At the same time, the three cities that received the plea for help from Dongyue Town several days prior.
Were dispatching their elite soldiers in batches to Dongyue Town, to assist it in annihilating Black Mountain in one fell swoop.
For a time, the entire world was in turmoil, and it seemed that only the synchronized marching and the sounds of battle, day and night, could be heard as war was about to break out.
Shui Fang and Ying Lu also saw large numbers of elite soldiers and strong generals clad in black and silver armor on the official road passing through the Western Purple Kingdom and Nanhai City.
And on the roadsides of these elite soldiers and strong generals were large numbers of civilians fleeing to the Western Purple Kingdom for refuge.
Shui Fang also sensed something unusual and stopped an elder, asking.
"Excuse me, elder, where are these generals going?"
The elder looked at him in surprise, guessing that someone still didn't know about the war, and replied.
"Young man, don't you know that war is about to break out?"
Shui Fang and Ying Lu were confused. Ever since they were discovered to be from Muye after participating in the pursuit of the Myriad Ghost King.
They had withdrawn from worldly affairs and traveled around, only to witness such a scene today.
"We were traveling and didn't pay attention to the changes outside. Can you tell us what happened?"
Ying Lu asked sincerely.
At this moment, a man walking from behind overheard their conversation and joined in.
"Don't you know? The Lord of Black Mountain, the Myriad Ghost King, has issued a challenge to Dongyue Town. He will attack Dongyue Town in ten days.
The Town Lord of Dongyue Town has already notified the other three cities to counterattack Black Mountain together."
The old man frowned slightly, displeased.
"I heard someone say she changed her name to Myriad Demon King."
"I haven't heard that."
"I'm not very clear either, but those who are traveling with me know."
Shui Fang and Ying Lu exchanged glances, understanding the reason. They then cupped their hands in thanks to the two passersby.
"Thank you both. Hurry and catch up with your group."
"Alright, goodbye."
"Goodbye."
After watching the two passersby leave, Shui Fang sighed with emotion.
"I never thought that after not seeing each other for so long, Muye would be going to war with the four cities."
Ying Lu didn't seem to hear him and merely asked.
"Are we also heading to Dongyue Town?"
Shui Fang shook his head, tilting his head slightly to look at the vast blue sky, his heart filled with emotion, and slowly said.
"We can't change anything. We can only wait for fate's decision."
Ying Lu seemed to understand what he meant, patted his shoulder, and comforted him silently.
Observing this grand event were also Liu Xiang and Jin Yulan. As usual, they preferred to stand on high mountains and overlook the masses.
Jin Yulan looked at the soldiers, like grasshoppers, coming and going at the foot of the mountain, and immediately frowned.
"Such an obvious trick, and they still fall for it."
Liu Xiang said dismissively and coldly.
"The four cities have absolute confidence in their own strength. Naturally, they also suspect that this might just be a trick by Black Mountain.
However, they are too confident and do not take Black Mountain seriously at all.
Therefore, whether it is a conspiracy or a battle, they do not care."
Jin Yulan was very puzzled and speculated about Muye's intentions.
"If she doesn't truly intend to attack Dongyue Town, then she will change course and attack Nanhai City."
Liu Xiang seemed to have seen through everything.
"Nanhai City and Dongyue Town will fall into her hands sooner or later."
Jin Yulan looked at Liu Xiang and voiced his long-held doubt.
"Why doesn't Your Excellency kill her personally?"
Liu Xiang turned to look at him with interest, then turned back to gaze at the small black and white dots, explaining.
"Your question is very good. If one wants to be the ruler of the world, one must have a tenacious chess piece.
And Liu Muye is that royal chess piece, so I cannot kill her."
Jin Yulan was shocked by this blunt truth, his heart churning.
He had only known Liu Xiang to act on his whims, but he never expected him to aspire to be the ruler of the world.
Although shocked, he was, after all, Liu Xiang's disciple, and no matter what he did, he would follow him steadfastly.
Seeing that he was silent, Liu Xiang smiled faintly and asked.
"Knowing my true thoughts, are you afraid?"
Jin Yulan came back to his senses and shook his head slightly.
"I understand what kind of person Your Excellency is, and I know that Your Excellency is not doing this for yourself."
Liu Xiang was very pleased that he understood his feelings.
In the quietness, he cast his gaze again towards the soldiers pouring into Dongyue Town from all directions, his mind filled with thoughts, increasingly anticipating the arrival of the battle.
...
At night, a gentle breeze blew, and a joyous atmosphere permeated Black Mountain. To welcome the impending battle, they were specially allowed to indulge in drinking tonight.
However, the two most important people were nowhere to be seen at the banquet. Liu Shinian looked around but could not find Muye or Lin'er anywhere.
"Where did they go?"
Liu Shinian murmured to himself.
"They should be here soon."
Dao Lang heard him and echoed his sentiment.
A moment later, Lin'er walked in alone from a side door. As soon as he entered the crowd at the wine table, he called out.
"Everyone, drink up. The Demon King is feeling unwell and won't be joining us."
Everyone expressed regret but continued to drink heartily.
Liu Shinian, however, became worried.
"What's wrong with Muye? Is she still not feeling well?"
Lin'er slowly approached their table and called out each person by name.
"Shinian, Gucheng, Wushuang, Heifeng, Daolang, Feixiong, Thirteen Niang, come here for a moment."
"What about us?"
Zhu Yancai had only been in Black Mountain for a few days and had forgotten that he was merely a martial enthusiast.
Lin'er laughed heartily and replied to him.
"You guys just enjoy the food and drinks."
"Alright then..."
Although they felt regret, they did not dare to say more.
The few people followed Lin'er to a secret room behind the main hall. Upon entering, they saw a familiar back.
Everyone looked puzzled, not knowing why they were summoned. I turned around and said to them.
"I called you here regarding the great battle."
Everyone then understood.
Lin'er cut to the chase and analyzed the current situation of Black Mountain.
"Currently, with Black Mountain, the remnants of Black Cloud, the scattered forces from various mountain peaks, and the military strength of the Merfolk tribe, we are sufficient to contend with the four cities. The immediate priority is to have a detailed battle plan."
"Elder, what did you say to the Merfolk tribe?"
"I have already notified them to cooperate with us in causing trouble in the Wangyang Sea area, then divert some of Nanhai City's forces, and intercept them in the Wangyang Sea."
I looked at everyone, thought carefully, and decided to send Heifeng.
"I think it's most appropriate to send Heifeng for this matter. Heifeng, what do you think?"
Heifeng was uncharacteristically happy. After staying in Black Mountain for so long, he finally had a chance to use his skills.
"I will definitely not let down the expectations of the Demon King and everyone."
"You go and select your men now. Disguise yourselves as civilians, conceal your identities and whereabouts, and head to Wangyang Sea to cooperate with the Merfolk tribe in intercepting the troops coming to quell the unrest."
"Yes."
After responding, he turned and left the secret room to select his men.
After Heifeng left, I looked at the flat table in front of me and waved my hand. A map of the entire world immediately appeared on the tabletop.
Liu Shinian had spent a long time in Nanhai City, so he must know Nanhai City better than anyone. I asked him.
"Shinian, where is Nanhai City weakest?"
He pointed at the map without hesitation.
"The East Gate. The East Gate is the main passage to Dongyue Town, but Nanhai City has a moat to the south of the South Gate.
Therefore, most people choose to travel by boat, resulting in very few people passing through the East Gate.
So, over time, most of the guards at the gate have become lazy and idle."
"Good. We will dispatch a large contingent to feign an attack on Dongyue Town, and then dispatch another contingent to divert to Nanhai City.
After the main force reaches three li from Dongyue Town, they will await information from Nanhai City. Once successful, they will immediately change to the water route and proceed rapidly to Nanhai City."
Everyone marveled at my wisdom upon hearing my battle plan, astonished that such brilliant ideas could be contained within such a small mind.
Lin'er asked.
"Demon King, what should we people do?"
"The main force will be led by you, me, Daolang, and Feixiong.
Shinian, Brother Xue, and Sister Yan will lead a small contingent to Nanhai City to capture all the city gates.
Then, they will infiltrate their military camp and set a large fire, after which they will withdraw from Nanhai City and ambush on the official road between Nanhai City and Dongyue Town to delay the rescue teams."
I pointed at the moat outside Nanhai City on the map.
"Thirteen Niang, you are exceptionally shrewd and an excellent swimmer. You will lead a team of skilled swimmers to hide in the reeds on both sides of the moat.
Your main responsibility will be to intercept the military ships sailing back to Nanhai City from Dongyue Town. This time, we are determined to capture Nanhai City."
Everyone looked at my unique demeanor, resolute expression, and unwavering confidence, feeling greatly inspired.
"Thirteen Niang, arrange for your men to go and ambush immediately."
"Yes."
Thirteen Niang received the order and immediately set off to carry it out.
I gazed at the entire map, as if my whole being was merging into it. In a daze, I seemed to see the raging flames that were about to arrive, engulfing the enemies of today in the inferno.
Liu Shinian looked at my sharp gaze and recalled that it was the same look during the Black Mountain calamity.
He frowned, trying to fathom my true intentions, when I suddenly retracted my unexpected ambition and replaced it with a calm and composed smile, saying to everyone.
"Shinian, Brother Xue, Sister Yan, you may go and select your men.
Then, infiltrate Nanhai City as soon as possible. Once Nanhai City dispatches troops to Wangyang Sea, it will be your time to act."
"Yes."
The few people responded in unison and then walked out.
...
The Merfolk tribe acted swiftly, quickly causing chaos along the shores of Wangyang Sea.
The small towns along the shores of Wangyang Sea immediately reported the matter to Nanhai City.
Jin Yulan naturally learned of this news. From the rooftop of the Qianji Hall, he asked Liu Xiang.
"I didn't expect her to have allied with the Merfolk tribe and the scattered mountain factions. This time, Nanhai City is likely doomed. Do we need to help Nanhai City?"
Liu Xiang pondered for a moment and then said.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Xing Ye much these past few days. It's time to find him some work. Let him go to Wangyang Sea and teach those people a lesson."
"I'll go tell him."
"No need."
As he spoke, he raised his fan and wrote a line of text in mid-air, then casually waved it away.
The line of text flew into the distance like a beam of light and quickly arrived by the Yelai River a hundred miles away, landing in Li Xing Ye's hand.
He opened his palm slightly and saw a line of red text.
"Go to Wangyang Sea quickly and teach those ignorant people a lesson."
After the text disappeared, he stood up to leave.
Yu Jiao, who was sitting nearby, saw him about to leave and hurriedly asked.
"Where are you going?"
Li Xing Ye turned around, his previous coldness replaced by a rare tenderness as he said to her.
"I have some matters to attend to. You wait here for me to return."
"I'll go with you."
"Wait for me to return."
Before Yu Jiao could speak, Li Xing Ye quickly departed. Yu Jiao was extremely dejected, but she also knew that he must be going to handle something important.