The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS-Chapter 1188 - 213: The Haqi River Is Finally Formed

Jue Ling Pass in Central Province is the first barrier of the Central Plains, safeguarding the gateway to Central Province.

The Divine Martial Army led by Luo Feng is stationed here, engaging in offensive and defensive battles with the Northern Zhou army outside the pass, with skirmishes lasting for a day and a night.

Surprisingly, during this day and night, the side holding the advantage was not the Divine Martial Army defending the formidable pass, but the Northern Zhou army that had marched south, having first seized Xuanzhou and Shu Province.

The Northern Zhou army deployed firearms for the siege, supported by the Circulation Eight Movements. Though the pass is formidable, it didn't offer a substantial advantage; on the contrary, due to the defensive stance, the Divine Martial Army was in a passive position, constantly being pounded.

Furthermore, some chaos emerged within Central Province itself.

The expelled followers of the Desire Realm circumvented Jue Ling Pass, entering Central Province, creating quite a stir during this period.

Moreover, there were some surrender factions within the court, particularly the Minister of Personnel, who led the chorus of despair. Even after being imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, they persisted with the surrender rhetoric, causing certain fence-sitters to waver.

"These followers of the Desire Realm are truly a pest-like bother. I slaughtered a hundred thousand prisoners earlier, and yet these followers dare to swarm into Central Province, truly not knowing life from death."

In the command hall of Jue Ling Pass, Luo Feng slammed his fist on the table, his dominant fist power shattering the poor table into pieces, scattering them on the ground.

"Do these followers of the Desire Realm have no brains? They're unaware they're being used by the Northern Zhou people." Luo Feng spoke with hatred.

Previously, Northern Zhou expelled nearly a hundred thousand followers of the Desire Realm, and when these zealots attacked the Divine Martial Army's camp, delaying the completion of defensive works, Luo Feng took drastic measures to encircle and slaughter them.

Luo Feng thought this would be the end of it, but unexpectedly, the adversary repeated their tactics, continuously expelling followers of the Desire Realm to disrupt Daqian. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Now, with a large army attacking from outside and fearless followers of the Desire Realm causing trouble from within, and even some within the court dragging their feet, Daqian could truly be described as beset with internal and external troubles.

"Since His Majesty the Human Emperor returned, he has rarely shown himself, leaving us uncertain about his preparations. Sect Leader Mu and Yama have instructed us to hold as long as we can, perhaps they have already devised a method to counter Qing Yu and the Heavenly Dao." King Biancheng lazily leaned back on his recliner, speaking in a relaxed tone.

"The problem is that over in Northern Zhou, everyone is united as one, and their legion's combat power is not inferior to ours. Even if I, the Marquis, exert my full strength in defense, it's uncertain how many days I can hold out. And this is without the Divine Communication War having been initiated." Luo Feng said.

Speaking of combat power above the Divine Communication level, the opponent is no less powerful than our side, and compared to Daqian, their strongest warriors are more numerous.

Without the Human Emperor or Qing Yu participating, the opponents still have Ren Piaomiao, Yin Tianxia, and that demon beast at their disposal. If even the Emperor Zhou joins the battle, it would make four supreme powers.

Currently, it's still a matter of legion warfare, and Luo Feng can still manage to hold on for a few more days. However, should a Divine Communication War commence, the battle situation might rapidly deteriorate.

"There's no need for excessive worry. Lasting a few extra days is in itself a commendable outcome. Moreover, the longer the battle drags on, the more it will shape an environment suited to us infused with death qi. With heaven's and earth's favor on our side, even if human support falters at the end, it's not a significant concern."

King Qin Guang calmly remarked while polishing his mirror-like long blade on the side.

"Moreover, those followers of the Desire Realm can also enhance your Ten Thousand Soul Battle Armor further. If they wish to come, let them come, just don't blame us if no lives are spared here."

"Well," Luo Feng sighed, relinquishing his resolve, "let us endeavor to delay as much as possible. When will the Zhen Shan Army arrive?"

"Within a month, led personally by Prince Zhen Shan," King Qin Guang replied, "Also, King Renyi of Ji Province has chosen to take a stand. It seems even this presumably unscrupulous and unrighteous King Renyi recognizes northern Zhou's inability to accommodate him."

"All traitors, Prince Zhen Shan could even be called a three-surnamed slave. It's just as well to use them as expendables to wear down Northern Zhou's forces." Luo Feng sneered coldly.

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The frontline battles grew ever more intense, yet Northern Zhou's Divine City remained a scene of tranquility and peace.

Though far from being filled with song and dance, or laughter and happiness, the flames of war from the frontline did not impact the lives of Divine City's citizens. Everything went on as it should, unchanged from day to day.

If there was any change, perhaps it was only the increasingly favorable atmosphere.

Due to the impending formation of the Haqi River, the righteous thoughts it carried incidentally influenced Divine City. It could be said the citizens here neither picked up lost items from the roads nor locked their doors at night, day by day seeing improvement in its ethos.

And on this day, outside the Divine Capital by Datong Mountain, a silver-white strip suddenly ascended, connecting heaven and earth, followed by high-crowned, broad-beltd apparitions stepping out from the river-like strip, saluting toward the center.

Vast and grand righteous qi soared from the center, with the silver-white ribbon surging like a celestial river flowing backward, ascending uphill.

"Old man Meng Shanhe······"

From the Haqi River arose a gigantic Dharma Image, speaking with a majestic voice, "Today I merge with the Haqi River with my body, establishing an unwavering foundation for Confucianism for all eternity, wishing for the perpetuity of heavenly righteousness and eternal haqi."

With those words, the enormous Dharma Image fused into the Haqi River, turning it from illusion to reality, endlessly rolling across the sky like a true river in perpetual motion.

"Righteousness prevails, haqi eternal." The students and lecturers at Mountain River Academy all bowed to the Haqi River.

With their words, an overwhelming righteous qi radiated from Datong Mountain in all directions, sweeping away malevolent thoughts along its path, implanting the seed of righteousness.

After this day, it was unknown how many seeds of learning within a hundred-mile radius would realize vast righteous qi, adding fresh talent to the Confucian school.

Only on the other side of Divine City did vast righteous qi meet resistance, as a sharp, singular sword intent cleaved through the righteousness, preventing it from encroaching on Piaomiao Sword Palace even slightly.

Within the Imperial Palace, Emperor Zhou reclined on the dragon throne, his slightly indolent posture still exuded an aura of supreme dominion over the eight extremes of the universe.

He merely closed his eyes to feel that utmost righteousness, with the corners of his mouth curling into a slight smirk, "Meng Shanhe indeed has good fortune, finally completing the Haqi River at this time. A little later, come the end of calamities, the opportunity might not have been as favorable.

However, with this development, this Meng Mountain Master I have never truly met is also gone."

Just as the Human Emperor had merged into the Human Dao Will, Meng Shanhe embedded his will into the Haqi River as its core.

After today, Meng Shanhe ceased to exist, but as long as the Haqi River remained, people would never forget this Confucian Master, thereby eternally living in people's hearts.

"Farewell, Mountain Master Meng."

Emperor Zhou closed his eyes, his fingers gently tapping the armrest, "Ah, another good person in this world is gone."

There truly aren't many good people these days, and Meng Shanhe was among the most outstanding. His departure likely leaves few truly good ones.

The remainder, likely consists of individuals like Qing Yu, who treat heaven and earth as their battlefield."