Chapter 1041: Surrounded

Proofreader: Papatonks

Three days later, the Sea Bright Sect was officially at war. All disciples were armed, ready and pumped to fight. They had pills, spiritual weapons, spiritual beasts, everything.

With the repeated flashing of the teleportation array, motes of light floated down like stars, illuminating the faces of the other three lands’ reinforcements. 

Western lands’ disciples had come to realize on that day at that stage that it was Zhuo Fan who had struck last. They hoped to visit him, but with the war upon them, the situation was too dire and they were refused.

The best disciple in western lands had returned and they wished to bask in his glorious presence, even as a prisoner.

Especially some of his old pals, wishing to talk about the past, but the martial law in the sect prevented all that. 

As for the elders, they had never left the Main Hall. They had been looming over the map of the five lands with increasing worry and constantly debating on the right tactic. 

The enemy was taking them by the storm, with Invincible Sword having already slipped deep into their lands and in hiding. He felt like a hanging axe over their necks. Many experts were left behind so the main base wouldn’t fall so quickly. But with the frontline having Danqing Shen, the casualties would mount fast.

This war was hard, especially being pushed from two sides…

“Baili Jingwei is a true tactician, having Invincible Sword’s team slip into our lands to control our reactions. While they can bide their time, we need to think twice on every action. We can only watch as our frontlines get pushed back, watch as death looms ever closer.”

Ling Yuntian was bleak, looking at the other experts, “Do any of you have any ideas? Please share it!”

Murong Lie shook his head, “We’re mostly fighting men. Fighting alone is more our style and we are unaccustomed to such large-scale battles. And there’s also Baili Jingwei manipulating the board from behind. This only makes things worse.”

“Western lands has a few deep thinkers and men of military expertise. They protect western lands’ borders but we didn’t bring them. They would surely have a solution.”

Exalted Hei Ran spoke with a frown.

Ouyang Lingtian nodded, “These years the Luo Alliance has experienced immense growth with the military clan leading them. The western lands should be under their control.

“Yes, ever since they came in, western lands’ safety has only solidified, ha-ha-ha…” Exalted Bai Mei laughed with pride.

“A shame they’re left as western lands defenders. Just one of them coming to northern lands would’ve been of immense help in making sense on how to counter this grave problem.”

Bu Xingyun had a wry smile, “Exalted Bai Mei sure is confident in western lands’ defense. Then when the central area attacks western lands, there’ll be no need for our help, yes? You should be able to last for a long time, humph.”

Exalted Bai Mei glared at him.

“Report!”

A disciple burst in and presented a jade slip, not to Sect Leader Ling, but to Exalted Double Dragons, “Exalted, there’s an urgent report! Western lands is in danger!”

[What?!]

Exalted Hei Ran snatched the jade slip and gasped, “Zither Sword King is marching with his army on western lands!”

Everyone gasped.

“How can it be? Does Baili Jingwei plan on taking two lands in this war? Is central area that strong?”

“People, western lands is in peril, can you…” Exalted Hei Ran cupped his hand with a heavy look. Bu Xingyun scoffed, enjoying his pain, “Exalted Hei Ran, you needn’t be hasty. We all know western lands has the most capable Luo Alliance tending to its borders. They won’t fail. It’s best we address northern lands’ issues first before tending to western lands.”

“You…” Exalted Hei Ran gnashed his teeth and flicked his hand, “Inform all of western lands’ people! We’re returning!”

“Exalted, please, we need to stay united. We’re not abandoning western lands. Don’t listen to Sect Leader Bu!” Ling Yuntian bowed in apology.

Exalted Hei Ran bowed back, looking guilty, “Sect Leader Ling, I am not so petty. We just can’t ignore our home’s plight. We can’t help northern lands in this, I’m sorry. Once western lands is safe again, we’ll be rushing to help northern lands.”

“The four lands are of one body, helping each other in need.”

Ling Yuntian was very courteous, “Western lands is in danger and you should by all right go protect them. Once northern lands is stable, we will provide help.” 

The Exalted Double Dragons bowed once more in gratitude.

The people of western lands soon gathered outside the hall, ready to head back. The other three lands’ men saw them off. 

But then, another disciple rushed to the elders with a jade slip, bowing to Murong Lie, “Clan Head, Wine Sword Immortal is leading an army for southern lands. Please return and fight him off!”

“Southern lands as well…”

Murong Lie shook in shock, just as another disciple shot for Shangguan Feixiong with a jade slip, “Clan Head, eastern lands reports that Shangguan Feiyun is marching with three million strong on our borders. Please make a decision, Clan Head!” 

“Now eastern lands?”

Shangguan Feixiong’s mouth twitched and paled. Everyone else was looking agape.

Northern lands was at war and now the other three lands were engaged in battle as well. What was worse, each front had a Sword King leading them. 

[What’s Baili Jingwei thinking? Is he planning to take all the lands by going all out?]

Ling Yuntian slumped from the shock, “They say Baili Jingwei is a mastermind of complex plans, subtle and sharp. Why then would he risk so much by attacking with everything and leaving himself open?”

“Central area is now open. Doesn’t he fear an attack? Even with Sword Star Empire leading an entire land, it still needs all the manpower it has to war against the other four. Any unrest in their empire might prove fatal. So why…”

Everyone was overwhelmed by such a seemingly rash tactic.

Shangguan Feixiong sighed, “We can talk all we want about his risk, but if we don’t do something, it’ll be our homes that fall.”

“Sorry, Sect Leader Ling, we need to defend our homes. Goodbye!”

“We want to help northern lands, but we need to protect our lands, forgive us…”

“Sect Leader Ling, we’re friends, but we need to look after ourselves first. Forgive us…”

…

Everyone rushed to say their apologies to Sect Leader Ling and got ready to leave. They had to return home and not dally in another’s.

Ling Yuntian sighed in defeat, “We’ll be broken, all of us, if we scatter. Ask yourselves, which land can stand up to central area by itself? Northern lands are under the greatest danger of destruction, with Invincible Sword and five Sword Kings lurking in shadows. We will be the first to fall, followed by everyone else, one by one. We need to stand together and not let him pick us apart. Otherwise it’ll only be a matter of who dies last.”

“Sect Leader Ling, we understand, but who do we sacrifice?”

Exalted Hei Ran looked long at Ling Yuntian, “We all know victory comes from unity, while death follows apart, but we have no choice. I’m from western lands so of course I think for their safety. Shangguan Clan Head is from eastern lands and wants their best too and would not agree. Isn’t that the same for northern lands and southern lands? Baili Jingwei has given us a very tough problem that no one can address, left to handing a blank paper with no answer.” 

The others could do nothing but cup their hands, “Baili Jingwei is a true mastermind. He can see how weak we are and even though we gathered to help, it’s just a joke now. He is a demon toying with us. Who the hell would sacrifice three lands over one’s safety?”

The others shook their heads, neither wanting to give up their homes and domains. It was like waiting for central area to trap them and snuff them out.

They sighed powerlessly and in despair, “In the end, our fates are in heaven’s hands. We can only last as long as we can manage…”

“Maybe one person can solve this!” Someone barged into their despairing speech.

Everyone turned to Shangguan Feixiong in shock, “Who?”

“Gu Yifan!”

Shangguan Feixiong’s eyes flashed, “Uh, I mean western lands’ best disciple, Zhuo Fan. He once helped us steal our sword back from central area, even clashing with Baili Jingwei and winning. The only one who can stand up to Baili Jingwei’s sharp mind is him!”

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