Free Web NovelChapter 457: Chapter 53: Medicine Ancestor Takes Command
Inside the council tent of the Lie Mountain Tribe, the atmosphere was oppressive and heavy.
The news of the cultivators fleeing had already spread throughout the Lie Mountain Tribe.
They had already experienced a major defeat, initially believing Gonggong and Zhurong had been captured.
Shennong sat at the head position, his face gray, his eyes revealing exhaustion and helplessness.
Beside him, Ting Yao gently stroked his back, trying to offer a thread of comfort.
In the tent, other elders and cultivators looked solemn and silent, an invisible tension permeating the air.
"Gonggong and Zhurong have actually defected to Jiu Li..."
Shennong’s voice was low and hoarse, tinged with a disbelief and pain that was hard to accept, "They were the backbone of the Lie Mountain Tribe..."
Due to Gonggong and Zhurong defecting to Jiu Li, an increasing number of tribe members decided to head to Jiu Li.
The fact that Lie Mountain could assimilate many tribes was because many tribes recognized him as the Common Lord.
Now these tribes’ people want to follow their clan leaders and leave.
There’s no blame in that.
It’s just that Shennong had known Gonggong and Zhurong for many years, even before he had fully become the Common Lord.
Shennong had already known Zhurong and Gonggong, the former meeting him while cultivating the Fire Path.
After all, both cultivated the Fire Dao, so Lie Mountain Tribe and Zhurong Tribe naturally had dealings.
The clan leaders of both were naturally beyond reproach.
Moreover, at that time, Shennong, due to his merit of tasting a hundred herbs, was recognized by Fu Xi as the Common Lord.
The Human Race also gave him the title of Holy Virtue, but more thought that tribes should govern themselves like in the time of the Celestial Emperor.
Individual governance was better.
However, this way of managing proved unsuitable for unified administration, and Shennong was walking the Medicine Immortal Path, not the Celestial Emperor’s.
He couldn’t see through myriad changes like the Celestial Emperor.
Therefore, Shennong proposed the Lie Mountain as the main, with many powerful tribes as auxiliary. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Layered management.
But who would be willing initially, it was Zhurong who first led the Zhurong Tribe to join the ranks of Lie Mountain.
Later, many tribes gradually joined Lie Mountain.
As for the betrayal of Ma Shihuang and Chi Songzi, it was like a heavy hammer, striking hard on Shennong’s heart.
One being his master, one as his disciple. freewebnσvel.cøm
Both leaving the Lie Mountain simultaneously made him increasingly feel that his initial decision was wrong.
His body already frail, now feeling waves of powerlessness.
The Lie Mountain Tribe, this once powerful tribe under his leadership, now faced the crisis of disintegration.
"Common Lord, this..." Ting Yao softly began, unsure how to comfort Shennong.
She knew Shennong’s contribution to the Lie Mountain Tribe was beyond what ordinary people could imagine.
From tasting a hundred herbs to create the Medicine Immortal Path, to leading the Lie Mountain Tribe to prosperity, each step condensed his heart and blood.
"I really was wrong back then..." Shennong’s voice carried a tinge of self-reproach.
"If only I hadn’t appointed Xuanyuan as successor, perhaps the Lie Mountain Tribe wouldn’t have reached this point..."
Ting Yao felt a pang in her heart, knowing Shennong’s decision wasn’t without reason.
Xuanyuan indeed had extraordinary talents.
Even Ting Yao had visited Xuanyuan, truly the perfect choice for Common Lord in Shennong’s heart.
But now, the massive momentum created by Jiu Li made Shennong’s decision seem somewhat hasty.
She gently said: "Common Lord, it’s not the time for self-reproach, we need to quickly find a way to counter Jiu Li’s attack."
Shennong took a deep breath, striving for calm.
He knew Ting Yao was right, now wasn’t the time to dwell on past mistakes, but to face the current situation.
He hesitantly spoke: "Ma Shihuang and Chi Songzi have fled with cultivator forces, greatly reducing Lie Mountain Tribe’s defense power.
How can we withstand Jiu Li Tribe’s attack?"
Shennong’s gaze swept over everyone in the council tent, speaking: "Is anyone willing to go and take command of the troops, take on the matter of attacking Jiu Li?"
Yet anyone met by his gaze instinctively lowered their heads.
The current situation, if facing Jiu Li, then we must face several Human Immortals.
And there’s also the uncertain Jiu Li Great Priest.
Now within Lie Mountain Tribe, only Ting Yao remained as a Human Immortal.
Who could manage?
Even if Jiu Li seems not intent on destroying us, but to gather instead.
Who dares to bet on such a possibility?
Better to wait until Jiu Li fully annexes Lie Mountain, then make plans.
Shennong seemed disappointed, just as Ting Yao was about to speak.
At this moment, Medicine Ancestor hurriedly entered from outside the tent.
Upon seeing Shennong, he immediately saluted: "Common Lord, I am willing to go take command of the forces, defend against Jiu Li."
Shennong was slightly taken aback, his gaze falling on Medicine Ancestor.
This newly accepted disciple had been particularly prominent since advancing to Tier Nine, learning his Immortal Technique quickly.
Plus, his constitution made studying his Medicine Immortal path without concern.
Even learning his Crystal Belly.
Yet he had been close to Ma Shihuang lately, Shennong thought Shen Yao would leave with him.
Unexpectedly, he remained.
Medicine Ancestor continued: "Though I can’t compare with Gonggong and Zhurong, I have faced Jiu Li before.
Moreover, bringing along the Medicine Immortal division, should cause some trouble for Jiu Li.
Shennong frowned slightly, pondering for a moment, before nodding: "Alright, no matter what, we must fight this battle!"
Medicine Ancestor nodded solemnly: "Common Lord, rest assured, I’ll give my all."
Shennong smiled faintly, though the smile carried a touch of fatigue, his eyes conveyed a hint of determination: "If you lose, I will personally lead the troops to halt Jiu Li."
Medicine Ancestor was shocked internally, knowing Shennong’s physical condition.
If Shennong personally fought, it would only be a battle to the death.
Medicine Ancestor’s tone was firm: "I will exhaust all efforts, not let the Common Lord down."
Shennong casually waved, a command token falling into Medicine Ancestor’s hand: "Go take command of the troops."
"Yes!"
Medicine Ancestor nodded, quickly leaving after receiving the token, then Shennong waved: "You all leave too."
Once Lie Mountain officials had left, Shennong sighed: "I must prepare early, Shen Yao surely cannot hold off Jiu Li.
Once they lose, I’ll personally lead the troops to confront Jiu Li."
Ting Yao quietly advised: "If things become impossible.
No need to personally lead, at worst we can wait for Jiu Li to attack, then join them."
Shennong shook his head, "Not possible, both for the Human Race’s rules and my own private intent.
I must fight one battle first."
"But Your health..."
Ting Yao, long familiar with Shennong’s companionship, knew his current condition was dire.
Should a battle ensue, Shennong might not hold out.
Even so, if the war prolonged, Shennong’s wounds would worsen severely.
"Since I misjudged initially, I must bear these consequences.
If life preservation becomes primary concern, I may not be fit as the Common Lord of Human Race."
