Just as Region Lord Xuening was hesitating, someone hurriedly came to report, “My liege, we just got the latest news: Region Lord Heikong has announced that he has put Sword Demon Daoyuan in charge of the fifty-four cities under those traitors.”

Region Lord Xuening was first stunned, and then laughed in utter anger, “Damn that old bastard. He really thinks those cities already belong to him, doesn’t he?”

He was truly angry.

Within a day, fifty-four city lords had betrayed him and surrendered themselves to Region Lord Heikong.

As if that wasn’t enough, Region Lord Heikong had directly announced that Sword Demon Daoyuan was in charge of taking over those cities!

They…were clearly completely disregarding him!

Next to him, Lu Xian quickly said, “My liege, the more arrogant the other party acts, the more we must take care not to lower our guard. We should fully grasp the situation before making a decision.”

A gloomy Region Lord Xuening asked, “What do you think should be done?”

Lu Xian pondered, “Those traitors all declared they would follow Sword Demon Daoyuan’s orders to show their submission to Heikong.

“Then, Heikong announced to let Daoyuan take charge of their cities…

“Without a doubt, Daoyuan plays a key role in this. Capture him, and we might figure out what exactly that old man has in mind!”

After hearing this, Region Lord Xuening calmed down. His scarlet pupils gleamed with an intimidating light. “Sword Demon Daoyuan? Is a puppet like him really so important?”

In his opinion, Sword Demon Daoyuan was simply a front put up by Region Lord Heikong, and thus was insignificant.

“Important or not, we’ll know when we catch him,” said Lu Xian seriously. “Didn't Heikong say to put him in charge of those fifty-four cities? I would like to see if Daoyuan will actually dare to do so!”

Region Lord Xuening revealed undisguised killing intent. “Very well, I'll leave this matter to you! I only want to see him in person, whether alive or dead.”

“Yes!” Lu Xian accepted the order.

“Mu Qingyang.” Region Lord Xuening turned to the silver-robed woman on another side. “Your task is prying into Heikong’s situation.”

“Yes.” The silver-robed woman nodded.

Her appearance was outstanding, and she had a demeanor cold and proud as snow. Like Lu Xian, she was a supreme quasi-Emperor who was considered the other arm of Region Lord Xuening.

“Get to work, don't make me wait too long.” Region Lord Xuening waved his hand, his eyes frosty. He just could not swallow this grievance.

Someone had to pay the price!

……

On this day, every force in the territory under Region Lord Xuening was mobilized. Led by supreme quasi-Emperor Lu Xian, an all-out manhunt was launched on Sword Demon Daoyuan. ℟ᴀŊỘᛒĘs̩

Instantly, the name Sword Demon Daoyuan shone like a comet in Region Lord Xuening's territory, sparking countless attention and discussions.

“When did Evil Emperor Heikong have such a powerful subordinate?”

“He alone beat the lords of fifty-four cities into submission in a single day, simply too terrifying. How exactly did he do it?”

“Region Lord Xuening has been completely infuriated. A war will soon follow, and Sword Demon Daoyuan will be the first target to be exterminated!”

In the territory of Region Lord Heikong, the deeds of Sword Demon Daoyuan were also like a storm and raised a great sensation.

Regardless of what attitude people took when discussing him, Lin Xun's title of Sword Demon Daoyuan had become popular throughout the land of the two great lords!

Even in territories under other city lords in Frosty Air Region, some hearsay about Sword Demon Daoyuan also started appearing.

……

“That darned bastard!”

In his palace on Tianwu Mountain, Region Lord Heikong's face was as dark as a rain cloud.

He had just received the news that the lords of those fifty-four cities had fled to his territory with their underlings!

What he found most disgusting was that if he denied them shelter, then he would discourage and disappoint those who wanted to yield to his leadership, while just accepting them meant he would be picking up a huge vat of trouble.

What would Region Lord Xuening feel once he knew?

“I told that brat to take over those cities, but he only pretended to obey and then threw those traitors to me!” An infuriated Region Lord Heikong gritted his teeth. “Now, great! You get mud on your pants, and people’ll take it for shit no matter how you try to explain! That old bear definitely won't leave this matter at that!”

Lie Guang's voice was ice-cold, “My liege, it’s confirmed that Sword Demon Daoyuan has no intention of submitting to you, otherwise he wouldn’t have gone against your order. He’s harbored ill will since the very beginning!”

“Since he played dirty tricks with me, he can’t blame me for being discourteous!” declared Region Lord Heikong before taking a deep breath, his flashing with a glint of ruthlessness. “Spread my message that these are all unauthorized actions from Sword Demon Daoyuan…”

Before he could finish, however, Lie Guang's face changed drastically as he interrupted, “My liege, we cannot do this!

“You just announced to the public that the fifty-four cities would be awarded to Sword Demon Daoyuan. It's been recognized in both our and Region Lord Xuening's territory that he is your subordinate.

“If you turn around your attitude toward him now, it may trigger some bad repercussions!”

Region Lord Heikong was stunned as he also realized the problem.

Indeed, it would inevitably lead to many misunderstandings if he did so.

This was because in the eyes of the world, Sword Demon Daoyuan had performed outstandingly and done Region Lord Heikong a great service by winning fifty-four cities for him.

Under such a circumstance, how would the world view him if he brushed off their relationship and forsaken Sword Demon Daoyuan?

Who would dare to faithfully serve under his wing after that?

Moreover, even if he tried to say there was nothing between him and Daoyuan now, would Region Lord Xuening believe it?

He would not!

The lords of those fifty-four cities had now all run to his territory. No matter what he did, it was unlikely that Region Lord Xuening would let it go.

Region Lord Heikong’s old face clouded over at this thought. With a stuffy feeling in his chest, he said, “So I have no choice but to swallow this bitter pill?”

Lie Guang said heavily, “This is not necessarily a bad thing, my liege. Sword Demon Daoyuan is acting under your banner. The better he performs, the more favorable it will be for your reputation, won't it?”

Region Lord Heikong grunted, “But I will still be the one dealing with that berserk old bear, no?”

Lie Guang said, “My liege, I know you are not afraid of that old bear with your power. And I do think we have a perfect chance in front of us.

“Sword Demon Daoyuan has just captured fifty-four cities and triggered a great upheaval. If we take advantage of this and make sufficient preparations for a full-scale war, then we may just be able to take back all the cities we lost before!”

Lie Guang took a deep breath and continued, “My liege, we have been at a disadvantage in the competition with Region Lord Xuening in recent years. I know your heart has also accumulated quite a bit of hatred. Although Sword Demon Daoyuan is cunning and deceitful, he still unintentionally won an opportunity for us. We can just handle him after everything else.”

Region Lord Heikong fell silent.

Only after a long time did he let out a long sigh, “Alright, let's do as you suggest.”

In truth, he also knew that this was an excellent opportunity to go on the offensive. He was just too upset and irritated after being plotted against by Lin Xun.

……

Blackgold Mountain was where Region Lord Xuening's base camp was located.

In a palace, Mu Qingyang, who had returned in a hurry, reported quickly, “My liege, news has just arrived that those traitors have fled to the territory of Region Lord Heikong with their armies.

“We can now confirm that the one behind all the recent events is old man Heikong.”

“Hmph, I knew it! Without his support, how would that damn Sword Demon Daoyuan have the guts to do this?” a ferocious light surged in Region Lord Xuening's eyes. “Pass my word to Lu Xian after he returns: he is to mobilize all his forces and go settle this score with Heikong!”

“Yes.” Mu Qingyang nodded.

Still, she was a bit puzzled in her heart. With Lu Xian's combat power and all the forces being coordinated with him, he should have captured Sword Demon Daoyuan long ago.

However, there had been no news coming back until now. Could it be that something unexpected had happened?

“Report—!” an urgent voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall, “Sword Demon Daoyuan appeared in Eagle Water City and ransacked everything of value.”

Region Lord Xuening had a look of disbelief on his face as he said, “That darndest thing! He dares to stir trouble in my territory even at a time like this?!”

Mu Qingyang was also taken aback.

Currently, who didn't know that Region Lord Xuening had been enraged and had since dispatched Lu Xian and a host of experts to seize Sword Demon Daoyuan?

In such a situation, Sword Demon Daoyuan didn’t seem scared at all and was still acting recklessly in Region Lord Xuening's territory like he had a death wish.

“Report—!” Before Region Lord Xuening and Mu Qingyang could react, another urgent voice resounded, “News has come from Wood Blue City that Sword Demon Daoyuan has shown up there, subdued City Lord Mo Ganhe, and robbed all valuables.”

Crash!

The teacup in Region Lord Xuening’s hand shattered before the report had even finished. He shot to his feet, his beard and hair flaring in rage, “That little scumbag is definitely tired of living! Where is Lu Xian, why hasn’t he captured him?!”

Mu Qingyang was also bewildered. Who gave Sword Demon Daoyuan the courage…to be so audacious?

“Report—!” another urgent voice echoed, “News from High Moon City: Sword Demon Daoyuan has appeared…”

Just like a relentless death knell, news after news arrived, almost identical as they were all about Sword Demon Daoyuan.

“Outrageous!” Region Lord Xuening's eyes reddened with rage. “Does that bastard Heikong think he can turn my territory upside down with just a Sword Demon Daoyuan?”

He viciously gave an order, “Mu Qingyang, take your men to Heikong’s territory at once and do precisely what Sword Demon Daoyuan has done!”

“Yes!” Mu Qingyang hurriedly left.

……

In Jade Dipper City.

When Lin Xun and Ji Leng walked out of the city, the area of the city lord’s mansion was already in ruins, with screams ringing everywhere.

The city lord had fainted, and all the wealth in the mansion had been looted. The whole Jade Dipper City was into turmoil.

“Senior, this is the sixth city that we have plundered. Region Lord Xuening should have already gotten the news by now. I wonder how riled up he will be,” chuckled Ji Leng sinisterly.