Master of Strange Dao

Chapter 1753 - 74: Dragon Elephant Army, Requesting Battle (5k)

The entire Western Qian region includes territories previously seized by Daqian from Dadui, as well as some borderlands of Daqian from earlier years.Back then, these borderlands were more or less the same as now, not places where the upper echelon of Daqian focused their attention.

Later on, with the territories taken from Dadui added in, there was even less expectation for Daqian to develop this area significantly.

In those times, the significance of this vast land was more of a buffer zone, much like the current border between Daqian and Dali, where massive human and material resources were unlikely to be invested for development.

But then, overnight, Dadui disappeared completely, and suddenly, to the west of Western Qian, there was no longer any object of caution.

Over time, Western Qian slowly began to develop, and its population steadily increased.

Yet with the long-standing foundation in place, people from Western Qian found it difficult to assume any important roles in the court.

Even if some people from Western Qian managed to rise above, it was usually through paths like aligning with King Lian.

At such times, one's origin became a label synonymous with being under King Lian's tutelage, Western Qian became one such tag, seldom used unless being attacked or ridiculed, then it would surface again.

In addition, the court exercised control over the locals via powerful aristocrats, and the Jinyi Wei were employed for supervising all under heaven.

In this context, the Jinyi Wei always had considerable authority, which was commonplace.

When chaos ensued in the court, the Emperor was barely involved, and later, the Emperor was gone entirely. People with prestige and capability in the Jinyi Wei retired, compounding into a semi-invalid status for the Jinyi Wei.

People from Western Qian inherently felt no connection to the court, too distant, coupled with recent decades of evil cultivation, local aristocracy, and various chaotic phenomena emerging.

The inhabitants of Western Qian, especially those near the Western Border, daringly moved their entire families to Dadui, which was not surprising.

To most people in Western Qian, Dadui troops had strict discipline, never strayed, only pushed forward, exterminating evil cultivation and cleaning up unrest.

A small number of more informed individuals knew Dadui was reclaiming lost homeland.

Given the previous examples, anyone with common sense knew relocating to Dadui would lead to a better life.

At least Dadui had established a Law Code; in places where famine occurred, whether officials or Earth Deity, all had to bear grave responsibility.

If they became citizens of Dadui, no matter how poor, they would receive basic assurances, at least enough to eat.

Clearly, Daqian couldn't guarantee this.

Under such circumstances, expecting unpopular Western Qian people to resist Dadui's fierce soldiers?

People in the court never argued about this while bickering ceaselessly.

When incessant arguments persisted, they never relied on Western Qian people; it was generally agreed to move troops from elsewhere while arguing over who should lead the troops.

Once it was decided King Lian would command the troops, as mobilization began, chaotic matters continued to emerge.

Various parties started inserting their people into the ranks, and King Lian's face turned so black that it nearly dripped black ink.

He now understood that without this incident, he wouldn't even have the chance to consolidate power.

For the moment, he just watched, waiting to deploy forces.

But at such times, in the north, Dali's always purging evil cultivation's West Desolate Army also swept to the southern part of Dali.

In the Vanguard Camp filled with a killing aura, the Western Desolation General stood alone on a high platform, divine light flashing in his eyes, gazing towards those evil cultivations being pursued like stray dogs, rushing towards Daqian.

"Ha, slow down a bit, don't chase too hard, give them a breather.

Our army advancing slower than those evil cultivations is natural.

Let them flee, how else would we pursue."

The Western Desolation General laughed heartily as killing intent surged.

If not for the new emperor's resolute determination, granting extensive authority, others dared not to obstruct, and he suddenly realized Dali hid so many evil cultivations.

Some evil cultivations even formed established forces.

Some evil cultivations, on the surface, were families and sects with thousand-year legacies.

Were it not for this comprehensive excavation, every passing dog had to be pulled aside by the Western Desolation General to confirm if it was an evil dao dog, it would have been tough to uncover.

A few days ago, new orders were received to eradicate evil completely and to ensure the annihilation of Dali's evil cultivation.

The person announcing the decrees shared privately after formal proclamation.

Evil cultivation harmed the Supreme Emperor, His Majesty was displeased, the Western Desolation General must spare no effort in eradicating evil cultivation, leaving none alive.

Who knew if the fleeing evil cultivators were precisely involved in the plot against the Supreme Emperor.

Especially in the southern part of Dali, none must escape, no matter where they flee to.

The Western Desolation General had tempered for years, having witnessed numerous undertakings when the new emperor was still the Crown Prince.

Also, considering recently hearing a Dadui army division already entered Daqian, upon hearing this, the Western Desolation General understood instantly.

When methodically clearing to the southern part of Dali, he immediately arranged the next script.

Because the Vanguard Camp of West Desolate Army had been sailing smoothly ahead, some negligence allowed certain evil cultivations to flee into Daqian.

Among these evil cultivations were some who knew sensitive secrets.