DD2 [554-555] (Patreon)

Chapter 554: Dai Hao Kneels; The White Tiger Duke's Estate Is Annihilated

"No… it shouldn't be like this. It shouldn't be like this."

Dai Hao spat blood, his whole being lost and broken.

Dai Yaoheng was dead. Dai Luoli was dead. The Duchess was dead.

Even Dai Huabin had been skinned and dismembered alive by Huo Yuhao, dying a death too gruesome to witness.

Dai Hao's heart was shattered, riddled with holes. Was this retribution?

 But he had never done anything that offended heaven and reason.

Why had it come to this?

A stab of pain lanced through his chest, and he couldn't help but vomit up another mouthful of blood. Despair flooded him.

The White Tiger Duke's Estate was gone, most of his family had died horribly, and a death wish began to take root in his heart.

"Yuhao, kill me—kill me! Kill me and atone for your mother!"

Dai Hao suddenly roared, his eyes bloodshot.

He regretted it so much—regretted that in the past he had cared only about war and hadn't devoted more energy to his family.

Otherwise, things wouldn't have come to this.

Perhaps all of this was his own doing.

Bleakness filled Dai Hao's heart. He had lost the will to live.

Huo Yuhao let out a cold laugh. "You want to die?

"But I'm not going to kill you. I want you to kowtow to my mother and admit your guilt!

"Kneel!"

Huo Yuhao kicked the back of Dai Hao's knee, and he collapsed uncontrollably in front of Huo Yuner's grave.

Stumbling, Dai Hao looked at Huo Yuner's tombstone, and grief welled up from his heart.

"Yuner, it's all my fault. If I had looked after you and our son back then, maybe everything would be different."

Regret surged in Dai Hao's heart. He truly regretted it.

Half a life of stubborn pursuit had come to nothing. If he had valued family more from the start, perhaps now their whole family would still be happy together—

And kin would never have come to slaughter kin.

Huo Yuhao's eyes reddened. He shouted, "What use are your words now? Mother can't come back."

His heart was a mix of hatred and sorrow.

How he had once longed for a father's love.

But his father had scarcely remembered he even existed.

What use was such a father to him?

His gaze sharpened, and Huo Yuhao lowered his voice. "Kowtow to my mother and admit your guilt."

As if anticipating that Dai Hao wouldn't obey, Huo Yuhao pressed his head down himself, forcing nine kowtows to Huo Yuner.

By the time Dai Hao wrenched free, his forehead was already a bloody mess.

"Mother!"

With a thud, Huo Yuhao fell to his knees, tears in his eyes. "I did what I promised you. In the afterlife, you must feel comforted."

"Those beasts—Dai Huabin and the rest—have received the retribution they deserve."

"You can rest in peace."

He knocked his head heavily to the ground several more times, then stood and turned away without looking back.

His business was finished. What came next no longer concerned him.

A ruthless glint flashed through Ju Zi's beautiful eyes. "Bring Dai Hao over."

Two soldiers lifted Dai Hao up.

"Drag him out. Execute him by slow slicing."

Ju Zi's eyes were ice-cold as she gave the order.

She would never let Dai Hao die easily.

"Yes!"

Several soldiers dragged Dai Hao away. Before long, his wails rang out.

They went on for most of the night before finally falling silent.

Dai Hao's body had vanished; only a severed head and a shriveled skeleton remained.

…

…

"Your Majesty, Dai Hao… has passed away!"

In the Star Luo Imperial City, Xu Jiawei paused slightly at the report.

He brushed a finger over the memorial document and spoke blandly. "I know."

After a moment's pause, Xu Jiawei continued, "The White Tiger Duke's merits are great. Order a grand burial and posthumously confer him as the King of Loyalty and Righteousness.

"At the same time, draft an edict: Evil Soul Masters have grown brazen, annihilating the White Tiger Duke's Estate and slaughtering its entire household—an unforgivable crime. Issue a kill-on-sight order for Evil Soul Masters. Any on the continent who slay an Evil Soul Master shall be rewarded."

With a few words, Xu Jiawei defined the incident.

The extermination of the White Tiger Duke's entire line was too heinous. Only Evil Soul Masters could be made to shoulder that blame.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The attendant withdrew. Xu Jiawei lightly stroked the tabletop, eyes narrowing as he murmured, "Brother Dai Hao, don't blame me. I had no choice—your White Tiger line was simply too strong.

"Why does a duke need such influence?

"I'm heartbroken too."

…

…

Mingdou Main Camp. Su Yu lifted a cup of fine tea, his gaze calm and steady.

Before him, Ju Zi and Huo Yuhao stood side by side.

Ju Zi was radiant, high-spirited; the long-standing knot in her heart had dissolved without a trace.

Huo Yuhao's expression was composed, his joy and anger unreadable. Only the ferocity deep in his eyes had quietly faded.

"With the White Tiger Duke's Estate destroyed, you two have gotten what you wanted."

"Yuhao!"

Su Yu called softly.

"Young master!"

Huo Yuhao bowed in reply.

"You should return to the Body Sect. That's where you belong. You're a Soul Sage now—no worse than Long Aotian.

"You're qualified to compete for the Body Sect's Inheritance.

"If you can obtain it, you'll have a real chance to become a top-tier powerhouse."

Su Yu spoke lightly.

Huo Yuhao had trained even harder than Su Yu had imagined.

In a short time, he'd risen from Soul Emperor to Soul Sage—at a life-burning pace faster than expected.

"Take this Life Crystal. Keep it for emergencies."

Su Yu flicked his finger. A green light flashed and sank into Huo Yuhao's brow.

It was the condensed essence of Su Yu's life force—no small aid for Huo Yuhao.

"Many thanks, young master. Your subordinate takes his leave…"

Huo Yuhao bowed and withdrew.

Only Ju Zi and Su Yu remained in the tent.

"Your great vengeance is fulfilled. Satisfied now?"

Su Yu sipped his tea, eyes smiling.

"Mmm, very. But if a certain someone would give me an answer, I think I'd be even more satisfied."

Ju Zi covered her lips with a light laugh, making no attempt to hide the heat she felt for Su Yu.

With her vengeance complete, her heart unknotted, she could pursue what she wanted without scruples.

Su Yu rolled his eyes. "You still want to have your cake and eat it too?

"Do you understand rank and propriety?"

"I don't!"

Ju Zi shook her head, eyes full of mirth.

"Insatiable…"

Su Yu shot her a look, then his tone turned serious. "Dai Hao is dead; the White Tiger Duke's line is finished.

"You don't need to handle the aftermath—Xu Jiawei will take care of it.

"There's only one thing you need to do now: drill the troops.

"A great war is imminent. This opponent is no ordinary foe. Do not be careless."

Ju Zi nodded solemnly. "I will. No matter what the opponent is, I will not lose."

Chapter 555: The Forward Expeditionary Corps Takes the Initiative

"Commendable spirit!"

Su Yu took a sip of tea. "Then I'll be waiting to see your performance. Go."

"Your subordinate takes her leave!"

Ju Zi snapped a formal salute, a happy smile on her face, and turned to depart the tent.

Su Yu chuckled and shook his head, cradling his tea. As his gaze flowed, it deepened.

…

A few days later.

Mingdou Main Camp.

Leaders of all factions gathered. As alliance leader, Su Yu sat at the head.

In the center of the tent stood a massive sand table. The crowd ringed it, discussing the campaign.

Su Yu held a metal pointer and tapped the sand table lightly.

"Everyone, this is the Sun Moon Empire's city defense layout.

"According to the latest information, these aberrant creatures have occupied five provinces centered on Mingdu, along with twenty-six major cities.

"These are all key cities of the Sun Moon Empire—densely populated and resource-rich.

"Given the nature of these aberrant creatures, if we let them continue unchecked, they'll only grow more rampant and harder to deal with.

"What worries me more is that as their occupied territory expands, the pace of that malignant plane's full descent may accelerate.

"When that happens, the situation we face will be far more severe.

"Therefore, we must break their momentum of invasion."

Su Yu's expression was grave, his starry eyes narrowing.

The aberrant creatures themselves were nothing—but the unknown plane behind them gave Su Yu pause.

Deities.

That plane would certainly have deities. Of that he was sure.

And the number and rank of those deities were unknown—that was the real danger.

If they were only ordinary gods, that would be one thing.

But if that plane had second-rank, or even first-rank gods, then it would be a serious problem.

As things stood, the Douluo Continent seemed to have no means to face such enemies.

Gu Yuena perhaps could—but Gu Yuena was injured.

Barring absolute necessity, Su Yu had no wish to disturb her.

So for now, the only choice was to hinder the unknown plane's descent as much as possible, buying himself time.

Once he could inherit a godhood and ascend, there would be nothing to fear.

"Young Master Su means… take the initiative and attack?"

Du Bushi stroked his chin lightly and spoke.

"Yes."

Su Yu nodded. "It's our only option at present.

"The creatures' rampage is still limited. Now is the best time to confine them.

"If we miss this window, handling things later will be much harder.

"Rather than sit and wait for doom, I intend to advance with you all into the Sun Moon Empire's heartland and hem them in."

"I agree!"

Kong Deming immediately voiced his support, firmly backing Su Yu's decision.

Every moment of delay meant greater loss for the Sun Moon Empire.

Naturally, Kong Deming supported Su Yu's stance wholeheartedly.

"Taking the initiative is risky, but we have no choice. I agree with Young Master Su."

Xu Jiujiu pondered for a moment, then chose to agree.

Su Yu was right—waiting wasn't an option. They couldn't watch the aberrant creatures develop unopposed.

"I agree as well. Su Yu, tell us how you plan to proceed."

Weina spoke.

Su Yu swept his gaze around, battle intent surging in his eyes. "Right now, the aberrant creatures are concentrated in these five provinces.

"Among them, Mingdu and the southern provinces are the worst-hit.

"I will personally lead the Ice God Guard and the Holy Slayer Army to meet them head-on.

"The eastern provinces are secondary—the Star Luo Empire will take the east. The Heavenly Soul Empire and the Body Sect will take the west.

"As for the north, we'll ask the Dou Ling Empire and Shrek Academy to hold it.

"Also, Grand Consecrator, I need you to notify the Sun Moon Empire's legions to provide timely support on all fronts, to ensure full security.

"What do you all think of this arrangement?"

Xu Jiujiu and the others exchanged looks, then all nodded.

"We have no objections!"

Since Su Yu was taking on the most pressured front himself, they had no reason to object.

Su Yu inclined his head. "In that case, please ready your forces. In three days, the army marches."

As Su Yu's decision fell, armies across the Douluo Continent swung into rapid motion.

…

…

Yulong Pass!

A mighty fortress in the southern provinces of the Sun Moon Empire.

It had always been a place fought over by all sides.

Yulong Pass was easy to defend and hard to attack—one man at the gate could hold off ten thousand!

It had long been one of Mingdu's shields.

But now, its gates stood wide open. A deathly stillness hung over it.

It had already become a playground for the aberrant creatures.

From afar, one could see grotesque beings pouring out of the gate, shambling in all directions like zombies.

The sight made even Su Yu feel as if he'd stepped into a biohazard apocalypse.

"Filthy creatures."

Su Yu frowned, disgust in his eyes.

Walking corpses, through and through—a pack of beasts who knew only slaughter, without a shred of intellect.

Su Yu raised his hand. At once, Ju Zi at his side issued orders.

"Black Demon Corps, ready!"

Ju Zi began deploying troops. Rank after rank of Black Demon Corps soldiers set up soul-guided cannons.

Against these aberrant creatures, close-quarters combat would be the stupidest choice. Overwhelming firepower was optimal.

"Ready—fire!"

Shell after shell howled through the air like meteors, streaking across the sky.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Thunderous explosions resounded. Waves of aberrant creatures were torn apart, blasted into pieces under the savage barrage.

"Don't skimp on shells. Hit them hard."

Ju Zi called sharply. Shells flew as if they cost nothing.

In an instant, the sky was almost saturated with incoming fire.

The Black Demon Corps had over ten thousand soldiers and nearly three thousand cannons.

One could imagine how overwhelming that firepower ratio was.

With the Holy Slayer Palace behind them, the Holy Slayer Army's ammunition stores could only be described as oceanic.

"Roar!"

"Roar!"

…

The sudden assault stunned the aberrant creatures, yet it also stirred their feral rage.

Fearless of death, they didn't retreat. Instead, they went berserk and rushed into the kill zone.

But under overwhelming firepower, they were shredded, reduced to dust.

After four or five waves of bombardment, the Dragon Battalion and Tiger Battalion began their advance.

The Holy Slayer Army ripped open the creatures' line, surged into Yulong Pass, and began the slaughter.

In just about two hours, the mighty pass was completely taken by Su Yu and the others.

All the aberrant creatures there were wiped out.

Under absolute firepower, ordinary aberrant creatures like these were simply not worth mentioning.