Chapter 3099

He Chunhua was merely curious—there were only a handful of true immortals in the world, so where had He Lingchuan found such a peerless master?

Mr. Yuan smiled and nodded.

He Chunhua immediately sent word, ordering the Imperial Kitchen to deliver golden-thread date cakes.

It seemed Mr. Yuan and He Lingchuan shared a deep bond; otherwise, he wouldn't know so many anecdotes from He Lingchuan's youth.

At that moment, Northwest Inspector-General Xia Liejie reported: "Your Majesty, the 17,000 troops of Qingyi State are withdrawing from the front line at Between Between Between Beijia Mountain, Yu State, and wish to borrow passage through our Dongyang County to return home."

This is also one of the member states of the War Alliance, though its territory is small, located in western Shen State.

Their army wishes to return home by passing through Shen State's Dongyang County and then entering the mountains—the shortest route; otherwise, they'd have to take a long detour around the outskirts.

"Borrow passage?" He Chunhua mused. "Although Qingyi State wishes to withdraw from the War Alliance, as former comrades-in-arms, we should still grant them this convenience."

Xia Liejie was startled, blurting out: "Qingyi State wants to withdraw from the War Alliance? Why? Hasn't the War Alliance's war against the heavenly demons already won several great victories?"

"Victory is victory, but for a small state like Qingyi, there's no benefit—on the contrary, the heavenly demons now descend upon the entire world, frightening these small states within the War Alliance terribly."

"Frightened terribly?"

"They joined the War Alliance without ill intent, but their primary principle is self-preservation. Many states believe the heavenly demons will first attack Cangyan and Mu States, leaving no time to bother with smaller states." He Chunhua was clear-headed: "With Cangyan, Mu, and Baoshu States bearing the brunt, these small states in the War Alliance won't attract special attention from the heavenly demons."

When mentioning the allied forces, everyone only remembers the few heavyweight leaders at the front—formidable as they are—and knows Shen State and Xuan Yi State are in the second tier; the remaining small states and minor powers in the alliance stand outside the spotlight—who can count them on their fingers?

Thus, these small states had originally hidden themselves comfortably within the War Alliance, needing only to send a few troops to accompany the army as a token gesture. The alliance's leaders never expected them to contribute anything substantial.

In this way, they enjoyed the benefits of joining the War Alliance—such as trade taxes and material supplies—without bearing much of the war's suffering, a double gain.

Even in this demon-torn age, every household and state still has its own little calculations.

"But they didn't expect that Lingxu Shengzun's tactic would be to invade the entire world!"

Seeing so many small states invaded, they were terrified at heart and thus withdrew the elite forces sent to the Between Between Between Beijia front line back home to protect themselves.

This is only human nature.

After all, everyone knows the heavenly demons will eventually act against the War Alliance's member states—very likely in just a few days.

The time the War Alliance has bought for everyone must be well used.

He Chunhua sighed: "Actually, Qingyi State's approach is still moderate. I just received news that fifteen states have withdrawn troops from the front line, eight of which have already quit the War Alliance."

"Since these states have withdrawn, they may later turn to the heavenly demons." Mr. Yuan suddenly spoke: "Does the War Alliance not plan to take some preventive measures?"

"That depends on Jiuxu's opinion." He Chunhua spoke frankly: "The Chi Yan King was murdered in his own palace, which has indeed made several monarchs in the War Alliance uneasy and fearful that they might be next. If the War Alliance doesn't resolve their rear concerns, even more states and powers may quit the alliance."

The War Alliance has too many member states, with divided loyalties, making this inevitable.

Mr. Yuan gave a low chuckle and said no more.

He Chunhua detected his disdain. So, this great expert is not a member of the War Alliance?

Xia Liejie then reported another matter: "Northwest also reports: in these past two days, the Tuhun people suddenly leveled the Baiyan Pagoda in Ducheng of Bi State, cleared a large open space, began carving a large spirit formation, and stationed troops around it for protection. Whoever dares to intrude will be beheaded and punished collectively. This is the decree of the Upper God; even the Bi King cannot oppose it."

"A spirit formation?" He Chunhua asked. "Did anyone bring back a copy of the formation diagram?"

"Our informants and spies are not versed in formation arts, so they cannot replicate it, and the diagram only sketches a small part—it's incomplete. It's said to be overly complex and covers a vast area. Oh, by the way, the Baiyan Pagoda lies on the central axis of Ducheng, one of the state's famous sights. Whenever foreign friends visited before, they would come here for a tour." Xia Liejie's expression was complex: "Moreover, the Bi King immediately ordered, forcing all commoners throughout the state to relocate to Ducheng within ten days."

He Chunhua and Mr. Yuan exchanged glances: "All commoners nationwide?"

"Yes." Xia Liejie's voice was bitter: "Originally, the Tuhun army had already conscripted several rounds of able-bodied men in Bi State, sending fit males to military garrisons. This relocation order, however, targets the remaining elderly, weak, women, and children. Those who refuse will be escorted by the army."

He was originally a native of the state, and the state was not originally prosperous or wealthy—at least most commoners lived in peace and contentment. But since the heavenly demons descended, life in Bi State has plummeted—how much suffering have the commoners endured?

If the Bi King had initially heeded his advice, refused to open the gates and surrender, and instead sought aid from Shen State, relying only on three or five heavenly demons plus the Tuhun State's army, could they truly have conquered Bi State in just a few days?

How could it have come to this—wretched and stifled?

He Chunhua delivered his judgment: "Bi State exists in name only. The king has lost virtue, bringing disaster upon the people."

Mr. Yuan then asked: "How many people does your state have in total?"

"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is abundant; over the past twenty years, the population has greatly increased. Nationwide, there are five to six million people."

"Then subtract the able-bodied men, and perhaps three million remain." Three to four million people crowding into Ducheng—eating, drinking, defecating, urinating, living—would be a major problem. Ducheng is not a super-metropolis like Lingxu City or Ju City, incapable of bearing a million people. But seeing this death order issued by the heavenly demons, we know they never consider livelihood, only pursuing their own goals.

The current problem is: "Why are the heavenly demons gathering vast numbers of commoners into Ducheng—what do they intend to do?"

Although this question has no answer yet, all three present felt a deep sense of foreboding. The ruler and ministers likely also clearly perceive impending doom, but after inviting the wolf into the house, they now have no strength left to resist.

Xia Liejie suppressed his inner sorrow, reported several administrative matters, then withdrew.

He Chunhua then asked: "Regarding the relocation of Bi State's people, what does Mr. Yuan think?"

"The elderly, weak, women, and children cannot fight nor perform heavy labor. To the heavenly demons, if they still have any remaining value, it's probably just their lives." Mr. Yuan spoke bluntly: "That spirit formation is drawn at the center of Bi State's Ducheng; once activated, it will likely cover the entire city."

He Chunhua sucked in a cold breath: "A sacrifice?"

Mr. Yuan shrugged his shoulders.

People should not think that having only a rotten life left makes them valueless to others and thus safe.

Others will surely still see the shining point in you, then turn you into fireworks.

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