Chapter 278 - 136: Aunt Shui: Xiaojiang, from now on, you belong to me.

Chapter 278: Chapter 136: Aunt Shui: Xiaojiang, from now on, you belong to me.

He understood this principle.

Back when he handled the Snake Demon incident, he had learned that the Demon Race was rife with internal factions, and constant backstabbing was the norm.

They were hardly a monolithic bloc.

Now, the Red Umbrella Sect was merely pulling the strings, using mutual interests to temporarily bind together a group of demons who each had their own agenda.

It was just like in the movie *The Warlords*.

Although Pang Qingyun successfully requested reinforcements, if his own men didn’t fight desperately and build momentum, and if they didn’t show the reinforcements that military glory and benefits were within easy reach, the Kui Battalion troops would never have attacked. They would have just stood by and watched the show.

Jiang Mu followed this line of thought and said:

"So, the situation in Yan City is the same. The demon factions that will truly risk their lives to attack the city are actually in the minority.

As long as we can withstand the initial pressure and demonstrate enough resilience and killing power, we can make the other, wavering demon factions feel that ’gnawing on this bone is too costly; the gains don’t justify the losses’.

They will naturally hesitate and hang back, and may even suffer from internal strife."

Tian Wenjing nodded.

"Every Demon King and demon general has their own little schemes.

’Why should I lead the charge and be cannon fodder? Why should my clan fight to the death for you? Why should I bet my life and everything I have?’

You hear the intel saying there are many Tier Seven and Tier Eight demons, but in the context of the entire state, that’s not a lot at all. In this region, there are no more than twenty Tier Seven or higher demons, tops.

Although the Demon Race has no hard limit on the number of Star Positions, growing to a high tier still requires fate, resources, and a vast amount of time. It’s not much easier than it is for Human Race cultivators.

So, they cherish their lives more than anyone.

When the time comes, the true main force attacking the city will inevitably be the vast numbers of low-tier Tier Two and Tier Three demons, interspersed with some mid-level leaders of Tier Four and Tier Five.

As for the Tier Seven and Tier Eight ones, we’ll be lucky if one or two of them even show up to personally oversee the battle."

Jiang Mu complained silently in his heart.

’Not a lot, huh?’

’I’ve got a damn Tier Ten Zombie Queen on one hand and a Tier Eight Tree Demon Granny on the other. So I’m just the unluckiest bastard of all, running into every single one of them, is that it?’

However, he knew that Tian Wenjing was telling the truth.

When the battle truly began, only one or two of the accompanying Tier Seven or Tier Eight Great Demons would likely participate personally.

The rest would most likely be holding the rear and observing.

The Demon Race, just like the Human Race, puts self-interest above all else.

Thinking about it this way, the pressure of facing a thirty-thousand-strong Demon Army seemed to lessen considerably.

"But we still can’t let our guard down."

Tian Wenjing’s expression was grave.

"Currently, our Hu State Demon-slaying Bureau has been assigned a heavy defensive task. We are on the front lines of the demon offensive.

In contrast, the Yunzhou City Demon-slaying Bureau’s task is much lighter. The defensive sector they’re responsible for has treacherous terrain that’s easy to defend and hard to attack, and they’ll be facing a smaller Demon Army."

"Why?" Jiang Mu didn’t understand.

’We both came as reinforcements, so why do they have it easier?’

’Could it be because the Water Director is beautiful, so the higher-ups are giving her special treatment?’

’That’s not right. There shouldn’t be preferential treatment. We need to be fair and just.’

A hint of helplessness appeared on Tian Wenjing’s face as he said in a low voice:

"The Water Director’s status is a bit special, after all... As you know, her father was once a high-ranking official at the Capital City Headquarters who died in the line of duty. Both emotionally and logically, the higher-ups are bound to show her some consideration.

Furthermore, on their way here, they lost a capable Hall Master, Tang Guixin. Their only remaining Hall Master, Yang Tianci, was... well, accidentally seriously injured by you during a ’sparring match’ and is still bedridden.

Now, apart from a few incompetent deputies, the Water Director has almost no capable generals left who can hold their own."

Er...

Jiang Mu was at a loss for words.

’It seems I’m half responsible for the Water Director becoming a general without an army.’

’Thinking about it that way, it does seem reasonable and fair for her to receive some preferential treatment.’

Just as he was thinking this, a guard’s voice came from outside the door:

"Sir, the Water Director requests an audience."

Tian Wenjing was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Jiang Mu with a smirk and teased:

"She must be here for you. She came looking for you once before, and when she found out I’d sent you on a mission, she gave me quite an earful.

She scolded me for not knowing how to protect my subordinates, only knowing how to make you do dangerous and dirty work. The way she’s so protective, anyone who didn’t know better would think you were her own son."

Jiang Mu gave a dry laugh.

’The Water Director has really thrown herself into this "elder aunt" role. She’s getting way too into character.’

A moment later, a fragrant breeze wafted in.

Shui Miaozheng walked in.

The woman wore an aqua-blue long dress, her posture as elegant as ever.

The sleek fabric of the dress clung to her body, outlining the voluptuous curve of her thighs with every step.

As the hem of her dress brushed over the threshold, she paused slightly. Her gaze fell upon Jiang Mu, and the curve of her waist and hips became even more pronounced.

Even the candle flame seemed to leap in response.

It was as if the light itself was stuck to her undulating curves, unable to break free.

"Xiaojiang!"

A bright light flashed in the woman’s eyes. She walked in quickly, and only let out a breath of relief when she saw he was completely unharmed.

Then, she turned to Tian Wenjing, her willow-like brows furrowing slightly, her tone tinged with complaint:

"Elder Tian, it’s not my place to criticize, but no matter how capable Xiaojiang is, he’s still young, just a Fourth Realm cultivator. The situation in Yan City is so complex. How could you just rashly send him out to eliminate demons alone without even getting a clear picture of things?

If something had happened to him, how could I... how could we, his elders and superiors, live with ourselves?"

Tian Wenjing, standing to the side, was quite embarrassed.

’He’s my subordinate. Why are you acting like he’s one of yours?’

’Do I need your permission to order my own subordinate around?’

Jiang Mu quickly tried to smooth things over, saying with a smile: