Chapter 1792 - 1777: Calamity After Calamity

The lifestyle of the Nobility of Great Zhou is indeed rather indulgent.

Outside of cultivation, their life could be described as decadent without exaggeration.

Xio Qiangu, the leader of the Western Patrol, was no exception.

Every day, before or after cultivation, Xio Qiangu would habitually take a bath.

For commoners, a bath would usually consist of soaking in hot water, but for Xio Qiangu of the Western Patrol, the ceremony was extravagant.

In the Hot Spring Hall adjacent to the bedroom, there were several pools of varying sizes and depths, built from Warm Jade and Cold Jade, with naturally warm or cold water flowing into them.

At that moment, Xio Qiangu was soaking in a Warm Jade pool, eyes half-closed, attended by eight young maids dressed in light gauze.

Some were kneading his feet and shoulders, some were patting his legs and washing him. The soft jade and warm fragrance were extremely delightful.

With his mouth slightly open, a maid served him a peeled ice-cold jade grape, and as he gently bit down, the juice scattered, filling his mouth. The chill contrasted pleasantly with the warm mist of the pool, an exhilarating sensation.

One of the maids’ fingertips accidentally brushed across Xio Qiangu’s chest, arousing his desire. He reached out, pulling the maid into his arms, intending to indulge in her.

This could be considered an enjoyment befitting an emperor.

But this emperor-like enjoyment was abruptly interrupted by the hurried arrival of Weis Gang.

As Xio Qiangu’s trusted deputy, Weis Gang was usually extremely composed, methodical in his actions, remaining calm even if the sky were falling.

Yet, at this moment, Weis Gang burst into the Hot Spring Hall in an unprecedented state of panic, exclaiming loudly, "My lord, a major incident has occurred."

Interrupted, Xio Qiangu looked displeased, slowly glaring at Weis Gang and reprimanding, "Panicking and disorganized, what a disgrace?

Have you been regressing recently?"

Stunned by the rebuke, Weis Gang quickly suppressed Xio Qiangu’s discontent and urgently replied, "My lord, it’s not my panic, but a truly significant event has happened.

In Changshi County of Pingzhou, one hundred thousand soldiers of the Demon Clan have suddenly appeared, massacring Dongxi County."

"What, one hundred thousand soldiers of the Demon Clan? Appearing in Changshi County of Pingzhou? Are you joking with me?" Xio Qiangu blurted incredulously.

"My lord, how would I dare to toy with you? This matter is absolutely true. The Prefectural Governor of Changshi County and the County Magistrate of Dongxi County have both sent emergency dispatches,

and the Third Route Wind Patrol Envoy in charge of Pingzhou also sent urgent reports confirming this. Indeed, one hundred thousand soldiers of the Demon Clan have annihilated Dongxi County City!" Weis Gang anxiously handed over the urgent report from their Western Patrol’s Third Route Wind Patrol Envoy.

With just a glance, Xio Qiangu’s eyes widened in shock.

"Is the Human Demon Battlefield and the Ten Thousand Prisons Mountain Range like a sieve? How could one hundred thousand soldiers of the Demon Clan possibly appear in the heartland of Great Zhou?"

As his eyes bulged, Xio Qiangu’s fingers instinctively tightened. With a snap, the scream of the maid in his arms just barely started when it abruptly ceased.

In his shock, Xio Qiangu’s grip had exceeded its limit, crushing the maid he had intended to indulge.

The other maids screamed in horror, fleeing in all directions.

With a cold snort, Xio Qiangu watched the seven fleeing maids burst into blood mist.

Then, Xio Qiangu donned his robes and stepped out of the pool, "Quickly report the details."

This matter was truly startling for Xio Qiangu.

Once, after an incursion of a thousand-plus Demon Clan soldiers he orchestrated, even Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long couldn’t protect Ye Zhen in the end.

Ye Zhen only managed to save his own life through a clever trick.

Now, with the invasion of one hundred thousand Demon Clan soldiers, the gravity of this situation was magnified a hundredfold compared to before.

One hundred thousand Demon Clan soldiers appearing in the heartland of Great Zhou, destroying a county, was akin to a Demon Clan army invading the territories of Great Zhou, marking a massive strategic failure.

It was like receiving several hard slaps to the face of Great Zhou, and leaving the military officials of Great Zhou covered in shame.

It also hung a sharp sword over the head of their Western Patrol of the Heavenly Patrol Department.

As the intelligence and espionage authority of the Heavenly Patrol Department, the infiltration of one hundred thousand Demon Clan soldiers without any awareness was a severe dereliction of duty.

If they failed to track the Demon Clan army after this disaster, the severity of the incident would be beyond description.

One misstep, and the entire Western Patrol could be in hot water.

"Have any personnel been dispatched? Have there been any tracks of the Demon Clan army? One hundred thousand Demon Clan soldiers should be easy to find, right?" Xio Qiangu asked.

"My lord, within my jurisdiction, I’ve already sent the Third Route Wind Patrol Envoy’s forces from around Pingzhou while ordering the nearby Fifth and Seventh Route Wind Patrol Envoys to send men to gather around Changshi County.

However, as of now, there is still no sign of that Demon Clan army."

"Still haven’t?" Xio Qiangu’s expression turned cold.

"It might be due to the night, they’ve already begun operations; however, my lord, it would be best to send additional forces," Weis Gang advised.

Nodding, Xio Qiangu issued a series of orders, deploying two thousand Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters from the Western Patrol’s main forces for swift support, and three thousand from their Xio Family for aid.

He also ordered the nearest garrison to dispatch troops for encirclement and suppression, and instructed nearby Wind Patrol Envoys to fully support the effort.

Under the command of various Wind Patrol Envoys, Spirit Scouts and Secret Scouts poured in like raindrops.

Upon completing the arrangements, Xio Qiangu’s expression remained extremely grave, "This matter bears immense responsibility. We must find a way to shift the blame."

He continued, growing angrier, "Damn it, the invasion of one hundred thousand Demon Clan soldiers, could it be a failure on the Human Demon Battlefield?"

"My lord, it would be wise to contact Prince Ji Yuan, who’s currently stationed at the Human Demon Battlefield," Weis Gang suggested.

Xio Qiangu nodded, "By the way, what is the situation in the county that was overrun by the Demon Clan army? How many casualties were there?"

At this question, Weis Gang’s expression became somewhat peculiar, "Milord, the county massacred by the one hundred thousand Demon Clan army was Dongxi County. The main loss was the Xio Mansion of Dongxi County...."

"What, Dongxi County? What did you say?"

Only then did Xio Qiangu realize, his face changing drastically, as he grabbed Weis Gang by the throat, lifting him up.

Cough, cough, cough!

Watching Weis Gang cough violently, Xio Qiangu slowly loosened his grip, yet his expression remained fierce and menacing.

"Speak quickly!"

"Dongxi County City’s Xio Mansion was completely plundered and destroyed by the Demon Clan army. The entire male populace was killed, totaling more than thirty-eight thousand, leaving only three thousand women, children, and non-resistors, along with over forty Realm King Realm experts returning from tasks outside.

Beyond this, within the Xio Mansion, no male survivors remain!" Weis Gang reported.

"What?"

Xio Qiangu swayed, "That means, the elites of the Dongxi Clan are all...."

Before Xio Qiangu could finish, another Talisman Light descended into Weis Gang’s hand, and at just a glance, his face turned pale as he handed it to Xio Qiangu.

With only a cursory look, the color drained from Xio Qiangu’s face.

"What.... One hundred thousand Demon Clan army washed over the Dachang Mountain of Dongxi County, over a hundred mineral veins and thousands of mineshafts were all destroyed..."