Anchang City.

In the Central Army Camp of the Tianwu Army, Bai Yongtao received a secret letter from Chen Mo, instructing him to leave a unit to guard the rations in Anchang City, and with the remaining troops, carry seven days of rations, travel light, and set off immediately to circle behind the enemy forces to prevent them from escaping across the river after defeat.

After receiving the secret letter, Bai Yongtao hurriedly convened all the commanders of the Tianwu Army to the Central Army Tent for a meeting.

Because the contents of this secret letter were too bold, surprisingly suggesting abandoning the rear to attack the enemy’s rear.

If the enemy discovered this and dispatched a force to attack Anchang City and burn the rations, it would be a disaster.

Bai Yongtao even suspected that this secret letter was forged by the enemy.

After repeatedly confirming, the commanders determined that it was personally written by Chen Mo, bearing the Commander’s Seal, proving this secret letter to be genuine.

"This is too risky, what is the lord planning?" Zhang Lie said in shock.

"The lord has always been bold in using troops, often beyond my expectations, difficult to fathom. But since it’s confirmed that the secret letter is genuine, let’s set off according to the orders as soon as possible." Bai Yongtao, having followed Chen Mo for a while, knew Chen Mo’s military strategies were not to be judged by common sense.

"We can only do this; the lord’s secret letter instructed us to depart immediately upon receipt, any delay would be unfavorable." Zhang Lie pondered for a moment and nodded.

After a brief discussion, it was finally decided to leave behind a Third Grade Martial Artist named Niu Yan to take command in guarding Anchang City, leaving one unit (five thousand men).

To avoid discovery by the enemy, most of the detour routes instructed in Chen Mo’s secret letter were through mountain paths; in this deep winter, the snow in the mountains posed a test for the Tianwu Army.

...

On the other side.

Early in the morning, Yue Yuxi led her personal guards and joined the remnants of Ling Zhi’s troops in Sa City.

Before this, the Loulan Generals Barbaro, Wulin Wood, Tuoba Zhi, among others, had also brought their troops to this location, originally intending to enter Sa City to meet Ling Zhi, but midway received a secret order from Yue Yuxi to lead their troops to ambush in the mountain forests surrounding Sa City, and act when the opportunity arose.

In the commander’s tent of Sa City, after suffering several defeats, Ling Zhi knelt down on one knee as soon as he saw Yue Yuxi, and respectfully said:

"The guilty General Ling Zhi, having disappointed the King’s trust, caused heavy losses to our army; I am aware that my crimes are unforgivable, and plea for the King’s pardon...cough cough..."

As he spoke, Ling Zhi suddenly started coughing violently, even coughing up blood in front of Yue Yuxi.

The Imperial Physician, whom Ling Zhi had arranged beforehand, immediately approached, checking Ling Zhi’s pulse while feigning a casual remark: "General, your injuries haven’t healed yet, try to keep your emotions steady, and take more rest."

Yue Yuxi frowned, looking at Ling Zhi’s pale face, and asked the Imperial Physician: "What’s wrong with him?"

The Imperial Physician promptly raised his head and replied: "Reporting to the King, Ling Zhi has suffered severe internal injuries, damaging his meridians, and needs to recuperate."

Before Yue Yuxi could respond, Ling Zhi pushed away the Imperial Physician checking his pulse and loudly declared: "King, it’s not as serious as they claim, just minor injuries; I can still serve the King."

After speaking, to prove it’s not serious, he circulated his True Qi in front of Yue Yuxi, releasing a terrifying Innate Aura.

Yue Yuxi narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly seeing through Ling Zhi’s ploy of feigning injury; normally, she wouldn’t let Ling Zhi off easily.

But now, with Ling Zhi in such a state of severe injury, punishing him would certainly stir the entire army, affecting morale.

Killing him was out of the question.

Executing a general before battle is a major taboo in the military.

"For your previous contributions in the Southwest expeditions and assisting in breaching Hulaoguan Pass, I overlook this failure, but this won’t happen again." Yue Yuxi said, taking the seat of honor in the commander’s tent, propping her fragrant cheek on the armrest, and added:

"Now tell me, how did the Song Army manage to break through Anchang City, which you were defending, in less than an hour?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Zhi became attentive, with a solemn expression, and seriously replied: "Reporting to the King, the reason the Song Army broke through Anchang City so quickly is because they used a weapon we have never seen before."

"A weapon never seen before?" Yue Yuxi’s eyes narrowed.

"It was a long black tube..." Ling Zhi detailed the Hongyi Cannon he saw that day, then continued, "I saw the Song soldiers ignite it, and a head-sized iron ball was expelled from the black tube. Even without exploding, its power managed to destroy my True Qi Defense..."

The more Ling Zhi spoke, the more Yue Yuxi’s expression darkened. If it was truly as Ling Zhi described, then the Loulan army might as well surrender without a fight.

If the Song Army possessed such a Divine Artifact, not even a large force would suffice to defeat them.

"Are you certain of what you say?"

"Reporting to the King, it is true. Many witnessed it that day; I will have them brought in..."

Ling Zhi hastily summoned the remaining witnesses from that day to the commander’s tent.

Seeing their descriptions were even more exaggerated than Ling Zhi’s, going as far as mentioning divine wrath, Yue Yuxi quickly called for silence, then asked, "How many people know of this matter?"

Ling Zhi understood Yue Yuxi’s intent and said: "Rest assured, King, I have already sealed off this information; I have also specifically instructed the witnesses from that day not to spread the word."

After all, allowing such news to spread across the army would undermine morale.

Imagine, if everyone knew the Song Army had such a massive weapon, who would dare to fight during battle? It would be like sending men to their deaths.

Yue Yuxi finally nodded in satisfaction: "Anyone discussing this matter in the army will be dealt with according to military law."

Ling Zhi nodded in agreement.

"It was a long black tube..." Ling Zhi detailed the Hongyi Cannon he saw that day, then continued, "I saw the Song soldiers ignite it, and a head-sized iron ball was expelled from the black tube. Even without exploding, its power managed to destroy my True Qi Defense..."

The more Ling Zhi spoke, the more Yue Yuxi’s expression darkened. If it was truly as Ling Zhi described, then the Loulan army might as well surrender without a fight. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

If the Song Army possessed such a Divine Artifact, not even a large force would suffice to defeat them.

"Are you certain of what you say?"

"Reporting to the King, it is true. Many witnessed it that day; I will have them brought in..."

Ling Zhi hastily summoned the remaining witnesses from that day to the commander’s tent.

Seeing their descriptions were even more exaggerated than Ling Zhi’s, going as far as mentioning divine wrath, Yue Yuxi quickly called for silence, then asked, "How many people know of this matter?"