Everlasting Immortal Firmament

Book 4: Chapter 9: Destroyed with a Flick

The plan executed in Azure Foundation City also took place in the other eleven cities nearly simultaneously. The Han Royal Dynasty’s recapture of the cities happened within two days in all.

Gu Hai reinstated all the previous officials, just like in Chaoge City. He only added some extra positions on top of the initial foundation. These were used to reward the clans that cooperated with him and to insert his trusted men.

The Han Nation’s capture of the twelve cities was far from comparable to the Yuan Nation’s capture of sixty or seventy cities. However, one had to consider the Yuan Nation’s strength. In the end, the Han Nation was too weak, and its foundation was too shallow. Capturing twelve cities nearly doubled the Han Nation’s territory. Since he had just gained the citizens’ recognition, everything was still tentative. He needed to put in a lot of effort to win their hearts.

After pacifying Azure Foundation City, Gu Hai immediately headed to the other eleven cities.

During this time, the report that Azure Foundation City’s Yuan Nation former city lord sent finally arrived at the Yuan Nation’s capital and Northern Expedition City.

——

Northern Expedition City:

The Northern Expedition Supreme Commander looked at a report before him, appearing confused. “Ten dried corpses of the defenders appeared outside Azure Foundation City? The number of prisoners in the city did not decrease? The city lord did the right thing, allowing the citizens to visit the prisoners. That way, all misunderstandings will be resolved.”

The Northern Expedition Supreme Commander had only just nodded when reports from the other eleven cities came in.

“Huh? Another ten dried corpses of defenders? Hey! This happened in this city too?”

After seeing the reports from the twelve cities, the Northern Expedition Supreme Commander’s expression changed. If it were just Azure Foundation City, it might have been an accident. However, why did the same thing happen in twelve cities?

“Something is about to happen.” The Northern Expedition Supreme Commander’s expression changed again.

“Supreme Commander, what’s wrong?” his subordinates asked.

The supreme commander handed the reports to them to take a look. Since such a strange scene happened simultaneously in twelve cities, it naturally was not a coincidence.

“Gao Xianzhi led his soldiers into our territory. This situation in the twelve cities, could it be the doings of the Qian Heavenly Dynasty? Are they trying to conquer the south?” The Northern Expedition Supreme Commander’s face sank.

All the subordinates appeared anxious.

“Send people to these twelve cities immediately and investigate this. Quickly report back any information!”

“Yes!”

“Gao Xianzhi? No, we have to make Gao Xianzhi retreat right away. Inform the sixth battalion to attack with everything they have. Do not show any mercy; ruthlessly beat them back. Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!” the supreme commander yelled.

“Yes!”

“Supreme Commander, do you think that it is the Qian Heavenly Dynasty?”

“If not the Qian Heavenly Dynasty, who else could it be?” The Northern Expedition Supreme Commander glared.

——

Mo Yike’s residence, Yuan Nation’s capital:

Mo Yike also saw these twelve reports.

An official stood respectfully before him. “Mister Mo, His Majesty told me to bring these twelve reports to you.” 

Mo Yike’s expression changed. “Oh no! It’s Gu Hai? The Han Royal Dynasty? Haha! What a big appetite! Taking twelve cities in one go?” 

“Huh? That’s impossible, right? Mister Mo, Gu Hai still has not even firmly grasped his current twelve cities. How could he snatch our twelve cities? He does not have the military force for that,” that official said skeptically.

Mo Yike did not bother explaining to that official. With a sullen expression, he said, “Let’s go. I have to meet His Majesty. I instructed the Northern Expedition Supreme Commander multiple times to be careful of Gu Hai. Did he just disregard my words?”

Mo Yike ignored that confused official as he stalked out of his residence.

——

Just as Gu Hai worked on pacifying the twelve cities, Chaoge City experienced some troubles.

“Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech!”

A multitude of bats filled the sky in a densely packed cloud above Chaoge City. There were even more than before.

This time, a group of black-clad men stood in the sky, looking coldly at Chaoge City, which had its defensive ritual array activated.

“Gu Hai! Get out here and return my clan’s young master!” the leader said coldly.

However, Gu Hai was not in the city. Many of the officials stood at Huangfu Palace Hall’s entrance, appearing anxious.

“Mister Shangguan, what should we do?” The officials turned to Shangguan Hen.

Previously, Shangguan Hen used a beam of green light to defeat Chang Ming’s bats. Now, the emperor was not around and had brought away many of Chaoge City’s elites. Only Shangguan Hen remained. How were they to deal with this?

Moreover, there were even more bats now than the previous time with Chang Ming.

Was Chaoge City destined to face many calamities?

Shangguan Hen looked at the sky coldly.

“The Chang Clan?” Shangguan Hen said coldly.

“Huh? Who are you?” the black-robed leader asked coldly.

“Chang Ming? Ha! If I guess right, he’s dead from my poison already. You might as well try searching in that direction. Perhaps you’ll find his corpse,” Shangguan Hen said with a cold smile.

“How dare you!”

“You bastard!”

“Young Master will be fine!”

“Young Master has not shown himself for so many days. You must have captured him. Let my clan’s young master go!”

“If you don’t let him go, we will slaughter your Chaoge City!”

“We will suck everyone’s blood, not sparing anyone!”

“Hah!” the fifty black-robed men roared with ferocious expressions.

The citizens of the city felt worried. What are we going to do? Where is His Majesty?

Many people looked at Shangguan Hen.

“You can give it a try. Ha!” Shangguan Hen showed an icy expression.

Gu Hai had brought many of the elites, leaving Shangguan Hen here to protect Chaoge City. Naturally, Shangguan Hen had to take the lead.

“Humph! This is your own fault. Watch as I slaughter your entire city. I don’t believe that Gu Hai will not show himself. Humph!” the black-robed leader said coldly.

The black-robed leader waved his hand, and about fifty million bats charged down. However, a distant flying ship suddenly appeared.

Boom!

The flying ship zoomed in at an extreme speed from the northeast and soon neared the city.

There were only three people on the flying ship. They were the Great Light Sovereign Deity’s group of three.

Cui Tie was at the helm of the flying ship, while the black-robed Great Light Sovereign Deity and the white-robed woman stood at the front of the deck.

“Great Light Sovereign Deity, we have arrived. The city in front of us is Foundation Deity City,” Cui Tie said as he piloted the flying ship.

The Great Light Sovereign Deity looked into the distance as he held the railing. The white-robed woman at his side murmured, “Huh? Vampires? There are quite a lot of them. Are they the Yuan Nation’s people?”

“The Yuan Nation? Gu Hai is really good at attracting trouble. Ha!” the Great Light Sovereign Deity said indifferently.

The flying ship continued flying towards Chaoge City, immediately attracting the attention of the vampires and the people in the city.

Whoosh!

Countless bats immediately blocked the flying ship.

“Who approaches? Quickly scram!” one of the vampires shouted.

“Huh? You want me to scram?” The Great Light Sovereign Deity showed a faint, cold smile.

Cui Tie just ignored the bats, continuing to pilot the flying ship forward.

Suddenly, Shangguan Hen’s amplified voice came from the city. “The guests from outside, do be careful. Some minor demons are harassing Chaoge City at the moment. Please wait for a while as we deal with them.”

When Shangguan Hen’s voice rang out, it slightly surprised the Great Light Sovereign Deity.

“Oh? Minor demons? Ha! It looks like the Han Nation is full of people who talk big, and it is not just Gu Hai,” the Great Light Sovereign Deity said with a cold smile.

The vampires glared furiously. One of them said, “Humph! Minor demons? You ignorant child! Do you think that you are unrivaled just because you can release poison? I will eat you first later!”

That vampire turned his head to look coldly at the Great Light Sovereign Deity. “Also, you lot, scram back to wherever you came from. Otherwise, you can forget about leaving!” 

Whoosh!

Cui Tie ignored the vampires, persisting in piloting the flying ship toward Chaoge City.

“Huh? How bold and reckless of you! Since you are seeking death, then you shall be buried with Chaoge City. Go! Suck them dry!” that vampire shouted.

“Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech! Screech!” 

A horde of vampire bats quickly flew towards the Great Light Sovereign Deity.

“Huh?” The Great Light Sovereign Deity showed a cold smile.

Standing at the bow, the Great Light Sovereign Deity held his right middle finger with his right thumb, confusing the vampires; then, he gently flicked his finger.

Buzz!

The officials and citizens in the city appeared confused. Are the people on the flying ship tired of living? There are at least fifty million vampire bats out there, and they dare to barge in?

Only Shangguan Hen narrowed his eyes. “It’s him? That proud peacock?”

When the Great Light Sovereign Deity flicked his finger, it seemed like an azure beam of light shot out and spread out in all directions.

Bang!

The fifty million bats trembled and exploded simultaneously. Blood sprayed through the air, looking like crimson fireworks going off all over the sky.

“Argh!”

Boom!

All the vampires exploded as well.

A blood mist spread in the sky, looking extremely bleak.

Fifty vampires and fifty million vampire bats all exploded with a flick of the black-robed man’s finger.

Gasp!

Countless citizens in the city inhaled sharply.

Who is this?

He destroyed the vast army of vampire bats with one flick? His strength is overly horrifying, right?

“Ah, it’s much quieter now!” the Great Light Sovereign Deity said indifferently, as though he had not done anything much.

Cui Tie showed a solemn expression as he continued to pilot the flying ship forward.

“Great Light Sovereign Deity, your finger-flicking skills have become more exquisite. Ha!” the white-robed woman at the side laughed softly.

The Great Light Sovereign Deity did not respond. Instead, he watched as they approached the nearby city.

“Mis-Mis-Mister Shangguan, what should we do now?” an official asked worriedly.

“They are His Majesty’s guests. Open the city gates and welcome the guests!” Shangguan Hen said.

“Ah? His Majesty’s guests?” the officials parroted in shock.

His Majesty knows such strong people?

The city gates opened, allowing the flying ship to enter Chaoge City.

The earlier finger flick had been so shocking that the countless citizens would never forget that sight.

All of them watched curiously as that flying ship landed at Huangfu Palace Hall’s entrance.

“On behalf of His Majesty, Shangguan Hen greets the Great Light Sovereign Deity!” Shangguan Hen said with a polite bow.

“Oh? You know about my arrival? Which means Miao Chen did not tell me the truth back then?” Great Light Sovereign Deity said.

“It is not that. Miao Chen truly does not know where His Majesty is now, so he sent a message to me. I am here to find His Majesty as well. Everyone, this way, please,” Shangguan Hen said with a smile.

“Gu Hai is not around?” the Great Light Sovereign Deity asked.

“His Majesty personally went to carve out new territory. He will be returning in triumph soon,” Shangguan Hen replied while shaking his head.

Cui Tie appeared somewhat uncomfortable at the side. Since he knows about the Great Light Sovereign Deity, then he should know about me too. It is one thing for him not to know about that woman, as she refuses to expose her identity. Did Miao Chen not mention me?

“‘Personally went to carve out new territory’? Haha! We heard the news along the way. The twelve cities belonging to the Han Royal Dynasty were given by Huangfu Chaoge. Aside from the sea, you are completely surrounded by the Yuan Imperial Dynasty. Trying to carve out new territory? Are you trying to snatch land from the Yuan Imperial Dynasty? What a joke! The Han Nation does not have much accumulations. What are you going to use to fight the Yuan Nation?” Cui Tie said coldly.

“This must be Cui Tie, right? I recall that Miao Chen’s letter said that you made a bet with him at Nine-Five Island and lost, becoming his grandson. What’s wrong? Do you find that insufficient?” Shangguan Hen smiled faintly.

“Huh? What did you say?” Cui Tie said with a furious glare.

“Oh? It looks like I was wrong, then?” Shangguan Hen smiled.

“Humph! Gu Hai got lucky last time when Huangfu Chaoge gave him twelve cities. That was the only reason he got more blessings. Would the Yuan Nation give him cities now? Trying to snatch cities from the Yuan Imperial Dynasty? What a joke! If he really obtains cities, I’ll admit to being Miao Chen’s grandson!” Cui Tie said coldly.

Boom!

Suddenly, the blessings cloud sea above Chaoge City churned. Then, streams of blessings flowed over quickly from the west, rushing towards the blessings cloud sea in the sky.

All the citizens raised their heads, appearing shocked.

“That’s from Azure Foundation City’s direction! Did His Majesty succeed in taking Azure Foundation City back?” one of the officials immediately cried out in joy.

Cui Tie: “…”