Chapter Thirty-Six: Marshal Zhou

After striking down the young woman with a single blow, Li Yang shook his head, casting aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.

“Let’s go!”

A low cluck sounded as his sleeve swept out; the Anger-Filled Fowl let out a subdued cry, its body swelling suddenly. Li Yang took a stride and mounted it.

“My god! That's... that's a huge centipede...”

“A monster... Brother, hurry and inform the commander, tell him a monster is attacking.”

“Bro... brother, maybe you should go instead. My... my legs are weak, I can't walk.”

“Out of my way, all of you useless fools. Where is the monster?”

“Ou... outside the city.”

Sitting cross-legged on the back of the Anger-Filled Fowl, Li Yang had not yet reached the city gates but saw crowds gathering, a cacophony of voices rising. Soldiers raised their torches, peering anxiously toward the outskirts, panic written across their faces.

“Ph... phoenix! Lieutenant Zhang, look, there’s a phoenix...”

“An... immortal... Whoever sits atop the phoenix must be an immortal.”

“The immortal must be here to capture the monster...”

As the Anger-Filled Fowl soared across the sky, murmurs broke out among the masses, awe and terror etched on their faces.

“Wretch! Let’s see where you can flee now.”

Not far outside the city gates, the Six-Winged Golden Centipede stood guard nearby. The dog demon lay on the ground, struggling but unable to rise, clearly poisoned by the centipede’s venom.

“Awuuu...” At the sight of Li Yang, the dog demon wailed, foam spilling from its mouth in desperate pleas for mercy.

“You wretch, guilty of countless misdeeds, and you dare beg for mercy!” Li Yang’s brows knit in anger at the demon’s shameless cunning, though he was secretly astonished at its intelligence—truly alarming.

Luckily, its cultivation was shallow and it lacked true power. If given several more years to grow, it would surely wreak havoc; by then, eliminating it would not be so easy.

“Ribbit...”

“Meet your end!” At Li Yang’s silent command, a clear frog call echoed through the pitch-black night. A hulking figure leapt from afar, each bound spanning dozens of meters. From the darkness, a thick tongue whipped out, wrapping around the dog demon’s body, and with a swift pull, dragged it away.

“Imm... immortal, I am Zhou Wenlong. Today I am fortunate to witness your arrival and the destruction of the monster with my own eyes. It is a tremendous honor. Might I invite you to my residence, that I may fulfill my duty as host?” Once Li Yang had recalled the Anger-Filled Fowl and the Six-Winged Golden Centipede, a group of trembling officers emerged from the gates. Leading them was a man clad in earth-toned military garb, his square face radiating authority—a figure clearly accustomed to power. A glance at the four stars on his shoulder confirmed he was the warlord commanding this force.

“I am no immortal, merely a wandering cultivator pursuing the Dao. Commander, you are too kind.” Seeing the nervous soldiers, Li Yang replied calmly.

“To us ordinary folk, there’s little distinction. Night has already fallen—would the immortal honor us by coming to my residence, so I might properly host you?” Finding Li Yang more approachable than expected, Commander Zhou’s anxiety eased, and he extended the invitation again.

“I’ll trouble you then, Commander. I have companions and luggage to retrieve; may I ask you to wait a moment?”

“By all means! Immortal, take your time.” Delighted by Li Yang’s acceptance, Commander Zhou called out, “You there, hurry and guide the immortal, help him gather his things, and serve him well. If any of you dare neglect your duties, you’ll regret it.”

After picking up Jin Ling outside the city, Li Yang brought Madam He and Little Tuan Tuan from within. Their party proceeded in grand procession toward the commander’s mansion at the heart of the county.

...

“Immortal, the commander requests your presence!”

Early the next morning, having just finished his breathing exercises, Li Yang was approached by a boy soldier of eleven or twelve, waiting respectfully nearby.

“Immortal, please forgive me. My military duties kept me from personally inviting you—my apologies for the discourtesy.”

As soon as Li Yang entered the reception hall, Commander Zhou set aside his paperwork, beaming as he came forward.

“Commander, you are too polite!” Li Yang smiled, casting a curious glance at the boy soldier, and asked, “I see the city has no shortage of troops—why do you have soldiers so young under your command?”

“Alas... You must forgive me, immortal. This boy’s name is Gu Xuanwu; I found him during my campaigns, a beggar. Times are hard, refugees everywhere. I’ve taken in quite a few boys like him, letting them do odd jobs in the camp. It gives them a way to survive.”

“Such compassion is a blessing for the people under your rule.” Hearing this, Li Yang’s expression softened, his tone becoming noticeably more courteous.

Gu Xuanwu! After a moment, Li Yang’s gaze sharpened as he studied the boy soldier, a suspicion forming in his mind.

“Imm... Immortal, is there something wrong with my attendant?” Commander Zhou hesitated, seeing Li Yang’s persistent scrutiny.

“No, he is excellent—no cause for concern. This attendant of yours will surely accomplish great things in the future!” Li Yang smiled, speaking with certainty.

“Oh... Immortal, do you also possess skills in physiognomy?” Commander Zhou relaxed at the explanation, but his interest was piqued.

“Ha... I know a little. Commander, you stand high above others, command vast armies, and oversee countless civilians, gathering great fortune—destined to hold sway in this world. As for your fate, that is determined by heaven itself, beyond the scope of a humble wandering cultivator. To forcibly divine the fate of someone in your position is a grave taboo for those in our practice.” Li Yang read his thoughts clearly, and gazed at him with layered meaning.

“Heh... I wouldn’t dare trouble the immortal.” Exposed, Commander Zhou gave an embarrassed laugh, rubbing his hands and his face clouded with worry. “But the world is in chaos, the people suffer, and foreign powers invade. Our land is treated as nothing more than a prize to be carved up. I only regret that my abilities are limited—I cannot drive out the invaders and restore peace to China.”

“You are an outsider, immortal; I dare not hope for your help. Yet we, descendants of Yan and Huang, have rooted ourselves here for thousands of years. Now, our children are unfilial and foreign barbarians wreak havoc. I beg you, immortal, for mercy—on behalf of the common folk, lend me your aid. Once the invaders are expelled, I will never forget your great kindness.”

With these words, Commander Zhou rose from his chair and respectfully approached Li Yang, bowing deeply. Li Yang caught him with one hand, refusing to let him kneel.

Seeing Commander Zhou still struggling, unwilling to give up, Li Yang sighed deeply. “Ah... Why must you insist, Commander? Though I am an outsider, I am also a child of China. If I had such ability, how could I not wish to help restore peace? But the world is changing, war brings forth monsters, and Western firearms and cannons rise inevitably. We may have the will, but lack the power.”