The distance between Lyuzhou and Nanming Prefecture isn’t actually far, especially by water. Nowadays, with the developnt of Jiangnan’s shipbuilding industry, what once took five days by mountain road to Nanyang now only takes four days by water. And now, if the Formation is initiated for high-speed travel, it would take no more than half a day!
Tian Heng’s troops set off from Lyuzhou after midday adjustnts and arrived in Nanyang just in ti for dusk.
Nanyang City is impressively large, and it was originally the residence of the wealthiest groups in Jiangnan. As Jiangnan flourished, the city beca even more bustling, with markets kept open through the night and blazing lights illuminating the streets.
Yet, even in such liveliness, the pervasive glow of Buddha Light could not be concealed.
"Are you really sure you don’t need an internal coalition?" Tian Heng asked, sowhat puzzled. Even though the army had already encircled the city, Shen San insisted on entering the Hell Ruler’s domain alone for reconnaissance.
"Your inforrs ca ahead of ti to deliver the intel, so the elent of surprise in your sudden attack is already diminished. I know what you’re aiming for. Since you’ve decided to abandon them, then make a clean break. But there will always be costs involved. You’ve co openly and confidently, yet you have no idea what ans they possess. You’ll inevitably take a hit. Even now, the Western Sea Army soldiers who have taken their preparatory dicine march with the resolve to die. But even in death, they must ensure it’s worthwhile..."
Hearing this, Tian Heng stopped trying to persuade him further.
In truth, the very reason Tian Heng allowed his forr subordinates to send the ssage ahead was to sever ties entirely. Betrayal during warti—no matter how it’s spun—always brings so justification for sacrificing one’s own kin for the greater cause. As for their act of tipping off the enemy in advance, he cared little.
The Western Sea Army split into three units after passing through the border and reaching Jiangnan. If, by now, the Buddhist Temples in the various regions of Jiangnan still hadn’t reacted, then such a Buddha Kingdom was utterly undeserving of its status.
The essence of rapid military action is to deprive the enemy of sufficient preparation ti. Certain world-altering forces can never be readied in just a day or two.
Of course, by coming openly, the opponent will undoubtedly be prepared to so extent. But if they could glean even the tiniest bit of intelligence at this juncture and thereby reduce their losses, it would still be worthwhile...
Tian Heng took a deep breath. He was now a single step away from reaching King Level. That step might appear small, yet it was an insurmountable hurdle for many demons even after a million years. Once crossed, however, one would enter the realm of Longevity.
Humans... once capable of achieving Longevity, concerns like family legacy would beco irrelevant. With unlimited ti, what kind of lineage couldn’t be built from scratch?
Chen Qing’s influence was already imnse, but the number of individuals who could ascend to King Level in the future would surely remain few. In tis of great upheaval, it was those below King Level who would likely be reduced to re ants, stripped even of the right to protect themselves. Strength ruled in warti; Tian Heng had always understood this truth. His position in Jiangnan was already precarious, and with so many outstanding individuals in the region, securing resources necessary for becoming King Level without significant achievents was simply impossible.
This ti... it was success or death!
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"My lord... You’ve finally returned."
As soon as Shen San re-entered the Hell Ruler’s domain, he saw a number of scholars and assistants waiting anxiously within its halls.
The Hell Ruler’s domain was currently understaffed. Originally, the role of the Civil Judge should have been filled by Magicians, but in a city as prominent as Nanyang, hardly any Magicians could be recruited for this position. The reason was simple enough: mbers of Sorcerer Families generally still sought posts in the Mortal World. Accepting a position in the Hell Ruler’s domain ant no return path, sothing that naturally made them hesitant.
"What’s the situation?" Shen San asked directly.
"We’re not sure yet. Inside Nanyang City, there haven’t been any apparent disturbances. The Gate Deity has been on full alert for days, repeatedly urging us to remain cautious and to stay within the bounds of the Hell Ruler’s domain to guard it diligently for you, sir. Reports from the Night and Wandering Gods about the outside show no major developnts for now."
"Is that so?" Shen San rubbed his fingers together briefly, then said, "Tell the Night Traveling God to inform the Gate Deity to co to the Hell Ruler Temple to et !"
The group was montarily stunned, and then their faces turned sowhat peculiar. Except for a few old scholars who were strictly bookish, most of them were shrewd individuals. How could they not grasp Shen San’s intent?
Third Master... was suspecting the Gate Deity!
"Third Master... At such a crucial ti, isn’t this a bit improper?" one of the scholars cautiously voiced.
"It cannot be helped. At this point, there’s no room for such considerations," Shen San replied with a faintly darkened expression.
The position of the Gate Deity was extraordinarily critical, especially in the major cities of Jiangnan. When Chen Qing initially selected candidates for the Gate Deity posts, he had been extrely ticulous and cautious. Moreover, Shen San knew that Chen Qing seed capable of observing the loyalty or disloyalty of every Divine Imperial Mandate Spirit.
But the problem was... Chen Qing was absent right now.
Precisely during his absence, the sinister influence of the Buddha Kingdom—a force capable of awakening mories from past lives—had erged.
Such an ability made the chances of defection exceptionally high. Even soone previously loyal could not be entirely ruled out from betraying due to these mory awakenings. And the fact that this was happening while Chen Qing was away made it all the more troubling.
Shen San believed that if Tian Heng’s counteroffensive—or the audacious confidence of these Buddhist Temples—stemd from a particular root, then the most likely culprit would be ddling with the Gate Deity!
This would be the worst-case scenario...
The Gate Deity, when combined with the Array, was a key pillar behind Jiangnan’s bold reliance on external deploynts of their military forces. No matter how massive the invading armies were, breaking through the Gate Deity and Array defenses remained extraordinarily difficult, particularly in Nanyang City.
Outside Nanyang City lay Arrays that were remnants of ancient techniques once passed down from the Dragon Palace. Since then, Chen Qing had heavily promoted the study of Array techniques, turning the areas outside Nanyang’s walls into the premier training grounds for students at the Heavenly Institute.
But precisely because of this, the Arrays outside Nanyang City had beco the most complex of all.
Every innovative idea, every creative potential solution—they were all tested out here first, including experints involving collaboration with the Gate Deity. The quality of Nanyang’s Arrays could rival and perhaps even surpass Lyuzhou’s.
In such circumstances, if the Gate Deity were to betray them... Even with Tian Heng’s soldiers having greatly increased their strength, breaching those defenses would still seem nearly impossible!
"Report!!"
Within less than half an hour, a heavily armored Night Traveling God ca running in a rush. His frantic gait alone caused Shen San’s heart to sink.
"Speak!"
"My lord! The Gate Deity refused to co!" the Night Traveling God stamred between gasps. "It said that with such a critical battle at hand, and the Western Sea Army advancing at this mont, the Hell Ruler himself choosing to align with the enemy makes it demand an explanation first. Otherwise... it will refuse not only to allow the Western Sea Army entry but also to step foot in the Hell Ruler Temple!"
Shen San: "....."
The worst-case scenario had arrived!
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Outside the city, Tian Heng anxiously awaited news. He understood that Shen San had entered the city to probe for certain truths. Both of them knew full well that in attempting to crush the Buddhist Temples, another hidden adversary lood in the shadows.
It was just that neither of them wanted to confront this possibility if it could be avoided.
Gate Deities... among the Clans of Divine Imperial Mandate Spirits, theirs had the lowest entry threshold. In fact, it was said that when Chen Qing had initially selected them, he had even recruited a few demons for the role.
Yet, they were also the most crucial!
Entrusted with guarding the defense of entire cities, when tead with the Arrays, their power was potent enough to withstand tens of thousands on the battlefield.
Despite the weight of their duty, however, their future prospects and status fell short compared to other Divines.
Initially, this might not have been an issue. But over ti, dissatisfaction was inevitable. And now, with the Buddha Light’s alluring temptation—the prospect of awakening past lives stoked rebellion.
If, in a past life, a Gate Deity had been a figure of great power and status, how could they possibly resign themselves to spending eternity as a re Gate Deity?
To be honest, Tian Heng felt the possibility of the Gate Deity defecting was genuinely high.
Sure enough, while absorbed in these grim thoughts, Shen San ca back with the worst possible news...
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