Chapter Forty-One: The Ultimate Truth

Under the guidance of Master Xuan Chun, everyone was assigned their accommodations.

In the following days, there was a constant influx of demon immortals, Daoist practitioners, Buddhist monks, and even members of the Demon Sect arriving in Gunzhou City.

Because of the presence of the Demon Sect, a skirmish nearly broke out with the Daoists, but ultimately, since everyone shared the same goal—to resist the talents recruited by the Grand Xia Dynasty—and thanks to Master Xuan Chun's mediation, the turmoil dissipated.

It should be mentioned that Yun Sheng, the little bald monk, brought along the formidable Zhu Yan, though Old Demon Qiong was nowhere to be seen.

Other familiar faces appeared as well: Yi, Zhen, Lingxu, Lingyu, Sword Master Jianyu from Sword Martial Sect, and Cheng Yue.

Xu Cheng longed to embrace them, but how could he explain his current state? He was no longer an ordinary person; unless he someday regained his former appearance, perhaps only then would he have the courage to acknowledge them.

The city was uncommonly lively, and Xu Cheng's mind was restless, unable to settle into cultivation amidst the swirling thoughts.

On this clear day, he lay on a chair, hoping to bask away the stale air clinging to him, when a soldier with a notably large head approached. "General Mingwei, the Grand Master requests your presence!"

"The Grand Master requests me? Do you know the reason?"

"I do not, sir!"

So be it; if the Grand Master sought him, it must be for military matters. He allowed the soldier to lead the way.

They proceeded to the Grand Master's residence.

The manor was teeming with people, divided into two groups: Daoists, Buddhists, and demon immortals stood together, while the Demon Sect and various monsters huddled in another cluster.

Due to his identity, Xu Cheng positioned himself behind Yun Sheng, the little monk, staring absentmindedly at the gleaming back of his bald head.

Bathed in sunlight, Yun Sheng’s head truly resembled the bulbs from Xu Cheng’s previous life.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Martial Emperor of Grand Xia seeks to eradicate your sects and traditions, planning to establish a divine court among mortals. To prevent him from defeating us one by one, I, a humble Daoist, have taken the initiative to unite you all. Let us set aside our differences and resist the Martial Emperor together. Success means our traditions endure; failure, and none shall survive."

Master Xuan Chun’s words stirred the crowd, especially at such a critical moment. Many listened, their blood boiling, particularly the martial and sword cultivators, whose bodies shimmered with martial and sword shadows.

Among the martial and sword cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, none showed any aura; these were ancient monsters whose minds were as calm as still water.

"As cultivators, it is our duty to lead the charge and conquer territory. For this first campaign, we cannot commit our entire force, so a select group will serve as the vanguard while others remain to defend the city!"

It seemed the time had come to appoint leaders. Those who had been fired up moments ago fell silent, fear creeping in.

"Bah! Weren’t you all just brimming with sword and blade light? Why are you quiet now?"

A figure from the Evil Dao, with red hair, eyebrows, and beard, shouted at several from the righteous path.

"Little Sword Demon, why don’t you go?"

A righteous sword cultivator retorted, himself at the Golden Core stage.

"Li Changyi, your attempts to provoke me won’t work! Of course I’ll go! But do you dare to join me?"

After all, the Demon Sect acted without restraint.

"I have no desire to associate with evil demons!"

Li Changyi raised his head haughtily.

"Tch!" The Little Sword Demon snorted, then declared, "No one in the Demon Dao is cowardly. Who among you will join me in taking the city and earning some honor for our sect?"

"I will!"

"So will I!"

…

Seven or eight Demon Sect members raised their hands, expressing their willingness to follow the Little Sword Demon.

"Ha ha ha! Little Sword Demon, your task is to attack Xuzhou City. Eight is not enough—you need a few more!"

Master Xuan Chun laughed and stroked his beard.

The crowd glanced at each other. Since more were needed, Xu Cheng raised his hand.

With Xu Cheng leading, a few more monsters volunteered, including Chrysanthemum, Bull Strong, Cen Ningyue, and… Zhu Yan. Yun Sheng paid little mind to Chrysanthemum’s transformation into a ghost judge, instead advising Chrysanthemum and Zhu Yan to remain alert.

This brought the number to eighteen.

"Excellent! Eighteen generals, with the Little Sword Demon as the commanding general, will lead three thousand elite troops to Xuzhou City. What say you?"

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

…

Among the eighteen, only the Little Sword Demon was a step away from reaching the Nascent Soul stage; the rest were at the Golden Core or Seal stage. They had no objection to following the lead of the highest cultivator.

With the vanguard selected, preparations began.

Xu Cheng had little to prepare; upon leaving the Grand Master’s residence, he bumped into Yi and Zhen. Having altered his appearance with extra whiskers, neither recognized him.

After apologizing, they passed each other.

"Sister, don’t you think that man looked familiar?"

Yi glanced back at Xu Cheng’s departing figure.

"He did seem familiar," Zhen agreed, and from her sleeve emerged a palm-sized, pitch-black pheasant—the very one Xu Cheng had once raised. The bird sensed, deep in its soul, that it was Xu Cheng. It hopped onto Zhen’s shoulder and clucked at his retreating back.

Xu Cheng’s body shivered minutely; the sound was unmistakably from the chicken he’d raised for three or four years. But this was not the time. He hastened his steps and soon disappeared from their sight.

"I wonder how Wu is faring. Not a word from him, and it’s all your fault!"

Zhen sighed, stamping her foot before running off to find Master Lingxu.

"Sister, don’t worry. Brother Wu is a fool blessed by fate—he’ll be fine! Besides, it’s not my fault. How was I to know the seal was so sensitive to fire…"

Yi chased after Zhen.

Leaving them behind, Xu Cheng hurried home, striving to calm his thoughts.

The army would march tomorrow, as ordinary soldiers needed to be brought along.

With righteous cause, they would campaign under the banner of Martial Emperor Xia Hao’s tyranny, hoping to seize the dynasty’s fortune.

He had a whole day; Xu Cheng’s earth technique fluctuated around him, reminding him that his identity had changed.

The next morning, Xu Cheng took Chrysanthemum and two others to assemble at the city gate, arriving early.

The Little Sword Demon was fully armored, exuding a cold aura, astride a chestnut horse. His imposing presence silenced the ordinary soldiers.

Apparently, the soldiers were intimidated by him.

At last, a shout: "March!"

Three thousand elite troops moved forward in perfect formation.

After a few kilometers, the Little Sword Demon called for a rest.

Soon, a few cavalrymen returned with scouting reports for the Little Sword Demon. To Xu Cheng’s surprise, the Little Sword Demon possessed some talent for command, regularly sending scouts ahead.

After a brief rest, they continued.

Marching for a full day and night, they covered fifteen kilometers, exhausting the three thousand elite soldiers.

This was despite the Little Sword Demon’s insistence on not hauling large amounts of provisions; otherwise, they would have barely managed ten kilometers.

Some Demon Sect members practiced wood magic, making nearby fruit trees bloom and bear fruit, thus providing food for the soldiers.

Such miraculous methods were an eye-opening experience for Xu Cheng.