In Fenghai County, outside the collapsed Punishment Department, Xu Qing walked out with a gloomy expression.
He looked up at the ruined county capital and flew over. Soon, he arrived at the county capital and went straight to the Eight Sect Alliance's encampment.
Along the way, damaged buildings were constantly reflected in Xu Qing's line of sight. Clearly, yesterday's upheaval had caused a huge impact on this bustling city.
On the other hand, the usually bustling crowd on the streets had become much sparser. Xu Qing saw hesitation, bewilderment, nervousness, and fear among the sparse passers-by who were in a hurry.
The mysterious death of the County Governor was enough to make people panic. The collapse of the Punishment Department was even more shocking. In addition, the news of the Holy Billow Tribe's invasion had spread, causing a huge haze to rise in people's hearts.
There were even some cultivators who could not hide the fear in their eyes. After all, not everyone was a sword wielder.
Xu Qing retracted his gaze and sped along.
Soon, he arrived at the Eight Sect Alliance's encampment.
With Zixuan in charge, the sub-sect was still in good condition. However, most of the disciples of the alliance were packing their luggage and preparing to leave.
Xu Qing swept his gaze across and did not stop. He went straight to Zixuan's residence. There, he saw Zixuan and her best friend, Li Shitao.
Both of them looked solemn and were discussing important matters. After seeing Xu Qing, Zixuan's gloomy face softened.
"Xu Qing, I was just about to look for you. I received an emergency summons from the sect and cannot stay here. I have to be transported back today."
"Alright.
"The Corpse Forbidden Spell has broken out. The Sword Holding Palace has ordered all the human sects in the Ying Huang Continent to resist the Corpse Forbidden Spell.
Zixuan's voice was grave.
Xu Qing's heart sank. He was the first to discover the Corpse Forbidden Disaster and naturally knew what had happened.
"In fact, the Eight Sect Alliance and the Sword Palace already knew that the Holy Billow Tribe was behind the Corpse Forbidden Disaster. They also took precautions, so you don't have to worry too much about your master."
"Alright.
The Holy Billow Tribe's motive for detonating the Corpse Forbidden Disaster has now been revealed. They want to use it to restrain the forces in Fenghai County's sub-prefecture. "
"Alright.
Xu Qing, this is an eventful period. You should be safer with the Sword Palace Lord than outside. That's why I did not ask you to return with me this time. You must be … more vigilant. "
"Alright."
Zixuan's eyes were filled with concern. She took out three jade slips and handed them to Xu Qing.
"One is a concealment talisman, just like the one I drew for you before. The other is a large-scale teleportation talisman. You can use it to avoid danger at critical moments.
"
"The last one contains a wisp of my divine will, which can protect you from a fatal blow.
"
Ripples rose in Xu Qing's heart. After he received it silently, he also took out some Ten Intestines Tree Dao Fruits and handed them over. After all, these fruits had miraculous effects in refining weapons and pills. Sword Holding Palace was rich in resources and did not need them urgently, but to the Eight Sect Alliance, these Dao Fruits were of great use.
Zi Xuan's expression changed when she saw this. She didn't exchange any pleasantries with Xu Qing. She put it away and gave him some instructions. Two hours later, the Eight Sect Alliance's branch sect left under Xu Qing's gaze.
Before leaving, Zixuan looked back several times at Xu Qing. The two of them looked at each other until they reached the teleportation portal. After a final glance, Zixuan and the other disciples disappeared.
Li Shitao clearly had a lot on her mind. After Zi Xuan left, she nodded at Xu Qing and quickly left.
Looking at the empty teleportation portal, Xu Qing's expression slowly became numb. He was very familiar with this feeling; it was as if he had returned to the time when he was alone in the slums.
"It's time to report to the Sword Holding Palace."
Xu Qing muttered to himself as he turned to leave. The light of dusk fell on his robe, causing it to turn blood red and elongate his shadow.
Dusk passed and night fell. Xu Qing arrived at the Sword Holding Palace.
When he appeared, Kong Xianglong, who had received his message, quickly flew over from the Sword Holding Palace. When he saw Xu Qing, his eyes were filled with shock.
It was obvious that Kong Xianglong had noticed the change in Xu Qing's cultivation. After all, compared to when he left, Xu Qing had changed so much that Kong Xianglong felt like he was facing a Nascent Soul cultivator.
If it was any other time, Kong Xianglong would have been curious.
Long Yi asked curiously. However, he wasn't in the mood for such things because of the upheaval in the County Capital.
When he got closer, he said, "Xu Qing, I just received a message from the border. The forbidden treasure can't completely stop the Holy Wave Tribe's army. It can only slow them down a bit.
"Let's go.
The swordsmen have all returned. Tonight, the palace master will arrange a battle plan for all the swordsmen in the capital. "
"Let's go.
"Now … you are the true messenger."
Kong Xianglong looked at Xu Qing and said softly.
Xu Qing nodded calmly. He knew very well that within his identity as a pawn, his original position was that of the palace master's messenger.
The truth was just as Kong Xianglong said. Not long after Xu Qing stepped into the Sword Holding Palace, he received a summons from the palace master.
In the depths of the Sword Holding Palace, Xu Qing, who had arrived without any delay, saw the palace master standing in front of a huge map of light. His eyes were bloodshot and his expression was extremely serious.
The palace master's body reeked of blood and he was very tired. It was obvious that he hadn't rested at all since the drastic change in the capital.
There were seven or eight swordsmen around him. The four deacons and the vice palace masters were all there. Each of them had different degrees of injuries, and the two vice palace masters were the last to be injured.
They had suffered these injuries when they suppressed the Divine Spirit of the Punishment Department with the palace master yesterday. They had no time to recover and were currently under the palace master's command and arrangements.
Following the palace master's orders, the four deacons and the two vice palace masters all turned to leave.
Their expressions were grave as they acknowledged the order and left one after another. When they passed by Xu Qing, most of them nodded at him with meaningful looks in their eyes.
After a long while, when there was no one else in the hall, the palace master withdrew his gaze from the map and turned to look sternly at Xu Qing.
"Swordsmen Xu Qing, reporting for duty."
Xu Qing's expression was solemn as he clasped his hands and bowed.
"Xu Qing, organize the list of swordsmen who have returned and find those who have not returned. Find out the reason and arrange for tonight's meeting. Is there a problem?"
"Yes."
The palace master said in a low voice.
"Yes, sir."
Xu Qing said solemnly.
The palace master nodded and ignored Xu Qing. He had too many things to deal with. Currently, Fenghai County was plagued by internal and external troubles. All the burdens had been placed on his shoulders the moment the governor died.
Xu Qing knew his limits and left with a bow. After walking out of the hall, he took out his command sword and began to get busy according to the palace master's instructions.
At this moment, his identity as the attendant was worthy of his name. He had the authority to check any records and all swordsmen had to cooperate. However, his strength alone was not enough. After pondering for a while, Xu Qing sent a voice transmission to Kong Xianglong.
Soon, Kong Xianglong, Shan Hezi, Wang Chen, and Night Spirit all came to Xu Qing. With their cooperation, Xu Qing quickly organized the list of participants and the reason why the palace master had not returned.
Finally, two hours before the meeting, he decided on the meeting at midnight and prepared to leave the venue. He also used his authority to inform all the swordsmen.
"On the orders of the palace master, I inform all the swordsmen that tonight at the first square in the eastern district of the Sword Holding Palace, we will attend the meeting!"
Xu Qing's voice echoed in the command swords of all the swordsmen.
This was the first time he had truly spoken since he was assigned as the Head of Secretariat.
Soon, midnight approached.
Baidu searched for the three excellent words.
At the first square in the eastern district, all the swordsmen arrived quickly. There was no need to organize the order. The Sword Holding Palace was strictly disciplined to begin with. At this moment, nearly a hundred thousand swordsmen stood there in a dense and orderly manner, forming long lines according to their cultivation.
No one spoke. Only a murderous intent rose in everyone's hearts. Most of their eyes were filled with anger and determination.
The death of the county governor, the collapse of the Punishment Department, and the arrival of war. This series of events would not make the swordsmen afraid. Instead, it would only make their killing intent stronger.
At this moment, their auras gathered together and filled the surroundings. A vortex formed in the sky and rumbled as it spun.
When the aura was shocking, the four deacons and the deputy palace master arrived one after another. Finally, the one who appeared in front of all the swordsmen was the solemn and dignified palace master.
As for Xu Qing, he followed behind the palace master.
As the gazes of all the swordsmen gathered, Xu Qing's figure was also reflected in everyone's eyes. He was expressionless and stopped 30 feet away from the palace master. He stood there silently and looked at the palace master.
The palace master's gaze swept across the crowd below. After a while, his deep voice reverberated in all directions.
"Swordsmen, the war has arrived."
"
"The Holy Billow Tribe's ambition for Fenghai County has not stopped for countless years. This is not the first time they have started a war, but without exception, they have all failed!"
"
"In the recent thousand years, the late county governor and I, as well as all the swordsmen, have long been prepared for this war."
""
"Even though the Holy Billow Tribe's first batch of enemies, consisting of the Red Spirit Dynasty and the Moon Mist Dynasty, has entered Fenghai County, I am full of confidence."
"" ""
"If everyone is loyal to their duties and makes no mistakes, and everything is carefully arranged, we can prove that we can also protect Fenghai County, win in the storm of war, and survive the threat of the Holy Billow Tribe, just like the martyrs of Fenghai County.
"" ""
"With the help of the Feng Xinggong, the 379 allied clans, including the Holy Demon Clan, will also participate in this war. The Immortal Clan has also chosen to seal their entire ancestral land after my personal communication this morning, and will not take even half a step out.
"" ""
"So in this war, we are actually not weak.
The Palace Lord spoke calmly. There was no excitement in his tone. Instead, he spoke slowly.
"However, there are also some things that you need to know.
"
"Today, two things happened in my clan's Imperial Region, which is extremely far away from the Sea Sealing County.
"
"First, the Human Emperor appointed a new county governor and reinforcements. They were supposed to arrive tomorrow by teleportation, but they were intercepted by the Black Sky Clan this afternoon. It is unknown whether they are alive or dead.
"
"Secondly, the Black Sky Clan's army is approaching the Human Clan's Imperial Domain, and a storm is coming. Therefore, for a short period of time, Sea Sealing County will have to face the invasion by itself.
"
"Therefore, this might be a protracted battle.
"
"Therefore, this might be a lone battle.
"
"No matter what, this is the situation we have to face. However, this does not affect our determination to defend it with our lives, because we have nowhere to retreat.
"
"Three of the thirteen prefectures have already been occupied by the Holy Billow Tribe's army. However, the Sea Sealing County's taboo Dharma treasure has been fully activated, resulting in a stalemate that has bought us some time.
"
"During this period of time, we have to solve a few problems.
"
"The Holy Billow Tribe's goal is to cause chaos and disperse part of the prefectures' strength.
""
"The collapse of the Punishment Department and the escape of the prisoners will definitely cause chaos in the Sea Sealing County. This will cause us internal and external troubles. This is also the Holy Billow Tribe's goal.
""
Heavy breathing came from the mouths of the 100,000 swordsmen. The Palace Lord's words made everyone, including Xu Qing, truly realize that Sea Sealing County was in danger like a raging storm.
However, the Palace Lord's calm voice was like a divine needle that calmed the sea, causing everyone's hearts to slowly calm down.
Murderous intent and determination continued to rise.
Looking at the crowd, the Palace Lord's voice paused for a moment.
"Don't be afraid. If the sky falls, I will hold it up!"
""