Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1485 - 931: Cloud-piercing Crossbow and Sky-shattering Thunder

~4 minute read · 1,107 words
Previously on Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather...
Yang Zhenshan agrees to lead the defense of the Sea of Spirit against the Nether Prison Sect, demanding full command authority. He rallies the various sects and families by emphasizing the dire consequences of defeat. Preparations begin, and Yang Zhenshan convenes a council of experienced military leaders to organize the allied forces, establishing auxiliary troops to bolster Wuxiang City's defenses.
"Mountain Master, Chief! Here are the battle plans for the three auxiliary armies!" The finalized discussion points were swiftly compiled into a document and presented before Jian Changhe and Yang Zhenshan. In truth, both had been privy to the entire conversation and thus required no such documentation. "Mountain Master, do you have any further input?" Yang Zhenshan directed his gaze to Jian Changhe. At this juncture, Jian Changhe appeared somewhat lost in thought; he had followed the proceedings but found them somewhat perplexing. Upon glancing at the submitted document, a sense of bewilderment washed over him. "Ah, you can make the final call," Jian Changhe responded, still feeling a bit disoriented. Yang Zhenshan, unperturbed, gave a slight nod. "Since it has been decided, then issue the orders!" "Understood!" Qu Changkong acknowledged the command and then instructed Yang Qinwu, who stood nearby, "Proceed to the document room and draft the military edicts, then dispatch them to all relevant parties." Yang Qinwu promptly took the document and departed from the main hall, heading towards the newly established office in the adjoining hall. Within the office, a team of over ten scribes was already assembled and awaiting instructions. In a remarkably short period, ten military directives were meticulously transcribed into booklets. Subsequently, ten specialized squads were dispatched to deliver these orders to two Sects and eight aristocratic families. With the auxiliary army's strategy finalized, Qu Changkong continued to deliberate on matters such as logistics, troop movements, and engagement tactics. Each point was thoroughly discussed and confirmed before being submitted to Yang Zhenshan for his approval. Upon receiving Yang Zhenshan's endorsement, immediate instructions were given to the scribes to prepare the corresponding military orders for dissemination. What had initially been a chaotic situation was thus systematically brought under control. Jian Changhe and Yang Zhenshan observed from the sidelines, savoring their tea, an expression of surprise on their faces. "This arrangement bears a striking resemblance to a royal court!" Jian Changhe mused, finally pinpointing the source of his unease. As the adage goes, mastery in one field does not equate to proficiency in all; while Sects possess unique strengths, dynasties have their inherent advantages. Yang Zhenshan concurred with a slight nod. "Indeed, this process has been modeled after the deliberations of a royal court!" Warfare and military engagements were subjects Yang Zhenshan understood intimately. The Yang family's ascent was intrinsically linked to military prowess, and despite their transition into an immortal cultivation lineage, many of their traditional practices remained intact. The Jade Capital's Three Guards still adhere to rigorous military training standards, the Taiwei Tower Martial Hall functions as a quasi-military advisory council, and the Secret Martial Guards undertake terrain reconnaissance as a fundamental duty. Within the Tianshu Tower resides the most comprehensive cartographical data of the western Yunxiao Mountain Range, encompassing regions from the Nether Prison Sect to the Sea of Spirit and the Wanlin Mountain Range, effectively mapping the territories of the western three great dynasties along with the northern Qingli Dynasty. With the exception of the deeper recesses of the Yunxiao Mountain Range and the central strongholds of major powers, the Secret Martial Guards have acquired an exhaustive understanding of the terrain, strategic positions, and military strengths within a perimeter of ten thousand miles. It could be asserted that the Spirit Source Land's comprehension of the western Yunxiao Mountain Range far exceeds that of the Hidden Sword Mountain, despite its prolonged presence of over three millennia. These meticulous preparations are a testament to the enduring traditions of the Spirit Source Land. "Chief, two final matters require your decision!" Qu Changkong announced. "And what are they?" "The first pertains to the strategic placement of defensive arrays within the city!" Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenshan turned his attention to Jian Changhe. Although the Spirit Source Land boasts Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun, both second-tier Array Masters, their proficiency in the Array Dao is merely adequate; while they can manage the Taiyin Cold Spring Array, their capabilities with other formations are limited. "Elder Gu Yun is a renowned expert in the Array Dao; this crucial task can be entrusted to him!" Jian Changhe suggested. It was well-known that Hidden Sword Mountain excelled in array formations, and Jian Guyun was recognized as a master of the Array Dao, undoubtedly a highly accomplished second-tier Array Master at the very least. "Then I shall formally request Elder Gu Yun's assistance. I will also assign personnel to support his efforts, aiming to expedite the completion of the protective arrays!" Yang Zhenshan inquired of Qu Changkong, "What specific requirements do you have for these arrays?" Qu Changkong replied, "No extraordinary specifications are needed, beyond a certain level of defensive capability!" The construction of a city-wide defensive great array is an arduous undertaking. Typically, it demands a minimum of three to five months, and given the current constraint of less than half a month, they could only endeavor to achieve the best possible outcome. "Very well. Are there any other matters?" Qu Changkong paused before speaking, "Should we consider deploying the Cloud-Piercing Crossbows?" Yang Zhenshan appeared taken aback. "The Cloud-Piercing Crossbows!" He thoughtfully considered the query, finally recalling the nature and capabilities of the formidable weapon.The Cloud-Piercing Crossbow, a formidable siege weapon, was recognized as a spiritual weapon-grade artifact, comparable to the waterborne crossbows previously developed. It truly served as a potent war machine. It surfaced in his memory that reports about the Cloud-Piercing Crossbow had reached him about twenty years prior. However, being a rather detached overseer, he had never given it much thought. "Have the Cloud-Piercing Crossbows already been produced in large quantities?" Yang Zhenshan inquired. "Indeed, Young Master, though the output hasn't been substantial, with only three hundred units completed!" Qu Changkong responded. The Cloud-Piercing Crossbow stood as the most vital military apparatus within Spirit Source Land. It was the culmination of decades of dedicated craftsmanship, evolving into a spiritual weapon-grade contraption. This weapon had always been the trump card of the Jade Capital's Three Guards. Due to its infrequent deployment in major conflicts, Qu Changkong was eager to test its devastating potential. Nevertheless, given the immense destructive power of this device, they hesitated to make any decisive moves without Yang Zhenshan's explicit approval. Yang Zhenshan, unbothered by these trivialities, declared, "Since it has been manufactured, let us certainly give it a trial run!" He too harbored a degree of curiosity regarding the Cloud-Piercing Crossbow's actual might. Crossbows of the spiritual weapon-grade caliber were anticipated to possess considerable power!