Chapter 234: Dark Passage

Heavens, how pitiful. During this period, in order to maintain an advantage in the war against the Flame King of Flame Province,

The Da Qian dynasty's exploitation of Mound Yang Commandery and the surrounding commanderies is not slight.

Especially the Jianghu wandering dark forces represented by the Xu family head.

A large portion were forcibly drafted into the army by this western expedition pacification army.

After all, in this era, those who can get by in the underworld are not far off in physical quality.

Even many people still have a special skill up their sleeve.

With a little training, they could become a properly organized army.

At worst, sending them out as cannon fodder is still far better than those frail commoners.

Therefore, during this time, the head of the Xu family has indeed suffered greatly.

He is frequently shaken down by the Da Qian pacification army.

The key is he still dares not disagree.

Now the Jianghu wandering dark forces of the entire Mound Yang Commandery are about to be wiped clean by the Da Qian pacification army.

If this continues, the head of the Xu family will soon be a commander without troops.

Therefore, among everyone present, the head of the Xu family is the most eager.

Even more urgent than the initiator, Duke Pei.

There's no way; if we don't act quickly.

Their Xu family is about to be destroyed!

"Brother Xu says it lightly, but have you considered how many loyal troops of the Qian emperor remain in Mound Yang Commandery and even the surrounding commanderies at this time?"

"If they find out we are betraying our lord for glory, they will surely fight to the death."

"If civil war breaks out, won't the western commanderies of Qian Province suffer even more misery?"

The head of the Shen family merely shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Everyone, this matter is of great importance; it cannot be decided in a moment."

"In my opinion, we might first send someone to secretly contact the Flame King again and sound out his intentions."

"If he truly intends to accept us and promises to protect our families' interests, then discussing opening the city is not too late."

The head of the Li family had remained silent, but now he finally spoke slowly.

As soon as he said that, the other four fell into a sudden silence.

Although the Li family head's proposal was steady, time was pressing and did not allow them to plan slowly.

However, the risk of directly opening the city and surrendering was still too great, and for a moment the five family heads found themselves in an awkward dilemma of advance or retreat.

"Oh well, fortune favors the bold!"

"Li, I am willing to follow Duke Pei's lead!"

The head of the Shen family slammed the table and made up his mind.

The head of the Li family and the Zheng clan elder exchanged a glance, pondered briefly, and then nodded in agreement.

"If so, we must not delay."

"We will now arrange personnel and tonight launch an operation to open the western barrier—Heroic Peace City!"

Seeing this, the Xu family head curled the corner of his mouth into a cruel smile.

As the heads of the five great families reached agreement, the atmosphere inside the mansion instantly grew tense.

Servants came and went, delivering various messages and orders.

Not long after, groups of black-clad masked men quietly left the mansion and disappeared into the night.

The night was as dark as ink; on the battlefield of Flame Province, flames shot into the sky and the cries of killing shook the heavens.

The Flame King wore golden armor, seated atop a tall horse, his stern visage flickering in the firelight.

His gaze, sharp as a hawk's, fixed firmly on the Da Qian pacification army ahead.

Tan Mengjun, the Da Qian pacification general, was now leading the army in confrontation with the Flame King.

Between the two armies lay a battlefield shrouded in gunpowder smoke, countless warriors' blood staining the land red.

Just as the battle reached its height, a swift horse rode from the direction of Mound Yang Commandery straight to the Flame King's great camp.

The rider on horseback held a sealed letter, his expression hurried.

"Report—!"

The rider dismounted before the Flame King, knelt on one knee, and presented the letter with both hands: "The secret letter of the Five Great Families of Mound Yang Commandery!"

"Your Majesty Flame King, the Five Great Families of Mound Yang Commandery secretly plot to rebel against Da Qian, willing to offer the western barrier of Qian Province—Heroic Peace City—to aid our army, so as to completely trap the Da Qian pacification army in Flame Province!"

Upon hearing this, the Flame King's eyes flashed with a hint of wild joy.

"Hahaha! Heaven aids me!"

"With Heroic Peace City, this Da Qian pacification army is like a turtle in a jar—there's no escaping my palm!"

He took the letter, quickly skimmed it, then threw his head back and laughed loudly.

"Tan Mengjun, Tan Mengjun, it seems the hearts of those inside Da Qian are not united."

"Now your retreat has been cut off; I see how long you can hold out!"

He raised his head to gaze at the distant Da Qian army camp, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

"Great King, is this true?"

"Do the Five Great Families inside Mound Yang Commandery truly wish to submit to us?"

The Flame King's attendants, upon hearing this, all showed looks of surprise and joy, gathering around and eagerly asking.

"Absolutely certain!"

"Look, this is a personal letter from the five clan heads of Mound Yang Commandery, led by Duke Pei of Da Qian; they have already made secret preparations, awaiting only our order to open the gate of Heroic Peace City and let our army march straight into Qian Province!"

The Flame King passed the secret letter around for everyone to read.

Flame King

The generals passed the secret letter around, and their faces lit up with excitement and fervor.

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It seemed as if they could already see the Great Qian army tasked with suppressing the rebellion trapped and doomed in Flame Province.

Great Qian Flame Province's rebellion-suppressing army

"Great King is wise!"

Great King is wise!

"With the help of the Five Great Families, we will surely capture Qian Province in one fell swoop and march straight to the Great Qian capital!"

The Five Great Families in Qian Province's Great Qian capital

A general flattered him.

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"Exactly! March straight to the capital!"

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The other generals also chimed in excitedly.

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"Generals, please settle down and don't act rashly."

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"Although the Five Great Families have already pledged allegiance to us, we must not let our guard down."

Five Great Families

"After all, they are prominent clans within the Great Qian realm, with deep roots and influence in Qian Province."

The prominent clans of Qian Province in Great Qian

"We must act carefully and cautiously, lest they turn on us."

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The Flame King smiled faintly and raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

Flame King

"Issue the order: have the frontline troops strengthen their vigilance and stand ready for battle at any moment."

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"At the same time, send envoys to Lingyang Commandery to liaise with the Five Great Families and work out the specific plan and timing."

The Five Great Families of Lingyang Commandery

"We must ensure everything stays under our control, allowing no mishaps to occur."

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He paused, then continued speaking.

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The generals all assented in unison and withdrew to make the necessary arrangements.

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The Flame King remained seated on his horse, gazing ahead at the Great Qian army camp, his heart filled with anticipation and confidence.

The Flame King's Great Qian army camp

It seemed as if he could already see the dawn of victory beckoning to him.

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At this moment, the western barrier of Qian Province—the Heroic Peace City—was a fortification meticulously built by past emperors to defend against foreign invaders.

Heroic Peace City in Qian Province

It was sturdy and concealed, impregnable.

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But tonight, this barrier that had once kept countless foreign foes at bay is about to crumble in the hands of the Five Great Families.

Five Great Families

Countless black‑clad figures swiftly approached the barrier under the cover of night.

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They had a clear division of labor: some were tasked with destroying the fortifications, others with drawing the guards' attention.

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In an instant, flames shot into the sky and the shouts of killing shook the heavens.

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Yet amid the chaos, a key section of the western barrier quietly gave way, opening a gap.

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Meanwhile, a detachment that the Flame King had arranged to bypass the rebellion‑suppressing army led by Tan Mengjun and his comrades had long been waiting outside the barrier.

Flame King Tan Mengjun's detachment of the rebellion-suppressing army

As soon as the gap appeared, they surged forward like tigers descending from the mountain.

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(End of chapter)