"When a sorcerer is enraged, heaven and earth tremble, mountains and rivers collapse;
When a warrior is enraged, the ground quakes for ten miles, and blood spills from a single man!"
"Daoist, would you care to see what happens when a warrior gets angry?"
Qin Qiong's eyes were ice-cold as he stared at Zhang Jiao, his tone full of threat.
There were many rumors that the Lord Taiping had the bearing of an immortal, yet none truly knew the extent of his power.
But today, upon witnessing the fury of the heavens and the crashing thunderstorm, Qin Qiong finally understood.
A sorcerer's wrath—truly terrifying!
But he, a warrior, was no pushover either!
Even if he couldn't kill Zhang Jiao, taking out a few lesser warriors was no problem at all!
"You are no match for this poor Daoist. I have no intention of taking lives. You know what it is that I seek. Should it be granted, the world shall be purified and at peace."
Zhang Jiao smiled lightly, speaking in a soft tone.
Upon hearing this, the murderous intent in Qin Qiong's body faded. "Are you speaking the truth, Daoist?"
"A cultivator follows the unity of knowledge and action," Zhang Jiao replied calmly.
"Very well. So long as the Daoist withdraws his divine powers today, I, Qin Qiong, will immediately order a retreat. From this day forth, I shall no longer oppose the Yellow Turbans!"
Qin Qiong turned to glance at the soldiers weeping and wailing in the storm, compassion in his eyes.
The army did have some exceptional talents who could withstand the thunder with their own strength.
But such people were rare. Those they could protect were even fewer—like drops in the ocean.
A thunderous cleansing could reduce the common soldiers to ash!
That kind of scene was not something Qin Qiong wanted to see.
Therefore, as long as Zhang Jiao stopped, Qin Qiong was willing to risk defying military orders to retreat!
"Heaven's clarity, peace for all."
Zhang Jiao murmured, planting his nine-sectioned staff into the ground.
An invisible ripple spread out, and in the blink of an eye, the layered thunderclouds scattered across the heavens.
Gentle sunlight shone down from above, and through the refraction of the rain, a gorgeous rainbow bridge arced across the sky.
Seeing this, Qin Qiong cupped his fists in salute and turned to leave.
Once Qin Qiong was gone, Zhang Jiao turned and looked at Liu Yuan.
"So? Did the Taiping Essentials Arts disappoint you, young friend?"
Liu Yuan dumbly nodded, eyes wide as he stared at the distant military camp.
He lowered his head to look at his trembling palms.
Today's Daoist Zhang was tomorrow's Liu Yuan!
One day, he too would reach such heights!
Liu Yuan lifted his head high, eyes full of hope.
"The Daoist's power is on par with immortals!"
He cupped his fists in admiration, his heart completely convinced.
"It's just some basic techniques—elementary applications of Heavenly Gang Daoist methods. Everything I used is recorded in the Taiping Essential Arts."
"As long as you cultivate with dedication, surpassing me is only a matter of time."
Zhang Jiao clasped one hand behind his back, face full of calm confidence.
What, just a thunder cleansing?
To this Daoist, it's nothing more than a drizzle!
(ˉ▽￣～) Cheh~~!
Look at you now!
Trying to show off in front of this Daoist earlier?
Hah! Scared you half to death, didn't I?
"Now that the matter in Ping City is settled, it's time to send reinforcements to Liang City. Would the young friend be willing to go on my behalf?"
Zhang Jiao flicked his sleeve and asked.
Go?
"Deliver a letter?" Liu Yuan asked cautiously.
Zhang Jiao smiled slightly, "You truly understand me, young friend!"
Pfft!
You think I believe that?!
You sly old fox!
Last time, that geezer Zhang Jiyung made me deliver a message, and it was just a blank sheet of paper.
That wasn't delivering a message—
It was delivering me!
Now you want me to deliver something again?
No doubt it's another trap!
Liu Yuan muttered inwardly, looking completely reluctant.
But then he looked at the remaining thunder in the sky...
Well, it's just delivering a letter, right?
And besides, your boy here is all about helping others!
Fine then, I'll take it!
"Yes," Liu Yuan answered.
Hearing that, Zhang Jiao's smile deepened. He lightly tapped the nine-sectioned staff, sending out a wave of invisible light.
Liu Yuan blinked and found himself instantly transported from the city wall to the main hall of the City Lord's residence.
Holy crap! Teleportation?!
Liu Yuan smacked his lips, suddenly finding the sorcerer system to be incredibly elegant and high-class.
"Just a basic use of spatial compression."
Zhang Jiao chuckled lightly, walked to the table, and picked up a stack of envelopes, handing one to Liu Yuan.
"This letter—please deliver it to Zhang Liang, or to my father."
Liu Yuan took the envelope and weighed it in his palm, face growing suspicious.
Don't tell me this damn old Daoist gave me another blank paper?
No way!
Surely not!
This old Daoist must have some standards.
Liu Yuan tried to reassure himself.
And just as that thought crossed his mind, Zhang Jiao spoke.
"You guessed right. It is indeed a blank paper."
Liu Yuan: …
A blank message again?
It's bad enough you're sending me for nothing!
But do you have to be so damn proud about it?
Damn it!
I'm not doing this crap!
I'm not taking this—
Just as he was about to protest, Zhang Jiao raised a hand and pointed.
A strand of spiritual light flew from his fingertip and entered Liu Yuan's forehead.
In an instant, Zhang Jiao's voice rang in Liu Yuan's mind.
"Just a minor trick, not worth mentioning…"
Liu Yuan: …
Ah, so that's how it works.
Alright, I get it now!
The letter isn't the message—the light is.
These NPCs may look plain, but they sure play dirty!
Liu Yuan, full of internal complaints, quietly tucked the letter into his backpack. "Daoist, if there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."
"Don't rush, young friend! There's something you may have forgotten?" Zhang Jiao stopped him.
Forgotten?
What now?
"When you entered the city, you brought a friend. That friend is currently… resting in our jail."
At Zhang Jiao's reminder, a greasy, lecherous face flashed through Liu Yuan's mind.
That damn fatso?
He's in jail?
Let him rot in there!
He dared to trick me?
The fact that I didn't kill him is already me being merciful!
Zhang Jiao looked at Liu Yuan and smiled gently. "No need to be angry, young friend. This poor Daoist took the liberty of reading his fortune. His luck is excellent—an omen of great wealth and nobility."
"If you're willing, why not make a karmic connection? It may come in handy in the future."
Liu Yuan paused, looking at Zhang Jiao with a strange expression. "Daoist, how much did that fat guy pay you?"
"Nothing. I judge only by fortune. That boy's fate is blessed—many good connections could serve you well later."
Luck?
Divination?
Liu Yuan couldn't help but think of his first skill.
As vague and mystical as "fortune" seemed, it clearly had some truth to it.
Otherwise, what exactly had he been seeing all this time?
"Well, since the Daoist says so, I'll accept the favor and go meet this fatty."
Liu Yuan cupped his hands, turned, and left the hall, following a soldier toward the prison.
Once Liu Yuan had departed, Zhang Jiao tapped his nine-sectioned staff on the ground again.
The earth trembled.
Before long, a Yellow Turban warrior approached and knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, Lord Daoist."
"Send word: gather the troops, prepare the provisions, and march for Liang City at dawn. At the same time, contact Bao City—north and south shall converge and surround Li Yuanba's army!"