Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

As a true outsider, Wang Chen doesn’t have any sentimentality for Qing’an County.

Even if he has married and had children here.

Wang Chen has been keeping an eye on the changes in the situation in the Nanli Kingdom over the past few years. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He is well aware that as the great calamity of the Mountain and Sea Realm continues, this country is facing a major reshuffle.

The old powers are decaying and disappearing, replaced by new forces rising, this kind of mundane world dynasty change is inherently part of the Heavenly Dao, and it will never cease, only intensifying with the great calamity.

Qing’an County is located in the south of Changyi Prefecture, and Changyi Prefecture has become a land of contention for the Flood Pythons. It’s not entirely impossible for Qing’an to maintain its peace, but the cost will undoubtedly be very high.

Wang Chen came to the Mundane World to refine his heart, not to participate in dynastic battles.

So from the beginning, he was preparing an escape plan.

In Wang Chen’s view, the best retreat for the hundred thousand people of Qing’an is further south in Yunze Prefecture.

Yunze Prefecture is vast and has abundant waters, almost unaffected by droughts, with fertile lands and rich fisheries, long known as a land of abundance.

However, Yunze Prefecture is plagued with miasma, so there are only five counties, and the population is not very large.

If all of Qing’an County moves there, there is sufficient space for development!

Of course, not everyone would be willing to leave their homes and move to Yunze Prefecture, but Wang Chen is certainly planning to take his whole family south in the future.

This plan, he hadn’t discussed it with his father-in-law before.

Now is the time.

After hearing Wang Chen’s scheme, Ye Xiangming had very mixed feelings.

On one hand, he knew Wang Chen was right, in the grand context of dynasty changes and heroes contending, Qing’an County, with its geographically disadvantaged position, is destined not to become a real secluded paradise.

Preparing an early retreat is extremely necessary.

But on the other hand, Ye Xiangming is a local of Qing’an, his ancestors have lived here for generations.

It is difficult to leave the land where his roots are!

Additionally, most of the Ye family’s wealth is concentrated in large areas of land and countless shops.

Once they leave, this wealth would be like throwing it into the water!

The cost is enormous.

"Father-in-law, take your time to think about it."

Wang Chen said: "There’s no rush now, we still have plenty of time to prepare."

If Ye Xiangming doesn’t want to leave, Wang Chen wouldn’t force him.

Everyone must stay true to their choices.

But Wang Chen believes that his father-in-law will surely make a wise decision.

At the end of the month, Ye Dai gave birth to a son for Wang Chen.

This time, Ye Xiangming named him: Wang Jingxing, meaning "Admiring the mountain’s heights, following a noble path."

To celebrate the County Magistrate’s joyous addition, Qing’an County City celebrated for three days, and everyone was immersed in joy.

At the beginning of the next month, Wang Chen’s concubine, Ye Yu, was found to be pregnant.

Truly, it was double happiness!

However, in the middle of this month, the Pingtian Army captured all the counties within Changyi Prefecture except Qing’an, and surrounded the Prefecture City, preparing for an assault.

Soon after, at the end of the month, Wang Chen received an urgent report from the raider scouts.

Li Zili personally led a large army southward, with their target being Qing’an County!

Undoubtedly, before conquering the Prefecture City, the biggest obstacle, the Pingtian Lord intends to first eliminate the thorn of Qing’an County.

And at the same time erase the shame of being defeated in Qing’an back in the day!

"Finally, they’re here."

Upon receiving the news, Ye Xiangming breathed a huge sigh of relief, as the massive boulder hanging over his heart finally settled.

This feeling is akin to waiting for judgment in prison, previously not knowing life or death, with fate entirely in others’ hands, causing daily anxiety for the County Magistrate Ye Xiangming.

Now that things are settled, his thoughts became clearer.

He said to Wang Chen: "My virtuous son-in-law, it’s up to you now!"

This time, the Pingtian Lord Li Zili gathered elite troops, depending solely on Qing’an County’s strength, there’s no way to block them.

Even if the Garrison Army doubles in size, survival is impossible.

Because the Pingtian Army has now gained such a great reputation, becoming one of the most formidable among the Seventeen Rebel Factions.

If they swallow all of Changyi Prefecture, their momentum would be completely unstoppable.

Wang Chen smiled: "Don’t worry."

This time, he did not plan to fight over victory or defeat under Qing’an County’s city walls!

Ye Xiangming continued: "My virtuous son-in-law, I’ve decided, I’m willing to move my entire family to Yunze Prefecture."

Wang Chen nodded: "Good."

Exactly as expected.

Meanwhile, within Yongping County, a grand army waving banners was marching along the official road southward.

The leading "Pingtian" flag billowed loudly in the wind, exceptionally eye-catching.

After two days of trekking, this army camped beside a river.

"Grand Marshal!"

In the Central Army Tent, an armored soldier reported to the Martial General sitting on a tiger-skin chair: "Four units of raider cavalry have entered the territory of Qing’an County, and there are currently no signs of enemy scouts."

This tall and sturdily built, stern-faced Martial General, was none other than Pingtian Lord Li Zili.

He was from a prominent family in Santai County and showed great martial talent from a young age. After reaching adulthood, he traveled extensively, greatly advancing his martial arts prowess and making numerous friends.

However, during his time away, his family was framed and persecuted by the County Magistrate of Santai County, leading to a tragic and unbearable family ruin.

Only upon returning did Li Zili learn of the catastrophe that befell his family. In the midst of the calamitous drought brought by the Drought Demon, he fiercely raised the banner of rebellion, leading tens of thousands of disaster victims to capture the county city.

Over the years, this Pingtian Lord experienced many ups and downs, entering the fray with a sharp edge desiring to conquer the world!

"Understood."

Li Zili waved his hand and said: "Pass down the order, tonight the entire camp is to be on alert, guard against enemy sneak attacks."

Sitting next to Li Zili, a general showed some disapproval: "Grand Marshal, we have thirty thousand elite troops, isn’t taking a small Qing’an County just a piece of cake, there’s no need for such..."

Under Li Zili’s indifferent gaze, his voice became weaker until he finally closed his mouth.

Yet he still felt discontent.

"You weren’t involved in the battle of Qing’an County back then, so it’s normal not to know the situation."

Li Zili sighed and said: "Though Qing’an County is small, and its Garrison Army is only about a thousand strong, their commander, the County Magistrate Wang Chen, is by no means an ordinary person."

"It is said he’s of the Great Grandmaster level!"

"Impossible!"

The general couldn’t help but argue: "There are no Great Grandmasters in Nanli Kingdom. This information must be nothing but rumors and is not to be trusted, most likely spread by Qing’an County itself trying to scare everyone!"

"Besides, didn’t you get the Immortal Talisman? Even if there is a Great Grandmaster, there’s no need to fear!"

Li Zili couldn’t help but glare at him and said: "Do you understand preparing for the worst-case scenario? If Wang Chen really is a Great Grandmaster, he alone could slaughter our thirty thousand elite troops!"

"What worries me is, even with the Immortal Talisman, it might not deal with him, which would be troubling."

Just as Li Zili finished speaking, a voice suddenly echoed within the tent: "What Immortal Talisman, can I have a look?"

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Second update delivered.