Chapter 321 – North-South Conflict: The Northern Prodigy Strikes

Human concepts and ideologies are inevitably constrained by the world and the era in which they exist.

In this world, people still hold reverence for imperial authority. Most adhere to the notion of “mastering both literary and martial arts to serve the imperial family.”

From the perspective of the East Sea King, having pointed out the incompetence and weakness of the imperial court’s central authority while showcasing his own ambitions, Mu Lin—a commoner—should, like other strategists and generals, immediately pledge allegiance and join him in creating a glorious future.

Even if Mu Lin could not agree at once, the East Sea King believed it was only because he had yet to witness the cowardice of the imperial court. Once he saw the truth and recognized the central authority’s frailty, he would undoubtedly seek refuge and allegiance.

However, among all the possibilities the East Sea King considered, there was one he never anticipated: Mu Lin… was not originally from this world. His ideologies were not bound by its limitations.

“Mastering both literary and martial arts to serve the imperial family”… What nonsense!

His values from a previous life left Mu Lin with not a shred of reverence for imperial authority; he even regarded it as something that should be discarded into the trash.

Thus, upon learning that the central authority of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty harbored thoughts of surrender, Mu Lin never considered supporting another prince or noble to earn merit as a loyal follower.

Instead, Mu Lin contemplated overthrowing the existing order—at the very least, replacing the dynasty itself.

“The throne rotates; this year, it could be my turn. If others can sit on it, why can’t I?”

Of course, these wild ambitions remained unspoken. In fact, Mu Lin treated the East Sea King with considerable respect—for respecting the strong was not merely etiquette but a strategy for survival.

…

The East Sea King sensed Mu Lin’s respect and was quite satisfied with it.

When he learned that Mu Lin was unwilling to agree immediately and wished to consider further, he showed no anger. Instead, he magnanimously declared, “A wise bird chooses its perch. Just as a king selects his ministers, ministers seek a worthy king to serve. Take your time to observe and see. I will prove to you who is truly worthy of your allegiance!”

Thus, the ambitious East Sea King departed.

Meanwhile, Mu Lin murmured to himself, “I hope the central authority of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty isn’t as pathetic as the East Sea King claims. Otherwise, overthrowing the order will be quite troublesome.”

…

Having witnessed Mu Lin refine Baleful Qi in the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and having seen him defeat an Evil God with their own eyes—even observing him survive after “dying” nearly a hundred times—the aristocratic families of Jade Province harbored no doubts about Mu Lin’s future.

The title “Future Celestial Master” was not mere flattery but a sincere belief held by all.

Given the exalted status of a Celestial Master—a level beyond the foundations of many aristocratic families—Mu Lin found himself with not a moment of free time in the following days.

Every day, Clan Elders, Young Masters, or legitimate daughters from various aristocratic families came to visit.

Each visitor brought generous gifts, and as the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. The abundance of presents made it difficult for Mu Lin to turn them away.

Fortunately, after two or three days, Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo arrived from out of town. Their presence, especially Yan Yunyu’s, allowed many trivial matters to be handled by her, finally giving Mu Lin some relief.

However, just as he caught his breath and before Mu Lin could consider whether to use the Heavenly Gang Qi given by Prince Liang to advance, another major event occurred in Jade Province.

“What did you say? The border troops have attacked?”

“East Sea King has taken action, and the Human Race is in civil war? But that doesn’t make sense—East Sea King controls the East Sea region, not the Northern Wastelands!”

The sudden news from the capital of Jade Province left Mu Lin utterly stunned.

At the same time, he immediately abandoned the idea of bringing his grandfather back to Yuzhou City.

‘Jade Province isn’t safe either. Ping’an Ancient County has one of my county city god avatars, and there’s also Ping’an Ancient Street here, which is very suitable for cultivation by those of the Yin Eight Gates. Let my grandfather settle here.’

While pondering, Mu Lin glanced at Yan Yunyu, signaling her, with her social finesse, to go outside and gather information.

He wanted to know why the Northern Wasteland Army had launched an attack.

…

The news of the Northern Wasteland Army suddenly moving south not only stunned Mu Lin but also left the clan elders of the other aristocratic families bewildered by this move.

Currently, Ping’an Ancient County was filled with chaotic rumors. Fortunately, Mu Lin still held considerable influence, and as his concubine, Yan Yunyu benefited from his prestige. When she inquired, many people gave her face and shared the details with her.

This convenience allowed her to uncover the truth within the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

Upon returning, she relayed the full story to Mu Lin.

“The Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty is not in civil war, nor have border troops moved south. Those who came this time are prodigy disciples from the Northern Wastelands and some elite soldiers. They came south under the pretense of challenges, continuously challenging the elite disciples of the southern aristocratic families. If anyone refused to accept the challenge, they would even storm into the aristocratic families’ residences and defeat them. Challenging and sweeping through their path, they injured and defeated many. Moreover, just yesterday, they arrogantly declared that the cultivators of the south were all cowards, stating that they would remain in Yuzhou City and that if the southern disciples still had any courage, they should come and challenge them.”

“???”

“Are the Northern Wasteland prodigies really this arrogant?”

Storming into others’ homes to beat them up and claiming that the disciples of the Southeast Region lacked courage… In fact, the information Mu Lin received was incomplete.

The Northern Wasteland soldiers were not so refined as to speak of courage. What they actually said was that if the southern prodigies still had any guts, they should come and challenge them; otherwise, they might as well cut them off and wear skirts.

Yan Yunyu had also heard these crude remarks, but as an eldest young mistress, she naturally felt too embarrassed to relay them directly to Mu Lin and could only phrase it more gently.

However, even though Yan Yunyu had softened her words, the domineering actions and arrogant statements of the Northern Wasteland elites initially left a poor impression on Mu Lin.

But soon, Mu Lin raised an eyebrow, sensing that there must be something unusual behind this.

“Why would they do this? I don’t believe they are all arrogant by nature. I could believe it of one person, or even ten or a hundred, but young men are hot-blooded. I don’t believe the Northern Wasteland Army Commander is still so impulsive.”

For such a large-scale operation by the Northern Wasteland elites, Mu Lin absolutely refused to believe that the Northern Wasteland Army Commander was unaware.

In fact, in his view, this was an operation directed by the Northern Wasteland Army Commander. Otherwise, those young men could never have stirred up such a massive commotion.

The involvement of those army commanders also meant that this southward journey of the Northern Wastelands Prodigy must have other reasons.

“You guessed correctly. This is indeed not a simple challenge tour.”

The one who responded to Mu Lin’s words was not Yan Yunyu, but Si Ye, Chu Lingluo’s mother. She had also gathered some information and brought Chu Lingluo to Mu Lin’s side, intending to discuss some matters with him.

Then, without waiting for Mu Lin to ask, she spoke frankly:

“This large-scale southward movement of the Northern Wastelands elite is for military funding.”

“Military funding? Shouldn’t they ask the imperial court for that? Why come south?”

“Because the Southeast Region is the main tax-paying area…”

As Si Ye and Yan Yunyu explained, Mu Lin gradually understood the whole story.

In this world, the Northern Lands are bitterly cold, desolate, with few Blessed Lands, and many demonic monsters, Foreign Races, Demonic Sects, and forbidden lands entrenched there.

Such chaotic regions simply cannot develop economically or produce large-scale resources.

Therefore, the main tax-paying area of the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty has always been the Southeast Region, which even accounts for sixty to eighty percent of the entire dynasty’s tax revenue.

  Every year, the Great Spirit Imperial Family collects taxes from the Southeast Region and then transfers them to the Northern Wastelands.

Thinking of this, Mu Lin felt somewhat speechless: ‘Isn’t this just transfer payments? I never thought I’d see transfer payments in this world too.’

Mu Lin was reflecting, while Si Ye and Yan Yunyu continued to explain to him: “Although the Southeast Region pays more taxes, it is because the Northern Wasteland Army exists, blocking the southward path of calamities such as demonic monsters, Foreign Races, Evil Gods, and so on, that the Southeast Region enjoys a stable environment. Therefore, in the past, even though the Southeast Region paid a lot and the Northern Wastelands always claimed poverty, they could barely accept it, keeping the situation relatively stable. However, recently, things have been different.”

Hearing this, Mu Lin understood the reason:

“Because the apocalypse is approaching?”

Si Ye: “Yes. Regarding the approaching apocalypse, our Southeast Region has always felt little impact. This is because the Great Spirit Emperor relied on the Dragon Vein to set up a super formation, blocking most disasters outside the nation’s borders.”

“Those aberrations, Evil Gods, demonic monsters, Forbidden Power… and other calamities excluded outside want to enter the Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty and must engage in battle with the Northern Wasteland Army… So, during this period, they have been under immense pressure and suffered heavy casualties.”

“With many casualties, their demands have increased—compensation funds, various resources. Every year, they ask for more.”

“Initially, the Southeast Region could afford their demands, but now taxes have reached over eighty percent, and the Southeast Region can no longer bear it. Many people also feel resentful that they bear the majority of the entire Great Spirit Imperial Dynasty’s tax burden.”

“The Northern Wasteland Army’s resentment is even greater. They believe it is their clan members who step forward, trading blood for blood and life for life, that keep the demonic monsters and Evil Spirits blocked outside. Yet now, despite their merits, they lack sufficient compensation, resources, and treatment, which has also made them dissatisfied with the imperial court.”

“Then comes the endless quarrels…”

Before Si Ye could finish, Mu Lin again felt a sense of déjà vu.

“Isn’t this just a north-south regional conflict?”

In the era Mu Lin lived in, due to advanced transportation and free movement of people, regional rivalries still existed but were not as severe.

However, ancient times were different. Transportation was obstructed, and most people never left their local areas in their entire lives, making regional divisions extremely severe.

The factionalism in the Ming Dynasty and the North-South Examination Scandal were both manifestations of regional conflicts.

Although this world possessed martial prowess, its social system followed feudal principles, making regional rivalries equally severe here.

As Mu Lin pondered, Si Ye spread her hands and said, “Regarding this dispute, the Southeast Region, having not suffered invasions, feels it less deeply. But the Northern Wastelands are different—they have been in a constant state of war, leaving little time for such quarrels. Currently, this elite force is likely their method to break the enemy.”

“They probably want the imperial court to understand which is more important—the Southern Province or the Northern Lands.”

“…”

Such actions had some effect.

In this world, strength ultimately spoke. If the Northern Lands defeated the Southeast Region soundly, the victor would inevitably gain more authority, while the defeated would have to contribute more resources.

Even better, the Northern Wastelands sent only youths, and their banner was merely a challenge. This kept the North-South conflict within the realm of contention, without escalating into civil war.

“There are indeed wise strategists.”

After this reflection, Mu Lin thought of something and asked curiously, “Speaking of which, is the Northern Wastelands so confident… No, it seems they have already swept through countless opponents. This isn’t confidence—it’s strength. Are they truly that powerful?”

Yan Yunyu and Si Ye both acknowledged the strength of the Northern Wastelands.

“Compared to the Southern Province, the Prodigies of the Northern Wastelands are indeed stronger… With constant warfare there, the Prodigies who survive, whether martial artists or Qi Refiners, are true warriors tempered through countless battles.”

“Moreover, the trials of the battlefield and the baptism of iron and blood have made their wills more resilient, making breakthroughs easier.”

“This practical experience, coupled with their slightly higher Cultivation Level, means that even when Northern and Southern Cultivators are equally matched, victory often goes to the Northern side.”

“However, the South ultimately has more resources and a larger population. With this foundation, they cultivate a greater number of Qi Refiners and martial artists. In the past, the two sides were evenly matched. The Northern Wastelands’ rise in strength is a recent development.”

At this point, Si Ye’s expression turned serious.

“Mu Lin, you know about the prohibition against cultivation before the age of sixteen, right?”

“Yes, I’ve heard that cultivating before then leads to terrifying consequences…”

Before she could finish, Mu Lin thought of something and narrowed his eyes. “Did the Northern Wastelands’ Cultivators start cultivating before the age of sixteen?”

“Yes, a significant number of them did.”

Instead of immediately explaining why they did so, Si Ye set up a soundproofing Array to block any information from leaking.

She then employed several other methods to completely seal off the area.

Only after everything was done did she whisper:

“Our world origin has been contaminated. Before the age of sixteen, the human body is not yet fully developed. Absorbing spiritual energy recklessly can easily draw forbidden powers into the body, causing physical organs to mutate.”

“These mutations are mostly harmful. For instance, the power of decay can cause rapid aging; the power of plague and disease can bind one to illness for a lifetime. Others may grow horns or tentacles on their heads, or even suffer from split consciousness, madness, or demonic possession… Since these mutations stem from the contamination of the body’s origin, even we cannot cure them. This is why the Southeast Region largely forbids cultivators from practicing before the age of sixteen.”

“It is also because the world origin has been contaminated that this crisis has been deemed a world-ending threat!”

Such secrets had never been revealed to Mu Lin before. Hearing this abruptly, his heart nearly stopped.

“The Heavenly Dao… has been contaminated?”

‘So, being favored by the Heavenly Dao actually puts me in danger!’

Recalling how he had once come dangerously close to that forbidden power, Mu Lin was filled with dread.

However, Si Ye was unaware of Mu Lin’s experience and did not know that he had been glanced at by the Heavenly Dao not long ago.

Thus, she assumed Mu Lin’s dread was due to being stunned by the shocking news.

This made her frown slightly.

Fortunately, Mu Lin’s reaction was not too extreme—she too had been startled when she first heard of it.

Seeing Mu Lin’s fearful expression, she quickly reassured him, “Don’t worry too much. Although the situation is not ideal, our world is not that dire… When the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. The True Lords and Celestial Masters of the human world are still here, and they are helping the Heavenly Dao deal with this contamination.”

This did indeed allow Mu Lin to breathe a sigh of relief.

Yet, the sense of crisis in his heart remained heavy.

The contamination of the Heavenly Dao made Mu Lin realize that the crisis he would face was not merely human conflict or rivalry with foreign races, but the calamity of world destruction.

“I must become even stronger… I cannot delay any longer. Later, I will refine the Aurora Gang Qi into my soul spirit and advance my main body to Gang Condensation.”

(End of Chapter)