Chapter 95: Jiangcheng and Wang Daoling
Zhao Zongyong sent out another summons, this time intending to wield the authority of the prince’s mansion to intimidate others with sheer power. Of course, this was hardly a wise approach, as it risked exposing the mansion’s ambitions, yet he had no better options.
The summons had already been dispatched when the intelligence returned.
“What? They were wiped out? Impossible! Who dared to make such a move?”
“Replying to the Young Prince, it was the Shen family who acted.”
Unlike Guo Beixian’s vague reports, Bao Zheng did not conceal Shen Shi's achievements. Had Bao Zheng followed Guo Beixian’s example, they might not even know their own forces were destroyed.
“The Shen family? How could that be? Just two people—how could they possibly handle over a hundred cavalry? Didn’t they flee?”
It was astonishing! The number of male Shen family members was no secret, and Zhao Zongyong refused to believe they had been killed.
“Replying to the Young Prince, the Shen family has already reassembled their troops,” his subordinate cautiously informed him.
Zhao Zongyong’s face twisted in disbelief. Did he not know the Shen family’s current situation? He did. Precisely because he knew, and had calculated accordingly, he had sent his private army to strike during the Shen family’s moment of vulnerability, when their troops were not yet fully formed. And yet they still lost—was the Shen family’s training truly that formidable?
Even if he was reluctant to admit it, he had to face the facts.
Losing his private army pained him deeply, but the problem now was that the invitation had been sent, and he was ready to pressure the Shen family by force. And now they told him the Shen family’s military strength was astonishing?
Couldn’t they have told him sooner? What was he supposed to do now?
Torn between wanting horses and not daring to confront the Shen family head-on, Zhao Zongyong was at a loss.
“Report—Young Prince, the three Immortal Masters have arrived,” the gatekeeper announced, signaling the arrival of their own cultivators.
The Prince of Runan’s mansion housed many extraordinary individuals year-round; these three were among them.
“Quick, quickly, show them in.”
Zhao Zongyong welcomed the trio into the mansion. They were a father and daughter, surnamed Jiang, and a Taoist priest. The father was Jiang Biaotou, the daughter Jiang Cheng. The Taoist priest wore a saffron robe, carried a ceremonial whisk, and was followed by two novices; he introduced himself as Wang Daoling.
Seeing their arrival, Zhao Zongyong felt a surge of hope. The Jiang father and daughter could take on a hundred men, and Wang Daoling’s Taoist skills were extraordinary.
“Young Prince, the Prince sent us here to serve under your command,” Jiang Biaotou said.
“Excellent, excellent! I was just about to pressure the Shen family. Your arrival eases my worries,” Zhao Zongyong said happily.
“Prince, which Shen family are we talking about?” Jiang Biaotou inquired.
Zhao Zongyong instructed someone to explain the Shen family’s situation.
“Heh, so they’re just military generals,” Jiang Biaotou said, relieved.
“Do you think you can defeat them?” Zhao Zongyong asked.
Jiang Biaotou did not answer directly but said slowly, “Young Prince, how much do you know about True Essence Steel Qi?”
“True Essence Steel Qi?” Zhao Zongyong frowned, pondering, “I feel I’ve heard of it somewhere.”
Nearby, Zhao Xue suddenly shuddered. “You mean to say they possess True Essence Steel Qi?”
Jiang Biaotou nodded, glancing at him. “Military families have always passed down True Essence Steel Qi. Most of the troops under generals in the past possessed it. That’s why they could break through enemy camps without defeat.”
“Zhao Xue, you know about this?” Zhao Zongyong looked at his subordinate in surprise.
Zhao Xue smiled wryly. “Young Prince, our ancestors served as keepers of the archives in their youth. I used to play there and heard countless stories of generals who rode through camps with a hundred cavalry. I always thought tales of invincible generals were mere praise, not reality, believing victory and defeat are common in warfare.”
“You’re right. Those who can break through ten thousand cavalry, ride through enemy camps, and fight like a thousand men—they all possess True Essence Steel Qi,” Jiang Biaotou said, pressing his forehead lightly. “People like this have survived hundreds of battles without injury. They’re no ordinary individuals. Beyond that, they are almost godlike—able to traverse the vast world as they please.”
Jiang Biaotou spoke with such fervor that Zhao Zongyong felt as if listening to a legend. He couldn’t help but doubt, “Is it really as exaggerated as Master Jiang says? If such people existed, why would our Song Dynasty even maintain an army? We could just send them to war directly.”
“Heh,” Jiang Biaotou smiled proudly.
He placed one hand lightly on the table. When he withdrew it, a hush fell over the hall as everyone gasped.
There was a shallow palm imprint left on the table, about half an inch deep, with clearly defined lines.
“This… this… is True Essence Steel Qi?” Zhao Zongyong’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhao Xue broke out in a cold sweat. “If that hand pressed down on me, wouldn’t it leave a bleeding wound?”
Having faced Shen Shi before, he was even more terrified. It was better not to provoke Shen Shi than to be pressed down by a palm like that.
Wang Daoling stood by, shaking his head slightly.
He thought to himself: The human cultivators have declined so severely that this level of cultivation is praised? Their True Essence is too weak, too scattered—infinitely feebler than that of genuine immortals. With such True Essence, they can’t even draw a talisman, let alone cast spells. The methods they practice are few and simple.
Not to mention, as cultivators advance, they can perform various spells, divine powers, wield magical treasures, and even command the forces of heaven and earth.
If human cultivators are limited to this, then I, Wang Daoling, have nothing to fear.
At this moment, Zhao Zongyong was utterly amazed and exclaimed, “So Master Jiang is also a True Essence Steel Qi expert. With you here, let’s see if they still dare to be arrogant.”
After a moment’s thought, he hesitated, “But I don’t know how many Immortal Masters with such cultivation the Shen family has.”
“Haha, Young Prince, you need not worry. True Essence Steel Qi is a secret never taught to martial artists. Even if taught, it is far harder to master than becoming the top scholar in the imperial exams.”
“Excellent, excellent!” Hearing Jiang Biaotou’s explanation, Zhao Zongyong was delighted. “Master Jiang, rest assured, after this matter, the Young Prince will certainly recommend you to the court. This is a time when the government is eager to employ talent. Given the Emperor’s character, he will surely make good use of Immortal Masters.”
Only then did Jiang Biaotou reveal a satisfied smile.
As the saying goes, mastering both civil and martial arts is a treasure to the emperor’s household. No matter how prominent the prince’s mansion, they, father and daughter, were mere retainers. But once favored by the emperor, that was true rapid advancement.
Wang Daoling observed coldly.
Unlike Jiang Biaotou, who sought imperial favor, Wang Daoling valued destiny above all. As for the fortune of the Runan Prince’s mansion...
Well, who was he fooling? Given his nature, Wang Daoling envied and resented them deeply. Yet, born into a prestigious family and practicing orthodox human cultivation, he maintained his composure. Though he longed to teach Jiang Biaotou and his daughter some manners, he could only remain aloof, embodying the demeanor of a true master.
Of course, it was all an act. Ostensibly, they were hosting a welcome feast, but during the meal, Jiang Biaotou was the center of attention. Whether it was Zhao Zongyong, Zhao Xue, or even the women Zhao Zongyong had summoned, they all wished to cling to Jiang Biaotou’s side.
In truth, Jiang Biaotou’s skills astounded them, broadening their horizons so thoroughly that Wang Daoling wished he could replace him entirely.