You want me to take out a loan to practice cultivation? I'll just pay off the debt physically.

Chapter 110 As long as I live, the Red Heart Society will never be able to develop forbidden military weapons (5k)

When these twelve retreat orders reached the Southern Border, the Federation's million-strong army in the south instantly erupted in excitement.

Since their founding, the Federation and the Winter Empire have frequently clashed.

There have been over a hundred recorded wars between nations throughout history.

Even the Frostfire Defense Line built by the Winter Empire in the south, along with the first and second fortified defensive cities, plus the extremely resource-rich forests, lakes, and thirty-nine seaports near the western ocean, all previously belonged to the Federation.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Winter Empire has seized territory from several provinces of the Federation over the past few centuries.

Now, they have finally broken through the Winter Empire's defensive lines, routing its border troops and even plundering several of its fertile cities.

[As a result, the Federal Headquarters and the Military ordered them to withdraw?]

[They also claim there have been no conflicts or tensions with the Winter Empire during this period?]

Did they hear correctly?

[Traitor!]

This is absolutely a blatant act of treason!

What about the comrades who died on the southern battlefield during this period?

If this doesn't count as a national war, doesn't that mean these soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the Federation don't even qualify as martyrs?

[Amidst the uproar within the Federation's Southern Border Army, Lin Xue seized the opportunity and began uniting with the warriors of the Red Heart Society to expose the hypocrisy of the Federation's high command within the Southern Border Army.]

[At the same time, the grim reality is presented to all the soldiers of the Southern Border: the Federal Headquarters has been seized by traitors, the Federation is corrupt, and the Federal aristocratic families have joined forces with foreign powers to seize the Federation's existing interests.]

Fellow countrymen!

The decisions of the Federation and the military have disheartened us. The opportunity to reclaim lost territory and make history is right before our eyes, yet the Federation leadership insists on forcing us to return!

This makes us wonder if the Federation's high command has reached an agreement with the Winter Empire?

[In exchange for sacrificing the interests of the Southern Territory, they reached a dirty, underhanded deal with the invaders of the Winter Empire.]

Now, if we want to make this land great again, if we want to defeat the invaders of the Winter Empire in the future, the only thing we can rely on is ourselves!

Please believe that once the flames of righteous indignation burn brightly, all the demons and monsters hiding within the Federation will be swept away!

Those oppressors and exploiters who hold high above will inevitably be defeated, and we will ultimately achieve our perfect victory!

After saying this, Lin Xue raised her right hand.

[Red Heart——]

[Ten thousand! Wins——]

In an instant, members of the Red Heart Society within the Southern Army responded to Lin Xue's call, displaying unparalleled excitement.

Everyone understood what Lin Xue meant.

If the federal leadership cannot maintain control, the Red Heart Society will overthrow them through armed struggle.

[Then, we will rebuild the Federation!]

[Following the response from the Red Heart Society members, the rest of the Southern Army also raised their hands in salute amidst this fervent fervor, shouting "Victory to the Red Heart Society!"]

The power of the collective is invariably effective when it influences individuals.

The Winter Empire commander, observing the Southern Border army from afar, witnessed the Federation's Southern Border troops' morale turn from decline to victory in an extremely short time.

Even the mutiny within the southern army was quelled in a very short time.

Such terrifying execution chilled the commander to the bone.

[But when he relayed the news that the Federation's southern border troops were withdrawing to the Emperor of the Winter Empire, he inquired again whether they should be intercepted.]

The Emperor of the Winter Empire sternly rejected the commander's idea. He had finally reached an agreement with the Federation's high command, and the Southern Federation army was still within the Federation's control; therefore, it was best not to cause any trouble.

Most importantly, based on his understanding of the Federation's high command, he knew that the Southern Army would inevitably be dismembered or even subjected to a bloody massacre upon their return.

The most important thing is to eliminate the Southern Army before it spirals out of control.

[When the internal strife within the Federation reaches its peak, that might be the time for their Winter Empire to re-enter the fray!]

In February of the 129th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, after the Southern Border Army had fully returned, the new military headquarters dispatched envoys with a group of high-ranking officers from the Central Army, carrying military transfer orders and secret orders from the Federation Headquarters, to carry out a so-called lateral transfer of troops.

[As per the plans of the Federal Headquarters and the new military command, a single transfer order brought the Southern Border troops back.]

The southern army shouldn't have resisted that order.

But they were wrong!

Under Lin Xue's leadership and at the urging of the Red Heart Society instructors, the Southern Border Army, faced with the so-called new military command's transfer order, mutinied without hesitation.

The arrogant envoy, who thought he could control everything in the Southern Territory with a single warrant, was swiftly annihilated by the Southern Territory soldiers, much to the shock and fear of a group of high-ranking officers in the Central Army.

[A few dozen professionals were nothing compared to the combined attack of a million Southern Army soldiers and dozens of Southern Warbands. They couldn't even make a ripple.]

After eliminating the military envoy, Lin Xue left 300,000 troops to guard the southern border before leading them towards the location of the Red Heart Army.

[Along the way, any powerful families that refuse to cooperate or outright resist will be completely wiped out!]

[Exterminate the entire family!]

Not a single one will be left behind!

For an army that wields pure violence, this is far too easy.

The heads of local powerful families are only at the fifth or sixth level of cultivation.

Even if there are hidden powerhouses, they are at most at the seventh level.

Even a seventh-tier professional couldn't withstand a single breath against a massive military matrix of millions.

[In short, showing your face means certain death!]

Furthermore, Lin Xue, with the intention of leaving a clean slate for the development of the Red Heart Society, quickly turned the residences of aristocratic families into deep pits wherever she went.

When the core members of the Red Heart Society arrived with a pioneering mission, they discovered that this place was completely different from what they had imagined!

Upon hearing that the Red Heart Society had arrived, the common people flocked to welcome them.

The Red Heart Society has arrived; their bad days are over.

When news of the southern army's northward advance reached the federal center, it caused chaos within the new military headquarters and the federal administration.

They may not know the current state of the Southern Border army's combat capabilities, but they do know the strength of the Winter Empire's border troops!

An army capable of routing the border troops of the Winter Empire must have performed poorly.

[Therefore, these two organizations, representing the center of federal power, began shifting blame during the meeting.]

In March of the 129th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, after joining forces with the Red Heart Army, the Southern Border Army began its march towards the direction of North Lake Province.

[Once we break through North Lake Province and capture South Lake Province, we'll be within reach of the Federal Center area.]

In this life-or-death crisis, especially after witnessing the actions of the Red Heart Society and the Southern Border Army led by Lin Xue along the way, the aristocratic families in the Federation's central area felt an overwhelming sense of crisis.

Therefore, they urgently ordered the northern army and the major battle groups guarding the Demon Cave to return to their aid.

However, the White Eagle Empire's border troops had been waiting for a long time, and the moment the Federation's northern border forces were withdrawn, the White Eagle Empire's army launched a fierce attack.

For a time, the Northern Border Army of the Federation was tied down by the White Eagle Empire's army.

[There's no other way. If they ignore the White Eagle Empire's army, they'll probably be overtaken the moment they reach the Federation center.]

[At that time, the Federation will truly face the danger of national extinction!]

Left with no other option, the Qin family sent envoys to the White Eagle Empire, but the reply they received was also that it concerned a national war, and no leniency would be shown!

Even after the Qin family envoy revealed information about the Red Heart Society's advocacy for the lower classes, its massacre of aristocratic families, and even the transmission of their long-sealed cultivation techniques to the Red Heart Society, the White Eagle Empire's higher-ups remained unresponsive.

Ultimately, it was only after the Qin family offered various extraordinary resources as bribes that the William family, who were related to the Qin family by marriage, secretly revealed a bombshell to the Qin family's envoy.

The White Eagle Empire was already aware of the Red Heart Society's actions.

Even the Red Heart Society's various large-scale military weapons and equipment were provided by their White Eagle Empire.

Otherwise, how could the Federation's dismal military factories possibly produce weapons that could overwhelm the Winter Empire?

[The Qin family envoy, dejected and disoriented by this bombshell news, returned to the Federation.]

When the Qin family patriarch learned that the Red Heart Society was backed by the White Eagle Empire, he was completely stunned.

【what? 】

[You mean the Red Heart Society, which is protected by military elders and whose entire military has pledged allegiance to, was founded by people from the White Eagle Empire?]

His first thought was that the William family of the White Eagle Empire didn't want to get involved and create trouble.

[Believe this, you might as well believe the Qin family betrayed their country!]

[It's true that the former Minister of War and other high-ranking military officials have various charges against them, but as the person who fabricated those charges against them, how could he not know the true state of the military?]

Those who fabricate accusations know better than anyone else about the injustice done to the victim. But so what?

[No matter who it is, if they block the Qin family's path, damage the Qin family's interests, or even threaten the Qin family's survival, then he will crush them completely!]

Based on his understanding of the military, the Qin family patriarch was perfectly clear that the military had not committed any treason!

[Or rather, under the leadership of the veteran military leaders, the military saw in the Red Heart Society the hope of making the Federation great again and ensuring that its people would no longer be bullied, which is why they acted that way.]

[Is the Red Heart Society a traitorous organization?]

They're really treating him like a fool and trying to scam him!

However, the William family had no need to fabricate such an easily exposed lie, so after the Qin family head calmed down, he saw it as a point that could be publicized.

The following day, the federal official media published an article titled: "Shocking! The mastermind behind the Red Heart Society is actually the White Eagle Empire?"

This article details how the White Eagle Empire supported the Red Heart Society, including the various medium and large-sized military weapons used by the Southern Army, all of which were manufactured by the White Eagle Empire.

[Soon, public opinion surged in provinces and cities unaffected by the fervent heart of the people.]

[However, within the Red Heart Society, its high-ranking members, the Red Heart Battle Group, the Guardian Battle Group, and the Red Heart Army all treated this article as a joke.]

You have never hidden your enemy targets from your loyal subordinates.

[A Federal Family?]

Those people don't deserve to be considered enemies of the Red Heart Society!

[The surrounding empires!]

[The abyss lords lurking around!]

This is the formidable enemy the Red Heart Society will face in the future.

As for the large-scale military production chain that the Red Heart Society acquired from the White Eagle Empire?

"Didn't you get that for free from the White Eagle Empire's royal family?"

[This matter is known to all the fervent followers of the Red Heart Society who have imprinted their beliefs on you.]

Therefore, this article published by the federal official media will serve no purpose other than to amuse members of the Red Heart Society.

[In June of the 129st year of the Supernatural Calendar, you reached level 48.]

[That same month, through Elder Jun's introduction, you met Elder Jian.]

[With your help, Sword Master received insights into cultivation techniques and the soul from another version of himself in another timeline, advancing his professional level to 94 more than a decade ahead of schedule.]

Sword Elder looked at the thriving Red Heart Society and nodded slightly.

When he saw that even ordinary soldiers of the Red Heart Society had mastered three secret techniques, he couldn't help but give you a thumbs up.

For someone like him, who has no offspring, the cultivation technique is no different from a ten-yuan coin lying on the ground.

However, he is well aware of the powerful families' control over cultivation techniques, which is why he approves of your magnanimity and actions.

Perhaps the old general is right; only under your guidance can the Federation become great again!

In June of the 129th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Red Heart Society completely occupied North Lake Province.

Because the Red Heart Society had preemptively imposed a blockade on Beihu Province, apart from a few highly informed aristocratic families who managed to escape, none of the other aristocratic families in Beihu Province fled.

[The prominent families of Jiangcheng, in particular, have been subjected to a full-scale trial under the close scrutiny of the Red Heart Society.]

Everyone in the Red Heart Society knows you're from Jiangcheng.

Now, you make no secret of your past poverty and the hardships you faced burdened by debt.

[To encourage members of the Red Heart Society, you even published a book about your own struggles, titled "My Life," within the society.]

If the Jiangcheng aristocratic families had any conscience and shown even a little consideration for those working at the bottom of society, things probably wouldn't have turned out this way.

Therefore, the higher-ups of the Red Heart Society are paying close attention to the trial of the Jiangcheng family.

During this period, you arranged for Lin Xue to meet with Du Yuhan.

If the Du family cooperates by confessing and handing over all their assets to the Red Heart Society, then the Red Heart Society will exile the younger generation of the Du family overseas.

Although Lin Xue doesn't understand your actions, she can probably guess what's going on.

[Therefore, under her arrangement, the head of the Du family decisively revealed everything.]

Given the current situation where the Chixin Society is at the mercy of the Du family, the Du family patriarch believes the Chixin Society has no reason to deceive them.

Although he didn't know why the Red Heart Society would spare the Du family's lineage, that didn't matter!

[That same month, the expressions of Elder Jun and Elder Jian, who were drinking tea next to you, changed.]

The two elderly people vanished from the spot in the next moment.

Within the mountains of Beihu Province, terrifying energy fluctuations rippled outwards.

Clearly, a ninth-tier professional from the Federation faction has targeted you.

[After the battle ended and neither side could gain the upper hand, you indicated that you could guide the other to cast a soul domain on you from a distance, pulling your soul into the domain.]

At that time, people will teach them a lesson!

The old soldier and the old swordsman exchanged a glance, a tacit understanding flashing in their eyes.

[In July of the 129th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, you significantly expanded the Guardian Corps and the Red Heart Army.]

The escort battle groups have been expanded to thirty, each maintaining a strength of 20,000 men.

With the reorganization and integration of the Southern Border Army, the Red Heart Army's numbers have now exceeded two million.

[But you knew that two million loyal soldiers wouldn't be enough to handle the upcoming war, so you made a bold move and expanded the force by another two million.]

With the strong support of the Red Heart Society members, the Red Heart Army quickly completed its recruitment.

[Especially the teams and freelancers under the Red Heart Society, who, nurtured by the Red Heart Society's contribution system, are all quite strong.]

But deep down, everyone harbors the dream of obtaining a government-affiliated job.

[Especially the Red Heart Army's organization, the treatment and benefits, especially during wartime, often included a monthly salary equivalent to seven months' wages and bonuses equivalent to nine months' wages—it was simply mouthwatering.]

Most importantly, war is inevitable in the future.

Only by joining the Red Heart Society can they continue to advance and receive more extraordinary resources in the future.

[Another point is the generous pensions given to the soldiers of the Loyal Heart Army.]

If one's death could bring a happier and more fulfilling life to their family, perhaps many people wouldn't be so afraid of death.

In August of the 129th year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the Federal Headquarters reached an agreement with the Sunset Empire, ceding the eastern border to the Sunset Empire in exchange for the latter's entire border army being mobilized to provide support.

[Faced with the Sunset Empire's large-scale intervention, the Red Heart Society issued a direct statement.]

This is a matter of internal affairs for the Federation. If the Sunset Empire continues to intervene, the Red Heart Society will not rule out launching a forbidden military strike against the Sunset Empire.

The Sunset Empire's royal family scoffed at this, publicly stating, "Does Chixin even understand what forbidden military weaponry is?"

Do you understand the structure of forbidden military equipment?

Does it possess large-scale launching equipment that is considered forbidden military weaponry?

[They even dared to launch a forbidden attack on the Sunset Empire. What gives this mere civilian organization such arrogance?]

The Emperor of the Sunset Empire even joked about it during a diplomatic ceremony, contemptuously stating that as long as he lived, the Red Heart Society would never be able to develop forbidden weaponry!

From this moment forward, the Sunset Empire will impose a complete blockade on the Red Heart Society regarding the raw materials for forbidden military weapons worldwide.

However, the Emperor of the White Eagle Empire stated that they had already sold the two forbidden weapons to the Red Heart Society.

The world was once again shocked when this news broke.

The Emperor of the Sunset Empire quickly changed his tune, stating that he had misspoke and meant that as long as he lived, the Red Heart Society would never be able to develop the advanced and sophisticated forbidden weapon launch system.

[The Federation's top leadership urgently sealed off the entrance to the Abyss Battlefield and mobilized all the warbands suppressing gold farming activities inside.]

However, these numbered battle groups were almost all created by the old military command, and the new military command had virtually no control over them.

Moreover, these numbered battle groups were unwilling to fight a civil war, especially after the Federation General Headquarters and the New Military issued those twelve withdrawal orders, which were tantamount to treason. These battle groups on the Abyss battlefield had lost all hope in the Federation's leadership.

To be honest, if the top brass of these numbered battle groups weren't all from prominent families in the Federation's central regions, they probably would have already defected.

[Especially when the Red Heart Society distributes cultivation techniques and secret manuals for free, and even holds cultivation exchange conferences for renowned families every now and then, the members of the numbered battle groups suppressing the Abyss Battlefield are even more eager to participate.]

Under these circumstances, lower-ranking members of the warbands only wanted to join the Red Heart Society, not fight against it.

After all, who would want to fight an organization that could bring them a bright future?

Thus, when the Sunset Empire's border troops arrived at the front lines, they found Federation-numbered battle groups with low morale, extremely strong anti-war sentiment, and frequent mutinies.

(End of this chapter)