Castle of Black Iron

“It’s true that the cunning rebels of Heavens Reaching Church are seeking for death. However, if the greater part of the land in Yezhou Province which has been completely occupied by demons, Wuzhou Province, Zhuzhou Province and Yinzhou Province which are being attacked by demons are included, almost half of Peacewest Military Region have been occupied. Over 12 people of Taixia Country have been captured by demons in that territory.”

“Over 12 billion commoners?” Zhang Tie was startled by this figure. He knew that many people were in the region of the 3 provinces which were occupied by demons; however, he had not imagined about such a terrifying figure.

“This figure is on the premise that Taixia Country has tried its best to evacuate people from Wuzhou Province, Zhuzhou Province and Yinzhou Province over the past half a year. Of course, you’ve also made a contribution to it!” Zuoqiu Mingyue said as he looked at Zhang Tie with a favorable expression, “Although it’s a commercial means for major clans across Taixia Country to join in the team of evacuating people from the western theater of operations with the profit of Fiery Oil, it has a great effect. In many cases, by commanding people to do something with the concept of righteousness is not as effective as alluring people by profits. Although the royal court could also order major clans to do this, the major clans might not be as enthusiastic as they’re now!”

“I’m overpraised, commander-in-chief. I’ve just done what I could!” Zhang Tie didn’t feel proud at all; instead, he behaved in a very sincere way, “When I was in Waii Subcontinent, I’ve seen many people’s miserable lives in the region under the rule of demons. Most of the people would rather die. All of them were lingering on with their last breath of life. Many people deteriorated to the edible slaves of demons like domestic animals being bred in captivity. More people turned into lifeless walking dead. Therefore, I think it’s my compelling obligation to save my countrymen in my power!”

“What a compelling obligation! If everyone in Taixia Country could behave like you. Even though demons are powerful, our Hua people are destined to be the winner in the end!” Ye Qingcheng nodded as he said, “Do you know why demons allowed Heavens Reaching Church to establish a regime in the region which was occupied by them?”

“Won’t it be beneficial to both demons and Heavens Reaching Church through this cooperation?”

“Yes, it’s indeed beneficial to both parties. However, given demons’ temperaments, how could living people be better than walking deads like demonized puppets? Because they’re afraid of mutated moons miasma. Mutated moons miasma could break out among all the people in the 3 provinces after they are completely turned to demonized puppets. If so, demons’ line of attack would be blocked; demons’ plan on attacking Taixia Country would be completely disrupted. Even the main forces of demons would be involved. It’s nothing different than lifting a rock only to drop it on their own feet. At this moment, less than 20% of over 12 billion people in Taixia Country being captured by demons might still be living…” Ye Qingcheng said in a low voice.

‘Mutated moons miasma?’ Zhang Tie wondered whether the fact that Gorath was his incarnation had been known by Zuoqiu Mingyue and Ye Qingcheng. ‘As I could use mutated moons miasma, therefore, they called me here? That’s impossible. Who else except me knows that I’m Gorath?’

“Commander Ye, you mean…” Zhang Tie asked after being silent for a second.

“I was told that you got acquainted with Gorath.”

“I met him in Waii Subcontinent, but we’re not familiar with each other because we barely saw each other…” Zhang Tie said carefully.

“Taiyi Country has assigned professionals to collect samples of mutated moons miasma in Waii Subcontinent. The conclusion is that Gorath’s mutated moons miasma is the destroyer of demonized puppets, which also does great harm to LV 9 demon fighters. I believe that demons and Three-eye Association have carried out the same study and got the same conclusion. Therefore, after Waii Subcontinent was completely collapsed by demons; although all the subcontinents were covered with roaring battle flames, not a single demon disaster being involved with more than 100 million people have ever happened since then. Because of Gorath’s mutated moons miasma, parent puppet worm which is an effective weapon of mass destruction that demons prepare in this holy war is greatly restricted. Demons dare never turn people into demonized puppets on a large scale. It could be said that Gorath’s mutated moons miasma destroyed one trump card of demons. We’ve already received an intelligence. In order to kill Gorath and eliminate this threat, demons and Three-eye Association have already assigned some hunting groups composed of shadow knights to look for Gorath’s traces across the world. As long as they killed Gorath, the trump card of puppet worm would play its role once again. If you could contact Gorath, please notice him this intelligence and tell him that Taixia Country could provide protection for him at any time. If he wishes to serve Taixia Country, all of his conditions could be met by Taixia Country, including cultivation methods, resources, wealth, land, etc.. Taixia Country could even spare efforts to support him in the research of voodoo pills on the premise of sharing the study results with him…”

Zhang Tie understood it at once. ‘It turns out that my mutated moons miasma has posed a great threat to demons’ use of parent puppet worms. Therefore, demons and Three-eye Association want to kill “Gorath”. However, mutated moons miasma is Taixia Country’s magic key. If Taixia Country could take control of Gorath and mutated moons miasma, Taixia Country would be able to balance off the threat from demons’ parent puppet worms and ensure that demons and those b*stards of Heavens Reaching Church wouldn’t turn people into demonized puppets casually. Because “Gorath” has shown up at my rotating charka ceremony as if he got acquainted with me; therefore, the senior officials of Taixia Country thought about having me contact Gorath and take control of the trump card mutated moons miasma.’

At this moment, Zhang Tie felt lucky about his foresight by having Gorath appear in his rotating chakra ceremony so as to end up people’s doubt that he was Gorath. ‘In this world, nobody else would feel that I am Gorath; otherwise, as long as the fact that I own the body-changing bloodline was exposed, someone would doubt that I’m Gorath. Take this case as an instance, demons and Three-eye Association assigned some hunting teams composed of shadow knights to deal with Gorath. If I’ve not confirmed that I’m not Gorath, I’m afraid that such hunting teams would bring great trouble to my family members even if I don’t feel that such hunting teams could hurt me.’

“Although I have a history with Gorath, I have no remote-sensing device to contact him. If I saw him, I would definitely tell him about the message. However, I’m afraid that I could not see him in the theater of operations in a short period. When he appeared in my rotating chakra ceremony, he had expressed that he was going to leave Taixia Country. I’m not clear where he was going to, either.”

“Oh, I see. Just bear it in mind. As Gorath’s traces are too mysterious, Taixia Country couldn’t get any message about him even at our full efforts. I’m deeply convinced that demons and Three-eye Association couldn’t find him easily either…” Ye Qingcheng opened his mouth once again after being silent for a second, “There’s another thing about you!”

“About me?”

“Yes. From today on, your command and relationship of administrative subordination will be transferred to Xuanyuan Fortress from Blackwater Base. You will be responsible for me directly…” Zuoqiu Mingyue opened his mouth.

Zhang Tie was shocked for the 2nd time today. He had not imagined that Zuoqiu Mingyue could transfer him here from Blackwater Base. ‘What does he want to do?’

“As you were voluntary to become the scout of Blackwater Base at the beginning, you were very brave and could be a good model of all the knights from Northeast Military Region. Given your ability, I think that you could complete your task as a scout safely; therefore, I assigned you to Helan Mountain Region. However, the fact that you were ambushed by Gao Tianzhao reminded me and commander-in-chief that your ability and strength might not be limited to combat on the battlefield. If you’re just an earth knight only with great battle strength, demons and Heavens Reaching Church wouldn’t assign a shadow knight to kill you. We realize that we might have put fine timber to petty use…” Ye Qingcheng explained.

“Commander-in-chief, what do you want me to do then?’ Zhang Tie put it straightforwardly.

“I will use you because of the same reason that makes demons and Heavens Reaching Church being anxious about killing you!” Zuoqiu Mingyue watched Zhang Tie calmly as he added, “The war between Taixia Country and demons is destined to last long. Demons couldn’t devour Taixia Country at once. Taixia Country couldn’t drive all the demons out of Eastern Continent either; especially after Heavens Reaching Empire is founded, the entire Western Theater of Operations will confront with demons and Heavens Reaching Empire for a long term. In the future, Helan Mountain Range and Weishui River will be a barrier that demons could barely break through in a short period. There’s one position in the theater of operations that is most suitable for you. Therefore, I transferred you here from Commander Ye’s Blackwater Base!”

“It’s Fiery Oil!” Zhang Tie understood it at once.

“Fiery Oil and grains!” Zuoqiu Mingyue replied with a smile, “Given the current situation facing Fire-Dragon Bounty Territory, we’ve known that you must have a good plan in your heart. You’re qualified as Qianji Hermit. If the rear end of Western Theater of Operations could be as same as Fiery-Dragon Bounty Territory, Taixia’s defense line in Helan Mountain Range and Weishui River would be safer. By then, it would cost demons more to break through it. I wonder whether you wish to leave the battlefield?”

After being silent for a second, Zhang Tie replied in a low voice, “It’s fine for me as long as I could serve Taixia Country in the holy war!”

“Great!” Zuoqiu Mingyue then clapped his hands before saying, “From today on, I will entrust you as the assistant of commander-in-chief and Weiji General of Xuanyuan Fortress. You will be responsible for the affairs of grains and weapons of the troops in Huanzhou Province, Kangzhou Province, Ningzhou Province and Bingzhou Province. Class III. You have the right to make an arbitrary decision…”

Zhang Tie was stunned by Zuoqiu Mingyue’s words. As the assistant and secretary of Zuoqiu Mingyue, he could contact Zuoqiu Mingyue at any time. Weiji General was responsible for logistics and supplies in troops, which was equal to the minister of logistics and weapons department…

“Yes, sir…” Zhang Tie stood up and replied solemnly only after being dumbfounded for a few seconds…