Chapter 733: Yuan Court's Reaction

Two hundred li north of Haozhou is Ru Ning Prefecture.

In the main hall of the prefectural office, the atmosphere was oppressive as iron.

The Darughachi of Ru Ning Circuit, Boluo Tiemuer, sat on a tiger-skin chair, his face grim.

Before him knelt three defeated soldiers who had fled Haozhou.

The voice of the one-armed man trembled:

"Sir, it's not ordinary bandits... it's demonic cultivators at work!"

"Their eyes glow blue; blades can't cut them, arrows can't pierce!"

"Moreover, a band of fierce unknown origin seized the city gate under cover of night..."

Boluo Tiemuer tapped his fingers on the armrest.

"Where is the Black-robed Mage? Where is the Halara Commandant?"

"The Black-robed Mage fled first! The Halara Commandant tried to resist, but was... was stabbed in the back by those blue-eyed demon soldiers!"

Another defeated soldier added:

"That band of marauders flies a strange flag—red field, black sword and black plow crossed!"

"Before fleeing, the Black-robed Mage shouted that the flag must be destroyed!"

The flag.

Boluo Tiemuer's eyes flickered.

He recalled the capital's secret order from half a year ago: if one sees a 'Gathering Momentum' object, report it immediately.

"Blade-Plow Flag..."

He muttered a line, then looked up.

"Issue the order."

"Block news of Haozhou's fall; leakers will be executed."

"Draw grain and forage from all prefectures and counties, send them to White River Town."

"Also, let Ying Prefecture's Red Scout Horse Army stand by."

The chief steward downstairs, Zhang Chang, started:

"Sir, the Red Scout Horse Army needs an order from the Privy Council..."

"The order is already on the way."

Boluo Tiemuer rose and walked toward the outer hall.

"If those 'things' cannot take Haozhou, they will call for help on their own."

"We only need to pass along a knife."

"One that is fast enough."

Dark clouds pressed over the city.

The wind carried the smell of river mud mixed with rust.

White River Town, deep underground.

The black-robed person knelt before the Deep Blue Crystal Altar, left shoulder bare—the wound from last night's escape, severed by Chang Yuchun, now covered with a writhing blue gelatinous substance.

At the altar's center, a black mist roiled.

Within it, crow shadows silently screeched.

"Your Majesty."

The black-robed person touched forehead to ground.

"Haozhou... is lost."

The mist suddenly solidified.

A cold, nonhuman consciousness stabbed directly into his mind:

"That flag?"

"Yes. The flag bears 'Momentum,' interfering with the Dark Energy Field."

"The flag-bearer?"

"A marauder chief surnamed Zhu, ruthless, with many desperadoes under his command."

"You were defeated by mortals?"

The black-robed person shuddered all over.

"He has... weapons forged from strange metal that can pierce black armor."

"Moreover, his troops fear no death, their tactics are deceitful..."

The mist surged violently.

"Excuse."

A black light shot out, striking the black-robed person's right knee.

Below the right knee, it instantly carbonized, crumbling to ash.

The black-robed person let out a horrible scream and collapsed to the ground.

"Gather all mature bodies and besiege Haozhou."

"Destroy the flag, kill the people, slaughter the city."

"If we fail again..."

The mist slowly contracted.

"Then you will be buried with that city."

"Yes, sir! Yes, sir!"

The black-robed figure kowtowed desperately.

The mist mass dissipated.

The altar's light dimmed.

The black-robed figure lay limp on the icy ground, gasping for a long time.

Then, using his sole remaining left hand to brace himself, he dragged his broken body and crawled toward the rear of the altar.

There, dozens of translucent blue crystal containers were arranged.

Inside each container, a humanoid figure was submerged.

Their skin was gray‑blue, their chests barely rising.

They seemed asleep.

They seemed more like a seal.

The black-robed figure crawled to the central control crystal and pressed his palm against it.

His palm split open, and blue fluid seeped into the crystal.

"Wake up…"

He let out a hoarse, low laugh.

"All wake up…"

"Go to Haozhou…"

"Go take that city…"

"Devour it completely."

Inside the containers, all the gray‑blue humanoids opened their eyes simultaneously.

Their eyes were hollow.

Only at their depths, a faint blue flame glowed.

Suddenly it blazed bright.

On Haozhou's city wall, dusk deepened.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) looked toward the northern horizon.

There, dust began to rise.

"They're coming."

Liu Ji at his side spoke softly.

"The dust and smoke stretch three li, with infantry and cavalry mixed, numbering over eight hundred."

"At least three hundred… march with unusually orderly steps."

"They are black‑armored soldiers." Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) said.

He turned to look inside the city.

The city walls had been hastily reinforced, the moat deepened, and anti‑cavalry obstacles laid everywhere.

The able‑bodied youths conscripted from the populace were hauling rolling stones and boiling oil onto the walls.

"Xu Da."

"Present."

"Archers are split into three teams, rotating fire, aiming for the eyes."

"Yes."

"Tang He."

"Present."

"Stockpiles of rolling stones and boiling oil are ready; they will be used when the enemy climbs the walls."

"Understood."

"Chang Yuchun."

"I'm here!"

Chang Yuchun, his eyes still covered with cloth, straightened his back.

"Your cavalry, conserve strength and bide your time."

"When the enemy collapses, sally out and pursue."

Chang Yuchun grinned:

"Order received!"

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) finally looked toward Liu Ji.

"Sir, the city's interior is yours to handle."

"Anyone who spreads rumors and undermines morale——"

"Will be executed on the spot." Liu Ji replied calmly.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) nodded.

He walked to the battlement and placed his hand on the bricks.

The bricks were rough, still warm from the day's sun.

This city.

These people.

This banner.

"Pass the word down."

He raised his voice, and it carried through the twilight.

Tonight, no distinction between soldiers and civilians; all together defend this city.

The city stands, the people stand.

The city falls—

He paused.

Nor can anyone survive.

Silence.

Then, atop and below the city walls, shouts began to rise:

Defend the city!

Defend the city!

The sound wave surged like a tide, crashing into the dust and smoke rising from the north.

Nightfall descended completely.

Firelight lit up one by one on the city walls.

It illuminated the blades.

It illuminated the eyes.

It also illuminated the banner that fluttered and resonated in the night wind—

The Blade-Plow Banner.