Chapter 747: The Long River Breaks into Imperial Control

Chapter 747: The Long River Breaks Defenses

One wonders if all barbarians who enter the Central Plains meet a similar fate.

Back then, He Lei fell into the encirclement of the Guichen Formation, initially holding a slight upper hand. But at that time, Zhao Changhe, whose cultivation was merely at the seventh or eighth level of the Mystic Gate, drew his bow without releasing the arrow under the name of Wang Daozhong. He Lei, believing a top-tier Earth List expert was aiming at him, felt immense pressure. Thus constrained at every turn, he was eventually wounded and fled, planting the seeds of his death.

This time was much the same.

Yue Hongling was a famed wandering knight, and Zhuque had openly come as an envoy. It was perfectly natural for them to encounter a barbarian chieftain here and start a fight. The Li family could not openly take sides, lest their painstaking efforts to distance themselves from the barbarians be undone forever.

But Zhao Changhe could not draw his blade and join the fray. If he revealed himself to be here, not only would Jiuyou surely strike, but the Li family could also surround him with their army. What would public sentiment or prestige matter then? If Zhao Changhe were killed, the Great Han would instantly crumble, and the world would be theirs for the taking.

Thus, Zhao Changhe could not engage in close combat and expose himself. He could only draw his bow to aid from afar. Few had seen his Dragon Soul Bow and arrows, so they were still usable. But shooting recklessly might hinder Zhuque and Yue Hongling, so the same tactic used against He Lei was best.

A bow is always most threatening when drawn but not yet released.

In Bo’e’s perception, that bow and arrow seemed to hunt his soul, exuding a chilling, terrifying aura. He had no doubt that if struck by that arrow, no body-forging technique could withstand it—not even Li Shentong, who specialized in such arts, could hope to endure.

The threat of that bow alone seemed more dreadful than the two women currently besieging him. Bo’e devoted at least half his focus to guarding against it, his eyes darting toward it from time to time.

Meanwhile, Zhuque and Yue Hongling fought with exhilarating ease. The bow’s aura made even their scalps tingle with fear, but knowing it was their man, they paid it no mind, swinging and striking with all their might.

As they coordinated, a strange expression crept over both their faces.

Their earlier premonition had been correct—their techniques seemed to conflict.

Both Zhuque and Xuanwu had once wondered if the Sun Emperor might embody the will of the Great Sun Tathagata, but later dismissed the idea because they felt no conflict with Buddhist techniques. Yet with Yue Hongling, the conflict was real.

It was clear that if they were opposed, their techniques would mutually restrain each other. But interestingly, since they were not opposed but cooperating, the result was a complementary boost, far stronger than normal teamwork.

What the hell? Tang Wanzhuang and I are like fire and water, at odds for a lifetime, yet we never had such mutual restraint or complementarity. And you, a pure swordswoman with no elemental affinity, and as earthy as I am—how can you complement me?

Both women felt a strange unease, while Bo’e, caught between their relentless assault, was in agony.

Though the Chaos Chronicle’s absurd entries had made him a laughingstock, he was truly the second-strongest in the world, a late-stage first-tier Imperial Realm expert nearing perfection. Apart from Xia Longyuan, he feared no one. These two women—one newly entered the Imperial Realm and not yet stable, the other slightly stronger but far from mid-stage—should have been easy for him to handle even two-on-one.

Yet now, their combined attack felt oddly like a formation, and he found himself possibly unable to win. Add to that the bowstring drawn but not released, diverting half his attention, and the more he fought, the more untenable his position became. Within just a few exchanges, he was already at a disadvantage.

Even fleeing was difficult. In such chaotic combat, the archer could not easily loose an arrow for fear of friendly fire. But if he tried to escape, that would be the perfect moment for the arrow to strike—extremely dangerous.

What infuriated him was that none of his subordinates were strong enough to join this battle and share even a fraction of the burden.

While Bo’e was at his wit’s end, Jiuyou stood on the roof of the Li family’s hall, gazing at the distant battle with furrowed brows.

Damn that Ying Wu, meddling with trade routes. Xuexiao had gone to deal with him, Huangyang was at Hangu Pass causing trouble for the Yang family, and Fengyin was in southern Jin guarding against Zhuque. Yet here Zhuque was, already arrived. If she didn’t intervene, no other strong enough to influence an Imperial Realm battle would be available soon.

But she didn’t want to act openly. Neither Daozun nor Bo Xun had yet shown themselves on the stage. How had it come to this—her being the first to step onto the stage, the biggest player descending to personally meddle in mortal wars? Someone was surely watching from the shadows, laughing so hard they’d roll from the night sky into the mud. Laughing was one thing, but if that person found an opportunity to act, that would be trouble. Jiuyou didn’t believe that blind woman hadn’t recovered; she was surely playing some grand game.

Yes, from the beginning, many gods and demons, including Jiuyou, dared not appear recklessly mainly because of that blind woman. Each imagined she had some vast scheme or conspiracy. Who knew she spent her days following a man, watching him flirt, getting so furious she stomped her feet, yet utterly helpless?

Jiuyou pondered for a moment, then quietly ordered her attendants: “Tell Kong Shi that if he acts, we will support him further.”

One attendant asked, “Kong Shi’s Buddhist sect is competing with Yu Xu for the people’s hearts. If he openly aids the barbarians, he’ll lose that competition. Will he agree to act?”

“The people’s hearts are illusory; imperial support is what truly matters. Besides, people have short memories. Just tell him—he’ll know what to choose.”

“Understood.”

Moments later, a Buddhist chant echoed from the center of the battle: “Amitabha… You are fighting fiercely in the marketplace, risking harm to the common people, violating heavenly harmony. I, an old monk, come to mediate. I ask you to grant me this face.”

His words were honeyed, but a beam of Buddhist light viciously struck at Zhuque’s back—murderous intent clear, aiming straight for her life!

“Twang!” The arrow flew like a meteor, sound following after the arrow’s flight.

Zhao Changhe shot at Kong Shi without a moment’s hesitation!

Kong Shi was prepared. With a movement defying all physical laws, he abruptly retreated mid-advance, the arrow grazing his face with a “whoosh” and vanishing into the distance.

Seizing the moment Zhao Changhe had loosed his arrow, Bo’e found his chance. He quickly shook off Yue Hongling and Zhuque’s assault and vanished in a flash.

His laughter echoed on the wind: “How ridiculous! In Chang’a’s bustling market, the women of Zhao Changhe besiege a guest of your own city. Is this the result the Guanlong heroes sought by inviting Buddhists and Daoists? What a colossal joke!”

His words mocked the Li family: You didn’t want to be our grandsons, you tried to balance everything, and now you end up acting like Zhao Changhe’s grandsons, letting chaos reign in your market with no recourse. If you’d just listen to our Northern Wolf Banner, we might still make you lords of the Central Plains. Otherwise, when Zhao Changhe comes, Chang’a will be his capital.

Jiuyou stood calmly on the roof, as if she hadn’t heard a word. The taunt slid off her like wind against her face.

Her gaze, however, fell on “Qin Jiu,” who had shot at Kong Shi. Her right hand unconsciously brushed against her trouser leg.

Quite the shot, little brother… You dare appear before me again? Do you truly think I cannot kill you?

In the arena, Zhuque and Yue Hongling, furious, surrounded Kong Shi. Yue Hongling pointed her sword at him, enraged: “A Buddhist holy monk, colluding with barbarians—how dare you face the Buddha?”

Kong Shi smiled nonchalantly: “In the Buddha’s eyes, all beings are equal. There is no barbarian or Han.”

Zhuque, flames gathering in her hand, sneered: “Then die in his place!”

“Venerable One, you are merely an envoy. This is Chang’a, not your capital.” From the streets, a crowd of armored soldiers surrounded them. Li Boping finally arrived with his elite troops, smiling faintly: “Bo’e was hiding in the embassy—I knew nothing of it beforehand. So when Lady Yue and the Venerable One attacked him in anger, I did not interfere. But since Bo’e has fled, and Master Kong Shi is a holy monk of Buddhism, he is not someone to be casually killed.”

“This king” referred to his self-proclaimed title as King of Qin. His words first tried to wash away the accusation of colluding with barbarians—whether it would be cleansed was another matter, but it had to be said. As for the Buddhist intervention, that was Buddhism’s own claim of equality for all beings, not their concern. But if they attacked Buddhism, that meant killing their holy monk in Chang’a, and then they would have to step in.

That was political logic. No matter how vile the deed, there was always a justification to offer. Unless you resorted to outright thuggery, there was no way to argue further on an official level.

But if they couldn’t speak, others could. From afar, Yu Xu drifted over, standing on a nearby rooftop and bowing: “In that case, there’s no time like the present. Now that Chang’a’s citizens and scholars are all gathered, I, an old Daoist, propose to reopen the Buddhist-Daoist debate. Let us see how many still support the teachings of a ‘holy monk’ who let a barbarian chieftain escape in full view of the public.”

The battle had erupted suddenly and ended quickly; Yu Xu hadn’t had time to join. But afterward, while politics couldn’t act, religion could. Under the guise of a Buddhist-Daoist dispute, he could seize the chance to drive Buddhism out of Chang’a once and for all. A rare murderous intent flickered in Yu Xu’s eyes; he resolved to use even yesterday’s “martial debate” format if necessary, to finish this in one stroke.

Kong Shi chuckled: “You accuse me of colluding with an enemy chieftain, yet I say you, a true man, openly colluded with the false Han in front of the King of Qin and all of Chang’a’s gentry. Last night, you fought with someone unknown, and Zhuque’s flames fell into the alley. The Venerable Zhuque did not arrive today as an envoy—she came yesterday. Who knows what secret talks you had first, and now you put on this act today.”

Li Boping’s gaze fell on Yu Xu’s face, silent.

Both sides were suspected of “colluding with outsiders,” as if canceling each other out.

In the struggle for religious and popular support, one stood with the common people’s hearts, the other with the Li family’s rule. If it came to a vote, Yu Xu would win overwhelmingly. But this wasn’t about votes; from the ruler’s perspective, Kong Shi had the clear advantage.

For a moment, the scene fell into a brief silence, broken only by the crackling of the still-burning fire at the Honglu Temple. No one had the heart to put it out. Every person, even the soldiers, was pondering the current situation, most sighing inwardly.

In that quiet, a figure who had nearly been overlooked leaped from a nearby rooftop and landed in the center: “You… are the King of Qin?”

Li Boping turned to Zhao Changhe, saying flatly: “And who might you be?”

Zhao Changhe smiled: “I believe the King of Qin’s first priority now is to extinguish the fire, lest it spread and cause great disaster.”

Li Boping smiled as well. He hadn’t ordered the fire put out immediately because he wanted the victims to direct their anger at Zhuque, who had started it. But since no one had mentioned it, he could pretend not to hear. Now that someone had, he couldn’t ignore it, so he waved a hand: “Put out the fire.”

“Yes.” Soldiers quickly fetched buckets to douse the flames.

Yue Hongling looked at Zhao Changhe, joy in her eyes. The feeling of coordinating without prior arrangement was wonderful. Only he would think to put out the fire first in such a situation.

Zhuque also looked at him, but with exasperation. She had told him to change clothes and disguise himself before going out. What was he doing now? Courting death? Jiuyou was surely watching nearby!

Zhao Changhe said slowly: “As for who I am, many saw me yesterday… In the Louguan Terrace, when Master Kong Shi challenged True Man Yu Xu, I made a move. I think many could tell I am also a Buddhist disciple.”

Li Boping said flatly: “What are you trying to say? That a Buddhist disciple would draw a bow and join a battle against barbarians? Or that a Buddhist disciple would shoot at his own holy monk?”

“His own holy monk? That depends on whether everyone recognizes him as such.” Zhao Changhe chuckled. “Let me formally introduce myself. I am Qin Jiu, a lay disciple of Buddhism, sent by Abbot Yuancheng to investigate the matter of a demonic cultivator masquerading as a Buddhist holy monk in Chang’a.”

Countless people were watching the spectacle from various rooftops. At these words, they were stunned for a moment, then a wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.

They had thought it was a Buddhist-Daoist dispute, but now it involved an internal Buddhist conflict!

Indeed, this Master Kong Shi had appeared abruptly only after Yuancheng left, and no one had ever heard of him before. Yuancheng, in Xiangyang, heard the news, sensed something amiss, and sent a trusted disciple to investigate—perfectly normal.

But was Kong Shi a demonic cultivator? That couldn’t be said without evidence!

“This disciple-grandson…” Kong Shi laughed. “Your master couldn’t bear the pressure and abandoned Chang’a, but now he can’t stomach seeing the Buddhist sect here flourish under my leadership. That’s understandable. But to slander your own grand-master as a demonic cultivator with empty words—that’s going too far.”

“Whether you are demonic or not, a fight will reveal it. Under the radiance of Buddha’s light, all demons and monsters are exposed.” Zhao Changhe slowly drew his Galaxy Sword, pointing it at Kong Shi. “I, Qin Jiu, a Buddhist disciple, challenge Master Kong Shi. This is an internal Buddhist matter; outsiders, please do not interfere.”

Even Yue Hongling and Zhuque hadn’t expected this turn of events. The onlookers were even more stunned, yet thoroughly delighted.

Today's spectacle was well worth attending—envoys from two nations, a chivalrous maiden's assassination attempt, the strife between Hu and Han, the conflict of Buddhism and Daoism, and internal feuds within the Buddhist sect—twists and turns, truly magnificent beyond compare!

Li Boping, at a loss how to stop this "Buddhist internal affair," could only twitch the corner of his mouth: "The young are hot-blooded; it's good for them to suffer a little."

With that, he waved his hand instead, signaling the soldiers to fall back, clearing the field for the Buddhist internal matter.

The crowd quickly withdrew, leaving Zhao Changhe and Kongshi standing opposite each other in the arena.

Kongshi stared at Zhao Changhe's sword, his eyes flickering with doubt and uncertainty. This pitch-black blade—you claim to be a disciple of Buddha? What Buddhist sect wields such a bizarre sword? You might as well be a heretic...

The Star River Sword was indeed known to few—none in antiquity, only emerging in this age, not even seen by Jiuyou; those who had witnessed it, like Huangyang, Fengyin, and Xuexiao, were not present. Thus, Zhao Changhe dared not draw Longque but dared to use Star River. Though the sword seemed black and unlike a Buddhist implement, among the many experts here, none could detect the slightest trace of demonic intent within it. On the contrary, it exuded a vast, ethereal stillness like night, radiating a harmony with the Dao, and subtly bearing the solemn dignity of celestial pressure.

This was certainly no demonic artifact, but a divine one.

Jiuyou's heart gave a violent leap.

Where did this sword come from? Why does it so resemble that woman?

Zhao Changhe himself felt somewhat helpless; drawing this sword would inevitably attract more attention from Jiuyou. Since he dared not use Qin Jiu's face anymore, as long as he could escape this time, he would never wear that visage again. That wasn't the issue now—the problem was that earlier, when fighting Bo'e, he hadn't dared to engage in close combat for fear of exposure. And now? Blindy, you must come through! You didn't act in the battle against the Hu, but here, in a clash of gods and demons, you should at least show some sign?

The thought flashed by—fight he must. Though this strike was impulsive, it had its purpose. Zhao Changhe took a deep breath and said slowly, "Master, be careful."

"Swish!" The Star River Sword tore through the void, reaching Kongshi's throat in an instant.

To the onlookers, every eye secretly glanced at Yue Hongling.

Yes, this sword strike was remarkably akin to Yue Hongling's sword intent—like the brilliant glow of the horizon spreading and blooming, then sinking into silence, the final light between sea and sky, darkness above and below.

The Sunset Divine Sword, yet not merely the Sunset Divine Sword.

It was the night that followed sunset—opposing, yet continuous.

Day and night revolve, time and space eternal.

"Break!" The knowledgeable among the crowd, like Li Boping and Wei Changming, blurted out instinctively: "This man is merging sword intents on the battlefield—he's breaking through the 'break' in the midst of battle!"

"Clang!" Kongshi, bare-handed, struck the sword's body with a horizontal palm.

The sharpness of this divine sword made him extremely cautious; even his Golden Bell Shield, simulated to be identical to a true Buddha's, dared not face the blade directly. He had thought it was just some reckless fool, but damn—it turned out to be a freak wielding a divine sword and breaking through the 'break'! Where did so many freaks come from in this world?

The palm and sword clashed, emitting a crisp sound. A brilliant golden light burst at the point of impact, dazzling many spectators, forcing their eyes shut.

To those who could see, a colossal Buddha manifestation rose behind Kongshi, its eyes blazing with wrath, pressing down majestically upon the tiny ant before it.

How could this be demonic? It truly was a Buddha... Many harbored this thought.

On the other side, "Qin Jiu" seemed unable to withstand such immense power, retreating step by step. Strangely, with each step, a lotus pedestal shadow rose from the ground beneath his feet. After a few steps, the earth resembled a lotus pond.

Step by step, lotus blooms!

He, too, was a true son of Buddha!

Only Zhuque and Yue Hongling secretly curled their lips: "Your Great Bliss and Ultimate Joy is quite convincing... But next time, don't expect us to sit on that lotus pedestal."

"Crack!" Zhao Changhe halted his steps. As the largest lotus bloomed, flowers filled the sky, soaring to the heavens.

In the void, other manifestations seemed to faintly emerge, beginning to echo the earthly lotus.

People looked up—the winter sky, hazy and foggy, had been sunless, but now the clouds suddenly parted, sunlight poured down, and for a moment, they could not tell if it was the illusion of a manifestation or the true sun emerging from the altered weather.

The sword opened the Gate of Heaven; the blazing sun hung across the sky!

Mahavairocana—I am the Buddha!

"Shua!" Bathed in the sun's radiance, Zhao Changhe sprang forward again, thrusting his sword once more at Kongshi's face.

With this strike, the celestial phenomena shifted again.

As if the sword's trajectory tore open the firmament, countless stars lit up in broad daylight, forming an endless river of stars along the sword's light. The Milky Way cascaded, sun and moon shone together.

Since I have become the sun and moon, why not command this Star River?

In the imagery of Yue Hongling and Zhuque observing from the side, the step Zhao Changhe had always been stuck on was finally crossed.

Zhao Changhe broke through the 'break' in battle!

The Milky Way poured down from the nine heavens, charging toward the colossal Buddha illusion. The Buddha pushed out its palm to resist the torrent. On the ground, Kongshi hastily clapped his hands together, trapping the Star River Sword between his palms.

A dazzling golden light exploded for miles around, turning Chang'an into a sea of gold.

In the eyes of the crowd, this Qin Jiu was indeed formidable, but it seemed at odds with his original intent—he wanted to expose Kongshi as a demon, yet the scene looked nothing like it; instead, it solidified Kongshi's image as a Buddha, more concrete than Qin Jiu's sun manifestation.

But at the very center of the battle, unseen by all, a flash of ferocious demonic intent flickered across Kongshi's face, and in his eyes, ripples suddenly swirled.

The demonic illusion of the Heavenly Demon was invading.