I Have A Martial Dao World-Chapter 518 - : 518. Contest
Chapter 518: 518. Contest
March 29, the day the great army set out on its campaign.
It was the New Dynasty’s first military action abroad, and everyone from top to bottom took it seriously. The Empress herself led the civil and military officials to send them off and offered a toast on the reviewing stand with ceremonial wine!
The commander of the first division of the Imperial Fist—Dong Fuxiang; the commander of the second division—Tan Bacui, stepped forward first to receive their drinks and downed them in one gulp.
Both were old hands at the Western Expedition Army and were acquainted with Lu Yao, and Li Pei spoke a few reassuring and encouraging words.
Then came the commander of the third division—Fu Fangsheng, followed by the fourth division’s Zhao Sanduo. Monk Ben Ming, considering himself a religious man, had not accepted an official position, but still exerted himself by their side.
All of them were old acquaintances of Lu Yao. Fu Fangsheng was already in the Innate Realm, commanding the most high-level martial artists, making his division the strongest.
...
The commander of the fifth division was “Shi Rongchun.” He was the former governor of the Jinmen Artillery Battery who had tasted noodles brought from Blue Star by Lu Yao.
This man was familiar with Li Pei and had previously been removed from his post for bombarding the British-French Allied Forces without authorization and had simply returned to his hometown to retire.
After Li Pei gained power, she quickly promoted him, and his subordinates were mostly former dynasty generals.
These five men, with their personal abilities and backgrounds, took everything into account, and after drinking the ceremonial wine, they shouted in unison:
“We will surely plunder the courts and flatten the enemy!”
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Besides them, various factions also sent out masters to provide support.
Following the first and second divisions north of the border was the Wudang Sect, which sent a white-haired, lean old man.
Dressed in an off-white Taoist robe and with a long flute at his waist, he was “Uncle Bai,” who had once been seen in the secret archives of the Wudang Sect.
Accompanying him were Bai Lu and several other junior disciples, yet all of them were true inheritors of the Blood-Exchange Realm.
Such a line-up could be described as luxurious. The Wudang Sect truly gave it their all this time, and naturally, Zhang Yunshu and Zhou He were also present to see them off.
Zhang Yunshu respectfully said, “Uncle Bai, as your disciple is incapable, you must lift yourself from seclusion. Guns and cannons are blind; please be careful!”
Uncle Bai, whose real name was Bai Jingting, replied in a voice that was cold yet nonchalant:
“Having lived idly for 150 years, I’ve had enough. It’s a fortunate thing to follow in my ancestor’s steps and serve the country this time. I surely won’t let down the name of the Wudang Sect.”
Zhang Yunshu didn’t urge further, turning to look at Bai Lu and the other three true disciples, reminding them, “You must be careful as well.”
“Teacher, rest assured, we will fight bravely against the enemy and will certainly not tarnish the reputation of the Wudang Sect!”
“You rascals! I’m telling you to watch out for your own lives!”
…
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With the Wudang Sect sparing no expense, the Joyful Sect naturally would not fall short either; they sent their own Sect Master and Holy Maiden—Yun Qinglan—along with the army.
At the moment, Li Pei was expressing the Imperial Court’s gratitude to the martial artists serving the country. Upon seeing Yun Qinglan, she commented with a strained smile,
“Sect Master Yun has quite the spirit, personally going to battle for the country’s service; it’s truly moving.”
Yun Qinglan had a barbed smile, “I dare not presume, I’m simply trying to alleviate some stress for our Lord.”
The two women exchanged snide remarks in private, leaving expressionless in different directions.
Li Pei cursed inwardly: This little wretch! To flirt with Lu Yao she’s actually going into battle herself! How bold!
Afterwards, she maintained her dignified and elegant demeanor, saying farewell to the masters from other factions.
Compared to the Wudang and Joyful Sect, these were somewhat less impressive, only sending martial artists from the Blood-Exchange or Marrow-Cleansing Realms.
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At this very moment, Lu Yao was seeing off two girls from his household about to set out on the campaign.
Aside from Yu Yanmei, Su Erya was also going.
The young girl strongly requested to go out for tempering, hoping to break through to the Blood-Exchange Realm.
Seeing her determination, Liao Ya and Lu Yao simply agreed, but still arranged for Fran to follow her closely.
“Erya, Uncle Master wishes you rapid success and a triumphant return!”
“Thank you, Uncle Master~”
The little girl was sweet and cute, cradling the very reluctant Ali in her arms.
Ali really didn’t want to go. She had important things to do, yet she had to go on a business trip. However, she dared not stay alone in Jing Yi Garden, fearing she might become a snack for the Spiritual Sparrowhawk.
With no other choice, she pinched her nose and accepted the situation.
At that moment, Lu Yao sent a private message to Fran: “Take good care of this little girl. I’ve stored a special power in the Lake Sword that she can use in case of crisis.”
Fran readily took on the responsibility: “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to bring her back to you safe and sound.”
This person had been extremely eager to help lately, almost granting every request.
Lu Yao laughed and said, “It seems the distinguished Miss Fran has some favor to ask of me.”
Fran gave him a glare and stood tall and proud: “I have some ideas about reconstructing my body… but it has to wait until after your Thunder Baptism.”
She paused for emphasis: “Holy Knight, we are on the same side now. It benefits you if I become stronger…”
Before she could finish, Lu Yao said solemnly, “I will definitely help you. That is without question.”
Reassured by his promise, Fran breathed a sigh of relief.
Watching Lu Yao’s cultivation level advance by leaps and bounds and knowing his upcoming training plan, this foreign girl ignited her hope for rebuilding her body, which might be her only remaining hope!
At that time, from afar came the thunderous cheers of “Long live,” signaling that the army was about to set off.
The group ceased their childlike behavior, waved goodbye succinctly, and Yu Yanmei left with the second girl.
Lu Yao smiled, leaped up, and in a few bounds, he reached the reviewing stand.
Instantly, the arena fell silent, all eyes turning to the Divine Manifestation Grandmaster above.
Lu Yao surveyed the crowd, seeing a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces.
He slowly said, “You all should know that I am not a petty person. This expedition is to attack the unrighteous and punish the unjust, but it is also for you to fight for your future. Do well, and I wish you all a triumphant victory!”
The crowd hesitated for a moment, then, led by the officers, they shouted: “We will fight to the death to repay the country’s favor.”
Everyone thought this was a routine morale boost before the battle and didn’t think much of it.
Meanwhile, Lu Yao had left the reviewing stand and returned with the Liao Family Sisters.
The Liao Family Sisters would not participate in battle this time. Instead, they were to be a reserve force stationed in Imperial City, ready for emergencies.
In the days to come, Lu Yao needed to focus on his cultivation; whatever matters arose would be handled by them.
~~~~~~~~~~
At the same time, Lieutenant Inoue Seiichi of the 37th Battalion of the Osaka Division had finally arrived at the capital of Goryeo—Seoul.
Arriving with him were the elite forces from the various military corps of Izumo.
They were not only there to strengthen Goryeo’s defenses but also had a battle plan to seize the lands beyond the Great Yi Dynasty’s border through a land assault.
Inoue Seiichi, due to his young wife’s suicide, had now become a notable figure. Upon disembarking, he was received by the commander “Hayashi Senjuuro.”
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“Hayashi Senjuuro” was the head of the Izumo forces stationed in Goryeo and also served as the Governor of Goryeo, essentially the emperor of this land.
Accompanied by military police, Inoue Seiichi quickly arrived at the military headquarters.
Just as he passed through the main gate and walked by the parade ground, he witnessed an unusual spectacle—two soldiers executing prisoners by decapitation!
Wielding katanas, they stood beside a row of kneeling captives. With each flash of cold steel, a head flew off, with reporters excitedly taking photographs at the side.
This sight was not unfamiliar to Inoue Seiichi, who instantly recognized it as the infamous “competition of 100 head-cutting.”
Two junior lieutenants—Noda Tsuyoshi and Ito Toshiaki—each held a treasured family sword.
They bet on who could first decapitate 100 people, thus beginning their contest.
Their progress was updated daily, serialized by the Kyoto Daily News, sparking widespread public interest.
Inoue Seiichi had been following this event and couldn’t help but comment, “When I left, their tally was already at 84 and 86. I wonder who will win in the end. It’s really suspenseful.”
Inoue Seiichi had not expected to encounter such heroic figures upon just arriving at the military headquarters.
Thinking of the imminent meeting with “Hayashi Senjuuro,” he couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous.
This army general, once a member of the Imperial Guards, was rumored to possess an imposing dignity.
