The Demon Lords-Chapter 633 - 111 Waves Carve Out Everything (Part 1)_2

As long as they crossed the Wang River and captured Jade Plate City, Situ Yi's new dynasty would inevitably dissipate like smoke. Afterwards, with the loss of the Wang River as a natural barrier and buffer zone, the wild people would be left with only two choices: either pack up their belongings and return to the snow plains laden with spoils, or engage in a head-on, bloody battle with the Yan Army on the eastern bank of the Wang River.

"It looks like they're about to cross the Wang River," Jin Shuke said.

"Doesn't that mean we're completely out of trouble then?"

Jin Shuke shook his head. "When hunting a wolf, it's not over until it has drawn its last breath."

Life itself is a profound study, and Jin Shuke, having grown up in the desert and originating from a penal tribe, had a deep understanding of it. Many of his philosophies and experiences were rooted in life.

Most importantly, he knew that if this war proceeded too smoothly, his own General might genuinely be in trouble.

"Captain Wang, take a detachment and spread out. The rest of you, rest."

"Yes, Sir!"

"Yes, Sir!"

After a night of recuperation, Jin Shuke led his unit across the Xuanyang River at the first light of dawn, continuing eastward.

After traveling for another half a day, they began to encounter patrol riders from the Yan Army.

Although these were not main army units, they all flew the banners of the Yan Army. The patrol riders didn't cause much trouble, at most snorting derisively with upturned noses, "Hmph, you people are really stretching your reach, aren't you? Too bad, there's no part for you in this war."

Jin Shuke ignored these remarks, still leading his men forward along the periphery of the battlefield.

Every other day, Jin Shuke would have three of his subordinates report back what they had seen and heard.

After another day of rest and a further half-day's journey east, the Wang River was no longer far from them.

The Wang River originates from the Skybreak Mountain range, then flows southward all the way into the Chu State, where it merges into Chu's great marsh. From the other end of this marsh flows the Li River, which the Chu people regard as their mother river. The Li River gathers many waterways within the Chu State before finally emptying into the sea.

The most intense confrontations and probing actions between the two sides were concentrated in the section of the river near Jade Plate City.

This was because Situ Lei's dying blow had not only routed the rebel army but also secured Ying Capital City—the largest city within Cheng State and even the entire Three Jin region. Its practical and political value were thus immensely protected. In contrast, the rebel side, Situ Yi's new dynasty, seemed somewhat "inherently deficient."

Furthermore, the arrival of the Yan Army and its alliance with the Situ Family brought immense pressure to bear on the rebels. After all, the Yan people had been virtually invincible in the past two years, and the Situ Family's two neighboring states had been directly crushed by Yan's iron cavalry.

Therefore, they only needed to conquer Jade Plate City, and the rebel regime woven together by Situ Yi and Situ Jiong would naturally collapse, and the wild people would lose their shield.

Of course, such a massive deployment of troops from the Yan Army and the Cheng State forces could not possibly be confined to engaging in just one small section. Besides the river segment near Jade Plate City, there were likely troops preparing to attempt crossings at other locations upstream and downstream.

Firstly, this could spread thin the forces of the wild people and the rebels, easing the pressure on the main front. Secondly, if any point was successfully infiltrated, large numbers of troops could be deployed there, rendering the Wang River defensive line of the wild people and rebels effectively useless.

Currently, the battlefield closest to Jin Shuke was likely that of the Left Army, situated upstream on the Wang River.

According to scouting reports from the past few days, the Left Army was primarily composed of local county militia from Yan State. In Jin Shuke's assessment, this force appeared to be somewhat uneven in its combat capabilities.

Therefore, the toughest section to crack, Jade Plate City, was assigned to the Eldest Prince's Middle Army for the offensive.

However, as Jin Shuke's contingent continued eastward, he suddenly noticed troops beginning to surge in from various other directions. Clearly, this indicated large-scale troop redeployments on the battlefield.

This was merely the outer perimeter; the Yan Army units in the inner circle were likely even more stirred and active.

These Yan cavalrymen, spirits soaring, were like racers, with units from all directions galloping rapidly towards the Wang River.

"Sir, this... this is..." an armored soldier beside him stammered in disbelief.

Another armored soldier nearby, surnamed Liang, chimed in, "Sir, it looks like the defensive line upstream on the Wang River has been breached! Should we dispatch someone to relay this military intelligence to the General now?"

The defensive line must have been breached. This current activity was clearly a frantic mobilization of troops to reinforce the opposite bank.

As long as organized military formations were successfully deployed to the eastern side of the Wang River, the entire Wang River defensive line would be thoroughly compromised. The already unbalanced scales of war would shed any remaining pretense of hesitation and decisively tip in favor of the Yan Army and the Eldest Prince.

Jin Shuke, however, abruptly raised his hand.

"No," he said. "Wait a little longer. Just a little longer."

"But the General..."

Jin Shuke suddenly whirled around and roared at the armored soldier, "If the battle is won, what difference does it make if word arrives two days earlier or two days later?"

"Yes, Sir."

Indeed, if they won and the Wang River was breached, the situation would become completely clear. For Shengle City, it would merely be the difference between starting preparations for troop reduction and demobilization two days earlier or two days later. What significant difference could that make?

"Follow me forward. You, you, and you—each take a team and spread out."

"Yes, Sir!"

"Yes, Sir!"

Jin Shuke personally led a detachment towards the Wang River. It wasn't that he, Jin Shuke, couldn't afford to lose; rather, it was an intuition, a gut feeling from somewhere deep, that made him sense an undercurrent surging beneath it all.

Those who fare well in their careers can generally be divided into three types. One type consists of capable individuals; another, of those skilled in interpersonal dealings.

The former often look upon the latter with a sense of superiority, while the latter frequently harbor feelings of inadequacy and envy towards the former.

But there is a third type: those who are both adept at managing relationships and highly competent. Such individuals are rare, yet they truly exist.

Jin Shuke was, in fact, such a person. The Sword Saint had recommended him not merely because he was skilled at flattery. Given the Sword Saint's status and dignity, he wouldn't genuinely tell Zheng Fan to promote someone just because their flattery was pleasing.

Rather, after spending some time with him, the Sword Saint discovered that this Barbarian, while appearing magnanimous on the surface, was meticulous and perceptive underneath.

It would have been a pity if such talent were to be overlooked and buried.

And now, Jin Shuke truly felt a sense of unease. This wasn't an anxiety stemming from considering the development of Shengle City, but rather an unease that arose from putting himself in the shoes of the Yan Army currently before him.

But he couldn't pinpoint its source. After all, no matter how he analyzed it, given the glaring disparity in strength between the two sides, orchestrating a reversal through schemes and plots was virtually impossible.

Spurring his horse onward, Jin Shuke finally reached the banks of the Wang River with his men before sunset. This was not a designated river-crossing area. Jin Shuke continued to lead his men downstream along the Wang River. Not far off, various other military units were converging in the same direction, much like Jin Shuke's contingent. However, in Jin Shuke's assessment, the main body of the Left Army had likely already passed through.

Even though the Yan Army's situation appeared excellent, Jin Shuke felt no elation. Instead, his heart was increasingly filled with a restless agitation and panic.

This was perhaps a battlefield sixth sense, the kind only possessed by truly great generals born for war.

Suddenly, Jin Shuke pulled sharply on his reins.

He slowly turned his head, looking towards the upstream section of the Wang River.

Yes, upstream.

In an instant, everyone, including Jin Shuke and the Shengle cavalrymen beside him, was stunned.

"How... how is this possible...?"