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"Boss... what’s really going on here? Are we... just going to stand here?"

Beneath the Tong Pass, the Western Sea Army lined up outside couldn’t help but start discussing among themselves, with those farther in the back, unable to grasp the true nature of the situation, exaggerating their speculations.

"How should I know?" Inside a small squad, the leading captain stared intently ahead, his brow furrowed. The higher-ups all knew what this mission was about, but no matter how they explained it, claiming that the Warrior Army had intentions of rebellion, they couldn’t convince anyone.

The ones eligible for battle were all seasoned soldiers from the Western Sea, and although there were some frictions with the Warrior Army, everyone was well aware of the other’s true nature.

So many hailed from the same villages as members of the Warrior Army; to accuse them of rebellion was as ludicrous as saying that their sovereign, Chen Qing, was the rebel. No one would believe such nonsense...

Would Jiangnan, such a wonderful place, also be thrown into chaos by those bigwigs above?

If it came to blows between the two sides, how could one face their families and fellow villagers upon returning home, no matter which side won?

If it were their own side that rebelled and succeeded, they’d gain no benefit; and if they failed... they’d likely be denounced even in death, unable to lift their heads in their families’ presence, let alone hope for a favorable place in the Underworld Registrar after death.

Upon calm reflection, considering the various consequences made some of the captains, who were already reluctant to fight, begin to waver.

Suddenly, without anyone noticing, the gap between the troops widened, and some even started making covert eye signals, entertaining other thoughts.

But just as the atmosphere grew silent and oppressive, the stone gates of the Tong Pass suddenly opened.

The eyes of the leading generals lit up, ready to command their men to enter, but then a Divine Command floated in the air.

The power of the Western Sea God held an absolute suppressive effect on all the Western Sea Army soldiers.

Without the resistance of the Ancient Demons, the leading generals, even those with ulterior motives, were forced to kneel by the power of the Divine Command.

The remaining Western Sea Army soldiers also felt the divine power, and they paid their military respects.

"Western Sea Army, heed my command. The remnants of the rebels led by Zhou Tengbin have been eliminated. There’s no need for concern.

Our Western Sea Army is loyal to our sovereign, loyal to the Divine Path, and we shall not turn our weapons against our brothers.

Our arrival here was merely to lower the guards of the traitors.

Now that the traitors’ power has been eradicated, you have no association with them.

As foreign enemies invade, all brothers of the Western Sea Army, prepare to enter the city and stand together with our brothers of the Warrior Army to resist the foreign invaders! "

"Huh?"

Tian Heng, as the Main God, his Divine Command’s voice could almost clearly reach every member of the Western Sea Army. In an instant, nearly a hundred thousand soldiers were caught off guard.

Especially those leading generals, with their expressions changing unpredictably, it was clear that they had not anticipated Tian Heng to suddenly switch sides and kill Zhou Tengbin and others!

What does the boss mean by this?

But the Western Sea Army soldiers not involved in the conspiracy were exuberant!

In today’s Jiangnan, the lower-ranking people took pride in military service. Everyone who enlisted did so to distinguish themselves and not to rebel and slaughter their own kind...

Upon hearing it was only a few villains causing trouble, they immediately heaved a sigh of relief and burst into joy.

The cloud that had loomed over their hearts vanished as they learned of the invasion by foreign enemies, and they were suddenly filled with a fighting spirit, incomparably more robust than their previous listless demeanor.

Reinvigorated, a completely new spirit took hold of them. Seeing this scene, Xuu Hu on the higher ground nodded slightly with satisfaction.

Although some of the senior officers were blinded by selfish interests, the rank and file were good at heart. Besides, with Jiangnan’s current prosperity, the populace was not ingratitude; how could they all be misled like Zhou Tengbin and his cohorts?

Tian Heng also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His choice was correct. In life, sometimes one must be ruthless for the sake of benefit, but one cannot be without a bottom line. Otherwise, without the people’s support, what good end could await them?

He was the God of the Western Sea, and his foundation had long surpassed that of the initial Tian Family Army.

His current strength relied on the entire Western Sea Army’s faith in him.

To choose betrayal would be to betray his own divine position, coveted by the Ancient Demons, yet that position was based on the trust of Chen Qing.

If he betrayed that trust, how would he be any different from those warlords who had broken their promise to their brothers?

"Shouldn’t we deal with those people now?" Xuu Hu glanced at the senior officers who clearly harbored malicious intentions, their expressions full of surprise.

"The great enemy is before us; it would be best to hold off on any movements for now," said Tian Heng, shaking his head. If it weren’t for the sudden appearance of enemy forces, a clean sweep would indeed be in order, but now, directly purging them would greatly impact the combat power of the Western Sea Army.

As for the possibility of those people turning coats at the battlefront, he wasn’t worried. The situation was now firmly under control, and if they dared to make any mischievous move, they would truly be seeking death.

Tian Heng looked toward the other side of Tong Pass, "Has there been any news from His Majesty?"

Xuu Hu shook his head, "Since the last bit of intelligence came through, there has been no further news from His Majesty. I’m also very worried about him. Yundu must be supported!"

"Support..." Tian Heng frowned as he looked outside Tong Pass. The Jiangnan Army’s strength was absolutely top-tier in the current age, but the front lines were stretched too thin, leaving actually available troops quite limited.

Beihai City could not be moved, and neither could the Warrior Army at this Tong Pass.

Especially now that the enemy forces were attacking, there was no chance to deploy further; either he or Xuu Hu had to stay behind to guard this place!

"According to the intelligence I have, this so-called Ancient Demon Clan has schemes not only against our Jiangnan but also against other major powers of the day, including the Southern Sea, Capital City, and Northern Territory," he said, looking at the dust clouds kicked up by the approaching Giant Python army and speaking in a low voice, "Judging by this momentum, the Northern Territory has most likely been taken by them. "

Xuu Hu nodded. The Main God had completely unexpected this plot. If it weren’t for Tian Heng’s last-minute change of heart, things might have really gone awry. The Northern Territory... it’s highly likely that they didn’t experience the kind of surprise that Tian Heng has provided.

The Ancient Demons’ capability for internal infiltration of high-ranking officers was truly difficult to guard against.

"That’s why the military strength at Tong Pass can only be increased, not decreased!" Tian Heng looked at Xuu Hu, waiting for the latter’s response.

Xuu Hu fell into silence.

The other side’s intention was clear: either let Tian Heng lead the Western Sea Army to guard Tong Pass or... him personally take the Western Sea Army to Yundu to retrieve His Majesty.

But neither option... was entirely reassuring to him.

The thing with trust is, once there’s even a slight crack, it’s very difficult to restore it to its original state. Even though the other party had done the right thing at the last moment, who could say for certain it wasn’t a ploy?

Whether to have him guard Tong Pass or to have him retrieve His Majesty, honestly, Xuu Hu was not at all at ease with either.

But the key issue was that Tian Heng controlled a large army, and now with foreign enemies invading and several monsters guarding the outskirts of Jiangnan City, the Main God was clearly in trouble.

To distrust Tian Heng at such a time could be fatally damaging should he become alienated...

What to do?

Xuu Hu’s mind momentarily seized up. He wasn’t a man of complexity nor born into a major family. Although he was now the foremost military figure in the Jiangnan Army, he had never encountered such complex human affairs in his surroundings and truly couldn’t figure out what to do.

Tian Heng saw it in his eyes, a trace of dimness flashing in his own. Xuu Hu was a forthright person, and his thoughts were almost transparent.

Even Xuu Hu, such a bold man, now had reservations about himself. He feared that in the future...

As they were deadlocked, Old Bai’s voice suddenly came from afar.

"General Xuu, those serpent monsters have requested an audience!"

"People?" Both Xuu Hu and Tian Heng were taken aback, but then they quickly came to a realization.

Yes, the Northern Territory might already be under the Ancient Demons’ control by now. According to the original plan, shouldn’t they be coordinating with this side?

If that were the case...

Tian Heng felt that perhaps they could stir up some more trouble!