The commotion in Linghe City could not be kept secret from various sects in the martial arts world, and the imperial court was also eager to make a move.
However, the most restless were the common people, who had long been tormented by life. They had endured a life of darkness and despair for so long, and now they finally saw a glimmer of hope. Those with any means set off for Linghe City, hoping to join the rebellion. Those who could not leave only hoped that Linghe City would rise up as soon as possible, overthrow the current imperial rule, and eliminate the cult.
When Shan Jiangchuan of Shenyang Sect and Zhuge Chun of Wuxiang Villa learned that Ouyang Zhen had been defeated by Song Xia, they were both stunned. When they learned that Shangguan Jin of Wuhua Tower and Wu Ying of Sifang Sect supported Song Xia as the leader of the martial arts alliance, they felt an emptiness as if the peach had been picked by someone else, even though they knew beforehand that they could not pick the peach themselves.
However, the thought that it wasn't that hypocrite Ouyang Zhen who ruled the martial arts world made it less painful. But no matter how powerful Song Xia was, she was still just a woman. Did she really have that kind of ability?
But when they learned that countless scions of noble families had also gone to Linghe City to seek refuge with her, the two realized that perhaps Song Xia had been laying out a grand scheme for a long time, one that was far more profound than any of them had ever imagined.
"What exactly is it about her that attracts so many powerful families here? Even Wuhua Tower is providing her with all its financial support."
"That's Wuhua Tower! Everyone who wants to do business with it is turned away, and even the imperial court ignores it. Rumor has it that its wealth is comparable to the national treasury."
"I estimate that even the legendary treasury of the former regent is not as large as that of Wuhua Tower. But how could he be willing to be used by a mere woman?"
"No matter what, it seems I have to make a trip to Linghe City."
The news was deliberately released by Song Xia. After years of preparation, it was time to strike. The more martial arts figures who came, the easier it would be to deal with the cult.
The cult members are insignificant; what's difficult to deal with is the cult leader, whose martial arts skills are unfathomable, who has the ability to incite people, and who is adept at using poison. But all of this is meaningless in the face of absolute power. No matter how strong one's martial arts are, they are still afraid of firearms.
She remembered that in her past life, cults used a divide-and-conquer strategy, gaining access to the secrets of various sects or coercing elders or managers to become their inside agents, which caused great damage to the sects.
Although the various sects have not yet united as one, they have all headed to Linghe City. If the evil cult wants to break through them one by one, they will have to think twice about their abilities.
At this moment, Chen Xuanling, who was following Ouyang Feng, was already restless. She had learned from Ouyang Feng that his master's wife was very capable, but she did not know that she was so capable that she could not only defeat Ouyang Zhen, but also had the ambition to ascend to the throne.
“Ouyang Feng, although the court is full of treacherous officials, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for your master’s wife to make such a big show of things? Once war breaks out, it will plunge the people into misery. Moreover, no matter what, the court still has 100,000 troops and terrifying firearms. Isn’t your master’s wife just sending martial arts practitioners and scions of noble families to their deaths by doing this?”
Ouyang Feng poked at the fire in front of him and simply asked in return, "My master's wife has her own methods. The heroes of the martial arts world and the scions of noble families must have weighed their options before coming to her. As for the suffering of the people you mentioned, they will never be in a worse situation than they are now."
Knowing this, Chen Xuanling was even more anxious. Before, their Holy Sect couldn't get any information at all. Now that the other party had taken the initiative to release it, they must have made full preparations. Otherwise, why would those arrogant young masters from noble families all go there?
You should know that their Holy Church had tried to win them over before, but those stubborn fools refused to compromise even if it meant death. Now they've actually taken the initiative to join!
She's really good at keeping her composure! What exactly is Ouyang Feng's master's wife's trump card that attracts so many talented people to follow her?
Chen Xuanling asked casually, "Everyone is heading to Linghe City now, aren't you going back?"
"Of course I'm going back. What about you? Aren't you going home? As the daughter of a general, once war breaks out, we'll be enemies."
Facing Ouyang Feng's gaze, Chen Xuanling smiled evasively: "I'm not a government official. I can't interfere in my father's affairs. Can I go with you to Linghe City to broaden my horizons?"
Ouyang Feng sighed inwardly. If Chen Xuanling had left now, he might have thought more highly of her. But even now, she still harbored the intention to use him. In that case, once they returned to Linghe City, he shouldn't blame her for being used in return. Perhaps the two of them were destined not to be friends.
"Ouyang Feng, when do you plan to set off?"
"tomorrow."
That night, Ouyang Feng overheard Chen Xuanling communicating with members of the cult using coded language. He pretended not to know and returned home the next day with an unsettling expression.
At this time, Linghe City was undergoing a test due to the particularly complex flow of people coming and going. However, the military might that was inadvertently revealed also seriously shocked these people.
Dan Jiangchuan and Zhuge Chun looked at Song Xia with complicated expressions, and then felt even more contempt for Ouyang Zhen. Their wives were so capable, yet Ouyang Zhen hadn't noticed at all. Cultivating so many talents was definitely not something that could be done overnight. It was laughable that Ouyang Zhen only cared about the position of martial arts alliance leader, but didn't know that his family had long had the ability to contend for the imperial court.
Ouyang Zhen spent his whole life striving and scheming, but in the end he gained nothing!
For some reason, I felt a sense of relief. Although I was no match for him, there was still the even more stupid Ouyang Zhen to set me off!
They never knew that as martial artists, they could do such a thing. Even a woman like Song Xia could do it. Why couldn't they do it before?
Ultimately, it's because they lacked foresight, which also proves that their personal charisma is inferior to others. Otherwise, why wouldn't any scions of prominent families be willing to work for them?
Moreover, they had never thought that they could increase food production through research and search for new species in other places. No wonder so many people came to join them, and no wonder everyone joined the army without hesitation.
In Linghe City, you can even see men and women working together. Although people in the martial arts world are usually unconventional, it is rare to see women holding important positions and sitting at the same table discussing politics like in Linghe City. Moreover, the female soldiers are all heroic and valiant, much more powerful than the imperial army they had seen before.
Who says women are inferior to men? Perhaps in the future they may even witness the birth of an empress!
Dan Jiangchuan and Zhuge Chun were both quite excited. Although it was a bit unpleasant to say that Song Xia's status was lower than that of a mere woman, she was from their martial arts background! This was a source of pride for them, the martial arts community!
The two exchanged a glance. This was a golden opportunity. If they joined, they would surely become famous and renowned if they succeeded. Conversely, if they didn't join, they would be questioned about their sincerity in fighting the cult. It seemed they had no choice.
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