Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 542 - 301: Changing Situation

Lu Xun's face showed a look of disappointment as he heard the words. It's often said that when one sees a virtuous person, one should strive to be like them. Having witnessed the profound righteousness spoken by the sages, he was sincerely convinced and wished to discuss the matters with them.

"Ha ha, the way of humanity is vast and boundless, the world you see is but a trivial corner of an immense universe. I have a library here that contains all the tomes of the human race from ancient times to the present, where you can read to your heart's content."

A look of joy appeared on Lu Xun's face, but he quickly remembered the purpose of his visit and asked with some anxiety, "Ancestor, my intention is to revitalize Great Chu. Please guide me through this maze of confusion."

"Revitalizing Great Chu is not something that can be accomplished overnight. You are still young; it is the time for the Hidden Dragon to remain in the abyss. You should stay on the mountain for a time to study." Lu Yu said softly as if making a plan for Lu Xun's future.

Lu Xun agreed, knowing that for beings like his ancestor, every word and action had a reason. If Lu Yu said the time was not yet ripe, then it certainly was not.

Thus, under the arrangements of Lu Yu, Lu Xun and his party dutifully stayed at Mountain Luoxia. Lady Qing was extremely delighted to have such a Cave Heaven and Blessed Earth to cultivate in, something she had never even dared dream of before. And because of his Divine Power, Chen Xiong was taken into special regard by Liu Qingyun and began to receive careful instruction.

Meanwhile, the outside world had descended into utter chaos. Since the main force of the Rebel Army entered the Central Region, they had headed straight for the Noble Families and Clans at an unimaginable speed. Countless Noble Families and Clans were slaughtered. By the time the following armies arrived, they saw nothing but devastation, a blow that greatly undermined the prestige of the Noble Families.

As a result, the whole world suddenly erupted into flames and smoke. The actions of the Rebel Army provided a viable plan for famished people who were at the end of their rope – to take grain from the Noble Families and Clans.

Without the protection of the Imperial Court, the scattered Noble Families began to face the greatest crisis of the past thousand years. Many Noble Families were obliterated amidst this turmoil. Those who had given countless emperors of Great Chu headaches were now gradually heading towards their demise.

Circumstances make heroes, and soon after arose the time of competing lords. As the waves sift the sand, the weaker Noble Families gradually disappeared, while the stronger ones seized this opportunity to step onto the stage of history, beginning their own era.

However, the Rebel Army was like an irremovable sticky plaster, constantly looming over the heads of the Noble Families and Clans. They were like a swarm of locusts, endlessly gnawing at the lands and wealth of the Noble Families, slaughtering the Children of Noble Families. In their eyes, there was no compromise or surrender, only a bitter struggle of life and death fueled by enmity and strife.

By then, the stronger Noble Families could no longer ignore the crisis. They started a new round of alliances, and their powerful armies began to assemble, preparing to surround the Rebel Army ravaging the Central Plains.

At this moment, the leader of the Rebel Army had already become gravely ill. The long and rapid marches had completely worn down his body. Now he had lost the authority and vigor of the past, becoming weak and listless.

As he lay in bed, looking at the concerned gazes of his leaders, he felt only coldness in his heart. He knew they didn't want him to die, not because they cared for him, but because the current situation urgently needed someone who could command the overall situation. Once he died, this army would immediately disintegrate.

"The Noble Families are coming at us fiercely, and for us, it's a matter of life and death. Yet, you have become like this. Could this be a sign that heaven wants to destroy us?" Someone whispered gently in the middle-aged man's ear.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man slowly opened his eyes and glanced around at those present. With his feeble voice, he said, "The might of the Noble Families is great; if we choose to clash head-on, it would only lead to our self-destruction. The best strategy now is to feign to the east and attack in the west."

"I am a dying man, and I will do one last thing for you. In a while, you will give me a portion of your forces, and I will lead a breakout to draw their main force while the rest of you find an opportunity to break through from another direction. After that, it's up to you."

Once the middle-aged man had spoken these words with his dying breath, all those present had their eyes brighten. They looked at the man lying on the bed, their faces revealing an expression of joy.

In truth, they privately thought this plan was the best option, but out of respect for his prestige, they dared not speak it. Now that the middle-aged man himself had voiced it, no wonder they were overjoyed.

The middle-aged man waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave and prepare. The entire tent fell silent, with only a candle burning quietly, its light illuminating the not-so-spacious space.

The middle-aged man stared at the nearly burnt-out candle, deep in thought. After a long while, he let out a soft sigh. The army that he had gathered from the very beginning had gone through countless hardships with him, accompanying him from a commoner to his current status. Yet, at some point, these familiar faces had become more and more foreign to him.

Now, they even seemed unrecognizable to him. The greed and desire was evident in those familiar eyes, no different from those of the Children of Noble Families who once exploited them. In fact, they were even more vicious. He couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh and murmured, "Unbeknownst to me, they've also become what I once hated the most, perhaps even more ruthless. But this is good. Let them smash this old world to pieces."

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The next day, the scouts of the Noble Families were astonished to find that the previously dormant Rebel Army had suddenly become active, especially the movement of the Commander's banner, which moved rapidly. Everyone realized that the Rebel Army had begun their breakout.