119: The first battle to annihilate the Japanese

When the sunlight hit the steps of the Main Hall, Shen Xiaochuan was already standing on the high platform in the central square of Dragon City.

The area below the platform was packed with people; fifty thousand Believers stood in neat rows. They weren't wearing full sets of armor, but everyone held a weapon. Some looked down at their palms, others stared at the cracks between the stones beneath their feet, and no one spoke. The air was heavy and stifling, like the moments before a rainstorm.

Shen Xiaochuan wore a deep blue work uniform instead of battle armor. A copper gear pendant hung from his cuff, flashing in the sunlight. He raised his right hand, palm facing upward.

A phantom appeared—a translucent blade floating quietly in the air. The light seemed to be sliced apart by it, with faint ripples appearing at its edges.

"This is a zanpakuto," his voice wasn't loud, and he didn't shout. "This blade is perfect grade. When fighting the gods of Woguo and their Believers, its damage is increased threefold."

Some people below raised their heads, the look in their eyes changing.

"I know what you're thinking," Shen Xiaochuan said, looking at the crowd. "Woguo is protected by a King-level Divine Domain, guarded by the Baqi Council, and has tens of thousands of Onimusha. We've only just recovered, and Tang Long's city has only just been rebuilt. Is it too hasty to attack now?"

No one answered, but many tightened their grip on the spears in their hands.

"I thought about waiting, too," he said. "Waiting for our industry to grow stronger, for more Believers, for everyone to be fully equipped. But last night, I did the math—for every day we delay, they can kill three thousand more people. Those thirty thousand charred corpses in the novice zone are the proof."

Whispers began to ripple through the crowd below.

"I'm not here to beg you to fight," he paused. "I'm here to tell you—this battle is unavoidable. Since they dared to touch Tang Long, dared to move Dragon City into their territory, and dared to pollute our land with Blood-colored Sakura, then they shouldn't blame us for acting now."

Just as he finished speaking, footsteps approached from behind.

Tang Long leaned on his Jade-breaking Staff as he walked up the platform step by step. His left leg was still bleeding, and he walked with a limp, but his back was perfectly straight. Reaching Shen Xiaochuan's side, he turned to face the crowd.

"I am Tang Long," he stood tall. "Dragon City was originally mine. Three days ago, I was still hanging from a pillar with seven broken bones. They held a blade to my throat and tried to force me to surrender."

He raised a hand to wipe the dust from his face.

"I didn't surrender," his gaze was firm. "I didn't surrender because I believed someone would come to save me. Not by relying on immortals or fate, but people just like me. They would come with blades in hand, treading through fire, killing their way all the way here."

He raised his broken staff and pointed toward the southeast.

"Now it's our turn. They think we only know how to defend cities, farm, and build machines. But they've forgotten that we are Huaxia Deities. We can build cities, and we can destroy them; we can save people, and we can kill them."

Some people below began to clench their fists.

"I don't want to preach," Tang Long took a breath. "I only have one question—are you willing to seek justice for those thirty thousand dead?"

"Willing!" a veteran roared.

"Willing!" another young man followed suit.

The voices grew louder and louder, more and more resonant.

"Then let's set out." Shen Xiaochuan raised his hand, retracting the phantom of the zanpakuto into his body. "Everyone, act according to plan."

He turned and walked down the high platform toward the command hall.

Shen Yan, Ling Feng, and Yang Lie were already waiting by the sand table. All three were fully armored, weapons at their waists, and expressions of combat on their faces.

The sand table was marked with Dragon City, the Woguo camp, resource points, and routes. A red circle was drawn around the location of the Woguo main city, the ink not yet dry.

"Time is short." Shen Xiaochuan stood in the center of the sand table. "Today is the last day of the protection period. We must launch the first wave of the offensive. The goal is not to annihilate the nation, but to cut off their supplies, destroy their Formations, and throw them into chaos."

He picked up a wooden stick and pointed to a black dot to the northeast.

"Shen Yan, you will lead the main force of the Azure Dragon Legion to attack this resource point from the front. This is their granary transit station, guarded by two thousand soldiers. The outer barrier is weak, making it suitable for a direct assault."

Shen Yan nodded: "Understood. The demon-breaking blade is heavy enough; it's perfect for smashing gates."

Shen Xiaochuan glanced at him and pulled out a shimmering silver long blade from behind him.

"The demon-breaking blade," he said. "A rare-grade weapon, originally intended for special operations units. But now, I am entrusting it to you."

He handed it over with both hands.

"I chose you not because of your strength," his tone was serious. "But because you were the first to follow me without hesitation into Kyukokawa Eiyori's main camp. In that battle, you cut down thirty-seven enemies and took five arrows in your back, yet you didn't retreat."

Shen Yan knelt on one knee and received it with both hands.

"I want to tell everyone that in this battle, we will never back down!" Shen Xiaochuan said. "In this battle, we do not retreat."

"No retreat!" Shen Yan stood up, holding the demon-breaking blade across his chest.

Shen Xiaochuan looked at the person on the left: "Ling Feng."

"Present!" the man cupped his fists.

"You will lead the White Tiger Legion along the northern mountain forest line. Your mission is guerrilla containment—eliminate any small squads you encounter and destroy any communication nodes you see. I don't require a high kill count, just make sure they can't sleep peacefully."

Ling Feng smiled: "Don't worry, I'm better at hiding than a fox."

"Remember," Shen Xiaochuan stared at him. "Your rhythm can be disrupted, but your route cannot. Send a signal back once every hour; I need to know where you are."

"Understood."

He then looked to the right: "Yang Lie."

"Here!" Yang Lie stood straight.

"You will lead the Vermilion Bird Legion and penetrate deep into enemy territory alone." Shen Xiaochuan pointed to the southeast corner of the sand table. "The target is the faith altar on the outskirts of the Woguo King-level Divine Domain. That is one of the keys to their Formation; destroy it, and their entire defense will be shaken."

Yang Lie frowned: "Alone? No support?"

"None," Shen Xiaochuan said. "Because they won't expect you to go there. They think we'll hit the granaries first, then attack the border defenses. We need to strike where they least expect."

"The risk is too high," Yang Lie said. "Once surrounded, there's no retreat."

"I know." Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "That's why you can only take five thousand men, travel light, and take the underground river route. Lolia has confirmed the passage is usable, and there are three supply points along the way."

He paused: "You can refuse."

Yang Lie was silent for two seconds, then suddenly laughed: "My Lord, when have you ever seen me afraid of death?"

"Then go." Shen Xiaochuan patted his shoulder. "Come back alive."

"I will." Yang Lie cupped his fists and turned to leave.

"Wait." Shen Xiaochuan called him back. "Take this."

He pulled out a bronze whistle.

"For emergency contact. One blast means retreat, two means support, and three means—" he paused, "—perishing together."

Yang Lie took it and tucked it into his robe: "Three blasts... I'll try my best not to blow it."

After receiving their orders, the three quickly departed.

Only Shen Xiaochuan and Tang Long remained in the hall.

"You should go rest too," Shen Xiaochuan said.

"Rest?" Tang Long sneered. "I've been lying down for three days; my bones are practically rotting. Now that the army is setting out, do you think I can just sit in a room drinking tea?"

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Tang Long leaned on his staff and walked to the door, looking toward the North Gate.

"One hundred thousand Believers have already gathered outside the North Gate," he said. "They are Dragon City's veterans, families, craftsmen, farmers... They aren't your Believers, they're mine."

Shen Xiaochuan didn't speak.

"I will lead them personally," Tang Long said. "I don't need your permission, I only need you to open the barrier."

Shen Xiaochuan looked at his back, and after a moment, he nodded.

"Fine," he said. "But you must promise me: during the battle, don't rush to the very front, don't tank damage head-on, and definitely don't try to be a hero."

Tang Long looked back and smiled: "I'll promise you two of those—I won't rush in the first row, and I won't try to be a hero. As for tanking damage... that's a warrior's job."

Shen Xiaochuan sighed: "You're still as stubborn as ever."

"How else would I have survived until now?" Tang Long leaned on his staff and walked out. "Let's go, the time has come."

The two of them walked out of the hall one after the other, heading toward the North Gate.

Outside the city, an army of one hundred thousand had already formed up. Black armor and red tassels, a forest of blades and spears. They weren't the elite; many still looked haggard, but their eyes were bright.

Shen Xiaochuan stood on the city wall and pressed a button on the control console.

The Divine Kingdom Barrier distorted slightly, and a hundred-meter-wide gap appeared.

"Now is the time," he said.

Tang Long walked to the highest point of the wall and took a bronze horn from his robe. The body of the horn was covered in cracks, as if it had been pieced together.

He took a deep breath and placed the horn to his lips.

"Woo—!"

The first blast was low and deep, like thunder.

The city wall vibrated, and the soldiers tightened their grip on their weapons.

"Woo—!"

The second blast was sharp and piercing.

The sky changed color, and the clouds churned.

"Woo—!"

The third blast tore through the sky.

The army of one hundred thousand roared in unison: "Kill!"

Tang Long threw down the horn, raised his Jade-breaking Staff, and pointed toward the enemy camp.

"Follow me—march!"

He jumped down from the wall and landed on a war chariot. The wheels rolled, and the army surged out of the North Gate like a flood, charging toward the Woguo defensive line.

Shen Xiaochuan stood at the top of the wall and closed his eyes.

faith points were increasing at a rate of one per second.

He could feel that the distant battlefield had already begun.

Shen Yan was leading the Azure Dragon Legion toward the granary; with the demon-breaking blade in hand, the vanguard was breaking through the walls.

Ling Feng's White Tiger Legion had entered the mountain forest, their tracks invisible, leaving only illusions of dust behind.

Yang Lie led the Vermilion Bird Legion into the underground river; the current was swift, but no one fell behind.

Tang Long's army had already engaged the Dongying outposts.

The first line of defense was broken.

Shen Xiaochuan opened his eyes and looked toward the southeast.

The sun had fully risen, shining on the eaves of the Main Hall of Dragon City, reflecting a piercing light.

He raised his hand, and the copper gear on his cuff swayed gently.