Chapter 456: Chapter 52: Cultivators Flee
Inside the Lie Mountain Tribe.
Ma Shihuang and Chi Songzi sat in a room, staring at each other in silence.
Until Ma Shihuang spoke: "It seems we have no choice left. I didn’t expect the Common Lord to be so stubborn."
"The Lie Mountain Tribe is about to be annexed, yet he still refuses to join the Youxiong Tribe." Chi Songzi also shook his head, but he was considered familiar with Shennong.
He knew well that Shennong’s personality was like this; otherwise, he wouldn’t have tasted all the herbs to create the Medicine Immortal Path.
Although this move made him break through to a True Immortal, it also left him perpetually poisoned, unable to heal even himself.
Ever since Shennong became the Common Lord, the Lie Mountain Tribe has been fully searching for a way to heal Shennong.
Yet thus far, it has proven elusive.
"There’s nothing we can do; he is the Common Lord. Even if the Lie Mountain Tribe is annexed, his status in the Jiuli Tribe will not be low."
"The Common Lord is naturally not anxious; even if Jiuli eventually becomes the Common Lord, they must still respect him."
"But we are different." Ma Shihuang took a deep breath, "Once we’re annexed by Jiuli, those people there certainly won’t grant us a high status."
It’s likely they’d send us to battle the Youxiong."
"They would be pleased to see that, while the Human Immortals within the Youxiong Tribe are not few. This time, as I go."
"Although the Youxiong Tribe did suffer losses, their chances of defeating Jiuli are much greater than those of Lie Mountain."
Chi Songzi’s face showed a hint of hesitation; not long ago, Ma Shihuang suddenly sought him out to discuss breaking away from Lie Mountain.
He planned on defecting to Youxiong during the time before Youxiong defeated Jiuli.
Leaving Chi Songzi astonished, causing him to wonder if Ma Shihuang had been poisoned to speak such nonsense.
They were Human Immortals, second only to one person in the Lie Mountain Tribe, above all others.
Managing many of Lie Mountain Tribe’s resources, suddenly fleeing to Youxiong at this time.
Isn’t that madness?
But after listening to Shen Yao’s numerous analyses given to Ma Shihuang, Chi Songzi realized that if they wanted to maintain their relatively high status.
Then indeed, defecting to Youxiong now was the best choice, as the big ship of Lie Mountain was on the brink of sinking.
Moreover, the takeover of the ship wouldn’t involve any favorable relations, almost to the extent that if spotted in the wilderness.
One might even consider plotting against each other.
Ma Shihuang continued: "This is already our last opportunity.
If we wait for Jiuli to completely attack, we will have no chance to break away."
"Besides, the Common Lord ordered us to lead troops to block Jiuli. Do you think now, after Gonggong and Zhurong joined Jiuli."
"Can we still hold them back?"
"Nevertheless, currently, we still have reasons to gather resources and troops, all heading towards Youxiong."
"And even if Lie Mountain eventually joins Youxiong, we have Xuanyuan as backer; even if the Common Lord knows we’ve joined Youxiong earlier."
"He would merely hold some grudges, yet by then Xuanyuan would be the Common Lord."
"Moreover, you also understand the Common Lord’s situation..."
Ma Shihuang reminded Chi Songzi, who knew Ma Shihuang meant that it’s likely the Common Lord cannot hold out until then.
Even though True Immortals achieve Enlightenment of True Self, making them hard to perish.
The Common Lord’s injury is a Dao Injury; he became a True Immortal from this, and the ’Soulbreaking Aconite’ is not merely about poison anymore.
It’s imprinted all over the Common Lord’s body, even the ’True Self’ carries the poison.
This is why over many years, the Common Lord has been unable to heal, and instead, grows more critically injured.
But Chi Songzi recalled the scene when Shennong once pleaded for the Dao in front of him.
Though he’s now Shennong’s vassal, they were truly like master and disciple.
Moreover, Shennong has never treated him unfairly over the years.
Seeing Chi Songzi still indecisive, Ma Shihuang said: "Do you really want to be captured by Jiuli’s men, then forget about cultivating.
You might not even ensure your own life."
"You know, when Jiuli was in the Mufu Mountain Range, they didn’t intend to recruit you but planned to kill you outright."
"It shows Jiuli aims to exterminate the Cultivator Forces."
"Do you really want to forgo your Dao for the sake of sentiment over these years?"
This statement brought back memories for Chi Songzi of moments in the Mufu Mountain Range, shocking his mind.
What he knew was that when Gonggong was first captured, he was released by Jiuli.
Further proof, as Zhurong and Gonggong both joined Jiuli, indicates that Jiuli intended to recruit Gonggong and Zhurong.
They likely planned this far in advance, yet in the Mufu Mountain Range at that time.
If he hadn’t seen the situation unfavorable, acted decisively, abandoned everyone, employing Secret Techniques to merge with the clouds to escape.
He could have died in the Mufu Mountain Range.
This clearly showed Jiuli had no intent to recruit them from the start.
This realization.
Prompted Chi Songzi, once hesitant, to decisively nod in agreement, saying: "What you say is absolutely right, so let’s quickly prepare."
Ma Shihuang finally smiled slightly and said: "Very well, then let’s swiftly prepare."
Soon after.
Lie Mountain regrouped its forces, this time with true grandeur, having previously tasted failure.
The military leaders were Chi Songzi and Ma Shihuang.
Chi Songzi glanced around, turning to Ma Shihuang with a furrowed brow: "Why is Shen Yao nowhere to be seen."
Ma Shihuang whispered: "He has connections in the Youxiong Tribe and plans to head there first to negotiate."
The Medicine Ancestor naturally went into temporary hiding until Ma Shihuang and others escaped before returning to Lie Mountain.
He couldn’t possibly go to Youxiong, although he could infiltrate with Ma Shihuang and others as an inside operative.
Compared to Lie Mountain, at least the Medicine Ancestor didn’t detect any professionals; perhaps the professionals that joined Lie Mountain were unreachable for him.
No one would find his peculiarities.
If he joined Youxiong, as the master suggested, those from the Heavenly Pride Club in Youxiong might have already connected to Youxiong’s high echelons.
If he tagged along and was discovered.
Everything could have been for naught.
Even unable to act as an undercover agent.
Chi Songzi nodded, "In that case, let’s embark."
In their brief time, they found various excuses to prepare numerous supplies and maneuvered their faction’s forces.
The reasons were legitimate: Jiuli is an unprecedented enemy, even if the Common Lord intends to test them.
Lie Mountain must exert every effort, and Ting Yao did not oppose this after being informed.
Soon after.
The army led by Chi Songzi and Ma Shihuang departed from Lie Mountain, advancing towards the Han River.
Soon after.
Lie Mountain Tribe quickly received news that Ma Shihuang and Chi Songzi had led many cultivators to retreat with the army.
Vanishing without a trace, along with numerous supplies gone.
When the news reached Lie Mountain, both there and among its many subordinate tribes, an uproar erupted.
