The Eternal Way-Chapter 186: Schemes and Calculations

Upon hearing these words, the Sima of Guangyang stumbled for a moment. It was the first time he had heard a soldier under him ask why.

Why?

There was no why!

In the military, orders from superiors to subordinates were absolute; there shouldn't be any "why"!

Therefore, the voice of the Sima of Guangyang sounded again, "Why? There is no why in the military! Are you defying my order?"

Hearing this, the deputy general's blood rushed to his head, his face flushed red, even his hands trembling.

Today, he had already heard "defiance" many times.

Defiance! Defiance! Defiance!

Again with defiance!

Do these high officials have nothing else to say?!

However, the deputy general held back, kneeling on one knee, "I dare not conceal anything from the Sima. But as the Sima's orders conflict with those of General Lie, I cannot help but hesitate."

"Thirty years ago, there was a great thief named Boyue in Guangyang, who gathered resources and troops across the state, intending to defect to the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest, posing a significant threat."

"At that time, seeing this situation, General Lie issued a proclamation to suppress the rebellion, risking his life to stop Boyue for ten days until reinforcements arrived, thus preventing a disaster. Although not the primary contributor, his actions were enough to uphold justice and repay the nation's grace. The ruler once said, 'Lie Kedi is a loyal minister of Hundred Forests, deserving to be treated as a national hero,' and bestowed upon him the White Rhino Army banner."

"The White Rhino represents a particularly divine rhinoceros, whose horn glows brightly during the day and shines like a torch at night, capable of revealing spirits and proving loyalty, thereby praising General Lie's bravery and loyalty."

"A loyal and righteous figure like General Lie, appointed by the ruler, why would he be imprisoned by the Sima? As his direct subordinate, before leaving, he instructed us to protect the refugees. The White Rhino, known for its ability to discern right from wrong and reveal spirits, symbolizes our duty to uphold justice, rather than blindly following others."

The deputy general shouted loudly, stirring up the soldiers' morale, causing the banners of the White Rhino Army to flutter, forming a military spirit that soared into the sky, manifesting a gentle white rhino above the army formation, roaring softly.

Then, all the soldiers of the White Rhino Army struck their weapons, creating a solemn sound.

Clearly, the deputy general's words resonated deeply with the soldiers of the White Rhino Army.

It was evident that the true commander of the White Rhino Army held a high place in their hearts.

Perhaps only such a commander could establish an army like the White Rhino Army.

This sudden change also caused confusion among the nearby civilians.

They did not understand what was happening.

Was the government abandoning them? Why were the previously kind and protective soldiers now arguing with their superiors?

These civilians had been reassured because the White Rhino Army always told them that the government would not abandon them, and they stayed committed even in danger, allowing ten thousand people to evacuate smoothly without incident.

But now, what was going on?

However, no one paid attention to them at this moment.

Instead, they saw.

In the sky, the impatient voice of the Sima of Guangyang echoed, "Acting commander, are you leading the White Rhino Army to rebel?"

The deputy general shouted back loudly, "Not rebelling! Rather—"

Before he could finish, a streak of azure lightning crossed the sky, followed by a dragon steed with green scales and black fur, galloping swiftly, riding auspicious clouds towards them.

Amidst thunder and rain, the dragon steed's roar shook the drums, attracting everyone's attention.

Almost everyone looked over, seeing a young man sitting atop it, his face stern, two golden lines shimmering around him. He arrived just in time, interrupting the deputy general with a loud voice, "Not rebelling, but restoring order!"

It was Li Qi!

Li Qi finally arrived from afar!

But his words about restoring order puzzled the White Rhino Army.

Restoring order?

What did Mr. Li mean by that? Were they not rebelling? But—

Just as everyone was confused, Li Qi shouted loudly, "Soldiers! Do not believe this person's slander. He is not the Sima of Guangyang!"

"You have been deceived!"

Below, there was an uproar.

Not only the soldiers but also the nearby civilians heard this.

Initially confused by the sudden change, the civilians were now even more bewildered.

However, Li Qi's words were met not with words but action.

After he spoke, the Heavenly Curtain suddenly radiated sharp light!

Killing intent surged!

Surrounding everything, dense like mercury yet calm as a mirror, descending from the heavens like a torrential rain.

As if heaven itself was enraged.

Everyone felt bound, the White Rhino Army barely holding on under their military spirit, while Li Qi stood rigid, unable to resist.

How could he possibly resist?

Facing an eighth-rank practitioner was already tough, but the one claiming to be the Sima of Guangyang was seventh rank.

Seventh rank—what kind of deity was that?

A Sima of a state, revered within ten thousand miles, commanding countless elite soldiers, his words shaking millions, deciding countless lives effortlessly.

Under such an attack, Li Qi had no chance of fighting back.

As the "raindrops" fell, the sky seemed to collapse.

At the moment Li Qi was about to be crushed, an anomaly emerged.

Flames of purple fire and flashes of golden lightning, various numerical symbols swirling out, surrounding Li Qi like dragons, flames rising, symbols resembling boats rushing through waves, creating whirlpools.

Heavenly wrath collided with the whirlpool of symbols.

Symbols shattered bit by bit, retreating orderly, each dissipating forcefully, forming two Taiji fish in the air, rotating harmoniously, completely neutralizing the heavenly wrath.

Protected by the Taiji fish formed by the symbols, Li Qi remained unharmed.

Despite the overwhelming power of the heavenly wrath, it was neutralized so skillfully.

This was a level Li Qi's Shamans and Diviners' techniques could never reach, the Daoist techniques being far superior.

The voice of the Sima of Guangyang rang out, "Excellent technique, which high master dares to interfere with the affairs of Hundred Forests? Dare you show yourself?"

But there was still only a voice, no figure appeared.

With this statement, a rabbit on the ground transformed into a human.

With a delicate appearance, elegant demeanor, and cold temperament, she seemed like a solitary moon.

Her expression slightly blank.

Shen Shuibei appeared, shaking her head, then spreading her hands, fingers moving, summoning numerous symbols, forming the atmosphere of the Palace of Great Yin.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Shen Shuibei had set up an array beforehand, protecting Li Qi's life.

In fact, hours earlier, Li Qi had communicated with her through mountains and rivers, instructing her to prepare and hide as a rabbit.

Li Qi anticipated potential ambushes or attacks, preparing a backup plan.

But even he didn't expect to encounter a seventh-rank powerhouse.

Moreover, this person shamelessly attacked him.

Shen Shuibei quickly reacted, looking up at the sky calmly, saying, "You can't touch him."

Her tone was almost emotionless, as usual.

The voice of the Situ of Guangyang sounded again, "Oh? Why can't I touch him? Can an eighth-rank practitioner stop me? Your technique is exquisite, likely learned from a high lineage, but your sect has no foundation here. If you oppose me, there will be no good outcome."

Shen Shuibei remained silent.

Mainly because she didn't know what to say, being poor at communication.

So, she flew next to Li Qi, tilting her head to look at him.

Li Qi understood her meaning after spending time together.

Next, it was up to Li Qi to command.

Li Qi asked quietly, "Can we win?"

Shen Shuibei shook her head, indicating they couldn't.

Ninth rank against eighth rank might still offer some maneuverability.

But eighth rank against seventh rank was too vast a gap; she could barely restrain him, which was the limit of an eighth-rank practitioner.

In many low-rank worlds, eighth rank and seventh rank were considered celestial beings versus mortals! Eighth rank were cultivators, but seventh rank were immortals with endless lifespans.

Even Shen Shuibei found it challenging to operate under such disparity.

Li Qi nodded, smiling bitterly, understanding the gravity.

Though not the toughest situation he had faced, he hadn't given up yet.

His most desperate moment was facing two sixth-rank demon kings before becoming ranked.

Now, encountering a seventh-rank wasn't as dire, and Li Qi had grown much stronger since then.

Thus, Li Qi straightened his chest, shouting loudly, "Human eyes can deceive, national laws can be bypassed, and all beings can be tricked, but do you know, Master, that heaven's eyes are extremely clear! Its might is severe, impossible to escape!"

"Chan Zhi, your impersonation of the Sima of Guangyang has been exposed!"

Li Qi shouted, startling the White Rhino Army and Zhang Lan below.

Who was Chan Zhi?

Some soldiers knew of Chan Zhi, some didn't, and Zhang Lan had no idea who he was, so Li Qi's shout left everyone baffled.

What did Chan Zhi have to do with this?

The voice in the sky paused momentarily.

But Li Qi didn't stop.

Although the weakest, his voice was the loudest, continuing to shout, "That five-story pagoda, I initially misjudged it. It wasn't a magical artifact but your Dao Resonance manifestation! You condensed your cultivation and Dao Resonance into it!"

"The first floor represents your first path, with a hundred arhats and demons symbolizing your 108 demon subjugations, forming your Dao foundation."

"The second floor signifies your post-demon subjugation meditation, treating everything with Bodhisattva-like compassion, representing your suppression of inner demon-slaying fury."

"The third floor's scripture altar represents your diligent accumulation process, a stepping stone from eighth rank to seventh rank, transforming scriptures into your own use, forming your Buddha heart, leading to the fourth floor, the Three Buddhas Hall."

"The fourth floor, the Three Buddhas Hall, reflects your mindset, three Buddhas representing past, present, and future."

"The past Buddha, old and serene, symbolizes your previous cultivation methods."

"The present Buddha, new and terrifying, represents your current actions, as your demon-slaying fury has backfired, threatening to turn you into a true demon, destroying your Dao path."

"You wish to reform, hence the future Buddha appears meditating amidst mountains, long eyebrows sweeping the ground, symbolizing your desire for purity. But Chan Zhi, does your current behavior align with this vision?"

"Your fifth floor, your current form, adorned with various decorations, shows no Buddha Light, indicating your nearly lost Buddha heart, retaining only its form without true essence."

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"In the Buddha niche, a statue represents your remaining Buddha heart, yet you've decorated it lavishly, depicting harmonious coexistence centered around the Buddha, revealing your intentions!"

"Chan Zhi, you want to emulate the Wu Dao's balance to restore your Buddha heart, aiming to become the future Buddha with white eyebrows and a pure heart. Thus, the murals in your pagoda reflect this aspiration."

"The Sima of Guangyang was likely your sacrifice. If I'm correct, the real Sima of Guangyang is dead, his cultivation absorbed by you, evidenced by the Sima in your pagoda."

"This blood sacrifice, meant to resist demons, was actually your attempt to mimic the Wu Dao. Using the landscape grand formation enhanced blood sacrifice, knowing it as the strongest Wu Dao method after consuming the Sima."

"Chan Zhi, am I correct?" Li Qi asked solemnly.

The sky fell silent for a moment.

Then, the voice of the Sima of Guangyang responded, "Utter nonsense."