1277 - 1285
Chapter 1277: Gathering (III)
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
"Ahh, there are very few knights in Youzhou Province."
"Youzhou Province was just a barren province a few years ago. It has just been established. The province is vast and sparsely populated. It's already something for them to have these knights…"
"They even assigned 2 top beauties. They really feast my eyes." One guy said while clicking on his tongue.
As very few knights came from Youzhou Province, the 43 knights attracted the attention of many other knights, causing hot discussions…
As they had few people, Bai Suxian, Guo Hongyi and Zhang Tie became very special. In Taixia Country, the number of female knights was much fewer than that of male knights. It could be said that female knights were rarities in Taixia Country. Any female knight would attract great attention wherever they were, not to mention Bai Suxian and Guo Hongyi who were distant and brilliant respectively.
Zhang Tie was more outstanding. Among all the knights at present, no one else was younger than Zhang Tie. Among the other knights, the youngest ones were black iron knights who were at their 20s. Given Zhang Tie's look, he was absolutely like a teenager. Even a 17-year old black iron knight would become the focus of the public, not to mention that Bai Suxian was standing on Zhang Tie's side like a well-behaved wife. Being set off by such a brilliant and mature female knight, of course, Zhang Tie was most eye-catching at present.
"Who's that 17-year old knight beside that female knight over there? How could he be so young?"
Many eye lights were thrown onto Zhang Tie.
"It's said that there's a young talent in Gu Clan of Youzhou Province called Gu Qingyun. He's been a knight at a young age. Is that person Gu Qingyun…"
"Impossible. Haven't you seen the 3 people in yellow clothes? They are elders of Gu Clan. I know Elder Gu Qinglong. That young man is not on the side of Gu elders…"
"No more guesses. The youngest knight among the knights from Youzhou Province is Zhang Tie, Qianji Hermit, also the owner of Iron-Dragon Sect. The female knight on his side is the princess of Lord Guangnan's Mansion…"
"Yes, yes, yes. That person is Zhang Tie the Qianji Hermit. I remember his photo when Qianji Hermit was framed by Heavens Reaching Church and wanted by the Supreme Court a few years ago. His looks remain unchanged…"
"It's said that Qianji Hermit could maintain his young look and that he favored mature and brilliant women. It seems true…"
Hearing those discussions in the surroundings, Bai Suxian threw a glance at Zhang Tie with a kind smile. Zhang Tie stroked his nose bashfully as he swore, 'Damn, they don't talk about so many good things that I did in Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory; but only pay attention to which kind of woman I like. Are all knights that gossipy?'
In the discussions, an airboat landed as another team of knights got off the airboat. The latest team of knights then walked over here from afar. Before arriving at the drill ground, one person among those knights had burst out into laughter, arising the attention of so many people at present.
"Hahaha, I've not imagined that I could meet Qianji Hermit here. After the fight with the hermit, I've got some new enlightenment on fix position. It's a pleasant thing in my life to fight demons together with Qianji Hermit in the west border of Taixia Country…" Nangong Sheng strode out of those knights as he said while cupping his fists towards Zhang Tie.
Nangong Sheng said loudly with a passionate and heroic look. He expressed the fact that he was defeated by Zhang Tie in another manner as he felt that it was not a shame or a failure but manifesting that he was qualified to fight Qianji Hermit. After hearing his words, many knights on the drill ground moved their eyes onto Nangong Sheng's face.
Zhang Tie was clear about Nangong Sheng's thought; however, out of kindness, people with a smile should not be beaten. After suffering a loss in front of Zhang Tie, Nangong Sheng had changed his attitude towards Zhang Tie greatly and respected him pretty much. In his rotating chakra ceremony, Nangong Sheng even sent a heavy gift to him; therefore, Zhang Tie would not make Nangong Sheng embarrassed at this moment.
Nangong Sheng just liked putting on his airs and was a bit obsessed with fame and gain. Although he was good at sailing with the wind, he was not too evil or vicious. Of course, Zhang Tie could forgive him.
Under the gaze of the public, Zhang Tie also cupped his fists towards Nangong Sheng as he said, "Master Nangong, I'm overpraised. I'm just fulfilling my responsibility after receiving the Xuanyuan command. By contrast, Immortal Fist Position Sect is more generous. In order to respond to Xuanyuan command, all the owner and the elders of your sect have come. I really admire about the loyalty and braveness of master Nangong and the other two elders of Immortal Fist Position Sect!"
After hearing Zhang Tie's praise, Nangong Sheng immediately looked as brilliant as being shone by a searchlight. Even the two elders behind him chested out unconsciously. Nangong Sheng glanced around as if he was a hero before replying, "Thanks for your praise, Qianji Hermit. All the knights of Iron-Dragon Sect have arrived too. Besides hermit, Mountain Lifting Hermit and Princess Bai had also arrived. You're more admirable. Hopefully, I could see hermit's powerful fist position on the battlefield in a few days…"
Zhang Tie knew that Nangong Sheng might not know that 2 more elders had joined Iron-Dragon Sect. However, he didn't need to explain it to Nangong Sheng at this moment; instead, Zhang Tie just nodded with a smile. Closely after that, Nangong Sheng and the other two elders of Immortal Fist Position stood in the region of knights from Yanzhou Province.
The talk between Nangong Sheng and Zhang Tie confirmed Zhang Tie's identity. Through their talk, the others also knew that Iron-Dragon Sect and Immortal Fist Position assigned both owner and all their elders to respond to Xuanyuan command. To be honest, Iron-Dragon Sect and Immortal Fist Position were really "loyal and brave".
Therefore, Iron-Dragon Sect and Immortal Fist Position won many people's respect at once.
The other airboats constantly landed as more and more knights got off the airboat and entered their own region on the drill ground.
Compared to the constantly growing number of knights from the other provinces, the number of knights from Youzhou Province remained unchanged.
The knights of Zhu Clan the Yanzhou provincial governor's clan and Qian Clan the Tongzhou provincial governor's clan also arrived constantly. All the clan elders who were familiar with Zhang Tie greeted Zhang Tie by nodding towards him with a smile or having a brief talk with Zhang Tie. Watching all this, many people who were observing Zhang Tie stealthily made a new comment on Qianji Hermit——Qianji Hermit is not only powerful and famous but also have a high popularity. He's never that kind of narcissistic person.
As more and more knights arrived at the drill ground, Zhang Tie sensed the great power of Taixia Country as the center of humans for the first time.
The entire 8 provinces across the northeast military region assigned over 10,000 knights here. Except for Youzhou Province, each of the other provinces had assigned at least 1,000 knights here. Among them, major provinces such as Qiongzhou Province, Yanzhou Province, Huizhou Province and Chaozhou Province assigned about 2,000 knights here respectively. Such a contingent of human knights was unimaginable in Waii Subcontinent.
Many knights at present wore clothes with the same color and uniform. At the sight of them, people would know that they came from the same clan.
Zhu Clan the Yanzhou provincial governor's clan assigned 18 knights; Qian Clan the Tongzhou provincial governor's clan assigned 11 knights. The number of knights assigned by the two clans was at most average among those clans in Yanzhou Province and Tongzhou Province. In the region of knights from Tongzhou Province and Yanzhou Province, many clans assigned 20-30 knights here.
"Although there're clans who have the history of thousands of years in Taixia Country, there are no provincial governors who were in office for over 100 years. Except for the position of Youzhou provincial governor which was competed for when Youzhou Province was established, all the provincial governors in other provinces are directly appointed by the supreme court or Xuanyuan Hill. The provincial governor from one clan could at most serve a few times from over 10 years to dozens of years. After that, they would either promote to higher positions or resign. Actually, all the major clans in each province had provincial governors. In many people's eyes, if a clan could have a provincial governor, that clan would be a major clan. The provincial governors of Qian Clan and Zhu Clan have just been in office for a few years; it was reasonable that their clans' backgrounds couldn't match that of the other clans in Yanzhou Province and Tongzhou Province. Those major clans which could assign dozens of clan knights might have clan members serve in Xuanyuan Hill or the top 4 armies in Taixia Country or be unrivaled in one region as an independent sect or have a bosom relationship with the top 7 sects of Taixia Country even if they do not have provincial governor at present."
When Zhang Tie was wondering about such a grand scene, Bai Suxian told him in secret means which helped Zhang Tie see light suddenly.
After the two clans' knights arrived here for a few minutes, an odd-looking airboat declined. Closely after that, the hatch door was opened while a team of over 200 knights in red-black boa silk robe got off the airboat under the leadership of a shadow knight, which included over 20 earth knights. They were all steady and solemn. Each of them wore a bamboo hat with a rectangular, odd-looking luggage on their back. The moment they got off the airboat, they had entered the region for knights from Mozhou Province, increasing the number of knights in Mozhou Province greatly. As a result, it aroused the attention of the public.
"They're knights of Fraternity Palace from Mozhou Province…"
"Mo's head clan…"
Someone exclaimed…
Chapter 1278: Strict Military Diciplines
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
'Head Clan?'
It was Zhang Tie's first time to see the head clan. To be honest, Zhang Tie was indeed shocked by the great qi field of Mo Clan.
One clan could assign over 200 knights to respond to the Xuanyuan command. What a super powerful clan!
"What's the relationship between Mozhou Province and Mo Clan of Fraternity Palace?" Zhang Tie asked Bai Suxian through a secret means.
As Bai Suxian grew up in Lord Guangnan's Mansion, she was constantly influenced by what she saw and heard. Bai Suxian was very familiar with various inside stories, relations and allusions of officialdom of Taixia Country. Therefore, Bai Suxian was qualified to be Zhang Tie's consultant.
"Before Mozhou Province was established, Mo clan of Fraternity Palace had rooted in Mozhou Province and had a great influence over there. When Mozhou Province was established, Mo clan of Fraternity Palace was already a very powerful local clan. Mo clan of Fraternity Pavilion is also the head clan surnamed Mo; additionally, Mo clan is also called Mo sect. The core of the ideology of Mo sect originates from the far-ancient sage in Taixia Country. The name of Mozhou Province is also related to Mo sect and Mo clan. Over the past hundreds of years, at least 10 Mozhou provincial governors came from Mo clan; 2 clan heads of Mo clan had even taken the office of commander of northeast military region. Although Mo sect is not as outstanding as the top 7 sects in Taixia Country, they deserve our respect…"
"Which is more powerful, Mo sect or the Gobbling Party?"
"Mo sect might not have greater influence than that of the Gobbling Party; however, Mo sect is definitely more solidarity and cohesive than the Gobbling Party. Even top 7 sects are not as solidarity as Mo sect. Only Mo clan of Fraternity Palace in Mozhou Province is a clan and a sect in Taixia Country!"
"Mo clan has too many knights!"
Bai Suxian threw a glance at Zhang Tie with a faint smile as she said, "You should know how they request their knight-level descendants?"
"How?"
"All the knight-level descendants of Mo clan should at least deliver 100 babies for Mo clan. If they couldn't reach that target, they would be severely punished in Mo clan. Those who deliver more babies would be rewarded. Ordinary members of Mo clan are also proud of having more babies!"
'At least 100 babies? Domestic discipline?' Zhang Tie almost popped out his eyes as he said, "That's too exaggerated. Knights could afford that, what about ordinary members of Mo clan?"
"It's not exaggerating for Mo clan to assign so many knights here. Additionally, Mo clan is famous for its skilled craftsmen. Mo clan's wares are well-known across the world. Additionally, Mo clan is also a rich clan in Taixia Country. Besides, Mo clan also worships frugality. It's said that Mo knights usually wear cloth gowns and straw sandals and take coarse food and drinks. My father told me that Mo clan of Fraternity Palace is the most frugal and rigorous clan in Taixia Country…"
Zhang Tie understood it right away. Although Mo clan's regulation seemed inflexible, if they could strictly follow this rule for hundreds of years, Mo clan and Mo sect would be very powerful. To a certain extent, delivery was fighting; people were power. The clans with more babies would be advantageous over those clans with fewer babies. Although this advantage didn't seem evident at the beginning; when it reached a scale, the advantage would be decisive.
Of course, it was not difficult for a rich and frugal clan to raise a lot of kids.
When Zhang Tie thought about that, he threw a glance at the team of Mo clan of Fraternity Palace. Coincidentally, a shadow knight who led the team of Mo clan was watching him.
That was an old man with a wrinkled and unpretentious face. The moment they looked at each other, they became slightly shocked at the same time. However, Zhang Tie felt that that old man was not hostile to him. Zhang Tie then slightly nodded towards the shadow knight of Mo clan. The elder of Mo clan also nodded towards Zhang Tie with a faint smile.
After the knights of Mo clan arrived here for a short period, some more airboats arrived. After that, no more airboats landed for over 10 minutes.
The moment Zhang Tie thought that these might be all the knights in the northeast military region, he saw 5 black airboats as long as over 1,000 m flying towards here from the north with a strong killing qi. They directly suspended above this military camp. The moment the airboat arrived, some human shadows had shot off the airboats, making people giddy. In a split second, 5 people had stood on the rostrum.
One person in the middle of the 5 people was an old man who had snow-white long eyebrows and cold eyes. The moment the old man arrived, Zhang Tie had felt like seeing an aggressive, towering mountain peak which was composed of longswords in front of his eyes with a strong sense of oppression. People could barely look straight into his eyes. The moment the old man glanced over from the rostrum, it felt like tens of thousands of sword qi sweeping over the drill ground. Some knights' longsword directly jumped out of their sheaths. As a result, so many people at present changed their faces while the entire drill ground was filled with the hums of swords…
'What a realm!' Zhang Tie was also scared. Given the strong qi of this old man, he felt like the king of swords. In front of this old man, Zhang Tie felt that his so-called cultivation base as sword sage was just a laughingstock. Who dared say that he was a sword sage in front of this old man?
The shadow knight who was suspending in the sky just now was also on the rostrum right beside the old man. Additionally, Commander Cheng of the northeast military region and the other two strange knights were also on the side of the old man.
"I'm Ye Qingcheng…" The old man opened his mouth which sounded metallic. The moment he opened his mouth, all the hums of swords across the drill ground had stopped while there was an uproar among the knights as if this name was magical.
"This is the former marshal of Black Armor Army, the class I Pillar Marshal of Taixia Country. He has already retired since the last holy war…" Bai Suxian said beside Zhang Tie.
Undoubtedly, this old man was a heavenly knight.
"At the request of Emperor Xuanyuan over 10 years ago, this old man would be responsible to rule the army of knights within the northeast military region as long as Xuanyuan Hill delivered Xuanyuan command to summon knights to fight demons. Here's the Xuanyuan tiger-shaped tally that Emperor Xuanyuan gave me!" The old man explained as a brilliant tiger-shaped tally which was about 33 cm in length appeared in his hand. The old man loosened his hand. The tiger-shaped tally then floated on his side while giving out yellow light. In the light, the image of a fierce tiger appeared like a battle qi totem. The fierce tiger roared towards the sky, which could be heard by everyone at present. After that, the fierce tiger entered the tiger-shaped Xuanyuan tally.
After gazing at the tiger-shaped tally for a while, Zhang Tie found that Ye Qingcheng was not controlling the tiger-shaped tally by his spiritual energy as a divine dominator, but the looming sword qi around him. The sword qi carried the tiger-shaped Xuanyuan tally in the air like water. Evidently, this tiger-shaped tally was also a special rune equipment…
The tiger-shaped Xuanyuan tally given by Emperor Xuanyuan was an authoritative evidence for Ye Qingcheng to lead so many knights. Without the consent of Emperor Xuanyuan and the qualification as a heavenly knight, who could command over 10,000 knights within one military region? At the sight of the tiger-shaped Xuanyuan tally in Ye Qingcheng's hand, all the knights at present admitted Ye Qingcheng's identity and authority.
"Now that you could come here after receiving Xuanyuan command shows that you all are loyal to Taixia Country. As you're going to fight demons in the west border of Taixia Country, please accept this old man's bow!" Ye Qingcheng deeply bowed towards all the other knights at present on the rostrum.
Many knights immediately bowed towards the old man too, including Zhang Tie.
After straightening up his body, Ye Qingcheng said with an extremely solemn look, "As the situation facing the west border of Taixia Country is constantly changing and very dangerous; the commoners of Taixia Country are suffering from slaughters. You will fight demons at the risk of your life on the battlefield. Collisions between large formations of humans and demons are inevitable. You should follow the commands on the battlefield. From now on, there's no clan head, elders, sect owner on the drill ground; but only soldiers of Taixia Country who have received Xuanyuan command. In Taixia Country, soldiers should comply with military disciplines. All the knights at present have to follow the following 17 military disciplines. Those who dare violate the following military disciplines would be chopped by this old man for sure. Please bear them in mind!"
"First, anyone who doesn't march on after hearing drumbeat; who doesn't stop after hearing the sound of gongs; who doesn't get up after seeing banner; who doesn't ambush after banner is put away will be regarded as violating military disciplines and be chopped."
"Second, anyone who doesn't respond to it after hearing his name being called; who doesn't come when being called; who doesn't come on time and alter master's laws will be regarded as being indolent and be chopped."
"Third, anyone who has heard about the enemy's latest situation in the evening; who doesn't report it to the superior; who gets up late and is confused about signals would be regarded as making the army slack and be chopped."
"Fourth, anyone who always complains about the rules; who is furious about his chief commander; who doesn't follow the order will be regarded as being disobedient to the army and be chopped."
"Fifth, anyone who laughs loudly; who despises the forbidden contracts; who breaks the gate of the camp will be regarded as despising the army and be chopped."
"Sixth, anyone whose bows have no arrows; whose arrows have no feathers or heads; whose sword blades and spears are not sharp; whose banner is broken and unclear will be regarded as a liar and be chopped."
"Seventh, anyone who cooks rumors to bewilder the public; who fabricates deities or ghosts; who believes in dreams; who publicizes heresy will be regarded as rumormonger and be chopped."
"Eighth, anyone who likes talking; who confuses right and wrong; who alienate the relations between soldiers will be regarded as a troublemaker and be chopped."
"Ninth, anyone who mistreats commoners; who rape women will be regarded as a rapist and be chopped."
"Tenth, anyone who steals properties; who kill commoners and take their heads as meritorious deed will be regarded as a thief and be chopped."
"Eleventh, anyone who gathers together to talk about issues and enter the other's tents privately for intelligence will be regarded as a detective and be chopped."
"Twelfth, anyone who leaks what he has heard and planned to the outside and is known by the enemy will be regarded as a betrayer and be chopped."
"Thirteenth, anyone who doesn't respond to the command timely by lowering their eyebrows and heads with sad looks will be regarded as hating the army and be chopped."
"Fourteenth, anyone who runs about in the army; who talk loudly and don't follow the disciplines will be regarded as disordering the army and be chopped."
"Fifteenth, anyone who pretends to be sick, wounded or dead so as to avoid from attending the war will be regarded as deceiving the army and be chopped."
"Sixteenth, anyone who's responsible for money and grains delivers more money and grains to his relatives which arouses the animosity of the other soldiers will be regarded as provoking strifes among soldiers and be chopped."
"Seventeenth, anyone who doesn't observe the enemy carefully; who report the number of enemies wrongly will be regarded as delaying the army and be chopped."
After hearing the 17 military disciplines, Zhang Tie's heart pounded as he bore all of them in mind.
After saying the military disciplines, Ye Qingcheng waved his hand while tens of thousands of light spots shot out of his hand towards all the knights at present, one token for one person.
At the sight of those light spot, each knight stretched out their hand and grasped the token.
After holding his token, Zhang Tie found it was yellow and felt icy. It was neither made of gold nor jade. A piece of remote-sensing crystal was inlaid in the token, which had a pattern of a dragon fighting a tiger. Besides, there were three classic Hua characters "Xuanyuan Command" on the token. Below the three characters, there was a line of words "No. 136 earth knight from the northeast military region". Additionally, there was another line of smaller words at the bottom of the token, "Fantasy No. 76 cabin of black-dragon airboat!"
"What about yours?" Zhang Tie threw a glance at the tokens of Fire-Dragon Hermit, Bai Suxian, Elder Muray and Elder Muyu.
They showed their own tokens towards Zhang Tie at the same time.
Only the numbers on their tokens were different from each other.
Mountain Lifting Hermit's room was "Fantasy No. 77 cabin of black-dragon airboat!" as it was close to that of Zhang Tie. By contrast, the cabins of Bai Suxian, Elder Muray and Elder Muyu are both yellow cabins of black-dragon airboat…
Elder Muray and Elder Muyu accepted it pleasantly; however, Bai Suxian pouted her mouth when she found that her cabin was a bit far from that of Zhang Tie's.
After looking at the token, Zhang Tie looked up at those grim airboats in the sky and caught sight of the three words Black-Dragon Airboat on one airboat.
"As you've got the military disciplines and received the Xuanyuan command's tokens. We will set off right away. Please board the airboats according to the number on your token and follow me to fight demons…"
Soon after Ye Qingcheng finished his words, he had flown off towards the sky. Except for Commander Cheng, all the other 3 knights on his side followed him off.
All the knights on the drill ground also flew towards the sky like meteors…
"Let's go!" Zhang Tie said as he flew off too…
"Come back alive…" Soon after Zhang Tie flew off, he had heard a voice. Zhang Tie looked around and found that Commander Cheng was watching him. Zhang Tie nodded towards him as he entered the Black-Dragon Airboat immediately, followed by Bai Suxian, Mountain Lifting Hermit, Elder Muray and Elder Muyu…
Only after 2 minutes, as the last knights entered the airboat, the 5 huge airboats had set off towards the west…
Chapter 1279: Arriving at the Base
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
In the mysterious mind space of Zhang Tie, there were so many sparkling stars and 2 full moons. The entire mind sea was like the void of the universe. The sparkling stars and the moons gave out faintly golden light, turning the entire mind sea into a paradise…
The All-spirits Pagoda which represented the inheritance of "Great Wilderness Sutra" was more resplendent while bathing the moonlight. Vivid birds and beasts were constantly flying and jumping out of the tower from below floor 15 as if they were going to incarnate into real living beings. At the same time, the endless true words of the Great Wilderness Sutra were resonating in the void…
The mysterious portal accessing to Castle of Black Iron was on the top of the All-spirits Pagoda.
Additionally, numerous immortal runes were surrounding the All-spirits Pagoda like how planets flew around the sun. They slowly rotated in Zhang Tie's mind sea as a unity.
The golden rune of the binding skill was constantly changing its shape like chains and ropes…
The golden rune of the hiding skill was looming…
The golden rune of the rapid moving skill was the fastest "planets". Before the other golden runes flew around the tower for 1 circle, the golden rune of rapid moving skill had already flown around the tower for numerous circles, causing a light ring…
The mysterious rune was the golden rune of body separation skill. Under the golden moonlight in his mind sea, the rune of body separation skill incarnated into Zhang Tie's look. Like a naked naive kid, sometimes it sat in the void with crossed legs while sucking its fingers; sometimes, it sprung up and jumped here and there over those golden runes cheerily; sometimes, it would climb onto the tower and drill inside before jumping out of it from one window in a pretty naughty way…
…
In this void which was filled with runes, precision gears and numerical dials in different sizes constantly manifested themselves in the golden light as if they were real.
If a master craftsman or a senior engineer of difference engine was here, he would definitely identify that these gears and numerical dials were parts of steam computers.
Those who were more familiar with steam computers could even identify the identities of these "parts" from those super huge gears in the void——they were absolutely the temporary storage of gears of the Xuanyuan Type-1 large steam computer.
As over 60,000 components in different sizes had been visualized, it looked pretty magnificent in the void of his mind sea.
All of a sudden, all the gears and components moved at the same time and started to assemble as if they were under the control of an invisible hand…
A huge steam computer gradually came into being in Zhang Tie's mind sea…
When he assembled over 30,000 parts, which almost accounted for 70% of the complete steam computer, the assembly rhythm suddenly slowed down. In the following minutes, those gears and the part of the steam computer which had been assembled quivered for a few seconds and collapsed. They turned into sparkling light and finally dispersed in the mind sea.
…
In his private cabin of Black-Dragon Airboat, Zhang Tie opened his eyes at once as he shook his head and let out a long sigh.
After almost 10 days, Zhang Tie had tried many times. After failing so many times, Zhang Tie realized that it was definitely a tough challenge for him to visualize a complete steam computer in his mind sea. Even if he had super great spiritual energy and the ability of divine dominator, it was still very difficult for him to visualize a complete steam computer which was composed of over 60,000 parts without making any mistake.
Thankfully, it was still hopeful. Through these days' efforts, Zhang Tie was gradually approaching success. Each time, he would assemble some more parts than that in last time. The complete Xuanyuan Type-1 steam computer was gradually coming into shape in his mind.
The most important point was that the process of visualization required strict exercise on the control of spiritual energy. This process was similar to that of mental arithmetic by abacus. Over these days, although he didn't succeed, the spiritual energy in his mind sea would always increase after each failure. It was even more effective than the visualization of mental arithmetic by abacus.
As for the first method, he had tried his utmost effort; as for the other, he still had surplus spiritual energy. Of course, the effects were different.
Zhang Tie's private cabin was less than 30 square meters. It only had a bed, a table, a locker and an isolated washroom. Such a cabin was just like the simplest small apartment. In military camp, only middle- and lower-level military officers lived in such kind of rooms; however, it was absolutely a luxurious treatment for a knight in airboat when in wartime. This treatment was for earth knights; the cabins of Bai Suxian, Elder Muray and Elder Muyu were even smaller than this one.
In airboat, water and food were provided at the regular time. Everything had been in the state of war. Zhang Tie looked at the clock on the wall and found it was over 5 pm. It was time for supper. When he was thinking about leaving his cabin for Bai Suxian, the entire airboat suddenly quivered lightly as if it stopped. Closely after that, a sound drifted from the sound amplifying port.
"We've already arrived at the advanced base of Huanzhou Province in Peacewest Military Region. All the knights who have arrived at the advanced base of Peacewest Military Region please gather in the lobby of the base; all the knights who have arrived at the advanced base of Peacewest Military Region please gather in the lobby of the base…"
After being transmitted from the copper pipe, although it lacked a bit fidelity, people inside cabins could still hear it clearly.
They had already arrived at Huanzhou Province. Huanzhou Province was neighboring the Military Province in the west. After moving 2 more provinces towards the west, they would exit the border of Taixia Country. The barren province was farther away in the west. The advanced base of Black Dragon Airboat was in Huanzhou Province, which meant that the territory from Huanzhou Province all the way to the west had been the theater of operations of Taixia Country.
It only took them less than 1 month to arrive at the theater of operations since they heard the news about demons. Unimaginably, those provinces in the westernmost part of Taixia Country had been involved in the battle flames. The advancing speed of the battle flames was completely out of Zhang Tie's imagination.
At such a high advancing speed, demons might exterminate Waii Subcontinent in less than 1 week.
Such an occasion made Zhang Tie's heart slightly pound. Compared to the current problem facing Taixia Country, what happened in Waii Subcontinent was absolutely an appetizer.
After hearing the notice, Zhang Tie instantly opened his hatch door and walked out.
Mountain Lifting Hermit and the other knights also opened their hatch doors and walked out…
…
In the sky, an aggressively huge air battlefortress was quietly floating over 10,000 m high in the sky. After those black airboats flew over here from the northeast military region, the battlefortress opened its huge holes. Those airboats then slowly approached them as they inserted their ends into the huge holes before being locked up by the huge metal locking members on the battlefortress. As a result, these airboats became components of this battlefortress.
Only after a short while, the huge air battlefortress had got some more tentacles like that of an octopus…
Under the huge battlefortress, hundreds of thousands of airships flew over here from the west between 1,000m and 5,000 m in altitude. Those airships had different marks. Some belonged to clans; some belonged to business groups; some belonged to aviation business groups. They were different in size, type, performance and speed. They flew over here like escaping fish shoals that covered the entire sky…
Between 6,000 m and 12,000 m in altitude above these airships, dense airships in tidy teams also advanced towards west voluntarily like air trains. Compared to those airships blow, those airships above were all black war airships. Those who were familiar with the military legal system of Taixia Country would know that these airships belonged to Black Armor Army, one of the top 4 armies in Taixia Country the moment they caught sight of these airships.
Each team of airships was led by a knight of Black Armor Army who was standing solemnly on the air sac outside the first airship of each team in order to protect the safety of the airship troop.
After one troop of over 1,000 war airships flew away from the air battlefortress for over 200 miles, they arrived at the edge of an endless forest. At this moment, all the hatch doors of the airships were opened while numerous black rotachutes appeared in the sky like black dandelions.
Those black dandelions were bizarre fighters in clothes which were made of tree leaves and Chinese alpine rushes whose faces were covered with tiger stripes or leopard stripes…
After landing on the ground, those fighters put away their rotachutes silently. Only a few fighters twittered like birds. After hearing the twitters, all the surrounding fighters drew close to each other as they ran towards the forest. Only after over 10 minutes, the corps of 500,000 fighters had disappeared in that vast forest like a waterdrop that entered the ocean.
Two knights suspended in the sky with solemn looks.
One of them let out a sigh, "I wonder how many of them could finally survive!"
"This is the destiny of the tigers and leopards corps of Black Armor Army, unless demons completely destroy the woods covering about 4 million square miles or this holy war comes to an end, this forest would be the forever battlefield of these fighters…"
"What about Weasel Corps?"
"They're in, including Green Snake Corps. This forest could survive the three corps…"
"Let's go, we've got a new task…"
The two knights then flew towards the west…
Chapter 1280: Human Heros
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
With the effect of lotus flowers, Zhang Tie could see through everything around him. Even though the airboat and the air battlefortress were covered with thick metal, Zhang Tie could still see clearly the scene outside the airboat and the battlefortress when he walked into the lobby of the advanced base.
So many airships covered the sky…
Those corps of Taixia Country landed from the air and entered the woods…
Those battlefortresses and multi-floored defense fortifications on the ground…
On the ground, east-west railways and highways had been crowed by vehicles.
Those vehicles which were moving towards the east were civilian vehicles. Even the tops of the trains were covered with people and items. Those advancing towards the west were basically military vehicles, which were filled with ordnances and military armored vehicles.
At this moment, those which could arrive at Peacewest Military Region through ground traffic tools were all corps within the territory of Peacewest Military Region or corps from neighboring provinces. It was unrealistic for the farther local corps such as that within Northeast Military Region to arrive here timely as the expense of transporting a corps from hundreds of thousands of miles away to Peacewest Military Region by ground traffic tools would be too high to bear; additionally, it would be in a low efficiency.
In this critical situation, only the top 4 armies of Taixia Country were able to accomplish the employment in the theater of operations at the fastest speed.
What Zhang Tie saw reminded him of the Selnes Theater of Operations.
However, he was not in the Selnes Theater of Operations, but in Peacewest Military Region of Taixia Country. This theater of operations covered many provinces.
The so-called air battlefortress in the advanced base was nothing different than the air battlefortress that Zhang Tie had ever seen in the Earth-elements Realm essentially. This air battlefortress was just a bit larger.
Although over 10,000 knights from the Northeast Military Region gathered here, the lobby still felt very spacious.
Although so many knights were at present, the lobby was pretty quiet.
The lobby of the advanced base was more like a square. Near the 200 m high dome above the square, there was a huge round plate. Thousands of people in military uniforms of Taixia Country were busy working on the round plate. It seemed to be a command and information center of the advanced base.
Zhang Tie saw Ye Qingcheng once again.
Soon after Ye Qingcheng appeared in the sky, he had waved his hand. At the same time, a triangular, colorful crystal being covered with runes became outstanding from the center of the round plate as it projected the model of a huge three-dimensional sand table in the lobby.
A heavy black fog was invading it from the west of the three-dimensional sand table like a virus. The fog gradually covered the region of Yezhou Province in the west of the sand table as it was still extending towards the surroundings…
"7 days ago, Yezhou Province in the westernmost part of Taixia Country has been completely collapsed. Cheng Minggong the Yezhou provincial governor and Cheji General Liu Wusheng of Yezhou province fought to death. Yezhou City collapsed. However, there are still over 400 million Hua people in Yezhou Province. One week before Yezhou's collapsed as a whole, all the communications between the barren province outside Yezhou Province and Taixia Country had been cut off…" Ye Qingcheng said calmly. However, everyone's heart pounded after hearing his words. During the process of their flight, Taixia Country had lost one barren province and one lower province. The striking power and speed of demons shocked everybody at present.
What made everyone's heart pound was the death of Yezhou provincial governor and Cheji General of Yezhou Province. They were the first senior officials of Taixia Country who fought to death since the beginning of this holy war.
Yezhou Province was established 10 more years earlier than Youzhou Province. After these years' development, the military legal system of Yezhou Province had been completed. Yezhou Army was under the control of Cheji General. Compared to Yezhou Province, Youzhou Province had not completed its military legal system yet. Youzhou Province didn't even have a Cheji General yet.
"Before Yezhou City collapsed, Chen Minggong the Yezhou provincial governor sent his last words to Peacewest Military Region and Xuanyuan Hill——Countless wing demons covered the sky like dark clouds in an overwhelming manner. They have thousands of wing demon knights and over 100 earth knights. It's hard to keep Yezhou Province; however, although Yezhou Province could be collapsed, Taixia Country wouldn't be collapsed; although my home could be exterminated, the country wouldn't be exterminated. I Chen Mingong would like to safeguard Yezhou City with all the male adults of my clan and swear to protect Yezhou City until the death. Chen Clansmen will spray their blood even die for Xuanyuan Hill. However, demons are utterly different than before. Among the vanguards of wing demons alone, there are already thousands of knights who could easily exterminate one province. The vanguard of demons must be closely followed by the main forces of demons. After Yezhou City was broken through, demons would definitely spread over Wuzhou Province, Zhuzhou Province and Yinzhou Province. The entire Peacewest Military Territory would definitely be deteriorated in a short period. We couldn't resist the vanguards of demons for the time being. Remember to not put only a few knights and corps of Taixia Country into the battlefield in case of regrets. Chen Minggong is proposing my sincere suggestion for the consideration of commander and the lords in Xuanyuan Hill. You should make plans ahead. Kill demons; kill demon; kill demons…"
When he talked about "Kill demons", Ye Qingcheng suddenly raised his voice like a sword that went out of the sheath. In a split second, the sky collapsed, the clouds rolled away, revealing a surging, magnificent qi of a heavenly knight…
"Yezhou Province has been collapsed. The vanguard of demons has already passed by Yezhou Province and entered Wuzhou Province, Zhuzhou Province and Yinzhou Province. Yesterday, the knights of Black Armor Army has already fought wing demons in the border between Huanzhou Province and Wuzhou Province. The vanguard of wing demons might have entered Huanzhou Province partially. Peacewest Military Region will receive the news of collapsing cities every day. Today, Windpeace City in Wuzhou Province, Whitedeer City in Zhuzhou Province and Heavenlywater City in Yinzhou Province are being slaughtered by demons. Numerous loyal and dauntless people are serving the country at the risk of their lives…"
Hearing the words of Ye Qingcheng, everyone could see that the heavy black region was flooding over cities one after another while some black sparkling spots like rats had entered Huanzhou Province.
Watching the black tide on the sand table and recalling what happened in Waii Subcontinent, Zhang Tie silently clenched his fists. Many knights panted abruptly in the lobby.
"Marshal, we're waiting for your command…" A knight suddenly roared as he strode out one step and continued, "To fight demons until death, we're elites of Taixia Country and Hua heroes!"
"Marshal, we're waiting for your command…" More people roared in unison…
Chapter 1281: Shoulder Heavy Responsibility
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
"I've got a position which needs you to assume it voluntarily!" Ye Qingcheng slowly glanced around as the roars gradually faded away. Nobody lowered their eyes; even Zhang Tie was watching Ye Qingcheng frankly and calmly.
With a dignified and solemn eye light, Ye Qingcheng said, "This position could only be assumed by an earth knight. The earth knight should move 6,000 miles alone. He will face enemies without any relief. He even needs to deepen into the rear of the enemy. It's very dangerous. The one who takes this position will be the vanguard of the land force, air force and water force. He will be the eye and ear of Taixia Country, the dare-to-die one among knights and the gut of marshal. As long as you take it, you're forbidden to stop on the halfway. Neither will you be allowed to shirk work or responsibility; otherwise, don't blame for the merciless military disciplines. Therefore, this marshal doesn't want to assign anyone by force. Any volunteer?"
After hearing Ye Qingcheng's words, everybody at present knew that black iron knights couldn't be able to take this position. The one must be the scout and dare-to-die member among the knights. As the army of demons was arriving in an overwhelming way, the person would definitely highly risk his own life assuming this position in the place where demons and humans broke out the fiercest conflicts.
After hearing Ye Qingcheng's words, Lu Dingzhi turned solemn; Mountain Lifting Hermit quivered his long eyebrows. They were all making decisions.
Even those dauntless people had to think twice before taking this dangerous and tough task.
When all the other knights in the lobby became silent, Zhang Tie strode one step out as he said calmly, "I…"
Bai Suxian became flurried as she wanted to say something; however, after Zhang Tie threw a solemn glance at her, she swallowed her words back.
Mountain Lifting Hermit raised his long eyebrows as he shot out shrewd eye light. The moment he wanted to say something, he heard Zhang Tie's words secretly, "Elder brother, Iron-Dragon Sect needs an earth knight. If you and me both die, Iron-Dragon Sect will be collapsed. I will take it; not you!"
After hearing Zhang Tie's words, Mountain Lifting Hermit became silent.
Elder Muray and Elder Muyu widely opened their mouths with a dumbfounded look as they had not imagined that Zhang Tie could take the most dangerous task.
At this moment, Ye Qingcheng and all the surrounding people moved their eyes onto Zhang Tie at the same time.
At the sight of the man with a teenager's look, many people's hearts pounded.
However, Zhang Tie looked as cool as a cucumber.
"Do you wish to be the volunteer?" Ye Qingcheng asked Zhang Tie as his eye light covered Zhang Tie like a sharp blade.
"Yes!" Zhang Tie nodded.
"Who're you? Tell me your name!"
"Zhang Tie from Youzhou Province, Zhang Mushen…"
"Do you know that joking is not allowed in the army?"
Zhang Tie replied with a smile, "I know. It's not my first time to attend the army; neither it is my first time to execute such a task."
"Fine!" Ye Qingcheng threw a deep glance at Zhang Tie before moving his eyes onto the others and asking calmly, "Who else? This marshal needs another 19 volunteers!"
As if they were stimulated by Zhang Tie, soon after Ye Qingcheng's words, a lot of more earth knights from Northeast Military Region stood out. In a short while, the 20 vacancies had been occupied.
Among the other 19 earth knights, Zhang Tie saw a Zhu elder of Yanzhou provincial governor's clan, a Mo elder of Mozhou Province, 2 more came from provincial governor's clans in Northeast Military Region. All the other 15 earth knights were strange to Zhang Tie.
Nangong Sheng the owner of Immortal Fist Position didn't stand out; Lu Dingzhi's face changed for a short while as he was a bit hesitated. However, before he made his decision, all the 20 vacancies had been occupied.
"Follow me, I will tell you about your tasks alone…"
Soon after the 20 vacancies were occupied, the "humanoid trumpet" that floated outside the military camp outside Yanzhou City had flown outside as he called the 20 earth knights to leave the lobby after him.
This "humanoid trumpet" was a shadow knight, who was on the equal footing with Guan Qianchong in Black Armor Army. Therefore, none of the 20 earth knights dared put on airs in front of that shadow knight; they just followed the shadow knight away from the lobby…
Before leaving the lobby, Zhang Tie heard Ye Qingcheng's voice from the lobby…
"Demons are powerful. Through the negotiation between the crown prince and the top three chancellors, Taixia Country will set up a western theater of operations in Peacewest Military Region. Relying on the Military Region, we will build 11 advanced bases in 20,000 miles from Huanzhou Province, Kangzhou Province all the way to Ningzhou Province in the east of Helan Mountain Range and in the south of Weishui River. We will mobilize over 10,000 knights and over 800 corps to punch against demons and shatter them within the territory of Peacewest Military Region completely. The military minister will go to the frontier himself. The top 7 sects of Taixia Country will also organize powerhouses to fight demons in this region. Our current main task is to consolidate this line of defense, prevent the vanguard of demons from further moving towards the east and help commoners and armies in the west of Huaizhou Province to evacuate as soon as possible…"
After hearing Ye Qingcheng's words, Zhang Tie immediately understood Taixia Country's layout in the west.
On this occasion, small troops of Taixia Country couldn't reverse the overall situation anymore; instead, they could only accelerate the failure. Before gathering enough power, the forces of Taixia Country in the west was at a disadvantageous position; they could only increase their forces at the cost of some space, which referred to the territory of Wuzhou Province, Zhuzhou Province and Yinzhou Province…
Although he knew that this was the most correct countermeasure as far and a right judgment that Chen Minggong the Yezhou provincial governor made before death, Zhang Tie's heart still pounded the moment he realized that tens of billions of commoners had not evacuated from Wuzhou Province, Zhuzhou Province and Yinzhou Province…
Taixia Country didn't give up the commoners in the three provinces; however, the brutal outcome of strategical decision inevitably fell on tens of billions of commoners in Taixia Country. According to Zhang Tie's experience, it was already something if Taixia Country could evacuate half of the commoners in this critical moment. What about the other half?
Chapter 1282: The First Task
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Half an hour later, Zhang Tie walked out of one room in the command post of the advanced base.
Those who came and went in the command post of the advanced base were all soldiers in uniform in Taixia Country. Not all of them were knights; additionally, there were some female soldiers in civilian posts. However, all of their eyes carried a bit of admiration when they looked at Zhang Tie.
Half an hour ago, 20 earth knights who would like to be the scouts for the whole army held a conference. Luo Tiancheng the marshal of Black Armor Army was responsible for introducing the situation facing the Western Theater of Operations and the deployment of forces of Taixia Country to all of them. After that, the 20 earth knights separated and entered a smaller back room respectively. Each of them then received a military map for the theater of operations which was divided by grids. Furthermore, each of them bore a remote-sensing communications code and received their first task.
When Zhang Tie approached the lobby of the advanced base, Zhang Tie stroked the wholly new remote-sensing finger ring on his hand unconsciously. He could contact this advanced base with this finger ring. Each earth knight who applied to be scout would get one exclusive remote-sensing communications finger ring. In emergencies, he could directly contact Ye Qingcheng by this new finger ring and transmit the latest news to Ye Qingcheng as a guarantee.
All the knights who were gathering in the lobby had scattered, except for some knights who were still wandering over there.
Elder Muray and Elder Muyu, Bai Suxian and Mountain Lifting Hermit were waiting for Zhang Tie in the lobby.
When they saw Zhang Tie walking out of the path which was guarded by soldiers on both sides, they soon surrounded him. Those men were fine; however, Bai Suxian almost cried out.
"I have one hour here. Half an hour later, I will set off. I know what you want to say. Let's talk about it back in the airboat!" Zhang Tie said before they opened their mouths.
On the way from the advanced base to their airboat, Zhang Tie felt that those people on the roadside paid more attention to him. Qianji Hermit had become more famous among all the knights in this advanced base. Previously, Qianji Hermit was well-known across the country due to his mysterious methods, immortal bloodline, battle skills and endless means; now he was also known as being dauntless.
…
After 5 people crowded in Zhang Tie's room, they didn't even have a place to sit. Therefore, they could only stand there. However, on this occasion, nobody would care about that.
"Easy, even though I am a scout, it doesn't mean that I'm destined to die. Am I not standing here safe and sound?" Zhang Tie said. Although he wanted to make them relaxed, he had not imagined that Mountain Lifting Hermit, Elder Muray and Elder Muyu turned more solemn while Bai Suxian dropped off her tears at once.
"If you deepened into the rear of the enemy, it would definitely be 10 times more dangerous than that in the Earth-element Realm…" Mountain Lifting Hermit said with a solemn look.
"Elder Mushen, you're the pillar of Huaiyuan Palace and the owner of Iron-Dragon Sect, why would you enter such a dangerous place…" Elder Muyu let out a sigh as Elder Muray nodded forcefully.
"Do you want me to become a widow before marrying you, you d**chebag…" Bai Suxian almost cried.
Looking at these people's expressions, Zhang Tie rubbed his nose. Closely after that, he asked them as he pointed at his own nose, "Do you think I'm an idiot?"
The other 4 people became silent as they exchanged a glance with each other.
Zhang Tie asked once again, "Perhaps you feel that I'm lunatic or have no hope for life?"
The other 4 people's eyes moved as if they had understood Zhang Tie's meaning slightly.
Zhang Tie let out a long sigh as he said calmly, "Actually, Elder Muyu's words are not enough. I'm not only the grand elder of Huaiyuan Palace and the owner of Iron-Dragon Sect, but I'm also the son of my parents, the husband of a lot of women, the father of over 10 kids, also the Mr. Right of you, Bai Suxian and the dad of our kid in the future. If I died, how sad would my parents be? How could I leave so many wives alone? How could I feel like having my kids lose their father since they are young?" Zhang Tie looked around those people whose expressions were changing before continuing, "Therefore, please believe in me, I will not die. Now that I'm called Qianji Hermit, I could survive any dangerous situation. Additionally, it's my responsibility to go there. This task suits me most. Even Ye Qingcheng didn't' say that, I would also request to leave this advanced base to fight demons!"
Zhang Tie finally convinced the other 4 people and told them that he was not playing a funky game. In the final analysis, Zhang Tie had never let them down no matter what dilemma he was in. Additionally, Zhang Tie's trump cards were always shocking.
Bai Suxian stopped dropping tears immediately as she asked, "Will you leave in half an hour?"
"Yes!"
"What's your task?"
"In a period of time, I will stay near Helan Mountain Range between Huanzhou Province and Wuzhou Province to snipe and kill those demon knights who invaded Huanzhou Province from Wuzhou Province as the scout of the vanguard of this base. I should try my best to prevent the wing demon knights from invading Huanzhou Province after crossing Helan Mountain Range. Additionally, I should pay attention to the actions of the vanguard corps and large troops of demons in the west of Helan Mountain Range and provide early warning to the advanced base…"
After hearing Zhang Tie's words, the 4 knights finally knew why only earth knight could execute this task. This task requested the scout to snipe demons' advance wing knights and defend the border of a province while paying attention to the actions of the demons' army and providing early warning to the advanced base behind him. Black iron knights could barely face such a tough challenge because demons could easily sweep all the black iron knights assigned by Taixia Country as scouts.
Certainly, theoretically, earth knights were destined to die when they met a shadow knight or a heavenly knight. However, both humans and demons had few shadow knights or above. Shadow knights and those above shadow knights were all major and cardinal figures in the opponent's camps. Only idiots would assign high-level knights as vanguards and scouts for the safety of low-level knights. It might happen in some special situations; however, from the perspective of wargaming, this was not the normality of wars and could be ignored on most occasions.
Chapter 1283: Going on an Expedition
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Half an hour later, Zhang Tie set off from the advanced base in Huanhou Province——Blackwter Base.
Zhang Tie had only stayed in Blackwater Base for less than 2 hours.
When Zhang Tie left from there, the sun had just set off.
Zhang Tie waved his hands towards the back as he threw a glance at his partners. After that, he left Blackwater Base and flew towards that red sun which was setting off.
At that time, Guo Hongyi was also at the exit of the base; however, she didn't stand together with Bai Suxian, Mountain Lifting Hermit, Elder Muray and Elder Muyu; instead, she just stood far away and saw Zhang Tie off silently with a complexed expression as if she was bidding a farewell to Zhang Tie. However, she didn't say anything to Zhang Tie. As a result, Zhang Tie didn't know what to say even though he wanted to say something to her. Therefore, Zhang Tie could only wave his hands to them.
Although Zhang Tie didn't move fast, under the red glow and warm sunlight, Zhang Tie soon disappeared in the halos as if a hero who was going on an expedition alone in a decisive and brave manner.
After Zhang Tie disappeared, Bai Suxian and the other 3 knights turned around and saw Guo Hongyi turning around and leaving there too…
"Elder Mushen and the clan head of Guo Clan…" Elder Muyu also noticed Guo Hongyi who came here to bid a farewell to Zhang Tie. Only Zhang Tie left the base from this exit at this moment. Therefore, it was impossible for Guo Hongyi to come here to bid a farewell to others. Elder Muyu also noticed something special from the eyes of Guo Hongyi. He just didn't believe in that as he was shocked inside. Elder Muyu had not heard any gossips between Zhang Tie and Guo Hongyi, 'But why do I feel that this rouge tiger who's well-known across Youzhou Province is in love with Zhang Tie? That's too unbelievable!'
Bai Suxian threw a glance at Guo Hongyi's back. As Bai Suxian was still immersed in the depression caused by Zhang Tie's departure, she didn't feel like being at odds with Guo Hongyi. After hearing Elder Muyu's secret question, she just shook her head as she answered secretly, "Don't ask me about that, I have no idea…"
Mountain Lifting Hermit shrugged as he suggested, "Let's go back for cultivation. I'm afraid that we will take tasks in a few days!"
The 4 people then separated.
On the way towards their cabins, Elder Muyu asked Elder Muray, "What do you think?"
Elder Muray revealed a bitter smile as he stroked his beard and replied, "Whenever I stayed with Elder Mushen, I would feel that I was growing old rapidly. I have not had such a feeling previously; but now, I have to admit that I'm already old. Such a young earth knight! I admit that I couldn't match Elder Mushen on cultivation. But now, I am also lagged far behind by him on love. I was also personable when I was young; I'm also strong even now; but why am I not favored by any female knight? Does Qianji Hermit even have mysterious means to pick up girls?"
Elder Muyu became dumbfounded as he had not imagined that Elder Muray who used to be solemn could speak such sort of words. After thinking about it carefully, Elder Muyu could only shake his head as he revealed a bitter smile, "But the love affairs between Elder Mushen and Yunxi…"
Elder Muray threw a glance at Elder Muyu. There were some gossips about the love affairs between Zhang Tie and Lan Yunxi. As the elders of Huaiyuan Palace, of course, they knew the gossips. However, due to certain reasons, those elders prevented the disciples of Huaiyuan Palace from spreading over the gossips…
"We don't need to worry about that. Yunxi's surname is Lan; instead of Zhang. Even if Yunxi's surname was Zhang, after so many generations, it would absolutely be easy for them to get married. It's better. They would be more intimate as they were relatives. At least nobody would compete for the position of the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace in the future. As a result, Huaiyuan Palace would grow stronger. Although Elder Mushen would not compete for the position of the clan head of Huaiyuan Palace, it doesn't mean that the descendants of Elder Mushen would not compete for this position with the descendants of the branch in Yiyang City either. You must have heard about the three sons of Elder Mushen in Taiyi Fantasy Sect. Based on their talents, they are destined to be knights one day. Who else among the descendants in the branch of Yiyang City could match them in the future? If not, do we expect that Elder Mushen's sons could be as modest as Elder Mushen? Even if they could be as modest as Elder Mushen, what about the dignity of the clan head in the future? Don't forget that Elder Mushen belongs to the branch of Goldensea City…" Elder Muray didn't seem to be joking when he mentioned about the future of the clan.
Elder Muyu nodded before shaking his head and replying, "But Yunxi is going to be the goddess of Taiyi Fantasy Sect!"
"If we had long known that Elder Mushen could make such a great achievement, I would definitely have prevented Yunxi from joining Taiyi Fantasy Sect…"
"We're humans, not deities. Nobody could predict the future…" Elder Muyu let out a sigh too.
"Yes, we're humans, not deities…"
Speaking of this, the two elders of Huaiyuan Palace threw a glance at each other as they recalled the word "God" that Zhang Tie selected by rotating the chakra. From then on, everything that happened to Zhang Tie seemingly proved that Zhang Tie was destined to select this word because Elder Mushen seemingly was always favored by God…
"We're far-stretched…let's talk about it after this holy war!" Elder Muyu revealed a bitter smile.
Elder Muray nodded…
The words "holy war" were enough to make the two elders of Huaiyuan Palace forget about everything else which was not related to "holy war"…
…
Under the Blackwater Base, so many airships were coming and going around the clock. The location of the Blackwater Base was regarded as the safest place in Peacewest Military Region. All the human airships would choose the airline which was close to the base for the sake of safety; therefore, people could see the grand scenery in the air.
What Zhang Tie saw looked like a shaol of fish crossing the river.
Under the sunset, at over 10,000 m in height, Zhang Tie watched numerous airships bathing the afterglow, the clouds and the vast land below. If there was no demon or the holy war, such a scene would be pretty spectacular; even a bit poetic. However, because of demons and war, what he saw would have utterly different meanings.
"No. 136 has already left Blackwater Base for Helan Mountain Range…"
After flying off the Blackwater Base for 10 minutes, Zhang Tie injected his spiritual energy into that Xuanyuan remote-sensing crystal as he sent a message to Blackwater Base in the communications code which was commonly adopted by him and Blackwater Base.
"Blackwater received; wish you come back safely!"
Blackwater Base gave him a feedback almost the moment Zhang Tie sent out the message, which indicated a smooth communications channel.
After using the remote-sensing communications device, Zhang Tie nodded inside as he felt pretty pleasant. Although Zhang Tie was not clear about the situation facing the command post of Blackwater Base, given the great feedback speed of the remote-sensing device, Zhang Tie knew that at least 2 fighters above LV 9 were responsible for contacting him around the clock.
After receiving the reply, Zhang Tie sped up abruptly as he constantly ascended…
When Zhang Tie left Blackwater Base, he looked handsome and calm; however, Zhang Tie had been long berserk inside and longing to use his Purgatory Samsara Method…
Those demon knights might be threatening to others; however, in Zhang Tie's eyes, they were just gifts for his chakra. When Zhang Tie was worried about not having sufficient raw materials for the Bloody Sacrifice Furnace, so many demon knights had presented themselves to him.
With black iron knights, Ockham whose water chakra had been absorbed by Zhang Tie would recover his water chakra once again. Additionally, earth demon knights were the best raw material for Zhang Tie by Purgatory Samsara Method. In Zhang Tie's eyes, as long as there were not too many demon knights to be digested for one time, demon knights were definitely mobile treasures.
As for shadow demon knights and heavenly demon knights, Zhang Tie didn't care. If he could defeat them, he would do that; if not, he would escape. With the great flight ability as a divine dominator and Castle of Black Iron on his back, he was not afraid of anything.
The catastrophe that demon corps brought to Taixia Country made Zhang Tie hard to be happy. At the same time, Zhang Tie became excited inside as he found a way to rapidly improve his battle strength. Therefore, Zhang Tie left Blackwater Base with a complexed feeling.
After flying for a short while, as the sun gradually went down, due to his optimistic temperament as a small figure essentially, Zhang Tie thought it through at once.
'Damn it, whatever, I will kill as many demons as possible and save as many people as possible. As long as I live up to myself, I don't need to think too much. No matter what I think, will I do any harm to the demons? Will one fewer commoner die?'
'Yes, f*ck them!'
When Zhang Tie thought it through, he felt pretty relaxed immediately.
At this moment, Zhang Tie suddenly felt that a person was gazing at him from the direction of Blackwater Base…
Zhang Tie's heart pounded as he estimated that only one person in Blackwater Base could do it——Year Qingcheng.
If not Zhang Tie's spiritual energy had been extremely high and he had a similar experience, Zhang Tie would never sense the faint gaze from a heavenly knight.
After thinking about it for a few seconds, Zhang Tie didn't look back; instead, he roared towards the sky with a bizarre smile.
After hearing Zhang Tie's roar, the thunder hawk dove downwards at the speed which was 2 times the speed of sound and came to Zhang Tie's side. After Zhang Tie rode on its back, the thunder hawk flew towards Helan Mountain Range at the same speed…
…
'No wonder…'
Ye Qingcheng moved his eye light away from the west near a window at the highest place of Blackwater Battlefortress; however, he was still a bit shocked inside…
Chapter 1284: Prey
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
Before Zhang Tie determined to leave for the west border of Taixia Country, he had already called back the thunder hawk. These days, the thunder hawk followed afar Black Dragon Airboat all the way to Huanzhou Province.
It was not a secret in Iron-Dragon Sect that the thunder hawk was Zhang Tie's mount and pet. Zhang Tie purposefully exposed his trump card of thunder hawk to Ye Qingcheng. With the help of the thunder hawk, Zhang Tie could escape away from dilemmas or travel 6,000 miles a day. Of course, Ye Qingcheneg would not doubt that Zhang Tie might have any other trump cards such as Castle of Black Iron or a super high-speed flight ability as a divine dominator.
This was the benefit of having a lot of trump cards. Any trump card that Zhang Tie exposed to the public would make people see the light suddenly and think that it's all the abilities of him. However, it was just a tip of the iceberg.
'Sometimes, I could better hide myself by exposing some of my secrets to the public.'
Riding on the thunder hawk, Zhang Tie suddenly thought through it pleasantly.
As the thunder hawk flashed towards Helan Mountain Range between the border of Huanzhou Province and Wuzhou Province at tens of thousands of meters high, the land below was gradually covered by the dark.
In the high altitude, Zhang Tie activated his lotus-flower eyes as he could see far away in all directions…
Even though the night fell, the floods of airships and cars didn't stop moving. The army of airships was evacuating towards the east like a floating milky way. So did those cars. On the highway from Huanzhou Province to Tongzhou Province, numerous vehicles were slowly moving with high luggage on the top, carrying old and young, brightening up the entire road as if it was daytime.
It was very noisy over the road, which included kids' cries and adults' quarrels.
The local garrison of Huanzhou Province was maintaining the order on the highway. In each a few miles on the highway, there would be a resting area, from where people could get food, drinking water and coal.
On the roadsides, all the temporary vacancies for vehicles had been occupied. In the wild, there were bonfires here and there, reflecting on the flurried and helpless faces of adults.
People in the towns and villages on both sides of the road were also evacuating. Many smaller villages had been empty. Coincidentally, those who evacuated from the west could take a rest in these empty villages and towns. Zhang Tie saw many airships of Black Armor Army landing in the wild or outside the cities on the way back after carrying troops of soldiers and materials to the destination. After that, those people in the nearby villages and towns would board the airships organized by local officials by batches before flying eastward.
As demons had not arrived here, the commoners in Huanzhou Province still evacuated orderly.
Women, pregnant women, old and young would be firstly evacuated, followed by male adults; then local militia officials; local garrisons evacuated in the end.
However, not all of them would evacuate.
…
In an empty small village, a group of strong adults with red cloth strips on their hair were standing quietly on the grain-sunning field with the resolute look, sabers in hands, crossbows on the back. A tough man with whiskers was speaking loudly and passionately on the millstone of the grain-sunning field. After he said something, all the strong adults raised their sabers and swords as they roared. Closely after that, all of them divided into two batches. One batch of people carried bags of grains and the other materials into the mountain; the others silently buried something somewhere near the village…
…
A grey-haired old man was sitting in a small ordinary downtown courtyard in an unlined garment while grinding a sword with a long blade and a short hilt wielded with both hands which was usually used by ordinary soldiers in Taixia Country on a hone, causing shrill sound. In the room, a grey-haired old woman took out an old set of armors from a crate and was sewing and mending the lining of the armor for the old man. Before the old man polished his saber, 5-6 grey-haired old man in the armor of soldiers in Huanzhou Province had entered his courtyard, making the courtyard boisterous at once. Some guys felt bored as they directly started to perform saber skills in the courtyard…
…
Although the entire town outside the city was empty, the official residence was still brightly lit. A low-level official was sitting in the lobby in tidy uniform solemnly and drinking alone…
…
In the downtown, a fatty and drunk butcher closed his meet store with a pig sticker and a bone chopper on his waistband. Additionally, with a liquor-containing gourd in hand, he went to the blacksmith's shop and broke the ironmaking furnace and the steam hammer together with the blacksmith. After that, the two people burst out into laughter. The blacksmith carried a long saber and an iron bow; the fatty butcher found a helmet and a set of light armor in the blacksmith's shop and put them on. After that, the two people drove an old pickup truck to the west…
…
youngsters and teenagers would leave the teams that evacuated towards the east individually or in a group of 2 or 3 people and turned around towards the west…
…
In a school which filled with osmanthus trees, a teacher in the green robe was standing outside the door of the room. A lot of young students were kneeling down outside the room. They were talking about something. The teacher in the green robe shook his head as he entered the room. At the same time, he let his old servant close the door. From then on, he refused to meet with those people outside the room and talk to them. Only a thin shadow which was cupping a book was reflected onto the window by the candlelight. Those who were kneeling down outside the room became tearful as they all kowtowed towards the door before leaving…
The airship was parking outside the school. When these youngsters were going to board the airship, the old servant of the teacher in the green robe ran out of the courtyard as he gave some books and an envelop to those youngsters. After saying something to them, the old servant returned to the school.
After opening that envelope, the young students saw a fresh poem in vigorous handwriting on the letter.
After reading over 10,000 books of sages, you will be unrivaled.
You will always feel inspired.
When you burst out into laughter, you will scatter all the guests.
When you grow furious, you prefer to climb the mountain being filled with tigers.
You will not be afraid of death.
Your song will make it sunny.
When you become alone, you don't need to bow towards anyone.
Just break the sky and ground to make yourself relieved for the rest of your life!
The last line was——as long as poems and articles still exist in Taixia Country, Taixia Country will be fine!
After reading that poem, those youngsters burst out into tears as they knelt down and bowed towards their teacher's residence before leaving…
…
With lotus-flower eyes, Zhang Tie saw all these scenes in Guizhou Province; especially in that school, the poem that the teacher in the green robe wrote to his students were as clear as they were in front of Zhang Tie even if it was hundreds of miles away.
Zhang Tie was deeply moved by Huanzhou Province and Taixia Country as he immediately sent a message to the Iron Heart Palace of Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory.
'I've already arrived at Huanzhou Province. I'm fine. My dear wives, you don't need to worry about me. However, the large-scale war between humans and demons in the territory of Peacewest Military Region will break out soon. In the future, this region might be in ruins while commoners here would live on the edge of starvation. All the commoners in the theater of operations are evacuating; however, they're limited in the speed of evacuation as they lack traffic tools; especially airboats. I have an idea. When Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory choose to cooperate with major clans on producing Fiery Oil, could we consider the achievements of these major clans in helping commoners evacuate from the theater of operations?'
'The major clans in Taixia Country had numerous airboats and airships. If only they could participate in the evacuation positively! One airboat might transfer over 10,000 people rapidly away from the theater of operations and survive them in the future.'
'I am not doing this for reputation. Because I grew up among commoners and have witnessed the tragedy facing commoners across countries when Waii Subcontinent was exterminated by demons, I don't want to see the same scene in Taixia Country. Although Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory and I have limited capabilities, we could use Fiery Oil to force major clans in Taixia Country to contribute to the evacuation. Dear wives, please consider it carefully and formulate articles. Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory could make a discount for them on Fiery Oil!
After sending the message to Iron Heart Palace, Zhang Tie told his elder brother that he was safe.
After doing all this, Zhang Tie felt a bit reassured.
He just wanted to do his best.
…
The thunder hawk was approaching the border of Huanzhou Province after flying over many cities at the speed of 2 times the speed of sound.
After Zhang Tie left Blackwater Base for 3 hours, a shadow suddenly appeared in the sight of Zhang Tie's lotus-flower eyes. Zhang Tie fixed his eyes closely onto the shadow at once.
That was a wing demon. In the dark, it silently flew out of the woods towards a city in the south at an extremely high speed.
As Zhang Tie had fought wing demons, given its speed and figure, Zhang Tie knew that was a wing demon knight.
The wing demon knight was very careful. It didn't fly high; instead, it just flew close to the top of trees. Based on the terrain and the nightscape, this wing demon knight moved very secretly. The others could barely find him within dozens of miles.
However, that wing demon could not imagine that someone had fixed his eyes on it from over 1,000 miles away.
It seemed that the wing demon was also spying the situation within Huanzhou Province in the east of Helan Mountain and Taixia Country's deployment over there. After flying over a small city far away and observing that small city for quite a while, the wing demon saw a troop of airships being escorted by an airboat flying over. The wing demon even flew into a small lake from the top of a tree and lurked inside there. The wing demon stealthily watched the scene in the sky as it was thinking about launching a strike…
Chapter 1285: The First Achievement
Translator: WQL Editor: Aleem
As for wing demons; especially wing demon knights, human airships were absolutely their toys, even weaker. Any wing demon knight could easily hit down all the airships within their sight and cause great damages to humans.
There were so many airships in the sky as if they came from Wuzhou Province. Being close to each other one after another, over 500 airships were evacuating towards Huanzhou Province like a chain of barges on the canal.
This was a piece of fat. It might belong to the official or the major clans of Taixia Country.
The wing demon kept watching the airships with bloody eyes being close to the surface of the water.
The airships in the sky were alluring to wing demons. However, there were also two blurred black points ahead of the airboat in front of those airships.
The two human knights in the sky could barely find the wing demon knight under the water.
'Damn human knights!'
The wing demon knight swore under the water. Without the two human knights, the 500-odd human airships would be completely its toys. However, because of the two human knights, the wing demon knight could only watch these toys sliding away in front of his eyes.
Of course, it could launch a strike and hit down dozens of airships; however, he would be surrounded by the two human knights. As they were all black iron knights, the wing demon knight could barely survive the siege of the two human knights.
After thinking about it for a while, the wing demon could only see those airships flying away escorted by the two human knights…
…
The moment Zhang Tie caught sight of that wing demon knight, Zhang Tie had already left the thunder hawk and flew towards the wing demon from tens of thousands of meters high at the speed which was 13 times the speed of sound.
With the effects of rapid moving skill and hiding skill, the sonic boom in flight was reduced to the lowest volume; additionally, Zhang Tie's body emerged like an invisible owl.
At this moment, Zhang Tie wore a pair of metal caliga, a full-moon dragon's soul waistband and a pair of metal wristbands. Although these items looked trivial and nobody knew what they were, they were actually Zhang Tie's "simplified flight suit". With the ability of divine dominator, if he flew 100,000 miles, of course, this simplified flight suit didn't feel as comfortable and labor-saving as Chaos. However, it was enough for Zhang Tie to fly 1,000 miles by these equipments.
Zhang Tie also saw a troop of airships and the two human knights flying towards him. Zhang Tie didn't know who was inside those airships and the airboat; however, in order to avoid from being discovered by them, Zhang Tie purposefully ascended and kept flying higher than 300,000 m. Additionally, he passed by the airships from aside instead of from above them.
When Zhang Tie flew over, the two knights also heard the faint sonic boom; however, as the sonic boom was too weak, they could barely identify the precise location of the sonic boom. What was more, the speed of sound was much slower than the speed of Zhang Tie's movement. The two knights looked up with suspicious looks; however, they found nothing abnormal.
After discussing it for a short while, the two human knights determined to prioritize the convoy of the troop of airships. They didn't look for the source of the faintly strange sound as this sound might be the resonance of thunder in the far or some sound on the ground…
At 13 times the speed of sound, it only took Zhang Tie 10 minutes to arrive at the lake since he fixed his eyes on the wing demon knight. However, the wing demon knight was still lurking in the lake.
Not until Zhang Tie arrived above the lake did he slow down and enter the lake quietly.
The moment Zhang Tie returned to the lake, it was like how a dragon returned to the ocean and how a tiger returned to the deep mountain.
When in flight, Zhang Tie would cause some sound more or less; however, when in water, as long as he liked, he could completely be as quiet as a bubble or a drop of water.
Ironically, not until Zhang Tie came to the side of the wing demon knight from over 1,000 miles away, the demon knight had not discovered Zhang Tie.
It was already a bit unfair for an earth knight to raid a black iron knight; however, that earth knight was a divine dominator who cultivated an emperor-level secret method and had a myriad of secret skills. Such a duel was like putting a 150 kg professional boxer and a 7-year old kid in the same ring. That's too unfair…
Finding that the wing demon knight was still immersed in his own world and plan, Zhang Tie became a bit embarrassed.
"Ahem…", Zhang Tie purposefully coughed in water which was finally heard by that wing demon knight through water waves.
The wing demon knight was shocked as it turned around at once; however, it saw a punch approaching him…
Zhang Tie directly punched onto the lower abdomen of the wing demon knight. Before the wing demon knight released its protective battle qi, its bones all over had been completely broken. Additionally, its eyeballs bulged 1 inch outside of its eye sockets. Its face twisted like a wrinkled dishcloth.
Besides the extremely terrifying strength, Zhang Tie's punch also carried a strange strength. When Zhang Tie's fist touched the wing demon's lower abdomen, the strange strength immediately disordered the battle qi of the wing demon as a whole. At the same time, its mind sea shocked heavily as if it was going to pass out.
This punch was called Bloody Mark Three-Kill Fist that Zhang Tie had just learned from Bloody Soul Sutra . With this punch, Zhang Tie could break the opponent's body, qi and soul. This wing demon was fortunate to be the first target of Zhang Tie soon after Zhang Tie grasped the secret skill in Bloody Soul Sutra .
Before this wing demon screamed or ran its battle qi, Zhang Tie had punched onto its head. As was imagined, this wing demon knight passed out at once.
Zhang Tie grasped its neck and teleported it into Castle of Black iron…
Since the beginning of this raid, Zhang Tie only caused some ripples on the lake when he punched towards the wing demon knight as if a big fish jumped out of the water and fell down, nothing else…
Heller's chuckle drifted from Castle of Black Iron as he said, "Congratulations, Castle Lord, if you teleport 20-more black iron demon knights like this one, Ockham will be alive once again…"