Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 452 Reserve Legion

"yes!"

Upon hearing that war was imminent, Ju Zi's expression turned serious, but her heart stirred with excitement. The impending war meant that her chance for revenge had arrived. Ju Zi gave Xu Tianran a slight bow before quickly leaving.

Watching Ju Zi's disappearing figure, Xu Tianran muttered to himself, "The Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire won't let such a good opportunity pass them by. They will definitely launch a war. However, we are not fully prepared for this situation. How should I respond?"

Xingluo City, Zizai Gate.

Ji Lin has led the Zizai Sect members back to Xingluo City. Three days have passed since the hostages were rescued and they returned safely to the Xingluo Empire. Three days ago, Ji Lin and his group encountered powerful figures from various countries who came to meet them at sea. Each of them then left with their own hostages, while Ji Lin and his group returned with the members of the sects and academies belonging to the Xingluo Empire.

Three days have passed, and the situation on the mainland remains unpredictable.

Because of the rescue of the hostages, the Sun Moon Empire greatly strengthened its surveillance of the three kingdoms of the Douluo Continent and Shrek Academy, and continuously dispatched more troops to the border.

The same applies to the Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire. The hostages have already been returned, and the Sun Moon Empire has not yet recovered its strength. This is the perfect opportunity to deal a heavy blow to them. Neither of the two empires is a fool. If they don't weaken their enemy now, what are they waiting for? Once the Sun Moon Empire recovers its strength, their situation will become even more difficult.

Since war is inevitable anyway, instead of letting the Sun Moon Empire prepare and take the initiative to start the war, it's better to strike first and seize the initiative before the Sun Moon Empire is fully prepared.

The pro-war factions of the Star Luo Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire are already gearing up and ready to launch an attack on the Sun Moon Empire at any time.

Although the Douling Empire is located in the rear, it understands the principle of mutual dependence. A large army, including seven titled Douluo, has already set off and is rapidly heading towards the border. A major battle is very likely to break out in a short time.

In this situation, Zizai Sect recalled all its elite disciples who were training outside and chose to wait and observe the development of the situation. In the war between the four kingdoms, Ji Lin needed Zizai Sect to secretly accumulate strength. Like the Sun Moon Empire, he was not fully prepared. His cultivation had not yet reached its peak, the disciples of Zizai Sect had not yet fully grown up, and the trump card created in the underground research room was not yet completed.

In Xingluo City, at midday, Ji Lin did not receive news of the start of the war, but instead was greeted by an acquaintance.

On a small hill near the White Tiger Duke's Mansion stands a tall tombstone, over two meters high and quite wide, surrounded by exquisitely crafted granite with carvings of auspicious beasts. Behind it lies another tomb, also made of granite.

There is a line of text engraved on the tombstone.

"The Tomb of My Beloved Wife, Huo Yun'er"

The signature reads: Dai Hao.

Before the tombstone, Ji Lin and a black-haired youth stood upright. The black-haired youth had tears in his eyes. He was Huo Yuhao, who should have been at Shrek Academy. This tombstone was for his mother, Huo Yun'er.

However, the tomb at this time was completely different from the one before Huo Yuhao left.

Back then, young Huo Yuhao had no means to give his mother a grand funeral. All he had was a wooden tombstone that he had carved himself with the White Tiger Dagger, and a mound of yellow earth.

At this time, the tomb had been renovated. Although it was still in the same place, it looked completely different.

Looking at the brand-new tombstone and the two characters "Dai Hao" on it, Huo Yuhao's eyes were slightly dazed. He slowly knelt down in front of his mother's tombstone. The hatred and grievances that had accumulated over the years erupted at this moment. Tears flowed uncontrollably as he lay prostrate in front of his mother's tombstone, sobbing uncontrollably.

The longing for his mother and the sorrow in his heart welled up and turned into tears, which fell on the tombstone.

Ji Lin watched silently from the side, not daring to disturb them. It was Huo Yuhao's and his mother's time.

"Mom, Mom, I'm back. I've come to see you." After being away for so many years, this was the first time Huo Yuhao had returned to pay respects to his mother, and his heart was filled with guilt.

Over the years, he worked tirelessly to become stronger, almost without rest. He didn't even dare to think about his mother, for fear that he would impulsively seek revenge.

His greatest wish was to avenge his mother and make Duke Dai Hao of the White Tiger kneel before her grave and repent to her.

But what did he see? His mother's grave had been re-erected. Dai Hao had rebuilt her tombstone and addressed her as his wife, which was always what his mother had wanted most!

Dai Hao's behavior filled Huo Yuhao with doubt.

Despite his doubts, Huo Yuhao would not give up on revenge. He knelt down again in front of the tombstone and solemnly kowtowed nine times.

Huo Yuhao said in a deep voice, "Mother, don't worry, I will always remember your revenge. I will prove to that person that your son is stronger than him. What he can do, I can do too. One day, I will return here rightfully, back to the White Tiger Duke's mansion, and trample them all under my feet. Those who have hurt you, I will make them pay tenfold, a hundredfold. I will make the White Tiger Duke personally welcome you back to the White Tiger Duke's mansion, acknowledge you as his legal wife, and kneel before your spirit to repent."

After saying this, Huo Yuhao took out the offerings he had prepared and placed them one by one in front of his mother's grave. After kowtowing several times, he stood up, looked at his mother's tombstone with reluctance, wiped away the tears on his face, and his eyes became resolute again. He turned to Ji Lin and said, "Let's go, Ji Lin."

"Have you made up your mind? You might die!"

Ji Lin said in a deep voice.

"I've already discussed it with my senior brother and teachers. I want to take revenge honorably, and I want my mother to return to the White Tiger Duke's Mansion with dignity. My teachers have also advised me to wait a little longer, but I don't want to wait anymore. The war is about to begin, and this is my only chance."

Huo Yuhao's tone was very firm.

Seeing that Huo Yuhao had made up his mind, Ji Lin could only say helplessly, "Alright then, I'll take you there."

Ji Lin, carrying Huo Yuhao, released the flying soul tool and flew rapidly westward.

Yuming City, located in the northwest corner of the Star Luo Empire, is less than 100 kilometers from the Mingdou Mountains and less than 500 kilometers from the border of the Tianhun Empire. It is an important stronghold for the Star Luo Empire to resist the Sun Moon Empire and one of the most important supply cities for the front camp.

Two reserve corps are stationed here.

Reserve troops are generally 50% larger than regular troops, and like regular troops, they undergo rigorous training. If regular troops at the front suffer losses, they need to be drawn from these reserves to replenish the ranks.

Both reserve legions of Yuming City are at full strength. The marshal of the Western Army Group is Duke Baihu, and they are facing the Sun Moon Empire's army, which could appear at any time. No one dares to embezzle funds in this situation. Therefore, both reserve legions of Yuming City are at full strength, with 15,000 men each. They can be deployed to the front lines within two hours if needed.

Yuming City was also one of the important granaries for the Western Army Group. It was fortified with thick walls and extremely tight defenses. It was always managed by one of Duke Baihu's most trusted subordinates.

The two reserve corps here are the Fourth Reserve Corps and the Sixth Reserve Corps of Army Group West.

Recently, these two regiments have been recruiting new soldiers due to the retirement of a group of veterans who are over the age limit.

Because of the enormous threat posed by the Sun Moon Empire, the Star Luo Empire had long since extended the term of military service, especially for veterans who had served on the battlefield, and offered them extremely high benefits to retain them.

Even so, people always get old. For ordinary people, once they pass the age of forty, their bodies age faster, making it difficult to maintain their physical condition in the military. Therefore, every year, a number of veterans retire from both the regular army and the reserve army.

With veterans retiring, new recruits are needed to fill the gaps. These past few days, the Sixth Reserve Corps of the Western Army Group has been recruiting new soldiers.

The conscription of the Fourth Reserve Corps just ended the day before yesterday. Due to the tense atmosphere on the border and the impending war, many families in border cities are unwilling to let their children join the army. Joining the army means going to the battlefield and encountering danger! Therefore, the conscription work has not been very smooth.

However, joining the army also has its advantages. It is one of the shortcuts for ordinary people to turn their lives around in the Douluo Continent. Military merit is one of the fastest ways to get promoted. Therefore, there are still some young people who are confident, physically strong and bold, who come to the recruitment office to sign up for the army.

The Sixth Reserve Army was stationed on the west side of Yuming City, and the recruitment office was located in the direction of the city gate. It could be clearly seen by anyone coming out of the city or entering the city from the outside.

At this moment, Ji Lin and Huo Yuhao arrived here. In the distance, several veterans were shouting enthusiastically to the young people passing by.

"The Sixth Reserve Legion is recruiting. Excellent benefits! You'll receive four silver soul coins in pay each month, no deductions. Three meals a day, two of which are guaranteed to include meat. Once approved, you'll be issued uniforms and weapons immediately. Serving in the military is an honor, protecting your country! Welcome to the Sixth Reserve Legion!"

The veterans' appeals did have some effect. Most of those willing to join the army were children from poor families. Military pay and food were what they wanted most. Once they joined the army, they would receive a month's salary, which could be used to improve their family's life and would last for a while.

A long queue had already formed in front of the conscription office, with twenty or thirty young men signing up to join the army.

The recruitment office was simply set up. Behind a long table were two veterans and a middle-aged man who looked like an officer. However, judging from his attire, even if he was an officer, his rank was probably not very high.

(End of this chapter)