Chapter 549: The Taoist Hundred Patience Tactics (Let’s turn the perspective back to the protagonist first)

He suddenly remembered that not long ago, an uninvited guest suddenly visited him and claimed to be his great-uncle, named Zhang Bairen.

This person claimed to be the younger brother of his late grandfather. He had been practicing in the mountains for many years. Now he went down the mountain to look for dragons. He unexpectedly discovered that he had the destiny of an emperor. He wanted to support the dragon court and fully support himself in his fight for dominance over the world.

Zhang Tianxuan recalled the scene when he first met Zhang Bairen. The old Taoist was thin, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle, and he exuded an otherworldly aura.

Several war gods in his Blue Army had different estimates of Zhang Bairen's strength, but the most conservative estimate was that he had at least reached the peak of the heavenly realm.

Coupled with his Taoist identity and seemingly unfathomable background, he might be able to bring a glimmer of hope to this crisis.

"Master, have you ever heard of Zhang Bairen?"

"He claimed to be my great uncle and said he could help me."

Thinking of this, Zhang Tianxuan's eyes gradually became firm. He turned to look at Taoist Xuantong with a hint of urgency in his tone.

"I have indeed heard of Senior Zhang Bairen that the general mentioned. Not only me, but also Fellow Daoist Chong Heqing, the two of us traveled south to this place precisely because of Senior Zhang Bairen's guidance."

Upon hearing this, Master Xuantong's face remained as calm as water, as if nothing in the world could disturb his mind. He nodded slightly and spoke slowly.

"I see. Could you please elaborate on this, Taoist Priest?"

Zhang Tianxuan was moved when he heard this and asked immediately.

"Senior Zhang Bairen is a Taoist master who is a hidden master. His cultivation is unfathomable. It is said that he has glimpsed a little bit of the mystery of the way of heaven."

"Although he does not often walk in the world, he enjoys a very high reputation within the Taoist community and has unique insights into the general situation of the world."

"The fact that he chose to support the general shows that the general has extraordinary potential and luck."

Taoist Xuantong smiled slightly, as if recalling the past.

"This time, the senior went down the mountain to look for dragons and discovered that the general has the fate of an emperor star. This is indeed destined by heaven."

"It is undoubtedly a great blessing for the general that the senior is willing to help."

When Master Xuantong said this, there was a hint of deep meaning in his tone.

After hearing this, Zhang Tianxuan couldn't help but feel excited.

It turned out that the sudden appearance of this great-uncle was not a coincidence, but a life-saving straw in their current predicament.

"Master, since you and Master Chong Heqing are both here under the guidance of Senior Zhang Bairen, does he have any specific strategies or suggestions that can help us overcome the difficulties we are facing?"

Thinking of this, Zhang Tianxuan hurriedly asked.

"Senior Zhang Bairen did leave behind a treasure bag with some instructions."

"He once mentioned that the key to solving the current dilemma is to 'cooperate vertically and horizontally', combining all forces that can be combined and cleverly utilizing contradictions between enemies to create opportunities."

"He also mentioned one person in particular, saying that this person might be the key to our breaking the deadlock."

Taoist Xuantong nodded slightly, his eyes flickering.

"Who?"

Zhang Tianxuan asked impatiently, already sensing that the answer might be something significant.

"Yang Su!" Taoist Xuantong slowly uttered these two words, with some profound meaning in his tone.

"Senior Zhang Bairen believes that although the three routes in the north of the former Great Xuan are strong, they are not united internally, especially between Yang Su and Peng Fengjun."

"Yang Su is a direct descendant of Duke Yang Jian of Sui. Currently, Duke Yang Jian of Sui is in sole control of the war in the south of Daxuan. In the north, Yang Su, who is from the Yang family, leads the army alone."

"This means that the Yang family has mastered the direction of the war in the north and south of Daxuan at the same time. Once the Yang family has second thoughts, it will be a disaster for the Daxuan Dynasty."

"Therefore, the fact that Peng Fengjun behind Yang Su is keeping his troops in place may be a sign of his intention to guard against or even target Yang Su. There must be a conflict between the two."

"If we can find the right opportunity, we may be able to encourage him to change internally and relieve our pressure."

Zhang Tianxuan felt suddenly enlightened when he heard this.

It seems that Zhang Bairen's appearance is not accidental, but a destiny. He has already prepared for Zhang Tianxuan's current situation.

I think Zhang Bairen persuaded Taoist Xuan Tong and Chong Heqing to lead the Xuantian Guard south just to provide an insurance for Zhang Tianxuan.

Just when the situation in the north of Daxuan was on the verge of breaking out, Su Ye, who had been in Hengzhou, also began the final battle in Hengzhou.

Hengzhou, with its unique geographical location, has created a natural barrier that has deterred countless heroes and great men - the Tianqian Pass.

This pass is like a black dragon lying on the top of the mountains, with steep cliffs on both sides and only enough space for a path in the middle. It can be said that "one man guarding the pass can stop ten thousand men."

For thousands of years, it has witnessed countless baptisms of war, but has always stood firm, becoming Hengzhou's most proud line of defense and a natural barrier against foreign enemies.

At this time, Tie Shiwen, dressed in an animal skin coat, was leading tens of thousands of defeated Yellow Turban soldiers secretly gathered by the Cangzhou Army along the way, as well as hundreds of thousands of ragged old and weak Yellow Turban soldiers with their families, and slowly approached Hengzhou's most proud line of defense - Tianqian Pass.

This is a team that seems mighty but is actually extremely miserable. They stretch for dozens of miles, and every step they take is filled with endless bitterness and despair.

Tie Shiwen rode his tall horse with an expressionless face, walking at the front of the team, looking straight at the towering natural barrier ahead through layers of dust and tired crowds.

He knew that this battle might mean the end of the lives of the defeated Yellow Turban soldiers and the elderly and weak behind him.

The towering city wall, like a giant dragon stretching between heaven and earth, stares coldly at all creatures that dare to challenge its majesty.

On the city wall, many defenders of Hengzhou were on high alert, their eyes full of contempt for the group of old, weak and sick people below.

A group of defeated soldiers who couldn't even put on clothes and didn't even have all their weapons. The defenders didn't think that this group of ants could have any impact on the Natural Qian Pass.

"Brothers, sisters, and our fellow countrymen!"

"Look at this natural barrier. It is tall, solid, and seems insurmountable."

"But I tell you, this is not our end, but our beginning!"

Tie Shiwen suddenly shouted loudly, and his voice echoed in the valley.

His words caused a commotion in the crowd. The exhausted and weathered Yellow Turban soldiers and the elderly and weak all looked up and looked at him with puzzled and expectant eyes.

"Do you know? As long as we break through this natural barrier, Hengzhou's food, supplies, land, houses, and even everything will belong to us!"

"We will no longer be the fleeing soldiers being hunted down, nor will we be the displaced refugees. We will be the masters of this land, and we will have everything we want!"

Tie Shiwen waved his arms and spoke passionately.

(End of this chapter)