Full of Assassins . . .
In contrast to the Wolf King's dismay, Cha Nantian found himself in an even deeper state of despondency. He was acutely aware of the recent turn of events and the missed opportunity it represented. This had been a golden moment for him to decisively defeat the Grassland Wolf, potentially bringing decades of peace to the northern lands.
However, the unexpected deluge had disrupted his carefully laid plans, throwing the northern war into disarray. It was not only his campaign that faced challenges, for the entire kingdom was besieged by surrounding adversaries. The kingdom's leaders and citizens alike were looking to Cha Nantian with great expectations. They anticipated a swift victory over the Grassland Wolf so that he could then lend support to other crucial battles.
Fortunately, the rainstorm's disruptive impact extended beyond the north. The Kingdom of Chen faced dire circumstances in both the west and east, with their armies in precarious positions. Yet, the sudden deluge had postponed the enemy's impending attack plans, wreaking havoc on the camps of both sides. The ensuing chaos compelled a temporary ceasefire, a rare occurrence indeed, as both sides engaged in search and recovery operations for their missing troops.
Despite their anger and frustration, the enemy commanders found themselves powerless to counteract the forces of nature. The Kingdom of Chen, on the other hand, had been granted a much-needed respite.
For Cha Nantian, this turn of events was a significant setback. He had witnessed an almost certain victory slip through his fingers as the rainstorm appeared out of nowhere, seemingly tearing a hole in the sky.
Zhan Qianshan, the acclaimed No. 1 military strategist in the Kingdom of Tianyu, was nearly physically ill due to his vexation. He found the entire situation exasperating, especially considering the proximity of his great victory.
The Kingdom of Chen's sudden acquisition of over 70 billion military expenditure brought immense joy to its troops. The soldiers were ecstatic, their spirits boosted to the point where they felt invincible, even in the face of formidable adversaries. They were prepared to confront and conquer any challenge, be it human or even as mythical as a dragon.
In the face of Cha's formidable army, the enemy's best course of action was to avoid direct confrontations. Initiating a battle under such circumstances would undoubtedly lead to heavier casualties on their side. The worst-case scenario for the enemy would be to risk a decisive defeat if they acted carelessly.
Naturally, the enemy had no intention of taking such a perilous gamble. Instead, both the eastern and western adversaries shifted their strategies from aggressive offensives to defensive postures. This marked a significant change in their approach to the conflict, as they had previously pursued confrontations relentlessly.
Meanwhile, in the southern theater of battle, an unusual equilibrium prevailed. Both sides maintained an uneasy peace, with neither having a clear opening to commence hostilities. All four battles found themselves mired in a perplexing stalemate for various reasons.
For the Kingdom of Chen's adversaries, this situation was a cause for great concern. They were gripped by anxiety, acutely aware that their protracted engagement on multiple fronts was not to their advantage. Time was not on their side, and the longer the conflict endured, the more challenging it became for them. The Kingdom of Chen's recent acquisition of 70 billion in military funding loomed over them like a mountain. With this significant financial boost, the Kingdom of Chen had effectively transformed the nature of the war.
Now, the enemy faced a daunting prospect—prolonged warfare that they could ill afford. Their financial resources were running thin, and the looming threat of defeat seemed inevitable. The Kingdom of Chen had secured a firm grip on the conflict, with the capability to endure an extended campaign. Frustration and despair weighed heavily on the enemy's morale.
Ling-Bao Hall, a seemingly inconspicuous salesroom, had unwittingly found itself at the center of these world-altering events. While it was a relatively small establishment, it had become embroiled in the grand theater of international conflict. The enemies harbored deep resentment toward Ling-Bao Hall, holding it responsible for their current predicament.
To them, Ling-Bao Hall was a source of tremendous trouble. Its involvement in the broader world affairs had not gone unnoticed, and the enemies harbored strong animosity toward this seemingly unassuming establishment. As a result, the kingdoms expanded their hunting lists, adding new names to their hit lists.
At the top of these lists, Feng Zhiling occupied the first position, while Wan Zhenghao followed closely as the second target.
Recognizing that they had become persona non grata in other countries, Ling-Bao Hall clandestinely ceased its operations in foreign lands. The once-thriving branches now stood as empty, desolate places, serving as hollow reminders of the association's retreat. Thus, should any of the affected kingdoms harbor intentions of causing trouble for Ling-Bao Hall, they would find themselves devoid of any viable targets.
The branches themselves remained largely untouched, as it wouldn't be in the best interests of these kingdoms to destroy vacant properties. Allowing the branches to remain served as an implicit display of their magnanimity. It was a tangible testament to the power and reach of Ling-Bao Hall, a formidable entity bearing the Kingdom of Chen's name, which continued to hold a significant presence throughout the Land of Han-Yang.
However, the kingdoms were not content with merely leaving Ling-Bao Hall's physical establishments untouched. Instead, they directed their efforts toward apprehending those in leadership positions within Ling-Bao Hall. As a result, countless assassins, shrouded in disguises, were dispatched from various kingdoms, with a singular purpose—to infiltrate Chen-Xing City and eliminate their quarry.
To expedite their sinister endeavors, these kingdoms had placed bounties on the heads of Feng Zhiling and Wan Zhenghao, offering rewards so exorbitant that they sent shockwaves throughout the world. The grand sum of these rewards reached a staggering figure, prompting vehement declarations of intent from their sponsors.
"No matter the cost, we must see these two individuals dead!" declared the belligerent prince of the Kingdom of Lanfeng, the war god Wenren Jianyin. His voice carried fury as he exclaimed, "Break their bodies! Obliterate their clans!"
"Even in death, they won't find rest!" Zhan Qianshan growled through gritted teeth. "I will spare no expense to ensure their demise!"
A deep-seated hatred toward Ling-Bao Hall festered within the nobility of both the Kingdom of Tianyu and the Kingdom of Lanfeng, fueling their determination. To hasten their rivals' downfall, they offered substantial rewards for the lives of Feng Zhiling and Wan Zhenghao, encouraging a ceaseless hunt.
The bounty offered was nothing short of horrific. Both kingdoms had publicly announced their intentions, and their nobility enthusiastically contributed to the reward fund. This bounty carried a unique stipulation: regardless of who succeeded in killing Feng Zhiling, the entirety of the reward would be reserved for the victor.
Driven by the temptation of the staggeringly high bounties, assassins from across the world converged upon Chen-Xing City with a single-minded focus akin to flies drawn to putrid refuse.