Chapter 14: Drastic Measures
Editor: Atlas Studios
The western Snow Domain Plateau, the southern Dian Prefecture, the southeastern Qian Prefecture.
Each of the three Demon Cult forces was like a sharp blade that sliced into the Shu Prefecture. Immediately after, they rendezvoused with their Cult Master who was closer to the Shu Mountains' Golden Summit.
The Demon Cult's Seventh Elder, Shangguan Song, suffered a little when they were heading to the Golden Summit.
As a martial king, it wasn't a problem for him to slaughter a B-class faction alone. However, he was obviously not competent enough to pick on an A-class faction alone, especially when the Huayan Temple's Zen Master Xindeng had a cultivation stage that was superior to him.
It was very fortunate that someone came to offer assistance and allowed Elder Shangguan to escape unscathed.
"Hong Yan, it is fortunate that you have arrived in time," Shangguan Song said to the large man who looked like a black iron tower.
The large middle-aged man said, "Elder is exaggerating."
Shangguan Song looked behind the large middle-aged man and asked in a soft voice, "How many men did you bring?"
The middle-aged man responded, "Twenty experts."
There were plenty of men behind him, but the twenty that he mentioned were elites that could be put to great use. They were formidable, and their loyalty was guaranteed.
"It still isn't enough with just your branch," Shangguan Song lamented.
He then said to the middle-aged man, "We will act according to the situation and preserve our strength. Chen Luoyang's condition is still unclear. For this attack on the Shu Prefecture, we might be able to find out."
The middle-aged man said, "The Divine Cult is most important."
Shangguan Song said, "That's why we have to be cautious. How are we to know if he is just pretending to be strong when he is actually injured? If that is the case, it would put our cult in danger."
The middle-aged man nodded silently. He then ordered his men to set up camp while he went to greet the Cult Master with Shangguan Song.
In between the Shu Mountains, on a lonely summit, there was an unadorned and massive black palace. Below the palace, there were six flood dragons circling the vicinity of the summit. They would let out dragon roars from time to time and were surging around like thunderbolts.
At the front of the mountain, there were two other groups of people that rushed over from different directions. The three groups met face to face while Shangguan Song remained silent.
The group on the left was led by a youth that was full of power and grandeur. His face was filled with an untamed aura. When he met with the other groups, he immediately laughed and said, "Ha! Elder Shangguan is returning in victory? It is worthy of celebration!"
The group on the right was led by a middle-aged man who was skinny and had a hunchback. The middle-aged man smiled with narrow eyes and said, "What is Brother Zhang saying? For this attack on the Shu Prefecture, Elder Shangguan received a great responsibility from the Cult Master. He worked hard and contributed significantly. We should be learning from our senior this time."
Shangguan Song maintained his refined and modest appearance. "The two of you have arrived a little later than Hong Yan." He de-emphasized and said, "I wonder if it is because of the difficult journey or because of too many trifling matters?"
If they said it was a difficult journey and couldn't travel faster, it would mean they were incompetent. If they said there were too many trifling matters, it would mean they weren't proactive and didn't place importance in the Cult Master's orders.
The untamed youth picked his ear and said, "You are overthinking. I arrived earlier than Hong Yan, but I was busy observing your aged elegance and your marvelous performance."
The hunchbacked man shook his hand repeatedly and said, "Elder Shangguan's words are too exaggerated, and I cannot afford it. I arrived at the same time as Brother Hong, but you know that I have an old illness and have a bad back. I had to stop to have a rest first."
Shangguan Song responded with a smile, while Hong Yan spoke at this moment, "Let's meet the Cult Master first."
The untamed youth exercised his neck and said, "I agree with this statement."
The subordinates of the three groups remained at the foot of the mountain, while the four leading figures ascended the mountain.
In the main hall of the palace, Chen Luoyang was seated high up in the throne.
Shangguan Song and the three others entered after being summoned. They then bowed to Chen Luoyang and gave their greetings.
"Dian Prefecture's Zhang Tianheng pays his respects to the Cult Master. Long live the Cult Master."
"Snow Domain's Hong Yang pays his respects to the Cult Master."
"Qian Prefecture's Wang Dubao pays his respects to the Cult Master. Long live the Cult Master."
Chen Luoyang looked at the three others apart from Shangguan Song. It was a pitiful sight as he was actually trying to remember their appearances and match their names.
Earlier on, the attendant beside him had already reported to him about their identities. They were three of the Demon Cult's eight protectors and were all in charge of their own territories.
The youth who withdrew his untamed appearance but remained intense was Protector Zhurong who oversaw the Dian Prefecture, Zhang Tianheng.
The large man who looked like a black iron tower and had helped Shangguan Song to stand was Protector Xingtian who oversaw the Snow Domain Plateau, Hong Yan.
The hunchbacked and skinny man who had a humble smile was Protector Kuafu who oversaw the Qian Prefecture, Wang Dubao.
Among them, Hong Yan was rather special. In terms of age and seniority, he was considered in the middle within the Demon Cult. However, he was on the elder faction's side.
The Snow Domain Plateau was under the Great Vajra Temple's control previously. After the Great Vajra Temple was exterminated and taken over by the Demon Cult, it was established as a branch.
However, the place was a frozen ground that was bitterly cold. It was vast but sparsely populated, desolate, and backward. In comparison to the other branches, the other protectors were simply given a pleasant task. To oversee the Snow Domain Plateau was the same as being exiled.
The Snow Domain Plateau was a neighbor of the Shu Prefecture. As such, when Chen Luoyang mentioned "nearby", Hong Yan and his subordinates were also transferred over.
"The western part of the Shu Prefecture has been settled. Please look over the report." Hong Yan handed over a jade scroll.
Zhang Tianheng and Wang Dubao had also done the same thing. Wang Dubao entered the Shu Prefecture from the southeast direction. Wang Tianheng headed up from the south just like Chen Luoyang, but he took a different route.
Azure Dragon 3 received the three jade scrolls and handed it over to Chen Luoyang.
After receiving the jade scrolls, Chen Luoyang didn't read it immediately. Instead, he asked, "When attacking along the way, how do you feel about the Shu Prefecture's resistance?"
Hong Yan replied, "It is abnormally smooth. There might be trickery."
Zhang Tianheng said, "The opposition might be trying to lure us deep inside and to stall us at the Golden Summit. Afterwards, they will attack our cult from behind."
Crooked-back Wang Dubao added, "This subordinate has the same sentiments."
Chen Luoyang nodded. "Very good, maintain your vigilance."
Zhang Tianheng, Wang Dubao, and Hong Yan acknowledged in unison.
"What about the transfer of troops from the opposition?" Chen Luoyang turned to ask Azure Dragon 3.
"Qingliang Temple's Elder Mingjing, Huayan Temple's Zen Master Xindeng, and the Five Color Hall Master Song Lun are all at the Golden Summit. The Sword Pavilion members have also arrived," Azure Dragon 3 replied. "The experts from the Great Xia Empire are still untraceable. There is also uncertain news… The Sword Sovereign might be coming…"
"Continue the investigation," Chen Luoyang said with an unchanged expression.
"Yes, Cult Master," Azure Dragon 3 acknowledged.
Chen Luoyang looked at Shangguan Song and said, "Well done. Continue tomorrow."
Shangguan Song took a deep breath. "This old one shall obey."
Zhang Tianheng let out a mischievous laugh; Wang Dubao looked rather bashful, while Hong Yan remained silent.
"Alright, you're dismissed." Chen Luoyang waved his hand.
When they exited from the palace, Hong Yan said to Shangguan Song, "I will assist you." He then looked at Zhang Tianheng and Wang Dubao. "Cult Master didn't say that it wasn't allowed."
"It is true that the Cult Master didn't forbid us from assisting Elder Shangguan." Wang Dubao had a bent-over body as he smiled and said, "We will assist according to the situation."
Zhang Tianheng laughed mischievously. "I am here for the merits. But since Cult Master gave the role of the vanguard to Elder Shangguan, I can only take the role of a backup."
Shangguan Song's face had a normal expression as he said, "It is good for young people to be ambitious. If you want to claim the merits, you will have to work harder."
The four then parted, on bad terms.
In the main hall, Chen Luoyang had dismissed everyone apart from Azure Dragon 3.
"Your report mentioned that Dragon Claw 17 came to the Shu Prefecture along with Song Lun?" Chen Luoyang asked.
Azure Dragon 3 replied, "Reporting to Cult Master, it is because Dragon Claw 17 is following beside Song Lun that we are able to determine Song Lun's whereabouts."
Chen Luoyang nodded. "Do not alert the others and ask Dragon Claw 17 to deliver a message to Song Lun."
"Ask him to see This Seat."
Azure Dragon 3 was startled for a moment. "Cult Master…"
"He will come." Chen Luoyang smiled indifferently.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone