Chapter 1383 - 698: Hidden Stream Army (2)

The personnel in the camp came and went in haste, yet managed to maintain a busy order, unnoticed by most was the group led by Hei Hao.

The commander of the Black Blade Army was also an old acquaintance of hers—Chi Bihu. Originally, this tiger demon was a significant figure under the He Sect Leader. Because of his bravery in battle and cautious strategizing, he was appointed by Changtian as the commander of the Black Blade Army.

As Ning Xiaoxian approached, someone came ahead to announce, and Chi Bihu came out early to greet her, courteously inviting her into his tent.

This tiger demon ran a strict military operation while maintaining a simple lifestyle. Inside the large tent, aside from a narrow bed and a set of black lacquered table and chairs, there was nothing else. However, a golden vase sat on the table. Ning Xiaoxian had just entered the tent when he mentioned, "Your message arrived at 3 p.m. Since Washing Sword Pavilion has lost the major support of the Immortal Tribulation, we have no worries anymore. We must hasten our pace early tomorrow morning."

After a pause, he asked, "When is Lord Divine Monarch expected to arrive? Now that Washing Sword Pavilion has first breached the alliance and lost Immortal Tribulation, it is a prime opportunity for us to exploit their weakness. I wish to request from Lord Divine Monarch the dispatch of three corps to take down the base of Washing Sword Pavilion as well."

Ning Xiaoxian frowned and said, "Changtian is engaged in a standoff with Yin Jiu You and likely has no time to spare. The sect is currently under He Sect Leader’s management, you should request reinforcements from him." Chi Bihu’s reaction was what she expected. Not striking while the iron is hot has never been the style of Hidden Stream.

Chi Bihu suddenly realized, "No wonder I couldn’t receive instructions when consulting the Divine Envoy, and in my concern, I received your message. Could it be that the Divine Monarch is now going toe to toe with Yin Jiu You?"

"Yes." She responded with great interest, "Divine Envoy?"

Though she knew what a Divine Envoy was, she had not seen the legendary Divine Envoy since awakening from a deep slumber. Sure enough, Chi Bihu gestured to the vase on the table, saying, "The Divine Envoy usually resides inside here. If we encounter extremely difficult matters or decisions, it can transmit messages between me and Lord Divine Monarch."

Her curiosity piqued, she lightly tapped the vase twice, and the sound was a pleasant blend of metal and porcelain.

Soon, a small silver snake slithered out of the vase. This little snake was as thick as her thumb and less than two feet in length, with eyes red as gemstones and a flicking tongue. It emerged and gently swayed its body towards Ning Xiaoxian, showing affection.

The small snake gave her a sense of endearment. Unable to resist, she extended her hand, allowing the snake to coil into a circle in her palm, resembling a silver cake.

On the march and especially during battle, military intelligence could change daily. If frontline news took two to three months to reach the Bashe Forest, the chance would already be lost. Consequently, Changtian used ordinary spirit snakes to create such "Divine Envoys," usually carried by the army commander, allowing immediate connection with him during emergencies through the envoy’s mouth. However, such communications are few; most military reports are sent to the sect by express, handled by specialists, and the final result presented to the big boss.

However, with Changtian trapped in the Flesh Furnace, separated by countless planes from the Southern Continent, the leaders of all the armies couldn’t use the Divine Envoy to communicate with him. The army leaders, all shrewd individuals, only needed a moment’s thought to realize that Lord Divine Monarch had likely encountered trouble, which was not a good sign, as it could trigger the leaders’ concerns and, if carelessly spread, demoralize the army.

She rotated her eyes, pondering whether He Sect Leader could suppress these troubles?

Chi Bihu slightly smiled bitterly at the side. This silver snake usually gave him the cold shoulder, even entering and exiting to deliver messages with a raised head, always looking at people through its nostrils. It was picky with its food, requiring a meal every two days—eating only six-month-old live chickens and freshly caught small fish, along with two spirit fruits produced in Bashe Forest. Yet, looking at it now, there was no trace of its usual arrogance. He thought to himself, Lord Ning is indeed the Divine Monarch’s beloved, even the Divine Envoy curries favor with her.

Ning Xiaoxian said to him, "Now that the silver snake’s communication is ineffective and there might be changes in the sect, after rendezvousing with Miluo and the Black Blade Army, I must rush back to Bashe Forest."

After discussing briefly, a personal soldier came to announce that Ning Xiaoxian’s accommodations were ready for her to move in.

Having arrived at the Black Blade Army, Chi Bihu intended to host a feast in the army to welcome and dust off for her. Although she was in low spirits, she understood some formalities were necessary, and so did not decline, first following the personal soldier to the tent assigned to her.

The tent was noticeably more comfortable than Chi Bihu’s own. From the outside, it looked no different from anyone else’s, equally dark in appearance, but the inside was lined with thick beast hides. A fire burned brightly within, and at the foot of the fur-covered bed, a small incense burner was slowly releasing smoke. The space was adorned with finely crafted sandalwood furniture, intricately carved landscape screens, a yellow pearwood dressing table, and even a small pot of blooming wintersweet on the table.

She slightly shook her head, realizing this old tiger was indeed willing to go above and beyond to please her.

Ahua, after all, was a male, and having left Ronglin Villa and entered Hidden Stream’s territory, she had entrusted Ahua to Hei Hao’s care. Chi Bihu initially intended to assign a banshee as her personal maid, but she politely declined.

The night was dark, but her Divine Power was nearly restored. Ning Xiaoxian took a deep breath, began grooming and washing, gently brushing away both the dust on her body and many of her internal thoughts.

The camp was brightly lit, with the evening feast held in the main tent.

The high-ranking officers of the army had arrived early. As Ning Xiaoxian entered, she felt countless gazes on her, full of admiration, curiosity, envy, and amazement. She merely maintained a slight smile, allowing the designated person to guide her to her seat.