Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 451: 220, so fast? _3

Of course, it cannot be excluded that the Rakshasa Demon Sect may have such trump cards, but even if they do, they would not likely deploy them in the Battle of Hedong. After all, such powerful troops would only be used as a last resort.

"With five hundred thousand Silver Armored Army plus two hundred thousand Jinjia Army, our Holy Sect commands an army of seven hundred thousand strong, capable of resisting the Demon Sect's eight hundred and thirty thousand. There shouldn't be much problem there. The current difficulty lies with Great Jin. Marquis Qingyang is also in Long Guan County. Should he intend to split his forces with the Demon Sect and attack Xuzhou from other positions, that would be problematic. After all, the Silver Armor forces from the Junkang and Lingyuan jurisdictions have been partially drawn by me. If we were to resist Great Jin alone, I fear we might be insufficient..."

As Gu Tianyun spoke towards the end, his gaze lingered obviously on Zou Ziqu and the two Mages, Wu Xing and Wu Yan, and many present immediately grasped his implication.

It turns out that all the talk about how powerful Great Jin is was all leading up to this moment...

Yet upon reflection, both Bailu Academy and Leiyin Temple openly support Wanjian Holy Sect; they've also claimed they would send large forces to assist. Now that battle looms, both claim their people have arrived, yet not a single person is to be seen.

It wasn't just Gu Tianyun; even Ren Tianxing, Yue Changhai, and many others who knew a bit about the situation looked at the three people and couldn't help but show a hint of skepticism.

"My Bailu Academy's one hundred thousand Zhengyang Army has already arrived at Jiuchi County previously. By my command, they are stationed there without moving. Should the Demon Sect's forces show any unusual activity, I will immediately notify them to rush to your aid!"

"The Earthshade Monastic Soldiers of Leiyin Temple, numbering one hundred thousand, also arrived at Zhaokang County before long. Just like Bailu Academy, as soon as the Brahman World Purifying Army of the Demon Sect makes a move, I can assure you that we will assist immediately. Please rest assured, Sword Leader Gu. If Leiyin Temple plans to send troops to aid Xuzhou, we will not go back on our word!"

Zhengyang Army, Earthshade Monastic Soldiers

As soon as Zou Ziqu and Master Wuxing spoke, a sound of surprise burst forth from the crowd below, revealing their shock. Like the Brahman World Purifying Army and the Jinjia Army, these two forces were the elite troops of Bailu Academy and Leiyin Temple, respectively. Deploying these two armies was a sufficient demonstration of their genuine support for Xuzhou.

However, even though Gu Tianyun's expression did not change upon hearing their statements, a distinct shadow of doubt flashed in his eyes.

What does it mean that the Zhengyang Army will immediately assist if there's any unusual movement of the Demon Sect's forces? Leiyin Temple went even further, explicitly stating that unless the Brahman World Purifying Army moves, the Earthshade Monastic Soldiers will not...

Their meaning was clear: control over the two hundred thousand troops was to remain with their two sects for their own command and leadership, independent of Gu Tianyun's authority as the Commander of the Battle of Hedong.

Of course, Gu Tianyun wasn't the only one to deduce this. Lian Ningxue, Zhang Yuning, Moxuzi, and others also let their expressions flicker for a moment, revealing thoughtful looks, clearly understanding the implication behind the words of Zou Ziqu and the two Mages.

In the face of imminent battle, if the armies operated independently, it would lead to disorganized command, a grave taboo on the battlefield. Gu Tianyun did not believe they were unaware of this principle. He opened his mouth to say something, but seeing their composed demeanor, he immediately knew that anything he said would be futile.

Were problems already starting before the battle had even begun...

Gu Tianyun felt a surge of restlessness, just about to speak when a somewhat panicked voice from outside suddenly filled him with a sense of relief.

"Reporting to the Sword Chief, the military of Yu Yang County reports that this morning, twenty thousand of the Demon Sect's Brahman World Purifying Army appeared out of nowhere and began besieging Yu Yang County. With less than twenty thousand defenders, they have sent a distress signal to Ling Dong County for reinforcements. Sword Envoy Fan Guangwen sends an urgent request for troops, asking the Sword Chief for rapid support!"

The messenger, a Grandmaster himself, appeared flustered and was clearly bloodstained, indicating that his escape from Yu Yang County had been anything but easy.

This revelation, like a stone causing ripples across a pond, immediately stirred a wave of shock within the main hall of the Sword Control Bureau.

"So soon?"

"They've already deployed the Brahman World Purifying Army, how could this be?"

"Wasn't it only today that they finished crossing the river, and now they're starting to attack?"

"The Demon Sect's actions, aren't they too fast?"

...

While most were shocked at the speed of the Demon Sect's attack, Lian Ningxue, Zhang Yuning, Moxuzi, Zou Ziqu, Wu Xing, Wu Yan, and Gu Tianyun, along with a few more astute individuals, were concerned with a different issue.

"Yu Yang County is under attack?"

"Nothing happened in Ling Dong and Jinxing, so how did the Brahman World Purifying Army get to Yu Yang County?"

...

Gu Tianyun and the others exchanged glances, their faces etched with bewilderment and doubt.