Above the Galaxy-Chapter 1023 - 659: Elegy of the Undying Army

Mountain Qi Camp.

Upon learning that the Luo City garrison and the Aus Empire were collaborating, surrounding the Bath Fire Corps, the soldiers let out enthusiastic cheers:

"Long live the Military Minister!"

"Long live the Empire!"

"We will surely win!"

------

The gloom from the unfavorable war situation in Luo City was completely wiped away. Everyone was excited, their faces aglow with joy.

The Military Minister’s victory means a victory for the Qishan Group.

The Military Minister becomes Emperor, and they... will make significant contributions.

Promotion and titles are just within reach.

The atmosphere at Staff Headquarters was equally joyful and festive.

The dignitaries’ flattery was on a level beyond that of the lower soldiers.

While they only knew to say "awesome," or "wow," the generals and staff used flowery language, with logic and flair...

"I always knew the Military Minister had a backup plan. The Military Minister is truly exceptional."

"Indeed, the Military Minister is the Military God forged in battle, when has he ever lost?"

"Silent until a thunderous breakthrough... first feigning weakness, then capturing them completely... the Military Minister has great strategy."

"I was short-sighted, worried that Luo City’s loss would affect the Empire’s heartland... but the Military Minister had already planned a full wipeout."

"With the Aus Empire’s assistance, the bandits will only struggle to survive, they won’t last many days..."

"Now is the time to eliminate the bandits, I volunteer to lead the charge..."

------

Shen Wuxiang’s eyes were deep, his expression calm and resolute.

It’s as if he didn’t take these flattering words to heart at all, it’s standard operation, what’s there to be surprised about?

But inside, he was comfortable.

To be honest, he’s been under great pressure recently.

The bandits won continuously, capturing cities with unstoppable momentum.

Meanwhile, they retreated step by step, internal morale was restless, and unpleasant murmurs were emerging, as was doubt about his authority.

"Is the old warrior still capable?"

Can Shen Wuxiang still lead them to victory?

The Bath Fire Corps’ defection was a critical blow to them.

If other troops followed suit, the Qishan Group would collapse and disintegrate.

He knew better than anyone that a great victory was necessary to stabilize military morale.

This is why he was willing to cooperate with the Aus Empire.

Who doesn’t know, in driving out wolves, the tiger becomes the great threat...

But the bandits’ combat power was too strong, and he had no better solutions now.

He had to eliminate Tang Fei and the bandits represented by him as quickly as possible to regain confidence inside and outside the Empire.

A dam of a thousand miles’ length is destroyed by ant holes.

Their dam was already riddled with big and small holes...

Prince Caesar also showed a proud smile, after all, the alliance between the two countries was something he and Shen Wuxiang had facilitated together.

He, as a hostage...

Stayed in Qi Mountain as a negotiation envoy for months, exhausting his every resource, and finally reaped the fruits.

This time, when he returns, his father would surely pat him on the shoulder, praising him: "You are truly my Lionheart King’s son, the future of the Empire is yours."

Thinking of this, his smile grew wider, and he complimented, "Zhuge, though not stepping out, knows the world’s affairs. A true general strategizes from the tent and wins battles afar."

"Outsiders only see a point, but what the Military Minister sees is the whole picture. He doesn’t concern himself with minor gains or losses. When the bandits amassed troops to attack Luo City, their defeat was sealed."

Shen Wuxiang nodded slightly, acknowledging Prince Caesar’s goodwill, and said in return, "Without Prince Caesar’s support and trust, today’s great victory would not have been possible... When the battle concludes, I must personally petition the Lionheart King for meritorious service on your behalf."

"Then I must thank the Military Minister for his kind words." Prince Caesar replied with a smile, not rejecting Shen Wuxiang’s goodwill.

When friends praise you, it may carry some flattery.

But when an ally’s commander praises you, it proves you truly are outstanding...

Praise must come from outsiders, after all, one cannot pat their own back.

"Naturally."

"It’s originally mutually beneficial; united we win, divided we both lose. Our Aus is willing to form a lasting alliance with the Phoenix Empire."

"It is what I desire but dare not ask for."

"What does that mean?" Caesar asked puzzled, for his understanding of the Phoenix Empire’s classical culture was not deep.

"It means it’s my honor." Shen Wuxiang laughed heartily.

"It’s my honor as well." Prince Caesar joined in the laughter.

The two exchanged glances, silently understanding each other.

They both knew, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.

The cooperation is temporary; when it comes to dividing the spoils, some debates... and maneuvers might be needed.

"Military Minister, give the order. Let’s deal with those traitors first and give them a lesson." Deputy Chief of Staff Chen Bailin proposed.

Due to the Bath Fire Corps defecting to the enemy, they were branded as traitors, and traitorous collaborators within the Qishan Group...

"Pass my order, Luo City garrison, attack on all fronts. At all costs, eliminate the Bath Fire Corps on the Luo City battlefield."

"Yes."

"Other units, commence assaults on Feng City, Red Moon City, Brocade City, Liyu Port, and Dushan Region to tie up their maneuverability."

"Yes."

Shen Wuxiang looked at Prince Caesar and asked, "The Caesar Empire... is there any problem?"

"Rest assured, Military Minister, there won’t be any problems," Prince Caesar replied confidently.

"I heard the overall commander on the Caesar Empire’s side is Prince Philip?"

Prince Caesar’s heart tightened, but he maintained a calm and assured demeanor, speaking solemnly, "No matter who takes on the role of overall commander, they must obey the big picture... obey King Lionheart’s orders."

That younger brother of his, really annoying.

While he was visiting the Phoenix, he actually managed to persuade their father to appoint him as the overall commander of the Imperial Fleet.

No matter what, once he returns this time...

There has to be a conclusion between brothers.

He’s already a huge threat.

"Happy cooperation."

"Happy cooperation."

------

Flame-Bathed Legion. Command Ship.

"Shen Wuxiang stops at nothing to achieve his goals, even inviting wolves into the house..."

"Flame-Bathed Legion is besieged on all sides, we must quickly devise a way to break out."

"I am willing to lead a death squad to distract the enemy, while the other three sides seize the opportunity to tear a breach..."

------

Kong Yinghan stared intently at the virtual screen before him, where clusters of red dots surrounded them tightly.

The star map showed that the entire Flame-Bathed Legion was encased like dumplings due to inside and outside collaboration.

The situation was dire.

Any carelessness and the entire Flame-Bathed Legion could be destroyed by his own hand.

"Commander, make a decision quickly," urged the generals.

Kong Yinghan suppressed the shock in his heart and said in a deep voice, "Command the entire army..."

------

Thunder God Fleet.

This is the Aus Empire’s key air strike force, standing alongside the Sea God Fleet and the Heavenly God Fleet as the empire’s top three ace fleets.

Prince Philip stood at the virtual command platform of the mothership, his blonde hair and blue eyes, features chiseled with precision, with a barely noticeable smile at the corner of his lips.

One is invigorated amidst joyous events.

This time, his father entrusted the Thunder God Fleet to his command, and combined with the previously controlled Sea God Fleet, he now held two of the three great fleets...

He knew, he was getting closer and closer to that position.

If he could reap the fruits of this victory, he would be the next King of Aus.

No, he wanted to be greater than his father, he desired territories more expansive than the Aus Empire.

What title should he take?

His father was called King Lionheart, while he could be... the White Dragon King?

Ah, the daily pride of a Dragon King...

"The greatest form of warfare is to attack the enemy’s strategy, next is to break their alliances, then to wage war on their armed forces, and the worst is to attack cities. There are times when such sayings of the Military God seem out of step with the times, for war is, inherently, a comprehensive contest of wisdom and force, both are indispensable."

Standing next to Prince Philip, Lü Qi spoke out.

He was a senior figure in the Qishan Group’s Staff Headquarters, and a close confidant of Shen Wuxiang.

This time, he came on behalf of Shen Wuxiang to rendezvous with Prince Philip, tasked with wartime liaison and supervision.

Prince Philip agreed wholeheartedly, nodding and saying, "Lü’s words make a lot of sense. Mere brute force without wisdom is just a warrior of no consequence."

"Wisdom without force can only be called a decorative pillow. As everyone knows, pillows cannot kill anyone."

"This collaboration, in alignment with the times, favored by both geography and human harmony... the bandits will surely be annihilated without a trace," Lü Qi echoed.

"Only in this way can we live up to the cooperation and friendship between the two countries."

Prince Philip looked at Lü Qi and said cheerfully, "Truly something to look forward to. At this moment, there should be wine indeed."

"The outcome is certain, and His Highness should rightly toast the victory," Lü Qi, in high spirits, did not refuse.

"Someone, pour the wine."

Soon enough, two glasses of Sabrier Champagne were delivered to Prince Philip and Lü Qi.

"Lü, please."

"To Your Highness."

Clink!

The slender champagne glasses clinked together, producing a crisp and pleasant sound.

The two raised their glasses and drank in one gulp.

At this moment, Lü Qi glanced at the secret signal received on his phone and said, "Your Highness, the Military Minister has already initiated... we can also begin our attack here."

"Of course." Prince Philip played with the champagne glass in his hand, his gaze amused, and said, "Relay my command, the entire fleet attack."

Rumble...

The deep cosmic curtain was suddenly ripped apart.

That was not starlight, but the prelude to destruction.

The massive and sinister silhouette of the Thunder God Fleet emerged as if from the void, its cold armor shell reflecting the distant starlight, with turrets and energy arrays densely lined like deadly spikes on a giant beast.

The command to attack was not made by sound, but by the annihilation of light.

Their target was not the Flame-Bathed Legion standing in the way, but the deliberately avoided passage beyond...

To lock onto the Undying Army’s hundreds of Star Disc battleships.

With the stars as their chessboard, and billions of lives at stake, they played this piece titled ’The Elegy of the Undying Army.’