It was late at night when the duo were done treating their wounds and eating a small meal.

Fang Hetong was equally fatigued and had gone to sleep a long time ago. It was only thanks to Establishing Merits that he was able to create the impression of a thousand-strong elite unit out of three hundred militiamen. Suffice to say, boosting three hundred people at once was no small feat, and Fang Hetong had depleted most of his mystic energy in just a short time.

Thankfully, the scholar had received some qi nurturing pills belonging to the Four Sages Academies from Lee Zhi beforehand. Both the Four Sages Academies and White Maple Academy consisted of Confucian cultivators, so the pills were extra effective for Fang Hetong. A single pill not only restored his depleted reserves, but also healed some of his hidden injuries. That said, the pill could not wash away the weariness of his primordial spirit, so he still needed to rest.

The night was still long, so Lee Zhi entered a meditative cultivation, while Wei Yuan read under a lamp. He was matching everything he experienced today to what was described in the books.

Knowledge gained from a book is ultimately superficial. It was only after today’s relentless battles against the Northern Liao did Wei Yuan truly grasp their nature and gain fresh insights into the accounts of his foes. That was why he was studying. He sought to deepen his understanding while the experience was still vivid to him.

The next day, as soon as the first light of dawn shone across the earth, Lee Zhi personally carried the dead of his personal guards toward the neighboring county. The young general cherished each and every subordinate deeply, so much so that he had taken a blow to snatch a body back from his foes. Unfortunately, despite his and his guard’s greatest efforts, they only managed to retrieve six bodies in total. The rest had to be left behind in the Liao realm. If a body was left behind in the Liao realm for over a day, then there was basically no need to retrieve them. After all, the animals living in the Liao realm were ferocious, and even the Liao horses were carnivorous.

As for Wei Yuan and Fang Hetong, the duo spent the entire morning fortifying the village’s defenses and digging more pits. While working, the scholar recounted the current state of affairs and the latest war developments to Wei Yuan. The young man had found the conversation to be immensely enlightening. Although Fang Hetong had fallen on hard times—nearing forty and failing to secure even a minor official post—there was no doubt that he was an expert in farming, teaching, training and organizing troops, and more. His analysis of the situation was also incisive and uniquely sharp.

Unfortunately, despite being able to grasp every principle and dissect the political landscape and bureaucratic intrigues with crystal clarity, Fang Hetong could never follow through with his thoughts. Simply witnessing an act of injustice was enough to make his blood boil. That was why he wrote that letter about Staff General Liao even though he knew inside his head that he couldn’t bring down the man. His nature was such that he was simply unfit to become an official.

Wei Yuan had been cultivating in the Palace of Absolute Beginning for the past decade. His understanding of the current state of affairs were purely theoretical. It was only through his deep conversations with Fang Hetong that he came to understand the origins of many sufferings that plagued the common people.

At noon, the aroma of cooking began to waft through the air. Lee Zhi had left behind numerous arrows and weapons prior to his departure, but more importantly, he had also left behind all of his military provisions. Thanks to him, the men of Flying Sand Village now enjoyed not just a meat broth, but also fine rice and flatbread mixed with spirit vegetables and spirit grains. With such military rations, even the frailest man would become a sturdy giant within a month.

Yet whenever these men received their rations, they would always stash some of them away, hoping to save enough to send to their wives and children living in the two villages behind them. Despite assuring them repeatedly that there were more than enough food to go around, Wei Yuan was unable to change their minds.

While eating lunch, Wei Yuan asked Fang Hetong if he was willing to take up an official post in Southern Qi. What he really meant was whether the scholar would be willing to serve Lee Zhi. The young general was fond of recruiting capable individuals, and Wei Yuan was sure that his acquaintance would put Fang Hetong’s talent and abilities to good use.

During Sun Chao’en’s banquet, even Wei Yuan could tell that Fang Hetong was not suited for an official post. Perhaps seeking a wise ruler to serve as an advisor would suit him better.

Fang Hetong hesitated for a moment but ultimately said nothing. He simply kept his head down and ate his lunch.

Wei Yuan tried again, “The sages say that the Three Immortalities are establishing virtue, establishing merit, and establishing words. If you wish to establish virtue, you must first obtain a position where you can express your abilities. In this regard, I believe that County Magistrate Sun is correct. If you truly wish to serve the people and make the world a better place, it shouldn’t make a difference whether you serve the commonfolk of Southern Qi or Western Jin, right? Once you have established enough merit, you will naturally earn recognition and fame. Establishing virtue would come as a natural consequence then.”

Fang Hetong’s reply caught him completely off guard, though. “Are you not going to make your own mark, worthy little brother? I heard that expanding territories is a tradition of the Palace of Absolute Beginning, and I’m sure you’ll become a Dao Foundation stage cultivator very soon. Should you harbor such ambitions as well, this foolish older brother promises that he will spare no effort in supporting you!”

“M-me?” Wei Yuan exclaimed in surprise before shaking his head. “I don’t harbor such grand ambitions. All I want to do now is to cultivate as fast as possible, and earn as much immortal silver as possible. Should I participate in such ventures in the future, it will probably be to support my seniors and earn my pay only.”

Fag Hetong did not look disappointed, though. He said, “A long time ago, I was the same as you. All I wanted to do was to read more books, farm the fields during my free time, and take care of my family. I was content to live like this until the day I died. Then, the Liao barbarians invaded, and I finally understood that even leading a stable life is a pipedream in this age of chaos. Since then, I often wondered why a scholar reads so many books and learns so many principles, and why a cultivator cultivates every day and attains great power.”

Suddenly, Wei Yuan recalled a specific line from an old Daoist while he was talking about the life journey of the Founder, and the origin of the Palace of Absolute Beginning: “The only reason a cultivator of the Palace of Absolute Beginning cultivates mystic powers and abilities is to expand our territory, transform the world, and secure more fertile land for the human race!”

The declaration had rung out with such force that it struck a deep chord in his young heart at the time. However, the memory had gradually faded over the decade of arduous cultivation. Hearing Fang Hetong’s words now, Wei Yuan could not help but recall those feelings back then.

Fang Hetong looked up and said slowly, “The sages had said this: To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth; to secure life and prosperity for the people; to continue the lost teachings of past sages; to establish peace for all future generations! This is the reason we study, and why the Four Sages Academies were called the ‘Four Sages’... but you are right. To establish virtue, one must obtain a position first. If General Lee still wishes to recruit me after the Liao barbarians are repelled, then I will serve him.”

“I’m glad to hear that!” Wei Yuan said happily. He was truly happy for Fang Hetong. It would be a real shame for a man of his talent and abilities to languish in this tiny county forever.

The scholar wasn’t done, though. He looked at Wei Yuan and added, “Should the day come where you are ready to expand the human realm, this foolish older brother promises to drop everything and join you no matter where you are!”

Wei Yuan wasn’t expecting this. “What? Is there something wrong with serving Lee Zhi? He told me he would make you his head advisor should you join him.” 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“General Lee comes from a distinguished lineage and possesses a formidable fortune. He also harbors the heart of a King of Humans. Though still young, he has already shown remarkable promise. I am sure that he will attain greatness in the future.”

Wei Yuan did not think that Fang Hetong would rate Lee Zhi so highly. It was also why his confusion deepened. “If Brother Lee will become a king in the future… wouldn’t that be even better for you? When the time comes, you will be his loyal minister.”

But the scholar shook his head and said, “General Lee is young, gentle, modest. He is also willing to recruit capable individuals and listen to unwelcome truths and advice. But things will change once his ambitions for supremacy are fulfilled. A person with the heart of a ruler is not always a blessing for his subjects or the common people. Should I encounter unbearable matters in the future, my nature would likely compel me to speak truth to power. General Lee may tolerate me now, but that may not hold true in the future.”

Realizing that the topic was growing a little too heavy, Fang Hetong let out a chuckle and said, “Besides, should the day come where I have become too powerful for my own good, General Lee might not grant me the permission to retire to my hometown.”

Wei Yuan chuckled good-naturedly. “That is why you shouldn’t join me. If Lee Zhi can’t accommodate you, what makes you think I can? I’m quite the heartless butcher myself, you know?”

Fang Hetong did not believe him, though. Grunting, he joked, “Given your temperament, even if I were to publicly berate you in the imperial court, you’d likely only beat me up out of respect for our past relationship. Besides, I still have my third essay—who is to say I can’t beat you in a fight?”

Wei Yuan strongly disagreed with his final sentence. “Forget three essays, not even thirty essays will be enough to stop me from suppressing you! I’ll let you in on a secret—I would not be able to forgive myself if my Dao Foundation turned out to be Heaven-tier only!”

Fang Hetong guffawed, thinking that Wei Yuan was just boasting. He felt that they had become closer as well.

Wei Yuan wasn’t boasting, though. He was a man carrying a debt of tens of millions of immortal silver. If his Dao Foundation turned out to be Heaven-tier only, he would never be able to repay his debt. Forget himself, Zhang Sheng would personally purge the hall of his existence.

The gloomy atmosphere was almost gone after the chit-chat. It was at this moment an array disc Wei Yuan kept inside his shirt grew hot, vibrating. He immediately rose to his feet and produced the array disc.

“What’s going on?” Fang Hetong asked.

Wei Yuan said solemnly, “Someone’s calling for help!”

There was a spot on the array disc that was flashing repeatedly. He quickly picked up the information after scanning it with his perception: strong enemies approaching, holding ground and awaiting reinforcements! Pinghe County, Yu Fei of Palace of Absolute Beginning.