The Eastern War Zone.
Upon her return to the camp, Ji Xueyun immediately summoned her personal guards and trusted confidantes, numbering over a thousand. These were the soldiers she trusted most within the camp, each an elite picked from a thousand.
Yet, looking at these familiar faces, Ji Xueyun found herself at a loss for words.
"Marshal Ji."
"We don't know why you've summoned us so late at night, but what is it?"
Ji Xueyun, usually decisive and swift in her actions, was unusually hesitant today. Chen Lu, as Ji Xueyun's personal adjutant, sensed that she was about to make a major decision and stepped forward to inquire.
Ji Xueyun took a deep breath, looked at her soldiers, and said solemnly,
"I am leaving the Eastern War Zone."
Her words stunned everyone present. Ji Xueyun was the only female War God in the Eastern War Zone, her power second only to the Domain Lord. The other Marshals were at most her equal. Now, she intended to leave the Eastern War Zone of her own accord...
"Marshal Ji, if you leave, what will become of us?"
"Yes, Marshal, you are the pillar of our Eastern War Zone; you cannot abandon us!"
"Marshal Ji, we swear to follow you to the death!"
"Marshal Ji..."
The soldiers reacted with great intensity. Ji Xueyun felt a pang of gratification, but it made it even harder for her to explain. Should she tell them she intended to oppose the War Department?
Chen Lu, holding a significant position, knew about her previous action of crippling Jiang Dong's Military Governor. He immediately asked, "Marshal, is this because of Zhao Qing Tian?"
"It's far more than that."
Ji Xueyun sighed and decided to be completely frank. "Everyone here has fought alongside me, risking our lives on the battlefield. I will tell you the truth. I have a junior fellow disciple named Bai Zi He."
"He once single-handedly killed five hundred Ying country warriors and previously slew the Ying country's divine physician, Okamoto Masao. Yet, he is now wanted by the War Department. Currently, the Great Xia War Department, Ying country ninjas, assassin organizations from all over the world, mercenaries, and hidden martial arts experts all want him dead."
"I am going to protect him, no matter the cost."
"Perhaps even..."
"I may have to go against the War Department."
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the assembled soldiers. To Ji Xueyun's surprise and joy, their reaction was far from what she expected.
"Marshal Ji, what's there to say?"
"We train day and night, aren't we guarding against those Ying dogs?"
"Marshal, your junior disciple killed Ying country warriors and their divine physician; he is a great hero to our Great Xia. We would bow to him, let alone protect him!"
"Those Ying dogs are too arrogant, daring to infiltrate our Great Xia heartland. We won't let a single one of them return!"
"Marshal, give the order, and we will follow you to the death!"
"Marshal..."
The soldiers were filled with righteous indignation and patriotic fervor! The brave men of Great Xia, always ready to champion a hero!
In fact, the primary enemies of the Eastern War Zone were the Ying people! Most of the soldiers present were veterans of over a decade, having clashed with the Ying people countless times. They had killed countless Ying people and had also witnessed countless comrades brutally murdered by them. The hatred between them ran deep. Bai Zi He's slaughter of the Ying dogs was a cause for celebration in their hearts. Their current reaction was perfectly understandable!
Seeing their enthusiastic support, Ji Xueyun felt a surge of pride and immediately issued her command: "Since you are all willing to follow me..."
"Then we shall..."
"Occupy the Eastern River and defeat all enemies!"
"Expel the Ying dogs and reclaim our blue sky!"
The soldiers, equally invigorated, shouted in unison,
"Occupy the Eastern River and defeat all enemies!"
"Expel the Ying dogs and reclaim our blue sky."
Immediately afterward, Ji Xueyun led her soldiers, traveling light, and set off for the Jiangdong Province military encampment under the cover of night. After several hours of arduous travel, they arrived just before dawn.
Jiangdong Province Military Encampment.
Ji Xueyun's arrival with her soldiers was met with resistance. This was to be expected. The Jiangdong Province Encampment was under Zhao Qing Tian's command, and she had crippled him. It would be a joke if the soldiers didn't resist her.
"Soldiers."
Ji Xueyun ascended to a high vantage point, looking down at them.
"On that day, at the Su Hang Star Building, you all know the circumstances and reasons for what happened. I would like to ask you all: My junior disciple, Bai Zi He, killed wicked Ying country warriors, yet he is wanted by the War Department. What is the reason for this?"
"Soldiers defend the nation. Whose home are we protecting, and whose country are we defending?"
The soldiers fell silent. Defending the nation was their sworn duty. Ying country warriors wreaking havoc and preying on the locals on Great Xia's soil, their deaths were cause for great rejoicing. Yet, Zhao Qing Tian had led them to attack a hero who killed Ying country warriors...
In fact, many soldiers had reservations at the time. But with Zhao Qing Tian present, no one dared voice their inner thoughts. Now that Zhao Qing Tian was gone, and with Ji Xueyun's guidance, someone immediately stepped forward.
"Marshal Ji, we defend our homes and nation, naturally protecting the families and people of Great Xia."
"Marshal Ji, whatever you wish to do, we are willing to follow your orders."
"Marshal Ji, if you wish to kill Ying dogs, I am willing to contribute!"
"Marshal Ji..."
Seeing this, Ji Xueyun's anxiety finally subsided.
Following this, Ji Xueyun swiftly consolidated the Jiangdong Encampment. Zhao Qing Tian's confidantes and small factions of soldiers unwilling to oppose the War Department were purged and reassigned. The remaining were loyal soldiers.
Ji Xueyun's sweeping actions immediately sent shockwaves through the War Department. Gai Tianya, the Domain Lord of the Southern War Zone, upon hearing the news, immediately mobilized his army and marched towards Jiangdong Province, intending to confront Ji Xueyun.
Suddenly, the Eastern and Southern War Zones, along with Jiangdong Province, began deploying their forces. Such large-scale maneuvers could not be concealed. The people within the jurisdiction were in a state of unease. Everyone knew that an unprecedented storm was brewing. The moment it erupted, it would surely be earth-shattering and awe-inspiring.
Su Hang, Teng Long Bay.
Bai Zi He had been quite leisurely these past few days. Gai Tianya's troops had not caused him any trouble.
In the evening, Bai Zi He received a message from his fifth senior sister, Yue Rushuang, containing the dossiers of the assassins and mercenaries who had entered the country. Bai Zi He paid no attention to those ranked lower on the list. His gaze was fixed on the top few on the roster.
Phantom Shadow. Fourth on the Ming Mie List, a Grandmaster expert. Specializing in stealth, he had assassinated over twenty targets, including ten high-ranking government officials of major countries and three Grandmaster targets!
Poison Fang. Third on the Ming Mie List, a Grandmaster expert. Skilled in poison, he was ruthless in achieving his goals. He had once massacred an entire city with poison to kill a target!
Yin Yang Twin Killers. Second on the Ming Mie List, a duo of Grandmaster experts. After killing a target, they would carve a bloody Yin Yang symbol on the victim's face, hence their name.
Nameless. First on the Ming Mie List, everything about them was unknown!
Upon seeing this entry, Bai Zi He's sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly. For someone that even his fifth senior sister's Xuan Tian Pavilion could not gather information on, this Nameless individual was exceptionally adept at hiding. However, this did not affect his ability to sleep.
He closed the message and lay down on the bed. But as soon as he lay down, Bai Zi He's eyes snapped open abruptly.
There was killing intent!