Though Bai Longjia’s talent wasn’t as dazzling as Bai A’ou’s, he was still gifted. He joined the military at an early age and grew up within the Broken Wing Angels—the perfect combination of a warrior capable of leading charges and strategizing on grand battlefields. He was highly valued within the Bai family.
This blood battle, while outwardly indifferent, had already been secretly arranged by the Bai clan. While Bai A’ou guarded the battlefield publicly, Bai Longjia orchestrated strategies secretly. He focused solely on battling Deep Dark Clans, paying little attention to those inter-clan conflicts troubling others—usually merely reinforcing where Bai A’ou transmitted updates.
Bai Longjia regarded this conflict with the seriousness it deserves—the elders from home promised: if his achievements were outstanding enough in the upcoming battle, they would back him thoroughly until he climbed higher among the Broken Wing Angels, eventually competing to become second-in-command. That position meant a smooth ascent towards succeeding the rank of Commander-in-Chief within those prestigious ranks.
While his might surpassed the minimum requirements necessary to hold authority—the sole deficits being further battle laurels and alliances within command—a promotion into leading one of the top ten elite squadrons—indeed the threshold leading to prominence across all imperial divisions awaited.
Surveying the miniature tactical terrain before him with a grim expression, Bai saw indicators representing his deployed teams; already, more than 20 units under his domain remained active. Not matching quite so dramatically as Sung Clan’s tally numbering 60, individually however strength exceeded the Sung.
With an anomaly spreading ominously within these iron curtained boundaries—alterations to established battlefront trajectories imminent—Bai made up his mind speed prevailed. He decided not merely to utilize originally assigned four units spread throughout these territories but expand substantially. Beyond deploying six fully mobilized squadrons arriving imminently, additional units numbered exceeding ten stood currently in development—an unrelenting escalation.
Before long—their new theatre-of-war would witness concentration nearing half the clan’s might amassed into its strategic nerve.
Even so—with ambitions surpassing mere parity—an all-out expansion awaited via leveraging every ounce of professional connection accrued previously. Simultaneously borrowing resources from clan storehouses; Bai plotted an equal match numerically—no compromise on force-counts against the Sungs!
Such was Bai Longjia’s ambition. Utilizing his own elite force bolstered subtly still via clandestine patronage granted under Broken Wing protection—he resolved to supplant Sung Clan quickly and assume uncontested dominance, proving the true might of Bai, alongside his personal capabilities commanding mightiest armies into legend.
His resolve stood firm like unbridled passion—yet reality seldom relented.
As an aide shifted figures upon the battlefield model—updating new war intelligence—Bai noted something disturbing: three clan units he sent toward Chao estate encountered disaster. Reports indicated that one formation suffered heavy losses. Another figure extinguished completely—suggesting annihilation. While one lone survivor still drifted outside at the periphery—clearly escaping catastrophe thanks to isolation.
He narrowed eyes dangerously; “What exactly transpired?” He demanded—his eyes piercing toward whoever would explain.
Deployment across Chao territories wasn’t under his purview—but knowledge remained undimmed. Those weren’t dispatched against any deep-dark foe; their intended function was containment and counter-pressure against Chaoren. Among entire Bai clan, these were three among our absolute finest—shock loss eclipsed superficial tallies.
Yet those weren’t all: beside another squad from Zhang family—with others from minor clans thrown in—there existed an alliance exceeding a dozen formations, numbers matching Chao forces precisely head-to-head. Complicated further? Rumours hinted dark forces respected the unspoken accord—at least somewhat—and directed fury primarily Chao-ward instead diffusing toward others indiscriminately.
Bai might personally recoil from tacit agreements negotiated bloodily—strategic implications kept his curiosity bound despite knowing even white-clad A’ou bore only limited jurisdiction there—an unknown puppeteer pulled strings beyond sight.
Regardless—deployment specifics mattered. These dispatched triad weren’t expendable; core members—Bai-born sons and daughters—proudfighting stocks of the house! Such sudden attrition pained even him inwardly.
The aide—when addressed—could give naught by way of answer. Battlefield intelligence, frustratingly terse—delivered only cold outcomes without context or process.
Bai frowned deeply suddenly recalling something—urgency surged “How about Chao Ju’du’s activities?”
That at least, intelligence available! An aide answered promptly: “The latest update confirms he once descended deep into Darkness itself recently reappearing. The last few sightings pre-darkness placed him here…”
The aide marked positions across landscape with accompanying entry points upon the tactical terrain. When several spots were finally connected—a room full stopped in hushed awe.
Bai’s heart jolted as he beheld emerging contours.
From tactical terrain visuals—it painted almost as if tracing a straight line drawn from Chaoren’s domain toward Dark Nations—every intervening team (included one Bai unit stationed) having vanished completely!
Fate’s interval—around ten days’ worth within dark borders—offered an absolute blind spot to prying eyes. Yet Bai inferred something deeply amiss simply by reviewing front lines’ evolution since the incursion commenced.
“Ju Du—Upon resurfacing—all local vampiric forces in that region evacuated, correct?” Inquiry edged carefully amidst growing tension.
“If my memory doesn’t falter… Weren’t Vampires (blood lords of Twelfth Surnames) actually dominating the area until his passage?”
“They certainly occupied the zone previously.” Answer met with nod, continuing “According to our network—all blood houses withdrew completely back into territories belonging deep-dark clans.”
Connecting such fragments unraveled grim conclusions swiftly. Deep darks feared no creature—only强者 (Qiang’zhe) commanded their retreat. The scale of losses incurred must have shattered their tolerance, lest they flee so uniformly?
The implications stilled Bai momentarily, eventually prompting only weary sigh:
“This… is an incarnation of the God of War.”
Heavy with comprehension—silence hung tight until Bai finally interrupted “Baikongzhao’s disposition—what intelligence on her movements?”
Designation touched a location—a point upon table:
“Last confirmed encounter—some ten days past—at this exact location where she engaged an engagement and disappeared since.” Silence.
Baikongzhao, elusive always—left not only subordinates cluelessly trailing her path but frequently eluding A’ou’s own attempts to locate—habit of unpredictability familiar.
Perusal confirmed location—completely avoided path of Ju Du’s dark intrusion. Notable.
The aides proceeded modifying the battlefield landscape further—update complete regarding Chaoren zone—when Bai reacted abruptly.
“A moment. Why does an extensive blank terrain stretch emerge?”
Following eyes, another segment revealed itself along terrain map—an expanse connecting Chao borders directly passing through Bai-controlled heartlands; traversed paths had vanished completely: every checkpoint—formation—all communication cut; not merely Bai squads—sister allied minor house formations disappeared in eerie synchronicity!
No fools here—interpretation struck immediate, unanimous.
A certain formidable presence rampaged—utterly unchecked—a streak of annihilation obliterating whatever came along its approach. No trace left behind.
A shade descended onto Bai’s countenance; “Didn’t I assign General Liu?” His tone hardened.
Eyes avoided his own—nobody spoke.
General Liu, alias: Liu Xiangyun—holding position of near-major beneath Broken Wing hierarchy—an aide directly subordinate beneath Longjia.
This blood battle, while driven ostensibly by necessity—Bai privately utilized such opportunity. Transferring various Broken Wing brothers and officers toward this operation—lure being promises of glorious recognition under Emperor’s gaze, plus Bai Clan supplementary compensation ensured their eager service.
Several days passed since dispatch—routine progress reports overdue by now.
A commotion outside snapped his command center attention. A personal guard burst within shouting breathlessly “General Liu returned gravely injured!”
“What?!” Bai startled immediately, motioned to rise.
Inside medical barracks—Liu lay pale upon cot, swarms of anxious doctors fussing, barely hiding evident impotence before his severe wounds.
Upon entering, rage began welling within Bai.
“What exactly has happened?!”
Weak but composed Liu offered tired nod greeting “No worries for me yet!…Just lost some Qi centers; required several months healing. Alas…ran into a genuine master. Fortunately—they had neither mood or inclination for bloodshed after I proved a non-serious obstacle. Else would never have escaped alive.”
Cold settled behind the eyes:
“Opponent identity?”
“Flesh-and-blood human. I held for fewer than ten blows. And—he never unsheathed blade hidden upon rear all throughout fight.”
Frowning, “This proficient???”
Liu held 11 ranks—typical Broken Wing officer far exceeding base level strength. Under this iron curtain suppressing might—Bai himself estimated he stood slightly above Xiangyun still.
“He only used common close-quarters maneuvers.” The wounded man confessed further, “yet the force behind punches was earth-shattering—comparable to tremors breaking heavens and shaking lands—utterly unblockable. Even suppressing levels within this theatre, I’d reckon he’s among few remaining that we cannot stop.”
Few words already weakened Liu alarmingly; Bai clapped the shoulder reassuringly— “Rest well first. Come morning tomorrow—you sketch detailed portrait of the warrior who marked you thus! I shall meet this temerarious individual firsthand—who dares strike one loyal to BAI!!”
After moment Liu hesitated—spoke softly: “I glimpsed their sigil—a Chao family badge upon him.”
A deeper crease marred between brows now; questioning aloud “Chao Clan? But hasn’t Chao Ju Du still remained confined solely within personal territories!!”
Shook head negative:
“Not quite Chao’s crown Prince… This combatant wore full battle veil the entire time, yet I felt—some youthful energy radiating.
A certain sense hinted he was…relatively younger.
Darker stillened—Chaos now evident! That meant somewhere hidden beneath iron-veil conditions—the Chaoren bore yet another generation-brightening prodigy beyond Chao Ju Du—a talent none among us could halt! Still—that revelation stirred recollections of a shadow—months ago—decimating patrol deep within Tyanhewan war-zone.
Eyes—pale gold narrowing—slowly sharpened.
“Fellow Liu—you focus only on healing yourself. By sunrise—I shall march in pursuit seeking him out face toward face!”
Reluctantly:
“My apologies my command lord…I dare state frankly, even here under iron veil’s suppression…you yourself…”
The rest went unsaid—but Bai received it clearly. The years sharing commands, battlefield trust forged between these two old comrades spoke volumes—Liu openly questioned his odds here.
In that precise moment—a new figure dashed breathlessly entering clinic zone whispered urgent details:
“Commander—news just reached…Entire team guarding Dragon Thistle outpost ceased responses simultaneously!!”
Mentally Bai connected that spot into collapsing network—aligning it instinctively tracing straight corridor passing through all recently silenced units—from outposts all the way straight through toward critical sector “Jia San”.
A dreadful direct vector materialized.
Yet Bai didn’t panic—he simply grew calmer—white golden orbs cooling back from fiery intent—frowned, entering contemplation.
Experienced as Liu—also immediately understood the weight:
“Bai Longjia if truly representing Chaoren…they might retaliate further. We must ready accordingly!!”
He attempted lifting up—still unsteady from his grievous wounds;
“Lo’jia—he may return. This is not merely revenge anymore—this is warning…preparation cannot overemphasized.”
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