Chapter 835: The Place of Decisive Battle

July 10th, the 49th year of Hongguang.

Baisha Province.

As one of the provinces with the strongest martial arts strength in the entire country, among the "Three Mountains, Four Sects, and Seven Great Families," the Mount Baituo of the "Three Mountains," the Gouchen Sword Sect of the "Four Sects," and the Divine Fist Yu Family of the "Seven Great Families" are all in Baisha Province!

Plus one Baisha University, a single province has a full four Grandmasters!

When the news of the sudden death of the Gouchen Sword Sect Master Bai Chen returned to Baisha Province, it immediately caused a huge shock.

Only then did everyone realize that the Gouchen Sword Sect had already secretly defected to the First Imperial Prince!

As the two telegrams from the central government spread across the world, the situation of the Gouchen Sword Sect in Baisha Province also became delicate.

The First Imperial Prince, Prince Li, Lu Wenzheng, Xu Jing, and others have been officially classified as "rebellious subjects and traitors"!

Therefore, the Gouchen Sword Sect, having chosen to stand on their side, naturally must also be dealt with.

After the death of Bai Chen, the Gouchen Sword Sect could no longer maintain its status as one of the "Four Sects," and the Baisha Province government contacted Baisha University, preparing to take action against them!

Mount Baituo, the highest mountain in Baisha Province.

A top-tier sect among the "Three Mountains" is named after this mountain.

On this day, a swordsman visited Mount Baituo alone.

He was quickly invited up the mountain by the people of Mount Baituo, but he did not enter the sect directly through the main mountain gate; instead, he took a detour up the back mountain and arrived at a great hall on the back mountain.

When this swordsman stepped into the hall, six people were already sitting inside.

One was the current Sect Master of Mount Baituo, Guo Feiyu, and the other five were the Peak Masters of Mount Baituo.

Among these six people, four were Martial Arts Masters, and two were contemporary True Persons.

Mount Baituo is a rare top-tier sect that possesses both martial arts and sorcery inheritances!

Among them, the Sect Master Guo Feiyu is even a Martial Arts Master with six supernatural abilities!

Of course, Guo Feiyu also encountered the same problem as Xiao Tao of the Xiao family—too many supernatural abilities, making it difficult to break through to the next realm.

"Sect Master Zhang, you are very bold."

Guo Feiyu looked at the swordsman who walked into the hall and said with a cold face.

The person who came was none other than the current Sect Master of the Gouchen Sword Sect, Zhang Yuanhong!

The Sect Master of the Gouchen Sword Sect is not necessarily the Sword Master; usually, the Sword Master focuses on cultivation, while the Sect Master manages the affairs of the sect.

One is the foundation of the sect, and the other is the person in power.

At a time when the imperial court has publicly denounced the rebels and is preparing to take action against the Gouchen Sword Sect, Zhang Yuanhong actually dared to ascend Mount Baituo alone.

If Mount Baituo wanted to act against him, they would only need to capture him and send him to the government, which would be a great merit!

That is why Guo Feiyu said the other party was very bold.

Zhang Yuanhong held his sword in one hand, his eyes somewhat sinister, like a lone eagle on a cliff wall.

His gaze swept over everyone present, and he said calmly:

"I came today to give your Mount Baituo a chance."

"Huh?"

A Martial Arts Master present heard this and immediately sneered, "What big talk? Give my Mount Baituo a chance?"

He was the one who represented Mount Baituo to participate in the election for members of the Blue Patrol Pavilion in Lanling City, only to lose unexpectedly to the Gouchen Sword Sect. (See Chapter 173, Volume 3 for details)

This made him feel very humiliated, so he did not give Zhang Yuanhong a good look.

Zhang Yuanhong glanced at the other party, then met Guo Feiyu's eyes:

"A change not seen in hundreds of years is right before our eyes; is your Mount Baituo unwilling to seize the opportunity and go a step further?"

Guo Feiyu remained unmoved: "Opportunity? I only see that your Gouchen Sword Sect is about to be destroyed, and two hundred years of foundation is about to be ruined in a single day! My Mount Baituo does not need any opportunity to remain stable for a hundred years and keep our prestige intact!"

Zhang Yuanhong smiled disdainfully: "If that were truly the case, why is the current member of the Blue Patrol Pavilion in Baisha Province from my Gouchen Sword Sect? Your Mount Baituo doesn't even have the courage to get on the gambling table, and you dare to speak of prestige remaining intact?"

These words immediately tightened the atmosphere in the hall, and several killing intents locked onto Zhang Yuanhong.

As long as Sect Master Guo Feiyu gave the order, the others could immediately take action to capture Zhang Yuanhong!

Guo Feiyu frowned slightly, not rushing to act.

He did not understand where Zhang Yuanhong's confidence came from.

But what the other party said did indeed make him somewhat concerned.

Previously, the election for the Blue Patrol Pavilion member in Baisha Province, where Mount Baituo unexpectedly lost to the Gouchen Sword Sect, did indeed surprise many people, and many felt that the martial arts world of Baisha Province was about to change!

This undoubtedly made everyone at Mount Baituo hold their breath, while also secretly remaining vigilant.

After the news from Feng Province came out, Guo Feiyu realized that the Gouchen Sword Sect had long since secretly taken sides and had connections with top power-holders in the palace.

It was no wonder that Mount Baituo lost the election back then.

In fact, if not for this incident, the Gouchen Sword Sect being elected as a member of the Blue Patrol Pavilion in Baisha Province would have been equivalent to nominally becoming the martial arts leader of the Baisha Province martial arts world.

Whether it was reputation, resources that could be obtained, or real power, they would have been able to suppress Mount Baituo!

If such a situation continued for a dozen years, Mount Baituo would likely be completely surpassed by the Gouchen Sword Sect.

Guo Feiyu's so-called "prestige remaining intact" would indeed be a joke.

"Stable development is just sticking to old ways; why does Sect Master Guo deceive yourself? Even if you fully support the imperial court, how much more can the imperial court give you?

I came today to give you a chance to get on the gambling table; if you cannot make up your mind, go ask the old senior Hong."

Zhang Yuanhong's voice resounded in the hall, and his words were no longer restrained.

The "old senior Hong" he spoke of is the Supreme Elder of Mount Baituo, and also the foundation of Mount Baituo—a Martial Arts Grandmaster!

"Presumptuous—"

The Martial Arts Master from before could no longer hold back, stood up abruptly, and scolded.

"Junior Brother Wang."

Guo Feiyu called him to stop, his eyes constantly changing.

Stable development is sticking to old ways; this statement is actually correct.

It is no longer the early days of the founding of the dynasty.

The Great Lan Dynasty has lasted until today, and many things have long since solidified.

The benefits that could be divided have long been carved up; without a major change, no one can get a larger share.

Mount Baituo has been established for over three hundred years and has always had only one Grandmaster.

The number of Martial Arts Masters and True Persons is also limited.

Is it that they do not want to cultivate more strong individuals?

It is just because resources are limited, and the scale of the sect has already determined the upper limit of Mount Baituo.

Just like, does the imperial court not want to have more Imperial Camp Armies?

It is just that it cannot be done.

Zhang Yuanhong said something that struck a chord with Guo Feiyu:

Even if Mount Baituo fully supports the imperial court, how much more can the imperial court give Mount Baituo than now?

The Crown Prince already has the Xiao family, the Dukes, and various other forces by his side.

If your Mount Baituo attaches itself now, even if rewards are given based on merit afterward, do you not have any idea what position you would rank in?

Mount Baituo would just be picking up the "leftovers" others have finished eating; how can you talk about going a step further?

"Zhang Yuanhong."

A moment later, Guo Feiyu addressed him by his full name:

"If you only came here today to say these things, then don't blame me for taking you down!"

As the words fell, the several Peak Masters present rose one after another, and powerful auras like mountains pressed toward Zhang Yuanhong!

If Zhang Yuanhong did not produce something substantial, Guo Feiyu would not be swayed.

Even if it meant eating "leftovers," it was still better than being treated as a dish and eaten by others!

Zhang Yuanhong's expression did not change; he only sent a voice transmission to Guo Feiyu.

Upon hearing this, Guo Feiyu's expression became one of shock and uncertainty.

"Sect Master?"

The other Peak Masters all turned to look at him.

"I said, you should go consult the old senior Hong."

Zhang Yuanhong said indifferently.

"You all stay here and wait with Sect Master Zhang."

Guo Feiyu finally made a decision and left the hall to see that Supreme Elder of Mount Baituo.

A moment later, he returned to the hall and said to Zhang Yuanhong:

"Sect Master Zhang, please follow me."

A smile appeared on Zhang Yuanhong's face.

A few minutes later, he followed Guo Feiyu to a lake.

Guo Feiyu did not say a word and left directly, leaving Zhang Yuanhong alone at this place.

Soon, an invisible force descended upon Zhang Yuanhong.

This Sect Master, who had been calm from beginning to end, finally had a change in his complexion.

He had already been enveloped by the other party's Martial Arts Domain, and his life and death were under the other party's control!

If this negotiation did not go well, then it was truly possible for him to leave his life here!

"Speak, you only have the chance for three sentences."

A powerful voice suddenly rang in Zhang Yuanhong's ears.

Zhang Yuanhong did not speak, and took a jade pendant from his bosom.

The jade pendant glowed slightly, and then a voice came from within:

"Brother Hong, long time no see."

After this voice rang out, the originally calm lake surface suddenly rippled:

"Bo Chen?"

"You are not dead?!"

The night of July 11th.

Liu Changwen, President of Baisha University, personally led a team and brought a group of elites to kill their way to the sect station of the Gouchen Sword Sect.

After persuasion to surrender failed, Liu Changwen led his men and killed their way in.

Without Bo Chen, the Gouchen Sword Sect no longer had anyone who could stop him.

But just one minute later, two Martial Dao Domains collided with each other within the Gouchen Sword Sect's station.

"Hong Zhi, does your Mount Baituo want to rebel?!"

Liu Changwen's voice resounded through the night sky.

"Hahahaha—"

A vigorous laugh rang out immediately.

"What talk of rebellion? The Crown Prince is devoid of Dao, imprisoning his father and killing his brother! My Mount Baituo intends to uphold justice, assist the First Imperial Prince in clearing the side of the Emperor, and return a bright and clear world to our Great Lan Dynasty!"

That night, Mount Baituo, one of the 'Three Mountains', suddenly made a move, and the Grandmaster Hong Zhi even hid in the shadows to launch a sneak attack.

With the help of Mount Baituo, the imperial court's forces were routed, and Baisha University President Liu Changwen fled with injuries.

The next day, Baisha Province fell into civil strife.

Mount Baituo and the Gouchen Sword Sect, these two top sects, joined forces, colluding with various Jianghu factions and local powerhouses, and soon controlled the land of two prefectures, occupying half of Baisha Province!

On the same day, the First Imperial Prince and Prince Li used four days to complete the reorganization and assembly of the Southern Border Army, and officially began to head north.

The First Imperial Prince had already taken the first step by sending a vanguard unit composed of a small number of elites to kill their way into the nearest Linji Province, reaching the provincial capital that afternoon and beginning to send people to persuade them to surrender.

Linji Province Inspector Feng Ping resisted resolutely, swearing to die rather than surrender.

Alas, the high-end combat power of the provincial capital could not be compared to the Southern Border Army at all; after holding out for more than an hour, the Linji provincial capital was breached.

Feng Ping died for his country, becoming the first high-ranking official to die for his country in this incident!

After taking the Linji provincial capital, the First Imperial Prince Qin Zihong and Prince Li soon 'won over' a portion of the forces in the provincial capital.

Among them were Jianghu factions, local powerhouses, and government soldiers.

These people were either coerced, lured by profit, or forced into it, and just like that, they joined the Southern Border Army.

The two provinces adjacent to Linji Province chose to blow up railways and highways to block the 'rebel army'.

But this method was only effective against conventional troops; the vanguard unit established by the First Imperial Prince with elites was composed of Imperial Camp troops, martial artists, and exotic beast cavalry.

This group of elites only carried a small amount of dry rations, and even without relying on transportation, their marching speed remained extremely fast.

Continue heading north!

Lanling City.

The Imperial City held a Grand Court Meeting once again.

The theme of this Grand Court Meeting was only one—how to resolve the rebel army that was heading north.

Regarding this matter, the imperial court had already been arguing for several days, and there had been no conclusion.

The Emperor was not present, and the Crown Prince, acting as regent, sat below the dragon throne to preside over this Grand Court Meeting.

"We cannot allow the rebel army to fight their way here like this, otherwise where will the face of our imperial court be? Your Highness the Crown Prince, I propose that we should immediately let the Grand Marshal of Military Affairs personally lead the troops south to suppress the rebel army!"

The combat power of the Southern Border Army was not considered too strong for the imperial court.

What was truly tricky was that there was a Martial Saint among them.

If a top-tier powerhouse capable of matching them was not sent to lead the team, then this battle would be very difficult to fight.

"No!"

Immediately, a minister stood up, "Currently, the Imperial Preceptor is in seclusion to heal his wounds. If the Grand Marshal of Military Affairs goes south, wouldn't the capital be left without a top-tier powerhouse to sit in command? What if Qin Mingli abandons the main army and only takes a small number of elites to head north, rushing straight for Lanling City—how should we respond then?"

"Correct, I also believe that we should not let the Grand Marshal of Military Affairs move lightly!"

"Lanling City bears the weight of the world; Your Highness the Crown Prince must be cautious."

"."

Many ministers actually understood the mystery of the national destiny, knowing that the Crown Prince, as regent, bore the national destiny and could possess the power of a top-tier powerhouse while sitting in the imperial palace.

But this power would decay significantly once it left the imperial palace, and it could at most be used to guard against assassinations; it was difficult to use for defending the city.

Lanling City was the capital, with civil and military officials, millions of commoners, and various vital locations hoarding a large amount of resources.

Once a problem occurred, it would directly shake the national destiny!

Therefore, many ministers did not approve of letting Wenren Zheng lead the troops south.

Imperial Preceptor Yun Shu was seriously injured, and if Wenren Zheng left as well, they would feel very insecure.

"How about mobilizing the White Flame Army or the Red Qilin Army?"

Someone else proposed.

The four major ten-thousand-man Imperial Camp armies each possessed the power to rival or even kill top-tier powerhouses!

Utilizing this power was enough to deal with Qin Mingli.

But military formations were ultimately not as flexible as individuals; if Qin Mingli fought flexibly enough, it would be difficult for the Imperial Camp armies to completely pin him down.

However, at the very least, they could completely rout the rebel army, and there would be a chance to capture the First Imperial Prince.

In this way, Qin Mingli would have no reinforcements, lose his moral justification, and could only be a rootless tree or a lonely ghost.

It could also be considered a solution.

"Inappropriate!"

But immediately someone else stood up to object, "The Grassland Royal Court has never given up its thieving heart, and the Western Continent's foreigners are eyeing us covetously! Once these two major Imperial Camp armies are mobilized, it will give the enemy an opportunity to exploit!"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, our Great Lan Dynasty is currently in a troubled autumn, a time of turmoil; if we relax our border defenses at this time, I fear there will be the calamity of national extinction!"

Once these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the great hall.

Some people immediately stood up to accuse the other, and some even cursed, feeling that the person had ulterior motives.

Looking at the ministers arguing in a mess below, the Crown Prince on the imperial dais only felt a headache.

He cast his gaze toward Ye Ze'an and Wenren Zheng, who were sitting in the first row.

"Chief Grand Secretary."

The Crown Prince shouted loudly, which also caused the arguing ministers to quickly quiet down.

"I am here."

Ye Ze'an stood up slowly.

The Crown Prince: "How do you think this matter should be resolved?"

Ye Ze'an said decisively:

"I believe we can send the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry south to pacify the rebel army!"

Once these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the great hall varied.

Hindered by the majesty of the Chief Grand Secretary, no one stood up to object for the time being.

At a time when the Crown Prince had not yet ascended the throne, in terms of influence over the imperial court, this Chief Grand Secretary was actually the number one person!

The Crown Prince continued to ask: "Who should lead the army?"

Ye Ze'an: "The Deputy Commander of the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry, Huang Qiyuan, is capable of the task!"

The commander of the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry had always been Wenren Zheng, and the deputy commander Huang Qiyuan was a Grandmaster; his personal combat power was strong enough, but his military cultivation had not reached the 'General level', and leading a ten-thousand-man military formation was somewhat beyond his reach.

If he were to lead the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry, he could contend with top-tier powerhouses, but killing them would be basically impossible.

"If the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry goes south, the defense of the capital will inevitably be empty; does the Chief Grand Secretary have a good strategy?"

The Crown Prince continued to ask.

Ye Ze'an clearly had a draft ready, and said without hesitation:

"We can mobilize the Green Frost Army to go south and rush to Lanling City for protection."

This plan stunned many people.

In the previous discussion, the reason the Green Frost Army was not mentioned was because the Green Frost Army and the Southern Border Army were too far apart.

One in the south and one in the north; by the time the Green Frost Army was mobilized, it would be too late.

But if the Green Frost Army was mobilized to Lanling City while the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry was sent out, this seemed feasible.

After the last battle, the Northern Barbarians were severely damaged and were not a cause for concern for the time being.

Even without the Green Frost Army, the Prince of Cheng leading the Northern Border Army was enough to hold the fort for a period of time.

The only problem was that after the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry was transferred away, there would be a 'gap period' before the Green Frost Army arrived in Lanling City.

However, compared to other plans, this plan of Ye Ze'an's was already considered very appropriate.

After listening, the Crown Prince looked at Wenren Zheng again:

"What does the Grand Marshal think?"

Wenren Zheng stood up and said in a deep voice:

"I believe it is feasible!"

The Crown Prince's eyes lit up, and he continued to ask:

"If the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry goes south, where should they intercept the rebel army?"

Wenren Zheng also replied without hesitation:

"I have calculated the rebel army's marching route; if the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry departs today and we simultaneously order the various provinces to concentrate their elite forces to converge, the two sides should ultimately engage in a decisive battle near Feng Province!"

"Feng Province."

A name immediately surfaced in the Crown Prince's mind.

After pondering for a moment, he said decisively:

"I believe the plan of the Grand Secretary and the Grand Marshal of the Military Council is the best; do you all have any other opinions?"

The officials in the great hall exchanged glances with one another.

Since the Grand Secretary and the Grand Marshal of the Military Council had both agreed, and it had received the affirmation of the Crown Prince acting as regent, this decision could almost certainly not be changed.

Thus, the crowd bowed one after another:

"I second the motion!"

July 12th, the 49th year of Hongguang.

The world's number one iron cavalry, the Great Lan Dynasty's strongest Imperial Guard army, the true weapon of the state—the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry—departed from Lanling City.

They headed south, preparing to suppress the rebel army!

On the same day, the central government simultaneously issued orders to six provinces, requiring these six provinces to concentrate all their elite forces to converge on Feng Province.

The elite forces of the six provinces, plus the forces of Feng Province, plus the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry currently heading south.

This temporarily assembled great army would directly confront the rebel army moving north!

Feng Province.

The clouds of war gathered!

(End of chapter)