Chaotic World Book
Chapter 419 - 408: Husband Does Not Associate with the Insignificant

Chapter 419: Chapter 408: Husband Does Not Associate with the Insignificant

Hangzhou, Alliance Meeting.

The heroes of the south gazed upon Zhu Huan’s corpse, their expressions exceptionally solemn.

He had been struck in the back after exhausting his strength, succumbing to his severe wounds—the situation was very clear.

But the issues reflected here were extremely serious.

It was assumed that Huiji was like an undefended brothel, accessible for anyone to lewdly exploit. Such ambition-driven individuals like Zhu Huan were just the beginning. Who knew how many others harbored similar intentions?

At this, everyone sharply inhaled, secretly relieved they hadn’t been so rash.

Zhu Huan’s troops were elite, considered among the strongest factions present. Yet, he never even saw Maitreya’s face, and the true extent of Maitreya Sect’s tricks remained hidden; merely a thousand monk soldiers had led him to die under the city’s walls without a chance to escape.

If it had not been for Tang Buqi’s support, the troops from Luling would have been annihilated—a grievously heavy loss.

It must be said that Tang Buqi’s action was a powerful reassurance for most, reliable enough to make people feel secure. With such an Alliance Hierarch, unity was achieved.

However, a minority observed detachedly, able to discern another aspect... But at this moment, there was no desire to care about how the Tang family might secretly recruit those troops, or whether Zhu Huan’s nephews would henceforth look up to the Tang family as their leader. Those were concerns for later... The immediate issue was how to engage Huiji now.

With Maitreya undefeated, everyone felt a bone stuck in their throat, restless and uneasy. Who wasn’t afraid of being beheaded by a master from the Earth List in their sleep? This was the top priority.

Yet, only at this moment did people realize they had never fought such an unknown battle. No spies could infiltrate Huiji, no information could be leaked out. Previously, everyone imagined that Maitreya was finished. However, the recent probing by the headstrong had revealed just the tip of the iceberg, strong enough to grind an elite battalion to dust. What more could be out there?

How could they fight this battle?

Previously, Tang Buqi had stated that the city was low on supplies and would break after encircled for some days, yet now even this seemed a benevolent lie to stabilize morale.

Without internal intelligence, how could you know how much provisions they had saved? Moreover, judging by the monk soldiers’ prowess, they might not even need provisions...

"Master Tang," amidst the silence, someone finally spoke up, "The Demon Suppression Department might have more intelligence, might know things that we don’t... How should we fight this battle, everyone awaits Master Tang’s command."

Tang Buqi waved his hand, "We don’t know much more either; it’s just that my aunt told me not to rush."

"Then shall we wait here for the chairperson to arrive? To speak frankly, if this drags on, our provisions won’t last either."

This was not an excuse filled with despair but the truth.

It was late spring, a genuine time of severe shortage. Everyone had been battling for so long, who still had provisions? This was primarily why many resented Tang Buqi’s previous inactivity. Every day of siege meant tightening their belts even further; none were here on vacation.

If this continued, not only would Maitreya not crumble from within, but they themselves would dissolve the siege.

Tang Buqi said, "When my aunt can arrive, I also do not know, but we cannot rely solely on her."

...It’s your aunt, not our reliance. It seemed we were the hapless dependents, not him...

Then Tang Buqi continued, "Just from what’s visible, we should also make our own analysis."

He gestured, and soldiers brought in a decapitated monk soldier’s corpse, placing it in the hall.

Earlier, his head had been chopped off, and his body had still been twisting in struggle. But now, it had completely cooled.

Tang Buqi squatted next to the monk soldier, stating, "What can be confirmed is that this isn’t a Corpse Soldier; he was alive before being beheaded. A fanatical belief made him voluntarily ’invite the divine into his body,’ resulting in an unstoppable divine aid. This should be one of Maitreya Sect’s core elite..."

Someone asked, "Why didn’t we see them during previous battles and sieges? Otherwise, we would have been unable to resist."

Tang Buqi replied, "They probably can only operate around Huiji, not far away. Before in the city outskirts, the headless body could still move; now it’s totally dead, probably because it left the covered area."

"So if we have to fight this kind of war, should we lure them away from Huiji? But with their last resistance, they certainly won’t leave."

"This condition must have a source causing it; a powerful warrior must enter the city and destroy this source," Tang Buqi declared. "Meanwhile, we must also apply full force in attacking the city to distract these creatures and prevent them from besieging those entering the city."

That was the theory, but as the room filled with animated discussions, the atmosphere suddenly cooled, and no one spoke.

This wasn’t like waiting for a mighty individual like Tang Wanzhuang to solve the problem before attacking the city; everyone must fully restrain these monk soldiers to facilitate actions within the city by individuals like Tang Wanzhuang.

People would die.

With the example of Zhu Huan, a collapse could happen in an instant. Who would dare to be the second? Who knew how many monk soldiers there were?

Tang Buqi surveyed the surroundings, slowly saying, "The Qi of these monk soldiers is limited, presumably because their own strength is limited and hence cannot last long... As long as we are prepared and hold them off, about the time it takes one stick of incense to burn, they will begin to weaken. So we just need to engage them for the duration of one incense stick."

Still, no one responded.

Tang Buqi straightforwardly proposed, "The plan is to surround on three sides, leave the south gate open. My Tang family will attack the north gate. Who wishes to take responsibility for the main attack on the east and west gates?"

Not a sound was heard.

Tang Buqi looked around; each person was avoiding his gaze, all hoping someone else would step forward first.

This was the final battle, who wanted to fight to the death? After others suffered heavy casualties, there were still plenty of spoils to pick. Who would rule Jiangnan was still undecided.

Tang Buqi’s eyes revealed a clear disappointment.

His aunt had not come over for a long time, first because she had been injured and needed to heal, and secondly, she was surely forging alliances with other strong figures to enter the city together—a true deadly arrangement.

What a joke, if his aunt’s strong supporters had decided, but he, Tang Buqi, failed to play his distracting role.

Really laughable, Tang Wanzhuang entering the city as a suicide soldier, Tang Buqi leading the charge, and then what? What about the others?

Had all the noble families besides the Tang family died out?

Still not as good as Zhu Huan! He has ambition, but at least he tries! What are these people made of?

Just then, laughter came from outside the hall, "In that case, the Cao Gang will take responsibility for the east gate."

Following the voice, Wan Dongliu strode in and bowed to Tang Buqi, "Cao Gang has come to assist... we have few, but enough to handle the east gate."

Tang Buqi was overjoyed, "Brother Wan is most righteous!"

Someone coldly frowned, "Courting death against heretical cults, when has it been the place for worldly factions to speak?"

Wan Dongliu just smiled, uninterested in engaging.

A middle-aged man also entered briskly, saying with a smile, "If that is so, then the west gate will be handed over to the Blood God Sect. The Saint Heir said he likes celebrations at the west gate."

A murmur rose in the hall.

Blood God Sect! Xue Canghai!

This was even harder to accept than the Cao Gang; a worldly faction’s help was one thing, but since when could the Demon Sect openly appear in such a place?

Tang Buqi, too, twitched his lips, unsure whether to be happy or angry.

He was quite informed; he knew that Zhao Changhe had subdued the Blood God Sect to secure Xiangyang. Xue Canghai’s arrival essentially meant that Zhao Changhe’s affairs were settled, which also meant his aunt had already arrived... but thinking of having to call that young man ’uncle,’ how could he be pleased?

He did not speak for a moment, but others misunderstood, and one person stood up slamming the table, pointing at Xue Canghai, "All the renowned families are suppressing heretical cults, since when does the Blood God Sect have a say? You yourselves are the Demon Sect to be suppressed! Who let them in? Kick them out."

Xue Canghai’s gaze turned frosty as he looked at him, his smile thin and superficial, "Aristocratic families? All I see are a bunch of wild dogs fighting over food, even worse... wild dogs show some bloodline, what are you?"

"Yo... isn’t this the Sect Hierarch Xue challenged beyond his rank? You..."

Before he could finish, Xue Canghai exploded in rage, flashing forward, and with one claw, he tightly gripped the man’s neck, almost snapping it completely.

This was the rage pent up for a year and a half, even Zhao Changhe didn’t dare mention his scars to his face.

"Xue was indeed challenged beyond his rank... pity you are not the one." Xue Canghai coldly stated, "You don’t want to associate with our Demon Sect, do you? Will you leave on your own, or should I kill you to make you leave?"

The man struggled to look towards Tang Buqi, "Young Master Tang..."

Tang Buqi helplessly performed a polite gesture, "Sect Hierarch Xue, please don’t kill anyone here..."

The way he said it, instead of having the Demon Sect kicked out, he was asking for a favor. This was intolerable to some, who rose abruptly, "Since Young Master Tang only favors the Demon Sect, then we withdraw and let the Demon Sect accompany you in fighting against Maitreya."

The noise came again from outside, "Indeed, you can all leave."

People turned their heads, and a tall young man with a scarred face strode in, exuding a commanding presence.

Everyone’s heart skipped, and a name came to mind.

Blood Shura, Zhao Changhe!

Despite being a junior, the aura of ferocity that came with the name surpassed even Xue Canghai... for a moment, all were silent.

Although this young man was not only a Grandmaster of the Human List but also had circulated in secret recent days, many among the noble families had their suspicions.

Tang Wanzhuang almost overtly supported him...

If he was advocating for the Demon Sect and the factions... was it representing the imperial intention, or his own?

Amidst diverse thoughts, Zhao Changhe looked around, baring his teeth in a smile, "Zhao has invited heroes to a grand hunt in Wu, sorry for being late... but heroes never include you all, please feel free to leave."

Someone slowly said, "Does Young Master Zhao understand what he is saying... have you thought it through?"

"A man does not associate with the unworthy." Zhao Changhe spoke lightly, "As for whatever is on your minds, sorry, I don’t care."

People felt a shift, turning their heads, Cui Wenjing and Yang Jingxiu were quietly standing at the door, seemingly lacking even the mood to step in and converse.

If it was a grand hunt in Wu, who was the prey?

Apart from Maitreya... it was them too.

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PS: First update of July, seeking support for a monthly ticket~