A faint, sibilant hiss filled the cavernous space—the sound of six oil lamps burning. The atmosphere within the hall was utterly frozen; beads of sweat dotted many foreheads, some faces were ghastly pale, others clenched their fists tight… Even the senior leadership of the Guiyuan Sect felt the crushing tension as the vast army from Green Lake Island prepared its imminent assault.
“Look at you, look at what you’ve become!” Zhuge Yuanhong roared, his voice shaking the stillness.
A collective jolt ran through the gathered assembly as they turned their eyes toward the Sect Master, Zhuge Yuanhong.
“The men from Green Lake Island haven’t even arrived, haven’t even sent a scouting party to kill us, and you’re already this terrified! Perhaps we should just surrender now and be done with it.” Zhuge Yuanhong’s gaze, sharp and cold, swept over the crowd. “Elders, Protectors, Marshals, Commanders—you tell me! If we surrender, do you truly believe Green Lake Island will let a single one of us live?”
Silence.
Everyone present understood clearly: Green Lake Island intended to unify the entire Yangzhou region. If they attacked, there was zero chance the elite masters of the Guiyuan Sect would be spared. The lower ranks might receive mercy, but the core disciples and high-ranking officials of Guiyuan Sect would undoubtedly be slaughtered to eliminate any future threats.
“Let them come! Who fears whom?” A burly man covered in coarse facial hair bellowed, his voice filled with defiance. “Our Guiyuan Sect alone commands eighty thousand troops from Jiangning Prefecture City! Six thousand in the Black Armored Guard, ten thousand core disciples, tens of thousands of outer disciples. With this many men, we can hold our inner sanctum. I refuse to believe Green Lake Island can breach us so easily!”
The rough, metallic timbre of Pang Shan, the Second Commander of the Black Armored Guard, cut through the noise. “My father, my uncles, my grandfather, and generations of ancestors—they all belong to the Guiyuan Sect! Hear this one thing: If the sect falls, the Pang family descendants will be the first to die!” Pang Shan’s eyes burned a faint red, as if ready to devour someone whole.
“Old Second Pang, you are a true man!” An elderly man with a head of silver hair laughed heartily. “My Feng family descendants swear to share the sect’s fate, living or dying together!”
“Kill! Killing one is breaking even; killing two is a profit!”
…
Many spirited men in the hall ground their teeth and shouted their resolve. On the continent of Jiuzhou, life and death were matters of daily occurrence. Those who reached positions of high authority were almost always men of courage and spirit. Initial fear of the sect’s total annihilation gave way, after a moment of reckoning, to a wild, desperate fury!
If they died, they would make Green Lake Island pay dearly!
The Guiyuan Sect had been established in Jiangning Prefecture for over a thousand years. Many families, like the Fengs, the Pangs, and the Zhuge family, had served the sect for generations. The children of these families were indoctrinated from infancy to fight for the sect. Over countless years, the belief in sharing the sect’s life and death was woven into the very fabric of their souls.
To betray the sect would invite the scorn and contempt of the entire world. But to fight bravely for it, even unto death, would earn eternal respect!
The sect nurtured you, gave you inner art manuals, granted you status…
And at this crucial moment, you were bound to fight desperately for the sect!
“Excellent!” Zhuge Yuanhong laughed, looking upon them. “There is not a single disciple in our Guiyuan Sect who fears death!”
“A severed head only leaves a big scar. What is there to fear?” the bushy-bearded strongman cheered again.
“Well said, Junior Brother,” Zhuge Yuanhong smiled gently. “Since our Founding Ancestor established the Guiyuan Sect over a millennium ago, no one has ever destroyed us—and that includes this Green Lake Island! I tell you now… as long as you follow my command, I dare to say, Green Lake Island cannot extinguish the Guiyuan Sect!”
Everyone looked at the Sect Master, Zhuge Yuanhong, with astonishment.
“Master, what gives you such confidence?” Teng Qingshan was equally surprised.
‘Guiyuan Zhuge’s’ wisdom was known throughout the world. If any ordinary person had made such a claim, those present would have dismissed it as arrogant boasting. But since it came from the Sect Master, Zhuge Yuanhong—though incredible—a seed of belief took root in their hearts. Perhaps the Master truly possessed a way to save the Guiyuan Sect!
Zhuge Yuanhong was the steadfast anchor of the Guiyuan Sect.
Under the gaze of his subordinates, Zhuge Yuanhong smiled, his expression radiating the confidence of a man who held all the reins in his control.
“A life-and-death struggle demands readiness to die,” Zhuge Yuanhong swept his gaze over them.
Teng Qingshan’s blood began to boil… Slaughter? He had never feared it! Since he was seven years old in his previous life, he had spent his days amidst killing. In terms of preserving his own life while eliminating enemies within a vast army, perhaps no one could match what Teng Qingshan could accomplish.
“Of course, for now, Green Lake Island has only made its presence known, commanding Xu Yang and Tiannan Prefectures. They have not yet officially declared their intent to wipe out both the Guiyuan Sect and the Iron Robe Gate,” Zhuge Yuanhong chuckled. “So, everyone can relax slightly for the moment. Well… I will host a banquet right here in this hall this noon.”
“For the entire day, everyone will remain within the hall,” Zhuge Yuanhong commanded. “Based on my estimation, if Green Lake Island intends to move against us, it will be today. If they haven't dispatched forces by nightfall… we might have a reprieve for a while longer.”
The others nodded, though Zhuge Yuanhong’s words brought little genuine ease.
They all understood that Green Lake Island’s move was highly probable.
…
The elders and high officials of the Guiyuan Sect remained assembled in the main hall, ready to receive the Sect Master's orders at any moment. They conversed amongst themselves while anxiously awaiting news. At noon, they shared a meal within the hall.
In the afternoon, the snow ceased.
The world was painted white, and the bright light reflected sharply into the hall. Yet, even while chatting, the high-ranking members of Guiyuan Sect kept a sharp watch outside, waiting for any incoming intelligence. Many Protectors and Commanders took deep breaths, closed their eyes to collect themselves, or lightly tapped their temples.
It was evident that the relentless waiting was generating an invisible psychological pressure, beginning to weigh heavily on their spirits.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Rapid footsteps echoed swiftly from outside the hall. Instantly, every Elder, Protector, and Commander inside turned their heads toward the entrance. A middle-aged man in gray robes, his face grim, sprinted into the main hall.
“Hah!” Several people in the hall couldn’t help but stand up.
“Sect Master,” the gray-robed man immediately presented a tightly rolled secret dispatch to Sect Master Zhuge Yuanhong.
Zhuge Yuanhong frowned deeply, scrutinizing the contents of the message.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, watching Zhuge Yuanhong… No one knew what news this dispatch contained. The hall became so utterly silent that the fall of a needle might have been audible.
Crack! The sound of a burning oil lamp caused a visible tremor in the hearts of many present.
Zhuge Yuanhong read the dispatch for a long time…
“Why is it taking so long to read?” Teng Qingshan felt the oppressive atmosphere, as if he were suffocating, unable to draw a proper breath. He stared intently at his Master, Zhuge Yuanhong.
Finally—
Zhuge Yuanhong lifted his gaze from the dispatch and looked up at the assembly. Then, he slowly rose to his feet.
With his hair slightly disheveled and wearing a loose, white robe, he stood before the Sect Master’s dais. Yet, at this moment, his aura was razor-sharp, like a drawn sword. His eyes swept across the crowd, and he stated calmly, “Prepare for battle!”
Silence.
In the vast hall, not a sound dared to stir. The Sect Master Zhuge Yuanhong’s seemingly tranquil declaration, "Prepare for battle," made everyone present visualize the bloody clash of countless armies. This was no ordinary fight; this was the decisive battle for the survival of the Guiyuan Sect!
Hush! Two Law Enforcement Elders stood up.
Hush! Teng Qingshan rose.
Pang Shan, Zang Feng, Guan Lü, and the other Elders followed suit, and then every Commander and Protector stood up, one by one. Each movement, though seemingly calm, carried immense weight.
They had waited since early morning—over three hours.
Three hours of exquisite torture. They had clung to a sliver of hope that Green Lake Island might halt its advance, enduring an unprecedented agony. But once the words "Prepare for battle" left the lips of Sect Master Zhuge Yuanhong, a strange calm settled over everyone.
The outcome was known—War. They had no choice left.
“According to the intelligence, the Silver Dragon Army—twenty thousand troops stationed on the border of Xu Yang Prefecture—has already set out, heading directly toward Chu Prefecture! The number of Innate Realm masters among them is unknown,” Zhuge Yuanhong stated flatly. “Clearly, Green Lake Island’s strategy is to destroy the Iron Robe Gate first, and then turn their attention to us, the Guiyuan Sect!”
The others inwardly gasped.
Twenty thousand Silver Dragon Army soldiers? The Silver Dragon Army was comparable in might to their Black Armored Guard, which numbered only six thousand. To destroy the Iron Robe Gate, they deployed twenty thousand? And the number of Innate experts remained unknown! This was only the first wave they had detected; who knew if a second force was already en route?
“I predict that the forces designated to deal with the Guiyuan Sect have already departed, though the message has simply not reached me yet,” Zhuge Yuanhong’s voice remained level.
“Teng Qingshan, Pang Shan, Elder Yan, receive my command!” Zhuge Yuanhong’s gaze fell upon them.
Hush!
Teng Qingshan, Pang Shan, and the silver-haired Elder who was one of the original two Protectors all stood up.
“You three will lead the First and Second Battalions of the Black Armored Guard—a total of three thousand men—and proceed with utmost speed to ‘Yanjiang City,’ the southernmost city in our Jiangning Prefecture! Command the city guard there and secure Yanjiang City!” Zhuge Yuanhong instructed.
“We accept the order!”
The three bowed respectfully, speaking in unison.
…
Immediately, the entire Black Armored Guard barracks erupted into a frenzy. The soldiers of the First and Second Battalions had barely time to exchange a few hurried words with the relatives they might be stationed near. Then, they swiftly donned their heavy armor, mounted their warhorses, grasped their weapons, and began assembling rapidly in the drill grounds.
From the moment Zhuge Yuanhong issued the command, through Teng Qingshan and Pang Shan relaying orders to gather the scattered troops, to the final muster—less than half an hour had passed.
In the drill ground of the Black Armored Guard camp.
A vast, dense mass, three thousand Black Armored soldiers sat atop their warhorses. They were arrayed in formation: some held long spears, others wielded broadswords and shields, and still others were formed up as archers… These three thousand soldiers resembled a coiled giant beast, emitting not a single sound.
Teng Qingshan was clad in Xuan Tie heavy armor, his helmet on, holding the Samsara Spear, mounted on his Black Nightmare Steed! Teng Qingshan glanced toward the distance where his sister, Qingyu, stood watching.
Teng Qingshan, Pang Shan, and Elder Yan sat on their horses, facing Sect Master Zhuge Yuanhong ahead of them.
“Qingshan, you are the First Commander. This mission falls primarily under your guidance,” Zhuge Yuanhong entrusted him. “However, you must also heed the counsel of your Martial Uncle and Elder Yan.”
“Yes, Master,” Teng Qingshan replied.
“Very well. Depart now,” Zhuge Yuanhong said solemnly.
Teng Qingshan pulled the reins, turned his horse, raised the Samsara Spear high, and shouted: “Move out!” His voice echoed across the entire drill ground.
Rumble~~~
The three thousand Black Armored troops began to move out in an orderly fashion, forming a continuous black dragon that stretched endlessly toward the north gate. The momentum of the Black Armored Guard was imposing; every warrior knew this was the path to a major battle. As a soldier of the Black Armored Guard, their glory shone brightest in the moment of bloody conflict!
“I wonder how many of us will return from this fight,” Teng Qingshan mused as the army advanced slowly.
“Brother Teng!” An urgent voice called out.
Teng Qingshan turned his head. Behind the ranks of the Black Armored Guard, Zhuge Qing stood in front of Qingyu, waving frantically, his face etched with worry, shouting loudly, “I will wait for you to return!”
Teng Qingshan’s heart trembled briefly. He simply waved his left hand in return, then continued forward with the main force, marching onward grandly with the host.