The ones who could make decisions in this encirclent campaign were naturally the Daoist Scripture Hall and the True Yang Sect—more specifically, Cultivators at the Third Realm and above.
After finishing his conversation with Guangxuan, Wang Ping had Zhao Qing distribute all the Power Pills they had brought. He then returned to his private military tent to ditate and calm his mind, practicing the Spirit Communication Talisman within his Spirit Sea. He now longed to enter the next realm more than ever before.
However, the reality of the situation was different from what Wang Ping and Guangxuan had analyzed.
The shrewd decision-makers at the top knew this mission would lead to heavy casualties among the Qi Cultivators, so they pushed the Court-appointed Mountain Gods to the very front.
On the third day of being bogged down by Corpse Soldiers, in Huiping County where Wang Ping’s army was stationed, more than ten nearby Mountain Gods gathered. The number of Little Demons under their command exceeded ten thousand, and their encampnt, once established outside the city, stretched for dozens of miles.
The demons didn’t seem to mind being pushed to the front, nor were they worried about the upcoming battle. They even sang and danced in their camp, though their singing was truly terrible.
"They seem to be yearning for the coming battle. These demons are like wild beasts that have been caged for too long. Their combat readiness goes without saying, but I’m afraid things will get out of hand by the end!"
After the demons assembled, all the Sixth-Seats and the Qi Cultivators under their command were ordered to stand guard on the city walls. The one who had just spoken was Yu Shi. He leaned against a crumbling crenellation, his gaze icy as he stared at the demon encampnt. His tone was filled with hostility toward the Demon Race.
"Fighting them is easier than fighting Corpse Soldiers. We won’t have to worry about our Qi Seas being contaminated by Taiyin Qi." Leng Shan looked eager to fight, as if he hoped the demons would actually run amok. As he spoke, the two weapons on his back began to tremble slightly. They, too, were excited by the prospect of battle.
On the second day after the demons assembled, at 7:00 AM, just after breakfast, the grand army set out once more.
This ti, the demons acted as the Vanguard Army. The Governnt Soldiers, clad in their armor, and the Militia brought up the rear. The Qi Cultivators followed behind the demon army, for two reasons: one, to intercept any Evil Cultivators who might suddenly appear, and two, to keep an eye on the Demon Race’s forces.
Less than half an hour after leaving the city, a torrential downpour that had been brewing for two days finally broke. The demons seed even happier, and cheers erupted from their marching columns. The Governnt Soldiers following behind, however, suffered for it, as they were marching in full armor.
「Late Noon」
The scouts at the very front had already encountered a small group of Corpse Soldiers. The battle erupted with shocking suddenness. The demon army didn’t even form a Military Array; they just grabbed their weapons and charged. The results, however, were remarkably effective.
By 1:00 PM, the demon army had reached the outskirts of the mountain forest where the battle had taken place a few days prior. The plains ahead were now swarming with wandering Corpse Soldiers.
The battle erupted suddenly again, without any warning. The demon army didn’t bother setting up a vanguard, central army, or rearguard. Upon spotting the Corpse Soldiers, the dozen or so Mountain Gods made a snap decision and led their Little Demons in a charge.
Wang Ping led the Qi Cultivators from Qianmu Temple along the edges of the battlefield, ready to prevent any Taiyin Evil Cultivators from suddenly joining the fray. However, not a single Taiyin Evil Cultivator was seen, even by the ti the battle ended.
The battle lasted until dusk, ending only when the Corpse Soldiers retreated like a tide. After sending out nurous scouts to reconnoiter, General Li Rong decided to press their advantage and pursue the enemy. He ordered the front line to be pushed forward to Ren Village, about fifteen miles away, where they would build a stockade overnight.
Once the order was given, the grand army swept past. The Mars Taoist and his disciples remained on the battlefield to incinerate the corpses. On a rainy day like this, only the fire spirits they communed with could ignite the flas.
The process of occupying Ren Village went smoothly. The demon army was even eager to push on, but thankfully, the dozen or so Mountain Gods kept them in check.
「Nightfall」
In a temporary military tent within the Qianmu Temple encampnt on the east side of Ren Village, Wang Ping, who had been drenched by rain all day, was sipping hot tea. Yu Lian had controlled her body to remain in a long, slender form, holding a teacup with the tip of her tail. She squinted her eyes in blissful enjoynt; she seed to love rainy days.
After two cups of tea, Guangxuan walked into the tent with a relaxed expression. He smiled slightly upon seeing Wang Ping enjoying his tea and sat down opposite him. Then, his Spirit Bird landed on his shoulder, shaking its feathers to flick off the rainwater.
Wang Ping silently took out another teacup, lifted the teapot, and poured tea for Guangxuan.
Guangxuan picked up the teacup, sniffed its fragrance, and said, "Brewing tea this way certainly makes it fragrant, but I’m still not quite used to the taste..." He first comnted on Wang Ping’s tea-brewing thod, then abruptly changed the subject. "There might be a huge battle tomorrow. Those demons will probably suffer heavy losses."
Wang Ping also picked up his teacup. "That’s the best possible outco, isn’t it?"
"Yes, it’s the best possible outco..."
The two fell into silence. Beside them, the two Spirit Pets seed to have started communicating. Guangxuan’s Spirit Bird began to demand so tea, but after taking a sip, it spat it out and started squawking wildly at Yu Lian.
"Heh heh..." Wang Ping and Guangxuan were amused by the two little creatures.
’What a tasteless fellow. I really want to swallow him in one gulp,’ Yu Lian complained to Wang Ping. The Spirit Bird opposite them was pecking at Guangxuan’s hair, seemingly complaining as well.
Just then, Liu Shuang entered the tent. Paying no mind to the rain on her clothes, she first cupped her fist in salute to Wang Ping and Guangxuan, then reported, "Master, I saw that Mouse Demon from before. He’s right outside our encampnt and wants to see you!"
Wang Ping and Guangxuan exchanged a look. "It seems he wasn’t lying," Wang Ping said. "He really is working for a Mountain God."
He imdiately told Liu Shuang to bring the Mouse Demon in.
Seeing the Mouse Demon’s appearance, Wang Ping couldn’t help but be taken aback. "How many of these skin suits have you prepared?" he asked.
"Replying to the two Grandpas, I have over a dozen more..." The Mouse Demon stood at the tent entrance as he spoke, bowing and half-kneeling on the ground.
Just then, Yu Lian spoke to Wang Ping in his Spirit Sea, ’He bears no ill will.’
"Get up and speak."
The Mouse Demon cupped his fist again. "Many thanks, you two Grandpas..."
Wang Ping was very uncomfortable with the Mouse Demon’s form of address, but he didn’t correct him. "What’s your na?" he asked.
"My parents never attained sentience, so I don’t know what my surna is. I gave myself the surna Liu and, copying the naming customs of country folk, called myself Liu Qi. Later, I followed Grandpa Pingshan of Shu County and was enfeoffed as the King of Polu. My subordinates call Grandpa Polu..."
"Hee hee..." Liu Shuang, standing nearby, couldn’t stifle her laughter. "Are you trying to get my Master to call you Grandpa Polu?" she asked.
"No, absolutely not!" Liu Qi’s head, covered in stitched scars, shook vigorously as he bowed low at the waist.
"Tell why you ca looking for ," Wang Ping asked.
Liu Qi seed to breathe a sigh of relief. His blood-red eyes glanced at Yu Lian before he said, "I ca to clear up the misunderstanding from last ti. I’ve been keeping an eye on this matter ever since I returned. And just now, a good grandson of mine saw my own Grandpa Mountain God go to the tent of a Human Cultivator nad Gao Ding..."
Hearing this, Wang Ping’s interest was piqued. He and Guangxuan exchanged another glance, but he didn’t interrupt Liu Qi.
Liu Qi noticed the change in Wang Ping’s expression and imdiately grew more animated, his tone unconsciously growing heavier. "That Human Cultivator, Gao Ding, the one with the crippled hand—he’s planning to find a chance to get rid of you so he can curry favor with his master!"
Wang Ping’s eyebrow twitched. He had also been keeping an eye on Gao Ding and Hong’an, and there had been nurous conflicts between their two factions’ disciples recently. He had originally planned to find an opportunity to teach Gao Ding a lesson, but he never expected the man to be aiming for his life.
"What do you want?" Wang Ping asked, suppressing the killing intent in his heart. ’When you decide to eliminate soone, it’s best to first conceal your murderous intent toward them.’
"I heard that Shang’an Prefecture, which is under your jurisdiction, Grandpa, doesn’t have an appointed Mountain God yet. I boldly ask for that appointnt!"
Wang Ping didn’t agree imdiately. Instead, he stared at the Mouse Demon and asked, "Aren’t you afraid your own Grandpa Mountain God will get suspicious, you coming to so openly?"
"I’m not afraid. I can handle him with just a few words!"
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