Everlasting Immortal Firmament - Book 08 Chapter 016

Book 08 Chapter 016: Before Taking Action

Taking a city did not automatically make it yours. True, the Han Imperial Dynasty had a formidable army, replete with strong warriors at every level, but it had its weaknesses. Its rapid growth left it lacking in depth.

Talents! It needed a constant stream of management talent. This was the Han Imperial Dynasty’s urgent need.

It was easy to break into a city. Given the strength of their corps commanders and the six faction leaders, all of whom were at the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm’s ninth layer, what city gate could they not breach? Furthermore, supporting them were a large number of dragons and black tortoises.

Conquering a city, or an army, required little strategizing these days. Once an army reached a certain strength, cunning and deception were of limited use.

Moreover, the Nation Suppression Army was laden with strategists ever on their guard.

But what happened after the city was breached? How would they absorb the enemy forces? How would they pacify the people? How would they prevent chaos? How could they ensure the smooth operation of the city? These were the most crucial issues.

A city required not just people but also administrators at all levels. Only then could a city develop in an orderly manner and truly thrive.

The Han Imperial Dynasty simply lacked management talent.

Even with the supplement of the six factions, it could not govern the entire world.

Hence, to prevent accidents, the army did not directly storm the capital or the core of the sects. Instead, it advanced steadily toward the political centers of the four factions.

Little by little, the army swiftly consumed a multitude of cities.

The pace might have seemed slow in the eyes of individuals like Kong Xuan, but to outsiders, it was terrifyingly fast.

In just one month, the army had taken one hundred eighty cities from the four factions and had everything well-organized.

In that month, apart from the controlled sect masters and sovereigns, those factions’ subordinates and elders became terrified and restless.

During that month, the forces of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty arrived one after another. Powerful individuals took control of the armies of the four factions.

Kong Xuan was on the battlefield. From a great distance, he could see the enemy camp in the distance. The banner originally there had changed, now bearing a huge Li character.

Standing on a high platform, Kong Xuan coldly eyed the enemy commander, an official from the Huang Heavenly Dynasty named Limu.

For others, the distance was too great, but for the two of them, no distance was too far for them to see clearly.

“I’ve heard of Kong Xuan’s reputation. One man can rival millions of troops. However, it seems you still need the assistance of other soldiers?” Limu sneered from afar.

“Heh, Limu? If you wish to be devoured by me, you can try!” Kong Xuan sneered back.

Although Limu did not stand out, Kong Xuan knew Limu was an official equal to Fengbo. However, Kong Xuan was not afraid, confident that he was more formidable.

The real show had just begun, and Kong Xuan naturally would not rashly charge forward.

“So, you are willing to watch others fight while you hide behind them?” Limu goaded.

“You want me to go to your camp? Hah! Don’t bother provoking me. It’s pointless. Why should I get angry with someone inferior to me? Right now, I love this orderly progression. Every day, I watch as we take city after city. Isn’t that satisfying?” Kong Xuan sneered.

Limu’s face darkened. “Humph! Then we’ll meet on the battlefield!”

Kong Xuan merely responded with a cold smile, not paying him any heed.

——

At Long Shenying’s battlefield, a similar commander’s platform appeared with a banner with a large character for Feng.

On the distant platform, Fengbo’s face was somewhat pale as he stared coldly at Long Shenying across from him.

Standing beside Long Shenying, Mao Tianyun stared back fearlessly at Fengbo, exchanging sharp glares.

——

Gu Han stood atop the Mosquito Daoist’s platform, staring at Xiong You on the opposing platform.

——

Gao Xianzhi’s battlefield saw the arrival of Shangguan Hen and Ao Sheng. They gazed coldly at the Eastern Sea Dragon King, Ao Ying, on the opposing platform.

——

The war had become more difficult. With the arrival of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s powerhouses, the two sides fell into a stalemate.

Nevertheless, even in this deadlock, the Han Imperial Dynasty’s forces continued their orderly advance.

The great powerhouses of the two dynasties had yet to take action. However, the incessant deployment of intermediate-level forces was more than enough to conquer cities and armies. The Han Imperial Dynasty’s understanding of the surrounding factions far surpassed that of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty.

Thus, another half a month passed, and the armies of the Han Imperial Dynasty captured twenty more cities.

For a time, no other factions participated in the war, choosing instead to watch events unfold.

As the Han Imperial Dynasty slowly claimed more cities, the officials and elders of the four enemy factions were filled with ineffable terror.

In the short span of a month and a half, they had already lost nearly half of their territory. What could they do if this continued?

They discovered in this war that the Huang Nation forces were not as strong as those of the Han Imperial Dynasty, despite coming from across the border.

The realization that the Huang Heavenly Dynasty was weaker than the Han Imperial Dynasty sent shock waves around the world, yet it was the truth. The growth of the Han Nation had surpassed everyone’s expectations.

The powerhouses of the two dynasties still did not make a move, withholding their trump cards. Even so, that had already gained the admiration of countless people.

——

The emperor’s study, Borderless Heavenly Capital:

The Mosquito Daoist arrived secretly upon Gu Hai’s command.

Mo Yike, Gu Qin, Meng Tai, and Sima Changkong stood in the study.

“Salutations, Your Reverence! Salutations, Commander Mo! Why did you summon me from the frontline when the fighting has not ended?” the Mosquito Daoist greeted doubtfully.

Gu Hai offered a subtle smile, and everyone in the room began to chuckle.

The Mosquito Daoist looked puzzled. “Your Reverence, Commander Mo, what’s happening? Did I say something wrong?”

“Sima Changkong, you explain!” Gu Hai said with a laugh.

“Indeed!” Sima Changkong nodded.

The Mosquito Daoist turned to him. “Lord Sima, what’s the matter?”

“Over the past month and a half, you’ve achieved excellent results in the war. You’ve managed to instill fear in the hearts of the four factions!” Sima Changkong said with a smile.

When the discussion turned to the war, the Mosquito Daoist laughed, “Of course, the Divine Demon Army alone is enough to breach any city. What can those four factions do against our army? If it wasn’t for Commander Mo repeatedly ordering us to slow down, we would have already reached the heart of their dynasty and sects!”

“Commander Mo has a few reasons for wanting to slow down the progress. One of which is you, Mosquito Daoist!” Sima Changkong said with a smile.

“Me? Because of me? What do you mean?” the Mosquito Daoist asked in confusion.

“Your Reverence once said that resentment in those who practice mind control is greatly beneficial to you,” Sima Changkong said.

“Uh…yes. Did we find someone?” asked the Mosquito Daoist, his eyes shining.

“That’s right! Lord Meng’s Embroidered Uniform Guard has been monitoring the world. During this time, the four factions suffered continuous defeats. Even the deployment of the Huang Heavenly Dynasty’s forces amounted to nothing. Their sect masters and sovereigns showed no fear, as they were under control. However, their officials and elders were uneasy. You moved slowly but always succeeded, your momentum putting enormous pressure on them, which made it hard for them to breathe and filled them with fear. The Embroidered Uniform Guard seized every opportunity, and many of those officials and elders were willing to defect and pledge their loyalty to my Han Imperial Dynasty. Similarly, there’s been progress on the mind-control issue!” Sima Changkong explained.

“Really?” asked the Mosquito Daoist, surprised and elated.

“It was still Dahong,” Sima Changkong answered seriously.

“Dahong? But isn’t he already dead? Didn’t I suck his flesh and blood?” the Mosquito Daoist queried, furrowing his brows.

“To be precise, it was Dahong’s replicas,” explained Sima Changkong solemnly. “In the past, Jiang Lianshan helped Ji Dihong to create some Dahong replicas. Naturally, these replicas were inferior to the true Dahong, only at the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm’s fifth layer. However, they shared Dahong’s nature, which allowed them to practice mind control. Still, their strength could never compare to their true body’s, and the number of people they could control was limited. They also needed to exert their mind-control power constantly.”

“Was that confirmed by those officials and elders who betrayed the four factions?” inquired the Mosquito Daoist.

“Indeed, Dahong replicas have been seen wandering around the palaces by some officials. We’ve received portraits. There’s no mistake,” Sima Changkong assured him.

“Great!” exclaimed the Mosquito Daoist in excitement.

“In at most half a month, the various commanders will meet: Kong Xuan and Limu, Shangguan Hen and Ao Ying, Mao Tianyun and Fengbo, and the second crown prince and Xiong You. Fights are imminent, so I plan to have you strike Dahong’s replicas silently and directly in this chaos,” Sima Changkong said with gravity.

“Good, very good. I thank Your Reverence, Commander Mo, and Lord Sima!” the Mosquito Daoist said, his excitement palpable.

The resentment of Dahong was key to his own breakthrough to the consummation of the Upper Heavenly Palace Realm.

“Dahong’s replicas shouldn’t be many; otherwise, they wouldn’t control only four factions. Be careful. Lord Meng’s Embroidered Uniform Guard will guide you,” Sima Changkong advised.

“Yes!” the Mosquito Daoist replied.

“For this fight, we need you to master mind control,” Gu Hai declared solemnly.

“What? Master mind control? Me?” the Mosquito Daoist responded in shock.

“It’s not real mastery; we just need Ji Dihong to believe that you’ve mastered mind control. We aim to lure out Ji Dihong to fight him!” Gu Hai explained seriously.

“So, the final battle has come already?” the Mosquito Daoist asked, confused.

“Not yet. These are not Ji Dihong’s trump cards. The final battle is still a long way off. However, it’s the perfect opportunity to retrieve Chiyou’s corpse,” Gu Hai said.

“Uh, yes, this official is at your command,” the Mosquito Daoist agreed.

“After many so setbacks this time, the Huang Heavenly Dynasty must be plotting new strategies. Therefore, we must act quickly and settle everything before they can implement their new strategies,” Gu Hai ordered solemnly.

“Yes!” everyone responded.

——

Divine Flame Hall, Yan Heavenly Dynasty:

Xingtian and Hou Yi stood together, looking at Ba seated on the throne.

Ba held a letter, repeatedly scrutinizing it.

“Your Holy Eminence, is that a letter from the Han Imperial Dynasty?” Xingtian asked with curiosity.

“Gu Hai is about to make a move. He plans to seize Chiyou’s corpse and wants our cooperation. Interesting strategy, but we’ll see if he can pull it off,” Ba responded calmly.

“Oh? Is he about to make a move?” the two asked, their eyes brightening.