Chapter 432: Middle of the Trap

"Dragon Python, I'll give you one day to gather all the combat records from Wind Sleeve's previous battles with the two great empires."

"Don't worry, Boss. I've already prepared them for you."

Dragon Python's quick action made even Xu Yang's eyes light up. "How did you guess I would need this information?"

"Hehe, I was raised by you. I know you inside and out—I know exactly what you're thinking!"

Xu Yang smiled and patted Dragon Python, then immediately opened the documents. His powerful spiritual energy swept over the surface of the records, quickly absorbing all the information into his mind.

"As I expected, while Wind Sleeve has always led the North Jin Sword Alliance, this faction is secretly backed by some rarely seen living fossils and renowned figures. The dozen or so individuals who attacked the elder councils of the two great empires were all top swordsmen who made a name for themselves in the Three Thousand Dao States tens of thousands of years ago. These are our key targets and will require our special attention."

Dragon Kun patted his chest and said to Xu Yang, "Boss, isn't it simple? Just have us infiltrate the military camps of the two great empires separately and carry out assassinations. Wouldn't that solve everything?"

Xu Yang, however, smiled and shook his head. "Killing them would be easy, but have you considered that at this critical juncture, especially if we eliminate enemy commanders inside their military camps, the two great empires would view us as mortal enemies? Don't forget, our goal is to unite the Three Thousand Dao States, not to become the next North Jin Sword Alliance."

As Xu Yang spoke, everyone suddenly realized the core meaning he was trying to convey.

Eradication and conquest are two completely different concepts.

For Xu Yang's team now, killing someone was almost effortless, as they were all Tribulation Transcenders standing at the pinnacle of the continent. However, conquering a nation on a spiritual level was far from easy.

"We understand what you mean, Boss, but how exactly should we proceed to truly conquer these two nations?"

Xu Yang chuckled lightly, clearly already having his own plans and strategies.

"It's simple. We just need to stage a grand play, allowing these North Jin Sword Alliance members to reveal their true colors behind their facade of hypocrisy. Then our goal will naturally be easy to achieve."

In fact, Xu Yang already had a perfect answer and plan in mind. After a brief deployment meeting with everyone, Xu Yang's core team launched their operation the very next day.

At that moment, inside the military tent of the North Jin Southern Empire's general.

"What did you say? Is this really the Sect Master's intention?"

The white-robed, white-haired old man, who was the leader, sat in the central commander's seat, looking at the messenger sentinel with a surprised expression.

Little did he know, this sentinel was an undercover agent sent by the Thousand Cloud Sect.

"Absolutely true. Here is the Sect Master's letter; please examine it, General."

The white-haired old general opened the scroll. After confirming more than once that the letter was indeed from Wind Sleeve's hand, he finally sighed helplessly.

"The Sect Master has always been steady and patient. I don't know why he made such a reckless decision this time. Does he realize how much effort we expended to win over the hearts of the Southern Empire's army? If we follow his plan now, all our previous efforts will be in vain, and everyone will think our Sword Alliance faction is completely unworthy of being their leader."

The sentinel pointed out to the white-haired general, his tone righteous, "This is the Sect Master's will. In fact, the Sect Master had already guessed that you generals would have objections. Please take a look, General."

After the sentinel finished speaking, two sharp, blood-red daggers appeared in his palm. Upon seeing these daggers, everyone present immediately understood their meaning.

These blood-red daggers had a special name within the North Jin Sword Alliance: Blades of Sanction.

As the name implied, they were the deadly weapons Wind Sleeve typically used to deal with traitors.

The appearance of these Blades of Sanction at this moment was undoubtedly equivalent to Wind Sleeve's personal presence, meaning that no one could defy the order he had issued, or face certain death.

Inside the tent, although these old individuals held the rank of general, each one was a top-tier Tribulation Transcender in the early stage, and also a genuine "living fossil" of the North Jin Sword Alliance, having risen to fame tens of thousands of years ago.

Given their status, even if they knew Wind Sleeve's decision was wrong, they would still firmly support his choice.

"Since that's the case, we have no choice but to comply. Guards! Transmit my military order: tonight, all sub-units and deputy generals are to assemble."

"As you command!"

In fact, this forged handwritten order was entirely created by Xu Yang's team. The content within it was a command for these "living fossils" of the Sword Alliance to issue a blood sacrifice order in their respective military camps.

The so-called "blood sacrifice" method was a particularly cruel means of coercion and torture that Wind Sleeve had once used to punish leaders of other factions.

Now, Xu Yang's faction was simply using Wind Sleeve's own methods against him, applying what Wind Sleeve had done to prisoners from other external forces to his own people.

As for the targets of the blood sacrifice detailed in the letter, they were all clan disciples from within the North Jin Sword Alliance, loyal confidants and deputy generals of their own faction.

Xu Yang was clearly using this method to force the top experts of the North Jin Sword Alliance who were currently assigned to the military to turn on each other and fight amongst themselves!

Sure enough, although these "living fossil" old generals harbored complaints, since it was Wind Sleeve's order, and they didn't know the Sect Master's ultimate purpose, they had no choice but to comply with the directive.

Covertly, the "living fossils" were also concerned that there might be something amiss, so they secretly dispatched several scouts from the camp late at night, riding swiftly towards the North Jin Sword Alliance headquarters.

Little did they know, at the very same time these "living fossil" generals received the handwritten order, undercover agents from the Thousand Cloud Sect had already taken positions around the main camp, implementing comprehensive, airtight surveillance. Not to mention covert actions, even a bird would find it difficult to fly out of the military camp easily.

Before they could even get five li away, these secret guards were all dealt with by the Thousand Cloud Sect's agents.

Now, at the North Jin Southern Empire's military camp, these old individuals were like turtles in a jar, completely cut off from Wind Sleeve's external forces.

And in the dead of this night, an unprecedented sanction targeting the internal followers of the North Jin Sword Alliance finally descended upon the Southern Empire's military camp.

More than fifty high-ranking members of the North Jin Sword Alliance died under this so-called blood sacrifice.

After these old generals carried out the orders, Xu Yang, the big boss, personally arrived inside the military camp. When the "living fossils" returned to their tents, their hearts heavy with suppressed emotions, they were startled to find that Xu Yang was already sitting in the main seat of the military camp, smiling pleasantly and watching them.

"Thank you for your efforts."