195: Chapter 195 The Fall of Luo Xuan City

Su Yang stepped forward, gently brushing off the snowflakes from Su Xuanming's shoulder, and spoke calmly:

"Great Wei is about to descend into chaos. I'm not talking about the current war, but possibly... the chaos of a collapsing Dynasty."

He cast his gaze towards the distant lead-grey sky, his voice low and clear: "From now on, the Cultivation Market will no longer be a secluded paradise, and Yunmeng Ruins will no longer be safe."

"However, the Su Family's businesses have been operating there for many years, with roots too deep to easily extricate. If you encounter an insurmountable crisis there, use the Zhou Army token and let the Zhou Army handle everything."

The Zhou Army had once gifted the Su Family a token, which could be used to mobilize nearby Zhou Army forces for assistance, though the Su Family had never used it.

It was just unknown how many Zhou Army soldiers were stationed near Yunmeng Ruins, or what their strength was. If the Zhou Army was unable to provide aid, the Su Family might ultimately have to abandon the businesses they had painstakingly managed for decades.

But no matter what, they had to try their best to preserve it. After all, Yunmeng Ruins had abundant Cultivation resources and was a crucial strategic commercial location that the Su Family must occupy in the future.

"Is Great Wei really going to fall?!"

Su Xuanming trembled upon hearing this.

Although he had long been aware of the news that Great Wei was being steadily pushed back by Great Qi in recent years, when his father spoke of Great Wei's impending downfall, his heart still couldn't help but be stirred by turbulent waves.

"It's just one outcome derived from Stargazing divination, but the exact date cannot be calculated."

Su Yang's tone softened, with a hint of comfort: "I'm having you take the token just in case. Remember, if there's any unusual activity in Yunmeng Ruins, inform the Family immediately through the Divine Sense Space."

Su Xuanming's taut mind relaxed slightly upon hearing this. He nodded solemnly: "This child understands! If there's any change, I will report it to the Family at the first opportunity."

The Divine Sense Space of the Zongyuan Soul Refining Scripture was truly useful; no matter how far apart, Family members could instantly communicate. This way, even if he was stationed long-term in Yunmeng Ruins, he could always know Qingyuan's movements.

Su Xuanming and Ruan Ning then boarded the massive flying boat.

The hull was enormous, with several grim Magic Cannons neatly arrayed on the deck. These Magic Cannons, along with the flying boat itself, had been personally imbued with spirits by Su Xuanjing and An Ziyao, faintly glowing with an unusual spiritual light.

flying boats could generally be divided into two categories.

One type was like the one before them, a warship built specifically for conquest, pursuing ultimate destructive power and flight speed.

The other type was a multi-decked ship used for trade and passenger transport. Although also equipped with defensive Magic Cannons, its cruising speed was slower, and it often featured pavilions and towers, making it more luxurious and comfortable.

In these chaotic times, the flying boats the Su Family poured its efforts into building were naturally all armed-to-the-teeth warships.

As for those more peaceful multi-decked ships, they could wait until the world was at peace to be built, for use in trade routes and passenger transport.

Buzz!

A low hum sounded as the Formations around the flying boat circulated, slowly ascending under Song Baiqing's control.

The Su Family members stood in the wind and snow, waving goodbye, watching the massive ship's silhouette pierce through the swirling snow, transforming into a streak of light in the sky, and finally disappearing into the depths of the lead-grey clouds. Only then did everyone gradually disperse.

Just as Su Yang was about to turn and return to his residence, his Divine Sense stirred slightly.

He sensed a familiar aura quietly appearing on a nearby mountaintop.

It was Chu Yutang.

The other party was nodding slightly towards him.

Su Yang understood. He took a step forward, his figure gliding across the snowy ground like a wisp of smoke, instantly appearing on the mountaintop.

"Brother Chu," Su Yang initiated.

Chu Yutang's expression was unprecedentedly solemn. Without any pleasantries, he went straight to the point: "Patriarch Su, Luoxuan City has been breached by Great Qi."

Su Yang's eyes narrowed: "When did this happen?"

Qingyuan hadn't received even a whisper of news!

"Just a few hours ago," Chu Yutang's voice was as heavy as cold iron. "Luoxuan City has completely changed hands. Along with the numerous counties that fell within the prefecture previously, this land no longer belongs to 'Wei.'"

He paused, then said word by word: "From this moment on, the territory where Qingyuan is located now belongs to Great Qi!"

No more words were needed; both were intelligent people.

Territorial change of ownership meant a change in ruling order, and it also meant a subsequent reshuffling of power, reallocation of resources, and unavoidable chaos and upheaval.

A large number of Cultivators and forces belonging to Great Qi would inevitably flood into this new land like a tide.

This prefecture was about to descend into great chaos!

The wind and snow silently swept between the two, and the chill seemed to deepen a few more points.

Su Yang was silent for a moment, then looked up at Chu Yutang: "If Great Qi's Cultivators come to Qingyuan Market to cause trouble, will your Zhou Army suppress them?"

The solemnity on Chu Yutang's face quietly faded, replaced by a faint smile: "Where is the Zhou Army in Qingyuan Market? Since there's no Zhou Army, how can there be suppression?"

"So you intend to stand by and do nothing?" Su Yang's face darkened. "Are you going to wait until the people here are destitute and the place becomes a living hell, then descend as saviors so that the common folk will be grateful?"

Chu Yutang gently shook his head, still with that faint smile on his lips, yet his words conveyed a nearly ruthless understanding:

"Patriarch Su, since ancient times, when has a Dynasty's succession not been built upon mountains of corpses and seas of blood? Without personally experiencing hardship, people will only take salvation for granted."

"Only by letting them suffer in despair, and then pulling them out of the abyss, will that gratitude be unforgettable, and the people's hearts truly submit."

He looked calmly at Su Yang, his tone still gentle, but every word was clear: "As a Cultivator, you should understand this principle. If you want the Zhou Army to protect the people of Qingyuan, you can simply use that token. Our Zhou Army will uphold the agreement."

Chu Yutang spoke as if it were only natural, as if all this was the normal state of the world, making Su Yang's current indignation seem somewhat out of place.

His tone was calm, yet to Su Yang's ears, it was colder and more biting than the swirling wind and snow.

In recent years, the Su Family had grown stronger. Whether in Qingyuan or Yunmeng Ruins, all forces treated the Su Family courteously and respectfully, as if those Cultivators who were not hostile to the Su Family were all as sincere and kind-hearted as the Su Family.

However, Su Yang knew in his heart that this was merely a superficial illusion.

Behind that seemingly warm smile still lurked the inherent indifference to life and condescending arrogance in the bones of Cultivators.

Even Chu Yutang, who aspired to the Dao of a National Preceptor, had never truly taken the lives of ordinary Cultivators and Mortals to heart.

Although this person presented himself with the appearance of a low-level Cultivator and seemed peaceful and friendly in his dealings, Su Yang dared to assert that once he reverted to his true Foundation Establishment cultivation, he would be no different from those cold and selfish ordinary Cultivators, immediately revealing his disdain for low-level Cultivators and Mortals.

Su Yang's mind was perfectly clear. He couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, standing with his hands behind his back in the wind and snow, his voice clear and firm:

"No need."

"Qingyuan is our Su Clan's Qingyuan."

"If foreign enemies truly invade, my Su Family will personally act and suppress everything!"