Chapter 741: Four Kingdoms Enter the War |
"Lord Dao, Dudu Pan Teng of the Zhao Kingdom has personally led his troops to attack our Southern Domain!" Guan Fang Yi reported upon receiving the news.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the forest immediately turned to Niu You Dao, observing his reaction. They all knew what the Southern Domain meant to Niu You Dao. If the Southern Domain were to fall, it would mean Lord Dao losing his power, and all his efforts over these past years would be for naught.
Exhausted, Su Zhao sat beneath a tree, watching Niu You Dao's silhouette as he leaned on his sword, as always. She didn't know what was happening and couldn't understand why the Zhao Kingdom had entered the war.
Weng Mo Er shifted her gaze from Niu You Dao to the other people. She couldn't fathom who these individuals were.
Niu You Dao remained silent. He was powerless before the might of a kingdom.
He had fewer men, and fewer cultivators too.
There was little he could do now. He didn't have a second Chao Jing to turn the tide of battle.
Moreover, before employing Chao Jing, they had Meng Shan Ming's victorious army at their disposal.
And even if Meng Shan Ming had as many troops as Cheng Shao Tong, it's unlikely Meng Shan Ming would have won so easily.
If the Black Gold Cave were to consider the Southern Domain its own territory, it would then assist with all its might!
"Lord Dao!" Yuan Gang approached Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao looked at him. He knew what Yuan Gang wanted to say. He cast a cold gaze at Yuan Gang, then gripping his sword, he walked deeper into the forest.
Guan Fang Yi and Yuan Gang exchanged glances and followed him.
They hadn't gone far when Niu You Dao slowly spoke: "Matchmaker, tell the Liuxian Sect, the Floating Clouds Sect, and the Subtlety Mountain Sect to aid the Prince with all their might. They are to obey the Prince's commands. Also, ask the Devil Mother for help. I hope she can lead the devil cultivators to assist us. As for Flowing Clouds Mountain, I know they are located in the Zhao Kingdom, and it's not advisable for them to incur the Zhao Kingdom's wrath. However, my Southern Domain is in danger. I hope Yun Ji will lead the beast cultivators from Flowing Clouds Mountain to help us. Tell her that if the Southern Domain is preserved, I will allocate territory within the Southern Domain for Flowing Clouds Mountain."
"Understood!" Guan Fang Yi nodded.
"Furthermore," Niu You Dao called out to her, "tell Si Tu Yao that now is not the time to squabble over what's mine and what's yours. The people of Qingzhou and the disciples of Wandong Palace must obey orders. The Prince and Meng Shan Ming are better suited for command. If anyone dares to stall or fight with less than their full strength, then they shouldn't be surprised by my discourtesy!"
"Understood." Guan Fang Yi agreed and immediately departed. She didn't bother to argue or jest with him.
Niu You Dao stopped and turned around. He looked at Yuan Gang: "Contact the Morning Moon Palace. Have them disrupt the Zhao Kingdom's forces. If they prove effective, then we can discuss any terms they propose afterward."
This time, he spared no effort, deploying all the forces he had amassed behind him. He activated his entire support network.
Until the Yan Kingdom's forces arrived to fully support him, he could only rely on himself for now. He had to resist the Zhao Kingdom's troops. Niu You Dao had to hold on.
Yuan Gang nodded, then asked, "Should we go to the Prince?"
Niu You Dao pointed into the depths of the forest and asked, "Is her situation clear?"
"..." Yuan Gang fell silent.
The now placated Black Gold Cave immediately demonstrated the benefits of their cooperation. As soon as the Southern Domain was in danger, they promptly dispatched high-level cultivators. Birds also aided in defending the Southern Domain. Otherwise, with so few cultivators, even if the Southern Domain managed to repel the Zhao Kingdom, the losses would still have been immense.
Following this, Gong Ling Ze, acting in the Yan Kingdom's interest, persuaded the Palace of Bliss and Spiritual Sword Mountain to send cultivators to assist the Southern Domain.
Of the provisions sent by the Wei Kingdom, Gong Ling Ze once again persuaded them to leave half for the Southern Domain.
Fortunately, cultivators from the Wei, Qi, and Jin Kingdoms were also assisting the Yan Kingdom. Although the Jin Kingdom's cultivators were practically regarded as mere furnishings.
Dudu Pan Teng and Prince Shang Chao Zong, having gathered their forces, began to attack each other.
A multitude of cultivators had gathered before the colossal forces of the Zhao Kingdom.
Shang Chao Zong also showed no restraint, assembling the armies of the Southern Domain and Qingzhou. They supported each other fiercely. For every inch the Zhao Kingdom advanced, the Southern Domain would reclaim it with blood and sweat. "You take what's mine, and I'll take back what's mine." That's how they fought, yielding not an inch to each other.
The Southern Domain had gathered as many people as the peasants who had established their livelihoods and homes there. But the fire of war was merciless. It shattered everything in a single day.
The Zhao Kingdom's forces numbered around two million warriors. Because of this, Shang Chao Zong constantly shouted to his soldiers: "Defend the Southern Domain! Defend the great Yan! Defend our homeland!"
The warriors of the Southern Domain shed blood. It was unknown how many people shed blood and tears in that single moment!
It wasn't just the two million troops of the Zhao Kingdom. The Zhao Kingdom displayed its full might. Behind them, another two million cavalry approached. They were directly pressuring the Yan Kingdom!
The threats from the Qi and Wei Kingdoms had no effect on them. The Zhao Kingdom had barely left any defenses against these two kingdoms. Although the threat from the Jin Kingdom was a mere pretense, only the Zhao Kingdom knew that as long as the Jin Kingdom eyed everyone rapaciously, the Qi and Wei Kingdoms wouldn't withdraw their troops from its vicinity.
Upon receiving news that the Southern Domain was in danger, the Yan Kingdom swiftly dispatched cavalry towards the Southern Domain.
Learning of the brutal and bloody battles raging in the Southern Domain, Meng Shan Ming was enraged. He immediately issued an order: "Invade the Zhao Kingdom and annihilate them!"
He led all the troops from the eastern campaign towards the Southern Domain. He intended to engage the Zhao Kingdom in a fight to the death!
On the other side, the Han Kingdom, seeing that the Zhao Kingdom had fully committed its strength against the Yan Kingdom, began secretly negotiating for peace with the Yan Kingdom.
Why secretly? Because if they overtly agreed in public, they would then have nothing to say to the Zhao Kingdom.
The Yan Kingdom understood everything and, naturally, rejoiced. After all, it certainly couldn't afford to fight on two fronts. Therefore, it signed a peace treaty with the Han Kingdom.
Having agreed not to attack, the Han Kingdom left a small contingent to defend against the Yan Kingdom and redirected its main forces towards the Song Kingdom!
However, such a large movement of people would not escape others' notice. Thus, the Zhao Kingdom immediately detected the odd behavior of their ally and began to hold the Han Kingdom accountable!
The Han Kingdom, however, found an excuse. They claimed that the Song Kingdom had initiated the attack on them. In reality, the Han Kingdom's forces had provoked them, forcing the Song Kingdom to retaliate.
Though they clearly knew it was pure nonsense, the Zhao Kingdom could only continue attacking the Yan Kingdom. One could not get off a tiger once it was running.
Emperor Hai Wu Ji had already launched his attack on the Southern Domain. He couldn't simply withdraw now after having annihilated the people of Qingzhou. Otherwise, why would he have paid such a heavy price for personal enmity? When he began the attack, he should have assessed the consequences. This was why the Zhao Kingdom had pondered for a long time whether to attack the Yan Kingdom or not.
Furthermore, the Zhao Kingdom now understood that since they had attacked the Yan Kingdom and its Southern Domain, would the Southern Domain's forces, soon to be reinforced, simply remain silent?
Shang Chao Zong and Meng Shan Ming were both great generals. If angered, they would be difficult to appease. Therefore, they certainly wouldn't let the Zhao Kingdom off so easily.
Everyone began to fight. War had erupted on both sides.
Pan Teng ordered the Southern Domain to hand over the people of Qingzhou!
In response, Shang Chao Zong ordered the Zhao Kingdom to liberate the territory of Qingzhou for the people of Qingzhou!
The Yan Kingdom had grown arrogant. They were barely surviving themselves, yet they were meddling in the Zhao Kingdom's internal affairs? How could the Zhao Kingdom possibly respond to such terms?!
Shang Chao Zong also had no intention of being courteous with them. He knew his conditions were impossible to meet. But now, the main forces of the Yan Kingdom had almost arrived. He would definitely seize the opportunity to invade Qingzhou. He had to preserve Qingzhou for his allies.
Otherwise, in such a situation, with the Yan Kingdom already severely battered, they would know no peace as long as the powerful and fierce Zhao Kingdom remained nearby. He had to secure a protective buffer for himself in the form of Qingzhou. Otherwise, if the Zhao Kingdom attacked again, the Southern Domain would be on the front lines. Then, they would know neither sleep nor rest...
The Han Kingdom relocated its main forces to the Song Kingdom's borders and began an offensive under a clear pretext.
After Meng Shan Ming arrived at the Southern Domain, he began fiercely battling the Zhao Kingdom. Both sides fought day and night.
At one point, four out of the seven kingdoms were at war.
The Wei and Qi Kingdoms also didn't idly stand by. They sent resources and people to the kingdoms that needed them.
After the Yan Kingdom began fighting the Zhao Kingdom, the Wei and Qi Kingdoms dispatched cultivators to help support the Song Kingdom. Although the Qi and Wei Kingdoms had previously condemned the Song Kingdom, they were now forced to support it for their own benefit.
In the current situation, the Wei and Qi Kingdoms saw that the Song Kingdom was in a more perilous position.
Only the Jin Kingdom seemed to be observing all this from the sidelines.
At this moment, six kingdoms felt a sense of fear towards the lurking Jin Kingdom. However, there was nothing to be done; they had to do what was necessary. No one could compromise now.
The Yan and Zhao Kingdoms battled fiercely against each other. However, the Song Kingdom found it difficult to resist the Han Kingdom.
From within, the emaciated Song Kingdom was losing battles to the Han Kingdom one after another. Furthermore, Wu Gun Lin was troubling them from the rear. Already, the shadow of the kingdom's demise was becoming increasingly clear to all citizens.
Wu Gun Lin spread rumors that gradually became apparent. Regardless of whether they were rich or poor, everyone headed south, seeking Wu Gun Lin's patronage.
As for those who refused to join Wu Gun Lin, he mercilessly slaughtered them. Everyone knew that he had killed his elder brother, which was why many were reluctant to join him. And now, the Song Kingdom truly couldn't do anything about Wu Gun Lin. No one could do anything to Wu Gun Lin at this moment. The Song Kingdom was not in a position to eliminate him. And for now, there was no reason for the Han Kingdom to attack him.
Of course, Wu Gun Lin still had a backup plan to cross the river.