158 Attack! (1)
Due to the disturbance of this half-human half-demon creature, the expected blessing that comes once a year did not happen. Brilliant lights that supposed to descends from the sky did not come down as they wish in the entire continent except one.
The moment the Devouring Domain of a continent level completed what it was supposed to do, the creature returned to the spot where the Seven Star Master Hall located and spreads its own version of a dark ball of energy over the ground related to Seven Star County.
When the creature turned back to Zhang Wu Ji, he went back to the family banquet, as usual, he puts an air of ignorance to what happened earlier and enjoys his time with his family members.
In the mind of everyone presents, they know that this banquet might be the last or second last as a family before everything followed their fate. Zhang Wu Chou did not exchange anything further with his youngest brother, but before he left the Li Jiang City, Zhang Wu Chou said something to everyone presents.
"This world only keeps those that strong enough to survive in its harsh environment. All of us selected our path, and even to death, we'll have to walk through this."
"Wu Ji..." Zhang Qing Feng wishes he can steel himself and stop them from arguing. But unfortunately, it wasn't something easy to be done due to the importance of these two matters.
First of, is their loyalty and background related to their own sect. Zhang Wu Chou is now the next in line to ascend into the position of the Sect Patriarch of Heavenly Sword Sect, while Zhang Wu Ji is the current Hall Leader of Seven Star Master Hall.
In term of position alone, Zhang Wu Ji's background left his brother by a large gap but in the foundation, the Heavenly Sword Sect that was already incorporated with 2nd-Grade Silver ingredient long ago. While the newly formed Seven Star County is still dependent on 1st-Grade resources and 2nd-Grade resources.
Next is their strength in both Cultivation and military might. The newly formed Seven Star County may subjugate the entire Lower Counties, but this doesn't mean that their power climbs in one night. If he even relaxes for a moment before their foundation is well laid, the foundation might turn into the decisive point that destroys the Seven Star County from the inside!
Unfortunately, nobody within the entire Upper South State knows that from this day onwards, Seven Star County is no longer following the rules they know. And in a flash, one year passed without any large scale exchange happening in their border.
The building of Defensive Wall separating the Inner Western State was halfway to completion, while the access road to the Middle Southern State is heavily guarded with plentiful of soldiers, flying tenders, and tamed beast. The changes happened to this county is no longer counted small, but still, it wasn't enough to crown Zhao Ying as the Crown Prince.
"Hall master! Our preparation for the entire year is now ready. Are we going to attack the Heavenly South County soon?" Li Jing came into his residence and reported the changes as usual, while Zhang Wu Ji exploits his time to strengthen his own cultivation and other matters.
"En," Zhang Wu Ji nodded as he took a sip of the Mulberry Leaves tea by his side. Chosen personally by him and taught to the others, this breed of Peak-Quality tea leaves are the highly sought after products of the nobilities and wealthies all over the Southern Imperial Kingdom.
"Then disciple will get everyone to prepare. Currently, the Grand Elder and Lady Beiping are positioned at the borders to monitor them, while Grandmaster Windchaser, City Lord Yang Er and Commander Yang Yi are holding the fort in Wen Wu City."
"As for the Seven Star Master Hall, myself, Li Yin, and Li Tong is holding the responsibility to protect Master Hall from any attack." Li Jing reported. From how he mentioned their arrangement, it seems that Li Yin and Li Tong has successfully passed the Sheng Tian Process, while Grandmaster Windchaser from the Mystic Engineer Establishment is here to lend them his assistance.
The one year period is long enough for the people from five different counties to assimilate with each other. With the Seven Star Master Hall as the main body of the municipality, they introduce the system of two laws two contracts on their population.
The law consist of Southern Imperial Kingdom's Safety, Loyalty, and Duty Law as the first of the two, and the Seven Star Law that practiced Discipline, Contribution, and Filial Piety.
As for the two contracts, it was a form of protection given to two parties. First is the normal populations, and the second to War Slaves. Their contract varies according to their background and also skills, but with this contract, it protects their interest more, although, in return, they'll have to contribute over half of their profits from all kind of works.
"Deliver my order, all conscripted soldiers, flying ships, captain and commanders, march into the Heavenly South County and took control of all their lands before we surround the Heavenly Sword Sect!" Zhang Wu Ji delivers his chain of orders for them to execute.
An hour after his order is delivered, more than two thousand Seven Star Tenders and four million soldiers are deployed into battle. While their deployment is warmly accepted by their population, the news from the scouts of opposing force put their commanders in an alert.
But before they managed to keep themselves together, the next report came from the scouts almost drown him in terror.
"Our scouts reported that three other frigates are following behind the Seven Star Hall Master's Xielang Frigate! In total, that's four frigates that can control the entire air supremacy!" the scout almost faint as he reported what he'd seen.
While the scouts from the other five upper counties are busy with their task, Zhang Wu Ji's forces have started to went through the border separating the two counties. As they expected, the opposing forces are well prepared to defend against them, to the point of purchasing a large number of Celestial Tools from the Middle South State.
But their investment is for naught the moment Seven Star County's forces is here. Under the complete air supremacy, tactics and ambushes turned into a useless waste of a plan. Bombardment from the skies uprooted the soldiers from Heavenly Sword Sect, with over 50% of the invaders across their border.
The defensive remains unchanged, but when the forces from Seven Star County are completely inside their Heavenly South County, a formation is activated! Not only it covers the path of retreat, but they're also surrounded by soldiers from Heavenly Sword Sect and Black Iron Armored Forces!
"Ambush! The enemies have prepared for our arrival long ago! Everyone in battle position! Fire at will once your enemy is in your line of sight! No need to preserve any ammunition! Points will be given to all contributors!" the commanders leading the front line ordered.
From the look of the two factions, at least two million soldiers and en route to where they're stuck. The moment both sides had their sight on each other, a chain of an explosion is heard. With both sides armed heavily with Celestial Tools, the exchange can be categorized as deadly.
And because their line of fire is split into two sides, neither of their opponents is pressured by the concentrated barrage. The exchange of shots continues until the four frigates reach the front line.
"Xielang Frigate is here!" a few soldiers that participated in their fight a year ago will recognize this flagship their hall master ride. Following beside the Xielang Frigate is Huolang Frigate, Fenglang Frigate, and Heilang Frigate.
Without giving those fighting on the ground a greeting, Xielang Frigate fired a few shots surrounding them and destroyed the formation circle used to activate the Formation Array, and shatters the possibility of losing this war.
With the other frigates participating in this battle, a result quickly came out. The two million soldiers from the alliance of Black Iron Armored Forces and Heavenly Sword Sect was slaughtered before the end of the first day.
Following the defeat is a quick and direct subjugation process the veteran soldiers from Seven Star Master Hall proficient with. Through a few words and equivalent methods, the number of surrendering cities and villages is not unexpected.
In this period of a week, fights started at the two borders neighboring the Heavenly South County. The defeat hits the Black Iron Armored Forces hard where three Inner Qi Lord is dispatched to help. But when their initial intention met the disturbance from Commander Yang Yi and City Lord Yang Er, everything ends up as a waste of effort.
Unbelievably, two 65th Stage Inner Qi Lord can subdue three opponents in their 64th Stage Inner Qi Lord! Through this battle, the two Inner Qi Lords made themselves famous!
On the sixth day of the war, Zhang Wu Chou leads a group of Inner Qi Masters and Grandmasters to change the wind of this war. They took in the guerilla tactics to attack the soldiers from Seven Star County randomly to disturb them from attacking further, but Zhang Wu Ji has some other plan for his second brother.
"Senior brother Wu Chou, it seems that their defense at this southeast corner is weaker than the others. Should I send the signal so our fellow disciples can charge in this direction?" one of the group members asked due to his position as the signal fireworks bearer.
"Don't light the signal yet. We've yet to reach half of our journey if our enemy..." Zhang Wu Chou stopped his teammates from taking action out of pressure, but their conversation is disturbed by the sound that came from the ruffled leaves surrounding them.
"Enemy attack! Heaven Guard Formation!" another experienced senior ordered the juniors to prepare the formation, but that call equals to calling the enemy to attack at the same time.
In a split moment, more than a hundred soldiers charged from behind the shrubs with a variety of weapons in their hands. When their armament is exposed to be made from 3rd-Grade Gold Materials, it surprised even Zhang Wu Chou himself!
"Is this the rumored Thousand Star Battalion?" Zhang Wu Chou was no strangers to war due to his position as the son in law of General Yang. It was not easy to form an elite battalion due to the restriction in term of medicine, weaponry, and cultivation arts, but his brother successfully did something others would have difficulties to achieve.
Even the Heavenly Sword Sect only possess a group of one hundred Sword Masters that was well equipped and nurtured from years before the war, known as the hundred Sword Formation Team. But from the equipment of the Thousand Star Battalion, it shows how far has the Seven Star Master Hall has progressed.
"Aargh! Their attack is too strong! How can those coming forward without a weapon is stronger than those with!" their formation successfully defend themselves for temporary but suffering from the battering attack executed by the Thousand Star Battalion, they can only hold for few more minutes at most.
"Senior brother, we're depending on you now!" the juniors put all their hope at their Core Senior Brother. Like he was summoned into battle, Zhang Wu Chou took a jump into the air above them and controlled four two-handed swords of two meters long.
"Four Season Swords! Slaughter all my enemies!" Zhang Wu Chou executed the most profound flying sword technique that only inherited from one Sect Patriarch to another! His attack flew in high speed and injured a few soldiers, but they were far from giving up the fight.
"Battalion Leaders! We need your help now!" call for help sounded across the air, and two silhouettes came out from their hiding spot.
"There are two more leader-class opponents?" Zhang Wu Chou recalls his four swords as he expects an attack from the two opponents. But his expectation is broke when only one silhouette came to him, while another went straight to the Heaven Guard Formation.
"Kunlun Mountain Fist!" both executed a similar attack. This attack not only sends the Heaven Guard Formation into their destruction but also destroying Zhang Wu Chou's Spring Season Sword.
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[Author's Note]
Sorry guys due to the busy schedule of my own. Valentine day and I forget it. Guan Qing Han almost throws me into hell. (Luckily the three days continuous good food cool her anger, I'm sure our Lady is a kilogram heavier.)
