115: Chapter 115 Preparing for the Expedition
[The peaceful days in Luofeng Town only lasted for a few days.]
[On the evening of the seventh day, Chu Sheng was holding and playing with Chu Yun. The four babies were lying in a row on the couch, creating a heartwarming scene.]
[Suddenly, a Communication Talisman streaked through the air.]
[An urgent summons from Xia Nihuang.]
[After reading it, Chu Sheng's face turned green.]
["What's wrong?"]
[Li Zhiyi leaned in.]
[Chu Sheng handed the Communication Talisman to her.]
[After reading it, Li Zhiyi was also stunned.]
["...The Demon Race?"]
[Chu Sheng nodded.]
["The Ninety-Year Peace Treaty might be ending early."]
[Old Grandfather's voice rang out leisurely, carrying a rare hint of solemnity.]
["Kid, you're in big trouble this time."]
[Chu Sheng's heart tightened.]
["Old Grandfather, you know about the Demon Race?"]
[Old Grandfather fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.]
["I know a thing or two about this."]
[Chu Sheng was stunned.]
["Then you..."]
["In the war back then, I heard that the Demon Race Holy Land sent out all its forces from the Bitter Cold Lands of the Far North, nearly wiping out all the The Tianfeng Kingdoms."]
[He paused.]
["The sovereign at the time sought help from the great powers of the Righteous Path, and only then was the Demon Race repelled. However, the Righteous Path couldn't do anything to the Demon Race either, so they could only establish a Hundred-Year Peace Treaty."]
["Now, ninety years are almost up."]
[Chu Sheng swallowed hard.]
["So the Demon Race is coming again?"]
[Old Grandfather nodded.]
["An urgent report came from Beiming Prefecture, stating that the Demon Race's vanguard has already crossed the ice plains. The peace treaty might be ending early."]
[Chu Sheng fell silent.]
"Why didn't I receive this news in the previous simulations?"
Chu Sheng watched this scene, forgetting to even chew his peanuts.
"Holy crap, the Demon Race! Why didn't this background trigger before?"
"In the previous simulations, it seems I was too weak back then. The flames of war didn't spread to Fengxian Prefecture, and the higher-ups kept it hidden."
He looked at the screen.
"It's different this time. I've reached the True Transformation Realm stage and have an army of Yao Beasts, so I have some strength now."
He sighed.
"But the Demon Race... they sound fierce. Even with my Heavenly Demon Body, I feel the odds are against me."
[A few days later, Chu Sheng arrived at the Council Chamber of Fengxian Prefecture.]
[The chamber was already in an uproar.]
[The city lords were shouting at the top of their lungs, their faces red and necks bulging.]
["Governor! Beiming Prefecture is the furthest from us. If the Demon Race attacks, they'll hit them first. Why should we go and fill the front lines?!"]
[A fat city lord slammed the table.]
["Exactly! Preserving our strength is the best course of action!"]
[Another thin city lord echoed.]
["Let Beiming Prefecture handle it themselves. Isn't their governor claimed to be the strongest among the Seven Prefectures? Let them fill the front lines; we can just provide support from the rear!"]
["You know nothing! If Beiming Prefecture can't hold out, Canglan Prefecture is next, and then it's us!"]
["But we can't gamble away everything we have!"]
[Chu Sheng stood in the corner, silently watching these people bicker like they were in a wet market.]
["Old Grandfather," he sent a voice transmission, "these are the higher-ups of Fengxian Prefecture?"]
[Old Grandfather chuckled.]
["It's the same everywhere. When war actually breaks out, the ones who shout the loudest are the first to run."]
[“Bang—!”]
[With a loud bang, the table in the Council Chamber crumbled into powder.]
[Xia Nihuang stood up, her Spirit Lake stage aura suppressing the entire room into silence.]
["Have you argued enough?"]
[She swept her cold gaze over everyone. "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. If Beiming Prefecture falls, Canglan Prefecture is next, and then us. Do you think you can stay safe by hiding in the back mountains?"]
[No one dared to speak.]
[Xia Nihuang's gaze was like lightning.]
["I have decided to send troops to support them."]
[She looked at Chu Sheng.]
["Nie Zhang."]
[Chu Sheng's heart skipped a beat.]
["Present."]
[Xia Nihuang said word by word.]
["I appoint you as the beast taming commandant to lead the Yao Beast army and set out with the troops."]
[Chu Sheng was stunned.]
[beast taming commandant? Leading the Yao Beast army? Setting out with the troops?]
[He just became a father!]
["Governor," he spoke with difficulty, "this..."]
[Xia Nihuang interrupted him.]
["I trust your beast-taming skills. The Blazing Lion, White Ape, and Black Tortoise are all Great Yao. With you leading the Yao Beast army, our army's combat power will increase by at least thirty percent."]
[She paused.]
["Moreover, your cultivation is at the True Transformation Realm stage, which is among the top of these generals. I believe you are up to the task."]
[Chu Sheng opened his mouth, realizing he had no way to refuse.]
["Yes."]
[He gritted his teeth and accepted.]
[Old Grandfather burst out laughing in his mind.]
["Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on obtaining a 'cannon fodder' ticket."]
[Chu Sheng: "...Can't you wish me some luck for once?"]
Chu Sheng watched this scene, laughing so hard he slapped his thigh.
"A 'cannon fodder ticket'? Old Grandfather's tongue is way too sharp!"
"But this time, he really is being forced into it. Just became a father and already has to go to the battlefield; anyone would be dazed."
He looked at the screen.
"But Xia Nihuang is right; his beast-taming skills are indeed the strongest in Fengxian Prefecture. The Blazing Lion, White Ape, and Black Tortoise—those three Great Yao are worth dozens of ordinary generals."
He sighed.
"I hope he comes back alive."
[Triggered a key choice: War is imminent, what will you choose?]
[1. Obey the order and go to war. Head north with the army to face the Demon Race. The risk is immense, but so are the rewards.]
[2. Find a way to decline. Use the excuse of the newborn children to stay in the rear. It's safe, but you might lose Xia Nihuang's trust.]
Chu Sheng looked at these two options and fell into deep thought.
"Do I even have a choice?"
[The four babies were lying on the couch, sleeping soundly.]
[Li Zhiyi, Lin Wanqing, and Xiao Huan surrounded him, their eyes red.]
["Is there going to be a war?"]
[Li Zhiyi asked.]
[Chu Sheng nodded.]
["Over in Beiming Prefecture, the Demon Race has arrived."]
[Lin Wanqing bit her lip.]
["Do you have to go?"]
[Chu Sheng fell silent for a moment.]
["Xia Nihuang personally appointed me; not going would be a direct violation of orders."]
[Xiao Huan lowered her head, her tears falling pitter-patter.]
[Chu Sheng pulled the three of them into his arms.]
["Don't worry, I have the Blazing Lion, the White Ape, the Black Tortoise, and the demon refining pot. I won't die."]
[He paused.]
["Wait for my return."]
[Far away, deep within the Liuyun Mountain Range.]
[The Golden-Winged Great Crow stood on the mountain peak, gazing toward the north.]
["The Demon Race..." it murmured, "they're finally coming."]
[The Azure Ox walked up to its side.]
["Master, our opportunity has arrived."]
[A flash of ruthlessness crossed the Golden-Winged Great Crow's eyes.]
["I will make my move once the humans and the Demon Race have both suffered heavy losses."]
[It looked back toward the direction of Fengxian Prefecture.]
["That human... I will kill him with my own hands."]
[Chu Sheng sneezed.]
["Who's talking about me?"]
[He rubbed his nose and continued packing his bags.]
[The Blazing Lion lay at his feet, lazily wagging its tail.]
[The White Ape held the black iron staff, looking solemn.]
[The Black Tortoise lay at the door, motionless.]
[Looking at these three Great Yao, a sudden surge of pride rose in Chu Sheng's heart.]
["Demon Race or not, if they come, I'll take them in!"]
[He patted the demon refining pot at his waist.]
["Old friend, it's time to work again."]
[The demon refining pot heated up slightly, as if in response.]