Chapter 25
Chen Luoyang’s thoughts were all concentrated on the blood words [Stake All Technique]. As expected, it was explained with illustrations and words.
He read them carefully.
It was specially used when one was severely injured and suffered a huge decline in strength. It was able to allow one’s strength to temporarily restore to one stage weaker than the prime state. However, it was only for one move. After that one move, the user wouldn’t be able to fight with anyone else for the day.
I should have understood it correctly, right…?
Chen Luoyang pondered in his heart.
This so-called Stake All Technique was really true to its name. But to Chen Luoyang, it was indeed rather handy.
Chen Luoyang had reserved some attention to specially check through for related manuals and scrolls. If this Stake All Technique was so incredible, it should have some reputation.
But after a whole round of checking, there wasn’t any information. This absolute art didn’t seem to exist in this Grand Divine Province yet, and there weren’t any relevant historical records.
Chen Luoyang silently contemplated before he studied this absolute art seriously.
The Six Dragons Sovereign Carriage carried him and the members of the Demon Cult while flying in the southeast direction. After leaving the Shu Prefecture, they were quickly approaching the Qian Prefecture.
On this day, Azure Dragon 3 who was responsible for collecting information came and reported to Chen Luoyang.
“Reporting to Cult Master, after the initial verification, we have determined the enemies who invaded our cult’s sacred domain. There are the Great Xia Imperial Clan, Northern Desert Outwalls’ Other Tribe, Sword Pavilion, Great Unity Taoism Sect, Qingling Temple, Earth Treasury Zen Hall, and Tai Sui Society. Apart from them, are their vassals, which are 24 B-class factions, and over a hundred C-class and D-class factions.”
Chen Luoyang sat high up in the throne and nodded indifferently.
The Great Xia Imperial Clan, the Northern Desert Outwalls’ Other Tribe, and the Sword Pavilion… There wasn’t a need to mention these three factions.
The Great Unity Taoism Sect was the leading figure of the taoist factions, and they were the most determined to eliminate the Demon Cult among the martial dao factions in the Central Province.
The Qingliang Temple was the number one faction among the Buddhist factions. It was also expected for them to appear for this battle — especially when they just found out that a Demon Cult spy like Elder Mingjing had appeared within their faction.
Be it to clear up their faction or to give the others an explanation, the Qingliang Temple was definitely going to act harshly this time.
The Earth Treasury Zen Hall was part of the three Buddhist factions, along with the Huayan Temple and Qingliang Temple. They were located in the Hui Prefecture, and it was rather near to the demon domain. This alliance army to conquer the south would definitely contain many of its members.
As for the Tai Sui Society, it was rather surprising to see them. They were the local tyrants of the northern Ji Prefecture. Similar to the Yu Prefecture’s Five Color Hall, they were one of the rare few underworld factions under the rule of the Great Xia Empire.
They would normally benefit from staying between the Great Xia Empire and the northern Other Tribe. It was outside of expectation that they were also within the expedition team to conquer the demon domain.
“What about the Wang Clan?” Chen Luoyang asked without thinking much.
Azure Dragon 3 answered in a cautious manner, “There are no activities from the Wang Clan yet as they are still guarding the Lu Prefecture prudently. It seems like the Wang Clan Head is moving south alone and going to rendezvous with the enemy army. But to prevent any deception, this subordinate has ordered someone to continue following.”
Chen Luoyang nodded lightly. “Continue.”
“Yes, Cult master,” Azure Dragon 3 said. “The Ling Prefecture’s Feng Clan and the Qin Prefecture’s Zhao Clan don’t have any movements either. After our cult occupied the Shu and Yu Prefectures, the Qin Prefecture’s Zhao Clan started to get nervous, but they are only in a defensive stance. They don’t dare to have the intention to invade.”
North Border’s Feng Clan, Wei River’s Zhao Clan, along with the East Sea’s Wang Clan. These three clans were the three most influential clans inside the Great Xia Empire.
“The Feng Clan isn’t moving because the Great Xia Empire hasn’t completely put down their guard against the Northern Desert Other Tribe.” Chen Luoyang used his finger to tap the armrest gently. “As for the Zhao Clan, they were waiting for the outcome of the south expedition. If our cult is defeated, the Zhao Clan will immediately turn into wolves and pounce at the Shu Prefecture and the Yu Prefecture.”
“Cult Master has brilliant insight,” Azure Dragon 3 lowered his head and said.
Chen Luoyang pondered in his heart.
The three Buddhist factions, the taoist leading faction, the three major clans, the Five Color Hall, and the Tai Sui Society, who are underworld tyrants for the north and south. These factions were currently classified by the Azure Dragon Hall as A-class factions.
A few years back, there were also the Snow Domain Plateau’s Great Vajra Temple and the Misty Cloud Palace who ruled over the Xiang River. However, those two great factions had already been destroyed.
Right now, there was an additional Huayan Temple that had turned into history.
Most of the A-class factions were in the alliance army that was marching south to conquer the demon domain.
The leading factions were the formidable Sword Pavilion, Great Xia Imperial Clan, and the Other Tribe. They might be mutually precautious against one another and were reserving themselves, so they wouldn’t possibly exert their full force. With so many factions uniting together, their imposing influence was rather impressive.
It was truly the world’s expedition to the south to take down the demons.
This was a calamity that wasn’t going to be overcome so easily…
After Azure Dragon 3 was dismissed, Vajra entered. “Reporting to Cult Master, Elder Shou and Elder Lu have sent back news saying they are returning as quickly as possible. They are ashamed that they weren’t able to complete Cult Master’s given tasks and are seeking forgiveness from Cult Master.”
Chen Luoyang thought of his life resume.
It mentioned that the Cult Master had subdued three evil dao experts in the Central Province to serve him. From the looks of it, it should be Elder Fu, Lu, and Shou.
It was a pity that Chen Luoyang could only match the appearance and name of the gray-clothed Elder Fu. As for the tasks that he had given the two other elders, Chen Luoyang was baffled…
“Ask them to return first before talking about anything else.” Chen Luoyang then asked, “What about Elder Fu?”
Vajra replied, “Elder Fu replied saying that Young Lady Qingqing didn’t leave the Sword Pavilion after reaching there.”
“Ask him to continue monitoring,” Chen Luoyang stated.
Vajra responded, “Yes, Cult Master.”
At this moment, an attendant came to report and say that Protector Zhurong, Zhang Tianheng, was seeking an audience.
After Chen Luoyang gave the approval, Zhang Tianheng walked in and knelt on one knee. “Reporting to Cult Master, this subordinate has interrogated that old eunuch. According to his words, the Xia Emperor, Li Yuanlong, is leading the expedition personally. He has gathered most of the Great Xia Empire’s experts to march south and invade our cult’s sacred domain. But Li Yuanlong seems to be rather confident of the Great Xia Imperial Capital’s safety and isn’t worried that someone might take advantage of the situation and invade it. It is unknown why he is so confident.”
“It is too outrageous if the Saber Sovereign is helping them. Could it be that the Sword Sovereign is overseeing the capital and coordinating its entirety?” Vajra made his guesses.
Even though they exposed the double bluff conducted by Nie Hua and Xie Xingmang at the Shu Prefecture, they still couldn’t determine what move the Sword Sovereign might make despite his injuries. He might be in some other place right now.
“Send down the orders to continue investigating.” Chen Luoyang then instructed, “You need to pay more attention to your injuries.”
If Zhang Tianheng was personally promoted by Chen Luoyang to overthrow Shangguan Song’s Protector Zhurong’s position, then it meant that this person should be Chen Luoyang’s trusted aide.
Zhang Tianheng grinned and said, “Cult Master should know that I am not afraid to risk my life against others. I am just afraid that you will not give me the chance.”
Vajra laughed and said, “You better take it easy. Had it not been for your injuries, Cult Master wouldn’t let Hong Yan stand guard at Shu Prefecture.”
“How can standing guard at Shu Prefecture be better than to follow Cult Master and wipe out those trash at the shrine?” Zhang Tianheng didn’t care and said, “As for Blockhead Hong, he can better do this work obediently. If he dares to have any ideas, as long as Cult Master gives the order, I will chase him back to the Plateau to eat some snow.”
Chen Luoyang said, “There will be chances for you to show off.”
Zhang Tianheng was beaming with joy. “Thank you, Cult Master.”
At this moment, there was a sudden gust of wind in the hall. A man enveloped in wind appeared in front of Chen Luoyang.
Left Envoy Xiao Yuntian had returned.
“Big Brother Xiao, did you slip up?” Zhang Tianheng raised his brows and asked, “Nie Hua shouldn’t be able to outrun you, right?”
Xiao Yuntian bowed to Chen Luoyang who was on the throne and said in a deep voice, “Reporting to Cult Master, the Other Tribe’s Left Sage King, Xiuzhe is coming from the west and attempting to stop you from returning to the shrine.”