Chapter 24: The Forbidden Magic Land

When the Evil Spirit Death God Tribe arrived at the Pure Black Land, it was already the third day. Although in the Nine Nether Realm days are hard to measure by human "days," Luo Shan still kept the habit of counting the days as usual. After all, they had once successfully escaped from the Nine Nether Realm, and although Mu Ze now gave them a pessimistic answer, they still had not despaired.

Yet, contrary to Luo Shan's expectations, the Pure Black Land, though its name suggests utter darkness and despair, actually resembled the mortal world more than other parts of the Nine Nether Realm. The soil was yellowed, the sky a faint white, and in the distance rose towering black city walls. The great host had already formed a battle array before the city gate, swords and spears bristling, and the walls were lined with strong bows and heavy crossbows—everything looked strikingly like a human army's siege. The only difference now was that the attacking side was thin on manpower and its weapons were a jumble, while the defenders outnumbered them several times, relying on a fortified city, fine weapons, and banners in six colors representing six tribes, clearly prepared in advance. The evil spirits under Mu Ze, upon seeing this scene, were each filled with dread, feeling that today's battle would likely end in many defeats and few victories.

Mu Ze gazed out at the six tribal forces, a faint cold smile appearing on his face. In ordinary times, even a thousand troops would be nothing before him; a wave of his hands could unleash dazzling light and turn them all to ash with earth‑shaking magic. Yet now, trapped in the constraints of the Pure Black Land, the Death God's astonishing power could not be summoned even a iota.

It was not only him; the entire Evil Spirit Death God Tribe was enveloped by the anti‑magic field, unable to cast even the most basic Light Strike technique.

Under these circumstances, no matter how powerful a mage, they could only fight with weapons like ordinary swordsmen, which played right into the opponent's hands. Since the Wind Spirit Tribe had, centuries ago, discovered the Pure Black Land and prepared it as a final base to hone combat tactics against possible enemy attacks, they now held the advantage. The other tribes of the Nine Nether Realm have traditionally focused on magic cultivation and have few swordsmen; the Wind Spirit Tribe's move directly targeted this weakness. If magic cannot be used, the entire Nine Nether Realm would have little that could stand against the Wind Spirit Tribe.

Yet at this moment, Mu Ze led the entire three‑ten‑thousand‑strong force of the Evil Spirit Death God Tribe, marching grandly into the Pure Black Land and laying out their formation before the enemy. They would face ten thousand skilled melee warriors of the Wind Spirit Tribe, plus the forces of the Fire Spirit, Frost Spirit, Seven Absolutes, Seven Stars, and Seven Ridges tribes—about fifty‑thousand in total, nearly twice the size of the Evil Spirit Death God Tribe. Moreover, although the Blue Spirit Tribe had not yet entered the fight, six of the eight tribes of the Nine Nether Realm were already hostile to the Evil Spirit Death God Tribe, and the participation of the Blue Spirit Tribe's ten‑thousand men was only a matter of time.

"Mu Ze." Luo Shan looked at the massive enemy formation before them, feeling a pang of unease. Though the Evil Spirit Death God Tribe was the largest tribe of the Nine Nether Realm, they now faced six opponents, their numbers only half that of the enemy, making the battle outlook far from optimistic. "The enemy is strong; do you have any good strategy?" "Strategy?" Mu Ze raised an eyebrow slightly. "A full‑scale charge, wiping them out completely."

"At this point you still have the mood to joke." Luo Shan shook his head. "The name 'anti‑magic land' truly lives up to its reputation; I came here with all my magical power, yet it feels as if something has bound me, rendering me unable to use any of it. Mu Ze, what about you?" "Since this is an anti‑magic land, naturally no one is exempt." Mu Ze snorted. "These petty clowns chose this place as a battlefield simply because they fear my power. But if they think that, as a proper Death God, I rely only on magical power, they are being far too naive."

"Indeed, we are few while they are many; the battle looks difficult, but most of the enemy are a ragtag crowd. Though we are not adept at sword and blade attacks, their magic here is equally unusable. Moreover, the enemy are divided among six tribes, each harboring hidden motives. We only need to crush their main force; the rest will flee without a fight."

"Among the enemies, the Wind Spirit Tribe excels at swordsmanship; their leader, the Wind God, has already been slain by me. Without a leader, morale naturally plummets. Besides the Wind God, there is no known outstanding talent in that tribe, so once we engage them, their performance will be mediocre at best. The Fire Spirit Tribe has many members but has also lost its chieftain. The larger the numbers, the greater the collapse's impact. If we first break through the Fire and Wind Spirit tribes, the remaining tribes will be leaderless, and seeing their two main forces crumble will cause them to disintegrate. Though the enemy numbers are high now, we only truly need to deal with the two‑ten‑thousand plus members of the Wind and Fire Spirit tribes. Our army of thirty‑thousand can allocate ten‑thousand to guard the other tribes and twenty‑thousand to assault the Fire and Wind Spirit tribes, under our joint command, and we shall win in a single battle!"

"Mu Ze." Luo Shan looked at his spirited sworn brother, feeling a mixture of emotions. Though they had become brothers, they had spent very little time together and knew little of each other. Recently reunited, Mu Ze had already become a Death God, ruling the entire Nine Nether Realm; with a mere gesture he could grind a human‑emperor‑level master to dust. Luo Shan still called him brother, yet a trace of fear lingered in his heart.

A figure like Mu Ze could almost be called a one‑life overlord. Even compared with Ming Guang, he was not inferior, perhaps even surpassing him. Yet such a person gave Luo Shan an unsettling chill. A single rage could cause a million corpses to flow like a river; this power, though awe‑inspiring and coveted by countless people, seemed, to Luo Shan, not the true goal. A person with such power—what does it achieve? Killing until rivers run red does not bring satisfaction. Wouldn't a simple, peaceful life with loved ones be happier than this slaughter? If Luo Shan had to choose, he would absolutely pick the latter.

Yet at this moment, he could not refuse to help Mu Ze. Even though it meant killing, Luo Shan was unwilling to abandon his sworn brother.

But to aid Mu Ze, must he swing his sword into the tens of thousands of dead spirits before him?

Though they are not living humans, they still have flesh, blood, personalities, and souls.

"Brother?" Mu Ze noticed Luo Shan's hesitation and asked aloud. "Ah… it's nothing." Luo Shan shook his head, forcing a smile. "Brother, you excel at swordsmanship; in this battle we still need to rely on your strength." Mu Ze looked at the densely arranged battlefield and sighed. "When the fight begins, I'll need you to lead a squad to assault the central line of the Wind Spirit Tribe, breaking through as quickly as possible. After that, you'll turn your squad around and flank the Fire Spirit Tribe with me." Mu Ze held a short sword, slicing the air. "The enemy has divided their front by tribe; the central Wind Spirit Tribe has only ten‑thousand men. I'll give you fifteen‑thousand elite troops; you must succeed in one strike. I'll take five thousand to feint the Fire Spirit Tribe, which has nearly fifteen‑thousand—three times my force. Without your help, I could not defeat them."

"Understood." Luo Shan nodded. "Mu Ze, brother, you are the commander; I'll follow all orders. After I crush the Wind Spirit Tribe, I'll immediately come to aid you; you can rest assured."

"Brother, I do trust you, of course." Mu Ze suddenly sighed again. "But there is one more thing that unsettles me. The outcome of this battle hinges on whether our two‑ten‑thousand elite can defeat the Wind and Fire Spirit tribes. Beyond that, there are four other tribes; when our main force breaks out to assault the central line, they will surely attack our flanks and rear from all sides. I have only a little over ten‑thousand men to deal with those four tribes, and no capable commander to lead them. Though the enemy are a ragtag crowd, with thirty‑thousand against ten‑thousand, their numbers boost their morale; under a concerted assault, our men will not be able to match them, and if the flanks collapse, our main force will fall into disarray without a fight."

"That is indeed the case." Luo Shan felt equally troubled. "But what can we do?"

"There is one solution." Mu Ze looked into Luo Shan's eyes. "Let Pei Er command the covering troops; with her exquisite swordsmanship, she will be unstoppable. Our brave generals as commanders will surely raise morale. Though the enemy outnumber us, it will no longer be frightening."

"Pei Er?" Luo Shan's heart jolted. "Pei Er's sword skill is high, but she is still a girl. Sending her onto the battlefield… that seems inappropriate."

Moreover, what happened last night… the words Pei Er said to him, he was not indifferent, but since his heart already belonged to Qin Yan, there was no room left for Pei Er. Since he could not give her the happiness she wanted, he should not provoke her any further, especially not in such a war of swords and blood.

He was not worried that Pei Er would refuse; he knew that once he asked, she would certainly agree. Yet on the battlefield, blades have no eyes; if Pei Er were to slip, the debt of affection he owed her would have no way to be repaid.

Such a mistake would be impossible for him to atone for in his whole life.

"Then, brother, would you rather see me defeated here, my Death God legend turning to foam?" Mu Ze suddenly raised his voice, enunciating each word.

"If you let Pei Er take action, she will have no reason to refuse. With such a capable commander, our army can win despite being outnumbered. If not, the flank will surely collapse, and the Evil Spirit Death God Tribe will be annihilated today. Brother, you are also a member of the Evil Spirit Death God Tribe; when the tribe is in trouble, everyone must give their all."

"You all need not say more." At that moment, Pei Er's voice rang out abruptly. "Pei Er." Luo Shan instinctively turned his head, a deep sorrow welling up inside him. "You need not be like this."

"I'm willing; can you stop me?" Pei Er's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at the stunned young man before her, a pain in her heart, she stamped her foot, turned, and walked away. Luo Shan watched her silhouette, wanting to say something but unable to speak.

In his world, what status does this woman actually hold?

He cannot accept her love, yet he cannot live without her.

Is this… not terribly cruel?