Chapter 1976: Re-digging a Pit for the Nine Nether Emperor

"Remove Situ He?" Bai Tan was no simpleton; he furrowed his brows. "Wait a minute, the Dragon God Army originally attacked the entire Blazing Gold Plains but didn't touch the Allied forces' territory. This shows He Xiao still has reservations. If you, uh, if the Heavenly God makes the Allied forces turn their weapons against Emperor Jiuyou, wouldn't that play right into his hands and give him a legitimate pretext?"

"Then tell me, when can the Allied forces make their move? They can never confront the Dragon God Army alone. If we insist on saving them until the very end, this chess piece will simply be suffocated to death, rendered useless." Qing Yang chuckled. "Regardless of He Xiao's reservations, he will eventually take control of the Allied forces, sooner or later. Instead of waiting for him to make his move, it's better if we ignite the situation first. We can time it precisely and cause significant trouble for He Xiao."

You're right. The Allied forces are mostly useless, retaining only a bit of exploitable value. "So, take Situ He, and then what?"

"If He Xiao doesn't come to rescue him, the Heavenly God can smoothly take over and transform the Allied forces, then invade the Dragon God's territory and confront the Dragon God Army. If He Xiao goes to rescue Situ He, then, as you said, he will have to dispatch a large number of troops into the Allied forces' territory. And at this current training stage, he has few troops available to deploy."

Bai Tan nodded: "If he pulls his main forces into Allied territory, he'll have even fewer troops to defend his own lands."

Local strongmen are currently causing widespread chaos, which must be increasing the defensive pressure on the Dragon God's territory.

"If He Xiao goes to rescue him, the Allied forces can use Situ He as a hostage to create a stalemate. He Xiao would only deploy troops to Allied territory under the pretext of rescuing Situ He; it wouldn't look good if he disregarded Situ He's fate in full public view. This way, we can at least create a stalemate for more than half a month."

Being able to tie down Emperor Jiuyou for half a month would be strategically significant for Qing Yang's overall plan.

A 'useless' chess piece like the Allied forces should be used precisely this way.

Qing Yang asked him, "If you were He Xiao, what would you do?"

"Hmm..." Bai Tan pondered carefully. "The most efficient method would be not to leave this hostage for the Allied forces. If I were He Xiao, I'd send a team to infiltrate where Situ He is held and either rescue him or kill him!"

"Then, under the guise of avenging Situ He, I'd sweep through everything!"

"You can think of it, so He Xiao will think even more thoroughly. The Allied forces have long been infiltrated by Yang Shan; it won't be hard for him to pinpoint Situ He's cell. At that time, whether he or his subordinates infiltrate to rescue Situ He, we will —" Qing Yang made a hand-chop gesture, slicing diagonally. "— catch them like turtles in a jar and eliminate this menace!"

Bai Tan let out a long breath: "How do you want me to cooperate?"

"It's simple. When the Allied forces rise up, you also act, attacking and occupying the Dragon God's territory west of Yao." The Dragon God Army has already swept through the areas near Yao, and most of those regions now belong to the Dragon God.

"At that time, the Dragon God will be overwhelmed, and his territory will have little resistance. You should be able to occupy it with ease." Qing Yang smiled, "Don't forget, the Allied forces will be taking Emperor Jiuyou's first strike for you."

Bai Tan said, "Since the Allied forces are protected by Vast Sky, they must have also prepared to deal with the Dragon God, right?"

"Of course. You don't need to worry." Qing Yang turned and opened a sand table. "The battle is about to begin. Let's discuss the prelude to this war."

The two deliberated in secret for over an hour before Bai Tan left the Serene Lake Pavilion, departing in a hurry.

Yuan Xuan watched his retreating figure and said, "He still seemed a bit reluctant to deploy troops."

"If he doesn't deploy troops, there's no need for him to exist." Qing Yang said calmly, "The Heavenly God has granted his wishes, so He will inevitably demand a return. Bai Tan understands this perfectly well."

Without the Heavenly God's support and Qing Yang's strategizing, Bai Tan's desire to usurp power would remain a mere fantasy, never becoming reality.

Now, Former Yao is within his grasp, and all its resources are at his command.

If he still prevaricates under these circumstances, it indicates disloyalty and unwillingness to serve the Heavenly God wholeheartedly.

The wrath of a god is truly terrifying.

Yuan Xuan continued, "Another report: Nanrong He, the lord of Yundong City, has rejected our request for an alliance."

Qing Yang wasn't surprised; she merely snorted, "Isolated land, few people, short-sighted."

Even so, she still felt a little regret. Nanrong He's army was not weak in combat power; if they joined, the Allied forces' strength would greatly increase.

Yuan Xuan reported again: "Guo Baiyu has taken his Falling Phoenix Pool, but he hasn't reacted yet."

"Guo Baiyu's momentum has been strong recently, mainly attacking Jiuyou's territory. Nanrong He probably doesn't want to bring trouble upon himself." Qing Yang pondered, "Nanrong governs his territory well, and his people live comfortably. He Xiao is usually quite courteous to such lords."

"No matter how polite he is, he won't ultimately spare the land under Nanrong He's feet." Jiuyou's ambition is vast; he aims to 'take it all.' "As you said, Nanrong He is short-sighted; otherwise, he would know that the only way out is to band together and cooperate with others."

Qing Yang smiled: "No, this is even better."

Her eyes shifted twice, then she suddenly said, "By the way, doesn't his daughter live in Huanxi?"

"Yes. Nanrong He has six sons but only one daughter, so he dotes on her greatly and visits her every one or two months."

Qing Yang stroked her chin: "Will he be visiting soon?"

"That... I'm not sure." How could anyone arrange Nanrong He's schedule?

"Then we'll make sure he has to go." Qing Yang took a small box from her storage ring and placed it on the table. "I never thought I'd have to use Frost Leaf's things!"

A faint look of aversion flashed across her face. But her past grievances with Frost Leaf were ancient history; great people don't dwell on trifles.

After giving these instructions, she remembered something else: "Have all the demon puppets from the White Banyan Forest been moved?"

"They've been moved," Yuan Xuan reported. "The Dragon God Army did indeed re-enter the White Banyan Forest, looking for the Heavenly Palace's demon puppet experimental site."

"They had previously beaten us to Red Hut and got a taste of success." Qing Yang pondered, "By the way, the Heavenly Palace highly values the master demon puppet of Cao Wendao that we sent back a while ago, believing Cao Wendao made a significant breakthrough. His death is truly a pity."

Qing Yang and Cao Wendao were old acquaintances; she acknowledged his talent and loyalty, but his stubborn temperament wasn't suited for the imperial court system. "However, they are more interested in the puppet master who defeated Cao Wendao. I hear his demon puppets can maintain rationality and calm for extended periods."

"Are you suggesting...?"

"Keep an eye on this person. The Heavenly God wants him captured alive; he'll be useful later."

Failing to take Mian City, the enemy shifted their target to attack other cities.

For the next half a month, Guo Baiyu furiously attacked the surrounding Dragon God territories. Various townships and counties fell one after another, forcing large numbers of soldiers and civilians to retreat to Mian City and Hao County.

These two locations were where Yang Shan and the Black Armored Army previously stockpiled supplies. They had complete infrastructure and ample civilian provisions, with huge warehouses and storehouses that could be quickly converted into housing, allowing them to accommodate the continuous influx of people.