In terms of strength, he wasn’t afraid of anyone, but the enemy had too many people, even more than the Bright Mirror Sect people who rule this place. Reporting this crazy chaos to the higher-ups was useless because their reply was always the same: ’Ensure stability, transport supplies back to the Sect.’
He asked for help, for assistance, but could only get any help other than actual support.
Crying to the heavens brought no response, begging the earth brought no help, the City Lord thought he could only let these mysterious forces — not even counting the Heavenly Demons — manipulate things, ending up with a reputation for incompetence, either being sent back to the Sect for seclusion or even assassinated in the dark.
But just now, everything changed.
For some reason, the usually silent and cold Red Tower City suddenly erupted in noise.
With whistles and bells sounding, or inexplicable horns and chimes, the seemingly peaceful residential areas, commercial streets, barracks, and other Earth Pulse Node locations suddenly filled with a large number of Martial Artists.
These Martial Artists, with unknown origins, not registered, and unknown to him, the City Lord, were now boldly lining up and assembling. They then transformed into a torrential tide, rushing mightily towards the wilderness and forests outside the city.
"What, what’s happening?!"
The Red Tower City Lord stood atop the tower, staring wide-eyed and dumbfounded at the commotion in the city below. The magnificent columns of Martial Artists churned, sweeping towards the distance with unstoppable momentum. Their formations trampled the earth, shaking the ground, causing the clouds in the sky to dance along, casting down lightning and torrential rain, illuminating the thick, lofty cloud peaks.
How could he have imagined that within his small city, there could be over a dozen Martial Meridians and hundreds of disciplined, well-organized elite Martial Artist squads?
No, where did this group come from? Was Red Tower City really part of the Bright Mirror Sect or just a street-side toilet where everyone could come in and take a leak?
But no matter how much the Red Tower City Lord doubted his own capabilities, the fact remained as it was.
The various forces that once entrenched themselves in the city, vying against each other, were now all mobilizing due to the action, the decision of one person.
Like sharks that had caught the scent of blood.
Or like dancers, twirling gracefully to the baton’s command.
In the woods, slowly heading towards a mountaintop, An Jing suddenly felt a warmth in the mirror he carried.
As the light flashed, the mirror flew out, followed by Chenyinzi’s astonished voice: [An Jing! What are you doing? Why would you expose yourself?]
"Grandmaster, don’t worry yet."
An Jing had long known his strategy would shock all quarters, and that the Grandmaster would surely be surprised by his tactics. Thus, he confidently said, "With the current chaos in the Sect, you’re certainly aware. There are spies lurking everywhere, even hidden dragons and crouching tigers within the Sect. If we don’t make a move, it will only paralyze us."
"In the current situation, the fear is that these people can stay hidden and won’t come out. But now, the disciple has employed a little trick to provoke all of them at once, changing from a situation where the enemy is hidden and I am exposed, to one where both sides are in the open. It’s naturally not that difficult to deal with them now!"
[You sure have the nerve to say that.]
Chenyinzi was at a splitting headache at this moment. Although his disciple Guangchen indeed was a bit troublesome, wasn’t his granddisciple a bit too much so?
He said in a deep voice: [You still haven’t realized your own identity! You are the future of our Bright Mirror Sect, a True Transmission to be nurtured, your life is more valuable than anything else — do not make reckless decisions, this will only lead to missing the big picture for small gains!]
[You are the big picture! Understand? The big picture!]
The Grandmaster was obviously a bit flustered, but An Jing was unconcerned: "How can one capture tiger cubs without entering the tiger’s lair? I definitely won’t have any problems. If there were to be problems, there’s no hiding from them; better to just flip the table and stop everyone from playing secret schemes and stratagems."
"Now, at least four powers must act against me. Do you think they will work together to besiege me, or do you think they will end up fighting amongst themselves before finding me, thus saving a lot of effort for me and the Sect?"
It was logical, but such a thought was too shocking, too daring. Chenyinzi found himself lost for words for a moment, while An Jing smiled and changed the topic: "Let’s not talk about this for now. Grandmaster, I’ve got some information from a tongue — our Bright Mirror Sect has something important in Red Tower City, right? It’s being watched."
"Besides, there’s also trouble from the Netherworld side that needs attention."
Saying so, An Jing curiously asked: "What exactly is that important thing that has so many scouts so interested?"
[This, I actually don’t quite understand.]
Chenyinzi took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions, and spoke earnestly: [To say it’s important, it indeed is, but it shouldn’t attract so much attention.]
[Because, what’s in Red Tower City is the huge Great Void ore secretly obtained from the Heavenly Sea side, specifically for building the large Great Void Altar to establish contact with your mentor!]