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Early morning.
In the sky over Wuding City, several canopies of light intersected, forming an enormous net. Some cultivators patrolled through the skies on their riding swords, and the warriors on the streets sifted through the crowds, their Qi-blood overwhelming. Every person who attempted to slop away was harshly interrogated.
“Looks like your big brother has no plans at all of letting me go.” Qin Weiyu could not help but crack a joke as she watched this blockade outside that was so strict as to not let even a housefly through.
“If Huan Wen wants to go to the Northern Barbarians’ Weightbearer Mountain, then she won’t stay at Wuding City for too long. Why not mend your wounds here first, then go?” After using the supplements from the Astral Coins last night, Qin Weiyu had recovered a bit of Star Energy. However, there were still wounds on her body that required Star Energy to slowly heal.
“No.” Qin Weiyu emphatically refused: “When night falls, I will think of a way to escape the city.”
“An inescapable net has already been laid over Wuding City. If you go out in your current state, you will be discovered, and Huan Wen will definitely kill you.” Chen Mo sternly said.
“We are already running out of time for the Zhi Ming Star Image, I must head out.” Qin Weiyu furrowed her brow.
“Just wait for me a bit, I’ll go talk to my big brother.” Chen Mo had an idea.
Qin Guan said: “Are you not afraid…”
“My big brother isn’t that sort of person.” When he was little, he had met his eldest brother several times at family gatherings. Although he did not have too deep of an impression, Chen Mo still understood that his eldest brother was a very upright and plainspoken person. It was only because he was very devoted to the dynasty that Emperor Tang dared to hand the Fixed Northern Camp to him. However, at the same time, Chen Qi was not the type to sell out his family for benefits.
“Then do as you please.” Qin Weiyu shut her eyes.
—
Wuding City, Wuding Mansion.
Chen Qi was in the middle of discussing their upcoming plan to march on and attack the Northern barbarians. This battle was specifically ordered by Huan Wen. Firstly, they were to protect her, and secondly, the Northern Barbarians’ Star General would seize the chance to fight for the Star Mansion Spirit Stone. This was the perfect chance to kill her. As long as they killed the Northern Barbarians’ Star General, then they could eliminate half of the threat that the Northern Barbarians would pose in the future to the Great Chong Dynasty.
However, judging from the information relayed from the spies they sent into the Northern Barbarians, the situation was not very optimistic.
The Northern Barbarians’ dozens of tribes had a pattern of assembling their warriors together, and they had taken into consideration the possibility that the Great Chong Dynasty’s main army would attack. This was practically military strength that would allow the Northern Barbarians to control the north.
“Meaning that the main army will be unable to attack the Northern Barbarians?” Chen Qi inquired.
“Yes, General.” The adviser replied with certainty. “If the main army gathers and enters their lands, the Northern Barbarians will perhaps seize the chance to attack.”
“Then as for Her Highness Huan Wen’s matters, I will personally lead a detachment for it.”
“Lord General, you will go yourself?”
“As the Supreme General of the North, I should go do this. Besides, Her Highness Huan Wen personally called on me to accompany her.” Chen Qi nodded.
“General, Your Servant fears this is a bit inappropriate.” The adviser said in worry. It would be difficult to keep his life if he was drawn into a battle between Star Generals. Even if Chen Qi had Second Layer Greater Thunder Tribulation cultivation, he still had insufficient qualifications.
“Supreme General, why not allow This General to lead troops to help Her Highness Huan Wen for now.”
“Supreme General, This General is also willing to go forth.”
Several warriors volunteered themselves one after another.
“No need. No more mention of matters pertaining to the Northern Barbarians. None of you would be able to do much in a battle between Star Generals. The goal is to protect the north. We cannot give the enemy a chance to exploit.” Chen Qi immediately issued orders.
Everyone had no choice but to obey.
…
After everyone else had all left, the adviser then said: “Lord General, Her Highness Huan Wen called on Milord to guide a troop and help her into Weightbearer Mountain to kill the Northern Barbarians’ Star General. Your Servant fears that there is something amiss.” He had followed Chen Qi for many years. Sharing profound camaraderie, he hated to see the general take a risk, “There is a rumor from Chang’an right now. His Highness Mo has obtained a rank, and he has even conquered Nan Jiang, establishing an achievement no one has managed since the founding of the Great Chong Dynasty! Lord Chang’an is close to holding power over half of the dynasty. His Imperial Majesty is somewhat afraid, and that Huan Wen perhaps is…”
“You feel that she wants to take advantage of this chance to kill me.” Chen Qi said.
“Your Servant cannot help but believe so.”
“As Supreme General, I cannot have any fear in my heart. If Her Highness Huan Wen wishes to kill me, so long as she has a reason, I am willing to offer her my head.” Chen Qi heroically replied.
“Supreme General, you may be wholeheartedly devoted to the Great Chong, but this will unavoidably draw the misgivings of some small people.”
“Enough. For our incursion into the Northern Barbarians, I will render aid to Huan Wen to kill their Star General. As long as the Northern Barbarians die, the Great Chong Dynasty will gain a peace that lasts a century. Since my Fourth Brother has already conquered Nan Jiang, then as the eldest brother who has defended the north for a decade without contributions, I honestly am ashamed to face the people of the Great Chong, ha, ha.” Chen Qi laughed.
The adviser raised his brow: “Can it be that Lord General wants to do such a thing because of His Highness’ provocation?”
“Dismissed. I have my own plans. Presently, we must first find that Star General in Wuding City’s blockade.” Chen Qi waved his hand, unwilling to say more.
The adviser understood he had no way to convince Chen Qi to abandon this notion. This could not be helped. Come to think of it, that Highness Chen Mo all of a sudden was able to achieve tanhua, meditate the bodhi, and capture Nan Jiang all in less than one year. This made all of the noble sons in the Great Chong Dynasty pale in comparison to him. This chain of successes honestly stirred up too many people.
Chen Qi practiced the Zhangtian Seal alone. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and thrust out his palm.
A figure quickly flit by. Chen Qi extended a palm, grabbing at it like he had a cloud dragon’s claws. This “Lingering Wind Rolling Cloud” ability was something he created while he was in the north, and it was extremely brilliant at capturing targets.
Lingering Wind Rolling Cloud grabbed, yet the target flickered and vanished from under his ability like a shadow.
“Hm?” This was the first time he had seen someone escape his power. Chen Qi was taken aback.
“Big Brother, long time no see, you’re still so alert!” A voice laughed.
Chen Qi retracted his aggression and broke into a wide grin: “So, it’s you, Fourth Brother!”
Chen Mo walked out from the side and respectfully greeted his elder brother.
Chen Mo strode forward, grabbed Chen Mo by the shoulders and looked all over him. When his iron-like palms stuck to Chen Mo’s shoulders, it seemed like a heavy force was sinking them, as if Chen Mo bore ten thousand catties of steel on his back.
Chen Mo cultivated the Book Of Changes Black Turtle and gained a tough, invincible constitution. He was unfazed in the face of Big Brother Chen Qi’s test. With a slight throw of his shoulders, he shook free of Chen Qi’s grip.
Chen Qi took a few steps back and looked at Chen Mo with a big smile.
“Fourth Brother, you’re even more incredible than the rumors say. Our Chen Family is truly fortunate.”
“Big Brother is too modest. If not for me, the Chen Family would not be eyed by Huan Wen like this.” Chen Mo said.
“Star Generals are beyond worldly matters, how can they know of us mundane warriors.” Chen Qi disagreed.
Chen Mo pursed his lips. “I fear Huan Wen harbors ill intentions by calling Big Brother to go to Weightbearer Mountain together with her.”
“Fourth Brother, you are overthinking this.” Chen Qi evidently did not want to discuss the topic further: “Why did you suddenly have the interest to come to the north. Not long ago, I heard you conquered Nan Jiang’s Star Generals and became the leader of Nan Jiang. Your renown currently surpasses even father’s. Don’t tell me you’ve come to the north to laugh at your big brother.” He finally cracked a joke.
“Nice joke, Big Brother. I came to see the Northern Barbarians.”
“Hm? Don’t tell me you actually want to…” Chen Qi was stunned.
“No, I naturally won’t so arrogant as to challenge the Northern Barbarian Star General. I am actually very willing to see Huan Wen and the Northern Barbarian Star General kill each other.” Chen Mo smiled and said. “I heard the Zhi Ming Star Image is here, I came to see it.”
“Is that so? Good. We brothers are stronger together.” Chen Qi said.
“I don’t want to reveal my identity this time.” Chen Mo shook his head: “I only came to see just what Huan Wen wanted to do. I know that I am not her match right now. If my identity is exposed, she will kill me without doubt.”
Chen Mo nodded, “If there’s anything I can do, feel free to talk to me about it. Big Brother will definitely help you.”
“Actually, I came to ask you to help with something, Big Brother.”
“Oh? What matter is actually able to stump Little Brother White Clothed Tanhua.” Chen Qi laughed.
Chen Mo forced a smile, “Big Brother has blockaded Wuding City, I have no solutions.”
“Although I’ve sealed off Wuding City, we are only apprehending one person. It shouldn’t trap you.” Chen Qi was confused.
“I won’t hide this, Big Brother. The person that Big Brother wants to arrest is my friend.”
Chen Qi stared dumbstruck: “What did you say?”
“Magpie Bridge Immortal Qin Guan is my good friend, and I want to get her out of here.” Chen Mo spoke forthrightly.
Chen Qi stared for a moment, finally recomposing himself after a while. He heaved a long sigh, “Yes, yes, you have an unmatched reputation in the Great Chong Dynasty, Little Brother. It wouldn’t be strange for Magpie Bridge Immortal Qin Guan to be your friend. I’ll give you a travel pass. You’ll be able to move unhindered.”
Chen Mo was very surprised that his big brother was so easy to convince. He originally thought that he would have to explain how he and Qin Weiyu came to meet.
Chen Qi noticed Chen Mo’s apprehension and patted his shoulder: “Your Big Brother isn’t an inflexible person. If Huan Wen kills Qin Guan and obtains her Star Energy, then our Chen Family will be much worse off. Since you know her, Big Brother is naturally willing to help you.”
Warmth spread through his heart, and Chen Mo gratefully said: “Many thanks, Big Brother.”
“There’s a Weightbearer Mountain map in this.” Chen Qi took out a jade strip and handed it to Chen Mo: “Contained within is Weightbearer Mountain’s topography, meticulously mapped over the dozen years I stood guard here by people I dispatched. Weightbearer Mountain’s terrain is exceedingly complex, with towering peaks and precipitous ridge. Not even a bird can fly through. This time, I’ve received orders to follow Huan Wen to Weightbearer Mountain, and I fear I’ll have to help guide her. You can take a shortcut with this map, and I’ll help you by stalling her for a few days. I’ll buy time for you, Fourth Brother.”
“Little Brother definitely will not fail Big Brother’s kindness.” Chen Mo did not expect his big brother to be so thorough.
“Watch out for yourself. Our family may need to rely on you.”
Big Brother’s warm smile immediately made a boundlessly heavy sense of family duty bubble up in Chen Mo’s mind.
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I’ve commented this before, but it’s so nice to see how the Chen siblings are so good to one another. It’s common in these kinds of novels to see the protagonist’s relatives to be pointlessly jealous, and we’ve actually seen a branch family try to overthrow Chen Mo a few arcs back. That at least the actual siblings are not like this is a breath of fresh air, really.
Yeah, the cliche with aristocratic families is for cutthroat battles between siblings. For the Chen family’s progeny to be so supportive of one another is a very welcome subversion.