The elderly man clad in purple robes maintained an outwardly respectful demeanor, yet his proud spirit could not be concealed. These words struck a nerve within him, compelling him to retort, “Your Highness, do you truly believe that we have been idle? We simply lack the opportunity to strike.”
“That Wu Yuan hardly ever leaves Cloudhill. And when he does, he remains in the eastern district of Cloudhill City. You are well aware of the defenses in that region. It’s challenging for us to gather accurate intelligence,” the purple-robed elderly man explained, his voice tinged with frustration. “As for Cloudhill itself? We have attempted numerous probes, dispatching agents, and even bribing the guards. Yet, all traces vanished into thin air.”
“For over a year, the majority of our resources within the Cloudstride Sect’s territory have been dedicated to searching for traces of Shadow Blade, leaving us with inadequate means to deal with Wu Yuan,” the elderly man rebutted defensively.
East King Jin Jiu fixed his gaze on him, understanding that amidst the man’s justifications, there lay undeniable truths. The resources they could mobilize were insufficient, and the Cloudstride Sect guarded Wu Yuan fiercely.
“Wang Huang, what I want is not an explanation, but results.” East King Jin Jiu stated with indifference. “According to the latest intelligence, Wu Yuan has risen to the top of his generation in the Cloud Martial Hall, and completed the second level of the Skystride Pavilion in Cloudhill. He’s likely to possess the strength of a first-rate Adept.”
Hearing this, the elderly man in purple robes sighed inwardly. Although this information had yet to be widely disseminated, the higher echelons of various factions and powers already caught wind of it. How could he be unaware? And yet, what could he do about it?
Suddenly, a sonorous voice called out from afar. “Your Highness.”
An instant later, a figure clad in blue robes entered the hall. He was lean, almost two meters tall, with an extraordinary demeanor. His eyes were spirited, and he showed no fear even in front of East King Jin Jiu, one of the top twelve in the Land Rankings.
“Big Brother,” the man in blue robes greeted.
“Lu Jiangyin.” East King Jin Jiu’s brows furrowed slightly.
Anyone with even a superficial knowledge of the Jiang Continent would immediately recognize the identities of the three men upon hearing their titles. Officially, the four provinces of the Jiang Continent under the jurisdiction of the Great Jin Empire were governed by the Twelfth Prince. But in reality, everyone knew that the real people in charge were the three Land Rankers – Chen Luo, Lu Jiangyin, and Wang Huang.
Among the three Grandmasters, Chen Luo was the strongest, while Lu Jiangyin and Wang Huang were as close as brothers, despite not being related by blood. The two sides checked and balanced each other, a typical strategy of the Great Jin Empire.
“Forgive me for failing to welcome Your Highness upon your arrival,” Lu Jiangyin bowed slightly and cupped his hands.
East King Jin Jiu’s face softened a bit. He was well aware that the two men before him were both Grandmasters, two sharp weapons that paved the way for the empire’s eastward advancement. Punishing them was out of the question, for all Grandmasters had their pride and dignity. Even when Grandmaster Chen Luo failed to protect the ninth prince, leading to his charge’s demise, he was merely demoted in rank.
“Duke Lu,” East King Jin Jiu spoke softly, “these past years, whether it be Shadow Blade, Wu Yuan, or Xu Hui, you have failed to eliminate these threats. I believe an explanation is in order.”
“We have not fulfilled our duties adequately,” Lu Jiangyin replied in a subdued tone. “We have caused worry for Your Highness and our incompetency prompted you to make the journey to the Jiang Continent.”
Unlike the elder in purple robes, Wang Huang, Lu Jiangyin did not attempt to offer any excuses. East King Jin Jiu, their direct superior, had come all the way to the Jiang Continent to personally question them. This clearly meant that he was unsatisfied with their performance. Did the reality of the situation matter? Absolutely. However, what mattered even more was acknowledging one’s error. Attitude was crucial.
East King Jin Jiu nodded, stating calmly. “I understand that you are facing complex challenges and that your resources are stretched thin. I do not blame you for that. Nevertheless, the situation has reached a critical point and must be resolved as soon as possible. Do you have a plan in mind?”
Lu Jiangyin and Wang Huang exchanged glances.
“Brother, how about you present your proposal to the East King?” Lu Jiangyin suggested, knowing that his younger brother had recently angered the East King. This was an opportunity for him to make amends and mend their relationship.
Wang Huang was straightforward but not foolish. He understood that his elder brother was offering him an opportunity. “Your Highness, we have developed two proposals and were just about to report them when you showed up.”
“Let’s hear it,” East King Jin Jiu said impassively.
“The first proposal is to issue a bounty,” began the purple-robed Wang Huang, “and have the Pleiades Guild, Ninedeaths Circle, and other powerful factions deal with…”
“No,” East King Jin Jiu immediately interjected, vetoing the idea.
“Savant experts might have a chance at killing Wu Yuan, but the risk is extremely high, and not many are willing to take it,” East King Jin Jiu stated indifferently. “Wu Yuan’s bounty has been open for a long time, yet no one has succeeded. As for employing Grandmasters? Mobilizing the Grandmasters of the Pleiades Guild and Ninedeaths Circle would come at an extremely high cost.”
Both Wang Huang and Lu Jiangyin nodded in agreement.
To kill a Shadow Blade, Great Jin was willing to offer 100 million silver taels and a set of immortal arts. But to kill Wu Yuan? On one hand, the talent he had displayed so far wasn’t too earth-shattering, and on the other, he was still weak. This meant that more cost-effective arrangements could be made.
Above all, there existed an unspoken agreement that was upheld universally – Land Rankers would not easily strike at those below the level of Grandmaster. To a Grandmaster, an army of a million soldiers meant nothing to them. If they were to thoughtlessly assassinate whomever they wished, how many geniuses would the world lose?
“What’s the second proposal?” inquired East King Jin Jiu.
“Our intelligence reveals that Wu Yuan returns home from the mountain every New Year,” Wang Huang reported. “Though Cloudhill Province is well fortified, it wouldn’t be difficult for experts near the top of the Human Rankings to infiltrate it. Judging by the date, Wu Yuan will soon descend from the mountain.”
“The plan is for several Savant experts to infiltrate Cloudhill Province together and assassinate him,” declared Wang Huang with solemnity. “After the initial wave, the assassins will immediately retreat, regardless of the outcome.”
The plan seemed straightforward, but in reality, this was the norm. Genuine conspiracies rarely entailed numerous twists and turns. After all, human nature was unpredictable. So-called ‘foolproof strategies’ and ‘ingenious plans’ were mostly the creations of the literati’s imagination. The favored approach of the wise was to crush their foes with absolute power.
“Hmm, assassinating him in Cloudhill Province would be much easier than on Cloudhill itself,” murmured East King Jin Jiu. “However, just sending a few Savant experts might not guarantee success. They may even potentially end up trapped.”
“Wang Huang, since you devised this proposal, you are the most suitable candidate. Why don’t you undertake this mission?” suggested East King Jin Jiu nonchalantly.
“Me?” Wang Huang’s eyes contracted. He couldn’t help but glance at his elder brother.
“Your Highness East King,” Lu Jiangyin frowned, “If a Grandmaster were to act, Wu Yuan would certainly have no chance. However, Bu Yu and Huan Jian might lose their minds.”
Once the delicate equilibrium was disrupted, the consequences were unpredictable.
“I’m rather hoping that Bu Yu will storm Jinyang City in a fit of rage,” East King Jin Jiu chuckled. “In the coming period, I will be holding fort in Jinyang, there’s no need for you to worry.”
“Bu Yu is nearing 100 years old, and Huan Jian is self-centered. The only potential threat to us is Wu Yuan,” East King Jin Jiu uttered slowly, “He cannot be allowed to survive. He must be eradicated before the Battle of Jiang breaks out.”
“Otherwise, when the great conflict erupts, Wu Yuan will most likely escape from Cloudhill, disappear for a decade or two, and then return as a Grandmaster, perhaps even a Great Grandmaster. By then, it will be exceedingly difficult to eliminate him,” East King Jin Jiu stated.
Lu Jiangyin and Wang Huang were taken aback.
A Great Grandmaster? Among the general public, Great Grandmasters referred to the top ten individuals in the Land Rankings. However, among Land Rankers, it was those who reached the level of Peak Grandmaster that were referred to as Great Grandmasters.
Only 20-30 individuals in the world possessed the power of a Great Grandmaster. Across the vast Jiang Continent, there were merely two Great Grandmasters. One was the leader of Cloudstride Sect, Grandmaster Yu, and the other was Chu Ping from the Baijiang Kingdom. With these two around, it was difficult for Great Jin to conquer the Jiang Continent. This demonstrated the immense deterrence that a Great Grandmaster posed to enemy nations.
“The Battle of Jiang? What is that?” Lu Jiangyin inquired.
“There is no harm in telling you in advance. After all, by May at the latest, you will be notified to commence preparations,” East King Jin Jiu stated slowly. “His Majesty has informed me that this October, the 7th, 8th, and 9th divisions of the Jin Holy Army will set off for the Chu Continent. By the beginning of next year, they will set up camp in Jinyang!”
Lu Jiangyin and Wang Huang were both astounded.
The Jin Holy Army was the greatest elite force of Great Jin, the imperial army. It was divided into nine divisions, totaling a staggering 90,000 soldiers.
It might not sound like much, but every soldier in the Jin Holy Army was an Adept, forming the most elite and powerful force in the world. Each division commander was a Grandmaster, and just three divisions could stand against an army of a million.
“In November of this year, the north king will lead 100,000 Iron Cavalry from the Yuan Continent into battle. Next March, 60,000 naval forces from the Min Continent will move northward, merging with 60,000 from the Chu Continent, forming a total of 120,000 naval forces. They will infiltrate the Jiang Continent via the river,” East King Jin Jiu stated.
“Once the armies converge and the Grandmasters gather, we plan to launch the Battle of Jiang before June next year. Following the Cloud River, we will strike directly at Cloudhill City, then onto Ninecaves City, completely conquering the East River. Wu Chenggong will act as the supreme commander during the war!”
Lu Jiangyin and Wang Huang now fully understood. A decade after the Battle of Hillstride, the empire was about to incite another great war!
The north king of Great Jin was a Great Grandmaster, a cornerstone of the royal family comparable to the east king. Even the weakest soldiers within the 100,000-strong Iron Cavalry from the Yuan Continent were martial virtuosos. Of the 120,000 naval soldiers serving as Great Jin’s force in the Chu and Min Continents, more than half were martial virtuosos. The Eastward Expedition Army, stationed within the Jiang Continent, accounted for a total of 80,000 soldiers. This led to a total of 300,000 elite soldiers. Combined with the 30,000 soldiers comprising the Jin Holy Army, this colossal force was entirely capable of decimating entire nations.
Even if the Cloudstride Sect and the Baijiang Kingdom joined forces, they would stand no chance against such an army. Moreover, once the multiple armies converged, the number of Grandmasters alone already exceeded ten. Most notably, the supreme commander of the army was not the east king or the north king, but – Wu Chenggong!
Four decades prior, he laid waste to Chu-Jiang. Three decades prior, he conquered three nations of the Nan Continent. Fifteen years ago, 80,000 Iron Cavalry trampled the Xi Continent on an expedition of 16,000 li, forced the Xi Continent to submit, and triumphantly returned, putting an end to 200 years of conflict at the western border of Great Jin.
He was the universally acclaimed number one general and the war deity of Great Jin! A first-class duke of Great Jin, who could enter the palace without disarming, meet the king without bowing, and the epitome of a true subject. In terms of martial prowess, ranked second in the Land Rankings! Titled a duke, but in reality, a king! Forget the north king and east king, even Emperor Jin would rise and respectfully address him as ‘General’.
“Is it really Wu Chenggong?” Lu Jiangyin uttered in disbelief, his voice still tinged with shock.
“Of course,” replied the East King Jin Jiu with an air of indifference. “This information is strictly confidential and must not be divulged. All you need to know is that the Battle of Jiang will be a make-or-break moment for the empire. Once we stabilize the Jiang Continent under Great Jin’s rule, the unification of the Central Plains will be halfway complete.”
Jin Jiu’s voice grew grave as he continued, “If we lose this battle… we won’t be able to speak of war for another three decades. So, don’t worry about what the Cloudstride Sect might think. What you must do is eliminate any potential threats within the Cloudstride Sect and the Baijiang Kingdom before the great battle.”
“Understood,” Lu Jiangyin and Wang Huang responded in unison.