Chaotic World Book

Wang Daozhong said excitedly, "Since big brother is already in the Imperial Realm, why not go to Puyang to participate in the battle? We've been worn down there for over three months, not to mention the heavy casualties, and we've lost face and morale! Now, with big brother's thundering might, breaking through the steadfast city like a whirlwind sweeping through Hebei all the way to the Capital, it would shake the world, wouldn't that be glorious?"

Wang Daoning gave a wry laugh, "Why don't you write the Chaotic World Book? Your words have quite the literary flair."

"Are you still concerned about literary flair?" Wang Daozhong stamped his foot, "We're being ridiculed by a mere city!"

"Is that a mere city? That's the entire Qinghe Cui clan's effort with even young girls taking to the battlefield, truly a desperate battle with their backs against the wall. Plus, Huangfu Shaozong came to aid, and the Blood God Sect assisted, not to mention the Yang Family secretly helping... Do you really think their strength is inferior to ours?"

Wang Daoning sighed and slowly said, "To those who know, there's nothing ridiculous about this. In fact, the first barrier we meet is also the last, once we get past it, the path ahead is clear. Most of the capable Capital Army is here, just win this battle and the rest of the Forbidden Army at the capital is nothing but drunken bastards."

Wang Daozhong asked, "If you know this, then why are you still sitting idle here?"

Wang Daoning said indifferently, "I am waiting for someone."

Wang Daozhong was startled, "It couldn't be Tie Muer, could it? He would dare to sneak in alone?"

Ever since He Lei had mysteriously died in Central Earth, the Barbarian warriors had been unwilling to enter alone, not to mention Tie Muer, the Han King, with vast responsibilities... although it was slightly possible for the Great Shaman to come, the likelihood was very slim.

Wang Daoning shook his head, "They are not willing to come, rather they are assembling troops in the north, just waiting for us to create chaos. They are not of our kin, they have their own plans; we cannot count on their heartfelt cooperation."

"Deploying troops in this heavy snow, not to mention the morale, aren't they afraid of freezing their men and horses to death..."

Wang Daoning said with a sardonic laugh, "Since everyone thinks this way, Ba Tu must also think so. Just two or three months ago, Ba Tu was extremely anxious, sending three to four pleas for help to the Capital every day, but now he lies back in his Khan tent enjoying music and dance. Such is the wisdom of the Barbarians."

Who are you calling 'Barbarian-wise'... Wang Daozhong muttered in his heart, but he was genuinely curious, "Then who are we waiting for?"

Wang Daoning said, "Now that heroes rise together across the world, those with personal agendas are actually not that many... Such as Li Shentong, who truly can't bear it anymore, rose up for the people of Ba Shu, not really desiring to contend for supremacy. Maybe only we think like that. For most, stopping the foolish ruler from causing chaos is what matters most..."

Wang Daozhong: "…"

As they talked, Wang Daoning's ears twitched, a smile appearing on his face, "It's about time, I will be away for a while..."

He stood up, "Langya is worry-free, you don't need to be stationed there, you should return to Puyang. Although Cui Yuanyong has put up a good defense, in reality, he is at the end of his tether, and once he loses support, he cannot hold. When the changes come, Huangfu Shaozong and Yang Jingxiu will have no heart for this, and perhaps even Xue Canghai might harbor different thoughts, then Puyang can be easily taken."

Wang Daozhong's mind raced, suddenly feeling a jolt, "Big brother, are you heading to the Capital? This..."

Although the main force of the Capital's army was indeed in Puyang, the Capital itself still wasn't a battlefield suitable for a decapitating strike; unknown defenses set up by Xia Longyuan were there, along with powerhouses like Tang Wanju and Qin Dingjiang providing protection. To force their way in, no matter how many powerhouses went, including Wang Daoning himself, none were confident they could come out alive.

"Daozhong..." Wang Daoning patted his brother's shoulder, "You've been running east and west these past years, achieving nothing and causing trouble everywhere, but big brother has never blamed you, do you know why?"

Wang Daozhong replied, "It's because it was Zhao Changhe who trapped me, not my fault!"

"After being renowned in the Worldly Society so many years, yet you were tricked by a junior, how can you admit that?"

"…"

"I don't blame you because the waves of the Worldly Society are unpredictable, and no one can always be victorious. On the contrary, I'm a bit envious of you."

"Envious..."

"Yes, or perhaps I envy the days when I could freely ride across the Worldly Society. I have lost, and I have been tricked," Wang Daoning slowly turned around and walked outside, "It is now my time to do my utmost... We are an Aristocratic Family, but we pass on our lineage through martial arts, and at the core, I am a martial artist. The universe lies beneath our feet. If we dare not venture to the Capital because it is dangerous, what have we spent our entire lives practicing martial arts for?"

Wang Daozhong opened his mouth, watching his elder brother's retreating figure, and after a long pause, he finally said, "But no one knows the extent of his injuries, eldest brother."

Wang Daoning sighed, "Shall we just keep waiting for him to recover? We once thought that the weakened soul of the Sea Emperor could be easily manipulated, but the efficiency of his recovery deceived us completely. How could we fall into the same trap again? Now is the only chance, the best chance."

Wang Daozhong had nothing more to say.

His elder brother still had a gambling spirit, but now the only option was indeed to take a gamble. Any further delay would mean total ruin.

Surprisingly, after living in luxury for decades, his elder brother still possessed such a martial artist's spirit.

"If I do not return, take the children and our nephews and flee overseas to live in seclusion. Do not try to show off... Once you break through the Third Layer Secret Treasure, it's entirely possible to make a comeback. Everyone may be rushing toward the Imperial Realm, but the Third Layer Secret Treasure is still top-notch in this world, full of potential," said Wang Daoning. "You need to keep an eye on Zhao Changhe. He is the true dragon of this epoch, not Xia Longyuan."

These were his final instructions.

Although Wang Daozhong didn't feel that Zhao Changhe was all that impressive — he was just good at changing his appearance and scapegoating others! But since his brother put it that way, he somewhat regained face. After all, being tricked by someone who could be mentioned in the same breath as Xia Longyuan, even slightly better, didn't seem like such a disgrace.

But he still couldn't help saying, "Even Xia Longyuan isn't up to par? He's much stronger than Zhao Changhe, having suppressed the land for decades, unmatched in past and present... At most, at the very most, he's ill..."

"Then let's say he's ill. Do you know how many years the heroes of the world have been waiting to divide up this sick dragon?" Wang Daoning's silhouette finally disappeared at the stairwell, "If he can't win the hearts of the world, how can he be called a true dragon? If he is a dragon, I shall sever the dragon's limbs, chew the dragon meat, and ensure that he cannot see the morning or rest at night!"

...

Zhao Changhe and his group took the fast boat left by Tang En and, after half a month, finally arrived in Ningbo.

By the time they arrived, even Jiangnan had started seeing a bit of light snow.

Such weather — if not for San Niang's increasingly evident control over the seas, the captain would not have dared to sail... Fortunately, the journey was uneventful.

Zhao Changhe, who had just started learning the Qi Observation Skill, subconsciously scanned around and saw the increasingly thick royal Qi of Jinling.

The Qi of Jiangnan was beginning to converge.

This matter... if it corresponded to a person, that person would be Tang Buqi.

It initially seemed not surprising. Tang Buqi had long seemed to have the opportunity to dominate Jiangnan. If during these times he had managed to organize the fragmented aristocratic military forces across Jiangnan, then the prospects would be even greater... Jingxiang was still friendly territory, and the opportunities were significant.

But as Zhao Changhe looked up and thought for a while, his expression grew increasingly troubled.

The matters of the Tang family... were not solely determined by Tang Buqi... The Tang family was just a second or third-tier small family clan; they couldn't even dominate Gusu on their own, their own military strength was actually very ordinary, far inferior to the likes of the Cuis and the Wangs.

The main reasons why Tang Buqi could firmly hold Jiangnan stronger than other local aristocrats were firstly, borrowing Tang Wanju's call for justice against rebels, with the status of head of the Demon Suppression Department, it was easy to rally heroes under the banner of Alliance Hierarch. Secondly, he truly had the strong support of the Demon Suppression Department, whether it be top-end martial power, manpower, intelligence, or the loyalty from aristocratic families leaning toward the Imperial authority, loyal generals like Wu Weiyang of the Demon Suppression Department still stood by Tang Buqi, commanding powerful forces.

So although it seemed impressively mighty, it was really Aunt who supported him single-handedly, without Aunt he was nothing. As long as Aunt doesn't want to rebel, he can't.

So... if one day the Tang family were to raise the banner of rebellion, validating this royal Qi, there must be one premise —

Wanzhuang is in danger!