The Beautiful CEO's Dragon Blood Bodyguard-Chapter 2027 - 2026: Steadying the Troops’ Morale

Inside the camp, the commanders of the five armies from the South Yangtze Prefecture were all seated here.

Among them were the two strongest armies.

One was the Vanguard Army reformed from the Snake Island troops, commanded by Ji Xiaolian, initially stationed at the Huai River Front Lines.

The other was the Army at the Rear led by Wang Xun, guarding the south bank of the Great River. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The Left Route Army was Great General Lei Shicheng’s force, always stationed outside the Southern Capital City’s battle line.

The Central Route Army’s commander Wu Youren and the Right Route Army’s commander Bai Hong were originally descendants of the Eight Schools of Military Strategists, not direct subordinates of Ji Wanrong.

Only after Ji Wanrong’s forces grew did they take the opportunity to pledge allegiance to her.

Ji Wanrong stationed them at the Jingzhou defense line, essentially giving them easy duties, to defend against western threats.

The world is divided into three, and the Jingzhou Prefecture to the west does not align with the royal court, so naturally, they would not send troops eastward.

Apart from those present, Guo Cunyi, currently responsible for army logistics and Ji Wanrong’s chief staff officer, was also there.

Son of the City Lord of Xiangyang City in the South Yangtze Prefecture.

Originally just a student of Chang’an Academy, now after three years of experience, his demeanor had become quite steady.

Navy General Lei Baiyuan was also present.

Due to his young age, he was seated at the end.

However, he commanded a hundred warships, the most lavish and modern among the commanders present.

When Ji Wanrong entered the tent, all the generals rose and saluted with clasped fists.

Ji Wanyu stood up and helped her sister to the commander’s seat, where she gestured with her hand for everyone to sit down.

"What is the current military situation?"

Ji Wanrong asked.

Vanguard Army commander Ji Xiaolian stood up and said, "The spy just reported that the enemy army did not linger long in Jiangdu City and has already pressed forward to the Great River. They seem to be racing against time and have not even settled the rear before sending troops southward with ease."

Wang Xun said, "There’s no need to say, they must be afraid of the return of the Consort Prince. I’ve inquired, the Consort Prince has made a great name for himself on Immortal King Star. If he were to return, those petty folks on the north shore would surely back down!"

Seasoned General Lei Shicheng said, "After all, the Consort Prince hasn’t returned, and we cannot place our hopes on him. The situation is critical now, and we need to prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Vanguard Army Ji Xiaolian said, "I still stand by my previous words: without experts at the Unity Realm Stage to support us and without the battle armor from Aurelius, if we resist to the end, it will only lead to a dead end. It’s better to conserve our forces, either retreat to the Southern Ridge or hide at sea. Once we regroup and find expert support, we can reconsider our strategy."

His words struck a chord with Central Route Army and Right Route Army commanders Wu Youren and Bai Hong.

The two proposed, "In fact, we can go to Jingzhou Prefecture. Prefecture Princess Ji Ruhuo has sent us letters multiple times, saying she wants to unite with us against the northern army. Their region is mountainous and forested, and they have expert support from various factions, making it a good refuge."

Ji Wanrong raised her brows and said, "When did she send you letters? Why am I unaware?"

The two turned pale, quickly stood up, and said, "Forgive us, Commandery Princess. The letter just arrived the day before yesterday. We were planning to present it to you, but seeing you busy with national affairs, we didn’t want to disturb you, so we delayed."

"You can sit down!"

Ji Wanrong’s expression changed slightly, but she said no more.

After all, when the tree falls, the macaques scatter. These two were not her direct subordinates, so planning a retreat during times of crisis was quite normal.

Wang Xun suggested, "Commandery Princess, you have good relations with the people of Jade Island. They’ve made a name for themselves in the East Sea. Why not seek their aid?"

Ji Wanrong shook her head, "I know the situation on Jade Island. They barely manage to protect themselves, and there are no first-rate experts on the island at the moment. Bringing them here would not only be risky but also futile, and I prefer not to trouble them."

Before she finished speaking, a playful laugh came in from outside, "Wanrong, are you underestimating us?"

The guard at the door lifted the curtain of the military tent, and a group of stunning women stood outside.

"Sister Lin!"

Ji Wanrong stood up in surprise, hurrying out to greet alongside Ji Wanyu.

As she exited the tent, she glanced back at Ji Wanyu.

Ji Wanyu stuck out her tongue; who else could have informed Lin Yingying?

She immediately went to explain to Lin Yingying, "Sister Lin, don’t get the wrong idea. Since you’re pregnant, I didn’t want you and your sisters to take risks."

Lin Yingying held her little hand and smiled, "No need to explain, I understand your intentions. Now that the South Yangtze Prefecture is in crisis, our Jade Island cannot stand by. We face difficulties together; the more people, the more strength. We will find a way."

Her calm and composed demeanor gave Ji Wanrong significant confidence.

Lin Shanshan laughed from behind, "Wanrong, don’t worry, my sister has already broken through to the Unity Realm Stage. We now have an expert to guard us, unafraid of those old men on the north shore."

"Really?"

Ji Wanrong was instantly shocked, and excitedly said to Lin Yingying, "Congratulations, sister. How did you break through? None of us knew!"

Lin Yingying shrugged, "I don’t know either. Somehow, I just broke through a restriction. Others face Heavenly Tribulation at breakthroughs, but for me, the heavens didn’t even give a hint."

The crowd chuckled awkwardly, thinking, if only a bit of her luck could be shared with them!

They find it unobtainable, while she achieves effortlessly.

Lin Shanshan jokingly spoke for everyone, "Don’t listen to my sister’s boasting. She missed her brother-in-law and suddenly understood the sword intent of the Xiaoxiang Nine Swords. So she united with heaven, integrating the Sword Dao of the Xiaoxiang Two Concubines as well."

"You talk too much!"

Lin Yingying tapped her on the head, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Though spoken lightly, Ji Wanrong, with her Divine Sea surging, mused, "So that’s it—could this be the sword intent of the Xiaoxiang Nine Swords?"

The group entered the tent together and simulated the current military situation before the sand table.

Due to the north shore army’s impatience and hastiness, they had already started marching against the south bank, concentrating their power on the easiest breakthrough point.

The river mouth at the south bank, located here, would surely become their point of attack.

The troops still adhered to the previous positions, stationing Ji Xiaolian’s Huai River Front Line troops at this location.

The Vanguard and Rear Army together resisted the northern army’s advance southward.

For now, with Lin Yingying in charge, there was no need to worry about northern experts.

Handling the issue of Aurelius’s mecha was temporarily entrusted to the navy’s warships.

Before nightfall, streaks of sword light swiftly moved across the sky, heading toward the river mouth on the south bank.

The troops, previously restless and feeling they couldn’t withstand it, now suddenly stable upon seeing the arrival of so many reinforcements.

These cultivators were all from the Sharing Alliance.

Despite being a loose cultivation organization, over three years, their ties had become much closer than before.

However, it remained a loose organization, only due to Lin Yingying’s promise: whoever came to help would be guaranteed admission for their children to the elite class of Jade Island.

Parents of Jade Island’s cultivation school students always hoped their children would succeed, thus coming to help and swell the numbers.

Lin Yingying also assured them they would not be forced into a life-or-death battle for the South Yangtze Prefecture.

The conditions were quite lenient, requiring only manpower in numbers, allowing them to escape at critical moments.

Only then did everyone come together, with as many as over a hundred thousand cultivators arriving, all loose cultivators from various East Sea Islands.

They came here; besides stabilizing the morale, Lin Yingying did not expect them to do much.