xymnovel Chapter 77 The Crimson Moon, A Celestial Upheaval
Chapter 77 The Crimson Moon, A Celestial Upheaval
The nameless paladin, oblivious to the stares of those around him, asked, "Has the Heavenly Official ever heard of the 'Night Scouts'?"
Si Chen looked up. What kind of despicable Darkborn Paladins were these?
This is not surprising. For these outstanding individuals in the darkness, there is no place in the world they cannot go, unless that place is not in the human realm.
"But logically speaking, these two paths are almost diametrically opposed."
"It's just a case of qi deviation. At least we can survive in Liaodong, and that's enough. All the Ministers of Agriculture have been slaughtered by the Eight Banners; they won't allow us the ability to resist."
"I understand." Si Chen took a deep breath. These remaining resistance fighters were indeed quite capable to survive under the Eight Banners' sweeping control. "How should I address you?"
My sisters all call me Azalea.
Si Chen secretly memorized the name. "What's the situation in Liaodong?"
Du Juan blinked. "The Eight Banners of the Jurchens cannot go out in winter."
Haizhou was garrisoned by only two thousand cavalry, and Liaoyang had only a few thousand troops. The main force of the Jurchens was in southern Liaoning, Hetu Ala, and Shenyang, and there was no large-scale mobilization for the time being.
The Liaodong region was like a ghost town, and the Jurchens sought refuge from the cold at the Tuokesuo Manor.
Furthermore, East India Company slave ships circulated between Sanchahekou, Lianyungang Island in Gaizhou, and Zhenjiangbao on the Yalu River. Haizhou, located on the lower reaches of the Liao River, served as a crucial point for river transport, protecting the safety of Shenyang and Liaodong. This did not conflict with Ning's plan; our goals were aligned.
As expected of the Night Watchman, she had almost complete access to intelligence about these places.
The strength and weakness of the troops are fully under our control.
Si Chen felt that this azalea was indeed a promising talent.
There might be an opportunity to absorb them.
Jiazi rose and said, "Your Majesty, I believe it is worth a try. I am willing to be the vanguard and capture this city for Your Majesty."
Si Chen raised his hand. "No rush. How many men do you have in Haizhou in response to the riots?"
"We have 20,000 miners, 10 Torchbearers, and one Yin God cultivator to assist us," Du Juan said confidently.
Si Chen looked into her eyes. "Do these Torch People still have any supernatural abilities left? The cultivators who depend on the Dynasty for survival are in a bad situation. Even if Yin God cultivators can ride flying swords to kill people from a hundred miles away, can they break through an army formation? Are there any warriors among these 20,000 miners?"
Having armor to fight an unarmored opponent are two completely different concepts.
Cavalry faces even greater difficulties when fighting infantry.
Du Juan bent down. "Those two thousand cavalrymen are all Han soldiers. Unless they are summoned from Shenyang, they are usually stationed separately. We can defeat them one by one. That's why I've come to you for help. We are willing to give everything, even our lives!"
Si Chen frowned. "Who else is in Haizhou? Your target isn't just that traitor Shang Kexi, is it?"
Besides the three major traitors of the late Ming Dynasty—Kong Youde, Shang Kexi, and Geng Zhongming—and Hong Chengchou, who was far away in Shenyang, were there any other traitors worth eliminating at all costs?
Du Juan: "And then there's Chen Hongfan. He's from Liaoyang Guard, a former military commander of Haizhou, and also a member of the Chen clan. Over the past few decades, we've used the method of possession to seize the bodies of hundreds of people. Countless brothers and sisters have died at the hands of the dead. This revenge will be exacted!"
Si Chen: "Ordinary cultivators can only possess a body three times at most before their soul is scattered. I don't think this Chen Hongfan is human."
There was much discussion among the people.
Si Chen pondered for a moment, then took out a large demon skull shrunk to the size of a walnut from his waist. It was as clear and translucent as crystal.
"If you possess this item, and Chen Hongfan returns, the crystal will respond."
"This is the skull of a great demon, condensing all the cultivation of a great demon throughout his life. It is the real deal."
"It contains a ray of my sword light, and the incantation is 'Heaven and Earth are boundless, borrow the power of Heaven and Earth.'"
Du Juan readily accepted the crystal skull.
He carefully put it away close to his body.
Finally, she saw the light at the end of the tunnel for revenge. So many people had turned their black hair white, so many had sacrificed their lives. How could she not cherish this moment?
Si Chen turned his gaze to Jia Chen, "Jia Chen, you go there yourself."
Jia Chen clasped his hands in acceptance of the matter.
Si Chen suddenly remembered something and asked, "Do you know about the Dragon Transformation Pool on Mount Yiwulü?"
Du Juan shook her head. "Those shamans and lamas summoned evil spirits, so I didn't dare go deep. I just circled around the eastern foot of Yiwulü Mountain, and there was no one there at all. It's said that Dorgon, that venomous snake, ordered that Han people not be allowed to enter the mountains, for it would be an offense against our ancestral land."
Si Chen's eyes lit up. So Dorgon really wasn't on the same page as the Great Horned Rat God. That makes sense. How could someone so lusting after Da Yu'er's beauty and the Regent's power be willing to give him a living father?
"You don't need to go check it out; it's a trap. The real Dragon Transformation Pool has already been moved."
"Thank you for your guidance, Master." Du Juan nodded and asked no further questions.
"When do you plan to launch the uprising?"
"The sooner the better, who knows where that old devil Chen has run off to."
"Then I will come to find you in three days."
"It's a deal! I should go now." Du Juan was even happier, but she turned her head and glanced at the vengeful paladins with some reluctance. "I'm sorry, I've offended you a lot these past few days."
That's all.
Du Juan grabbed Jia Chen's arm and fell into the shadows below.
It vanished in an instant.
Following the large demon skull, Si Chen sensed a shadow plane completely independent of the spirit world, the final resting place of shadows.
"Do you know your crime?" Jiazi finally spoke up and rebuked them.
Many paladins knelt on one knee, saying, "Your subordinate accepts the punishment."
How could they be completely unaware of their teammates whom they spend every day with? This is tantamount to covering for them!
Jiazi was somewhat angry; these women had almost ruined a great deal of work.
Si Chen waved his hand, "Go and receive your punishment. There will be no next time. If you offend again, you will become an ascetic in the Palace of Saints and will never leave the temple for the rest of your life."
A sudden, heavy pressure descended.
The paladins knelt down.
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
They then helped each other out of the hall.
Only Jiazi and Sichen remained.
"Tomorrow, Dinghai will sail back and bring another ship of provisions. The way of Kunpeng can devour the sky and the sun; one shipment is enough to support the rations of tens of thousands of men for a month."
"You're familiar with this route too."
Si Chen spoke to the empty room.
The Dinghai shook gently twice to indicate that it had received the message.
Si Chen produced a golden conch shell in his hand. This was originally a token for controlling the Dinghai Sea. "I'm entrusting it to you. Go quickly and come back quickly."
"Your subject obeys." Jiazi raised his hand to receive the order.
He planned to take only two battalions of troops, leaving half of them here, which would be enough to protect Si Chen and help him break through the encirclement.
And then there are those paladins, who, though somewhat foolish, are willing to die for power.
The rest are not worth worrying about.
As Jiazi withdrew from the hall.
The place was empty again, with only Si Chen remaining.
Si Chen pressed his temples. "How come all these things have piled up at once?"
He went to the window and looked up at the night sky.
But above, in the sky...
A blood moon.