Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 827 - 686: Settling with One Drumbeat

Chapter 827: Chapter 686: Settling with One Drumbeat

"Is the inside operative contacted by the Xunfu Lei reliable? Could it be a false surrender?"

Li Xuan always employed bold strategies in warfare yet remained tactically cautious.

He knew that Nan City had trap-gates, which meant double gates with a small piece of land enclosed by high walls in between the gates.

If they blindly entered the city, once the Jin Army closed the rear gate, they would be trapped like turtles in a jar.

Every soldier in Li Xuan’s Shenji Camp was precious, and they could not afford to suffer losses there.

"We can let my Xunfu scouts enter the city first," Lei Li said with resolute determination. "With the imposing presence of County Prince Lai, there’s not just one contact within the city but up to six or seven, including two of Prince Ning’s Uncle Wangs and even the Zongbing of Nanchang appointed by Prince Ning.

However, the officer I’ve contacted is the Zhihuishi in charge of the city’s rear defense. This man has always been loyal to The Court, and we established contact several years ago. Stationed in Nan City, he commands several thousand troops directly and can control the situation."

A touch of admiration laced his words as he spoke. When he had been promoted over his seniors to become the Xunfu of Jiangxi a few days ago, Lei Li thought the County Prince Fenyang was a bit reckless.

He was aware of his deep-seated enmity with Prince Ning.

Just by taking on the role of the Xunfu of Jiangxi, even if he did nothing afterwards, Prince Ning would become anxious and consider mobilization.

Until two days ago, when forty thousand Shenji Camp soldiers and twenty thousand Liaodong Cavalry were quietly moved to Raozhou, Lei Li was thoroughly impressed with the County Prince Fenyang’s military strategy.

The arrival of the Shenji Camp today indeed struck terror into many within Nan City.

Li Xuan responded with a slight smile, catching the dual implications in Lei Li’s words. First, Lei Li was ready to bear any losses; second, Lei Li had ample backup and wasn’t afraid of any tricks from the enemy.

"Then let’s leave this battle to the Xunfu Lei," Li Xuan said.

Li Xuan raised an eyebrow looking toward distant Nanchang, his eyes filled with intent to kill: "This prince will support you from behind."

His Shenji Camp did not need to vie for this military merit. For ministers like Lei Li with exceptional abilities and a sense of responsibility, Li Xuan was willing to pave the way.

The man had suddenly risen to a high position and needed an indisputable military achievement to stabilize his power.

At this moment, Shi Weichen from Jinque Palace, wearing a ’Ziweiyuan’ mask and looking coldly toward the encamped Shenji Camp, with its wavering military flag.

The simple five characters ’County Prince Li Fenyang’ on the flag shook people to the core. The opposing formation might have just under forty thousand men, but they exuded an unstoppable momentum, like a tiger pouncing on its prey, causing soldiers of Prince Ning on the city wall to turn pale.

Shi Weichen also frowned slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

The immense pressure from County Prince Fenyang even affected the flow of Zhenyuan in his body.

Although Li Xuan had not yet reached the heavenly level, his military prowess was already widely acclaimed.

Especially now, as the leading counselor and county prince, he could mobilize the nation’s power, condense Dragon Qi, and possess Liuli Haoqi, comparable to middle heaven level Wu Yi. Shi Weichen estimated that Li Xuan’s combat power would not be inferior to Totaabuqa Khan at his peak.

Wasn’t Totaabuqa Khan the one who got captured by this man after being defeated?

Fortunately, the Dasiming had already sent him the stamped letters and magical instruments specifically designated to the lord of Zimei Palace.

This allowed Shi Weichen to tap into some of the ancient Heavenly Court’s Divine Power, reaching the middle heaven level of cultivation.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be as composed as he was now.

While Shi Weichen was scrutinizing the battlefield, Dou Zilong, a general who stayed behind to defend Nanchang, hurried over, his expression unusually solemn: "Mr. Shi, with the overwhelming military prowess of County Prince Fenyang, we must rely on you to take action."

"Shi will not shirk from his duty." Shi Weichen couldn’t help but let out a slight laugh. "The Jiugong Tianyuan Array in Nanchang is sufficient to aid me in facing the enemy."

He was not confident in facing Li Xuan directly, but with the city’s defense array and the powerful Immortal Artifact on him, he ought to be able to hold off Li Xuan for a while.

Reinforcements from Jinque Palace were on their way, and the Dasiming, shocked by Li Xuan’s surprise attack on Nanchang, was personally leading his troops to Nanchang.

However, Shi Weichen soon noticed that the Zongbing of Nanchang beside him still wore a heavy frown, prompting him to ask, "Why are you still so anxious, General? With sixty thousand elite troops gathered in the city, solid fortifications, and ample military equipment, Li Xuan will not find it easy to take Nanchang.

"Rest assured, as long as we hold our ground for half a day, County Prince Fenyang and his Shenji Camp will surely be buried under the walls of Nanchang."

Upon hearing those words, Dou Zilong knew this man didn’t understand military strategy. While Shi Weichen’s reasoning wasn’t wrong, he ignored human sentiment and underestimated County Prince Fenyang’s deterrence.

Moreover, if County Prince Fenyang didn’t believe he could quickly breach the city, would he risk an attack?

"Mr. Shi, with the world-shaking military might of County Prince Fenyang, my concern is that someone within the city will waver and defect—"

Just then, Dou Zilong paled and turned his gaze toward Nan City. Suddenly, there was an uproar of shouting and killing, followed by a thunder-like roar.

"I am the commander of Nan City’s rear guard, under orders from The Court to infiltrate the rebellious king’s camp, and today I am commanded to turn against him! Those within the city who wish to aid The Court may join me in turning the tide and defeating the enemy."

Instantly, Nan City was thrown into chaos as the drawbridge was lowered and the city gates slowly opened. Companies of Jin soldiers dressed in red armor flooded into the city like a tidal wave.

Shi Weichen’s face changed dramatically: "I’ll go block the city gates, General Dou, please quickly deploy troops to quell the rebellion!"

He thought that maintaining control over Nanchang was of critical importance. Once Li Xuan pacified Prince Ning, Jinque Palace and Prince Yi would face even greater pressure.

The royal families within Jin would dread Li Xuan’s military might, no longer daring to defy him.

Shi Weichen immediately took to the skies, arriving at the gates in an instant.

He tossed a huge black iron cone into the air, aiming it at the gate: "Get out of my way!"

The black iron cone exploded in endless thunderfire upon impact, wrapping around like thunder serpents and fire dragons. The force was like a falling meteor, with the power of ten thousand jun.

But just before the iron spike hit the ground, a peerless and sharp blade of light struck down, deflecting the iron spike away.

At the same time, a figure appeared above the city gate. Holding a knife in one hand, he looked over coldly.

"County Prince Fenyang, Li Xuan?"

The new lord of Zimei Palace, Shi Weichen’s pupils contracted slightly, then his eyes filled with boundless hatred, and he snorted angrily, "You’ve come right on time, you rebel against the decree of heaven! Die!"

His hatred for Li Xuan was deep. The former masters of Tianshi Palace, Zimei Palace, and Baihu Palace all died because of him.

Furthermore, if it were not for Li Xuan’s rebellion against heaven’s will, Jinque Palace would not have fallen into chaos, resulting in Shaosiming and several heavenly level colleagues being killed.

Shi Weichen’s entire being, filled with Zhenyuan, had merged as one with the ’Jiugong Tianyuan Array’ of Nanchang. The heavy iron spike in his hand once again exploded with a thousand zhang of thunderous fire! The infinite glow spanned the heavens and earth, turning the night sky above the entire city of Nanchang bright as day.

However, just as Shi Weichen was about to swing the Xuan iron spike, pregnant with boundless divine power, towards Li Xuan, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted from the direction of Prince Ning’s mansion, followed by a surge of red flames.

In just an instant, the ’Jiugong Tianyuan Array’ within the city collapsed and dispersed.

Simultaneously, he heard a commanding shout from the eastern side of the city, where Dou Zilong, the Zongbing of Nanchang appointed by Prince Ning, proclaimed, "I, Dou Zilong, the Zongbing of Nanchang under Prince Ning, vow to lead my men in returning to loyalty and pledging allegiance!"

At that moment, Shi Weichen felt an intense bitterness in his chest and abdomen, almost burning his internal organs to ashes.

He spat out a mouthful of black blood, thinking that it seemed everyone in the city, except for himself, had no intention of defending it.

By this time, Shi Weichen knew that Nanchang could no longer be defended.

But as he was about to teleport away, Li Xuan’s chilling voice had already reached him.

"You are the current master of Zimei Palace from Jinque Heaven Palace? I’m afraid it’s too late to leave now."

Shi Weichen sneered secretly, thinking that with his expertise in escape arts, there weren’t many in the world who could stop him if he truly wanted to flee.

However, Shi Weichen quickly discovered that his thoughts of employing escape magic had been ’castrated’!

The next moment, he saw Li Xuan swing his knife. A flash of gold and purple light from the blade split his entire being and soul into two halves!

※※※※

When Li Xuan’s army entered the city, all of Nanchang was filled with panic.

However, order was quickly restored in all directions, and the flames of smoke rising around the city were swiftly extinguished.

Li Xuan’s Shenji left and right camp were well-supplied with provisions and strict in discipline, and Lei Li’s thirty thousand men, who were local soldiers, managed to commit no offenses.

As for the twenty thousand Iron Cavalry from Liaodong, they remained stationed outside the city.

They showed no sign of dissatisfaction since Li Xuan had already promised a reward of twenty taels of silver to each soldier after the city was taken.

This caused the Liaodong Iron Cavalry to be thunderously joyful and greatly exhilarated.

They had always heard that the County Prince Fenyang ruled his army with fairness and generosity, and now it proved true.

At this time, Li Xuan was astonished by the abundant storerooms of Prince Xiang’s Manor.

Within these warehouses, there were more than ten million taels of silver bars alone, as well as countless priceless Gold and Silver jewels, with grain reaching 1.6 million dan.

There were also a large number of military supplies; after equipping a thirty-five thousand strong naval and land army of Prince Ning, there was enough left to arm another sixty thousand men.

Li Xuan was overjoyed, thinking that just the captures from Prince Ning’s Manor alone would be enough to arm his forty thousand Shenji Camp soldiers.

At this time, all of Prince Ning’s family members were escorted out from Prince Ning’s mansion. Including the wife of Prince Ning and his children, who were trembling with fear under the swords of the Jin Army.

Xunfu Lei of Jiangxi also rushed to Li Xuan’s side again, "The official has found the imperial robe, dragon throne, and many other prohibited items in Prince Ning’s residence, as well as various treasures totaling several million taels. Would Your Highness like to inspect them? Also, regarding the handling of Prince Ning’s entire family, how does Your Highness wish to proceed?"

"When do I have time for that?" Li Xuan chuckled dismissively, "Just make a clear record with the Jiangxi Administrative Commissioner, the Jiancha Yushi of Jiangxi, and the Qianhu of the Xiuyiwei of Jiangxi, and remember to prepare an account book for each household. As for the family of Prince Ning’s mansion, have them temporarily detained at the Xunfu office, awaiting transport to the Court. Be careful not to mistreat them."

Li Xuan was not interested in dealing with these post-battle affairs. Firstly, they were bothersome; secondly, they would attract unwanted hassle.

"Besides that, Xunfu Lei, you’ll need to make some preparations. After conquering Prince Ning, Xiangwang Manor can also be swept away at once. In addition to grain and warships, I’m planning to bring some troops from Jiangxi over."

After the death of Yu Zhanshan, Prince Xiang, his son Yu Qiyong took over the Xiangwang Manor.

However, his reputation could not compare to Yu Zhanshan at all, and the level of support he received from the Jinque Palace was very limited at this time.

But if a few more months were given, the situation could be different.

Li Xuan knew that Yu Qiyong had some abilities. Given time, he should be able to win the hearts of the people in the manor.

Since Xiangyang was a key strategic location, controlling the areas from the Yangtze River to the majestic mountains, from the South to the passageways of Luoyang, a coveted position for military strategists, Li Xuan would by no means allow him to hold Xiangyang.

As Li Xuan spoke, he received a flying talisman from afar. With a scan of his thoughts, he looked toward the north and then smiled, "The speed of Prince Ning’s return forces is indeed swift."

At this moment, Prince Ning’s army was less than a hundred li from Nanchang and had crossed the Gan River downstream.

The aquatic clan under the Dragon King of Poyang Lake could not stop them. Several hundred spellcasters under Prince Ning worked together with two heavenly level individuals to briefly freeze the Gan River, allowing Prince Ning’s army to cross with ease.

However, this was precisely according to Li Xuan’s instructions to Ao Shuying to restrain the dragon clan from taking action.

Only after Prince Ning’s forces crossed the river could Li Xuan annihilate them completely, rather than causing chaos in the countryside after a major battle.