Starting from the martial arts world, Gan became a true master of martial arts.

Chapter 450: Taichu Secret Forbidden Land
Shui Houzi and Bo Zuo led two thousand cavalrymen to rush through the city gate and return to the military camp.

"General Bai, General Fang is roasting a lamb on the top of the city wall. Want to go up and have a few drinks?"

The water monkey's warm invitation.

Bai Zuo is a somewhat thin middle-aged man who is not good at speaking, but he is also a warrior of the fourth level of the heaven, responsible for guarding Pingliao City.

It was precisely because of his existence that after several night attacks by the barbarian army, Fang Li dared to let Shuai Houzi lead the cavalry out of the city to attack and disrupt the enemy's deployment. Otherwise, leaving the city would be tantamount to suicide.

Bo Zuo shook his head and said slowly: "Marshal Fang ordered me to guard the East Gate. How can I leave my post without permission? Drinking makes things difficult. Let's have someone bring some roasted lamb!"

After saying that, he led a thousand cavalrymen and galloped away.

"This person is so boring!"

The water monkey looked at Bo Zuo's back as he rode away on his horse, shook his head, dismounted, and walked along the steps toward the top of the city wall.

On the top of the city wall, there were grills every few dozen meters. The blazing flames were mixed with the aroma of meat, and the soldiers were sitting around the grills eating meat.

Their faces were filled with happy smiles. Although they were not allowed to drink alcohol during war, everyone was still very excited to eat such big mouthfuls of meat.

The water monkey looked at the excited faces of the soldiers and felt extremely emotional.

Over the past year or so, Haizhou's economy has indeed improved a lot, and the soldiers have never lacked food.

However, Pingliao City is located in the north, with steep mountain roads, and is relatively poor compared to the ancient cities in the south.

The barbarian army marched southward, and all the soldiers in the city were under considerable pressure from this great battle.

But Shui Houzi did not expect that the barbarian army would arrive, and Fang Li would come to Pingliao City in person, bringing with him three thousand cattle and sheep.

With General Fang in charge of Pingliao City and the soldiers defending the city rewarded with cattle and sheep, the soldiers' fighting enthusiasm was even higher.

The water monkey walked straight into Weng City and saw Fang Li still studying the map at his desk, frowning and saying nothing.

"General Fang, I can actually defend Pingliao City. There are so many things in Haizhou that need your attention. You shouldn't have come!"

"With Ji Huai's help, Haizhou won't be in chaos. For us in Haizhou, the barbarians' southward migration is the top priority."

Fang Li raised his head and looked at the water monkey:
"The barbarians are marching south with an army of 100,000. Although my Dragon Whale Army has 400,000, there are only 50,000 in Ping Liao City."

"This is the first time we have fought against the barbarian army. I must personally find out the barbarian army's combat power and layout."

The water monkey said nothing more, looking at Fang Li, whose figure looked a little thin under the candlelight.

In the past year, many people in the Dragon Whale Army have gained a lot of weight, but Fang Li is the only one who still looks so thin, which makes Shui Houzi feel jealous.

As a veteran who left Pingjiang County with Fang Xuan and founded the Dragon Whale Army, Shui Houzi watched Fang Li grow up, and compared to others, he has other emotions in his heart.

"General Fang, according to your prediction, they should attack the city with all their strength tomorrow."

Fang Li nodded and said, "I just received news that the three northern counties of Jizhou have been lost, and the barbarian army of 100,000 has already reached the city of Jizhou."

"Tuoba Ren has not achieved any results in the past few days. He will definitely attack the city with all his strength tomorrow."

The water monkey poked his head out to look. On the map on the wall, Fang Li not only circled Pingliao City, but also marked out many cities in Jizhou.

"Gu Kaizhi, the governor of Jizhou, is a good-for-nothing. He couldn't even handle his own refugees properly. Now that the barbarian army is marching south, the huge Jizhou is simply made of paper."

Shui Houzi was a rough man, so Fang Li didn't care about the cursing. Instead, he pointed at the map and explained to Shui Houzi, "This Jizhou City is one of the important strongholds of Jizhou's defense. If Jizhou City can be saved, the food and supplies to the south can be transported through the Jijiang River."

"With Jizhou as the focus, the entire north and south of Jizhou can become Gu Kaizhi's rear base, so there is no need to worry too much about the barbarian army."

“But if Jizhou is lost, even if they can still occupy Longcheng south of Jizhou, at that time, the barbarian cavalry will be unstoppable!”

As Fang Li spoke, he gave the water monkey instructions with his walking stick.

The water monkey was also watching very seriously. After Fang Li's explanation, the entire battle situation in Jizhou seemed particularly clear.

He frowned and curled his lips, saying, "General Fang, it's OK that Jizhou was destroyed by the barbarians. In the final analysis, it was all because of Gu Kaizhi's incompetence. If we hadn't taken in those refugees, Jizhou would have been in turmoil long ago!"

"If Jizhou is taken over by the barbarians, Ji and Yue states will become a pincer attack. By then, our Haizhou will be a piece of cake for the barbarians." Fang Li replied calmly.

After a pause, he continued, "Ever since King Xuanyi proclaimed himself emperor in Yizhou, the Red Eyebrows of Yanzhou followed closely behind. Now the Nine Provinces are no longer a situation of division among princes, but a struggle between several dynasties."

"If the barbarians want to get a piece of the pie, they must take over Jizhou and Haizhou. So even if it's for self-preservation, Jizhou can't be taken over by the barbarians so easily!"

No matter what situation he faces, he is now experienced.

Fang Li continued, "Now it depends on what Gu Kaizhi chooses, whether to move south directly or to gather all the troops in Jizhou and fight to the death!"

"Then what should we do?" After Fang Li's explanation, Water Monkey suddenly felt that this battle was not as simple as he had imagined, and there were many things he didn't understand in his mind.

"There is enough food and supplies in the city, so we will naturally hold our ground. Looking at the momentum of the barbarians, we must be prepared for a protracted war." Fang Li pondered and said:

"Of course, if Tuoba Ren has no follow-up measures, we can also look for opportunities to take the initiative."

"If the Dragon Whale Army can be like a sharp sword inserted into the waist of the barbarians, the pressure on Jizhou can be relieved a little."

After unifying Haizhou, Fang Li also made a lot of defenses for the location of Pingliao City. Now it seems that he was preparing for a rainy day.

Although there were not many defenders in the city, there were still sufficient firearms and crossbows for defense.

Even if these things are not used to support the formation, they are still a huge threat to the invading enemy if there are no powerful warriors to resist them.

Therefore, Haizhou is still quite confident in fighting a protracted war just against the defending barbarians.

As he spoke, he summoned a general and ordered:
"Send scouts out of the East City and sneak along that mountain road carefully to see if the enemy has reinforcements and where the enemy's food and fodder are stored!"

After the general received the order, Water Monkey took the initiative to analyze:

"General Fang, is this your plan to build a plank road in the open while secretly crossing Chencang?"

A few days ago, he led two thousand cavalrymen to charge through the barbarian army's camp. Although they disturbed the enemy for several days, they did not find the location of the enemy's food and grass. Fang Li said, "Hey,"
"No, if the barbarian army doesn't have support, I will eat up Tuoba Ren's army!"

When marching and fighting, food and fodder are the most important. Even barbarian soldiers are useless without food and fodder.

"You just went through a tough battle, eat some meat and rest early!"

Fang Li rubbed his slightly swollen temples, exhaled a breath, and said: "Let me think about it carefully. I don't know what the situation is in Zhongzhou!"

He hasn't slept for a day and a night since coming to Pingliao City.

The water monkey looked at Fang Li with some distress. After he left, Fang Li fell asleep.

Coming out of the big tent in Weng City, the water monkey winked towards the inside of the tent. In the darkness, four figures moved in response. After appearing briefly, they sank into the darkness again.

These four people are warriors who protect Fang Li closely.

Ever since Fang Li was attacked last time and Sikong Jie died in battle to protect Fang Li, Fang Xuan secretly trained four warriors to protect Fang Li before leaving Haizhou.

Although these four people are only at the fourth level of strength, they are still able to fight even if they meet a warrior at the fifth level.

Outside Tianshui County, plains, lakes, etc. gradually increase, forming a rich and colorful landform.

On the way to Pantai Pass, Fang Xuan, with six big monsters, passed through many cities.

After his personal experience, Fang Xuan has a clear understanding of the current Zhongzhou.

There were more than 600,000 soldiers in Zhongzhou originally, and they were all mobilized by Li Yuanzheng with the imperial seal.

However, after Shangjing City was sealed, except for the 300,000 Dragon Guards who used Tianshui County as their base and stayed indoors, everyone else was no longer bound by the imperial court.

More than 300,000 troops were scattered throughout the counties and prefectures of Zhongzhou. These generals were very powerful and occupied these cities.

Although he lived the life of a prince, he was actually a bandit in official disguise.

The dynasty collapsed and the rule of rituals was destroyed.

Without the constraints of morality and law, the animal nature in many people's hearts has completely erupted.

"You humans are sometimes worse than us monsters!"

Lingxi sat on a huge rock by the stream and grabbed it with ease. A big fish flew out from Yao Yunxinshi's hand.

It put it into its mouth, and a faint trace of blood flowed from the corner of its mouth.

A big fish weighing more than three kilograms was swallowed by it in two bites.

The five monsters including Akagi Jiao have clear division of labor and are looking for food.

Fang Xuan ignored it.

Lingxi said to himself: "Although my demon race likes to devour our own kind, that is our nature. Besides, we originally feed on flesh and blood!"

"The cultivation of monsters is different from that of humans. As long as you reach the upper realm, you can practice fasting, but we can't. Flesh and blood are the source of the growth of our internal energy!"

"When I was in the Taichu Secret Realm, I was annoyed by the stinky warriors in Kunwu Mountain, but after traveling with you for the past few days, I suddenly feel that the warriors in Kunwu Mountain are all kind people!"

Lingxi spoke as he ate the food that the five great monsters had found.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the whole wild boar was eaten.

The five big monsters were also unhappy, thinking that if Lingxi followed Fang Xuan to Haizhou, they would have to be slaves all the way.

It’s a pity that my skills are not as good as others, so I can only sigh silently at this thought!

Listening to Lingxi's sigh, Fang Xuan did not speak, but he felt indifferent in his heart.

Compared to monsters, humans are indeed more hypocritical. Even if they really want to kill you, they will act as if it is a natural thing to do.

Thinking of the Taichu Secret Realm, Fang Xuan suddenly asked, "Lingxi, what is there in the Taichu Secret Realm that makes Kunwu Mountain so eager to visit it?"

Lingxi answered casually, "Of course it is eternal life. Otherwise, those people in Kunwu Mountain would send a large number of elite disciples in every three years. Don't they have nothing to do?"

eternal life?

This was the first time Fang Xuan had heard this term so seriously, and he couldn't help but wonder, "Can people really live forever?"

Lingxi sneered: "Fang Xuan, have you lost your mind?"

"Even if you reach the legendary extraordinary realm, you can only live for a thousand years? Do you really think that all living things in this world can become immortal like those old turtles in the Divine Abyss through cultivation?"

Although Lingxi's words were extremely vulgar, Fang Xuan also felt that they made a lot of sense.

Even the Dayang Dynasty could not resist the overturning of its fate over the past six hundred years, let alone humans.

All things are subject to birth, aging, sickness and death, and everything follows the laws of nature. It is already amazing to be able to prolong one’s lifespan through practice!
"Since there is no eternal life, then why..."

Lingxi jumped down from the huge rock, scooped up some stream water and drank two mouthfuls, then said, "There is no eternal life, but there are some mysterious things after all."

"Do you remember the black box you stole from me? That's what I took out from the forbidden area in the Taichu Secret Realm. Of course, the Millennium Saint Yuan Branch also counts, but it's just a seedling. I carefully cultivated it for hundreds of years, but in the end, it was all in vain. Alas."

Fang Xuan touched his chin and asked, "Is there a forbidden area in the Taichu Secret Realm?"

Lingxi nodded, his face became serious:

"There is a well in there. Every once in a while, a very evil and powerful force will gush out of the well. At that time, all the creatures in the Taichu Secret Realm will be killed or injured!"

"I have been in the Taichu Secret Realm for a thousand years, so I can be considered an old man there, but I still don't know much about that forbidden area."

"When I break through the Divine Wandering Realm in the future, I must go in and take a look again."

(End of this chapter)