Breaking Army - Chapter 16

Xiangzhi carried a stack of scrolls and placed them on the desk. He had finally realized that the Heavenly Emperor was merely a figurehead, and the ones actually doing the work were his two sons. Consequently, as Chengfeng’s subordinate, he had to both solve the case and handle daily chores. He couldn’t help but miss his days of reading storybooks without having to face a dog-tempered boss every day. If it weren’t for Xiao Chen, he wouldn’t even bother with the Heavenly Realm, even if he were invited.

Xiangzhi recited dryly, without a hint of emotion, “Your Highness, please review today’s documents.”

Chengfeng picked up a scroll, “Hey, what’s with that tone? Are you dissatisfied with me, or with the work?”

Xiangzhi replied, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t—ugh!”

Halfway through his act, Xiangzhi suddenly let out a low groan. He clutched his chest and frowned. Chengfeng quickly set down the scroll and stood up, “What’s wrong with you?”

Even if Chengfeng truly had a dog’s temper, he wasn’t bad at heart. Seeing Xiangzhi in distress, he couldn’t act as if nothing was happening.

However, Xiangzhi bowed and took a step back, saying quickly, “It’s nothing, Your Highness. Today’s business is finished, so this subordinate will take his leave.”

Without waiting for Chengfeng’s permission, Xiangzhi hurried away. Chengfeng pursed his lips and sat back down resentfully, thinking that the politeness was indeed just on the surface, this person truly didn’t respect his master. He flipped open a scroll, preparing to get to work.

Before he could process a single word, a thought popped into Chengfeng’s head: Is he really okay? I’ve never seen him make that kind of expression before…

Xiangzhi felt palpitations in his heart and sensed that something was wrong. For them, premonitions were not things to be ignored lightly. If a Star Lord encountered a catastrophe, the others would be able to sense it.

Before Xiangzhi even reached his quarters, he felt someone sending him a transmission. He quickened his pace, returned to his room, and set up a barrier. Only then did he open his palm to summon a star map. The one transmitting to him was Taibai, who sighed in relief, “It’s good that you are alright.”

They were also transmitting to Gengxie. All the Star Lords in the Star Realm were safe. Currently, only three Star Lords were away. Since Xiangzhi and Gengxie were fine, that only left…

Xiangzhi’s heart tightened, “Xiao Chen.”

“We cannot contact him,” Taibai said, “It must be that his tribulation has arrived.”

Xiangzhi said urgently, “I want to go to the mortal realm to see. I won’t interfere, I’ll just watch from the side.”

Gouchen simply asked, “Can you stand by and watch him suffer?”

Xiangzhi clenched one hand into a fist. Asking himself honestly, he certainly couldn’t. Not just him, the other Star Lords couldn’t bear it either. But Xiao Chen’s situation was different. He had specifically gone to undergo a trial. If he didn’t pass through the tribulation, would they really let him remain a useless person from then on? Even if others were willing, Xiao Chen himself would never agree.

“We will watch over his life star,” Taibai said, “Everyone, endure it.”

On the other end, Gengxie also gave a soft “mm.” He was supposed to be on duty, but the earlier palpitations had made him restless. He had secretly found a gap to hide in a corner and listen to the transmission. He couldn’t stay long. He knew Xiao Chen had to undergo the tribulation, but reason and emotion were always at odds. He took a breath, caught a glimpse of guards patrolling near the corner out of the corner of his eye, and slipped out in another direction. He returned to his original position as if nothing had happened—except that his hands were clenched bone-white.

The Underworld suddenly received over a hundred souls of demon creatures at once. Originally, the Underworld only cared about dead souls, but ever since they were overwhelmed by the tide of incoming spirits during the wars of the three realms, they now had to report any abnormal numbers to prevent some major catastrophe from occurring again. Demons had long lifespans and didn’t die easily. For over a hundred to die at once was absolutely unusual. The officials quickly sent someone to report.

However, before the messenger could enter the palace, he felt a gust of wind. It was the wind kicked up by the Sovereign brushing past him. The Left and Right Emissaries were chasing after him. The messenger froze for a moment, then hurriedly shouted, “Reporting! I have an urgent matter to report!”

Zuo Yi jerked his chin toward You Chang, signaling him to listen, while Zuo Yi continued to chase after Rong Yuan. You Chang was forced to stop, “What is it?”

He was distracted. Just a moment ago, Rong Yuan had suddenly dropped his brush and rushed out in a hurry. He and Zuo Yi felt something was wrong and chased after him. No matter how they called out from behind, Rong Yuan ignored them. Right now, he was anxious to go and ask what exactly was happening.

“My Lord, over a hundred demon creatures have died suddenly within today. The number is too large, so this subordinate came specifically to deliver the message.”

You Chang’s expression turned solemn, “Over a hundred?”

“Yes.”

It was indeed unusual.

“Have the people in the Palace of Yama interrogate them first. If the matter is of great consequence, transmit a message to me immediately. If it is just a false alarm, handle it as usual and file the documents as normal.”

“As you command.”

After You Chang finished giving instructions, he continued to chase forward. As Zuo Yi followed behind Rong Yuan, he felt more and more that something was wrong. He loudly called out Rong Yuan’s title, but seeing that he refused to stop or pay attention, Zuo Yi bit his teeth and threw his weapon forward. Rong Yuan was forced to halt, and Zuo Yi took the opportunity to surge past him and stop in front of him.

Zuo Yi had dropped his usual carefree attitude, saying solemnly, “Master, if you continue forward, there is only a boundary gate leading to the mortal realm, and nothing else. Where are you going?”

You Chang finally caught up as well. Hearing Zuo Yi’s words, he felt uneasy, “Master?”

Rong Yuan looked at Zuo Yi. Seeing his expression, one that suggested he would block the way even at the cost of his life if he didn’t get an answer, Rong Yuan finally let two words drift out. However, those two words caused Zuo Yi and You Chang’s faces to change instantly.

“The mortal realm.”

Rong Yuan said he was going to the mortal realm.

“Little Highness, have you gone mad!?” You Chang ignored the difference in status and grabbed Rong Yuan’s arm, “For the Lord of a Realm to visit the mortal realm in person, that is to invite heavenly punishment!”

Zuo Yi steadied his mind, his brain working rapidly as he urged, “What is it you need to do? Just give the order to the subordinates. If that won’t do, I can make a trip for you. Or at the very least, it would be better for you to create an avatar to go, there’s no need to…”

Rong Yuan gently brushed away You Chang’s hand. His purple spiritual power outlined two faint words: [Move aside.]

Zuo Yi and You Chang exchanged a look, suddenly feeling that a great disaster was about to strike.

The weather in the mortal world was still beautiful, bright and sunny with a warm breeze brushing against the face. Xiao Chen’s limbs had been limp and weak, and the breeze made even his bones feel powerless. Unfortunately, he wasn’t here to enjoy the scenery or travel. The situation was wrapped in undercurrents, requiring only a single spark to explode.

He leaned against a tree, watching the residents of the town slowly closing in. Every one of them had their facial muscles tensed with a sense of resolve, as if they were heroes going to their deaths. Yet, their steps and eyes were laced with fear, so they only approached bit by bit. Besides the townspeople, some doctors and the soldiers guarding the town had also come. The soldiers were at a loss, truly not knowing whether they should stop them or not. After all, they had seen the miracle just now as well…

“Wait, wait! What do you all think you’re doing!”

The hot-tempered little Divine Doctor, Baizhu, rushed to the very front, spreading his arms to block the path of the approaching crowd, “He’s just a sickly person himself, he can barely stand. If his flesh and blood could cure diseases, why would he be sick himself! I can definitely cure your illness, the prescription has already been refined, and we can have new medicine out today!”

Baizhu took a deep breath, his chest trembling. He hadn’t forgotten the manifestation he had just seen, which was undoubtedly a huge shock to him. But throughout his years of living, he had relied on himself, not on burning incense or praying to Buddha. If a god had pitied Ruoshui Town from the start, why didn’t a miracle occur before the first old man died of the illness?

“Someone must be playing tricks with ghosts and gods. Such ploys do exist. You all—”

“Divine Doctor Bai!” A middle-aged man interrupted him, “We are grateful to you, but please move aside! Everyone saw the immortal manifest just now. If we don’t follow instructions, and there’s a greater heavenly curse, it’s the people of Ruoshui Town who will suffer. You are an outsider after all!”

A doctor from the medical clinic stepped forward to urge Baizhu, saying urgently, “Little Senior Brother, let’s go. This, this is no longer something we can manage. Let’s just go…”

They were just people with no strength to truss a chicken, few in number and weak. How could they stop a crowd armed with weapons?

“Master taught us that we practice medicine to save people. Medicine is the method, but saving people is the goal. It’s like a wanderer using a sword to help the weak, a scholar using a pen to seek welfare, or a general using a blade to defend the borders. When someone is before my eyes, if I can save them, why shouldn’t I? I’m not leaving.” Baizhu pulled his sleeve out of the medical disciple’s hand. He was so angry he ignored etiquette, pointing his finger at the townspeople, “That damn god wants you to kill someone. What if you kill the wrong person? Then you’ll all be murderers!”

The crowd exchanged looks. Some showed cowardice, and some were already hesitant, but it seemed as if they could gain courage simply by following the rest. The town head, leading the way, gripped his iron knife tightly. Hardening his heart, he gritted his teeth and said, “If we kill the wrong person, so be it. But if we kill the right one, we save everyone’s lives!”

Baizhu spoke in disbelief, “What did you say? This is a life, a human life!” They worked so hard to practice medicine and save people, and these townspeople were clearly all good, honest folk who usually feared the sight of blood. How could they speak of a mistaken killing so lightly today, with no regard for human life!?

But the town head’s words seemed to give the townspeople immense courage. Everyone shouted in agreement, their momentum gradually rising. The hesitant expressions on many faces began to vanish. When standing in a crowd, they seemed to transform into different people altogether. Everyone, regardless of gender or age, became the same face. Their expressions gradually became identical, indistinguishable from one another.

Mu Qing held his sword pointing diagonally toward the ground. He stood in front of Xiao Chen, looking coldly at this group of mortals.

“Doctor Bai, anyway, move aside quickly! Or else, or else…” Someone muttered for a long while before finally gripping their sickle tightly, “Or else you’re in league with the evil spirits!”

Baizhu was nearly driven to death by anger at those words.

Someone else began to sob softly, “My family members were all sent to the ancestral hall. I haven’t seen them for so long.”

“I haven’t gone home either, damn it!” Baizhu was so angry he cursed. He suddenly yanked the medicine box from his back and smashed it onto the ground. Herbal powder scattered everywhere. His hands shook with rage, “Your families are at least in the town. I came here to treat you, staying with you day and night, and I haven’t gone home either! I don’t ask for anything in return, but what kind of bullshit nonsense are you talking now! What, are you going to get rid of me as an evil spirit too? Fine, come on, if you have the guts, then come!”

Several of the more timid disciples from the medical clinic were about to cry from anxiety, “Little Senior Brother!”

A soldier gritted his teeth and stepped forward to take Baizhu away, but Baizhu’s temper was up. A single soldier actually couldn’t pull him away. The soldier called his companions to quickly come and help. They all knew the reputation of the little Divine Doctor Bai, and they couldn’t let him actually die here. They would save him if they could. Baizhu’s legs were pulled to the ground, yet he reached out and grabbed a nearby tree, refusing to let go.

In such a bizarre and tense scene, a light chuckle was suddenly heard. Baizhu strained his neck to look and saw that it was that white-robed wandering swindler. He could actually still laugh.

“Little Doctor Bai, you should go. You see things clearly, and your heart is kind. After this experience, I only hope you can continue to hold onto your original intentions in the future. Remember that good and evil in this world may be hard to distinguish, but as long as a person is alive, they must be able to face their own heart of flesh and blood.”

Xiao Chen was so weak he could no longer stand. Facing the crowd that wanted his life, there was not a trace of fear on his face. His character remained graceful and unconstrained. In the face of a great disaster, he could still talk and laugh, calmly preaching to him. Baizhu clung to the tree, staring at him blankly, “Aren’t you afraid?”

They want to kill you and eat you, and you’re not afraid? You don’t hate them? You even have the leisure to advise me to maintain a kind heart? What, what kind of person is this!? Does he have a screw loose in his head!

For some reason, Baizhu’s eyes reddened. Looking at Xiao Chen’s annoying smile, tears began to well up. He spat, “Stupid!” It was unclear who he was scolding.

Xiao Chen’s breath was scorching, and the scenery before him was blurring and shaking from time to time. He simply stopped trying to stand and sat down against the tree trunk, “I must trouble you soldiers. Aside from the little Divine Doctor Bai, take this lad away too. There, the little beauty standing in front of me. I was the one who flicked him into coming to this town. They want my life, it has nothing to do with anyone else.”

There was only one little beauty standing in front of him. Who else could it be but Mu Qing?

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