Chapter 218: Transmitting the Dao and Imparting Knowledge

“…There is one named Lu Liangsheng, a man of Qixia Mountain in Southern Chen. At the end of this spring, he entered Chang’an by night and uprooted a hidden stronghold of an evil sect within the city. His immortal arts and Daoist techniques swept across the long streets. His Majesty, cherishing talent, dispatched me to seek him out. Later, I encountered him in Huaiyi Prefecture, where we exchanged blows briefly and proved evenly matched. What is rarer still is that, unlike ordinary cultivators, he is widely read in the classics and possesses the ability to govern a region well—truly an uncommon talent…”

Fire basins stood along both sides, their flames swaying and illuminating the seated figures of the generals one after another. The surrounding walls were lined with sabers, spears, swords, and halberds. Amid the grim, murderous atmosphere, the assembled commanders quietly listened as the marshal continued speaking. 

“…A few days ago, His Majesty dreamed in the Imperial Study that Lu Liangsheng sought an audience, hoping that our Great Sui armies, when marching south, would avoid needless slaughter and treat the common people kindly. That is why His Majesty sent this letter by swift horse.” 

Huu… 

Huu… huu huu… 

The discussion hall fell silent, so quiet that the crackling sway of the flames could be heard. At the foremost seat below, the burly general from earlier suddenly slapped his knee with a loud smack, making the scales of his armor tremble slightly. His voice rang like a bronze bell. 

“In war and military campaigns, how can killing possibly be avoided? If he truly has the ability, he might as well make the Southern Chen Emperor surrender directly!” 

Most of those around him were veterans born from the ranks, seasoned commanders who had fought against Northern Qi and Liang. Many nodded heavily in agreement and voiced their support. 

“General Han’s words are not without reason.” “Indeed. Only if Southern Chen surrenders can bloodshed truly be avoided!” 

“That Lu-whatever-he’s-called is merely a cultivator—what does he understand?!” 

“In my opinion, he just wants to buy time for Southern Chen!” 

At the seat of honor, Yang Su frowned slightly. I only spoke a single sentence, and now all of you have dragged every cultivator into this. His fingers tapped the tabletop repeatedly. Among the loudly discussing generals below, someone noticed the marshal’s displeased expression and hurriedly tugged at the companion beside him, signaling with his eyes. Only then did the surrounding voices gradually quiet down. 

Yang Su let out a breath, set aside the letter from his clansman, rose with his hands clasped behind his back, and swept his gaze across the crowd. 

“I already said earlier that this man is not only a cultivator, but also one deeply versed in the classics and possessed of governing talent. How could he possibly be compared with the pedantic scholars you have encountered in the past? Much like me, who commands armies while also cultivating Daoist arts, if this man can one day enter the imperial court and serve, he may become my right and left hand in assisting His Majesty and laying the foundation for an everlasting empire! On this matter, you must not be so shortsighted.” 

At this point, seeing that the general named Han Qinhu still appeared unconvinced, Yang Su’s gaze turned stern. 

“Since His Majesty personally sent a letter over this matter, have none of you discerned anything from it?” 

All eyes turned toward their marshal, standing with his hands behind his back. Han Qinhu pressed down on his knee and narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?” 

Yang Su turned his head to glance at him, then walked back toward the writing desk as he spoke: 

“He urged us to commit less slaughter, which means that the fall of Southern Chen is already something he has foreseen—something that cannot be changed. Victory is already within our grasp. When the time comes, all of you need only fight without restraint!” 

He took a command arrow from the bamboo cylinder and clenched it tightly in his hand. The moment his grip tightened, Yang Su stepped to the center of the hall and raised the arrow high, his gaze sweeping across everyone present. 

“The Five-Toothed and Yellow Dragon warships have already been completed. Rather than wait for the Southern Chen forces to believe we will not campaign until spring, we shall strike them by surprise! We cross the river by night—once across, the land and naval forces will coordinate, advancing separately and attacking together, ending the battle swiftly!” 

His tone paused briefly. 

“Furthermore, captured soldiers are to be treated well, thereby fulfilling His Majesty’s promise while also winning over the hearts of Jiangnan’s people!” 

“Yes, sir!” 

Below him, the gathered generals rose in unison with a loud rustle, cupping their fists as they thundered their response, the force of their voices causing the bonfire flames to sway violently. 

Not long afterward, the previously silent water fortress gradually stirred into motion. Scouts carrying written orders sped back and forth along the riverbanks. The countless ships anchored upstream rocked gently with the waves as their sails were quietly raised. With the mobilization of troops and the transport and gathering of provisions, a heavy, murderous tension had already begun to spread. 

Yang Su, draped in a cloak, ascended the watchtower of the water fortress. The long beard beneath his chin swayed lightly in the wind as he watched rank after rank of soldiers silently departing the camp. Suddenly, his hand slapped hard against the railing. 

“This battle shall lay the foundation of Great Sui’s dominion for generations to come!” 

The darkness of the night gradually faded into a deep azure gloom. When a sliver of pale white appeared in the eastern sky, he lifted his long sleeves and bowed with clasped hands toward the south. 

“…Yang Su thanks Daoist Lu for helping bring unity to the Nine Provinces.” 

The morning sun broke through the gaps in the clouds, shining across the rippling river waters. Inch by inch, it pushed back the edges of darkness, golden sunlight rapidly spreading across the winding mountain ranges. 

At the foot of Qixia Mountain, the small village was filled with noise and bustle. Bare-chested village men shouted work chants as they carried beams onto the walls. Those skilled in carpentry climbed atop the walls, swinging stone hammers to drive nails down one after another. Lu Laoshi excitedly circled the courtyard wall of the two-story pavilion, occasionally reaching out to pat it a few times. 

On the western mountainside outside the village, Lu Liangsheng stood upon a broken cliff, gazing over the sea of clouds. His robes fluttered softly in the wind as golden sunlight pierced through the rolling mist and shone upon half of his face. As though sensing something, he turned to look northward. 

After a moment, he turned back around and looked toward the three youths standing in a row behind him, as well as the white-haired and white-bearded Wang Cheng’en. 

In the end, his gaze first settled upon the old man. 

“Since you have acknowledged me as your master, you shall abide by my rules. Today, I shall formally impart to each of you your respective methods. Cheng’en, you entered my sect already possessing skills and only wished to learn the art of observing qi and gazing upon the stars. Today, as your master, I shall pass on to you the [Chapter of Celestial Observation].”

Wang Banxia’s white beard trembled. He hurriedly threw aside his cane and prostrated himself upon the ground. “This disciple thanks Master!” 

“Li Sui’an!” 

Lu Liangsheng’s gaze shifted toward the youth in the middle. The latter quickly knelt and cupped his hands. Then he heard his master speak: “I shall impart to you the [Sword-Control Art]. I hope you will never use this technique to commit evil. Otherwise, as your master, I shall personally cleanse the sect!” 

“This disciple would never!” Li Sui’an kowtowed several times, then lifted his face with a grin. “Master, did you forget? I want to become a great hero! How could I ever do evil? Absolutely never!” 

Lu Liangsheng nodded before turning his gaze toward Qu Yuanfeng standing at the far end. 

“As your master, I possess a method called [Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain]. It may be used for troop formations and military strategy, fulfilling your dream of becoming a general. In your spare time, you may also practice body-tempering techniques to strengthen your physique.” 

“Yuanfeng thanks Master!” Excitement flashed within Qu Yuanfeng’s eyes. He had never been interested in the lofty immortal arts of flying through the heavens in the first place. Now that he had obtained something suited to himself, he immediately kowtowed three times on the ground. 

Among the three youths, two had already received their respective cultivation methods. Only Yuwen Tuo had not been called by name. Seeing Lu Liangsheng walking toward the nearby thatched hut, he could not help but step forward half a pace and ask: 

“Master… what about Tuo’s?” 

“There naturally is one, but for now I cannot teach it to you.” Lu Liangsheng answered simply, then walked into the house and brought out several books. In the small courtyard ahead, he raised several stone stools and, aside from Wang Banxia, had the three youths come over and sit down. 

“Before teaching you cultivation methods in the future, I will also teach you the knowledge contained within these books.” 

Seeing the titles of the books in his master’s hands, Li Sui’an—unlike Qu Yuanfeng and Yuwen Tuo—had grown up in an inn and recognized only a few characters. Instantly, his scalp went numb. 

“Master… can I not study them…?” 

“No, these books not only impart learning and dispel doubts, but they also ensure that you will not stray onto the wrong path in the future, and they are something you must study.” 

Lu Liangsheng distributed the neatly cut sheets of paper before them, then used the book to tap the distressed youth on the head. 

“Your master also came through things this way in those days. With your natural intelligence, if you truly wish to learn, it should not be difficult. Study is like cultivation, you must be able to endure and settle your temperament, moreover, once you have thoroughly read books, what cultivation method or secret manual beneath Heaven would remain incomprehensible to you?” 

The mountain wind blew gently, rustling the pages of the books. As Dao was transmitted and knowledge imparted, the heavens and earth gradually turned cold, while outside, the drums of war had already begun to thunder loudly.