Chapter 388. The War in the South (1)

The eighth month, the middle of summer, was also coming to an end.

The Dark Heavens Association's force had originally been about nine thousand. However, over the past few months, they had expanded their numbers by releasing secret martial manuals or encouraging betrayals mainly from small and medium-sized sects. The number of new forces they had gained through their efforts was as much as six thousand.

In an instant, their forces had grown to fifteen thousand.

The Dark Heavens Association boldly divided fourteen thousand of their fifteen thousand troops into two groups of seven thousand and sent them marching to the North and South.

To the north was Henan, and to the south, Jiangxi. Their destination was, of course, the base of the Righteous and Evil Alliance.

Fortunately, the Righteous and Evil Alliance had already finished reorganizing in preparation for this decisive battle. Their allied forces had also taken their positions along their respective borders.

In the northeastern part of Hefei, or rather Anhui, the Hebei Peng Family, the Shaolin Temple, the Mount Hua Sect, the Zhongnan Sect, the Sichuan Tang Family, and the Murong Family had gathered.

In the south across the Yangtze River Basin, the Nangong Family, the Zhuge Family, the Wudang Sect, the Emei Sect, and the Qingcheng Sect gathered.

The Martial Alliance, Evil Valley, and the Gold Will Sword Sect were evenly spread out across the North and South.

“Are you telling me to join forces with those thugs?”

“Are you telling me to join forces with those hypocrites?”

As the Righteous and Evil Alliance forces were mixed together, it was impossible for them not to feel discontent.

They had joined hands out of necessity, but the grudges that had been building for hundreds of years were not easily erased.

"Now isn't the time to fight. Remember who your real enemy is.”

“Think carefully about why your head is still on your shoulders.”

The situation was already unstable due to the Three Mountain Sword Sects Alliance incident. The leadership took care to prevent further internal conflict.

***

Northern Front.

Roughly five thousand troops were stationed in the North. Originally, the number should have been around eight thousand, but that total had dropped.

The Mount Song Sect and the Mount Tai Sect had been excluded, and the Mount Hua Sect had suffered many casualties in the last conflict, so the number of troops mobilized wasn't that large.

The Northern Front Commander, the Heavenly Strategist Zhuge Xiang, reconfirmed the report.

Martial Alliance, One Thousand.

Gold Will Sword Sect, One Thousand.

Beggar Gang One Thousand.

Ximen Family, Six Hundred.

Peng Family, Five Hundred.

Tang Family, Two Hundred.

Mount Hua Sect, One Hundred.

Shaolin Temple, Three Hundred.

Zhongnan Sect, Three Hundred.

In terms of numbers, the Martial Alliance, the Gold Will Sword Sect, and the Beggar Gang were the greatest.

The Martial Alliance was a part of the main force, and the Beggar Gang was large in the first place, so while their high numbers could be explained, the support from the Gold Will Sword Sect was much greater than expected.

Although their loyalty was based on money, Zhuge Xiang could worry less since their employer was still the Merchant King, who was good at handling people.

“We brought in over six hundred people from our family, so you should manage them well, Heavenly Strategist.”

Ximen Erjin snapped at him as if he was warning him to be prepared if he made a mistake.

"Let's keep our manners, Thunder Inheriting Saber," the Milky Way Sage of the Zhongnan Sect pointed, displeased.

“Even though he may be young, he's still the Strategist of the Martial Alliance.”

“Yes. He's just a Strategist of the Martial Alliance," Ximen Erjin retorted indifferently, making it clear that he didn't care since he was part of Evil Valley.

"It's fine. Thank you for your concern," Zhuge Xiang replied calmly, showing no offense.

The Milky Way Sage looked as though he wanted to respond, but remembered the warning not to stir conflict and held his tongue. Ximen Erjin, meanwhile, said nothing further. Perhaps someone from Evil Valley had told him to restrain himself.

At least, this level of tension was still manageable.

“But, isn’t the Ximen Family based in Zhejiang?”

The question came from Peng Zihu, the head of the Hebei Peng Family. He was tall, with rough but neat hair and a horizontal scar near his nose. Though he looked to be in his early or mid-thirties, he was actually in his mid-forties.

"I heard that the Ximen Family had been stationed around here from before to help suppress the rebels... but I'm just curious why you would need to leave the south behind and come all this way to help the northern front."

He wasn’t being suspicious or sarcastic. He was genuinely curious.

Since the owners of the Yangtze River, The Sixteen Stockades of the Red Forest, joined hands with the Dark Heavens Association, it had become difficult to move north of the river.

One had to risk their life to cross, or go around. In the case of Zhejiang, the sea was right in front, so they could go to the northern regions via Jiangsu or Shandong using the Gold Will Merchants or other ships.

"Even though the Righteous and Evil factions had to join forces, I’d rather die than fight beside those things."

"Those things?"

“The Nangong Family.”

“Ah, I see.”

The Nangong Family of Anhui.

The Seomun Family of Zhejiang.

Since they were Ancient Families representing the Righteous and Evil Factions respectively, their tendencies were completely opposite, and since they were geographically close, they often clashed.

In particular, Ximen Erjin was known as the enemy of Nangong Caiying, the younger brother of the current head of the Nangong Family.

Even during the Seven Swords War, they had fought to the death. Since they had accumulated so much resentment over time, no matter how important the order, they had no intention of fighting side by side in the Allied Forces.

The Evil Valley Master also knew this well, and was worried that an accident would happen, so he sent the Ximen Family to the North. In the past, they were sent to suppress the Righteous Faction’s disturbances, but fortunately, they were of help today.

“By the way, I never thought I would see the head of the Peng Family.”

Ximen Erjin looked at Peng Zihu curiously.

The Hebei Peng Family rarely came down the Yangtze River.

Even with the incident from the past, where they had chased after the Southern Yang Guardian, who had betrayed and escaped from Demon Cult, it had been for the sake of guarding the North.

Because of this, it was hard for them to see Peng Family members, especially key figures, due to the nature of the Evil Faction stationed in the south of the river.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

“That’s how urgent the event is this time.”

“Well, until we in the North join forces with the Sword God, we'll be defenseless, shouldn’t the Tiger King of Hebei step forward?” Ximen Erjin said to Wei Zhijie, the representative of the Mount Hua Sect.[1]

“Namu Amitabha. While there is no disagreement that the Sword God represents the power of the Righteous Faction, he isn't the only strength we have. Still, since your concern seems genuine, I’ll take it in good faith." Hong Jin, the current head of Shaolin Temple, muttered.

“So please, both sides should calm down," Hong Jin said, rolling the prayer beads on his wrist.

If he hadn’t stepped forward, others, especially those outside the Mount Hua Sect, might have done so, and things could have escalated.

Their pride had already been bruised by the report that Blessed Existence had dismissed the Righteous Faction’s strength, claiming that, aside from Zhou Xuchuan, there was nothing left to worry about even before the war resumed.

Even now, their feelings were still hurt.

Whew. We're having troubles already.

Zhuge Xiang sighed inwardly.

***

Southern Front.

In terms of location, it was in the southern region of Hefei, just around the corner from Jiangxi.

As expected from the southern part of the Central Plains, the Evil Faction's sphere of influence, the Evil Valley was in the majority.

The number of Southern Allied Forces seen from above looked like a swarm of ants. Even a rough count would put it at about ten thousand.

Inside the command barracks.

The Southern Front's commander, Zhuge Xiuluan, reconfirmed the report.

Evil Valley, Five Thousand Five Hundred.

Miao Family Sword Gate, One Thousand.

Melody Gate, Two Hundred.

Four Poisons Gate, One Thousand.

Nangong Family, Five Hundred.

Diancang Sect, Three Hundred.

Wudang Sect, Five Hundred.

Emei Sect, Five Hundred.

Qingcheng Sect, Five Hundred.[Ref]I'm not sure if he meant it to add up to 9500 and not 10000.[/ref]

The number of troops was different from the Northern Front. One could tell that they weren't called the Evil Faction for nothing.

The Evil Valley's main force alone had five thousand five hundred members.

In the case of the Miao Family Sword Gate, since their victory in the past conflict with the Flashing Waterfall Saber Gate, their reputation had grown rapidly, and they were able to quickly replenish the disciples they had lost.

Another reason was that after the Four Gates Rebellion, they had gained the trust of the Evil Valley Master, and their influence had naturally grown.

Thanks to this, they were able to mobilize over a thousand disciples.

The Gates, the main and prestigious gates of the Evil Valley, generally pledged allegiance to the Evil Valley Lord for this very reason, to gain power.

However, the Melody Gate, the former Dark Heavens Association force, was different.

They had rapidly declined after losing the Sound God, the previous Gate Master, an Empyrean Overlord.

They had been able to hold out using their non-mainstream technique, sound arts, thanks to the Empyrean Overlord, the Sound God.

Now, under the protection of Evil Valley, they were barely surviving.

In any case, unlike the Righteous Faction, the Evil Faction, which had virtually no traitors since the Four Gates Rebellion, didn't lose much in terms of military power.

"Lady Tactician Phoenix."

The barracks were opened and someone came in.

“What is it, Great Hero Boundless Dragon?"

It was the Boundless Dragon, Nangong Shanxu.

"There's been a report that the Dark Heavens Army sent to the South has crossed the Tangtze River with over seven thousand men.”

Nangong Shanxu’s expression was solemn.

Although this front wouldn't be a decisive battle, the fate of the Nangong Family was at stake.

The Nangong Family’s fortunes had plummeted in an instant due to the former Martial Alliance Leader, the dark stain and the world’s greatest villain, the Sword Devil.

Although the Nangong Family was also said to have been a victim of his intimidation, the eyes of the

murim

were never kind, so they had to establish some kind of achievement once again through whatever means necessary.

If they didn’t show any special performance, they would eventually be ridiculed as those who were overshadowed by Nangong Weiwu.

Gulp.

The Tactician Phoenix, Zhuge Xiuluan, nodded.

After organizing the report in her hand, she went out of the barracks.

The warrior of the Evil Valley who was guarding outside saluted.

Zhuge Xiuluan tore the report in her arms with her delicate fingers and burned it.

Then, she turned around and quietly admired the sight before her eyes.

How impressive...

Unlike the Martial Alliance, the Evil Valley had a more relaxed atmosphere.

As expected of the Evil Faction, they didn’t like the order or discipline of the Righteous Faction, so it was usually chaotic and noisy.

However, it wasn’t like that now. Despite nearly eight thousand Evil Faction members being present, not a single voice was heard.

Far from being frivolous, they were serious.

It was so quiet, it felt hard to breathe. It was a moment that could only be described as the calm before the storm.

This wasn’t because the clash with the Dark Heavens was imminent.

Until recently, the atmosphere on the Southern Front had been chaotic. It was difficult to control with Zhuge Xiuluan’s power alone.

However, a few days ago, a person previously said to be unable to participate due to a special mission for the Evil Valley Master had appeared, and things changed.

This wasn't the Righteous Path, the Evil Path, or even the Demonic Path.

The Domination Path.

The Absolute Master of the Domination Path overwhelmed the surroundings just by appearing.

Domination God Monarch...

The vanguard of the Southern Alliance Army that had reached ten thousand.

He was the most secretive Empyrean Overlord among the Six Empyrean Overlords.

***

Dark Heavens Association.

“Domination God Monarch...” Blessed Existence squinted his eyes and muttered.

“You’ve finally appeared.”

The hero of the Evil Path who appeared like a comet in the

murim.

He had been listed among the One Hundred Experts Under Heaven with the title, Phantom Bow Swordsman, just by appearing in the

gangho

, and the next time he appeared, he had ascended to the rank of an Empyrean Overlord.

Although he wasn't as annoying as Zhou Xuchuan, he was still a nuisance to the Dark Heavens Association. The biggest issue was that he was so secretive.

Even though Blessed Existence had mobilized the Vast Gate Star and bought all kinds of information, he couldn't find any information about the Domination God Monarch.

Even the fact that he didn't have anyone he 'knew' was ridiculous.

He heard that the Empyrean Overlord was carrying out a special mission on behalf of the Evil Valley, but it wasn't known what he actually was doing.

“Send the Sword God to the North and the Domination God Monarch to the South.”

Blessed Existence snickered.

“Did you think I didn't expect that?"

A war where the forces were divided in half. There was no way he had prepared only a few moves. He had also foreseen this.

The Martial Alliance elders had considered the Domination God Monarch, there was no way Blessed Existence hadn’t.

"The Martial Alliance Leader and the Evil Valley Master can't easily move from their bases, so in the end, only two Empyrean Overlords will go to the front lines.”

The Sword God of the Righteous Faction.

The Domination God Monarch of the Evil Faction.

“I will make you pay the price for interfering with the great work of our Association.”

Under Blessed Existence’s gaze, a map of the Central Plains was visible.

“If the Empyrean Overlords are above the people of the

murim

, then above the Empyrean Overlords are the Dark Heavens.”

1. The Hu in Peng Zihu and the Hu in Tiger are different Hu. The Hu in Zihu means mountain, and is a nod to the term Tiger on a Mountain (lmao, funnily enough you could read that as Huhu, technically). ☜