NOVPUB
Chapter 233 - 233: Salan’s Furious Shock
After Han Ji received the confirmed intelligence, he instructed his subordinates to properly arrange accommodations for Lu Jun and his group, and deployed a tight net, sealing all escape routes.
He then immediately returned to the Tower Magic Association, summoning all the top-tier Super Mages to the great hall at the highest observation deck.
Elder Lingxi from the Hunter Alliance, the Hunter King Duxiao, military officers Feijiao, Luxu, Yaoting, the Chief Imperial Guard Mage Lu Huan, and others...
There were actually many Super Mages in the Ancient Capital. In the original work, more than twenty with names had taken action each with distinctive traits and formidable strength, not your typical single-element Super Mage.
Unfortunately, even for a lesser Monarch, it required four Super Mages to bring one down.
There were many Monarch across all classes—Small, Middle, and Greater. The leading one, [Corpse of the Mountain], was undoubtedly a Supreme Monarch, which made the manpower clearly insufficient.
At the level of Supreme Monarch, it took two or three Peak Super Mages (half Forbidden Curse level) to barely stand their ground. To completely annihilate one, Forbidden Curse magic was required.
Let alone the descent of the Supreme Creation [Dark Abyss]—whether Forbidden Curse magic could even destroy it was another question.
Otherwise, there wouldn't have been Forbidden Curse Mages lost deep in Dark Abyss back then.
The Ancient Capital's undead, excluding the Ancient King, already constituted a standard demonic empire's military force.
On a global scale, this empire might not rank top-tier, but for a single city of a nation to face it alone, the pressure was enormous.
To match its combat strength, at least the entire Northwest had to be mobilized.
Currently, Han Ji had already rushed to send word calling for Forbidden Curse Mages, but they couldn't be ready immediately.
Firstly, Forbidden Curse magic was equivalent to nuclear weapons in the technological world extremely polluting. Any area cleansed by Forbidden Curse magic became completely lifeless.
Even the undead couldn't survive such devastation.
Thus, where to unleash it in the Ancient Capital had to be carefully considered—preferably not at all. Otherwise, the city would fall into decline post-battle.
The Ancient Capital's economy relied heavily on reselling undead materials and soul essences. If that pillar industry collapsed, the losses would be irreparable.
Secondly, Forbidden Curse Mages couldn't arbitrarily cast fifth-tier Forbidden Curse magic. They needed an entire legion of High-tier Mages to act as formation nodes for control.
To prevent interruption during the process, layered formations of Mage battalions had to be deployed around them making the setup very time-consuming.
Lastly, with the vast expanse of Nine Provinces already under threat from multiple empires, there simply weren't enough hands to spare.
In the great hall of the observation deck, a middle-aged man with a full beard arrived late, covered in blood and emanating killing intent clearly just back from the battlefield.
It was none other than Zhu Meng, long unseen. After being demoted to the Ancient Capital, he had remained stationed there, working diligently.
He swept his eyes across the room, frowning, and said, "Chairman Han, what major matter calls for all high-level members? The northern city wall is under heavy pressure suspected Monarch-level monsters are causing havoc."
From the main seat, Han Ji said in a deep voice, "That's precisely what I'm talking about. According to reliable intel, this undead disaster is closely tied to the Black Vatican."
As the chairman spoke, the seven or eight Super Mages present trembled in shock, furious to the core.
"So I've decided—under the guise of a drill, we'll first evacuate the outer city's civilians into the inner city and prepare to activate the barrier at any time."
Han Ji gave the order firmly: "Tomorrow morning, we will bathe ourselves in the Kun Well waters of Villages, then step into Dark Abyss to stop the Ancient King's resurrection and disrupt the summoning process."
"Excellent!" Zhu Meng laughed heartily. "I'm willing to risk my life for a noble cause. That Ancient King from two thousand years ago, the great unifier I've long wanted to witness his power."
"Applying for Forbidden Curse magic isn't so easy, and its destruction is far too severe."
Lingxi, Duxiao, Yaoting, and the other Super Mages had no objections.
In the dimly lit tower corridor—
Clack clack clack! A series of crisp footsteps echoed.
Elder Lingxi of the Hunter Alliance strolled along the classic wooden floor in high heels, her palace dress swaying with every step.
She was an extremely beautiful woman an enchanting thirty-year-old lady. Her figure was graceful, full of mature charm. The crow's feet at the corners of her eyes didn't show age but added a mellow elegance refined by the years.
On the left side of the corridor, ancient wall paintings exuded a classical fragrance; on the right side, through open railings, the colorful magical effects illuminating the night sky outside could be seen.
At nightfall, the Undead had descended. Human mages fought blood-soaked battles, the ground littered with blood and bones.
"Lingxi" stood silently, gazing at the battlefield in the outer city district.
Moments later, from the darkness behind her, a figure knelt on one knee, drenched in cold sweat as he said, "Greetings, Lady Salan."
"It was my fault. The plan was exposed. Not only did I fail to clean up the tail end of the operation at Village Six in Weiju, but I also left behind residual Kun Well Water."
Under the dim light, the man's face came into view. It was the Grand Deacon of Hujin—Mu He!
Salan let out a cold chuckle. "What use is an apology? Tonight, the Ancient Capital's drill has already begun. All civilians have retreated into the Safe Zone."
"By tomorrow morning, Han Ji will take action. For a peak-level mage, interrupting the awakening of an Ancient King would be a breeze."
"Fortunately, Fang Gu seems willing to die rather than reveal the Kun Well Water's storage location. We still have time."
Her expression remained indifferent. "But I don't think he'll last past tonight's torture. You have only one night left. Start making up for your failure now. If you fail again, don't even think about seeing me."
As her words fell, Grand Deacon Mu He's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"I'll immediately mobilize personnel to assassinate Fang Gu, seize the Kun Well Water, and salvage the plan."
Soon after, Mu He quietly slipped away.
"Lingxi" remained motionless. Only heaven knew how furious and horrified she had been when she discovered all her side's information had been exposed and had fallen into the Ancient Capital's grasp.
It was as if she stood under the gaze of a god from above, being coldly watched and laid bare without even realizing it.
Salan took a deep breath, fully aware that the plan had already failed. Those high-ranking Blue Deacons? Did they really think China was made of soft flesh?
Once Forbidden Magic descended, it would crush everything in its path.
Salan even deeply realized that she herself was in danger. Suspicion had already arisen, and she was now in a quasi-house-arrest state.
The moment she left the Clock Tower Magic Association, she would likely face death.
Normally, action would begin tomorrow. Tonight, high-level experts should be resting. So what was the point of going out now?
That was why Salan was trying to find a way to escape. The Black Vatican members outside were merely bait to divert attention.
Besides, she knew she couldn't blame Hujin. The only possible leak in the plan came from her "dear daughter"—Asaharia.
Originally, Salan had held all the cards. She didn't mind letting the other side catch a glimpse of some trivial parts of the plan before its final execution.
Who would've expected the leftover Kun Well Water to become such a fatal flaw?
Fortunately, she was confident that at most Asaharia had sold off some insignificant edge details to the Parthenon Temple's Inquisition. As for Salan's true identity, she was certain Asaharia wouldn't dare expose it.
That would do Asaharia no good. It would also cause severe damage to her father Wen Tai's reputation.
From then on, the image of Saint Wen Tai would no longer shine bright. His legendary tale that moved the world would be tarnished, his spotless name marked with a permanent stain, bringing him crashing down to earth.
Salan had no idea that the Ancient Capital's side held two critical pieces of information:
First, they had completely seen through her identity.
Second, the Kun Well Water had already been exhausted.
Besides the bloodline of the Ancient King, only humans who had consumed Kun Well Water could enter the Dark Abyss.
None of the high-level super-tier mages met the condition. As for letting those ordinary villagers from Hua Village venture into the Dark Abyss to halt the Ancient King's awakening? What a joke.
In truth, the Black Vatican's plan remained flawlessly oppressive. By the time it was uncovered, there would be no way to turn back.
Han Ji was under immense pressure. The more he learned, the less hope he had. He was already preparing to unleash a Forbidden Curse-level final strike.
The Ancient Capital would be heavily damaged as a result. If so, the Black Vatican could still be considered marginally successful.
His only remaining wish was to kill a Red Cardinal as a funeral offering.
For additional Chapters
Versatile mage {40 Chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
Patreon. Com/ALLISWELL123
