Chapter 113: You Can Always Trust My Grand Vision

“Why haven’t I heard about this before?” Gao Wenxin asked.

This expedition to Danyang Mountain was shrouded in uncertainty—no one knew what dangers might lie ahead.

If Qichao was involved, the variables would multiply exponentially.

Qichao lay to the east of Southern Chu, across the strait. Its population was ten times that of Southern Chu, and it was home to many formidable experts.

Long ago, these two continents had been united under a great empire called Liang, which ruled both lands for over a century before fracturing three centuries ago.

Afterward, Qichao was established across the strait, while the western side of Southern Chu was home to the Later Liang, formed by remnants of the old Liang dynasty.

A century ago, the Later Liang was overthrown and replaced by the West Continent Republic.

The West Continent Republic spanned an area seven to eight times larger than Southern Chu, which now lay sandwiched between these two great powers, serving as a buffer zone.

Yan Hao spoke up: “After the previous team, we sent another group of Awakened to search for Danyang Mountain. They encountered Awakened from Qichao, and it was only two days ago that they brought back this information.”

Following Ning Ze and others’ return with materials, Gu Changqing was quarantined, and another team was dispatched—this time composed entirely of speed-focused Awakened, their primary mission to pinpoint Danyang Mountain’s location and chart a map.

“So we can’t afford any more delay in exploring Danyang Mountain. Once everyone is gathered today, we’ll depart first thing tomorrow morning,” Yan Hao continued.

The logistics and research departments had since studied and analyzed the martial techniques brought back. The fighting arts from that world were incomparable to those of this one, offering a foundation to build an entirely new system of warriors.

Compared to current Awakened, this new warrior system held far greater value and deeper significance.

It could even determine the future strength of nations.

Only a minuscule fraction of people could awaken, and the Awakened represented the rarest elite among them.

Yet those capable of harnessing Qi and training martial arts numbered hundreds or even thousands of times more than the Awakened.

Hence, the importance of exploring Danyang Mountain had been elevated to the utmost level.

“Will Chen Daoling intervene?” Gao Wenxin pondered before asking.

“Not for now! A Level 7 Awakened is the backbone of a nation; nothing must happen to him. Besides, you know how special his identity is,” Yan Hao replied.

Chen Daoling was the only Level 7 Awakened in Southern Chu, and the royal family bore the surname Chen.

The establishment of Chongming wasn’t merely to maintain balance but stemmed from fundamentally different stances between the two sides.

“This time, three Level 6 Awakened from Chongming will join the expedition to Danyang Mountain, along with you two…”

Originally, Yan Hao was to lead the team alone, but upon learning that Qichao had also entered the fray, reinforcements were sent. This applied to both Chongming and the guards.

Though Gu Changqing and Gao Wenxin were Level 5, their strength equaled that of five Level 6 Awakened.

The guards had five genuine Level 6 Awakened.

Across Southern Chu, combining Chongming and the guards, there were only just over twenty Level 6 Awakened—and a third of them were dispatched this time.

…

“Where’s my knuckle duster?”

Yan Hao tossed a box to Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing and Gao Wenxin were then assigned to newly built wooden barracks to rest. Gu Changqing’s accommodations had greatly improved—these were far more comfortable than tents, offering soundproofing and insulation.

Gu Changqing opened the box to find a pair of dark blue knuckle dusters resembling half-finger gloves, with a black demon eye embedded in the middle finger of each. There was nothing else remarkable.

Though Gu Changqing had reached the seventh level of Qi refinement and was mentally prepared, his gaze was still drawn to the demon eye.

It seemed like a black vortex trying to suck his soul in.

With his internal spiritual energy flowing, Gu Changqing finally broke free from the demon eye’s pull.

“So this is Level 3 spiritual gear? No aesthetic appeal at all!” he muttered.

Though the knuckle dusters looked plain, their effects were excellent. For Gu Changqing, only two things mattered: durability and the demon eye.

He often got injured because his knuckle dusters would break.

Once freed, Gu Changqing put on the knuckle dusters and found them quite handy. He then drew his paired Yin-Yang swords from his sleeves and slashed repeatedly against the knuckle dusters.

After a series of strikes, he inspected the knuckle dusters—they bore hardly any marks.

“That’s more like it. If I’d had this before, Ji Yan might not have escaped.”

With nothing better to do, Gu Changqing took out a book titled The Imperial Extremes Fist and leafed through it.

“Born from movement is Heaven, born from stillness is Earth; the interplay of movement and stillness reveals the Way of Heaven and Earth…”

“The great movement is called the Sun, the lesser movement is the Lesser Yang. The great stillness is the Great Yin, the lesser stillness the Lesser Yin. The Sun represents the day, the Great Yin the moon, Lesser Yang the stars, Lesser Yin the constellations; the interplay of sun, moon, stars, and constellations embodies the essence of Heaven.”

“The Imperial Extremes Fist harnesses pure Yang, wielding a domineering force that sweeps all enemies across the ten directions…”

“The World-Transforming Fist embodies pure Yin, commanding all directions at the fingertips…”

“Only when the Imperial Extremes and World-Transforming arts unite does the Way of Heaven and Earth manifest, mastering the mysteries of the cosmos…”

“Tsk!” Gu Changqing clicked his tongue, somewhat dismissive. Every martial art boasted grand claims, but their true effects were often half or even less.

Nonetheless, the Imperial Extremes Fist’s achievements in fist techniques were notable—pure Yang power, wide and forceful, overwhelmingly dominant.

It suited Gu Changqing well.

As for the World-Transforming Fist mentioned in the summary, it wasn’t included in this volume, and Gu Changqing wasn’t particularly interested in it.

Though the martial path of this world differed from the Qi of Daye, after some experimentation Gu Changqing used Qi to substitute for this world’s martial energy. When he threw a punch, the outline of a bronze tripod subtly appeared around his fist.

That night, as two planes arrived one after another, the other Level 6 Awakened also appeared.

“Li Gongfu, minister of Long Yunzhou, Gu Wu, from headquarters, he’s your kin!” Yan Hao introduced.

Li Gongfu was a stern, middle-aged man who barely glanced at Gao Wenxin and Gu Changqing. He disliked both and didn’t even bother with polite formalities.

He preferred everything by the book, whereas Gao Wenxin and Gu Changqing were unruly.

He disliked Gao Wenxin especially.

Seeing his expression, Gu Changqing smiled slyly: “Why do I feel you have an issue with me?”

“He’s like that with everyone! Stiff as a machine! Don’t mind him!” Gu Wu chimed in, smoothing things over.

“The research department has been working nonstop, barely even sleeping these days. That’s all thanks to you!”

Gu Wu was tall and muscular, but far more tactful than Li Gongfu.

Gu Changqing knew exactly what kind of person Li Gongfu was, and Yan Hao had warned him to avoid conflict.

Still, Gu Changqing couldn’t help but find him unpleasant.

“We’re all on the same side!” Yan Hao said. “Let’s start the meeting!”

…

The next morning, Gu Changqing glanced at his empty pouch, where he had stowed his belongings.

Hands in his pockets, he strolled to the office area where the others had gathered.

Sixty-five Awakened in total: three Level 6, twelve Level 5, and fifty Level 4, standing or sitting, chatting softly.

None showed any signs of nervousness.

After all, these were Southern Chu’s elite veterans. Even the Level 4 Awakened had completed countless missions and possessed strong mental resilience.

Besides Gao Wenxin and Gu Changqing, the Level 5 and Level 4 Awakened were divided into ten squads of six each.

“Everyone’s here. Let’s move out!”

Moments later, they reached the edge of the mist.

Gu Changqing sensed something was amiss and stared carefully at the fog.

He finally spotted the problem.

Before, the edge of the mist seemed blocked by an invisible barrier, clearly defining its boundary.

Now, subtle protrusions appeared at the mist’s edge.

This likely meant the barrier between the two worlds was weakening.

Glancing at Yan Hao, who nodded slightly upon noticing Gu Changqing’s gaze, Gu Changqing withdrew his eyes and looked two hundred meters away.

The guards had just arrived, many casting glances this way, especially at Gu Changqing.

He returned their looks with a thumbs-up, then twisted his thumb down with a mocking smile, angering several guards.

“Don’t stir up trouble. This time, Chongming and the guards must work together. Any issues can wait until after we’re out,” Yan Hao warned.

“Understood. You can fully trust my big-picture view,” Gu Changqing replied lazily, fastening his rope to his waist and stepping into the mist.

Upon reaching the other side, he heard rain outside.

The Blood Prison transformed into a red umbrella in his hand, shielding him overhead.

One by one, the others followed.

Prepared this time, the psychic Awakened erected a protective shield in the air, keeping the rain and its insects at bay.

Last time, six Awakened were caught off guard, and only four returned—all dead.

The damp, fetid air filled their nostrils.

Gu Changqing spread his arms slightly, sensing this journey would be more interesting.

Once everyone emerged, they set off along their planned route.

A day and a half later at dusk, they stood before a town with the characters “Jieshan” emblazoned above the gate.

Just inside, they saw piles of white bones—streets and rooftops heaped with thousands upon thousands of skeletal remains.

“We’ll rest here tonight!”

The group took over the county government office, enough space for over sixty people.

They lit fires, boiled water, and prepared instant meals.

Yet in a forest to the north of the town, a group of expressionless figures watched the smoke rising from Jieshan silently.

(End of chapter)