The Zhang Family’s Plan

“Do you have nothing to defend yourself with?” Qin Huai halted before Zhang Meng, looking down at the middle-aged man.

“Please spare the rest of my Zhang family. I will bear the consequences of my actions!”

“It’s too late.” Qin Huai replied coldly. “You’ve exhausted all the trust I once held for the Zhang family.” He then lifted his hand and struck Zhang Meng’s head.

The dreadful force came down like a landslide.

Bang!

Zhang Meng’s body immediately exploded into a cloud of blood mist. The leader of the Zhang family, once considered a towering figure by the city officials and soldiers, was now utterly powerless before the master of the Nine Dragons sect.

No, it would be more accurate to say they didn’t even dare to resist. This stark difference sent the city official into shock that he crumbled to the ground, crying hysterically.

“Tell me your plan, and I’ll grant you a quick death.” A white light flashed across Qin Huai’s eyes.

The city official was frozen in place. Then, he spilled everything about his rebellion and scheme.

“Intercepting the food supplies… Quite a clever strategy.” Qin Huai’s expression remained indifferent.

Soon, many city guards rushed over, and a group of Shallow Water City’s officials arrived as well. They all kneeled before Qin Huai, not daring to make a sound. “So where are the two armies planning to clash?” Qin Huai surveyed the crowd.

“The battlefield is estimated to be on the plains fifty miles southwest of Shallow Water City,” a general said.

“What’s your name?”

“This general’s name is Li Si, from the third branch.”

“I seem to have some recollection of you. I’ll temporarily assign you as the city lord of Shallow Water City.” Qin Huai patted Li Si’s shoulder and moved past the crowd.

“Sect Master, I fear there may still be hidden remnants of the Zhang family in the city. They might target the grain! Please oversee the overall situation!” Li Si was fraught with anxiety. He knew the gravity of the situation, so now was not the time for bravado.

“No need for supplies. This will all be over soon,” Qin Huai said calmly.

“But the enemy has a legendary expert in the visceral prefecture realm. They also have a powerful guardian spirit item…” Li Si’s voice trailed off as Qin Huai was no longer in sight. He then turned to the rest of the group and said, “Listen to my command now. Confiscate all properties linked to the Zhang family within the city and arrest all their members!”

Li Si then picked up the token from the pool of blood and quickly got into action

…

Li Shaoxiang was clad in armor, sitting astride a horse, leading the army. In her grip was a spear, making her appear quite the warrior.

Flanking her were her father, Li Zeren, the sect master of the Twin Extreme sect, the great dragon elder, the third dragon elder, and a group of fifth-level bone pattern realm martial artists. Over the past two years, the Nine Dragons sect had flourished tremendously. Their power escalated rapidly, and three to four fifth-level bone pattern realm experts emerged from both the Nine Dragons sect and Twin Extreme sect. Compared to two years ago, their bone pattern realm experts had doubled. Their prosperity now was unmatched in history.

Following this was the White Dragon Army founded by Tong Duanfeng, the former master of the Tong family. His aura was imposing, seemingly on par with the allied forces of the five counties before him.

However…

“Though I foresaw this day, I didn’t anticipate its arrival so soon.” Li Shaoxiang observed the figure from a mile away. Even though the outline was unclear, the majestic aura erupting from it was akin to a ferocious mountain-sized beast. This made breathing difficult for them.

“Is this the pressure coming from a visceral prefecture realm expert?” The elderly sect master of the Twin Extreme sect chuckled, his expression relaxed. “When the battle begins, we will stake our lives to provide an opening for you.”

“No!” Li Zeren declined flatly.

The Twin Extreme sect master sighed. “I’m already a dying old man. My years are numbered. Swapping this waning flame of life for the perpetuity of my sect doesn’t seem like a bad deal, right?” He then chuckled as he looked at Li Shaoxiang.

“Certainly. Yet, with only one old sect master’s death today, I’m afraid this war is far from over.” Li Shaoxiang gripped the reins tighter, her eyes mirroring her readiness to embrace death. Before her, the overwhelming aura, capable of shattering mountains and turning over seas, rushed forth.

“Let me guess. You must be thinking how to trade your life for another, aren’t you?” The voice of the governor of Fan City County echoed over a mile and bellowed on the restless battlefield. “If you harbor such thoughts, then you’re incredibly weak, pitifully so.”

He mumbled, “Once, I too held the same thoughts as you, but only upon reaching this realm did I realize my mistake. I was wrong, gravely wrong!” The governor of Fan City County scoffed. “This realm is entirely different from the previous ones.”

Rumble…

As he spoke, a twenty-meter-tall phantom materialized behind him. It was a gigantic brown centipede, its menacing fangs and claws displayed as it hovered above the allied forces of the five counties.

At the same time, thirty middle-aged martial artists emerged from his rear, their lifeblood surging and forming a towering wall of vital essence in the air. They were all fifth-level bone pattern realm experts. Such an unguarded display of strength and power represented absolute confidence.

Indeed, compared to this unsettled army behind Li Shaoxiang, the gap in power was simply too vast.

“If only I had another two years…” Li Shaoxiang clenched the reins. She gazed in the direction of Qingzhou City. “My dear, I fear Shaoxiang won’t be able to fulfill her promise to you.”