Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 559 - 559 558 A New Life Double Monthly Tickets Requested

559: Chapter 558: A New Life [Double Monthly Tickets Requested] 559: Chapter 558: A New Life [Double Monthly Tickets Requested] Both men sat there, one cup after another, like friends reunited after a long separation.

“Northwest is a huge quagmire, an insatiable sink for resources; the unease across the continent is becoming more and more apparent.

Whether it’s humans or cultivation creatures, all can clearly sense that some profound change is taking place in the world.

Therefore, the conflict is fundamentally unavoidable,”

Hou Niao nodded, “…Yes, everyone’s competing, but they don’t know what for.

It’s actually just confusion over an uncontrollable future.”

Yu Zhengxing explained, “Jin City, led by our Quanzhen Sect, has formed an alliance with a few other Holy Sects to secure the Loulan direction.

The boundary we share with Kneecap Desert spans over three thousand li.

It’s neither the largest nor the smallest among the eight directions, but the concept of the boundary itself is rather vague.

We have our viewpoint, and the undead creatures have theirs.

It all comes down to a balance of power.”

Pointing to the only decoration within the adobe house, a huge map on the wall, “Here in Jin City, we have more than fifty Tongtian Realm sword cultivators from the three Marquis Mansions and various State Mansions, plus a few scattered cultivators from other sects, totaling just over a hundred people.

They are overseen by me and another Golden Core cultivator from Sima Mansion, along with a few Golden Core cultivators from various sects, responsible for patrolling and exterminating threats along the three-thousand-li boundary.

With such a broad front and stretched manpower, it has led to a relentless struggle for human cultivators over the years, rife with vulnerabilities.

Of course, a complete seal off is impossible.

We can only say that we prevent the large-scale infiltration of undead creatures.

As for the ones that slip through, the nations behind have to bear the consequences themselves.”

Hou Niao asked, “Behind us is Zhongshan Country, they…”

Yu Zhengxing sighed, “The cultivation environment here can’t compare to the inland areas.

Sparse population, barren land, and weak cultivation foundations; outwardly, it seems like a unified nation under one Daoist lineage, but their cultivation power is even less than Jin City’s back then.

How much help can you expect from them?

Most of Zhongshan’s forces are spent dealing with the creatures that sneak past, so the responsibility for the boundary falls to us.

That’s the reality of the situation.”

Hou Niao felt overwhelmed, “A hundred people for a three-thousand-li front, so one person covers thirty li?

That’s exhausting.

For us minor Tongtian Realm cultivators, our Divine Sense can’t even cover that much ground, and we have to keep flying…

We should have a hundred or so Golden Core elders…”

Yu Zhengxing glared at him, “We might as well ask all the Nascent Transformation ancestors of the continent to come so you can rest easy and indulge in your whims, eh?”

Hou Niao chuckled, “Just kidding, just kidding!

Great-uncle, limited manpower aside, but if those higher-level undead beings also infiltrate inland, you can’t expect us minor cultivators to face them, can you?

I am still young with many good days ahead of me.”

Yu Zhengxing scolded with a smile, “Always you with the problems, always claiming your right as if you were brave, when you’re simply afraid of death; but relax, in the cultivation world, interactions between different cultivation creatures have their own set of unspoken rules.

Outright bullying by the strong against the weak is unlikely.

At least in my over twenty years in the desert, I haven’t encountered it.

All cultivation creatures, when their realms reach a certain height, naturally gain intelligence.

With more knowledge, their actions become regulated; they are very clear about what it means that the human cultivators’ Nascent Transformation ancestors do not venture deep into Kneecap Desert.

It’s a state of mutual deterrence, preserving room to maneuver, letting the lower-ranking ones probe and stir up trouble.

Maybe one day those high-level undead beings will finally emerge from the desert, but by then, the continent will already be in chaos, and norms will no longer matter.”

He pointed at him, “One person in charge of thirty li?

You don’t do the calculations like that.

There’s always time off, team formations, emergencies, and a need to maintain a certain level of mobile force.

So our routine is to group in teams of three to five, with nearly ten teams patrolling and clearing the border fan.

They can communicate with each other, and there are two more teams of ten as a mobile force for backup.

These teams consist mostly of Tongtian Realm cultivators like you, occasionally led by Golden Core cultivators in key directions and areas.

Each outing is limited to three months, in rotation for rest…”

Hou Niao resigned himself to the situation.

With everything arranged, there was nothing more he could say, “Alright, then the disciple will familiarize himself for some time…”

Yu Zhengxing snorted, “Familiarize what?

We sword cultivators face storms and waves.

With manpower so tight, do you think I should arrange a guide for you?

Perhaps you’d like a few bed warmers as well?”

Hou Niao was unbothered, “That could work, I thank you in advance.”

Yu Zhengxing found him frustrating, but this fellow before him was indeed one of the most talented and capable among the younger generation he’d seen over the years.

Not only was he strong, but he was also decisive and didn’t require any worry.

A true confidant and peer, if only he showed a bit more respect for his seniors.

“You’re to take charge immediately; lead a team yourself.

You need to realize that among these Tongtian Realm cultivators, those with Natural Realm cultivation are still a minority.

If you don’t lead, who will?

Those brought here for missions in Kneecap Desert are mostly God Sensing Realm, with a small number just starting on the Daoist Path as Tongxuan cultivators,”

“I warn you, don’t focus on your own gratification during the mission.

Also, look after your fellow cultivators.

No one here is for resources.

Everyone volunteered, driven by a passion for the welfare of humanity, and that alone deserves our respect.”

Hou Niao shook his head, “Great-uncle, spare me the grand principles and pretty words, will you?

Not everyone volunteered.

I was drafted by you.

Otherwise, I’d still be enjoying peace back in Jade Capital.

I just had a beauty and hadn’t gotten to enjoy her company much before you dragged me away…”

Yu Zhengxing dismissed his complaints as nonsense, tossing him a Jade Scroll, “This contains a general overview of Kneecap Desert, as well as the combat habits and characteristics of the undead creatures, all hard-won knowledge from our ancestors gained over hundreds of years at the cost of their blood.

Take time to understand it.

Gui Team’s leader had an accident in the desert recently, and his team has been leaderless and resting in Loulan City for months.

You’ll head to Gui Team.

Get yourself prepared; you’ll be setting out in a few days.”

Hou Niao mumbled as he turned to leave, “Leaderless?

There’s barely two and a half men in total…

I had more under my command back in Yinling!”

Yu Zhengxing glared at him, “Would you rather me go to Gui Team?

You want to take my place?”

Hou Niao pocketed his hands and strutted off, “One day I will sit in that position, and send you off to vanish in the depths of the desert…”

Watching the young man leave, a smile appeared on Yu Zhengxing’s face.

He was in charge here, leading a group of sword cultivators from diverse origins, from the three Marquis Mansions, Prince Manors, State Mansions…

Although there was no cutthroat competition or difficult orders, it was true that he lacked close and capable confidants.

Hou Niao could be a great help to him, and not only in terms of combat strength…

The more he thought about it, the happier Yu Zhengxing felt.