In the 12th Year of Zhengyong, the Imperial Court ordered five armies to march straight towards Xuzhou and Jiangzhou.

In October of the 12th Year of Zhengyong, Xu Mujun returned to the army and launched a full-scale siege on Xuzhou.

In November of the 12th Year of Zhengyong, Xu Mujun broke through the northern city of Shanghe County in Xuzhou, killing 35,000 rebels and gathering 200,000 refugees.

On November 21st of the 12th Year of Zhengyong, Cui Xiawu broke through Jinchan City, with its defending troops voluntarily surrendering. Immediately afterwards, the army swept through the entire Jinchan County like autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves.

On December 6th of the 12th Year of Zhengyong, Cui Xiawu broke through Liangshan City.

Liangshan City had loyal supporters of King Chen who killed civilians to hold their ground. After the city was breached, all defending troops were slain.

On December 21st of the 12th Year of Zhengyong, Meng Guang occupied Yunshui City, expanding his territory from Jinggzhou to Xuzhou, and joined forces with Cui Xiawu.

In the 13th Year of Zhengyong, on the second day of February, the dragon raised its head.

Xu Mujun led the army into Shangpeng County, where the cities, upon hearing, surrendered one after another—eleven cities fell in one day!

In the 13th Year of Zhengyong, on February 12th.

Tang Zhengkou led an army to break Beixu City, Taishang City, and Taikang City.

That night, Tang Zhengkou's main general was attacked by cultivators, killing eight hundred personal guards, and Tang Zhengkou was slain.

In the 13th Year of Zhengyong, on February 21st.

Guanshan led his army into Jiangzhou, encountering

resistance from Tianlong Temple martial monks and their subordinate rebels. Both sides engaged in a massive battle outside Pastoral City.

The battle lasted three days, ultimately resulting in Guanshan's infantry suffering heavy losses, with over thirty percent of his cavalry also lost.

On February 26th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

Masters from Tianlong Temple launched a surprise attack on Guanshan's army camp.

A cultivator revealed the true form of Buddha, killing over ten thousand.

Guanshan was overwhelmed and fled with serious injuries. In a narrow mountainous pass in Nanyue County, he set up an ambush, exterminating the martial monks pursuing him from Tianlong Temple.

In this battle, thirty thousand martial monks and a hundred thousand rebels from Tianlong Temple were slain.

However, the elite Yunzhou Army under Guanshan also suffered losses over half and had to retreat to Yunzhou to recuperate, while also contacting General Miaoo Xiu to form a mutual support strategy, advancing slowly.

On March 15th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

Xu Mujun led his army to besiege Xuzhou City, where both factions' armies clashed outside the city.

Three days later.

A cultivator launched a surprise attack on Xu Mujun, only to be killed in return by Xu Mujun.

Seven days later.

On March 25th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong, Cui Xiawu joined forces with Xu Mujun with a twelve thousand-strong army.

On April 8th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

The defeated troops under Tang Zhengkou were rallied by Qu Bo, the newly appointed commander of the New Army, and came to Xuzhou to join forces with Xu Mujun, numbering over eighty thousand soldiers.

On April 25th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

Meng Guang's eighty thousand troops, led by Tan Yunlong and Shentu Kui, arrived in Xuzhou to join the main army.

On May 8th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

Miaoo Xiu's twelve thousand troops, led personally by Miaoo Xiu, stepped into Xuzhou.

On May 10th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

The Imperial Court's five hundred thousand troops besieged Xuzhou City!

Both sides engaged in continuous battles, with countless casualties.

On May 21st of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

Within Xuzhou City, there was a plan to secretly surrender, plotting to hand over the city.

The generals requested merit, and Shentu Kui led an army to sneak attack.

That night.

Shentu Kui led his army into the South City of Xuzhou at night, and after a quarter-hour, the shouts of battle erupted—this plan was a fraud.

Xu Mujun made a swift decision, leading a general assault with his army, dividing the five hundred thousand troops into five teams, attacking the city walls day and night without rest.

An hour later, Xuzhou City's South City was breached, but the soldiers who first entered suffered heavy casualties, and Shentu Kui was killed.

The five hundred thousand troops long failing to capture the city, and with cultivators assisting within Xuzhou City, Xu Mujun could only sound the retreat, pulling back ten miles to continue the siege of Xuzhou City.

Half a month later.

The Divine Strategy Camp arrived at the battlefield, aiming twelve hundred Red Coat Cannons at Xuzhou City.

On June 5th of the 13th Year of Zhengyong.

Xu Mujun ordered the shelling of Xuzhou City!

In a matter of moments, over a thousand shells whistled towards Xuzhou City, explosions continuously erupted, and the entire Xuzhou City instantly fell into a sea of fire.

"Xuzhou City is finished." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Inside Xuzhou City, in Prince Chen's Mansion, three figures sat opposite each other, with one speaking coldly.

Prince Chen's heir, Zheng Yuanfa, sat at the main seat, and facing the two below, asked, "Two Daoists, what plans do you have next?"

Below them, on the left was Tuoba Clan Leader, Tuoba Wufeng.

On the right was Fire Spirit, the Vice Tower Master of Mayfly Tower invited from the Overseas Cultivation Realm.

"Hehehe..."

Fire Spirit sneered coldly, "Who would have thought that within mere ten years, the Great Yu Imperial Family could achieve such feats, and that Xu Mujun actually reached a realm beyond Innateness!"

"Moreover, with the advantage of firearms, they can launch shells from a thousand meters away, their power nearly rivaling the might of our cultivators' flying swords!"

"With this, what chance do we have?"

Tuoba Wufeng said, "Fellow Daoist Fire Spirit, I didn't invite you here just to watch the opera, but to think of a way to solve the problem with the Great Yu Zheng Royal Family!"

"Xu Mujun has five hundred thousand troops guarding him, with his own strength surpassing Innateness. Even if we wanted to kill him, it would be extremely difficult..."

"What solutions do you propose?"

Zheng Yuanfa hesitated, "I have another plan, but it requires your cooperation..."

"Fellow Daoist Bai!"

Fire Spirit spoke coldly, "Do you really think I don't know your true identity?"

"Your White Lotus Sect was destroyed by the Great Yu Court, and you have a blood feud with the Great Yu Zheng Clan, so don't treat us as pawns~"

Zheng Yuanfa's expression changed, then he smiled, "What are the two Daoists talking about?"

"As far as I know, Fellow Daoist Fire Spirit was also injured by the Great Yu Zheng Clan ten years ago, suffering heavy injuries, and even had your Lifebound Magical Artifact seized by Xu Mujun."

"And as for Fellow Daoist Tuoba, the Yunmeng Marsh was invaded by the court's army, with a clan member killed—it's not an exaggeration to say it's a blood feud."

"With us three joining forces, we're more qualified to face the enemy..."

The three exchanged glances, their eyes flickering, then calmly smiled, "As Fellow Daoist Bai said."

"What brilliant strategy does Fellow Daoist Bai have?"

Zheng Yuanfa chuckled, "It's quite simple. I'm currently occupying this title of heir to Prince Chen, now steadfastly defending Xuzhou City—everyone believes that I'll defend Xuzhou City with the lives of tens of thousands within."

"But what if I were to willingly abandon Xuzhou City?"

"Abandon Xuzhou City?"

The two felt puzzled but did not ask, looking at Zheng Yuanfa.

"We, as cultivators, care little for worldly wealth and glory."

Zheng Yuanfa spoke calmly, "Our great enmity is truly only with the Great Yu Zheng Clan, and specifically, it is only Emperor Zhengyong alone."

"Just kill Emperor Zhengyong, and we can turn the tide!"

"What are mere fifty thousand troops under Xu Mujun worth?"

Fire Spirit was surprised, "Are you suggesting... capture the king first, kill Emperor Zhengyong?"

"Exactly!"

"This plan is not feasible."

Tuoba Wufeng shook his head, "Emperor Zhengyong is inside the Imperial Palace, guarded by countless Imperial Guards, and I've heard Emperor Zhengyong is also a cultivator with followers."

"How can the three of us possibly go to the Imperial Palace to assassinate Emperor Zhengyong?"

"Hehehe..."

Zheng Yuanfa smiled coldly, "I'm aware of this, but if I were to say I have specific intelligence on the cultivators around Emperor Zhengyong, would you two be willing to accompany me?"

Fire Spirit's eyes shone, "Oh, what kind of intelligence?"

Zheng Yuanfa said, "As far as I know, Emperor Zhengyong now only has two cultivators."

"The first is Tianxingzi from Celestial Secret Dao, specialized in divination, astrology, and Feng Shui, with a Seventh-layer Qi Refining cultivation from over three thousand years ago!"

"The second is a teacher of one of Emperor Zhengyong's concubines, with cultivation not exceeding Sixth-layer Qi Cultivation."

"As for Emperor Zhengyong and his consorts' cultivation, it's negligible."

"What are two Daoists worth of such strength?"

Zheng Yuanfa's eyes flickered, "Assassinating Emperor Zhengyong—now is the best time!"