Chapter 63

Expansion of Power

After the figure from the Demon Sect left, Moxiang summoned high-ranking experts above the commander level. Accordingly, the commanders and soldiers of the three major forces under Moxiang's command—the Heavenly Wolf Corps, the Flame King Corps, and the Black Wind Corps—gathered, including Xue Wuzhi. Additionally, the leader and deputy leader of the Salmok, who had previously sought integration with Xue Wuzhi, were also present. Salmok used this opportunity to merge with Moxiang and moved their main force to Xianxue Province. They also quietly took over a large mansion located west of the Demon Sect's Xianxue branch, solving the issue easily.

Moxiang scanned the gathered figures and then spoke.

"It seems we are now well-prepared. Guan Zhi!"

Guan Zhi, who was wearing a mask to conceal his face, replied.

"Yes."

"Remove your mask when we are alone."

Moxiang looked at Guan Zhi's determined and masculine eyes visible through the mask and said,

"Is there anything uncomfortable? I have told you everything, so if there is anything lacking, you can tell the military advisor, and he will address it."

"Everything is sufficient. Thank you for your consideration."

Moxiang turned his gaze from Guan Zhi to the assembly and continued.

"There are too many people gathered here. Even excluding the children of the old Black Dragon Gate, there are still 6,000. After consulting with the military advisor, I have devised a solution. After this matter is resolved, we will possess even greater power. Military Advisor!"

"Yes, while concentrating all our forces in one place has its advantages, it also has disadvantages if we are ambushed. Therefore, I propose to disperse our forces somewhat. Additionally, we will absorb the Demon Sect's forces in Shanxi Province. Who will assist in this effort...?"

Yan Wang Jide then spoke.

"I will lead the Flame King Corps to resolve this."

"Good. I will entrust Luoyang to Commander Yan Wang Jide. First, contact Fang Tie, the head of the Luoyang branch, in secret. Since Fang Tie has already pledged full cooperation with the main branch, you should be able to easily subdue the Luoyang area. After subduing the Luoyang area, I hope you will secretly establish a branch there and expand our influence. Taking my daughter Xueling with you will provide some assistance. According to our investigation, although Fang Tie's martial arts are lacking, he is an outstanding administrator. Use him well."

"Understood."

"Commander Guan Zhi!"

"Yes."

"Commander Guan Zhi, please lead the Black Wind Corps to construct a secret branch on Mount Taibai. I will secretly provide you with sufficient labor and materials. After construction, please stay there and build up our influence. Gradually, all core facilities of the main branch will be moved to the Taibai branch, and this place will remain as a shell to deceive the enemy."

"Hong Jin, leader of the Salmok."

"Yes."

"For now, please assist me here with the deputy leader. In exchange, the core forces of the Salmok should be gradually moved to the Taibai branch. Also, redirect the Salmok's intelligence network to assist Commander Yan Wang Jide in subduing Luoyang."

"Agreed."

"And one more thing! As you all know, the main branch is a separate entity from the Demon Sect. Although the branch leader claims that the main branch has 40% of the Demon Sect's power, after detailed discussions with Commander Qian Li Duxing and Commander Yan Wang Jide, we concluded that it is not that much. If the branch leader leads us, we might achieve 40%, or even more, but without him, it is doubtful that we can even achieve 20% of the Demon Sect's power. Even if we combine the Heavenly Wolf Corps and the Flame King Corps, which are the main forces of the main branch, they would be annihilated instantly if ambushed by the Demon Sect's elite force, the Heavenly Demon Blood Sword Corps. The gap in strength between the upper and lower martial groups of the Demon Sect is enormous. To mitigate this, we have fewer numbers at higher levels, but in an ambush, fewer numbers are more advantageous. Therefore, I feel it is necessary to disperse our forces to some extent. Additionally, to announce the main branch's name to the martial world and attract new experts, we should hold a martial arts competition."

"A martial arts competition?"

"Yes, something like a branch establishment memorial martial arts competition. We will offer a few items that will make people's eyes pop."

"Good suggestion, but can we really recruit martial arts fanatics with just gold?"

"No. Before the branch leader returns, I have secured two fine swords and three fine sabers. It cost a lot, and some of them were obtained through somewhat unusual means, but they are real. Additionally, I have gathered ten women of outstanding beauty from all directions. If we offer them, along with a decent position within the main branch and the opportunity to learn outstanding demonic arts, we should attract some competent individuals, though not the best."

"But spies might infiltrate... What is the countermeasure?"

"Actually, these are expendable items for the Xianxue branch. We are currently renovating the Xianxue branch, clearly dividing the interior and exterior. The new recruits will be used for external defense, while some elites will be placed inside. A powerful formation will be set up between the interior and exterior, making it difficult for ordinary people to cross. Some outstanding experts will be placed at key points to guard against spies, and we will make it appear as if the branch leader's main force is inside. By dispersing the rest of the power to the secret branches, we can avoid annihilation even in the worst-case scenario. The enemy will think the branch leader's main force is here and focus their surveillance here, making it easier for us to move our forces. When the enemy launches a surprise attack, the branch leader and the experts can escape while using the rest as bait. Hehehe..."

"Though it's not a pleasant thought, it's a decent plan. But do I have to always be here?"

"Yes, but since the branch leader's martial arts are exceptionally strong, he can escape unnoticed if he wishes. However, he must appear to be here to prevent the enemy from searching for the real power. This place will be infested with spies, so it might be safer to keep it open and be cautious in secret. Since we have announced the main branch as a Demon Sect branch, there is almost no possibility of conflict with the Demon Sect unless the sect leader leads the forces himself. However..."

"However?"

"There is a possibility of a surprise attack from the righteous sects, so we must be prepared for that. However, the righteous sects would find it difficult to launch a surprise attack openly, as attacking us would lead to a direct conflict with the Demon Sect, which they would not want. In reality, a conflict between the two would be beneficial to the Demon Sect..."

"Good, the military advisor is indeed very clever. If the Heavenly Wolf Corps is sacrificed, it would be a pity, so later, we will leave only about a hundred and withdraw the rest."

"Yes."

"Guan Zhi."

"Yes."

"Please send four of your subordinates. The military advisor wants bodyguards, but I don't want to use those who emit demonic aura because it's too noticeable when they move around. The only ones who don't emit demonic aura are the Black Wind Corps, so I'm asking you."

"It's an honor. I will quickly select four and send them to you."

Guan Zhi selected the strongest martial artists from among those who had past connections with Moxiang and sent them to him. They were Ren Chong, Zheng Xiang, Che Lin, and Ma Hua, who had recently joined the Black Wind Corps after a period of absence due to his grandfather's high rank in the military. Moxiang taught martial arts to the weaker ones whenever he had time and continued his own training. Everything cannot be achieved overnight, and without preparation, attacking the sect leader would likely result in our own demise.

One day, as Moxiang was staring blankly at the cherry blossoms fluttering like snowflakes, Ma Hua asked from behind,

"What are you thinking about?"

The four new bodyguards were former comrades and superiors from the Mongol war, so they treated Moxiang without reserve. Among them, Ma Hua gave Moxiang the most comfortable impression. Moxiang also found their attitude refreshing and comfortable. The position of absolute authority he now held was, in fact, a very lonely one, and he was not the type to flaunt his subordinates.

"Hmm? I was thinking about something from long ago."

"..."

"After reaching the Xianjing realm, I became too arrogant. Actually, the only person recorded as reaching the Xianjing realm was Jiu Hui, and after he disappeared, I was the only one. But a senior I met recently really surprised me."

"Who is it?"

"Another existing Xianjing expert. You might have heard of him, Blood Demon, with the title of Xue Ma..."

Ma Hua was surprised and asked,

"Did you meet Blood Demon?"

"Yes, he was a truly formidable expert. If Blood Demon used a sword, I might have a higher chance of winning, but he uses fists and palms. When I saw him counter my surprise attack of a hundred threads of strong energy, I realized he was a step above me. In close combat, what is the best weapon?"

"Isn't it the fist?"

"Exactly. Fist, foot, sword, saber, staff, spear, whip... the distance is set accordingly. Even though I excel in close combat, I don't have the courage to face a true master of fist techniques. His hands are like two swords. It's impossible with just one sword. He has been using strong energy for over a hundred years, so I can't exploit the advantage of distance. Whether far or close, he has mastered numerous offensive and defensive techniques. Lately, I've been thinking about how to defeat him, but it's not easy..."

"But I don't think anyone can defeat the branch leader. Perhaps you are overestimating the opponent, like how others' cakes always seem bigger?"

"No. If, hypothetically, he can use the secret technique he discovered through farming with his hands or feet instead of a hoe, even ten experts like me would find it difficult."

"Really... What is this secret technique discovered through farming?"

"..."

Moxiang suddenly realized he was saying something incomprehensible and closed his mouth.

When Moxiang stopped talking, Ma Hua stepped back. She knew that meditation and contemplation could bring greater improvement to high-level experts than practice, so she understood that it was inappropriate to disturb him with unnecessary words at such times.

One of the things Moxiang has been thinking about lately is the Guihun Qiangshen Dafa, a technique he has been unconsciously learning. No matter how much he thinks, he cannot integrate this evil technique with his own martial arts. The Guihun Qiangshen Dafa is not a traditional demonic technique but a unique martial art that combines the magical power of the Blood Sect and the destructive power of the Demon Sect. While it offers the allure of a near-immortal body, Moxiang realized it was impossible to learn after skimming through the manual and gave up.

However, based on the accounts of his subordinates who fought with him, the fact that he healed a serious injury and recovered vast amounts of internal energy in an instant is something even Moxiang finds hard to understand. While the recovery of internal energy could be attributed to the Northern Ming Technique, the healing of the injury can only be explained by the Guihun Qiangshen Dafa.

'If I could use the Guihun Qiangshen Dafa consciously... It would be a fair trade, giving flesh to cut the opponent's bones, or even giving bones to cut the opponent's bones. But no matter how much I think, there is no answer...'

One of the reasons Moxiang is so troubled is that Blood Demon easily blocked his concentrated attack, which consisted of nearly a hundred threads of strong energy, and deflected it. Given the opponent's formidable defense, it was impossible to harm him with any of Moxiang's current martial arts.

Currently, there is no possibility of defeating such an opponent, which is the greatest allure for Moxiang. He is no longer a lonely figure at the pinnacle of martial arts.

A Contract

In a small, shabby room, a man sat in meditation in one corner. His dark robe matched the dim room and the aura he exuded. Though he had an ordinary face, those who knew his true identity would understand the immense