Immortality Begins With Internal Breathing

So fast!

Lin Zheyu’s heart jolted in shock. He had thought that with so many reinforcements sent to the front, the situation would stabilize, but he never expected the rebel army to advance all the way to Baohe City.

The Lu siblings, who had once contributed to his first large sum of money, were from Baohe City. Baohe City was not far from Songyi City, and only two cities lay between them. If Baohe City fell, then at the rebel army’s current pace, it would soon be Songyi City’s turn.

”Yes, it’s far too fast. It’s unbelievably fast, just like a storm sweeping aside dead branches.” Xu Qinyi sighed as he spoke.

Great Wei had been powerful for centuries, and they had long grown accustomed to that strength. They had believed that once the reinforcements were dispatched after the New Year, the front lines would hold. None of them had expected the Great Wei army to be so easily defeated by the rebel forces.

”You mean the City Lord has gone to the front lines?” asked Lin Zheyu.

”Most likely. My father says many powerful experts have appeared among the rebel ranks. Though the front line has vast numbers of soldiers, it is severely lacking in top-level experts. Even with the support of military formations, that gap in top-level power cannot be bridged. That is why the defeat came so swiftly.

”The Xing Family has been scheming behind the scenes, using the Nine Nether Sect to probe the City Lord’s bottom line step by step, but the City Lord has shown no reaction. My father and the others began to suspect that the City Lord is no longer in Songyi City,” said Xu Qinyi.

He had only come to understand much of this after hearing Xu Jingwu’s explanation. The reason the Nine Nether Sect was able to develop steadily in Lion Valley and openly recruit refugees was that the City Lord was preoccupied and had no time to deal with them. Otherwise, given Great Wei’s hatred for demonic sects, the Nine Nether Sect would have been annihilated the moment it appeared.

”If that’s the case, then we must start planning to leave Songyi City as soon as possible,” said Lin Zheyu with a frown.

He had been quite comfortable here and had planned to remain until he perfected the eighth stage of the Golden Goose Technique and reached the fourth transformation of blood qi. He had not expected the rebel army to shatter that plan.

”My father and the others are already preparing to leave Songyi City. The plan is to set out within a month and move to Bafang City in batches. Brother Lin, you should come with us when the time comes!” Xu Qinyi said as he looked at Lin Zheyu.

It would be impossible to bring every member of the Feihong Gang with them. Most of the Feihong Gang’s members had families and relatives in Songyi City, and convincing them to leave would not be easy.

Even if Songyi City were to fall, ordinary people would not necessarily lose all means of survival. Relocating their entire families might not be a better choice than staying. Only esteemed families and wealthy merchants like them needed to worry about having their wealth seized and land redistributed. When the Xu Family relocated, they could only bring along the skilled individuals willing to leave with them.

”Can you give me a few days to think about it?” Lin Zheyu paused for a moment and said, ”I want to speak with Senior Brother Han and see what his plans are. If he’s short on manpower, I may need to go and lend a hand.”

Lin Zheyu was closer to Han Mo. After all, he was his senior brother. Moreover, Senior Brother Han Mo had only just begun to rise in influence. His strength was still far below that of the Xu Family, so he would likely need Lin Zheyu’s help more.

”We’re not leaving that soon. As long as you make your decision before we depart, that will be enough,” said Xu Qinyi.

He did not blame Lin Zheyu. Leaving Songyi City was a major decision. In reality, not many people would likely choose to follow them. Besides, Lin Zheyu was going to help his senior brother. Compared to his ties with the Xu Family, his bond with Han Mo was much closer.

”For this one month before we leave, you must be careful. After learning that the rebel army had taken Baohe City and suspecting that the City Lord is no longer here, the Xing Family has become even more reckless. They have their eyes on you now. I’m worried they might make a direct move against you,” said Xu Qinyi, cautioning Lin Zheyu.

”Mm, I’ll be careful.” Lin Zheyu nodded.

With his current strength, it would take at least a third transformation Blood Qi Realm expert to pose a threat to him. Though the Xing Family was powerful, they did not have many experts of that level. Lin Zheyu did not believe they would dispatch such a powerhouse just to deal with a minor figure like him.

***

Morning.

Lin Zheyu arrived early at the Han residence. Han Mo was in the backyard, cultivating the Ten Thousand Troop Steps technique. When he saw Lin Zheyu arrive, he stopped his training and walked over to the pavilion.

”Is there something urgent?” asked Han Mo. He had known Lin Zheyu for quite some time, yet he had never seen him visit so early in the morning.

”Senior Brother, I received word from the Xu Family that the rebel army has already taken Baohe City. What are your plans now?” asked Lin Zheyu.

”What? The rebel army has taken Baohe City? So quickly? How is that possible?” Han Mo couldn’t help but cry out, clearly unaware of this news.

”I heard it from Young Master Xu Qinyi as well. They have business in Baohe City, so the information should be accurate,” said Lin Zheyu.

Han Mo stood up and began pacing back and forth. Unlike Lin Zheyu, Han Mo had a family to think about. It was not just his wife and children, but a whole extended household to worry over.

”Senior Brother, if necessary, you can evacuate with the Xu Family,” said Lin Zheyu, giving his suggestion. The roads swarmed with bandits and were fraught with danger. Evacuating alongside the Xu Family would be a much safer choice.

”No, it’s not time to evacuate yet. There are still two cities between us, and the rebels may not break through them. Besides, as a centurion of the City Guard, I draw on Great Wei’s pay; I must serve Great Wei and suppress the rebellion. Deserting before battle is a grave military offense and would be treated as treason,” said Han Mo as he shook his head.

He wanted to leave, too, but he couldn’t. Even trying to send his wife and children away would be troublesome, as it could easily be seen as a sign of desertion.

Han Mo frowned and spoke after a moment’s thought. ”If you decide to leave, then go on your own. If the city can no longer hold, I’ll withdraw along with the army.”

He couldn’t leave, not even with his family. As a member of the City Guard, his identity was sensitive. Attempting to evacuate could easily brand him a deserter. The Xing Family faced the same problem. Controlling nearly a third of the City Guard, most of their family members had no way to leave and could only smuggle out a small number of people. That was why they had become so ruthless in their attempts to strengthen the family as quickly as possible.

”Alright. If you need anything, just say the word. By the way, I obtained a few Blood Pills from some bandits before. They can help someone at the peak of the Organ Forging Realm break directly into the Blood Qi Realm. See if you need them. If you do, I can give you two,” Lin Zheyu said some thinking.

”You even managed to get Blood Pills?” said Han Mo in surprise. But he didn’t press for details. Everyone had their secrets, and he felt that his junior brother was someone blessed with great fortune.

”Sell me two, then. I’ll pay forty taels of gold for each. Don’t refuse, now. Blood Pills are far more valuable than you think, especially in times like these,” Han Mo said after a moment’s hesitation.

He wasn’t buying them for himself. Han Mo was confident he could reach the Blood Qi Realm within a month. The pills were for his family members and household guards. Raising the strength of those around him would make their safety far more secure.

”Do you need more? I still have two extras. I was planning to keep them as a backup, but if you need them, I’ll give them to you too,” said Lin Zheyu after a brief pause.

”In times like these, I won’t stand on ceremony. Sell them all to me!” Han Mo nodded and accepted without hesitation. The rebel army’s advance filled him with a sense of crisis. Only by quickly strengthening his family’s power could they hope to survive the coming chaos.

”Alright!”

Lin Zheyu nodded, pulled a bottle containing the Blood Pills from his robe, and handed it over. He had already considered the possibility that Han Mo would not be able to leave, given how sensitive his position was.

He had also brought along several poison powders.

”Senior Brother, would you like some poison powders? I have some here, and I can leave them with you as backup,” said Lin Zheyu.

Although his strength had reached the second transformation of blood qi, in the face of an army, he was still just a slightly larger ant. This was all Lin Zheyu could do. As for the outcome, it would ultimately depend on his senior brother’s fortune.