Inside the council hall, there were only three figures: Jidu, Yinshuang, and Yinhe. Every face was ghastly pale.

In an instant, I felt that something monumental had occurred! Otherwise, they wouldn't have summoned me in the dead of night!

"What happened?" I managed to steady my heart and sat down before the main seat.

"The latest intelligence," Jidu stated gravely. "To counter the newly augmented forces of the Black Flag Legion, the Moluo Church has decided to deploy Thunder Warriors."

"What? Thunder Warriors?" I almost doubted my own hearing. "This! How is this possible?"

"The news is absolutely reliable," Jidu confirmed.

"What is the Holy Word Alliance's reaction to this?" I quickly inquired.

"......." Yinshuang looked at me with an expression of helplessness and bitter resignation.

"What exactly is going on?" I pressed, growing anxious.

"The Holy Word Alliance has not made a clear statement on whether they will deploy their Thunder Warriors to provide aid," Yinshuang said, a thread of anger in her voice.

"Damn it, why is this happening?" I was greatly enraged. "To confront the Thunder Warriors of the Moluo Alliance, is that not precisely the duty of the Thunder Warriors of the Holy Word Church?"

"The internal strife within the Holy Word Alliance has been long-standing," Jidu sighed deeply. "Due to factional disputes, the Thunder Generals within the Alliance have also fractured into several major factions, constantly engaging in covert power struggles amongst themselves. Given this situation, it's impossible to predict exactly how the Holy Word Alliance will respond to the Moluo Alliance's latest maneuver."

"Then what instructions do the Emperor and the Divine Medium have?" I looked back toward Jidu.

"The Emperor and the Divine Medium's directive is for us to hold our position and await the Holy Word Alliance's response. If the Holy Word Alliance cannot send Thunder Generals for support, we will have no choice but to withdraw the troops."

"Withdraw the troops?" I was nearly stunned. "We've come this far, and now they want us to retreat?"

"This is merely a potential course of action," Yinhe stated firmly. "It is the absolute last resort."

"To face Thunder Warriors with only Heavy Armored Generals," Yinshuang lamented. "We have no chance of victory. I simply never imagined the Moluo Alliance would resort to dispatching Thunder Warriors against us."

Since becoming a Demonic Warrior, I had come to understand something.

Thunder Warriors generally do not appear on battlefields between nations.

As far back as eight hundred years ago, there was one massive engagement involving Thunder Generals.

Following that great war, nearly all the Thunder Generals of both the Holy Word and Moluo Churches were slain.

It was precisely at that moment that the Orc armies, which had long been entrenched in the Woma Forest, suddenly erupted forth.

That Orc invasion nearly resulted in the entire Marfa Continent falling to them once more.

It was only when both Churches deployed their Phoenix Heaven Generals that the Orc armies were driven back into the Woma Forest. However, both Churches suffered catastrophic losses due to the sudden incursion of the Orcs.

Because of the massive casualties among the Thunder Generals during their internal conflict, the defense against the Orcs fell almost entirely to the three remaining Phoenix Heaven Generals, who shouldered the burden independently. Although they ultimately succeeded in repelling the Orc horde, only one Phoenix Heaven General survived, and that remaining General died two years later from grievous wounds sustained in the conflict.

It could be said that this was the most terrifying crisis the Marfa Continent had faced since its unification.

All of humanity nearly fell back under the dominion of the powerful Orcs.

And following that bitter lesson, the two Churches were forced to reach a certain consensus.

That is, on the battlefield between nations, neither side was permitted to deploy humanity's final defensive force, the Thunder Generals, to avoid repeating the near-extinction event of two millennia prior.

This rule was upheld by subsequent generations. Although the Holy Word and Moluo Alliances continued their endless warfare, neither side sent Thunder Generals to fight; this had become an unstated code observed by both enemies and allies alike.

Yet, I never anticipated that the aggression of the Black Flag Army would force the Moluo Alliance to shatter a convention observed for over eight hundred years by deploying Thunder Warriors.

But what astonished me even more was the Holy Word Church's reactive posture!

The hall fell into an extreme silence.

Yinshuang and Yinhe subconsciously looked toward me; clearly, they hoped I could devise a solution.

"Keep this matter confidential for now," I stated firmly. "If this news spreads, it will inevitably destabilize troop morale and cause us to panic."

"We arranged for the same," Yinshuang confirmed.

"Furthermore, what is the reaction from the nations of Bichi and Cangyue?" I asked.

"It's likely Jianwu is aware by now," Jidu replied. "But judging by his demeanor, it's not hard to see that perhaps regarding the Church's internal disputes, they too are powerless to intervene beyond the Empire's stance."

"All departments prepare for immediate withdrawal," I forced myself to remain calm, analyzing the present predicament.

Clearly, the Fengmo Empire had been backed into a corner, breaking established convention to deploy Thunder Warriors against the Black Flag Army.

I knew perfectly well that an improper handling of the current situation could replicate the disaster of eight hundred years ago, a scenario I absolutely did not wish to witness. Though, as a transmigrator from the modern era, I had always struggled to truly consider myself a native of this world.

The rise and fall of humanity held little direct significance for me.

However, I was compelled to consider my closely related kin and friends.

Indeed, if the situation escalated into an irrecoverable full-scale war, the most directly affected would be the Molong Imperial Family, and Jidu and the others. And I did not wish to see any of them harmed.

After all, the Molong Empire did not possess the strength to contend with Thunder Warriors!

"In short, if the situation deteriorates, we must focus on preserving the strength of the Black Flag Army to the maximum extent possible," I continued. "Likewise, I do not believe the Holy Word Alliance will simply stand idly by; they stand to lose the most if things escalate."

"That's right," Jidu affirmed gravely. "The Emperor wishes us to prepare on one hand, and observe the developments on the other. Furthermore, according to the Divine Medium's analysis, the Moluo Alliance's decision to send Thunder Warriors might have another underlying purpose."

"Another purpose?" I asked, intrigued.

"Yes," Jidu confirmed. "It's likely something major has occurred within the Moluo Alliance itself. Moreover, this move by the Moluo Alliance seems intended to convey a specific message."

"A message?" I was somewhat lost.

"Although we don't know the exact reason, it is certain that the Moluo Alliance does not wish for the casualties of war to continue mounting, especially with the battlefield situated on the native soil of the Fengmo Continent," Jidu elaborated. "Therefore, this action by the Moluo Alliance can actually be seen as a signal for negotiation."

"A signal for negotiation?" Yinshuang seemed to grasp the implication.

"Everyone knows that once the scale of war escalates to include Thunder Generals, it becomes a matter concerning the very survival of all humanity," Jidu explained. "Faced with the Moluo Alliance's move, the Holy Word Alliance must also deliberate carefully. In truth, the constant conflict between the Holy Word and Moluo Alliances over the millennia originally stemmed from the struggle to control the Six Great Dark Sanctuaries left over from the Ancient Era! It was only when neither side could gain the upper hand that the conflict escalated to military confrontation! Considering the survival of all humanity, neither the Holy Word Alliance nor the Moluo Alliance wishes to see a repeat of the events eight hundred years ago. Therefore, the ultimate outcome must be negotiation! The current scenario actually favors our Holy Word Empire. Considering what the Fengmo Continent would become if thirty-odd Heavy Armored Generals, coupled with over eight million conventional troops, truly clashed—no one dares predict the outcome. This is precisely what compelled the Fengmo Empire to dispatch Thunder Warriors. Of course, if a fight truly broke out, the Holy Word Alliance would certainly not forgo this opportunity. The likely result would be a victory for the Holy Word Alliance, but even then, it would be a pyrrhic one, as the destruction caused by a conflict escalating to duels between Thunder Generals is beyond what we can currently imagine."

"Could it be that the Moluo Alliance's action is to be interpreted as a signal that they are cornered?" I analyzed. "A signal meaning, 'If you push us further, we'll take everyone down with us'?"

"Precisely," Jidu agreed. "Therefore, whether the fighting continues rests entirely on the decision of the Holy Word Church. If the survival of all humanity is taken into account, perhaps both sides will choose a truce. But one thing is certain: if a ceasefire is sought, the Moluo Church will definitely have to sacrifice some degree of vested interest."

"Interests?" I asked curiously. "Does that refer to the allocation quotas for the Six Great Dark Sanctuaries?"

"Most likely," Jidu replied. "Of course, beyond that, the wishes of His Highness might also be realized through this negotiation."

"You mean Shenyin and Shenxu can be rescued through talks?" I exclaimed happily.

"Indeed," Jidu confirmed. "I believe such an outcome would benefit both parties."

"The Moluo Alliance's move can be seen as an act of yielding in pursuit of peace?" Yinshuang looked slightly bewildered.

"That's one way to put it," Jidu said solemnly. "Though, all of this is mere speculation."

"So, this war might not actually happen," Yinhe and Yinshuang both looked conflicted. But I understood their thoughts.

Yes, their primary desire when they merged to form the core of the Black Flag Legion was to defeat the Fengmo Empire and the Moluo Alliance to secure space and authority for their respective tribes.

Now, with both sides potentially sitting down for negotiations, this undoubtedly undermined the very value of their existence.

Yes, if the Holy Word Alliance chose to negotiate, they would lose their justification for continued fighting. Worse, they might be treated as bargaining chips. How could that put them at ease?

"Do not worry," I looked at Yinshuang and Yinhe. "If that day truly comes, no matter what, I will fight to secure the greatest benefits for the three tribes."

"........" Yinshuang and Yinhe gazed at me with complicated emotions, unable to utter a word.

"Please trust me," I stated earnestly. "I, your Marshal, do not know what the final outcome will be, but the only promise I can give you is that I will absolutely secure survival space and benefits for the three tribes. If you cannot remain on the Fengmo Continent, I promise to designate three tracts of land on the Molong Continent for the three tribes to settle and build new homes."

"Is that true?" Yinhe asked, deeply surprised.

"A word from a true man holds the weight of nine cauldrons," I affirmed. "I once stated that from the day the three tribes merged into the Black Flag Army, they became subjects of my Molong Empire. This is a promise made by me, Jiuyao Shenzhen, in my capacity as the Molong Crown Prince."

"Ah!" Jidu looked aghast, staring at me dumbfounded. He, too, was shocked by my words, for the mass migration of the three tribes to the Molong Continent would be a process taking not just a year or two.

"Good. With the Crown Prince's commitment, our three tribes have no further worries," Yinshuang cried out happily. "If we can avoid war and yet secure land suitable for our people to thrive, that would be the best possible outcome."

"Of course, all of this is still hypothetical," I stressed. "No one can predict how events will unfold. Therefore, what we must do is continue our preparations diligently. Under no circumstances must we relax because of this news!"

"Yes!" Yinshuang and Yinhe answered with solemnity.