Since that casual chat in the garden, we stopped making proactive moves, simply waiting for Beishendu to approach us.
Thus, these past few days have been rather peaceful.
However, Beishendu could not hold back any longer and dispatched an envoy to Xiziguo.
It wasn't until that envoy's distinctive crimson carriage from Shendu slowly drove into the city of Xiziguo.
Immediately, someone recognized the official carriage unique to Beishendu, and thus, the news spread like wildfire: people from Beishendu had arrived.
Before long, crowds surged. Both soldiers and civilians alike jostled to the sides of the long street, eager to see what kind of important figure Beishendu had sent.
Meanwhile, our large group had already received some news and were waiting in the main hall. At this moment, a guard rushed in to report.
"The Demon King, the envoy from Beishendu, has arrived."
Upon hearing this news, Lin'er laughed heartily, a look of joy spreading across his face, and said.
"It seems Beishendu couldn't resist making the first move."
I looked at the person reporting and said to him, "Please invite him in."
"Yes."
After the guard hurried away, Elder Wangu said.
"I heard that Beishendu sent someone very adept at lecturing this time. I heard his name is Han Chenzi."
"Han Chenzi, that sounds quite scholarly," I murmured.
"No matter who arrives, we must still treat them with courtesy," Elder Zhu Liuyun reminded us.
I nodded and said, "The elder's reminder is well taken."
Then, we heard a series of long announcements from outside the door: "Envoy of Beishendu, Han Chenzi, comes to pay respects to the Demon King."
"Envoy of Beishendu, Han Chenzi, comes to pay respects to the Demon King."
"Envoy of Beishendu, Han Chenzi, comes to pay respects to the Demon King."
The announcements grew closer, and everyone became curious, craning their necks towards the entrance of the great hall.
They wanted to see what kind of important figure this envoy from Beishendu was.
At this moment, two figures, one tall and one short, walked into the hall. The taller one held a yellow booklet that looked like an invitation.
He appeared refined and scholarly, likely Han Chenzi.
However, the one who was less than five feet tall and short in stature, seemingly lacking any great ability, what was he doing here? Everyone speculated that he must be Han Chenzi's attendant.
As the two entered the hall, they saw that both sides were filled with people. However, it wasn't difficult to guess that the eight people standing in the front two rows on each side must be the Twelve Star Generals and the Four Great Protectors of the Mermaid Clan.
The twelve people in the back two rows on each side must be the Twenty-Four Mountain Lords, and the last few rows, without a doubt, were new generals and various alliance commanders.
Facing such a large crowd and a solemn situation, they remained unfazed, their steps light. As they approached.
They saw that standing in the center of the main seat was the renowned Myriad Demon King, and beside her were the four elders and patriarchs of the Ghost Clan.
The shorter one looked at the main seat, bowed towards the top, and then spoke.
"Envoy of Beishendu, Han Chenzi, specially sent by the City Lord, has come to pay respects to the Demon King."
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. They had thought the taller one was Han Chenzi, but unexpectedly, this shorter one was Han Chenzi. Everyone almost burst into laughter.
Seeing this, Lin'er cleared his throat a few times, thinking that the Demon King must not lose his dignity before this minor envoy. Hearing the cough, everyone immediately shifted their expressions to one of quiet attentiveness.
"I have long heard of your esteemed reputation, and it is my fortune to meet you today. However, I wonder what the City Lord of Beishendu has sent you here for?"
I feigned ignorance, wanting him to reveal the truth himself.
"To be frank with the Demon King, the City Lord has sent me here to deliver a declaration of war."
Though only a few words, he spoke them with powerful conviction.
"Oh? Where is the declaration of war?"
"It is here." As he spoke, he had the taller man present the declaration of war. Lin'er personally received it and handed it to me.
When I opened it, it read:
The world widely proclaims the Demon King to be a divine being descended to earth, invincible and unmatched.
Though I have not met you personally, I am moved by the emergence of a young hero. The Ghost Clan and the Four Cities have been in opposition since ancient times, never interacting.
Now, the Demon King has also gathered various Mountain Lords, along with the vast Mermaid Clan of the ocean, to disrupt the peace of the world, having breached three of the Four Cities, leaving only my Beishendu to stubbornly resist.
Since a battle is inevitable, let us agree to one.
Ten days from now, we shall meet at Zhulu, and one battle will decide the victor.
Sincerely, The City Lord of Beishendu.
Unexpectedly, this old man had already decided on the location of the decisive battle. It seemed they had made complete preparations. After reading it, I handed the declaration of war to Lin'er for him to see.
Then, I asked Han Chenzi, "Does the City Lord of Beishendu have anything else to say?"
"Replying to the Demon King, yes. Our City Lord asked me to convey a message to the Demon King: ten days from now, we shall meet at Zhulu, and we hope the Demon King will bring his best forces to decide the outcome."
"Very well. You may return and tell your City Lord that I accept his declaration of war. Then it shall be ten days from now, at Zhulu."
"I will certainly deliver the Demon King's message. Since my mission is complete, I shall not trouble the Demon King further. Farewell."
I nodded, and he, along with his attendant, left the hall and proceeded to the carriage outside the royal palace, where they boarded and departed.
After they left, everyone began to discuss the matter animatedly.
Lin'er passed the book in his hand to a few other elders to read, and then he said to me.
"It seems Beishendu has thought of everything. Since we have agreed, we cannot afford to be negligent in the coming days."
I asked Lin'er, "Where is Zhulu?"
"Zhulu is a vast plain at the border between Beishendu and Nanhai City, also known as Zhulu Plain.
Legend has it that Zhulu was an ancient place name from the human world. Because the newcomers missed their homeland, they named that plain Zhulu Plain."
It was then that I remembered that in ancient times, the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor fought Chi You at Zhulu. So, this Zhulu was also the Zhulu of the human world.
At this moment, Elder Wangu approached and said to me.
"Demon King, we must discuss this battle carefully. Let us make our decision before informing the others."
I then came back to my senses and followed his suggestion, saying to everyone, "That concludes today's matters. Everyone may return to their rest."
Everyone then began to file out of the hall one by one. Soon, only I and the elders remained in the great hall.
Lin'er invited everyone, saying, "Demon King, elders, let us continue our discussion in the back."
"Very well."
Thus, the few of us walked into the room behind the great hall. Upon entering, Elder Mo Xuefu revealed an important piece of news to me. "Demon King, there is something I must discuss with you thoroughly."
"What is it?"
"The Demon King may not know that the City Lords of the Four Cities are the Four Ancient Divine Beasts: Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger."
I was greatly alarmed and asked doubtfully, "Were the divine races not said to be extinct? How can they still be here?"
Elder Hei Yi explained, "They were indeed extinct, but not entirely. Those who remained chose to live in obscurity, unwilling to reveal their divine race identity."
"So that's how it is."
Elder Mo Xuefu continued, "In this decisive battle, the four City Lords will undoubtedly participate. The four City Lords were ancient gods, and their strength should not be underestimated."
Lin'er interjected, "These four City Lords are immensely powerful. It is rumored their ultimate skills are Primal Karma Fire, Devouring Frost, Supreme Water, and Falling Heaven Stone, respectively."
I quickly asked, "What are the effects of these moves?"
"Legend has it that Primal Karma Fire originates from a strange fire in the human world. Wherever it reaches, nothing grows, and no remains are left. As for Devouring Frost, it is ten-thousand-year-old ice. Wherever the ice and snow reach, it freezes for a thousand miles, thawing over ten thousand years.
As for Supreme Water, it is said to be water from the divine realm in the human world, inexhaustible and unending, flowing for a thousand miles, a torrent upon the world.
And Falling Heaven Stone is a peculiar legend of a celestial stone from beyond the heavens. A sky full of flying stones, burning upon impact, destroying the heavens and extinguishing the sun."
"How terrifying!" I broke out in a cold sweat at his explanation. How could we possibly fight this?
Elder Zhu Liuyun comforted me.
"Demon King, there is no need to worry. It's not that there are no solutions. To counter Primal Karma Fire, one needs the Ice Silk Robe from Mount Hanshan.
To counter Devouring Frost, one needs the Blazing Fire from Blazing Mountain. And to counter Supreme Water, one needs the Endless Bag from Mount Wuliang.
As for Falling Heaven Stone, it requires the peerless treasure of the Mermaid Clan, the True Azure Water Pearl."
I asked with some confusion.
"Since the elders already knew this in advance, why did you not inform me earlier to prepare for the decisive battle?"
Elder Wangu shook his head helplessly.
"Demon King, you may not know, but without Beishendu's definite action.
Even if these items were found, they would be useless. It would only cause them to change their battle strategies.
Now that we know their decision, it means they have prepared for full-scale combat.
Therefore, obtaining these treasures at this time is what can subdue them."
Hearing this, my chaotic thoughts regained their focus. I nodded and said.
"Since that is the case, it is not too late. We have already obtained the Azure Water Pearl gifted by the Mermaid Clan chief.
Therefore, as long as we obtain the other three treasures, we can subdue the Four City Lords."
However, Lin'er also expressed his worry, "We only have ten days. I wonder if it will be enough time."
"It will be enough. They deliberately set the time to ten days to put pressure on us.
Ten days is enough time for us to make a great effort. However, the closer it gets, the more we must not panic. Panic leads to mistakes and falls into their schemes."
Elder Wangu eloquently explained all these truths and falsehoods.
It seems that Beishendu is not only strong in combat but also skilled in psychological warfare, aiming to make me fall into disarray so they can take advantage. I must still act calmly.
"Then let us discuss other battle plans," I said.
Lin'er waved his hand, and a map appeared in mid-air. He pointed to the marked location of Zhulu and analyzed.
"Beishendu's soldiers are skilled in flatland combat, which is why they chose this plain. I suspect their vanguard will consist of their famous spearmen and cavalry.
If that is the case, we will need to prepare a chain with a ball for each person. This will help to restrain the movement of spears and the charge of iron cavalry."
Elder Wangu added.
"We also need an additional five thousand elite archers, deployed behind the main force, to primarily target the front army generals, various commanders, and charging valiant warriors."
"I wonder if they will use fire-throwing machines and catapults. I think we should also prepare some fire-throwing machines and catapults to increase damage to the enemy."
Elder Hei Yi said.
"Good. Is there anything else we should pay attention to?" I asked.
Lin'er said, "This time, the Demon King is the commander-in-chief and will be at the forefront of the battle, facing the Four City Lords. The Demon King must be careful."
However, my concern is not for them, but for him. At this point, I have also decided not to hide anything from the elders.
"This time, not only the Four Elders will participate in the battle, but also a very significant figure."
The elders were bewildered by my words and hurriedly asked, "What significant figure?"
"That person's name is Liu Xiang. He has tried to kill me multiple times but has failed. He will definitely be here for this decisive battle."
"Liu Xiang?" The elders were greatly astonished and quickly asked, "Is the Demon King referring to the legendary God of Zhongshan, Liu Xiang?"
"Precisely."
Upon hearing my confirmation, the elders could barely stand, feeling a surge of blood pressure to their hearts.
Elder Zhu Liuyun, still disbelieving, said, "Legend has it that Liu Xiang is a reclusive god who does not meddle in worldly affairs. How could he be involved in worldly disputes?"
"I suspect he has stayed in that icy land for too long, is ambitious, and desires to possess this world. That is why he is intent on provoking war, to gain this world under the guise of saving it."
Even though I said this, the elders remained full of doubt. Elder Hei Yi shook his head.
"Impossible, impossible. Liu Xiang himself is an ancient Candle God, capable of controlling lightning and strong winds, and of traversing past and future.
Such divine power is already beyond reach. Why would he covet this world?"
"Regardless, he will participate. At that time, I will engage him in battle. As for the Four City Lords and the enemy forces, I suppose they will have to be handled by Liu Shinian and the others."
Since it has come to this, there is no turning back. This battle must be fought.
Thus, the elders said in unison, "Regardless of the outcome, our Ghost Clan will swear to follow the Demon King to the death."
Since everyone is so determined, I too am resolute. "Very well, then let us face whether they are gods or demons and fight with all our might. We must win this battle no matter what."
"Good!"
"Then, this meeting concludes here. Elders, you may go and rest."
"Yes."
After the elders left, Lin'er and I emerged from the room. I asked Lin'er, "Who should we send to retrieve those treasures this time?"
Lin'er replied.
"Demon King, why not send Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang to Mount Wuliang? The Ghost Mother of Hanshan is the guardian of the ice silkworm silk.
She had a past affection with Uncle Hei Feng, Hei Yun. Let's send him for this. Liu Shinian is still injured and cannot go, so let's send the Four Evils to Blazing Mountain."
I expressed some concern, "Can the Four Evils handle it?"
"They absolutely can."
"Very well, then let's send them. Summon them now."
"Yes."
Subsequently, Lin'er went outside the great hall to find someone to deliver the message. Soon, Xue Gucheng, Yan Wushuang, Hei Feng, and the Four Evils all arrived in the great hall.
I said to them.
"I have just discussed with the elders. This time, to deal with the Four Cities, we will need four treasures. We already have one, and we are still missing three.
Therefore, I want Gucheng and Wushuang to go to Mount Wuliang to retrieve the Wuliang Bag, Hei Feng to go to Hanshan to request the ice silkworm silk, and the four of you to go to Blazing Mountain to get the Blazing Fire."
"Yes."
"The opponents we will face this time are the Four City Lords. These treasures can effectively subdue them.
Hei Feng, I heard your uncle had a past relationship with the Ghost Mother who guards the ice silkworm silk. If you can invite your uncle out of seclusion, it would be even better."
Hei Feng replied, "I will certainly complete my mission."
I told him, "That ice silkworm silk is to be made into the Ice Silkworm Robe, to mitigate the damage from the Four City Lords to us. Hei Feng, you must complete the mission."
"Yes, I will not fail my mission."
"Alright, you may go now. Be sure to return as soon as possible, because we only have ten days."
"Yes."
After speaking, they turned and exited the hall, each heading off on their respective tasks.