Chapter 156: Situation in the Black Mountains

Commander Yin shook his head and smiled, saying, "Lady Erqing might not know this, but Mount Tianzhu is a massive organization aligned with the Heavenly Dao. They possess a complete and sophisticated system; whether it is logistical supplies or military might, their resources are inexhaustible. Er Bixia is just a single individual. Although this demon has a wide circle of friends, he operates purely out of a sense of righteousness. Even with bonds of life and death, the utmost he can ever become is merely the master of a single mountain range."

Upon hearing this, Erqing felt it made sense. Yet, she knew that by the time Bixia finally perceived the situation and made a move, it would likely coincide with the overwhelming arrival of an opposing army.

After a brief moment of reflection, she continued to ask, "Then can our two lands of the Southern Continent and the Eastern Continent not make any response at all?"

"This..." Commander Yin hesitated for a moment before replying, "There is a Black Mountain range lying between the Eastern Continent and the Central Continent. According to legends, this Black Mountain belongs to the entrance of the Underworld, but in recent years, it has been occupied by a group of indigenous demons. Ghastly winds howl across it, and ghosts and spirits run rampant. In the past, immortal sects and the Three Destruction Sects jointly suppressed it, maintaining a fragile peace. However, a certain Black Mountain suddenly gained sentience within the nether realms, and with thunderous momentum, it practically wiped out the underworld governed by the Black Mountain Great Emperor. This demon styles himself the Black Mountain Old Demon."

Erqing nodded and said with a helpless sigh, "We have also heard rumors of these matters. But it all happened so abruptly, and moreover, the entire Southern Continent was thrown into complete chaos. Had it not been for the Dragon Girl, my elder brother would likely have perished within it. We can barely look after ourselves, let alone concern ourselves with the affairs of the Underworld."

"Indeed, who is to say otherwise!" Commander Yin sighed with deep emotion.

After a moment of thought, he continued, "Ever since that demon gained dominion over the greater part of the Underworld, he remained unsatisfied. He forcefully punched open the exit between the Yin and Yang realms, directly annihilating several nearby immortal cultivation sects. Afterward, he summoned all manner of demons and ghosts, seemingly intent on swallowing the entire Black Mountain."

"Then what does that have to do with Mount Tianzhu?" Although Erqing agreed with Commander Yin's assessment, she pressed on, "With Black Mountain standing there, these two forces will likely reach a stalemate, won't they?"

"No!" Commander Yin denied it decisively.

Erqing pondered for a moment, yet failed to conceive of any strategy by which Mount Tianzhu could subjugate Black Mountain, so she asked, "On what grounds do you say that?"

Pointing at the map, Commander Yin explained, "Black Mountain is more than capable of holding territory, but lacks the strength for aggressive expansion. Lady Erqing, have you not noticed that demons run rampant in Black Mountain only in places where the atmosphere is foul and pestilent?"

Erqing nodded, realizing upon reflection that this was true. Black Mountain primarily consisted of nether soldiers with very few actual demons. Any living human or animal that failed to receive protection was reduced to mere blood and flesh; thus, wherever they marched, they invariably used ghostly, nether energy to invade first.

Then she heard Commander Yin say, "The inherent nature of Black Mountain's forces restricts their rate of expansion. Besides, my subordinates have heard that remnants of the former Underworld faction still exist, and the Black Mountain Old Demon is currently occupied with dealing with those lingering forces!"

Changing the subject, he went on, "However, just because Black Mountain is not expanding does not mean Mount Tianzhu is stagnant. According to reports from scouts, the first wave of forces heading toward the Eastern Continent was obstructed at Black Mountain, but a second wave led by a high-cultivation Demon Monarch has already set out for Black Mountain. I imagine that once the opportune moment arrives, Mount Tianzhu's grand army will undoubtedly launch a campaign against the mountain."

Hearing this, Erqing heaved a sigh of relief, appearing even secretly delighted.

Finding this reaction peculiar, Commander Yin asked, "Does Lady Erqing happen to be acquainted with someone from Mount Tianzhu?"

Just as Erqing was picturing a certain youth who was like a sharp sword newly drawn from its scabbard, she was caught off guard by Commander Yin's question. Subconsciously blushing, she hastily replied, "No, no, not at all."

"Oh!" Commander Yin nodded in sudden realization, then looked at Erqing with an ambiguous, knowing smile and said, "If we were to attempt contact with Mount Tianzhu, I wonder what chances of success we might have?"

Erqing felt quite uncomfortable under that kind of gaze. Originally, there was nothing between them, but under such scrutiny, the non-existent became real, prompting her to snap, "Not even a single percent!"

"Haha, haha!" Commander Yin let out two dry laughs. Unbothered, he continued, "According to the intelligence we have gathered, Mount Tianzhu's forces are already within the Southern Continent. Although our Southern Continent's factions are mixed and chaotic, the moment Mount Tianzhu's people arrive, they will likely pacify the region instantly."

Though feeling somewhat guilty upon hearing this, Erqing stubbornly maintained a bold front. "As long as my Taiyuan Lake still stands, Mount Tianzhu can dream on if they think they can unify the region so easily."

"I must beg Lady Erqing to show mercy. If this humble subordinate wishes to claim the destiny of the Southern Continent, I will still have to rely heavily on Lady Erqing!" Suddenly, a voice traveled from afar, drawing closer by the second. By the time the sentence finished, the voice was already right outside the entrance.

"Who goes there!" Commander Yin was greatly startled. The newcomer's cultivation was terrifyingly high, and their speed was simply too fast, almost completely ignoring the destiny and defensive aura of the military camp. With a flick of his hand, he produced a yin-yang shovel, stood up, and aimed it at the entrance as he shouted, "I know not which fellow Daoist has graced us with their presence. Taiyuan Lake has failed to welcome you from afar, and I hope you will forgive this discourtesy."

Hearing that voice, Erqing felt a surge of joy in her heart and instinctively made to walk outside.

Alarmed, Commander Yin hurriedly stopped Erqing, warning, "Lady Erqing, we are no match for this person. Quickly go set up the formation while I hold them off first."

Blocked by Commander Yin, Erqing spoke with unusual gentleness, "Commander Yin, this is a friend of mine, not an outsider."

Seeing Erqing act in this manner, Commander Yin found his mind momentarily unable to process the situation. Normally, Erqing was exceedingly heroic, possessing the spirit of a warrior that rivaled men, decisive and efficient in all her actions, and had never once displayed feminine coyness. Yet, this single stroke of gentleness caused a complete short circuit in Commander Yin's brain.

Noticing Commander Yin's stunned expression, Erqing blushed slightly, curtsied to him, and said softly, "I will go out to welcome Master Wang first!"

"Right!" Commander Yin nodded subconsciously. As soon as Erqing stepped outside, a sudden jolt ran through his entire body, and he nearly tumbled to the ground.

After parting ways with the Three Caves Taoist, Wang Yuanfeng had gained certain insights along the journey and subsequently hurried toward Taiyuan Lake. Catching wind of Erqing's words as he arrived—specifically her declaration that with her here, Mount Tianzhu could forget about taking over the region swiftly—he paused.

He figured they must be discussing important matters. If he disrupted a strategy already set in place, it would look like erratic policymaking that changed with the morning and evening, thereby damaging his future prestige. Thus, without thinking further, he had directly transmitted his voice.

Without evading the camp's protective aura, he had simply broken right in. His speed was so great that the moment he finished speaking, he was already before the tent commander.

Before long, a woman dressed in cyan robes with a gentle and graceful countenance came running out. Seeing Wang Yuanfeng, her expression lit up with joy. She walked right up to him, curtsied, and said, "Young Master Wang, you have arrived! Please, come right in!"

Looking at Erqing, who remained as gentle and refined as ever, Wang Yuanfeng smiled and replied, "Very well. Lady Erqing is as gentle as she has always been. Wang Yuanfeng pays his respects!"

"Thank you for the compliment, Young Master!" Erqing acknowledged gracefully.

Inside the tent, upon hearing these words, Commander Yin felt his legs go weak, and he nearly collapsed to the floor. Fortunately, a table stood beside him, and with quick reflexes, he grabbed hold of it just in time to keep from falling, though the impact produced a loud clanging noise.

"What is that?" Hearing the commotion, Wang Yuanfeng did not resort to divine spiritual sense to investigate. After all, forcibly breaking into a military camp earlier was already quite impolite, and the fact that the hosts had not pursued the matter was a great courtesy; to use divine sense to snoop further would truly be the height of arrogance and disregard for others.

Erqing knew that her behavior had created a massive contrast for Commander Yin. Normally, she acted with utter indifference at Taiyuan Lake, doing precisely as she pleased. Having suffered many hardships in her youth, she had always been resolute, decisive, and fiercely heroic—traits she maintained precisely to project a formidable image.