The Bai Longjia nodded gravely in沉重.
Lately Bai Longjia had clearly perceived the oppression targeting the Zhao family, though he once strongly opposed this course without effect. This was a major undertaking involving powerful families such as Zhang and Bai, and thus he had no room to question it. In truth, Bai Longjia’s influence didn’t extend far beyond Bao A’ou—his voice hadn’t even reached the elders of the Bai family.
The Zhao family had indeed been taken seriously off guard early on, losing one-third of its forces with many talented young members slain. Yet Zhao Jundu’s solo foray behind enemy lines within the Northwest theater rescued the remaining Zhao fighters, slapping the major families with a resounding humiliation.
Shortly thereafter Zhao Jundu left the Evernight, returning to the Ironcurtain as a fully ascended War Champion, no longer vulnerable to threats or manipulation. His brazen thousand-mile advance once back on the battlefield alongside Dark Race elder clan movements in retreat all demonstrated his invincibility anywhere Ironcurtain extended—neither Empire nor Evernight opposition could now counter him.
In merely over one month, with just Zhao Jundu single-handed shifting completely around military situation within Zhang Valve’s war zone, major authorities everywhere now faced painful dilemmas—the mastermind behind these troubles especially struggling against what move comes next.
Adding further complication was that Zhao Jundu occupied rare, exceptional status: essentially confirmed heir apparent of the Zhao family. Should he lose to an honest confrontation, even the Zhao family may remain muted, but should he fall through conspiracy and assassination, retaliation by Zhao would erupt with thunderous fury. Moreover, his ten-day dark nation achievements indicated further traps and gambits beneath the Ironcurtain might prove entirely pointless.
Considering all this, peerless transcendent specialists across various elite noble factions found themselves even less willing to directly target this Zhao powerhouse. Not forgetting that after the second major restructuring, General Zhao Gongscheng, sent as a stabilizing ironclad vanguard stationed outside Ironcurtain by Zhao family and Evernight—should such bottomless acts unfold he’d instigate the spark of civil insurrection.
Indeed, House Zhang, expansive and martially proud, once activated would launch all-out retaliation striking every house’s promising young forces; an apocalypse none among shadowed powerbrokers dare control. Thusly schemes remained best played covert and unexposed. Public discovery ignited nationwide revolt, necessitating those who played cards face open bear the brunt of consequence upon exposure.
Reconsidering this within himself, a sigh escaped inside Longjia’s helm—dealing against a lone Zhang was hard enough, yet fate unveiled another one, possibly equalling or exceeding his combative stature if Liuxiang Yu described accurately. Fully recomposed now, Bai Longjia commanded coldly—”Send orders: Retract all battle squads and withdraw toward strongholds. Cancel any planned expeditionary deployments; maintain readiness. Dispatch every scout into the search field, find remaining squad units—dead or alive, ensure visual confirmation.”
At this, Liu Xiangyun exhaled with great relief and slumped comfortably on the bed.
Undeniable, Bai displayed the temperament of an esteemed general, able to wisely assess situation without being swayed rashly upon minor shifts gained or lost. This complete retraction and defense entrenchment essentially conceded all minor strategic positions—wise yet necessary unless mighty guardians reinforce present defenses first, experience proved already splitting off into sorties meant near-suicide in front of that man.
Yet the issue persists—who might now contain such a sudden emergent force? Instant thoughts summoned images of Bao A’ou, then again, shaking his head negatively. Important balancing her own regional defense stability and deterrence presence over enemy dark territory made deploying her inadvisable.
Even so surpassing typical limits as herself carried risk of awakening Celestial Fiend Clones, no matter her martial refinement or supreme command of origin powers. Here in terrain far beyond Ironcurtain edge where control slips; even A’ou’s likely survival faces critical risk.
Outside A’ou, Bai found no other fitting option—despite transcendent limits himself, without her level of restraint capabilities any unleashing risks collateral beyond expectation. Of all younger aristocratic martial “prodigies,” only rare few daring crossing curtain ever attained true potential limit, and Zhang house, ever ambiguous, likely would never join the fray.
Understanding Longjia’s distress, Xiangyan mused a suggestion—”Commander, this is beyond our handling. Why not report upwards and let them manage it? After all, its root started amongst their ranks.”
“Perhaps… indeed,” hesitated momentarily Bai before nodding slowly forward.
Such forced withdrawal severely bruised his arrogant pride but understanding rationale—the newcomer came from House Zhao, striking BAI fighters seemed only justifiable retaliation at least. Added was how the mysterious individual spared Elegy Angel’s insignias despite clearly understanding its significance—an unexpected move sparking contemplative moods within Longjia himself.
Bai felt assured this enigmatic warrior spared Liu from no fearsomeness or timidity, merely choice. With no clear options yet, reinforcing perimeter while reporting upward, and investigating origin behind this new Zhao youth—all plans formulated simultaneously, only regret being the loss this month’s campaign accolades.
An amused scoff formed amidst his frustrations; recently always mock-deriding dark factions turning fangs amongst selves, now realizing similar chaos consuming them from within too.
His thoughts darkening upon a singular goal—vanquishing the dark breeds—the current status clearly unwanted.
During this turmoil phase across other circles lay similar frustrations, only differing motivation.
On Nan Gong Yuanwang’s writing desk, two reports lay in stacks—light with achievement summaries, much heavier still being fallen personnel registries. Although registries technically thinner, combining postmortem evaluations alongside compensation figures lent them crushing density.
Knowing well that his own Nan Gong faction already shed nearly a third portion of its forces over barely passed one month mark—heavy losses having sunk entire battalions’ morale to rock bottom to the point several squadrons adopted defensive retreat tactics while another encountered Jundu directly and astonishingly surrendered en masse without resistance.
Finding strategies to contain Jundu increasingly becoming paramount across each leading faction commanders. Only recognized effective containment meant unleashing transcendent-level threats beyond Ironcurtain’s limits themselves—for example individuals like Bao A’ou or Nan Gong himself.
Nonetheless following an encounter leaving ghost-gaze scars still fresh within him personally, Yuanwang declared refusal under all circumstances regarding such assignments.
Furthermore watching over shoulder stood General Zhao Gongscheng—a passive shadow outside Ironcurtrain since Zhao blood’s innate pride prevents entrance. He’d never allow transgressions openly against scions of clan, never hesitate launching war if such offense occurred. Despite his own proximity to ascending ranks Yuanwang never desires confrontations against men like Gongscheng upon Ironcurtain threshold.
Yet another thorn—named Chi Ye (Qianye).
His image within the memory of Nan Gong, not only distinctively sharp—it cut deeply within, a splinter unremovable from flesh of spirit.
The latest combat reports described an ascent—confirming again Jundu’s pattern: solo roaming, lightning-strike advances of miles, brutal霸道 dominance once in.
Both their re-emergence fragmented Nan Gong front positions into ruinous inaction. As disturbances intensifying along Ironcurtain edges threatening climax of war, actual total skirmishing commenced. Mobilization increasing continuously toward city-razing, landscape-consuming level conflicts unseen previously—formerly solo fights gradually transforming hunting squads to multi-group warfare.
In this shifting scenario demanding synchronized maneuvers, just securing spoils grew nigh impossible for Nan Gong’s faction.
An impact shattered wood and stone alike—hand slammed hard destroying wooden desk within a single palm movement, wave disrupting surroundings crumbling near entire quarters of chamber walls!
Guards rushed at alarm sound only to confront Nan Gong’s furious thundering cry—“Scram!”
All dispersing like fated birds knowing danger, unwilling death. This anger not a fleeting fit but repeated behavior; even trusted aides fled to avoid fate unknown from master’s ire, leaving only solitude and fumed broodings.
Beyond calling for rapid rebuilding battalions from reserve lines, there truly remained few other responses.
His eyes tracing maps gradually edged further and further away from two marked blood-star territories, instinctively avoiding deadly Qianye and Zhao Jundu.
Countless nobles across many lineages, upon receiving reports simultaneously experienced first surprise—soon followed by fury, replaced finally by defeated resignation, staring down spiraling casualty lists while battle merit dried up entirely past comfort lines without solutions.
Both Qianye and Zhao Jundu were root of these catastrophes.
Not far away, files on Qianye surfaced atop other desks—a name dredging old grievances resurfaced involving Nan Gong past through Darkcurrent battlefield history. Thus it turned evident these enemies, like those before, found no leverage whatsoever.
Every attempt from any faction daring strike at clandestine costs against House Zhào faced inevitable obliteration upon crossing Zhao Jundu; with Verdant Canopy released across battlefield after battlefield, rarely survivors emerged. Qianye at the least granted relative safety; overwhelming victories yes—but resistance surrender spared captivity, allowing many still retrieved alive—eventually reacquired upon ransom.
Head of Lower-tier lineage Liu clan exploded into rage immediately reviewing losses—”Daring so boldly! Defy Emperor Will! Defiant scorners! We at Guangtian Liu refuse acceptance of this shame—recompense required!”
He roared, attendants stiffening like petrified deer. With Guangtian Liu’s recent pledge to support House Bai, pouring five elite battalions yielded considerable conquest and breakthrough, youth achieving rare war awakenings with shining potential future ahead.
Just as victory tasted inevitable, Jundu and Qianye’s thousand-league lightning strike swept in; four squadrons eliminated, annihilating clan prospects entirely.
Fuming momentarily, his directive rang loud—”Prepare zeppelins, depart toward Hongluo immediately. Bai Longjia resides within, assured our cause justice!”
His inner guards nodded solemnly dispersing to execute without hesitation.
Other factions experiencing parallel destruction began realizing that upcoming merits rankings might undergo drastic transformations.
Unaware of these ensuing storms behind him, or if he’d even care, Qian Ye climbed upon a hillock, observing horizon before him. Beyond terrain lay Sector AJ-San—wheres Bai Kongzhao’s forces reportedly ranged. More importantly Sector Three positioned alongside extremity of contested regions—almost bereft from Empire battalions with Darkclan ruling unchecked through.
Even since promotion, Qian Ye had not yet freely given war his whole self; accepting reconnaissance suggestion toward dusk seeking possibility to fully unleash into carnage to better discover essence within bloodshed of warfare—his destined battle domain.
Qian Ye leaped forth from height maintaining steady pace through wood and over hill continuing ever Northwest-bound.
Half day elapsed until he paused—ear slightly twitch alert. In mountains nearby a chorus cry howls sounded distant yet unmistakabler wolves advancing at great speed. Several dark figures darted through trees fast approaching.
Qian Ye stopped altogether, expression serene, waiting unmovement encircled completely by encroaching werewolf packs.
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