Chapter 408

Chapter 408

Chapter Title: Expansion (3)

Once the ecstatic proclamations of the devout adherents concluded, the massive host of eighty thousand separated into two distinct elements and commenced their forward movement.

Fifty thousand infantry elements from Gansu accompanied by eight hundred elite combatants from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult directed their course southward to establish a connection with Sichuan.

Thirty thousand infantry units alongside three thousand mounted elements, accompanied by approximately one hundred martial artists from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, steered toward the territory of Qinghai.

In precise accordance with Il-mok’s stipulations, Dokgo Ryong and Baek Un-hak conducted their maneuvers independently.

Baek Un-hak journeyed toward the Sichuan theater in the company of the Provincial Commander.

“Crack hahaha! It appears that the persistent irritation which has been accumulating is finally receiving a thorough resolution!”

Dokgo Ryong advanced toward the Qinghai sector alongside Il-mok.

‘It must be a product of my imagination that we have successfully transferred the more unhinged individual who presents the greater management difficulty, correct?’

Detecting Dokgo Ryong’s booming vocalizations originating from the distant mounted detachment caused a sympathetic throbbing within his cranium.

Objectively, the disposition represented an entirely logical strategic choice.

Rather than anchoring themselves to urban defense, a comprehensive field engagement would permit the nomadic horsemen to utilize their mobility with maximum effectiveness.

Conversely, the esoteric methodologies of the Baek Clan retained utility within open maneuvers, yet their effectiveness magnified exponentially during fortification defense where allies and adversaries were explicitly demarcated.

There existed a specific rationale for Il-mok’s deployment to the Qinghai sector as well.

The senior administration within Qinghai was thoroughly degenerate, meaning the personal presence of the Provincial Commander was superfluous for diplomatic integration, as Il-mok could spearhead the advance and dominate the psychological terrain utilizing his World-Exterminating Soul Jade Palm.

It constituted an unrefined martial methodology characterized by an excessively grand detonation perimeter.

The allocation of elements and leadership personnel had been structured according to these entirely sensible strategic considerations.

Nonetheless.

“Young Master Il-mok! On this occasion, I shall be the individual to claim the opposing commander’s head, so ensure you defer that prize to my blade!”

Enduring Dokgo Ryong’s boisterous pronouncements instilled in Il-mok a mounting skepticism regarding the hidden motives of the Provincial Commander.

The host exited Lanzhou at the first light of dawn, sustaining their march until the setting of the sun, whereupon they established a transient encampment to recuperate.

“The mounted forces must implement a rotational reconnaissance schedule to monitor the trajectories of the Qinghai host, Clan Head Dokgo.”

“Extinguish your anxieties regarding that matter!”

Il-mok suppressed his apprehension regarding the individual’s thunderous assurance, appending a firm restriction.

“Our directive is strictly confined to reconnaissance. Under no circumstances are individual vanguard assaults permitted.”

“Is it not structurally advantageous to diminish the adversary’s numbers prior to the formal initiation of hostilities?”

The point possessed logical merit, provided the maneuver remained confined to probing actions followed by immediate withdrawal.

‘The complication lies in your disposition, which suggests you would plunge directly into the epicenter of their fortification like a complete lunatic.’

Regrettably, he could not articulate such an assessment to the presiding authority of one of the Five Great Clans, leading Il-mok to proffer an explanation aligned with the man’s preferences.

“Our strategic intent involves resolving this engagement via a direct, unmediated frontal collision.”

“Crack hahaha! It appears Young Master Il-mok is an individual who embraces sound martial logic!”

Readily managed by the explanation, Dokgo Ryong released a boisterous laugh and exited the centralized command pavilion.

Subsequently, following the passing of approximately two shichen, as the lunar orb attained a high position within the firmament.

Dokgo Ryong reappeared inside the centralized command pavilion.

“Our reconnaissance elements indicate the Qinghai host has likewise established an encampment and is currently resting.”

“What is their current separation from our position?”

“The scouts journeyed for approximately one shichen to complete the transit, leading me to estimate the distance at roughly fifty li.”

Upon receiving Dokgo Ryong’s metric, a subordinate officer present inside the pavilion alongside Il-mok-acting as the representative for the absent Provincial Commander-contributed to the dialogue.

“Provided both factions initiate their forward movement at the dawn of the morrow, our vanguards will intercept one another within this general vicinity by midday.”

He indicated a precise coordinate on a topographical chart delineating the frontier boundaries of Gansu and Qinghai.

“What is the estimated strength of their formation?”

“The absence of daylight precluded a flawless tally, yet the scouts estimated their numbers at approximately thirty thousand.”

Integrating the data secured by the nomadic horsemen, the leadership sustained their tactical deliberations.

Achieving dominance in the engagement was assumed; the primary objective centered on minimizing casualties among their own ranks while capturing the maximum quantity of opposing personnel, prompting the evaluation of diverse maneuvers exploiting the geographical attributes.

“Why avoid a direct plunge into their center to sever the opposing leader’s neck from his shoulders?”

Every individual sought refined maneuvers, save for Dokgo Ryong.

The subsequent morning.

The Gansu host concluded a rudimentary morning ration, rapidly dismantled their temporary shelters, and initiated their forward march.

They secured historical positioning at the pre-selected combat zone prior to the adversary, establishing their defensive lines, and shortly thereafter identified the Qinghai host materializing along the horizon.

“…The operational behavior of those elements eludes my comprehension.”

Inexplicably, there had not occurred a solitary instance of their scouting detachments detecting or engaging opposing reconnaissance elements.

The adversary was simply advancing in formation without deploying forward security or executing geographical surveying.

Observing Il-mok’s spoken confusion, the adjacent officer manifested a grimace of irony.

“It remains possible that intelligence regarding the collapse of the Western Regional Command has failed to reach their command structure.”

The deduction carried logical weight, causing Il-mok to signify his concurrence with a nod.

As the gap between the hosts diminished, Il-mok altered his posture in curiosity.

“The data from the mounted scouts left me skeptical, yet their formation truly appears to hover just above thirty thousand. Was the official complement of the Qinghai host not specified as thirty-five thousand?”

That figure incorporated auxiliary reserves, yet according to the bureaucratic records of the Western Regional Command, the official strength stood at thirty-five thousand.

The demographic density of Qinghai was significantly lower than that of Gansu, ensuring their military capacity was inherently restricted.

Shaanxi, by contrast, maintained a troop concentration eclipsing even Gansu.

Regardless, the approaching adversary fielded a mere thirty thousand, failing to match the recorded thirty-five thousand.

“…It appears the administrative apparatus of the Qinghai Provincial Commander executed fraudulent reporting regarding their numbers to appropriate military allocations.”

The Gansu officer articulated the conclusion with an expression of intense dishonor, as though the misconduct reflected upon his personal character.

“Hah.”

They had presumably diverted resources intended for the maintenance of the auxiliary reserves, who did not comprise the standing professional infantry.

Resources designated for storage unless an active insurrection or state conflict materialized.

Even allowing for typical corruption, boundaries existed. Embezzling the allocations intended for five thousand individual combatants indicated an extreme degree of avarice.

Moving his head with a cynical chuckle, Il-mok advanced a short distance as the opposing host appeared to halt their advance.

As Il-mok journeyed forward, the ranks of infantry parted uniformly to either flank, clearing a path.

Every individual soldier watched Il-mok’s passage with expressions saturated with absolute reverence.

It constituted an immensely oppressive degree of scrutiny, yet Il-mok sustained an unreadable facial expression.

The current military apparatus was anchored entirely by spiritual devotion, necessitating that he maintain the performance of serving as the celestial emissary.

Tracking behind Il-mok were Jin Ha-yeon, Hyeok-ryeon Seon-a, and Joo Seo-yeon.

They quickly cleared the forward edge of their own formation, arresting their movement near the precise equidistant point separating the two hosts.

“I am Il-mok, the designated heir to the supreme authority of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult! For what purpose do you execute the mandates of those corrupt eunuchs who manipulate the royal palace, forcing blameless citizens to shed their lifeblood?”

Il-mok projected his voice utilizing concentrated internal stamina, and shortly thereafter a counter-shout originated from the Qinghai formation.

“Degenerate wretch! How do profane iconoclasts such as yourselves presume to defame the sovereign lineage and the Grand Eunuch!”

Consistent with the profile of an adherent of the Dongchang, the verbal retaliation was intensely volatile.

“Cease your vocalizations! Those remarks were not directed toward your position!”

Il-mok hurled denunciations at the presiding Qinghai Provincial Commander, subsequently projecting his voice once more toward the mass of Qinghai soldiers.

“Our purpose is the eradication of the sovereign lineage and the administrative eunuchs who harbor zero concern for the survival of the populace, thereby inaugurating a pristine era! The window of opportunity remains open-those who align with our vision, cast down your implements of war and capitulate!”

Instantly following the conclusion of Il-mok’s proclamation, a wave of low discussion rippled through the Qinghai ranks.

“Do you honestly anticipate our compliance with the rhetoric of that profane iconoclast?!”

The vocalization of the Provincial Commander reverberated once more, followed immediately by the rhythmic striking of instruments and the blare of signaling horns cascading from the adversarial lines.

The unfolding circumstance was highly unconventional.

In stark contrast to the forces of the Western Regional Command, who executed maneuvers in absolute synchronization with those audio cues, the Qinghai host dissolved into a disorganized cluster.

For a brief interval, a surreal spectacle manifested as their files became physically entangled with one another.

“What is the source of this hesitation? The individual who delivers the severed head of that heretic to my position shall receive boundless wealth and position!!”

Obeying the Commander’s mandate, individual combatants broke from separate coordinates along the adversarial lines, rushing headlong toward Il-mok.

Their numbers barely exceeded one hundred. They did not originate from any cohesive tactical detachment-they were merely opportunistic individuals coveting recognition or financial gain, advancing independently.

Two-thirds of the attackers operated as mounted elements, while the remaining third comprised foot soldiers or independent martial artists possessing basic cultivation, utilizing agility methodologies to accelerate their charge.

Il-mok dismissed his initial dissatisfaction and commenced the simultaneous manipulation of raw energy across all three of his internal reservoirs.

He lacked the capacity to obliterate hundreds simultaneously as he had achieved against the coordinated files of the Western Regional Command, yet he resolved to concentrate on capturing absolute psychological dominance.

It represented an approach devoid of utility once general close-quarters combat commenced regardless.

Shortly thereafter, the collection of opportunistic predators arrived within Il-mok’s immediate proximity.

Il-mok executed an expansive sweep utilizing both open hands, discharging Taiji spheres from his palms directly into the advancing cluster.

Instantly, a cataclysmic detonation saturated the environment with blinding illumination.

BOOM!!!!

Predictably, absolute desolation characterized the zone where the World-Exterminating Soul Jade Palm achieved impact.

The absolute center was transformed into fine particles, while the individuals positioned along the peripheral boundaries were violently disassembled, scattering biological remnants universally.

From the rear lines of his own formation emerged a wave of vocal acclamation that completely overpowered the sound of the blast.

“Waaaaah!!!!!”

“The Deity!!!”

Il-mok retained no necessity to cast his gaze rearward to ascertain the state of his host.

The eyes of the devoted adherents were already suffused with an unhinged intensity.

“The comprehensive host! Move forward!!”

Il-mok unsheathed his Ascending Heaven Sword and shouted his command, sprinting toward the adversarial lines flanked by his personal attendants.

BWOOOO!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Signaling horns and rhythmic percussion reverberated from the rear lines, accompanied immediately by the earth-shaking cadence of thousands of boots traversing the terrain.

The collective roar of thirty thousand combatants advancing in unison possessed an uncanny, unified cadence.

For they regulated their forward stride in absolute conformity with the percussion and horns, vocalizing spiritual melodies.

Even the two-thirds segment of the host-comprising the integrated personnel of the Western Regional Command-joined in the vocalization.

Il-mok suppressed an impulse to chuckle at the fanatic cries tracking his advance, yet ultimately surrendered to open laughter.

The adversarial vanguard personnel tasked with shields were actively discarding their defensive implements and dropping to their knees in rapid succession.

“W-we implore you to grant clemency!!”

“-we surrender!”

The vast majority of the forward lines consisted of agrarian laborers forcibly extracted from their daily existence, positioned exclusively to absorb projectile fire.

To expect such individuals to observe the application of Il-mok’s World-Exterminating Soul Jade Palm, followed by the approach of intense zealots vocalizing spiritual songs as they charged, and retain their positioning was an absurdity.

Yet his laughter was not provoked by their desperation.

It was the tactical incompetence of the opposing commander in deploying such raw elements at the absolute front that warranted mockery.

“Those who abandon their implements of war and capitulate shall experience absolute leniency!!”

Il-mok bellowed his assurance and clove directly into the adversarial lines.

“Reclaim your weapons instantly!! Any individual who surrenders shall have their entire lineage eradicated!!!”

He directed the trajectory of his Ascending Heaven Sword toward the commanding officer who was compelling his subordinates to face execution.

Slash.

While Il-mok along with his attendants-amounting to a mere four individuals-shattered the forward line of the adversary.

Swooooosh.

The opposing force did not consist entirely of passive targets; a cascade of arrows commenced descending from above.

The display was preposterous.

The approaching zealots had not even traversed the threshold of effective missile distance, yet the opposing archers were already discharging comprehensive salvos.

Swooooosh.

In contrast to the structured, mathematically timed barrages characteristic of the Western Regional Command, the Qinghai projectiles traveled in a completely uncoordinated manner.

If the former resembled a calculated, cyclical torrent of lethality, the current display was akin to a scattered precipitation.

Naturally, such an output was entirely inadequate to disrupt the forward momentum of the Gansu vanguard, which had previously navigated the intense missile fire of the Western Regional Command.

“Move forward!!”

“The celestial emissary engages the foe alongside us!!”

“Waaaaah!!”

“P-please, grant me my life.”

The volume of capitulations swelled exponentially.

Pressing onward with countenances marked by absolute intensity, the fanatical adherents bypassed every individual who offered surrender, isolating exclusively those entities maintaining an active defensive posture, striking them down with their implements.

Positioned at the absolute vanguard were Il-mok and his personal attendants.

Having successfully perforated the forward lines to penetrate the absolute center of the opposing host, Il-mok chuckled once more.

“Complete idiots.”

Bizarrely, beneath the initial layers of the formation, individuals lacking even rudimentary protective garments commenced materializing.

Certain elements shivered visibly, gripping agricultural implements in place of standard military spears.

They had siphoned away resources vastly exceeding the requirements of a mere five thousand personnel, by all indications.

To conceal the massive logistical deficit from the inspection of the Western Regional Command and escape severe penalties, the leadership had forcibly integrated completely unequipped civilians, burying them deep within the general ranks to evade superficial observation.

“They truly indulged their appetites without restraint.”

Amidst the absolute chaos of the engagement zone, Il-mok could do nothing save shake his head in profound cynicism.