CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: REACTIONS FROM ALL SIDES_1

In the central camp, heavily guarded, the Emperor of Qin and many generals, their expressions varied, were studying the sand table before them, working out the upcoming battle strategy.

The sand table displayed the cities, mountains, and lakes of the Skyfire Domain—and the distribution of military forces.

It was incredibly detailed.

Although the Holy Fire Sect had lost much of its power and was far inferior to the current Qin Empire, a lion uses all its strength even when hunting a rabbit; there could be no room for carelessness.

The greatest taboo in warfare is underestimating the enemy.

The Emperor of Qin and the generals present were veterans of many battles and would naturally not make such a low-level mistake. Therefore, they treated the sand table as a true battlefield, meticulously deliberating their strategies.

"Crown Prince, if you were the chief commander, how would you attack?"

After some time had passed, the Emperor of Qin suddenly posed this question. He had already devised a battle strategy but chose not to reveal it, opting instead to test Qin Wudao.

Bai Qi, Zhang Gan, Sima Cuo, and the others temporarily halted their own deliberations and looked towards Qin Wudao with curiosity.

"Replying to Imperial Father, if I were to command the forces, I would attack Demonfire City!" Qin Wudao said after a moment of contemplation. He then waved his right hand, and illusory images of a dragon and a tiger appeared on the sand table.

The dragon represented the Qin Empire, and the tiger symbolized Demonfire City.

"The Holy Fire Sect’s Holy City has three defensive lines. The first is the border, the second is Godfire Town, and the third is Demonfire City!"

"To date, we have destroyed the first two lines of defense. Once we capture Demonfire City, the Holy City will have no fortifications left to defend it and will be like a tiger without claws or teeth!" Qin Wudao elaborated with calm assurance, like a Great General commanding thousands of troops and horses, determining victory from thousands of miles away.

As he spoke, a fierce battle between the dragon and tiger phantoms commenced on the sand table. The Qin army attacked Demonfire City from all directions. By the time he finished speaking, a mournful howl from the tiger phantom was heard.

After Demonfire City fell in the simulation, the dragon phantom roared to the nine heavens, its power suppressing the Holy Fire Sect’s Holy City, demonstrating the potential to dominate the Skyfire Domain.

The generals listened and nodded in approval.

There were many cities depicted on the sand table. From Godfire Town to the Holy City, at least a thousand cities were scattered about like stars in the sky. Some of these cities were strategically important, while others were of little value.

Someone unfamiliar with military affairs would find it very difficult to discern the enemy’s military layout among so many cities.

"Your Highness, what if the Holy Fire Sect abandons the Holy City after we capture Demonfire City?" Sima Cuo asked with a cupped fist salute, his question carrying a hint of a test.

"Impossible!" Qin Wudao shook his head decisively, asserting, "The sand table shows that the Holy City wasn’t built in a naturally defensible location. This indicates there must be something extremely important within the city. If I’m not mistaken, the miniature world controlled by the Holy Fire Sect is located within the Holy City!

"Of course, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility that the Holy Fire Sect might abandon the Holy City.

"The people can flee, but the miniature world cannot. Without the miniature world, the Holy Fire Sect’s foundation will be severed, and they will pose even less of a threat!"

The capabilities of the miniature world were indeed heaven-defying. It was precisely because of this that Qin Wudao dared to make such a judgment.

"Well done!" the Emperor of Qin praised. Looking at the position of Demonfire City on the sand table, he commanded in a clear voice, "Issue the order: tomorrow morning, the army will set out and attack Demonfire City!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Yes, Sir..."

The generals saluted, their eyes sharp and filled with fighting spirit.

Next, they discussed the plan for besieging the city. They deliberated for more than two hours before finally settling on a plan, after which they left the central command tent, a sense of fatigue upon them.

Qin Wudao, accompanied by Jia Xu and Zhao Yun, returned to his own tent.

"Your Highness, this subordinate believes we should not continue the attack!"

As soon as they entered the tent, Jia Xu suddenly spoke. He had also participated in the earlier discussion but had not uttered a single word from beginning to end.

"Why is that?" Qin Wudao was taken aback. He greatly valued Jia Xu’s judgment and had considerable faith in it.

"Tall trees catch much wind!"

Jia Xu sighed and said softly, "The rise of the Qin Empire has been too rapid, attracting the attention of many powerful forces. They will not allow us to occupy the Skyfire Domain without resistance. Remember, even the Changeable Mansion, with a Saint stationed there, only controls one Domain. This is the principle of balance.

"Once that balance is broken, the existing order will vanish, and a crisis will inevitably follow.

"The Changeable Mansion doesn’t dare occupy two Domains, so how could the Qin Dynasty?"

These words, like so many God Mountains, pressed down on the hearts of Qin Wudao and Zhao Yun, their expressions gradually turning grave.

"I will go to my Imperial Father!" Qin Wudao stood up and started towards the exit.

"Your Highness, it will be no use even if you go," Jia Xu interjected. "His Majesty and the generals at court will not relinquish this golden opportunity!" The reason he could see the situation so clearly, he explained, was because he was not a court official; he viewed the war from an outsider’s perspective.

But the Emperor of Qin and the court officials could not; they were deeply involved and would only consider the victory or defeat of the war.

The allure of an entire Domain was simply too great.

"Then what should we do?" Qin Wudao’s brow furrowed as he asked in a serious tone.

He also knew that even if he tried, he would not be able to persuade the Emperor of Qin. This was an entire Domain, representing countless benefits. How could they possibly halt the offensive based on mere speculation?

"We can continue to fight," Jia Xu said with a calm smile, his eyes growing deeper with confidence. "The other forces will only seek to curtail the Qin Empire’s development; they will not engage in a fight to the death with us!"

That gaze seemed capable of seeing through everything.

The struggle for supremacy, the strategies for victory and defeat—all were reflected in that single look.

...

As the Qin Empire’s army advanced towards Demonfire City, just as Jia Xu had predicted, the surrounding Domains watched closely. Before long, intelligence reports from the battlefield appeared on the desks of their respective leaders.

The Wuling Domain was divided between the Sword Sect and the Blade Residence, their strengths equally matched.

A saying circulated in the Ten Thousand Li Domain: "All swordsmen under Heaven hail from the Sword Sect; all blademasters find their home in the Blade Residence!"

"The Qin Empire has gone too far!"

In the Sword Sect, the current Sword Monarch frowned as he read the intelligence report, his two sword-like eyebrows giving off a sharp Sword Qi.

"Order the Five Sword Servants to halt the Qin Empire’s expansion!" the Sword Monarch commanded, his voice carrying immense pressure.

"Understood!"

The Void rippled, and five gray-robed figures appeared. Each carried a massive sword on his back, emanating a chilling, murderous aura that seemed to freeze the very Void.

Several thousand li away, a mountain peak shaped like a heavy blade was home to the renowned Blade Residence. Blade intent, which permeated the area year-round, shredded the clouds in the nine heavens. For hundreds of li around, not a single cloud could be seen.

"Issue an order: all blademasters from the four quarters are to proceed to the Skyfire Domain and protect the Holy Fire Sect..."

A voice filled with absolute dominance echoed forth.

Heaven and earth rumbled as four figures emerged, exuding the霸道 (bàdào - domineering; overbearing) aura unique to blademasters—an aura capable of cleaving through any obstacle.

With a blade in hand, the world is mine!

In the Canhua Region, east of the East Ancient Domain, a voice emerged from a mountain range abloom with flowers: "Dispatch envoys to the Qin Empire. Tell them not to break the established rules..."

Furthermore, the Great Azure Empire of the Azure Dragon Domain, Gun City of the Unparalleled Domain, and the Lin Family, who ruled their own Domain by clan, all sent people to interfere in the Qin Empire’s war.

It seemed as if they were wary of something...