Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 445 - 44: Aftermath, Back to Dream Palace! (6K)_3

Chapter 445: Chapter 44: Aftermath, Back to Dream Palace! (6K)_3

Yi Yue slammed his hand against the table with agitated force.

Anger, overwhelming anger.

It was just like when Zhao Xing and Liao Rulong’s Unit went to attack Fire Dragon Pass, only for an army to suddenly emerge, prompting the commander there to strengthen their defense... If it had been Liao Rulong or Zhao Xing, they would have been absolutely furious.

"We can only give up assaulting Xixian Pass," Pang Zheng looked towards the Qi Yuan Army, "This man is like a startled bird, we can’t catch him off guard at all now. Even if we take Xixian Pass, the defenses at the subsequent ones will be ironclad."

"If we don’t remove this thorn, our supply line will be stretched too thin," Nangong Ye’s voice was somewhat ethereal.

"Attacking now will cost far more than before, my superior would not agree to it."

"Duwei Li has already sent a message, suggesting I consider a different direction for entering the pass, otherwise we will not be able to keep pace with the main force of the Huan You Army."

"Is it possible to ask the Divine Might Army for a path through Fire Dragon Pass?"

"How could that be possible? We’ve just finished discussing how strong armies must not bully the weaker ones, how could the Divine Might Army let us pass?"

"Exactly, Liao Rulong’s division within the Divine Might Army already has plenty of troops cooperating, and they wouldn’t allow more to join in," another said.

"Ah, damn it..."

The four commanders glared at each other, utterly disgusted by the situation.

Zhao Xing thought Xixian Pass was useful, which was why he had established the 98th City. These military elites naturally had the foresight, and amongst the northern armies, the four of them joined forces, breaking away from the main force and had their eyes on Xixian Pass for a while, hoping to use it as an entry point into the Fire Demon Territory.

And now look what happened.

It’s all damn Qian Shougang’s fault!

....

Zhao Xing was unaware of the chain reactions he had set off.

After the standoff was over, he returned to the 98th City with the army.

When Liao Rulong returned, he too was filled with doubts. Though he bragged mightily, his heart was in turmoil. If there had been a full-scale conflict with the Black Dragon Army, his time as Capital Commandant would have been over.

"Ever since Zhao Xing arrived, my merits have increased, but so have the times I’ve been on tenterhooks," Liao Rulong lamented.

"It’s good that it’s Zhao Xing handling matters," Pu Zhong commented, "If it had been Long Xiao, things might be looking dicey right about now."

From clarifying the situation at the 98th City to cutting down Qian Shougang’s forces, Zhao Xing’s handling was impeccable, not giving the investigation team any evidence against him. He could both stir things up and settle them down.

Had it been Long Xiao in charge, it probably would have been characterized as ’deliberate retaliation after the fact’."

"In any case, since this event, we, the Divine Might Army, are also a strong force now," Pu Zhong declared, "Next time someone wants to bully us, they’ll have to weigh whether they can withstand the backlash."

"Yes," Liao Rulong chuckled, "We’ve finally vented some of our frustration."

Back at the 98th City.

Zhao Xing saw Han Bing, Che Shihai, Wang Ji, Yuan Yang, and others welcoming him.

When he descended from the Flying Boat, the gazes of the people below seemed to ignite with fire.

News that Zhao Xing and Long Xiao had taken down Qian Shougang had already spread.

Having such a superior who cared for his subordinates was a source of great pride for them.

"Boss, you’re back!" Che Shihai ran over excitedly.

"Boss? How many times have I told you, use official titles in formal settings," Zhao Xing scolded.

"Yes, Commander," Che Shihai quickly corrected himself.

"Wang Ji, how’s your injury?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Commander, if you had returned any later, I’m afraid I would have never healed," Wang Ji said somewhat gloomily.

"What happened?" Zhao Xing was puzzled.

"Wasn’t it your order?" Yuan Yang was also confused. Had he forgotten so quickly?

Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that Yuan Yang had executed his order to perfection; every time Wang Ji woke up, he was knocked out again.

With such minor injuries, Wang Ji had been unconscious for seven whole days.

He only recovered after the investigation team had left.

Wang Ji felt wronged; his injuries should have healed the same day, but his comrades had suppressed his recovery to maintain the pretense of his serious condition for several days on a stretcher.

Zhao Xing didn’t know what to say. Yuan Yang had followed orders too well; he could have treated Wang Ji after the act.

The group entered the hall, and Zhao Xing addressed Wang Ji and Han Bing, "You both have lessons to learn from this incident."

"Wang Ji, Han Bing, one of you is too impulsive, the other too calm."

"Wang Ji, you shouldn’t have tried to stop them, causing yourself injury. The Fifth Order Earth Fire Lotus is not as valuable as your own life."

"Han Bing, you think too much. Even if it’s the Black Dragon Army, you shouldn’t have been so meek. Had you organized a skirmish outside the city and put up resistance, our follow-up actions would have been more justified, coherent, and fully substantiated."

"You shouldn’t have waited for me to come and resolve the situation."

Han Bing and Wang Ji nodded earnestly, taking the lesson to heart.

"Alright, I’ve been tired these past few days too. You all can go now; let me rest for a while," Zhao Xing knew they didn’t need further instruction; they just lacked experience.

"Yes."

....

After everyone had left, Zhao Xing engaged Divine Movement Protection and sank into the ground.

There was no divine temple yet established in the 98th City, and now that the investigation team was gone, Zhao Xing decided to take a risk and enter the Dream Palace once more.

The interference of the Three Kings had triggered Zhao Xing’s sense of vigilance. He felt he couldn’t solely rely on experiences from his previous life; he needed to become stronger.

Being stronger meant he could more calmly face any unforeseen circumstances.

Previously cautious for fear of surveillance, Zhao Xing had now become familiar with the battlefields and had gained a deep understanding of Great Zhou’s Yin God monitoring system.

He felt it was time to attempt entering the Dream Palace again.

Descending two thousand meters down the Octagonal Palace.

Then he dug a tunnel, plastered many talismans around it, sat down cross-legged, and appeared to be meditating.