"Interesting, deliberately having different versions of the story crafted to cover the truth, is it?"

With fingers gently tapping the tabletop, Jing Yuan's lips curled into a playful smile, and he leisurely spoke, "He's fishing!"

"So... how should we respond?"

The others among the Deserters couldn't understand anyway, so they simply gave up on guessing blindly, trusting Jing Yuan to judge things as usual.

"Of course, send people to the Medicine King Valley!"

Jing Yuan chuckled, "Since we can't deduce the truth, the only way to find out is naturally to go to the Medicine King Valley and see for ourselves."

"Forcibly creating a battlefield, drawing everyone's attention… also means nobody can find the chance to make a move from the shadows. It's a good idea, but... I wonder if he can withstand this pressure!"

With a faint hint of killing intent in his eyes, Jing Yuan coldly ordered, "Dispatch three thousand Great Snow Wolf Riders to detour to the Medicine King Valley, and also... spread the word to the Demon Race, saying... Hu Qianqian is dead!"

"Yes!"

...

"Do you really not need to send a message to the Sect?"

When Wang Junze awoke from his sleep, Luo Qingxuan finally entered the room, unable to resist asking.

In fact, it wasn't just Luo Qingxuan; Sun Yujie and Miao Yu had also come.

"No need!"

Shaking his head, Wang Junze explained softly, "If we send a message back, it seems too deliberate. As long as the news gets out, I believe some of our Sect disciples will come; however many come will be however many... Senior Sister Luo, if this battle is truly as I foresee, many people will die!"

"As long as the Deserters don't retreat, many people will die every day," Luo Qingxuan responded calmly.

"Then... let's prepare for battle!"

Taking a deep breath, Wang Junze replied solemnly.

Going to Jubei City was not an option, as it was too easy for Yuan Shouyi to scheme against him, so he could only take advantage of this opportunity to establish another battlefield. Although still dangerous, at least... as long as enough people paid attention, a relatively fair environment could be created.

Moreover, when it comes to strategy and plotting, Wang Junze really didn't have much confidence in defeating Jing Yuan.

Instead of exhausting himself in a battle of wits, he might as well simply draw everyone into the battlefield he had pre-set.

This is war; there are no shortcuts. Only by fighting with all one's might, seeking opportunities for breakthrough and victory amidst life and death!

"Master Sun, I'm sorry to have chosen the Medicine King Valley as the battlefield... However, there are still some matters; please evacuate your Sect's disciples as quickly as possible. As for other losses, if we win this battle, Profound Moon Sword Sect and I will do our best to compensate."

Focusing his gaze on Sun Yujie, Wang Junze spoke earnestly.

"No need!"

After a moment's silence, Sun Yujie still refused, "In the face of a Deserters' invasion, Medicine King Valley should indeed contribute its part, so what loss is there to speak of? Although I'm just a woman, I'm not one to cling to life or fear death. I'll stay, and when the battle breaks out, if anyone's injured, I can still do my best to tend to them, which is also exerting some effort."

Hearing this, Wang Junze also felt more respect for Sun Yujie.

After all, Sun Yujie and the disciples of Medicine King Valley were indeed not strong. Now choosing to stay voluntarily, regardless of victory or defeat, they might die in the chaos of battle. This courage alone is worthy of admiration.

"Thank you!"

After a moment of silence, Wang Junze, ultimately without refusal, softly expressed his gratitude.

"I'll go have the disciples try to collect the Spirit Medicine... should still be time, right?" Sun Yujie asked once more.

Once the battle starts, the Spirit Garden is certainly a lost cause, so while there's still time, they will gather as much as they can.

"Not so fast!"

Nodding lightly, Wang Junze answered, "As long as Jubei City isn't breached, the Deserters can't spare too many people, and they'll have to detour... they won't arrive until at least tomorrow."

"That's good!"

Sun Yujie straightforwardly turned and left, taking her disciples to gather the Spirit Medicine.

Miao Yu and Miao Jie also retreated, soon leaving only Luo Qingxuan and Wang Junze in the room.

"Do you really not regret it? You still have time to leave the Northern Domain now."

Looking at Wang Junze, Luo Qingxuan asked softly, "The Northern Domain actually holds no ties for you anymore... As long as you leave here, whether it's Yuan Shouyi, the Four Symbols Sect, or Jing Yuan, none will target you anymore."

This time, although Zhou Dongfei ordered disciples down the mountain, he didn't require everyone to gather at Jubei City. This implied that if one truly didn't wish to participate in the battle, one could find an excuse to leave the Northern Domain without incurring punishment from the Sect.

At least, if Wang Junze chose to leave, Zhou Dongfei wouldn't stop him.

After all, for Wang Junze, the Wang Family was gone, and his only sister had long left the Northern Domain; as long as he departed, he could avoid the current crisis with no compelling reason to stay.

"How is there no tie?"

Smiling, Wang Junze softly replied, "Isn't Senior Sister Luo and the Sect my ties?"

"Although I joined the Sect for a short time, as long as I'm a member for a day, I belong to the Sect; there's no reason to flee in battle."

After pausing, Wang Junze continued, "Moreover, can one escape once and flee for a lifetime?"

"Since embarking on the path of cultivation, there's no turning back. This is the way of the Sword Cultivator... isn't it?"

The path of cultivation is a path of life and death!

Without the courage and audacity to cast aside life and death, one can never become a true powerhouse.

With a gentle look in her eyes, Luo Qingxuan gazed at Wang Junze, remaining silent for a long while before softly responding, "In life or death, I'll walk this road with you!"

...

By dusk, many people had already begun arriving at the Medicine King Valley.

Wang Junze mentioned a day was still available, referring to the Deserters, while the others arrived faster.

These people's identities were complex; some had returned after sending messages, while others were from the nearby Human Race, coming voluntarily.

Of course, some individuals from Minor Sects and families, who had past dealings with Wang Junze, also came upon hearing he was there, offering support.

When night fell completely, the Four Symbols Sect disciples also arrived.

As he stepped out of the room, Wang Junze immediately saw Jing Lei.

In the Extreme North Wilderness, during the confrontation between the Profound Moon Sword Sect and the Four Symbols Sect, although the Four Symbols Sect was defeated, Jing Lei's formidable strength still left a deep impression on Wang Junze!

"Wang Junze... long time no see!"

Focusing his gaze on Wang Junze, Jing Lei descended directly from the sky, looking at Wang Junze while speaking calmly.

"Not that long."

Smiling, Wang Junze responded casually, "Senior Brother arrived so early, are you planning to fight me before the Deserters?"

"Junior Brother Wang is joking; the Four Symbols Sect came to the Northern Domain to resist the Deserters."

Scanning the surroundings, Jing Lei then replied calmly.

In his heart, he did want to kill Wang Junze; however, with the spread of this news, quite a few people had actually arrived at the Medicine King Valley by now, and at this moment, he had no reason to attack Wang Junze directly.

Moreover, once the battle begins, there might be no need for him to act directly. Letting Wang Junze die at the hands of the Deserters would be the best outcome.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.