Chapter 449: The Seventh Regiment
Dongling City, a well-known city in the entire Northern Region, housed one of the four major branches of the Dark Hall—the Eastern Branch. The Northern Region is vast, and aside from the Dark Hall's headquarters located centrally in the Dark City, it maintains control over the region through four mighty branches, each in the east, west, north, and south.
If the Dark Hall can be likened to an empire, then the Dark City is its central capital, and these four branches are like regional princes who rule over their respective territories. The Eastern Branch governs a massive territory spanning millions of miles, with Dongling City as its capital. Within this vast region, all local factions and individuals are ultimately under Dongling City's control. Here, the Eastern Branch of the Dark Hall reigns supreme.
Today, Dongling City was bustling with activity more than ever, as it welcomed the entire Seventh Regiment of the Dark Hall's Enforcer Army. Being such a powerful unit, the Enforcer Army rarely assembled in such large numbers, as even a single battalion was enough to suppress some second-tier sects in the Northern Region. However, it required an exceptionally formidable rebellion to warrant the deployment of an entire regiment, as in the case of the Yuwen Family.
With the Dark Hall Master Bo Xuan's order, generals who usually led their own units independently had gathered in Dongling City. Furthermore, all the minor factions in the Eastern territories who survived under the protection of the Dark Hall had arrived to assist, making it an exceptionally grand event.
As Lin Langtian entered Dongling City with the regiment, he couldn't help but marvel at the grandiosity of the place. Compared to the branch in the Southern River Region, Dongling City was truly fitting as the Dark Hall's most important branch in the East.
"The Eastern Region spans millions of miles and is home to countless factions, big and small. The Dark Hall usually ignores their internal conflicts, but when the Dark Hall issues a command, they are obligated to comply, as they are now by helping to encircle the Yuwen Family," Qingtan explained quietly.
Lin Langtian nodded slightly. It was just like in an empire: the Dark Hall was the royal family, while the other factions were vassals. They were expected to revere the Dark Hall and answer its summons in critical moments. In this vast world, the law of the jungle prevailed.
Once the Third Battalion entered Dongling City's borders, they disembarked from the Black Battle Tiger Ship and proceeded on foot. The sight of the battalion in black, moving like a mighty river, drew many fearful stares from those familiar with the Dark Hall's most formidable force.
At the towering city gates, a heavily guarded checkpoint meticulously scrutinized those entering Dongling City.
"Haha, it's been a while, Old Zhong," greeted a tall, red-sword-masked figure on the city walls, whose muscular form marked him as a high-ranking Enforcer. "I heard your Third Battalion just wiped out a second-tier sect in the South—must've been quite the haul."
"Huo Battalion Commander, I don't have your luck," Zhong Kui replied, noticing the strength emanating from the man. "I heard you've destroyed seven rebellious forces in the past three months alone. From your aura, you must be close to reaching the Greater Death Profound Stage."
In the Enforcer Army, continuous warfare was routine, as they strengthened themselves by seizing resources from rebellious factions. Huo, the First Battalion Commander, was clearly a product of this, gaining substantial benefits through continuous combat, so much so that he was on the verge of reaching Greater Death Profound Stage.
"Heh, same to you, Old Zhong. You're almost there yourself. The Commander and everyone else are waiting. Lead your men in; follow me," Huo urged.
Zhong Kui nodded, then ordered, "Third Battalion, advance!"
With that, Zhong Kui and Huo led the way, with Lin Langtian and the rest of the battalion following closely behind.
Dongling City was enormous, its streets lined with stately buildings and occasional shimmering light arrays overhead, signifying its formidable defenses. As they approached the central plaza, the area was crowded, the noise reaching the sky as if tearing the clouds.
Lin Langtian followed Zhong Kui directly to a designated area in the center of the plaza. Five tall banners billowed in the wind, and within this area, a vast crowd stood, completely silent and exuding a deadly stillness. In stark contrast to the lively factions of the Eastern territories, the Enforcers in this area were silent, like emotionless killing machines.
This was the Dark Hall's Seventh Regiment.
"What an intimidating aura," Lin Langtian muttered, feeling the overpowering killing intent surging from the crowd. Unlike a single battalion, the aura of an entire regiment felt exponentially more oppressive. He could hardly imagine the scene if all ten regiments of the Enforcer Army assembled—its presence alone would likely be unbearable for ordinary Nirvana Stage practitioners.
Indeed, the Enforcer Army was the Dark Hall's sharpest sword.
As he mused, the Third Battalion merged into the Seventh Regiment, gathering behind their banner. The First Battalion Commander, Huo, leapt forward and took his place at the front of his battalion.
At the front of each battalion stood a figure in a red-sword mask, clearly the Battalion Commanders of the Seventh Regiment, all formidable Death Profound Stage practitioners.
Boom!
Suddenly, a deep bell echoed through the plaza, gradually bringing the noise to a hush as all eyes turned toward the raised platform in the plaza.
"Haha, by order of the Hall Master, all factions in the Eastern territories shall heed the call and join us in vanquishing the Yuwen traitors!"
A faint chuckle echoed like thunder across the plaza, reverberating powerfully. Suddenly, two black beams of light shot straight toward the stage, revealing two figures in dark cloaks who seemed to have appeared from nowhere. Their gazes swept over the crowd, brimming with a fierce energy that shook all present to their cores.
The figure on the left was a middle-aged man in a black robe with sharp, defined features. His expression exuded the authority of one accustomed to power, though a flicker of cruelty was still evident in his eyes. Beside him stood another figure dressed like Lin Langtian and the others, though this individual's ghost mask bore the rare insignia of a silver sword.
This was the Commander of the Seventh Regiment.
"Langtian, the one on the left is Xu Xin, the Eastern Division Master, a peak Death Profound Realm powerhouse," Qingtan whispered. "And the other one, I'm sure you know, is Jiang Shan, the Commander of our Seventh Regiment, also a peak Death Profound Realm expert. In the Enforcer Army, he's known as the Black Mountain General."
"Oh, so that's the Eastern Division Master and the Seventh Regiment's Commander…" Lin Langtian narrowed his eyes, observing the powerful figures on the platform. As the Dark Hall's representative in the east, Xu Xin's imposing aura matched his lofty position. Jiang Shan, the Seventh Regiment Commander, stood with his arms folded, towering in stature. Although he had not yet spoken, his presence alone was as imposing as a mountain, his aura dense and brimming with a hidden bloodlust.
"The Commander of the Seventh Regiment, indeed," Lin Langtian muttered to himself. "Though Xu Xin is also at peak Death Profound Realm, he likely wouldn't last a hundred moves against Jiang Shan."
Lin Langtian's keen senses revealed that Jiang Shan's aura and killing intent were so refined that he was just a step away from breaking through to the Reincarnation Realm. With the right opportunity, he might very well ascend to that legendary rank, joining the continent's mightiest.
"And he's just a Regiment Commander. The real trump cards of the Enforcer Army are the Elders—the true Reincarnation Realm experts. That's where the Dark Hall draws its supreme authority," Lin Langtian thought to himself.
The Dark Hall had indeed reigned over the Northern Region for thousands of years, and just glimpsing a fraction of its strength left Lin Langtian marveling at its terrifying power. Even this mere fraction could rival the East's Eight Supreme Sects.
After delivering a formal speech, Xu Xin, the Eastern Division Master, turned toward Jiang Shan and respectfully ceded the stage. Although Xu Xin ruled Dongling City as the Dark Hall's regional lord, he knew that even he must tread carefully around the Enforcer Army.
In response, everyone's gaze shifted to the burly man on stage. Though his face was obscured, the sight of the silver sword emblazoned on his ghost mask caused many faction leaders' faces to go pale. A figure of his rank was a top-tier officer within the Enforcer Army, each one bearing a formidable reputation and a terrifying track record of victories.
"Welcome, Commander!" came a unison salute from the Seventh Regiment, reverberating across the plaza.
Jiang Shan nodded slightly, his silver sword gleaming ominously in the sunlight. Pausing for a moment, his gaze traveled across the plaza, surveying the sea of dark figures before him. Each face beneath those ghost masks showed a fierce longing for battle.
A smile tugged at Jiang Shan's lips. Foregoing any unnecessary words, he raised a hand. The next instant, an intense killing intent flickered in his gaze.
"Move out! Today, we will crush the Yuwen Family!" he commanded.
"Roar!"
The resounding roar shook the entire city as the troops surged forward. Their energies roared like a rushing torrent, bodies shooting skyward in a wave that thundered across the sky.
The Enforcer Army was going to war once again.
Eastern Region, Yuwen Family Manor
The Yuwen Family was one of the East's premier factions, well-regarded even throughout the Northern Region. In the past, the Yuwen Family held itself with pride, viewing themselves as above others, but now panic had gripped their estate. People scrambled in fear as if disaster loomed.
Deep within the family's compound, a loud, resounding slap echoed through the study.
"You disgrace! If it weren't for you, our family wouldn't be facing this calamity!" roared a dignified middle-aged man, striking a young man in front of him.
The young man, handsome but with an air of indulgence, clutched his reddening cheek, a look of terror in his eyes.
"Please, husband, stop! Tuo'er was only playing around. No one could have predicted such a disaster!" a graceful lady cried, holding back tears as she dabbed at her son's swollen cheek.
"This is all your fault for coddling him! I told you not to let him mix with those no-good friends of his! Now the whole Northern Region knows our family possesses the Temporal Seal—and we're on the brink of ruin!" The family head, Yuwen Hao, glared down at his son before sinking into his chair, utterly defeated.
"Then why don't we flee?" the lady asked, desperation lacing her voice.
"Flee? To where? Xu Xin has already surrounded us with his spies. Originally, the Temporal Seal was our family's hope for rising to power, but now it's the very cause of our downfall," Yuwen Hao replied, despair clouding his face.
"But, Father, can't we hand over the Temporal Seal to the Dark Hall and beg for mercy?" the young man asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.
"It's too late. The Dark Hall despises deception and betrayal. By now, the Enforcer Army must already be on its way," Yuwen Hao murmured in defeat.
At the mention of the Enforcer Army, both the young man and the lady paled with terror, fully aware of the fate that awaited them.
"Father, please, I don't want to die! The Yuwen Family cannot fall!" the young man begged, crawling toward his father, his fear finally overpowering his arrogance.
Yuwen Hao looked down at his son, his gaze filled with regret and sorrow. Gently, he stroked his son's head before whispering, "I'm powerless against the Enforcer Army. But when the critical moment comes, I'll activate the spatial transport array. Your Uncle Zhong will take you away from here. Remember, once you escape with the Temporal Seal, flee as far from the Northern Region as you can—and never return…"
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