Volcanic Age

Weng'An Town, Guizhou Province.

There were around a thousand martial artists residing in Weng'An Town at all times. Four hundred belonged to the Martial Alliance and six hundred belonged to the Evil Valley.

"This is not the War of Factions, so why is Guizhou the only one still in conflict?" Zhuge Shengji mumbled in wonder.

The conflict was not a one-off thing either, and it had been going on for decades. It was sometimes intense, and other times not as much.

The power balance between the factions was keeping the whole martial world at peace, so Zhuge Shengji wondered why Guizhou was an exception to this.

"Guizhou is the line that separates Orthodox from Evil. Even if there's a truce between the two factions, it's obvious what will happen if there are martial artists eager to kill those of the other faction at the front lines."

Zhou Xuchuan answered Zhuge Shengji's question.

I've heard he's only interested in the art of trap mechanisms, and I see it's true. He knows nothing about the state of the martial world. Looks like I should teach him even if it means having him memorize everything. It'll be quite troublesome if he lacks common knowledge.

"Even if you try to hold everyone back, martial artists have complex relationships, filled with both grace and resentment. Powerful emotions paralyze reason and change them. This is the result of that."

"That trait is most evident in Guizhou. The chain of resentment is so deeply interconnected that no one can do anything about it. There's no one in this world who can resolve this, Mr. Genius."

"Ahem, a genius, you say. Your intentions are obvious, but it doesn't feel bad." Zhuge Shengji was grinning broadly.

Fufu, what a simpleton. Zhou Xuchuan inwardly smiled. A child was truly easy to handle.

"...Wait." Zhuge Shengji's smiling face turned gloomy. "I see how it is. You meant genius in the eccentric and weird sense. I guess that makes more sense if uncle sent you. He told you to tell me to give up on petty tricks like this, didn't he?"

Haa, there he goes again.

Zhuge Shengji had shown keen interest in the art of mechanisms since he learned how to read, and delved into the study despite the people around him telling him not to. The nagging from his family never ceased, leading to his loss of self-confidence.

His pessimistic thinking was problematic; because of all the insults he had heard, he never accepted compliments.

At first glance, he seemed simple and easy to console, but it was clear that no amount of compliment could overcome his pessimism.

"Little brother, just accept me already. You should know since you have ears, but I'm a pretty eccentric guy in Mount Hua myself. That chatterbox sect brother of mine should have told you already. Didn't you hear it?"

"No… you and uncle are the only ones who talk to me…" Zhuge Shengji replied powerlessly with apparent dejection in his eyes.

Normally, Zhuge Xiang would talk to him occasionally out of pity, but he went off with the members of Mount Hua. He was very eager to interact with the members of the Lotus Pavilion for the sake of the future relationship between the clan and the sect.

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Zhuge Xiuluan originally didn't really dislike Zhuge Shengji either; she just didn't talk much.

As such, the only ones who talked to him were Zhuge Xiao and Zhou Xuchuan, and even then, Zhuge Xiao would often nag him.

"That's so low of you to dump a load of information on me! Let's fight fair and square with lies and schemes!" Zhuge Shengji started talking nonsense.

From what I heard, he should have a frail heart, but I didn't know it would be this bad… Is he really the Posthumous Genius?

At this point, Zhou Xuchuan couldn't help but worry. He had never seen what Zhuge Shengji could do with mechanisms either, so he was slightly concerned about that as well.

No, forget it. Let's just believe in him. If I don't trust him, who else will this weirdo rely on? Zhou Xuchuan shook his head to get rid of his unease.

"What's wrong you? Are you out of your mind?" Zhuge Shengji distanced himself from him after seeing him act like that.

Zhou Xuchuan suddenly had the urge to hit him.

*

The martial artists in Weng'An Town were mostly from middle to small-sized sects. The one in command was a First-Class warrior from the Martial Alliance.

"Welcome!"

Wang Qi, the First-Class warrior, enthusiastically greeted the reinforcements when they arrived. He was that happy about their presence. He was so moved, almost to tears, when he heard that the Fourteenth Sword Hero would be arriving.

"We have heard the general situation, so explain," said Zhuge Xiao.

"Yes!"

Six hundred from the Evil Valley, four hundred from the Martial Alliance.

Those unaware might assume the Evil Valley had the upper hand after seeing those numbers. However, those who had some knowledge about the martial world would argue that it was the Martial Alliance who had the advantage.

The Evil Valley, rather, the Evil Faction as a whole, had an overwhelming numerical advantage over the Martial Alliance. However, that was it. Numbers were the only advantage they had.

One of the characteristics of evil cultivation arts was that the cultivation speed was really high, but it was really hard to break through each stage after reaching a certain level.

As such, the Evil Faction had many lower-ranked cultivators, but the number of mid and upper ranked cultivators they had were less than the Orthodox Faction. Despite their superiority in quantity, their lack of quality made it challenging to determine who had the upper hand.

"Are there any experts from the Evil Valley in Weng'An right now?" Qiu Feng asked directly.

A two-hundred-person disadvantage wasn't so significant that they would be pushed back. Forget losing, they might be able to win if they fought well. If there was a request for reinforcements despite that, it meant that they were at a disadvantage not solely of the numbers.

"Yes, there are three."

Hearing Wang Qi's response, the faces of both Qiu Feng and Zhuge Xiao stiffened.

"Oh, but there is no one at the level of an Absolute Realm expert. Please rest assured."

Martial artists had to be in the realm of Peak Realm to be called experts. Those at the Absolute Realm level were also called experts.

Those above them, as well as the top hundred most powerful Absolute Realm experts, usually had their own unique titles.

Hearing Wang Qi's words, Zhuge Xiao let out a breath of relief before snapping.

"You should start with that!"

It would be problematic if any of those three experts happened to be an Absolute Realm expert. Even Qiu Feng wouldn't be able to assure a victory.

However, if they were all Peak Realm experts, they could be dealt with, even if it was troublesome. Qiu Feng could handle all three of them by himself as long as there wasn't any interference.

"Good, then let's have a look at the situation first and decide our course of—" Zhuge Xiao tried to devise a plan as the strategist but was interrupted by a shout from a messenger.

"Urgent news!"

"What is it?"

"A battle has broken out with the Evil Valley nearby, and the Three-Headed Mad Dog are running amok at the front!"

"Three-Headed" didn't refer to someone with three literal heads. It referred to three men who had formed a pact of brotherhood and were committing all sorts of atrocious deeds. All three were Peak Realm experts.

"Looks like we won't have any time to rest." Qiu Feng sighed and stood up.

"Ah." Zhang Hong gulped, his face stiff with tension. Zhang Xuen was no different.

They might be members of the Mount Hua Sect, but anyone would be nervous during their first real battle.

"Please take care of these two." Qiu Feng asked the First-Class warriors of the Martial Alliance who came with them from Kaiyang town.

"Yes, great hero."

"Leave them to us."

Before leaving Kaiyang, they received orders from Shen Tujun to guard the members of the Lotus Pavilion in Qiu Feng's stead. Thanks to this, Qiu Feng felt relatively at ease.

"Two?" Zhou Xuchuan tilted his head.

"Hm, I'm sorry for not being able to tell you in advance." Before Qiu Feng left the barracks, he apologized to Zhou Xuchuan. "I really wish to take you there as well, but the current situation isn't good. The warriors that came with us from Kaiyang said they will be able to protect two, but not three. That's why I have no choice but to leave you behind, since you're the youngest."

There was no reason for him to make things dangerous by bringing Zhou Xuchuan along, so he had no choice even if Zhou Xuchuan was disappointed.

'Hmm, I was sort of looking forward to this. What a pity.'

He wanted to test out the martial arts that he had diligently trained. Back at the Lotus Pavilion, he occasionally sparred with Luo Xiayue in secret, but he never displayed his true skills.

As he had gotten an opportunity to participate in a battle, which would inevitably lead to confusion and chaos, he was planning to sneak out and fight alone.

Naturally, he had none of the fear and nervousness that Zhang Hong and Zhang Xuen were experiencing; Zhou Xuchuan had his fair share of battles in the Era of War and Chaos, though not as many as the heroes back then. In terms of real battle experience, not many could match up to him in the sect, including Qiu Feng.

The Era of War and Chaos wasn't called that for nothing. There were countless conflicts and battles.

"I made this decision in consideration for your safety, so don't resent me too much. I'm absolutely not looking down on you."

"I know, Senior Uncle. Thank you for looking out for me. It just can't be helped this time." Zhou Xuchuan nodded in understanding.

"I see you're all grown up despite being only twelve years old. Your master has really found a good disciple. Oh, the young boy from the Zhuge Family is also staying behind, so please look after him as the elder while we're away. I'll leave him to you."

"Yes, Senior Uncle. Please be careful out there. I'll pray for your victory."

*

About half a day's walk from Weng'An town was a place called Kai'An. It was an area with small villages. Kai'An was the border between the Martial Alliance and the Evil Valley, and numerous fights broke out there every single day.

The reinforcements that departed from Weng'An town arrived at Kai'An as fast as they could.

"Wow!"

"It's the Fourteenth Sword Hero!"

Cheers erupted among the cultivators of Martial Alliance at the sight of Qiu Feng. His presence here was just that influential. The cultivators from the Evil Valley even flinched back as a result.

Qiu Feng stepped forward and executed the Fourteen Sword Forms of the Plum Blossom. Befitting his cultivation of the Absolute Realm, his attacks were powerful. Wherever he passed, the cultivators of the Evil Valley screamed, blood spraying.

"Haha, they aren't anything much!" Zhuge Xiao laughed heartily as he watched him from the middle of the battlefield.

There was no need to devise a plan. The Fourteenth Sword Hero, as well as the reinforcements from Kaiyang displayed superior martial prowess compared to those from the Evil Valley.

"...Big brother," Zhuge Xiuluan called out to Zhuge Xiang, her eyes glued to the battlefield.

"Yes, I see it." Zhuge Xiang narrowed his eyes. He spoke before Zhuge Xiuluan said what was on her mind. "There's too little here."

Sweat formed on Zhuge Xiang's forehead.

"I can't tell exactly because of the chaotic battle… but the Evil Valley is lacking about a hundred to a hundred and fifty fighters."

Zhuge Xiang slowly turned to look behind him. He was looking in the direction of Weng'An Town.

"Uncle, it seems we have fallen into a trap. About a hundred to a hundred fifty are missing from our enemies."

"Hahaha, what are you saying? It seems you're mistaken because of your lack of experience. Just look at them. The Evil Valley can't even put up a proper fight and are dying left and right!"

Zhuge Xiang's expression turned gloomy, realizing that the situation wasn't as straightforward as it seemed.

Zhuge Xiao, as well as the army from Weng'An Town, couldn't see things properly because they were drunk on victory. They let their high morale overcome them and shouted at the cultivators of the Evil Valley.