My Cultivation Has a Progress Bar

Chapter 368: Chapter 3: All Under Heaven

Yang Kui stopped short, not revealing his trump card. Under the watchful eyes of the many Demon Race generals, he shifted tack, saying, "At that time, the Court will appoint our neighbor as the Commander-in-Chief. We can do anything we want in his name. Then, when the Rebel Army clashes with the Imperial Guard, we’ll suddenly strike from the side..."

As he reached the end, his expression turned savage. Holding a wine cup in one hand, he made a sharp, beheading gesture with the other. As his hand fell, his face softened into an amiable smile. He looked at Niu Zhen, who sat at the Commander’s Desk, and said quickly and confidently,

"The Court has a total of four Imperial Guard armies. One has been dispatched to the north, and another is stationed in Anqing Prefecture. As long as we completely annihilate the Imperial Guard sent to suppress the rebellion, only a single army will be left protecting Shangjing City. The Court will not dare send that last one out, no matter what."

"Furthermore, once news of our uprising spreads, the Demon Suppression Department stationed outside Shangjing City will be in an awkward position. Even if they don’t rebel, the Court will be wary of them. And the Government Army from Beiyuan Road will definitely not dare to cross the river!"

Yang Kui’s words flowed with growing confidence. "Our only real concern is that the Northern Xia Yao’s army might suddenly return. But I doubt that will happen. Xia Yao is preparing to ascend the throne, and I’m sure you, General, know that this ascension is anything but ordinary."

"Excellent!"

The Tiger Demon sitting across from Yang Kui roared his approval, then clapped his greasy, furry palms together with force. The other generals followed suit, breaking into applause.

A festive atmosphere instantly filled the camp.

A look of self-satisfaction crossed Yang Kui’s face. After the applause died down, he continued, "Finally, we have the Southern Four Roads and the Liangjiang Region. It’s nearly impossible for the Southern Four Roads to march north on short notice. As for the Liangjiang Region, I will personally persuade them. I guarantee you, General, that I can keep them neutralized for half a year without a problem."

"Excellent!"

The Tiger Demon applauded once more.

When the applause stopped, Niu Zhen, from his seat as commander, said in his rumbling voice, "We’ll be relying on you for everything, Mr. Yang. I toast to you."

Upon hearing this, Yang Kui’s smile grew even more triumphant.

The great camp was a scene of revelry.

A couple of hours later, Yang Kui announced his departure, offering the perfectly valid reason that he needed to prepare for matters at Bin Pass.

Yang Kui’s departure did nothing to diminish the boisterous atmosphere in the Central Army Camp. The revelry continued until nightfall. After the many drunken generals had left, the Tiger Demon who had been sitting opposite Yang Kui took a torch and lamp oil from a guard and personally lit the several braziers around the camp.

Niu Zhen watched the busy Tiger Demon. When the Tiger Demon finished and sat back in his seat, Niu Zhen exhaled, the air thick with the smell of wine. "The world is truly falling into chaos," he said. "Just as Mr. Yang said, all the factions are at each other’s throats. If any one of them makes the slightest move, the whole situation will become unstoppable."

The Tiger Demon took another gulp of wine and replied, "I don’t think about all that. All I know is this is our best chance to attack True Yang Mountain and take back what belongs to the Demon Race. As for Pingzhou Road or Shangjing City, what does their chaos have to do with us?"

"Oh, you..."

Niu Zhen shook his head. "Once this begins, there’s no telling how many will suffer. Be it the Human Race or our own people, rivers of blood will inevitably flow!"

The Tiger Demon took another fierce gulp of wine. "This time, the Elder Council is determined to cooperate with that Lord from the south. When the time comes, even if it costs me every last one of my men, I will storm True Yang Mountain!"

Hearing this, Niu Zhen picked up his wine cup and rose. He walked over to a highly detailed military map and stopped, his gaze first falling on Bin Pass. "The Magical Artifact buried beneath Bin Pass is a fine prize," he said.

The Tiger Demon said confidently, "Don’t worry. I’ve already sent people. We will definitely retrieve it!"

Niu Zhen’s gaze shifted to Shangjing City on the map. He smiled bitterly. "I just feel I’m failing to repay His Excellency’s kindness. I’m about to cause him a great deal of trouble."

The ’His Excellency’ he spoke of was, of course, Niu Yi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Demon Suppression Department and also the supreme commander of the Demon Race’s five armies. This Demon Race camp in Qingyang Prefecture was one of those five armies. The other four were stationed outside Shangjing City, though they weren’t a formal military force. They consisted of investigators responsible for helping with cases involving the Demon Race, with only a single battalion of about two thousand Demon Race soldiers.

"His Excellency does not walk the same path as us," the Tiger Demon said, his tone full of dissatisfaction.

Niu Zhen turned to look at the Tiger Demon and warned, "His Excellency’s investigation teams are filled with capable individuals. Don’t get careless and ruin our plans."

The Tiger Demon immediately gave his assurance. "You can rest easy."

Niu Zhen turned his gaze back to the map, this time looking at the Southern Four Roads. "The Southern Four Roads have been quite active recently," he said.

"They have!"

...

「Jinhuai Prefecture City.」

The market that had organically formed in front of the Daoist Field Hall’s headquarters had been torn down. The cleared-out space was now piled high with polished white jade stones, destined for the construction of a giant statue.

They were building a Divine Art Golden Body for the Xiao Shan Lord!

Half a month ago, the Xiao Shan Lord issued a command: within the territory of the Six Heart Sect, every city must build him a six-zhang-tall Divine Art Golden Body. The prefectural capital, however, must build an eight-zhang one!

Furthermore, it had to be completed within three years.

Once the order was given, wealthy merchants and prominent families from all regions were the first to donate. No one dared to cause trouble, because the Xiao Shan Lord had also promised in his decree that on the day of the golden body’s completion, any believer who worshipped it would live their entire life free from illness and disaster.

It was a very tangible benefit. Once the news spread, even the common folk eagerly donated. The necessary funds were collected in just a week or so.

At the same time, a Third Realm Earth Vein Cultivator and five Second Realm Cultivators arrived in Mozhou Road bearing the Xiao Shan Lord’s command. They were to oversee the suppression of the rebellion in the various prefectures and counties. So far, they had already quelled the chaos in Changwen Prefecture.

However, the chaos outside Changwen Prefecture proved difficult to resolve, as the turmoil in Mozhou Road involved not only the Cultivation Realm but also the common populace.

This difficult problem ultimately fell to Zuo Xuan. Or rather, Zuo Xuan was the one currently in charge of the Southern Four Roads. After Wang Ping, Zi Luan, and Xiu Yu went into seclusion with the Xiao Shan Lord, they had entrusted her with full authority over the region.

Of course, her word wasn’t law. Major decisions required consultation with others, such as Ganxing, the Alliance Leader of the Loose Cultivator alliance, and Wu Quan, one of the chiefs of the local Earth Cave Sect branch.

At this very moment, in the administrative courtyard of the Pacification Envoy of the Daoist Scripture Hall, Zuo Xuan was discussing the situation in Mozhou Road with Ganxing and Wu Quan.

"I think we should just requisition the Government Soldiers from the prefectures and counties, form a Rebel Suppression Army, and fight our way through. No need to make things so complicated."

Ganxing said casually, "We’ll send our own disciples to accompany them. We can solve any mess that way."

Wu Quan immediately objected. "That will only stir up resentment. By custom, everyone handles their own affairs. If we interfere rashly, the various factions in Mozhou Road will undoubtedly try to sabotage us behind the scenes."

"Who would dare!" Ganxing slammed his hand on the table.

"Anyone and everyone. When their own interests are at stake? Plus, with ’First Day’ and the Taiyin Evil Cult stirring up trouble in the shadows, I’m afraid we’ll only suffer heavy casualties!"

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Let each prefecture and county recruit its own soldiers to suppress the rebellion!"

"That would create even more chaos!"

"It doesn’t matter to us how chaotic Mozhou Road becomes. Our only task from the Lord is to build the golden bodies in each prefecture. Besides, isn’t a little chaos better for some things? For example, our investigation into ’First Day’ and the Taiyin Evil Cultivators. It’s only because of the chaos in Mozhou Road that we’ve been able to find any clues about them."

At this, the two men exchanged a look, followed by a knowing smile. Then, they both turned to look at Zuo Xuan, who sat at the head of the table.