A Quarter of the Map

Deboning, with a slight grimace, relayed the answers he had painstakingly extracted.

"Salon's relic is actually..." Du Chen cast a disbelieving glance at Deboning, then at Porter. "...A piece of skin?"

"Indeed, it's a piece of skin, roughly the size of a baby's palm, from his left chest!" Porter confirmed, assuring Du Chen hadn't misheard. "Salon's cause of death was poisoning, followed by a stab wound to the heart. The coroner stated his left chest was already a bloody mess, so a small piece of missing beastkin skin seemed perfectly normal. Mr. Brook, could there be some secret to this piece of skin?"

Du Chen found himself between laughter and tears. "To mobilize such a force for a mere scrap of skin, costing four lives and the very brother of a Saint Baton Family Head? Is this deal not too steep?" He continued, "First, I'd like to know: how did the Beastkin discover Salon was missing this particular piece of skin?"

Deboning elaborated, "The Beastkin have a custom of secret sky burials for their royal members, where vultures consume the body! Beyond this, they also possess another tradition: a fondness for tattoos! According to Hawkins, initially, the Beastkin officials collecting the body didn't pay much attention to that small piece of skin. However, quite unexpectedly, Salon's missing skin segment happened to bear a tattoo. Beastkin tattoos are drawn with special dyes that vultures refuse to eat! After the sky burial, the Beastkin tallied Salon's remaining tattooed skin and presented it to the Beast Emperor. The Beast Emperor immediately noticed a piece missing from Salon's tattooed skin!"

Du Chen retorted, "It's just a missing piece of skin. It could have been shredded during Salon's death, or perhaps rotted away later. Was it worth such an immense price...?" He suddenly gasped, realizing, "Could the key point be *that tattoo*?!"

Deboning nodded. "Precisely, that tattoo is problematic! Hawkins claims that to an outsider, it appears to be a most ordinary design, but in reality, it's a fragment of a map!"

"Tattooing a map onto one's body, eh? The Beastkin certainly share similar eccentricities with the Aqua Cloud Divine Envoys!" Du Chen then asked, "Have you managed to ascertain what specific map it is?" Porter suddenly lowered his head, rubbing his left shoulder, thinking, "Hawkins probably wouldn't know either, right?"

"Hawkins didn't know," Deboning replied. "He said the map is divided into four sections. The Beast Emperor, Salon, and the Family Head and Heir of the Saint Baton Family each possess one part. Furthermore, only these four individuals know where the map leads."

Du Chen rubbed his nose, concluding, "So that clarifies things. Someone used my elder brother to eliminate Salon and steal that quarter of the map from him!"

It certainly seemed that way!

Du Chen rubbed his forehead. "Yet, many questions remain. Why did that person abduct my elder brother, and why are they fleeing with him on their back? Who is pursuing them? And who were the two factions protecting my elder brother?! All of this... we'll likely only uncover once we apprehend that individual!"

Deboning inquired, "Young Master, Hawkins has already fled four or five hundred li north. Shall we retrieve him, or let him go?"

Du Chen pursed his lips. "Let him go. Hawkins no longer holds any utility for us!"

Deboning hesitated for a moment before adding, "Young Master, although Hawkins revealed many useful details under the Young Lady's spiritual allure, his will is exceptionally firm. He is a fanatical devotee of Orbach, so the Young Lady could only temporarily enchant him and failed to implant a Spiritual Contract!"

"Beibei's Spiritual Contract can fail too? The Beastkin's faith in Orbach truly is fanatical!" Du Chen waved a hand dismissively. "Even so, let him return. We haven't exposed our identities anyway, and a Hawkins who owes me a life is far more valuable than a dead one!"

Deboning nodded silently, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "Young Master, those four Crimson Mausoleum Guards' bodies..."

"They're yours!" Du Chen shrugged and spread his hands.

Deboning, a dark expression on his face, bowed in thanks. "I shall meticulously study their bones! It will be most enlightening!"

Du Chen, with the air of a rogue, leaned back on the soft chair, crossing his legs. "Harry has already taken Beibei back to the territory, and Uncle Foye left me a note, stating he's continuing his recuperation! Now, we have but two tasks: first, to swiftly retrieve my elder brother; and second, to navigate this impending war!"

Deboning remarked with surprise, "Young Master, Steve is still in peril. Do you truly intend to personally participate in this war? Most lords merely dispatch their armies to 'show support'!"

"These two matters are now one and the same!" Du Chen gestured to his ear with a wry smile. "Just now, Dus informed me that the individual and my elder brother's life energies are still linked, and they've now landed on a vast grassland... That scoundrel abducted my elder brother and fled to the Macallan Empire! The immense grasslands stretch for thousands of li, all appearing the same, teeming with enemies. I might as well join the army and search for him there!"

Du Chen's decision to personally join the war was primarily, of course, to search for Steve, but another reason was equally significant.

"War! How many wounded soldiers would there be after such a grand battle? And when the Lotus Holy Light shines upon them... Heh heh, Du Chen could almost envision his own cultivation would undoubtedly skyrocket!"

Saint John City was approximately fifteen hundred li from the front line at Heaven's Ocean Pass, while Tukus City, the assembly point for the second wave of irregular troops, was less than five hundred li from Heaven's Ocean Pass.

The Lanning Kingdom comprised forty-eight lords, great and small. Among them, only seven had personally led their troops to Tukus City. Six of these were lords from the major northern provinces, their fates directly tied to the war's outcome. The seventh, and final, lord was our protagonist—Du Chen!

Tukus City was a semi-military fortress, capable of housing a hundred thousand soldiers. However, by the time Du Chen, Porter, Aliza, and Deboning arrived, the fortress itself was already packed with troops, and countless military tents had been erected even outside the city walls.

For the first time in his life, Du Chen witnessed such a dense concentration of soldiers. As he walked the grand road leading to the city gates, the stern military might on either side almost suffocated him. "Porter, would you say there are at least two hundred thousand here?"

"It's two hundred thirteen thousand!" Porter's figure was exceptionally precise, as he held a set of Secret Scrolls. "All forty-eight lords have dispatched troops this time. The largest contingent is twelve thousand, while the smallest is three hundred. The total assembled army will likely exceed three hundred thousand. What you see now is just a portion; almost another hundred thousand troops are still en route to assemble—including your own Legion!"

Du Chen exclaimed in surprise, "Then, considering the Sigurd Legion already on the battlefield, plus the other five major Legions, Lanning's total deployed force this time will probably exceed a million! How could Bargnar still claim insufficient preparations, after mobilizing so many troops in just over a month?"

Porter, chewing on a sour plum and busily marking his Secret Scrolls, replied, "You oaf! Lanning's total population is over sixty million. Mobilizing a million-strong army is hardly a difficult feat! 'Insufficient preparations' doesn't refer to manpower, but to logistical supplies! That is the greatest challenge!"

Swallowing his plum, he gestured towards the endless army. "Just considering hardtack: a strong warrior needs over a catty of flour per meal to feel full! Now, calculate how much a million people consume in a single day! And how much grain would be needed for a war lasting a considerable period?!"

As the two spoke, the city gates suddenly swung open. A troop of knights galloped out and approached. A portly noble elder dismounted, exclaiming, "Ah, Lord Francis has finally arrived! Welcome, welcome! I am Arges, Marshal of the Second Army's appointed General Liaison Officer, Zach..." He lightly brushed his left shoulder, adorned with an emblem of two crossed golden shortswords. "...A Lieutenant General!"

Having said his piece, Zach beamed at Du Chen.

Du Chen raised an eyebrow and smiled. "So it is General Zach! May Du Chen, the Divine, bless you!"

Zach's laughter grew louder. "Please, come inside! Marshal Arges is uneasy about our temporarily assembled Second Army, so he's personally overseeing Tukus City and is currently awaiting you within!"

Arges was here too?!

Du Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he followed Zach into Tukus City.

The Second Army's supreme command post was located in the city's highest fortress. Inside, no fewer than a hundred generals from various Legions had already gathered. Upon seeing Du Chen, they all offered polite military salutes. Arriving outside the command post, Zach went in to announce them. Moments later, a guard bellowed, "The Marshal summons Francis!" This guard, one of Arges's personal soldiers, allowed Du Chen to pass, then suddenly blocked Porter, Deboning, and the others who were following with a crossed arm.

"The Marshal's commander's tent is off-limits to generals below Brigadier General!"

Du Chen's expression shifted, and Deboning had already let out a cold snort. "I am the Grand Pontiff of Du Chen's Divine Cult, not a Lanning soldier!"

The guard lowered his head, not daring to meet Deboning's gaze, but still asserted, "By Military Edict of the Marshal: if Grand Pontiff Brook wishes to pay respects to the Marshal under his Divine Cult capacity, please wait. After the Marshal has met with his subordinate, Francis, he will personally come out to greet the Grand Pontiff!"

Du Chen gave Deboning a signal. Just as he was about to speak, the guard bellowed again, "By Military Edict of the Marshal: the Holy Church and various nations have long had a pact. Those holding both political and religious offices, when participating in war, shall have their religious duties temporarily suspended for the duration of the conflict. If Francis wishes to meet the Marshal in his Divine Cult capacity, he must first write to His Majesty, declaring his withdrawal from this war, and then wait in the reception hall for the Marshal to greet him with the respect accorded to a Divine Envoy! Otherwise, Francis is a general under the Marshal's command and must obey the Marshal's Military Edict. Should he defy it, the military tribunal will handle the matter!"

These three resounding declarations from the guard instantly drew all eyes to Du Chen!

Deboning sneered, his brow furrowed. Du Chen gritted his teeth. <i>Arges, you dare disrespect the Holy Church itself? You're truly ruthless, you bastard!</i>

Porter sidled up to Du Chen, but Du Chen waved him off, indicating no words were needed. Then, he suddenly chuckled. "Marshal Arges campaigns for the nation, and commanding a million-strong army elevates his standing. I, Francis, am here to serve the country, and Grand Pontiff Brook is here to represent Du Chen, the Divine, in bestowing blessings upon the soldiers, not to flaunt our statuses!" He laughed heartily, "Francis obeys! Porter, Aliza, wait for me here!"

Striding into the command room, Du Chen found Arges's command post exceedingly spartan: a single map adorned one wall, with only a few cabinets, tables, and chairs against the others. The Grand Marshal of Lanning stood gazing at the map, awaiting Du Chen!

There was no one else in the command post!

Upon entering, Du Chen's expression immediately darkened. Seeing Arges with his back to him, he let out a 'hmph!' and lazily declared, "Lord Francis of Newin River, reporting as ordered!"

Arges remained impassive to Du Chen's snort. After a prolonged study of the map, he spoke calmly without turning his head, "Once you enter a military camp, you are to behave like a soldier! Lord Francis, this is the last time I shall address you as a lord! From this moment, you are assigned to the Second Army's Fourth Corps' Field Division, commanding the forces of your two regiments, forming the Field Division's Second Legion! Your military rank is a First-Class Commander. Do you understand?!"

Not even a General?! Du Chen yawned, then lazily cupped his hands. "As you command, Marshal!"

"After the War Mobilization Order was issued, the armies of all major lords were required to reach Tukus City within a month. Commander Francis, if your army dares to arrive late and delay strategic opportunities, beware of military law!"

"Understood. Does Marshal have any other instructions?"

"By the Holy Church's pact with various nations, it is forbidden to participate in national war disputes. Your Du Chen's Divine Cult belongs to the Holy Church. If you wish to avoid condemnation from all nations under heaven, then speak less of Du Chen, the Divine, within this camp! Here, there are only soldiers!" Arges whirled around, slamming his hand onto the table with a 'smack'. "Do you understand?!"

Du Chen raised an eyebrow and sneered. "Marshal, every soldier has the right to believe in a god. Grand Pontiff Brook, adhering to the Divine Cult's tenets, is here in a private capacity to heal the wounded; he will absolutely not participate in battle! The Holy Church has already issued a notice regarding this, so you needn't worry about accusations from other nations! Furthermore, please show some respect to Du Chen, the Divine! Otherwise, I have the right to report you to the Tribunal! The glory of Du Chen, the Divine, is omnipresent; you will soon realize this!"

Arges sneered menacingly. "If you've got the guts, go ahead and report me!"

Du Chen shrugged nonchalantly. "Commanding a million-strong army, eh? Tsk, tsk! Marshal is certainly robust!"

"Francis, mind your military bearing and discipline! You are a soldier now!" Arges slammed the table once more.

"Got it, I'll go practice when I get back. Marshal, you know, I'm just from the irregular troops!" Du Chen retorted with a passive-aggressive tone, then added, "So, what is the current mission for my... ah, the Second Legion? Please, Marshal, instruct me!"