Douluo Dalu: 9 Treasure Sword - Chapter 209

After some days, Bai’s group finally reached Heaven Dou City only to find the palace with the minimum protection. There, the guards were very respectful to them, having recognized them. They were informed by a high ranking officer that the war against the Spirit Empire had already started, the alliance of Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire already attacking the Spirit Empire. However, it seemed that they had some problems and were on standby, the actual information somehow unknown to them.

Bai’s group started again another trip. This time towards Jialing Pass. Jialing Pass was a highly important strategic place. Spirit City was surrounded by a great mountainous terrain called Heaven Spirit mountain range. It was a complex mountain where armies couldn’t cross it except for Jialing Pass, a somehow narrow path that crossed the mountain range.

The Spirit Empire’s forces should have focused on there to stop the invasion of the other empires. Even if the Spirit Empire had a higher number of high spirit masters, it couldn’t compete with the size of the combined army. Jialing Pass was the perfect place to restrain the numbers. Moreover, it was a natural fortress being easily defended. It would be difficult to cross it.

As Bai’s group approached the Jialing Pass, a full military camp was before the Pass. Bai’s group could recognize the empires and some kingdoms’ flags.

Just as they approached the camp, two soldiers stopped them. They were covered in full armor with Heaven Dou’s colors with a long spear that pointed at Bai’s group “Stop! Reveal your identity!”

Bai took something out of his inventory bracelet and threw at them. One guard caught it and opened his eyes widely shocked. It was Bai’s tablet. It had the symbol of the Seven Treasure Pagoda Clan with the character Ning, its colors in it, reveled Bai as the heir of it.

The wary look of the guards instantly vanished, being replaced by awe and respect, bowing themselves towards Bai.

“Could you guide us to the highest officers?” Bai asked.

“Only a moment, sir” The guards started talking between each other, one of them running inside the camp “My companion would make known your presence. Someone would come to guide you shortly” he said full of respect.

Bai’s group accepted. It was normal, even with the tablet they were unfamiliar. They couldn’t be directly guided to the high officer as they could be ȧssassins impersonating.

After five minutes, something crossed the sky, it was someone running over a sword, quickly landing in front of Bai’s group. Long white hair and sharp eyes, Bai instantly recognized him, it was his uncle, Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

Xin looked over the group “You have grown, little Bai” he said with a smile. It had passed a lot of time and things without meeting. Bai became a little sentimental “Uncle Xin” he nodded smiling at him. Xin was someone of few words, preferring to be reserved and rarely show his expressions, but he couldn’t hide the look of concern and joy looking at Bai.

“Tang San, Xiao Wu, Bai Chenxiang” Xin nodded at them with a cold and stoic face. The three of the joined their hands respectfully lowering their head “Sword Douluo”

“I don’t deserve your respect” Xin said attentively looking at the group “You almost reached my level, if not surpassed. You can call me uncle Sword”

“Uncle Sword!” said the three of them.

“I see that you are prepared. I would guide you over the headquarter” Xin turned around towards the camp each step crossing tens of meters, Bai’s group following him.

The crossed various tents, finally reaching the biggest one with Heaven Dou Empire’s flag flapping with the wind. The group entered inside, finding people around a table discussing war affairs. At the head, making them the most important, stood a young brown-haired man of some 20 years old and a black-haired man about 50 years wearing armor, they were a spirit ancestor and a spirit douluo respectively.

The young man was none other than Xue Beng, the actual emperor of Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Ye having died two years before.

Xue Beng lowered a little his head seeing the group “Teachers!” This was for Tang San and Bai. For the help of the recently created Tang Sect to Heaven Dou Empire, Tang San was given the title of teacher of the emperor. In Bai’s case, he had been his teacher for a short while at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and he was only beating him, teaching him manners. Now knowing that it was all a charade for his survival, Bai was a little regretful.

Xue Beng made some signals and everyone at the room stood up. They bowed towards him before leaving the tent, only leaving Xue Beng, the black-haired man, Sword Douluo and Bai’s group.

“Let me present you to the head of my army, Marshal Ge Long” Xue Beng said signaling the man. Ge Long bowed a little at them keeping his cool. Being able to keep stoic surrounded by powerhouses showed his strength and experience, his great position reserved.

Bai group presented themselves “Could you explain the situation of the war?” Bai asked.

Xue Beng started explaining the situation. Spirit Empire had closed himself inside Jialing Pass’ fortress like they expected, only defending themselves of the attacks. Even if the allied force were bigger, they couldn’t use that advantage. Moreover, the fortress was not only protected with strong walls and artillery but there was also the Supreme Pontiff accompanied by some titled douluos, making the fortress impregnable.

“They didn’t try to attack the supply line?” asked Bai. Clearly it was a weak but highly important factor. It was weakly protected, but without food, the army wouldn’t last long.

“We weren’t informed of any attack” Marshall Ge answered, “The supply line working properly, being protected by a little army.”

Bai shook his head, in the canon the Spirit Empire try to attack the supply line only to be stopped but Tang San, but it had long since the canon had really lost its importance. Bai would live in the present reality.

After some questions, Marshall Ge informed them about the battles until now. They tried to attack with strong momentum but they were stopped by the Spirit Empire’s titled douluos, suppressing them in the little area. With each attack, the allied forces were forced to flee. The Spirit Empire never trying to chase them, causing the actual loss of troops to be low, but the morale being low.

After listening and seeing the written reports, Bai turned to Sword Douluo “Uncle, how is it that the clan didn’t fully participate in any attack? The clan forces are there supporting, but neither father, mother, or uncle Gu are there. With mother’s strength, it would have been possible to break through their defense.

Sword God furrowed his eyebrows “It’s because of Xie. She is not in a state capable of fighting”

“What had happened to mum?!” Bai asked worriedly.