Published at 25th of September 2024 9:48 am

Chapter 19: The Gathering Storm

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

As dawn broke over the town, the sense of anticipation was almost suffocating. The preparations were well underway—warriors trained tirelessly, the townspeople fortified the walls, and supplies were stockpiled for the battles that would inevitably come. But Wei Long knew that no matter how ready they seemed, the Jade Serpent Sect had resources and power beyond anything they had faced before.

Wei Long stood in the center of the training grounds, watching the warriors spar with a critical eye. He noticed subtle improvements in the way they moved—their strikes faster, their defense more fluid. The spiritual techniques they practiced had begun to bear fruit, and the town’s cultivation progress was evident. The fields around the town pulsed with vitality, the crops infused with spiritual energy thanks to the constant focus on cultivation, and the town’s defenses were imbued with protective formations.

But all of this might not be enough.

“I see you’re troubled,” a voice said from behind him.

Wei Long turned to see Lei Feng, the leader of the independent cultivators from the western mountains, approaching. His silver hair gleamed in the early light, and his calm demeanor contrasted with the underlying tension that had gripped the town.

“Just thinking about what’s to come,” Wei Long replied, gesturing toward the warriors training in the distance. “We’ve done all we can to prepare, but it still feels like it’s not enough.”

Lei Feng nodded slowly, his eyes following Wei Long’s gaze. “That’s the way of war. No matter how prepared you are, there’s always uncertainty. But I’ve seen your people—they’re strong, and they have something the Jade Serpent Sect doesn’t.”

“What’s that?” Wei Long asked.

“Purpose,” Lei Feng said simply. “The Jade Serpent Sect seeks power, control. They’re motivated by greed. But your people fight to protect their home, their freedom. That kind of resolve is hard to break.”

Wei Long considered Lei Feng’s words carefully. There was truth in them, but it didn’t change the reality of what they were up against. The Jade Serpent Sect’s reach was long, and its resources vast.

“And yet,” Wei Long said after a moment, “resolve doesn’t always win wars.”

Lei Feng smiled faintly. “No, but it does tip the scales. Especially when combined with strength. I didn’t agree to this alliance lightly, Wei Long. I see potential here—potential that could rival the power of any sect, given time.”

Wei Long appreciated the confidence, but time was the one thing they didn’t have. The Jade Serpent Sect would strike soon. He could feel it in the air, the way the wind seemed to whisper of an impending storm.

Before he could respond, a runner approached, breathless from a long sprint.

“Master Wei,” the young man panted, bowing quickly. “Li Cheng has returned. He’s brought word from the eastern villages.”

Wei Long’s heart quickened. He had been waiting for this. “Thank you. I’ll meet him right away.”

_______________________________________________________________

Inside the great hall, Li Cheng stood with Zhou Tian and several other village leaders. They looked weary from their travels, but their eyes gleamed with determination. Wei Long entered with Lei Feng at his side, nodding to the gathered group.

“Li Cheng,” Wei Long greeted him. “What news do you bring?”

Li Cheng wasted no time. “The eastern villages are prepared. Their warriors are armed and ready to fight, but there’s a problem. Scouts have reported that the Jade Serpent Sect’s forces are on the move. They’ve gathered at their stronghold, and it looks like they’re preparing for a major offensive.”

Wei Long’s jaw tightened. “How many?”

“At least a hundred elite disciples, with several elders leading them,” Li Cheng said gravely. “That’s just what we know. They could have more in reserve.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. A hundred elite disciples, backed by powerful elders, was no small force. Even with their alliance, the town would struggle to hold against such numbers.

“We’ll need more than just numbers to win,” Zhou Tian said, his voice gruff but firm. “We’ve faced sects before, but this… this will be different.”

Lei Feng folded his arms, his expression unreadable. “They won’t attack recklessly. The Jade Serpent Sect values its reputation, and a full-scale war could draw unwanted attention from other factions. They’ll likely try to intimidate us first—test our resolve.”

Wei Long nodded in agreement. “We need to be ready for anything. If they’re preparing an offensive, we have to strike first. Hit them before they can fully organize.”

Li Cheng stepped forward. “I agree, but we’ll need a strategy. Charging blindly into their stronghold would be suicide.”

“That’s why we won’t attack head-on,” Wei Long said, his mind already racing with possibilities. “We need to strike where they’re weakest—disrupt their plans before they can execute them. And we’ll need to take advantage of the terrain.”

Zhou Tian spoke up. “The forests to the east could be useful. We know that land well, and we can lead them into traps if they try to march through.”

Lei Feng added, “And my people can provide reconnaissance. We know how to move unseen in the mountains. If we can keep tabs on their forces, we’ll know when and where to strike.”

Wei Long glanced between them, his resolve hardening. They had a chance, slim though it was. The Jade Serpent Sect may have been stronger in raw power, but their alliance was diverse—cultivators, warriors, and people who knew how to use the land to their advantage.

“We’ll send out scouts immediately,” Wei Long said, standing taller as he addressed the room. “We’ll gather information, and when the time is right, we’ll strike. We’re not just defending this town—we’re defending our future.”

_______________________________________________________________

The next few days passed in a flurry of preparation. The warriors trained harder than ever, honing their techniques and learning how to fight as a cohesive unit. The independent cultivators moved through the surrounding forests and mountains, mapping out every possible route the enemy could take. Traps were set, and defensive formations were bolstered.

Wei Long spent long hours in the council chamber, working with Li Cheng, Lin Mei, Lei Feng, and Zhou Tian to finalize their strategy. Each piece of the plan was designed to force the Jade Serpent Sect into overextending itself, leading them into unfamiliar territory where the alliance would have the advantage.

But there was still the matter of the ancient site in the mountains. Lei Feng had mentioned it in passing, but now it loomed larger in Wei Long’s mind. If there was something there—something powerful enough to turn the tide of battle—it could be worth the risk.

Late one night, after another grueling strategy session, Wei Long pulled Lei Feng aside. “Tell me more about this ancient site,” he said quietly. “What do you know about it?”

Lei Feng’s eyes flickered with interest. “It’s an old relic of a sect long forgotten, buried deep in the western mountains. Some say it holds treasures—artifacts of immense power—but no one’s been able to reach it in centuries. The path is treacherous, and the site itself is protected by ancient formations.”

Wei Long’s mind raced. If the legends were true, whatever lay within that site could be the key to defeating the Jade Serpent Sect. But it was a gamble—a dangerous one.

“We don’t have much time,” Wei Long said, his voice low. “If there’s even a chance that what’s in that site could help us, we have to try.”

Lei Feng studied him for a long moment, then nodded. “I thought you might say that. I’ll take a small team and lead you there. But understand this—the journey won’t be easy. If we go, there’s no guarantee we’ll make it back before the battle begins.”

Wei Long’s eyes burned with resolve. “Then we’ll just have to make sure we do.”

_______________________________________________________________

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Wei Long prepared for the journey into the mountains. He had chosen a handful of the town’s best warriors, including Lin Mei, to accompany him and Lei Feng. They would move quickly and quietly, hoping to reach the ancient site before the Jade Serpent Sect’s forces could fully mobilize.

But even as they set out, Wei Long couldn’t shake the feeling that time was slipping away. The storm was gathering, and soon, it would break.

One way or another, everything would be decided in the days to come.

Share