When she opened her eyes again, Lu Zhaozhao was already back in her tent, wearing a snow-white cloak that still carried the crisp scent of pine needles.
Lu Zhaozhao hugged her cloak, lost in thought. Last night, after seeing Wen Sheng, she wanted to continue upwards, but for some reason she suddenly lost consciousness. Now that she thought about it, Wen Sheng must have done something to her.
She recalled those eyes from last night, so captivating. Logically, as a disciple of Qinghui, her resistance to illusions should be quite strong. For example, Nan Rongrui's illusions would be weakened when used on her. But Wen Sheng was different. Perhaps he wasn't using illusions but something else entirely. As a result, he succeeded.
“So, he knows I’m not a demon, and he might even know I’m not from here.” Lu Zhaozhao murmured to herself, recalling Wen Sheng’s words before she lost consciousness: “Go back to where you used to be.”
As for how far he had come to understand, Lu Zhaozhao couldn't guess.
"Damn it, my secret is gone just like that!" Lu Zhaozhao was furious. Looking at the cloak in front of her, she was so angry that she punched it hard.
Outside the tent, Nan Rongrui's voice rang out: "Stop dawdling, come out quickly, it's time to assemble."
Lu Zhaozhao immediately got up, hid the cloak, and then left the tent.
The demon army settled here, and from a distance, it was filled with demons, while at the forefront of the battle line were the snow-capped mountains of the northern region.
"The Zen sect has cultivated diligently in the Northern Regions for generations, and they are accustomed to this terrain and climate. But we are different. Due to this, our techniques will be limited, and our spiritual energy circulation will be slower," the temple guardian explained from the front, pointing to the endless snow-capped mountains. He said coldly, "They will suddenly appear from behind those mountains, catching us off guard. Therefore, we must be vigilant day and night. Do you understand?"
"Understood," came the reply from below.
"Your Majesty the Demon King has been here for some time. Is there anything you wish to instruct me to do?" The palace guard bowed to Wen Sheng beside him and asked.
Snowflakes landed on Wen Sheng's nose, melting instantly and turning the tip red, which stood out against her fair cheeks.
He wore the same dark robe as last night, his gaze sweeping over everyone below, and said calmly, "If it's just a sneak attack, that's fine. But if they come to kill us openly in broad daylight, that means the cruelest time has come."
After saying that, he slammed the token into the palace guard's arms and said, "Deploying troops is not my forte. Now that you've arrived, I'm entrusting this important task to you. Use me as a henchman to your heart's content."
After saying that, he left.
The palace guard shook his head helplessly, seemingly used to his rudeness, and picked up the token to skillfully command it.
The Palace Guardian was a master of military strategy and commanded his troops with ease. According to the demon soldiers who had previously been stationed there, before his arrival, they were able to hold the line because of the Demon King's formidable strength, capable of fighting against a hundred enemies single-handedly. However, after the Palace Guardian arrived, all the soldiers became much more composed, and defending against the enemy became much easier.
What intrigued Lu Zhaozhao was that the military tactics used by this palace guard seemed to be similar to those of the human race. Was this also taught by that demon lord?
Days passed by, and the war in the north was peaceful. Apart from the occasional confrontation with the northern invaders, the rest of the time was quite leisurely.
Having been in the Northern Region for more than half a year, today it was Lu Zhaozhao's turn to be on duty. She climbed onto the command platform and looked down at the vast and boundless ice plains, where everything was desolate.
Accompanying her was Cheng Sangjie, who was standing beside her, gazing quietly into the distance.
"I've heard that the war is fierce in the east, and the human race seems to be launching a counterattack. I suppose it won't be long before we set off," Lu Zhaozhao said softly, looking at the snow-capped mountain peak, still clinging to the mountaintop in her heart.
Six months ago, she met Wen Sheng on her way up the mountain and then lost consciousness. The next day, Wen Sheng sealed off the snow mountain and ordered everyone not to set foot there, and her plan was put on hold.
Now, with the war in the east becoming increasingly urgent, according to historical records, the collapse of the western border seems imminent.
This war dragged on for nearly a century, but it ended abruptly less than two years after it truly broke out on a large scale.
But to her surprise, Cheng Sangji beside her sneered, and Lu Zhaozhao looked at him curiously.
He said, "We cannot return before this battle is over."
"Why?"
"Haven't you noticed? Troops from the north are being transferred to the eastern front from time to time. Even the Demon King left a month ago. All that's left here are us so-called guards and palace guards."
“Since the palace guards are all staying here, doesn’t that prove that this place is quite important?” Lu Zhaozhao clearly still didn’t understand his words.
Cheng Sangji shook his head, his tone filled with helplessness, and said, "When the Demon Lord goes on an expedition, he must rely on the power of the eight clans. However, the eight clans have been at odds with him for a long time, so how could he be completely at ease? Therefore, he used the pretext of a personal guard competition to make the eight clans think that he wanted to reduce their power, so he sent their juniors to the area. Then he brought us to this place isolated from the outside world, where the Palace Guard personally supervises us."
Lu Zhaozhao frowned and said incredulously, "You mean, you were used by the Demon Lord to control the eight clans, and we are all just hostages."
"You could say that," Cheng Sangji said calmly.
"So, your plan has fallen through?"
“No, there is another way.” Cheng Sangji smiled, looking at the extremely dangerous situation. He spoke softly, uttering extremely terrifying words, “They can use us all as pawns, and still turn the tables on the Demon Lord.”
Lu Zhaozhao frowned, took a step back, and distanced herself from him.
Cheng Sangji was always a gentleman in public. Even in the face of the fiercest battle, he would not show any extra expression. He was always calm and composed, so much so that Lu Zhaozhao forgot that he came from the Eight Clans and was the most cunning person among the younger generation of the Western Territory.
Today, he seems to have revealed the fangs hidden beneath the sheepskin, unveiling a corner of the terrifying face buried deep within.
Cheng Sangji noticed Lu Zhaozhao's actions and asked softly, just like before, "Are you afraid of me?"
Lu Zhaozhao shook her head. She wasn't afraid of Cheng Sangji; she just felt that Cheng Sangji was unusually unfamiliar at the moment, and a terrifying aura emanated from him.
Seeing that she shook her head, but her movements remained wary, Cheng Sangji didn't take it to heart. He simply turned his head and continued to look into the distance, a smile playing on his lips, and said, "Do you still have the beaded necklace I gave you?"
Lu Zhaozhao subconsciously touched the beaded necklace on her wrist. It was given to her by Cheng Sangji after she was taken to see Commander Cheng Sang. After leaving Ming Palace City, Lu Zhaozhao wanted to return it, but Cheng Sangji stopped her.
She remembered that day when Cheng Sangji looked at her and said, "Keep it in your hands; it will be useful in the future."
Perhaps Cheng Sangji's hidden face had briefly appeared that day, but she hadn't noticed it.
Cheng Sangji didn't look at her, as if he was very confident that she would keep it, and continued, "I know you have a relationship with the Demon King, but I can pretend I don't know anything. As long as you keep that beaded necklace, you will be safe and sound."
"What...no, what are you all going to do?" Lu Zhaozhao asked breathlessly, her voice trembling slightly.
Cheng Sangji turned and walked towards her, his tall figure casting a huge shadow that completely enveloped Lu Zhaozhao's body.
He still wore that formulaic smile, reached out and supported Lu Zhaozhao's trembling shoulders, whispering sweet nothings in her ear.
"The Western Frontier is about to change."
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