Chapter 443: Chapter 289: Laying Out Plans in Yong’an City

Yong’an City once thrived due to its Tier Four Spirit Vein and proximity to a Tier Five Spirit Vein of the Nanling Demon Division, resulting in abundant Spiritual Qi that attracted many Jiuli cultivators.

It was one of the more prosperous cities in the southern region of the Jiuli Dynasty, thanks to its distance from the Imperial City and abundance of Spirit Medicine resources.

However, on the pretext of Human Race cultivators killing their clan’s demons, the Red Flame Demon Race’s Fire Thunder Demon Venerable, disregarding his peak Tier Five status, brazenly attacked the humans of Yong’an City.

Pitifully, Yong’an City’s defenders were only Nascent Soul cultivators of the Tier Four Late Stage. Against the peak Tier Five Fire Thunder Demon Venerable, especially with the innate Divine Ability of Innate Fire and Thunder, not even ten Divinity Transformation cultivators could withstand him.

Regrettably, the Fire Thunder Demon Venerable ruthlessly intended to feast on the Human Race cultivators of Yong’an City. Before his attack, he enlisted another demon expert skilled in seals to set up an isolating Array, sealing the entire city.

He led his tribe and even invited several other tribes, forcibly consuming the entire population of 300,000 Jiuli civilians over three months, leaving not a single survivor.

A person from Qingzhou City, visiting old friends, discovered the tragedy.

The news of the massacre reached the Jiuli, and Saint Emperor Li Yuan, enraged, immediately commanded an army of 500,000 in wrathful vengeance.

They fought all the way to the Red Flame Demon Race’s territory, where the Demon Emperor led a hundred tribes to aid in defense, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

During this time, the Cangming Dynasty seized the opportunity to harass the border, forcing Li Yuan to reluctantly retreat.

Since then, the Red Flame Demon Race occasionally plundered Yong’an City, deterring anyone from settling there again.

This deep-seated grudge remained etched in the heart of the Jiuli Dynasty.

Unfortunately, the Jiuli Dynasty found itself watched by the covetous Great Xia Dynasty to the west and the ambitious Cangming Dynasty to the east, while the Demon Race, united in warfare against the Human Race, left Li Yuan feeling powerless, leading to indefinite postponement.

Li Jizhou walked amidst the ruins of Yong’an City with four women, still vaguely seeing the tragic events of that year.

After sitting quietly for a moment, Li Jizhou took out Gongsun Dang’s Communication Talisman.

"Grand General, swiftly bring 10,000 elite troops within three days to ambush Yong’an City. The extermination of the Red Flame Demon Race is imminent; revenge for our 300,000 Jiuli citizens is at hand!"

Li Jizhou could only notify Gongsun Dang. As for Li Yuan, he dared not inform him. Once Li Yuan knew, Long Zhi Zhang would inevitably find out. With Long Zhi Zhang’s cunning, he would certainly alert the Demon Race, and then losing everything would be minor compared to a large-scale demon invasion, opportunistic incursions by the Cangming and Great Xia Dynasties, jeopardizing the Jiuli.

"Extermination? What’s the situation? Please clarify, Your Highness." Gongsun Dang quickly replied, his tone full of shock and excitement.

As the Grand General, Gongsun Dang dreamed of avenging the Red Flame Demon Division.

But he never had the opportunity.

Li Jizhou did not conceal anything from Gongsun Dang, starting from Jin Zhaoyu’s case and elaborating on the transaction between the City of Ten Thousand Races and Tiger Mountain Monarch in the future.

"The Red Flame Demon Division harbors intentions of plunder this time. The Fire Thunder Demon Venerable is bound to come, but surely not the entire tribe. As long as you’re confident in killing the Fire Thunder Demon Venerable, disregard the rest," Li Jizhou assured.

"You can lure the Fire Thunder Demon Venerable to Yong’an City? Okay, okay, okay, Your Highness, even if it costs my life, I will ensure the Fire Thunder Demon Venerable has no burial place!" Gongsun Dang exclaimed, overwhelmed with joy upon hearing the cause and consequence, and Li Jizhou’s preparations.

At the same time, he understood the implication in Li Jizhou’s words.

No matter what, the Fire Thunder Demon Venerable must be slain.

But a Middle Stage of Void Refining like him might not suffice.

The Fire Thunder Demon Venerable possessed bloodline Divine Abilities and had accumulated strength at the peak of Tier Five for many years, his power on par with Gongsun Dang. A solo duel would be challenging to win, let alone killing him.

Upon considering this, he immediately activated the Spatial Gate, and left alone.

Li Jizhou, having confirmed with Gongsun Dang, took out the Communication Talisman with Wanshu Daoist Venerable once more.

"Wanshu Daoist Venerable, this prince aims to exonerate my grandfather from charges, risking solely myself in Yong’an City. Afraid the Red Flame Demon Race might not keep their word, yet unwilling to initiate conflict between demons and the dynasty, I hope for your oppressive presence without requiring your Ten Thousand Poison Sect’s Gu Masters to act, merely intimidating from the side."

"Prince Qing, if it’s simply to intimidate, I can agree, but if it involves action against the Demon Race, my Ten Thousand Poison Sect cannot comply and hope you understand," Wanshu Daoist Venerable swiftly replied, his words very forthright.

"Rest assured, Daoist Venerable, merely an intimidation stance, no need for action. Besides, I have already invited a group of masters from Qianji City for the same purpose, only to bolster our presence without engaging. Furthermore, you only need to station yourselves at the Yong’an City and demon border, no need to enter Yong’an City." Li Jizhou responded clearly.

"In that case, I promise, Prince Qing, just ensure that the agreed commerce exchange is not missed," Wanshu Daoist Venerable confirmed his agreement.

Li Jizhou smiled slightly, replying, "I am willing to swear a Great Heart Demon Oath, please rest assured, Wanshu Daoist Venerable. Five days hence, I shall meet you all at Yong’an City and the demon border."

After confirming with Wanshu Daoist Venerable, he contacted Master Mu Yu similarly.

The same words, the same commitments.

Master Mu Yu had no objections.

In the swamp, the sincerity of trade exchange moved Wanshu Daoist Venerable, while high-level puppet procurement convinced Master Mu Yu.

Although their actual action was unnecessary, they were the most crucial pieces.

After finishing the three-way coordination, Li Jizhou himself entered the Blood Evil Realm.

He placed a thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones in front of the Six-winged Golden Cicada and the Spring and Autumn Cicada, while Sable facilitated their friendly communication, ultimately striking a deal.

Three days later, at the ruins of Yong’an City, a spatial ripple occurred as Gongsun Dang arrived as agreed, accompanied by 10,000 elite military troops.

A swift glance revealed nearly a hundred Divinity Transformation Stage officers, over a thousand Nascent Soul Level lieutenants, and the rest were Core Formation level elites. Truly, the most elite of the Western Army had been brought.

Furthermore, to Li Jizhou’s surprise, Gongsun Dang had brought along two familiar faces.

One was the Jiuli Dynasty’s Duke Zhen, possessing Middle Stage of Void Refining cultivation, with a Tier Six puppet in tow.

The other was an elder from Li Jizhou’s grandmother’s family, the Hua family, also at the Middle Stage of Void Refining.

"Jiuli Prince greets the Grand General, Duke Zhen, and Elder Hua!" Li Jizhou greeted each in turn.

"Young fellow, not bad; daring to use yourself as bait surpasses your father. Should you succeed in killing the Fire Thunder Demon Venerable of the Red Flame Demon Division this time, I promise to aid you thrice in the future!" Duke Zhen appraised Li Jizhou briefly, praising him.

"Indeed, the Red Flame Demon Race devoured 300,000 Jiuli citizens - an unforgettable hatred. If I can kill this demon in my lifetime, it would be fulfilling," Elder Hua sighed.

Grand General Gongsun Dang was also visibly impassioned, his gaze consistently fixed southward.

However, a trace of unease lingered in his eyes.

"Your Highness, if that demon dares come, I will surely slay it. But, do you have a backup plan?

If we kill this demon, spurring a demon counterattack, with Great Xia, the Cangming Dynasty striking opportunistically, Jiuli may be imperiled."

The Grand General’s concerns were precisely why Li Yuan had been unable to avenge them over the years.

"Rest assured, Grand General, this has nothing to do with the Jiuli Dynasty, otherwise why would I notify you secretly," Li Jizhou assured confidently.

Gongsun Dang’s expression changed slightly, contemplating briefly before suddenly understanding, staring directly at Li Jizhou:

"Your Highness intends to assume responsibility for this on your own?"

Li Jizhou chuckled lightly: "Grand General misunderstands. The mere Red Flame Demon Race is not worthy of exchanging my life; rest assured, I have my plans. All you need to do is kill the Fire Thunder Demon Venerable, then leave immediately without worrying about anything, leave the rest to me."

"Alright, we are to meet here in two days as agreed. You may withdraw for now and wait for the opportunity."

"Take care, Your Highness!"

Gongsun Dang and the others each left in one direction, with ten Divinity Transformation officers remaining, while the rest retreated three thousand miles, and the remaining troops were gathered into the Blood Evil Realm by Li Jizhou.

Inside the Blood Evil Realm, Liu Hongling and Cang Huang were already prepared.

That night, the Six-winged Golden Cicada at the border relayed the message of the enemy spy’s entry...

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