Youzhou City, the Xia Family’s Divine General Mansion.
Inside the eastern pavilion courtyard, a distinguished lady sat poised in the main hall.
She appeared to be around forty years old, but her skin was as creamy as a young girl’s, even more delicate than that of a maiden. Set against her sumptuous attire, she seemed like a charming beauty stepping out of a painting, with an air both dignified and noble.
She was not just the lady of the house but also the current Family Head of the Xia Family, Xia Linglong, and the True Dragon of the previous generation.
Because she had vowed to remain unmarried for life, she had been eligible to compete for the title of True Dragon. Coupled with her exceptional talent, rumors had it that she was the most gifted individual in the Xia Family in centuries.
At twenty, she had entered the Three Immortal Realms, and although she had not achieved immortality at nineteen like that prodigious talent from the Li Family, she too had her moments of great glory, her name known throughout the world.
When she took over the Xia Family’s leadership, various demonic forces, mocking her for being a woman, laughed at the Xia Family’s decline, considering them weak and easily bullied. They caused chaos throughout other great states under the Xia Family’s jurisdiction, and the people suffered immensely.
However, once Xia Linglong assumed power, she quickly struck like thunderbolts, slaughtering and driving back those demons.
In many battles, she personally led the troops into combat, clad in iron armor, her hands stained with the blood of countless demons. And when she returned home, she would wear light elegant dresses and apply makeup, enjoying flowers and tea like those ladies of the state.
But while those ladies of the state would peruse books like “Discussion on Women” and “the Learning of Assisting the Husband,” the volumes in her hands were military manuals, art of war, Map of the Demonic Territories.
Half a month ago, the Gluttonous Valley, which had besieged the outskirts of the Mo River in Liangzhou Territory, suddenly shifted its assault towards their Xia Family’s Youzhou. This attack caught them completely by surprise, and with the Elder of Gluttonous Valley personally leading the charge, the eastern front line was breached and now half of the eastern part of Youzhou had fallen.
The death toll and the number of cities burned stood at more than thirty.
In each city and the nearby towns and villages, the populace numbered at least four to five million, some even as many as ten million.
The severe damage suffered in their home territory, which they were charged with protecting, had caused her many sleepless nights. Not long ago, the Gluttonous Valley Master had brazenly launched a surprise attack on the Divine General Mansion but was repelled by a joint effort of several uncles at the Ultimate Study Realm.
Yet, this battle made her realize that the strength of the Gluttonous Valley Master was not to be underestimated. Although he was not in the Tao Realm, he had few rivals within the Ultimate Study Realm. His flesh and blood were so refined that they could be compared to the finest Divine Weapon, and the ultimate techniques of the Ultimate Study Realm were significantly less effective against him.
Fortunately, the Gluttonous Valley Master was not old enough to be in the Great Void Realm; he was a Great Demon King who had risen to prominence just five hundred years ago and had not yet stepped into the Tao Realm.
Otherwise, the Xia Family would truly face a calamity and would have to mobilize their strongest resources just to withstand him!
Even so, for the Xia Family at present, the situation was dire.
“The eastern battlefront reports are in. Xia Changkong says the second defensive line is about to fall, and they must retreat to the area near the Ming River to activate the third line of defense,” an old man stated lowly within the hall.
He was an elder of the Xia Family and was already dressed in armor, ready to go to war at a moment’s notice.
His gaze rested on Xia Linglong, who, despite looking like a noble lady, commanded immense respect and awe from everyone in the Xia Family.
“Family Head, please allow me to head into battle to stand with Changkong in defense!”
The elder volunteered eagerly; his eyes, sharp as an eagle’s, announced: “If the third defensive line falls, I will fight a bloody battle against Gluttonous Valley to the end!”
The others showed a change in expression, wanting to speak but hesitating, wanting to stop him but not knowing what to say. As part of the Divine General Mansion, bearing such a mission was their destiny, especially now when countless soldiers had already fallen on the frontline, with many of them losing their own kinsmen.
“A bloody battle is a last resort, but it is not the goal,” Xia Linglong spoke. Her eyes, devoid of their usual tenderness, were now filled with coldness:
“If the Gluttonous Valley Master makes a move, even the third defensive line might not hold. The disparity in strength between both sides is too vast, especially at the pinnacle of power. Furthermore, we must guard against other demonic forces that may take advantage of the chaos to strike. We cannot afford to gamble recklessly until the situation becomes clear.”
The elder’s countenance changed subtly, as he looked intently at her, not questioning but waiting for her to continue.
After a brief pause, Xia Linglong continued with a determined and solemn tone: Continue your journey on empire
“Feign defense at the third line, lure the Gluttonous Valley Master into the Cangling Mountains, where our Xia Family ancestors have buried arrays. With the power of the arrays, we can lock down the Gluttonous Valley Master. Afterwards, we will rush to the front lines, eradicate all the demons, and then engage the Gluttonous Valley Master in a decisive battle. This time, I am prepared to invoke our ancestral Sacred Treasure!”
Upon hearing her words, the elder’s face showed a subtle change; the pupils of everyone else contracted.
They all felt the immense determination of their Family Head.
“But with this plan, if the third defensive line is breached, we will lose a dozen more cities…” the elder couldn’t help saying.
Xia Linglong gazed steadily at him and said, “I have already sent Uncle Seven with a hundred thousand troops to evacuate the residents of those cities, leaving only a minimal defensive force behind. The cities can be lost, but as long as the people survive, it’s fine. Once the war subsides, our Xia Family will send troops to help them rebuild.”
“Have all been evacuated?” the elder couldn’t help asking.
Xia Linglong fell silent for a moment before replying, “Not all, but we must amputate timely to save more lives. We have no choice.”
Everyone was silent, and so was the elder. He knew his niece was astute and adept at strategic planning. If she could not devise a better plan, it meant that there truly was no better option.
“Reinforcement requests have been sent to Dayu State, but outside the Imperial City, there are rumors of demons lurking. Since the battle in Liangzhou, no, it should be said that during the past several decades of frequent demonic stealth attacks, specifically aimed at the Li Family Town’s defenses, that nearly disrupted the Li Family’s lineage, I have sensed that these demons are plotting something major…”