“Don’t be impatient. It is almost time. Soon!” Long Shenying said while shaking his head.
“Soon? What do you mean, soon?” Long Sanqian asked, feeling depressed.
“Just wait for a while longer,” Long Shenying replied seriously.
“You keep saying wait. How much longer?” Long Sanqian asked.
“Hah! Do you think it is easy to get your body back? Can I suppress your unfilial son if I go to Martial Heaven City?” Long Shenying countered.
Long Sanqian’s face sank.
Long Sanqian knew how powerful Long Shenwu’s body was. Furthermore, even Sect Master Heavenly Access might not be his match if he used his nation’s power. By going to Martial Heaven City, Long Shenying could not use his nation’s power and would be weaker than that unfilial son.
“What is your plan? Are you waiting for my Wu Imperial Dynasty to get destroyed before making a move, when that unfilial son has no more blessings to use?” Long Sanqian asked coldly.
“I told you before, the Wu Imperial Dynasty was destroyed the moment your souls exchanged. Hah! Yet you want me to help you preserve the Wu Imperial Dynasty?” Long Shenying said coldly.
Long Sanqian clenched his fists tightly, helpless to do anything. This was his first elder brother but also his opponent. Helping him get his body back was already the limit. How could Long Shenying help him restore his nation?
“If the Han Imperial Dynasty destroys my Wu Imperial Dynasty, your Ying Imperial Dynasty won’t escape disaster, either. Do you think Gu Hai would have friendly relations with you when your nations neighbor each other?” Long Sanqian said coldly.
“You don’t have to worry about that. Third Younger Brother, remember our agreement. I’ll help you regain your physical body, and you’ll remain in the Ying Imperial Dynasty to help me.” Long Shenying looked at Long Sanqian coldly.
Long Sanqian’s eyelids twitched wildly as his face sank. After some silence, he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll do what I say.”
“Good that you will do what you say. The Southern Sea Dragon King recently contacted me. He will help me resolve everything. When he forces your unfilial son to make a move at full strength, we will make our move,” Long Shenying said indifferently.
“The Southern Sea Dragon King? What’s going on?” Long Sanqian frowned.
“Just watch. Don’t ask too many questions,” Long Shenying said indifferently.
After saying that, Long Shenying walked out, leaving a confused Long Sanqian.
The plaza outside the assembly hall, Martial Heaven City, Wu Imperial Dynasty:
Soldiers filled the plaza. There were dragons, bronze zither puppets, and many monks.
“Ao Sihai, Ao Shun, and Six Fingers will form the Han Destruction Army this time. The three of you are to work together. We will manage Martial Heaven City. With that, no one can cause trouble here!” Long Shenwu said seriously.
“Don’t worry, Imperial Emperor Wu. My Southern Sea dragons, the bodhisattvas, and the arhats are all ready. Just wait for good news.” Ao Sihai smiled.
“Your Reverence, rest assured. I have mobilized the Northern Sea’s dragon army. We will ensure the Han Vengeance Army never returns home!” Ao Shun said.
“Your Reverence, don’t worry. With one million bronze soldiers, the Han Vengeance Army may come, but they will never return!” Six Fingers said gravely.
“Go, then!” Long Shenwu said with satisfaction.
“Go!” Ao Sihai shouted.
“Roar!”
The army took to the sky. The dragons quickly followed while the one million bronze soldiers trailed behind. They all radiated a ferocious aura, heading noisily for the front lines in the south.
The emperor’s study, Borderless Heavenly Capital:
“Your Reverence, we might have to change how we mobilize the Han Vengeance Army,” Mo Yike said with a frown.
“You are the Han Vengeance Army’s supreme commander. You can make the call,” Gu Hai said.
“Yes!” Mo Yike answered.
“The Southern Sea Dragon King and Ao Sheng went to the front lines, making the situation tense. This official applies for Shangguan Hen to head to the front lines and heed my commands,” Mo Yike said gravely.
“We said it that day: Shangguan Hen and Ao Shun are to cooperate with you. Just deploy them.” Gu Hai nodded.
“Yes, Your Reverence!”
Ten days later, the assembly hall, Martial Heaven City:
“I have a report!” An official rushed into the hall.
“Reporting to Your Reverence. The Han Destruction Army recaptured North Facing City!” that official reported.
“Excellent!” Long Shenwu’s eyes lit up.
Three days later:
“I have a report!” An official rushed into the hall.
“Reporting to Your Reverence. The Han Destruction Army captured Moon Fall City!” that official reported.
“Excellent!” Long Shenwu said after letting out a long breath.
Three more days later:
“I have a report!
“Reporting to Your Reverence. The Han Destruction Army captured Moon Blossom City!” that official reported.
“Excellent!” Long Shenwu said happily.
Long Shenwu grew happier as the reports of victory came in.
In Kong Xuan’s camp:
“Deputy Supreme Commander, what is this Han Destruction Army? It attacked the cities many times and has already captured ten. Many of our brothers died or got injured. What is incredible about it? Deputy Supreme Commander, why is our main force avoiding it? Deputy Supreme Commander can destroy that nonsense Han Destruction Army single-handedly!” a general said with a frown.
Kong Xuan shook his head. “Lord Mo instructed us not to clash head-on. That would only incur greater losses. Capturing more cities in the shortest time possible is the priority. We are waiting for an opportunity.”
“But—” the general at the side said anxiously.
Kong Xuan’s eyes turned cold. “His Reverence is watching from the capital. Is Mo Yike’s strategy inferior to your ‘but’?”
“Huh? Yes. This general has overstepped.”
“Since you are angry, redirect your anger to capturing cities. While they are capturing cities, we are capturing cities too. It’s a race to see who is faster,” Kong Xuan said coldly.
“Yes!” the many generals roared.
Assembly hall, Martial Heaven City:
The victorious reports for the past half a month had delighted Long Shenwu. However, that changed on the sixteenth day.
“Reporting to Your Reverence, the Han Destruction Army captured another city this morning!”
“Reporting to Your Reverence, we lost eighteen cities at the front lines!”
Two officials made separate reports.
“What? Eighteen cities?” Long Shenwu’s face sank.
“Yes. The Han Nation army did not clash head-on with us. They have eighteen divisions of soldiers, while we only have one Han Destruction Army. We cannot compete in speed,” an official said with an unsightly expression.
“Your Reverence, the Han Destruction Army should move in separate divisions like the Han Nation army. We need to capture cities quickly!” another official exhorted.
Long Shenwu’s face sank. Move in separate divisions? Long Shenwu wanted that too. However, the Han Destruction Army was only strong when gathered as one. Splitting up would weaken it. The Han Imperial Dynasty had too many experts.
“Wait some more.” Long Shenwu’s face sank.
The next day:
“Reporting to Your Reverence. We received a report this morning. We have lost another fifteen cities!”
The third day:
“Reporting to Your Reverence. We received a report this morning. We have lost another fifteen cities!”
The fourth day:
…
Another half a month had passed. Now, Long Shenwu felt somewhat weary.
Capturing a city was not as simple as breaking in and leaving immediately. He needed to arrange for officials to take over the city, which was very problematic. The Wu Imperial Dynasty did not have that many reserve officials, so it could not keep up.
The Han Imperial Dynasty captured ten-odd cities daily. The Wu Nation could not compare to the Han Nation in number of reserve officials, combined with the various major clans in the cities strangely cooperating with them.
In merely half a month, the Wu Imperial Dynasty was down to only one hundred-odd cities. The blessings above seemed on the verge of scattering.
Long Shenwu showed an extremely unsightly expression. This…how can this be?
This quickly? This quickly?!
When Sima Changkong defected, the morale of the Wu Imperial Dynasty had crumbled. Talents did not dare approach Long Shenwu. Now that the nation’s destruction was at hand, the rate it lost cities accelerated. There was no one to tell Long Shenwu what to do next.
Now, Long Shenwu became flustered, desiring Sima Changkong’s counsel.
“Your Reverence, if this continues, my Wu Imperial Dynasty will be destroyed!” an official said anxiously.
“Inform Ao Sheng, the Southern Sea Dragon King, and Six Fingers to split up and block the Han Nation army!” Long Shenwu said with an unsightly expression.
“Yes!”
The emperor’s study, Borderless Heavenly Capital:
“Your Reverence, reporting success. Long Shenwu is getting pushed into a corner!” Mo Yike smiled.
“It is hard for the Wu Nation to recover from its impending destruction.” Gu Hai nodded.
“That’s right. My Han Nation has righteousness on its side. We have the right timing and the support of the people. Long Shenwu is shortsighted. He initially had the geographical advantage, but he forced Sima Changkong away. Since he could not use Sima Changkong, he could only fall. He will not last for long. When the Wu Nation runs out of cities, the Wu Imperial Dynasty’s blessings will scatter. Long Shenwu will no longer be scary!” Mo Yike smiled.
“Is Mister Mo going to start your counterattack?” Gu Hai smiled.
“Indeed, it is about time.” Mo Yike smiled coldly.
Six Fingers brought the one million bronze soldiers to Lagging Zither City. They looked at the city from outside, seeing a barrier protecting it.
“Commander, even without the dragons or the Spirit Mountain Holy Land experts, we will not be slower than before.” A general smiled.
“Indeed, Commander. We have one million bronze soldiers. The Han Imperial Dynasty is only so-so!” Another general smiled.
“Split up into three divisions. I hope nothing bad will happen!” Six Fingers frowned slightly.
“Alright. Capture the city!” Six Fingers shouted.
“Hah!”
One million bronze soldiers immediately soared into the sky.
Six Fingers waved his hand, and space rippled.
Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!
The Silver Moon Battle Piece rang out in the sky. Azure flames immediately erupted from the bronze soldiers, and their aura suddenly intensified.
Boom!
The one million bronze soldiers gave off a terrifying might as they charged Lagging Zither City.
Entrance of the city lord’s official residence, Lagging Zither City:
Kong Xuan coldly watched the one million bronze soldiers flying over from the distant horizon.
“Milord, you’ve just arrived. Would you like to rest first and let the defensive barrier block them for a while?” a general in the city offered respectfully.
“There’s no need. We have waited over a month for this day. Zither puppets? I have not tasted zither puppets yet. I wonder what they taste like? Hahahaha!” Kong Xuan soared into the sky.
Boom!
A surging demonic aura filled the place.
Six Fingers’s expression changed. “Oh, no! It’s Kong Xuan! Quickly, inform the Southern Sea Dragon King and Prime Ao Sheng!”
Six Fingers could not resist such an expert.
Then he saw Kong Xuan turn into a ten-kilometer-tall peacock. The peacock opened its mouth and sucked hard.
Whoosh! Kong Xuan immediately sucked in tens of thousands of bronze soldiers.
The bronze soldiers poured into Kong Xuan’s mouth like water sucked into a whale.
“No! No! No!” Six Fingers’s expression changed dramatically.
Martial Heaven City:
“I have a report!”
“Reporting to Your Reverence, Kong Xuan ambushed the bronze soldier army General Six Fingers led outside Lagging Zither City. The entire army got wiped out!” that official reported while kneeling in the hall.
“What? The entire army got wiped out?!” Long Shenwu abruptly stood up from the throne in a rage.
“Yes! Kong Xuan ate all of them, including General Six Fingers!” that official reported.
“You can die now!” Long Shenwu smashed that official to pieces with a palm strike in his anger.
“Your Reverence, please calm down!” The military and civil officials of the imperial court immediately trembled in fear.
Ying Divine City, Ying Imperial Dynasty:
Long Shenying and Long Sanqian also received word of the events that transpired in Lagging Zither City.
“How excellent of Kong Xuan! He fought a vast army alone and won,” Long Sanqian said with an unsightly expression.
However, Long Shenying showed a cold smile. “That unfilial son of yours should be nearly at the peak of his rage, right? It is about time.”
“It is about time?”
“That’s right. The Southern Sea Dragon King has been coordinating with us for a long time for this moment. It is time for us to take action,” Long Shenying sneered.
Long Sanqian’s face sank as he looked at Long Shenying. “You have been watching the battle between the Wu Nation and the Han Nation to reap the benefits after both sides are exhausted?”
