144: Chapter 144 Spirit-Shattering Bullet!

General Wei Qing stared at the rows of Spirit-Breaking Bombs before him, which were wreathed in a faint spiritual light.

He could not help but stroke them over and over with his rough hands, his tiger-like eyes shining with astonishing brilliance.

His tone was filled with irrepressible amazement, and he was so excited that he became somewhat incoherent.

"Your Majesty, this... this is simply a peerless Divine Artifact!"

"With such a powerful weapon of mass destruction, what is there to fear from the natural barrier of the Hengduan Mountains?"

"Regardless of whether it is a precipitous mountain peak or a mysterious and complex natural Formation, in front of this thing, they are all just for show!"

"We can just bury these Spirit-Breaking Bombs at the base of the mountains, and with a single boom, everything will be blasted open, allowing the army to pass through with ease."

General Wei Qing had led troops in battle his entire life and understood the importance of such a Sharp Weapon for siege warfare better than anyone.

In the past, when attacking cities or breaking through mountains, he did not know how many soldiers had to be sacrificed.

Now, with these Spirit-Breaking Bombs, it was entirely possible to clear a path with zero casualties.

At this moment, the way he looked at the Spirit-Breaking Bombs was like a starving wolf eyeing a piece of fat meat.

He was even more confident in completing his mission.

Three days?

One day would be enough to blast a smooth path through the Hengduan Mountains.

Xia Chen nodded with a smile, a smug arc curling the corners of his mouth.

"That goes without saying. These Spirit-Breaking Bombs are the trump card I specifically prepared for you to open up the Hengduan Mountains; they are designed specifically to deal with such natural barriers."

"It is just that this thing is quite costly to produce."

"But then again, as long as we can successfully blast open the mountain road and reduce the casualties of our soldiers, everything is worth it!"

General Wei Qing felt a warmth in his heart, and his eye sockets grew slightly hot.

His Majesty had spared no expense to prepare such a Sharp Weapon for him.

This trust and high regard made him swear to complete his mission, even if it cost him his life.

He immediately knelt on one knee, his voice steady and firm.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this subject will certainly not fail the mission. Within three days, I will definitely open up the Hengduan Mountains, pave the way for Great Xia to move north, and will absolutely not let Your Majesty down!"

After speaking, General Wei Qing cupped his fists heavily towards Xia Chen, turned around, and strode away without the slightest hesitation.

Once outside the capital, he successfully rendezvoused with the Yulin Iron Cavalry summoned by Xia Chen.

He personally inspected the troops, arranged for the soldiers to transport the Spirit-Breaking Bombs in batches, and the entire army, in perfect order, marched majestically towards the Hengduan Mountains with an unstoppable Aura.

Standing on the side the whole time, General Huo Qubing gazed eagerly at those Spirit-Breaking Bombs, his eyes almost glued to them, unable to look away, feeling as itchy as if being scratched by a cat.

He was a natural god of war on the battlefield and understood the power of such a Divine Artifact better than anyone.

With this thing, the western expedition would be like a tiger gaining wings, allowing him to push through everything without any pressure.

Unable to resist any longer, he scurried over to Xia Chen's side, his tone full of flattery and eagerness.

He tugged on Xia Chen's sleeve, looking exactly like a child begging for candy.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

"You cannot just give the good stuff to Uncle alone!"

"Look at me; the western expedition has to fight Great Yong, and there are several powers in Cangwu, so there are plenty of tough battles ahead."

"Can you also give me some of these Divine Artifacts?"

"With these Spirit-Breaking Bombs, I guarantee I can punch through the entire west in one day, maximizing efficiency without wasting any time at all!"

Seeing General Huo Qubing's eager expression as he begged for weapons, Xia Chen could not help but burst into laughter.

He then reached out and patted his shoulder, shaking his head with helplessness and doting affection.

"You rascal, you are more anxious than anyone when it comes to fighting, and faster than anyone when it comes to grabbing weapons; you really cannot sit still for a moment."

"There is no stock of Spirit-Breaking Bombs left right now, so I really cannot equip you with them, but I will definitely save some for you next time."

As soon as these words were spoken, the anticipation on General Huo Qubing's face instantly collapsed.

The corners of his mouth drooped, his face crumpled into a ball, looking completely dejected.

He looked just like a child who did not get any candy and had their snacks stolen instead.

He radiated an Aura of grievance, which made Xia Chen unable to hold back a smile.

Seeing this, Xia Chen gave him a firm promise.

"But rest assured, as long as you successfully take down all the powers in the west and complete the western expedition mission perfectly, I will immediately exchange a batch of even stronger weapons for you, with power even more ferocious than the Spirit-Breaking Bombs!"

"At that time, let alone Spirit-Breaking Bombs, I will arrange whatever weapons of mass destruction you need, guaranteeing you a thrilling slaughter and a satisfying battle!"

Upon hearing this, General Huo Qubing was instantly revitalized.

The previous disappointment and grievance were swept away.

His eyes became incredibly fiery again, and his Battle Intent burned fiercely.

He suddenly straightened his back and knelt on one knee before Xia Chen.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! This subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations."

"Within three days, I will trample all the powers in the west and make those kings and leaders obediently come to the capital to bow and pay homage! This subject will set out now!"

As his voice fell, General Huo Qubing did not want to wait a moment longer.

He turned and strode away, rushing off to rendezvous with the one thousand Yulin Iron Cavalry left behind by General Wei Qing.

Clad in silver armor and holding a long spear, he vaulted onto his horse.

His posture was as straight as a pine, filled with Battle Intent and sharpness.

Leading the one thousand iron cavalry, he headed straight for the west.

The summit of Qingtian Mountain returned to tranquility once more; the mountain breeze blew by, fluttering Xia Chen's robes.

He looked down at the vast mountains and rivers beneath his feet, a smile of being in complete control curling the corners of his mouth.

...

...

The scene shifted to the territory of the Lingxiao Holy Dynasty.

As one of the five major first-class powers of the Lingxiao Holy Dynasty, the Ancient Zen Temple—

—had always been known as a pure land of Buddhism, with flourishing incense and countless believers.

In a desolate forest outside the mountain gate of the Ancient Zen Temple.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated; it should have been a place wreathed in clouds and mist, with the faint scent of incense drifting about, permeating everywhere with a solemn, peaceful, and tranquil atmosphere.

But at this moment, this forest was filled with a pungent, thick smell of blood, mixed with the sobbing sounds of a girl's despair.

It instantly tore apart this false tranquility, appearing exceptionally jarring and cruel.

A black-clad figure stood quietly in the forest.

His entire body was wrapped in thick black mist, emitting a cold and bone-chilling Aura.

He wore a hideous and terrifying bronze ghost mask on his face, revealing only a pair of eyes.

His gaze was as cold as ice and as deep as an abyss, as if it could see through all the falsehoods and ugliness in the world.

No need to guess; such a presence, filled with immense style and an intimidating Aura,

was none other than the Great Xia Grand Commander of the Buliangren, Yuan Tiangang.

He had originally been ordered to investigate the movements of the powers within the Lingxiao Holy Dynasty and happened to pass through this forest.

As soon as he approached, he heard the girl's crying and immediately stopped to investigate.

Before him, he saw a monk dressed in golden Zen robes, with a corpulent body and a face full of flabby flesh.

He was pinning down a raggedly dressed, frail girl.

His face was full of lewdness and greed, his eyes extremely filthy.

This person was none other than Arhat Tianchan of the Ancient Zen Temple, a genuine Heaven-Man Realm Great Perfection powerhouse.

He held a very high position within the Zen Temple and usually relied on the power of his Sect to act tyrannically, committing all kinds of evil, oppressing the common people, and frequently abducting innocent women.

Just as Arhat Tianchan was about to commit violence, he suddenly felt a bone-chilling cold Aura coming from behind him.

That Aura was so powerful that it made the hairs on his body stand on end, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, and even his Soul was trembling.

He turned his head abruptly, and after seeing clearly the ghost-masked Yuan Tiangang,

he was first startled, but then, relying on the fact that he was from the Ancient Zen Temple, a trace of ferocity flashed in his eyes.

He barked sternly, his bluster masking his inner cowardice.

"Where did this madman come from, daring to meddle in the affairs of my Ancient Zen Temple?"

"If you know what is good for you, get lost immediately and stop being an eyesore here, otherwise I will make sure you die without a burial place, not even leaving your bones behind!"

The gaze beneath Yuan Tiangang's ghost mask remained without the slightest ripple, just like looking at an ant struggling in its death throes.

"Are all the people from the Ancient Zen Temple of the Lingxiao Holy Dynasty this disgusting?"

"Wearing Buddhist robes, yet engaging in acts worse than beasts."