Chapter 298: Besieging the City

Chapter 298: Besieging the City

December 22, 2024

Central Domain.

Hongchen Xianzong.

Dressed in a crimson Daoist robe, Gu Yu arrived at the entrance of a grand hall and announced, "Disciple Gu Yu, seeking an audience with the Master!"

As his voice echoed.

The tightly shut hall doors suddenly swung open.

Witnessing this.

Gu Yu took a step forward and entered the hall.

Inside, a white-robed figure sat cross-legged, their countenance refined and their aura extraordinary, akin to an exiled immortal. They seemed to be in harmony with the heavens and earth, and if not for the evidence of one's own eyes, it would be almost impossible to detect any hint of their aura.

This.

mentioned that the Nine Provinces, the location of the Shenwu Emperor Dynasty, had produced an unparalleled powerful being who could slay a Great Sage with the strength of a Demi-Saint Realm cultivator. Such a figure could rival the early stages of a Great Emperor in any era.

Regarding such a powerful cultivator, Cang Yuan was well-informed.

Gu Yu spoke, "Disciple has received news that the Starlight Empire is preparing to launch an attack on the Nine Provinces. Having once benefited from the Shenwu Emperor Dynasty, I cannot stand idly by upon hearing this."

"However, Master, please rest assured that this is solely my decision and will not involve the sect."

Upon hearing this.

Cang Yuan fell silent: "Although Hongchen Xianzong is not a top-tier sect, we do not fear such a small matter. Since the Shenwu Emperor Dynasty has shown you kindness, it is only right that you go there to repay the favor."

"In this way, we can also resolve some cause and effect!"

"Therefore, on your journey to the Shenwu Emperor Dynasty, I will assign two elders to protect and accompany you. You can act under the banner of Hongchen Xianzong, and the specifics will depend on your own ideas!"

"Thank you, Master!"

Gratitude filled Gu Yu's face. Hongchen Xianzong, a Central Domain sect, was willing to intervene in the affairs of the Eastern Domain for him, which already spoke volumes.

Regarding Hongchen Xianzong only sending two elders and not mobilizing a large force, Gu Yu understood the reason.

Ultimately.

Hongchen Xianzong was a Central Domain sect and couldn't casually interfere in the affairs of the Eastern Domain.

With two elders accompanying him.

And allowing him to act under the banner of Hongchen Xianzong.

These two points already demonstrated Cang Yuan's high regard for Gu Yu.

"Go!"

"It's been a while since you've been in the sect, and you've yet to find the path to the Dao Palace Realm. This trip to the Eastern Domain might be the opportunity to take that step."

Cang Yuan waved his sleeve, and a jade talisman suddenly appeared, landing in front of Gu Yu.

"This is a jade talisman left by a Sage of our sect. It contains the power of a Sage's strike, and in this Wumo Era, it can protect you from a life-threatening crisis!"

"Yes!"

Gu Yu understood the value of such a treasure imbued with a Sage's power.

Even for a large sect like Hongchen Xianzong, such treasures would be extremely rare.

"Go!"

——

"Your Assassin 'Gu Yu' has learned of the crisis in the Shenwu Emperor Dynasty and has received the support of two elders from Hongchen Xianzong to travel to the Nine Provinces!"

"Your Assassin 'Gu Yu' has gained the favor of the Hongchen Xianzong's Master and has been bestowed a Sage's jade talisman for protection!"

"Your Assassin..."

"Your Assassin 'Fang Chen' has learned of the crisis in the Shenwu Emperor Dynasty and is leading the Feng Family towards the Nine Provinces!"

"Your Assassin 'Shen Lin' has learned of the crisis in the Shenwu Emperor Dynasty and is heading towards the Nine Provinces!"

"Your Assassin 'Wang Junze' has informed you that the Great Xuan Emperor Dynasty's Emperor is mobilizing troops, and now, an army of thirty million is marching towards the Nine Provinces!"

"Your Assassin..."

...

At Gu Family Manor, Gu Yang looked at the information panel, seeing that numerous Assassins and secret guards were all heading towards the Nine Provinces.

In the vast expanse of the ancient world, Gu Qingfeng had learned about the Hongchen Immortal Sect. At the same time, he had also gathered some intelligence regarding this ancient sect.

The Hongchen Immortal Sect was an ancient sect, and in the distant past, it had produced an invincible Great Emperor. Although the Great Emperor had long since passed away, the sect's foundation as an ancient lineage was still formidable.

Next, we have the Feng family.

Like the Hongchen Immortal Sect, the Feng family is also an ancient lineage.

Although the Feng family hasn't produced a Great Emperor-level cultivator, they have come close with top-tier Quasi-Emperor experts. Their strength and foundation are equally formidable.

The remaining sects such as the Biyun Dao Sect and the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty, although not as powerful as the Hongchen Immortal Sect and the ancient Feng family, are also forces to be reckoned with.

It was at this moment that Gu Qingfeng truly understood the growth of the numerous assassins he had sent out over the years.

Some were true disciples of Great Emperor sects, some were heirs of ancient lineages, some were true disciples of Holy Lands, and some were even generals of Emperor Dynasties.

Seeing this, a smile curved on Gu Qingfeng's lips.

"I'm quite curious, what would the Starlight Empire think if they saw this?"

To be honest, even Gu Qingfeng himself didn't realize that he now held such a powerful force.

Absolute loyalty! Plus, a sufficient number of people! The combination of these two factors creates a truly formidable existence.

After all, absolute loyalty means no concerns about betrayal, and a large number of people represents countless opportunities.

"If the number of assassins continues to grow, without me taking action, the Gu Family's influence can spread throughout the ancient world. At that time, the Gu Family can truly become a dominant force in this ancient world!"

Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng couldn't help but take a deep breath.

No matter which aspect you consider, the existence of these assassins is terrifying.

It was at this moment that Gu Qingfeng truly understood that the other special rewards were not as useful as these assassins.

Although the assassins' growth may be slower, once they mature, they become extremely formidable.

...

Gu Yingzhou! Heaven's Apex Mansion! Northern Huai City!

The ground shook violently, as if a dragon was turning over, and the vast Northern Huai City trembled, causing many cultivators within to change their expressions.

Soon, the soldiers guarding the city walls looked towards the distant dust, their faces filled with uncertainty. In a moment, their expressions turned to fear.

"Enemies are attacking!"

"Enemies are attacking!!!"

The shrill roar echoed, and with the sound of war horns, the news of a strong enemy force spread throughout Northern Huai City.

At the first moment, the defense commander of Northern Huai City, Xiang Ao, immediately gathered all the soldiers to prepare for defense. Simultaneously, he dispatched scouts to gather information and determine which force was attacking the city.

In just a moment.

There was already news.

Xiang Ao, the defense commander, was receiving the report.

"Reporting, sir! According to the information gathered, it's the army of the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty, led by Wang Junze!"

"Wang Junze of the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty..."

Upon hearing this name, Xiang Ao's expression changed.

This name was not unfamiliar to him.

Twenty years ago, Wang Junze joined the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty. In just ten short years, he rose from an unknown soldier to become a renowned figure in the dynasty.

The reason Wang Junze's name became so renowned was that ten years ago, he led an army of ten million and, in just half a year, conquered an ancient empire.

Since then, the name Wang Junze has been resounding.

Xiang Ao never expected that the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty would attack the Starlight Empire at this time, and even less so that Wang Junze would personally lead the army.

But with things at this stage, Xiang Ao couldn't afford to consider so much.

The Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty's army was approaching.

It would be difficult for Northern Huai City to hold them off.

What Xiang Ao needed to do was to delay the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty's army and then send this news back to the imperial court.

At that moment.

Xiang Ao took out a communication jade talisman, intending to send this news back to the imperial court. However, he discovered that the communication jade talismans were ineffective, as if they had sunk into the ocean, no longer functioning.

Seeing this, Xiang Ao's expression turned gloomy.

"Silence Formation!"

The Silence Formation was a type of formation used to suppress communication jade talismans. Once activated, no one could use the jade talismans to send messages.

The Silence Formation was precious, and ordinary forces rarely possessed it.

It was only now that Xiang Ao understood why, even as the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty's army approached Northern Huai City, there had been no additional news.

Apparently, the Tai Xuan Emperor Dynasty had activated the Silence Formation, sealing off all communication.

"Come!"

Xiang Ao shouted, and a guard entered from outside.

"Your Excellency, what are your commands?"

"Gather all officials from the City Defense Department immediately!" Xiang Ao's voice was cold and commanding.

The situation in Huai Bei City was far more dire than he had imagined.

The appearance of the Silence Array had completely cut off any possibility of using communication jade talismans. Without them, the only way to send messages was through the most primitive method—sending messengers on foot.

But Xiang Ao was skeptical of this approach.

After all, if the Primordial Era Dynasty could deploy the Silence Array, they must have prepared to block any news from spreading. If messengers were sent out, it would be difficult for them to survive and deliver the message.

In essence, Huai Bei City was now a truly isolated fortress.

More importantly, Xiang Ao was unaware of the size of the Primordial Era Dynasty's army.

With the enemy hidden and himself exposed, he felt immense pressure.

However, at this point, Xiang Ao had no other choice but to consolidate all available forces to counter the Primordial Era Dynasty's attack.

---

Outside Huai Bei City, a massive army was on the move.

A young general sat at the center of the army, listening to reports from his subordinates.

"General, Huai Bei City has been completely sealed off. I can assure you that not even a mosquito could fly out of the city!"

"Excellent!"

Wang Junze nodded slightly, his calm face revealing a chilling determination.

"Order the army to quicken their pace. I want to capture Huai Bei City within a day. Leave no prisoners in this battle. We must act swiftly and occupy the Heaven's Apex Mansion before the Starlight Empire can react, opening up the situation first!"

"Yes, sir!"

Hearing this, the man's heart trembled, and he immediately bowed and accepted the order.

He dared not oppose Wang Junze's command.

Wang Junze gazed at Huai Bei City in front of him, his eyes filled with chilling killing intent.

The assassins of the Gu Family Manor had always been loyal to Gu Qingfeng, who was now the Supreme Emperor of the Divine Might Dynasty. Therefore, the Starlight Empire's attack on the Divine Might Dynasty was like touching his reverse scale.

For this reason, Wang Junze had persuaded the Primordial Era Dynasty's Emperor to allow him to personally lead the invasion of the Starlight Empire.

In this battle, Wang Junze aimed not only to defeat the Starlight Empire but also to deliver a heavy blow.

He was well aware that the foundation of an imperial dynasty was not easily destroyed. If the Primordial Era Dynasty exerted its full strength, there was a chance of annihilating the Starlight Empire.

However, sending just one army was not enough to achieve this level of devastation.

"The 3,600 prefectures of Gu Xingzhou have been occupied by the Starlight Empire for too long. It's time for a change!"

Before half an hour had passed, the army had arrived at the city gates, with 30 million troops surrounding Huai Bei City, creating an impenetrable blockade.

On the city walls, Xiang Ao and the other defending generals paled at the sight.

"S-Sir... The Primordial Era Dynasty is coming with overwhelming force... Can we really hold them off?" one of them stammered, his face ashen.

There was no other way.

The oppressive presence of 30 million troops was overwhelming, and the silent murderous aura was suffocating.

"Even if we can't hold them off, we must try. As long as the city stands, we stand. If the city falls, we fall with it!" Xiang Ao forced himself to remain calm and spoke through gritted teeth.

However, despite his words, Xiang Ao's heart was filled with doubt.

How many defenders were there in Huai Bei City?

At most, there were only 100,000 soldiers in the entire city. Even if they counted all the civilians, the population would barely reach 5 million.

In contrast, the Primordial Era Dynasty's army seemed endless, stretching as far as the eye could see.

With his years of military experience, Xiang Ao estimated that the enemy forces numbered at least 10 million.

Moreover, the army's morale was high, and their equipment was top-notch, clearly not some ragtag force but the elite of the Primordial Era Dynasty.

It would be incredibly challenging for Huai Bei City to withstand such a powerful force.

But there was no other choice.

They had to defend, even if it seemed impossible.

Surrender was out of the question.

After all, his family was in the capital, and if news of his surrender spread, Xiang Ao knew that it would result in the extermination of his entire clan.

Therefore, even for the sake of his family, Xiang Ao would never surrender.

With this thought, Xiang Ao turned to the others.

"Don't forget that your families are still in the rear. If you cower in fear or surrender, your clans will surely face calamity. It's your choice—die alone or perish with your entire clan!"

"If we die in battle, the court will not let our families suffer. Besides, given the current situation, the Primordial Era Dynasty might not even accept surrendering troops!" Xiang Ao's words caused the others' expressions to change. Their initial panic transformed into determination.

Indeed, their families were still there.

Even if they perished in battle, their clans would receive the court's grace.

On the other hand, if they surrendered, their families would face annihilation.

Understanding this, the soldiers' fears dissipated.

Just then, the sound of heavy war drums reverberated. The Primordial Era Dynasty's army, without a word, launched their attack.

As a dense rain of arrows flew toward them, Xiang Ao and the others immediately ordered a counterattack.

"Fire arrows!!!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end