Unintended Immortality

Chapter 277: The Special Talents Division of the Northern Army

On a distant hillside stood a beacon tower. Beside the beacon tower, a Daoist sat cross-legged.

A jujube-red horse, loaded with traveling bags, grazed quietly, seemingly indifferent to the war raging below. Meanwhile, the calico cat sat upright beside the Daoist, as if imitating his posture, staring intently at the scene below.

The little cat couldn't suppress her curiosity. Turning around to look at the Daoist, she kept asking questions. “What are they doing?”

The Daoist remained calm and answered in a soft tone, his gaze fixed on the scene below.

“Fighting a war.”

“This is what fighting a war looks like?”

“Yes.”

“Why are there so many people?”

“Because there are many people.”

“Why do they do this?”

The cat seemed unable to comprehend the concept of war, its eyes filled with pure curiosity.

“Don’t cats fight too?”

“That’s true...“

“Right?”

“Why do you always summon the Mountain God?”

“Because it’s useful.”

“Doesn’t the Mountain God get tired?”

“I was casting the Boulder Legion spell.”

“The Boulder Legion spell!”

“It’s an earth element spell, a spell of the five elements. Back in Yidu, I told you about it—depending on one's cultivation depth, it can raise earth into walls, transform stone into soldiers, carve paths through mountains, or command mountains as deities.”

“I forgot...“

“It’s fine.”

“It sounds amazing.”

“Do you want to learn?”

“If I learn, will I be that powerful too?”

“Depends on your level of cultivation.”

“I possess vast divine powers and immense magical strength!”

“...“

Song You said nothing and quietly continued watching the scene below.

After a while, he turned to the calico cat sitting beside him. “I know many spells. Five years ago, back in Yidu, I told you about some of them. But at the time, you’d only recently taken human form and didn’t know much about cultivation or spells. And talking about them isn’t the same as seeing them in action.

“Now that your fire magic is progressing well, you could consider learning something new. Let me demonstrate a few techniques, and if any catch your eye, you can choose one to learn.”

“Why do you know so many?” the cat asked, her ears perking up.

“Because I’m exceptional,” he replied with a faint smile.

“Mastery lies in depth, not breadth!” she retorted, parroting something he’d told her once.

“...” The Daoist pulled his gaze away from the battlefield, looking contemplative. After a moment, he spoke, his voice calm but firm. “People aren’t all the same.”

“Meow...”

“And people are even more different from cats,” he added.

“Mm...” The cat seemed to only half-understand but didn’t ask any more questions. It simply followed his gaze downward, with only its tail swaying behind it, as if sweeping the ground.

The battle below continued for a while longer.

Several times, attackers managed to climb onto the walls.

However, the city was well-commanded. Whether they were startled or not was unclear, but at least it didn’t seem like they were in grave danger.

It appeared they didn’t fully understand what was going on with the stone giant, which made them somewhat cautious. The people of the northern frontier didn’t send out any more demons, and their morale seemed to have already dwindled.

As the sun sank toward the horizon, nearing dusk, the sound of gongs similar to those used by the Great Yan forces echoed below, signaling the people of the northern frontier to gradually withdraw their troops.

The battlefield below was littered with corpses.

“While we have a few experts in demon subjugation within our ranks, even they are unable to fully counter these demons.

“I understand that you, sir, are merely journeying through the mortal realm after descending your mountain. I would not disturb your peace lightly, yet our circumstances leave me with no other choice but to implore your aid. If I have inconvenienced you, I apologize in advance.”

“No need for concern, General,” replied Song You. “Do you know from where these demons in the northern army originate?”

“Are you familiar with Zhaoye City?”

“I am.”

“Then you may know it was once occupied by demons?”

“On my journey here, I encountered a patrol from Zhaoye City who spoke of it. However, their accounts were rather unclear.”

“As for demons, I cannot claim deep understanding,” General Chen admitted. “In my campaigns, I have encountered such beings but have never studied them. Regarding Zhaoye City, however, I once sent people to investigate and later heard from Advisor Zhang, who speculated about the origins of its demons.

“That demon was known among the troops as the "Yellow Sand King." It was likely a deity originally worshiped by the people of the northern frontier near our borders, where they referred to it as "Yellow Sand Deity."

“However, after the people of the northern frontier invaded southward, occupying vast territories of Yanzhou and causing countless deaths, with piles of corpses outside Zhaoye City, something inexplicable happened to the Yellow Sand Deity—it transformed into an evil demon and devoured Zhaoye City whole.

“Subsequently, it declared itself king over the city. Neither we nor the people of the northern frontier dared to enter within a hundred-li radius of the city.

Even after Yanzhou was reclaimed, Zhaoye City remained a demonic kingdom within the territory of Great Yan. Countless demons from the northern grasslands were drawn to it, entering Zhaoye City to become soldiers and subordinates under the demon king's command.”

“A deity corrupted into a demon...” murmured Song You, his voice trailing off as he delved into thought.

“Later, it was said that immortals and deities often descended from the heavens to confront the demons of Zhaoye City,” General Chen continued. “In the fourth year of the Mingde era, during May, while both you and I were in Changjing, the demon king of Zhaoye City was subdued.

“The garrison commander of the closest military town received a dream from the Thunder God, notifying him of the event. Upon investigation, it proved true, and thus we were able to reclaim Zhaoye City.”

General Chen said, “Yet even though the demon king was vanquished, he managed to send out quite a number of his demon soldiers and generals, sparing their lives.”

As he spoke, General Chen couldn’t help but let out a chuckle and added, “That demon king was rather loyal, in his own way.”

“And why would they lend their aid to the northern frontier?” Song You asked.

“That, we do not know,” General Chen admitted.

“I see...” Song You's face betrayed deep contemplation.

Observing his silence, General Chen refrained from interrupting. Likewise, the gathered military commanders and advisors in the tent held their tongues, their eyes fixed respectfully on Song You.

Finally, when Song You broke from his thoughts and turned to General Chen, the latter immediately saluted once more.

“Sir,” General Chen addressed him.

“General, do not worry,” Song You said slowly, his voice completely clear. “Subduing demons is precisely what I excel at. The affairs of mankind should never involve the meddling of demons. Having journeyed through the north for over a year now, I will rest in your camp for some time. However, military strategies and battlefield tactics are not my expertise.”

“Sir, please rest assured!” General Chen quickly replied, cupping his hands. “If you can help us counter the demons, the rest—dealing with the northern armies—is the responsibility of us soldiers!”

“Call upon me whenever my help is needed.”

“Thank you, sir!”

The others in the tent all rose and saluted in unison.

Actually, not many people knew who Song You was, nor had anyone heard of any master's legacy being passed down in Lingquan County of Yizhou. At most, those with a deeper understanding of Daoism knew that outside Yidu City, there was a place called Qingcheng Mountain. It was renowned for either its Daoist masters or the jianghu sects that practiced swordsmanship and martial arts.

Not far from there was Mount Xi, where the Xishan Sect resided.

Most of those present had little knowledge of the rumors from Hezhou or the story of the demon king of He Plains being subdued. They simply saw that the commander of the army held this person in great esteem. With such authority and credibility, naturally, there was little room for doubt. Even if there were doubts, they did not diminish the respect.

After all, someone who had come specifically to lend their aid deserved no discourtesy.

Only a few strategists had heard the legends from Hezhou. Upon seeing the Daoist, they acted as if they were witnessing a divine being.

“By the way...” The Daoist's voice rang out once more.

The Daoist turned to General Chen and asked, “Does your camp include a man surnamed Xing, with the given name Xing Wu, a jianghu oddity?”

“Sir, you know Mr. Xing?”

“I encountered him when I first left Changjing. I heard he planned to join your army.”

“Mr. Xing is indeed with our forces now, assigned to the Special Talents Division. Thanks to him, communication of intelligence within the army has been significantly improved.”

“The Special Talents Division?”

“In Changjing, the State Preceptor has the Juxian Mansion. Similarly, our northern forces have the Special Talents Division. It is composed of exceptional individuals and peculiar talents from the jianghu, each possessing unique skills and all bound by loyalty and righteousness,” General Chen explained, pausing briefly.

He added, “I was just about to introduce these experts from the Special Talents Division to you, sir. If you have any need for their assistance, they would be at your disposal. Since you and Mr. Xing are old acquaintances, allow me to summon them here.”

With that, he waved his hand, and someone immediately left to carry out his order.

Song You also glanced toward the outside, silently waiting, curious to see which of the country’s remarkable talents resided within the army.