King of Creation Chapter 1783 - 1768: The Unorthodox Maneuver

"What is happening? Are you all at leisure? At this crucial juncture, why are you all convened here? Have you already detected the invading Demon Clan army?"

In this moment of urgency, Ye Zhen observed that all his trusted subordinates were gathered within the North Sea County government office, with not a single soul on duty, a sight that incited his anger.

To Ye Zhen’s astonishment, his displeased snort appeared to have minimal impact, instead causing Liu Feng, Gu Tieqi, Tang Biao, and the others to seem even more bewildered and peculiar.

Even more bizarrely, none of them offered a response to Ye Zhen.

"What is amiss? Have you all been bewitched or rendered speechless? Are you choosing not to speak?" Ye Zhen amplified his voice by eightfold.

This indignant outcry finally elicited some semblance of reaction from the assembled trusted aides, yet the majority remained in silence. Only Gu Tieqi seemed on the verge of speaking, only to halt himself.

"Tieqi, what precisely is transpiring? Speak!" Ye Zhen inquired directly.

Upon hearing this, Gu Tieqi let out a wry smile. "Sir, most of us were diligently tracking the movements of the invading Demon Clan army. However, a Special Envoy dispatched by the Grand Celestial Official commanded our immediate return, leaving us no choice but to comply."

With Gu Tieqi’s explanation provided, all eyes turned towards a corner of the hall.

It was only then that Ye Zhen noticed a middle-aged martial artist, clad in the uniform of the Heavenly Patrol Department, his expression stern, seated in the hall’s corner.

"The Special Envoy of the Grand Celestial Official? Is there not still a full day remaining before the expiration of the Grand Celestial Official’s three-day military directive? May I inquire about the envoy’s purpose here?"

Ye Zhen felt certain that the root of this peculiar situation lay with this very Special Envoy.

The envoy appeared somewhat taken aback by Ye Zhen’s sudden presence.

After a few moments of contemplation, the envoy slowly rose. "Under the directive of the Grand Celestial Official, I serve as a Command Messenger. My purpose is to convey the Grand Celestial Official’s intentions to the various officials serving under the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy."

Having delivered this statement, the Command Messenger's gaze, previously cold, suddenly swept across the gathered trusted aides. "I have meticulously outlined the situation and its implications to each of you. You still possess one day to fulfill these obligations. I trust you will not bring misfortune upon yourselves."

"Farewell!"

These final words were directed at Ye Zhen. Having spoken them, he strode purposefully out of the doorway and ascended into the heavens in an instant.

This unfolding scenario grew increasingly perplexing and unsettling.

What precisely were these matters and stakes that had been mentioned?

"What exactly is going on here? What does this Command Messenger require of you that has you all looking so perplexed? Gu Tieqi, explain to me what is happening."

Pressed by Ye Zhen’s insistent questioning, Gu Tieqi's expression grew serious, followed by a bitter chuckle. "Sir, surely you are aware?"

"Aware of what?" Ye Zhen responded, utterly bewildered.

"This Command Messenger has instructed us to… draft a formal commission, stipulating that from a few days prior to your seclusion for Cultivation breakthrough, all responsibilities pertaining to the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy have been entirely transferred to our charge. Furthermore, he requires the County Captain, the County Governor, and several Military Commanders to serve as witnesses…"

"Preposterous!"

Ye Zhen’s face flushed with indignation.

In that very instant, Ye Zhen grasped the reason behind his trusted aides’ conspicuously strange demeanors.

Even those among them whose Divine Souls were under his command displayed an extreme sense of unease.

It stemmed from the belief that Ye Zhen had betrayed them, sacrificing them for his own safety and leaving them as scapegoats or decoys.

This was the source of the peculiar atmosphere that had permeated the hall.

Ye Zhen surmised that this must be the machination of Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu.

"Do you truly believe I am that kind of person?"

"Or do you suspect my recent silence over these past few days was a calculated attempt to evade my duties?"

"Had I truly intended to abandon you all, I would not be standing here in North Sea County at this very moment."

"Open your eyes and witness—I have been in seclusion, striving to advance my Cultivation!" Amidst his impassioned declaration, Ye Zhen abruptly unleashed the formidable aura of his cultivation at the First Stage, Early Phase of the Dark Palace Realm.

"Sir, you have achieved a breakthrough?" Gu Tieqi exclaimed, his initial shock giving way to joy.

Liu Feng was equally astonished. "Sir, you have advanced so swiftly?"

Nevertheless, a residual sense of apprehension lingered on the faces of some.

Wu Yu’s calculated stratagem had sown seeds of doubt not only within the ranks of the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy Office but also among the civil and military officials of North Sea County, exposing the precarious nature of their allegiances, much like the precariousness of lips and teeth. [paragraph break]

No one desired a leader who would readily sacrifice the lives of his subordinates, casting them as scapegoats at a moment’s notice.

"I comprehend your sentiments and apprehensions at this precise moment!" Observing the palpable distrust and caution reflected in the eyes of many officials, Ye Zhen felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

"Betrayal, no matter the source, cuts deep. However, I, Ye Zhen, swear I will never cast you aside as scapegoats, nor will I flee while leaving you to face the consequences."

"Regarding this entire affair, whatever the final judgment, I, Ye Zhen, shall shoulder all responsibility!" Ye Zhen declared with profound solemnity.

Upon hearing these words, Gu Tieqi, Liu Feng, and the others visibly stirred with shame. Meanwhile, figures like Governor Qiao Fu, County Captain Tang Biao, along with several Military Commanders such as Niu Er and Feng Jiumo, displayed evident emotions of being deeply touched.

It was apparent that Ye Zhen’s final statement had caught them completely by surprise.

"Very well, grand declarations are of little use at this juncture. Should we truly reach that critical point, you will see my words held true. But for now, that moment has not arrived; our immediate focus must remain on survival."

"Now, present all the intelligence you have gathered for me," Ye Zhen commanded.

"My Lord, we have gravely misjudged you. Your very presence here confirms you are not the sort of man to abandon his subordinates," Liu Feng confessed, his face etched with shame.

"Ah, I had inquired with the Command Messenger if this was your intention, and he offered no direct reply. It seems my suspicions were indeed accurate," Gu Tieqi chuckled, a hint of relief in his voice.

"Your subordinates are deeply ashamed, My Lord!"

"We offer our sincerest apologies, My Lord!"

......

In that moment, a wave of apologies washed over Ye Zhen from everyone present, acknowledging their prior misunderstanding.

After all, none amongst them were simpletons. As Liu Feng had pointed out, Ye Zhen's timely appearance before the deadline for the military order rendered any plan to sacrifice the carriage for the commander’s safety null and void.

It was inconceivable that Ye Zhen would sacrifice them to save himself.

Observing this collective realization, Ye Zhen felt a surge of suppressed anger.

He understood that the Grand Celestial Official intended to be helpful, yet their actions had nearly created a bitter division between the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy and North Sea County.

However, as the saying goes, sometimes misfortune breeds opportunity. If their officers and the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy could navigate this trial, the bond within Ye Zhen’s close circle would undoubtedly strengthen, fostering greater loyalty and efficiency in the times ahead!

"Enough talk, let’s dispense with the pleasantries and discuss the situation in detail," Ye Zhen urged once more.

"My Lord, the current circumstances are as follows...."

Liu Feng unfurled a large Military Spiritual Map, detailing the latest findings to Ye Zhen. Furthermore, they had already established coordination with the Void Hunting King and another substantial contingent of mysterious individuals who had arrived merely half a day prior.

Consequently, Liu Feng was privy to the search results obtained by these formidable Void Hunting Kings and the other mysterious groups.

The crux of the matter was that these forces, particularly the Void Hunting Kings, had exhaustively scoured a radius of twenty thousand miles around the Demon Clan army's last known location, encompassing the vicinity of Warm Spring Town.

The mysterious personnel and the large reinforcements dispatched by North Sea County subsequently conducted a meticulous search, leaving no stone unturned, yet discovered no trace whatsoever.

The Void Hunting Kings had even extended their search parameters to a staggering three hundred thousand miles.

It was crucial to recall Liu Feng’s earlier assessment: the Demon Clan army’s marching speed approximated twenty thousand miles every two hours.

This comprehensive search had been conducted eight hours subsequent to the incident at Warm Spring Town.

Therefore, under normal conditions, the Demon Clan army should have been capable of traversing a distance of up to one hundred and sixty thousand miles.

Yet, despite the Void Hunting Kings’ extensive sweep of three hundred thousand miles, not a single trace of the Demon Clan’s Qi was detected.

This peculiar outcome aligned perfectly with the deductions Grand Celestial Official Wu Yu had conveyed to Ye Zhen via Princess Changle earlier.

Ye Zhen’s Sacrificial Guard had indeed visited Warm Spring Town, witnessing an immensely powerful spiritual energy detonation capable of obliterating hundreds of Realm King Realm experts in an instant.

All evidence pointed towards the invading Demon Clan army, after being utilized by Xio Qiangu, having utterly vanished from existence, their physical forms annihilated and all traces meticulously erased.

Essentially, this conclusion extinguished the final glimmer of hope for Ye Zhen to salvage the situation.

Furthermore, among Ye Zhen’s trusted deputies – Governor Qiao Fu, County Captain Tang Biao, Liu Feng, Niu Er, and the assembled Military Commanders – there were individuals of considerable intellect.

Their collective deduction was unequivocal: any prospect for the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy to locate the invading Demon Clan army had evaporated.

Their opportunity was gone.

All that remained was the grim certainty of facing military justice.

"Is there truly no other recourse?" Ye Zhen inquired, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation.

County Captain Tang Biao hesitated for a moment before replying, "My Lord, there exists a possibility, though it hinges entirely on fortune."

"Pray tell, what do you mean?"

County Captain Tang Biao’s voice faltered, stammering, "If... if a Demon Clan army were to invade in full force again, we could encircle and annihilate them, and then...."

As he spoke, County Captain Tang Biao managed a bitter smile himself, "However, such a scenario is merely wishful thinking and utterly impossible for us..."

"Impossible it may be, but...." Ye Zhen’s eyes suddenly lit up at this juncture, a brilliant strategy forming in his mind.

A brilliant strategy capable of navigating them through this predicament.

Meanwhile, back in Lingzhou Prefecture City, Xio Qiangu, the West Patrol official sent to personally oversee operations, slowly rose to depart from Lingzhou Governor Bai Jinjiang after a thorough review of intercepted intelligence, much of which he had already anticipated or deemed inconsequential.

"Weis Gang," Xio Qiangu addressed his subordinate, "the Grand Celestial Official’s military order for the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, Ye Zhen, is nearing its expiry. Muster our men, and let us proceed to North Sea County City to apprehend him."

"We must prevent Ye Zhen, the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy, and his condemned subordinates from evading their sentence, lest we West Patrol officials face utter disgrace," Xio Qiangu stated before Governor Bai Jinjiang.

"I obey, my lord!" Weis Gang acknowledged, then offered a seemingly prudent suggestion, "To ensure they do not escape, I propose we bring ample manpower."

"Agreed!"

In perfect accord, West Patrol Xio Qiangu and his trusted subordinate, Weis Gang, exchanged a knowing glance, a shared amusement evident in their eyes.

At long last, they would be rid of Ye Zhen, that persistent thorn in their side!