Chapter 459: Chapter 279: A Summit of Nations, I Shall Rule the World, Not Just the Central Plains World...

Jiayu Pass is located to the west of Great Yan, a truly heroic pass.

After several hundred years of repairs and fortification, it was no longer just a simple mountain pass. With its supporting facilities, it had become a cluster of interconnected cities where people lived.

To the north was a cliff a thousand zhang high called Ten Thousand Void Cliff. It stretched from the surface deep underground, where a dormant volcano could be vaguely seen.

At the volcano’s base was a river of crimson magma, flowing endlessly. The fiery light it emitted cast a layer of red patterns upon the black stone walls.

The Golden Crow Country was located east of the volcano.

The Forging Manor’s flame source for smithing came from this very ten-thousand-year-old volcano.

They used the volcano’s ancient fire to temper Magical Treasures.

To the west were snow-capped mountains so high they pierced the clouds. Beyond these mountain ranges lay the border of the Silver Frost Empire.

Lu Mingyuan stood on high, gazing down at the magma below. His eyes then shifted to the interior of Jiayu Pass behind him. As far as he could see, there were flying eaves and black tiles, as well as shops carved into stone caves, selling Magical Treasures, Elixirs, Barbaric Beasts, and more...

Cultivators from all corners of the Central Plains World came and went along the streets.

Jiayu Pass connected the various kingdoms and was a center of trade. It was no longer just a Heroic Pass, but a vital hub for Great Yan’s communication with other nations.

Just as Lu Mingyuan arrived, he felt a tremor from within his sleeve.

He took it out and saw that it was the Black Turtle Shell, emitting streams of light.

A new prompt formed before his eyes.

[The Golden Crow Country and the Silver Frost Empire have withdrawn their troops from The Cashmere Route near River Creek Town.]

"They ran?"

Lu Mingyuan’s eyes narrowed.

"I will not let you get away so easily."

Beside him, Champion Marquis Huo Qing stood with his hand on his saber and asked, "Your Majesty, what is it?"

Lu Mingyuan asked coolly, "Have you found any trace of the Golden Crow Country’s forces?"

Huo Qing replied in a low voice, "No, we haven’t. It seems they sensed the changing situation at Jiayu Pass and have already withdrawn."

"Can we send troops to pursue them?"

The Champion Marquis mused, "The main roads have already been blockaded by the Jiayu Pass defenders. The enemy must have taken the side paths. If we knew their general direction, we might be able to take the main roads to intercept them. The side paths are treacherous, while the main roads are much faster."

"Bring me the map."

Lu Mingyuan called out, then pointed a finger at the heavy parchment.

"I believe the enemy will likely pass through here. What do you think, Champion Marquis?"

Huo Qing stared at the spot Lu Mingyuan had indicated.

He couldn’t make heads or tails of it. ’Why would it be there?’ Even with his vast experience, he was stunned by Lu Mingyuan’s move.

"This humble general does not know."

Huo Qing could only answer honestly.

Lu Mingyuan smiled faintly. "Go this way. We might find something."

The Champion Marquis didn’t ask why, choosing instead to follow the order.

He commanded his officers and soldiers to head to the location and begin a search.

Less than Half an Hour later, good news arrived.

"Your Majesty, it’s true! We’ve found traces of the Golden Crow Country’s retreating army near River Creek Town!"

"Good." With a grand wave of his hand, Lu Mingyuan made the decision to attack.

"In that case, we’ll seize this opportunity to annihilate the main forces of the Golden Crow and the Silver Frost Empire first."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

...

「The Cashmere Route.」

The armies of the Golden Crow Country and the Silver Frost Empire were both garrisoned here.

"Great Yan’s pursuers... they won’t catch up to us, will they?" said Wuxun, the Emperor’s Son of the Silver Frost Empire. He frowned as he gazed at a rare oasis that had appeared in the vast expanse of Mobei.

Luo Lingxiao said confidently, "Absolutely not."

"Once our reinforcements arrive, Great Yan’s days of running rampant will be over."

Wuxun mused, "Not all of the Six Kingdoms are sending troops. Only Nanli and Great Sui are coming. With the combined strength of four kingdoms, we should be able to resist Great Yan’s vanguard."

"I’m wondering who leaked our position. It’s been a mystery. If we can’t find the mole who infiltrated our ranks, I fear we risk defeat in future battles."

Luo Lingxiao couldn’t fathom who had leaked the Golden Crow Country’s troop movements.

He even suspected a spy was in his own country.

But most of those involved in the military operation were his personal confidants. ’How could a spy have possibly infiltrated them?’

Wuxun said with great interest, "I hear the Emperor of Great Yan is leading the campaign himself this time. He’s certainly making quite a stir."

"If you were to face him, how confident would you be?"

The Golden Crow New King, Luo Lingxiao, contemplated, "In terms of personal strength alone, since that Lu Mingyuan was able to fight the Great Nether Empress, he should have the power to contend with a Twelfth Realm expert."

Wuxun chuckled. "The rumor is that he defeated the Great Nether Empress."

Luo Lingxiao shook his head. "That must be a rumor. At the time, quite a few masters from the Three Religions rushed to the scene, and even the Elder Celestial Master of the Celestial Master’s Mansion went personally. I believe it was the Momentum of the situation that forced the Great Nether Empress to retreat voluntarily, not that Lu Mingyuan defeated her."

He had more faith in his own judgment.

As the saying goes: know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

He had done extensive research on Lu Mingyuan.

From Lu Mingyuan’s deeds in the Cold Palace and his actions in the Wilderness Cave Heaven to the many things he did after becoming master of the Eastern Palace, he had studied it all thoroughly.

His assessment was that this was a worthy opponent.

He absolutely could not be underestimated. The other Princes had been defeated one by one precisely because they had underestimated Lu Mingyuan.

Luo Lingxiao said, "With my current strength, not even a Twelfth Realm expert would be my match."

"Unless this Lu Mingyuan has ascended to the Upper Three Grades, if we face each other, I will certainly not give him a chance to even make a move."

"If he had ascended to the Upper Three Grades, why would he have given the Six Kingdoms a chance to catch their breath? Judging by the fact that he has been resting and reorganizing for several months, he must be recuperating. There’s no way he could have broken through to the Thirteenth Realm."

Wuxun nodded slightly, showing his approval of the Golden Crow New King’s analysis.