The Mysterious Ming Dynasty: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Chapter 70 Dragon Transformation Pool, Eight Heavenly Dragons

"Please rise."

Si Chen stepped off the treasure ship from the void, reaching out to help everyone stand up. His immense spiritual energy helped everyone to their feet.

The Dinghai slowly lowered its mast and the sails made of dragon whales.

At the same time, the sides open wide, with green vines woven into steps that stretch all the way to the sea.

The righteous followers were awakened, silently donned their armor, summoned the celestial horses, and galloped down from both sides, spreading out in a white line along the seashore.

The paladins, clad in black robes, linen garments, and silver masks, lagged behind.

Jiazi gazed at the crowd of people on the dock.

My first impression was that it was dirty.

It's so dirty.

There has probably been no normal business activity here for a long time; resources are scarce, and there is a lack of entertainment.

Although the crowd was enthusiastic, it was still clear that they had long since become numb to it.

Such an army would probably only be formed after extreme disappointment.

Moreover, it contains a large number of people.

It wasn't a horse girl like the Feathered Scale Guards, but a monster with four hooves and over three meters tall, a distant relative of the horse girls.

"Let the paladins stay on the ship."

"Don't get into a conflict with them."

Jia Chen nodded silently, then turned to look at the paladins. "You should know what's important."

The paladins silently sheathed their silver blades of vengeance.

If it's for the sake of climbing the social ladder, they can endure it for the time being.

The silent paladin nuns retreated back into the shadows.

Jiazi twirled his sword, mounted his horse, and said, "I'll dismount now."

The Dinghai has slowly retracted its vines and is carefully cleaning the parasitic creatures on its hull. Keeping it clean is a basic requirement for every Taoist priest.

The six-legged celestial horse couldn't wait to fly out of the hatch.

The cabin was plunged into darkness.

Si Chen and Wu Sangui have already headed towards Juehua Island.

Juehua Island is a spindle-shaped island with one large and one small section. It features beautiful rocks, ancient trees, and several temples.

There are also warehouses occupying a quarter of the island's eastern side.

The ground is paved with thick stone slabs, and there are many houses at the foot of the mountain, all of them low stone houses.

It's very cold here; every samurai has frostbite on his body.

They covered themselves up completely.

They don't have such luxurious means; using psychic energy for warmth would be tantamount to killing themselves.

Because every bit of strength here must be used on the blade.

Xu Wenjue lagged slightly behind, standing to the left of Si Chen. The silver-armored general Jiaxu held the flag, the red-armored general Jiashen grasped the mace, the blue-armored general Jiawu held the pagoda, and the white-armored general Jiayin held the book.

There were barricades, trenches, and cannons on the riverbank.

And there were hungry, menacing warriors, their eyes seemingly shining.

They probably heard many rumors about Si Chen.

We have too many unrealistic hopes for them.

Perhaps it was because Si Chen had also been a military household in Ningyuan.

Their shared origins led the warriors to have a high degree of recognition and expectation for Sichen.

The western side of Juehua Island is a small island with high mountains and craggy rocks. The connecting part is sheltered from the wind and faces the sun, and there are many houses there.

There were many chimneys, and it was the first time I had felt the warmth of daily life since arriving in western Liaoning.

At the foot of the mountain, rows of houses are dotted with gray heads. The people here, like this land, consider every bit of color a luxury.

The war destroyed this place.

At least Si Chen could see that many relics remained on the ground.

And houses buried by wind and snow.

Even Wu Sangui's residence was quite inconspicuous; one could only judge its worth by the thickness and neatness of the stone walls and whether the chimney emitted smoke.

Wu Sangui looked at Si Chen, who was gazing at the scene with sorrow in his eyes, remaining silent and indifferent.

Pass through two doors.

The sound of wind and snow suddenly fell silent.

"Great and wise teacher, I am honored to have you in my humble abode. I have been poor in my hospitality." He lifted the thick straw curtain and pushed open the sheepskin door, revealing a brightly lit room.

The room was steaming hot, and the kang (heated brick bed) was scalding hot.

"This is already very good for me." Si Chen sat cross-legged on the kang without any hesitation.

"You invited me here."

"Now, I have arrived."

Wu Sangui: "I never expected that a letter would bring you two from so far away."

He turned his gaze to Xu Wenjue.

After all, this person was even more unexpected to him.

Judging from his appearance just now, it was clear that he had already...

Xu Wenjue: "When entrusted with a task, one should be loyal to that person."

Wu Sangui turned his gaze to Si Chen and said, word by word, "The soldiers of the Guan Ning Army are only trying to survive."

"Is it really that difficult?" Si Chen couldn't help but frown.

The situation here seems worse than I imagined.

Wu Sangui took a deep breath. "Ningyuan is now an isolated city. From Shanhaiguan to Ningyuan, all the garrisons, fortresses, and post stations along the way have been completely wiped out, and the city has been without food for three days."

"Where is Zheng Lian's fleet?"

"Their demands are too high; we can't afford them, and we don't want to. We're already incredibly lucky to have managed to keep the army."

Si Chen closed his eyes, released his spiritual energy, and scanned the entire island. In an instant, he had a ten-mile radius under his control. "What can you give me?"

The army here is like a volcano.

The menacing aura of the military formation was actually directed towards Wu Sangui, the military commander.

The most crucial point is that they have indeed run out of food here.

He could sense only one emotion here: hunger.

These people were so hungry their eyes were practically glowing green. They stared blankly at the people outside, as if they were looking at food.

The samurai could still endure it, but the people had already collapsed.

Wu Sangui: "We have nothing."

Xu Wenjue remained silent, closed his eyes, and waited quietly.

Si Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the table and sighed, "No, you do."

Talent is fundamental.

Si Chen won't come to their rescue until they reach this desperate situation. As long as the imperial court's principles and destiny remain intact, there is still hope here.

Si Chen turned to the door and ordered, "Open the hold and release the grain."

Jiazi cupped his hands and said, "Yes, sir!"

Wu Sangui's expression froze. No conditions? So kind! "Great Teacher, is that really so?"

Everything has a price.

This is the only exception.

If this situation continues to spread, those people may no longer be considered human.

He wanted a group of people who recognized reality, not a pack of hungry beasts or depraved demons.

Wu Sangui breathed a deep sigh of relief.

It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

He was actually already curing human flesh.

Si Chen changed the subject, "Tell me about the Jiannu."

The shouts of warriors and commoners could be heard outside.

The pure white grain represents the hearts of the people.

It instantly calmed the tense atmosphere here.

Wu Sangui touched the tiger tally, which was gradually getting cold, and sighed in his heart. Now, the roles of offense and defense have been reversed. He didn't ask for anything; this was a way of showing favor to his subordinates and winning their hearts. "Recently, they have gathered at Yiwulü Mountain."

Si Chen asked, "What are they doing on Yiwulü Mountain? Could it be that the evil god is up to something again?"

Wu Sangui paused for a moment, then said, "It is said to be a Dragon Transformation Pool. The people of the various Xia are all descendants of dragons, and they want to use the blood of all people to forge a ladder to godhood."

"The flesh and blood of three million Han Chinese in Liaodong are all forged there."

"The new Eight Banners are the Eight Heavenly Dragons."