"Damn Xi Jie City, Fu Shuang City, they actually rebelled!"

The location was on the hill overlooking the front lines, situated precisely on the border between Xiyun Province and Huanlong Province.

The two massive armies, totaling 1.2 million troops, faced each other across this terrain, each side holding strategic fortresses. The Qiantian Mountain City forces were slightly fewer in number but clearly more elite. However, at this moment, they were distinctly at a disadvantage: only five hundred thousand soldiers were bottlenecked in a flat valley, completely occupying both surrounding peaks.

Numerically, the ratio was five to seven. Based on fighting strength alone, they should have been evenly matched, perhaps even slightly superior. Yet, the Qiantian Mountain City contingent had to divert nearly two hundred thousand troops to the rear for defensive positioning. Thus, the opposing army from Tao Yun City held an overwhelming numerical advantage. "That Yue Guan Yun is truly formidable, striking right at the vital points. He's forced these cities into rebellion!"

The speaker beside him was Su Man, a Xuanwu Grandmaster who had served as the Deputy Commander of the Eastern City forces when Zong Shou led his troops back to launch the surprise attack on Qiantian Mountain.

After the battle, in recognition of his merit, and given Su Man's exceptional ability and composure, Zong Shou had directly appointed him as Chai Yuan's deputy before the Cloud Sea Hunt.

Together with Chai Yuan, he was tasked with guarding Xiyun Province against incursions from Tao Yun City.

Currently, his brow was deeply furrowed. He didn't know when it started, but rumors had been circulating in the western parts of the Eastern Lin Cloud Continent that the lords of dozens of cities were dissatisfied with Zong Shou's succession and had secretly aligned themselves with the three cities of Tao Yun, Lie Yan, and Yun Xia.

Then, in the last few days, led by Xi Jie City, more than ten city-states within Xiyun Province had indeed revolted.

Other cities were a lesser concern, but the strategic locations of Xi Jie and Fu Shuang cities were critical. They had not only temporarily severed the supply lines for the half-million troops here but were also subtly blocking their retreat routes.

This forced the two commanders to dedicate almost half their military strength to the rear, guarding against a sudden strike from those two cities.

"But please, Duke Hao, remain calm for a moment longer. I suspect they won't be eager to make a move just yet."

Chai Yuan gave an astonished "Oh," looking over: "Explain yourself. What is your assessment?"

Su Man did not hesitate, stating, "Judging by my own nature, if I were in their position, I would most likely wait until the results of His Majesty's Cloud Sea Hunt are finalized before taking action."

Seeing Chai Yuan smile slightly, Su Man knew that this Bear Clan Chief had already considered this. He was indeed one of Qiantian Mountain's famous generals, not blinded by the superficial danger. Still, Su Man continued eloquently, "The prestige Qiantian Mountain City has built over ten years won't collapse so easily. As long as Duke Ba, Duke Hao, and Qiu Tingzhu—the pillars of the nation—remain, they are sufficient to awe several provinces. Moreover, with rising talents like Zong Yuan, an unparalleled famous general, few would dare harbor dissent. The majority of Xiyun Province remains under Qiantian Mountain's control; a temporary mobilization can gather two million vassal soldiers. Even a fool knows that moving now, even if they win, would demand an immense price. It's better to wait until His Majesty returns empty-handed from beneath the Cloud Sea, causing morale to completely collapse, before acting."

Su Man paused, then concluded with a look of detached certainty, "Therefore, Qiantian Mountain is currently appearing perilous but is actually secure. As for His Majesty's capabilities, you and I are well aware; there is no need to worry. In fact, Tao Yun City is weak in land warfare. The ones more concerning are Duke Qiu Tingzhu and Duke Ba on the other flank."

Chai Yuan nodded slightly, satisfied. Su Man was only a seventh-vein Earth Wheel martial artist, his individual combat strength slightly lacking. However, his quick intellect made him an excellent advisor; His Majesty certainly possessed the insight to recognize talent.

"Even so, it is infuriating! Xi Jie City, Fu Shuang City—heh! When His Highness returns, I will certainly make them pay!"

With an angry snort venting his frustration, Chai Yuan suddenly raised an eyebrow, looking down the slope: "What are they trying to do?"

They watched as ranks of men, numbering around fifty thousand, marched out from the opposing barracks. They included both infantry and cavalry, but what was slightly surprising was that none of these fifty thousand carried weapons; they approached the Qiantian side’s encampment below the hill almost barehanded.

"Judging by the armor style, they seem to have been conscripted temporarily from nearby cities."

Su Man also showed a look of surprise, gazing into the distance. Behind these fifty thousand unarmed men came the main force of Tao Yun City: a full two hundred thousand well-equipped soldiers, marching out from the barracks in precise formations, spreading across the plain below the hill.

Human combat effectiveness might not match that of the Demon Race, but in terms of discipline and rigorous training, they often held the advantage.

Rows of light and heavy armored soldiers stood rigidly, as perfectly cut as squares made by a knife, completely silent. And as the cavalry advanced, the hooves of over a hundred thousand horses moved and halted in unison, generating almost no extraneous noise. It was immediately clear that their fighting strength was formidable.

Su Man was initially puzzled, but only when the five thousand unarmed men were forcefully driven by the twenty thousand fully armed soldiers behind them to the front of the lower camp did a flash of realization hit his mind, and his expression instantly changed drastically.

"They plan to use these men as cannon fodder to attack the camp!"

Seeing Chai Yuan still somewhat bewildered, Su Man quickly added, "They are counting on the fact that we dare not initiate aggression."

Chai Yuan’s eyes snapped wide in anger. He stepped forward half a pace, glaring down at the valley. Sure enough, upon reaching the front of the camp, the five thousand men, unafraid of the countless crossbows aimed at them from inside the camp, immediately took out tools and began shoveling earth, gradually filling the seven-zhang deep pit outside the camp walls. At first, these men were tentative, but when no arrows were loosed from the barracks, they gradually settled down, and the speed of filling the pits increased dramatically.

Chai Yuan’s face flickered between gloomy and uncertain. Then, he suddenly looked toward the twenty thousand troops of Tao Yun City miles away.

In the center of that massive formation, heavily guarded by nearly ten thousand heavily armored soldiers, a large banner bearing the character 'Yun' stood high. Beneath it stood a dozen or so figures clad in luxurious silver armor. The one leading them appeared to be about twenty years old, with a thin, somewhat pale face, bearing a slight resemblance to Yue Guan Yun. He was now looking back with an arrogant gaze filled with mockery.

"This Yue Linghuan truly treats me, Chai Yuan, with too much contempt! Does he think I cannot deal with him?"

He felt a surge of murderous intent bottled up deep in his chest, unable to be released, making him feel suffocated. Su Man followed his gaze, looking into the distance. Indeed, it was the Crown Prince of Tao Yun City, the most favored among Yue Guan Yun’s sons.

But then, his attention was drawn to another figure. His stature was nearly equal to that of Chai Zhou, who stood twelve feet tall. He rode a massive war beast with a shoulder height of eighteen feet, clad in what seemed like layers of armor. The outermost layer of blood-red plate armor sprouted dozens of sharp spikes. Hanging at his waist was a chain hammer the size of a water vat, also entirely blood-red, looking incredibly ferocious.

The man's aura was even more savage than that of the famous ferocious beasts!

"That man is Wei Ke of Tao Yun City, the Blood Hammer. He cannot be underestimated."

Su Man turned his head and saw Chai Yuan's face contorting constantly, with fierce glints flashing in his eyes, seemingly on the verge of an explosion. He quickly interjected, "Please, Duke Chai, prioritize the overall situation!"

His tone carried a hint of helplessness. In truth, it wasn't just Tao Yun City that was unwilling to act now; Qiantian Mountain dared not provoke them lightly either.

One was unwilling, the other dared not—the power dynamic was clear.

To resist an alliance of three cities with the might of just one city, Qiantian Mountain City possessed the arrogance of a sovereign ruler and was not afraid. But at this critical juncture, when the ruler was absent and the nation's morale wavered precariously, Qiantian Mountain City's chance of victory was less than twenty percent.

Moreover, even if they won, it would certainly be a pyrrhic victory. It might take several years before they could recover their vigor—the loss would outweigh the gain.

Chai Yuan’s complexion shifted between blue and white. Then, his heart stirred, and he suddenly looked behind him. In the distance, tens of miles away, figures flickered amidst rising dust clouds, indicating that a large army was gradually approaching.

This only fueled his anger and resentment. He knew these were troops dispatched from Jie Fu City behind them. His scouts had already reported this; it was not unexpected, and preparations had been made. But at this moment, it was exceptionally infuriating! He wished he could ignore everything and engage them in a massive battle, to show these clowns whether his battlefield reputation, Chai Yuan's, was baseless.

But in an instant, Chai Yuan forcefully suppressed the rage in his heart. Having fought campaigns for decades, he naturally understood priorities. Almost grinding his teeth, he coldly stated, "This position is no longer tenable. Order all troops to prepare and retreat to the Hidden Soldier Valley!"

He then looked below. The five thousand men had finished filling the pit and were now calmly dismantling the wooden palisades and obstacles surrounding the enemy camp. He ground his teeth further, "Pull back the men at the front! Commander Su, I task you with commanding the rearguard!"

Su Man’s expression snapped into solemnity. He clasped his fists respectfully: "Duke, rest assured! I, Su Man, guarantee I will hold the line until the main army retreats safely!"

A moment later, when the military order was given, the three garrisons stationed in the camp below began their orderly withdrawal. Even in retreat, they maintained strict formation.

Chai Yuan nodded slightly in satisfaction and was about to spur his horse away when he suddenly saw another vertical banner raised below. Looking closely, he saw thirty-six large characters inscribed upon it: 'Before Wei Ran dies, Qiantian has no general; Chai Yuan is incompetent, dooming three armies; Our army is unarmed, yet dare not fight; Fifty thousand troops are all cowards!'

The thirty-six characters stabbed into their eyes. Below, the more than two hundred thousand opposing soldiers simultaneously erupted in earth-shattering, mocking laughter.

Chai Yuan’s spirit shook, his vision momentarily darkened. He could no longer suppress the aura surrounding him, and a mouthful of blood violently sprayed forth. After a long moment, he gradually recovered, and rage instantly flared in his eyes as he glared down at the youth below, who was currently laughing wildly in triumph.

"This Yue Linghuan is seeking his own death!"

His resolve hardened; Chai Yuan had completely abandoned the thought of retreat. This was not a loss of reason or a disregard for the larger picture.

It was simply that if he retreated now, the morale and fighting spirit of the hundreds of thousands of troops under his command would likely be extinguished in a single day!

They were not incapable of fighting or destined to lose; they were only forced to retreat due to numerous constraints.

But since the enemy had cornered him to this extent, today, even if it meant dying amidst the crimson sands, he had to let these people know that the vanguard of Qiantian Mountain, and he, the Blood Bear Chai Yuan, would never be insulted! (To be continued)