Chapter 2189 - 2174: Tit for Tat (First Update)

Chapter 2189: Chapter 2174: Tit for Tat (First Update)

The Prophet Magician Jiu Xi of the Demon Clan and the Demon Emperor’s bounty on me, Ye Zhen, are known to me.

I am fully aware of the consequences that will arise from killing the Prophet Magician Qi Hong.

Even though the massive army of the Seventh Crown Prince of the Demon Emperor, Congyun, has currently retreated, regardless of the reason, I, Ye Zhen, am well aware.

The retaliation from the Demon Clan will come swiftly.

Whether it’s personal or in a legionnaire manner.

The personal kind is not worth discussing, but the legionnaire kind of attack will certainly be more ferocious and larger in scale than the previous million-strong army of the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun.

Ye Zhen’s success in repelling the million-strong army of the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun was actually a stroke of luck.

But the next time the Demon Clan’s army comes to avenge the Prophet Magician Qi Hong, Ye Zhen might not be so lucky.

Therefore, Ye Zhen must make preparations in advance.

Ye Zhen is actively preparing military equipment and elite main forces.

But the most important factor is the number of soldiers.

Even with military equipment, a clever woman cannot cook without rice.

There are only two channels for Ye Zhen to supplement the number of soldiers: one is to transfer troops from North Sea County, and the other is to turn to the Dock Castles of the Blood River Fortress.

I brought two hundred and twenty thousand troops here, and now Ye Zhen regrets it.

If I had known the millennium war would break out this year, at least, I would have brought five hundred thousand troops from North Sea County.

That way, there would be plenty to defend the city, allowing Ye Zhen freedom to maneuver.

However, hindsight is always twenty-twenty; two hundred and twenty thousand troops—almost twice the requirement of the Military Department—should normally be enough for auxiliary defense.

Now, it’s too late to say anything.

Furthermore, any movement of county troops must have the Military Department’s approval, military orders, and so forth, and this path has been blocked by the Military Department, leaving Ye Zhen no choice.

Though the Military Department’s actions seem like cutting off Ye Zhen’s contribution to the country.

But all Ye Zhen can do is accept it.

The Imperial Court has always been extremely strict in reallocating county soldiers, and it’s reasonable and compliant with the Military Law of Great Zhou; even if this went to the Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long, Ye Zhen would gain nothing.

Therefore, Ye Zhen currently has only one path left: reaching out to the two great Dock Castles of the Blood River Fortress.

In recent days, Liuu Feng has repeatedly conveyed Marshal Ye Zhen’s intention to recruit militia for auxiliary defense to these two Dock Castles, but each time, it was decisively refused by the Fortress Lords of these two Dock Castles.

The reason for refusal is simple—there are no clauses in the Law of Great Zhou and the Military Law of Great Zhou requiring their Dock Castles to send troops for auxiliary defense.

Moreover, Marshal Ye Zhen had already drafted civilians from their Dock Castles, to which they have complied.

They have fulfilled their duty, so their refusal is straightforward.

On the surface, there’s nothing wrong with this.

But Ye Zhen cannot tolerate it.

So Ye Zhen personally took action, riding alone to Dingbian Fortress.

The name of Marshal, the Garrison Commander of Blood River Fortress, especially with the prestige of beheading the Prophet Magician Qi Hong, is still quite influential for now.

Upon revealing his identity, the men of Dingbian Fortress invited Ye Zhen to the inner castle’s guest hall, where he was received by Shan Feng, the Deputy Fort Master of Dingbian Fortress and son of the Fortress Lord Shan Zhengchun.

Ye Zhen didn’t bother with formalities with this Shan Feng, "This Marshal came personally to speak with Lord Shan, regarding an important matter."

Shan Feng’s response was straightforward, "Whatever Marshal Ye Zhen needs, please speak directly; as Deputy Fort Master, I can make decisions."

Ye Zhen’s gaze shifted to the confident Shan Feng, remaining silent for a long while.

His innate Primordial Spirit Pressure, combined with the killing qi and evil qi accumulated from countless life-and-death experiences, appeared calm yet intangible, causing Shan Feng to become uneasy after just a few breaths.

"So, you’re saying that the lives of a thousand people in the entire Dingbian Fortress are at your sole discretion, Deputy Fort Master Shan?"

Ye Zhen’s words immediately filled Shan Feng’s eyes with boundless fear, as he lost his composure and exclaimed, "I can’t, I’ll go invite..."

Mid-sentence, Shan Feng suddenly snapped out of the Divine Soul intimidation, his gaze turning furious, "My father is not here, he’s away and his return is uncertain; if Marshal Ye Zhen truly wishes to see him, you’ll have to wait patiently."

"Return is uncertain?"

Ye Zhen chuckled coldly, his gaze once again fixed on Shan Feng, who this time lowered his head in fear, not daring to meet Ye Zhen’s eyes.

Seeing this, Ye Zhen sighed softly, lifted a teacup, and took a sip, "Old Fort Lord Shan, you should know I’ve been using the Heavenly Patrol Divine General as a scout; you wouldn’t want my Divine General to seek you out, now would you?"

After speaking, Ye Zhen fell silent, focused on savoring the tea before him, as if it were a delicacy.

A few breaths later, after some subtle spatial fluctuations washed over the void, an annoyed old voice sounded from behind the hall.

"Marshal Ye, using a Bewildering God-type secret technique to intimidate my son, seems to me you’re full of malice.

Moreover, there’s already a grudge between you and Dingbian Fortress; for Marshal Ye to come here alone, full of malice, aren’t you afraid I would kill you in anger?"

This voice belonged to the Fortress Lord of Dingbian Fortress, Shan Zhengchun.

With a snort of anger, the pitch-black, cloud-like face of the Fortress Lord Shan Zhengchun appeared from the back hall, pushing Shan Feng aside to sit across from Ye Zhen, glaring at him with copper-like eyes filled with undeniable murderous intent.

The reason Shan Feng was startled by Ye Zhen’s gaze was because Ye Zhen had used a small Divine Soul Secret Technique inherited from the Ancient Demon God, which led to Shan Zhengchun’s accusation of full malice.

"You intend to kill me?" Ye Zhen’s eyes met his fearlessly, "Lord Shan, why not give it a try!"

Ye Zhen’s words were full of provocation, as if daring Shan Zhengchun to make a move!

Shan Zhengchun was infuriated by Ye Zhen’s demeanor, abruptly standing up, his killing qi unabashedly locking onto Ye Zhen, "Do you truly think I dare not?"

"Now, with the Prophet Magician Jiu Xi and the Demon Emperor’s bounty, numerous Demon Clan experts are flocking here, eager to kill you. If I simply push your death onto the Demon Clan, it’s reasonable and unquestionable!"

Applause echoed, "Indeed reasonable, unquestionable!"

Just as Shan Zhengchun’s long eyebrows rose, Ye Zhen’s voice rang out again, "But the question is, is Lord Shan truly confident in killing me, Ye Zhen?"

"Moreover, would Lord Shan really want to kill me, Ye Zhen?"

This time, Shan Zhengchun didn’t immediately respond; instead, he stared at Ye Zhen for a while before slowly speaking up.

"I have no idea how much effort Marshal Ye put into killing that Prophet Magician Qi Hong; it’s precisely because I can’t be sure of this that I haven’t taken drastic measures. Otherwise, Marshal Ye would already be a dead man!"

"As for whether I’m willing? I am aware of Marshal Ye’s point; if you die, Ye Zhen, and the Imperial Court sends another marshal, wouldn’t they hold the Blood River Fortress?" Shan Zhengchun scoffed.

"Insincere!"

"Lord Shan is insincere!"

Ye Zhen shook his head with a smile, "In ordinary times, there are many who can hold the Blood River Fortress, but those who can hold it against the million-strong elite army of the Demon Clan, there aren’t many, are there?"

Hearing this, Shan Zhengchun did not refute, clearly agreeing with Ye Zhen’s assessment, prompting Ye Zhen to smile once again.

Without dwelling on this topic, he straightforwardly approached the main issue.

"I suppose Lord Shan already understands the purpose of my personal visit this time?" Ye Zhen stated.

Ye Zhen spoke bluntly, and Shan Zhengchun’s refusal was equally blunt, "Requisitioning militia for auxiliary defense is absolutely impossible. Let me make it clear to Marshal Ye.

According to the Law of Great Zhou, the Blood River Fortress can conscript fifty thousand civilians from the Dock Castles annually, shared by our Dingbian Fortress and Black Earth Stronghold.

This year, the Blood River Fortress has already conscripted thirty thousand civilians, according to the law; our Dingbian Fortress can only take on a maximum of ten thousand civilians.

If that’s what the Marshal needs, these ten thousand civilians can set off tomorrow. As for the militia, forget it!"

"Civilians, this Marshal wants them, but militia, this Marshal wants even more, and in larger numbers!"

"Absolutely impossible!" The voices of Ye Zhen and Shan Zhengchun clashed sharply!