206: Intermediate stage of Zhixuan! Great River Sword Intention! Exchange for White Horse

Chapter 205: Zhi Xuan Realm Middle Stage! Great River Sword Intent! Exchange for White Horse Volunteers! (33)

The next morning, Li Chang'an walked out of his tent and saw Qing Niao and Jiang Si not far away.

Jiang Si stretched out her hand, smiling as she looked at Qing Niao.

"Qing Niao, you lost!"

"Quick, give me the one tael of silver you owe me!"

Qing Niao reluctantly took out a tael of silver from her waist and steadily tossed it into Jiang Si's hand.

Jiang Si, upon receiving the silver, yearned to bite it, but restrained herself, mindful of her image in front of Qing Niao.

Qing Niao said with a strange expression, "You actually mastered the Yue Nü Sword Technique in just one month!"

She had made a bet with Jiang Si, wagering whether Jiang Si could learn a sword technique within a month.

The stake was one tael of silver.

Jiang Si was initially hesitant to bet, but after secretly practicing the sword technique for a few days, she was shocked herself.

She learned sword techniques incredibly fast!

So, she accepted the bet.

"Qing Niao, you don't seem to mind at all."

Seeing Jiang Si say this, Qing Niao couldn't help but curl her lips.

"It's just one tael of silver. My monthly salary from the King is thirty taels!"

These thirty taels were only the stated amount.

Because of her excellent service, the silver Li Chang'an rewarded Qing Niao was several times this amount.

However, upon hearing the number thirty taels, Jiang Si was utterly stunned!

"Thirty taels!"

"A county magistrate's annual salary is roughly that much!"

"Being a guard for the King actually comes with such a high salary!"

Qing Niao couldn't help but smile. The King's plan had indeed worked.

This betting plan was entirely designed by Li Chang'an from beginning to end.

Jiang Si had an abnormal pursuit of money.

Through this bet, Jiang Si's potential was truly unleashed.

Cui Hua had said that mastering one of the sword techniques Li Chang'an provided in a year was already very impressive.

However, Jiang Si had mastered one in just a month.

Jiang Si rushed to Qing Niao, grabbing her hand.

During this month's journey, she and Qing Niao were the closest.

Because the other three women were Li Chang'an's concubines.

Jiang Si always felt a barrier, a generation gap, between them.

But with Qing Niao, Jiang Si felt a strong kinship.

Because Qing Niao was not Li Chang'an's woman!

"Qing Niao, how can I become the King's guard!"

Qing Niao said, "You are already the King's maid. If your cultivation is higher, your salary can be increased."

"If you Cultivate to the second rank, you'll get ten taels of silver a month!"

"If you Cultivate to the first rank, you'll be like me, getting thirty taels of silver a month!"

Upon hearing Qing Niao's words, Jiang Si's eyes nearly fell out!

She used to scrimp and save at the Northern Liang Royal Mansion, unable to accumulate even one tael of silver.

Ten taels of silver! How many good things could that buy!

As she was lost in thought, Li Chang'an suddenly appeared.

Jiang Si immediately stiffened, reverting to her demure demeanor.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Li Chang'an waved his hand, then looked at Jiang Si.

"This King will make another bet with you!"

"If you can master a sword technique in ten days, this King will give you ten taels of silver!"

Upon hearing Li Chang'an's words, Jiang Si's body became even stiffer!

Ten taels of silver was indeed very tempting, but ten days was too short!

Jiang Si said with some difficulty, "Ten days... that's a bit too short."

Li Chang'an said sternly, "This is not a discussion with you."

"This King is merely informing you."

"If you lose, Qing Niao will keep a good record."

"The silver you owe can be repaid slowly with your allowance later."

After speaking, Li Chang'an left directly.

Leaving Jiang Si rooted to the spot, almost in tears!

"Qing Niao, is the King always this domineering?"

Qing Niao's Face flushed slightly as she said, "Although the King is domineering, he is still very gentle."

This sentence was nonsensical, and Jiang Si didn't understand it.

She was still immersed in the recent bet; if she lost, she would owe Li Chang'an ten taels of silver!

She immediately pulled out the sword manual from her bosom and began frantically searching.

"Find one that's not complicated, one that can be learned in ten days!"

"If I sleep two hours a day for ten days, it might be possible to learn it!"

Qing Niao was startled by Jiang Si's words. It turned out Jiang Si really had more energy to spare!

Soon, Jiang Si made a discovery.

"Jade Maiden Sword Technique!"

"The most suitable sword technique for women to Cultivate!"

Outside Jiange Pass.

The vast Shanshan army was already encamped at the foot of the mountain.

In the central army tent, Shanshan leader Murong Fuyun suddenly let out a wild laugh.

"Hahaha!"

"Xu Xiao has finally agreed to our terms!"

"As long as the Northern Liang Army doesn't reinforce Jiange Pass, we will surely break through this time!"

His eldest son, Murong Fushun, said, "Father, this time we are not attacking Liang Province, which is already giving Xu Xiao enough Face!"

"He even wants to impose conditions on us!"

"Not only did he demand three thousand warhorses, but he also wants us to help him kill Li Chang'an."

In the past, Shanshan always sent troops from both Liang Province and Western Shu Province.

This year's Fan People army was also deployed in this manner.

However, with the strengthening of the Shanshan tribe, Murong Fuyun's ideas also changed.

"Fushun, we have never gained much in Northern Liang."

"The Northern Liang Army is much stronger than their Li Yang Dynasty's."

"Instead of suffering losses in Northern Liang, it's better to gather both armies and take Jianmen Pass!"

"Moreover, Xu Xiao's two conditions are not difficult to meet."

Murong Fushun said, "Father, Jiange Pass is strategically located and easy to defend but difficult to attack."

Murong Fuyun laughed, "Son, these past years we've become wealthy, with strong armies and horses."

"Our scouts and spies have infiltrated Western Shu Province quite a bit!"

Looking at Murong Fuyun's meaningful smile, Murong Fushun suddenly said, "So Father has been planning this for a long time!"

Murong Fuyun said, "I've been plundering the Li Yang Dynasty in two routes every year to lull them into a false sense of security."

"We used to often garrison troops at Jiange Pass, but we never attacked it."

"This father sent people to infiltrate Western Shu Province long ago, all for this major operation."

"Son, do you know where this father's objective lies?"

Murong Fushun walked to the huge cowhide map and re-examined the map of Western Shu.

"Many cities behind Jiange can be plundered for many common people."

Murong Fuyun said, "That's right, plundering people has always been our goal."

"Look further east!"

Murong Fushun looked at the map and suddenly said, "Father, do you intend to plunder the Li Yang Dynasty's granaries!"

Murong Fuyun said, "The captured population can conveniently transport this grain."

"With this population and grain, our Shanshan can continue to grow stronger!"

"Qingfu Fort, Lueyang Terrace, Wuzhang Plain... the granaries in these places have just received the autumn harvest!"

As soon as Li Chang'an left Qing Province, he received news from the Brocade-Clad Guards.

The Shanshan Fan People army attacking Northern Liang swiftly changed direction, heading south towards Jiange Pass!

This meant that Shanshan's military operation this time was by no means a minor skirmish.

Murong Fuyun might be planning something big!

Indeed, seven days later, news arrived.

The Shanshan tribe's 150,000-strong army began a fierce assault on Jianmen Pass!

Inside the military tent, Hong Shu was reporting the latest battlefield intelligence.

"Shanshan's first wave of assault disregarded casualties, losing over 30,000 men in three days!"

The terrain of Jiange Pass was not expansive, so such rapid casualties indicated that Shanshan was indeed attacking with all its might.

"What are the casualties of the Jiange defenders?"

Hong Shu replied, "Two thousand of the six thousand defenders have fallen! They have already requested aid from the Dynasty and the Western Shu provincial army!"

At this moment, Zhuge Liang said, "Western Shu must constantly guard against the Fan People, so their provincial army is larger than other provinces'."

"However, they only have about 20,000 men at most, and their combat strength is not comparable to the Jiange defenders!"

Gu Dazu said, "The Jiange defenders are Gu Jiantang's subordinates. While they can't compare to the King's elite troops, they are not much worse than the Northern Liang infantry."

The Northern Liang Army numbered 350,000, with 140,000 cavalry and the remaining 190,000 as infantry.

Hong Shu continued, "The Western Shu provincial army, upon learning of the military situation, has already dispatched over 10,000 men to Jiange."

"Besides the provincial army, there are two other forces moving around Jiange!"

Xu Weibear keenly said, "Could it be the Northern Liang Army moving south?"

"That shouldn't be possible. Northern Liang wouldn't help Gu Jiantang's old subordinates defend Jiange."

"It's best if they don't come. If they do, we might even have to guard against them!"

Hong Shu replied, "It's not Northern Liang troops!"

"One force emerged from the mountains near Mianzhu, estimated to be five to six thousand strong."

"These people have few weapons and no banners. The Brocade-Clad Guards are currently investigating."

"The other force, however, is outside Jiange Pass, far behind Shanshan!"

Li Chang'an said with some surprise, "That would be within the Shanshan tribe's territory?"

"Shanshan can mobilize 150,000 troops, which should be their limit."

Hong Shu said, "This army is not Fan People, but Han Chinese!"

"They now number over ten thousand and fly a banner called the Gui Han Army!"

Upon hearing the name Gui Han Army, everyone was somewhat astonished.

Zhuge Liang said with emotion, "The Zhang family's Gui Han Army from the Northwest is still around!"

When the seven commanderies of Sha Province originally belonged to the Northern Han Kingdom, the provincial capital was in Dunhuang City.

Four commanderies, including Dunhuang City, were seized by the Hu people and Fan People.

More than ten years later, the Zhang family, a prominent clan in Dunhuang City, raised an army and briefly restored the four commanderies of Sha Province.

At that time, the banner the Zhang family raised was called the Northwest Gui Han Army!

Because Liang Province had already been occupied by Xu Xiao at that time, the Zhang family and the Northern Han Dynasty were completely cut off.

However, the Gui Han Army always recognized the Northern Han as the legitimate dynasty and refused to submit to the Li Yang Dynasty.

At that time, the War of Spring and Autumn had not yet ended, and Xu Xiao was still attacking Western Chu.

The Gui Han Army, isolated and without aid, was eventually defeated by the combined forces of Northern Mang, Western Rong, Shanshan, and Wala.

More than ten years had passed, and everyone thought the Gui Han Army had long been annihilated by the Hu people and Fan People.

Zhuge Liang said emotionally, "Although General Zhang Yichao of the Gui Han Army failed, he is a model for our generation!"

"To think that the 100,000 Gui Han Army from back then still has over 10,000 men!"

Hong Shu said, "After the Gui Han Army's defeat, they were driven out of the current three commanderies of Sha Province by the Northern Liang Army."

"They have been hiding in the deep mountains between Yumen Commandery and Gantai Commandery."

"Over the years, they have been fighting guerrilla warfare against the Wala and Shanshan Fan People."

This time, Shanshan attacked Jiange Pass, and they followed far behind, likely intending to seize the opportunity to ambush the Shanshan tribe.

Li Chang'an sighed, "Loyalty in the Northwest, the Zhang family's Gui Han Army."

"The other army near Mianzhu should be people from the Green Shirt Alliance."

The Green Shirt Alliance, organized by Cao Changqing, was mainly composed of Western Chu and Western Shu remnants.

Because Western Shu had complex terrain and bordered Western Chu directly.

Therefore, the Green Shirt Alliance's strength had always been hidden in Western Shu.

The old minister said, "The Gui Han Army is the sworn enemy of the Western Regions Fan People!"

"They must be looking to see if there's an opportunity to take a big bite out of Murong Fuyun this time."

"But what exactly does Cao Changqing's Green Shirt Alliance want to do..."

Li Chang'an smiled faintly, "Cao Guanzi is coming for this King!"

Xu Xiao had long since spread the news of Jiang Si being in Li Chang'an's army.

Therefore, Li Chang'an could almost certainly conclude that Cao Changqing was coming to rescue Jiang Si.

Xu Xiao's false accusation this time had, coincidentally, hit the mark.

The Northwest Gui Han Army had always been fighting the Fan People in Yumen Commandery and Jingyuan Commandery.

With the Northern Han gone, these people were essentially an army without a master.

The Gui Han Army harbored deep hatred for the Hu people and Fan People, and their combat strength was extremely strong, making them completely eligible for recruitment.

Li Chang'an had already reclaimed Yumen Commandery, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a way to subdue the Gui Han Army.

During this period, Li Chang'an had Cultivated the Six Gods Art to Great Perfection.

In fact, when he left Yong Province, Li Chang'an's various rankings had improved significantly.

Because of the Major Achievement of the Six Gods Art, Li Chang'an directly advanced to the Middle Stage of the Zhi Xuan Realm.

Coupled with Qing Niao's devotion, the confiscation of Wang Linquan's assets, and the news of his chess match with the famous player Lu Xu also spread.

Therefore, Li Chang'an's rankings in Charm, Wealth, and Artistry all increased.

Zhuge Liang and Gu Dazu recruited 5,000 new troops along the way, which also boosted his Power ranking significantly.

Finally, Li Chang'an received the System's settlement.

【Your influence in the "Sword Snow Stride" world has greatly increased, rewarding 25,000 Mortal World Points!】

World: Sword Snow Stride

Age: 19 years old

Realm: Martial Artist First Rank (Great Vajra Realm, Zhi Xuan Realm Middle Stage, Celestial Phenomenon Realm Early Stage)

Cultivation Technique: Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill (Perfection · Thirteenth Layer)

Martial Skill: Dragon Grasping Skill (Perfection), Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms (Perfection), Crossing the River on a Reed (Perfection), Prajna Heart Bell (Perfection), Six Gods Art (Perfection)

Innate Abilities: Clairvoyant Eyes, Photographic Memory, Myriad Worlds Troop Master

Abilities: (Expand)

Mortal World Points: 25,000 (Accumulated 225,000 points)

Rankings: Power 28, Wealth 32, Martial Prowess 18, Charm 53, Artistry 120

Li Chang'an, relying on the Six Gods Art, pushed his Zhi Xuan Realm to the Middle Stage.

To continue advancing in the Zhi Xuan Realm, he needed to exchange for a Zhi Xuan secret art.

Li Chang'an found the most destructive Zhi Xuan secret art in the Myriad Heavens Mall.

This secret art also Cultivated Sword Intent, but it no longer required a Sharp Weapon; True Qi alone could gather Sword Intent.

After Cultivating to Perfection, the Sword Intent and the human body would become one, making him invincible within one foot!

Moreover, Cultivating this Zhi Xuan secret art could even slay a Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert.

【Consuming 8,000 Mortal World Points, successfully exchanged for the Zhi Xuan secret art "Great River Sword Intent"】

Li Chang'an was about to leave the pass and enter the Western Regions, so he also needed to exchange for a light cavalry unit.

Ultimately, Li Chang'an chose the White Horse Volunteers, known for their mobility and archery.

These cavalrymen moved like the wind, and their soldiers were one in a hundred, excelling at mounted archery.

The White Horse Volunteers, clad in white armor and white robes, riding white horses, wielding long sabers and bows, were a Sharp Weapon against Hu cavalry!

Li Chang'an's primary enemies when garrisoning Sha Province were the northern Hu people and the southwestern Fan People.

【Consuming 9,000 Mortal World Points, successfully exchanged for the White Horse Volunteers template, 3,000 men!】

With light and heavy cavalry both acquired, a distinguished cavalry general was now needed!