Chapter 185 - 139: Escape
Ni Wei was fifteen years old.
She came from a small county town in Yunyang Prefecture.
Her family were minor merchants in the small county, which was why they had the funds to send her to study under a Martial Artist.
During the course of her studies, this Martial Artist discovered her Talent for External Skills.
Shortly thereafter, Lu Changfeng issued a public notice, and the County Magistrate of the small county posted it.
Deciding to give it a shot, Ni Wei signed up.
Being chosen this time was like ascending to the heavens in a single step.
A Disciple of the Holy Sect Saint Master. Lu Changfeng, in his capacity as Saint Master, had never taken a Disciple before.
’I might become the Disciple of the number one Martial Arts expert in Song Country!’ At this thought, Ni Wei’s heart blossomed with joy.
Unfortunately, Lu Changfeng had no real intention of taking a Disciple.
"Ni Wei, come here." Lu Changfeng beckoned for Ni Wei to come forward.
Extremely nervous, Ni Wei stepped forward, not even daring to meet Lu Changfeng’s gaze.
Because Lu Changfeng represented far too much: Saint Demon Sect Master, Lord of Yunyang Prefecture, the number one Celestial Tier expert in Song Country, a titan of the Demon Dao...
Any one of those titles alone could shake the entire Song Country, let alone all of them belonging to a single person.
"Hmm, I’m not particularly skilled in External Skill cultivation, but the two Demon Sects under my command are."
"So, what if I recommend you to join either the Heavenly Corpse Demon Sect or the Dark Buddha Demon Sect?"
Ni Wei, who usually lacked her own opinions, had a sudden stroke of inspiration. Although she didn’t know why the Saint Master had chosen her only to push her onto someone else, she recalled the previous announcement. ’It said the Saint Master was taking a disciple!’
Ni Wei spoke up, "I’ve heard the people of the Heavenly Corpse Demon Sect have mottled skin, which I don’t really like. As for the Dark Buddha Demon Sect... Saint Master, I don’t want to be a nun."
Lu Changfeng let out a laugh. Ni Wei’s descriptions were quite vivid. "Then what would you have me do?"
Ni Wei immediately knelt. "I only wish to enter the Saint Master’s tutelage! To honor you, Saint Master, as my teacher!"
Lu Changfeng thought for a moment, then nodded. "You’re a clever one. Very well, I will accept you as a Named Disciple. As for whether you can become a True Inheritor, that will depend on your future performance."
Hearing this, Ni Wei’s face lit up with joy. "I understand!"
"Master, please accept this Disciple’s three bows!"
...
Winter in Yunyang Prefecture was as cold as ever.
This New Year, Lu Changfeng quietly returned to Qin City, spending it under his identity from the Law Enforcement Demon Sect.
Lu Changfeng was now twenty-five years old.
Roughly calculating, it had been barely ten years since Lu Changfeng officially arrived in this world.
In ten years, Lu Changfeng had grown from a scholar in Feng City to the titan of the Demon Dao he was today. The interface had undoubtedly played a crucial role.
In another ten years, Lu Changfeng was confident he could unify Song Country, and even the entire Profound Realm.
Under the night sky of Qin City, Lu Changfeng held Hua Yiran and Chunzhu in his arms, gazing fixedly at the heavens.
’Above the Nine Heavens, there is also the Outer Realm Space.’
After unifying the Profound Realm, Lu Changfeng wanted to see what lay beyond the Nine Heavens.
Since visitors from the Outer Realm had entered the Profound Realm over three hundred years ago, it meant that people from within the Profound Realm could also leave.
Of course, that would be something for the distant future.
’The Giant Elephant Woman at the bottom of Fengtian Lake.’
’The Polar Icefield.’
’The Hundred Thousand Mountains.’
Once all these secrets of the Profound Realm were unveiled, Lu Changfeng’s understanding of the Profound Realm and the Outer Realm would naturally reach a new level.
...
「Jiangnan Prefecture.」
「Jiangzhou.」
At Yicao Hall, Wei Chun seemed to have aged more than ten years in just two short years.
His hair was completely white, and his body was exceptionally stooped.
The sound of synchronized footsteps came from outside the apothecary.
Wei Chun’s brows furrowed, and the apprentices in the shop looked even more flustered.
Before long, a squad of soldiers marched in.
The one in the lead went straight to Wei Chun.
"Are the requisitioned herbs and Spirit Pills ready?"
Wei Chun cupped his hands. "I must trouble you, Officer, for a few more days’ grace. Spring has just begun, and the heavy snow has yet to melt. We are still short on the herbs we need to procure."
The Squad Leader at the head of the group grabbed Wei Chun and lifted him up. "Say that again, you motherfucker, I dare you. I can wait, but do you think the soldiers fighting on the front lines can?"
"Get the supplies together for me by tonight. Otherwise, I’ll have you thrown in jail for treason," the Squad Leader said viciously.
THUD!
The Squad Leader felt a tremendous force strike him, and his body was sent flying.
"Grandfather, are you alright?" The newcomer was tall with a resolute face; it was none other than Wei Chun’s grandson, Wei He.
This young man, Wei He, had once practiced Martial Arts in Lu Changfeng’s Martial Arts Hall, thanks to arrangements made by Wei Chun.
After Lu Changfeng moved away, Wei He had persisted in his training. The moment he struck, it was clear his Realm was not low.
"Well, now! You dare to attack me!"
"Your Martial Arts Cultivation isn’t low, is it? Using the Martial Arts you learned on me? Men, add his name to the conscription list. He’s going to the front lines tomorrow!" the Squad Leader roared.
A frantic war had been raging in Jiangnan Prefecture for half a year.
Of Jiangnan Prefecture’s thirty-six cities, sixteen had already been swallowed by Daliang.
The losses among Jiangnan Prefecture’s Martial Arts Powers were even greater.
The 200,000-strong Crossbow Army, once the pride of Jiangnan Prefecture, now numbered less than 100,000.
Over twenty Rebirth Realm masters had died in battle.
Below them, the number of dead from the Bone Refining and Tendon Transformation Realms was countless.
Under such circumstances, the forced conscription of the common people had become a common occurrence.
"Please, Officer, spare my grandson!"
"I will personally deliver the herbs to you before tonight!"
Ignoring Wei He at his side, Wei Chun knelt before the officer and pleaded.
But the Squad Leader had lost face and was naturally unwilling to let Wei He off so easily.
A flicker of cruel satisfaction flashed in the Squad Leader’s eyes. His gaze fell upon Wei He, who stood ramrod straight with a combative air, and his eyes blazed with anger once more.
"Impossible!"
"This grandson of yours must go to the front lines!"