126: Shadow Group Surprise Attack

The night at Black Wind Slope was thick as ink, with only a few campfires flickering in the corners of the coalition's supply camp, illuminating the drowsy faces of the Vine Armor guards.

These Vine Armor soldiers wore heavy vine armor, the fire-resistant grease coated on the plates glistening in the firelight. Relying on the remote location of the supply camp and the fact that the Crimson Flame King's main army was drawing attention at the front, their defenses were lax to the point of being a joke.

Three black shadows swept across the low bushes on the perimeter of the camp like ghosts, landing without a sound.

The leading shadow raised a hand to give a signal, and the other two immediately split to the left and right, their figures merging into the darkness.

These were core members of The Net's Shadow Group—top-tier experts selected from over a hundred elite killers, specializing in stealth and assassination. At this moment, they were executing a mission to burn the provisions under the orders of Jun Xiaoyao.

Shadow One, the leader, drew the short blade from his waist. The blade gleamed with a faint blue light; it was the cold iron Poison Blade newly tempered by Ouyezi. The "Bone-Eroding Powder" coated on the blade would kill instantly upon drawing blood, yet it would not ignite any flames, making it perfect for the task at hand.

He stared at the sentry post on the east side of the camp. The Vine Armor soldier was dozing against a tree trunk, his spear propped diagonally on the ground, his helmet tilted to one side.

Shadow One's figure flickered slightly, and like a willow catkin, he drifted behind the sentry. With a horizontal swipe of his short blade, the Vine Armor soldier collapsed to the ground without even having the chance to groan.

Shadow One reached out to catch the helmet that was about to hit the ground and placed it gently on the earth, his movements as smooth as flowing water, as if he were merely plucking a leaf.

Two barely audible muffled sounds came from the left and right sides simultaneously; the other two sentry posts had been dealt with.

Shadow One flicked his finger, launching three bone-piercing nails that precisely struck the tripwire mechanism at the camp entrance, causing the ropes to snap instantly.

After the three reunited, Shadow Two pulled an oilcloth package from his bosom. Upon opening it, it revealed dozens of "Fire Phosphorus Bombs"—these were gadgets improved by Ouyezi by combining them with the Crimson Flame Tribe's Ore. They would ignite upon contact with wind and could adhere to objects, burning continuously.

"Act separately according to the plan. Leave one alive at the granary in the southeast corner to extract the Crimson Flame King's deployment map," Shadow One whispered, his voice lighter than the night wind.

The three shot into the camp like arrows released from a bowstring.

The granary area was lined with dozens of huge barns, their straw-covered roofs glistening grayish-white in the moonlight.

Shadow Two and Shadow Three lunged toward the barns on the east and west sides, respectively. The Fire Phosphorus Bombs were precisely tossed into the gaps in the roof, instantly sending flames several feet high. The dry straw ignited upon contact with the fire and spread rapidly with the help of the night wind.

"Fire! Fire!" The camp instantly erupted into chaos. The bleary-eyed Vine Armor soldiers ran over in a panic carrying water buckets, not knowing which part to save first.

Shadow One took the opportunity to sneak near the central command tent. The lights were still on inside, and snoring could be faintly heard—this was the residence of the Vine Armor tribe leader.

He pried open a gap in the tent curtain and saw a person lying on the couch inside, with a tiger-head token hanging from his waist; it was indeed the Vine Armor tribe leader.

Shadow One flicked his wrist and produced a "Soul-Confusing Needle," flicking it into the tent. The tip of the needle sank into the leader's neck, and the man didn't even groan before falling silent.

Shadow One snuck into the tent and found a scroll of animal skin map. He unfolded it and looked by the lamplight; it was indeed the deployment map of the Crimson Flame coalition. It was marked with vermilion ink, detailing the stationing positions and shift times of each unit, and even included the distribution of secret sentries for the Crimson Flame King's personal guard camp.

He tucked the map into his bosom, hoisted the unconscious leader, and reunited with Shadow Two and Shadow Three amidst the firelight.

"Retreat!"

The three of them, carrying the captive, vanished into the night at Black Wind Slope.

Behind them, the supply camp had turned into a sea of fire, the flames reddening half the sky, visible even from the Tianwaitian Headquarters thirty miles away.

*** Tianwaitian Headquarters, study.

Zhao Gao stood bowed before the desk, spreading the animal skin map flat in front of Jun Xiaoyao.

Jun Xiaoyao tapped his fingertip on the location of the Crimson Flame King's personal guard camp on the map, where a small "Fire" character was marked.

"The Crimson Flame King is quite cautious, stationing his personal guard camp at the rear flank, not only protecting the supply line but also being able to support the front line at any time," he chuckled softly. "Unfortunately, the supply line is gone now."

"Young Lord, the Shadow Group has extracted information. The Crimson Flame coalition's provisions were only enough to last five days; now that they have been burned, they will surely fall into chaos within three days," Zhao Gao reported. "Additionally, the Vine Armor tribe leader confessed that the five southern border tribes did not genuinely surrender to the Crimson Flame King but were coerced by him using the 'Blood Vine Curse'—this Blood Vine Curse is a secret technique of the southern border. Those afflicted endure bone-eroding pain every full moon and require the Crimson Flame King's antidote to find relief."

A flash of realization crossed Jun Xiaoyao's eyes: "No wonder the five tribes, despite not being weak in strength, were willing to take orders. Zhao Gao, send a message to the leaders of the five southern border tribes, saying that Beyond Heaven has a way to undo the Blood Vine Curse, on the condition that they turn against the enemy and help us take down the Crimson Flame King."

"Yes." Zhao Gao acknowledged and was about to retreat when he remembered something. "Young Lord, the Crimson Flame King's Fire Qilin is extremely powerful. Marshal of the Unruly just took a hit head-on and has sustained minor injuries. Should we..."

"No need," Jun Xiaoyao interrupted him. "Yuan Tiangang hasn't shown his true capabilities yet. Tell him to hold his position and wait for the five southern border tribes to rebel, then strike directly at the Crimson Flame King's central army."

*** Next morning, Crimson Flame coalition camp.

"What? The supply camp was burned?!" The Crimson Flame King was furious, crushing the bronze wine cup in his hand to pieces. "Trash! A bunch of trash! You couldn't even guard a supply camp!"

Inside the tent, the leaders of the five southern border tribes were as silent as cicadas in winter. They had seen the fire clearly last night, and now hearing that the provisions had been burned, their faces all turned pale—they were already controlled by others due to the Blood Vine Curse, and now with provisions running low, soldiers in the army had already begun to complain. If they didn't find a solution soon, they would likely mutiny before the battle even started.

"Your Majesty, why not... temporarily retreat?" a leader suggested cautiously. "Wait until we regroup and reorganize, then plan for the future."

"Retreat?" The Crimson Flame King sneered. "If we retreat now, Beyond Heaven will definitely pursue and kill us. By then, we won't even have a chance to retreat to the southern border!" A fierce light appeared in his eyes. "Pass on my order, total attack by the whole army! We must take Beyond Heaven today!"

When the coalition attacked the city again, their Aura was far inferior to yesterday's. The soldiers had pale faces, and the charging formation was scattered. On the city wall, Marshal of the Unruly saw this and the corners of his mouth curled into a smile.

"Dark Blade, take the left flank and circle around from the mountain path to cut off their retreat."

"West Gate Blows Snow, add three more layers to the ice formation to freeze their vanguard."

"No Fate, follow me with the personal guard camp to break through the front!"

Once the order was given, the warriors of Beyond Heaven charged down the mountain like fierce tigers. Dark Blade's black and white swords stirred up waves of cold air on the mountain path; wherever they passed, coalition soldiers were frozen into ice sculptures; West Gate Blows Snow's ice formation spread into the coalition ranks, leaving many with their feet frozen to the ground, becoming living targets; Marshal of the Unruly's silver spear turned into a golden rainbow, charging straight at the coalition's central army.

Just then, shouts suddenly erupted from the rear of the coalition—the soldiers of the five southern border tribes turned their spears around and charged toward the Crimson Flame King's personal guard camp!

"Old thief of Crimson Flame, you used the Blood Vine Curse to control us; today, we will make you pay in blood!" The Vine Armor tribe leader (the one rescued by the Shadow Group) held the tiger-head token high, his voice shaking the surroundings.

The Crimson Flame King was shocked: "You... you actually dare to turn against me?!"

"It's not that they dare to rebel, it's that someone gave them the confidence to do so," a cold voice came from mid-air.

Everyone looked up and saw Jun Xiaoyao standing on the city wall, dressed in white as snow, toying with a jade pendant in his hand—it was the token to undo the Blood Vine Curse.

Behind him, Zhao Gao held a scroll of imperial decree and announced loudly: "Prince of Zhenbei of the Great Qian Dynasty, Jun Xiaoyao, is here! The Crimson Flame Tribe has colluded with the rebellious southern border tribes and invaded our territory; today, they shall be killed without mercy! As for the five southern border tribes, those who know the times and surrender will be spared, while those who resist will share the same fate!"

"Prince of Zhenbei?!" There was an uproar in the coalition. No one expected that the master of Beyond Heaven was actually the unfathomable Prince of Zhenbei from the Great Qian Dynasty!

The Crimson Flame King was shocked and angry: "Jun Xiaoyao! You dare to collude with the imperial court!"

"Collude?" Jun Xiaoyao smiled faintly. "I am an official of the imperial court; wiping out rebels is my duty." He looked at Marshal of the Unruly. "Yuan Tiangang, do it."

A golden light flashed in Marshal of the Unruly's eyes, and a massive golden Dragon phantom condensed on his silver spear. The Dragon's roar shook the heavens and the earth.

"Crimson Flame King, I took your 'Crimson Flame Burning Heaven' yesterday. Today, let you taste my 'Heavenly Gang Dragon Qi'!"

The golden Dragon roared and dived down, colliding with the Fire Qilin summoned by the Crimson Flame King. This time, the golden Dragon was unstoppable, directly tearing the Fire Qilin apart and slamming the Crimson Flame King hard onto the ground.

Seeing their leader defeated and hearing Jun Xiaoyao's identity, the coalition had no heart to continue fighting. The five southern border tribes turned against them, and the warriors of Beyond Heaven pursued them valiantly, instantly reversing the battle.

As the sun set, the dust had settled on the battlefield. The Crimson Flame King was captured, the coalition scattered, and the five southern border tribes submitted their letters of surrender. Jun Xiaoyao stood on the city wall, looking at the darkening sky, as Zhao Gao stepped forward and handed him a cup of hot tea.

"Young Lord, the remnants of the Crimson Flame Tribe have been cleared, and the five southern border tribes are willing to submit to Beyond Heaven."

Jun Xiaoyao took the teacup, the steam blurring his side profile: "Lock the Crimson Flame King in The Net dungeon. Give the antidote for the Blood Vine Curse to the five southern border tribes, but demand they hand over the Secret Manual of the technique. Also, tell Ouyezi to speed up the forging of weapons. Next, it's time for those watching forces to make a choice."

Zhao Gao bowed in acknowledgement, sighing inwardly—the Young Lord appeared to be uninvolved, yet he had already cast a net covering the heavens and the earth. The chess game of this world was quietly changing with the rise of Beyond Heaven. And the Young Lord, who had always stood behind the scenes, was the true chess player.