Chapter 473: The Following Book Order

Fenghai County, outside the collapsed Criminal Prison Division of the Capital District, Xu Qing walked out with a gloomy expression.

He looked up at the broken Capital District above, his body flickered and flew up, soon arriving at the capital city, heading straight for the residence of the Eight Sect Alliance.

On the way, broken buildings continuously entered Xu Qing's line of sight. Clearly, the upheaval of yesterday had caused a huge impact on this prosperous capital city.

And the crowds that were usually bustling on the streets were now much sparser. Among the sparse pedestrians who were in a hurry, Xu Qing saw hesitation, confusion, tension, and panic.

The mysterious death of the County Governor was already enough to cause panic, and the collapse of the Prison Division was even more alarming; coupled with the spread of news regarding the Saint-Lan Clan's invasion, a heavy haze rose in the hearts of these people.

There were even some cultivators here who could not hide the panic in their expressions. After all, not everyone was a Sword-Wielder.

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze and sped along.

Soon, he arrived at the residence of the Eight Sect Alliance.

With Immortal Zixuan sitting in command, the branch was still intact, but the alliance disciples inside were mostly packing their bags, as if preparing to set out.

Xu Qing's gaze swept over, without pausing, heading straight for the residence of Immortal Zixuan Shangxian, where he saw Immortal Zixuan and her best friend Li Shitao.

The two had solemn expressions and were discussing important matters. Seeing Xu Qing, the haze on Immortal Zixuan's face revealed a trace of gentleness.

"Xu Qing, I was just about to find you. I received an emergency summons from the sect and cannot stay here. I have to teleport back today."

"The Corpse Prohibition has erupted, and the Sword-Wielding Palace has ordered all human sects in the Yinghuang Prefecture to hold on against the Corpse Prohibition disaster." Immortal Zixuan's voice carried gravity.

Xu Qing's heart sank upon hearing this. He was the first to discover the matter of the Corpse Prohibition, so he naturally knew what had happened inside.

"In fact, the Eight Sect Alliance and the Sword Holder Court were already aware that the Saint-Lan Clan was behind the Corpse Prohibition disaster and had taken precautions, so you don't need to worry too much about your Master."

"And the Saint-Lan Clan's purpose in detonating the Corpse Prohibition has now been revealed: it is to use this to contain the forces of certain states in Fenghai County."

"Xu Qing, this period is a time of many events. You are by the side of the Sword-Wielding Palace Master, so it should be safer than outside for now. So this time I didn't call you to return together. You... must be more vigilant here."

Immortal Zixuan's eyes revealed concern. She took out three jade slips and handed them to Xu Qing.

"One is for concealment, the same as the concealment I drew for you before. There is also a large-range teleportation talisman, which you can use to avoid danger at critical moments."

"The last one contains a wisp of my divine sense, which can resist a fatal blow for you."

Xu Qing's heart surged with waves. After silently taking them, he also took out some Ten-Intestine Tree Dao Fruits and handed them over. After all, this object had miraculous effects in refining weapons and elixirs. The Sword-Wielding Palace had abundant materials and was not in urgent need, but for the Eight Sect Alliance, the role of these Dao Fruits was not small.

Immortal Zixuan was moved upon seeing this and did not exchange pleasantries with Xu Qing. After putting them away, she gave more instructions. Until an hour later, as the branch finished packing, amidst Xu Qing's farewell, Immortal Zixuan and the branch disciples left.

Before leaving, Immortal Zixuan looked back at Xu Qing many times. The two looked at each other, until at the teleportation array, they looked at each other one last time. Following the dispersal of the light, Immortal Zixuan and the branch disciples disappeared.

Li Shitao was clearly preoccupied. After Immortal Zixuan left, she nodded to Xu Qing and walked away in a hurry.

Looking at the empty teleportation array, Xu Qing's expression slowly became wooden. He was very familiar with this feeling, as if he had returned to the time when he was alone in the slums.

"Time to report to the Sword-Wielding Palace." Xu Qing muttered. As he turned to leave, the light of dusk fell on his Daoist robe, reflecting blood color and stretching his figure very long.

Dusk passed, and as night fell, Xu Qing arrived at the Sword-Wielding Palace.

Upon appearing, Kong Xianglong, who had received his transmission, flew over at full capacity from the Sword-Wielding Palace. The moment he approached and saw Xu Qing, his eyes revealed surprise.

Clearly, the change in Xu Qing's cultivation base was perceived by Kong Xianglong. After all, compared to when he left, Xu Qing's change was too great, even making Kong Xianglong feel as if he were facing a Nascent Soul.

If it were any other time, Kong Xianglong would definitely have asked curiously. But the upheaval in the Capital District now left him in no mood for that, and he spoke in a low voice after approaching.

"Xu Qing, news has just arrived from the border: the power of the taboo magic treasures cannot completely block the Saint-Lan Clan army; it only slightly delays their advance."

"Let's go, the Sword-Wielders have returned one after another. Tonight, the Palace Master will arrange the battle plan for all the Sword-Wielders in the Capital District."

"Now... you are the true Following Book Order." Kong Xianglong gazed at Xu Qing and spoke softly.

Xu Qing nodded calmly. He knew very well that within the identity of a foot soldier, his original position was the Palace Master's Following Book Order.

The facts were indeed as Kong Xianglong said. Not long after Xu Qing stepped into the Sword-Wielding Palace, he received the Palace Master's summons.

In the depths of the Sword-Wielding Palace, within the Sword-Wielding Hall, Xu Qing, who had arrived without any delay, saw the Sword-Wielding Palace Master standing before a huge light-shadow map, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins and his expression incomparably serious.

The Palace Master carried some bloodiness, and his fatigue was also very thick. Clearly, from the upheaval in the Capital District until now, he had not rested at all.

Around him were seven or eight Sword-Wielders. The four great Deacons and the Vice Palace Master were all there. Everyone had different degrees of injuries, the heaviest being the two Vice Palace Masters.

These were the injuries they received when suppressing the god's avatar in the Criminal Prison Division with the Palace Master yesterday. Now, without time to recover, they were receiving the Palace Master's deployment and arrangements.

Following the Palace Master's instructions, the four great Deacons and the two Vice Palace Masters nodded with solemn expressions and left one after another. When passing by Xu Qing, most nodded to him, their eyes carrying deep meaning.

Until half an incense stick of time later, after there was no one else in the hall, the Palace Master withdrew his gaze from the light-shadow map, turned around, and looked at Xu Qing with a strict expression.

"Sword-Wielding Xu Qing, here to report." Xu Qing's expression was solemn, and he bowed with cupped fists.

"Xu Qing, organize the list of returning Sword-Wielders, find out who hasn't returned, find out the reason, and arrange the meeting at midnight tonight. Any problems?"

The Palace Master spoke in a deep voice.

"Respect the imperial edict." Xu Qing said solemnly.

The Palace Master nodded and no longer paid attention to Xu Qing. He had too many things to deal with. Now, Fenghai County had internal and external troubles, and all the burdens, the moment the County Governor fell, were pressed onto his shoulders.

Xu Qing knew the propriety, bowed and left. After walking out of the hall, he took out the command sword and, according to the Palace Master's instructions, began to get busy.

The identity of the Following Book Order, at this moment, lived up to its name. He possessed the authority to query any records, and all Sword-Wielders had to cooperate. But his own strength was somewhat insufficient, so after pondering, he transmitted to Kong Xianglong.

Soon, Kong Xianglong, Shan Hezi, Wang Chen, and Ye Ling all came to Xu Qing. With their cooperation, Xu Qing soon organized the meeting list and the reasons for not returning that the Palace Master wanted.

Finally, an hour before the meeting, he set the midnight meeting and prepared the venue, and notified all Sword-Wielders with his own authority.

"By the order of the Palace Master, inform all Sword-Wielders, midnight tonight, East District First Plaza, attend the meeting!" Xu Qing's voice echoed in the command swords of all Sword-Wielders at this moment.

This was the first time he had truly emitted his voice as a Following Book Order.

Soon, midnight approached.

On the East District First Plaza, all Sword-Wielders arrived rapidly. There was no need to organize order; the Sword-Wielding Palace was originally strictly disciplined. At this moment, nearly one hundred thousand Sword-Wielders stood there, dense and numerous, while orderly, lining up in long rows according to their cultivation bases.

No one spoke. Only murderous intent rose in everyone's heart. Their eyes mostly contained anger, and even more, persistence.

The death of the County Governor, the collapse of the Criminal Prison Division, the arrival of war—this series of events would not make the Sword-Wielders afraid, only making their murderous intent stronger.

At this moment, the momentum gathered together, filling all directions. Under this traction, the sky appeared with a vortex, roaring and rotating.

When the momentum was astonishing, the four great Deacons and the Vice Palace Master descended one after another. Finally, appearing before all the Sword-Wielders was the Palace Master, who had a serious expression and was awe-inspiring without being angry.

And Xu Qing followed behind the Palace Master.

Following the convergence of all the Sword-Wielders' gazes, Xu Qing's figure also entered everyone's sight. He was expressionless, paused three zhang away from the Palace Master, stood there silently, and looked toward the Palace Master.

The Palace Master's gaze swept over the people below. After half a while, a low voice echoed in all directions.

"Sword-Wielders, the war has arrived."

"The Saint-Lan Clan's ambition toward our human Fenghai County has not ceased for a single moment in countless years, and this is not the first war they have launched, but without exception, they have all failed!"

"And in the recent millennium, I, along with the late County Governor, including all administrators, have long been prepared to face this battle."

"Even though the first batch of enemy troops, composed of the Red Spirit Dynasty and the Moon Mist Dynasty of the Saint-Lan Clan, has now entered Fenghai County, I am personally full of confidence."

"If everyone is loyal to their duties, makes no mistakes, and arranges everything thoroughly, we can, like the martyrs of Fenghai County before us, prove that we too can protect Fenghai County, prevail in the storm of war, and survive the threat of Saint-Lan."

"And with the assistance of the Fengxing Palace, including the three hundred and seventy-nine allied clans including the Saint Demon Clan, they will also participate in this war. And the Near Immortal Clan also chose to seal their entire ancestral land this morning after my personal communication, not stepping out half a step."

"So this war, we are actually not fragile." The Palace Master spoke calmly, without any impassioned tone, but slowly narrating.

"But there are also some things you need to know."

"Today, in the Imperial Domain of our clan, which is extremely far from Fenghai County, two things happened."

"One, the new County Governor and reinforcements appointed by the Human Emperor, who should have arrived tomorrow via domain teleportation, were intercepted by the Black Heaven Clan on the way today, their life or death unknown."

"Two, the Black Heaven Clan army is approaching the Human Emperor's Imperial Domain, and wind and rain have descended. So for a short time, Fenghai County needs to face the foreign invasion on its own."

"So, this may be a protracted war."

"So, this may be a lonely battle."

"Regardless, this is the situation we have to face, but this does not affect our determination to defend to the death, because we have no way to retreat."

"Of the thirteen states, three have now been occupied by the Saint-Lan Clan army, but the power of Fenghai County's taboo magic treasures has been fully activated to block them, creating a stalemate and buying us some time."

"During this time, we need to solve several problems."

"The chaos in the two lands of the Corpse Prohibition and the Clothing Prohibition is intended to disperse the strength of some states; this is the Saint-Lan Clan's goal."

"The collapse of the Prison Division and the escape of the prisoners will inevitably cause chaos in Fenghai County, leaving us with internal and external troubles; this is also the Saint-Lan Clan's goal."

Heavy breathing came from the mouths of the one hundred thousand Sword-Wielders. The Palace Master's words made everyone, including Xu Qing, truly realize the crisis of Fenghai County, which was like a raging storm.

But the calmness of the Palace Master's voice was like a stabilizing needle, making everyone's heart slowly calm down, with only murderous intent and determination continuously rising.

Gazing at everyone, the Palace Master's voice paused, and he spoke indifferently.

"Don't be afraid, if the sky falls, I will hold it up!" ===== CHAPTER 474 =====