Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 125 - 107: Seizing Control

"If this guy didn’t have connections in Jinghua Prefecture, there’s no way he’d be made Lord of Longyang Prefecture!"

Dean Fang muttered to himself, ready to act and stall Lu Chang’sheng, but just then, a shadow burst through the courtyard’s Mystic Gate, lunging toward him with lethal intent.

Dean Fang’s attention was entirely fixed on Lu Chang’sheng, so he never expected a second figure to appear out of nowhere; caught off guard, he turned hastily to block the attack.

Then, in the next instant, a miserable shriek rang out as he was sent flying, slamming viciously into the white wall more than ten meters away.

The White Ape’s Power—even Lu Chang’sheng, at this point, wouldn’t dare take it head-on several times. All the more, Dean Fang was only a regular top-tier True Qi Realm.

His strength was maybe on par with Guan Hongxiu and other True Qi experts, but still a notch beneath someone like Hong Yuan.

Taking a direct hit from the White Ape in such haste, he’d practically lost half his life.

"Lord Zhao, you’d better forget about running. Even if Longyang’s Prefecture Soldiers show up, you’re not getting away!"

Lu Chang’sheng blocked Lord Zhao’s path, speaking coolly.

"You... What do you want?"

"Deploy troops to Black Mountain Prefecture!" Lu Chang’sheng’s tone allowed no room for argument.

······

Longyang Prefecture, in front of a nondescript inn.

A few Prefecture Soldiers pushed open the door and walked in.

Their squad leader signaled for them to grab a table and some drinks, while he himself headed toward the back of the inn, a trace of excitement on his face.

"Why are you here at a time like this?"

A woman, hearing the noise, stepped out from inside. Spotting the squad leader, her face changed slightly, blocking his way with suspicion and wariness.

Even though these people had been specially cultivated by Black Mountain Prefecture, now that Black Mountain was in trouble, some had begun deliberately distancing themselves, even using it to curry favor.

After all, that Lord Zhao currently had not the slightest good feeling toward anyone from Black Mountain Prefecture.

"Something’s happened!" the squad leader said gravely.

"What is it?"

"A True Qi Realm expert broke into Zhao Mansion!" the squad leader replied.

He intended to report directly to the person inside, but the woman blocked him, so he let it go.

Hearing this, the woman was visibly shocked. "Is this true?" she asked.

"It’s true! I’ve already received orders to head there for reinforcements. Just passing by to inform you,"

With that, he turned and left.

The woman didn’t dare linger. She hurried to the back yard, and soon found a young lady.

The woman was none other than Xu Zhuqing.

"A True Qi Realm forcing into Zhao Mansion?" Xu Zhuqing’s brow was deeply furrowed, her aura slightly unsteady.

Earlier, she’d schemed more than once, thinking along the same lines as Lu Chang’sheng; using Lord Zhao’s life as leverage to send troops to Black Mountain Prefecture.

But every attempt had failed.

"Who knows how much longer my father and the others can hold out? If Longyang Prefecture deploys, they might break the encirclement and escape the Inner City of Black Mountain!"

Xu Zhuqing picked up her sword and walked out.

The woman tried to hold her back. "Lord Zhao has Fang Yuan guarding him. Unless someone at the level of Dean Hong Yuan steps in, no matter how many True Qi Realm there are, it’ll be hard to get close!"

"You think I don’t know? But right now there’s no other option!" Xu Zhuqing said, her face pale.

She used to be the daughter of Lord Xu Yuan of Black Mountain Prefecture—people always gave her respect. Now, with unrest everywhere and Black Mountain trapped on the edge of disaster, even finding help was nearly impossible.

Steeling herself to go out under cover of night, she was tired to the bone. Dodging numerous patrols, she finally neared Zhao Mansion.

Yet, the mansion was brightly lit, and there was no sound of fighting—a fleeting sigh welled up in her heart.

"If the battle was still going on, maybe I’d find a shot. But—" Xu Zhuqing was no foolhardy person; if not for the urgency at Black Mountain, she wouldn’t have risked this trip.

But the next day, a piece of news shook Longyang Prefecture to its core.

Longyang Prefecture was sending troops to Black Mountain Prefecture!

And at the crack of dawn, the Prefecture Soldiers had already mobilized.

The event caused an uproar, with some clans jumping out to object, but they were immediately crushed by a mysterious master.

With a single spear, in less than the time of an incense stick, the upper echelons were wiped out.

Thus, the troop deployment went ahead without a hitch.

······

"The political scene in Longyang Prefecture isn’t a bit simpler than in Black Mountain. Those clans hold most of the power."

"Longyang’s Lord only got the job by pulling strings with some Jinghua bigwig—so he can’t get too deep with those clans, but even so, there’s a lot of budding cooperation."

On the whole, Longyang Prefecture doesn’t really count as part of Great Yuan anymore. That’s why the rebels haven’t targeted it much. If things keep going, it could flip without much effort.

"There are so many Prefecture Cities like this in the Thirty-Six Mansions of Great Yuan, but—with this kind of power on my side, there’s no need to fear!" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

In the past, Lu Chang’sheng would have hesitated to do such a thing, but now that he’s on the verge of mastering the Innate Realm, he’ll be like a third-rank general—official status that can’t be revoked!

If he wanted to pursue an official career, maybe a lord or minister’s rank; reaching first rank would be absolutely within reach.

So, what’s to worry about?

"Scholar Lu, doing this will definitely anger Jinghua Prefecture. When they hold you accountable—"

On five carriages, Lord Zhao kept trying to persuade Lu Chang’sheng to turn back from his path of no return.

"You’re breaking all the rules, so when it gets to court, those lords and ministers will rip you to shreds! If you let me go now, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened, and even secure you an official status—what do you say?"

With Scholar Lu’s reputation, it’d be easy to be appointed to office if someone made a recommendation.

"Let’s talk about that once we’ve rescued the people in Black Mountain Prefecture." Lu Chang’sheng smiled.

"You—"

"Huff huff—"

Before Lord Zhao could get mad, a big, furry face popped up in front of him, still carrying the faint scent of last night’s roast meat.

Since Lu Chang’sheng was heading out with the troops, and Lord Zhao was an important military figure, there was no way he’d be left behind in Longyang Prefecture City.

So, they found a large enough carriage and brought him along.

"Jinghua?"

Lu Chang’sheng caught Lord Zhao’s veiled threat easily enough, but to save his teacher Hong Yuan, a bit of trouble like this was worth risking.

"Scholar Lu, you really ought to give this up. Longyang’s waters run deep—it’s out of your league!" Lord Zhao insisted, shaking his head.

Soon enough, Lu Chang’sheng understood what he meant.

Half a day into the march, chaos erupted as a few nobles from unknown clans turned their units around and charged over here, waving the banner of "rescue Lord Zhao."

Other units started getting restless too, but right then, the White Ape appeared and smashed those nobles and their cronies into pulp.

Those nobles—the strongest among them just basic True Qi Realm—were flattened by the White Ape in a single blow.

Seeing this, even the other Prefecture Soldiers, no matter what they were thinking, kept their heads down and mouths shut.

That noble who’d gotten killed was famous among the troops, but in the White Ape’s hands, it was like squashing a chick.

Who’d stick their neck out now—just asking to be killed?

"One dumb soldier at a time is one thing, but a dumb general and they’re all doomed!"

Lu Chang’sheng stood atop a carriage, watching the Prefecture Soldiers shrink back, shaking his head faintly.

The Longyang troops were nothing like those of Black Mountain Prefecture, which made them so much easier to control.

If this were the Black Mountain Army, they’d have all risen up by now.

After all, it was basically public knowledge that the Lord was being coerced, especially now with all the clan propaganda in Longyang—it was common talk.

The name "Scholar Lu" rang out across the entire prefecture yet again.

Give it more time, the word would spread to other prefectures too.

"I just need cannon fodder, but if they’re too disorderly, it won’t work either!"

Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself.

So, when night fell, he used Lord Zhao’s authority to personally form a supervisory unit, promoting some ruthless, ambitious soldiers from other teams.

He also purged a number of influential nobles, so at least now the force would follow his orders.

Thus, after just over ten days, the Longyang troops finally marched into Black Mountain Prefecture, and the clash with the rebels began.