Northern Frontier

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Northern Frontier (北境)
Type	Frontier region
Affiliation	Great Xia in name; governed in practice by Shen Qingtang's Northwind Army and allied Northern Frontier sects
Status	Contested war zone under demon invasion; the imperial court has attempted to abandon or reclaim control of it 69 73
First Appearance	Chapter 30

Geography and Conditions

• The region lies north of Northwind Pass and includes settlements such as Qinghan County, frontier villages, sect territories, and increasingly abandoned wilderness. 53 57 67
• Its roads and villages have been devastated by demon attacks: refugees flee south, settlements stand empty, and routes may be cut off entirely. 49 51
• The Far North is especially barren and snowbound, with ruined villages, demon beasts, and few remaining civilians. 67 69
• Demon activity in the region includes Pig, Wolf, Snow Sheep, and other demon beasts, as well as organized demon armies from the Northern Wasteland Demon Hall. 51 57 69 73
• Precious medicine is scarce because the northern medicinal mountains are demon-occupied. 62

Government and Defense

Great Xia's Withdrawal

The Northern Frontier was nominally part of Great Xia, but its border troops withdrew, local garrisons scattered, and provisions and military pay were cut off. Civilians were left exposed to demon attacks and predatory deserters. 51 53 69

The imperial court viewed the region as a costly, politically troublesome territory. Grand Tutor Lu Tingyu advocated allowing demons and Northern Frontier sects to weaken one another, while Emperor Yongxi approved an order demanding Shen Qingtang surrender the region's military and civil authority. 69

Northwind Army

Shen Qingtang dissolved the Northern Frontier Demon-Slaying Hall and absorbed its personnel and resources into the Northwind Army. The force governs the area around Northwind Pass, pays soldiers, distributes food, and rewards demon kills with merit. 56

After publicly tearing up the imperial decree, Shen declared herself a general of the Northfrontier and vowed not to surrender its land to the court. The soldiers and civilians of Northwind Pass rallied behind her. 72

Northern Frontier Sect Coalition

The seven major Northern Frontier sects formed a coalition army to resist the demon tide. Its member sects are:

Sect	Known role
Iron Sword Sect	Refused evacuation and swore to fight until the demons retreated. 53
Vajra Temple	Contributes fighters to the coalition. 61
Split-Spear Sect	Sent Lu Changying to reinforce Qinghan County; led by Dong Changge. 60 61
Snowridge Sect	Possesses a sect-protecting formation and debated sealing its mountain. 69
Medicine Pass Valley	Supplies medicine for the war effort. 69
Beast-Taming Sect	Uses war beasts and scouts for threats such as the strange beast. 69
Watching-North Tower	Provides intelligence to Northwind Pass. 69

The coalition later joined forces with Northwind Pass and elected Shen Qingtang as commander-in-chief. 69

Major Events

Collapse of Frontier Authority

Demon attacks intensified as villages disappeared and the Demon-Slaying Hall became increasingly corrupt. According to survivors, recruitment and assignments became controlled by wealth, background, and connections rather than demon-slaying ability. 51

Rumors spread that Great Xia intended to cede the Northern Frontier to demons in exchange for peace. The border army's retreat and the abandonment of civilian settlements gave the rumors credibility. 53

Defense of Northwind Pass

At Northwind Pass, Shen Qingtang rejected an order to withdraw and executed City Lord Li when he argued for abandonment. Her decision kept the pass in human hands and inspired the remaining Demon-Slaying Hall personnel to pledge themselves to its defense. 53

The Iron Sword Sect separately pledged that its swords would not return to their sheaths until the demons retreated. 53

Qinghan County Siege

Qinghan County was besieged by a large demon force seeking Ancient Beast Remains in the mountain behind the city. The remains included Exotic Beast Essence Blood and Exotic Beast Soul Essence, treasures capable of advancing demon bloodlines and cultivation. 58 63

The city briefly survived after Northern Frontier sect reinforcements arrived and Dong Changge repelled the Fiend Tiger Demon King. However, the siege inflicted severe casualties, and Qinghan County later fell. 61 69

Northwind Reorganization

Following the collapse of the old Demon-Slaying Hall, Shen Qingtang established the Monster-Slaying Hall at Northwind Pass. It accepts martial artists regardless of origin and exchanges demon-slaying points for silver, demon blood, medicine, techniques, and official positions. 56

Open Defiance of Great Xia

Great Xia ordered Shen Qingtang to return to the capital and surrender authority over the Northern Frontier. She publicly destroyed the decree, rejected her former identity as a Heaven Guard, and proclaimed her responsibility to defend the region herself. 72

The court consequently treated the situation as a rebellion crisis. Prince Jing sought command of an army to retake the region, while the emperor remained largely indifferent to the frontier's survival. 73

Major Threats

• Northern Wasteland Demon Hall — The principal demon power attacking the Northern Frontier. Its Demon Kings have gathered forces to conquer the region while Great Xia is divided. 73
• Hundred Demons Valley — An Eastern Frontier demon faction that negotiated a joint invasion with the Northern Wasteland Demon Hall. 73
• Demon tides — Large, organized hordes capable of besieging county seats and overrunning frontier defenses. 57 59
• The strange beast / Exotic Beast — A mysterious creature associated with the fall of Qinghan County and sought by both humans and demons for its essence blood and soul. 63 69
• Imperial abandonment — The court's refusal to supply or reinforce the region has weakened its defense as severely as the demon threat. 69 73

Notable Locations

• Northwind Pass — A damaged but strategically vital pass defended by Shen Qingtang, the Northwind Army, and civilian supporters. 53 56
• Qinghan County — A frontier county besieged by demons searching for Ancient Beast Remains; it later falls despite resistance. 57 58 69
• Iron Sword Sect — A two-hundred-year-old Northern Frontier sect that refuses to flee or surrender its ancestral land. 53
• Far North — A near-uninhabited, snow-covered expanse where demon beasts roam and the mysterious rosy-light village appears. 67 69
• Back Mountain of Qinghan County — The site of an underground cavern containing an ancient beast skeleton, Exotic Beast Essence Blood, and Exotic Beast Soul Essence. 63