Chapter 1565: The Banner Points to Xia

Beyond the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, Frostwind Valley.

Here, the extreme cold wind reigns all year round. Ordinary cultivators, if they encounter it, are instantly frozen, body and soul...

Only during the winter month each year, when the霜風 (frostwind) sweeps across the present realm, does the extreme cold wind briefly disperse, opening a passage.

And within this month, the fierce battles fought by humans and demons over this passage are often more intense than the frostwind itself.

In Frostwind Valley during the winter month, red and white are common sights.

In one of the hollows, a figure stands tall, listening intently to what the person beside him is saying, nodding occasionally. "Mm." "Oh." "Thus."

This person, clad in white robes and wielding a silver spear, possesses clear brows and bright eyes. His demeanor is truly unparalleled. He is Ji Zhaonan of Great Qi.

Frostwind Valley is not a territory belonging solely to one side. Each time it opens, various factions can send people to contend with the demon race for the resources here. Regardless of any disputes in the present realm, at least beyond the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, resisting the demon race together is the great righteousness of the human race.

The person in front of Ji Zhaonan, as if sensing the hope of successful persuasion, spoke with rising enthusiasm, adopting an air of commanding the battlefield.

As Ji Zhaonan listened, he suddenly raised his hand. That renowned spear, famous throughout the land, shot forth like a silken cord across the sky, piercing the person's throat and emerging from the back of his head!

Life force and sound were extinguished together. The person collapsed onto the white snow of Frostwind Valley.

The course of events was extremely simple.

After a great battle, the demon race temporarily retreated. Ji Zhaonan and his group occupied this mountain hollow.

This person suddenly approached, under the guise of a comrade-in-arms, and exchanged a few pleasantries. As they chatted, he seemingly unintentionally brought up certain matters. Nothing more than "when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away," concerning the ruler's suspicion of his ministers, and saying things like the military god is in danger—

Ji Zhaonan did not wait for him to finish.

Killing within the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons is a great taboo, but among those who can battle in Frostwind Valley, there truly aren't too many fools.

Anyone could see what was going on with that person just now.

Willfully bringing the entanglements of the present realm into the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, speaking such nonsensical provocative words, Ji Zhaonan could either listen or not. If he didn't listen and killed the person, no one could be blamed.

Under the watchful eyes of many, how many truly couldn't discern right from wrong?

Those who couldn't, for the most part, already had firm opinions, or simply didn't wish to see.

"How can you be so ruthless?"

Standing on a large rock across from him was a man in a black Daoist robe, bearing a sword. His demeanor was originally stern, but at this moment, there was a hint of a smile: "This person's words made a lot of sense, and he was even thinking of you and your master!"

This was Chunyu Gui, the Divine Arrival Heaven's Chosen of Jing State.

In the present realm, they fought tooth and nail, standing blade to blade. Yet, beyond the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, they could speak to each other calmly, and even fight demons side by side.

This is the world beyond the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons.

A world that is difficult to say whether it is more cruel or more pure.

"The art of war is the Dao of deceit, employing every possible means. That he could transmit his words here shows some capability among those Xia State people."

Ji Zhaonan pouted his lips: "But aren't they too foolish? What use is there in conveying these words to me? Even if I were persuaded, would I not fear death?"

Chunyu Gui burst into laughter.

After laughing, he said: "You don't need to be so afraid of death. My Jing State's gates are open to you, Ji Zhaonan. See who can kill you?"

Ji Zhaonan seemed to think about it with great interest, then said: "What was the name of that Heaven's Chosen of the Inner Mansion Realm that you lost last year?"

Chunyu Gui shrugged his shoulders: "Accidents are inevitable in life."

Ji Zhaonan said: "Then you have too many accidents!"

"Mutually," Chunyu Gui said.

"Alas, accidents!" Ji Zhaonan sighed.

Chunyu Gui lightly tapped the rock beneath his feet, then suddenly asked: "Tell me the truth. Was Zhao Xuanyang killed by you Qi people?"

He looked at Ji Zhaonan and emphasized: "Humans do not lie to humans."

"Yes," Ji Zhaonan nodded without hesitation.

He even recounted the process with enthusiasm: "Originally, the Qi people are hospitable and warm. Jiang Wang gave Zhao Xuanyang face and only walked with him for a few days. Unexpectedly, that scoundrel Zhao Xuanyang became greedy and actually tried to take Jiang Wang to Jade Capital Mountain. Jiang Wang said, 'If you release me now, I will spare your dog's life.' Zhao Xuanyang, in his rage, attacked, using a move called Heaven's Annihilation and Earth's Destruction Sword. That fellow, he leveled the mountain. How could our Qi State Heaven's Chosen be easy to deal with? One strike of Sword Immortal Man—tsk tsk, he was annihilated without a trace!"

Chunyu Gui scoffed: "Enough of that. He couldn't even defeat Chong Xuanzun, how could he possibly kill Zhao Xuanyang?"

"Is there a necessary connection between whether he can defeat Chong Xuanzun and whether he can kill Zhao Xuanyang?" Ji Zhaonan said: "The true strength of us Qi people is revealed at the moment of life and death!"

Chunyu Gui said coldly: "Wait till the Stone Rhino Demon King comes over. You can show me then."

Ji Zhaonan chuckled: "If it's for your revenge, I will."

Around them were scattered groups of people. Those from Qi and Jing were fine, each silent and serious.

People from other countries, however, all had expressions of watching a good show, excitedly enjoying their bickering.

Chunyu Gui couldn't be bothered to speak anymore.

But Ji Zhaonan spoke again: "What did you just say? Jiang Wang couldn't defeat Chong Xuanzun? It's quite normal for an Inner Mansion to not defeat an Outer Tower, is it worth mentioning?"

"How long has it been since you left the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons?" Chunyu Gui said: "Jiang Wang is at the Four Towers completion, and Chong Xuanzun has already reached Divine Arrival!"

"The younger generation is formidable!" Ji Zhaonan sighed, then said: "Why are you so concerned about us Qi State people? Is it because your Jing State has become rotten and decaying, and there's no one left worth caring about?"

To the probes embedded in Ji Zhaonan's bickering, Chunyu Gui merely smiled: "I only know that your title as the number one under thirty in Qi State won't last. What peerless armor, youthful spear, truly laughable. Someone else has taken all the brilliance of your generation, and now they are at the same realm as you. All your brilliance has been stolen!"

Ji Zhaonan also laughed: "Although your taunt is foolish and ugly, I must admit, I am provoked. Just wait, I'll teach him a lesson when I get back."

But as his laughter subsided, he surged with Dao Origin, raised his spear, and leaped directly out of the hollow.

Chunyu Gui was not a moment slower, moving swiftly with him, his long sword already in hand.

The sound was like the call of a bull's horn; the demon race had arrived!

"The collision of two great nations, of course, will ultimately be reflected in military power. But warfare at the national level is certainly not limited to military power alone."

In the darkness, a voice said thus: "That Jiang Shu broke Sword Peak Mountain before the Yellow River Meet was to make the Xia people see reality, recognize the disparity, and extinguish their courage.

Then resolving Yi Tian Guan was stripping away Xia's external influence.

This series of actions has already shattered a layer of Xia State's hard outer shell. Truly, a victory of momentum."

"So, in your view, is the outcome of Qi's invasion of Xia already decided?" another voice asked.

Both voices were extremely ethereal, concealing their Dao principles and shielding the heavenly secrets. It was utterly impossible to discern their true nature.

The former voice said: "A victory of momentum does not equal a victory of the overall situation... How can there be a predetermined victory? Xia State will not allow itself to be slaughtered. Although Si Yuan is dead, his legacy remains. Their powerful army is nearly annihilated, but their bloody courage persists. Such a nation, its outer shell may be shattered, but its great claws remain. Even if the claws are broken, there are still sharp talons, strong teeth, and barbs within the flesh. It is not so easily consumed! Moreover, Xia State's victory lies in a single piece, while Qi State's victory lies in the overall board. The difficulty is vastly different. In my opinion, the outcome is uncertain."

Si Yuan was the original name of that Emperor Xiang of Xia back then.

The latter voice naturally knew this and only asked: "So you think, should we take the risk to act this time?"

"King Zhao has clearly stated that he will not get involved in this war... Do you have time?" the former voice asked lightly.

"Heh heh," the latter voice said: "Time is very important to us, and also not very important. I just don't think it's a good choice to let Jiang Shu swallow Xia."

"Who do you think Jiang Mengxiong is waiting for? And who is Jiang Shu waiting for, stationed in Linzi?" the former voice said: "Since you know that acting this time is a 'risk,' then we should not act."

The latter voice was silent for a moment, then said: "You are right."

"Let's wait and see," the former voice replied with the same words: "Time is very important to us, and also not very important."

The latter voice chuckled deeply, then suddenly said: "Holy Duke, I have always been very curious. Who exactly are you?"

"I, however, do not wish to know who you Divine Hero are," the former voice said: "I only know your ideals, know your aspirations. If our aspirations are the same and our paths converge, why reveal our faces?"

"Perhaps life has its moments, the distant road has no end... Those who intersect are difficult to know the depths of their hearts. Those who travel together, how many will return together?" the latter voice said: "But you are right, let it be so."

Both voices then dispersed.

If someone were to overhear this conversation, they would surely be astonished by the identities of the speakers.

Because the Holy Duke, the Divine Hero, and King Zhao... are precisely the three great leaders of the Nation of Equality!

Always, like the divine dragon whose head is seen but not its tail.

Ultimately, they vanished, not to be known by the world.

Dao Calendar Year 3920, Eleventh Month, Fifteenth Day.

Cao Jie led a million Qi troops eastward. The small nations along the way all yielded, the army's momentum reaching the heavens, banners unfurled, finally reaching the border of Xia State.

Even several small nations actively mobilized their armies to fight alongside the Qi army.

However, Cao Jie did not enlist them, stating, "With the might of a million, there shall be no forces outside my command."

He did not even accept provisions or supplies, only strictly ordered the nations along the way to maintain the smooth flow of the army's supply lines.

The necessary military supplies set out with the great army.

In an era where the national system prevailed, the so-called supply in warfare would naturally not be like the battles between subjects in the sect era, where supplies were measured by cartloads.

Ordinary storage boxes have limited capacity and cannot meet the needs of a large army.

Those extremely small artifacts with extremely large storage space are expensive and cannot be widely used in the army.

As for Qi State, supplies are usually transported by storage square carts produced by the artifact workshops, carried by wind-chasing demon horses, and managed by specialized escort officers.

These escort officers are elite warriors selected from the army, possessing extraordinary strength. Their status in the army is extremely high, standing shoulder to shoulder with the banner bearers. They are generally referred to as "the two elders" by ordinary soldiers: the "banner elder" and the "grain elder." Ji Zhaonan, in his early years, was a banner elder.

Regardless of their current position, when soldiers converse, they will speak with great pride about being a grain elder of a certain army in a certain year.

The maximum capacity of the storage square carts and the speed of the pack beasts are areas that engineering officials need to work on. And this effort, to some extent, is precisely a reflection of national strength.

The strength of the major hegemonic nations is truly multifaceted strength. Hidden in the livelihoods of the people, revealed in the military, and reaching the court.

The supply for an army of one hundred thousand can be completed in one trip by a team of escort officers and a dozen storage square carts.

In the great wars of the national era.

The loss of supplies is greatly reduced, the speed of supply is unprecedentedly increased, and the pressure on the supply line is also greatly diminished.

Of course, supply remains the top priority during marches and formations.

Cao Jie led his army eastward, setting up banners along the way, calling on the nations to guard them, forming a thousand-mile array, ensuring the unimpeded flow of troops.

These war banners have a name, they are called "Conquest Banners."

Generally speaking, they will possess the abilities of warning, maintaining the route, and attacking.

"Warning" is easy to understand and can even be said to be the most important ability of the Conquest Banners, ensuring the safety of supplies.

All the Conquest Banners have a mutual connection. They can be considered a form of long-distance communication to some extent. Although they can only transmit very simple warning information, the Conquest Banner is the only military artifact that can maintain long-distance connection during wartime! Its preciousness is therefore imaginable.

Secondly is "maintaining the route." Conquest Banners have two effects in this regard. One is to gather the essence of heaven and earth in the place where they are erected, which can help the escort officers and wind-chasing demon horses arriving with orders to quickly recover. The other is to increase the flying speed of the escort officers with orders and the wind-chasing demon horses within the area of influence. Along a long supply line, these two effects are very important.

In addition, Conquest Banners generally also possess a certain degree of attack power. Within the coverage of the Conquest Banner, escort officers can borrow the power of the Conquest Banner to fight.

Conquest Banners are so important, and Qi State's "Purple Apex of Conquest" is a leader among them, a powerful military artifact imbued with the might of Great Qi!

From the border of Qi to the border of Xia, a banner is erected every hundred li, stretching out in a line, thus establishing a stable supply line.

Each Conquest Banner is guarded by dedicated officers and soldiers. At the same time, the nations along the way must also provide corresponding protection during the war. If there is any loss... the hegemonic nation will hold them accountable!

War is not a duel between one or two people, not a simple drawing of a sword to decide life and death.

It is the feeding of men and horses, it is the control of every action, whether walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, eating, drinking, or excreting, when measured in thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or millions... How to control oneself freely.

When people exceed ten thousand, they are boundless.

When soldiers exceed ten thousand, they are like a vast ocean.

Those who command ten thousand soldiers are dragons among men and phoenixes.

Those who command ten thousand soldiers are heroes of the world.

A commander of a million troops must be a renowned general of the era.

The Qi army set out on the seventh of November and arrived in Xia on the fifteenth of November.

In just eight days, they orderly brought a million troops to the Xia territory, and the army's appearance was neat, the military force like a dragon, truly reflecting the quality of a renowned general.

Of course, for Cao Jie, this was perfectly normal and nothing to boast about.

The first challenge before him now was that the Xia army had directly abandoned the border, choosing to strengthen their defenses and clear the land, creating a hundred-li white area, setting up countless traps, either by Daoist techniques, artifacts, or mechanisms... in order to delay the Qi army's advance.

The second challenge, after the hundred-li white area, was that Sword Peak Mountain which seemed to pierce the sky...

On Sword Peak Mountain, personally commanding the defense, was King Min of Great Xia, Yu Liyang.

This was the first encounter between Cao Jie and Yu Liyang.

Neither of them wanted a second one.

——Additional Notes——

By the way, the courier station opened today, and I finally received the physical book. I can now refer to the paper map to write the plot.

It's not as big as I imagined. I thought it would be one of those large maps that can be hung on the wall. Wouldn't it be immersive to circle and mark on it with a pen, just like Cao Jie commanding the battlefield...

But this one is only about the size of my computer screen now.