Chapter 361. Without Preparation, Guaranteed Defeat (1)

The Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest didn't change its name even when a Forest Gang or a Water Gang collapsed. This was because a nearby gang would always take its place.

However, this time was a little different.

The bandits had begun to take notice of the news about the destruction of Guizhou's Wind Mountain Gang and Yichang's White Horse Gang.

In the past, any bandit gang had unconditionally wanted to become a member of the Red Forest, but after the war began, they started to grow skeptical.

From this point on, the moment they entered the Red Forest, they would not only be at odds with the Righteous and Evil Factions, they would also be forced to participate in a large-scale, all-out war.

It was a very burdensome situation for the bandit gangs, which severely lacked experts and consisted mostly of low-level members.

Perhaps because of this, no one had appeared to take the place of either the Wind Mountain Gang or the White Horse Gang, and the Eighteen Stockades of the Red Forest were reduced to the Sixteen Stockades of the Red Forest.

"Great Hero Zhou Xuchuan destroyed the White Horse Gang after destroying the Wind Mountain Gang!”

"Are you talking about that bandit gang? What refreshing news!"

"Long live the Mount Hua Sect! Long live Great Hero Zhou Xuchuan!"

“Long live the Sword God!”

The fame of the Sword God, Zhou Xuchuan, grew to unprecedented heights.

The martial artists were a given, but even the ordinary people praised Zhou Xuchuan's name. This was because those bandits had been a headache not only for the

murim

but also for the ordinary people.

Among those who lauded Zhou Xuchuan’s name, the merchant companies were the most enthusiastic. They sighed in relief at the extermination of the White Horse Gang.

While it was possible to deal with bandits who roamed the mountains or plains by hiring escorts or wanderers, pirates were a different story. Most merchant companies often encountered difficulties when facing them, as they could not put up any meaningful resistance.

Merchants were constantly upset as they were forced to take long detours or pay exorbitant tolls. So, the extermination of bandits felt like a blessing.

"Those pirate good-for-nothings! They always acted up too much. What a great outcome!"

In particular, Li Yicai, who cursed the enemy several times a day, was especially overjoyed when he heard the news. Even though only one out of the Nine Water Gangs had been destroyed, he still felt a great sense of relief.

Henan, Kaifeng.

Martial Alliance temporary headquarters.

"Lord Strategist, we've received word that the White Horse Gang's treasury has been safely secured.”

“Whew!”

A sigh of relief escaped Zhuge Xiang’s lips.

"We can finally breathe freely again."

"The Sword God has done an outstanding job."

Wu Bai also seemed relieved, his voice soft.

"We've been in a precarious position because we've been short on money..."

𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The Martial Alliance had retreated from their headquarters in Hefei after the Dark Heavens Association’s attack.

In the process, they lost the assets meant for military funds and other budgets, resulting in financial difficulty. Fortunately, they received help from groups like the Gold Will Merchants and the Shaolin Temple in Hanam, but they could not rely on them forever.

In particular, the Gold Will Merchants didn’t offer their support for free. Half of it was a loan.

“Tsk! That gold grubber!”

Peng Junping openly expressed his displeasure.

"He's not just a mere merchant, he’s the Merchant King. And yet, he’s so stingy with money, even when it’s for a noble cause!" Peng Junping grumbled angrily.

"This isn't some ordinary issue either. Doesn't this involve the

murim's

safety?"

“You crazy bastard. Even deducting half is an outrageously kind deal.”

Huang Gou clicked his tongue at Peng Junping.

“You better not say such nonsense in front of the Merchant King.”

"What did you say?"

“Tsk tsk tsk!”

Peng Junping and Huang Gou continued to grumble as usual.

"Regardless, this should be enough for us to secure strategic funds," Wu Bai said, ignoring Peng Junping and Huang Gou.

"Yes. We should be able to supplement our lacking equipment and pay the delayed compensations."

The Righteous Faction operated on faith, but that did not mean they did not need money. Even basic accommodations required payment. Even if they intended to pay compensation later, they still had to be responsible for covering the accommodation costs.

In addition, they had to pay for various things such as treating injuries.

“For the time being, we will monitor the movements of the Dark Heavens Association and Sixteen Stockades of the Red Forest and begin reorganizing.”

Meanwhile, the Dark Heavens Association also began reorganizing.

"You've heard about the White Horse Gang's idiotic actions, right?"

Blessed Existence summoned the messenger for the Sixteen Stockades of the Red Forest and made a face.[1]

“If the same thing happens again, Both the Eight Forest Gangs and the Eight Water Gangs will be held responsible, not to mention the Gang Bosses."

The damage caused by the White Horse Gang was greater than expected.

Not only could they not use the Yangtze River waterways or hideouts known to the White Horse Gang anymore, but they also handed over strategic funds to the enemy.

“Association Lord, we need to reinforce our forces.”

Blessed Existence, who had just calmed himself after repeatedly chewing over Zhou Xuchuan’s name and cursing it, now spoke to the Dark Heavens Association Lord.

“As I stated in my previous report, our current headquarters is surrounded by the territories of the Righteous and Evil Alliance. Originally, we planned to eliminate more than half of the Martial Alliance forces during the previous attack, but due to my own foolishness and lack of ability...”

Blessed Existence trailed off, unable to continue.

“Enough.”

The Dark Heavens Association Lord waved his hand as if brushing the matter aside.

“The ghosts of the past were more persistent than we thought, so there’s no need to feel guilty.”

Jing Bai and Zhuge Zhonghao.

The power of the protagonists and heroes of the previous generation had been stronger than they had thought. Especially at the end, the Innate True Qi of Jing Bai surprised even the Dark Heavens Association Lord.

"Open the treasury and reinforce our forces."

"I have received your orders."

A while later, the Dark Heavens Association opened the treasury to reinforce their forces.

"Those of the

murim

, listen well. As you all may know, the

murim

is unequal. Regardless of talent or effort, if one doesn't have an ascendant technique, one would be ostracized or discriminated against. But you don't have to worry. If you join the Dark Heavens Association, swear allegiance, and prove your abilities, you will be paid a proper price.”

The Dark Heavens Association presented secret manuals to those who had made notable achievements and swore allegiance.

Not only had they obtained the secrets of the Imperial Repository, they had also obtained the secret manuals hidden deep within the Martial Alliance, so there was nothing lacking in what they had to offer.

“Is it true that if I join the Dark Heavens Association, I can receive an ascendent technique?”

"Pssh, don't we have to earn merits first?"

"Look here, could we receive an ascendent technique if we were to join the Martial Alliance or the Evil Valley and make merits there?”

“Ahem!”

"If the nature of the martial arts is different, it’s all for nothing. But according to rumors, the Dark Heavens Association possesses more than one or two ascendent techniques. Seeing that they actually give out their secrets without holding back, it doesn’t seem like a lie.”

"That's right!"

"It's a shame the Righteous and Evil Alliance will now lose, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. How long do you plan on being satisfied with being a weakling?”

“You’re right. We have nothing to lose.”

The Dark Heavens Association showed incredible skill in reaching the hearts of people, especially martial artists.

The Blessed Existence Star and the Vast Gate Star stepped forward to reinforce their power on a large scale.

“Even if the Righteous Faction or Evil Faction establish merits, it takes a lot of procedures and connections to hand out an ascendent technique—not only to outsiders, but even to insiders. If a sect’s martial arts were to leak, it would mean the foundation itself was exposed, so it is only natural that they are cautious. But there is no need for such restraint in this organization.”

The Dark Heavens Association wasn't a martial force or a sect.

Their martial arts, which were the foundation of such a force, came from the Imperial Palace, and there were various types of them. It didn't matter what they gave away.

"For those with talent, we can give an appropriate amount of secret manuals and techniques. This allows us to expand or reduce the power of the Association as needed. And if they’re mediocre, they won’t be able to establish merit anyway, so we can just use them as placeholders.”

Blessed Existence’s skill in handling people reached the level of an Empyrean Overlord.

He cleverly exploited the gaps in their hearts and used them to his advantage.

“It’s not that hard to bring in martial artists who are tired of the hypocrisy and unreasonable discrimination of the

Jianghu

. Especially those who have nothing to lose.”

* * *

Zhou Xuchuan sent people to scout out the hideout he found based on information from the White Horse Gang, but it was pointless.

Blessed Existence and Hong Xialang had already intervened, leaving behind only traces that the enemy had been there.

Meanwhile, the Allied Forces Army and the Dark Heavens Army, which were in the midst of a turbulent war, temporarily stopped clashing and entered a lull.

This was because both sides were preoccupied with preparations of their own.

The Martial Alliance used the strategic funds secured from the White Horse Gang to reorganize their troops, while the Dark Heavens Association focused on reinforcing their strength.

As for the Evil Valley, they were in charge of eliminating traitors who had rebelled in each region so that the Martial Alliance could organize. The reinforcements from Hainan Island coming from the South Sea were also delayed by minor issues, so it seemed they would take quite some time.

It is said that if one is not prepared, one will certainly lose. Preparation is a necessary process for victory.

Victory may be decided in a single moment, but preparation takes time. It was one of the reasons this war continued to drag on.

A few days later, Zhou Xuchuan arrived at the temporary headquarters in Kaifeng after heading north from Hunan.

“Welcome, Sword God.”

The Martial Alliance Leader and the Strategist greeted Zhou Xuchuan as usual.

“You have worked very hard these past few days. As I always say, I am truly grateful. We owe you another debt, Sword God.”

Yun Guang greeted him with both apology and gratitude.

“No. I just did what was expected.”

Zhou Xuchuan responded humbly, as he always did.

“Did you take care of the White Horse Gang’s treasures?”

“Of course.”

Zhuge Xiang answered on their behalf.

“In the case of the stolen goods, we used them to help the villages that were damaged by the forest and the people who were trapped by the White Horse Gang.”

While they had wanted to return the stolen goods to the original owners, since none of the goods had the names of the original owners engraved on them, it was too difficult to find them. So, instead, they decided to help the villages that the bandits had attacked and the people who had been affected, starting with Yichang.

That said, they did return valuables to those who presented ledgers documenting the appearance of items or records of the looting.

"Beyond that, we gave about one-fifth of the money we couldn't find the owners of, in gold and silver taels, to the officials of Yichang, and used the remaining four-fifth as strategic funds. As expected of the White Horse Gang that had been at odds with the Waterway Gang, they had accumulated considerable wealth.”

The valuables that had no owner belonged to the imperial government.

In short, it meant that what Zhou Xuchuan had worked hard to earn could be taken away by the officials. So, the Righteous and Evil Alliance bribed them.

It wasn’t a bad deal from the officials’ perspective. No matter how much power they had, they couldn’t just blatantly take it away when he hadn’t done anything.

As they had the attention of the common people, and they had also made contributions by taking over the White Horse Gang, there was no need to be unreasonable.

"As expected, you've handled things neatly. You've worked hard, Strategist."

“I just put my spoon on the table that you prepared for me, Sword God," Zhuge Xiang replied with a gentle smile.

"At this rate, things will never come to an end."

Yun Guang let out a hearty laugh.

“It’s nice to see those who will shoulder the

murim’s

future praising each other, but unfortunately, I don’t think we have the time to do that. I have something important to talk to you about, Sword God.”

Yun Guang took the letter out of his sleeve and placed it on the table.

“What is it?”

Zhou Xuchuan’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Seeing that the Alliance Leader was getting straight to the point, it seemed like there was something going on.

“If you read it, you’ll get a general idea.”

Yun Guang gestured with his palm as if to tell him to read it.

At those words, Zhou Xuchuan picked up the letter on the table and read it.

“North Sea Ice Palace?”

Zhou Xuchuan’s eyes widened at the unexpected name.

1. It says Hong Xialang, but that doesn't make sense here. ☜