Above the Galaxy-Chapter 1030 - 665: Can You Let Me Have a Child First?
Qi Mountain. Staff Headquarters.
"Report, the Undying Army encountered an interception in the Pegasus Star Domain during their retreat."
"What?" Everyone was shocked.
The group gathered in front of the Star Map and quickly found the coordinates of Pegasus.
"How could there be enemy forces intercepting here?"
"Which unit is it? Where did they come from?"
"Contact Shen Wuxiang immediately and find out what’s going on."
------
Shen Wuxiang looked grave.
This was just like the saying, misfortunes never come singly, trouble piles up one after another.
Originally, abandoning Luo City and losing hundreds of thousands of troops was already bad enough.
Unexpectedly, things got even worse afterward.
The opponent’s strikes were relentless, catching them completely off guard.
Pegasus is only a step away from Qi Mountain, how could they dare?
Seeing Shen Wuxiang’s gloomy face, Wei Zhile stepped forward and said, "Military Minister, I wish to lead my unit to assist General Annan."
"General, leave it to me. If they dare to act wild under our noses, I’ll grind them into pieces as dog food," Lei Meng said unwilling to be outdone, seizing the opportunity for credit that fell from the sky.
"Military Minister, let me go. I will advance and retreat with General Annan... if I can’t bring him back, I won’t return either."
-----
The generals all volunteered to go.
Firstly for military merit, but also because they were truly enraged.
The bandits have come dancing on their graves... Would they still have face to show the world if they didn’t respond with force?
Chief of Staff Su Tonghe cleared his throat and said, "We certainly have to rescue them. The Undying Army is the Empire’s elite, and General Annan is a key figure of the Empire. They’re at our doorstep; how can we not bring them back?"
"However, we must also proceed cautiously. Why would the bandits dare to dispatch a lone force for interception at this time and place? Could there be something wrong here?"
Everyone fell into deep thought.
"If we’re going to rescue them, who should we send? What size force is appropriate?"
"Sending too few would be ineffective. Sending too many would leave Qi Mountain vulnerable, requiring men from other military districts... At that time, would the Qin and Lu Families also make a move?"
"Intelligence from the Staff Headquarters in recent days indicates that the Qin Family occupying the Zhao Ling Region and the Lu Clan occupying the Barren Land are frequently moving troops, assembling them on a large scale... I also reported this to the Military Minister: what exactly do they intend? Are they waiting for an opportunity?"
Su Tonghe’s gaze fell on Shen Wuxiang’s face, respectfully saying, "Also, there’s something I’m not sure if I should say... besides Tang Shengyan and Kong Yinghan of the Flame-Bathed Legion, are the other military districts still on our side?"
"If they’ve harbored any disloyalty and we unwittingly send them out, wouldn’t that be adding fuel to the fire?"
"..."
Shen Wuxiang’s face was so dark it seemed like water might drip from it.
His words were really harsh.
But he also knew in his heart that it was the reality.
How few have betrayed them?
The Qin and Lu Families need not be mentioned; each has its own power map, with Qin Jianyi from the Qin Family and the Lu Clan... all were mere henchmen under Tang Fei.
Tang Shengyan and Kong Yinghan led the entire Flame-Bathed Legion to defect, Bai Qi...
Who can assure that there isn’t another Bai Qi?
Nominally, they still have plenty of usable troops, five major military districts...
But those people have to guard the borders and also be cautious of their loyalty, not easy to mobilize.
Su Tonghe bowed deeper and said softly, "This is my concern and a little immature suggestion... Ultimately, how to proceed, please decide by your word, Military Minister."
Shen Wuxiang’s face was like iron, silent.
Su Tonghe knew he had already made up his mind.
------
Lu Yu, the man who, along with Tang Li, was once called the "Imperial Double Wall" by the late emperor, was still alive.
And he seemed to be living well, enjoying life.
Hearing the old man’s arrogant and unrestrained laughter, Shen Annan’s heart kept sinking.
When besieging a city, always leave an escape route, surround on three sides and leave one open.
Lu Yu’s existence blocked the last gap.
They never really gave him a way to survive.
Not even one path.
If they had sealed all four gates of Luo City from the start, the soldiers would have fought desperately in despair, using blood and firepower to carve out a path for themselves.
Now, they had offered hope of escape, only to snuff out the light themselves.
"So what if you’re alive?" Shen Annan forced himself to remain calm, sarcastically saying, "Hiding like a rat, and now you can finally appear like a human in the light?"
"Yes, indeed hiding like a rat for so many years... New Star was untenable, had to flee to the Old Land... but you lived well, I heard you became a Great General later?"
"Thanks to the Military Minister’s promotion and trust, I, Shen Annan, have this wealth and position."
"Shen Annan, do you know why I must stand here to block this last opening?" Lu Yu smiled brilliantly, the wrinkles on his face piling up, even the yellow rust on his teeth glittered.
"Oh, I’m somewhat curious," Shen Annan said, "Why is that?"
Since the other party wanted to chat, he was happy to oblige.
The longer they were delayed here, the more timely support would reach from Qi Mountain.
Once reinforcements arrived, they would be besieged at both ends...
Hmm, when that thought crossed his mind, his body and soul shuddered.
Previously, they had harbored the idea of ’besieging’ the Aus Empire from both ends, wanting to devour the Flame-Bathed Legion, only to be stabbed in the back by the Aus Empire, resulting in a crushing defeat.
How come we’re being attacked from both sides now...
Is there some kind of deceit?
"Because I told that old friend... your life is mine." Lu Yu’s smile remained, but the hatred in his eyes was undisguised.
"Hahaha, what virtue or ability does Shen Annan have to be regarded so specially by one of the Imperial Double Wall, Lu Yu?" Shen Annan also laughed out loud.
He laughed even more heartily than Lu Yu.
To be remembered for so many years by someone like Lu Yu genuinely made him happy.
"It’s not quite special treatment. The person I hate the most is Shen Wuxiang, the Shen Family. But I know, his life is not mine to take, someone else will handle it."
"As for you... I remember you so clearly because... you were the one who led the attack to break through the Tang family’s gate."
"How many women and children did you kill, serving as a dog for Shen Wuxiang to earn military merit? The entire Tang Family... slaughtered by you."
"So, I swore in front of his spirit that I would kill you with my own hands... and send your wife, children, and all your family members one by one to accompany you."
The smile on the old man’s face grew stronger, but his expression turned maniacal: "However you treated the Tang family back then, I will treat you and your family the same way."
"An eye for an eye, a family for a family."
"I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. Intercepting here is a path to death." Shen Annan sneered, "The other side of Qi Mountain must have already received the news... when reinforcements arrive, all that awaits you is a dead end."
"Lu Yu, you escaped twenty years ago, but this time... you might not be so lucky."
"Shen Annan, you’re thinking too highly of yourself, aren’t you?" Lu Yu’s smile was sinister, his face full of ridicule, having engaged in years of banter with those village women in Henshan, he was fully skilled in taunting: "Shen Wuxiang must have already gotten the news, but will he dispatch troops to save you?"
"Are you more important, or is Qi Mountain more important? Is the Empire’s overall situation important?"
Shen Annan’s eyes narrowed, his expression stiff.
He was a smart man, so he instantly understood what Lu Yu meant.
Lu Yu didn’t give him much time to digest, and actively cut off the video call, saying to the gathered generals around him, "Did everyone hear what I just said?"
"Heard it." The generals replied.
"Uncle, let me be the vanguard? I’ll blast a hole through them." Lu Yan volunteered for battle.
Lu Yan was a direct descendant of the Lu Clan, Lu Dongyang’s son, and also the captain of the Fire Dragon Squadron.
This time, with Lu Yu personally leading the troops, Lu Dongyang also sent Lu Yan along, together with the entire Fire Dragon Squadron.
"Everyone is a vanguard, charge together and tear them apart for me."
"Yes."
With an order, the army charged out, artillery roared.
The sky was once again filled with grand fireworks.
------
Upon hearing Tang Fei agree to a duel to the death with Shen Xinglan, Little Fatty got anxious and moved to intervene: "Bro, you can’t beat him... let me do it, I drove him away last time."
Tang Fei patted Little Fatty’s shoulder, pretending to be angry, and said: "How can you belittle your big brother and boost others’ morale? We haven’t even fought yet and you’re saying I can’t win?"
"Bro, he’s a Great Grandmaster... I can do it, trust me." Little Fatty said, blushing.
He couldn’t beat him either, but he could transform.
Though he wasn’t sure what condition would trigger the transformation.
He might not even have time to transform before Shen Xinglan chops his head off with one strike.
But he didn’t care.
Better him dead... than his big brother.
His big brother had many concerns, while he only had his big brother.
Tang Fei sighed lightly, looked at Little Fatty, and said: "You saw it yourself, he has his sights set on me... don’t worry, big brother will be fine."
"But..."
"No buts. Listen."
"Oh."
Little Fatty nodded in agreement.
He thought to himself, he’ll stay close, and when big brother is in danger, he’ll charge in to fight Shen Xinglan.
If Shen Xinglan dares to kill big brother, then even if it costs his life, he must kill him.
"Tang Fei..."
Phoenix also came over, held Tang Fei’s hand silently.
Tang Fei squeezed slightly, looked at Phoenix with tenderness, smiled, and comforted: "Take care of our home, I’ll be back soon."
"Mm." Phoenix’s eyes were red but she nodded firmly: "I’ll wait for you to return. No matter how late, no matter how long."
She believed Tang Fei would return.
Others might not make it, but Tang Fei could.
There’s nothing in this world Tang Fei can’t do.
Sheng Xinhua just looked at Tang Fei with concern but didn’t step forward to say anything.
She was adhering to the boundaries of friendship, not overstepping, not crossing the line.
Tang Fei nodded at Sheng Xinhua, then turned to Shen Xinglan and said: "We can start now."
Shen Xinglan was not in a hurry, this time, he didn’t plan to give Tang Fei any chance.
So, he was very patient now.
"Say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done. As a fellow disciple, I can give you a little more time."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then can I have a child first?"
"..."
