Chapter 76 — The Talisman Painter Who Guards the Village

Full Force

Three days after the battle at Lam Thủy Town, Vân Tiêu Peak had become an unprecedented military headquarters in the sect's history. The giant talisman Diệp Sương had drawn to guard the crack was still holding, but according to Cảnh Linh Đài's report, it could last at most ten days before losing its effectiveness.

The sect's large training ground was now filled with people - inner sect disciples, outer sect disciples, mobilized imperial soldiers, and even a separate corner for Miên Trà, Du Khinh and several other Vụ Ẩn warriors who had just been sent by Lãnh Vũ after receiving urgent news.

*

Amid that bustling scene, a majestic group of cavalry entered the three-entrance gate, the flag of the General's palace fluttering in the wind. Cố Bạt Nguyên, tall and sturdy, his stern face deeply wrinkled by age and years of battle, dismounted in the middle of the yard, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene before finding his son.

Thanh Việt stood still for a moment when he saw his father, not expecting him to personally lead the army to this place. "Dad," he said, his voice somewhat reserved, not sure what his reaction would be after what had happened.

*

Cố Bạt Nguyên looked at his son for a long time, his eyes carrying an unpredictable complexity, then suddenly stepped forward, placing his hand on Thanh Việt's shoulder, a rare gesture between father and son, who always kept a strict distance.

"I received a report about the battle at Lam Thủy Town," he said, his voice low but no longer as stern and cold as in his previous letters. "You acted right, Thanh Việt. A real soldier is not someone who just follows orders, but someone who knows how to stand on the right side, even if it goes against what others expect."

Thanh Việt couldn't believe his ears. "Dad... I thought you would..."

"I used to worry that you would ruin your future because of a rash decision," Cố Bạt Nguyên interrupted, his voice dropping. "But when I saw an entire kingdom standing on the brink of destruction, I realized that the family's honor does not lie in maintaining its position, but in knowing how to stand up at the right time and place. Your brother, if still alive, would also be proud of you right now."

*

That sentence made Thanh Việt choked up. It was the first time in his life he heard his father mention his deceased brother in such a warm way. He nodded, couldn't say anything more, just squeezed his father's arm.

Cố Bạt Nguyên turned and looked at Diệp Sương who was standing not far away, observing the reunion with silent respect. "So this is the girl who made my son willing to risk everything," he said, his voice both probing and somewhat affectionate. "I've heard a lot about you, through both praise and slander. Now I want to judge for myself."

*

"Great General," Diệp Sương said with a bow, her voice calm though she could not hide the tension in her heart.

"Stand up straight," Cố Bạt Nguyên said, his voice suddenly softening. "I don't need a disciple to bow before me. I need to know, do you have any plans to deal with the danger that hangs over all of us?"

Diệp Sương looked up, her eyes determined. “I have a direction, General, but I need the coordination of all the forces present here—the army, the sect, and the Vụ Ẩn clan—to have any chance of success.”

*

That afternoon, a large-scale strategic meeting was held right at the training ground, attended by Thư Khải Dương, Tạ Vân Khê, Cố Bạt Nguyên, along with army commanders and representatives of the Vụ Ẩn clan. Diệp Sương presented her plan to the whole audience, her voice ringing out clearly without a tremor.

"The rift at Lam Thủy Town is just one of many weak spots throughout the Linh Mạch network," she said, pointing to a large map that had been redrawn more meticulously based on the information she had gathered. "But according to what Cảnh Linh Đài recorded, and what Lãnh Vũ, head of the Vụ Ẩn clan, felt through his clan's sharp senses, the largest concentration point of chaotic energy, with the potential for the most violent outbreak, is right at the foot of this Vân Tiêu Peak."

*

The whole meeting room was buzzing. "Right at the foot of the mountain we're standing on?" a military commander asked, his voice unable to hide his concern.

"That explains why the ancient defense formation around the mountain was unusually damaged five years ago," Tạ Vân Khê continued, her voice heavy. "If it's true as Diệp Sương said, we are sitting right on the edge of a wound that has been smoldering for many years, just waiting for the day to erupt."

"So what's your plan?" Thư Khải Dương asked directly.

*

"I propose a coordinated battlefield," Diệp Sương replied, her voice decisive. "The sect's disciples will use traditional talismans to control and disperse the demon forces. The military will protect the perimeter and prevent the damage from reaching civilians. The Vụ Ẩn clan, with its keen ability to sense spiritual pulses, will identify when and where the pent-up energy is strongest. Those willing to learn from my hybrid talisman-drawing style will seek harmony rather than mere suppression, calming the source of the chaos instead of only stopping its consequences."

A heavy silence filled the room as everyone digested that bold plan—an unprecedented combination of military, traditional magic, and a completely new philosophy that the sect itself had once considered a trivial heresy.

*

"This is a reckless plan," Húc Bá Nguyên spoke up, although his tone was much less harsh than before. "But I admit, I don't have any better option to suggest." Thư Khải Dương nodded, stood up, his eyes scanned the meeting room. "Then we will follow this plan. Full force. Not holding anything back." He turned to Diệp Sương, his voice solemn. "From this moment, I officially command the coordination method in the upcoming battle, under the supervision of elder Tạ Vân Khê."

*

That very afternoon, Lãnh Vũ personally appeared at Vân Tiêu Peak, leading a group of more elite Vụ Ẩn warriors - the first time the patriarch left Thâm Vụ Forest in decades. He found Tạ Vân Khê as soon as he set foot in the sect's courtyard. The two of them stood facing each other for a long moment, evaluating each other with the eyes of two people who had lived long enough to understand the true value of trust.

"I am Lãnh Vũ, head of the Vụ Ẩn clan," he said, his voice solemn. "I came here not only because of Diệp Sương, but because I believe that the destiny of my clan and your destiny are now intertwined, whether we like it or not."

"I am Tạ Vân Khê," she replied, bowing according to the highest sect etiquette reserved for distinguished guests. "I apologize on behalf of previous generations for treating your clan unfairly. And I thank you, for choosing to trust us this time."

The two men shook hands, a simple but historic gesture — the first time in many generations that a Tông Vân Các elder and a Vụ Ẩn patriarch officially recognized each other as allies.

*

Meanwhile, in a corner of the training ground, Miên Trà was trying to teach a few young outer sect disciples how to instinctively sense the vibrations of the Linh Mạch, a skill only the Vụ Ẩn clan could master, while Du Khinh, under the guidance of several sect instructors, learned how to coordinate attacks with the human squad instead of just fighting alone on instinct.

"Slow down a bit, feel the underground pulse first, don't rush to judge," Miên Trà said to a struggling disciple, her serious voice completely different from the usual childish look, making him suddenly realize that he was gradually becoming a young teacher among the people who had terrified his clan for generations.

*

After the meeting, when everyone dispersed to prepare for the upcoming battle, Diệp Sương stood alone on Cảnh Linh Đài, looking down at the panorama of Vân Tiêu Peak bustling with preparations - disciples sharpening ink, soldiers practicing exercises, the Vụ Ẩn clan setting up a temporary camp in a corner of the yard that had never imagined they would one day welcome them.

Thanh Việt came and stood next to her, and the two of them watched the scene in silence for a long time.

"Are you scared?" he asked softly.

"Yes," Diệp Sương answered honestly. "But this time, at least, you don't have to face it alone."

Thanh Việt grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. "Never be alone again," he said, his voice as firm as an oath, as they both looked toward the horizon, where the night sky was gradually dyed a strange purple color signaling the impending arrival of the biggest storm in Cửu Vân's history.