Human Clan Defender

Great Qin.

The Imperial Court Meeting.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Ever since the news of Great Zhou's attack on Luo'an Prefecture reached them, the court meeting had continued for an entire day without adjournment. Everyone's expression was extremely grim.

"Originally, I was curious where the Barbarian Clan found the confidence to attack our Great Wilderness Prefecture," Gu Xuanji laughed, his anger palpable. "It never occurred to me that they would collude with Great Zhou. How splendid, indeed!"

His voice shook the grand hall, like a volcano on the verge of eruption, making everyone's heart grow heavy.

Suddenly, he turned his gaze to Dongfang Zhao.

"The Barbarian Clan colluded with Great Zhou, and the Demon-Subduing Division gave no prior warning. Now, several cities in Luo'an Prefecture have been breached, with no less than one hundred thousand soldiers killed in battle. How does the Demon-Subduing Division explain this?"

This sudden accusation caught the civil and military officials by surprise. Their expressions turned to ones of keen interest as they looked at Dongfang Zhao.

For them, the Demon-Subduing Division was a blade perpetually hanging over their heads, never knowing when it might fall. The Heavenly Inspection Guard's intelligence network was pervasive. Over the years, many ministers had fallen due to their intelligence reports, then had their clans exterminated and property confiscated by the Demon-Subduing Division.

Although it was true that the Demon-Subduing Division had a duty to protect Great Qin and had suppressed rampant Demon Evil over the years, preventing major issues, this didn't stop them from wanting to see the Division suppressed. After all, the Demon-Subduing Division's current power was indeed excessive, and many ministers dared not oppose them. If the Division could be suppressed, it would give others some breathing room.

Dongfang Zhao had anticipated this interrogation. He stepped forward, bowed, and replied with a composed expression, "Your Majesty, the Demon-Subduing Division has been investigating the forces behind the Barbarian Clan. However, the communications between the two parties were extremely secretive, so the Division was not immediately aware. We had, however, already dispatched personnel to infiltrate Great Zhou some time ago. If Great Zhou had not launched a preemptive attack, the Heavenly Inspection Guard would have had news to report back within a few days. Furthermore, the one-month deadline Your Majesty set has not yet passed—"

At this point, Dongfang Zhao said no more.

At that moment, Grand Tutor Wen Qiu stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Court has allocated significant resources to the Demon-Subduing Division over the years. Yet, whether it was the Barbarian Clan invading Great Wilderness Prefecture or Great Zhou invading Luo'an Prefecture, the Demon-Subduing Division detected nothing, resulting in heavy losses to our army. In my view, the Demon-Subduing Division cannot shirk its responsibility."

"Indeed," Fu Yan also nodded, his expression indifferent. "The Demon-Subduing Division enjoys the Imperial Court's resources and naturally should bear its responsibilities. Defender Dongfang, the Demon-Subduing Division is indeed at fault here."

With these two speaking out, it set a precedent. Suddenly, many civil officials began to voice their criticisms of the Demon-Subduing Division.

Dongfang Zhao's eyelids drooped, showing no inclination to argue. After a long while, Gu Xuanji waved his hand to silence them, then turned to Dongfang Zhao.

"Defender Dongfang, do you have anything else to say?"

"The Demon-Subduing Division indeed bears some responsibility for this matter. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

"Though the Demon-Subduing Division has made many contributions to Great Qin over the years, the state has its laws. The Demon-Subduing Division was derelict in its duty this time, and I cannot avoid punishing them. Starting today, the Demon-Subduing Division's resources will be cut in half for the next three years. Do you have any objections?"

"Your servant has no objections!" Dongfang Zhao bowed and accepted the order.

A halving of resources might seem like a lenient punishment, but for the Demon-Subduing Division, it was a significant blow. However, in the eyes of others, Gu Xuanji's punishment hardly amounted to much. At most, it was a reduction in resources, not harming the Demon-Subduing Division in any significant way.

Seeing Dongfang Zhao return to his place, Gu Xuanji said, "Great Zhou is attacking Luo'an Prefecture. Currently, the Flying Phoenix Army is the main force there. Although the Flying Phoenix Army is strong, it is still somewhat insufficient to face Great Zhou's power alone. Therefore, I believe we must support Luo'an Prefecture with all our might to ensure that Great Zhou cannot advance unimpeded."

As he said this, he looked to the leading military officer and said solemnly, "Yan Jing!"

"Your servant is here!" A towering, one-eyed, middle-aged man stepped forward, his voice raspy, like metal grinding against metal.

"I command you to lead the eight hundred thousand Azure Dragon Army and an additional one million two hundred thousand soldiers to reinforce Luo'an Prefecture immediately. There must be no delay!"

"Your servant obeys the decree!" Yan Jing bowed and accepted the command.

Eight hundred thousand Azure Dragon Army! One million two hundred thousand additional soldiers! With that, the Imperial Court would be reinforcing Luo'an Prefecture with a massive force of two million soldiers all at once. Previously, when sending support to Great Wilderness Prefecture, only a few hundred thousand from the Fire Qilin Army had been dispatched. From this, it was evident just how much more Gu Xuanji valued confronting Great Zhou compared to the Barbarian Clan.

"Additionally!" Gu Xuanji turned to Dongfang Zhao. "Great Zhou's attack on Luo'an Prefecture was well-prepared, and they have many experts. The two million soldiers alone might not be enough to resist Great Zhou's onslaught. Therefore, I hope the Demon-Subduing Division will also send some experts to accompany them. Currently, how many experts from the Demon-Subduing Division remain in the Capital City?"

Dongfang Zhao reported truthfully, "Reporting to Your Majesty, within the Demon-Subduing Division here in the Capital City, only Defender Zhou Yuanzheng and I remain as Defender Envoys. Additionally, there are about thirteen Earth Rank and above Demon Hunters who are not currently on missions."

Thirteen Earth Rank and above Demon Hunters represented thirteen Grandmasters.

Gu Xuanji nodded slightly. "What about Hidden Heart Pavilion? How much power can be mobilized there now?"

Dongfang Zhao considered for a moment. "As for Hidden Heart Pavilion, there isn't much power to mobilize currently. Probably only about a dozen Grandmasters remain in the Martial Hall. If the Imperial Court requires it, they could also be ordered to march with the army. However, for the Suppressing Evil Hall and Demon Sealing Hall, there aren't many personnel available, and both the Demon-Subduing Prison and Demon Sealing Tower require constant maintenance."

"Hmm." Gu Xuanji nodded. He was already aware of what Dongfang Zhao had said.

"As for the Internal Affairs Hall... forget it. There's no need to mobilize them. Let them remain where they are." Shaking his head, Gu Xuanji immediately gave a command: "Dongfang Zhao, heed my order!"

"Your servant is present!"

"From this moment forth, the Demon-Subduing Division is to mobilize thirty Grandmasters to march with the army. An additional Defender Envoy shall be dispatched to accompany them. It is imperative that they ensure the safe arrival of the two million-strong army at Luo'an Prefecture and assist our forces in resisting Great Zhou's attacks without fail!"

"Yes!" Dongfang Zhao dared not disobey.

The civil and military officials were all inwardly shocked. Thirty Grandmasters! The Capital Demon Suppression Division could deploy such a number just like that, and this wasn't even its full strength. According to Dongfang Zhao, the Capital Demon Suppression Division still had many members out on missions. And this didn't even include the branches of the Demon-Subduing Division in the other prefectures. For a moment, they were all stunned by the power of the Demon-Subduing Division.

Gu Xuanji then said, "Great Zhou is now allied with the Barbarian Clan. We must also be wary of Dayue and Great Liang. If they also get involved, it would be like adding frost to snow."

Great Liang! Dayue! Those were two other powerful nations. Although they might not rival Great Qin and Great Zhou, they were not to be underestimated.

As Gu Xuanji's words fell, Fu Yan said sternly, "Dayue Country's strength has weakened considerably in recent times. The damage from the Demon Evil scourge a hundred years ago has still not been mended. The likelihood of them getting involved is not high. Cooperating with Great Zhou would be like asking a tiger for its skin."

"On the contrary," Fu Yan continued, "Great Liang has kept a low profile recently, yet it has accumulated substantial national strength and could pose a significant threat to Great Qin. However, Great Liang has always been arrogant and would likely not stoop to colluding with the Barbarian Clan. I believe it would be better to send an envoy to Great Liang. Perhaps we could win a powerful ally for Great Qin. After all, if Great Qin were to be destroyed, Great Liang would hardly be able to rest easy."

When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold! The reason these nations have stood firm for so long is due to centuries of mutual adjustment, gradually forming a delicate balance. If any one of those nations were to fall, that delicate balance would be broken. At that point, no one could dare say they would certainly have the last laugh.

Gu Xuanji pondered for a moment. "The ruler of Great Liang may not be willing to cooperate with Great Qin, but we can still try. Prime Minister, who do you think would be a suitable envoy to Great Liang?"

Fu Yan cupped his hands and replied, "Great Liang values moral integrity. Any of the Great Confucians from the Imperial College could undertake this important task."

Anyone capable of being a Great Confucian possessed their own sense of integrity and pride. After all, without integrity and pride, it is impossible to nurture an overwhelming righteousness.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanji nodded slightly. Indeed, the Great Confucians of the Imperial College would be suitable candidates for an envoy to Great Liang.

Immediately, he looked toward an elderly man among the civil officials. "Libationer Yang, do you have any objections?"

"Your servant has no objections!" replied Yang Yu, who had remained silent until now as if he were invisible, cupping his hands.

"Good. Then have the Imperial College dispatch a Great Confucian to Great Liang to persuade them to ally with Great Qin." Having said this, Gu Xuanji paused for a moment, then added, "Also, send someone to Dayue to assess the situation."

Since we're sending envoys to persuade one, we might as well send people to both. Although Dayue's national strength isn't great right now, if they could offer support, it would still alleviate considerable pressure on Great Qin.

"Your servant obeys the decree!"

「——」

A night passed uneventfully.

After returning from the Martial Hall, Shen Changqing had remained in his room, cultivating the True Intent of a Hundred Battles. Having concluded his earlier cultivation session in the secret chamber, he was already in peak condition. Determined not to waste a single moment, Shen Changqing immediately entered a meditative state upon returning to his room.

When the first light of dawn touched the eastern sky, a familiar stabbing pain assailed him, and he immediately withdrew from his meditative state. Afterward, Shen Changqing checked the time on the water clock in his room, getting a rough idea.

It is worth mentioning that the water clock was the method used in this world to track the passage of time. When he first arrived in this world, he hadn't known how to use it. But now, Shen Changqing was very familiar with the water clock.

Today's cultivation session lasted about two quarters of an hour longer than usual. It seems I've made some progress with the True Intent of a Hundred Battles, and my Spiritual Power has also grown stronger!