Time, like a swift current, flowed onward, and a year and a half had slipped by in the blink of an eye. Beyond the city walls of Qiantian Mountain, upon the broad avenue, a company of riders galloped at breakneck speed. Before long, a grand and imposing city materialized before the knights.

“Commander, we have arrived at Qiantian Mountain City!” There were forty riders in total, all burly, powerful men, mounted on the strongest Wind-Tamer Steeds and clad in spiritual armor meticulously forged by Artifact Refiners. Only the one leading them was exquisitely beautiful, with a graceful figure. She wore silver-refined armor tailored for a woman.

Her eyes had remained closed until now; upon opening, her autumn pupils, like still water, seemed to contain the very Milky Way—vivid, profound, and dazzling. First, she paused, gazing thoughtfully at the avenue beneath her. “From Hong City to Qiantian Mountain City, seven hundred and forty li of Azure Wind Stone Road.

Within our Great Shang Dynasty, there are barely fifty such roads.” Azure Wind Stone possessed the ability to gather wind, and paving roads with it allowed the Cloud-Treading Steeds to conserve energy, increasing their galloping speed threefold. “This was built recently! That Demon King of Qiantian funded nearly a million fourth-tier Beast Cores for its construction.

There are seven such roads planned to traverse his domain, though most remain unfinished. It is said that anyone using this road must pay a toll to recoup the Demon King’s losses. This makes the surrounding merchants simultaneously resent him deeply and welcome the results.” The speaker, standing beside the young woman, possessed an aquiline nose and a blue-green face, dressed in the uniform of a Captain.

At this moment, however, his face showed nothing but disdain as he shook his head. “Building Azure Wind Stone Roads is indeed a good thing. But given the current state of the Eastern Lin Yun Continent, where warfare has not ceased, to spend wealth on such projects instead of mobilizing and arming the forces is frankly ridiculous.

Should Qiantian Mountain City fall one day, these efforts will most likely only serve to benefit others.” The military structure of the Great Shang Dynasty dictated that ten thousand men formed a Garrison, overseen by a Commander. Three myriad to one hundred thousand men constituted an Army, led by a Captain-General (Dutong). Above them was the Marshal (Dushuai), who could command three hundred thousand to half a million troops.

The woman addressed as Marshal offered no comment, her gaze fixed on the distant colossal city, surprise deepening in her eyes. “I did not expect such a magnificent city to exist in the wilderness of the Eastern Lin Yun Continent!” Even with just a cursory glance from afar, it was clear the city teemed with vitality and a massive population. The blue-green ‘Captain-General,’ upon hearing this, scoffed dismissively.

“It is merely comparable to a prefecture city in the Great Shang, perhaps even slightly inferior. Commander, shall I send men in to inform that Demon King to come out and receive the Imperial Edict?” The woman shook her head slightly. “This Qiantian Mountain City governs thirteen provinces.

Even in our Central Yun Continent, it would be equivalent to a vassal state; it must not be treated lightly. Furthermore, whether this edict is to be delivered to him is something I must decide after assessing the situation within Qiantian Mountain itself.” Before her words had fully faded, the woman covered her face with a silver mask and spurred her mount directly toward the city gate. The garrison at the gate appeared lax but was in reality outwardly relaxed and inwardly strict.

However, at this time, whether in the Eastern Lin Yun Continent or the Central Yun Continent, martial prowess was esteemed by all, so their armor and weapons were not confiscated. They merely questioned their origins, registered the cultivation levels of everyone in the party, and allowed them passage. Alternatively, perhaps recognizing their extraordinary background, soon after the cavalcade entered the city, a Red Signal Bird took flight toward the summit of Qiantian Mountain.

The silver-armored maiden noticed this but paid it no mind. Glancing around the streets, her gaze narrowed slightly. “There are so many martial artists in Qiantian Mountain!” Every pedestrian along the way possessed at least the cultivation of a Martial Master.

They jostled shoulder-to-shoulder, a ceaseless flow. On a mere hundred-zhang stretch of street, nearly a hundred Innate Martial Masters were visible. Spirit Masters were also numerous, accounting for one-tenth of the crowd.

The shops lining the avenues primarily dealt in purchasing rare beast pelts and various spiritual materials, followed closely by armaments and elixirs—an incredibly prosperous scene. The blue-green Captain-General also adopted a grave expression. “I inquired beforehand.

This is due to a decree issued by that Demon King two years ago. He provided loans to martial artists for their training and procurement of weapons, and also opened access to martial arts classics and Spirit Master libraries. It is rumored that this city alone now boasts forty thousand Innate Martial Masters.

This year, forty million Secret Martial Masters followed him to the Qiantian Mountain Cloud Sea Hunt.” The silver-armored maiden frowned but continued forward. Soon, she sensed something else: the streets were unnervingly clean, tidier even than the capital of the Great Shang City. When she extended her spiritual sense, she detected cavities beneath the road—all the city’s sewage was channeled into them.

The blue-green Captain-General observed her expression and chuckled lightly. “This is also the doing of that Demon King. It is said this young man has mysophobia and strongly dislikes filth.

Thus, he invested another hundred thousand Beast Cores to construct these sewers. The city is certainly much cleaner now.” The maiden shook her head, and within moments, they reached an area crisscrossed by streams and small rivers. The corners of the lips beneath the silver mask instantly curled upwards slightly.

Although this area had been converted into a commercial street, faint vestiges of its former atmosphere remained. This was the Ten Li Lingxiang Town. She had heard of it; it was rumored that the first decree issued by the Demon King upon his ascension was to shut this place down.

“So, in Commander Li’s view, this Demon King is an absurd, foolish ruler?” Commander Li hesitated momentarily, then nodded without reservation. “Foolish? Perhaps not entirely, but ‘absurd’ is certainly accurate.

This young man is a genius, but having achieved fame early without facing setbacks, arrogance is inevitable. In times of peace, his actions would be quite beneficial to state affairs. But this is a chaotic era.

I hear the Cloud Scar and Blazing Flame Mountains to the east are daily preparing troops and horses, intent on probing westward. Furthermore, the Thousand City Alliance organized by Dragon Elephant City is expanding its reach, now covering seventeen provinces, and they too have their eyes fixed on Qiantian Mountain. Instead of reinforcing his military, this ruler is reportedly drastically downsizing his army—he is overly confident.” The silver-armored maiden nodded thoughtfully.

After a moment of contemplation, she headed directly toward a tavern. A place as mixed as this was the most suitable for gathering intelligence. As soon as she entered, the maiden overheard a sigh.

The topic being discussed was identical to what Commander Li had just said. “What a pity! I truly do not know what His Highness, the Demon King, is thinking!

Everyone else is expanding their forces, yet this one insists on streamlining the grand army. Qiantian Mountain governs thirteen provinces and over two thousand, seven hundred cities, once possessing two hundred and fifty million troops, now less than three million. If the Cloud Scar and Blazing Flame Cities attack, who knows what the Sovereign will use to resist them?” “That cannot be said entirely.

After the military reduction, did he not supplement the forces afterward? Now, the soldiers in the army are at least Martial Master level, and many Spirit Masters have been equipped. Moreover, fewer soldiers mean a lighter burden.

The citizens under Qiantian’s rule have felt much relieved, and more manpower is available for labor. The Sovereign reduced taxes; those common folk can now afford clothes, salt, and ornaments. If not for these changes, where would we earn our money?” “Hmph!

That depends on the timing! With great enemies not yet eliminated, those mere three hundred military garrisons, no matter how elite, might not be enough to resist anything. The enemy can crush you with sheer numbers!

The Thousand City Alliance is said to command over thirty million troops. His Highness is a benevolent ruler, precisely because of this that this old man does not wish to see Qiantian Mountain fall!” The vehement tone silenced the room momentarily. Then, a light chuckle was heard again.

“There is something even more absurd. It is rumored that His Highness no longer deals with politics at all, handing over all major and minor affairs to something called the ‘Inner Cabinet.’ He has also delegated considerable authority to something called the Council Hall, and he himself is constrained by it. In this chaotic age, he acts so wildly.” “It is indeed somewhat absurd.

However, His Highness is quite clever in never relinquishing military authority, and now he is even reducing his private army…” “What use is military power if all the finances are held by others!” “Perhaps His Highness truly lacks the ambition to unify the entire Eastern Lin Yun Continent.” “Most likely so. What a pity! If this entire Yun Continent could fall under Qiantian Mountain’s jurisdiction, my business could easily expand several times over!” “Why discuss these matters?

Speaking of which, isn’t today the day for the Council Hall’s triennial deliberation? We are in for a good show today. Those two are certain to engage in a fierce battle of wits.

Too bad that the observer seats are impossible to secure—tickets are sold out.” “Heh heh, I managed to buy one. It cost me a full three hundred fourth-tier Beast Cores.” The Council Hall? Curiosity instantly flared in the silver-armored maiden’s eyes.

She turned to Commander Li with an inquiring look. The latter shook his head slightly. “I have never seen it myself.

It is said that this was also created by the Demon King, perhaps similar to the assemblies of tribal chiefs in ancient times. All the merchants and dignitaries in Qiantian Mountain City take pride in being observers.” Hearing the words ‘assembly of tribal chiefs,’ the silver-armored maiden shook her head repeatedly. She mused that the Demon King of Qiantian was indeed somewhat bewildering.

Still, since she had the chance today, she wanted to see this Council Hall. “Since this Demon King is so ridiculously unconventional, why did Commander Li, during his memorial to the Emperor last month, still recommend selecting Qiantian Mountain? Why not Dragon Elephant Mountain City of the Thousand City Alliance?” Commander Li’s expression immediately grew stern.

“Reporting to the Commander, this subordinate believes that precisely because the Demon King is absurd and complacent, lacking the desire for expansion, he is the optimal choice. The Cloud Scar and Blazing Flame forces are too numerous, and the Lord of Dragon Elephant Mountain City, though exceptionally strategic and versed in military and political governance, is fiercely ambitious. The Thousand City Alliance is also too deeply entangled with the Eastern Lin Sects.

While they possess the greatest influence in the Eastern Lin Yun Continent, they are paradoxically not the best choice! If our Great Shang wishes to select one entity to support, the most suitable would be Qiantian Mountain City.” The silver-armored maiden nodded slightly, her expression shifting unpredictably. As she was contemplating, she heard a sharp gasp from beside her.

“Isn’t that the Sovereign? Is he perhaps inspecting the city?” The maiden turned in astonishment and walked to the railing to look out. She saw a procession of knights in bright silks and on spirited horses moving down the street.

The one leading was a youth, delicately featured almost like a woman, wearing a royal robe, accompanied by an old man. Without needing an introduction, the silver-armored maiden knew this must be Ren Bo, the Chancellor of Qiantian Mountain. In the next instant, the maiden felt a sudden awareness.

She turned her head and saw a young nobleman also looking out the window with an expression of playful interest.