As soon as the proclamation was issued, the East and South Domain armies mobilized, heading straight for the Holy City.
The Military Council flew into a rage, issuing their own proclamation to denounce the East and South Domains for betraying the Human Race’s righteous cause and starting an unjust war. At the same time, the Council’s eight-million-strong army thundered forth, pressing toward the East Domain border.
This is not just a war between the Military Council and the East–South Domains—it is a war between the seven Domains of the Human Race and the two rebel Domains.
If the Military Council wins, it will remain the orthodox authority of the Human Race. If the East–South Domains win, no power will remain to check them—the world order will be overturned.
This decisive war will determine the Military Council’s survival. Elder Nian serves as supreme commander, with Elder Chu and Elder Zhang as his deputies.
On the East–South side, Leon Huang is the overall commander, with Raymond Lei and Grace Gao as his deputies.
Ten days later.
The two armies faced each other across the Huanglong River. In later generations, this campaign would be known as the Battle of Huanglong River.
In the Holy City, at the Bu Residence.
Elder Bu sat high in the inner hall, with ten deathsworn agents kneeling before him.
A steely light flashed in Elder Bu’s eyes. His gaze was sharp as lightning as he stared coldly at the kneeling deathsworn agents: “You are allowed only success, not failure. If you succeed, I promise three generations of wealth for your descendants. If you fail, you need never return!”
"Yes, sir!"
All ten deathsworn agents answered in unison, then slowly withdrew.
Watching the ten men leave, Elder Bu’s eyes revealed a trace of unease. "Leon Huang, I hope you don’t let me down. Otherwise, I’ll be doomed beyond redemption this time!"
Three years ago, he promised Ian Song that he would help eliminate the remaining Bloodfiend Guards. For the past three years, he has been quietly plotting, waiting for the right chance. Now, with the Military Council’s grand army fully mobilized and Elder Nian away from the Holy City,
this is the best opportunity to destroy the Bloodfiend Guards.
But there’s a catch: if Ian Song wins this war, Elder Bu will have achieved a monumental feat. If he loses, the Military Council will destroy the entire Bu clan for this crime. Right now, Elder Bu is gambling the fate of his whole family on Ian’s victory.
Huanglong River.
After both armies arrived, they did not immediately clash. Instead, they fortified their positions along the river.
Inside the Military Council’s camp, in the command tent.
Elder Nian sat at the head of the table, his expression dark. His grandson, Niall Nian, had gone to Sanctum Martial Academy, planning to use hostages from the High Heaven Alliance and the Three Heavenly Sects to force Xander Xuanyuan and the others to submit.
By all rights, it should have been a sure thing. Even if the plan failed, no one would dare harm Niall Nian—especially since he carried three Spirit Treasures bestowed by the Mistveil Martial God. Even if he was outmatched, he could have retreated safely. Yet ten days had passed, and not a word had come back.
Was he alive, dead, or captured?
The Military Council’s hold over the seven domains relied entirely on the Mistveil Martial God’s name. For now, Niall Nian’s disappearance wasn’t a crisis, but if it dragged on, the seven domains might revolt. That’s why, even without full confidence in defeating the East–South Domains, Elder Nian had no choice but to mobilize the army.
“Gentlemen, how do you think we should fight this battle?” Elder Nian asked.
On his left and right sat Elder Chu and Elder Zhang; below them were the senior generals of the eight-million-strong army.
When it came to political maneuvering, Elder Nian was highly skilled, but when it came to commanding troops in battle, he relied on these generals.
A gray-haired general spoke up loudly: “Commander, Leon Huang is a master of formations. Three years ago, he trapped over two hundred thousand of our soldiers with a grand array. We must be on guard and never fall into his formations. I suggest we hold the river and defend, waiting for them to attack. That way, his formations will be useless!”
Although this old general’s proposal was somewhat lacking in boldness, it was a cautious plan that denied Leon Huang any chance to use his formations. Elder Nian nodded, saying, “General Nie’s suggestion is excellent. I’ll consider it. Any other ideas?”
Seeing the old general praised by the commander, the other generals began to voice their opinions.
The generals offered many suggestions, but none proposed attacking; all were defensive. One even suggested provoking the enemy into attacking them.
Hearing these ideas, Elder Nian felt a shadow fall over his heart. It was clear the generals were deeply afraid of Leon Huang’s formations.
“Everyone is dismissed. Vice Commander Chu and Vice Commander Zhang, stay behind.”
"Yes, sir!"
The generals withdrew, leaving the vast command tent with only three occupants.
“Losing heart before the battle even begins is bad for us,” Elder Nian sighed.
Chu and Zhang both nodded, their faces grim.
“If we want to win this war, we must boost morale. Do you two have any brilliant ideas?” Elder Nian asked again.
“Why not send someone to assassinate Leon Huang? If he dies, victory will be ours!” Vice Commander Chu suggested.
Elder Nian sneered and shook his head. “He’s surrounded by eight million troops and guarded by countless Martial Saints. Who could possibly assassinate him?”
"Have you forgotten about the Bloodfiend Guards?" Vice Commander Chu said darkly.
Elder Nian’s expression changed. “The Bloodfiend Guards are a taboo. Using them covertly is one thing, but openly deploying them would ruin the Military Council’s reputation… This plan won’t work!”
Hearing Elder Nian reject the idea, Vice Commander Chu sneered. “Old Nian, look at the situation! If we lose this war, do you think that brat will let the Military Council survive? If we lose, we’ll have nothing left—not even our lives. If we win, so what if we’re cursed for a while? History is written by the victors; a few decades from now, who will even remember?”
"Well...?" Elder Nian was clearly tempted.
But just then—
A messenger from the Holy City requested an audience.
“What is it?”
Seeing the messenger kneel before him, Elder Nian felt a vague sense of unease.
“Elder Nian, this is a secret letter from Elder Huangpu!” The messenger presented a letter with both hands.
Elder Nian reached out and took the letter. After reading it, his face turned extremely grim, a hint of despair appearing in his eyes.
"Old Nian, what happened?" Charlotte Chu asked.
"See for yourself!"
Elder Nian tossed the letter to Charlotte Chu. After reading its contents, Charlotte’s face changed dramatically as well—the letter reported that all thirteen Bloodfiend Guards imprisoned in the Bloodfiend Seal had been killed.
"Damn it, who did this?" Charlotte Chu cursed, her voice full of hate.
"Only the elders ever knew about this place, so whoever killed them must be one of us!" Elder Nian gritted his teeth, hatred lacing his words.
"Could it be Jason Jiang?" Charlotte Chu speculated. "He was always against deploying the Bloodfiend Guards!"
Elder Nian shook his head. "Impossible. He may have opposed using the Bloodfiend Guards, but his interests are aligned with ours. If I’m right, it must be Bu Yi!"
"Bu Yi—that traitor! I, Charlotte Chu, swear I’ll tear him to pieces!" Hatred burned in her eyes.