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The distance between Lyuzhou and Nanming Prefecture isn’t actually far, especially by water.

Nowadays, with the development of Jiangnan’s shipbuilding industry, what once took five days by mountain road to Nanyang now only takes four days by water.

And now, if the Formation is initiated for high-speed travel, it would take no more than half a day!

Tian Heng’s troops set off from Lyuzhou after midday adjustments and arrived in Nanyang just in time for dusk.

Nanyang City is impressively large, and it was originally the residence of the wealthiest groups in Jiangnan. As Jiangnan flourished, the city became even more bustling, with markets kept open through the night and blazing lights illuminating the streets.

Yet, even in such liveliness, the pervasive glow of Buddha Light could not be concealed.

"Are you really sure you don’t need an internal coalition?" Tian Heng asked, somewhat puzzled. Even though the army had already encircled the city, Shen San insisted on entering the Hell Ruler’s domain alone for reconnaissance.

"Your informers came ahead of time to deliver the intel, so the element of surprise in your sudden attack is already diminished. I know what you’re aiming for.

Since you’ve decided to abandon them, then make a clean break.

But there will always be costs involved.

You’ve come openly and confidently, yet you have no idea what means they possess.

You’ll inevitably take a hit. Even now, the Western Sea Army soldiers who have taken their preparatory medicine march with the resolve to die.

But even in death, they must ensure it’s worthwhile. .."

Hearing this, Tian Heng stopped trying to persuade him further.

In truth, the very reason Tian Heng allowed his former subordinates to send the message ahead was to sever ties entirely.

Betrayal during wartime—no matter how it’s spun—always brings some justification for sacrificing one’s own kin for the greater cause.

As for their act of tipping off the enemy in advance, he cared little.

The Western Sea Army split into three units after passing through the border and reaching Jiangnan. If, by now, the Buddhist Temples in the various regions of Jiangnan still hadn’t reacted, then such a Buddha Kingdom was utterly undeserving of its status.

The essence of rapid military action is to deprive the enemy of sufficient preparation time. Certain world-altering forces can never be readied in just a day or two.

Of course, by coming openly, the opponent will undoubtedly be prepared to some extent. But if they could glean even the tiniest bit of intelligence at this juncture and thereby reduce their losses, it would still be worthwhile...

Tian Heng took a deep breath. He was now a single step away from reaching King Level. That step might appear small, yet it was an insurmountable hurdle for many demons even after a million years. Once crossed, however, one would enter the realm of Longevity.

Humans... once capable of achieving Longevity, concerns like family legacy would become irrelevant. With unlimited time, what kind of lineage couldn’t be built from scratch?

Chen Qing’s influence was already immense, but the number of individuals who could ascend to King Level in the future would surely remain few.

In times of great upheaval, it was those below King Level who would likely be reduced to mere ants, stripped even of the right to protect themselves.

Strength ruled in wartime; Tian Heng had always understood this truth.

His position in Jiangnan was already precarious, and with so many outstanding individuals in the region, securing resources necessary for becoming King Level without significant achievements was simply impossible.

This time... it was success or death!

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"My lord... You’ve finally returned."

As soon as Shen San re-entered the Hell Ruler’s domain, he saw a number of scholars and assistants waiting anxiously within its halls.

The Hell Ruler’s domain was currently understaffed.

Originally, the role of the Civil Judge should have been filled by Magicians, but in a city as prominent as Nanyang, hardly any Magicians could be recruited for this position.

The reason was simple enough: members of Sorcerer Families generally still sought posts in the Mortal World.

Accepting a position in the Hell Ruler’s domain meant no return path, something that naturally made them hesitant.

"What’s the situation?" Shen San asked directly.

"We’re not sure yet. Inside Nanyang City, there haven’t been any apparent disturbances.

The Gate Deity has been on full alert for days, repeatedly urging us to remain cautious and to stay within the bounds of the Hell Ruler’s domain to guard it diligently for you, sir.

Reports from the Night and Wandering Gods about the outside show no major developments for now. "

"Is that so?" Shen San rubbed his fingers together briefly, then said, "Tell the Night Traveling God to inform the Gate Deity to come to the Hell Ruler Temple to meet me!"

The group was momentarily stunned, and then their faces turned somewhat peculiar. Except for a few old scholars who were strictly bookish, most of them were shrewd individuals. How could they not grasp Shen San’s intent?

Third Master... was suspecting the Gate Deity!

"Third Master... At such a crucial time, isn’t this a bit improper?" one of the scholars cautiously voiced.

"It cannot be helped. At this point, there’s no room for such considerations," Shen San replied with a faintly darkened expression.

The position of the Gate Deity was extraordinarily critical, especially in the major cities of Jiangnan.

When Chen Qing initially selected candidates for the Gate Deity posts, he had been extremely meticulous and cautious.

Moreover, Shen San knew that Chen Qing seemed capable of observing the loyalty or disloyalty of every Divine Imperial Mandate Spirit.

But the problem was... Chen Qing was absent right now.

Precisely during his absence, the sinister influence of the Buddha Kingdom—a force capable of awakening memories from past lives—had emerged.

Such an ability made the chances of defection exceptionally high. Even someone previously loyal could not be entirely ruled out from betraying due to these memory awakenings. And the fact that this was happening while Chen Qing was away made it all the more troubling.

Shen San believed that if Tian Heng’s counteroffensive—or the audacious confidence of these Buddhist Temples—stemmed from a particular root, then the most likely culprit would be meddling with the Gate Deity!

This would be the worst-case scenario...

The Gate Deity, when combined with the Array, was a key pillar behind Jiangnan’s bold reliance on external deployments of their military forces.

No matter how massive the invading armies were, breaking through the Gate Deity and Array defenses remained extraordinarily difficult, particularly in Nanyang City.

Outside Nanyang City lay Arrays that were remnants of ancient techniques once passed down from the Dragon Palace.

Since then, Chen Qing had heavily promoted the study of Array techniques, turning the areas outside Nanyang’s walls into the premier training grounds for students at the Heavenly Institute.

But precisely because of this, the Arrays outside Nanyang City had become the most complex of all.

Every innovative idea, every creative potential solution—they were all tested out here first, including experiments involving collaboration with the Gate Deity. The quality of Nanyang’s Arrays could rival and perhaps even surpass Lyuzhou’s.

In such circumstances, if the Gate Deity were to betray them... Even with Tian Heng’s soldiers having greatly increased their strength, breaching those defenses would still seem nearly impossible!

"Report!!"

Within less than half an hour, a heavily armored Night Traveling God came running in a rush. His frantic gait alone caused Shen San’s heart to sink.

"Speak!"

"My lord! The Gate Deity refused to come!

" the Night Traveling God stammered between gasps.

"It said that with such a critical battle at hand, and the Western Sea Army advancing at this moment, the Hell Ruler himself choosing to align with the enemy makes it demand an explanation first. Otherwise.

.. it will refuse not only to allow the Western Sea Army entry but also to step foot in the Hell Ruler Temple! "

Shen San: "....."

The worst-case scenario had arrived!

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Outside the city, Tian Heng anxiously awaited news. He understood that Shen San had entered the city to probe for certain truths. Both of them knew full well that in attempting to crush the Buddhist Temples, another hidden adversary loomed in the shadows.

It was just that neither of them wanted to confront this possibility if it could be avoided.

Gate Deities... among the Clans of Divine Imperial Mandate Spirits, theirs had the lowest entry threshold. In fact, it was said that when Chen Qing had initially selected them, he had even recruited a few demons for the role.

Yet, they were also the most crucial!

Entrusted with guarding the defense of entire cities, when teamed with the Arrays, their power was potent enough to withstand tens of thousands on the battlefield.

Despite the weight of their duty, however, their future prospects and status fell short compared to other Divines.

Initially, this might not have been an issue. But over time, dissatisfaction was inevitable. And now, with the Buddha Light’s alluring temptation—the prospect of awakening past lives stoked rebellion.

If, in a past life, a Gate Deity had been a figure of great power and status, how could they possibly resign themselves to spending eternity as a mere Gate Deity?

To be honest, Tian Heng felt the possibility of the Gate Deity defecting was genuinely high.

Sure enough, while absorbed in these grim thoughts, Shen San came back with the worst possible news...