Xu Wan wore plain blue Daoist robes, holding a feather fan. His hair was tied back with a simple cord, flowing down his back, yet his appearance was distinctly not that of a regular Daoist priest.

Wu Ji hastily stood up, moving to introduce the two men.

"Venerable Feng, this is my strategist, Mr. Xu Wan. For the past six months, his guidance has illuminated my path, bringing me to where I stand today."

"Oh?"

Feng Zikang peered closely, noting that the man before him appeared to be a mere youth in his early twenties—clean-featured and refined, possessing an air of detached transcendence.

"This is Venerable Feng Zikang, a military expert from Dragon Tiger Mountain—oh, and," Wu Ji offered a wry smile, "also the Martial Achievement King who guards the Great Tang, the Grand Marshal of all armies under heaven."

Feng Zikang momentarily recalled this title. Though it was largely nominal, to be the Martial Achievement King and Grand Marshal while consorting with rebels gave him a rather amusing feeling.

"I have long admired your name. I am Xu Wan, a lone cultivator, paying my respects to Senior Brother Feng!"

Xu Wan chuckled, bowing deeply and courteously toward Feng Zikang.

"You are too kind!"

Feng Zikang quickly declined the gesture, yet a flicker of doubt sparked within him.

A lone cultivator?

He could not discern Xu Wan's cultivation level at all. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say he appeared to be a common man who had never practiced Qi refinement, yet Feng Zikang sensed vaguely that this man’s strength was far from simple.

However, as it was their first meeting, he refrained from prying too deeply.

Mr. Xu Wan’s origins were also rather peculiar; Wu Ji had found him wandering the streets.

One day, while patrolling the city, Wu Ji overheard Xu Wan singing loudly. Every word carried a hidden, profound meaning, specifically hinting at the Emperor’s intention to forcibly marry the Wu family young lady. As this rumor had not yet spread widely, Wu Ji was greatly alarmed. Honoring talent and showing deference, he invited the man into his residence. After an extended discussion, he became convinced that Xu Wan possessed the genius to govern the world, and thus implored him to become his strategist.

Mr. Xu Wan had not disappointed. In several critical junctures, he provided clear counsel, especially after the rebellion against the Tang. Whenever the great Tang armies advanced, Xu Wan’s brilliant strategies turned them back.

Only today, as Geshu Luo led his forces in attack, did Mr. Xu Wan smile enigmatically, saying a savior would surely arrive. Indeed, shortly after, Luo Kedi and Feng Zikang appeared, rendering Geshu Luo and Chen Da a minimal threat.

Since Xu Wan had repeatedly proven correct, Wu Ji’s faith in him only deepened.

Feng Zikang maintained an outwardly calm expression, though profound confusion churned within. Looking at Mr. Xu Wan's gentle smile, he felt an inexplicable unease.

"Mr. Xu, regarding what you mentioned earlier about why the Emperor must take Miss Wu as a consort, could you enlighten me?"

Feng Zikang inquired humbly. Wu Ji sighed, his face etched with resentment. Xu Wan, however, merely shook his head slightly, smiling softly. "To speak of this matter, one must discuss the Great Tribulation of Heaven and Earth."

Feng Zikang’s heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected this lone cultivator to know of the Great Tribulation.

"At the beginning of the Great Tribulation, for reasons unknown, the Tang Emperor heard the prophecy that 'a Wu woman shall rule.' He believed that by taking the Wu family young lady into the palace as a consort, he could stabilize the realm and prevent the Tang Dynasty from being overthrown. He originally intended for the Crown Prince to marry her, but regrettably, Senior Brother Feng took the life of Prince Li Zhi. Forced into a corner, he had no choice but to take action himself."

"Nonsense!"

Wu Ji slammed the table in anger, utterly refusing to believe such absurdities.

"Oh? Then why couldn't he allow another son to marry Miss Wu?"

Feng Zikang pressed curiously. If the goal was simply to bring Miss Wu into the imperial family, he could have simply arranged for another son—the new heir—to marry her, which would have maintained propriety and likely spared him Wu Ji’s fierce backlash. Even under duress, Wu Ji’s loyalty might have prevented outright rebellion. But the Emperor insisted on taking his own niece—what propriety was that? Wu Ji, upright and loyal, could not tolerate it! This was why things had escalated to the present crisis.

"This..."

Mr. Xu Wan offered a wry smile. "I heard that only if he himself, or his son Li Zhi, married Miss Wu, could the realm be secured. Any other offspring would be entirely useless. I do not know what manner of demonic Daoist told him such things."

"Sowing heresy to mislead the masses—they all deserve death!"

Wu Ji ground his teeth, hatred buried deep in his bones.

Feng Zikang subtly shook his head, feeling a wave of complex emotion.

"Martial Uncle, how should I deal with the battle tomorrow?"

Although Luo Kedi had spoken boldly, he was inherently cautious and not prone to overconfidence, so he sought his uncle’s counsel that evening.

After listening to Wu Ji recount the entire story, Feng Zikang pondered deeply over the cause and effect of the Great Tribulation. Looking at the situation, it seemed the Wu lineage might ultimately replace the Tang. Though currently weak, subterranean currents were strong, suggesting hidden forces were propelling this matter forward.

The Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist schools had openly allied themselves with the Tang Emperor.

The attitudes of the Nine Paths were ambiguous. Even Yuan Buhuan, the head of the Military School, had told him that military men always side with the victor. The other schools likely held a similar facade of unity with the Three Teachings. Coupled with the strength of the overseas demons, Wu Ji’s campaign promised to be interesting. Moreover, as the war expanded, the ramifications would spread wider. He was currently at the eye of the Great Tribulation’s vortex; though he felt no immediate sense of impending storm, he knew the undercurrents were surging, ready to erupt.

What lay beyond tomorrow could wait. "For now, we only manage the present." Feng Zikang smiled wryly. "Chen Da’s skill is shallow; his spirit-trapping techniques are merely minor arts. The righteous aura of the Yellow Dragon Banner can easily suppress them. Be careful, and you will prevail!"

Luo Kedi was overjoyed. He thanked his uncle, shook off his fatigue, and prepared for battle the next day.

Chen Da, having won a skirmish two days prior, was feeling arrogant. True to his nature, he provoked a challenge before the lines that day. Luo Kedi mounted his white horse, drew his silver spear, and rode out to meet him.

Their weapons clashed for several exchanges. Chen Da, seeing Luo Kedi’s silver spear moving with flawless precision—like an agile silver dragon—felt his courage falter. He wheeled his horse and fled, intending to spring his trap: secretly binding Luo Kedi’s limbs with vengeful spirits before delivering the killing blow.

Luo Kedi pursued, and sure enough, Chen Da turned his horse, opening his mouth to release three or five wisps of thin, resentful spirits. Luo Kedi merely laughed, unconcerned.

When the spirits managed to ensnare his hands and feet, Chen Da rejoiced and swung his blade toward Luo Kedi’s head. But Luo Kedi gave a slight shake, and a yellow dragon burst forth, shattering the spirits and restoring his freedom. The dragon snapped at Chen Da’s head with a single bite, tearing it clean off. Luo Kedi caught the head and hung it beneath his saddle.

Feng Zikang, watching from the side, shook his head; such petty tricks were hardly worth observing.

The enemy camp, however, was enraged by the death of General Geshu Luo. Chen Da was his favored subordinate, having just achieved victory the previous battle. To have him immediately slain by Luo Kedi was infuriating!

He spurred his horse forward, shouting loudly, "Rebel! Don't flee! Take a blow from Geshu Luo!"

Luo Kedi, buoyed by his recent triumph, did not fear Geshu Luo. He raised his silver spear and scoffed coldly, "General Geshu. How have you been?"

He knew Geshu Luo; they had once served under Wu Ji together, and Geshu Luo was his senior. He hadn't expected the man to be so faithless, showing no regard for their past camaraderie. Even if he served the empire faithfully, the combat belonged on the field; insulting him privately was despicable! Luo Kedi's words were sharp with suppressed anger.

Geshu Luo’s face hardened. "Traitor! Who claimed kinship with you? Today, I, your elder brother, serve the nation by slaying your rabble! If you know what is good for you, surrender quickly, or do not blame my blade for showing no mercy!"

Luo Kedi roared, "You must ask my silver spear first!"

They spurred their horses and charged, clashing in a dizzying spiral of movement. Geshu Luo wielded his ancestral blade technique, exquisitely refined and backed by rich battle experience; Luo Kedi employed the true inheritance of the Military School, young and fiercely determined. Neither yielded, and their respective camps beat their drums in thunderous support, making for a magnificent sight.

Luo Kedi grew impatient after the prolonged stalemate. He knew Geshu Luo possessed some sinister arts and decided to strike first. He shook his spear, feigning an opening, then leapt back, all the while secretly activating the Yellow Dragon Banner. A yellow dragon, teeth bared and claws extended, lunged toward Geshu Luo.

Geshu Luo laughed heartily. "A mere banner? What can it do to me?"

He fumbled in his robes and pulled out an object that gleamed with golden light. He tossed it into the air, where it transformed into a flash of cold light and a swirling mass of white mist, blinding everyone’s eyes. Within the mist, the roar of the yellow dragon could be heard, followed abruptly by a sharp crack. Blood sprayed wildly—the yellow dragon’s head had been severed and tumbled to the dust!

Luo Kedi was mentally linked to the Yellow Dragon Banner; the damage to the dragon resonated instantly within him. He roared in fury, spitting a mouthful of blood. Realizing Geshu Luo’s dark art was too powerful to counter, he spun his horse and fled!

Geshu Luo would not allow him to escape. He gave a soft command, and the cloud of white mist relentlessly pursued Luo Kedi. Sweat beaded on Luo Kedi's face as he spurred his horse into a frantic gallop, yet he could never shake it off.

"Martial Uncle Feng, this Geshu Luo is formidable. We must ask you to intervene and save Luo Kedi. You two have a destiny yet to unfold, and if he dies now, it would be rather inconvenient..."

At that precise moment, Mr. Xu Wan gracefully approached Feng Zikang, bowed slightly, and deliberately made his request for aid. His pace of speech remained slow, conveying no sense of urgency.

"Oh?"

Feng Zikang knew he would save the man, but seeing Xu Wan’s calm demeanor piqued his curiosity. "Mr. Xu, why do you not act yourself?"

Mr. Xu Wan waved his hands dismissively, laughing heartily. "How could I possess such skill? I only have a ready tongue. I pale in comparison to Senior Brother Feng’s profound cultivation."

Seeing the two still engaged in their measured conversation while Luo Kedi was in mortal peril, Wu Ji became frantic.

"Strategist! Immortal Elder! Please postpone your pleasantries and save the man quickly!"

Feng Zikang and Xu Wan exchanged a knowing smile. Xu Wan stepped aside, and Feng Zikang made no outward move, but with a mere grab in the empty air, he snatched Luo Kedi away from the aggressively advancing white mist, pulling him swiftly to his side.

Luo Kedi tumbled heavily but realized immediately that his life was spared upon finding himself near Feng Zikang. He scrambled up, kowtowing his thanks.

Feng Zikang smiled faintly and looked ahead. Geshu Luo was stamping his feet in rage, urging his horse and shouting, "Which bastard dares ruin my plan? If you have the guts, come out and fight! Hiding in the shadows, what kind of thing are you?"