Chapter 202 - Join the Battle

Chapter 202: Chapter 190: Join the BattleThe disturbances in the Sacred Empire had drawn the attention of both the Beastman Empire and the Eagle Alliance, but they couldn’t guess the intentions. After consulting with all the clan leaders for a long time, the Lion King Tai’e decided to closely monitor the Snowy Savage Army, deducing that the Human Race’s unusual move must be related to some upheaval. As for the Snow Clan, born with white hair, they couldn’t plant a spy within the Sacred Empire, hence they could only deduce that something big was happening through the numerous deaths of scouts in the Endless Forest, and subsequently ordered the entire army to advance towards the Sacred Empire’s defensive lines.

The scene shifts back to Lu Hong, who was lounging on the bed chatting with Paxius. Through their conversation, Lu Hong learned that this stalwart man named Paxius was merely twenty-two years old, yet he was an exceptionally formidable figure. Reaching the peak of the Second Transition at such a young age made him a protagonist-like figure in any script.

"How did you join the Black Guard?" Lu Hong asked curiously.

Paxius smiled, "I, Zhek, and Luo Wei were all orphans, taken away by the Black Guard when we were young and trained day and night. That’s how we got to where we are today. However, there are many like us in the Black Guard, the strongest squad has already entered the Third Transition."

"Twenty years old and Third Transition?!" Lu Hong was taken aback. This talent was indisputable, and he couldn’t even feel jealous.

"Yeah, they are indeed strong," Paxius continued, indicating some acquaintance with them, "originally, the higher-ups arranged for them to go into the Endless Forest to protect you, but they weren’t willing."

"You weren’t willing either?" Lu Hong chuckled.

"We’re not comparable to them," Paxius shook his head. "After all, they’ve broken through to the Third Transition and are completely confident. If Zhek could break through, I reckon he wouldn’t have traveled thousands of miles to the Endless Forest just to pledge loyalty to you."

Lu Hong shrugged indifferently, "Well, I don’t really need your loyalty anyway. I’m used to being alone; having people around all the time even makes me uncomfortable."

"Pfft~ don’t you think it’s a bit late to say that now?" Paxius rolled his eyes at Lu Hong, then the door was pushed open, and Zhek and Luo Wei walked in.

"Lord Tu, you have things to do," Zhek started, "The executive from the queen’s side has just issued an order, you need to join the military and participate in the battle against the Snow Clan."

"Join the battle?"

Zhek nodded, "Yes, the Snow Clan’s army is pressing the border, and the Beastman Empire is also frantically spying on the Divine Blood River, so Marshal Pang thinks it’s time to start a war to distract both sides."

"Is extracting from the Divine Blood River that troublesome? Starting a melee is not just about a few people dying."

Facing Lu Hong’s question, Zhek replied, "Yes, the Divine Blood River attracts countless Demon Beasts each time it appears. Just clearing these beasts takes a long time, and the difficulty of extracting from the Divine Blood River is also very high, as it requires unraveling the spatial forces to unlock the time-space flux on the Divine Blood River."

Hearing this from Zhek, Lu Hong realized that the Empire knew quite a lot about the Divine Blood River, "Has the Divine Blood River appeared before?"

Luo Wei sneered, "You’re really ignorant. The Divine Blood River has appeared a century ago, didn’t you know?"

Lu Hong shook his head, "I really didn’t know."

"Luo Wei!" Zhek scolded, "Baron is now your master!"

"Yes, yes," Luo Wei pouted, "I know, he’s the Baron, my master."

Just as Lu Hong was about to smooth things over, he was stopped by Zhek, "My lord, since the three of us have pledged loyalty, we should be clear about our ranks."

"Fine, suit yourself," Lu Hong waved his hand, not really adept at playing the host.

Under Zhek’s gaze, Luo Wei reluctantly explained the earlier question, "The last time the Divine Blood River appeared, the person who obtained it was the current Lion King—Tai’e. Although the Divine Blood River didn’t help Tai’e break through the Heavenly God Level, it did bring him immense strength, including the sublimation of his bloodline."

Lion King Tai’e was originally the third son of the previous Lion King, with two older brothers ahead of him, making the emperorship unlikely for him. It was because of this Divine Blood River that he managed to defeat his two brothers and ascend to the throne.

After Luo Wei finished explaining, a voice calling for the Baron came from outside, "Baron, Lord Han is looking for you. Are you available now?"

"Let him in," Lu Hong said, not knowing who Lord Han was.

Zhek, however, was aware of the purpose of the visit, "This is to call you back to the Rowland Reserve Corps. We won’t stay here long; we’ll meet on the battlefield later."

"Eh? Aren’t we following him?" Paxius asked curiously.

Zhek shook his head, "Our identity is still the Black Guard; we have our own duties, and there’s no danger now. Later, on the battlefield, fulfilling our responsibilities is what matters."

As Zhek and the others left, the aforementioned Lord Han walked in, smiling at Lu Hong, "Baron, you really are comfortable here, you made me search for you."

Facing Mr. Han’s polite greeting, Lu Hong hurriedly stood up and responded, "May I ask what brings you here, sir?"

"Although Baron Lu holds a distinguished position, he is still a member of the Roland Reserves at present. I have come to request that the Baron rejoin the team," Mr. Han stated. "The higher-ups have decided to alter the trial for the Roland Reserves. With the participation of the Harsnow Army in the war, promotion slots will be determined based on the amount of military achievements."

Lu Hong nodded and asked, "Mr. Han, how were the casualties for the Roland Reserves in this turmoil?"

Mr. Han sighed, "The losses were heavy; over two thousand people just vanished without a trace. Despite mobilizing all our forces, we only managed to recover a little over five thousand."

These casualties were still within an acceptable range, considering how rampant the white-haired scouts had been before. Managing to save the lives of over five thousand individuals must have cost the Xiahe clan quite some effort.

Without further ado, Lu Hong followed Mr. Han through a simple teleportation array to the headquarters of the Roland Reserves, where Chiyi was just returning from the forest, covered in fresh blood.

"Hey, you’re still alive, kiddo?" Chiyi greeted him with a smile.

"Lord Chiyi," Mr. Han bowed slightly to Chiyi. "How’s the situation?"

Chiyi shook his head, "Couldn’t save them. The white-haired ones are too cruel; all I could do was seek revenge for them."

Mr. Han sighed again, "As long as you did your best, my Lord."

"Let’s go, back to the camp. You Roland Reserves will cooperate with my Independent Regiment to advance north, joining with the Seventh and Thirteenth Regiments to build a defense against the second onslaught from the Snow tribe." Chiyi walked alongside Mr. Han, discussing the war plans, while Lu Hong followed closely, quietly savoring his tea, picking up some new knowledge.

Upon entering the main camp, Lu Hong followed Chiyi and joined his team under a squad leader named Xibo.

Xibo sized up Lu Hong and asked, "From today onwards, you are a soldier under my command. May I ask what your profession is? So I can assign you tasks."

"Warrior, Angry Blood Warrior."

"???" Xibo was stunned. "Say that again?"

"Warrior, Angry Blood Warrior."

Lu Hong’s response made Xibo look as if he had heard a ghost story; his expression soured immediately.

"Damn, that damn Chiyi, always giving me trash." Xibo slammed his smoking pipe on the ground furiously, about to confront Chiyi.

The previously calm mood of Lu Hong suddenly fluctuated. What, did he look down on warriors?

Lu Hong stepped forward to block Xibo’s path and said sternly, "Captain Xibo, do you have an issue with the warrior profession?"

"Nonsense, a garbage profession, of no use whatsoever," Xibo replied with a raised eyebrow. "Did I say something wrong?"

"I advise you to take back that statement, or you’ll face the consequences!"

Instead of heeding the warning, Xibo burst into laughter. "What? Can’t handle the truth?"

Their argument drew the attention of other squad members, who, dropping what they were doing, gathered around.

Among these six, two were also members of the Roland Reserves. Including Xibo, there appeared to be only five people in the squad; it seemed that quite a few teammates had been sacrificed before Lu Hong’s arrival.

"You’re wrong," Lu Hong stated firmly, standing his ground against Xibo.

Easing from his laughter to calm, Xibo looked at Lu Hong for a while and then spoke, "A warrior profession that doesn’t even qualify to join the Harsnow Army, isn’t it weak?"

"Harsnow Army doesn’t let warriors enlist?!" Lu Hong’s face grew grimmer, finding the blatant occupational discrimination intolerable.

Lu Hong felt a surge of indignation in his heart, too aggrieved to express in words.

"Yes, what qualifications does a warrior profession, which relies on fate even for the Second Transition, have to join my Harsnow Army and defend the northern frontier for the Empire?"