NOVEL NEXT Ch. 26
Chapter 26: The Blue Wolf Army’s Reaction
As the Bandit-Subduing Army was established, the news spread throughout Anxi.
This matter stirred quite a commotion across the entire Anxi Prefecture.
Especially the two characters “Suppressing Bandits” — this title alone made countless rebel forces within Anxi Prefecture feel a chill of dread.
Inside Loulan City, within the City Lord’s mansion—
The candle flames flickered, casting the tall silhouette of Iskandar upon the tent walls, upon which the totem of the Blue Wolf was painted.
The letter in his hand was crushed into pieces, paper fragments drifting down like snowflakes.
“Bandit-Subduing Army?”
The voice of this ruler of Loulan was as deep as thunder, and the hideous scar upon his brow appeared even more terrifying under the firelight.
“My Blue Wolf Army has guarded Anxi for generations, sparing countless commoners from the ravages of war—when did we become the ‘bandits’ in that Jiang Zhaoming’s mouth?”
The few generals beneath him all turned pale at those words.
In the Blue Wolf Palace, candlelight flickered, illuminating the furious expression of the Left General, Ashina.
The curved blade at his waist trembled and rang, the wolf-head bronze ornament on its scabbard emitting a low hum.
“My Lord!”
Ashina’s voice was like thunder, shaking the candles in the tent.
“Anxi Prefecture has always been the land of our people—since when did it become Great Zhou’s turn to dictate terms here?”
The Right General, Wusun Tuo, stroked his curled beard, a wisp of dark red fiendish energy swirling around his fingers.
He sneered darkly. “I heard that the Prince of Anxi has recently recaptured Kuqa and Luntai. Seems he’s gotten too full of himself—forgotten his own measure.”
Iskandar slowly rose to his feet.
The black iron scales embedded in his wolfskin cloak clashed against each other with metallic resonance.
With every step he took, a thin layer of frost condensed on the bluestone floor.
At the center of the hall stood a sand table, densely planted with flags of many colors.
Iskandar stopped before it, his gaze sharp as a blade, sweeping across the spot marked as Anxi Prefecture.
Suddenly, he gathered a surge of azure qi in his right palm and struck down heavily upon the table.
“Boom!”
The flag representing Anxi shattered instantly.
Yellow sand burst upward, swirling midair into the phantom of a ferocious blue wolf that howled toward the heavens.
“Send my command!”
Iskandar’s voice was cold as ice, his body emanating murderous intent.
“In three days, gather thirty thousand Blue Wolf Iron Cavalry. I will let that Jiang Zhaoming understand who truly rules this land!”
The strategist Murong Chui quickly stepped forward in alarm.
“My Lord, please reconsider! The Anxi Prefecture now commands three powerful armies, with the forces of Kuqa and Luntai ready to support them…”
Cold light surged in Iskandar’s eyes, the scar on his brow glowing blood-red.
“Hmph! Then by your reasoning, should I just sit here and watch Jiang Zhaoming grow stronger?”
Murong Chui replied calmly, “My Lord, did not the envoy from Great Liao recently offer assistance to help us seize Anxi? We could perhaps—”
“Silence!”
Iskandar roared, his qi surging violently, causing the flames within the tent to flicker wildly.
“Our brothers have fought and bled for years—was it all to end up as Great Zhou’s lapdogs? And now you would have me serve Great Liao like a dog?”
Murong Chui hurriedly waved his hands. From within his sleeve, a talisman flew out, forming a soundproof barrier within the tent.
“My Lord, you misunderstand. What I mean… is to divert the trouble eastward.”
Iskandar raised an eyebrow. “Out with it.”
“Hehe. Those Great Liao envoys have been inciting the noble clans everywhere. Why not let them bite each other first?”
A glint flashed in Iskandar’s eyes as he slowly sat back upon his throne.
“Continue.”
“My Lord, according to my sources, those Great Liao envoys have already managed to unite several noble families. With Great Zhou’s sword hanging over their heads, they won’t be able to sit still much longer. With a bit of our support, those families could very well help us weaken Great Zhou first…”
Hearing Murong Chui’s plan, Iskandar nodded repeatedly, while the other generals’ eyes brightened with approval.
After their discussion, one general was chosen to represent the Blue Wolf Army and secretly establish contact with Great Liao’s envoy in Loulan City.
A few days later—
In Anxi City, within the Royal Palace.
The night was deep.
A cold wind swept across the eaves of the palace, carrying fine snowflakes along.
Jiang Zhaoming, draped in a fox-fur cloak, stepped slowly out of the grand hall.
Gu Landa followed closely behind, the faint scent of orchids trailing her presence, soothing the mind.
Ever since Jiang Zhaoming had discovered her Life Fate, 【Lunar Reflection of the Spirit Platform】, he had often kept her by his side.
The woman possessed extraordinary gifts; her body emitted a calming fragrance that could aid focus and enhance cultivation efficiency.
Especially during sparring sessions in the martial field—whenever they exchanged blows, that fragrance filled the arena, and Jiang Zhaoming’s circulation of blood and qi would increase by thirty percent!
“In less than half a year, I’ve advanced from the First Layer of the Tempering Bones Realm to the First Layer of the Blood Refining Realm…”
Jiang Zhaoming could feel the surging power of his blood within, a faint smile forming on his lips.
Such a rate of progress would be rare even among the royal family of Great Zhou!
Just then—
“Tap, tap, tap!”
A series of hurried footsteps echoed from the gates of the palace.
Jiang Zhaoming looked up to see Fan Kang hurrying in, his expression anxious, sweat glistening upon his forehead.
“Lord Fan?” Jiang Zhaoming frowned slightly. “What is so urgent? You could have contacted me through a communication talisman.”
Fan Kang quickly stepped forward, bowed, and spoke gravely:
“My Lord! An urgent report from Linze County—the county magistrate reports that certain noble families are secretly assembling private troops, and more families are joining them by the day!”
“Oh?” Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze turned cold. “Who leads them? Could it be… the Huang Clan?”
Fan Kang froze for a moment, surprise flashing in his eyes before he nodded heavily. “Your Majesty sees clearly—it is indeed the Huang Clan!”
Jiang Zhaoming sneered. “When they sent not a single person to enlist this time, I already knew they harbored ulterior motives.”
At these words, admiration shone upon Fan Kang’s face as he cupped his hands. “Your Majesty’s insight pierces through all deceit—this minister is in awe!”
Jiang Zhaoming waved his hand dismissively. “It’s fine. I already ordered the Black-Armored Army to train in Linze County days ago. This is nothing to worry about.”
Fan Kang exhaled in relief, bowing again. “Your Majesty’s foresight is unmatched. I shall strengthen our surveillance at once!”
Jiang Zhaoming nodded slightly. “Yili, Luntai, and Kuqa Counties are stable for now. Lord Fan, keep an eye on the movements of the other counties.”
“Understood!”
Fan Kang bowed deeply before taking his leave.
Once he had gone, Jiang Zhaoming’s gaze darkened as his thoughts stirred.
“Cheng Yaojin!”
In an instant, a deep, resonant voice echoed in his mind. “This general is here!”
Jiang Zhaoming’s tone was icy. “Immediately lead the Black-Armored Army to annihilate the traitors in Linze County—leave none alive!”
“Yes, my Lord!”
The night wind howled as the snow fell soundlessly.
Jiang Zhaoming stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward Linze County, cold light flashing in his eyes.
The roster for the Bandit-Subduing Army had already been submitted, and indeed, there were many noble families within Anxi Prefecture unwilling to pledge loyalty to the court.
Even among the three counties under his direct control, one-third of the noble families had refused to send a single soldier.
Among them, the most prominent was the Huang Clan—boasting over a thousand warriors and dozens of Blood Refining Realm experts, yet not one had enlisted.
It seemed that the moment Jiang Zhaoming finished deploying the Black-Armored Army, the Huang Clan could no longer restrain themselves and leapt out.
Little did they know that the Black-Armored Army had already been fully prepared to act at any time.
The Black-Armored Army was unlike any other force in Anxi Prefecture—there were no spies from any faction among their ranks.
Even if other forces noticed their movements, they would have no way of grasping their true deployment.
“Mere clowns dare to stir up trouble under my very eyes?”