Chapter 329. A Declaration of War (2)

Chongqing, Yangtze River.

Waterway Gang.

"Noonim... no, Boss!"

A pirate burst through the door, shouting.

"

Gulp, gulp...

ah!!!"

The moment he entered, he saw a beautiful woman with her feet propped on the desk, chugging liquor like it was water.

Her red hair cascaded down her back like fine silk, slightly wavy and shimmering like rippling waves.

Her eyes were fierce like a beast, and the cold darkness in her pupils was overwhelming to anyone who met her gaze.

Her ample chest above a slim waist made no effort to hide itself, and her outfit made it hard to tell whether she was even wearing anything or not.

She was a beauty so gorgeous that it would make any man take off his pants immediately, but the burns running from her brow to her cheekbone gave her a fierce edge that made people flinch.

She looked like she was in her early thirties, but in truth, she was in her forties.

"What is it?"

"A letter has arrived from the Dark Heavens Association."

The Nine Water Gangs Boss—no, the Stockade Boss of the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest, Hong Xialang, waved her hand.

The Nine Water Gangs Vice Boss, Ye Biao, handed over the letter.

Hong Xialang read it and snorted.

"What is it?"

Ye Biao couldn't hide his curious expression.

The Dark Heavens Association.

A martial force that had not only intervened in major incidents like the Seven Swords War and the Four Gates Rebellion, but also manipulated them from behind the scenes.

Hadn't the Martial Alliance and the Evil Valley formed an alliance to fight against the Dark Heavens Association, which had become a hot topic?

He couldn't help but be curious.

"A proposal?"

"A proposal? What kind of proposal?"

"What kind of proposal would there be while the Righteous and Evil Alliance and the Dark Heavens Association are preparing for war? Of course it's an alliance."

Hong Xialang threw the letter at Ye Biao as if to say, 'read it yourself.'

Ye Biao's eyes widened as he scanned the letter.

"If we win the war, plundering the mountains of Chongqing or the Yangtze River is a given. The Yellow River, Dongting Lake... and everything in the surroundings will be fair game as well. Moreover, when the Dark Heavens Association conquers the

murim

, we will have an equal alliance with the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest..."

In short, it meant that they would give up on the suppression of bandits.

"It's not a bad bad deal," Ye Biao muttered. "But can we trust them to keep their word?"

"Take it."

"Pardon?" Ye Biao asked, unsure if he had heard right.

"Is this a decision we can make this easily?"

"Whether they honor their promises or not doesn't matter."

"It doesn't matter? What are you talking about?" Ye Biao tilted his head in confusion.

Hong Xialang looked at Ye Biao as if he was an idiot, sighed, and explained to her dumb subordinate.

"What's important for us is the decline of the Righteous Path and the Evil Path—no, the decline of the

murim's

forces. In particular, we need to make sure that those hypocrites of the Righteous Faction don't raid the Forest Gangs or the Water Gangs while we discuss alliances or some shit. Joining the alliance alone would allow the others to travel to other regions outside of Chongqing."

The Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest were a part of the Black Hand like the Xia Wu Sect.

They were an object of contempt for both Righteous Faction and Evil Faction members.

In order to raise their individual reputations or the reputations of their sects, those of the Martial Alliance raided the stockades, while those of the Evil Valley did the same in order to fill their treasuries.

The same went for martial artists outside those forces. Occasionally, hidden sects or hermits in seclusion raided them too, just to announce their existence to the world.

While the Water Gangs were relatively better off within the

murim

, members of the Forest Gangs found it nearly impossible to operate outside Chongqing.

It hadn’t mattered when she was just the Captain of the Nine Water Gangs, but now that she was the Stockade Boss, she had to take responsibility for the Nine Forest Gangs too.

"But then, is there really a need to actually accept the offer? Can't we just watch while nibbling at corn as they perish together..."

Hong Xialang was about to curse but held it back.

It was around this time last year that the Reversing Flow Captain yelled at their subordinate for being a fool and got hit in the back of the head and died.

There was no loyalty among thieves, so there was no need to treat them more kindly than necessary. However, if one treated them rudely, it could quickly turn into betrayal.

"We'll probably be next after the Martial Alliance and the Evil Valley. Hong Xialang muttered as she sat up and ran her thumb across her neck in a slashing motion."

Ye Biao absentmindedly glanced at her plump chest that was revealed as she shifted, before quickly looking away. A week ago, a subordinate who had been peeking at her chest had been sexually violated for three days by another male subordinate.

Trying to steer his thoughts away, Ye Biao asked, "What if they just use us and try to subdue us after they've successfully conquered the

murim

?"

"Rather than subduing us mere bandits, it would be better to find and eliminate the remaining forces of the Martial Alliance or Evil Valley."

Ye Biao nodded in understanding.

While the process of conquering the

murim

wasn't easy, there were also problems after the conquest, too.

Unifying the

murim

, regardless of the political situation, was no easy task. One had to think about the management afterwards.

Seeing how often Hong Xialang had been scowling since becoming Stockade Boss, he understood why she was thinking that way.

"Moreover, I also have a debt to pay to that bastard Zhou Xuchuan." Hong Xialang's eyes shone coldly.

"That's right."

Ye Biao's face hardened.

The new Stockade Boss of the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest, Hong Xialang, had a deep-rooted ill-fated relationship with Zhou Xuchuan, albeit not directly.

It had all started about ten years ago, when Zhou Xuchuan first entered the

gangho

and killed the Watertop Spearman Lu Dalang of the One Hundred Experts Under Heaven.

The following disappearance of Zhou Xuchuan and Zhuge Shengji had made the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhuge Family furious, leading them to battle with the Nine Water Gangs.

In the past, they would have just paid a small toll and moved on, but since the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhuge Family had gone as far as to launch a punitive expedition, the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest—especially Nine Water Gangs—had to go into hiding at that time.

As a result, the Nine Water Gangs, who primarily survived through pirate raids, were forced to starve for a time after their main source of income was cut off. On top of that, they faced humiliation and ridicule from the Nine Forest Gangs. Even Hong Xialang’s position within the Red Forest grew tenuous.

Ironically, it was also because of Zhou Xuchuan that she became the leader of the Red Forest and the position of the Nine Water Gangs stabilized.

Three years ago, Zhou Xuchuan had led the Righteous Faction martial artists to subdue the Nine Forest Gangs and kill Meng Gang, the former Stockade Boss of the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest.

During that time, the Green Dragon Stockade and Great Tiger Stockade were destroyed and handed over to the imperial government, significantly weakening the Nine Forest Gangs.

After that, an internal battle occurred within the Nine Forest Gangs as they fought to seize the treasures left by the Green Dragon Stockade and the Great Tiger Stockade.

About half a year later, other Forest Stockades were established to replace the Green Dragon Stockade and the Great Tiger Stockade, and the fight to seize the treasures ended.

However, this incident was also the reason why the Nine Forest Gang lost its position. The Nine Forest Gangs had been reduced not only due to internal strife, but also due to the defeat and fall of Meng Gang, who was from the Nine Forest Gangs.

As if they had been waiting, the Nine Water Gangs bared their fangs, and after several fights, the position of Stockade Boss moved to one person.

The Waterway Gang Boss, Hong Xialang.

That's that, and this is this.

Ten years ago, she had suffered humiliation at the hands of the Nine Forest Gangs. But as the number of attacks and subjugations increased over the years, she, too, faced countless hardships.

She had also lost many of her beloved subordinates. Since then, she would get angry whenever he heard the names of the Mount Hua Sect or the Zhuge Family.

"Send a reply that we will accept the alliance."

***

The selection of a Martial Alliance Leader was usually a lengthy process.

Traditionally, a successor could only be chosen once the previous leader had officially stepped down and completed the full handover.

In addition, the selection of a successor was something to be decided after a meeting between the Sect Masters of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Patriarchs of the Five Great Ancient Families, the Martial Alliance's elders, and the Strategist. Unfortunately, there was no time for that.

With war looming and chaos left behind by the previous leader, a new Martial Alliance Leader had to be chosen immediately.

So, the process was rushed.

"By majority vote, it has been decided that the Taiji Sword will be elected as the Martial Alliance Leader."

"I agree."

If one had to name a single candidate in this chaos, it would definitely be one of the Six Empyrean Overlords.

The Sword God was young and his leadership ability was uncertain, so it was a bit tricky to nominate him.

In the case of the Juvenile Fist Emperor, he was too old. They couldn't put forward an old man who might die at any moment.

In addition, he was unsuitable because they needed at least one more person to stand on the front lines with him and match him.

Naturally, they went back to the Taiji Sword, Yun Guang.

"Okay. I may be lacking, but I'll do my duty as the Alliance Leader."

The Wudang Sect wasn't too pleased at first either.

In the current situation, it wasn't good for their Sect Master to become the Martial Alliance Leader.

Half of the Wudang Sect's elders showed intentions to refuse.

However, Yun Guang stood firm.

"I'm also a ghost, a remnant, of the people in charge of the previous generation. Since I started this, shouldn't I see this through till the end?"

In truth, Yun Guang was more shaken than anyone else by everything that had happened. He had even wanted to go to Nangong Weiwu to discuss the Juvenile Fist Emperor, but had been turned away.

"The Sword God and I are already caught up in this. If you join too, who will be left to prevent what’s coming?"

"Hmph."

Fifty years ago, Yun Guang had also been active as a figure of the new generation.

He had a certain friendship with the Juvenile Fist Emperor.

He wanted nothing more than to act, but the heartfelt pleas of Nangong Weiwu and Zhuge Xiang held him back.

When he heard the news of the death of the Enemy of the

murim

along with the chosen plan, he had been more heartbroken and devastated than anyone else.

Rest in peace, Completion Sword. I will carry on your will.

Soon after, the Taiji Sword was unanimously elected as the Martial Alliance Leader.

Since the situation was the way it was, the inauguration ceremony was omitted.

***

The basics of war was supplies.

Even martial artists needed to eat when they were hungry and weapons to fight.

Especially in winter, warm blankets and clothes were needed to withstand the cold.

The Martial Alliance and the Evil Valley requested supplies from each of their branches through the Gold Will Merchants and other merchant companies in preparation for the impending war.

An escort was definitely needed to transport supplies.

While they hired warriors such as wanderers and security companies because they were short on manpower, in essence, the Martial Alliance and Evil Valley were still in charge.

Clang!

"Ugh!"

A Peak Realm expert of the Beggar Gang, Wu Guishang groaned and retreated.

"Guan Huqing! What are you doing?!"

An incident occurred during the transport of supplies.

A Peak Realm expert of the Martial Alliance, Guan Huqing, suddenly swung his sword and surprised Wu Guishang, who wondered if the warrior was insane.

While he lost his index finger, fortunately, his life was saved.

"I'm just doing what I have to do." Guan Huqing said, his eyes sharp and his body radiating murderous intent.

As expected from someone of the Beggar Gang, Wu Guishang quickly pieced together what was happening.

"You punk! Betraying the Martial Alliance?! Are you in your right mind?!!"

"My right mind?"

Guan Huqing snorted.

"That's what I should be saying. The crazy ones are you, the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Ancient Families—you, the Righteous Faction."

His voice was as cold as ice.

"You say things like 'there's nothing we can do' or 'we can't do anything', and continue making excuses as if that were the real truths of Taoism and Buddhism."

"What are you idiots doing?! Catch that traitor!"

The guards tried to move.

However...

"Uh, crazy!"

"What are you doing?!"

Guan Huqing wasn't the only traitor.

Not only Wu Guishang, but everyone in the Beggar Gang was surrounded by the guards that were Martial Alliance members. If there was one thing they had in common, it was that they were all from the small and medium-sized sects.

"I, of the Avaricious Wolf—and, as the successor to the will of the Bear Fist Hero, will punish the Righteous Faction that has rotted to the core."

Squelch! Squelch!

"Ugh!"

"Agh!"

Screams rang out.

"Under the Dark Heavens, there will be no discrimination!" Guan Huqing shouted as he cut off Wu Guishang's head.

"This is war!"