The Campaign, This War Will End by My Hand

After leaving the Demon Sect, Serena and Dorian Owen were smart enough not to ask what was in that wooden box—what could possibly be so important that Prince Nolan would go to such lengths against the sect?

Everyone kept silent, and Prince Nolan didn’t mention it either, as if the wooden box didn’t exist at all.

Once they left the range of the Demon Hall, the Black Riders vanished. Dorian looked reluctant, wishing he could follow them.

As for the loot seized from the Demon Sect, naturally the Black Riders took it all, leaving only a few medicinal herbs as compensation for the Master of Mystic Healer Valley.

Though the Valley Master was dissatisfied, seeing Prince Nolan’s unfathomable expression, he dared not say much. He simply reported to Nolan and returned to Mystic Healer Valley under the escort of the shadow guards.

Dr. Marcus Guile still wanted to study the wonders of the Corpse Worms with the Valley Master, so at the latter’s warm invitation, he went to Mystic Healer Valley as well.

As for Dr. Redwater, who was inseparable from Dr. Guile, he chose to visit Mystic Healer Valley too, even if he wasn’t exactly thrilled about it.

With that, most of their group had left. Seeing this, Dorian’s Master realized he had no reason to stay. If he lingered, it would only arouse suspicion. After giving Dorian some private instructions, he took his leave as well.

Prince Nolan didn’t try to keep him. He just gave Dorian’s Master a subtle look that made Serena uneasy, but she kept quiet.

Dorian’s Master was just a passerby; the road ahead was still long. Now, only Prince Nolan, Serena, and Dorian Owen remained.

Prince Nolan and Serena were fine—the two of them weren’t talkative, and even if they wanted to speak, they had each other. The journey wasn’t boring for them.

Dorian Owen, on the other hand, was pitiful; he had no one to chat with, so he ended up chewing grass out of boredom and occasionally howled in hopes of getting Prince Nolan and Serena’s attention. But it was like throwing a stone into the sea—no response at all.

Those two heartless people, Prince Nolan and Serena, didn’t care about Dorian’s feelings at all. They stayed cozily in the carriage, treating him as just another background passerby, no matter how much he howled.

On this particular day, while Dorian was howling outside, Serena and Prince Nolan were inside reading intelligence reports delivered by the shadow guards.

One report stated that three days after their departure, Rowan Bloom died of poison, and six-year-old Zed became the new Demon Sect Master. On the day he took charge, he executed sixteen dissenters.

This news didn’t surprise Prince Nolan and Serena. Rowan Bloom lasting three days was already impressive. As for Zed, he was never soft-hearted—he only submitted to those stronger than himself, like Prince Nolan.

After Zed became Sect Master, the first thing he did was organize the Demon Sect’s assets and lead the remaining members into hiding.

As for where they went, even Prince Nolan’s people couldn’t track their whereabouts.

"A cunning rabbit has three burrows—the Demon Sect surely has backup plans." Prince Nolan wasn’t surprised by this either.

The Demon Sect was the enemy of the entire martial world. With so many enemies and their fear of death, of course they would leave themselves plenty of escape routes.

"Is that why you didn’t wipe them out completely? Because you suspect the Demon Sect still has some hidden strength? So you left these people alone?"

"Not entirely. Killing those people in the Holy Land wouldn’t truly eradicate the Demon Sect. There are plenty of cultists scattered outside, and I have no idea how many there are. It’s impossible to kill them all. Rather than leave myself with a future threat, I’d rather play the good guy—let them go, and make sure they both fear and respect me. Besides, as long as the Demon Sect exists, the so-called righteous sects won’t have the energy to focus on anything else."

Rowan Bloom provoked and schemed against him, yet Prince Nolan spared Zed and the Demon Sect survivors. Anyone in the sect with half a brain wouldn’t even think of seeking revenge.

After all, his strength is undeniable, and the Demon Sect can’t shake him. If they can’t kill him in one blow, trying for revenge would only bring the sect total destruction. Those people wouldn’t dare.

Prince Nolan truly understands human nature, which made Serena deeply impressed. Still, she couldn’t help but worry: "Aren’t you afraid Zed will find out you leaked the Demon Sect’s location?"

"He can’t find out. And even if he does, so what? The real culprit is his own father. Besides… do you really think, after this disaster, the Demon Sect is still what it used to be? All its top experts died in battle. What’s left are the old, the young, and I’ve already stripped them of anything valuable. It’ll take at least a hundred years for the sect to recover." He wasn’t truly merciful—what he left behind was just a cave full of the old, weak, and sick.

With no manpower and no money, even if Zed had miraculous abilities, he couldn’t accomplish anything on his own.

Rather than let someone he doesn’t understand lead the Demon Sect, Prince Nolan would much rather use Zed—at least he knows Zed’s nature.

Serena stared at Prince Nolan, then silently nodded.

Prince Nolan had won. Zed, that little fox, was no match for the old fox Prince Nolan. The Demon Sect was now a rotten mess—enough to give Zed a lifetime of headaches.

If he wants revenge for his father’s death and the destruction of the sect, he’ll have to see if he’s even capable.

With the Demon Sect matter settled, Serena let go of Zed for now. With Prince Nolan around, Zed couldn’t stir up much trouble anyway.

Serena pulled out a battle report and handed it to Prince Nolan: "Prince Rowan and Prince Damien have been attacking Prince Terrence in the Miasma Forest for over a month without success. They’ve only managed to kill about five thousand of Terrence’s men. Should we delay joining them?"

You had to admit, Prince Terrence was a tough nut to crack. Using the terrain to his advantage, he’d pinned Prince Rowan and Prince Damien in place, making it impossible for them to advance or retreat. Prince Jason and his faction were probably thrilled.

Prince Rowan and Prince Damien didn’t earn this military merit easily. Both Eastlyn and Southlyn suffered heavy losses in this campaign—even if they win in the end, they’ll never recoup the cost of the war.

Tens of thousands of troops have been bogged down for a month, burning through who knows how much grain and supplies. Prince Jason’s faction has probably already labeled Prince Rowan as incompetent.

Prince Nolan skimmed the battle report and shook his head: "There’s no need. Prince Terrence is just hiding, he has no intention to fight. Prince Rowan and Prince Damien aren’t willing to risk a full assault either. If we keep waiting, nothing will change."

Prince Terrence is holed up in the Miasma Forest, refusing to come out and fight. Unless Prince Rowan and Prince Damien decide to launch a full-scale attack, nothing will change.

All they can do is keep grinding away, waiting until Prince Terrence runs out of supplies.

Given the situation, both sides have already been locked in for a month. Prince Rowan and Prince Damien will definitely choose to keep dragging it out.

On one hand, they can’t afford the losses of storming the Miasma Forest; on the other, after so long, giving up now would be unacceptable to them.

Prince Rowan and Prince Damien are riding a tiger—they have no choice but to keep going. Otherwise, it would mean their previous decisions were wrong, and they’d lose all credibility.

This battle is stifling for both Prince Terrence and Prince Rowan. Unless an outside force intervenes, they’ll just keep grinding away until one side can’t hold out any longer…