NOVPUB
Chapter 250: Chapter 247: Pincer Attack from North and South
"A hundred thousand demons!"
Gu Jinlai looked at Yu Jin, his face solemn as well, "Although our special operations team has six thousand people, less than half are capable of fighting. Even if we were to rush there day and night, we’d likely be lambs to the slaughter. Our only course of action now is to set up defenses along the border of Star State and rely on reinforcements from Star State to confront the Tianhe demons."
"Set up defenses along the border of Star State?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Jin froze on the spot. 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
"Yes, we’re talking about nearly a hundred thousand demons. How could we possibly hold them off? Making a stand along the border of Star State with our backs to the water will be our only option. At that time, with sixty million citizens of Star State at our back, all soldiers will surely unite and fight the invading demons with shared hatred and kill them all."
Gu Jinlai declared.
Yu Jin’s expression became somewhat rigid.
But still, he said, "If you now make haste to the battlefield with the utmost speed, you can also count on the support of many experts from the Yellow Sky Sect. In dealing with the demons, we stand with Star State, not to mention that our two sides have also signed an agreement to form an alliance. Therefore, as Star State’s elite clash with the demons, the Yellow Sky Sect will certainly not stand idly by..."
"I thank Sect Master Zhang for that. If Sect Master Zhang can hold off the demons just for three to five days, by then we will be able to set up our defenses along the border. Furthermore, with three to five days, the first batch of reinforcements from the Purgatory Sect, Netherworld Sect, and Cold Moon Sect should also be able to arrive. By then, we will take position at the border of Star State and await the demons, determined to annihilate them all within the border of Star State."
Gu Jinlai’s tone was impassioned.
He seemed resolute, ready to face a life-and-death struggle with the demons at the border of Star State.
At this, Yu Jin became anxious.
They were keenly aware that the demons thought they had seen through the tactics of the Tian Nan Alliance, or rather the Yellow Sky Sect, and had no intention of wasting words with them any longer.
They planned to make use of their formidable strength to steadily and honorably eradicate the Yellow Sky Sect first.
Though that would cause some damage to the demons...
As long as they had enough spiritual nourishment, the demons would swiftly grow stronger.
By then, the number of demons might decrease somewhat, but their overall combat power would not be significantly affected.
If Yellow State’s resistance was not vehement, their overall strength might even increase.
After sweeping through the Yellow Sky Sect and turning tens of millions of its citizens into resources for advancement, they would then continue their sweep and extinguish Star State.
In other words, though Star State was the ultimate target of the demons, by the time they reached Star State, Yellow State would have been finished as well.
Suddenly, Yu Jin hastily said, "With the demons bearing down from the south, their momentum is fierce. Although the Yellow Sky Sect is determined to halt them, along the Jade Belt River, I fear there will be great calamity. After the demons break through the riverside towns, devoured by the Spirit of All Things, they will inevitably become even stronger. By then, Star State will have an even harder time resisting them. It would be better to strike while the demons have yet to gather full force and join forces with our two states, attacking the Tianhe demons from both flanks."
After finishing, he added, "Isn’t this the plan that Governor Gu originally intended to implement?"
"Plans can’t keep up with changes. How could I have imagined the demons would be so numerous? I originally thought there might be thirty or forty thousand Tianhe demons at most, but now... nearly a hundred thousand demons, led by the Champsosaurus King itself! If we rashly attack, it will only lead to our entire force being annihilated. Only by relying on a firm footing in Star State do we stand a chance."
Gu Jinlai looked at the Divinity Transformation Cultivator from the Yellow Sky Sect: "After all, these demons are coming for our Star State. If you truly can’t stop them, you can sacrifice the rook to save the king, but for Star State... even the slightest error, and the fate awaiting us will be as you’ve just described: nearly sixty million people turned into fodder for the demons."
With a look of righteous determination, he said, "One must act according to one’s position. As the Governor of Star State, I naturally have to consider the life and death and safety of the citizens of Star State."
"You..."
A flicker of anger appeared on Yu Jin’s face: "Governor Gu, out of respect for our common membership in the Tian Nan Alliance, we of the Yellow Sky Sect unhesitatingly stepped forward to resist the demons. But you treat the efforts and sacrifices of the Yellow Sky Sect with indifference?! Do you wish to watch idly as our Yellow Sky Sect and the demons fight to mutual destruction?"
"We don’t mean that at all, but as you yourself said, there are nearly a hundred thousand demons. How can you expect our three thousand elite special forces to confront them? It is certain death. Without enough troops, how can we withstand the demons’ onslaught?"
As Gu Jinlai spoke, after a struggle, it seemed he finally made a decision: "However, Elder Yu has a point. With the demons headed south along the Jade Belt River, the inhabitants along both riverbanks will surely suffer terribly. Although Star State and Yellow State belong to different factions, when it comes to resisting the demons, we share one identity, that of the Human Clan. Therefore, despite the risk of our formations not being fully gathered and being broken by the demons, we will lead our army to march north and join you."
As he spoke, without needing to be asked, Gu Chaoyang had already brought out the map.
Gu Jinlai glanced at the map, pointed at Eighteen Pavilions, and said, "Based on the time estimates, the demons will reach this position in about ten days if they sweep down from Tianhe. Even if our army marches at full speed, it will take eight to nine days to reach Eighteen Pavilions. We’ll reserve one or two days to establish defenses and recover our strength. Just in time to confront the southward-sweeping demons at dawn on the tenth day."
After finishing, he tucked away the map.
"This is the only strategy I can think of that gives us a slight chance of survival; otherwise, a hasty northward confrontation with the demons in an open battle is pure suicide. Our deaths would not matter, but who then would defend Star State?! Who will protect the sixty million citizens of Star State?!"
Gu Jinlai declared solemnly.
Yu Jin opened his mouth, wanting to say that the demons would wait until they had annihilated the Yellow Sky Sect’s defense force on the edge of the Champsosaurus Swamp before heading southward; with the Yellow Sky Sect’s experts resisting, the demons couldn’t reach Eighteen Pavilions in ten days.
But...
He had just said that the demons were making a beeline for Star State—it would be self-contradictory to deny that claim now.
Furthermore, seeing Gu Jinlai’s cautious demeanor, it appeared that he had reached the limit of his concessions.
After all, there was no basis of trust between Lingxiao City and the Yellow Sky Sect, and there was even conflict between the two.
In a moment of resignation, Yu Jin clenched his teeth and agreed, "Then please, Governor Gu, hurry to Eighteen Pavilions to set up defenses, so that the riverside towns of the Yellow Sky Sect can spare some innocent citizens from loss."
"I know, I will march at full speed."
Gu Jinlai spoke, as if he had thought of something, and he added, "After Elder Yu returns, please have Sect Master Zhang issue an order to have the towns along the way cooperate with our resupply. In addition, Yuntian City has high walls and thick defenses, we will fight a defensive battle there. To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, please also have Sect Master Zhang give orders for the Yuntian City garrison to fully cooperate with us."
Elder Yu furrowed his brows, ready to object, but Gu Jinlai slightly lowered his voice, "Originally, Dragon Sparrow Manor, in order to deal with our Lingxiao City, had made a move in the Yunqi Mountain Range by borrowing the strength of others, intending to use those demons to annihilate the elite of our Lingxiao City. Although I believe the Yellow Sky Sect would never do such a thing, the lesson of the past stands before us. The offensive nature of this request, I hope Elder Yu will forgive, and also convey my apologies to Sect Master Zhang."
Elder Yu looked at Gu Jinlai, his expression somewhat surprised.
He did not know whether Gu Jinlai really knew something.
After all, the timing of this news was too coincidental...
However, the message of the Supreme Elder’s communication with the Champsosaurus King was known to only a handful of Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, unless someone had betrayed the Yellow Sky Sect, otherwise...
"I will convey the message to the Sect Master, to have the cities along the way cooperate with Governor Gu, and please hurry on your journey."
Elder Yu gave a formal bow, "Time is of the essence, I will take my leave now."
"Good, we too will speed up our march, to arrive at Yuntian City and prepare our defenses as quickly as possible."
Gu Jinlai nodded his head.
Elder Yu and his group quickly departed.
After their departure, Gu Jinlai pondered for a moment, his expression gradually turning solemn.
"Nearly a hundred thousand demons... these demons are really brewing a big move. With the Qi pillar of the Yellow Sky Sect blocking us, and not knowing the full extent of the Demon King’s influence on Qi, I couldn’t see clearly for a moment..."
As Gu Jinlai spoke, it seemed he thought of something, and he began to use the Qiantian Purple Qi Technique to look in the direction of the Cold Moon Sect.
There, the ominous Demonic Qi that had appeared heavy like black clouds was now rolling towards the Cold Moon Sect.
By the looks of it...
It was even more vast than that of the Tianhe Demons.
"The Mu State Demons have launched an attack on the Cold Moon Sect at the same time. There must be a link between them," Gu Jinlai observed. "Had it not been for my sudden move to go north and attack the Tianhe Demons, they probably would have gathered more forces from the other states. By then, the situation would truly be unstoppable."
After watching for a moment, Gu Jinlai quickly called Gu Chaoyang over, "Send a message to the Purgatory Sect and Netherworld Sect, ask them to reinforce the Cold Moon Sect."
"Reinforce the Cold Moon Sect? The Mu State Demons have launched an attack on them simultaneously?"
Gu Chaoyang’s face showed shock, then he followed up with another question, "Would those two sects be willing?"
"A chill in the lips causes the teeth to shiver, I believe they understand this principle, but... human hearts are unpredictable."
Gu Jinlai sighed.
Having the Purgatory Sect and the Netherworld Sect reinforce the Cold Moon Sect was already the limit of what he could do.
"Heavenly Monarch Gu."
At this time, Jiang Chongshan from the other end of the troop approached with a jade pendant in his hand, "Seek reinforcements from the Daqian Royal Family, use my token. It concerns the Demon King, the Imperial Family will not ignore it."
"The Daqian Royal Family..."
Gu Jinlai hesitated for a moment.
He had some confidence in dealing with the Tianhe Demons.
The state of the Eternal Furnace had been restored.
Plus, the one hundred and twenty-eight Sword Heavy Cannons...
Depending on the towering walls of Yuntian City, it might not be impossible to repel them.
However, the Mu State Demons were much stronger than the Tianhe Demons...
Thereupon, he nodded his head, "Thank you."
"It’s what I should do. Demons are a common enemy of our Human Clan."
Jiang Chongshan said, smiling, "Furthermore, during my time in Lingxiao City, I have deeply felt something called the ’Seed of Hope’. I am very curious to see what this ’seed’ will grow into when it blooms."
"You will see," Gu Jinlai said.
Then, he turned his gaze northward, and raising his right hand, he ordered with a wave, "Speed up the advance!"
