Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1577 - 495: Yangqu Council, Resistance and Alliance Hierarch’s Proclamation (Part 2)

In Xia City, my Yangqu Military Department had initially placed over two hundred Hidden Guards, but in the past two years, more than 150 were captured, over 50 defected, and only 7 can still reliably send back information. Even now, we can’t be sure if these 7 have been turned.

Look at Great Xia’s actions over the past two years, leveraging the Alliance Hierarch role to infiltrate the Five Towns. Take my Yangqu as an example: openly, there’s the Treasure Tower and Hunting Teams holding the Alliance Hunting Orders, which allows them to freely access our entire territory. In secret, Great Xia’s spies planted in Yangqu Town I fear number well beyond 200, and if the whole territory is counted, it’s simply endless.

Meanwhile, we’ve caught less than 20.

As for those who’ve defected, not even one.

Such an astounding contrast, does it not reveal the issue?"

Seeing everyone in the hall fall silent, Yan Yuchun didn’t rush to speak further, giving them time to digest the information.

After a moment, he continued: "In recent years, the fusion of the Nine Towns of the South Slope has deepened. The situation with Great Xia—not just in my Yangqu, but the remaining four towns in the north—everyone probably has an idea.

Just Great Xia alone has 30 elite Numbered Armies, the Cloud Jiao and the Long Wu, two Eighth-level Legions with 10,000 troops in total, and an additional 28 Ninth Level Armies making up 56,000 troops. That totals 66,000 fully trained soldiers, all with a strength of beyond six tufts; the Northern Five Towns combined couldn’t muster that even if they tried;

Besides these thirty named elites, Great Xia also has Defensive Army forces stationed everywhere, which are even greater in number. According to my Military Department’s rough estimate, at least exceeding 100,000..."

66,000 elite Numbered Armies, more than 100,000 Defensive Army forces!

Hearing these figures, everyone in the hall turned pale.

Since the establishment of the South Slope Alliance at Chui Mountain by Great Xia the year before last, the standard of the Nine Towns Territory’s Defensive Army has already changed, no longer comprised mainly of soldiers at the Earth-digging Realm Limit cultivation, but rather those at the Cold Resistance Level.

So, the number Yan Yuchun mentioned represents Great Xia’s military force conservatively exceeding 170,000.

Keep in mind, this is just manpower, not Cold Resistance Level!

The harsh environment of the Ice Abyss ensures that every camp retains some Cold Resistance Level soldiers specifically for hunting and gathering, so Great Xia’s Cold Resistance Level number is bound to increase by 30 to 40%.

A conservative estimate of 30 to 40% puts it at over 220,000.

Yan Yuchun ignored the dim expressions of others and continued to speak:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have yet to factor in the Cold Resistance Level forces from Muyin, Jiangxia, and Chui Mountain. Once this is considered, imagine to what extent Great Xia’s overall strength would rise!"

Now the expressions of everyone in the hall weren’t just bleak but edged toward despair.

The North’s Three Towns investing in Great Xia is no longer a secret among the Northern Five Towns, and anyone in the core knows this by heart.

Counting these three towns, Great Xia’s Cold Resistance Level numbers should be above 300,000.

"Yan Yuchun, are you suggesting Great Xia’s unification of the Southern Slope is a foregone conclusion, and that we should accept reality, swear allegiance to Xia Hong, and offer Yangqu’s century-old foundation to Great Xia on a platter?"

Finally, someone spoke amid the atmosphere of despair in the hall.

The speaker was Cao Yuankang, son of Lord Cao Qianyang, who just broke through to the Xianyang Level this June.

Cao Yuankang’s tone was not only somber, but the scrutinizing look he gave Yan Yuchun was laden with implied accusations.

Yan Yuchun’s expression remained unchanged. He first bowed to him before nodding in response: "Though unwilling to admit, I believe this is the reality. The Five Towns have no chance of recovery..."

"Nonsense!"

Cao Yuankang interrupted angrily, then sharply rebuked: "The century-old foundation of Yangqu cannot be surrendered!

I won’t deny that Yangqu alone cannot contend with Great Xia, but what about the Northern Five Towns?

The combined battle-ready forces of Yangqu and Dragon Valley can reach a maximum of 40,000. The Northern Three Towns are stronger; their combined forces should be no less than 150,000, equating to a 200,000-strong army. We are only 100,000 less than Great Xia, so why should we fear battle?

Formations on the battlefield and single combat are different; even Earth-digging Realm Limit cultivators can take to the field. Although the Northern Five Towns don’t match Great Xia in Cold Resistance Level numbers, our overall population base far surpasses theirs. In mere Earth Digging numbers, we undoubtedly outnumber Great Xia.

Moreover, Chen Cang and Cai Qiu, the two vassal towns, will not sit idly by as Great Xia unites the Southern Slope. With their support, what have we to fear?

Would Great Xia dare face enormous condemnation and defy the two vassal towns?"

Cao Yuankang’s words immediately lifted the spirits of those despairing in the hall, their eyes suddenly brightening as they nodded firmly.

"The Town Chief is right; as long as the Northern Five Towns unite, we can withstand Great Xia’s advance. How can we offer Yangqu’s century foundations to others?"

"The structure of the Nine Towns of the South Slope has endured for over a century. Why should it change just because Great Xia arrives? The Five Towns must unite to resist Great Xia."

"Great Xia has only ventured eastward for a little over four years, yet they have already annexed Muyin, Jiangxia, and Chui Mountain. Over the last two years, they have continually oppressed the Five Towns under the guise of the alliance, arousing dissatisfaction from both Chen Cang and Cai Qiu. If they dare to recklessly mobilize their forces, the two vassals certainly won’t stand by idly."

"My lord, I was born a Yangquite and will die a Yangquite. No matter how powerful Great Xia is, I will never wag my tail and beg for mercy. If they send troops to Pingkang and Tie Ling, we will send our armies to the border for defense."