Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 70  - 50: The Finale (Two in One)_1

And so, it was June once again.

The fierce battle of Chang'an, the change of hands in Guanzhong, it's been over a year.

In this year, intimidated by the might of "Heavenly King Wu," the fires of war subsided in all directions, and the various warlords quieted down.

After all, no one wanted to become the next unfortunate soul after the Li Family, to be assaulted a thousand miles by the Martial Guardian army, to have their domain trampled by flying cavalry.

Everyone tried to keep a low profile, not daring to make any rash moves.

In this chaotic world, there was, at last, a rare moment of tranquility.

...

The mighty Yangtze River flows east, washing away the heroes of ages past.

By the old stronghold to the west, people say: it's the Red Cliff of the Three Kingdoms' Zhou Yu.

Rocks jut out of the river, waves crash against the shore, rolling up layers of white froth like snow.

The landscape is picturesque, a scene of many heroes of its own era.

In distant thought, I remember General Zhou of the past, celebrating his marriage to the young Lady Qiao, so brave and handsome.

With a feather fan and a silk scarf, he chatted and laughed, the enemy ships turned to ashes and smoke amidst their jests.

Wandering in dreams of the old country, how affectionate one must be to laugh at me for prematurely greying.

Life is but a dream, let me offer a toast to the moon reflected on the river…

The Yangtze River, Red Cliff, an ode to the ancient times, remembering the bygone years.

Looking at today's world, the feelings evoked are even more complex.

By the banks of the Yangtze, there are no iron chains linking the waters, nor can one see two armies drawn up in battle, with a general directing troops with his feather fan and silk scarf.

There is only a magnificent treasure ship, standing amidst the drizzling rain, upon the surging river waters.

Beyond this treasure ship, there are many more vessels navigating the river, some flying flags high to show off their status, while others go unnoticed, ordinary and silent.

Within one of these boats.

"Bang!"

A wine jug was slammed down heavily, its fragrant contents splashing across the table. A young man with bloodshot eyes and a scruffy beard was staring intently at the treasure ship outside the cabin, unknowingly deforming his bronze wine jug with his grip.

"Second brother!"

The equally haggard Li Xiuning approached, looking at Li Shimin, who was no different from a drunkard, and angrily snatched away his wine bottle: "Look at yourself, what have you become? If Father knew from the afterworld, what would he feel?"

"Father?"

Li Shimin propped up his body, his expression one of agony: "It was I who harmed Father. If back then I had..."

"Enough!"

Li Xiuning interrupted him: "What's the point in saying these things now? Father and our older brother are gone. The Li Family has you as the only man left. If you continue to wallow in despair, then our Li Family really is finished."

"What good will it do if I take heart?"

Li Shimin suddenly erupted in anger, standing up and saying, "This man has taken Guanzhong, captured Luoyang, and seized Xuzhou. These three strategic locations form a solid foundation for power. His Martial Guardians are an invincible force. With his own martial prowess, he intimidates the whole world. Who can defeat him?"

"..."

Looking at the somewhat collapsing Li Shimin, Li Xiuning remained silent, only speaking after a long while, "If we win this battle, there's hope."

"Win?"

Li Shimin laughed sarcastically, a look of disdain in his eyes, "If there was any guarantee of victory, why would the Purity Zen Sect depart from the Central Plains and flee overseas? Why don't the Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucian Gate summon all their Grandmasters to Emperor's Step Peak? Instead, they're hedging their bets, investing on both ends, one group fighting to the death and the other leaving?"

"Clearly, they know not to put all their eggs in one basket!"

"This battle has slim chances of success. That man has obtained the Evil Emperor's Relic, acquired the secret texts of the Demon Sect, completed the Ten Strategies of Heavenly Demons. He must have a method to absorb the Relic Essence. Even if the nine Grandmasters risk their lives, at most they can only defeat him, with no chance of capturing him!"

"What's the point? It's just a dying struggle!"

After pouring out his thoughts, Li Shimin slumped back into his seat, then asked Li Xiuning, "What about those noble families? Are they planning the same thing?"

"Indeed!"

Li Xiuning sighed, "A portion of them have already built fleets ready to sail overseas, while others remain in the Central Plains, seemingly intending to defect."

"Defect?"

Li Shimin scoffed dismissively, "Does he have room for them?"

With a sigh, Li Xiuning responded, "If they are willing to make painful cuts and dare to discard their strength, then follow the rules and live under constraints, they might barely be tolerated."

"Then, are they still nobility?"

Li Shimin laughed derisively, "Do they think they can endure it for a lifetime, or for generations to come? Sooner or later, their true nature will reveal itself. By then, they'll still face annihilation. It's better to withdraw early."

Li Xiuning replied with a bitter smile, "Perhaps they are thinking of making their move after Xu Qingyang passes a century from now!"

"A century?"

"How many centuries?"

Li Shimin laughed, "With Xu Qingyang's martial arts reaching unknown heights, possessing the Longevity Jue, Heavenly Demon Strategy, the Evil Emperor's Relic, the Heshi Jade, and other extraordinary treasures, how many centuries can he live? I'm afraid those fools' great-great-grandchildren will have passed away, and Xu Qingyang will still be alive and well!"

"Outliving him, what a joke they've concocted."

"Even if by some miracle, they outlive him, so what? In his hands, what will become of the world over those centuries?"

"Centuries of iron-clad rule is enough to establish a system. Even if one day he truly departs, those who wish to rise up will face tremendous risks and pressures."

"It's not worth it, not worth it at all!"

Li Shimin shook his head, and his bloodshot eyes finally regained their sanity and clarity. Standing up, he spoke solemnly, "We should leave as well!"

"Leave?"

While Li Xiuning also had such thoughts, hearing Li Shimin say it aloud left her feeling lost and clueless: "Leave for where?"

"Anywhere is fine. The world is vast, and we will certainly find a place to settle. I can't defeat Xu Qingyang, but can't I defeat those barbarian tribes beyond our borders?"

Li Shimin shook his head, stood up, and looking towards the great treasure ship outside the cabin, he murmured, "To step back is to find a broader world. Father, please forgive your unfilial child. To preserve the bloodline of our Li Tang and continue our family legacy, I can no longer avenge you!"