Chapter 1693 : Mortal Affairs

Manor Lord Willow Catkin shook his head, then looked at a general before him and said, "General Liu, our Willow Catkin Manor has always remained aloof from worldly strife. Why have you descended upon us with such a formidable army today?"

"Hmph."

General Liu let out a cold sneer before speaking. "With rebels wreaking havoc across the land, the imperial court still lacks sufficient silver to quell the chaos."

"We have come under orders in the hope that Manor Lord Bai might contribute some funds and provisions."

Manor Master Willowbrows furrowed his brow slightly before replying, "Since it's about silver, that can certainly be discussed. May I ask how much grain and funds the General requires?"

General Liu chuckled darkly and immediately declared, "1 100 1000 taels of silver, plus 3,000 dan of grain will suffice."

Manor Lord Willowbloom’s expression shifted slightly before he replied, “Even with a century’s worth of accumulation, my Willowbloom Manor cannot produce such vast quantities of coin and grain. Might the General consider showing some leniency?”

"Make an exception?"

General Liu let out a lecherous chuckle and said in a sinister tone, "There might just be a way. I've long heard that Lady Bai of Willow Catkin Manor is hailed as the foremost beauty of the Northern Martial Continent."

"If you surrender him to me, I shall halve your tribute of coin and grain."

"Impossible."

Manor Master Liu Xu turned icy in an instant and declared coldly, "It seems the General truly has no desire to negotiate."

The general had anticipated Willow Manor Lord’s reaction long before. With a composed tone, he remarked, “Manor Lord Bai, as an Innate Grandmaster, ranks among the 10 Great Innates of the Northern Martial Continent. He is truly a peerless powerhouse of this world.”

"I have come prepared today, naturally."

As the words fell, General Liu gave the order, and dozens of giant crossbows fired in their direction.

These crossbow bolts were nearly 10 feet long—they resembled spears more than arrows, capable of piercing even the protective aura of an innate grandmaster.

"You're courting death."

In an instant, a faint chill crossed Manor Lord Willow Catkins' expression as he instantly transformed into several afterimages, darting forward with such precision that he narrowly evaded countless crossbow bolts.

Not only that, but in the blink of an eye, after evading several phantoms, Manor Lord Liu Xu instantly tore through the void and charged deep into the enemy ranks. In a matter of moments, he had already slain over a dozen soldiers.

"The Willow Catkin Drifting with the Wind movement technique is truly extraordinary."

Witnessing this scene, General Liu let out an admiring sigh before clapping his hands with a hearty laugh. "Come! Let Manor Lord Bai experience the prowess of my Heaven-Spanning Net!"

No sooner had his words faded than he waved his hand once more, casting a heaven-shrouding net that descended toward Manor Master Liu Xu.

The master of Willow Mist Manor sought to retreat, but in that very instant, dozens of crossbow bolts tore through the air, completely cutting off his path of escape.

"Damn it."

Manor Lord Willow Catkins' heart skipped a beat as a profound sense of foreboding washed over him.

Yet in that very instant, a figure stepped forth, intercepting the dozens of crossbow bolts.

Zhu'er.

Zhu Lang.

In that very instant, both Bai Susu and Manor Lord Liu Xu let out cries of shock, reluctantly opening their eyes.

In the next instant, amid a series of clinking sounds, the crowd saw Chen Xianzhu standing perfectly still, with dozens of crossbow arrows scattered across the ground.

"How is that possible?"

General Liu gasped in astonishment, his face etched with disbelief.

Manor Lord Willow Catkin also breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but remark, "The Indestructible Diamond Body Art?"

"Impossible! Even the Indestructible Diamond Body Art shouldn't be able to withstand so many Arcane-Piercing Bolts."

At that very moment, Chen Xianzhu turned around with undisturbed composure, his gaze icy as it fell upon General Liu.

Throughout his life, no 1 had ever provoked such intense killing intent from him. Even when besieged by several Celestial Immortals in the past, he had merely felt disdain—never this overwhelming thirst for annihilation.

For in this world, the only 1 he cared about was Bai Susu (Person Name). Since this person before him dared to scheme against her, he was courting death.

"Die—!"

In the blink of an eye, Chen Xianzhu struck. Wielding an iron staff, he swung it down fiercely. Several soldiers tried to block the blow, but along with over a dozen others, they were sent flying through the air.

In just a few exchanges, nearly a 100 warriors had fallen, their bodies and steeds alike shattered to pieces.

General Liu’s heart turned to ice, and he immediately cried out, “Stop him! He must have a weak point somewhere on his body.”

But the soldiers were utterly terrified and dared not stand against Chen Xianzhu, scattering in a frantic rush. With his iron staff in hand, Chen Xianzhu carved a path of carnage through the chaos, ultimately slaying General Liu not far away.

The battle lasted merely half a ke, yet Chen Xian had already slain over 1,000 of the 3,000-strong army, scattering the remainder into desperate retreat.

After the event, the master of Willow Villa exclaimed in astonishment, remarking, "With your indestructible Vajra body, I fear even a Divine Ability Venerable might not be your match."

Chen Xianzhu said no more. He held Bai Susu close, comforting her for a long while before speaking plainly, "In these tumultuous times, adversity abounds. Natural disasters and man-made calamities follow 1 after another, leaving the common people with no means of survival."

"I cannot control the celestial calamities, but now I wish to rein in the man-made disasters—to carve out a breath of life for all mortal souls under heaven."

Manor Lord Liu Xu fell silent for a long moment before nodding slowly. "The dragon mark upon your body signifies you are a true dragon descended to the mortal realm," he said. "It is only fitting that you are destined for greatness."

Chen Xianzhu shook his head. The mortal imperial authority of this realm meant nothing to him—he truly happened to be passing by and wished to seek a glimmer of hope for the common people.

However, he offered no explanation, merely using the resources of Willow Manor to recruit a group of soldiers.

With the financial and grain support from Willow Villa, Chen Xianzhu soon recruited 800 soldiers. Leading these troops across the land, he spearheaded every battle himself.

In every great battle, none could withstand his onslaught. In merely 3 months, he conquered the entire Dongyan Province.

He then led his forces eastward, achieving a monumental feat in a great battle where his 3,000 troops routed an army of 300,000.

With his own strength alone, he slaughtered over 10,000 enemy troops on the battlefield, single-handedly crushing the entire army.

After this battle, the feudal lords were struck with terror. Wherever his army marched, countless city garrisons and troops surrendered without resistance.

Wherever his armies marched, they left not a blade of grass disturbed, winning the hearts of the people entirely. In just 3 years, the Northern Martial Continent was unified under his banner.

After unifying the continent, Chen Xianzhu abolished corvée labor and reduced taxes to let the people recuperate, finally granting them long-awaited peace and prosperity.

Afterwards, Chen Xianzhu abdicated the throne to the Master of Willow Vale Manor and retired into seclusion with Bai Susu atop the mountain where the manor resided.

And so, in the blink of an eye, a full decade had passed.

Husband.

Within the confines of Willowdown Manor, Bai Susu’s hair was as white as snow, her face gaunt and withered with age. As she gazed upon Chen Xianzhu, tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes.

Before her stood Chen Xianzun, his robes flowing, his appearance unchanged for decades.

I am here.

Chen Xianzhu spoke, turning his head away in anguish.

In the fleeting span of a decade, witnessing the love of his life gradually wither with age while being utterly powerless to intervene filled him with a heart-rending, suffocating anguish.

Why, why did he have to meet her at the moment of his utmost powerlessness.

70 years had passed, yet youth remained undimmed.

Bai Susu (Person Name) spoke slowly, her voice trembling with emotion. "You are an immortal, aren't you?"

"I..."

Chen Xianzhu fell silent, at a loss for words.

Bai Susu shook her head, a faint bitter smile gracing her lips. "I understand," she murmured, "an insurmountable chasm lies between us—you, an immortal, and I, a mere mortal. Our paths were never meant to intertwine forever."

"No matter what, in this life, to have met you, Susu is blessed for 3 lifetimes."

"If there is a next life, will I meet you again?"

"Susu was so afraid... so afraid that I would never see you again..."