But Chen Jiuyang sensed a pure, sharp, and ultimate personal martial will from the old man.
"My body is weak, and my life is nearing its end. Sect Master Chen, please forgive me," the Feng family patriarch said.
Chen Jiuyang smiled, "Senior Feng, you jest. I can still see your condition."
The Feng family patriarch replied, "The arrow shot earlier has exhausted my life's essence and spirit. My life is truly nearing its end. Sect Master Chen, please do not joke with me."
He was able to kill a powerful being at the Hedao stage with a single arrow in the Tianjing realm because of the advantage of the weapon path.
The Yan Emperor had suppressed everything alone back then, also relying on the unique advantages of the weapon path.
"I know the purpose of Sect Master Chen's visit. You wish to confirm in person whether Sect Master Chen truly has the intention to overthrow the five great sacred lands?" the Feng family patriarch asked.
Chen Jiuyang slowly nodded, "Indeed."
"The day I ascend to the Emperor realm will be the day my army marches upon the five great sacred lands."
"The five great sacred lands have poisoned us for too long, standing aloof and treating us like pigs and dogs, to be slaughtered at their whim," the Feng family patriarch said. "This great chaos is all their doing."
"Though there is great chaos, with our backs against the wall, and with you and the Yan Emperor present, there might truly be a chance."
The Feng family patriarch also vaguely sensed something.
"Since you have come seeking the archery path and its essence, though I cannot teach you personally, I can tell you the essence of the archery path."
"The bow is the will of heaven, and the will of heaven has four forms: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The four forms of the will of heaven are the essence of the archery path."
"Without the will of heaven, an arrow released from the bow cannot harm the enemy."
"And we martial artists are our own will of heaven."
"How to mobilize one's own four forms of the will of heaven requires cultivating and comprehending spring, summer, autumn, and winter!"
"I have studied the weapon path and archery for eighty years before barely comprehending this point. Since Sect Master Chen has already achieved enlightenment, I cannot teach you the archery path and its military strategies, only to tell you that you need to comprehend your own spring, summer, autumn, and winter."
"I am tired. Sect Master Chen, you may leave now."
With a few brief incantations, the Feng family patriarch conveyed the essence of the archery path to Chen Jiuyang.
It was simple, yet profound, requiring Chen Jiuyang to ponder it himself.
Entering the archery path is difficult.
Comprehending one's own spring, summer, autumn, and winter? The four forms of the will of heaven...
But then...
Chen Jiuyang already possessed the four forms of the will of heaven, but they were merely scattered techniques.
They happened to align with the archery path.
Although their meeting was brief, the Feng family patriarch left a deep impression on Chen Jiuyang.
To walk the path of Yuan Dao and manifest the four forms of the will of heaven, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, is no simple matter.
But this is a long-term endeavor.
This trip was not in vain. Chen Jiuyang could not stay in the Feng family for too long, lest it arouse suspicion, which would be detrimental to both him and the Feng family.
Leaving the Feng family, as Chen Jiuyang prepared to travel west.
Someone blocked his path.
He had seen this person several times before.
It was the Zhennan Royal Consort.
The woman of Zhennan King Zhou Fangzun.
The last time he saw her was sixty years ago, before the martial rankings competition.
Now that she appeared before him again, he wondered what business she had.
The Zhennan Royal Consort remained dignified and graceful. She looked at Chen Jiuyang and the three women beside him, bowed, and said, "This concubine greets Sect Master Chen."
"It has been a long time," Chen Jiuyang said. "May I know why the Zhennan Royal Consort seeks me?"
The Zhennan Royal Consort replied, "The King wishes for Sect Master Chen to accompany him on his final journey."
Chen Jiuyang's eyes flickered, "Is he nearing his limit?"
The Zhennan Royal Consort nodded. "For many years, the King has dedicated himself to the nation. Sect Master Chen knows the situation. Recently, the King has been in frequent battles and is utterly exhausted. Tomorrow, a formidable enemy will challenge the King. The King senses this will be his final battle and wishes for Sect Master Chen to accompany him on his final journey."
"Alas..."
Chen Jiuyang's emotions stirred slightly, but only slightly.
In the illusion of Sage Wang, he knew that the person named Xi Butui was actually quite decent. The truth behind Yao Zixuan's incident years ago had long been clarified. Looking at Zhou Fangzun now, he was indeed not bad.
Despite past conflicts and entanglements.
After pondering for a moment, Chen Jiuyang agreed, "Alright, I will take a plane to the Southern Territory shortly."
As he spoke, Chen Jiuyang asked, "After the Zhennan King falls in battle, what will become of you?"
The Zhennan Royal Consort smiled sadly, "Before Wushuang died, he left a child. Naturally, I will live in seclusion and raise the Zhou family bloodline well."
Chen Jiuyang's eyes moved, "When did Zhou Wushuang die in battle?"
The Zhennan Royal Consort replied, "He died at the beginning of the great war. He was only buried a few days ago."
As she said this, she no longer seemed like the mother who would do anything for Zhou Wushuang. It was as if Zhou Wushuang's death was that of a stranger.
"He kept his word. That is commendable," Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly.
Back at the Yan Capital martial rankings, he had made an agreement with Zhou Fangzun that Zhou Wushuang would only die on the battlefield in this life.
Now, the promise had been fulfilled.
Chen Jiuyang said, "If anyone troubles you, you may come to the Han family in Suhang. I cannot guarantee anything else, but I can protect a widow and her orphan."
The Zhennan Royal Consort looked at Chen Jiuyang with complex emotions, then bowed again, "Thank you, Sect Master Chen."
Times have changed. The era of the Dragon Country's Human King has passed. The system of sword bearers and sealed kings has collapsed, and these old powers will be lost to time.
Then the Zhennan Royal Consort left.
Qiu Yihan sighed, "Husband, you truly are a good person. The Zhennan King has treated you so poorly, yet you still wish to protect her."
Chen Jiuyang said calmly, "Times have changed. Although the Zhennan King has troubled me, he has not failed the country or the people. He is dedicated to the nation. As the descendant of a meritorious official, he deserves protection."
Lin Yuexian said, "Brother Chen's magnanimity is broad. Protecting a widow and her orphan is a good deed."
Ji Lengyue sighed, "I never thought the dignified Zhennan Royal Consort would fall to such a state. If my husband did not protect her, I doubt they would survive for long."
Qiu Yihan said, "But the Zhennan King using my husband makes me a little unhappy."
Chen Jiuyang smiled, "Yihan, you need not be angry. I imagine Zhou Fangzun had no other choice, hence this desperate measure."
"The most I can do is to fulfill the sentiment of a former colleague."
"Let's go, let's go and meet this lone hero at his end."
...
The Southern Territory of the Dragon Country.
All warships were withdrawn for repair and maintenance.
The Zhennan Army suffered heavy casualties.
But the spirit of a soldier remained.
The Zhennan King, once of transcendent status, was now merely an ordinary Tianjing martial artist, but he still adhered to his duties.
There was a blood hole the size of a ping-pong ball on his waist, which could not be healed.
The entire camp exuded a solemn atmosphere, tinged with a hint of sadness.
Tomorrow, it would be the final stand of the Zhennan King Zhou Fangzun.
But as soldiers, as the Human King of the Dragon Country, to die on the battlefield was their destiny.
All they could do was to kill more enemies and protect the common people behind them.
Zhou Fangzun was recuperating with his eyes closed, adjusting his combat strength. His chief of staff walked in and said,
"Your Majesty, he has arrived."