Before long, reports came flooding back one after another.
"Young Master Buying of Maijing Prefecture has encountered a powerful enemy and cannot disengage. Qingchu Prefecture is holding its position and maintaining external vigilance!"
"The four prefectural governors inclined toward us have secured the strategic passes and vital roads, forming an encirclement around the capital."
This was good news. The Eight Direct Prefectures were the key routes in and out of the capital. With those places under their control, they could advance to attack or retreat to defend; even if they failed, they could withdraw unscathed and turn around to encircle the capital instead.
But...
"Outside the Eight Direct Prefectures, a force is attacking the outer perimeter. They are suspected to have come from the north."
Wu Linbei smiled. "Northern Profound Zhu? There is no need to think about it. They must have come to support Zhou Daqian."
"Heh, ignore them. Once Northern Profound Zhu reaches the capital, even a dragon will have to coil up..."
At this point, he turned to Lord Chongyang for advice. "Duke Niu will not come, will he?"
"He will not."
Lord Chongyang said with certainty, "North-Zhen North-Ge and the Heavenly Southern Divine Sword do not meet, one in the north and one in the south. If Duke Niu truly entered the capital with great fanfare, the Heavenly Southern Divine Sword would be the first to deal with him."
Since North-Zhen North-Ge was not coming, the overall situation would not be affected. A mere reinforcement force from Northern Profound Zhu could hardly alter the outcome.
As for the Zhou Clan Western Sect...
"They remain as heavily guarded as ever. Nothing can be seen from outside, and our people cannot infiltrate them."
Under Zhu Ruoxuan's rectification, the Zhou Clan Western Sect had become airtight as an iron