite troops they lead only have 600 people. Seeing that they are able to stop the Baiyang Army at this moment, it is really unusual."
He looked down and sighed, "The Dongting Army rushed here to fight. After arriving here, they probably didn't have much time to rest, but they still have such fighting power. It is very unusual that the Demon General can train such elite troops.
"I heard that after the demon commander formed the Dongting Army, he divided the soldiers into three groups. One group was stationed, one group was trained, and the other group was taught by teachers and literate soldiers, so that everyone in the army could learn to read. This practice has never been heard of before."
Shi Hao shook his head and said, "Since you are called Demon Marshal, you must be a little bit eccentric, right?"
The two observed for a while, and Bai Yao smiled and said, "It seems that the Baiyang Army has been blocked. Elite cavalry like this can only play a decisive role if they find the right opportunity, make a concerted effort, and tear through the opponent's defense line with an unstoppable force.
"Now that they are blocked here, other troops are rushing in continuously, and the battle situation has become stalemate. Even these Baiyang troops have begun to get caught up in the chaos. In this way, although these Baiyang troops are still strong, they are no longer the key to the battle."
Shi Hao said: "It seems that even on this side, it will be difficult to determine the winner for the time being."
Bai Yao asked, "If this battle continues, what do you think will be the final outcome?"
Shi Hao said: "The longer it lasts, the more advantageous it will be for the Huang Tian Army. The Barbarian Army is attacking and the Huang Tian Army is defending. The attacking side always consumes more. This is one reason.
"The barbarian army came from the north and fought in a foreign land. The Huang Tian Army and the martial artists and gangs that supported the Huang Tian Army were basically locals from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Huguang, and Hunan. They fought to protect their homes, so they were more resilient and could hold off the barbarian army for a longer time. Their confidence was also stronger. This was the second reason.
"With these two points, if they last, it will be beneficial to Huang Tianjun!"
Bai Yao smiled and said, "I don't know if it's my illusion, but you seemed a little uneasy when you were in the restaurant just now. After going up the mountain, you looked around for a while and felt a little more at ease. Now that you're wandering over here, you seem to be in a good mood.
"Could it be that this battle is difficult to resolve for the time being, and stopping the first wave of the barbarian army is particularly critical. Now the battle is at a stalemate, and although the outcome is unpredictable, the situation is slowly turning in favor of the Huang Tian Army?"
Chapter 379 Let Mingshan take the Moon Rabbit
Shi Hao smiled and said, "Brother Bai, do you have the ability to read people? I don't think there is anything different about me from the beginning to the end, so that Brother Bai can tell whether I am in a good or bad mood?"
Bai Yao said: "I am just making a wild guess. If I am wrong, I will make you laugh!"
Shi Hao said: "Brother Bai is not wrong!"
Before they knew it, it was getting dark and the local barbarian troops were forced to retreat.
Shi Hao said: "There are many rivers and forests in this area. At night, it is convenient for the martial artists to launch a surprise attack. The brave soldiers and cavalry of the barbarian army are also difficult to use. They can only narrow the battle line and slowly retreat to their camp. The Huangtian army can stabilize its position and further rely on the mountains and rivers to set up camp.
"Both sides fought a fierce battle today and are exhausted. I'm afraid it will be hard to tell who will win tomorrow. It seems the barbarian army will not be able to break through the Wusong River area."
Looking at the sky, the setting sun was slowly setting over the hilltops, casting orange-yellow light on them. Shi Hao flipped in the air and flew into the forest. Not long after, he caught two wild rabbits.
He smiled and said, "I have nothing to do. Brother Bai, do you want to come with me to try some new food on this mountain? I am confident that my cooking skills are pretty good."
Bai Yao said happily: "That's exactly what I meant!"
At that moment, Shi Hao found a sheltered place and lit a bonfire. He found a stream, skinned and bellyed the snakes, and chopped wood to make a rack with ease.
He brought some salt and other seasonings with him. He skewered two wild rabbits together on a straight-cut branch and rotated them over the campfire. He used a wooden plate he had cut himself to catch the fat and then spread it on the rabbit meat again.
The sun slowly descended, the mountaintop became dim, and the aroma filled the air. After roasting, Shi Hao cut the rabbit meat with a knife and served it to Bai Yao on a wooden plate. Bai Yao was not shy, and picked up the meat slices with his slender fingers, eating with relish.
Bai Yao smiled and said, "Brother is really amazing. It seems that you know everything and are proficient in everything."
Shi Hao said: "It's just some barbecued wild food, nothing special."
Bai Yao said, "Although it is game, in your hands, the fishy smell is gone, and it is tender and crispy. Both the knife skills and the timing of the fire are extremely perfect. From this alone, I can know that you must be extremely talented in the art of refining elixir and stone. When you were grilling it just now, you lightly touched it with your fingers, and the fire penetrated into the belly of the rabbit meat.
"Anyone who is good at alchemy can use Samadhi Fire, but there are very few who can use it to such a superb degree."
Shi Hao said: "Brother Bai really has a keen eye. Nothing can be hidden from you."
The two ate game and chatted, and then strolled in the mountains. The moon rose, and the mountains were pure and clean.
Looking down the mountain, the barbarian army had indeed been forced to retreat. Huang Tian's army was resting in the camp on a high ground, and some soldiers were busy repairing the camp that had been destroyed by catapults and other weapons during the day.
The chaos and bloodiness of the day, like a sea of people filling the mountains and plains, seemed at this moment to have become an illusion blown away by the wind.
The darkness of night concealed most of the ugliness, and with the bright moonlight, the scene looked quiet and peaceful when viewed from above.
They strolled to a cliff and looked out at Taihu Lake. To the west of the lake were hills, but to the east was a flat land. Looking down from the height, the river water looked like a silk thread.
Bai Yao sighed, "If there hadn't been the trampling of the iron cavalry and the spread of the flames of war, this would have been a great land. What a pity! What a pity! I wonder when the people will be able to truly enjoy a peaceful and prosperous era?"
Shi Hao shook his head and said, "Even if the fighting stops, the people will still live in misery. Landlords' encroachment and the oppression of the wealthy will never end. It can only be said that the three mountains of barbarian bullying, powerful oppression, and bureaucratic oppression will be solved if one of them is removed."
He turned to look at Bai Yao and said, "It's late at night. I wonder where Brother Bai is going?"
Bai Yao thought for a moment and said, "I came here from Huaishui to meet the 'Hidden Dragon'. I didn't meet the Dragon, but I met you first, which makes me very satisfied. I have some important things to do on the north bank of Changhe River. After finishing my business here, I will go north first."
Shi Hao smiled and said, "I also want to go to Kuaiji City. It is a blessing to meet Brother Bai today. We may meet again someday if we are destined to do so."
Bai Yao looked at him and asked, "Brother, are you really not the Hidden Dragon Master Chongyun?"
Shi Hao looked at him and asked, "Brother Bai, is your surname really Bai and your given name Yao?"
Bai Yao smiled gently, and that smile seemed to bloom like a short-lived flower under the moonlight. He raised his hand, arched it slightly, and said, "If we are lucky enough, I will meet you again in the future."
Bai Yao turned around and jumped off the cliff. The cliff was extremely high, and the slender figure floated away, like dancing on the moon. Not long after, colorful flowers rolled up and whistled in the night wind.