Chapter 549

**Chapter 549. The Lazy One Arrives (4)**

*”What an unpleasant feeling.”*

The Supreme Sovereign Sima Cheonse opened and closed his fists while feeling the atmosphere crushing him. He noticed that his palms were sweaty.

Was it the tension of facing the enemy?

No, that wasn’t it. What oppressed him was this heavy air of the battlefield.

Although they were the same people, those who were preparing for war emanated a completely different energy than usual. Tension, fear, an inexplicable unease… All these elements combined to create an environment that spread rapidly, infecting others. Soon, everyone on the battlefield shared similar sensations.

It was something strange.

That tens of thousands of people felt the same thing at the same time seemed impossible, but in war, it happened. It was the place where the morale of an army of over a million could collapse in an instant, or where the feats of a single individual could suddenly elevate it.

*”That’s why this is a place inhabited by monsters.”*

The thought of having returned to that battlefield worsened Sima Cheonse’s mood.

In war, there are no victors.

Even an overwhelming victory entails losses. What is lost can never be recovered. The fact that he would now have to fight a battle where there would only be losses was putting him in a bad mood.

“It’s been a long time, Grand Master.”

Among those who had come to receive him, a man with a Taoist headdress stepped forward and performed a fist salute.

“It’s been a long time since we last met.”

“Yes, it has been a long time.”

“I don’t think we’ve been that distant, but we’re all busy, so it’s not easy to meet.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Although Sima Cheonse hinted at the distant relationship between the Righteous Martial Alliance and the Nine Orthodox Sects after the war, Song Hyun responded evasively.

*”Tch.”*

It wasn’t that he didn’t have complaints, but now was not the time for reproaches. They couldn’t divide right before the battle.

“Has the Shaolin Temple not arrived yet?”

“They say they will be here soon.”

“Mmm…”

Sima Cheonse frowned.

Since Baekgeom Fortress had not entered Hefei either, it wouldn’t be a big problem. But still, he was bothered by the slowness of their response.

*”Am I just impatient?”*

He suppressed his unease.

Unlike those days when he was only dragged along by the war, now he had the age and experience to remain calm. However, the atmosphere of the approaching war shattered his confidence.

No one can take war lightly.

No one.

Even veterans who have fought a hundred battles find it overwhelming. Sima Cheonse was remembering that fact now.

“Have the scouts from Baekgeom Fortress not arrived?”

“It seems that a small group has entered Hefei. But it’s difficult to block them all.”

“I understand. Let’s go in.”

Sima Cheonse began to walk ahead.

He passed by the tents set up on both sides and headed to the large central tent. He pushed the door open and entered.

“It’s better organized than I thought.”

“The influential families of Hefei have provided tents and provisions. And Namgung has also helped a lot.”

Sima Cheonse directed his gaze towards Namgung Jowi, who nodded with a smile.

“It’s about repelling the invaders in our land. It’s natural that we give our best.”

“Of course.”

Sima Cheonse’s mood eased slightly.

*”Experience proves its worth in moments like this.”*

Twenty years ago, when the Demon Cult invaded the Central Plains, the biggest mistake of the region was believing that the war would end soon.

Although the Demon Cult had invaded countless times, those wars rarely turned into large-scale conflicts. What they wanted was not to conquer the Central Plains, but a territory to settle in, and the battles always occurred in the peripheral areas.

Even if they won the initial skirmishes, the Demon Cult never advanced into the heart of the Central Plains. Therefore, those who lived in the rearguard of Shaanxi, although they knew of the invasion, tried to preserve their forces.

And that strangled the Central Plains.

No one is willing to suffer losses to stop a sword that doesn’t reach them. Faced with the advance of the Demon Cult, the Central Plains were divided into two sides:

Those who had to stop them and those who had to support.

The former fought bloody battles, while the latter watched the war calmly, making only symbolic contributions.

When the former could no longer contain the advance and retreated, the Demon Cult, unlike before, pressed towards the Central Plains. Then, the fire reached their feet.

Those who should have stopped them…

Sichuan did not forget the grudge of that time and, by forming the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, separated from the Righteous Martial Alliance. The fault was on this side.

And that war left a great lesson for the Central Plains: there is no safe place before the advance of the Demon Cult. If you don’t fight with all your strength, you will eventually fall.

That lesson was being applied now.

“You say the influential families?”

“Not only them, but they are also supporting from the business circles. They say they want this calamity to end soon.”

“Mmm.”

A total war.

The conflict was growing rapidly. Unlike the past war, where a small spark turned into a hell, this time those who had experienced its horror were willing to open their coffers so that it would end soon.

There was no other choice.

Small wars can bring opportunities, but big ones destroy everything.

“Are there no messages from Baekgeom Fortress?”

“In fact, we sent a messenger, but…”

“But?”

“He didn’t return.”

“Hmm.”

Sima Cheonse sat down and stroked his beard.

*”They killed the messenger…”*

The military principle is to return messengers alive. Ignoring that meant that there was no room for dialogue. It was a declaration that this war would not end until one of the sides was annihilated.

*”Great Family of the Infinity Sword, do you really hold such a grudge?”*

A deep sigh escaped his lips.

“How much more blood will you need to be satisfied…?”

When Sima Cheonse’s voice turned grave, Song Hyun spoke calmly:

“Even so, the fact that we have slowed down the advance of the Demon Cult is good news.”

“True.”

Sima Cheonse nodded slightly.

“I heard that that child, Wei Yanho, had another outstanding performance…”

“That’s right.”

Thinking of Wei Yanho, a small smile appeared on Sima Cheonse’s lips.

“An extraordinary boy. At his young age, he has already achieved several feats. You have seen him in person, right?”

“Of course.”

“What is he like?”

“Well, that…”

A drop of sweat appeared on Sima Cheonse’s forehead.

How to describe Wei Yanho?

Among all the words in the world, none left him more perplexed than that. Explaining to others what kind of person Wei Yanho was proved extremely complicated.

*”I can’t just describe him as he is.”*

If he did, the reactions would be of two types:

Either they would ask how it was possible for someone like that to exist, or they would reprimand him for joking.

Neither option suited him.

“He is a boy who cannot be judged with common sense.”

“Is he that extraordinary?”

Song Hyun’s eyes filled with wonder.

It was the first time he had seen Sima Cheonse praise someone in that way. But seeing his reaction, Sima Cheonse felt frustrated.

*”I said it literally.”*

He didn’t mean that he was incredibly talented, but that he was a being that defied all logic. But it seemed that his message had not been transmitted correctly.

*”Although, on second thought, it’s not entirely incorrect.”*

It was also true that he was incredibly talented.

“After all, only someone like that could contain the Demon Cult, right?”

That was also true.

Although with a different nuance.

As Sima Cheonse knew how Wei Yanho had managed to divert the attention of the Demon Cult, he couldn’t simply nod.

“An impressive feat.”

He was just telling the truth.

“If the Demon Cult had reached Shaanxi now, the situation would be twice as serious. It’s something incredible.”

*”Twice…”*

Surely he meant ten times. It wasn’t something that could be measured simply by the increase in enemies or troops. No one would want to fight on two fronts at the same time.

“Grand Master.”

Namgung Jowi, who had been listening in silence, spoke.

“Tell me, Leader of the Namgung Family.”

“Is that boy strong?”

“Mmm…”

Sima Cheonse pondered for a moment. He knew what that question implied. While the disciples of Wudang could accept Wei Yanho’s strength as a simple story, for Namgung of Anhui it was a tangible reality, since they were much closer to Guangdong than Henan.

“Yes, he is strong.”

It was not a secret.

“I feel a little ridiculous asking this question, but I cannot deny the rumors about his feats, so I must ask: Is he stronger than me?”

Sima Cheonse frowned.

It was too direct a question, making it difficult to answer.

“I cannot say for sure. I cannot easily judge the abilities of the Leader of Namgung…”

“Grand Master, I am only seeking an objective assessment. If I were concerned about pride, I would not have asked.”

He was an extremely pragmatic person.

“In that case…”

Sima Cheonse nodded and replied:

“Right now, it is difficult to say who is superior. But in five years… no, in three, this question will require no further reflection.”

“So the rumors are true.”

“Yes.”

Namgung Jowi nodded slowly.

“Then, he must be stronger than me. I don’t have the confidence to defeat the Heavenly Flowing Sword.”

When Namgung Jowi affirmed it with certainty, Sima Cheonse hesitated.

Now morale was crucial.

“I don’t think he defeated the Heavenly Flowing Sword with his strength alone. From what I know of his abilities, he is not at that level.”

“Even so, it is still impressive. Whether by luck or by a trap, defeating the Heavenly Flowing Sword is a remarkable achievement.”

“True.”

Sima Cheonse smiled.

But it was not a smile of joy.

*”What a deceptive guy.”*

Although there are many swordsmen in the world, Namgung Jowi is among the top five. Neither the Sword Saint of Mount Hua nor the Sword Sage of Wudang could confidently claim to be superior to him. And now, this guy was pretending to be modest.

“The waves in the front are always pushed by those in the back. But it is not yet the time. Now is when we must show the young people who we are.”

“That’s right.”

Namgung Jowi retreated, seemingly convinced.

At that moment, an agitated voice came from outside:

“Grand Master!”

“What is it?”

Sima Cheonse straightened up, suppressing a groan from his back pain.

“Baekgeom Fortress has entered Hefei!”

Sima Cheonse’s pupils dilated.