Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: A Simple Reason for War
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The reason for starting the war was simpler than expected.
The Yellow River, originating from the Kunlun Mountains, breaks through Qinghai Province, swells by absorbing tributaries, pierces Lanzhou in Gansu Province, then veers northeast.
From there, it flows over two thousand li along the eastern side of the Haran Mountains before being blocked by the Yinshan Mountains and turning east.
The Yinshan Mountains had long been the domain of nomadic tribes—the very peoples the Central Plains folk disdainfully called Xiongnu, Xianbei, and Rouran. Two hundred years ago, it was also the territory of the Great Xia Kingdom.
The Yinshan range stretches a thousand li east to west.
The river, racing a thousand li, is then blocked by the Ye Liang Mountains and turns south. After another two thousand li journey, it enters the Central Plains.
In the heyday of the Great Xia Kingdom, the area teemed with people everywhere, but now it was a barren wasteland. Not a desert, yet no different from one.
That place was the old Western Xia lands, the Ordos Plateau.
A group pushed through the sandstorm. With their bloodwind robes pulled up over their faces, they were the Boundless Heaven Squad who had departed from the ruins of the Peerless Six Heavens.
The Boundless Heaven Squad bypassed Dunhuang and followed the edge of the Pa Dan Desert toward the Central Plains to avoid unnecessary clashes.
Unlike other factions, the Boundless Heaven Squad had come to the Peerless Six Heavens ruins with a clear purpose.
That purpose was an item called the Peerless Heavenly Corpse. Boundless Heaven had a legend passed down for ages about the Peerless Heavenly Corpse. Details on what it was weren't specified, but it was said that once completed, it would elevate their forebear sect above the other Five Heavens.
They had poured all their efforts into finding the Peerless Heavenly Corpse upon arrival.
While wandering underground, they stumbled into a hidden chamber and discovered six stone coffins.
The words "Heavenly Corpse" were engraved atop the coffins. Two more characters above were faded and illegible. Instinct told them these six coffins were what they sought.
They retrieved the coffins and escaped the ruins. Though they yearned to explore more, transporting the Peerless Heavenly Corpse took priority.
The coffins were wrapped in silk and concealed.
They set course for the Central Plains immediately after.
"We camp here today."
Sun Woo Chang Cheon raised his hand and called out. Twilight had fallen; pressing on was impossible.
The Boundless Heaven Squad halted in unison. They had stopped before a lake.
"Prepare the meal! Scouts, recon the area!"
Vice Commander Hwang U issued the order.
At once, twenty men from the rear scattered in all directions.
The rest began setting up for dinner.
Watching his men, Vice Commander Hwang U approached Sun Woo Chang Cheon. One squad member fetched wood and lit a fire.
"Bring out the map."
Sun Woo Chang Cheon said.
"Yes."
Hwang U unfolded the map before Sun Woo Chang Cheon.
"Where are we now?"
"Here."
Hwang U pointed to the midpoint of the Pa Dan Desert.
"Is this the Great Sand Dune?"
The Great Sand Dune was the tallest dune in the Pa Dan Desert. Despite the name, it was no mere dune—more like a barren mountain devoid of grass or trees.
"Yes."
Hwang U nodded.
"During the Great Xia Kingdom, this was White Wolf Clan territory, right?"
"The White Wolf Clan originally lived near the Great Sand Dune. They earned merit in founding Great Xia and relocated to Yinchuan. They held the highest status after the king until the kingdom's fall."
"So they fell with the nation?"
"Yes."
"That's why martial sects keep their distance from the imperial house."
That was the primary reason martial world factions avoided ties with the throne. Leaning on it might speed growth, but its collapse meant their doom too. Thus, most sects shunned imperial connections unless unavoidable.
"Indeed."
"How far to Yinchuan from here?"
Yinchuan had been the Great Xia capital.
"At minimum, half a month."
"Our first destination is along the Yellow River?"
"Not the stretch by Yinchuan—Zhen Shan Gorge. Another thousand li east from there."
"It's far."
"Yes. But..."
"You're wondering about that thing?"
"Not just me. Everyone is."
"I don't know the details either. Just that possessing the Peerless Heavenly Corpse changes the martial world power balance."
"It must be some ultimate weapon."
"Looks that way."
"Did other factions miss it?"
"My guess—its creators were from our ancestral sect. They made it in secret but couldn't complete it or bring it to the Central Plains."
"So it might still be incomplete?"
"The higher-ups will decide. We just follow orders."
"Right."
"Gah!"
A scream pierced the air then.
"Hm?"
Sun Woo Chang Cheon shot to his feet.
"What happened?"
He headed toward the sound, which came from the south. A scout from that direction flew back.
"Enemies!"
"Enemies?"
Sun Woo Chang Cheon's face hardened.
Despite their caution, they'd been spotted.
"I'll hold them. Commander, go ahead."
"Vice Commander."
"Our goal isn't battle. I'll disengage soon and catch up."
"Got it."
Sun Woo Chang Cheon nodded.
The Boundless Heaven Squad split: half with Sun Woo Chang Cheon and the coffins departed; half stayed with Hwang U.
Sussusu! Sussusu! Sussusu!
A group approached the lake amid faint sounds.
"They're masked."
A squad member reported to Hwang U.
"We are the Boundless Heaven Squad of Boundless Heaven. Who are you?"
Hwang U stated politely. Declaring their affiliation was a warning of repercussions.
"Attack!"
The masked foes ignored it and charged, weapons dripping with killing intent.
"Attack!"
Hwang U ordered.
"Waaah!"
The Boundless Heaven Squad roared and met them head-on.
Clang! Clangclangclang! Clangclang!
"Cough!"
"Ugh!"
"Aaagh!"
Screams soon rose from both sides.
"Nine Great Righteous Sects techniques?"
Hwang U's eyes widened. The attackers wielded Nine Great Righteous Sects martial arts.
"Are the Ten Heavens starting a war?"
He bellowed.
Swaeek!
A sharp burst shot at his head. Hwang U hastily raised his saber to block.
Chaaang!
"Ugh!"
He staggered back two steps.
'This technique?'
Hwang U's face set. Despite the mask, he recognized the foe: Qingcheng Sect's Pinnacle Sword Song Mugwang.
"I've always wanted to cross blades with Hero Song."
Whoosh!
Song Mugwang lunged as the words fell, his sword aura sharpening.
Paat!
Hwang U retreated without engaging.
"To the north!"
Hwang U roared. He headed north to buy time for Sun Woo Chang Cheon's group.
"Cough!"
"Ugh!"
The frontrunners screamed.
"Again!"
Hwang U's face twisted. Enemies weren't just south.
"Yellow Dragon Heaven's Cloud Dragon Squad... Aaagh!"
A agonized scream rang out.
"Scatter! Return to Heaven and report the Ten Heavens and Yellow Dragon Heaven's attack!"
Hwang U yelled, leaping away.
"Aaagh!"
"Euaagh!"
Screams echoed everywhere. Hwang U fled with bloodshot eyes.
"Kill them!"
A murderous voice boomed from the north.
"You bastards!"
Hwang U ground his teeth. That roar belonged to Yellow Dragon Heaven's Cloud Dragon Squad commander, Virtual Nothing Mad Elder Joo Bal.
"We've been made, Commander."
Vice Commander Heo Gil reported to Joo Bal.
'No choice now... wipe them out.'
Joo Bal clenched his fist, glaring ahead.
"Kill them all!"
He roared.
The Cloud Dragon Squad cut down Boundless Heaven warriors while charging south. They soon encountered masked Ten Heavens fighters. Both sides froze momentarily, unaware of the other force.
They glared at each other briefly.
"Kill!"
The Great Ten Righteous Assembly struck first.
Their vanguard roared and charged the Cloud Dragon Squad.
"Waaah!"
The rest followed with battle cries.
"Attack!"
Joo Bal ordered.
Blood already spilled, hesitation vanished. Fierce combat erupted lakeside, dozens slain and as many wounded.
"Check the lake!"
"Inspect the lake!"
Joo Bal and Monk Geukheo shouted simultaneously. Unaware Sun Woo Chang Cheon's group had escaped first.
A dozen dashed to the lake, still clashing en route.
"Aaagh!"
"Uagh!"
A couple fell; several reached the shore.
"Nothing here!"
"No sign."
"Withdraw!"
"Pull back!"
Joo Bal and Monk Geukheo ordered in unison.
Both sides retreated swiftly.
"Search for tracks!"
Cloud Dragon Squad and Great Ten Righteous Assembly scoured competitively.
"Traces east."
"Eastbound."
Both cried out together.
"Move!"
"Pursue!"
Cloud Dragon Squad and Great Ten Righteous Assembly warriors raced east. Moments after they left, a group emerged from the lake's west side.
Two hundred strong, they were Silver Sand Heaven's Great Secret Pavilion warriors.
"What do you think the Boundless Heaven Squad got from the Peerless Six Heavens ruins?"
A bamboo-hat figure with a red silk veil over their face asked softly. Voice androgynous, it was Great Secret Pavilion's Pavilion Lord, Cloud Guest—Red Face. Not their real name, but from the crimson veil.
"Whatever it is, worth dying for."
A reply came from behind. It was Great Secret Pavilion's strategist, Heart Brain Jung Seon. Unlike Red Face, clearly female.
"Will reinforcements come?"
"We requested; surely they did too."
"Probably. What happens next?"
"This incident lights the fuse for a martial world war."
"Isn't that jumping ahead?"
"No. The situation demands war."
"Why?"
"Factions have grown too massive."
"Just that sparks war?"
"The Five Heavens focused on expansion. They've hit critical mass. Left alone, internal revolt brews."
"Internal revolt?"
"Rebellion. To avert it, ignite externally—a martial world war."
"All that pent-up power erupts at once."
"A brutal, long winter looms."
"Could be. But we have our mission."
"Yes."
"Move out!"
Red Face called softly.
Wooooo! Wooooo!
Great Secret Pavilion warriors hummed lowly and vanished into motion.