Heading west from San Antonio across the Rio Grande lay the Southern Continent’s border stronghold, Del Rio.

Strictly speaking, the Rio Grande ran through Del Rio, splitting it into northern and southern halves facing each other across the river.

The Westerners had built a railway between the two. Troops could be transported from San Antonio by steam train, covering a few hundred kilometers in no time.

Once the war began, the Holy Court rapidly concentrated its forces using the railway. According to plan, they would cross the Rio Grande to launch an assault on the Tawantin forces on the opposite bank.

After three days and two nights of fierce fighting, the Tawantin forces ultimately withdrew from Del Rio.

The Holy Court’s army occupied Del Rio, and the former Tawanting command post became their new headquarters.

Two steam-powered carriages that required no horses drove through the gates of the command post.

Two officers in full generals’ uniform stepped down from the steam carriages, the insignia on their chests gleaming in the sunlight.

The two were clearly well acquainted. As soon as they got out, they greeted each other warmly, with a hint of mutual flattery.

“In the battle of Del Rio, your First Artillery Division deserves the top credit.”

“The natives are still outdated, fit only for bows and arrows. Even with Eastern assistance, they still fail to grasp the essence of mechanized warfare. Their strategy lags an entire era behind ours. Del Rio is proof enough.”

Both generals were brimming with confidence and ambition.

They entered the command building and met the Holy Court Cardinal Priest, Robert Abraham, in a room on the third floor.

Facing Robert in his clerical robes, the two generals became noticeably more respectful.

Robert spoke. “I have only recently assumed my post and am not yet fully familiar with my duties. You two commanded the assault on Del Rio and are well acquainted with the situation, so I have invited you here to brief me.”

Though a clergyman, Robert resembled a traditional military general. His expression was stern and resolute, his temples streaked with gray.

The two generals stood as straight as soldiers.

Robert clasped his hands behind his back and looked out the window. “Now that Del Rio has been taken, what are your respective casualties?”

The two generals exchanged a glance. The infantry general spoke first. “A full-strength infantry division has 18,000 men. In this battle, we suffered roughly 5,000 casualties.”

The artillery general added, “Our casualties are minimal, but ammunition consumption was heavy.”

Robert’s face, which was reflected in the glass, showed little change. “What’s your estimate on Tawantin’s casualties?”

The artillery general answered first, “Their casualties should exceed 8,000.”

Robert gave no clear reaction and continued, “Do you think their withdrawal from Del Rio was a forced rout or a deliberate strategic retreat?” 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Having fought on the front lines, the infantry general replied, “We attempted pursuit but encountered fierce resistance. I believe it was not a rout but a planned strategic withdrawal.”

The artillery general dismissed it. “Whether a rout or a retreat, it’s nothing to worry about. Our earlier defeat due to our carelessness gave them false confidence. They don’t realize that after the steam revolution, our warfare has fundamentally changed. Mechanized combat cannot be matched by flesh and blood. Their so-called resolve will be crushed by our steel tide.”

Robert turned around. “Very good.”

......

The Tawantin army retreated to Monclova, where they reorganized their defensive lines.

Qi Xuansu and Huangfu Ji also went there.

They met the commanding general who had just withdrawn from Del Rio. Since the Western Daoist Order had restructured the Tawantin military, it adopted a Central Plains-style system, similar to that of the Great Xuan Court.

The general complained bitterly. “If it were close combat, my men wouldn’t fear those Westerners. We’d even have the upper hand. The problem is their artillery. It’s overwhelming. One artillery division has 300 heavy cannons. They prepared 300 shells for each volley, turning the battlefield into a sea of fire. They also bomb from above with their flying crafts, then strafe us with machine guns. It’s only with these things that those pampered soldiers dare act so arrogantly.”

Another general added, “These urban assaults focus on artillery power, and defending a city leaves us with nowhere to hide. Our artillery can’t match theirs, so we’re forced into a passive position. We desperately need more artillery. Speaking of which, when will our flying ships be ready for combat?”

Huangfu Ji, well-versed in military matters, reassured them. “The artillery issue will be resolved soon. Great Sage Gong is gathering scattered cannons from various places to form a large artillery group under unified command. It’s expected to exceed 1,000 cannons. As for the flying ships, that will take a bit more time.”

After seeing off the two commanding generals, Huangfu Ji said to Qi Xuansu, “We were never at an advantage. At best, it was a balance. With Hun Chowen leaking most of the frontier army’s intelligence, the fall of Del Rio was to be expected.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Not to glorify the enemy, but with that level of firepower, they might even surpass the Daoist forces in the Fenglin front. No wonder the Holy Court is so arrogant, talking about considering only the cost of war, not its outcome.”

Huangfu Ji said, “The key is the cost of war. The Holy Court is advancing smoothly because they’re dumping shells without restraint. But those shells don’t fall from the sky. They’re made in factories, and they cost money. How long can their reserves and finances last? That’s the real question. Don’t underestimate those Western merchants. They don’t care about the greater good. Push them too far, and they’ll rebel. The Holy Court wants a quick victory, so we must drag this into a prolonged war. It’s like a race. They sprint hard at the start, so they’ll inevitably run out of energy.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “That’s our responsibility. We’ll figure out the true state of the Holy Court’s finances. Let’s not get intimidated by their opening moves.”

Huangfu Ji sighed. “It’s a pity Sun Zhongnu’s betrayal severely damaged our intelligence network on the Northern Continent. Many things have become much more difficult.”

Qi Xuansu said, “We have to look at both sides. We captured Ape God and launched a full-scale investigation, so the Holy Court is just as blind now.”

Huangfu Ji joked, “Your theory is solid, as expected of someone trained at the Wanxiang Daoist Palace, unlike us self-taught types.”

Qi Xuansu couldn’t help but sigh. “The Wanxiang Daoist Palace...”

“What, you’ve got grievances?” Huangfu Ji asked curiously. “Isn’t that your foundation?”

Qi Xuansu said, “My own matters are old news. I can let them go. The problem is the kid.”

“Your kid was bullied?” Huangfu Ji was not particularly surprised. Rumors often get distorted over distance. Strictly speaking, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu were only betrothed, but in the Southern Continent, they were seen as a married couple, so Huangfu Ji found nothing unusual about Qi Xuansu having a child.

Qi Xuansu nodded. “You could say that.”

Huangfu Ji grew increasingly curious. “As far as I know, that lady from the Zhang family isn’t soft at all. People in Jade Capital say she’s domineering and never takes a loss. So how could something like this happen with her around?”

Qi Xuansu said, “She probably got flustered out of concern. It’s her first time being a mother, so she became overly cautious and lost her courage. On top of that, she’s busy and under a lot of pressure, so she ends up misjudging things. My mother once told me that a man becomes easier to control once he has a family. It seems the same applies to her. I spoke with her, and she thinks the kid shouldn’t be dragged into all this, so she chose to step back. But in my view, the kid is already involved. The more we retreat, the more others will press forward. In any case, once the war is over, I’ll have to go back and deal with this.”

Huangfu Ji laughed. “If possible, I’d like to go with you. I’ve long wanted to see the famed Wanxiang Daoist Palace for myself.”

Qi Xuansu only smiled.

As they spoke, an official from the Juesheng Hall entered and reported, “Sage Huangfu, Sage Qi, we have just intercepted an encrypted message sent from San Antonio to St. York.”

Huangfu Ji took the decoded transcript, skimmed it, then handed it to Qi Xuansu. “Just as expected, they’re running into cost issues. San Antonio has begun urging St. York for ammunition supplies. It seems their reserves aren’t sufficient.”

Qi Xuansu glanced through it. “But this also shows they want to force a decisive strategic battle as soon as possible, to settle everything in one stroke.”

Huangfu Ji let out a cold laugh. “Then we must deny them exactly that. War burns money, and the Holy Court excels at burning it. In the past, they offset costs through plunder, often turning a profit. This also boosted morale. But now, every stronghold they attack becomes ruins with nothing left to take, while their own losses mount. As long as we refuse to cede land or pay indemnities, let’s see how long they can hold out.”

The Western Daoist Order dared to escalate the situation not out of recklessness but because they had confidence. As long as they could withstand the Holy Court’s three blows, they could gain the upper hand.

The key was how to withstand those swift and devastating blows. When the Holy Court conquered the three great empires of the New Continent, they rarely even needed all three blows. Often, a single blow was enough to end the war. That was the source of their arrogance.