Shennong Dao Master-Chapter 1398 - 24: Absolute Heaven and Earth · Battle of Cultivators (Part 2)

"Ah? Why?" Long Xiao was puzzled, and the other generals were also at a loss.

"First, Wan Yansong of Earth Evil City, although indeed not as strong as Youyun, is not that easy to defeat." Zhao Xing said: "To his north are Hou Ying's thirty-six thousand, and to the southeast are Wu Tingye's forty-eight thousand."

"Hou and Wu are both direct branches of the Nine Nether Army."

"Receiving the order from Shangguan, they will certainly rush to rescue."

"If the siege is delayed, with Hou and Wu flanking and cutting off our retreat, the situation will become precarious."

"Second, even if we capture it, we cannot hold it. When the allied forces from seven directions arrive, it will be meaningless. So, what are we fighting for? Please think carefully, we are not fighting for the sake of fighting; the gain or loss of a city or territory does not matter."

"I have emphasized many times before, preserve the territory but lose people, both will be lost; preserve people but lose territory, both will be gained!"

"Our goal is to create a new world!"

Upon hearing Zhao Xing's words, everyone fell into deep thought.

"Then if we target the direct branch, the Youyun Commander, is it possible that Wan Yansong will not be able to support them promptly?" Xia Jing asked.

"Indeed, Brother Xia has considered many things." Zhao Xing nodded with a smile. "He worships Keshen, not Jiuyou God. On the contrary, people of the Flame Light Royal Court have always been at odds with those of the Holy Light Royal Court, one cold, and the other fierce. This is determined by culture and belief. Even if he assists, he won't be fast, or at least not wholeheartedly."

"After all, he is part of a weak brigade, and his mind is more on self-preservation than meritorious deeds. From the previous years' battle reports, it can be deduced that his personality is rather cautious."

"But Hou Ying and Wu Tingye will equally provide support." Zhao Zheng contemplated. "They won't be tardy."

"Well said." Zhao Xing nodded, "But Wu Tingye and Hou Ying reinforcing Youyun's Tianhe Upper City, compared to aiding Wan Yansong's Earth Evil City, are at a much greater distance; what we want is a timing gap."

"Therefore, we should hit the direct branch, the Youyun Commander, capturing Tianhe Upper City is certainly good, we can severely damage the enemy's live forces and gain favorable space for the next swift maneuver."

"What if it's unreachable?" Chen Shijie inquired.

"If we can't take it, we can cross the Tianshui River nearby." Zhao Xing said: "Creating a false impression that after our defeat, we are hastily moving southeast across the Canglan River to rendezvous with Dong Zejun."

"Thus, all enemies are pulled to the southeast of the Tianshui River."

"Creating a favorable situation for our next move."

"Crossing again?" Long Xiao felt a bit confused. What are we running around for?

...

On March 17th, the Ten Suns Army began rapid mobilization, leaving Wind Witch City, attacking Youyun Commander's Tianhe Upper City.

Due to Zhao Xing's great reputation and strict orders from Jiuyou God, Youyun treated it as facing a great enemy, preparing for city defense while immediately sending out requests for reinforcements.

After fighting for less than half a day, Rangers and Wang Ji reported that Hou Ying and Wu Tingye were urgently joining the reinforcements.

Advance forces of two to three thousand require only a day to arrive.

"Cease the siege!"

Zhao Xing didn't hesitate, immediately issuing the command to stop the siege.

While the siege was halted around two o'clock in the afternoon, Zhao Xing waited until dusk before beginning the retreat.

One reason was to reorganize the troops, arrange the formations; another was to confirm that Hou Ying and Wu Tingye's large forces had already left the city.

"According to the original plan, starting from Tianhe Lower City, cross Tianshui River at Three Bends."

"Is there enough time?" Liao Rulong worriedly asked, "You waited until evening to leave, our river-crossing speed won't be fast, and we need to find some boats..."

Xia Jing and Zhao Xing exchanged a glance and then laughed, "The boats are ready, you can rest assured. When you reach the destination, you're bound to have boats to use; we won't let you swim across in this cold weather."

"Uh?" Liao Rulong instantly fell silent.

Xia Jing said: "As for waiting until night, one reason is to reorganize troops, another is to ensure Hou Ying and Wu Tingye have already left their nest, and the third is the convenience of tactical interleaving in the dark."

"I understand now." Liao Rulong realized.

Actually, he still didn't understand why they were crossing the river, but there was Zhao Zheng beside him, so he was not apprehensive.

In fact, there's more than enough brains in the Ten Suns Army. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

...

On March 19th, at the port of the former Tianshui River Lower City.

The barbarian general with bluish skin watched in disbelief as Zhao Xing and others, like a Divine Weapon descending, appeared before him, his face turning green.

"You, how can you be here again."

"Oh, isn't that a coincidence? You're still guarding the city." Xia Jing chuckled; this man was guarding Tianhe Lower City during the previous crossing but took the opportunity to flee.

It's unknown how he managed to talk his way, as the Youyun Commander had him guard this crumbling city again.

This time, the guarding general directly surrendered.

With only five hundred troops here, less than the miserable Zang He, the city was far from repaired.

"Should we kill?" Long Xiao asked.

"Ah, Divine Ancestors, please spare me." The leader, resembling a green toad, knelt down. "I am merely a lower-level squad leader, with a three-hundred-year-old mother and a wife and children to care for, stationed here solely because I speak sixteen tribal languages and can coordinate different tribal soldiers. I have never killed anyone, waa waa waa..."

Everyone: "..."

"Forget it, let him go." Zhao Xing, seeing his cowardly nature, was too lazy to kill him. "Leave him to report, let Youyun know that we have crossed the river."

"Ah, I won't say anything, Divine Grandfathers, just proceed, I'll pretend I didn't see anything." The toad general begged again.