"Senior Sister, what's Li Shimin planning? He's dragging us into the army, claiming he has a way to break the enemy?"
The woman in yellow, walking ahead with clear frustration, couldn't hold it in anymore.
They were cultivators of the righteous path. Fighting demons and evildoers was their duty, yes—but joining a military campaign?
And yet, Senior Sister had agreed.
Shi Feixuan's gaze shimmered slightly. "The Emperor of Sui has turned his eyes eastward toward Goguryeo. Li Shimin was sent here to hold off the Tubo invaders, but he has no reinforcements. If generals like Yuwen Huaji ignore him, he's cut off."
"It's already been a two-month stalemate."
She glanced back at the others. "But have you considered why he still seems so calm?"
Indeed. If he truly had the means, he would've acted already. Why hold out for so long?
Now it made sense. Their master always said to prioritize Feixuan's judgment.
That same day, Li Shimin personally gathered his elite Fei Xiong Army and introduced them to the concept of Eternal Meditation.
His troops had strong foundations to begin with. But with meditation, their spiritual strength soared.
Yet their awe turned quickly into unease.
Who was this radiant, terrifying god behind the power?
Li Shimin, standing tall before them, raised his voice:
"Fear not. That is the Eternal God, a true deity who walks among realms. He has appointed me as his divine envoy."
The soldiers were stunned.
Gods… are real?
And their commander was the chosen messenger?
Excitement replaced fear. Their eyes lit up with a sense of holy mission.
Li Shimin continued proudly, "The mortal Emperor has abandoned virtue. Chaos rises. But my Eternal God brings salvation. He aids the people!"
A flame ignited in their hearts.
The next morning, clad in a flowing white robe, Li Shimin led the Fei Xiong Army out of the city.
At his side were only his sister Li Xiuning, Shi Feixuan, and the women of the Bai Dao.
Though skeptical, the white-clad Taoists followed, believing Li Shimin had troops hidden nearby.
They traveled together to Changpo Ridge.
Meanwhile, in the Tubo army's camp below the mountain, the scouts saw Li Shimin's standard flying openly.
Their commander burst into laughter.
"Hah! The turtles finally dare to leave the city!"
"Today we feast on his flesh and drink his blood!"
With the signal of a blaring war horn, tens of thousands of Tubo soldiers began their charge.
After a long while, the Tubo army reached Li Shimin's position.
The general leading them burst into laughter at the sight of only a few hundred men.
"Little Li," he called mockingly, "have you finally come to your senses? Surrender now and spare yourself a pointless death!"
"Kneel and you'll be spared!"
"Kneel and you'll be spared!"
The soldiers chanted in broken Chinese, their cries echoing across the hills, shaking the very air.
Far behind them, the defenders watching from the city walls were shaken with dread.
Inside the city, the officials sent by Emperor Li Yuan panicked.
"What is Li Shimin doing?! He's taken his troops out alone?! Close the gates immediately!"
They rushed to the tower, eyes wide as they watched the scene unfold.
And then—they froze.
Li Shimin dismounted.
So did his followers. One of them stepped forward holding an ornate white jade box.
"Is he... offering tribute?"
"No... is he surrendering?!"
"Write it down! Quickly report this to the Emperor—Li Shimin is kneeling to the enemy and offering treasure!"
Back on the field, Li Shimin slowly knelt.
He raised the jade box reverently and opened it, revealing a luminous piece of carved white jade glowing with otherworldly energy.
The people in the city were dumbstruck.
Even Shi Feixuan and her fellow Bai Dao sisters stared in disbelief.
Their hearts pounded.
He was really kneeling...
Only Li Xiuning and the Fei Xiong Army remained composed, expressions unwavering.
From the Tubo side came roars of laughter.
"Ha! The second son of the Li clan kneels with jade in hand! Hahaha!"
"He's groveling! That jade must be worth a fortune!"
"The Central Plains are ours!"
But none of them noticed what Li Shimin was truly doing.
He wasn't surrendering.
He was praying.
"Glorious Eternal God," he intoned, his voice firm and solemn, "your humble servant, Li Shimin, offers his faith unto you…"
"This white jade altar is prepared for you, and today, I offer a sacred vessel—she who bears fate's blessing, Shi Feixuan—as tribute."
"I beseech you, Eternal One… descend upon us!"
Shi Feixuan: "...???"
Wait… what did he just say?
Was she… the sacrifice?!
Her mind reeled.
She had come believing she was part of a secret military strategy.
She never imagined that she was the offering.
Above the mortal plane, in the celestial domain of the Eternal God—
Lucian stirred.
Sensing the activation of another altar, he smiled.
"So soon? Another sacrifice?"
His divine perception pierced the layers of reality, instantly locking onto the scene.
"Ah… Li Shimin. Looks like you're eager."
The altar pulsed with divine light.
And this time, Lucian would make everyone witness the glory—and terror—of a god.
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Hey, if you have been enjoying this so far, do you think I should post extra Chapters on Patreon?