Chapter 517 - 450: The Battle Begins

Chapter 517: Chapter 450: The Battle Begins

Thirty li outside Lonely Wolf City.

Rows of large, white tents stood upon the yellow sand. Patrolling troops could be seen from time to time, while teams of scouts moved in and out in a ceaseless stream.

A tense atmosphere permeated the army.

Although things appeared peaceful on the surface, it was merely the calm before the storm.

War could break out at any moment.

「Inside the Central Army Tent.」

"Report, Grand General! We’ve spotted signs of the Ximo Army three hundred li to the west."

...

"Report! The one leading the Ximo troops is Wumu!"

"Report..."

One report after another was delivered by the scouts, and the discussion within the tent grew exceptionally fierce.

Gao Xiong sat at the head.

Bai Yuan’s seat was positioned almost level with Gao Xiong’s.

Their seats should have been perfectly level, but out of respect for the old general, Bai Yuan had deliberately shifted his back by a slight margin.

He was the Shuofang Jiedu Envoy, a Second-Grade Official.

In terms of both rank and combat prowess, he was in no way inferior to Grand General Zhenxi, Gao Xiong.

"It really is Wumu. That man is treacherous and cunning. This intelligence was likely leaked by him on purpose. Scout again."

"Or perhaps it’s a smokescreen to make us mistakenly believe there’s an ambush."

...

The discussion inside the tent was exceptionally fierce.

Before a great battle, if one could analyze the enemy’s intentions, the chances of victory would increase by at least thirty percent.

"Scout again!"

Lu Wu said to the scout who had just entered the tent.

At a time like this, every extra piece of intelligence increased their odds of victory.

Three hundred li.

This distance was no longer considered far; one might even say it was very close.

The Ximo Army was composed almost entirely of Martial Artists. At a forced march, they could arrive in a single night. Moreover, judging from the scout reports, the Ximo scouts had already discovered them as well.

A great battle was on the verge of erupting.

Lu Wu dropped to one knee before Grand General Zhenxi, Gao Xiong, and said, "Grand General, I request permission to take five hundred cavalry and act as the vanguard."

Without so much as raising an eyelid, Gao Xiong said, "Granted."

Hearing Gao Xiong’s approval, Lu Wu’s face lit up with joy, and he walked out without a backward glance.

As they watched Lu Wu’s departing figure, the expressions of the other generals turned somber.

The title of "vanguard" might sound impressive, but it was never a desirable position.

A vanguard who could survive ten major battles was virtually nonexistent in the Zhenxi Army. Or rather, Lu Wu was the only one.

Everyone said Lu Wu was promoted too quickly and that Grand General Gao was biased.

Gao Xiong even personally funded Lu Wu’s training resources, which was why Lu Wu was able to become a Sensing Powerhouse so quickly.

Yet if any of them were asked to follow Lu Wu’s example, not a single one would be willing.

Because Lu Wu served as the vanguard every single time—a feat no one else could match. Compared to training resources, their lives were far more important.

After Lu Wu’s departure, the sadness did not linger long in their hearts.

On the battlefield, there was no room for extraneous emotions—only victory.

"I request to lead five thousand troops to the right flank."

Another general volunteered.

Gao Xiong remained seated upon his great chair. "Granted!"

He knew that every man who volunteered now was very likely to die. But sentiment has no place in commanding an army, and Gao Xiong was simply making the most logical choices.

...

The discussions in the tent continued late into the night, showing no signs of stopping.

Soon, another report came from the scouts.

"The vanguard, Lu Wu, has already clashed with the main Ximo Army. There are powerful experts observing, so we couldn’t get any closer. The battle situation is unclear."

Upon hearing this news, everyone’s heart sank.

The great battle was about to begin.

The vanguard led by Lu Wu had already engaged the Ximo Army.

Gao Xiong, who had been silent all this time, slowly rose to his feet. "Zhou Qiang, you will lead five thousand troops and set an ambush on the left flank."

"The rest of you, march out with me."

Hearing the words of Grand General Zhenxi, Gao Xiong, everyone’s expression turned sharp.

At this moment, the strict discipline of the Zhenxi Army became apparent. The leading generals each attended to their duties without a hint of chaos.

Just as the generals were filing out of the tent, Gao Xiong called one of them to a halt.

"Xie Wu, you and the Tiger and Leopard Camp will follow Lord Bai’s commands from now on. You are not required to join the battle."

"...Yes, General."

A trace of surprise flashed in the eyes of the man named Xie Wu, but he accepted the order nonetheless.

Everyone dispersed.

Only Gao Xiong, Bai Yuan, and Xie Wu remained in the large tent. Bai Yuan took a step forward. "General Xie, muster your soldiers and follow me out of the camp."

Xie Wu was taken aback. "Lord Bai, we’re not marching out with the army?"

Bai Yuan gave a simple and clear answer.

"We’re not."

...

「On the desert plains.」

The two great armies faced off. The din of battle cries rose ceaselessly, and the soldiers stood in stern readiness.

Wumu’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"How bold."

It was only when he saw the great banner of the Zhenxi Army that he confirmed they had truly chosen the battlefield to be outside Lonely Wolf City.

It was a dangerous decision.

Wumu licked his lips. Since Xuan Yang was so daring, he would have to make these Profound People pay a price in blood.

"Attack?"

He looked toward Kongshan, who was beside him.

When it came to personal strength, he considered himself no weaker than Kongshan. But when it came to marching an army and waging war, he still had to defer to Kongshan.

The Ximo Army behind the two of them was also long past restraining their bloodlust.

The purpose of these men in coming here was simple: to kill and to plunder.

But to the surprise of the several generals present, Kongshan merely glanced at the Zhenxi Army before turning his horse around.

"Make camp."

Hearing Kongshan’s order to make camp, everyone was stunned.

If it had been anyone else, given the wild and unruly nature of the Ximo, a mutiny might have broken out on the spot.

But the one leading the army was Kongshan.

Even among the few Mingxin Grandmasters present, not one spoke out in opposition.

And so the imposing Ximo Army truly did withdraw and make camp.

...

"What do these Ximo people mean by this?"

A general watched as the Ximo Army unexpectedly withdrew just like that, completely baffled.

What they had thought would be an imminent, great battle had come to an abrupt halt.