Chapter 1387 - 700: Vassal Clan

Ning Xiaoxian neither dodged nor avoided, but accepted the salute, then walked forward unhurriedly and said, "Why would you need to borrow my strength?"

Chi Bihu set down the things in his hands and said with a wry smile, "My lord, you may not know: before I set out this time, the Hidden Stream’s north line was under heavy pressure, our forces stretched thin. Before I led the Black Blade Army out, I signed a military death order in front of the Divine Monarch himself, stating that within one month of the year’s end I would definitely take Tuqing State; otherwise, I would return with my head in my hands to confess my crimes. Now that the situation on the battlefield has changed, I want to take Washing Sword Pavilion, and that military order becomes something of a problem. If I seize Washing Sword Pavilion on schedule, then Tuqing State will naturally fall into our hands; but if I can’t..."

Ning Xiaoxian shook her head. "A military order is a death order. If the General cannot fulfill its terms, there is nothing I can do." Without rules, how can there be any order? On such a major matter of military command, she had no authority to decide.

Chi Bihu said solemnly, "If He Sect Leader can dispatch three more legions to support us, I’m confident I can take Washing Sword Pavilion within the deadline. But if only my Black Blade Army goes, I’m not afraid we can’t win; I’m only afraid we may not be able to take it down within the stipulated time. Today is already the seventh; there are thirteen days left until the final deadline. Washing Sword Pavilion’s main base is in Diyun State, ninety?four thousand li from here. The time the Black Blade Army spends just on the march will probably be ten days or more! I’m willing enough to stake everything on this battle, I just fear that if the oath is not fulfilled, I’ll drag all these subordinates down with me."

Ning Xiaoxian sighed and said, "In this army, it’s not only our Hidden Stream’s Demon Soldiers, is it?"

Chi Bihu said apologetically, "At the banquet, Xiling slighted you; by regulation she should be beaten thirty strokes on the spot! But the situation is delicate at the moment, and I still need the support of her tribesmen. Once this matter is settled, those thirty strokes can be counted on my own back!"

This old tiger really knew how to deal with people. She chuckled. "She’s just a straightforward girl with a blunt heart; how could I fuss with her over that? What I meant was, are there warriors from other tribes fighting in this army?"

"There are. This was Lord Divine Monarch’s instruction." When Chi Bihu mentioned Changtian, his back straightened like a spear. "As the Hidden Stream wages war and expands outward, its fame spreads far and wide. Some small Demon Sects, knowing they’re no match, take the initiative to surrender, willingly becoming vassals of the Hidden Stream. Within their own territory they still have autonomous lands and the right to collect Immortal Silver, but in all things they look only to the Hidden Stream’s lead. Their territories are mostly quite barren. Lord Divine Monarch believes that rather than wiping them out entirely, it’s better to accept their submission. That way we don’t have to send people down to administer them, which would consume huge amounts of manpower and resources for very little gain."

"Over the past two years, many small tribes have also voluntarily come to seek protection, such as the Jialeng Leopard Clan that Xiling comes from. They are a fierce, battle?hardened Demon Clan tribe and have contributed greatly to the Black Blade Army. But whether it’s surrendered Demon Sects or tribes, although the Hidden Stream provides them with shelter, in peacetime they must pay tribute to the Hidden Stream, and in wartime they must send out troops to campaign with the army!"

Understanding dawned in her heart. No wonder Xiling dared look at her like that; it wasn’t all just dazedness. This leopard demon herself didn’t belong directly to the Hidden Stream, so toward Ning Xiaoxian she lacked the reverence due a superior. Moreover, the Jialeng Leopard Clan had a certain influence within the Black Blade Army; they were surely used to throwing their weight around and had trouble reining it in.

She pondered. "These tribal soldiers in the Black Blade Army—are they unruly and disobedient?" With Chi Bihu, she had no need to beat around the bush.

Chi Bihu understood what she was getting at and his expression grew stern. "Nothing so serious. They’re all veterans who have followed me for many years. If they suffer because of me this time, that is what weighs on my heart."

Ning Xiaoxian’s gaze flickered slightly; she glanced at the soldiers around them. Chi Bihu took the hint. "They’re all my trusted men; it’s fine to speak."

Only then did she lower her voice and say, "What if, this time, we were to receive reinforcements?"

"Such a good thing? How many, and from where?" Chi Bihu brightened, then asked in puzzlement, "But as far as I know, our Sect has no army passing nearby. Even in Songjiang City, there’s only an external affairs outpost; the few demon guards on duty there, tossed into an army, wouldn’t raise so much as the smallest ripple."

"Not our Sect’s troops, but the Black Armored Army of Fengtian Prefecture." She rubbed her temples, feeling rather a headache. As for Miluo, even knowing he had schemed to trap Changtian and Yin Jiu You in the Flesh Furnace, and had indirectly caused her to fall into Huangfuming’s hands, losing the treasures she’d wrung out with such effort and even putting her own safety at risk—when it came to this demon, though she was angry, she felt even more helpless.

Chi Bihu, rarely, was stunned for a moment before saying, "Fengtian Prefecture has always been neutral, not taking part in conflicts. How is it that they suddenly want to send troops to help? You’d best be careful there isn’t some trick in this."

"He and I agreed to meet eight days from now outside Jinxi Town in Diyun State." Ning Xiaoxian curled her lip. "He’s already stated outright that all the spoils this time will belong to us, and that the casualties and compensation for his troops will be borne by himself. Since he’s sending troops in on the same side, if he were to turn on us, it would be the same as offending the Hidden Stream and Washing Sword Pavilion at once, as well as the other Sects behind Washing Sword Pavilion. When Miluo acts, he always has a clear target and never does useless work."

She frowned slightly in thought. "I’ve only just awakened; I don’t fully understand the current balance of power on the Continent, so it’s hard to judge his intent."

Chi Bihu considered, then said, "If it has to do with Fengtian Prefecture, then it must be that over the past two years the North Line of the Nanshan Continent’s front has been under increasing strain. Once the intelligence reports are brought back and laid out on the table, those of us who lead armies can see it clearly: Guangcheng Palace has been passively engaging, steadily drawing down troops and equipment from the front. Three years ago they still had sixty thousand cultivators committed; by last year there were fewer than forty thousand left, and even among those, twenty percent were logistics personnel. Because of this, the pressure on Fengtian Prefecture and the other Sects has greatly increased."