Volume One, Chapter 105: Quite the Audacious One

Chapter 105: What Nerve!

The boundary between Andromeda and the North Pole is far from clear.

Take, for instance, the seven original stars of Tengshe, numbers sixteen through twenty-two, overseen by the Fire Pig Lv Sheng—they all lie within Andromeda. Even the first and second stars of the Bixiu asterism, overseen by Bixu Yushi Suohe, are included.

Add to that the seven original stars of Kuimu Lang, under Heishi Sheng’s command, and you find a situation so intertwined it’s impossible to separate them. This mingling has persisted for billions of years, maintaining relative stability.

Frankly, it’s because Andromeda doesn’t want to fuss over it, or even if they wanted to, they simply couldn’t keep up.

The Andromeda Nebula is enormous—twice the size of the Milky Way, with several hundred billion stars inside. Riding a light-speed chariot from one side to the other would take 170,000 years. To quarrel over a few insignificant star clusters and these minor players? That would be exhausting for Andromeda.

Yet, as the saying goes: “My star domain, my rules; not an inch shall be yielded.”

But some issues aren’t so easily settled.

For example, many star clusters managed by the Northern Black Tortoise overlap and interweave with Andromeda’s galaxies. We’ve effectively occupied these territories for tens of thousands of years. Now you raise claims of star domain sovereignty—are you trying to stir trouble?

Regardless, maintaining the current superficial star domain boundaries is necessary. If two intermediate worlds truly went to war, wouldn’t they wreak havoc on this vast macrocosm? Even if they did fight, the other three thousand macrocosms might not care. The universe is vast—if you two worlds annihilate each other, would you even be more than a ripple in the cosmic ocean?

Still, Fire Pig Old Lv pays no heed to such concerns. No matter what others say or do, his single-minded focus is Suohe.

Mess with Suohe, and you mess with me, Old Pig.

Mess with Old Pig, and you mess with the Northern Black Tortoise Emperor.

Mess with the Emperor, and you mess with the Three Enclosures of the North Pole.

Mess with the Three Enclosures—are you crazy trying to start a rebellion?

Rebellion? Bring it on! I command the Imperial Guard, and I’ll beat your head into a pig’s snout! Don’t believe me? Just try!

Old Lv strode straight to the Northern Gate of the Imperial Guard’s garrison and let out a loud roar. Instantly, thousands of Imperial Guards arrayed themselves and set out, bringing along the Eight Chiefs’ divine artifact, the Heavenly Net.

Old Lv led his grand army toward the direction of the desolate star of the Heavenly Stable.

Nearby, Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge were gathering forces to mop up the remnants.

Most of the fallen disciples who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage on the ground were dead—less than a third could be saved. About half of the over ten thousand Nascent Soul generals were rescued, while the Great Sage-level warriors suffered no loss, though many had damaged divine senses.

By numbers, the star bandits on the desolate star suffered the most casualties—at least half of their families, including the elderly, women, and children, were lost. But in terms of overall quality, the Heavenly Court’s losses might have been greater.

Though Great Sages were plentiful in the Heavenly Court, and cultivating Foundation Establishment disciples wasn’t particularly difficult, it still required time and effort.

As for Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge feeling sorrowful? That’s impossible—they have no emotions. But frustration was definitely there.

The plan was to drive Chu Tiange out of the desolate star, and the Heavenly Court’s besieging forces would then garrison there permanently.

This meant Chu Tiange and his band of star bandits would wander within Andromeda’s domain from then on.

Why? Good question.

Because inside Andromeda’s territory lies something coveted and desperately sought after by all worlds.

So why not just go and fetch it?

That’s a foolish question.

Although Andromeda’s domain is at the edge of the constellation, if you charge in with a grand Heavenly Court army, even under the guise of eradicating bandits, do you really know what you’re doing?

It’s like when the United States pursued Laden in its previous life. They knew exactly which country he was in, but if they just marched in and captured him, wouldn’t that violate the other nation’s sovereignty? Wouldn’t it look like an act of aggression?

Sure, the US was powerful and indifferent to international opinion—they went in, fought, and captured him nonetheless. But do you really think the global public supported their actions?

If you recklessly invade another country’s territory and start fighting, even your allies would fear and be wary of you.

The thing is, Andromeda is a vast, mysterious galaxy. If you want to go in, do you think the Northern Three Enclosures’ power is enough to keep Andromeda silent?

The answer is obviously no.

Even billions of years later, the Northern Three Enclosures’ understanding of the Andromeda Nebula remains limited: it’s huge and dangerous. Beyond that? They simply don’t know.

What if you rush in and never come back?

Moreover, this siege by the Heavenly Court army was never the official government’s intention. The arrival of Tian Qiang, Xuan Ge, and Tian Bang was a private act, orchestrated by certain powerful lords lured by massive benefits.

Their goal was to let these bandits take a gamble inside, hoping they might stumble upon a place harboring a treasure beyond imagination.

How would they know if they really found it? How would they retrieve it?

Naturally, there were careful calculations and arrangements. Do you think a lord’s intelligence is just for show?

This unauthorized operation carries risks, but the potential rewards are even greater—so great that it justifies ignoring the organization, concealing it from the central government, and diverting troops. They aren’t afraid of the Heavenly Emperor or the Purple Forbidden Emperor coming after them. If they manage to obtain that treasure, even breaking away and starting anew wouldn’t be impossible.

Hence, a popular saying in the Heavenly Court: Danger accompanies profit; opportunity coexists with challenge. It all depends on whether it’s worth it.

Who says politics isn’t a game of chance?

Since it’s gambling, only the bold dare to play.

So don’t assume the various factions within the Heavenly Court coexist harmoniously. Anyone who thinks so is truly a fool.

The Heavenly Court’s Three Enclosures, Four Symbols, and Twenty-Eight Mansions—the Three Enclosures belong to the central government, while the Four Symbols and Twenty-Eight Mansions are regional.

Conflicts abound between the central government and regions over various interests.

The Heavenly Emperor nominally commands all gods, and the Purple Forbidden Emperor oversees all stars. But actual control over the myriad stars lies with the Four Symbol divine beasts. The Purple Forbidden Emperor’s real authority extends only to the stars within the Purple Forbidden, Supreme Micro, and Celestial Market enclosures.

The problem is, how many stars are in those Three Enclosures? Compared to those held by the Four Symbol divine beasts, they are but a drop in the ocean.

As for the gods, are you referring to the government agencies’ deities? There are only a few. Most gods are spread across the Four Symbols and Twenty-Eight Mansions.

Are they aligned with the central government? Of course, but there’s another saying: “Local officials are better than distant governors.”

Enough groundwork—back to the story.

After Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge finished regrouping the remnants and prepared to clear up the blood-soaked battlefield on the desolate star for a long-term garrison, they suddenly saw huge clouds billowing in the distance, accompanied by shouts and neighing horses. A vast army swept over like the wind, snowflakes of blades and banners flying like a sea of red.

Tian Qiang and Xuan Ge were drenched in sweat, shocked speechless.

Damn, did the Purple Forbidden Emperor discover them? Is this an expedition to punish them?

Judging by the banners, this was the Imperial Guard’s standard!