Chapter 1286: 5: My Tao Lies Beneath My Sword

Capítulo 1286: Chapter 5: My Tao Lies Beneath My Sword

On the Divine Mountain, divine radiance cascaded down from the mountain peak like a waterfall.

The coronation ceremony for the new Khan, Suhe Renhe, had concluded.

In the presence of everyone, Qilian Guanshi crowned this nineteen-year-old Khan.

As he proclaimed, today the grassland welcomed a new king.

After the ceremony, Qilian Guanshi, the new Khan, several Red Robe Shamans, and the clan leaders of a dozen or so great families remained.

These individuals, standing at the pinnacle of the grassland’s hierarchy, convened a meeting inside the temple.

“The White Flame Army is heading towards Sakaze.”

A Red Robe Shaman reported the latest intelligence.

Sakaze, one of the Nine Great Cities of the Grassland.

Huyan Hetai and Huyan Poshan hail from this city.

“The soul lamp of Huyan Poshan has not been extinguished.”

Qilian Guanshi spoke.

Each Temple Shaman has a soul lamp placed on the Divine Mountain, symbolizing their status and allowing people to know their life or death and general whereabouts.

Previously, Huyan Poshan led an attack on Changgu City, only to be confronted by Li Fei, who suddenly arrived in the Eastern Territory. After that, he vanished without a trace.

Now, Qilian Guanshi says the soul lamp is still lit, suggesting a clear outcome—

Huyan Poshan has fallen into the hands of the Da Lan Dynasty and been captured alive.

“Huyan Shaman has been responsible for maintaining the City Defense Array of Sakaze…”

A clan leader from a family located in Sakaze couldn’t help but speak.

If Huyan Poshan is captured and vital secrets revealed, Sakaze will be defenseless against the White Flame Army!

Qilian Guanshi glanced at this clan leader, making him tremble in fear and silence.

The grassland people started as nomads, forming tribes around major surnames.

Hence, the great families on the grassland differ from gate valves in the Central Plains. Families consist not solely of individuals with the same surname but rather comprise smaller tribes gathering under major surnames, forming one large family.

The Suhe Family, as the Royal Family, naturally has many supporters, but following Qilian Guanshi’s bloody purge, more than half of the dozen great families on the grassland have changed their clan leaders!

Now, the clan leaders present all have a reverent fear of Qilian Guanshi.

“What are your thoughts on the White Flame Army?”

Qilian Guanshi asked.

“….”

A silence fell.

No one dared to speak.

“Your Majesty.”

Finally, a Red Robe Shaman spoke, “If you wish to fight, we are willing to swear our lives to follow!”

His words prompted the others to express:

“We are willing to swear our lives to follow!”

Qilian Guanshi’s gaze swept across each person’s face, proclaiming each word:

“Very well, I have decided to first evade their sharp edge.”

“…”

Another silence ensued, as everyone exchanged looks.

“Gather the elite forces, defend only three major cities, including the Royal City.”

Qilian Guanshi stated calmly.

These words, like a thunderbolt, shocked everyone at the scene into a change of color!

The grassland has only nine major cities, linking several temples and numerous family interests. Qilian Guanshi dares to abandon six major cities outright?

“Great Leader, this…”

The fear of Qilian Guanshi’s power could not suppress this sentiment:

“How can we retreat without battle? What will become of the civilians in the cities? The resources and wealth, will they all be handed over?”

Qilian Guanshi remained composed: “Our grassland men have always lived a nomadic life. Let the city’s civilians pick up their whips again and gallop across the grassland.”

“As for the resources and wealth in the cities, take as much as you can. Destroy what cannot be taken; leave nothing for the enemy.”

A clan leader of a great family couldn’t help but speak:

“Great Leader, you are already a Peak Strong Person. Combining with other strong warriors from the grassland, even against the White Flame Army and Marquis Jing’an, might we not win a battle? Why retreat this way?”

His words were followed by a few other clan leaders, voicing their opposition to Qilian Guanshi’s decision.

The grassland has a majority of nomads, over eighty percent of whom live outside the cities.

Yet, the twenty percent residing in the Nine Great Cities hold the greatest power of speech.

Qilian Guanshi’s decision most severely impacts the middle and upper-class elites of the grassland, naturally drawing staunch opposition!

“The reason for yielding is because yielding ensures ultimate victory.”

Qilian Guanshi knew he must provide a compelling reason; otherwise, his rule would face tremendous challenges:

“Tuoba Shanhai.”

He called out a name.

The brawny Tuoba Shanhai stepped forth from the crowd.

He is the top warrior of the grassland, the commander of the Sky Wolf Blood Riders, and also the clan leader of the Tuoba Family.

The new Khan, Suhe Renhe, looked at him with a complex expression.

He was once the most steadfast and trusted ally of the Suhe Family, now a ‘loyal dog’ of Qilian Guanshi.

If not for Tuoba Shanhai’s betrayal, the Royal Family would not have fallen so swiftly.

“Tuoba Shanhai, my warrior, tell everyone your condition.”

Qilian Guanshi instructed Tuoba Shanhai.

Tuoba Shanhai bowed to him, turning to face the crowd with a voice as vast as the mountains and seas:

“I am about to break through and become a Saint.”

A Saint, in the grassland, equates to a Peak Strong Person!

Whether Martial Saint or True Monarch, in the grassland, all are called Saints.

Boom—

These words were as shocking as Qilian Guanshi’s earlier intention to abandon six major cities!

Besides Qilian Guanshi, everyone gazed at Tuoba Shanhai with astonishment.

It’s been five hundred years since a Saint emerged on the grassland.

Now, with Qilian Guanshi, will there be another Martial Saint?

Destiny has spoken; the great trend of the world finally belongs to the grassland?!