The Name of Eternals

Chapter 178: Only Save the World, Not the Suffering

Qingzhou City, Tianyuan General's Mansion.

Inside the council hall of the mansion, all the ladies of the various branches were gathered, except for Shuihua Courtyard.

These ladies held the social networks of their husbands. If their husbands were in the military, the camps they commanded, although now under Li Tiangang's leadership, still contained their own influence and connections.

Now, a Thousand Mile Command Flag from Liangzhou had been delivered through secret techniques.

This was the Eight Directions Command Flag, used only in dire situations when a large province was deep in a bloodbath, able to traverse thousands of miles instantly, far surpassing normal military reports and letters. It was crafted by the Division of Heavenly Monitoring and contained a special formation.

Whenever the Eight Directions Command Flag appeared, it signaled the massacre of living beings and often meant the fall of a scion of the Divine General's bloodline.

"Eldest sister-in-law, is it from Tiangang? What exactly is happening in Liangzhou?"

Among the gathered ladies, Gao Qingqing was the most anxious, her eyes red and on the verge of tears.

Twenty years ago, the Eight Directions Command Flag had also been issued from Tianmen Pass. That time, it was the fall of the Li family's third son, and Tianmen Pass had almost been lost. She couldn't help but worry that her husband might meet the same fate.

"Could it be news from Cangzhou?"

Wang Xiangru frowned. Currently, Li Fenghua was guarding Cangzhou, but since Li Junye cleared out all the demons outside Cangzhou over a decade ago, there had been no major incidents.

However, demon invasions were unpredictable, sometimes striking without warning or intelligence.

He Jianlan's expression was solemn. After reading the message carried by the flag, she looked towards Li Muxiu beside her and said, "Second Uncle, Tiangang says that Liangzhou is in dire straits. The Void Realm has re-entered the world, and Dragon Gate and the Holy Palace have joined forces in this campaign, swearing to overrun Liangzhou."

Hearing this, Li Muxiu's eyelid twitched.

He immediately realized that the Void Realm re-entering the world after a thousand years was an extremely bad omen.

It seemed to be a harbinger of something greater.

Wang Xiangru relaxed slightly upon hearing this, her expression calming.

However, Gao Qingqing's face turned ashen. Li Xuanli was in Liangzhou, serving as the military governor, on the front lines. If Liangzhou fell, he would not flee. Even in death, he would die fighting there!

As a scion of the Li family and a member of the Divine General's bloodline, how could he abandon millions of civilians in a major province and become a deserter?

This was the ordeal of the Li family's bloodline!

In their childhood, she had never thought of these things. It was only after marrying into the Li family that she understood the bitterness and sorrow of the Li family's sons.

Gao Qingqing sat in her chair, barely able to stay upright, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Seeing her state, the other ladies remained silent.

Once upon a time, they had felt the same.

At this moment, they all thought of their fallen husbands, their eyes filled with sorrow.

"Aren't they afraid of death? Aren't they afraid of the real people of the Dao Palace coming to crush them?"

The third lady, Lou Wanqing, asked in confusion.

"I will set out for Liangzhou immediately," Li Muxiu said.

He Jianlan shook her head and quickly said, "Tiangang sent this message to inform us of the situation. He didn't ask for reinforcements, especially urging Second Uncle to stay in Qingzhou and not to go."

"Why?" Gao Qingqing cried out.

Li Muxiu hesitated, then his expression changed as he realized something.

"Tiangang says he fears that if the demons are attacking so boldly, they might not be unguarded against Second Uncle. It's very likely that besides Liangzhou, there are Void Realm and Dragon Gate demon kings hidden outside Qingzhou, perhaps even their leaders!"

He Jianlan said solemnly, "If Second Uncle leaves, they might immediately invade Qingzhou, directly targeting our General's Mansion."

Li Muxiu's expression turned grim. He understood the implications.

Relying solely on the fifth brother might not be enough to hold them off. Although the General's Mansion and Qingzhou both had formations, they couldn't withstand a prolonged assault.

If he rushed to Liangzhou at full speed, it would take two days round trip.

After all, he had to conserve some energy to join the battle upon arrival, and couldn't use his utmost speed for instant travel.

"How could this be..."

Gao Qingqing's face was devoid of blood. She had thought they were seeking aid, but it turned out that Li Tiangang had urged Second Uncle not to reinforce them.

"Then what about Liangzhou? Are we just going to watch it fall? Wait for death?" she couldn't help but cry out.

He Jianlan understood her feelings and knew that comforting words would be useless at this moment. She calmly said, "Qingqing, don't worry. Tiangang has sent messages to other General's Mansions. The real people of the Dao Palace must have also received them. Wuliang Mountain likely has as well. Under the Eight Directions Command Flag, even if there were past grievances, they should provide reinforcements!"

"If they can spare a couple of elders, Liangzhou should be able to hold on."

Hearing this, Gao Qingqing's trembling heart calmed slightly, but she still felt a cold chill throughout her body.

"I'll send a message to Second Sister and Fourth Sister to see if they can provide reinforcements."

Li Muxiu said after a moment of silence.

Both of them were married women, half a step out of the General's Mansion, with their own husbands and influence.

As direct descendants of the General's Mansion, they were not weak. Although not yet in the Four Establishments stage, they were at the peak of the Three Immortals stage.

In such a dire situation, asking them to risk their lives was difficult, but there was no other choice.

"Can we write to the Fifth Madam?" Gao Qingqing suddenly thought of something and quickly asked.

The Fifth Madam was from an older generation, and even Li Muxiu had to call her aunt.

She had long since retired to a normal life.

In her younger years, she was a renowned warrior who had slain countless demons, much like Li Hongzhuang now.

Li Muxiu hesitated for a moment, then said, "I will try."

With that, he got up and left.

He Jianlan sighed softly and said nothing.

"I will write to my father," said the Ninth Lady, Jiang Xian'er.

She was only betrothed to Li Junye, and after his death, she voluntarily married into the General's Mansion, dedicating herself to its affairs over the years.

He Jianlan looked at her, her expression gentle, and said, "We are too far from the Great Yu Province. By the time the letter arrives, it will be too late. If the real people of the Dao Palace have received the Eight Directions Command, it will be up to them to decide."

"It's still worth trying. Even if the reinforcements are late, they might still make a difference."

Jiang Xian'er said earnestly.

Hearing this, He Jianlan did not stop her. ... ...

Wuliang Mountain, Brahma's Pure Land.

In the spiritual mountain deep within the peaks, Lin Wujing held a purple-gold Eight Directions Command Flag and arrived at the Pure Land.

The purple-gold light streaked across the sky, illuminating the Brahma's Pure Land, visible to all.

"Lord Buddha, this is an urgent plea for aid from Liangzhou!"

Lin Wujing first bowed to the Lord Buddha, then calmly spoke.

The Immeasurable Buddha sat on a lotus platform, his expression serene and compassionate. He gently moved his fingers, and his eyes seemed to flash with golden patterns. After a moment, he said, "I am aware of Liangzhou's tribulation. This calamity also signifies that the karmic fire suppressed by our Great Yu Dynasty for three thousand years is finally about to erupt."

"Lord Buddha, what do you mean?"

"Slaughter, war, indulgence, desire... greed, anger, ignorance, all have tainted this prosperous era. The wheel of time turns, and karma cycles; this calamity cannot be avoided."

The Immeasurable Buddha said slowly, "There is a great menace behind the demon invasion, do not act rashly."

Lin Wujing's face changed slightly, realizing something.

The Immeasurable Buddha looked at the female Bodhisattva beside the lotus seat and said softly, "Miaoshan, take the command flag and go to Liangzhou to subdue the demons."

"Yes, Lord Buddha." The female Bodhisattva nodded gracefully.

"Remember, a Bodhisattva's compassion saves the world but does not save the suffering."

"The sea of suffering is boundless, caused by one's sins; only the True Buddha can save them."

The Buddha said softly.

The Bodhisattva understood, nodding in agreement.

To save the world was to spread kindness, but to save the suffering meant entering the sea of suffering oneself, pushing the boat to aid.

Buddha's words required comprehension.

...

...

Purple-gold light beams shot out from the sky over Liangzhou, difficult to intercept even by those in the Four Establishments stage.

This was the light of the Eight Directions Command Flag. When seen streaking overhead, the actual flag was already thousands of miles away.

At this moment, in the Eastern Frontier of Liangzhou.

With the combined efforts of Madam Yin and many demon kings, their concentrated power exploded, shattering the once impregnable formation!

As the formation shattered, the five thousand soldiers of the Yuanzi Battalion were all knocked unconscious. Some of the weaker soldiers died instantly, their heads buzzing, their souls drifting out.

Li Tiangang's pupils shrank as he saw the shattered formation's golden light and countless collapsing runes. At this moment, the entire eastern border defense truly fell!

The countless demons in the demon tide, seeing the shattered golden light, let out bloodthirsty, excited roars and charged forward.

The pressure on the defensive line surged. Countless arrows and attacks sank into the demon tide like stones into the sea, instantly submerged.

As the entire defensive line bore tremendous pressure, Li Tiangang faced ten demon kings, including Madam Yin, the Void Realm demon kings, the vine elder, and the two Dragon Gate demon kings. All their gazes were fixed on Li Tiangang.

"Li Tiangang!!"

Madam Yin's eyes were cold and fierce, her face cracking to reveal a hint of her true form. Beneath her cheekbone, a green eye opened.

"Die!!"

She raised her hand, and a claw of shadow wind howled through the air, growing to a thousand feet, threatening to tear the entire city wall apart!

Li Tiangang's face changed dramatically. The pill he had taken earlier had already released much of its power. He swung his blade in fury, but the claw covered his sword light. With a loud crash, his body was sent flying, smashing into the ground, creating a deep pit.

The impact was so strong that despite his armor and indestructible body, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Commander!"

Yuxuan, Li Fu, and other adjutants rushed over, shouting anxiously.

"Don't worry, they all must die!"

At this moment, the vine elder and other demon kings also flew into the territory, stepping into the skies over the eastern frontier of Liangzhou!

Yuxuan looked up. The ten demon kings were like ten blazing suns shaking the world. In this moment, everyone felt despair.

But after fighting alongside Li Tiangang for many years, though only at the Heavenly Man stage, he was battle-hardened.

"Commander, I fear we cannot hold this place!"

Yuxuan stood up and roared, "Commander, you must retreat. Let us buy you time."

With that, he exploded his meridians, releasing a surge of power.

At the same time, he ignited his soul, his whole body tearing apart as he unleashed a sky-piercing aura.

Li Tiangang's always calm and composed face finally changed.

"Commander, go!"

Nearby, many guards of the Legal Battalion rushed over, forming a formation in front of Li Tiangang.

Meanwhile, Yuxuan, burning with power like a sun, charged towards the ten demon kings!

"Mere ants!"

The vine elder glanced and sneered, casually whipping out a vine whip as thick as a hundred feet, smashing the roaring sun figure into oblivion with a loud crash.

It was like swatting a firefly.

How could a mere firefly compete with the moon?

"Yuxuan!!"

Li Tiangang's eyes almost popped out of their sockets, his divine blade blazing with fierce flames.

"Commander!"

Li Fu also stood in front of him, anxiously saying, "We can't hold this place. Our deaths don't matter, but you cannot die!"

"Stay calm, Commander!"

The other two adjutants also hurriedly said.

As they spoke, they stepped forward, knowing their low cultivation was no match, but as soldiers, how could they retreat?